Landslide

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Part 3
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"Hey, Gremio, we gotta talk."

The door opened almost before the heavy knock had even finished, and the loud, impatient voice was coming from inside the room before Gremio could so much as roll over. He groaned, closing his eyes again to block out the light and the sight of the large man staring down at him. "What is the meaning of this, Viktor?"

"Er... guess you were still sleeping."

Viktor sounded only slightly sheepish, and Gremio sighed, trying to calm the heartbeat that pounded in his throat from the sudden awakening. "It's barely past dawn..."

"Well, you used to get up early, back in the day."

"I used to do the cooking." Gremio yawned before he could continue. "When we're staying at an inn, there are no chores to get me up early."

"Oh. Sorry."

He didn't sound the least bit sorry, and Gremio rubbed a hand over his eyes groggily. "What is it that you want at this hour?" The words came out sounding irritable, but Gremio didn't care - he deserved to be irritable.

"I was talking to Flik," Viktor began, apparently not noticing the tone of Gremio's voice, "about this thing-"

"Idiot!" the Star Dragon Sword snarled as Viktor lifted it, gesturing. "I should smite you where you stand for your insolence."

"Shut up!" Viktor glared at the sword before continuing. "See, no one knows what it is, if it's a true rune, or if it has a true rune attached, or if it's just some messed up thing that doesn't have anything to do with-"

"I told you what I am," the sword interrupted, annoyed.

"And I'm supposed to trust you? You're the kind of arrogant bastard that would say it's a true rune even if it's just a piece of scrap metal not even fit for horseshoes!"

The sword growled dangerously, and Gremio interrupted their argument with a command. "Silence!"

Both the sword and Viktor fell silent, surprisingly - perhaps they'd never heard him speak so sharply, Gremio supposed. "Now, I'll ask you again - what do you want at this hour?"

"...Flik said you've been researching the true runes," Viktor began, somewhat more calmly. "What do you know about this sword?"

"At least I'm a sword now, and not a 'thing'," the sword muttered under its breath.

Sitting halfway up in bed, Gremio looked back and forth between the two of them, growing more irritated by the second. "This couldn't wait?"

Viktor was beginning to look more cowed now - and rightfully so, Gremio thought - and said nothing, only looking a bit sheepish. He sighed, and racked his tired and startled brain for what he'd learned about the sword and its rune. "...No one seems to know exactly what the sword is," he said finally, "except Sierra, from what Jeane told me. But Sierra hasn't ever said what exactly... The one thing we do know is that it is associated with the Night Rune - whether attached or embedded or an incarnation, no one can say."

"I can," the sword grumbled. "Are you calling me a liar?"

"No I'm not," Gremio snapped, and even the sword seemed to be taken aback. "That, Viktor, is what I know of the Star Dragon Sword - not much. Will that be all?"

"Well, uh, one more thing..." Viktor scratched his head, definitely beginning to look apologetic. "If this really is the Night Rune... do you know what happens to the person who wields it? I mean, if you have a true rune, you're immortal, but... if the sword's a separate being, and everything..."

Gremio shook his head. "I don't believe simply possessing a true rune counts... It seems to me that the true rune and its bearer would need to become one, attached to each other, for the rune's powers to affect the person. After all, you will recall that Luca Blight was able to use the Beast Rune, as were several other people - and they all aged normally."

"Besides, you don't even 'possess' me," the sword put in, glaring up at Viktor. "You're just a human I can use to get around with minimal effort. Merely a tool."

"What?" Viktor exclaimed. "You've been living in my scabbard, and you have the gall to say-"

"If anything, I possess you. Not that I'm proud of that acquisition."

"You...! I should toss you back into the Cave of Wind!" Viktor shot back, his voice rising almost to a shout. "How would you like that?"

"It could only be an improvement, next to the 'cave of wind' prominently placed in the center of your face."

