Author's Note: All questions asked by Great Saiyaman formally known as
Critic will be answered in due time. You have to wait patiently and
continue reading. But, however, if you (great saiyaman) would like to know
anything that will not in any way spoil the plot, e-mail me and ask. I'd
like to get in touch with you anyway to discuss certain things concerning
this fic. I've just been inspired, so I shall get on with the story so I do
not lose my ideas and words.
Disclaimer: I do not own Golden Sun.
Golden Sun: The New Beginning
Chapter III: Suspicions
Steam rolled off of the hot brown liquid as it sloshed into the bottom of a fair sized cup. The same substance was poured into a second cup identical to the first. Both cups were lifted from their spots on the table and carried across the room. Upon reaching his destination the server of the liquid extended his hand to offer the second cup to his friend.
"It's growing cold faster than usual," Felix said, handing Picard the other cup. "You won't be able to wear those clothes much longer."
Picard received the cup gladly from where he stood in the doorway leaned against the frame with the large oak board swung wide open on its hinges and nodded. "Thank you," he said quietly, glancing down at his clothes, which consisted of short sleeves and pants. He turned his gaze outdoors and glanced up at the gray sky. He sighed and closed his eyes remaining that way for a moment, his head still upturned, then, turning his head back toward the Venus adept near him, he spoke.
"It's going to snow. I can feel it," he said calmly.
"Snow?" Felix asked doubtfully. He wondered if his friend, being a Mercury adept, could sense what the weather was going to be like. "Well, I just hope it waits until were finished with all of the construction."
Picard nodded. "There's not that many things left to do. A few roofs and other small tasks," he said. "Nothing hard. You and a few others should be able to finish quickly."
The two stood in silence for a while, neither saying a thing nor daring to break the shared quiet. To them both it was peaceful to remain quiet or just sit secluded from any sound. It was an easy way to clear your mind, and think things through without losing current thoughts because of distractions. So neither spoke for the longest time.
"You sound doubtful," Picard finally spoke, breaking the silence.
Felix glanced at him for a moment and then turned his gaze back the warm liquid in his cup. After taking a sip he shook his head. "I wouldn't be surprised if it did," he replied. "As cold as it is we could be in for a blizzard."
"So you do believe me?" Picard inquired.
Felix nodded. "Yes, of course. I have no reason to doubt you," he said. "I just have a lot on my mind."
Picard stared back outside and seemed to be satisfied at that. He didn't appear to be curious and if he was he wasn't acting on his desire to know more. The Lemurian's respect for other's privacy was one of the many reasons Felix liked him as a friend so. It was as if he could sense when people didn't want to expose a lot, and if they wanted him to know more they'd tell him more.
Felix sighed. He found himself thinking about the conversation he'd had with Sheba two nights before and the strange creator he'd found near his house. It's looks still bothered him. It seemed to be pouring evil thoughts and intentions into his mind as it stared at him. Now that he thought about it, it didn't really appear to want to harm him, but acted as if it had come to fulfill a mission and had done so that very night.
Shaking his head he dismissed the matter from his thoughts and moved on to the whole matter of Sheba's dream. If it was true, if Alex had lived, he wondered where he was now and what he would do next. He didn't really trust him to begin with and after finding out about what his true intentions were in the end he decided he was not to be trusted.
"Sheba came to me the other night with complaints of a nightmare of sorts," Felix said quietly, deciding to discuss it.
Picard turned his full attention to the young adept. "And?" he asked patiently.
"She believes that Alex escaped just before Mt. Aleph sank completely," he replied. "She saw it in her dream. I wrote Hamma concerning in case it's a prophetic dream or vision of some sort."
"Alex?" Picard exclaimed. He narrowed his eyes and stared back outside. His brow frowned as he considered a sudden thought – it was possible. If he had of survived like Sheba suspected then he would have enough power to—it would explain the sudden change in weather and drop in temperature. He sipped a couple of times from the cup he still held in his hand.
"Is something wrong?" Felix asked, taking a step forward. He frowned when the man didn't respond. "Picard!"
Picard, jerked from his thoughts, snapped his head around toward Felix. "What? Sorry," he said. He shook his head. "It's nothing, it's just—nothing," he replied. He frowned dropping his gaze to the floorboards.
Felix frowned as well. He shifted his weight as he stood wondering what was on his friends mind. He stared at him for a moment before he too retired his glance to the floor. As his mind jumped from subject to subject he began to ponder the possibility that Alex was alive and had come back to haunt them. He frowned deeper at the thought. He didn't want Alex to be alive.
It had been such a relief to them all, with the exception maybe of Mia, when the Wise One had told them of his death. But even his knowledge had a limit and he couldn't see the future or the past. So could it be possible for Alex to be alive? Could he be the cause of the change in the weather? He did have the power and strength now, if alive, to do so. Or maybe it was just an odd happening. Either way, he still wanted to keep his guard up.
"You were going to say something else?" Picard asked, handing the conversation back to Felix for him to decide the direction of.
Felix sighed. "Not really," he replied. "I sort of was waiting for your comments on the matter. But then your mind seemed to wonder at the mention of Alex's name."
"Is it possible for her to be right?" Picard wondered aloud. His face was quizzical as he made his address to Felix. "If it is, he is powerful enough, then this change of weather—"
"Could be caused by him. But why?" Felix finished. He frowned. "If he's alive Vale could be in danger along with Weyard."
Picard nodded. "Why is a good question. But if he really wanted to seek revenge on us he could do a lot worse than this, I'd assume."
"A blizzard might trap us in our homes, but it wouldn't kill us. We're too smart to freeze to death, he'd have to know that."
"So Vale might be okay after all, and Weyard as well."
"He could just be trying to confuse us. Vale doesn't get this sort of weather around this time of year."
Picard sighed. "I don't understand what goes on in that small man's messed up, twisted head so I couldn't tell you," he said with a slight shake of his head.
Felix gazed down into his cup. He stood silent for a while not moving, breathing slightly that it couldn't be noticed. Placing his cup down on a small table next to the door that held a candle, he walked past Picard and out doors.
"I'm going to see Isaac," he said as he paused and turned around to explain. "I want to discuss this with him. He needs to know about this just in case."
Picard retired his cup to the same table and stepped outside pulling the door shut behind him. "I'll come with you."
~*~*~*~
Kraden watched as the first few snowflakes fell to the ground. He shivered as he moved across the room to throw another log on the fire. Then, raising his eyes to the small, temporary patch he'd placed hurriedly on the roof he sighed.
"How I do hope I'll be able to get someone to fix that before a heavy snow comes," he said in a worried tone. "An old man such as myself shouldn't be climbing around on a roof patching things. And with this weather my joints are stiff."
"I'd be glad to fix it for you," Kaiden, the interesting scholar from Tolbi who'd arrived a couple of days prier, said from his chair by the fire.
"Oh, thank you," Kraden replied sitting across from the siblings in his easy chair. "You're very kind, but I can't let you. I'll fetch Isaac or Garet later today to do it."
"Does it normally snow this early here?" Kitty asked as she placed her hand gently on the cold windowpane.
"My dear child, of course not!" he exclaimed. "Vale isn't far enough north for it to snow at this particular time in the year. It's rather strange weather that's crept up on us if I do say so myself."
"Sir, if I may," Kaiden said. "Maybe we could discuss a few matters other than the weather. I don't mean to be rude, but my sister and I wish to study Alchemy."
"So you've said," Kraden replied. "It's not easy to trust someone who comes to Vale and asks about Alchemy after past experiences."
"I understand," Kaiden replied. "But Iodem sent us. We mean no harm. If you don't wish to help us with our studies then we'll leave."
"No, it's not that. I'm sure you're good people, but I wonder," Kraden said, pausing as he took a good long, hard stare at the two. "Why haven't you asked for help earlier? You've been here two days now, why not bring it up sooner?"
"We were going to," Kitty replied. "But you had so many interesting things downstairs in your study room and so many books that we've not had a chance to read we sort of forgot about it."
"Not really forgot, but dismissed until later," Kaiden added. His sister nodded in agreement
Kraden sat thoughtfully for a while in the comforts of his cushy easy chair and warm house. As he sat deep in his thoughts the wind whipped snow around outside and howled as it angrily beat on the windows in attempt to get in. After what seemed like a very long time, Kraden stirred slightly in his chair as he changed positions.
"I don't see the harm in helping you study Alchemy," he replied. "Though the last time I got the bright idea to do so I ended up going all over Weyard. Quite an interesting adventure if I might add, but back to the subject."
