Chapter Two, Spirit of the Holy Spring sandra calver Normal sandra calver 2 170 2001-03-28T14:48:00Z 2001-11-11T00:54:00Z 2001-11-11T00:54:00Z 4 2872 16374 136 32 20108 9.2720 
Chapter Two, Spirit of the Holy Spring 
               "I can't wait until the circus comes! I like circus's you know, when I was little my father used to take me to the circus all the time." That was Ken, they had heard along the road that in Rindo there was an annual circus. Ken was excited, but the others were too weary to pay much attention to him. They had been moving at a grueling pace these past few days. It was so dreary, everyone was feeling a little anxious and annoyed. If only they knew how much farther it was, they were all anxious to get there. 
               "Well we'll get there eventually, but by the time we do the circus might have
Already left!" Luke exclaimed. They walked along in silence for a few minutes.
Then Dirk broke the silence, 
               "I think it's time to break or lunch, what do guys think?" He asked. 
               "It sounds like a good idea to me." Gong chimed in. They settled down in the clearing a few yards ahead of them, Dirk sent Lowe and Khris to get some firewood. Once a blazing fire was lit they gleefully dug into their rations. 
               "Hans get out your lute, I want to hear you play. Your songs are always so beautiful!" Khris begged shy Hans. 
               "Ok, it's in my satchel." Hans blushed, he wasn't used to compliments. "This is song for Tao, about how special she is... 
 
Oh.............when the wind blows it's silent smile, I think of you......... 
When the sunshine is on my shoulder I think of you........... 
The water falls and the fish remind me...............of you....... 
And when you ask me how I am... I can't but help...... 
There is no choice.... But to fall in love with you........ 
 
               "Do you like it?" Hans asked Tao blushing a shade of beet red. 
               "Umm...Of course I like it...Of course." Tao replied even more embarrassed than Hans. 
               "You do! You really do! Wow!" Hans exclaimed, never in his wildest dreams had he imagined she'd like it! 
               "Dirk, how come you never do any thing like that for me?" Mae said hitting him on his head with her iron stew bowl. 
               "Ow! What did you do that for?" Dirk grimaced; she'd actually hurt him. 
               "Because you're not romantic like Hans, why can't you ever do anything nice for me?" Mae exploded and ran off in a huff. Dirk ran after her but she being half horse was a lot faster than he was. 
               "Oh dear! Do you think I shouldn't have sung it? Look what I've done, oh dear!" Hans moaned distressed. 
               "Well don't worry about it old buddy, it's not your fault that she's crabby." Ken answered, again showing his dislike for Mae. 
               "We should clear up now, we've wasted enough time already! You youngsters and your talk of love. Love, HA! Love is nothing, would rather get my entertainment from ale, at least ale is dependent." Gort bellowed. They listened to his commands, unwillingly, but they still listened. As they were ready to leave Dirk and Mae came romping back, they looked like they had made up to Ken. I wonder what he sees in her? I always thought Dirk to be more sensible than that. Ken pondered as they continued their journey. He looked over at Tao she was walking
With Hans. I'm afraid, Hans is one of my best friends, and I think that I'm falling in love with his girlfriend. But they look so perfect together, both elven in race, him with all his crazy poetry, but I know they aren't perfect. She's too lively for him; she's too full of life. Where he'd like to sit and write love songs she'd like to be out doing things, not writing of them. I hate myself for thinking it but I think she'd be so much happier with me... I need to find out more. I'll ask Lowe! He seems to know everything about everybody. Ken walked over to where he saw Lowe. 
               "Hey Lowe, how are you?" Ken questioned. 
               "F-f-f-ine, g-g-good b-buddy" Lowe replied 
               "You know, I've been meaning to talk to you lately, it's about something, well personal I guess." Ken mumbled. 
               "Oh! I-i-i know w-w-what you're t-t-talking a-about" Lowe stuttered. 
               "Well I was hoping you would old buddy, cause I really need your advice." Ken said relieved. 
               "W-well I-i d-d-don't know w-w-hat I c-c-can d-do." Lowe stammered. 
               "Lowe, trust me, you can. Now I want advice not excuses!" Ken demanded. 
               "D-don't g-g-get angry!!!" Lowe said as he looked up with fear in his eyes. 
               "Hey, I'm not angry old buddy! I will be though if Hans gets any closer to Tao." 
               "W-well, if you s-say s-so" Lowe trembled, still quite shaken. "Well o-old b-buddy, I'll see what you m-m-mean. I don't know exactly how to help you right now though." Lowe beamed, he was proud of how he had barely stuttered that last sentence. If only I could talk that good all the time! I would be so happy because then people wouldn't make fun of me because of my darned stutter, I must be more confident sometimes. Hmmm, I wonder how I can help Ken? I guess I should go talk to Tao and see what she thinks. Lowe bumbled over to where Tao was strolling with Hans.
               "T-t-Tao, can I t-t-talk t-t-to you?"
           "Sure Lowe, anything" Tao had a real soft spot for Lowe; he was always kind and understanding. They slowed they're pace so Hans could get ahead of them.
"What can I do for you?" 
           "So T-t-Tao, how are th-th-things with you lat-t-tely?"
           "Oh fine enough I guess. I wish Dirk wouldn't push us so hard. He can be no fun at all"
           "What about t-t-things with Hans?"
            "Oh. That. Well I feel kinda bad saying it I mean, he might hear being only a few feet away and all but, no so great"
           "GREAT! Uh I m-m-mean n-n-not s-s-so great. I have g-g-go now. B-b-bye!" and he trundled off to go see Ken.
 I wonder what that was all about Tao thought to herself I wonder if Ken and him are up to something. In some ways I hope they are. She giggled at her own naughtiness.
           "What was that all about?" Hans asked interrupting her train of thought   "Ummm well," she thought quickly "he was just uh discussing Gong's surprise birthday party next week with me. Yeah that's it"
           "Strange I've never seen Lowe quite so excited before. I didn't know they were such good friends,"
           "Well I guess they've really bonded these past few days"
           "I guess so," Hans mumbled, he could tell there was something else going on. They walked along in silence.
 
