Chapter 2: Loss (Zephyr)

Living without Evan just doesn't feel right. Ever since I was little he has been there to help and support me. He was the only light I had in a world of darkness. Perhaps it was love that I felt for him. All I know is that I won't rest until King Randall's head rests on a pike outside of Arodia. This much I swear.

We arrive in the Aquatican capital of Tideus and find an inn called The Trident's Point. We enter and I see a smile cross John's face. This is the rowdiest place I have ever been in. The noise is loud and all of the men look surly. It smells of ale. "I like it here," smirks John.

"Yeah well since you like it here so much," I thrust a sack of coins at him, "You can pay for our rooms." John nods and we head to a table near the door. I sit back, letting my mind wander over better times. Times when part of the fate didn't rest on my shoulders, times when I was at home in Birlor. Times when Evan was alive.

"'Lo gorgeous," I hear a man's voice say. I look up to see a handsome man talking to Kairi. His hair is a mixture of light blonde, dark brown, and blue. His eyes are soft and caring. I don't know where but I swear that I've seen him before. I just don't know from where.

"Hello…" Kairi softly says.

"What might your name be?" he asks, plopping down in the chair we saved for John.

"Kairi Volcanus," Kairi responds. I look over at Rey who is giving this man a reproachful look. I can tell that he's seen this man before as well.

"Pleasure to meet you Miss Volcanus. My name is Jerret," he replies. He looks at the rest of us and leans backward in his chair, "Who might your friends be?"

"It is no concern of yours who we are," Rey coldly states. I don't know why but he seems to be very protective of Kairi. Perhaps its one of those lay your life on the line for the princess things.

"I'm sorry to offend you sir. Perhaps I should…"

"No, you can stay." Kairi says, "Don't mind Rey, he gets very protective of me sometimes."

Rey narrows his eyes at her as Jarret says, "You're a beautiful woman. Tell me, where do you hail from?"

"Rey and I hail from Caloria. Jezebelle and her friend Johnathan are from Amaranth. Zephyr's from Birlor." Kairi nods. I can see that Kairi has an attraction for this man. It unsettles me. Something about this stranger just doesn't seem right.

John comes back to the table smiling, "Four rooms. One for you, one for me, one for Jez. Rey and Kairi gave to share. Plus I found out who rules the town."

I clear my throat and look from Jarret to John. I don't want this man to know about what we are. What if he happens to be a spy for Lord Randall? That's the last thing I want. I smiled, "We'll talk later Johnathan."

Jarrett looks at me and in perfect Birlorian says, "You have no reason to fear me Zephyr. Trust me."

I'm taken aback. This man speaks Birlorian? I frown, "How did you learn to speak Birlorian? You certainly aren't from Birlor."

"I'm a traveler. I've been here and there. I speak all five languages fluently," he responds smirking.

"Five?"

"Yeah," he nods.

My soul goes cold. He speaks Darakian. That's enough to make me want to kill him. I stand up, "Go!"

He looks at me, "I'm sorry did I offend you?"

"I don't trust you Jarret! I don't trust anyone who is fluent in Darakian! Just what the hell are you anyways?" I growl. The others are staring at me like I have finally lost my mind. I may be angrier than I need be, so what. Anyone speaks Darakian has obviously either been close to a Darakian or in Arodia as a Darkaian. Either way they are trouble.

"I told you what I am. I'm a traveler. I've spent my life moving from one place to the next," Jarret replies.

"And how did you come to learn Darakian?" Rey asks. I can tell that he nor John nor I like him.

"My father was Darakian. He died when I was young. My mother is a gypsy," he replies softly. As he lifts his arm to brush the hair from his eyes I see a branch tattoo the length of his arm. Only one gypsy clan I know of has it.

"You're a member of the Harson clan, aren't you?" I ask coldly. The Harson clan is not only a clan of gypsies but a clan of felincians. Felincians are a rare race scattered all over Arodia. They have the ears of a cat and are as stealthy as one. And just like cats and birds, felincians and Birlorians are mortal enemies.

He smirks at me, "How do you know?"
"The tattoo you tried to cover with your shirt sleeve. It wasn't very hidden." I snarl. My eyes are

cold and I don't care what the others think.

He smiles, "Very well." He pushes his left shirt sleeve up to reveal his intricately designed arm tattoo. "My name is Jarret Harson and I am a Felincian."

"My word," Rey smiles, "a real living Felincian! I have never seen one!"
"It's quite alright." Jarret smiles, "I should let you all get up to your rooms. Perhaps tomorrow I

can help you locate whatever you are searching for." He turns to Kairi and takes her hands before kissing it, "Good night m'lady."

I see Kairi blush as Jarret walks away. I don't know that it is but something tells me that the worst of my problems has yet to come.