Standing he crossed the room to a table where several charts, maps, books, sketches and statistics lay strewn out on the top of it. Sifting through he looked as though he was casually looking them over for lack of something else to do, but after a few more minutes of crinkling papers around it was clear he was searching for something.
"Iodem sent you here, you say," he thought allowed to himself. "He wants to know why Babi was so interested in the power of Alchemy. That can be answered simply by one sentence, children. You do not need to study the power itself to obtain it, all you need is my knowledge of the matter."
Pausing what he was doing, the old scholar looked back at the two with a strange glimmer in the corner of his eye, one of suspicion. Glancing at the document he now held in his hand he turned toward them and stood skimming over the paper.
"Now, Kaiden, am I correct in assuming that you and your sister are here for more than just the answer that Iodem seeks, or is Iodem himself wanting more than you've revealed to me or have chosen to tell me?" he asked, curiously watching their expressions.
The two siblings exchanged worried looks, glances that could be found on guilty children who'd been caught in the act of something they weren't to do. Chewing his bottom lip, the eldest sibling threw his shameful glance to the floor at the old man's feet. His sister merely dropped her gaze to her hands, which were clinching her skirt rather nervously.
"You're much more clever than I would have thought you to be. Most old men lose their wit and cleverness in their old age, but as I guessed, you aren't most old men," Kaiden replied choosing his words carefully. "My sister and I did come here for Iodem's request which is exactly what I've told you and that is his only request. The main reason we volunteered to come was because we too have a deep interest in the power of Alchemy."
Kraden placed his hands, document and all, behind his back and stood, feet planted firmly on a large wooly rug he had laid on the floor in the center of the room. "Then I need a very good, believable reason as to why you wish to know so much about Vale's secret."
Kitty sighed heavily. "Ever since I can remember, when Kaiden was even so young his head barely cam above your thigh, we were raised by our uncle. He took us in after our parents passed away," she explained.
"Our uncle worked in the castle in Tolbi as a royal advisor sort of. If Babi needed a second opinion on one of his decisions he'd ask Iodem and then the two would go to our uncle for counseling," Kaiden continued. "Since our uncle was so close to Babi, he shared his interest in Alchemy. For the rest of our youthful years as young children he told us of the great power and old wives tales that told of some rumored abilities of it."
"For years he taught us to be scholars and wished only one thing of it," Kitty said. "For us to know as much about Alchemy and record it. So naturally, when Iodem said he wanted someone to come here, the place where the great scholar Kraden who studied Alchemy lived, we jumped at the chance."
Kraden surveyed each one of the two's eyes trying to determine if they were telling the truth. The story was believable enough, but it was still hard to trust them knowing their soul purpose for coming was to know all they could about Alchemy. To obtain such knowledge would give them enough understanding to claim the great power for themselves, and that power could cause much damage if it fell into the wrong hands.
Kraden shook his head. "I'm sorry," he said. "I believe your story but I can't trust you. I hope you'll forgive me, but perhaps I can keep your long travels from being ill spent." Stepping forward Kraden extended the hand with the paper in it toward the young boy. "Take this."
Kaiden glanced at the paper being thrust into his face. Taking it, not sure what else to do, he turned it over so he could read it. "What is it?" he asked curiously skimming it over.
"It's everything I recorded on our adventure concerning Babi and his reasons for his interest in Alchemy," Kraden replied, bending over to pick up a log. Tossing it in the fire he straightened himself and dusted his hands off. "The short version as to why he wanted it was because it would have kept him alive. He'd been drinking a special liquid that extended his years beyond that of the normal dieing age of a man. But his supply was not limitless and ran out of it resulting in his death. That document will explain all of it in more detail."
Kitty peered over her brother's shoulder to look at the document. "So you won't help us to study Alchemy?"
Kraden shook his head. "No, I can't find it in myself to trust you. I don't know you very well and I find it hard to trust queer strangers who waltz into Vale requesting I help them study Alchemy so they can record it in books and papers for everyone and anybody to read," he replied. He shook his head again in a more thoughtful, disappointed manner. "It would thrill me to be able to pass my knowledge onto such promising scholars as yourselves, but if the wrong person were to read any of what I helped you with—"
"We understand," Kaiden replied, placing the document on a small table next to where he sat. "But would you mind if we were to stay a while longer and study other things with you?"
"Yes! We could help with your projects downstairs, Kraden!" Kitty exclaimed. "We have a lot to learn about other things before we are anywhere near being promising scholars."
Kraden chuckled to himself quietly. "There's no harm in that," he said. "Yes, you can stay a while longer." Then his expression grew serious. "But you mustn't touch anything that concerns Alchemy, understood?"
The two nodded happily. "We'll respect your requests, my good sir!" Kaiden replied.
Kraden smiled and chuckled almost mischievously. "Good, then you can start by helping an old man repair his roof."
~*~*~*~
Tolbi bustled about as the many citizens carried on with their own business. They set up items to replace the things they'd sold in their stands, they loaded wagons with wheat and grain, flour, sugar, fabrics and other goods that were to be sent off to sell in another, smaller town that wasn't fortunate enough to be able to grow and make everything they needed. Other wagons and carriages entered the town bringing shipments of silk from Xian, and many other things from other places that carried only that item.
Ladies', their children, men and their wives, all of them ran about on errands to buy the things they required for the day. Some had come to stock up on food for the week and fetch water from the well for their households and families. It was just another normal day, not as busy as it could be, but busy nonetheless.
Iodem sighed as he watched the town of Tolbi from a high window in the castle. Since the death of Babi he had become the new ruler of the large city and was responsible for every single thing that happened, went on, or was to be. He was the king—and therefore had all the responsibilities, duties, and headaches of a king.
He sat comfortably on the edge of the window seal with it thrust wide open. A cool, gentle breeze drifted in, passed across his face and into the stuffy room, only to escape through the other opened window on the opposite side of the room.
Lifting his eyes from the hectic running, fetching, coming, and going of the town, Iodem felt a comfort for once in three months as his tired eyes settled on two birds frolicking in the bright blue sky. He smiled at the fact that there was not a cloud in the sky, which meant there would be no storms of any sort to spoil his mood. Today he felt happy for some strange reason. It hadn't been a busy day for him, though it clearly was for the townsfolk below. Instead of the usual papers and documents he had to sift through he was left alone today in his study to read any book of his choice. Nobody had bothered him once that day, no servant, peasent on business for the betterment of the citizens of Tolbi, ambassadors, maids, cooks, guards, captains of the guard, not even his own trusted advisor had even thought of knocking on the door to the room he was in—or at least not yet.
Iodem sighed and the unthinkable idea of leaping out the window to end his endless headaches and tiresome days occurred to him when he heard a knock on the door. As he moved into the stuffy, humid room to stand behind his desk the thought didn't go far from his mind. Upon reaching his desk he realized for the first time that day it had been a little warm. Noting that it was so humid and hot indoors he half wondered why he'd not had a heat stroke yet.
He sighed once more as the knock came again. A few minutes before this person had decided to bother him with unpleasant work and duty he'd started to remember what it was like to be forgotten as he had been occasionally by certain people when Babi was king.
There was another knock on the door. This person, man or women, apparently was growing impatient as this time the knocking had come sooner than the time between the first and second time. But why shouldn't he make them wait? He always had to wait on them, wait on them to do what they did, to come when he summoned them, why couldn't they wait? He was king; he deserved to have someone wait on him, didn't he?
As the knocking became a soft pounding Iodem realized they wouldn't go away until he answered. And the racket that was being made by the servants', guards', maid's, whoever it was fist on the other side of the door was making his head throb.
"Yes! Come in!" he said finally, frustrated and annoyed. He kept his voice as calm as possible and managed to force a smile on his face as a rather pesky servant who had the talent of finding the smallest thing to bug 'his majesty' with poked his head in the door.
"Your majesty," the servant said, he voice still in that annoying nasal, congested sounding tone he had. "The lady has arrived. She wishes to see you before she settles in for the night."
Iodem raised his eyebrows. "Ah, yes, send her in, immediately!" he said.
The servant bowed low and disappeared, leaving the door at a crack. Low voices came from the hallway and the door was opened wide and held that way. A slim, medium height girl stepped in around the age of seventeen. She wore a gray skirt, white blouse, and a purple vest, buttoned up with eight buttons each covered with fabric. Her brown boots came to her ankle, which was also slightly below the end of her skirt. Her brown hair was cut choppy at her shoulders and hung loosely, not held by anything, and was a little mussed, from a sudden wind one would assume. Her green eyes shinned and sparkled as a beam of light hit her face, clearly showing that she had slightly pale skin. It was apparent that she did not get out in the sun much.