The hostile glares and growling between the mercenary and his sword were promptly interrupted by the pillow that hit Viktor in the face with surprising force. Turning, he did a double-take, encountering an expression of annoyance even deeper than the sword's.

"Have I answered your questions?" Gremio asked, keeping his voice low and even.

Viktor nodded uneasily. "Yeah... Thanks."

"Then out!" Gremio commanded, pointing a finger at the door. "Both of you!"

Unsurprisingly, considering the tone of his voice, Viktor complied quickly, mumbling another apology as he closed the door again behind him. Gremio put a hand to his aching head with a sigh, and glanced over to find Tir staring at him from the other bed.

His Young Master looked almost stupefied, and Gremio forced a tight smile. "...I don't take well to being startled awake," he mumbled, feeling his face redden.

Tir just stared for a moment longer, and then couldn't contain himself; he began to laugh helplessly.

Hearing Tir's laughter again cheered Gremio's heart a great deal, and his tight smile grew more earnest, even though his face grew redder still. "...We don't need to be up yet," he murmured, turning his face to the wall and pulling the blankets up nearly over his head.

Tir's laughter quieted after a little while, and the room once more was full of a peaceful silence, a welcome environment for sleep. Gremio lay awake, however, trembling beneath his blankets; the dream Viktor had awoken him from had not been a pleasant one. If the manner of his awakening had been less rude, Gremio might have even been grateful.


Years of mercenary work had taught Viktor and Flik to prepare for travel rather quickly, and by early that afternoon, they had left Coronet, heading northeast. There was no need to stop at Muse for anything, Gremio asserted, despite Viktor's expressed interest in a side trip. After a brief argument, they continued on to the open plains. It had been dark for some time before Gremio grudgingly agreed that they should stop for the night - which passed too quickly for everyone's liking, except for Gremio himself, it appeared. They rose early in the next morning, and spent another day of quick travel before they came to a stretch of forested hills, and Gremio was again convinced that they'd gone far enough for the day.

Much to his Young Master's delight, he began the preparations for a quick stew as soon as they had lit a fire. Although not so impressive as those he had made with the benefits of a full kitchen, it satisfied the four of them well - especially Viktor and Flik, who hadn't enjoyed real meals while travelling for some time.

"So where are we headed?" Viktor asked Tir and Gremio as he finished off a third bowl. "Flik told me you guys had some leads. What kind of True Rune are you going after first?"

"Gremio's leading the way this time," Tir spoke up, putting down his own empty bowl and spoon. "I'm simply following his lead for a change."

"Heh, that's a change all right," Viktor chuckled. "So, Gremio?"

His back was turned as he worked on washing his own dishes and now Tir's, and Gremio didn't answer right away. "...I'm not so sure yet myself what sort of rune we might first encounter, but I believe our chances are best if we travel northwards, towards Harmonia."

"Harmonia, huh...? Yeah, that makes sense."

"I bet we can get a lot of information there, if nothing else," Flik agreed, getting up to go to the washbasin in front of Gremio. He shook his head as Gremio reached out his hand to take the dishes. "No, don't worry about it, Gremio - I'll wash mine," Flik told him, sitting down and immersing his hands in the soapy water. "And Viktor's too."

"Thanks, you're a pal," Viktor told him with a grin, handing over the dishes. He winked at Flik. "I'll make it up to you later."

Flik laughed softly, and Tir smiled, but Gremio acquired a slight frown, lowering his head to concentrate on the dishes. Flik glanced back up, meeting Viktor's eye, and Viktor sobered slightly with a nod. Years of fighting together and living together made it possible for them to communicate to a certain degree with just a look.

When Flik had finished with their dishes and returned to the fireside, Viktor took the opportunity to slip something out of his pack while Gremio was still preoccupied with cleaning the cookpot. Sitting down next to Flik, he nudged his friend in the ribs with another wink. "This count as making up for the dishes, or you want something a little more meaningful?"

Flik couldn't help but smile in amusement as Viktor showed off the large bottle of ale. "I see you packed some provisions despite Gremio saying he had it taken care of."

