Rune Factory: Frontiers of Norad
A Dark fic by PhoenixFervor, who always forgets to say "I do not own Rune Factory, Rune Factory Frontier, or Bill Gates, though I wish I had 2 of the three." Or just Bill Gates, I'd use his money to buy everything I want.
Author's notes for chapter 2:
This is a re-upload, thanks to a mistake found by a reviewer (thank you again, Sir Gigous!) Originally, I was debating on the names Kendrick and Merryck for Merryck's name. I caught myself typing Kendrick a few times, but it seems one slipped through. I've fixed that mistake.
EDIT: Fix 8 or so: The site keeps messing with my formatting, and I keep re uploading over and over again. It even swaps the parapgraph orders sometimes! If something looks out of place, it is. I'm hoping this will be THE FINAL time I need to do this... I wrestled with it for hours after the name fix...
First off, my writer's block isn't 100% gone, so this chapter is a little better than the one before it but still a little he said/ she said. Sorry it took so long. Had some debilitating injuries to cope with. I'll be fine though. Next chapter should only be a few days, and I hope to settle into 2 chapters a week.
Okay, this is it. In this chapter, we'll get our first glimpse of a fraction of the chaos things will degenerate into. I really should have divided it up into multiple chapters, and started the day after where I left off, but quite frankly, I didn't feel like it. There will also be a lot of depth added to Merryck. As for the holes in his memory, these will be revealed in excruciating detail later on, so don't feel bad if you don't pick up on any of the clues I may or may not scatter around.
(If there's enough demand, I may upload a clearly marked "SPOILERS!" chapter, explaining everything, but for now I think I'd rather leave it to be a shocking plot twist!)
I just want to make absolutely sure people see this part so I boldened it. I'm trying something new. I'm starting at the end of the chapter and explaining the beginning in segmented flashbacks. If this confuses you, I'll mark the flashbacks with entire italicized sections, marked aside with page breaks, so just skim for italics and read that first if you prefer. Leave a review to let me know if I should never do this again or if you feel it worked!
Chapter Two: Whirlwinds
An act of desperation, teeming with determination,
Driven to the brink, he reclaims his one salvation...
The harsh winter chill bit through his leather jerkin as easily as though it were cloth, but Merryck still kept at his training. Too much had happened, just six days ago, and with the burning memories fresh in his heart, Merryck desperately wanted to prevent future occurrences. He was now a permanent resident of Trampoli, having built a new house just across from the church, beneath the Clock Tower Hill.
Continuing his endeavours at his beachside training spot ("The sand will help strengthen my legs, too" he reasoned,) Merryck spun around on the spot, and grimaced as the soft cotton of his pants let a breeze through so easily. With an expert twirl, Merryck hurled the javelin he was training with at a makeshift target, and in the blink of an eye, he had unsheathed a new sword Ganesha had helped him forge. It was pure silver, with the handle and guard in the shape of a cross. The true symbolism of his decision to make the blade as such was a secret to all but a select few; Lara, Melody (being Lara's closest friend,) and Stella were the only ones who knew.
The sunlight reflected off of Merryck's sword, as he angled it to prepare for a swing. The brilliant three-foot length of metal blinded him, and he dropped it in shock. "Damnit, Merry!" He cursed at himself, "You can't let the sun beat you! You never know when trouble will strike! Ever vigilant, ever wary!" Despite the frigid weather, beads of sweat had formed all along his brow, and he could feel the moisture forming along his back, as well. Still, he maintained his focus on his regimen. With a flourish, he cleaved through an imaginary enemy, but he wasn't satisfied. "Swords just don't seem to suit me..." he grimaced, as he readied his stance for another flurry of practice swings. He staggered awkwardly, and tripped in the sand as he fumbled his weapon, but he got right back up. "No... can't let this beat me... going to keep at it..." Within a few more minutes, however. his hands were too sore to continue. His fingers were unable to eben hold his blade properly. "I... *whew* I suppose six hours will suffice for today. I know I need to get used to the long hours but my hands are killing me..." he looked back at the elegant longsword again, remembered wnhy he had it crafted, and sighed, "maybe I should get smaller weapons." He trudged back towards the infirmary, dragging his sword in the snow behind him, spear and javelins slung over his back. Opening the door, he waved to Lara, and placing his spear down, reached into his pocket for his change purse.