"Your highness," the girl said, stepping into the room and curtsying. "Forgive me for skipping the polite 'hello's' and 'how do you do's', but I was called away from my studies which were very important to me. I hope your majesty has a good reason for it?"
Iodem chuckled. "Yes, yes, I have a very good reason," he replied, a smile on his face. "Won't you have a seat, child?"
The girl shook her head. "No, your majesty, in warmer weather I find I prefer to stand. It's one of the strange habits of mine that set me apart from other ladies," she replied.
"One of the reasons I enjoy your company," Iodem explained. "I find your occasional disrespect, rudeness, and strange behavior very refreshing from the usual mass of people."
The girl smiled. "And I take it as a compliment that you see me as such, your highness," she said, curtsying again. "I thank you."
"You are a smart young lady, am I correct?" Iodem asked. He fiddled with the wick of a candle on his desk. "You're clever, and witty, but I want to know exactly how much. Understand?"
The girl nodded. "My mother always said I was as clever as a fox and cunning as one, too," she replied. "My father found my smart, stuck-up, snot-nosed attitude very un-ladylike and I got many of whippings for sassing elders and other high men of respect when they said something I knew was wrong." She smiled shyly. "It gets me into trouble, my stubbornness. But I make up for it with mind power, your majesty."
"Just what I wanted to hear," Iodem smiled. "I have a special assignment for you. You'll have to leave all your studies and experiments though I'm afraid."
"If its worth it I'd be more than willing to leave everything behind for your assignment, my lord, even my clothes," she said.
Iodem smiled. "That won't be necessary. You'll be able to take as many personal belongings as you need or want," he replied. He stood a moment in thought and found a spot on his desk to stare at. "I have chosen you for this assignment because of your personality. I have a feeling you'll need your wit and stuck-up attitude to deal with some of the things and people you'll encounter."
The girl knitted her brow. She made herself comfortable in a nearby chair, changing her mind to sit. "What kind of assignment are we speaking of, my lord?" she asked her curiosity peaked.
Iodem stared at her for a moment before retiring to his chair behind his desk. "I'm sending you away to another town. This should be quite different from your other studies, I'm sure," he explained. "As you know, my advisor has a niece and nephew, siblings, who are both scholars. I have sent them to a town called Vale." He paused a while to study the curious look on the girl's face. "Have you heard of it?" he asked.
The girl glanced to the side in thought. "I can't say I have," she replied. "The name doesn't seem familiar to me. I'm sorry, my lord."
"Don't be," Iodem said, dismissing it with the wave of his hand. "Anyway, back to the point. I sent them there to find the reason behind Babi's interest in Alchemy. He never made it clear to me as to why he searched for it, and when he died it was one of the things about him that has haunted my thoughts and some of my dreams.
"As I said before, I sent these two, knowing they were very promising in their career, to Vale to find out about it. There is a man there whose name is Kraden who more than likely knew of the many secrets of Alchemy."
"Kraden?" the girl asked. "The great scholar who knows so much about Alchemy? I've heard so much from my grandfather, but I never imagined him to—I mean, he's almost a legend!"
Iodem chuckled. "Yes, he is fairly popular," he commented. "But anyhow, that is of no matter. It's the siblings I have concern for. You see, I saw their uncle, my advisor, speaking with them just before they left Tolbi. Their uncle has a great fascination of Alchemy himself, and I worry that he might find out to much and tell too many people."
"So what am I to do? These siblings I assume are Kaiden and Kitty. The three of us have never gotten along very well, we're practically rivals and would kill each other if we had such evil running in our veins," the girl exclaimed. She shook her head, her brown hair swooshing in her face. "I don't see what I could do, or how I could help."
Iodem sighed. "You're not helping anyone!" he groaned, a little flustered. "You're to watch the siblings. You are they're rival, that is why I send you. You're going as a spy; you're capable of making excuses if someone questions you. I trust you, and you are loyal to me, so you seem perfect to send. Will you do it?"
The girl sat in thought. A smile spread across her face and she stood. "I have only one question," she said, a twinkle in her eye.
"What is that, child?" Iodem inquired, standing as well.
"When do I leave?"
Iodem smiled. "Tomorrow. That is enough time to get your things ready," he replied. "You may go now."
The girl curtsied and turned to leave the room. As she stepped out the door, she was stopped by Iodem's voice.
"Felicia," he said, stepping forward out from behind his desk.
She paused and turned around. "Yes, my lord?" she asked.
"See if you can't find an Isaac or Felix while you're in Vale," Iodem instructed.
Felicia cocked an eyebrow. "My lord?"
A fond smile spread across his lips. "Friends. Tell them hello for me, and thank you. They'll know what for."
"Yes, your highness," Felicia replied. She gave a quick bow and closed the door behind her. Iodem listened carefully to her retreating footsteps. He turned his gaze toward the window. Now that he thought about it, he owed his life to those to boys. All of Weyard did, for that matter.
~*~*~*~
Mia watched quietly from the foot of the stairs as Isaac sat by the fire reading contently. She frowned as she continued to watch him. He looked so interested in whatever book it was he had come upon and she hated to disturb him. But with his parents gone visiting someone and Ivan upstairs occupied, it was the perfect time to tell him about her suspicion.
Carefully, as not to make a noise, she tiptoed over to the table and sat down in an end chair farthest from him. For the longest time she sat staring at him not sure what she should say or how she'd get his attention. After a few minutes to think the words came to her. Taking a deep breath she released it.
"Isaac?" She said, straightening her posture in attempt for her voice to carry farther.
Isaac immediately looked up a slight bit of surprise on his face. When he noticed who had spoken to him he gave a kind, gentle smile.
"Mia," he said, placing his book down. He stood from his spot on the hearth and took a few steps toward her. "Did you need something?"
Mia glanced down at the table momentarily before she returned her gaze back to him and smiled herself. "Not really," she said. "Just to talk with you is all. I haven't had much time to spend with you. Might we do some 'catching up' so to say?"
Isaac shrugged. "Sure," he said, leaning on the other end of the table.. "Its nice talking with you."
Mia glanced down at the table. She hadn't gotten a chance to speak with him much over the past three months because both of them had been working so hard. Being in different parts of the town doing different things to help rebuild it gave them a rare opportunity to see each other much less speak to one another.
Scowling Mia shook her head thoughtfully to herself. Since she hadn't gotten a chance to sit down and have a long conversation with him in a while she felt she should start out talking about other things, not wanting to force her worries and doubts off on him. After all, he'd worked really hard and he didn't need the burden that might be placed upon his shoulders by her news.
Mia looked back up at him and smiled gently. "Anything," she replied quietly. "We haven't spoken in a long time. I thought since you're resting today I would take advantage of the situation and make some small talk for a while to pass the time."
Isaac returned her smile with one of his own. He sighed in a content sort of way and straightened his back. Looking around the room he searched his mind for a random subject. For lack of something to say he searched desperately for an item in the room that might trigger a memory worth talking about.
"Have you had a chance to talk to any of the others?" Mia asked, not sure what to do. The silence was beginning to make her edgy. It really wasn't necessary to leave the room so quiet especially when she had something she needed to talk about.
Isaac nodded. "Garet and Jenna. I spoke to them both the other day," he replied. He quietly remembered the day before and smiled at the thought. "I briefly talked with Picard. He came by yesterday with Jenna on his way to return to working."
Mia nodded in acknowledgement to his speaking. "I had a small conversation with Ivan the other night," she said. She toyed with the idea of going ahead and bringing up the subject she wished to discuss momentarily, but decided to wait a little longer.
"What about?" Isaac inquired while holding back a yawn. He tried to remove the tired look from his eyes so he would appear interested and not bored, but couldn't shake the sleepy feeling that had overcome him.
Mia bit her lip. Whether she had wanted to or not, she'd just opened up a way to discuss her suspicions with the blonde haired boy. Sighing almost guiltily she dropped her head in a shameful way.
Isaac, the actions catching his attention, stepped closer and stared for a moment trying to tell what the matter was. Leaning forward he touched her gently on the shoulder to catch her attention.
"Are you alright, Mia?" he asked.
Mia nodded. "We talked about why I've been so quiet lately," she replied hushed. "I'm sorry I haven't been myself, Isaac. It's just—"
Isaac scowled. "Just what?" he asked at her pause, tilting her head up with his hand.
