Sherman was eating. This occurrence was not at all a surprise, usually, but the eating that was taking place in front of Micah's very eyes just now was beyond even Sherman's normal ability. Twenty plates of tempura udon in ten minutes, and he seemed to be just getting started. It made sense to Micah. Sofia was still missing, and Sherman was under a lot of stress.

Micah opened and closed his mouth continually, looking for an opportunity to speak. Sherman was rubbing his face into his noodles and spraying flecks of sauce onto the walls. When he re-surfaced to breathe, Micah might have a chance to get his question across.

With an audible pop, Sherman pulled his features from the empty dish and leant back in his chair, breathing heavily. "Evelyn, my dear! Where aren't you?" He whipped his head from side to side, searching for his eldest daughter.

After a few moments Evelyn appeared in the doorway, balancing dangerously a heap of new dishes. "We've run out of tempura udon, father," Evelyn said weakly. All her energy was going into supporting the plates. "I've brought you some simple things. While you eat this I might have time to cook something decent…"

Judging from the rate of Sherman's consumption, this would be quite a feat. Micah hurried to relieve her of some of her load and set five plates in front of Sherman, who prepared to dive. Micah tapped him on the shoulder quickly.

With the air of one forced to spend the night out in Vale River, Sherman turned to face him. "Hmm?"

Finally, a chance to speak. "If it's alright, sir…Can you tell me about the last time you saw Sofia? Do you remember where she was?" He'd been looking for Sofia and Rusk ever since his conversation with Wells the day before, and so far had turned up nothing.

Sherman pinched a piece of sashimi off one of his plates and began to chew mournfully. "No, no…I don't knowexactly where she was. It wasn't yesterday…I can't remember that she wasn't with that Rusk boy…" He seemed to get oddly emotional. "She was attempting to push him into the deep end of the lake with an iron ball tied to his two feet!"

There was only so much of Sherman's opposite-speak Micah could understand, and his last comment fazed him. He looked to Evelyn.

"I think he's suggesting they were getting a little cozy," Evelyn said with feigned lightness.

Micah turned back to Sherman to continue his questioning, but he was too late. The man's face was already buried a few inches in the sauce that covered the large, soft pudding.

He turned back to Evelyn. "And when did you last see Sofia, Evelyn? Can you remember?"

"Mm…" Evelyn shrugged. "I think I saw her talking with Gaius that afternoon. I don't know why, but she's made a habit of talking to him. She looked kind of upset, but I guess that's besides the point." She folded her arms. "I don't think I can really help you, Micah, sorry." She glanced at her father, who was guzzling his meal at a renewed speed. She gasped. "I've gotta get cooking really fast…" She bolted out of the room.

Micah's visit to the de Sainte Coquilles hadn't done him too much good, and he'd already been to see Blaise. No clues on Sofia or Rusk. He'd looked everywhere - even venturing out into monster-infested territory to search. Either he was missing something, or they were further away than he thought. If the latter, the chances of him finding them were slim.

He hadn't checked Dragon Cave. But the only person bold enough to venture there besides himself was Gaius, and only because he loved the mining down there. Sofia and Rusk would have had to be insane to go down to such a place.

All the same…he was running out of options. He couldn't imagine letting this go and praying they came back of their own accord. In the case they couldn't do so, he might be their only chance.

Even if they weren't in Dragon Cave, Aquaticus owed him quite a few favours. Perhaps he could point him in the right direction.

He left Sherman's sauce-stained dining room and walked out into the street. It was deserted, but he could hear noises coming from the weapon shop. It had been like that since Gaius' apparent family turned up the morning before, and had for some inexplicable reason decided to make an extended visit. Wells and Hazel had already been driven mad by it, and Raven had conveniently removed herself that morning to visit Collette, who had moved to a large city when she got married the year before.

The air reeked of fish. Pia had been caught out a few months ago making the pond around the inn into a squid tank, and storing the ones she intended to cook shortly behind the building - in the baking summer sun. Somehow the smell still lingered.

Sharance was in quite a state. Perhaps being forced to visit other areas for a while was, in a way, a blessing.

When he reached the lake, he strapped on his water shoes and hurriedly crossed the water to the island where the entrance to Dragon Cave stood. He could see Carlos with Carmen on the shore, the two likely arguing over Carmen's long-term boyfriend. They wouldn't question him going this way, yet today he didn't want to be seen. If he spent too much time down Dragon Cave, they might wonder if he was okay. Sure, there was a portal leading straight to Aquaticus, but he didn't always go to Aquaticus.

He had his sword strapped to his belt, which he drew and held stiffly at his side. Just in case, for some reason, he would have to fight something off before he was finished here. Without much hesitation, he opened the door, slipped inside, and swiftly shut it behind him.


