The Chronicles of Weyard
By Claviculae
Chapter 4: Freedom
This was it! It was Santur's birthday, and he was finally sixteen! 'Wow! Now I can finally become a Psynergy warrior and even an Adept!' he thought as they had a celebration dinner. Only a few people were there: Santur's family, Meron and her family, Santur's grandparents, and Brigg. Meron was there because this was a joint celebration for her and Santur, being that her birthday was only two weeks after his. After the dinner, they had cake. Then the adults sat back at the table and drank coffee while the teens went outside and walked around. Santur's little sister, Ganor, played with Meron's little brother, Jacob, also referred to as 'the messy demon' by Meron. He was not the cleanest little boy around. Santur and Meron walked out behind Santur's house and started practicing Psynergy. Meron started throwing ice spikes around while Santur turned a patch of grass brown with his Plasma attacks. Santur held up his sword as it burst into flames. Meron took the mace Santur had made for her and held it up into the air. Each of the points on the mace started shooting out flames. It was a Glass Mace, made of a special green glass that Santur had figured out how to make. It was very durable, and had the channels in it for the flaming liquid that caused it to burn. After hitting and parrying various blows to and from each other, they released their Djinn onto the nice soft grass. They both had a total of seven, which they had collected over the years. The Djinn started running around on the grass, playing with each other. Santur and Meron sat down in the grass, watching the Djinn frolic. "Boy, I wish that Gandas could have made it here." Santur said, staring off into the distance with a vacant expression. "Yeah, that would have been nice." Meron replied. Santur pulled out his only musical instrument, a small ocarina. He started playing a slow, relaxed tune while Meron pet one of his Djinn, Kite. After a few minutes, Santur ventured a question. "Meron, you and I have been traveling companions for years. We're both free now, and our lives are laid out before us, just waiting to happen. My current goal is to start traveling around Weyard, seeing all the famous towns and cities. After that, I want to either join an army or try to find the Land of Mist and become an Adept. Are you planning to come with me?" Meron sat back and thought for a few minutes before replying. "I might. I think I'll ask my parents and see what they think. I've been praying about my life's direction for a couple of years now. I might join you, but I'm not sure. My parents are mainly worried about me becoming a drifter, like Goman. I do want to become an Adept, but I'm not sure if I'm up to the challenge." "What else would you do with your life?" Santur asked. "I've thought about using my healing power to become a doctor. Or I might just get married and raise a family. But I never liked that idea as much, mainly because I don't like being tied down to one place for a long time. I like to be free, able to roam wherever I want. But for some reason, I feel drawn more to the idea of being an Adept. I feel like I have some great purpose to fulfill, something infathomably important. But I'm still not sure." Santur was suprised. He finally replied. "I've felt the same way about becoming an Adept. Like it's my destiny or something. Like if I don't do it, catastrophe will hit. Some days I feel like I have this great responsibility, like I have to save something." He sat back, not sure whether to continue or not. Meron could tell that he wasn't telling her everything. As Santur sat back against the house, she reached over and touched his hand. He bairly noticed it, but became more alert as he realized that she was reading his mind. He instantly redirected his thought. 'Hey, no fair.' She withdrew her hand and sat back. "Sorry, but I could tell you were hiding something from me." "Did you find out what it is already?" he asked. "No, I didn't find out. What is it?" "Well, it's a dream that I received a few days ago. It was like someone was watching me, searching me. Then something with one eye appeared in front of me. It looked sort of like a sphere, but everything was so dark I couldn't tell. It spoke to me, even though it didn't have a mouth. It said, 'Santur, soon you will be sixteen. You will be an adult, and will most likely pursue a life of Psynergy combat. That is the course I would recommend. Whatever you do, take care of yourself and don't get tied down. You are destined to be of great importance to Weyard.' I asked it what it was. It replied, 'I am one who has come to guide you. Don't worry, I am a friend and will not misguide or harm you. I am here to help you. Trust me.' He disappeared, and I woke up. Then last night he came back. He asked me how I was doing, and if I had any questions. I said I couldn't think of any, but then one came to me. I asked him why you can touch me and use Mind Read, being that you're Mercury. He said that you weren't just Mercury and I wasn't just Jupiter. He said that we are both truly Luna at heart, and we will discover how to use powers from both Elements. I'm expecting he'll probably come back every few nights. I'm not sure what to think of him. I think he's a friend, but I'm not sure." He sat back, thinking. Meron thought about it for a minute, then said, "Why don't you ask him who he is next time he comes." "I'll remember that." Santur replied. Suddenly they heard Meron's mother calling her and her brother, telling them that it was time to go. Santur stood up, then gave Meron a hand. "See you tomorrow." she said as she headed off to her house.
