Hunting For The Sun

CHAPTER TWENTY

I Would Lie For You

I stumbled forwards and fell flat on my face.

`What´s going on?´ Skye asked, trying to help me up but failing. I was slightly pleased, deep inside my nasty bit, that she sounded quite scared.

`I don´t know,´ I admitted, standing and rubbing my hands. Skye shifted up the bench for me to sit down. I did so gratefully, and began to work on my bonds. I won´t pretend I´m any kind of knot undoing champion, but they were fairly badly tied. I eased the last loop over my thumb and they fell away. I rubbed my wrists gratefully, spitting on the cuts and burns from the rope and rubbing it in.

`So who did you say you were?´ she asked, watching me intently.

`I said I was a guide, not even one of you,´ I told her.

`You´re famous for your lies,´ she laughed wryly.

Rather than being flattered, I blushed, concentrating on my wrists and not meeting her eyes.

`You can guess what I said,´ she sighed.

`I know,´ I said, giving her a shrewd look. `Why did you say that?´

`We can´t lose you,´ she explained. `I know that I have a part to play in this, but they call me the Sky. I think that means I´m to watch over you, doing whatever I can. This could be the end of the line for me, but I have to protect you.´

`Thanks,´ I said, awed. `Do we all have names, then?´

`Yes,´ she said. `Raven could tell you better than me. She´s clearly Raven. Her real name is nothing like that, but some of us adopted our prophetic names for convenience. Ravens are omens of death. She has to kill, or be killed. Sky is above us, always watching. Cloud is there to blanket you, to always be there when you need him. Alethea is intended to tell you the truth. It may just be once, or it could be anytime you need it, but she has to tell you the truth and it´s really important that she does. Draco, well, he´s the one who made you what you are. He´s your guardian. We aren´t sure why he´s called Dragon, but we´ll find out before all this is over.´

`Why do you know all this?´ I asked, trying to process all of what she had said.

`Religious doctrine,´ she shrugged. `That´s what we learn, living in the temple.´

`What about me?´ I asked, trying to squash the thought of how boring it must be to live there.

`Well, there´s supposed to be a metaphorical darkness if we don´t establish you and get you, mainly the principle of you, forgiven. You´re our little ray of light as the times get darker. I don´t know if you´d noticed that happening?´

`I think I have,´ I marvelled. `It started back in the sewers. It started with Harry, didn´t it?´

She raised her eyebrows. `You´re sharp,´ she said. `It took some of our scholars years to work that out. You see, Harry thought that he was doing the right thing. Actually, there´s no right thing. You have to follow a mid-path, and if you don´t then you´re breaking it. No one can be truly one thing or the other. By doing that, he snapped the balance and now everything is going wrong. You were then adapted and sent on your way.´

I sat back, marvelling a little at how close I came to upsetting that balance myself. Skye groaned, trying to rub her wrists, which were turning blue as they were chained above her head, rattling her chains ineffectually.

`I´ll get that for you,´ I said, rising and pulling a hairpin from my plait. Skye obediently held her hands out to me and I straightened the bent pin. I examined it briefly and then set to work.

`Use magic,´ she said. `I don´t think you can do the actual spell, but we can feel out the inside of the lock.´

I did that, sensing the mechanism and triggering it.

`Are they wizards, then?´ I asked.

`I think so. Yes. One of them was carrying a wand and he did some kind of spell,´ she nodded.

I clicked the second lock and she dropped her hands into her lap, rubbing at them gratefully.

`Thanks.´

I nodded my acknowledgement and sat back down. For some reason, I was very tired. I leant back against the cold metal walls. It wasn´t warm, but not exactly cold. I removed my gloves and tipped my head back until it came up against the wall. I closed my eyes.

`What are we going to do?´ I asked Skye.

`Do you want me to be honest?´ she asked sincerely. I looked at her. At this point, I felt the need to reassess her. She wasn´t what I had thought she was. Maybe she was nasty and vindictive, but she wasn´t just that. There was more to her.

`I think I´m a big girl now,´ I replied, looking straight into her eyes.

`I respect that,´ she said softly. `I´m proud to know you, Rae. You´re more than I ever thought you´d be. You don´t know it yourself, but whatever you or I have done will change the world. You´re saving us all. I thank you and promise that I will never do anything against you.´

`Why all the meaningful stuff?´ I asked.

`Because I don´t think I´ll see you again after today,´ she replied calmly. `This is my last sunset, and I want to make the most of it.´

`You aren´t going to die!´ I insisted more to reassure me. I was terrified of being left alone here. Skye couldn´t die. I needed her.

She just smiled. `Well, I don´t know if we stand a chance. They said that they would "see to me" later. I don´t know what that means. You need to know what to do.´

I nodded, swallowing tears of defeat.

She shifted forwards, coming close to me and lowering her voice to an urgent whisper.