 
 
           "Don't you think Hans' song was sooooo romantic?" Mae asked. She was walking along with Dirk
           "It was pretty good I guess"
           "Oh! It was wonderful!" she said twirling around in a circle, "I wish you would do something like that for me. Or don't you like me enough?"
           "Oh no sugar beet, nothing like that. It's just that well, I uh I can't write mushy stuff like that, but I'll tell you what. I'll defeat the next Rune Night we see in your name"
           "ERGH!! A RUNE NIGHT!! HONESTLY!! WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SUCH A DUD??" she yelled and galloped off
           "Not again" Dirk sighed and leaned back against the nearest tree, too tired to chase after her.
           "You know son, women aren't everything, but I good, tall, cool glass of ale mmmmmmmhmmmmm you can't beat that" Gort took a small flask out of his pouch and took a sip
           "You know Gort I really think you better lay off that stuff, it's not good for a person to drink so much so often. Every town we stop in you always make a stop at the bar while we're getting supplies I-"
           "What are you now?? My mother??"
           "No it's just that-"
           "I think you better mind your own business sonny, I've been around a lot longer than you have. Old Gort knows the score" and Gort picked up his pace
 
 
 
 
Dearest Log,
 Things are not going well for me. It seems as though everyone is against me. If t isn't Mae it's Gort or Ken, and I think even Lowe is turning against me. I think we will reach Rindo soon. At least I hope so I'm sick and tired of all this traveling. I'm worried about Gort he's been drinking a lot lately and nothing I say will make him let up. I think he does it just to spite me; I tell him not to and he just does it more. There is one good thing, we haven't had to battle for quite a while which is a relief, I don't actually like fighting all that much. It's different when it's just play against friends or something but
In real life it's different. Lowe seems to be hitting it off well with Khris; I think they're perfect for each other. They're both kind of scatterbrained and the like. Lowe has changed, most people think he's all innocent and dumb but he's not. He's really conniving and I'm afraid to tell him anything anymore he's a real gossip. Some weird things are going on around camp, I think Ken's attracted to Tao, who isn't really interested in Hans anymore. Funny how some people's love lives can be so interesting while mine is almost non-existent. I still have a huge lump on my head where Mae hit me with that pot. Nothing is ever good enough for her, she wants me to be soft and mushy like Hans, but I can't, I'm just not like that. Anyway the sun will be up soon, and I need my rest. . . 
 
 
 Dirk set down the log and turned over in his blankets, tomorrow was going
To be a long day. 
 