"How was training today?" She asked him, "And must you push yourself so hard? I know what you're here for, and if you need energy drinks for simple drills, I think you're overdoing it, Merry!" Her friend simply laughed, and paid for his medicine. "What's so funny?" Lara demanded, "Why do you always laugh when I tell you to take it easy?"
Merryck had remained silent, as he drained the first bottle in two seconds flat. Lara Simply rolled her eyes and waited for his reply. With a sigh, Merryck let his sword drop to the floor with a large clang, and pulled the stopper off the second bottle. "Lara, have you already forgotten last Holiday? The First of Winter? How could you expect me to not push myself after that?"
"Merry..." Lara sighed, "Must we talk about that? Yes, things worked out in the end, but-"
"I'm just saying." He cut her off, "That I can't let that happen again. I need to be ready for emergencies. I agreed to stay here as Trampoli's Guard Captain, and how can I protect anyone else, if I can't even keep myself alive? Lara, you remember how much blood I lost. I can't take on an armed opponent with my bare hands again, so I need to learn how to use weapons properly..." Downing the second bottle, he couldn't help but remember what had transpired on Lara's birthday.
It was 10 PM on the first of winter. Lara was cleaning the infirmary before bed. She picked up what was left of the chocolate cake Merryck had given her, saying "Hey, I owe you one, so it was worth the trouble," and put it in the kitchen, before returning to straighten up the energy drinks on the shelves.
Merryck sat up. He didn't like this house, which once belonged to a man named Brodik. But that wasn't why he couldn't sleep. He had a nagging feeling. He just couldn't explain it. But he wanted to go for a walk. Preferably behind the church, where it was nice and quiet, away from the laughter of Snowstyle Tavern.
Lara changed the placements of the grasses, and adjusted the price on the Energy Drink S. Suddenly, the door swing open. A man she had never seen before entered the room and looked around, before fixing his gaze on her. He was very tall, and had long, shaggy black hair. His eyes were unsettling. Despite their nice shade of blue, something felt wrong about them. "I'm sorry, but the infirmary is presently closed." She told him, but seconds passed, and the man said nothing. Lara began to have an uneasy feeling, so she decided to keep talking, "You seem healthy. If, however, you need medicine for someone else, by all means, I can sell you some! I was just straightening the shelves and I daresay we have too much!"
"No." The man said, with a sadistic grin. Fear gripped Lara as she realized just how large he was. Lara was one of the taller ones in Trampoli, and he towered over her, and as he tore his shirt off, she saw just how defined his muscles were. "I'm not here for medicine, sweetheart, I'm here for some fun!" He pulled a foot-and-a-half-long knife from his boot, and licked his lips. "Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way..." He laughed, as a look of terror fixed itself upon Lara's face. "The more beautiful and delicate a flower is... the more fun it is to rip all its petals out!"
Lara tried to scream, but it was too late. His hand was already covering her mouth, and he slashed open the front of her habit with his blade. "Pray all you want, gorgeous, but your god won't save you." However, Lara's assailant was so focused on his prey, he didn't hear the other figure sprinting into the room behind him. With a tackle, Merryck sent the man to the floor, and positioned himself between his friend and her attacker. Sliding to a halt, as his wet boots were lacking in traction, Merryck pulled his hair out of his eyes and took up what he felt might be a threatening stance.
"Oh? Funny. I wasn't sure why I couldn't resist the urge to go for a walk tonight! Looks like I was supposed to be here! If that's not Divine Intervention, I don't know what is!" Merryck laughed, as he taunted his opponent. He cracked his knuckles, and glared at the man on the floor before him. "Now, I'll only give you one chance. Leave now, or die."
"Die?" the giant of a man laughed, as he got back to his feet and readied his blade. "You're a regular comedian!" To his surprise, Merryck started laughing too. "What the hell!" the man demanded, as Merryck threw his head back, drops of water splattering on the wall from his drenched hair.
"Yeah, I hear that a lot! I'm a regular joker!" Merryck said with a smile. It faded in a second, and a harsh glare replaced his laughter. "But not when I tell people their only other option is to die. I assure you, I'm dead serious."
"Well, well, looks like I've got myself a martyr, here!" The man roared, and pointed his knife at Merryck again. "Answer me this. Why risk your life for this woman? You say you're dead serious. Are you really in such a hurry to be not just dead serious, but seriously dead?"