"Yeah, well, I knew he wouldn't pack anything like this." With a pop, Viktor broke the seal on the bottle and took a long drink, then handed it to Flik. "And I don't like going thirsty if I can help it."

Flik took a quick swallow himself, and handed it back to Viktor. "Not bad. Though I was assuming you meant something else earlier..."

Viktor grinned and slipped an arm around Flik's waist. "I did."

Across the fire from them, Tir was trying not to show his amusement at the two of them, and on a sudden whim, Viktor stood, holding out the bottle. "What about you, Tir?"

Before Viktor could so much as blink, Gremio had risen in a whirlwind of green cloak to stand between them, aiming a glare at Viktor that made him draw back slightly, despite Gremio's being much smaller than him. "How dare you even propose such a thing? He'll have none of that garbage, thank you very much!"

After a moment's shocked hesitation, Viktor laughed incredulously. "Hey, cool off - I was just being friendly. Besides, it's not like he's really still a kid, right? He's legal for it by now."

"Legal or not, it doesn't matter - I won't have you turning my Young Master into some sort of pathetic drunken sot!" Gremio exclaimed, reaching for the bottle. "Of all the things to suggest on such a journey-"

Viktor stared down at Gremio in disbelief, holding the bottle out of his reach. "What the hell, Gremio? I was just offering him a-"

"No thank you, Viktor," Tir broke in, reaching up to touch Gremio's hand. "It's all right, Gremio - I have no interest in drinking ale anyhow."

Gremio glanced back at the unexpected touch, looking down at what Viktor suspected was a deceptively innocent smile on Tir's face. Though still grim, Gremio's expression softened slightly, and he squeezed Tir's hand. "Of course not, Young Master. You know better than to get yourself foolishly drunk. I'm simply offended he would even suggest it."

Viktor glanced back at Flik, a quick look asking Can you believe this? Flik's expression was puzzled and thoughtful, and he shook his head. He was right, Viktor decided - it wasn't worth arguing about, and he returned to his spot by Flik. After another moment of suspicious glaring, Gremio turned away and seated himself again as well, returning to the washing.

Viktor absently took another drink from the bottle that Gremio didn't quite manage to confiscate from him, wondering what he could say. Looking across the fire at Tir, he saw the boy give him a worried, apologetic shrug, and Viktor waved a hand dismissively at him. Wasn't his fault.

The only sound for some time was the crackling of burning wood and the splashing of the dishwater, until Flik yawned, watching the fire. "We didn't think to pack any marshmallows, did we?" he asked Viktor, keeping his voice low enough so that only Viktor could hear. "Or did I become too spoiled when we were living in a pretty castle?"

With a shrug, Viktor took another drink. "I didn't pack any, and I sort of doubt Gremio would have..." He looked over at Gremio, who was still frowning in slight disapproval from the earlier argument, and grinned. "You want to ask him when he's in one of these moods?"

Flik chuckled slightly. "Hey, it's your fault he's in that mood... I'm sure he'll get over it. Or find something else to fret about."

Viktor nodded, offering the bottle to Flik distractedly as he watched Gremio finish washing the dishes and head off into the woods to dump the washwater. "He's been really uptight... I wonder what's on his mind. I mean, we haven't even figured out where we're really going yet. Hell, I don't even know where we are exactly."

Flik glanced at Gremio, then at the bottle, and shrugged, taking a drink. "He definitely has something on his mind...but we can't exactly force him to talk to us. I'd rather he did, than try to get Tir to find out... because this group is never going to function if he doesn't." Flik glanced at Viktor and smirked. "It's weird, though... to be traveling like this again..."

Viktor shrugged. "Doesn't seem that weird to me," he said. "But then, I always sort of missed it."

Flik looked somewhat uncertain. "I don't know... Tir and Gremio are our friends, but I guess I still feel the need to be guarded around them."

