CHAPTER 2: MYSTERIOUS ENCOUNTERS

Just a trick of the eye... Or is it?

Jan Reed

"Jan, those men we fought…. I know it will be hard for you to believe such a crazy tale, but they weren't human!"

Legault's story did have quite an effect on me, I'll admit. I couldn't believe any of it; The mysterious dark garbed "men", Brendan choosing to aid a strange woman, it was all so hard to believe! And yet there I sat, hearing out this strange story in all its entirety, simply nodding my head all the while.

"But Legault," I said, trying to ease his out-of -control nerves, "If those men weren't human, then what were they?"

Legault hesitated, clearly troubled by my question. He was usually in such a cheery mood; it was unusual for me to find him like this.

"Jan… I know what I saw. And after the battle, as we returned here, Jerme brought to my attention that the bodies of the men we killed had disappeared. It was hard for me to believe, but I saw it with my own eyes! There was nothing there!"

I hesitated. He seemed so convinced, but I knew that there was something else amiss. There had to be. Some kind of explanation for these "supernatural" facts he had given me.

"Well…. I'm sure its nothing for us to worry about," I said. I noticed he had frowned upon hearing this, so I added, "At least for the time being."

He didn't seem satisfied though. "You should talk to the commander. See what's happening. And look into that woman's eyes with your own. Farewell Jan."

And before I could reply, he exited my quarters and headed down the corridor. I felt guilty for treating him like a crazy man, but what else could I do? These men who weren't men? Ridiculous.

But I would talk to Brendan. Being his older brother, he often came to me for advice, or welcomed any advice I had to offer. There were no secrets between the two of us, yet we hadn't spoken since his arrival just a day before. That would change now.

Brendan and I were both raised in a very rural, isolated part of Bern. Our father served in Bern's army and showed his face around our home very sparingly. He always got along better with Brendan than me. He felt that Brendan would make a great warrior some day and he was right. But this left me completely ignored by him. My strength has always been limited due to my early birth. And on top of that, my mother nearly died during childbirth. My father felt that I was a curse upon the family and rarely talked to me. And as Brendan and I became men, he never returned for his normal visits. When our mother became ill and died, Brendan and I enlisted in Bern's army. We soon learned of our father's fate: Killed in action during a battle between two Counts, a meaningless battle over territory within Bern's borders. I think Brendan must have been given a bad impression of nobles from the start due to this.

I searched his room and found nothing. He wasn't there. So instead of searching the entire Black Fang fortress, I decided to head for the training room and question those who I knew would be reliable in helping my search.

Brendan became quite a force within Bern's army right from the start. He was quickly promoted due to his immense strength, and at one point, lead the unit that he and I had joined. But when the king ordered our unit to destroy a village where they refused to pay a tax, Brendan deserted and brought me along with him. We had been mercenaries ever since.

Upon entering the training room, I encountered Brendan's sons, Lloyd and Linus. I was glad as these were the individuals I had hoped to encounter. They were training furiously, as always, and I was uneasy about interrupting their session.

"Excuse me, Lloyd?"

Lloyd glanced in my direction, allowing Linus to land a forceful blow with his wooden practice weapon. Lloyd landed on his back and let out a sigh.

"Ha! A point for me!" Linus smiled, completely oblivious to my presence.

Lloyd stood and removed his helmet. "What is it Uncle Jan?" he moaned.

"Oh, uh…. Sorry Lloyd," was all I could offer.

"Forget it Uncle. Linus needs confidence. And by any means necessary," he grinned feverishly.

"Hey! I didn't hear anything!" Linus said in defense, and I heard Linus mutter "Cheap shot." under his breath.

"Have you two seen Brendan? I've searched his quarters, but he wasn't there. I haven't spoken with him since their return from the village," I said.

"Well…." Linus hesitated. A look of anger appeared on his face.