Santur headed in and asked Brigg to join him outside. Brigg got up from his chair and followed Santur. Once out there, Santur and Brigg sat down on the grass. Finally, Santur started talking. "Brigg, I'm planning to leave home soon and Meron might come with me. Are you planning to come?" Brigg sat back, thinking. "When are you planning to leave?" "After the next Colosso. I'm hoping to meet Gandas there and talk to him about joining." Santur said as he pet Gust. "Why do you want me to come?" Brigg asked. "Because if we ever get into a tight battle, you'll be there to help. Also, because you always come along. Third, because you don't have any family to tie you down here. Fourth, because it will make my parents and Meron's parents feel much better to know that we have a real adult with us who has seen battle before." "That's a lot of reasons! I've actually been thinking about it. You're right, you should have a real adult along with you. But I enjoy my life of training kids here. I kind of don't want to go, but I also know I will enjoy the adventure if I do go." Santur sat back and relaxed for a minute before talking. "Do you have anyone you're currently training?" he finally asked. "No, not really." was Brigg's reply. "Then now is the perfect time to leave! You don't have any kids to disappoint!" Santur said enthusiastically. Brigg was suddenly quiet. He had never thought of it that way before. Santur was right, he could leave now and not have to stop training anyone. Finally he replied. "I'll sleep on it." "Thanks Brigg." Santur said as he helped the thirty-five year old man to his feet. That night Santur slept soundly, dreaming of heading off to Colosso and not coming back for a long time.
The next morning after breakfast, Santur walked over to Brigg's house and knocked on the door. Brigg opened it and invited Santur in. They sat down and had coffee as Brigg told Santur his decision. "I've decided to come, not just because of the reasons you gave me, but because of a dream I received last night. A single eye opened up in the dark, looking at me. It spoke to me, telling me to come with you. It said it had been talking to you for the last few days. Have you seen it?" Santur was shocked. He explained to Brigg about the being, whatever it was, coming to him in dreams. They discussed it for a few minutes before Santur realized he needed to go tell Meron that Brigg had agreed to come along. He raced over to her house and was just going to knock when he realized that it was six in the morning and that the only other person awake in Lunpa was probably Brigg. He didn't want to knock on the door and disturb everyone. He stepped back and located her window. It was on the second floor, so he used a whirlwind to pick himself up. He had just knocked on her window when he noticed that she wasn't in bed. She was sitting at her desk, reading. She came over and opened the window, letting him in. "Thanks. Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you." he said. "Then why, out of curiosity, why are you here at six in the morning?" she replied. "I came here to tell you that Brigg has decided to come with us when we start traveling." Meron nearly jumped up and down with joy, but didn't when she realized that she was on the second floor and that any jumping would wake up anyone downstairs. "When are we leaving?" she asked. "We're heading off to Colosso. We'll meet up with Gandas and see if he wants to come. We'll plan from there." he replied. "Thank you, Santur." "Hey, no problem. Oh, I'd better be going. I should be back at my house for breakfast. See ya." he said as he jumped out the window into a whirlwind that set him down on the ground. He jogged home, changed into pajamas, then went back to bed.
