Journal: Talking
400 V.C. 2nd of Pegastym
I spoke to Gray today. Nothing out of the ordinary, just casual talking. But we strayed into the years where I still was becoming Alm. Gray claims that for a little after when Mycen took me, that being Alm, to get healed I picked up an accent. When I came back I talked like a city urchin.
I had completely forgotten. When Mycen picked me up from the city, of course I talked like a street rat. I'm sure to all of Alm's friends it was an abrupt change. Thankfully Gray rationalized it with a reason or maybe I did back then and I've merely forgotten.
As these years go by I find that I have chosen to ignore some of those early memories. Mycen is preparing me for something, that much is clear. And he is not afraid to use any means he finds necessary.
I'll stop writing here for today. There's no need to remember how I learned to talk like Alm. Those wounds need not heal when it is hard to remember they exist.
-X-
Chapter 4
The Mage
The woman, she told him her name was Silque, helped Alm through the cave and out to the rest of the party. Lukas and the others waited right at the entrance. The bandits that had guarded the front were a mere memory, their corpses scattered in the bushes.
Gray and Faye were at Alm's side, taking him from Silque, before Lukas had even stood up. Alm muttered his thanks to his friends as they helped him to the campfire they'd prepared. As soon as they settled him down, Faye began to fuss over him.
"What were you thinking, Alm?" she damn near screeched. "You should have gotten us if you ran into trouble!"
Before Alm could muster the force of will to respond through the pain, Silque chimed in, "I know not where he hurt his arm, but he took the arrow as he helped me from the bandits. Were it not for him, I shudder to think what would have happened to me."
"That's all well and nice, hip hip huzzah for Alm the hero," Faye snarled, her anger emanating with each word. "But he needs to remember to stave off his death wish."
"Faye…" Alm whispered, "…enough…"
The shaking that wracked her body subsided. A trembling sigh escaped her and she murmured, "Don't scare us like that, Alm. We're here to help you."
Her hands wrapped around his and squeezed. He offered a weak smile and submitted to her healing methods.
Tobin, looking for some way to alleviate the tension and turn eyes away from the moment Alm and Faye were having, turned to Silque. "So, what's your name? Mine's Tobin. You've met Alm and Faye. Tall, dark and handsome over there is Gray. Kliff's the short one over there. What? Yes, you're shorter than the rest of us, haven't you noticed? Anyway, the red one over there is Lukas from the Deliverance. Oh wait, is that a secret?"
Lukas laughed. "Not anymore. My lady, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise, Sir Lukas." Silque bowed her head slightly. "My name is Silque, servant of our Mother."
Alm relaxed as the introductions went on with everyone speaking to Silque in some form or another. Faye had deemed his leg to be the less severe of an injury and set to work on his wrist. Having been on the receiving end of her healing before, Alm knew she could fix him up.
But that didn't stop the discomfort of healing.
Her staff's energy concentrated on the location of the break. It wasn't a painful heat, but the intense feeling did not provide immediate comfort. Bones knit together as if they never were broken. The pain that had been excruciating dulled to a mild throbbing.
"Thank you, Faye," Alm whispered.
She said nothing, but offered him a smile before looking down to his leg. Experimentally Alm wiggled his fingers and stretched his arm.
"Careful with that. Give it twenty minutes or so for the soreness to fade. I don't want to have to heal again," she said. Her brow was coated with sweat and breaths came at a quicker pace than their usual cadence.
"Are you sure you should—"
With a roll of her eyes, Faye gave Alm a light swat. "I'm not leaving an arrow in your leg because I feel a little tired. We'll patch this up and if I need to I'll finish the rest of it tomorrow. But I'll fix most of it tonight."
Alm nodded and listened into the conversation the others were having.
"…journeying from Zofia City. I had a vision from the Holy Mother herself to seek out Lord Mycen. I was guided near Ram Village, but bandits caught me and took me to the Thieves' Shrine."
"Looking for Sir Mycen?" Tobin scratched his head. "That's sure convenient. Alm right here is his grandson."
"Grandson?" gasped Silque. "But I thought…" Frowning, she stepped closer to Alm. Faye shot her a look, but did not stop her. "Alm," she spoke, "may I see your hand?"