`I´ve been places like this before,´ she muttered. `You need to answer them, first of all. Invent anything you want, but never refuse to talk. You can get killed for things like that. Make up something realistic. Okay, how to get out. I don´t know how far your thing with Draco goes, but you need to talk to him. Tell Draco what´s happened to me. Then you need to find out where he is. I´m not sure what this place is, or if they can hold a wizard, but I wouldn´t risk anything. I´ve seen this thing they put in the walls in some places that burns you to death if you so much as try to cast. Don´t risk it. Unless these people are the Light, they can´t impede the prophecy. I don´t know what they are, but do anything you can.´

We both froze, snapping our heads to face the door, as we heard footsteps then a key in the lock. Three burly guards appeared. Two stood by the door and one marched in, grabbing Skye from the bench. I tried to snatch at her, but he shoved me roughly back against the metal. Skye struggled, but another of the three grabbed her other arm and they lifted her from the ground. Her bloodstained hair flicked over her face and she shook her head to clear her vision.

`Tell Draco that I´ll always love him, no matter what happens,´ she cried, then the door slammed and I heard no more.

~*~

I screwed my eyes shut and buried my face in my hands. What was going to happen? I couldn´t see any way out of this. I tried to filter out the anger and sadness and fear to leave me with thought. It didn´t work. Hell, I had a fair amount of time before they came for me too. I could afford to let it expend itself. I cried. I wept savage tears, smashing my fists against the walls. I shattered the bench against a wall and wrenched at the bars in the tiny window in the door. Then I simply sat down on the floor and cradled my bleeding fists.

What was I best at? Lying. Lying and sneaking. I had no honour, no scruples. Nothing to lose; everything to gain. I wiped my eyes dry and licked the blood from my reopened cuts. There was no excuse to be messy. Somehow this simple ritual from childhood made me feel clearer. I blinked several times. I put my hands on the floor to steady myself and closed my eyes, breathing deeply.

Draco?

Rae! My gods, we´ve been frantic, where are you? Are you alright?

His mental voice made me want to cry, but I suppressed it. There was no time for more tears.

I don´t know where I am, and I don´t know if I´m alright.

Rae, please don´t do this to me. I can´t take it. Is Skye there?

She was,

I answered. She told them that she was me, and they´ve taken her away. I think they´re going to kill her. I couldn´t help it. I started to cry again.

Rae, what´s that noise?

Draco asked. Are you crying?

I nodded, then realised that he couldn´t see me. Yes.

Look, we can´t worry about her. If she´s gone, she was meant to go. There´s nothing we can do for now.

I nodded again, trying to use that thought to clear my mind again. I sniffed and wiped my eyes once more.

Okay.

Now, have you

any idea where you are?

They sound Russian,

I remembered.

What was the place like where you landed? We saw them take you in a helicopter.

It was...

I tried to remember. Cold. Cold, and it´s night time here.

That´s something, it´s only evening here. Russian? Did they ask for anything?

They thought I was you,

I told him, sniffing again.

What?

They thought I was Dragon.

They were looking for me?

he muttered. Me? But why me? Why did they think you were me? They obviously haven´t been too well informed. That would take our attention away from the Light.

Skye said that would mean that they can´t stop us

, I noted.

The fact that they aren´t well informed would mean that they aren´t directly from the Light. They could still be employees. Why are they looking for me, though? It´s all meant to be about you.

What´s your part in it all?

I asked, trying to think laterally.

I mean that they can´t hurt you. If I´m with you then nothing can happen to you, mentally or physically present. You only became necessary in the War, when the division was formalised. At that moment I became linked to you. Since then I´ve been watching you. If they kill me there´s nothing to stop them killing you in a normal way... that could be the most valuable weapon they have.

I couldn´t say anything. The thought that someone wanted to kill Draco just to get at me was horrible. Why couldn´t people play fair?

How is everyone?

I asked, trying to take my mind off it.

Alethea´s in a bad way. I think she´s been mortally wounded. We´re stranded out here. Sooner or later we´re going to have to use magic and get out or heal her here. There´s no choice. Seamus has lost an arm. We´re trying to fix him up, but it isn´t looking good. I had to cut it off this morning. Raven is alright, she´s just lost a lot of blood. She´s the only other one who can do anything. I´m pretty much alright. I´ve bandaged myself up pretty well, but I´m still bleeding. We might not last. I wouldn´t hold out much hope for Alethea. We may have to give her up before next morning.

You can´t do that!

I cried. She´s my friend.

Is it up to you?

he demanded. If we can´t save her then we can´t save her. Focus on Seamus. He should be fine. Look, I have to go. If they find me then they´ll be able to kill you.

Draco!

What?

Skye said to tell you... she said that she´ll always love you, no matter what

, I told him, choking back tears again. He was silent for a time.

Bye, Rae.

I closed my eyes and pressed the heels of my hands into my eyes to block the throbbing headache that loomed. I can´t say how long I stayed in that position, but eventually I swept a space free of shards of wood and curled into a ball on the floor to sleep.