He woke up about two hours later and headed downstairs to a second breakfast. After that, he discussed with his parents when he would be leaving. They thought it was a good idea, but his mom still started crying a little. "That's all right, Mom. You'll still have Ganor here at home." "That's another thing, son. We're not sure how Ganor is going to take you leaving like this." his father said. "Dad, she's already used to me going on long trips. She'll probably not even notice. I wouldn't worry about it." Santur replied, trying to make his mother feel better.
One week later, they were packed and ready to go. They each had a tent, weapon, provisions, clothing, and whatever small personal items they wanted to bring. They headed off to Colosso. They ran into many battles on the way, but most were small creatures, easily defeated. "I wonder where Goman is." Santur said one day as they were walking on the road that led to Kalay. "I've wondered about him, too." Meron replied. "He's just such a drifter. I ran into him once last year in Vault. He said he was just passing through. He stopped to get supplies, then headed off south. I wonder what he does for a living." Santur said, swinging his sword around. "He probably picks up odd jobs here and there." Brigg replied. "I wonder if he's a bounty hunter." Santur said. "Might be. Most of them are drifters. Bad thing is that most of them can't be trusted." Brigg replied. Suddenly, Brigg went flying back and landed on the ground. Santur and Meron looked at the source of the blow: Two fully-grown grizzlies. They both dropped their packs and grabbed their weapons. They each held them into the air as they burst into flames. The bears stepped back, unsure of how to proceed against the fire. Santur stuck his sword in the ground and then unleashed Kite. This doubled his speed, allowing him to grab his sword and jump over the right-hand bear. He landed behind it and stabbed his sword deep into its heart. He held his sword their as the bear roared in pain. Blood came gushing out of the wound, completely coating his sword and quenching the flames. The bear had, however, caught on fire. As it fell on the ground, Santur brought his sword down on the back of its neck, severing its spinal cord. It would feel no pain. The other bear had, in the mean time, started stalking Meron. They were both circling, unsure of who would strike first. Meron held up her hand as a thousand little spikes of ice buried themselves in the bear's skin. It roared in agony. Santur ran up behind it, intending to stab it. But the bear was too quick for him. It swung a paw back, sending him to the ground. He lay there dazed, unsure of were he was. The bear jumped towards Meron, clawing at her. She struck its paw with her mace, causing the fur to catch fire. The bear roared and came at her. She turned and ran, leaving her back open and unguarded. The bear took the opportunity, slashing the whole right side of her back into shreds. She screamed and fell on the ground, convulsing from the intense pain. The bear loomed above her, ready to strike a killing blow. It never got the chance. A massive sword struck its chest, hurtling it back. It sprawled on the ground. Santur had recovered by this time and came charging forward. He buried his sword in the animal's throat. It went limp.
He ran over to where Brigg was casting Potent Cure on Meron's lifeless shape. He ran up to her. She was bairly breathing. The whole right side of her back was slashed open and blood was running everywhere. Santur grabbed a couple of vials he had and poured them over the worst two areas on her back. He then used Mind Read, hoping desperately to make contact with her. He managed to. 'Meron, are you there?' 'Yes, I think so. But I'm in such pain. Help me, Santur. It hurts so much.' 'Don't worry, Meron. Brigg is healing you right now. I've used the two vials I had with me. You're starting to look better.' 'Santur, what happened? I don't remember anything after the bear started charging me.' 'You ran away, leaving your back exposed. The bear slashed it really bad. You collapsed, and the bear was about to kill you when Brigg used Ragnarok on it. After that, I managed to kill it.' 'Thank you, Santur. When should I try to wake up?' 'Not yet. You'd only be in pain. Just wait until Brigg is done. I'm going to talk to him now.' 'Okay. After that, talk to me again.' 