 
               It was a long day!! I still remember that day even though it was about a week ago. I'm still upset about how the Mages from Marinara attacked us thinking we were Runefaust! What and insult!! Oh I'm getting myself. First we were disappointed to find that the circus wasn't there yet. Poor Ken was heartbroken. We did take in a very interesting play. Those Rindo people are twisted they're entire play was about how bad and weak I the leader of the Shining Force was. I
Hope some day we can show them wrong. When we asked the Mayor about buying one of their ships we were met with a cold shoulder. Runefaust had already bought all the ships and mayor was reluctant to even talk to us. As I have said those people are twisted! Not as twisted as Gort has been acting, it's hard to argue with him about his boozing' he's drunk more than half the time. I can't say that it's affecting his performance; He's already level 7 while the rest of us stuck around level 5. So we ventured along to Marinara, Where we encountered a gaggle of ghoulish fiends, not all from Runefaust though. Once we finally got to the Mage school we discovered that some of the Mages had actually been from the school, what a welcome! We met with Anri, who
Joined the force. Then we talked to Otrant who told us to fetch the "Orb of light" from the cave beneath. So we did battle and got the orb for them. Another Centaur joined up with us there also. His name is Arthur. . .
 
 "Dirk! Would you put down that stupid log and come help us??" Mae called
From where they were trying to set up camp
 "Fine" he set down the log and went to where they were trying to push over
A tree to sit on
 "Here, let me" Gong walked over and pushed the tree over with ease, "where
Do you want it?" he set it down over by the fire pit.
Mae rushed up to him and started showering him with praise
 "Oh, thank you Gong! I knew you could do it! You're so big and strong, not
Like some of us" she shot Dirk a glance that he pretended not to see, "Why Don't you come and sit by me by the fire?"
 
 
 Hans sat staring at the fire contemplating. Things with him and Tao were definitely not good.  Hans looked over to where Tao stood, giggling with Ken; he was staring into he deep hazel eyes, eyes she used to only let him look into like that.  A tear came to his eye.  Why was she with Ken, not with him, he was the one that sang her love songs everyday. He was the one that saved her so long ago from her own abusive family.  He was the one who helped and supported her during her stay at the Mage School.  Why wasn't she here by him?  Why didn't she act like she loved him anymore?  Hans choked back the tears, he had never had a girlfriend before Tao, and he had always been shy and quiet.  He had never had the guts to approach any of the girls he liked, and they had never approached him, he wasn't their type, or so he heard them say.  He knew somehow the end of their long 4 year relationship was in the depths of the near future somehow, it wasn't just Ken, it was how she acted around him.  Always anxious to leave, how she never stared deep into his eyes, into his soul anymore.  And he missed her already.  He missed her bright vibrant nature, how clashed so excitedly with what he considered to be his dull drab nature.  He missed her merry laugh, which sounded like peals of jingle bells.  He missed her how understanding and optimistic she always was whenever he was blue.  Oh how he loved her, with all his heart.  He knew Ken liked her, or was attracted to her, he could see it in everything he did.  That wouldn't have bothered him, excepts the heart wrenching thing was that she was looking back…  How could he ever love her the way I love her?  He wandered.  He choked back tears and wandered over to Dirk, knowing that at least his relationship was unhappy was well.
               
               "Hey Hans," Dirk called out studying his face closely. "What's the matter?  You don't look so great."  Dirk finished in his usual concerned manner.
               "I'm worried that my relationship is on troubled water that's all."  Hans sputtered, although no tears filled his eyes, they filled his voice.  Dirk looked over thoughtfully to where Tao stood laughing by Ken.
               "I guess I see what you mean old buddy, but don't worry, it happens to everyone at one time or another, and know I guess it is both of our times."  Dirk sighed sadly.
               "Both of our times?"  Hans answered clueless, he had been so wrapped up in his own problems that he had taken no notice to what had been happening between Dirk and Mae.
               "Haven't you noticed how she treats me lately?  Like dirt Hans, like dirt!  No, wait, she probably gives the dirt more regard than she gives me!  She walks all over me; half of the things she says to me are insults!  What did I do?  I never did anything wrong, not that I can tell anyways, but yet she is so cruel to me.  Why Hans why?"  Dirk huffed; he was angry, real angry.
               "Well…" Hans said slowly, "it seems strange to me Dirk, that if she always treats you so bad, why do you stay with her at all?"  Dirk looked painfully into Hans' eyes, he began to speak.
               "She's all I got Hans!  And you know, she isn't always like that, sometimes, when we're alone, she's so sweet and gentle.  And I love her then.  It's when we're around other people, that's when she acts like that.  It's like she's trying to put on a show for everyone, like she's one of those soap opera actresses, you know she'd be good at that Hans, she tries to be the center of attention all the time, and she uses me to play that role.  But I think it will get better Hans, that's why I can't bring myself to break up with her."  He finished full of rosy hope of dreams he himself knew would not ever occur outside of his mind.  Hans stared interested into Dirks eyes, how could anyone deal with a girl like Mae is beyond me, he thought to himself. 
               "I hope things work out for you old buddy, I really do."  Hans said sincerely.
               "And I hope things turn out ok for you too, I just know they will, As exciting as Ken is to her, I'm sure she'll come to her senses and go back to you.  I have to go help Gong with the chores now, talk to you later old buddy."  Dirk turned and ambled away.  Hans watched him go and wandered how long it would be before he came to his senses about Mae, he hoped for Dirk's sake it was soon.  Hans looked up; he noticed that monsters were beginning to appear from the far thicket!
 
