Chapter Two
Dreaming
Athlum Castle
David Nassau knew only one thing in his young life and that was his duty. At nineteen years of age he ruled one of the most powerful cities on the continent after his father passed away. Inheriting not only Athlum but the Gae Bolg the young blond man became consumed by his duty. At first glance David appeared to be a gorgeous man with golden silky hair that contrasted beautifully with his tanned skin. His blue and red coat dew attention to a lithe body that was shaped to hours of swordplay.
But it was his eyes that made woman go weak in the eyes and men envy him. Eyes so blue they seemed to pierce right into the mind of anyone he looked at. His eyes sparkled with mirth when his generals retuned from their mission to the Gaslin Caves. Pagus and Blocter gave him their reports of the slavers and the women and children they managed to rescue. Torgal brought up the news of the only male prisoner. David turned his eyes towards the boy and stopped suddenly. He drew in a breath at the sight of the exotic beauty before him with a look of fear on his stunning face.
Raven locks framed a porcelain which held plump lips and steel cobalt eyes. He was wearing black leather pants and a tight singlet top that left extremely little to the imagination. A green jewel dangled around his swan like neck. Sometimes a hand came up to clasp the jewel before dropping with uncertainty. David felt his heart skip a beat when those cobalt eyes became fixed on him. David was aware of Emma and Torgal talking to him but their voices seemed to just fade into the background.
All he could see where those bright orbs that seemed to be looking right through him. David managed to get his voice back and he introduced himself properly as a Marquis should. Only moments later the boy exclaimed "It's you!" and collapsed while holding his head and yelling in pain. David didn't waste any time in getting the boy, Rush he was told, some help. Pagus used a Restore spell while Blocter lifted the boy into his arms.
"What the hell?" the yama exclaimed when he almost dropped the boy.
"What is it?" David stood up from his throne.
"His eyes…they turned black! Damn, that was scary." Blocter visibly shuddered.
"Take him to the guest chambers." David instructed. Once Blocter and Pagus left the Marquis turned to his other generals.
"What do you suppose caused him to collapse?" the blond man frowned.
"I'm more concerned with that remark. It's like he knew you." Emma pointed out.
"Strange, I have never met him before today." David sighed. "Let him rest for now though."
"In that case we received word of bizarre sightings near Dillmoor." Emma handed David a report. "People there claimed to have seen a winged creature."
"What do you think it is?" his blue eyes fell on Torgal.
"We do not have enough information at this time to make any kind of assumption. But we will investigate the area if you wish." The sovani had his lower arms crossed over his stomach as always.
"The Sykes claimed that their daughter was kidnapped by a Flying Remnant. If this is that Remnant we need to check it out. Torgal, you and Emma take a squad and investigate." David ordered. He stood up. "We need to locate Irina as soon as possible."
"Understood…but what about that boy?" Emma questioned.
"I'll have Pagus look after him. Take Blocter with you to Dillmoor in case you encounter any trouble." David made his way to the door connecting the throne room to the guest chambers. "I'll talk to Rush when he is feeling better." Torgal and Emma bowed before leaving the castle to prepare for their excursion to Dillmoor.
"Who are you Rush?" David murmured when he was left alone. Soon enough he would find out those answers.
The fire was so hot, so blinding in its power that Rush had to close his eyes to shield them from the heat. He could feel it all around him, enveloping him in a warm embrace. Some part of his mind was deathly afraid of what was happening to him but another part of him felt safe in here locked away from the outside world. He opened his eyes slowly despite the glare when he heard a familiar voice, a voice that sent shivers down his spine in such a pleasurable way. No sooner had he recognized the man talking a vice of absolute terror squeezed his heart.
He tried to move, to speak, to do anything but he was frozen within the fiery cage. He could make out a face through the flames, a face he knew all too well. Rush wanted to cry out, beg the man not to come through after him. This was the only way; he had to do this to fix everything. As the fire closed in around him, blocking his senses from the world completely Rush breathed out the last name he would ever speak.
"Dave…"
The first thing he was aware of upon awakening was a soft light filtering in from the stained glass window near the bed he had been placed on. His head was pounding something fierce and his mouth felt as dry as the Great Sand Sea. Rush blinked wearily when he felt cool hands on his sweaty brow and he heard Pagus speaking to someone else in the room. The teenager began to panic. He had had a vision in front of the Marquis of Athlum. He knew David from before…he saw that blond boy all his life.