Aquaticus was home, resting in the middle of the floor. His gaze darted to Micah as he walked into the room. The dragon god narrowed his eyes, and moved to face his visitor. "It has been a long time since we met. I believe it is safe to assume it is not a light matter which has sent you to me."

Micah shrugged. "It could well be. I don't know. That's part of the problem. But you probably already know why I'm here. You've been watching me, haven't you?"

Aquaticus grunted and rose from his perch, turning in a circle before settling closer to Micah. "You seek friends of yours. What would you have me do about this?"

"You and I have no agreement. But I've been thinking you owe me a favour for carrying me off." He may have been speaking to a dragon god, but Micah was usually quite blunt. "I want to know if you can see where they are, and whether they're okay. I'd rather not have to resort to giving up."

Micah could sense the dragon god thinking. Likely thinking about whether to accept or refuse, or to ask some favour in return. In the end, the dragon shook its head and let off a few bubbles. "I can see many who walk this earth, and I can see the two people whom you seek. But I will tell you straightforwardly, they are certainly not unharmed."

There was a sinking in Micah's heart. "What happened?"

"I cannot see specifics - I have not the power, nor the authority. Their wounds are not that of the body - but of the mind. More I cannot tell you."

"But how am I going to get them back? You can't see where they are?"

Aquaticus paused to think about this. "I can see that they will soon return of their own accord. When they do, heal their wounds as seems fit. In the end, this part of your problem will be a small one. But I can see that it will not be your only problem. There will be another, and it will be connected to this one. Be on guard for it."

"So Sofia and Rusk are mostly safe, but they're going to bring a problem back with them?"

"Perhaps. But I would suggest the problem caused their problem."

Micah gave up trying to understand the dragon god. All that mattered was that his friends would be safe. Though, he did find himself surprised to find Aquaticus could see the future. A little, anyway. He made himself ready to depart, nodding to the dragon god and turning away.

"Micah."

Stopping short, Micah turned back towards Aquaticus.

"I am going to restore your memory."

Micah's face betrayed his shock. Then he cleared his expression. "I was under the impression you meant to keep it."

"I did. But it is not with you in mind that I do this. This problem I see. It is not just yours. But your friends' problem also. I do not wish for you all to suffer. As a dragon god, it is my duty to perform acts which are only for the greater good. Restoring your memory will help you solve this problem before many people are harmed. I am obliged to do this."

"I don't see how my memories would help."

Aquaticus started floating in a lazy fashion. His words were almost sleepy. "But you will…but you will, Micah…And so will I…All I can foresee is that you need them…And I must restore them to you…The universe tells me this…the stars…and the moon…The one true deity…"

Micah knew of no deity, or speaking universe. He didn't know what secrets his memory held, and he wasn't sure he wanted to know. Getting it back might prove to be a curse instead of a blessing. He learnt that the day he rescued Shara. How much did he trust Aquaticus? Would he even be allowed to say no?

"…Speak your thoughts, Micah."

"Those memories might be a burden to me."

"Oh, they certainly will be. Yes, they will be. A newborn child has only begun writing their memories. They are lighter and more free because of this - there is less on their conscience. The older a person becomes, the more memories they make, and the more heavy is their mind - especially for those who write evil into their memories. When I took your memory, you became more like that newborn child. More free. Even if you memories were happy ones, their return would weigh you down."

"Even if his memories were happy ones"? The dragon god had as good as admitted this would be no pleasant experience. But what should he do?

"I remember the time you wanted these memories back. Before you knew what the result could be. I would prefer to keep these from you for the rest of your life. But I don't think either of us would enjoy facing the consequences. You would face things that you would not understand the danger of because of their lack. Make your choice, Micah. And may the universe not fault you for it."

Micah couldn't think of any reason for Aquaticus to lie about this, yet…they didn't have the best history. Though he wouldn't realise it for many days more, he had already made his choice. When he spoke, he did so softly. "They'll help me keep everyone safe?"

"You friends and your family, all."

A moment's hesitation. "Then I will take them."

There was a noise like wind. With a very gentle gesture, Aquaticus touched his nose to the young man's face. "I would remove them again after it's all over, if you desired it. But along with your old memories, the new would be removed." Aquaticus seemed to sigh. "I truly am sorry."

Micah believed him.


It seemed like Monica's day had consisted of nothing but spying on people she hated. But they plagued her mind and she saw a billion over-imaginative reasons why she should do what she was doing. Her most logical reason was that, in the end, every little bit of information counted. If something bad happened, she might be able to do something about it.

The dwarf girl was sitting around the corner with Zavier. They'd hit it off that morning and had been chatting like old friends ever since. If they ended up kissing, Monica was out. And totally done with Zavier.