"Oh, very punny!" Merryck chuckled, while thinking to himself how lame the wordplay was. With a smile, Merryck bluffed, "If she dies, my heart dies with her, and with it, my humanity. You have no idea what dark shadows I have locked away behind this laughing shell. Are you really so sure you want to unleash that terror? I'll restrain you and torture you in the most painful ways you can imagine if you hurt her. This is your last warning. Leave or be killed. I assure you, I am quite serious..."
Seeing the distracted look in his eyes, Lara put a hand in Merryck's shoulder. "You're thinking about that night, aren't you?" He didn't need to answer, his eyes said it all. "Well, I have a quick question, if you don't mind me asking, is that all right, Merry?" she asked, and was met by a silent nod. "Just curious, but what did you mean when you said... that if I died... your heart would...?"
Oh, that." Merryck grinned, "Well, I was trying to show him I was serious about taking him on. I figured that would get the message across. It seems he didn't believe me, though." Lara raised an eyebrow at him, and Merryck began to laugh. "What? Yeah, I've only been here for two weeks... but HE didn't need to know that!"
"I can never tell when you're joking!" Lara groaned, getting angry, "And that's why I was so strict with you when you first came here, because I had no idea if you took me seriously! You just kept laughing!"
"Sorry about that." Merryck told her, again, with a grin, "I just can't help it! I learned a long time ago that getting depressed just slows me down and makes it impossible for me to move on... so I guess I got into the habit of trying to make light of everything and laughing it off!"
"But Merry..." Lara began, "Those smiles and laughs, are they how you really feel?" Merryck felt guilty as he saw the look on her face. He knew that she didn't want him to lie to himself, and of course, to her.
"Honestly? It's a facade. I live every day worrying about every little thing, but I put on a smiling mask so others don't worry about me. Sometimes I even fool myself, like during that fight. I was terrified, but if I gave in to my fear, we'd both be dead..."
"I'm not leaving." The giant replied, "But you are. Leaving the land of the living! So say your prayers, boy, if you're the pious type, and I'll finish it quickly!"
"The name's Merryck." He told his opponent, with a smile. Clenching a fist and shifting his stance, he continued, "And when you get to hell, be sure to tell them who ended your life, it'd be pretty neat to be feared even there!"
"Ha!" His enemy laughed, "And mine's Ilashnicov! And YOU'll be the one giving me a fearsome rep!" Ilashnicov lunged, charging straight at Merryck. It would have been easy enough to dodge, but Merryck was all that stood between Lara and certain doom, so he took a gash to the upper right of his chest as he braced himself for the impact.
'I can't let her get caught up in this,' he thought to himself, as he threw Ilashnicov to the ground, 'I need to stay between him and her, or she dies!' pulling his opponent's knife out of himself, Merryck plunged the blade towards the Ilashnicov's face. His opponent caught his wrist and stopped his arm in its tracks. 'Damnit, he's strong!' Merryck thought, as with a twist of his arm, he was landing on the floor ten feet away. Dazed, he got back up, in time to see Ilashnicov pick his knife back up, and he turned on Lara again.
"I'm not done with you yet!" Merryck roared. He charged and before he even knew what had happened, he had landed a spectacular jumping roundhouse kick. His body seemed to take off on its own. 'Okay, this is weird, what the hell!' he asked himself, "The most fighting I've done was carrying a spear on the road to defend myself, what the heck's gotten into me!"He was getting dizzy, as his body felt like a whirlwind of flying limbs, landing blow after furious blow to Illashnicov. He staggered backwards, dazed, but he snapped out of it within a second, and began attacking again.
However, this sudden turn of events was as harmful as it was helpful. Merryck's body wanted to move on its own, but he kept trying to dodge away from a position where he could be an effective shield for Lara. Merryck began to try to correct this on his own, and due to his struggle with his own instincts and reflexes, he ended up taking several more blows in less than a minute; he now bore several gashes across his face, chest, and arms. The blood loss from these lacerations would finish him off if he didn't end the fight quickly, so he planned a desperate gambit.
"Now it's time to die!" Ilashnicov declared, and stabbed Merryck. Merry let the blow land, and staggered backwards, knife still stuck in his chest. With a smile, he pulled the knife out, and tackled Ilashnicov, tripping him over one of the hospital beds. In one swift motion, Merryck stomped on his stomach to wind him, before diving at his neck with the knife.