Figuring there could be only one reason for the request, Alm held up the hand marred with the tattoo. Of course, Silque had no knowledge of the mark being a falsehood.
"Divine Mila," Silque whispered under her breath. "It seems I was not looking for Mycen. I believe you are the one Mila has guided me to."
"And why do you think that?" Alm asked, turning his head to look into her eyes.
"I saw the mark in my vision." Her eyes said she spoke the truth…but not all of it. Alm nodded, content for the moment. Faye's hand were on his leg and she grabbed—
Alm screamed as the arrow was ripped from his leg. The entire party looked at him for a moment, then turned away as Alm grit his teeth in pain. Faye's staff already was at work on the wound.
"Sir Alm, has Sir Mycen spoken to you about this mark?" the cleric asked once his breath had slowed in cadence.
Alm remembered his silenced whimpers as he clutched his hand after receiving the tattoo from Stella. He had asked Mycen about its reason. The old man had told him to shut up and quit his whining. Ten year old Alm never asked Mycen again.
The farm boy opened his mouth to answer, but Gray beat him to it, "Silque, we oughta hold off on the questions until Alm's feeling a bit better. That mark'll be there tomorrow and the next day, for that matter."
"You're right." Silque nodded. Alm locked eyes with Gary and mouthed a small 'thank you'. Gray traded him a smirk and a wink.
-X-
"Hey Lukas, where exactly are we going?" Tobin asked.
The red knight chuckled. "Well, we're heading for the Deliverance's hideout. But I want to stop at the Southern Outpost on our way. I left Lady Clair in charge therefore I wish to check in on her."
Gray pushed Tobin out of the way to get closer to Lukas. "Lady Clair? Tell me more about her."
"She's the sister of Sir Clive, knight of Zofia and leader of the Deliverance," Lukas explained.
Gray nudged Tobin with his elbow. "I bet she's easy on the eyes, right?" Tobin rolled his eyes.
The red knight rolled his eyes. "I will not comment on that, Gray."
An arm wrapped around Gray's shoulder. Faye's sickeningly sweet tone followed it. "Now Gray, we shouldn't give Silque a bad impression. After all, she's just met us."
As the rest of the party spoke, Alm walked up next to Lukas, whom the conversation had forgotten. "This…Lady Clair is a noble, correct?"
"Indeed. Her brother is rather well known, ergo she has her fair share of the spotlight. Why do you ask?"
Alm paused for a moment, searching for the words. "It feels odd that I'm going to meet a noble."
Lukas' loud laugh almost silenced the conversation next to them. "Apologies, Alm. But I am indeed a man of noble birth."
"Really?" Alm frowned.
"Not like you're thinking. I'm not man who will rule over vast land laying down the law. I'm what those men call a backwater noble. Hardly enough blood to make me above a peasant." Lukas took notice of Alm's expression. "You seem relieved. Why is that?"
Alm's expression turned sheepish. "I guess I never hear about nobles doing anything positive of note."
The knight nodded, understanding. "It's a thankless job. When things go poorly, they are blamed. When things go well, the gods are praised. Some nobles may be corrupt and greedy but there are others whom I believe are just. Clive and his sister are of this ilk."
"If you believe that, Lukas, I'll lay off on making a judgement until I speak to them." Lukas appeared pleased by Alm's opinion.
"I'm glad to hear that, Alm. After all, your grandfather is of noble blood. Sir Mycen is a great man."
No he wasn't. No he isn't.
"Is that the Southern Village?" the farm boy asked, pointing at the nearing town. Alm knew it was, but the conversation was not going where he planned.
"Indeed. We'll make a quick stop there. I want to speak to some of my people there for information about rebel movements."
Alm nodded and glanced down at his hand. "I have a quick errand to run as well, Lukas. I won't be too long."
"Very well. Meet us by the entrance once you've concluded your business."
-X-
Faye had tagged along, naturally. He shouldn't have been surprised at this point.
"So, what exactly are we doing?" Faye inevitably asked.
Alm said nothing. Faye's question went unanswered as the duo trekked through the village. She did not press him.