With a laugh, Viktor slipped his arm around Flik's waist. "Don't worry about it... I guess you've got your reasons to feel kind of strange around them, but if they can put up with me, I don't think they're going to think anything strange about you."

Flik tensed momentarily, then gave Viktor a slight smile. "It's not me... or you... I'm really worried about it. It's... well, it's us."

"Tir doesn't care," Viktor told him with an understanding nod, "he's one of those kinds of guys who just accepts everyone as they are. As for Gremio... well... I think maybe this time travelling around with Tir has opened his eyes a little bit." He smirks. "Even if he's still completely oblivious when it comes to his Young Master."

Flik nodded and relaxed a little, leaning his head on Viktor's shoulder. "Yeah...the more I talk to Tir, the more I appreciate the kind of man he's grown into since this all started. Gremio... for being as sweet and giving as he is, can be awfully stubborn and... well... oblivious, it seems." Flik sighed and watched as Gremio began to set up sleeping rolls for himself and Tir on the other side of the fire. "Or it could just be an act."

"Could be," Viktor agreed with a thoughtful nod. Glancing down at their own packs, sitting a short ways away, he squeezed Flik momentarily. "You want to follow their lead? Or you feel like getting away for awhile before turning in?"

"I'm not really sleepy yet," Flik pondered thoughtfully, "but if you are..."

Viktor shook his head. "Not really, I just don't have any better ideas, if they're going to sleep now. We're going to have to get up whenever Gremio's ready, you know." He glanced around. "I guess one of us needs to keep watch, too, since I've got no idea if we're in friendly territory or not. We were headed towards old Highland, and I'm sure there's a few grudges that way..."

Flik sighed. "Then I guess we shouldn't leave them here alone if they're both going to sleep?"

Viktor chuckled as he watched Gremio take up his axe and seat himself beside the blankets. "It figures Gremio would just take it on himself to protect Tir. I could take second watch for him, maybe."

"We can't let him stay up all night," Flik agreed.

"I'll talk to him later. Maybe even apologize. So..." He nudged Flik with a smirk. "Want to have a look around? We can't be too far past Muse..."

Flik nodded. "We couldn't be. It's not cold enough yet to be up near Highland or Matilda."

Viktor grinned at him suddenly. "How'd you ever get this far without consulting a map, anyway?"

"Relied on stars, the rising and setting of the sun, the winds, made my own maps..." Flik shrugged and smiled. "So, are we going for a walk or not? It might frost tonight, and I'd like to be curled up and warm by then."

"Figures," Viktor muttered. "Anyway, yeah, I'd like to see what we can see."

Flik offered a hand to Viktor. "You'll protect me from the shadows, though?"

"Pfft. If you're jumping at shadows," Viktor told him as he stood, "you need more help than I can offer. Or this thing," he added, pulling the Star Dragon Sword from the ground where he'd stuck it when they stopped for the evening.

Flik chuckled, having been told by Viktor the night before about their encounter with Gremio back at the inn. "That thing going to keep its mouth shut tonight?"

When Viktor glanced down at the sword, he found it glaring at him. "It depends on whether or not he keeps calling me 'thing'. You seem to forget who you're speaking to, human."

"My sincerest of apologies, oh mighty Star Dragon Sword," Flik managed, trying to resist laughing.

Viktor glared at Flik. "Don't humor it! It'll just get more obnoxious."

The Star Dragon Sword gave a contented "Hmmph" noise, satisfied. "Some people could learn from Flik's example."

Flik winked at Viktor. "Better than enduring the fights you two usually put on for me."

With a sigh, Viktor strapped the weapon to his waist and waved over his shoulder to Gremio as he turned away. "We'll be back in awhile," he called, softly - he didn't want Gremio to gripe at him again for disturbing his Young Master.

Flik also waved at Gremio as they strolled off into the darkness. "It really is a fine night... I'm glad the weather cleared up a bit."