"Well..." Merryck paused, forgetting what he was talking about before. "Oh, right! So like I was saying, after that, is it really such a bad idea for me to want to learn how to fight better? The only weapon I have much experience with is a spear, after all. How can I save anyone when I don't know what I'm doing?|
"You saved me, didn't you?" Lara asked, and Merryck nodded, "Then don't push yourself so hard! You're better than you give yourself credit for! That man only had a knife, true, but you had nothing but your reflexes!" Overwhelmed by the memories of that night, as fresh in her mind as in Merryck's, she started to tear up. She wanted to plead with him to ease off on the training, but she knew he'd refuse to budge.
"That's not entirely true, Lara." Merryck told her, with a smile. "I had a pretty powerful psychological weapon! Desperation. When I first came to Trampoli, you did so much to help me. You're the best friend I have, and I wasn't going to let anything happen to you. Believe me when I say I'd have keeled over and died earlier if I was just fighting for myself!"
"So if you died, it would have been my fault! Is that what you're trying to say?" Lara was getting to the breaking point of crossing over into outright hysteria. Not sure what else to do, Merryck decided to use a less dramatic example. One Lara may find more familiar and less unsettling.
"So it's Mist's fault if Raguna's profits drop when he suddenly decides to focus on growing turnips, is it?"
"H-huh?" Lara asked, as her tears stopped momentarily.
"Mist likes turnips. Her husband has a farm. He uses the revenue from their farm to support their livelihood. If Raguna decided to plant only turnips to make his wife happy, would that be Mist's fault, or his own?"
"I don't see how that could be Mist's fault!" Lara admitted.
"Exactly!" He told her, "So if anything, it would be my fault, for pushing myself and not listening to you!" With a smile, he continued, "So come on, let me do what I feel I need to do! I might hurt myself, but think of everyone I can help! That's the burden I took on..."
Merryck pulled himself off the floor, and gasping, barely able to get any air in his lungs, his voice feebly rang out. "Lara... I need some help..." unable to control himself, he proceeded to vomit, but only blood came up. He limped over to her, having taken a nasty hit to his right shin during one of his kicks, and helped her to her feet. "You might want to get changed, but please, make it fast. I can't treat myself..."rd person again? And why am I asking myself why I'm talking to myself? And why am I asking myself why I'm asking myself...'
What little strength Merryck had left was fading fast. His knees buckled as he attempted to get to a bed, but Lara, robes still torn, helped him up. "Now's not the time to worry about that!" She fussed, ad she tried to hold her tattered clothing together with one hand, "Yes, it's embarrassing, but you could die while I get changed, so just don't look, okay?"
"Pass me an energy drink, and go get changed." Merryck sighed, as he became aware of just how drenched his clothes were with blood. "If you're standing over me, the only way to not look would be to close my eyes... and I have a bad feeling that if I close them, they'll never open again. Please... my wallet's in my pocket, pass me an energy drink, I need to stay awake..."
As Lara ran back to her room to get changed, after refusing to accept payment, Merryck sighed. 'What the hell, Merry, almost dying for someone you just met a week ago! What the heck were you thinking, you crazy nutjob? Have you gone and fallen for the nurse or something? ... I... oh jeez, maybe that's closer to the truth than I thought. Why else would I risk everything with no promise of reward... damnit, Merry, I... and why am I talking to myself in the 3
"So basically, what you're saying is that you weren't already considering becoming a guard?" Lara questioned, "And it was that event that made you so convinced that it was something you had to do?"
"Not exactly." Merryck hesitated before replying. He didn't want to reveal how he felt so soon, after all, so he picked his words carefully. "When I first arrived in Trampoli, it was like something out of a dream. A perfect fantasy. Somehow, I felt it was peaceful, though a week is hardly enough time for any real trouble to start. But I realized just how quickly that can be shattered. The thing is, I like it here in Trampoli. I like you and everyone else, and the way of life here. I'm willing to fight to protect that. I... I guess it's like I finally found a place I can call home..."
"But what about your sister, Laura?" Lara asked, "Weren't you looking for her? You were pushing yourself so hard to find where she was, are you really going to give that up? Do you realize just how much Trampoli could potentially come to rely on you, Merryck? Tell me now if you intend on leaving! I don't mind if you do, but if you stay here and then decide to leave later, I won't forgive you!"