'Don't worry, I will.' With that, Santur broke off the mind link. He looked up at Brigg, who was still busy casting Potent Cure on Meron. "Is she still there?" he asked without looking up. "Yes. She's in pain, but she's still there. How's her back?" Santur asked. "It's slowly getting better. She should make it. Do you have a needle and thread?" "Um, Brigg, I don't sew. Why do you need it?" "To sew her back up. I have some experience. Establish a mind link. Tell her that she's doing okay, and ask her if she has a needle and thread." Santur promptly obeyed. He closed his eyes, focusing on her. 'Meron, are you there?' 'Yes. Am I okay?' 'Brigg says you should make it. He says you're doing okay, but he needs to know if you have a needle and thread. He needs to sew your back up.' 'Yes, it's in the right pocket of my pack.' 'Thank you. He'll get to work right away. I'm going to break off now. Stay here.' 'Will do.' Santur broke off the link and walked over to her pack. He got the needle and thread and brought it over to Brigg. "Thanks. You may not want to watch this next part. It's not the prettiest sight in the world." "That's okay. I'll stay here in case you need anything." Santur replied. Brigg threaded the needle and started sewing the strips of flesh back together. He explained as he worked. "This will hold the skin together until it heals. Once it does, I'll have to take the stitches out." "Have you ever done this before?" Santur asked. "Yes, several times. Don't worry, I do know what I'm doing. She'll be very sore for the next week or two, but at least she'll live. Establish a link and tell her that everything is going well. She'll be scarred permanently, but she will heal. And tell her that she will live." Santur used Mind Read again and started talking to Meron. 'Meron, Brigg says that everything is going well. You will live and your back will heal, but it will be scarred permanently. Don't try to wake up yet.' 'Thank you, Santur. I'm glad Brigg knows what he's doing.' 'Me too. I never knew that you could sew skin back together. It's amazing to watch him do it.' 'I can imagine. The pain is starting to fade. Tell me when I should come to.' 'I'll do that.' Santur broke off to find Brigg finishing up. "She was very lucky, I'll tell you. Bring her around." Santur used Mind Read again and told Meron to wake up. She promptly began stirring. Santur grabbed her Djinni Dew and unleashed it on her. She woke up and started crying. "Santur, it hurts. It hurts really bad." she sobbed. "I know it does. Just hold still. We're going to wait here for the night. Hopefully you'll be well enough to travel tomorrow."
They camped there for the night. The next day, Meron was able to walk. They broke camp and headed off to Kalay. Five days later, Brigg inspected Meron's wound. He walked over to Santur and said, "It's time for the stitches to come out. You have some sleep Psynergy. It's best if she doesn't know about it until it's over. Knock her out for me." Santur held up his hand as small particles rained down on Meron, who instantly collapsed on the ground. Brigg took a knife and started cutting the stitches and removing them. Ten minutes later he stood up and said he was done. Santur walked over to Meron and established a mind link. 'Meron, you there?' 'Yes. What happened?' 'Brigg said your stitches needed to come out. He had me knock you out. He said it would be best if you didn't know about it until it was over. That way you wouldn't have to worry. Try to wake up now.' Meron stirred and came to. "How are you doing?" Brigg asked her. "My back stings, but it's not bad." she replied. They continued their journey. Another week saw them in Kalay. They immediately went to the docks and found Gandas waiting for them. They bought tickets and sailed across the Karagol to Tolbi. On the trip over, they talked with Gandas about adulthood. He had turned sixteen the previous year, but had stayed at home to take care of his family. This year, however, his younger brother was old enough to start providing for the family. Gandas was now free to join them, and happily agreed to do so. He also wanted to become an Adept. Santur was overjoyed. Now they had a team of four, one from each Element.
They arrived in Tolbi that evening. They camped outside of town for the next two weeks during Colosso. After that, they all headed off to the western shore where Gandas' ship was docked. Santur said that he would like to see Prox. Gandas happily agreed to take them there. They climbed aboard and Gandas took the helm. They were off.
Boy, this chapter was a little longer than usual. Now's when the fun part of the story begins. And don't think that the only thing to happen is the quest for the Land of Mist. Don't forget the Gray Company ;^) Please make the subject 'Chronicles of Weyard'. Thanx. See ya next chapter!
Claviculae
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5/27/03
1:25 PM
19 paragraphs
267 lines
3498 words