Mia felt tears form in her eyes. She knew not why she wished cry, but the burning tears threatened to roll down her flushed cheeks. She bit her bottom lip to keep it from quivering.
Closing her eyes, Mia turned her head. "I don't feel well," she muttered.
Feeling concern for his friend, Isaac placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. He glanced toward the stairs wondering if he should get Ivan to help him cheer the girl up, but decided against it. His brow frowned as he thought of a way to make the adept feel better.
"Mia," he said softly. "How about we take a walk, just you and me together through Vale. The fresh air will do you some good and we can talk about the highlights of our adventure." He glanced out the window. "Besides," he said. "I'm about to fall asleep in this warm house. The cold will keep me awake and moving."
Mia smiled. Isaac offered her his hand. "Come on," he encouraged. "What do you say?"
Mia sighed, staring at his hand. The walk would be a good way to stretch her legs, and would give her an opportunity to be alone completely with Isaac without having to worry about someone walking up to them.
Taking his hand she stood, nodding her head in agreement. She was helped on with her coat and gave a happy 'thank you' as Isaac held the door open for her. A burst of cold air hit her face as she stepped outside and she was surprised to see a light blanket of fluffy snow crunching under her feet as she walked upon it.
"Odd," Isaac said as he closed the door behind him. "It only started snowing a little while ago. It sure has piled up awfully fast."
Mia looked around at the un-finished town covered in a white merry snow. What was once an early fall scenery was now a winter wonderland of about six inches of snow and the individual flakes were still falling.
Alex wasn't on her mind for once as Isaac stepped up beside of her. She took hold of his arm to keep her balance and the two walked off down the stairs in the direction of the Plaza. She tilted her head up slightly and let the snowflakes fall gently onto her eyelashes. A smile warmed her face as they fell off with a few quick bats of her eyes.
Isaac watched as the Mia he knew came out for the first time in a long while. It made him feel better to know she wasn't quite so depressed. Something about her company was warming right down to his very soul. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he was sure there was some kind of feeling toward her deep in his heart that was special.
"Isaac!"
At first he hadn't quite heard it. But the second time his name was called he was quick to turn his head in the general direction it had been called from. As he looked over, he realized they were near one of the many cliffs in Vale, and saw a brown head coming up the stairs.
"Felix?" Isaac questioned, blinking once slightly surprised. He hadn't remembered a time since the beginning of Vale's reconstruction that his childhood friend had spoken directly to him. He normally kept his conversations within his family and with the Lemurian who had stayed.
Mia felt her face flush when she noticed Felix's glance go directly to her holding Isaac's arm. She shyly released the blonde and took a small step away from him, dropping her gaze to the snow covered ground.
"Isaac," Felix breathed, panting to catch his breath. He glanced at Mia as if deciding on something then continued. "Could I talk with you?"
Mia raised her head and noticed Picard had come up behind Felix. He now stood silently as if waiting to testify. She dismissed it and turned her attention to Isaac.
"I need to tell you something first, Isaac," she said softly. She'd hoped it was quiet enough Felix hadn't heard, but hoped in vain as she received a look from the young man.
Isaac turned to her. He had somewhat of an overwhelmed expression on his face as he gave his attention to Felix once again. He'd never had two people wanting to tell him something at the same time before. He didn't know exactly what to do.
Felix took a step forward. "Isaac!" he said forcefully to ensure he had the younger boy's full attention. "I need to discus something Sheba told me with you. I have reason to believe it may be true."
"What?" Isaac asked. "Is it concerning the strange weather we've had?"
Mia's eyes widened slightly. She realized who had just been mentioned. Stepping forward she grasped the sleeve of Felix's shirt, tugging on it to get him to look at her. She clasped one hand to her chest and stared deep into his eyes like she were searching for an answer she'd long waited for.
"Sheba?" she breathed, almost in a whisper. "Sheba had a dream, didn't she?"
"H-how did you know?" Felix asked, shock ringing clearly in his voice. He stared at her a little bewildered.
"She dreamed of Alex," Mia muttered. She shook her head. "Ivan told me she'd had a dream. That's how I know."
Isaac stepped forward. He looked at Felix who had his eyes fixed on the girl. "Mia," he said, gently placing his hand on her shoulder. "What did you want to tell me?"
Mia felt her stomach do a flip. A lump stuck in her throat as tears filled her eyes again. Her lip quivered and she trembled some, her head lowering.
"Isaac," she whispered through gasp. "I tried to tell you before, but I was afraid you wouldn't believe me. I wanted to, its just I worried you'd—"she paused, her voice catching in her throat. "I'm sorry."
Felix narrowed his eyes. He stepped up beside the young lady and gently turned her toward him. Placing both hands on her shoulders he spoke.
"Mia, in Sheba's dream she saw the mountain when it sank," he said calmly. "She has a reason to believe Alex is alive—is that what's bothering you? Do you believe that as well?"
Isaac's eyes widened. "Wait, Alex? Alive?" he questioned. "Mia, is this true? Is that what's been bothering you—why you've not been yourself?"
Mia dropped her gaze and nodded. "I have a feeling, yes," she replied. "I pondered it many a night. I kept telling myself it wasn't possible, but the more I did the more I doubted. My stomach is in knots anymore over the matter." She paused and looked up at Felix. Her eyes sparkled as tears filled them.
"I know him, and it just doesn't make since to me that he'd die so easily," she said. "If there was a way for him to get off of that mountain, he'd find one. Don't you see? He's not dead, he can't be!"
Felix retired his arms down to his side. He scowled as the idea was presented to him once again by the very girl who'd known the man much longer than himself. Picard's musing and reasoning made a little more since to him now and he found himself also believing Alex was alive.
Isaac sighed. He'd wished he could know a little more than he did. All he pretty much had gotten was Sheba's dream, Mia's belief, and Felix had something to tell about it. But he didn't really care. All he did care about was finding out the truth: was Alex alive or not?
Mia felt a tear slip down her head. She quickly dropped her head and walked over to the cliff's edge to hide her emotions better. As she stared down its high height she hugged herself in attempt at hiding her shaking as a sob escaped.
Picard stepped forward to make his presence known if he had not already been noticed. "Isaac, if he is alive, he'd have enough power to create a small snow storm or blizzard. He was already very powerful, and now he has the power of Alchemy added to that," he explained.
Isaac shook his head. It was all still setting it and all very hard to believe. "But why would he cause it to snow? Here, in Vale of all places?" he demanded.
"To let us know he's alive or tell us something?" Picard suggested. "He might be attempting to keep us from interfering with his plans by covering Vale in a large pile of snow."
"It makes enough since," Felix said. "We didn't really mess up his plan last time, if anything we helped him. But this time around he might consider us as a small threat. Thought with the strength he would have it doesn't seem reasonable for him to notice us as such."
Mia shut her eyes tightly and shook her head. "No!" she said, whirling around. "You still speak as if he's dead! I know for a fact he's alive! I'd swear it, I bet my life upon it that he lives!" she shouted.
She glanced between the three, now staring at her a little surprised. She shook her head again. "He's alive," she whispered. "I know he is, I feel it."
"We still have not proof of it," Felix stated. He sighed and stood silent for a short while. Shaking his head he turned back to Isaac. "Until we see a sign that he is alive I don't think we need to worry. We probably should keep our guard up, just in case."
Isaac nodded in agreement. "I'll tell Garet so he will know as well. It wouldn't hurt for everyone to know," he said. "You might consider telling—"
Mia drew in a breath. She felt a sudden anger form inside of her. She didn't know why, but it was there and it was growing.
Shutting her eyes she shook her head violently, placing her hands on either side of her head as if she were trying to close out any sound. "No, no, no!" she groaned, frustrated. "He is alive! Don't you believe me, Isaac?"
Isaac scowled. "Mia," he said gently. "I believe you, but I need more to believe it myself."
Mia let out an aggravated sighed of frustration. She spun back around on the heel of her boot to conceal her anger. As she did she slipped on a small patch of ice, which sent her forward. As she fell over the edge of the high cliff she felt someone, presumably Picard who had been closest to her, grasp at her hand—and miss.
"Isaac!" she screamed as she dropped over the edge. She felt wind rushing through her hair and rippling her clothes as the plummeted, and expected to hit the bottom very soon.
Isaac rushed forward to the edge. "Mia!" she called, fear in his voice. Felix came up behind him and the two Venus adepts joined Picard in peering over the cliff. They all looked for Mia's crippled or possibly dead body lying at the bottom but saw nothing.
