James Jordanson - Between Two Paths (KML)

I'm awoken by a bellowing roar, and leap up to see Lilian standing in the middle of the room. Her expression is somewhat apologetic, but there is a stern fire in her eyes as her tail thrashes behind her. I blink in confusion, "L-Lilian, what's going on?" The room's kind of a mess. A chair is shattered against the far wall, and there are some curtains which were cut through by something - presumably Lilian's sword? The lack of light in the window makes it clear it's still night.

"I apologize for waking you, my lord, but it was necessary." The dragoness bows low and respectfully, her tail still twitching, "It appears that, somehow, the demons were able to infiltrate the castle, and sent a group of shades to **** you. I have dealt with them, but the matter must be investigated immediately."

"Wait... what?!" I exclaim, dumbstruck, "What are you saying? Demons in the castle? I... no, you're right. We need to make sure everyone else is alright."

Lilian's face is grim, "Indeed. However, it is your safety which concerns me the most, my lord. To that end, as the alarm has been raised, I must ask you to stay in my company. We will first investigate our majesties, and then the remainder of the castle's staff. Do you understand?"

I nod in agreement, and Lilian's eyes seem to flash, "Very well. Be prepared; shades do not act alone, but at the behest of more powerful demons."

I get the picture, and hurry to get ready, slapping on the clothes I wore earlier in the day and the sword I was given by Arma, although I trust my phone more in case I run into actual danger. Lilian watches me with a disapproving eye, and I'm not sure what she's judging, but she doesn't say anything.

"Let's go," I tell her, and with a nod, we're out the door.

Guards are already out and about all over the castle as we make our way though, and a sizable squad forms up with us as we pass with runners dispatched here and there to deliver details of the threat to their companions. Close by Lilian's side as I am, we make our way directly to the royal suites until Lilian abruptly calls our small troop to a halt and directs the guards to wait where they are while she lifts me up into her arms and ghosts further forward until she turns a corner into a t-intersection.

Ahead of us is a peculiar scene.

On our end of the hallway - and facing away from us - is Cheryl. She's standing casually and politely with her hands clasped together just above her waist. Still in uniform, and so perfectly still despite the distant chaos audible throughout the castle's halls that it's a little unnerving.

Beyond Cheryl - and facing our way, although her focus is on the maid - is a woman I've yet to meet in person, the Arch-Priestess Esme Elene. Shockingly youthful and beautiful for her age, she holds a glowing scepter in one hand as she fixes a genial smile on Cheryl. She stands with her back to the wall, wearing white, form-fitting robes with a cape and shawl held together by a large, dull pearl.

Anyway. There's a subtle tension. It's almost like Cheryl is attempting to corner the priestess against the wall, but there's nothing overtly threatening about the maid's posture, and certainly the Priestess doesn't seem to feel that threatened. Something feels odd, and I raise the phone I hold in my hand.

"Oh, dear," the Priestess says, her voice resonating with a quiet, soothing power, "it is quite late. Has the castle's current trouble wakened you my child? Fret not, this trouble will be resolved swiftly. Shall I call a guard to escort you to your chambers?"

"No thank you," Cheryl says, "I think I would prefer to stay here. The halls are rather busy, you know, and I'm not sure that it's safe to wander them right now. I do apologize, but would it be alright for me to stay with you, Lady Elene?"

The priestess gives a small nod, and a slight smile, "Well... if you insist, my child. Although, I must warn you... my duties require my presence elsewhere in the castle, and I must be on my way soon."

Cheryl nods in turn, "Yes, of course, and I apologize. But it really is quite dangerous, isn't it? You have your duties, of course, but perhaps you could wait a little while for a group of guards to arrive so that they might escort me? Truthfully, I fear for my safety if I were to be found alone at this hour. If you insist that I must return to my chambers, then I must humbly ask that you escort me, for I fear I would not make the journey safely on my own."

Esme's expression doesn't even twitch. "But Cheryl," the Priestess says, "I am sure you will be alright. Listen? No blades strike and no horns sound: whatever trouble has occurred has like already been dealt with. And, although the halls are indeed busy, I do not believe there is any reason to fear for your safety if you were to make your own way back to your chambers."

"I see..." Cheryl says, and then pauses a moment, "then... perhaps, you could escort me to the chapel, or some other place of safety?"

"Ah, but wouldn't that be quite troublesome to you? After all, you must return to your duties in the morning, do you not?"

"That's true," the maid nods, "but I can simply sleep on a bench or cot there. Honored Priestess, have I offended you? Why is it you seek to quicken me out from your grace?" Cheryl bows slightly, "If that is the case, please, tell me what I have done so that I may better improve myself!"

The Priestess laughs, and something about it doesn't sit quite right to me, "Oh, my dear child, do you truly think that I would turn you aside so readily if I were not busy with something of great importance? Do you not trust your elders?"

Cheryl shakes her head, "No, it's not that. I do trust you, honored Priestess, and of course the guards, and everyone else in the castle. But it's not about that; I'm simply scared, and I want to be with someone who I can feel safe with. I know you're busy, and I apologize for taking your time. Please, honored Priestess, would you at least tell me what it is you're doing in the dead of night, on the way to the guests' chambers and so far from your own?" Cheryl tilts her head, in an almost catlike way, and I can imagine her fixing Esme with a penetrating gaze much like she assailed me with, when she confronted me about my power.

Esme's expression falters slightly and she takes a breath, then says, "I'm sorry, but my tasks are secret, and not something that should be discussed in an open hallway. If you wish, you may ask our majesties in the morning."

Cheryl nods, "Would it not be easier to wait a few moments for the guards to arrive? You're clearly a little flustered, so I would hate for you to go out on your own and be attacked by whatever problem has drawn Lilian's ire. Do you not trust even the royal guard to keep this secret? What matter could require such delicacy, which you would seek with our majesties' intended?"

The priestess' eyes narrow slightly, and she sighs, "Very well," she says as she takes a simple step forward and lifts the glowing scepter in her hand. I notice that the light of the orb is growing stronger. This doesn't feel right. It doesn't feel right at all. My skin is bristling as magic gathers.

As Lilian pushes me to the side and starts to rush forward, I fix my phone forward at the Priestess and...

[AN: The transition was clumsier than I intended, and the dialogue was a little hard for me this time.]
[AN: This is intended to be a three-way branch. Lilian's defensive action has disrupted James' stance, so he could target anyone here. Target Esme as intended, Target Cheryl for those who want to try that from James' perspective (which I won't support beyond the initial generation), and Target Lilian for... nothing to happen and we see what happens if James doesn't intervene here. I'll be starting these in that order.]