Viktor nodded, and looked up through the thinning leaves to the stars beyond. "And what about you?" he asked Flik after a moment. "You doing okay?"

Flik nodded, also looking up. "I suppose... I just, as always, have a lot on my mind. And it feels terribly odd to be back on the road, and it feels odd to feel odd about that."

"Well then," Viktor chuckled, "guess you won't mind if I do this." Stopping abruptly, he turned to Flik and kissed him deeply.

Flik was startled for a moment, but then quickly wound his arms around Viktor's neck and kissed him back, realizing how odd it was been to spend a day together and have not done this yet. "...Don't mind a bit..." he mumbled, breaking the kiss for only a moment.

Viktor grinned down at him, leaning together close enough to touch noses. "I figured after what you said, you probably wouldn't want to do this back by the fire."

"It's not that I'm embarrassed," Flik explained with a slight nod. "I just wouldn't want to offend Gremio further."

"Me, I wouldn't worry about it. He'll have to get used to it sometime."

Flik kissed Viktor's nose lightly. "I suppose you're right... especially if this trip lasts a long while. I simply won't be able to contain myself forever."

"That's what I like to hear." Viktor grinned widely. "So... when we get back," he murmured in a low rumble, teasingly tracing the contours of Flik's face with his fingers, "are we going to share blankets? Or would that make it harder to contain yourself?"

Flik colored slightly. "Are you trying to get me worked up?" he asked, reaching a hand up to ruffle Viktor's hair. "It's warmer if we share..."

"Like I have to try?" Viktor laughed. He leaned back slightly, looking down at Flik with amusement. "Maybe it wouldn't be too hard on you if I did get you worked up out here, and you were all tired out by the time we got back to those blankets. If we got back to those blankets," he added with a smirk.

Flik crossed his arms over his chest in mock annoyance. "Well, I don't intend to freeze to death tonight."

Viktor shook his head, grinning, and sat down under a tree, fallen leaves crackling beneath him. "There's other ways to warm up, I'm sure you know a few of them."

Smirking, Flik glanced down at Viktor. "I think I really have gotten spoiled. I miss my bed at the inn."

Viktor grinned more wickedly. "I miss your bed too."

With a laugh, Flik sat down facing Viktor. "Do we miss it for the same reason, though?"

"My bed was always good enough for sleeping..." Viktor mused, reaching over to rest a hand on Flik's knee, "so I'm thinking of your bed for a little bit different reason, if that's what you mean."

Flik leaned closer to Viktor and smiled. "I thought so... we've gotten spoiled. We never used to care where we did it before."

With a smirk, Viktor ran his hand a little further up Flik's thigh. "It's not like I'd care where else we did it, even if your bed was nice. Doing it in other places might be interesting..."

With a knowing grin, Flik reached out to place his own hand on Viktor's leg. "Yes, my sense of adventure is entirely sparked."

Viktor grinned back and shifted a little closer to Flik, moving his hand up to slide around the back of Flik's hip. "About time. I wasn't sure you were up for this, even if you were the one who decided for us this time."

Flik chuckled softly. "Haven't you often needed to warm me up to your ideas...?"

Viktor nodded, slipping a finger under Flik's shirt casually. "And sometimes your own, I guess."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Flik raised an eyebrow, even as he lifted his other hand to run his fingers lightly down Viktor's chest.

"It means you were the one who agreed to help them out to begin with," Viktor pointed out, leaning into Flik's touch a little bit. "Then you go and act like you're getting cold feet..."

Flik sighed, shifting both of his hands to rest on Viktor's shoulders and studying him carefully. "...Not for the reasons you probably think I did. But it doesn't matter, really, we're here now."

Viktor shrugged. "Yep, and I mean to make the most of it, even if I'm still not so sure I agree with all this True Rune stuff." He looked at Flik thoughtfully. "I'd ask if you want to talk about it, but I got the impression maybe there's things you'd rather do than talk."

