[quote]While it was still occupied with licking up the fresh blood, Vincent thrust into its spine fiercely, and then quickly retreated away from it. If problems arose he knew of a servant's corridor he could quickly escape through.[/quote]

[i]"What is that?!"[/i] Randy's voice hissed in an alarmed whisper, and this time the only sound was in Vincent's mind. He didn't want to alert the thing to their presence, though Randy was now technically immune to whatever physical harm it might cause. [i]"What happened? Why is there blood? Vincent! Don't you dare --"[/i]

Vincent thrust the spear at the serpentine Grit, but the Grit's body swerved out of the way just in time -- though Vincent would have the distinct feeling that Randy's fear and hesitance had been just as much the cause of their failure. For a split-second, there was a tense and dreadful silence.

The Grit coiled and bared its fangs with a poisonous hiss.

[i]"Run, run, run!"[/i] Randy roared throughout the room, and Vincent would feel a tremendous, adrenaline-pumped energy that would speed him away faster than ever before. [i]"Move, for once in your miserable life!"[/i]

The Grit gave chase, speeding around every obstacle with fluid ease, snapping at Vincent's heels.

[hr][quote]"I'm fine, my lady, and I thank you for asking, but I think the real question is: are you all right? I thought I may have heard you crying just now, and..." Maria took a step forwards, placed her hand on the Queen's shoulder, and looked her in the eyes, smiling. "I know we've only just met, and we're just about utter strangers to each other, but please, tell me everything. It doesn't do to keep your emotions all bottled up like that, you know."[/quote]

The queen stared in quiet surprise at Maria for her words, and for a moment she didn't answer. Her own expression grew distant and serene, a small smile, the same expression she wore whenever she addressed the public -- but the more she looked at Maria, the harder it was to lie to her. Her smile wavered, and she let out a slow breath. She laughed quietly. "You have a way with words as well as sweets, don't you?"

She bowed her head, thoughtful. When she looked up again, it was with an air of determination. "There is a secret I'm honor-bound to take to my grave -- but given the circumstances I feel keeping it may do more harm than good. I feel you can be trusted, Maria, but it isn't something you should hear unless you are willing to bear it."

She waited, patient and calm, for Maria's answer. At length she nodded slowly and gestured to the robot-guards around them. "Please stand guard here. Maria, come walk with me."

The cavern was vast and quiet, filled with curious rock formations, glistening stalagtites, the floating stones that cast a dim pink glow that illuminated their path.

"I was born with half a heart," the queen said quietly -- and this much was known to all in the city. "My parents, I think, became so desperate for my survival that they took the most drastic measures. My mother became pregnant again, with a child whose sole purpose was to save my life."

As far as the city of Periphery knew, after the princess was born the king and queen had become recluse for two years following. Never had there been even a whisper of a second child.

"The mages secretly collected the dreams of the people of Periphery, through hidden sigils. They forced all these dreams into my unborn brother, so that he might have the strength and power to survive while at once saving me. But he was born . . . as something not quite human." She struggled with what he actually was, for she'd been far too young at the time to have known.

"He was . . . cut open . . . and his powerful heart was given to me, but he did not die. He [i]would[/i] not die. Our parents were frightened of him, so my father ordered him smuggled out of the city and left in the woods near the diamond mine, hoping the miners' families would find him and raise him."

She stopped at the edge of a still pool of water, where the glowing reflections glimmered at their feet.

"After that, I was presented to the city as a miracle, and the king and queen ruled happily again. The diamond mine suddenly began producing great riches, and the city prospered. And then my brother returned." She looked to Maria with a sad smile.

"He was so young, but so intelligent. He snuck his way into the castle and confronted my father. I don't know what was said, but my brother was forced out again and told never to return. After that, we began receiving reports of monsters in the woods, that had no hearts and were made of dreams."

The queen bowed her head. "The Grit were relentless, and instead of talking with my brother, my father built the wall instead. After my parents died, I sent my own envoys to the mine, to find him and plead with him. Only one of my scouts ever returned, with the single message that he planned to take his heart back from me.

"I'm sorry to burden you with this, Maria." She held Maria's hand between hers. "It's an awful business that has cost so many innocent lives, and I don't know how to repair it. All we can do is hide ourselves from the demons my brother has created; I'm not sure he's capable anymore of listening to reason, if he ever was." She looked back toward the transport sigil, where the robots were standing guard. "The others' mission now may preserve some lives, but we can't hide forever. I fear we've lost."