Chapter Four

Fragrance

Athlum Castle

Emma Honeywell charged through corridors of the castle, her steps hurried and angry as she sought out the Marquis. Blocter had gone with the other squad members to make sure they got food and rest before going back to work. Torgal decided to accompany Emma back to the castle and was currently striding alongside her, his face grim. It took them a week to get back to Athlum which left no room for rest until David received a full report.

After talking to a guard Emma learned that Rush had come to the castle a week ago suffering from a severe headache and had been staying in the guest rooms ever since. The female general frowned at the news. She didn't trust that boy. There was something bizarre about him, something strange and almost dangerous. Emma didn't know why she felt uneasy around the boy but there was something about him…she brushed those thoughts away for the moments as she approached the Marquis private chambers. She stopped when Pagus' voice filtered out into the hallway.

"Rush's wounds are beginning to heal but the marks have not faded away yet." Pagus sounded concerned.

"Did you decipher the writing?" David questioned.

"It is an ancient dialect, a long dead language. I am still trying to find the correct reference materials." Pagus answered solemnly.

"Lord David?" Emma called from the hallway.

"Come in Emma." His voice sounded relieved. She and Torgal entered the office to see David sitting behind his desk with Pagus by his side.

"It is good to see you both safe." David smiled gently. "And Blocter is well I trust?"

"The same as ever Lord David." The sovani answered. David simply nodded at that.

"What the news from Dillmoor?" the qsiti asked.

"It was a flying Remnant and we saw the Sykes girl. She was taken by a man in white with knowledge of the summoning skill." Emma reported.

"At least we know Irina Sykes is still alive. We need to find out this man's identity immediately." David stood up abruptly.

"Beg your pardon my lord but we overheard you mentioning something about the boy?" Emma inquired.

"Yes, Rush suffered a severe headache last week. He was asleep for a day before he was well enough to be treated. But there is something more troubling." Pagus hopped towards the doorway.

"What is going on?" Torgal crossed his lower arms.

"Marks appeared on Rush's body soon after he collapsed. They looked like tattoos of some kind." David explained as they walked down the corridor.

"The marks are some kind of strange language." The small general stopped at a door. "We let Rush stay here until he recovers."

"Do you know anything about his condition?" Emma frowned.

"There was one thing…" David turned to stare at his maternal figure. "He claimed that you were fighting a summoned creature and something about a seal being broken."

"What?" the woman whispered. "He saw this? How?"

"I believe Rush possesses the Sight." Pagus replied hastily. "But you said it yourself in your report. The man in white destroyed an altar and mentioned a seal."

"So the boy can see the future. I thought the Sight was a myth." Torgal muttered.

"There are documents through the centuries of young boys born with the Sight but nothing was truly proven." Pagus glanced upwards at David.

"I want Rush to tell us in his own time. Perhaps he can see where Irina was taken or who her captors are." David said quietly.

"He wants to help us?" Emma was skeptical.

"We can hope can't we Emma." David flashed her a grin before entering the bedchambers.

Upon entering the room David's eyes fell on Rush who was just beginning to awaken after another fitful night. He was wearing a silk nightshirt commonly found in the wardrobes of the guest rooms. The sleeve of the right up was drawn up slightly allowing Emma and Torgal to get a good view of the mark on Rush's snow white skin. It was black in color and woven carefully around his upper arm like a snake.

What appeared to be letters were inked onto his skin. Rush moaned slightly as he opened his eyes. Blinking blearily a few times to clear away the haze he stared when he noticed that Emma and Torgal were in the room. They both looked fine as far as he could tell. They must have beaten that monster he saw in his vision. Groaning he struggled to sit up and grinned when he succeeded. He was feeling a lot better lately.

"How are you feeling?" David inquired kindly.

"I can go back to work. Pity I can't get rid of this ugly thing." he gestured towards the tattoo.

"We still haven't found anything out about the mark but you can leave if you wish. I'll keep you informed of anything." The Marquis promised.

"Thanks Dave!" Rush grinned. He gulped when Emma shot him a lethal glare.

"Do not address Lord David so formally and without manners!" she yelled.

"Relax Emma…" David sighed. She always was overprotective.

"Ok, ok! Geez…" Rush huffed out.