"Well, there's not much to say about our quest at this point..." Flik began slowly, "and... anything else... I don't know if I want to even think about it, much the less talk about it."

Viktor nodded, letting the matter drop as he pushed his hand up a little further inside Flik's shirt, letting the cool night air touch his skin. "So then, no talking."

Flik shivered slightly and grinned. "None at all? What about... sighs and moans? Are those permitted?"

Viktor nodded again as he leaned forward, almost over Flik, in a manner that made it rather impossible not to see what he was getting at. "Names are okay too, and I can think of a few other phrases that I wouldn't mind hearing..."


Viktor woke much later that night, and was rather satisfied when he glanced up at the sky and confirmed that he'd woken up just before he was due to take second watch. After so long, he hadn't been sure he still had the instinct to wake up after only a certain amount of sleep.

Sitting up, he glanced around - at Flik still sleeping just a few feet from him, at the nearly hidden form of Tir beneath his blankets, and the low-burning fire between them... And also at the complete lack of Gremio to be found in their campsite, despite the axe leaning against the tree nearest Tir.

Viktor frowned curiously, stretching, and got up to take a look around. According to the impressions in the dead grass and soft soil, it looked like Gremio had simply wandered away from camp. The impressions were very recent, and Viktor grumbled to himself; maybe it hadn't been a mercenary's instinct that had awakened him after all.

At any rate, he was awake now, and he set out to follow Gremio's tracks, unconcerned. Probably he'd just gone to get some more firewood or something, since the fire was getting kind of low, and the job would go quicker with Viktor helping. He wanted to get Gremio to sleep as soon as he could, after all - if Gremio got any more cranky, this trip wouldn't be much fun.

He hadn't gone too far before he heard the sound of rustling brush, and a quiet, absent murmuring, and he paused to listen. "...want this. Is it so much to ask that I could leave memory behind? All these years, and all the old questions are raised again..."

It was Gremio's voice, guarded and fretful, and Viktor tried to move as silently as possible as he tried to get a little closer. What was he talking about?

"I don't want this. I don't. Why did she have to mention it at all? Why must I have a tie holding me to the past still?" He was down on his knees in the moonlight at the eastern edge of the forest, Viktor found. He was trembling, and his fingers clenched in the grass, tearing it up in his distraction as he gazed out over the hills to the northeast. "And of all the reasons..."

He punched at the ground suddenly, sending the sundered grass flying, and let out a quiet sound that could have been a scream of frustration if he wasn't holding himself so strongly in check. "But it's a good thing. Yes, a good thing. For Tir's sake... it must be counted an advantage. I hope... I'm..."

He swayed abruptly, and put a hand to his head, steadying himself with the other. Seeing this, Viktor stepped out from where he'd been listening, reaching Gremio's side in an instant and kneeling down to support him. "Hey! ...Are you okay?"

Gremio looked up at him in somewhat dazed surprise, his face pale. "Viktor...? What are you..."

"I woke up and saw you weren't around, so I came looking for you, found you looking like you were going to fall over," Viktor explained. Gremio probably wouldn't have liked to know he'd been eavesdropping. "What's going on?"

"I-I just... I'm..." Gremio turned away slightly, covering his face. "I'm fine. I was just thinking..."

"That's some thinking, to make you go all pale and almost pass out," Viktor observed. "What's on your mind?"

Gremio's back tensed beneath his hand. "...I suppose saying 'nothing' would not be very convincing."

Viktor shook his head. "Nope."

Gremio laughed a shaky, nervous laugh. "W-well then... all I can say is that... I cannot speak of it. Not now."

"But later?"

"...Perhaps."

"Gremio..." Viktor sighed, rubbing Gremio's back slowly as he shifted to sit down next to him. "Something's been bugging you since we took off, that's obvious. And... whatever's got you this wound up, you shouldn't have to just sit on it if you don't want to. If you want to just talk about something, I'll listen. I guess I can't speak for Flik, but I bet he'd say the same. We're all friends here, right?" He gave Gremio a sheepish smile as he raised his head. "And uh... sorry about that whole thing back at dinner..."

