The Tsuki Saga
The Tour
The following morning Shalnek was awakened by a light tap tapping on his door. He got up and opened the door. Nothing. There was nobody there. He looked up and down the corridor, and up at the ceiling and down on the floor, but still he could see nobody. He shrugged and returned to his room to dress. Stanley appeared and showed the four to a small parlour, where a light breakfast of eggs, toast, and muffins was laid out. A few moments after they arrived, Tsuki entered the room. She looked around at her guests and then half-smiled at them. She nodded to Stanley who left the room. They ate in a tense silence, nobody wanting to speak first. Shalnek decided he had to speak.
"So," he began, "how is our friend, Lienad?" Tsuki looked at him, betraying some annoyance at this man, before she replied. "Lienad is well. Ginny has been caring for him all night." She snapped the last sentence, before she shook her head, her voice became calm, and her gaze seemed to mellow. "But gentlemen, I feel I must apologise again. First I bring you here, then your friend becomes ill and then I am rude enough to wish to have slept better last night. My deepest apologies, friends." Shalnek smiled, "No, forgive us, we are intruding on your hospitality and have not yet thanked you." Tsuki looked at him again. Her eyes seemed to have flames in them this morning; they shone red and gold. He looked away, he continued to speak, "We were wondering if we could wander around the castle this morning?"
Tsuki looked out of the window. It was a bleak day. The sky was a thunderous shade of grey and a fog, which looked as if it was a permanent resident, blurred the horizon. She nodded, "as you wish. Perhaps, though," she looked back at them, "Perhaps you'd like a tour? I have never shown people round in person, but I have no immediate chores, nor do I have any business elsewhere. I could show you around much better than you could find your way. Please say yes. It would be such fun." Unable to resist the girlish charm of this small speech the four agreed, on the condition that they could see Lienad first. Once they had finished breakfast they headed for Lienad's room. Sidney was on guard outside. Tsuki had him open the locked door and they went into the room. It was unlike any room they had seen in the castle so far. It was bright and airy. Ginny stood by Lienad's bed, gazing at him and humming softly to herself. When she noticed the group she gasped and ran into another adjoining room. Tsuki half-smiled again. "Ginny is a little wary of people, especially males. Now, Lienad, how do you feel?" she addressed this last sentence to the patient. He stirred and smiled at his friends. "I have had the sweetest dream." He said. "Let me sleep again, I want to dream it again." He was about to close his eyes when Ginny appeared again and threw a glass of water over him. Gasping, he sat up in the bed. He looked around at his companions, "what the...?" he managed before Ginny dragged him out of the bed. The others looked at Tsuki, hoping for an explanation. She nodded to Ginny who slapped Lienad hard on the face. As she moved her hands seemed to leave a dusty trail. Lienad finally began to breathe properly again. He smiled at Ginny, and at Tsuki. He shook Tsuki's hand vigorously and then applied to his friends to allow him to join them in their tour. Reluctantly they agreed. Tsuki whispered something to Ginny and then turned to the group, now of five. They were ushered out of the room by Ginny who then flitted around the room, apparently tidying.
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