“Why does she show up now....”

I narrow my eyes at Nahlia for a moment. I keep my body tucked under and follow her angrily with my face. She ends up standing next to my bed. Nahlia seemed a little unsure of herself. I don't say much and wait for her to leave. I needed my sleeping time. I was worried about the competition. Maur could die and I would lose another friend. Nahlia sits on my bed and picks at my blanket.

“Um, I need your help,” Nahlia begins. She hands me a cup of something hot to drink and places it on my bed. She wanted me to drink it and be happy. I kick my feet excitedly and take a sip. It taste sweet and made me feel warm.

“Thanks,” I motion.

Nahlia doesn't understand me. I had taught her earlier and she already forgot. Talking with Maur was fine during the night, but I couldn't see. In the day. it was the opposite. I wanted a friend, to share the silence with, like in the Ryoken lands. I narrow my eyes at Nahlia.

“Why is it so hard for you to learn?”

Nahlia smiles at me. She tries to find the right words, rolling her eyes at herself slightly. She continues. “You know my friend, Tayt Milonas? Could you talk with Maur again? He keeps putting me off. I know he's busy being threatened in the city and everything.”

My eyes dart to Nahlia.

“Mmm....Ok. I'll help you. We can rescue your friend with my tempest. I have a new plan.”

Nahlia becomes excited. I could feel the bed move. She smiles some more and then flattens her smile. She looked worried and unsure if I could help. Maur didn't want us getting in a fight with the high priest and his minions. Things could go poorly if we stepped out of line.

My tempest had tried to find Tayt earlier for me. There was still a lot of missing information.

“Tayt was a sold to a robed man. I think he was the main priest,” adds Nahlia.

“I already know that,” I say.

Nahlia becomes quiet. She bites her lip awkwardly.

“Mona Classidine has to come with us tomorrow. Maur wants us to take her exploring,” I add.

“Sure.” Nahlia bites her lip.

I look over at her. My bed was beneath me and I was kneeling on it now. I balance my drink on the covers and walk over to my equipment. I grab my gun. I look around for my knife and put it my chair for the next day. Everything was ready and I smile.

“You're going to need this,” I say handing Nahlia my gun.

“Thanks,” motions Nahlia.

She did understand me! I smile and get back on my bed. Nahlia looks at me.

“What's your plan?,” she asks.

I didn't want to tell her my plan. It was a secret. Everyone wanted to save someone and it bothered me. My frustration grows. It reminded me of Atjani always talking about Melinal. Now it was all about saving Tayt. I rub my face with my hands and rest my cheeks on them. My eyes dart to Nahlia and then back down at my blankets. My eyebrows lower.

“Lani this. Lani that. Help me, them and there.”

I decide to change the topic.

“Do you want to read my diary with me?,” I ask excitedly.

“Not really.”

“Well, that's where my secret plan is,” I say. “My tempest stole Tayt's secret memories too. He has a really dirty mind.”

“What?,” gasps Nahlia.

I pretend to read something in Neandelerian, as Nahlia tries to grab my diary. I begin to smile. I toss it around carefully like my messenger's knife, not allowing her to get hold of it. I start laughing, keeping it out of reach. I tease her again, touching her face tauntingly with my diary a few times. I felt all my frustration leaving me. Nahlia starts to laugh at herself. Suddenly, she reaches too far and spills our drinks on my bed. I become upset and she looks at me sheepishly.

“Look what you spilled.....” I manage to say.

“Yep. That was me. Sorry,” she says. Nahlia tries to rub it with her sleeve and makes it worse.

I stare at Nahlia and she gets up to leave my room. She stands awkwardly and slowly makes her way to the door. I couldn't go to sleep now. I had to clean up the mess and get ready for tomorrow. I listen to Nahlia scamper down the hallway. A moment later, she peers back in my doorway with some rags in her hand. She waits patiently and musters some courage to say something.

“Can I read what you wrote?”

“No. It's not real,” I answer.

“Oh. Need me to help clean?”

I make an angry face at Nahlia. She walks in with the rags and helps smear everything around more. I do my best and stay calm. My expression lowers again. It would be relieving if everything happened smoothly tomorrow. I needed my plan work