Again, Merryck laughed, "Honestly, I was looking for her so she could take care of me. I couldn't support myself with the wanderer's lifestyle. Some information about my missing memories would also be nice. Still, all I remember of her is a name and a face... how close could we have been as siblings? No... I think I'll be happier here. I can't promise I'll NEVER leave though... I might run over to Kardia on an errand or something. Or..." Merryck paused, "Maybe if my heart gets broken or something, I might want to leave the town behind, but... well, the future will come when it comes, right?"
Lara started laughing, herself, "I have a hard time imaging YOU broken hearted, Merry!" Merryck had to join in, and together, they had a few moments of silliness. Merryck stopped to polish off his 4th energy drink, which Lara took note of. "isn't that your fifth? No... sixth! How many of those do you plan on drinking! Too many is bad for you, you know!"
"Hey, in my defence..." Merryck began, "First off, I can be heartbroken just the same as anyone else. Maybe even easier, I'm pretty sensitive, you know!" Lara raised an eyebrow, and Merryck chuckled, "Yes, really. One time this guy told me I smelled bad and it hurt my feelings. I had been working in a warehouse all day, moving crates of merchandise, I was really sweaty! I was hurt that he didn't understand that not everyone can sit and do nothing like him!"
Lara burst out laughing again, "You're so silly, Merry!" she exclaimed, "I don't think he meant that to hurt your feelings! I think he was just saying it because it was bugging him so maybe you'd go take a bath or maybe stand downwind of him... after all..." Lara sighed, "You DO seem to work up a sweat easier than most people, and sweat does tend to smell..."
"I'd believe that if he didn't attack me for offending his senses. Physically, I mean. He started with throwing rocks, which made me bleed pretty bad. When I asked him what his problem was, he pulled out a knife and ran me out of town." Merryck sighed, as a distant look glazed over his eyes. "Do you get it? I've never been able to make friends. No one's accepted me. They assumed the gaps in my memory was me deliberately trying to cover up a criminal past or something. They thought I was just some punk with a get rich quick scheme. But here... people are trying to get to know me. Not everyone seems to like me, but they put up with me, and I've made real friends..." Lara gasped, as for the first time, she saw tears in Merryck's eyes. "I... you have... NO idea... just what I'd do to protect this... how much this means to me... Lara, please don't try to stop me from pushing myself too hard... you never know when I... when I might NEED to fight for... for a few hours on end... or maybe... patrol for... days at a time..." now finally outright hysteric, Merryck fell to his knees, and sobbed into his leather gloves.
Lara kneeled down beside him and gave him a hug. "Days on end? Is that why You needed so many energy drinks? You haven't been sleeping, have you? Oh, Merry, you do know you'll do better at your job if you rest, right? How many days have you gone? You've been buying a dozen drinks a day for the past 4 days..."
Merryck, between sobs, managed to say "Four days? Sounds about right. I don't need to do this all the time, I just need to be used to it... like I said... you never know when I might need to push myself in a real situation..." He managed to force a weak chuckle, "I... I'll be fine... can you help me up? Feeling kind of weak all of a sudden..." Lara held him by the arm, as he awkwardly rose to his feet.
Without warning, Stella entered the room. "My my, what have we here?" she asked, "Merryck, crying? This is a first! What happened?" Stella began laughing, "Lara, did you reject his passionate confession of love for you?"
"W-what?" Lara asked, turning a deep shade of scarley, "He didn't do anything like that! He just-"
"I realize these tears aren't like me, but sometimes we all bottle things up." Merryck cut her off. "I've been pushing myself too hard and it affected my health. My apologies. It won't happen again. Did you need something, Sister?"
"Yes, but first, I have good news!" Stella told him with a big grin, "The bonus I gave you last week was from donations, but as of now, the church can officially commission you as a guard! I've spoken to the townspeople, and they've agreed to donate a certain amount aside each week with the promise of your services! So, congratulations, Merryck! Your title as Guard Captain of Trampoli is now official!"
"Thank you, Sister Stella!" Merryck replied with a big smile, "And be sure to thank the villagers for me! It'd be kind of awkward for me to say "Yeah, thanks for feeding me," after all. Anyways, you said you needed something?"