Isaac narrowed his brow in confusion. "Mia?" he asked. He looked to Felix and then Picard, both of which showed the same amount of confusion.
Felix found himself dumbfounded for a moment. He snapped to after a few more seconds of staring. "Where'd she go?" he asked.
Disclaimer: I do not own Golden Sun.
Golden Sun: The New Beginning
Chapter III: Suspicions
Steam rolled off of the hot brown liquid as it sloshed into the bottom of a fair sized cup. The same substance was poured into a second cup identical to the first. Both cups were lifted from their spots on the table and carried across the room. Upon reaching his destination the server of the liquid extended his hand to offer the second cup to his friend.
"It's growing cold faster than usual," Felix said, handing Picard the other cup. "You won't be able to wear those clothes much longer."
Picard received the cup gladly from where he stood in the doorway leaned against the frame with the large oak board swung wide open on its hinges and nodded. "Thank you," he said quietly, glancing down at his clothes, which consisted of short sleeves and pants. He turned his gaze outdoors and glanced up at the gray sky. He sighed and closed his eyes remaining that way for a moment, his head still upturned, then, turning his head back toward the Venus adept near him, he spoke.
"It's going to snow. I can feel it," he said calmly.
"Snow?" Felix asked doubtfully. He wondered if his friend, being a Mercury adept, could sense what the weather was going to be like. "Well, I just hope it waits until were finished with all of the construction."
Picard nodded. "There's not that many things left to do. A few roofs and other small tasks," he said. "Nothing hard. You and a few others should be able to finish quickly."
The two stood in silence for a while, neither saying a thing nor daring to break the shared quiet. To them both it was peaceful to remain quiet or just sit secluded from any sound. It was an easy way to clear your mind, and think things through without losing current thoughts because of distractions. So neither spoke for the longest time.
"You sound doubtful," Picard finally spoke, breaking the silence.
Felix glanced at him for a moment and then turned his gaze back the warm liquid in his cup. After taking a sip he shook his head. "I wouldn't be surprised if it did," he replied. "As cold as it is we could be in for a blizzard."
"So you do believe me?" Picard inquired.
Felix nodded. "Yes, of course. I have no reason to doubt you," he said. "I just have a lot on my mind."
Picard stared back outside and seemed to be satisfied at that. He didn't appear to be curious and if he was he wasn't acting on his desire to know more. The Lemurian's respect for other's privacy was one of the many reasons Felix liked him as a friend so. It was as if he could sense when people didn't want to expose a lot, and if they wanted him to know more they'd tell him more.
Felix sighed. He found himself thinking about the conversation he'd had with Sheba two nights before and the strange creator he'd found near his house. It's looks still bothered him. It seemed to be pouring evil thoughts and intentions into his mind as it stared at him. Now that he thought about it, it didn't really appear to want to harm him, but acted as if it had come to fulfill a mission and had done so that very night.
Shaking his head he dismissed the matter from his thoughts and moved on to the whole matter of Sheba's dream. If it was true, if Alex had lived, he wondered where he was now and what he would do next. He didn't really trust him to begin with and after finding out about what his true intentions were in the end he decided he was not to be trusted.
"Sheba came to me the other night with complaints of a nightmare of sorts," Felix said quietly, deciding to discuss it.
Picard turned his full attention to the young adept. "And?" he asked patiently.
"She believes that Alex escaped just before Mt. Aleph sank completely," he replied. "She saw it in her dream. I wrote Hamma concerning in case it's a prophetic dream or vision of some sort."
"Alex?" Picard exclaimed. He narrowed his eyes and stared back outside. His brow frowned as he considered a sudden thought – it was possible. If he had of survived like Sheba suspected then he would have enough power to—it would explain the sudden change in weather and drop in temperature. He sipped a couple of times from the cup he still held in his hand.
"Is something wrong?" Felix asked, taking a step forward. He frowned when the man didn't respond. "Picard!"
Picard, jerked from his thoughts, snapped his head around toward Felix. "What? Sorry," he said. He shook his head. "It's nothing, it's just—nothing," he replied. He frowned dropping his gaze to the floorboards.
Felix frowned as well. He shifted his weight as he stood wondering what was on his friends mind. He stared at him for a moment before he too retired his glance to the floor. As his mind jumped from subject to subject he began to ponder the possibility that Alex was alive and had come back to haunt them. He frowned deeper at the thought. He didn't want Alex to be alive.
It had been such a relief to them all, with the exception maybe of Mia, when the Wise One had told them of his death. But even his knowledge had a limit and he couldn't see the future or the past. So could it be possible for Alex to be alive? Could he be the cause of the change in the weather? He did have the power and strength now, if alive, to do so. Or maybe it was just an odd happening. Either way, he still wanted to keep his guard up.
"You were going to say something else?" Picard asked, handing the conversation back to Felix for him to decide the direction of.
Felix sighed. "Not really," he replied. "I sort of was waiting for your comments on the matter. But then your mind seemed to wonder at the mention of Alex's name."
"Is it possible for her to be right?" Picard wondered aloud. His face was quizzical as he made his address to Felix. "If it is, he is powerful enough, then this change of weather—"
"Could be caused by him. But why?" Felix finished. He frowned. "If he's alive Vale could be in danger along with Weyard."
Picard nodded. "Why is a good question. But if he really wanted to seek revenge on us he could do a lot worse than this, I'd assume."
"A blizzard might trap us in our homes, but it wouldn't kill us. We're too smart to freeze to death, he'd have to know that."
"So Vale might be okay after all, and Weyard as well."
"He could just be trying to confuse us. Vale doesn't get this sort of weather around this time of year."
Picard sighed. "I don't understand what goes on in that small man's messed up, twisted head so I couldn't tell you," he said with a slight shake of his head.
Felix gazed down into his cup. He stood silent for a while not moving, breathing slightly that it couldn't be noticed. Placing his cup down on a small table next to the door that held a candle, he walked past Picard and out doors.
"I'm going to see Isaac," he said as he paused and turned around to explain. "I want to discuss this with him. He needs to know about this just in case."
Picard retired his cup to the same table and stepped outside pulling the door shut behind him. "I'll come with you."
~*~*~*~
Kraden watched as the first few snowflakes fell to the ground. He shivered as he moved across the room to throw another log on the fire. Then, raising his eyes to the small, temporary patch he'd placed hurriedly on the roof he sighed.
"How I do hope I'll be able to get someone to fix that before a heavy snow comes," he said in a worried tone. "An old man such as myself shouldn't be climbing around on a roof patching things. And with this weather my joints are stiff."
"I'd be glad to fix it for you," Kaiden, the interesting scholar from Tolbi who'd arrived a couple of days prier, said from his chair by the fire.
"Oh, thank you," Kraden replied sitting across from the siblings in his easy chair. "You're very kind, but I can't let you. I'll fetch Isaac or Garet later today to do it."
"Does it normally snow this early here?" Kitty asked as she placed her hand gently on the cold windowpane.
"My dear child, of course not!" he exclaimed. "Vale isn't far enough north for it to snow at this particular time in the year. It's rather strange weather that's crept up on us if I do say so myself."
"Sir, if I may," Kaiden said. "Maybe we could discuss a few matters other than the weather. I don't mean to be rude, but my sister and I wish to study Alchemy."
"So you've said," Kraden replied. "It's not easy to trust someone who comes to Vale and asks about Alchemy after past experiences."
"I understand," Kaiden replied. "But Iodem sent us. We mean no harm. If you don't wish to help us with our studies then we'll leave."
"No, it's not that. I'm sure you're good people, but I wonder," Kraden said, pausing as he took a good long, hard stare at the two. "Why haven't you asked for help earlier? You've been here two days now, why not bring it up sooner?"
"We were going to," Kitty replied. "But you had so many interesting things downstairs in your study room and so many books that we've not had a chance to read we sort of forgot about it."
"Not really forgot, but dismissed until later," Kaiden added. His sister nodded in agreement
Kraden sat thoughtfully for a while in the comforts of his cushy easy chair and warm house. As he sat deep in his thoughts the wind whipped snow around outside and howled as it angrily beat on the windows in attempt to get in. After what seemed like a very long time, Kraden stirred slightly in his chair as he changed positions.
"I don't see the harm in helping you study Alchemy," he replied. "Though the last time I got the bright idea to do so I ended up going all over Weyard. Quite an interesting adventure if I might add, but back to the subject."
Standing he crossed the room to a table where several charts, maps, books, sketches and statistics lay strewn out on the top of it. Sifting through he looked as though he was casually looking them over for lack of something else to do, but after a few more minutes of crinkling papers around it was clear he was searching for something.
