Sophie was in a familiar brick room...facing the Queen of Godor...and her jealous wrath. The Queen raised her hand and the soldiers descended, having their fun...

~~

She opened her eyes to dusk and exhauled, drapping an arm over her eyes. "Another dream..." She didn't know how much time passed when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." Sophie said with no motivation to get up. She glanced up as the door opened to see Galip. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Hello."

Galip raised his own eyebrow, looking down at her. "What is it with royalty never acting like royalty?"

"Your royalty are the ones that act the weirdest."

"Says the royal sprawled on the floor hugging my sword."

"I'm no longer a royal, and Unholy Might calms me."

Galip sighed, coming over to sit in the chair near the fireplace as he considered Sophie, "His Highness is worried you are thinking of quiting before you've even started?"

Sophie's eyebrow seemed to be competing with Galip's. "I thought you didn't want me to be His Majesty's Guard in the first place?"

Galip crossed his arms. "I said I wasn't sure I approved, not that I didn't want you to."

"I fail to see the difference."

Galip sighed, "Look, it is true you are a rediculously tiny human woman. One that's not just an Iesmiarain, but on top of that a Regiis. However." His hazel eyes captured Sophie's blue ones and held them sternly. "You have also survived the anialation of Iesmiarain, somehow avoided being caught by those who seek Iesmiarain blood, escaped numerous times from Godor, and learned to fight. You can fight as well as any vampire soldier." His hazel eyes hardened. "If you are going to throw in the towel before you've even tried." He held out his hand, "Then return Unholy Might."

~So he was the one who left the sword in my room...~ Determination filled her and she clutched at the sword, sitting up. There it was, her center, she found it from his speech...but wavered when she thought about recent events. She bit her lip, not wanting to fall back into dispair. "But if you think about it logically-"

She jumped when he interrupted her, his voice hard, "Since when have you done things logically? Is it logical for a tiny little thing like you to pick up a sword, let alone any hopes to succeed at it? Is it logical for a slave to disobey their master?" His gaze challenged her. She closed her eyes, trying to think. Galip stood and said softly, surprising her, "Consider the things I've said Sophie. I am not one to sprout off nonsense." With that, he left almost faster than she could see.

Needing a more open space to clear her mind, she also left, wandering the halls aimlessly, thinking, but her thoughts were muddled. They kept going in circles on her. She was only causing trouble...but... Finally she stopped and sighed, looking at the bright sunlight outside the window she was standing near. Her mood brightened and a smile snuck onto her lips. "Guess I'll just have to get stronger..." Red caught her eye and she looked down the hall to see Diana being led by a blond maid. ~Did she get lost? She's new to this castle like me...actually,~ She looked around. ~I have no idea where I am.~ She quickly walked forward, trying to catch them. She wanted to thank and talk with Diana. The red-head was cheerful and good company. As Sophie drew nearer, a hooded figure dashed passed the end of the hallway, then stopped in his tracks as he looked their way.

"Diana?" That was Prabhakar's voice, and Sophie grinned. These two were so cute together.

Diana grinned, "Sorry, I got lost." She looked around as if searching for someone that should be there.

"Shall I continue to..." The maid asked polietly and Prabhakar held up his hand, Sophie noticed in his other one, he held a sword.

"No, thank you." The maid departed to return to her duties.

"Hakar, today Lady Clare and Sir Chile-"

"Shh." Prabhakar glanced around energetically, sneaking down the hall with Diana behind him. Raising an eyebrow at his antics, Sophie followed. "Right now I've been skittering around."

"What?"

"I'm trying to get some exercise. I can't let my body become dull after doing so many official duties."

Diana sighed, "Oh boy. In other words, you're escaping from official duties?" Sophie was amused she knew him so well after such a short time.

"Well, yeah." He hooked his sword back on his belt. "I wanted to come see you, so I thought I'd take a little time off and complain some..." Deeming it safe, he stopped and leaned against the wall near a window. "So we got to meet again Diana. But..." It was hard to tell from the sunlight shedding Prabhakar's crowl into even darker shadow but...was he blushing?