"Right to the point, I like that!" Stella laughed. "Well, I wanted to ask if you read the note we found in the man you killed's pocket? Apparently he was under orders to pick a town, camp out outside of it, and spy on it, trying to gather clues on a "Project Omega." I was wondering if you found anything?"
A few hours had passed, and Merryck had regained consciousness. Lara was still awake, and noticed him sirring. "Merry?" She asked softly, not wanting to disturb him. When he replied, she smiled. "Good, you're awake! I didn't want to disturb you so soon, but Sister Stella insisted we check Illashnicov's belongings, and I found a note... I have a bad feeling about it. Can you make sense of this?"
Taking the note from her, Merryck's eyes fell upon the wrinkled paper. The first thing he noted was that the top was poorly ripped, as though it was simply a part of a larger document. He decided to read it out loud, a she didn't want his concentration broken by her asking if he was done.
"The easiest way to avoid conflict while seeking Project Omega would be to camp outside the town in question, and infiltrate it at night, retreating before the 7th. We understand you may need to break Norad's laws for food or... other purposes. Rest assured, once you are back within our borders, your crimes will haunt you no more.Merryck reached into his pocket, and pulled out another wrinkled note. "I meant to report this earlier, but I was so caught up in my training, it slipped my mind. I found the man's campsite, but it seems the name he gave me was an alias." He held both notes together to reveal they were the same document. The scrap he had on him may have revealed too much information, but look on the back!" He pointed out a rough scrawl that seemed like little more than scribbles. "It's a crude map of the animal trails outside town. He needed directions to find his campsite. I wondered why he'd carry that on him until I realized that it was the only paper he had to draw a map on!"
Signed, E.E.S".
Re reading the note a second time, Merryck sighed, and shook his head. "Not yet. I'll check around outside of town for abandoned campsites once I'm well enough to move. I think this is one part of the whole. We'll see when I find it..."
Stella smiled, "Well done, Captain Merryck! You're already thinking like a detective! So, what does the other note say?"
"Please, just call me Merryck, I'm not used to the formalities of rank yet." He blushed, "And the full version reads as follows:
Dear agent. Your alias for this mission is Illashnicov. Apparently it was the name of a great Knight generations ago, you will not be suspected, with your build, with a name like that. People in your area of deployment are trusting fools.
Your orders are to find Operation Omega and return it safely to us. It is a prototype war machine that has seen over 20 successful missions. Its very existence is confidential. It has been programmed to return to us. The fact that it has not returned means that it has either been damaged or has attained its own sentience. In the case of the first one, it must be recovered at all costs. We cannot let it fall into the hands of the Norad scientists, lest they mess with it,
All we can reveal about Omega is that it's shape is humanoid. Anything else and we risk information falling into the hands of the enemy, as you will undoubtedly want to take this memo along for reference. A full briefing was already given to you at HQ, so try to remember what to look for, more specifically.
Please don't forget that Operation Napalm enters effect on the 7th of winter. Evacuate before then. Your mission is confidential and our units have been ordered to eliminate any resistance. There are no official orders and you will be treated as a deserter if captured.
The easiest way to avoid conflict while seeking Project Omega would be to camp outside the town in question, and infiltrate it at night, retreating before the 7th. We understand you may need to break Norad's laws for food or... other purposes. Rest assured, once you are back within our borders, your crimes will haunt you no more.
Signed, E.E.S."
"What's this Project Omega, anyways?" Lara asked, "and what country was that man from?" Merryck sighed, and skimmed the note again.
"All clues point to the Sechs. First off, it's a Prototype War MACHINE, and it was PROGRAMMED to return to them! Plus, note these initials at the bottom. What was the name of the Emperor of the Empire again? Ethelberd? Eiselbard? E.E.S. Could mean Emperor Eiselethelbardbird Sechs. It adds up. We don't even need to know they're not from Norad, it's so obvious!
"Eiselethelbardbird?" Stella asked, "How very eloquent of you, Captain!" Merryck burst out laughing, but Lara, knowing his secret about the laughing facade, noticed something different. He seemed embarrassed, to her, though Stella seemed completely fooded.
"I know, and who doesn't love bard birds? Their cacling serenades make a nice wake up call!"
After a few more minutes of discussion, Stella left. Merryck turned to Lara and asked, "Let me guess, you're wondering why I didn't tell Stella the truth about my laughter, though she's my employer and deserves to know, am I right?"