Gaius' mother was sharpening the deadliest looking sword Monica had ever laid eyes on. She appeared to be more masculine than her husband, which was observably a problem in their relationship. How typical.

Mrs. Payne suddenly crashed through the bushes, yelling, "Dwarves?! Are you new neighbours?!"

Monica pulled herself up off the snow and quickly made her way towards home. Or towards safety, more accurately. Where Helen was, Monica was not.

Fares was chatting up Evelyn next to the general store, who seemed relatively interested in what he had to say. But then she offered to make him and Gaius some matching outfits out of sea shells and ginger cake, and her true motivation in paying attention to him was revealed.

Suddenly having seen this exchange, Monica realised that it was quite a lovely day.

She was only a few more steps from her front door when she stopped short and froze, staring with wide eyes at the scene before her.

Gaius' father was a rough-looking bear of a man, and he stood with his eldest son outside in the cold. Gaius didn't seem to care to look at him, and this didn't seem to bother the old man one bit. Suddenly, he reached up and made some strange hand movements in the air above Gaius' right ear. Where his fingers had been, a dark blue mist rose up to form a shape. And then it was gone.

What was that? It looked like magic, but never had Monica seen anything like it. Also, those who practiced magic had to use magic books, and the old man certainly didn't have one open.

Monica was going to pry. She could feel it coming. Who knew what he might have done? With a determined air, she passed her house and approached the old man, who ignored her.

She narrowed her eyes. "What did you just do?"

The old man gave her a harsh look, and Gaius turned to look at them both.

"What?" the man growled.

"You heard me."

"I've got no answer for you. Forget it, kid. I didn't do anything."

"Sure," Monica began, and she could feel herself becoming bolder. "Nothing. I just hope whatever magic stuff you were doing, you weren't directing it at Gaius, because if you do anything to the people here, I could bite you to death while you're asleep."

The words came naturally, but she could tell she was really milking it. Grandfather would be ashamed of her. But she had good reason to be in a bad mood. A lot of good reasons.

The old man had raised an eyebrow. To her surprise, he started chuckling. "Kid, you've got no idea what you'd be dealing with. I'd suggest you drop it quick."

"Try me…I'll figure it out."

Gaius reached up suddenly. Monica thought he was reaching for the ear over which his father had done something, but instead he grasped a lock of his hair and started to pull on it. And at the same time, he looked at Monica carefully. "What did he do?"

The old man gave a silent groan and stalked away speedily, passing Fares, who was grudgingly allowing Evelyn to measure his waist, and slipping away into the lake area.

Gaius seemed to relax once he was gone, but he still looked unhappy. He spoke, but probably more to himself than to Monica. "Wish they'd stayed away…Better for them, better for me…"

Monica was curious. Knowing she was having problems with her own family made her wonder why Gaius was having problems with his own. She settled for one question. "What's up with them?"

"I left, and they didn't want me to. Now they want me to go back. I'm not gonna, but it really sucks. That's all, I guess." He avoided her eyes, fiddling with the handle of his hammer instead. "They never really liked me."

Another girl might have said something encouraging, but this was Monica, and she didn't roll that way. All the same…whatever. "Good job people here are more accepting, then." She swung around and started to walk away before he could say anything. "Bye."

Finally getting home, Monica went straight to her room and opened her notebook, scribbling down any details of her spying. It occurred to her that Gaius hadn't asked for an answer to his question on what his father had done, and she wished he had. She really wanted to know what it might have meant.

I'll figure it out tomorrow.

She began to visualise creeping into the old man's room and waking him up while she hung over him, but she could picture getting in loads of trouble for that. What a shame…

He was probably up to something. She'd find out what eventually.

With that thought in mind, she went to sleep.


Micah leapt over the rocks and stood staring over the valley. He knew she was here, but finding her was going to be no simple task. She would make sure of that.

He read through the poem one more time, to make sure he wasn't misjudging what was written. No, it definitely was what he thought it was. Ode to Black. How typical of her.

It was getting late. He wouldn't be able to track her down today. It irked him, but it wasn't much of a problem. She'd still be waiting for him tomorrow. And the day after that, and the day after that…until he came and found her.

Aquaticus had been right about his old memories. They weren't happy ones. But he was learning to live with them, just like he had before. He already knew Aquaticus had been right about him needing them. Much longer and she would have found him - and he wouldn't have known he was in danger.

It was almost dark when he got home. Shara kissed him and asked him how his day had been, as she always did, and he replied as he usually did, that it had been okay, hiding from her that in reality, today certainly had not been okay.

But he couldn't tell anyone this. Even Shara couldn't ever find out. Nobody could.

And so he'd keep it from them, and pray he never let anything slip.

He could never tell anyone.