AN: Midnight is Tuesday right? :P
As to why I'm posting this so early (in more ways than one eh?)...I'm moving up the time schedule a bit. For the first time in all my fanfics, though that's not really saying much...I have a rather large surplus of written chapters. How many? I'm currently working on chapter 19, the first of the Bloodstone Arc. I'm expecting maybe five or six more to finish the story from that point, depending on my muse. So I'm very darn near done with writing the fic, if not posting it.
Which is what I meant by 'moving up the time schedule'. Currently, the story would be done posting in October or so, if I stick to once a week postings. All fine and dandy really, especially compared to my coming up on two years old "A Change of Fate". But...I'll be back in school in August, which might curtail my typing and posting time somewhat. Thus...
I am moving to twice-weekly postings, at the least. Tuesday and Friday to be specific...unless...readers are okay with daily posts. Either works for me, considering the surplus of chapters I have. Either way I won't post again until Friday, that way readers can get their voice heard. So please, review and let me know what you prefer! :D
Hero's Guild
Theresa looked up as the Cullis Gate of the Chamber of Fate flared to life. She had been slightly concerned at how long it was taking the Hero sisters to return, as it could only mean Garth was captured. Her abilities of foresight were immense, but even she couldn't follow the Heroes everywhere they went, so thus, the slight concern that they had been captured too, or else had gone charging after whomever captured Garth. Yet when the two stepped through the Gate, neither showed any signs of wounds, merely soot on their clothing.
Theresa was about to suggest their little group begin planning on how to rescue Garth (when Hammer returned from her explorations of the Old Tomb of course). But she was interrupted, as Rose stomped forward and slammed an old book down on the table, Sparrow following at a more leisurely pace. Theresa couldn't 'see' in the strictest sense, but she did have abilities that mimicked human sight very well. Thus, she was perfectly able to recognize the look of anger on Rose's face, and the look of betrayal on Sparrows. Recognizing why they wore those expressions was another story naturally.
"Care to explain Theresa?" Rose asked, bringing a hand down on the book.
Theresa's eyebrow went up, as she took the tome from Rose. Opening the book, the old Seer found a single page with its corner folded down. Reading the page, the seer was slightly unnerved. She had thought all records of her existence had long-since been destroyed...leave it to Garth to have found what might be the last surviving record. What was worse was the image included in the book...and the corresponding painting on the wall of this very chamber. One where she closely resembled a young Rose.
It explained the anger in both sisters, and the betrayal in Sparrow. They had obviously made the (correct) assumption that they were related to her. Young Rose's survival was altering every prophecy Theresa had seen...she had never intended to tell Sparrow of their relation. She hadn't viewed it as needed...the only members of her family that the old seer had ever loved or even felt attached to were her long dead brother, father, and mother. Her brother's descendants had never even caught her attention until now...and neither of these sisters would know much of anything of their ancestor.
"It is true," she finally said, her voice as cold as ever.
"Then why didn't you tell me?" Sparrow asked, moving in front of her sister, "ten years, and I had family right by my side? Do you have any idea what Rose and I would have done to have an adult family member, no matter how distantly related?"
"We would have given anything," Rose confirmed, "you could have taken us off the streets at any time. Train us to be Heroes still if you had to, but leaving us there? How could you be so cruel to your own family?"
Theresa's eyes turned to Rose, as her voice cooled even further (if that were possible), "You are only my family by blood. My brother's descendants mattered little to me, until I learned of Lucien's plans."
The coldness in the ancient seer's voice made both Rose and Sparrow flinch (the latter more-so than the former). Theresa had never been particularly warm or nice, but this was taking it to a new level. She had been alive for 500 or more years, and only bothered to track down her brother's side of the family when it became necessary due to Lucien? That wasn't just cold...that was borderline cruel. Especially when one thought that Theresa could have just plucked them both off Bowerstone's streets that horrible day.