"No." Lara replied, "I understand. But Merryck, do you really want to be seen by your mask, rather than the real you? Or is this going to stay our secret?"
"I'll tell them eventually." Merryck told her, as he picked up his weapons and began organizing them. "But remember my stories of being chased out of town. People like me here. I don't want to just say 'Oh yeah, my personality is a lie!' Besides.. I DO enjoy laughing, so it's not entirely false!"
"Merry!" Lara scolded, "That's not what I meant and you know it! It's about someone they thought they knew turning out to be someone completely different! It's enough to make most people feel utterly betrayed!"
"Lara, remember earlier, when we were laughing together and enjoying ourselves? That wasn't a facade. I hide my negative emotions, but I'm like that when I'm happy! I don't think anyone will think it's such a drastic change if I act all moody! I can just tell them that my job is getting to me and I'll be fine! Besides... here's how I see it..."
"Merry, how you see things isn't always how everyone else sees things! Don't you realize?"
"Lara, please, let me finish. You can yell at me all you want after this, okay?" Lara closed her mouth, and still frowning, nodded. "Most people think of beauty as a limiting, physical thing. It's just the surface to them. But what about the human heart?" He held up the longsword with the cross-shaped hilt." This isn't a weapon. It's a shield. I'm willing to sacrifice everything to protect the people of this village. I vowed not to use this sword to inflict any harm except in the defence of others. I'm a good person, deep inside, and I think they'll see that."
"I-I suppose..." Lara admitted, "If you've been telling me the truth till now, I'd say you do have a pure heart. But Merry, don't hesitate to protect yourself, too! Don't just talk about protecting us!"
"It's my job to protect you, so of course I can't get myself killed, or I'm not much help, am I? But Lara, you have a beautiful heart, too. You didn't hesitate to save me after that fight, despite your condition, and you do so much for this town."
"If I didn't, I wouldn't be much of a nurse, now, would I?" She asked, "I'm just like you, doing my job. It's your job to protect us, and it's my job to see to our health."
"Quite a beautiful partnership we have going on, isn't it?" Merryck laughed, "I'll try not to overdo it, but I'll be counting on you if I get into any trouble!" Lara was about to protest, but catching the playful look in Merryck's eye, they both just started to laugh. Lara had to lean on the desk to support herself, and Merrck made himself comfortable sitting on what was designated "His" bed in the infirmary. "Anyways, I'll be leaving for a day tomorrow. I have multiple reasons to head to Kardia. First off, I'm worried that the Empire will try to evade again. Kardia is right on the border. If anything happens while I'm there I can try to evacuate everyone. Secondly, I want to craft something, and I need a gemstone I haven't had any luck finding here. Melody told me Cecilia collects all sorts of pebbles and jewels and that she probably has one. I have a backpack full of gemstones and rocks to trade for it, if she wants."
"I'll come with you." Lara told him, "It's a holiday, the infirmary is closed anyways, and I've been wanting to go visit my father. You could also use some company for the road, am I right?"
"Lara, please, we're talking about the threat of invasion, here. I won't put you in that kind of danger. You're the closest thing to family I have. That might sound pretty pathetic since I've barely been here two weeks, but it's true. I'd sooner take on a hundred men than put you in danger!"
"You're starting to sound like you were serious about that bluff, on my birthday!" Laura laughed. Merryck just groaned. "I'm just teasing, don't worry."
"I won't lie, Lara. You ARE important to me. But I've barely known you for 2 weeks. If I was serious about that bluff, and I did have romantic feelings for you, and I told you, wouldn't you be pushed away? It would be awkward, confusing. I don't think anyone can really claim to love someone if they're not willing to hold their feelings in for the sake of the one they love. And besides, it was just a bluff."
"Merry, it's funny, but it feels like I've known you for a long time." Lara smiled, "I don't want any secrets between us, okay? You're right, most people would be pushed away by that, but I just want to get to know you better. I know you don't really feel that way about me, but if you start to like anyone in the village, let me know! Since you haven't had much experience in getting along with people, by the sounds of it, I might be able to help you!"
Merryck smiled, "A nun offering to give me advice on dating? Where I'm from, members of the clergy aren't allowed to marry! Hearing you offer that kind of help kind of surprises me!"