Their journey took them to a house near the far edge of the town. Alm stepped up and knocked on the door without hesitation. Faye remained back, unsure of what he planned.
A young woman answered the door. Her blond hair was tangled and her clothes were all manners of untidy. Blinking several times, she focused on Alm.
"You're here…by yourself?" she asked.
"I've just got a few questions, Stella. Then I'll leave."
The woman sighed. "Fine, get in here." Stella looked at Faye hanging back and motioned inside. "You too." Faye stepped into the house, wary of the environment.
"Where is Mycen?" Stella asked, taking a seat behind the desk that faced the door. Alm stepped up to the woman and lay his hand on the table in front of him.
Her question went ignored. "This mark. What does it mean?" he demanded.
Stella flinched as she looked at it. "I…have no idea what that mark means."
Gritting his teeth, Alm leaned in closer. "Do you remember how much a screamed when I got this tattoo seven years ago? Because I sure do. Or maybe you can remember how many times I screamed when you worked your magic on me over half a decade?"
Stella did not answer, her face shifting from aloof to almost sick.
The farm boy's hand closed into a fist and slammed on the table, startling the room's occupants. "Stella, there is only one person in this world I hate more than you. Tell me what I want to know so I can leave. Please." The last word was spat out like a vile poison.
"I did not lie. Mycen never told me what the purpose of the tattoo was. He paid me and I worked." Stella did not meet Alm's eyes.
Alm's hand fell to his sword. Stella stood up and backed away, her hands out and crackling with energy. "Hand off the sword, Alm. I've done plenty of regrettable things. I don't need to add killing you to the list."
"Alm," Faye whispered, stepping closer to him. She rested her shaking hand on his shoulder.
"Fine," Alm said, biting the word off. "Tell me everything Mycen told you. Anything that he wouldn't have told me."
Stella's hands dropped and she sighed. "I understand you came here for answers. But I'm afraid Mycen never told me details. He enlisted my aid to take a young boy and groom him into someone else. Paid me handsomely and then some more to keep my mouth shut. With every visit by you two there were more changes he desired for you. And that meant more gold for me."
"I see," came Alm's scathing answer. "I'm pleased my time was wasted here. Good bye, Stella. I hope misfortune visits you at every opportunity." He turned to walk out the door, grabbing Faye's hand to drag her as well.
"Wait!" the mage motioned. Suddenly unsure of herself, "I…have something for you." Alm's storming off halted as the woman retrieved an item from a closet. Seconds later she returned with an elegant blade.
Alm said nothing, merely looking at the sword unimpressed.
Taking a deep breath, Stella said, "You may hate me and look at me with revulsion, but know that I didn't have a choice in the matter. I remember every single time you came to see me, Alm. From every scream to every story your young imaginative mind came up with. Particularly the dream of yours where you hunted Terrors like you always wanted to."
"Get to the point," he snarled.
"This sword, a blade forged by my own hand, made to kill Terrors. You may hate me, Alm. But know that I am full of regret of my actions. Your dream when you were younger was to be a hunter, to keep people safe—"
"And you mean to ply me off with a gift, as if the torture you inflicted on me can just be erased?" He laughed a laugh full of mocking. "I hope the money Mycen paid you can alieve your guilt, because I will not accept your pity." Alm strut out of the house, not even glancing back.
-X-
"Alm, slow down!" Faye cried.
Her plea broke through the fury that held his mind hostage. The farm boy stopped walking and turned to her. Her expression held fear and frustration. "Yes?" he queried.
"Explain to me who that was," the cleric commanded.
"Her name is Stella, a mage. Recall how I told you I used to be…someone else? She's the one responsible for putting me through the physical changes." He paused. "They were…unpleasant."
Faye nodded. "I see. It seems in all your anger you disturbed the work I did on your leg. Sit down." It wasn't a request.
He complied, opting to sit right on the spot. She sighed and set to work. As gentle hands inspected his wound, Faye asked, "Did you visit her because of Silque's questions?"