"Hmm?" Diana asked. Sophie was distracted, admiring her cloths. She liked her style again in a complex long sleeved blouse, short black skirt, black leggings and tan boots.

Prabhakar also was dressed nicely in a hooded, designed jacket, white pants, black and white expensive boots. Thin black gloves covered his hands. "This feels formal..." He complained. A couple of people rounded the corner near them.

"She's not in her room nor the garden-" The speaker stopped when he caught sight of them. He wore a white short sleeved jacket and hood, the hood down, over a black long sleeved shirt, pants as well as tan boots. The composed woman by his side had blond hair pulled back in a low pony. She wore a long sleeved blue blouse under a black hood around her shoulders. Darker blue skirt, black leggings, and tan boots. There were swords on both their hips.

"Ah. Sir Chile! Lady Clare!" Diana peeked around a sulking Prabhakar who clicked his tongue.

"Hey Diana. Morning." This Chile said with a smile, then turned to Prabhakar. "What are you clicking your tongue for Hakar?"

"That's fast Chile. You have already caught up with me? Alright, it's your turn to run away next!" Prabhakar said with a smile, pointing down the hallway.

"Uwah! He's trying to drive me away Clare!"

Clare on the other hand, was ignoring them both, having come closer to Diana. "It's good to see you." She said with a reserved smile.

Diana grinned. "I'm heading out of town though. I just remembered that Hakar once told me to tell him in times like this so..."

"What?" Prabhakar turned toward her as Chile sulked. "Don't tell me on the very day! Where are you going?"

"I'm going on a day trip on a ship until it reaches the vicinity of the Bluff."

"The town ahead near the ocean huh? At first I planned to sneak out of the castle to accompany you. But I guess it can't be helped now..." Prabhakar started down the hallway, "I'll see you off at the port."

~Guess my talk with Diana will have to wait.~ After wandering around, Sophie found her room once more. Not able to sleep, she spent her time exercising and practicing with Unholy Might before staring out the window and deciding to visit the stables.

"Miss Sophie?" A female voice called out to her, making her stop and look around.

"Ah." There was a pretty woman smiling at her, the way she smiled reminded her of Olaf, it was filled with such kindness. She wore a brown, comfy jacket over a white blouse with a black scarf, white and brown short skirt and black knee high boots. Her cloths were finely made. She had shoulder length black hair and dark eyes. Short hair must be stylish here in Drakon.

"Care to take a walk with me?"

"No, I don't mind." She might not know who this woman was, but she was so welcoming she couldn't help warming up to her. The woman showed her more of the gardens outside. The breeze held a promise of warmer weather.

"Miss Sophie, you've been getting quite close with His Majesty haven't you? Is there something going on between you and His Highness...the Drakon King?" She looked flushed and shy as she quietly asked this. Sophie cocked her head, watching her as they slowed to a stop. The woman gestured for them to sit on a stone bench nearby.

Sophie shook her head. "I'm just a new Guard, that's all."

The woman blushed more. "Really? That's good." Sophie was trying to control her eyebrow from arching up, but was having trouble. "Also...if you could not fall for King Gabriels?" She looked worried and covered her mouth daintily. "I'm sorry for saying such a mean thing." Sophie just looked at her, not sure what to say. She pursed her lips. A figure walked around the corner, walking toward them. "Your Highness!" The woman called over her shoulder.

Gabriels crooked a finger. "I need to talk to you." Sophie hesitated, glancing at the woman, wondering which one of them he wanted and feeling a little awkward.

"Me?" The woman asked cutely, pointing to herself hopefully. Gabriels nodded. Sophie frowned slightly, wondering why she felt a little bit down. She blamed it on what the woman had been telling her. "I'm so happy. What do you need to talk about?" The woman hopped over to him and wrapped her arms around his, beaming.

Gabriels looked serious and didn't smile back, but he was polite. "Can you come to the sun room with me? I do not want to discuss it here..." He passed a glance at Sophie and she felt her frown deepen. They turned to leave but the woman glanced over her shoulder as if just remembering something.

"Ah. Miss Sophie, the thing we were just talking about..."