Why had she not done so? Who knew, but that didn't make it any better. They had been left alone, despite having living family. They honestly did not understand why Theresa could be so cruel. It was actually bringing Sparrow to tears, considering she had considered herself close to Theresa anyway...but it could have been so much more, if the blind seer had just let it.
"Theresa," Sparrow said, her voice shaking, "Aunt Theresa...would it have been so bad to have helped us? I know what you just said...and I don't doubt you believe every word of it. But...family is more important than anything. I would do anything for Rose, and I think you would have done the same for your brother. So why not help us?"
Surprisingly, Theresa's features softened ever so slightly at the 'Aunt' added to her name, "Would you have believed me had I told you of our relation?"
Rose was about to open her mouth, only to be silenced by a single raised hand from the seer.
"You barely believed what I had to say about the music box. Would you have trusted me enough to believe that we were related? Even if I just claimed to be the sister of your mother or father."
Rose and Sparrow looked at each other, before sighing in unison. They likely wouldn't have believed Theresa. Ironically, precisely for the reason they had been angry at her in the first place...if she had told them of their relation (even if lying somewhat in saying they were closer than they actually were), they wouldn't have trusted her because of the simple fact that they hadn't been taken off the streets sooner. That, and the fact that even now she wasn't the easiest person to trust or even talk to.
Logic aside, it didn't make them any happier with her though, if only because she hadn't tried or told them after they had become Heroes. Now that they knew they were related though...did it really change anything? Sure, they were related, but that didn't mean Theresa could help them anymore than she already was. Or that they could 'move in with her and live as a family'. From a practical standpoint, little changed. From a relationship standpoint though...now it wasn't just Sparrow and Rose in the family. They had an Aunt, albeit one so far up that they can't tell how many greats go in front of the Aunt.
"Well, at least now we know," Sparrow finally said, "it is nice to have another member of the family...even if they are a cold fish."
Rose snorted, while Theresa cracked a very slight smile, "Indeed. Now, I believe you have something to tell me about Garth?"
While the sisters would like nothing more than to hear stories of their family, or in Sparrows case to bond with Theresa, they did have a mission to do. And right now, that had more importance than family matters...however much they may have wished otherwise. So they told the old Seer of what had happened at the Tower. She seemed slightly disturbed when told of the flying object, something that Theresa informed them was called a 'Shard'.
The fact that Lucien had enough control of the Spire to control things built by and for the Archon of the Old Kingdom was rather terrifying. Lord Fairfax was most certainly not a member of the Archon's bloodline...for him to have control of the Spire's creations was a very worrying development indeed. It would mean he had found some way to control the structure without the need of Hero's blood.
"So Garth has been taken to the Spire," Theresa said once they had finished discussing the situation, "I am afraid I don't know how to enter the Spire. I may know of someone who does however."
"Who?" Rose asked.
Theresa pointed at Bowerstone on the map, "Lucien's butler, Jeeves, likely had access to materials Lucien himself wouldn't want seen. If anyone would know of a way into the Spire, it would be him. He is currently in the pub in Bowerstone Market."
"Well, we had better find him then," Rose said, "come on Sparrow."
The younger sister moved to follow her sibling, before turning back to Theresa, "We are going to get to know each other better Theresa. Even if you don't consider yourself as part of our family, I do."
And with that, the two Heroes were on their way to Bowerstone.
When they reached the market, the sisters found themselves besieged by Bowerstone citizens. Sparrow was somewhat used to this thanks to her earlier killing of Thag, but Rose was a bit overwhelmed by the attention...Oakfield was one thing, but as the tales of the Hero Sisters spread further and further afield, more people began talking of them. And there were a lot of people in Bowerstone, especially the market district. Rose could be forgiven for being a bit overwhelmed by it all.
"You okay there Rose?" a guard asked, recognizing the woman from her former job.
"I'm fine," Rose replied, "just a bit overwhelmed...how long have they been like this?"