"Iodem sent you here, you say," he thought allowed to himself. "He wants to know why Babi was so interested in the power of Alchemy. That can be answered simply by one sentence, children. You do not need to study the power itself to obtain it, all you need is my knowledge of the matter."
Pausing what he was doing, the old scholar looked back at the two with a strange glimmer in the corner of his eye, one of suspicion. Glancing at the document he now held in his hand he turned toward them and stood skimming over the paper.
"Now, Kaiden, am I correct in assuming that you and your sister are here for more than just the answer that Iodem seeks, or is Iodem himself wanting more than you've revealed to me or have chosen to tell me?" he asked, curiously watching their expressions.
The two siblings exchanged worried looks, glances that could be found on guilty children who'd been caught in the act of something they weren't to do. Chewing his bottom lip, the eldest sibling threw his shameful glance to the floor at the old man's feet. His sister merely dropped her gaze to her hands, which were clinching her skirt rather nervously.
"You're much more clever than I would have thought you to be. Most old men lose their wit and cleverness in their old age, but as I guessed, you aren't most old men," Kaiden replied choosing his words carefully. "My sister and I did come here for Iodem's request which is exactly what I've told you and that is his only request. The main reason we volunteered to come was because we too have a deep interest in the power of Alchemy."
Kraden placed his hands, document and all, behind his back and stood, feet planted firmly on a large wooly rug he had laid on the floor in the center of the room. "Then I need a very good, believable reason as to why you wish to know so much about Vale's secret."
Kitty sighed heavily. "Ever since I can remember, when Kaiden was even so young his head barely cam above your thigh, we were raised by our uncle. He took us in after our parents passed away," she explained.
"Our uncle worked in the castle in Tolbi as a royal advisor sort of. If Babi needed a second opinion on one of his decisions he'd ask Iodem and then the two would go to our uncle for counseling," Kaiden continued. "Since our uncle was so close to Babi, he shared his interest in Alchemy. For the rest of our youthful years as young children he told us of the great power and old wives tales that told of some rumored abilities of it."
"For years he taught us to be scholars and wished only one thing of it," Kitty said. "For us to know as much about Alchemy and record it. So naturally, when Iodem said he wanted someone to come here, the place where the great scholar Kraden who studied Alchemy lived, we jumped at the chance."
Kraden surveyed each one of the two's eyes trying to determine if they were telling the truth. The story was believable enough, but it was still hard to trust them knowing their soul purpose for coming was to know all they could about Alchemy. To obtain such knowledge would give them enough understanding to claim the great power for themselves, and that power could cause much damage if it fell into the wrong hands.
Kraden shook his head. "I'm sorry," he said. "I believe your story but I can't trust you. I hope you'll forgive me, but perhaps I can keep your long travels from being ill spent." Stepping forward Kraden extended the hand with the paper in it toward the young boy. "Take this."
Kaiden glanced at the paper being thrust into his face. Taking it, not sure what else to do, he turned it over so he could read it. "What is it?" he asked curiously skimming it over.
"It's everything I recorded on our adventure concerning Babi and his reasons for his interest in Alchemy," Kraden replied, bending over to pick up a log. Tossing it in the fire he straightened himself and dusted his hands off. "The short version as to why he wanted it was because it would have kept him alive. He'd been drinking a special liquid that extended his years beyond that of the normal dieing age of a man. But his supply was not limitless and ran out of it resulting in his death. That document will explain all of it in more detail."
Kitty peered over her brother's shoulder to look at the document. "So you won't help us to study Alchemy?"
Kraden shook his head. "No, I can't find it in myself to trust you. I don't know you very well and I find it hard to trust queer strangers who waltz into Vale requesting I help them study Alchemy so they can record it in books and papers for everyone and anybody to read," he replied. He shook his head again in a more thoughtful, disappointed manner. "It would thrill me to be able to pass my knowledge onto such promising scholars as yourselves, but if the wrong person were to read any of what I helped you with—"
"We understand," Kaiden replied, placing the document on a small table next to where he sat. "But would you mind if we were to stay a while longer and study other things with you?"
"Yes! We could help with your projects downstairs, Kraden!" Kitty exclaimed. "We have a lot to learn about other things before we are anywhere near being promising scholars."
Kraden chuckled to himself quietly. "There's no harm in that," he said. "Yes, you can stay a while longer." Then his expression grew serious. "But you mustn't touch anything that concerns Alchemy, understood?"
The two nodded happily. "We'll respect your requests, my good sir!" Kaiden replied.
Kraden smiled and chuckled almost mischievously. "Good, then you can start by helping an old man repair his roof."
~*~*~*~
Tolbi bustled about as the many citizens carried on with their own business. They set up items to replace the things they'd sold in their stands, they loaded wagons with wheat and grain, flour, sugar, fabrics and other goods that were to be sent off to sell in another, smaller town that wasn't fortunate enough to be able to grow and make everything they needed. Other wagons and carriages entered the town bringing shipments of silk from Xian, and many other things from other places that carried only that item.
Ladies', their children, men and their wives, all of them ran about on errands to buy the things they required for the day. Some had come to stock up on food for the week and fetch water from the well for their households and families. It was just another normal day, not as busy as it could be, but busy nonetheless.
Iodem sighed as he watched the town of Tolbi from a high window in the castle. Since the death of Babi he had become the new ruler of the large city and was responsible for every single thing that happened, went on, or was to be. He was the king—and therefore had all the responsibilities, duties, and headaches of a king.
He sat comfortably on the edge of the window seal with it thrust wide open. A cool, gentle breeze drifted in, passed across his face and into the stuffy room, only to escape through the other opened window on the opposite side of the room.
Lifting his eyes from the hectic running, fetching, coming, and going of the town, Iodem felt a comfort for once in three months as his tired eyes settled on two birds frolicking in the bright blue sky. He smiled at the fact that there was not a cloud in the sky, which meant there would be no storms of any sort to spoil his mood. Today he felt happy for some strange reason. It hadn't been a busy day for him, though it clearly was for the townsfolk below. Instead of the usual papers and documents he had to sift through he was left alone today in his study to read any book of his choice. Nobody had bothered him once that day, no servant, peasent on business for the betterment of the citizens of Tolbi, ambassadors, maids, cooks, guards, captains of the guard, not even his own trusted advisor had even thought of knocking on the door to the room he was in—or at least not yet.
Iodem sighed and the unthinkable idea of leaping out the window to end his endless headaches and tiresome days occurred to him when he heard a knock on the door. As he moved into the stuffy, humid room to stand behind his desk the thought didn't go far from his mind. Upon reaching his desk he realized for the first time that day it had been a little warm. Noting that it was so humid and hot indoors he half wondered why he'd not had a heat stroke yet.
He sighed once more as the knock came again. A few minutes before this person had decided to bother him with unpleasant work and duty he'd started to remember what it was like to be forgotten as he had been occasionally by certain people when Babi was king.
There was another knock on the door. This person, man or women, apparently was growing impatient as this time the knocking had come sooner than the time between the first and second time. But why shouldn't he make them wait? He always had to wait on them, wait on them to do what they did, to come when he summoned them, why couldn't they wait? He was king; he deserved to have someone wait on him, didn't he?
As the knocking became a soft pounding Iodem realized they wouldn't go away until he answered. And the racket that was being made by the servants', guards', maid's, whoever it was fist on the other side of the door was making his head throb.
"Yes! Come in!" he said finally, frustrated and annoyed. He kept his voice as calm as possible and managed to force a smile on his face as a rather pesky servant who had the talent of finding the smallest thing to bug 'his majesty' with poked his head in the door.
"Your majesty," the servant said, he voice still in that annoying nasal, congested sounding tone he had. "The lady has arrived. She wishes to see you before she settles in for the night."
Iodem raised his eyebrows. "Ah, yes, send her in, immediately!" he said.
The servant bowed low and disappeared, leaving the door at a crack. Low voices came from the hallway and the door was opened wide and held that way. A slim, medium height girl stepped in around the age of seventeen. She wore a gray skirt, white blouse, and a purple vest, buttoned up with eight buttons each covered with fabric. Her brown boots came to her ankle, which was also slightly below the end of her skirt. Her brown hair was cut choppy at her shoulders and hung loosely, not held by anything, and was a little mussed, from a sudden wind one would assume. Her green eyes shinned and sparkled as a beam of light hit her face, clearly showing that she had slightly pale skin. It was apparent that she did not get out in the sun much.
