Well, it's a bit late, but better late than never, right? Anyways, I
needed to introduce some other characters, so this deviates a tiny bit.

Categories: Alt, H, JQ2K
Disclaimer: JQ, JB, HS, RB, and BQ all belong to Hanna Barbera. The JQ2K
team belongs to Alexis. All MLer's belong to themselves, and my
characters belong to me.

			   Jade's Trick
			Canto 5: The Lark
			By: Sara Metz

	Claudette tried not to flinch when Lilith called her name. Hiding a
scowl, she answered, "Yes, my liege?"
	"Fetch me some fresh blood. No, actually, I'm more in the mood for some
aged blood. Go to the cellar and bring up some of the vintage. A
positive." 
	"Of course, my liege." Claudette bowed low and walked out of the room.
Scurrying past the sleeping vampires and demons, she soon reached the
small door that led to the cellars. Claud picked up a small lamp and
whispered the command that made it light. However, the light it gave off
was minuscule at best, and made the trip down the twisted and rickety
stairs dangerous. 
	While she was walking, her mind went into overtime, distracting her from
the perilous journey down.  Claud thought about her life. She was a
foundling, discovered by one of Lilith's minions a dark night 16 years
ago. Lilith had spared her life, claiming that she needed a servant who
wouldn't fly away at night. So, Claudette was given a privileged life.
She received the best tutors (though they mysteriously disappeared once
they where done teaching her), and was able to help translate
conversations between Lilith and her foreign lieutenants. In return,
however, she was expected to supply Lilith with food and blood, and keep
the castle clean. But now, she was going to escape.
	Claudette was surprised to notice she was at the bottom already.
Selecting a good A+, she then ran back up the stairs. She had planned out
her escape for months. Lilith had given her a magical bag to keep her
things in. The bag was only about a foot square, but could hold almost
anything. Claud would stick all her things in the bag, and leave soon
after dawn.
	Lilith grinned ferally when Claudette reappeared. "Good choice, Lark.
How soon is it till sun rise?"
	"About half an hour, my liege."
	"Well, I shall withdraw to my chambers. You get some sleep, too. You
can't serve if you're too tired." And with that, Lilith left. Claudette
sighed and ran to the small cubbyhole that she called a room. She threw
all her clothing, shoes and miscellaneous things into the bag, also
grabbing the jewelry she had stolen from Lilith in case she needed money.

	When the sun finally rose, Claud ran silently to the kitchen. It was
deserted, and she had the best pickings. Grabbing enough food to last for
a while, and filling two waterskins, Claudette ran to the door, and
started off down the long path to the road below.
			End Canto V

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