When he was a small child, five years of age, Rush had a dream where a man with hair like the sun and eyes as bright as the summer came to his rescue. He never found out the man's name but his face was so very clear that Rush never forgot it. Groggily raising his head Rush felt his cheeks heat up when he saw David standing nearby talking to Pagus. He had to think up something fast before they started asking questions.
"Ah, I see you're awake." David smiled gently.
"Yeah…man, my head hurts." Rush moaned pitifully.
"You should be back on your feet soon enough Rush. You've been asleep for a few hours as it is." Pagus said.
"Thanks for helping me…again." The boy said sheepishly.
"How are you feeling?" David asked. He sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Well my headache's fading a little but other than that I'm great." Rush grinned at them.
"If you do not mind me asking what exactly happened in there?" Pagus' bright eyes were wide.
"Oh that…I have headaches sometimes…they can get bad." Rush muttered as quickly as he could.
"You suffer from headaches? You blacked out Rush, that's serious." David glanced at a now silent Pagus.
"It's nothing really!" Rush waved his hands. "I feel fine now. I've had this my whole life."
"Well, if you are feeling better then you're free to leave this room." David offered. Rush felt his cheeks heat up when those blue, blue eyes bore into his cobalt ones.
"Yeah, I-I was gonna look for a job around town." The brunet stuttered.
"So you'll be staying in the city then? I think that would be best. We have to yet to find out who bought you and the other woman." David explained.
"Rush, if you have anymore headaches come to me and I'll see what I can do." Pagus suggested politely.
"But for the moment the city is yours to enjoy. You can leave here from the entrance hall to the right once you leave this room." David said with a smile.
"I will and thanks for your help Dave!" Rush waved at him before leaving the room.
"What a strange young man." Pagus stroked his chin.
"That he is…" the Marquis looked thoughtful for a moment. "And what of that Remnant he has?"
"I was going to the library now. There may be something in there that can tell us what it is." Pagus hopped towards the door.
"Thank you Pagus. Keep me informed." The quisti bowed then left.
Athlum Marketplace
Once he was out of the castle Rush breathed out his relief. At least they bought his story for the moment but the images of his vision were troubling him greatly. He had not had that vision since his childhood. He wondered what it meant, the pillar of flames and the way David was trying to get to him. Pushing those thoughts aside for now Rush wandered across the Town Square admiring the various stalls and attractions all around him. The city was indeed eye catching and the people from the four races were enjoying their carefree lives.
Rush envied them somewhat. When he was growing up he had to work his ass off just to make enough money to buy food and a room for the night. He never knew the love and affection a parent could give. The only thing he remembered of hid parents was the night they left him in the forest all alone. At five years of age it was a miracle that he survived. Since then Rush moved from town to town haunted with his visions and with nothing to truly drive him anymore. He didn't really have a purpose in life as it was.
Rush pushed those kinds of thoughts aside. He hated thinking about depressing things, seriously where was that gonna get him anyway? He left the Town Square after checking out the food stalls. His stomach made itself known when the smell of roast chicken pies drifted into his nostrils. Rush felt his mouth watering as his stomach continued to growl.
He mentally kicked himself when he realized that he should've gotten some food aback at the castle. Anxiety curled through his belly at the thought of going back there so soon. He really didn't want to answer anymore questions and besides seeing David like that…the guy he saw in his dreams for years was unnerving. He needed to think about this first before making any kind of action.
When he entered another section of Athlum he spotted a few people hanging around the pub. Rush made his way to the establishment with a golden sign hanging overhead that identified the place as the 'Warrior's Honor.' He never really had any trouble getting jobs as a bartender in pubs before. Usually he served the drinks to the customers before putting on a show. Brushing his fingers through his raven locks Rush made sure he was somewhat presentable before entering the pub.
The moment he stepped inside he was hit with the smell of fresh apples and brew. The place had a warm feeling to it and several yama were busy guzzling their drinks. Rush spotted two bartenders wiping glasses behind a counter where a few mitra were downing some kind of dark beverage. Swallowing the lump in his throat Rush made his way to the counter with his most charming smile in place. When the bartender noticed him he stopped cleaning the glass and grinned brightly.
"Why hello there handsome. What can I get you?" he asked cheerfully.
"Hi…ah, I was wondering if you have any jobs available?" when the bartender gave him a steady grin Rush felt like his luck was turning around.
