Because I said I'd get on top of posting these more often. Yay!
These are the notes I had at the time I wrote the chapter:
"Something I'm noticing about this story already: my pumping up of the descriptive passages is pumping up the length of the chapter, too. It's probably not too terribly long, but it feels longer to me since I always estimate how long it's going to be by what's going to happen. I'm glad I moved Chris' entrance to last chapter; I really wanted to get to the Cat and Chris scene at the end of this chapter, at least. There was supposed to be more to this chapter, but I just bumped it to chapter five."
In any case, in here, the introduction of the Guardians gets finished up, and we go to the main setting of the story. I hope that it turned out well, and that you all enjoy it!
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Chapter Four
“... traitor?” Catalin hated how small that one word made him feel. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so unsure of what to say.
Christopher looked momentarily thrown-off; confusion obviously wasn’t the reaction he was expecting. “You don’t know?” Catalin shook his head, still at a loss for words. “Well, congratulations, Lord Kasshen. You found the successor of the man who helped murder the Empress. Don’t you feel lucky?”
Catalin wasn’t surprised. He’d been hearing rumors for years that Gwendolyn was betrayed by one of her Guardians in her final hours, and he’d guessed it since his conversation with Victor. What he didn’t know was why Christopher seemed to be going along with it like this.
“Look, why don’t you put your weapon down?” Catalin was deeply out of practice with sounding friendly and conversational, but he gave it an honest effort, anyway. “We’re on the same side, right?”
Christopher’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I wasn’t implying anything,” Catalin said quickly, aware of the unintentional hole he was digging. “I’m... um... we’re here to get you.”
“To get me?” Christopher snorted. “You, of all people? You must think I’m an idiot.”
“... me, of all people?” Catalin was beginning to get frustrated with his inability to do anything but repeat Christopher.
“... you’re serious.” Christopher raised his eyebrows. “They haven’t even told you anything, have they?”
“What he’s saying is true, Chris.” Victor emerged from the doorway, speaking calmly but firmly over both of them. “We’re going to the capital.”
“... Victor...” Chris’ demeanor changed instantly, and his eyes widened. “The capital? But... you’re taking me with you?”
“You are my student as well, Chris.” Victor smiled, but it was worlds apart from the smiles Catalin was growing used to. “I never had any intention of leaving you behind.”
“... I’ll... I’ll get my things, then!” Chris started back towards the house, quickly threw another glance at Catalin, and continued. A bit hesitantly, gesturing for Catalin to come in as well, Victor followed.
Catalin did not go in the house, however. He was too busy trying to breathe again. Two days as a Guardian, and it’s already killing me, he thought, clutching his chest. How the hell did Celeste deal with this?
As he gradually grew calmer, he pictured Chris’ expression as they made eye contact, frowning. He was actually scared of me, wasn’t he?