Sophie forced a polite smile. "Perhaps we can pick up where we left off some other time." For some reason, Sophie was beginning to feel grumpy. Gabriels considered her for a moment, but said nothing and they went their seperate ways. Sophie just couldn't shed her new bad mood as she walked through the gardens toward the stables. She calmed some as she brushed and spent time with Noir.

On the way back through the gardens, she ran into that woman once more. The other gave a friendly smile. "What's wrong? You look depressed."

"Miss." Sophie curtsied a greeting. She didn't know who this woman was specifically, but she seemed of noble birth. "I don't think I'm depressed."

"Are you bothered by what King Gabriels and I were talking about? Do you want me to tell you?" This woman was a little annoying, Sophie conceeded. "Lend me your ear." The woman leaned in to whisper, cupping her mouth. "You're so stupid." Her tone changed, no longer happy go lucky, but eerily joyful all the same. She grabbed Sophie and bit down in between her neck and shoulder, immediately a burning sensation flooded from the wound and Sophie's knees collapsed.

She panted for air, her lungs feeling like they were freezing. Her vision swayed. It was agony just to twitch her finger. Her joints were on fire. She swayed forward and she caught herself on her hands, her body shook as she fought with her muscles to stay upright. ~What is she? Certainly not a vampire, the sun...~

"I'll wait..." She said with a gleeful smile, displaying curved fangs. "until the poison circulates through your body."

Sophie's thoughts were becoming quickly muddled. It was so hard to breath. ~Vampire?~ She wondered, studying the woman, forgetting her earlier thoughts.

"After all, I like you Miss Sophie." She put her hands together in front of herself. "I'll eat you after you die."

~Goblin?~

"I'm actually a Partial." The woman gestured to herself elegantly, "A snake Partial. If I eat Miss Sophie, my love rival..."

~Love rival?~

"Then I'll get both eternal life and King Gabriels right?"

~You have got to be kidding me!~

She kneeled down in front of Sophie, watching her struggle to breath excitedly. "I really want King Gabriels. Powerful and beautiful creatures like him...do not come into existance very often. Thank you for not falling for the King of Drakon. This way I have time to make him fall for me." She leaned forward and snuggled Sophie's cheek, cupping her other with her hand.

~Am I really going to be eaten like this?~

"Fall for you?" A new voice said. "You never had a chance you white snake." Gabriels appeared before them. "I told you I would kill you if you did anything to Sophie."

~Gabriels.~

"Ow!" The woman protested as Gabriels yanked her away from Sophie by the hair. "You...You're so cruel! You knew my feelings-"

"I have no interrest in you." Gabriels cut her off.

The woman started to cry, then sneered. "Well Sophie will die...if you don't treat her soon. There's no antidote, so you're only choice is to suck the poison out, but...my poison is even more effective on non-humans. If you're not careful, you might die too." The woman had a crazed look to her now. She laughed. "What will you do?" The woman watched in utter unbelievement as Gabriels quickly went to Sophie, removing her black hood and getting her jacket and blouse away from the wound.

~Gabriels...don't.~ "Don't." She finally forced the word out of her screaming lungs. "No..."

Gabriels leaned closer. "This might feel weird." He warned and bit down on her wound. Her labored breath left her for a moment as he sucked her blood. It was so hard to breath. Her strength was leaving her, her breathing becoming more and more labored, more and more shallow. He spat out her blood and returned to the wound.

~I can't...I can't breath!~ She wasn't getting enough air. The Partial had tears baring down her cheeks as she bore witness to what a king of a country was risking for a mere inferior being. All strength was leaving Sophie's body as Gabriels continued to suck her blood and spit it out. The only way she was sitting up now was Gabriels holding her dead weight. Eventually, the worst seemed to pass and it started to get slightly easier to breath. The pain was also subsiding, but she had no strength what so ever. She was leaning on Gabriels lap and he fixed her blouse and Jacket back over her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" He whispered.

She managed a fraction of a nod. "Y-you?"

"Something like this won't kill me." He glanced up and Sophie followed his gaze, unable to move her head. The Partial was gone. "She ran away..." Gabriels managed to lift Sophie up into his arms and started toward her room...