Alm closed his eyes. "I thought she might know. Mycen never gave a reason for any change. Some made sense, like my hair color. Other, such as the tattoo, didn't. I had hoped…"
"I understand." Faye's smile greeted him upon opening his eyes. "Soon we'll be out of Mycen and this Stella's controlling gaze. Once we reach the Deliverance, you'll be free to never see either again."
Alm smiled, his anger slowly dissipating. "Thanks, Faye."
"There you two are!"
Gray came into view. Approaching the pair, he asked, "Where were you? Is the leg giving you trouble?"
"Nothing I can't handle," Faye assured him. "Did you come find us for something?"
"Yeah. We're leaving now. Lukas discovered that the Southern Outpost has been retaken by the rebels and Lady Clair needs rescuing. He told me to find you so we can leave immediately."
"Give me a moment," requested Faye.
A moment was not what they had.
"There they are!" shouted two soldiers clad in the garb of Zofian soldiers.
"What the…?" A confused Gray drew his blade. Faye cursed violently and started to heal Alm. The farm boy did his best to draw his sword while sitting.
The first soldier charged in and met Gray's attack. As the boy parried the next attack, the second soldier arrived and aimed to finish the fight in a single stroke.
"Go!" Faye shouted as soon as her spell ended. Alm leapt up and dashed to save Gray, his sword angled to block the attack.
He was too late.
But it didn't matter.
Twin bolts of lightning struck the soldiers. Alm skidded to a halt and turned his head. Stella stood outside her house, hands aloft. "Run!" she commanded, shooting a second spell.
The trio needed no encouragement. Together they fled to where Lukas had arranged them to meet. But they were not greeted with the red knight waiting patiently. Instead a skirmish in the streets awaited them.
Alm jumped into the battle as he saw Tobin take a hit. As the brown haired lad fell back, Alm took up the fight with the soldier.
"What the hell is going on?" screamed Gray as he drew one of the opponents away from Lukas.
"Rebel Zofians from the Southern Fortress! We must stop them!" Lukas said between heaving breaths. They were late to the fight.
Blade pierced flesh as Alm snuck in a strike on his opponent. The man cried out, faltering in his near perfect guard. Spinning out of the haphazard strike's way, Alm lanced his sword through the man's gut, dropping him to the ground.
"Lukas!" Alm shouted as he took in the battle before being confronted with another opponent. "We need to get out of here!"
"Does it look like I don't know that?" Lukas calmly shouted in return, swinging his halberd into the soldier's neck.
"Sir Lukas!"
Alm's head swiveled right, nearly costing his life. A sword descended where his shoulder had been not a moment before.
But he caught a glimpse of three men attacking the Zofian rebels. "Long live the Deliverance! Sir Lukas, escape now! We will buy you time!"
"But—"
Alm's opponent bit off more than he could chew. His sword, in an attempt to injure Alm, caught in the farm boy's armor. With a jerk of his shoulder, Alm disarmed the man.
With a strike he sent the rebel on the retreat. The farm boy turned to see Lukas frozen as he watched the other loyalists buy them time.
Shit. "Everyone, form up! Run for the gates!" shouted Alm. "Then for the trees! We'll lose them there!"
The Ram Villagers needed no further direction. Silque followed them and only Lukas and Alm were left near the fray. The former was still frozen in place.
"Alm, I—"
"What the fuck are you doing?" yelled Alm, punching Lukas in the gut. "Get moving!"
The hit woke him up and at last the red knight began to run with Alm. A few arrows followed their path, but none met their mark. Alm offered up a silent prayer for the loyalists buying them time, as well as himself. They were going to need it.
Author Notes: Stella is the only OC I have planned for this story, and she will not have a large role. This is the only current time planned for her to appear on-screen as of now, and that is unlikely to increase more than one or two more times. Echoes was kind enough to give me some fun antagonists to write that will more than suffice as obstacles for our characters here.
So if y'all are this far into this fic, I figure this is a story you're enjoying. This premise (To a degree) is also being used by my good friend Calix Machiavelli. The title is Hearts of Iron and you'll see a similar start: Alm is different in some way, so how does that effect the story? I'm loving it so far, and from what I know of it, his story will turn out quite different from mine! I recommend giving it a read!
Writing Tunes: Miscellaneous J-Pop Songs (From Pandora)