"Your highness," the girl said, stepping into the room and curtsying. "Forgive me for skipping the polite 'hello's' and 'how do you do's', but I was called away from my studies which were very important to me. I hope your majesty has a good reason for it?"
Iodem chuckled. "Yes, yes, I have a very good reason," he replied, a smile on his face. "Won't you have a seat, child?"
The girl shook her head. "No, your majesty, in warmer weather I find I prefer to stand. It's one of the strange habits of mine that set me apart from other ladies," she replied.
"One of the reasons I enjoy your company," Iodem explained. "I find your occasional disrespect, rudeness, and strange behavior very refreshing from the usual mass of people."
The girl smiled. "And I take it as a compliment that you see me as such, your highness," she said, curtsying again. "I thank you."
"You are a smart young lady, am I correct?" Iodem asked. He fiddled with the wick of a candle on his desk. "You're clever, and witty, but I want to know exactly how much. Understand?"
The girl nodded. "My mother always said I was as clever as a fox and cunning as one, too," she replied. "My father found my smart, stuck-up, snot-nosed attitude very un-ladylike and I got many of whippings for sassing elders and other high men of respect when they said something I knew was wrong." She smiled shyly. "It gets me into trouble, my stubbornness. But I make up for it with mind power, your majesty."
"Just what I wanted to hear," Iodem smiled. "I have a special assignment for you. You'll have to leave all your studies and experiments though I'm afraid."
"If its worth it I'd be more than willing to leave everything behind for your assignment, my lord, even my clothes," she said.
Iodem smiled. "That won't be necessary. You'll be able to take as many personal belongings as you need or want," he replied. He stood a moment in thought and found a spot on his desk to stare at. "I have chosen you for this assignment because of your personality. I have a feeling you'll need your wit and stuck-up attitude to deal with some of the things and people you'll encounter."
The girl knitted her brow. She made herself comfortable in a nearby chair, changing her mind to sit. "What kind of assignment are we speaking of, my lord?" she asked her curiosity peaked.
Iodem stared at her for a moment before retiring to his chair behind his desk. "I'm sending you away to another town. This should be quite different from your other studies, I'm sure," he explained. "As you know, my advisor has a niece and nephew, siblings, who are both scholars. I have sent them to a town called Vale." He paused a while to study the curious look on the girl's face. "Have you heard of it?" he asked.
The girl glanced to the side in thought. "I can't say I have," she replied. "The name doesn't seem familiar to me. I'm sorry, my lord."
"Don't be," Iodem said, dismissing it with the wave of his hand. "Anyway, back to the point. I sent them there to find the reason behind Babi's interest in Alchemy. He never made it clear to me as to why he searched for it, and when he died it was one of the things about him that has haunted my thoughts and some of my dreams.
"As I said before, I sent these two, knowing they were very promising in their career, to Vale to find out about it. There is a man there whose name is Kraden who more than likely knew of the many secrets of Alchemy."
"Kraden?" the girl asked. "The great scholar who knows so much about Alchemy? I've heard so much from my grandfather, but I never imagined him to—I mean, he's almost a legend!"
Iodem chuckled. "Yes, he is fairly popular," he commented. "But anyhow, that is of no matter. It's the siblings I have concern for. You see, I saw their uncle, my advisor, speaking with them just before they left Tolbi. Their uncle has a great fascination of Alchemy himself, and I worry that he might find out to much and tell too many people."
"So what am I to do? These siblings I assume are Kaiden and Kitty. The three of us have never gotten along very well, we're practically rivals and would kill each other if we had such evil running in our veins," the girl exclaimed. She shook her head, her brown hair swooshing in her face. "I don't see what I could do, or how I could help."
Iodem sighed. "You're not helping anyone!" he groaned, a little flustered. "You're to watch the siblings. You are they're rival, that is why I send you. You're going as a spy; you're capable of making excuses if someone questions you. I trust you, and you are loyal to me, so you seem perfect to send. Will you do it?"
The girl sat in thought. A smile spread across her face and she stood. "I have only one question," she said, a twinkle in her eye.
"What is that, child?" Iodem inquired, standing as well.
"When do I leave?"
Iodem smiled. "Tomorrow. That is enough time to get your things ready," he replied. "You may go now."
The girl curtsied and turned to leave the room. As she stepped out the door, she was stopped by Iodem's voice.
"Felicia," he said, stepping forward out from behind his desk.
She paused and turned around. "Yes, my lord?" she asked.
"See if you can't find an Isaac or Felix while you're in Vale," Iodem instructed.
Felicia cocked an eyebrow. "My lord?"
A fond smile spread across his lips. "Friends. Tell them hello for me, and thank you. They'll know what for."
"Yes, your highness," Felicia replied. She gave a quick bow and closed the door behind her. Iodem listened carefully to her retreating footsteps. He turned his gaze toward the window. Now that he thought about it, he owed his life to those to boys. All of Weyard did, for that matter.
~*~*~*~
Mia watched quietly from the foot of the stairs as Isaac sat by the fire reading contently. She frowned as she continued to watch him. He looked so interested in whatever book it was he had come upon and she hated to disturb him. But with his parents gone visiting someone and Ivan upstairs occupied, it was the perfect time to tell him about her suspicion.
Carefully, as not to make a noise, she tiptoed over to the table and sat down in an end chair farthest from him. For the longest time she sat staring at him not sure what she should say or how she'd get his attention. After a few minutes to think the words came to her. Taking a deep breath she released it.
"Isaac?" She said, straightening her posture in attempt for her voice to carry farther.
Isaac immediately looked up a slight bit of surprise on his face. When he noticed who had spoken to him he gave a kind, gentle smile.
"Mia," he said, placing his book down. He stood from his spot on the hearth and took a few steps toward her. "Did you need something?"
Mia glanced down at the table momentarily before she returned her gaze back to him and smiled herself. "Not really," she said. "Just to talk with you is all. I haven't had much time to spend with you. Might we do some 'catching up' so to say?"
Isaac shrugged. "Sure," he said, leaning on the other end of the table.. "Its nice talking with you."
Mia glanced down at the table. She hadn't gotten a chance to speak with him much over the past three months because both of them had been working so hard. Being in different parts of the town doing different things to help rebuild it gave them a rare opportunity to see each other much less speak to one another.
Scowling Mia shook her head thoughtfully to herself. Since she hadn't gotten a chance to sit down and have a long conversation with him in a while she felt she should start out talking about other things, not wanting to force her worries and doubts off on him. After all, he'd worked really hard and he didn't need the burden that might be placed upon his shoulders by her news.
Mia looked back up at him and smiled gently. "Anything," she replied quietly. "We haven't spoken in a long time. I thought since you're resting today I would take advantage of the situation and make some small talk for a while to pass the time."
Isaac returned her smile with one of his own. He sighed in a content sort of way and straightened his back. Looking around the room he searched his mind for a random subject. For lack of something to say he searched desperately for an item in the room that might trigger a memory worth talking about.
"Have you had a chance to talk to any of the others?" Mia asked, not sure what to do. The silence was beginning to make her edgy. It really wasn't necessary to leave the room so quiet especially when she had something she needed to talk about.
Isaac nodded. "Garet and Jenna. I spoke to them both the other day," he replied. He quietly remembered the day before and smiled at the thought. "I briefly talked with Picard. He came by yesterday with Jenna on his way to return to working."
Mia nodded in acknowledgement to his speaking. "I had a small conversation with Ivan the other night," she said. She toyed with the idea of going ahead and bringing up the subject she wished to discuss momentarily, but decided to wait a little longer.
"What about?" Isaac inquired while holding back a yawn. He tried to remove the tired look from his eyes so he would appear interested and not bored, but couldn't shake the sleepy feeling that had overcome him.
Mia bit her lip. Whether she had wanted to or not, she'd just opened up a way to discuss her suspicions with the blonde haired boy. Sighing almost guiltily she dropped her head in a shameful way.
Isaac, the actions catching his attention, stepped closer and stared for a moment trying to tell what the matter was. Leaning forward he touched her gently on the shoulder to catch her attention.
"Are you alright, Mia?" he asked.
Mia nodded. "We talked about why I've been so quiet lately," she replied hushed. "I'm sorry I haven't been myself, Isaac. It's just—"
Isaac scowled. "Just what?" he asked at her pause, tilting her head up with his hand.
Mia felt tears form in her eyes. She knew not why she wished cry, but the burning tears threatened to roll down her flushed cheeks. She bit her bottom lip to keep it from quivering.
Closing her eyes, Mia turned her head. "I don't feel well," she muttered.
