The Plan: Memories Memories and Memories

Again stop reading if you haven't read LSODM

Zafira watched closely as the doctors worked on her. She had been in a bloody fight and was recovering. After a few minutes she was cleared and went to her office. The events of Ravel's plan had been tragic for her. She held her tongue though, she was found out and many people wanted her head. She had no resigned from her position yet because she did not want to. The Grand Mage went into her chambers and put her robes on. She had a meeting with China and Kribu. 

The three Elders stood in the room seeing one another. Zafira kept her gaze even not showing anger. Yet. China spoke,

"You know why I wanted you here, Zafira. You worked with Ravel on his plan. You knew it and yet did not report him or anything, why?" Zafira didn't speak for a minute. "Well. Simple: he charmed me. I didn't know why to not follow him. So I followed. And you know I was married thirty years to him. I trusted Erskine with my life. I didn't think it'd end so badly." The two looked at her. Finally China spoke,

"Zafira you realize if the international community seems it fit you can be tried and sentenced for helping him? I know you think you're safe." Kribu spoke looking at Zafira

"Grand Mage Kerias, you best not mention this to anyone." Zafira nodded and the meeting ended. Her heart heavy, Zafira went to bed. 

The dream. Right? It's a dream it can't hurt. Wrong. Always wrong Zafira was. The things that could happen. The memories. 

Ireland, first Mevolent war

Zafira stood with Bisahalani and his group. Zafira felt the cold wind on her face. Bisahalani had led the Americans in battle but now they were in a barn with the Dead Men outnumbered. Mevolent's forces would surely come get them. Suddenly Bisahalani went for the door.

"Renato you can't you're a fool they'll kill you." Zafira said. She felt Ravel put his hand on her shoulder. They watched as Renato went and scared the men by telling them to go. They survived. 

Zafira woke with a jolt. The dream scared her. She had thought of the choices she made. She thought of how to stop this madness. She remembered her comversation with Dexter Vex, the fact he blamed her for the war. What had she done? She hadn't wanted to kill Sult. Now here she was thinking the spider creeps killed him on the Global Link and now because Ravel was caught she'll be in trouble next. 

The day passed and silence. No calls. She felt her heart break. Alexis came and saw her but Alexis had other things to do. Finally Zafira heard the voice.

Let me out! I want control you never give me cotrol!!!!!! 

Justaria was arguing. Zafira grit her teeth. Stupid damn true name. She didn't shut up. Ever. Zafira contined papers. What now? 

The Plan

Again I strongly encourage you to not read this post if you have not read Last Stand of Dead Men

The American Sanctuary was in total chaos. Zafira was in the main one just getting out of the meeting with Grand Mage Strom. He would be in Ireland along with Sult. Zafira's phone vibrated and she looked at the text. Irish number. 

Zaf I know you and I have gone our separate ways but I have come to ask if you could speak to me? I know you are busy and can get in a lot of trouble with Bisahalani but I must ask of you. 

Ravel.

Zafira put her phone down. Finally she decided to just reply with a yes. He gave her instructions to a cafe in New York how he'd gotten away with the Argeddion thing was beyond her knowledge. She put her robes down and pulled on her usual jeans and black shirt. She hadn't left the Sanctuary since the Argeddion thing. She walked into New York City blinking back the bright light. Finally she took the subway and entered the cafe. There he stood looking at her. Thirty years together and he still made her nervous. Ravel managed that with her. He nodded to her and they left to go to her apartment. Once there Zafira turned

"Look what do you want? I shouldn't even have contact with you, you're Irish I'm American!" Ravel smirked,

"You forget you're from Ireland, Elder Kerias. I do believe you are safe to speak to me." 

"Look Erskine I don't have time. Get on with it." 

He shook his head, "You used to be more fun. Anyway, I know you agreed with me that mortals should know about magic yes? Well listen closely...."

Sometime during LSODM

The room was dark. Zafira felt her hand shake as she waited for the assassin. She did not know what to do. But Ravel had been so convincing those golden eyes of his seduced her and here she was paying someone to murder Bisahalani. She had hoped Vex would have worked with her but with the murder of Sult this whole thing was going exactly how he wanted. The assassin came to her,

"Payment, Kerias." He said as she slid the envolope to him,

"You killed him?"

"Yes. Dead. Go." Zafira left and as soon as she came back the Global Link was on as the offfcials where Bisahalani was in charge of told of his death. The Elders gathered together with the higher ups. Shakily Zafira spoke,

"I would like to step up to be Grand Mage if nobody disagrees?" No objection came. "Very well then we can elect an Elder later. Now we have to worry about Ravel's sadistic plans." They all knew now what Roarhaven had become. They all knew Darquesse was out. 

The memory hit Zafira like a bat. Ravel with her a few months ago. 

"Zaf you promised to help you know I need the American support. You're aSupreme  Council member." He hugged her. After their divorce Ravel had never spoken to her until he became Grand Mage and he began to get her help. Now she felt her heart beating fast. How she had missed him. 

"Alight." She said. "I'll do this for you." Ravel smiled again and they walked to Zafira's living room. Maybe they'd be together after this all happened. 

That memory had been good. They spent that night like they used to. Now here he was doing this....someone interupted her thoughts,

"Grand Mage." She looked. "Ravel is no longer Irish Grand Mage." Zafira went to the meeting room and waited until the figure of China Sorrows was facing her. Zafira's eyes were cold,

"Sorrows you have no authority what did you do to Ravel?" She asked. Sorrows smiled. "Grand Mage but I can let that slip. Ravel has been punished he is in Ireland. Don't think me a fool I know why you care. It's so...sweet." China smiled that smile that made Zafira's insides burn with hatred, "Who made you the Irish leader?" China was laughing,

"Mutual agreement. Would you rather Skulduggery?" 

"Yes. I would. Now answer: what did you do to Ravel?!"

"Not me. Ravel is cursed with twenty three hours of pain one to eat or whatever. You want to see him? I can allow that. Though I am not stopping my mages from attacking you." China vanished. Zafira decided China was the witch.

In Ireland Zafira waited while the Cleavers took her to Ravel's cell. The warden explained they had no way to lessen the pain he writhed and screamed for twenty three hours and then he stopped for one. His screams were like daggers. Finally it stopped. The Cleavers took him to where prisoners were allowed some visitation. Zafira looked at him those golden eyes always so charming,

"Ravel....you..." Zafira was at a loss.

"Was stupid? Maybe. I did what I thought was right and look where I am. Zaf if you can help me, you know your true name!"

Zafira took one of his hands,

"I can try. I can't do much yet I'm bound legally here China is Grand Mage she has authority if I can come into the country. But I'll try. I never will give up." The Cleavers allowed her to stay with him until the hour was nearly up and he was escorted to his cell. Zafira left and once in her hotel she realized she may be dead if the people knew her part in the plan. 

The Story: What I Plan to Write

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ LAST STAND OF DEAD MEN YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO STOP READING. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING SPOILED AS THIS CONTAINS A BIG ONE.

Okay the basic synapsis is this: Basically I got the idea from Derek on Friday telling me ZafTC and Ravel's backstory. The setting is when Zaf is told of the plan Ravel has to make mortals know of magic and all. Now as you know she agrees but what you don't know is their entire history together and all and why she would even think of going with him on his plan. So here it wil be posted when I finish. It'll also take place in my view of many LSODM events as an Elder in America