~*~

I peeled my eyelids open, shifting myself slowly out of my tight little ball. My limbs creaked and it took a while before I felt ready to move my arm up to rub the cloudy sandiness out of my eyes. I folded my hands up around my sides to try to warm them up a bit. I looked around my cell, flicking my hair over to the right side. I took a sip from my little water-skin inside my pocket. The water burned my parched throat, and I swallowed again to try and clear the gap. As if on cure, I heard those ominous footsteps in the corridor again. I shifted to the back of the cell and drew my knees up, wrapping my arms around them and assuming a surly expression.

The blond man who had taken Skye was here again. His two dark companions held the door again and he snatched me up.

Don´t fight them.

I stood, allowing him to lock his massive hand around my upper arm. I walked out of my cell with dignity, head held high. I wouldn´t let them take me screaming for mercy.

I was led through the intricate labyrinth of passages, going deeper and deeper into the heart of the building. The halls were featureless, and I kept my eyes ahead, ignoring all the looks and jeering.

`Can I have a piece of her when you´re done?´ an English one yelled. I clenched my teeth tightly and disregarded him.

A room was open when we reached it, and it was barred by another door. The man held me in front of him and I was forced through the door.

The room was fairly large, but dark and windowless. There was a row of tables along the back with many shaded figures sitting behind it. A chair made of metal with leather straps all across the arms and legs stood on a slight podium, directly under the single hanging light, and it was towards this that the blond one directed me. He shoved me roughly down into the seat, strapping my arms and legs down. I squinted in the blazing light, attempting to see the figures at the tables, with their suits and immaculate hair. They had notepads and many wore glasses. I couldn´t see a single feature on them, though. They looked totally inhuman. I didn´t know what they were, or if they even were human. All I knew was that they were my enemies. They killed Skye.

I flicked my hair back over my shoulders with a shake of my head.

`Name?´ a cold, female voice demanded.

`Garnet Micelles,´ I said, to pick a name from the air. My voice stayed strong, and sounded very reassuring, no matter what was behind it.

`Who are you?´

`I told you that.´

They chose not to react. `Why were you with the Dark?´

`I was guiding them through the mountains,´ I lied.

`What was the name of the white-haired girl?´

`Rae Kelwaedd,´ I prevaricated.

`Who is the Dragon?´

`If you don´t know, then I won´t tell you,´ I said haughtily.

`Break her fingers,´ the woman instructed. The blond man came towards me. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I felt his hands close around my finger. I tensed myself, holding my breath but refusing to turn my head away. He jerked his hand back and a ripping pain tore through my hand. My finger burned, screaming with agony but I didn´t say a thing. I didn´t breathe a word, not a word. I left my hand still, drawing my attention away from it. I bit my lip and opened my eyes.

`You´re brave,´ she noted.

I mustn´t let them have the satisfaction of hurting me.

`Next question,´ I said in a trembling voice. `Next question,´ I repeated, stronger this time. `Can we make a deal that you won´t ask me questions to which you already know that answer?´

The blond one moved towards me again, but the woman waved a hand and he moved away.

`I think that´s fair,´ she said. `Very well. What is the true identity of Truth?´

Something about how she said it made me certain that Truth was a person. Alethea, clearly.

`Alethea,´ I said. `I don´t know her surname.´

`And Cloud?´

`I don´t know.´ I strove not to think of the fact that it was a lie. I hope it didn´t show. To this day I´m not really sure. I didn´t blink and I didn´t bite my lip. I pretended to myself that they were asking me about someone I really didn´t know.

`Raven?´

`She´s a doctor.´

`Dragon?´

`I can´t tell you. I don´t really know who he is myself.´ It was, I suppose, partly true. I knew I couldn´t take much more before I broke.

`Your name?´

`Garnet Micelles,´ I said again, knowing what they were doing. My head was oddly clear. They couldn´t trick me.

`Thank you. That will be all, for now.´ She said something to the blond one in Russian and he nodded, untying me and escorting me out of the room.

He said nothing to me as he took me back to the cell. The door closed behind me and I stood with my back to it for a while before taking another deep breath and allowing myself to feel the pain in my finger. I wasn´t really ready for how bad it turned out to be, and I fell to my knees, crying out. I clutched it to my chest. My eyes brimmed and overflowed. I snagged on the tears. I couldn´t leave it like this. If anyone knew what happened to broken fingers, it was I. I couldn´t use my magic, the walls could kill me. Before I got my wand, I already knew how to heal wounds the Muggle way.

I closed my eyes, clenched my jaw and took a deep breath. I held it and wrapped my other hand around the finger. I slowly tightened my grip. I could feel the bones grinding against each other. I gave it a last jerk. With a tremendous yell of pain from me, it slotted back into the hole. Throbbing pain seared through it, but I wiggled it with a great effort, and it responded appropriately. I could already see blood blossoming under my skin, but tried not to think about it. I took hold of the end of my finger and bent it, then straightened it, then bent it, then straightened. I lay on my back on the floor, and lost track of time as I kept bending and straightening my finger. Soon all the light merged and flowed and I could feel myself lose sense of my surroundings. I drifted in this loose, starved trance for gods only know how long. When I next became aware of the floor under my back, it was light in my little cell.