The Guard looked out at the gossiping masses, "Talking 'bout you and your sister? Ever since the Rookridge Bridge was repaired. Me and the mates have been getting a lot of questions these days once they figured out you were a Guard."
Rose smiled at that, as she waved goodbye to her old comrade. It somehow didn't surprise her that they were getting attention now that traders could go to Oakfield and back again. The sisters were famous enough in Oakfield, especially once the Abbot had honored them for helping the town. Electing to ignore the gossip (and Bard Obvious as Sparrow still called Roland), the sisters made a straight beeline to the pub. They didn't have the money to spare to go to a shop, and they really didn't have time either, considering who knew what Lucien was doing to Garth at that very moment.
So they walked right past everyone in the pub who were trying to get autographs or congratulate the Heroes on their hard work. It was nice to get the recognition, but they just didn't have the time at the moment. Thankfully, Jeeves was easy enough to find. Easy to find, but not easy to look at. The man was muttering under his breath, and in a far more creepy manner than the somewhat eccentric way Barnum did.
"I wonder what I'll do with the money...buy a new house maybe?" the man said, before he acknowledged the Heroes, "You aren't the first ones to come to me you know. Everyone wants to know Lucien's dirty little secrets you know, and they all know that I know them. But you aren't going to get it for free. Here is my price, and don't think of bringing that note to someone else, I'll know if you did!"
Rose and Sparrow shared a look...Jeeves seemed distinctly unhinged. That, and his note was barely legible. For a high-class butler, the man couldn't spell to save his life. But his price...a thousand gold pieces wouldn't be easy to gather. To be fair, Rose still had about that amount on her from their stores back in Oakfield. But spending all their gold at once wasn't something they wanted to do. No choice though.
"Okay, here is your money," Rose said, reluctantly handing over the gold.
Jeeves had a greedy look in his eyes as he took the shiny coins, "Wonderful! I wrote down the location where I buried Lucien's diary. Here you go...I have some money to spend!"
Trying to not think about what had made the butler like this, the two sisters read the note after he had left. The 'Hill named after Heroes' was obviously Hero Hill. Finding the stumps shouldn't be that hard, knowing that.
"Well Sparrow, I wonder what that diary says," Rose said, as they left to return to the Guild.
"I'm not sure I want to know Rose," Sparrow replied, "I don't know what could drive a man to do what Lucien did...but the book probably explains."
With that charming thought in their heads, the Heroes used the Guild Seal to return to Hero Hill.
It was dark when they arrived, the structure as imposing as ever. Walking down the winding path, the sisters split up to look for this set of stumps. Rose went on her own, while Sparrow had Petal with her. It would cover more ground this way, hopefully finding the diary sooner rather than later. The area they had to explore was rather large though, and the darkness did little to help. Sparrow had little luck on her side of the hill, finding nothing but fully grown trees and old ruins.
Rose on the other hand, found a set of three stumps rather quickly. She moved towards it, hefting the shovel that had replaced her sword for this little jaunt. But as the older sister got closer to the stumps, an ominous quaking began to propagate through the ground. Rose stumbled, as Sparrow yelled in the distance, asking what was going on. The elder Hero had no answer, as the shaking grew worse, and worse, the closer she came to the stumps where the journal was supposedly buried.
What the 'ell is going on? Rose wondered, barely able to maintain her footing.
That turned out to be the least of her worries, as the ground at the center of the stumps lifted up. Underneath the dirt and grass was...a monster. There was no other way to describe the beast. It was massive, with beady eyes, glowing red in the night as it flexed muscles made out of the surrounding ground. As Rose dropped her shovel and drew her rifle, the creature roared at her, the sound enough to send Rose rolling away from the monster.
"Rose!" Sparrow shouted, hearing the roar.
"Hurry up Sparrow, I need help here!" Rose shouted back, rolling to the side as the Troll (for what else could it be?) threw a boulder at the young Hero.