               "On guard!  We're being attacked!"  Hans squeaked, soon the battle had begun.
 
 
               "Help me, H-h-help m-m-me" Lowe wailed feebly.  
               "Where are you old buddy?  Just call louder we're coming, Just hang in there!"  Ken yelled as loud as he could.
               "I-I-it's t-t-too l…" Lowe stuttered off.
               "LOWE!!!!!!!!, COME BACK!"  Came Khris' defeated voice.  She knelt next to him and began her healing enchantments.
               "Lowe, Lowe, come back to us Lowe."  Khris cooed softly in Lowe's ear.
               "Ya," Gort agreed, "Without you who will we use for bait?"  He finished insensitively.
               "You giant drunken oaf, how can you say such a thing!" Mae huffed, trying to sound sensitive and caring, but Dirk could tell she was insincere, for her eyes were dancing with sadistic laughter.
               "Well I think he's going to be ok after all," Khris said relieved, "look he's coming to!"
               "Old B-b-b-buddies… what h-h-happened?"  Lowe spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.
               "Shh, quiet now.  We'll carry you back to camp.  The battle is over now."  Ken picked Lowe up gently and slung him over his back, he trotted over to where the others were already heading.
 
               "That Lowe is nothing but trouble!"  Gort exclaimed loudly to Luke.
               "He isn't so bad, I mean, I admit maybe he's in no shape to do much battling, but as a healer he's our best!"  Luke replied in his usual mellow mediator voice.
               "Well I wouldn't trust my health to that yellow bellied wiener any day!  If he's the best than I suggest we find someone better!"  Gort said gruffly.
               "Be careful what you say old buddy, some day even someone as tough as you may not be tough enough.  Someday, suppose you fell down wounded in battle, and Lowe was the only one who could help you.  Without his help you could become mince meat in no time.  But after hearing you talk about him this way, suppose he decides not to help you, then where will you be?  Perhaps you'd better speak kindly of the little chap, in his own way he wields more power than even you and your mighty axe do."  Luke finished grandly, knowing however, that his words would make no difference in stubborn Gort's old-fashioned mind,
               "Old buddy, if the day comes that I am less powerful than that yellow bellied sap, than I'd rather be dead than take his help!  Remember youngin, I am the strongest one in this whole group!  I made level ten already!  Just today I did it!  The rest of you weaklings are stuck around level 7, and some like Lowe are still in level 4!  When the day comes that I fall in battle, that'll be the day the shining force is through!  I tell you, without me and my strength you are all nothing!  Nothing you hear!"  Gort finished his bosom swelling with pride.  Luke said nothing more, he merely turned his head in pity for Gort, for he would never know the meaning of teamwork, or the meaning of love, only the meaning of blood and war.  Luke sighed; he knew there was nothing he could do about it.  Dirk who was walking behind them that whole time piped up.     
               "Is it true about you being in level 10 now?"  Dirk asked timidly.
               "Why of course it is true!  Do you doubt the word of mighty Gort?"  Gort replied defensively.
               "Why no, no of course not!  I was just making sure I overheard you correctly, that's all old buddy."  Dirk said quickly.
               "Why yes it is true, of course it's true, I finished of at least five enemies today!"  Gort said grandly.
               "Well congratulations old buddy!  That's a mighty fine accomplishment!  You know, I say we throw you a promotion party as soon as we get back to Rindo!"  Dirk spilled out lavishly.
               "Fine with me, just make sure there's plenty of ale for the taking."  Gort said getting drunk just thinking about the ale.
               "Umm, sure old buddy, whatever you say, it's your party I suppose."  Dirk muttered disgustedly, couldn't he think of anything besides ale?  With that thought on his mind Dirk trundeled off to talk to Mae, another depressing thought, what would be her put down line today?  He wondered.  Dirk noticed Tao and Ken were talking excitedly, he saw Hans moping silently behind them, oh why must there be more problems?  Hans losing all he has, Gort becoming more dependent and arragont everyday, Lowe getting hurt all the time, and of course Mae's frustrating me everyday and night.  Oh how will we ever complete our quest with so many other complications to deal with!  Dirk thought hopelessly to himself.  If only this day would ever end!