Gremio sighed, lowering his head again. "Thank you... but no. This is my own worry, for the time being. When it becomes relevant, then I will explain..."

Viktor frowned thoughtfully. "'When'?"

Gremio nodded. "...It is likely that it will become relevant. But not yet... and I must consider further before that happens."

"Hmm..." Viktor thought about it, and scratched his head. "Well, now you've really got me curious."

Gremio shook his head. "Please, Viktor... Just let it be for now. I promise, if and when the time is right, I will explain."

"Bah, doesn't that figure." After a moment, Viktor shrugged and gave him a smirk, hoping to lighten the mood a little. "A merc's got to accept the fact that they probably won't be told any of the interesting details. So yeah, keep your secrets if you want, no big deal to me. But if you do feel like talking about it..."

Gremio hesitated for a moment, then gave Viktor a cautious smile, the color having returned to his face. "Thank you... truly. I'll keep your offer in mind."

"Great." Viktor clapped him on the back. "So," he began, standing up, "you want to go get some sleep? Your watch is over, you know."

Gremio nodded as he stood to follow Viktor back towards their camp. "I... am very tired, yes." He paused, thoughtful. "And Viktor...? I also would like to apologize, for my flying off the handle earlier... I've been rather tense."

"No kidding," Viktor told him with a grin. "Don't worry about it."


"Blue...come here..." The hand was gentle against his face, yet worn and calloused from years spent gripping a sword. "I want you to have this..."

"No...No!" Small fists beat the blankets beside the frail frame in the bed. "That means you're leaving...you can't leave!"

"Don't cry... you have no time...to cry... I've already seen...that you will be the one... to set things right..."

Scenes shifted as tears blurred, and flames were engulfing buildings again. In the distance, a familiar voice was screaming. And then silence. Always the eerie silence.

Flik woke with a start, his heart hammering in his chest, and immediately reached out a hand for the comfort of the presence beside him. Finding nothing but empty space, he rolled to his side, leaning on an elbow and reaching with the other hand to push the hair out of his sweaty face. Although his eyes revealed the dim light of a smoldering fire, it was several long moments before his mind processed the image and reminded him of his location.

On the road... Glancing around the camp, he saw only Tir asleep in his blankets, face pillowed on one hand, breathing steady and even. Neither Gremio nor Viktor were anywhere to be seen, and his first impulse was to rise and search for them. Halfway out of his blankets, his heart rate still not quite normal, he paused, instead slipping back to the ground with a sigh. It's Gremio and Viktor... they are perfectly capable of handling themselves... they probably felt like chatting and didn't want to wake us... All the logic in the world would never ameliorate his worry, but going after them would mean either waking Tir or leaving him alone, and he idly wondered how annoyed Gremio would be at either of those options. It was not something he particularly wanted to find out. With a small smile, he pulled the blankets more snugly around himself and turned his face to look up at the stars.

It always ends with that eerie silence... For several weeks now, these strange dreams, whispers of the past, had woken him at all hours of the night. Often he would simply curl into Viktor's arms, brush them off, and return to sleep... but it was much harder to erase the images of flames, the crackling of burning buildings, the single scream... when he was alone here in the dark. Why now? Why after all these years, when I finally have some peace, am I dreaming about this? He let his eyes glide over the starry sky, willing his mind to silence and let him return to sleep. Are the fates trying to tell me something? Am I not listening? Every night now, it's either flames... memories... or darkness, whispers I can't understand...

Closing his eyes, he pulled the blankets over his head, murmuring to himself under his breath the names of every star in the sky. It was what he'd always done, even as a child, to fall asleep... mumble things he'd read in books, as he had the gift of memorizing a great deal of anything he'd ever read, until he distracted himself to the point of sleep. It had only ever failed him once before, and sleep had already reclaimed him before his friends returned.