"Rush, I informed Emma and Torgal of your…vision. Everything happened as you said." David watched the boy's reaction.

"Oh…" cobalt eyes became distant. "I hate it when I'm right."

"So you are a Seer." Pagus murmured. His answer was a weak nod. "Then I can understand why you never spoke of your ability."

"But at least you guys are safe." Rush gulped down. "I just…I only see bad things. It's good to see you're safe."

"Rush…" David motioned for the others to leave. When they departed from the room the blond turned back to the boy. "Did you always have this power?"

"Yeah, I've been seeing things since I was a kid." Rush looked sad, his eyes became distant and a frown was etched onto his face. I think that's why my parents abandoned me."

"I'm sorry Rush." David said sincerely.

"Hey, don't be sorry. I've gotten this far by myself right?" the dark haired boy jumped off the bed.

"I'm gonna head back to the pub. Thanks for covering for me this week Dave." Rush flashed him a grin. Tearing open the wardrobe he started rummaging around for an outfit to wear.

"Oh my…" turning bright red when Rush took the nightshirt off exposing his torso caused David to hastily glance at the floor. He really hoped Rush didn't catch his red face.

"I'll probably be dancing tonight. Man, I feel stiff." Rush stretched after he finished dressing.

"You're a dancer?" David raised an elegant eyebrow at that.

"It's how I made my living. I work in pubs and dance. It's good money." Rush smoothed his hair as best he could.

"You don't look like the dancing type." David suppressed a laugh.

"Hey!" Rush pouted. He looked insulted. "How about you come watch me next time."

"I might…" David trialed off.

"But seriously Dave thanks for helping me." Rush placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Come with me." The blond gout p and left the room.

"Hey!" Rush followed after him quickly. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see." David answered as he continued walking.

The Marquis led Rush through a corridor that opened up into a larger chamber. Walking on he stopped at a door and pushed it open to reveal a smaller corridor with sunlight pouring in. Rush stayed by David's side as he walked towards the sunlight but stopped to admire the sheer beauty of what he saw. It was a garden. The sweet fragrances of the various flowers caressed his senses gently and he inhaled the scent all around him.

He smiled when he saw his favorite flowers. Purple lilies lined a marble structure in the centre of the garden. Kneeling down he ran his fingers across the petals, marveling at the softness beneath his skin. He always did like flowers. As a child he would pick them for his own amusement or whenever he worked at a shop that needed flora for their herb potions. It was nice to see such a beautiful garden here.

"I always come here when I want to be alone or when I feel sad." David said quietly.

"It's beautiful Dave…" Rush breathed out. "But why bring me here?"

"Well you're a dancer correct? Then if you need to practice you can come here…if you like." He turned away in time to hide a small blush.

"Thanks Dave! Can…can I have one of those lilies?" Rush asked sheepishly. "There were my favorites as a kid."

"Go ahead Rush. If you want to be alone or dance…this place is yours." David smiled slightly then he turned to leave.

"Lord David…" Pagus' voice filtered into the garden. "There is a visitor from Celapelis in the throne room asking to see you."

"Very well." Rush waved at the blond boy before he went back with Pagus to deal with the visitor.

"So you believe that this Remnant is now in Blackdale?" David stared at the small qsiti envoy.

"We know of the Sykes child's abduction and like you we wish for her safe return." The qsiti explained hastily. "Please put this matter to rest as soon as possible." With that said the qsiti left.

"If we depart now we can reach Blackdale in two days." Torgal said.

"Emma, prepare the squads. I'm coming with you." David stated firmly.

"Very well my lord." Emma bowed low.

"Hey Dave!" Rush came running into the chamber. Emma visibly scowled at that name. "I'm gonna head to work now. I'll see you later…Ahhh!" Rush let out a scream.

"Rush! What is it?" Blocter was nearest to the boy and he managed to steady him.

"Another seal…he'll break another one!" Rush yelled out painfully.

"Who will break the seal? The man in white?" Emma demanded.

"Wagner…his name is Wagner…" when Rush opened his eyes everyone in the room held their breath. Two black orbs stared out from a pale face. "We have to stop him."


NOTE-I wanted a quick gap filler before the main story begins. The next chapter will be longer I promise. Enjoy everyone.