The troll roared again, throwing another boulder at Rose. The elder Hero dodged to the side, firing her rifle on reflex. The troll roared in pain this time, as the bullet hit a red spot on its arm. Rose smiled grimly at that, realizing she must have found a weak point. However, it would take more than one lucky shot to bring the troll down. The monster brought its arms down, sending a wave of earth at the Hero. Rose was knocked off her feet, grunting in pain as her leg was punctured by a sharp piece of rock jutting out of the ground.
Rolling to her feet, Rose felt the wind of another piece of rock sailing over her head, sending her hair out of its ponytail and into her face. Pushing the brown locks aside, the young Hero winced as she put weight on her leg, and fired another bullet at the troll. This one merely embedded itself into the beast's thick hide, proving to be nothing more than a mosquito bite on the massive monster. The troll laughed at Rose, as it sent out another wave of rock. Jumping over the wave, Rose cursed under her breath when she landed and nearly went tumbling. Firing a bolt of lightning at the troll, she was rewarded with another roar of pain as the bolt flew between several of the red spots, popping two of them.
The troll punched at Rose, who had thought she was out of its range. The blow shattered her rifle, and sent the young Hero flying back. Stumbling back to her feet, Rose realized she had no weapon left that could hurt the troll, other than her Will. And she needed focus to do that.
"Duck!"
Falling to her knees, Rose saw a dark shadow fly over her head, as Sparrow charged into the fray, flames licking her arms. A massive ball of fire flew from the younger Hero, hitting the troll's head. The moss and grass crowning the monstrous creature caught fire, causing the troll to roar in agony, as it tried to put the fire out. Sparrow didn't give it the chance, drawing her own rifle and shooting out any red spots she could see. As the last spot popped, the troll let out one final roar, before sinking back into the ground.
Wearily getting back to her feet, Rose found her sister right next to her, putting her arm on her shoulder. Rose smiled gratefully, as her injured leg still protested movement. The two sisters slowly moved to where the troll had been...and found nothing. The creature was either dead, or just retreated to recover. Either way, they weren't going to wait for it to return (if it could). Sparrow helped her sister sit down, giving her a potion from their shared stock before recovering the discarded shovel.
As Rose recovered from the fight, Sparrow (with help from Petal) found the diary. The book was dirty, but the interior pages seemed okay. Not that Sparrow could make heads or tails of what the pages said. Lucien wrote in some language that she had never seen, so it provided very little to help her.
With the book in hand, the two Heroes climbed back up Hero Hill, returning to the Chamber of Fate. Theresa and Hammer were both there to greet them, the latter looking worried when she saw how disheveled Rose was. Though Sparrow could have sworn she saw Theresa's face tighten slightly too...though maybe she was just imagining things.
"Did you find the diary?" Theresa asked.
Sparrow nodded, handing the book to her ancestor. Theresa opened the old diary, looking fairly interested as she read what was contained inside.
"You can read that? But I thought...your eyes..." Hammer said, looking fairly confused.
"I can see different worlds," Theresa replied cryptically, leading to a sigh from Rose.
After reading part of the book, the old seer seemed satisfied by something. She shut the diary, and turned back to the group of Heroes. She gestured at the book, before starting to explain the next part of their quest.
"It appears that Lucien recruits his guards for the Spire from winners of the Crucible in Westcliff. I believe one of you shall have to win the Crucible, join Lucien's Army, and rescue Garth from within the Spire."
"That's insane!" Rose protested, the very idea of doing something so risky rubbing her the wrong way.
Sparrow put a hand on her sister's shoulder, "We'll do it. Just give us directions to Westcliff."
Theresa smiled tightly, before giving a map to Hammer, who actually was coming along this time. With the map in hand, the Heroes left on their quest to rescue Garth...little knowing what this would do to all of them.
AN: And there we go. I apologize if Theresa is a bit OOC, but the situation I threw her in was a bit from the norm anyway. I'm doing my best to keep everyone in character, but the occasional slip-up is possible. ;)
And remember, let your voice be heard on the new posting schedule!