Feeling concern for his friend, Isaac placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. He glanced toward the stairs wondering if he should get Ivan to help him cheer the girl up, but decided against it. His brow frowned as he thought of a way to make the adept feel better.
"Mia," he said softly. "How about we take a walk, just you and me together through Vale. The fresh air will do you some good and we can talk about the highlights of our adventure." He glanced out the window. "Besides," he said. "I'm about to fall asleep in this warm house. The cold will keep me awake and moving."
Mia smiled. Isaac offered her his hand. "Come on," he encouraged. "What do you say?"
Mia sighed, staring at his hand. The walk would be a good way to stretch her legs, and would give her an opportunity to be alone completely with Isaac without having to worry about someone walking up to them.
Taking his hand she stood, nodding her head in agreement. She was helped on with her coat and gave a happy 'thank you' as Isaac held the door open for her. A burst of cold air hit her face as she stepped outside and she was surprised to see a light blanket of fluffy snow crunching under her feet as she walked upon it.
"Odd," Isaac said as he closed the door behind him. "It only started snowing a little while ago. It sure has piled up awfully fast."
Mia looked around at the un-finished town covered in a white merry snow. What was once an early fall scenery was now a winter wonderland of about six inches of snow and the individual flakes were still falling.
Alex wasn't on her mind for once as Isaac stepped up beside of her. She took hold of his arm to keep her balance and the two walked off down the stairs in the direction of the Plaza. She tilted her head up slightly and let the snowflakes fall gently onto her eyelashes. A smile warmed her face as they fell off with a few quick bats of her eyes.
Isaac watched as the Mia he knew came out for the first time in a long while. It made him feel better to know she wasn't quite so depressed. Something about her company was warming right down to his very soul. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he was sure there was some kind of feeling toward her deep in his heart that was special.
"Isaac!"
At first he hadn't quite heard it. But the second time his name was called he was quick to turn his head in the general direction it had been called from. As he looked over, he realized they were near one of the many cliffs in Vale, and saw a brown head coming up the stairs.
"Felix?" Isaac questioned, blinking once slightly surprised. He hadn't remembered a time since the beginning of Vale's reconstruction that his childhood friend had spoken directly to him. He normally kept his conversations within his family and with the Lemurian who had stayed.
Mia felt her face flush when she noticed Felix's glance go directly to her holding Isaac's arm. She shyly released the blonde and took a small step away from him, dropping her gaze to the snow covered ground.
"Isaac," Felix breathed, panting to catch his breath. He glanced at Mia as if deciding on something then continued. "Could I talk with you?"
Mia raised her head and noticed Picard had come up behind Felix. He now stood silently as if waiting to testify. She dismissed it and turned her attention to Isaac.
"I need to tell you something first, Isaac," she said softly. She'd hoped it was quiet enough Felix hadn't heard, but hoped in vain as she received a look from the young man.
Isaac turned to her. He had somewhat of an overwhelmed expression on his face as he gave his attention to Felix once again. He'd never had two people wanting to tell him something at the same time before. He didn't know exactly what to do.
Felix took a step forward. "Isaac!" he said forcefully to ensure he had the younger boy's full attention. "I need to discus something Sheba told me with you. I have reason to believe it may be true."
"What?" Isaac asked. "Is it concerning the strange weather we've had?"
Mia's eyes widened slightly. She realized who had just been mentioned. Stepping forward she grasped the sleeve of Felix's shirt, tugging on it to get him to look at her. She clasped one hand to her chest and stared deep into his eyes like she were searching for an answer she'd long waited for.
"Sheba?" she breathed, almost in a whisper. "Sheba had a dream, didn't she?"
"H-how did you know?" Felix asked, shock ringing clearly in his voice. He stared at her a little bewildered.
"She dreamed of Alex," Mia muttered. She shook her head. "Ivan told me she'd had a dream. That's how I know."
Isaac stepped forward. He looked at Felix who had his eyes fixed on the girl. "Mia," he said, gently placing his hand on her shoulder. "What did you want to tell me?"
Mia felt her stomach do a flip. A lump stuck in her throat as tears filled her eyes again. Her lip quivered and she trembled some, her head lowering.
"Isaac," she whispered through gasp. "I tried to tell you before, but I was afraid you wouldn't believe me. I wanted to, its just I worried you'd—"she paused, her voice catching in her throat. "I'm sorry."
Felix narrowed his eyes. He stepped up beside the young lady and gently turned her toward him. Placing both hands on her shoulders he spoke.
"Mia, in Sheba's dream she saw the mountain when it sank," he said calmly. "She has a reason to believe Alex is alive—is that what's bothering you? Do you believe that as well?"
Isaac's eyes widened. "Wait, Alex? Alive?" he questioned. "Mia, is this true? Is that what's been bothering you—why you've not been yourself?"
Mia dropped her gaze and nodded. "I have a feeling, yes," she replied. "I pondered it many a night. I kept telling myself it wasn't possible, but the more I did the more I doubted. My stomach is in knots anymore over the matter." She paused and looked up at Felix. Her eyes sparkled as tears filled them.
"I know him, and it just doesn't make since to me that he'd die so easily," she said. "If there was a way for him to get off of that mountain, he'd find one. Don't you see? He's not dead, he can't be!"
Felix retired his arms down to his side. He scowled as the idea was presented to him once again by the very girl who'd known the man much longer than himself. Picard's musing and reasoning made a little more since to him now and he found himself also believing Alex was alive.
Isaac sighed. He'd wished he could know a little more than he did. All he pretty much had gotten was Sheba's dream, Mia's belief, and Felix had something to tell about it. But he didn't really care. All he did care about was finding out the truth: was Alex alive or not?
Mia felt a tear slip down her head. She quickly dropped her head and walked over to the cliff's edge to hide her emotions better. As she stared down its high height she hugged herself in attempt at hiding her shaking as a sob escaped.
Picard stepped forward to make his presence known if he had not already been noticed. "Isaac, if he is alive, he'd have enough power to create a small snow storm or blizzard. He was already very powerful, and now he has the power of Alchemy added to that," he explained.
Isaac shook his head. It was all still setting it and all very hard to believe. "But why would he cause it to snow? Here, in Vale of all places?" he demanded.
"To let us know he's alive or tell us something?" Picard suggested. "He might be attempting to keep us from interfering with his plans by covering Vale in a large pile of snow."
"It makes enough since," Felix said. "We didn't really mess up his plan last time, if anything we helped him. But this time around he might consider us as a small threat. Thought with the strength he would have it doesn't seem reasonable for him to notice us as such."
Mia shut her eyes tightly and shook her head. "No!" she said, whirling around. "You still speak as if he's dead! I know for a fact he's alive! I'd swear it, I bet my life upon it that he lives!" she shouted.
She glanced between the three, now staring at her a little surprised. She shook her head again. "He's alive," she whispered. "I know he is, I feel it."
"We still have not proof of it," Felix stated. He sighed and stood silent for a short while. Shaking his head he turned back to Isaac. "Until we see a sign that he is alive I don't think we need to worry. We probably should keep our guard up, just in case."
Isaac nodded in agreement. "I'll tell Garet so he will know as well. It wouldn't hurt for everyone to know," he said. "You might consider telling—"
Mia drew in a breath. She felt a sudden anger form inside of her. She didn't know why, but it was there and it was growing.
Shutting her eyes she shook her head violently, placing her hands on either side of her head as if she were trying to close out any sound. "No, no, no!" she groaned, frustrated. "He is alive! Don't you believe me, Isaac?"
Isaac scowled. "Mia," he said gently. "I believe you, but I need more to believe it myself."
Mia let out an aggravated sighed of frustration. She spun back around on the heel of her boot to conceal her anger. As she did she slipped on a small patch of ice, which sent her forward. As she fell over the edge of the high cliff she felt someone, presumably Picard who had been closest to her, grasp at her hand—and miss.
"Isaac!" she screamed as she dropped over the edge. She felt wind rushing through her hair and rippling her clothes as the plummeted, and expected to hit the bottom very soon.
Isaac rushed forward to the edge. "Mia!" she called, fear in his voice. Felix came up behind him and the two Venus adepts joined Picard in peering over the cliff. They all looked for Mia's crippled or possibly dead body lying at the bottom but saw nothing.
Isaac narrowed his brow in confusion. "Mia?" he asked. He looked to Felix and then Picard, both of which showed the same amount of confusion.
Felix found himself dumbfounded for a moment. He snapped to after a few more seconds of staring. "Where'd she go?" he asked.