Having put most of the castle into a deep sleep, Saia moved swiftly through corridors and down flights of stairs. She was rushing across a room when something caught hereye. It was a small chest, cast in gold with precious gems embedded in it. Without really thinking, Saia bent down next to it and touched the smooth surface. The lock fell away, and she was about to open it when she heard a creak across the room. She tried to dive behind a chair, but whoever it was gave a gasp of alarm. Muttering under her breath, Saia waved her hand, freezing whomever was behind her.
"Alright, you," she said. "Who are you?" She turned around, expecting to see a large demon of sorts. Instead, there was an old healing woman. Her back hunched over, and she was staring at Saia with a very intent look on her face. Saia blinked in surprise.
"My lady," said the old woman feebly. "My lady, release me, I beg you." Saia moved her hand opposite of how she had moved it before, and the old woman was released. In that instant, she ran over to Saia and dropped to her knees.
"Oh, my lady," she said, her eyes shining with tears. "You've returned! My master shall be happy, now." She groveled at Saia feet.
"I'm sorry," said Saia, a confused look on her face. "But I don't think I know who you are." The old woman looked up at her and gasped, as if something had been revealed to her.
"Lady Saia, I knew you would return. Your love for my master was so great, and your death was so...but you've returned now, and - "
"Wait a minute," Saia interrupted. "First of all, I am called Saia, but I don't think I'm the one you're looking for. Second, who are you? How do you know my name? What master? Sessho-Maru? How can I be here if I'm supposedly dead?"
"Yes, you are," said the old healing woman. "You are Lady Saia, and very much the one I seek. I am Madge. I was quite young when you first came here. Sessho-Maru is my master, and you were reincarnated."
Saia's head was swimming. It was still sinking in. I'm a reincarnation, she thought. I've had past lives. This woman...she knew me...what I was like...wait a minute!
"Why should I believe you?" she asked. "How do I know this isn't some trick?" Madge's eyes darted aroound, and she lead Saia into a small, sparsely furnished room.
"But, my lady, 'tis true," she whispered. "I was still a little servant girl, but you were so kind. You saved me from death and helped me with my work."
"How old are you?" Saia asked. She was, for one of the few times in her life, uncertain of what to do. When she thought about it, she really didn't know much about her family history. Her mother had died before she had learned anything really important, but she would have said something....that's it, she thought. This old crone must have mistakened me for someone else.
"I am thousands of years old," Madge said solemnly. "But even my tired eyes can recognize your familiar face." She reached over, and took off Saia's mask. She gasped.
"There now," said Saia testily. "Did the precious one you seek have such hideous scars? That I doubt. Now, I must leave." She turned away in disgust, angry at herself for thinking of the possibility that she might have been a reincarnation...that Madge might have been telling the truth....that she might have found out more of her past....She was about to walk out the door when the old woman grasped her shoulder. Saia brushed off her hand, furious.
"I have already wasted enough time, woman! Your tale can only - "
"My lady," said Madge quietly. "I know you mean not what you say. You are the reincarnation of my beloved mistress, and much more powerful than she. Please, Lady - "
"If I am who you say," Saia said bitterly. "Then take me to your lord's brother." The woman's eyes widened, and she stepped back.
"Lady, I cannot. If he was to discover - "
"If I am who you say," Saia repeated forcefully. "Then take me to his brother." Madge looked upward, as if muttering a silent prayer, and she sighed, knowing that she was about to betray her master for the lady who had saved her years before. She walked out of the room, Saia following.