Lloyd glanced at his brother, and then said to me, "Last I saw, he was out with that woman. They were somewhere near the lake. That's all I know."

"I can't believe he would bring these people to this place with him!" Linus, obviously infuriated cut in. "Has he forgotten the code? And what about mother? How could he bring this woman home with him and…."

"Peace Linus," Lloyd offered calmly, "We already discussed this, didn't we? If its father's wish to bring these people here, then it is our duty to cooperate. That's the true way of the Fang. Right?"

"Yeah…." Linus said, his expression calming.

"Well, thanks for the information boys. I think I'll search for him now," I said hurriedly. I could tell that this was a sensitive subject for the brothers. And with that, I exited the fortress and headed toward the lake.

Brendan Reed

"This lake…. Its beautiful!"

Sonia reacted to my tour of the Black Fang fortress just as I'd hoped. We rose early just for this occasion. I gave her a tour of the fortress, told her about organizations purpose and about its members. And in turn, she had opened up to me, telling me about her upbringing at the village we visited and her dream of using magic to help those in need. I had never felt so connected to a person since my wife had passed away.

The sun was rising on the other side of the lake. "Isn't it nice?" I asked. Beautiful was not a word I often used. "It's yours. For however long you choose to stay here. And who knows? Maybe you can use your magic to help us. And together, we can help the world."

I had found this fortress in the earlier years of the Black Fang's formation. Bern's royal troops had branded us fugitives for assassinating nobles and protecting the common man. We fled into an area full of marshes and found this fortress. With the work of very few people, we were able to restore it was vital in allowing us to stay hidden from Bern's royal troops.

Her golden eyes never strayed from the water. "Thank you so much Brendan. I can't thank you enough."

I gave a short nod. "Breakfast should be ready soon. Won't you join us?"

"I will. But please. I need a moment. Just a moment," she said, staring over the water.

It was obvious that she needed a moment of solitude. I left her there to gaze at the lake and headed toward the fortress. A feeling had come over me. Was it love?

Jan Reed

The walk to the lake was reasonably long. Brendan must have had an early start to have arrived there before I had even left the fortress.

And also, I found myself sidetracked.

Upon exiting the fortress, I encountered a young girl, sitting alone on a rock. Her hair was green and she wore garb of a bright color. Was this the woman's daughter that Legault had mentioned?

"Who are you young lady?" I asked.

The girl jumped up at these words.

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to alarm you…." I said.

The girl seemed a little scared, but mustered up the courage to speak, "Umm. My name is Nino. My mother was here. But I can't find her now."

Nino seemed worried. I inferred from this that her mother hadn't told her what she was up to.

"Nino, is it? Rest easy, Nino. Your mother is out for a walk, and I'm sure she'll return soon."

"Oh…. Really?" she asked. Her expression seemed a slightly calmer now, but only slightly. "Thanks mister. I don't know anything or anyone around here. I didn't know what to do."

I felt sorry for the girl. She seemed like a nice lass, and didn't appear to look anything like the description of her mother that Legault had given me.

"My name is Jan," I said, offering her a smile. "If you need anything, feel free to ask me."

"OK. Thanks Mister Jan," Nino said. This time, I saw a hint of a smile, and could see that her eyes were blue.

I continued my search for Brendan, the girl in mind all the while. Legault had mentioned the woman's golden eyes. How could her daughter's be blue? And how could she leave her daughter without telling her where she was going? I found it all too strange.

As I approached the lake, I observed Brendan and the woman , Sonia gazing over its surface. It was a romantic scene, that I watched from behind branches and thickets. Her ebon hair blowing in the wind, and his proud stance, looming over her. And before I could approach them, I saw Brendan begin to pace away.

I was about to follow him. I needed to talk to him. But then I watched Sonia for a few seconds. She turned her head in the direction he had walked away in. Then she circled around a bit, glancing in every direction. I remained still, hoping she wouldn't notice me. Then right before my eyes, she vanished.