"In Norad, servants of the church are allowed to marry." Lara told him, "My father is a priest, actually. Father Wesley, in Kardia. The reason I'm not very good at playing the organ is because Neuman, who ran a farm and store, much like Erik, used to play it on holidays."
"Interesting." Merryck replied, "So members of the church aren't forced into vows of abstinence and complete servitude that prohibits them from ever marrying? That's news to me! Here I thought the reason neither you or Stella have husbands was because you weren't allowed!"
"I don't know Sister Stella's reason, but my reason is that I simply haven't found the right man, yet." Lara told him, "Not that some guys haven't tried to ask me out, of course. I..." Lara paused, before looking Merryck straight in the eye, "I'm only saying this because we promised no secrets, but this stays between us, okay? I actually went on a date with Raguna once, back in Kardia. He was the first guy I ever liked that way, but everyone knew from the start him and Mist would end up together."
"He seems to be pretty popular." Merryck admitted, "Rumor has it Rosetta only came here since she was chasing after him. You told me yourself, she cried for days when he left. I don't know what it is about him, but everyone likes him. Hell, he's one of my better friends, here. Sometimes I wish I was more like him, but then I realize the problems that come with having too many people liking me! Honestly, it must be tough to be him!" Merryck laughed, "Me, I prefer the simplicity of solitude, save for close friends."
"You really do strike me as the type who'd enjoy sleeping in late and staying home in the rain!" Lara giggled, "I'm pretty surprised you decided tobe a guard, needing to go outside and patrol every day!"
"Guilty as charged, but hey, someone has to do it." Merryck shrugged, "Sure, Raguna's a better fighter than me, but he told me himself that he can't bring himself to fight people, except in the direst of circumstances. since retornen weapons cause men to bleed and die, unlike monsters. He doesn't have the eyes of a killer. I guess that innocence about him is part of why everyone likes him so much... as for me..." Merryck looked down at his hands, and rubbed them together as though he was washing them, "I have blood on my hands, and I akways will. It's regrettable that I had to kill someone, but I don't regret killing him. If I had let him go he may have returned to prey on the other villagers, or to attack you again. I saw it in his eyes. HE had the eyes of a killer. The world is better with him gone."
"Merry, before you go there, you don't have the eyes of a killer, either. Like Raguna, you just do what has to be done. The difference is that you're a little more aggressive about it. You're not afraid to use threats to make someone back of, whereas Raguna is so timid when asking people to stop. I think that can be a good thing, if you're fighting to protect people. Image is quite powerful, and your build is pretty heavy compared t Raguna's. I'd say you'd make a better guard than him, so don't worry about your fighting, okay? You'll get better. And besides, I've seen you with a spear! Raguna can't move like that! You're just clumsy with a sword! Why do you insist on carrying so many weapons anyways?"
"Pole weapons, be they bo, staff, spear, naginata, halberd, poleaxe, or whatnot, have amazing range and versatility, true." Merryck admitted, "but their limitation is the strength of the shaft. If I guarded myself against an axe the wrong way, for example, my spear would be cleaved in two, and I'd be defenceless. Meanwhile, an axe is a very offensive weapon, so it can't parry sword strikes the way a spearman could block a swordsman. My goal is to become skilled enough to carry five weapons on me at all times. A Spear, Naginata, or Poleaxe, a sword at each hip, and a dagger in each boot. It may sound ridiculous, but you never know when you might find yourself in need of something you don't have!"
"So, about tomorrow," Lara quickly changed the topic, hoping to catch Merryck off guard, "I'm coming, end of story, and I'm bringing Selphy too, since she wanted to check out Kardia's library. We're counting on you to escort us safely, Merry! Now go get some sleep, doctor's orders. You wouldn't ddare defy doctor's orders, would you?"
Rollyng his eyes, Merryck caved in. Okay, okay, See you bright and early, it's a long walk. And tell Selphy to sleep too, I'm not going to carry her, I pulled something in my back yesterday, I'm not feeling up to lifting anything except my own weight and my weapons."
Lara smiled. "See you tomorrow, then. I'll wake you up at 4 AM, so we can get to Kardia before it gets dark! I wasn't joking when I said to get some sleep! If you don't answer your door within a few minutes of me knocking, I'd like to remind you that Stella has spare keys to every house in the town, so you might want to answer right away before I barge in while you're changing!" Merryck laughed, "I'm quite serious, Merryck! Good night!"