Erk, Serra, Priscilla - The Triangle of Love
By Davis(Davis3 on FFN)
Chapter 9: Erk's Hardships
Note: It took me a while to get this chapter up for your viewing, but it is going to be different from the previous ones. This chapter has neither pairings as it focuses more on Erk and what Hector ordered him to do, as well as his thoughts. Is this breaking up the chain or what?
Potter29vo: You want more twists and turns? Okay, I can deliver on that. Now, I wonder if Dark Warrior is available to make this more interesting.
So, let us begin and see what Erk is going to be doing....
Erk, Serra, Priscilla - The Triangle of Love
I felt as though I had been cursed, and that curse was Hector giving me no end of trouble. Already he made me go on a simple, yet enlightening mission, which helped me with my love life. But, now he was once again standing before me, his expression at the point where he would explode in rage. Maybe he figured out that I was interested in getting flowers for Priscilla instead of focusing on the mission at hand. Or....maybe he knows what she, Serra and I are doing. I mean, the events of the past several days are not what I would call normal, rather just plain old bizarre....and I was caught read-handed in the thick of it.
" I have been meaning to speak to you for quite a while now." His voice was soothing, but I knew that the anger was there. Hector was not known for hiding his anger and he often lets it loose on everyone else, and I do not mean just the enemy. " Erk, I have been noticing the way you've been acting."
" What about it, my lord?" I asked even though he wasn't my true lord, but since he is of a higher class than myself, I have to call him that.
" It took me a while to figure it all out, but seeing you with those flowers allowed me to put it all together. I can't believe that you have put your duty aside so that you can flirt with two women at the same time. Because of you, Serra and Priscilla, we're a laughing stock among the land, not to mention various arguments and fights within our company." He really knew how to add insult to injury.
" Our friends are arguing about whether you should love Serra, or love Priscilla, but to me, it has gone out of hand and I mean to put an end to it. Erk, I have no choice but to assign you a solo mission which will keep you away from camp for a few days. If the arguments continue, we'll end up killing each other. I have already told Serra and Priscilla of this decision." His words caused me to utter a quick question.
" What of their reaction?"
" Both ended up crying for a few moments, but they knew that it had to be done. This won't destroy the love triangle you three have created, but it ought to make it more peaceful and more reclusive." As I listened to what Hector was saying, I felt guilty all over. This love thing had gotten out of hand and I wished it to be kept amongst Serra, Priscilla and myself. Maybe I should not have asked others of our company. Methinks that they told others and in turn spreading it to others to this very point.
Either way, I could not get myself out of this mission as refusing an order from a noble lord often means a severe punishment. I had no other option but to except it. I looked at Hectors' expression again and it was one of dejection. He really did not want this to happen, but it had to. I learned that I was to travel to a nearby group of mountains and survey the area for the enemy and report back with my findings. I was to stay in this mountain range for three days and I was to take only the basic of necessities.
Hector said that I had to leave straight away and thus was denied to see Serra and Priscilla before leaving. I resumed my walk to my tent, packed the right things I would need and left the camp without saying a word. It was most fortunate that these mountains were so close to the camp, it only took me twenty minutes to get there. My thoughts were of Serra and Priscilla; crying over what has befallen me. I wish I could be there to comfort them, but I cannot do so right now, as Hector mentioned one last thing to me.
This one thing, I hated very much so. I was not allowed to return to camp until the three days were over. It also includes not being allowed to enter the camp as I will be refused entry should I try to return early. Hector was serious about this after all. Fortunately for me, our enemies were not skilled in the use of magic, so I could protect myself with ease. As I took out a small notebook and pencil, I felt as though I were an architect instead of a mage.
Alas, I could not seem to concentrate as my mind was filled with images....images of the two that I love. Serra....Priscilla....their faces in my mind were full of sorrow and in my own heart, I felt the same way. Was fate a key factor in what has befallen me? Perhaps destiny caused this to happen? What if....what if it were just mere coincidence? Such questions were common to one like myself. I seek out answers to questions for I am a student who wishes to learn, and yet there are some answers I do not wish to know. Another question came into my head. Does Hector wish to be rid of me for good?
No, that would be ridiculous. I cannot imagine seeing him do such a thing as that. What if he tried to get Serra or Priscilla to love him? Now that was rather a pointless question. Priscilla and Hector have not once spoken to each other and Serra cannot stand Hector due to the way he treats her. Maybe another man will try to win either of them away from me. I can see Sain doing something of the sort, but that's just what he does. But, something like that could happen. Fate has been unkind to me lately and no doubt will make me feel even worse.
With my doubts and images still lingering on, I finally was able to get started on my surveying. The mountains were peaceful and devoid of life. It felt more like a paradise rather than a place for the enemy to hide. If only Serra and Priscilla were here. We could have spent all day here in peace and relax and not think about the stress of our lives. But, such a thing will never happen as they are not with me and I am here all alone. As I wrote down some bits of information, I heard a slight shuffling coming from behind me. Could it be the enemy? Or perhaps something else was behind me?
I slowly turned around to face whatever it was....and saw nothing was there. I heard a soft noise....perhaps I am starting to lose my mind due to being so far away from the women I love. Then, I heard it again....and it was louder than before, but not by much. I turned to the right and saw a figure wrapped in black. It reminded me of the incident I had with that "warrior" some months ago, but this figure was smaller and appeared to be exhausted. Lord Pent often told me stories of the people of the mountains, the "hermits" but I have never seen one in person before. I inched closer to the figure mumbling a spell just in case it was that "warrior" again.
" Why are you here?" I stopped as those words reached my ear. Was that the figure that just called out to me. " Why are you here?" I decided to answer the figure.
" I am only here on a mission given to me by my commanding lord. I do not wish to harm you, so I shall be on my way."
" Why do you wish to leave so soon young Erk?" Once again, I stopped, only this time in utter surprise. Did this figure just call out my name? How could that be? I did not know this person, unless he or she can read minds. " Don't be surprised young mage. I have lived in these mountains since I was a child and as such am used to seeing people like you come around here doing who knows what. I can tell you do not wish to be here. You wish to be with the cleric and the troubadour, the ones with which you have a special bond?"
This figure must be reading my mind, but I could not stop it from happening. " However, your lord has forced you to come here against your will for he wishes for his company to be at peace. I find that rather ironic as it is not your fault all this has happened. It is your company as a whole which is at fault, but your lord is blaming it all upon you my friend. By sending you out here, he hopes that all will be well. Alas, it is not meant to be. The cleric is wandering about the camp with a blank stare upon her face. She is looking for you, but knows that you cannot return until the three days are over. The troubadour is also looking for you and has demanded to see you, but she is refused and is told that she cannot leave. Then, there is you."
Amazing is all I can say as I continued to hear what this figure was saying. " You yearn to be with them, but your duty keeps you here. You are stuck in a crossroads where you cannot even escape. I would help you, but that would be cheating and unfair to all that are involved. All I can say is this: take these twists and turns as obstacles to overcome rather than see them as problems; else they shall consume you! Oh, and you also wish to know who I am? My name cannot be uttered by the tongue of another, but I will say this to you. I am one who can peer into the minds of others, which is your assumption of me."
I was unable to respond as the figure turned and walked ever so slowly away and I found myself alone once more. The way those words came at me, it was like seeing myself and what has been going on. The disturbing parts to me were Serra and Priscilla. They needed me, but I am stuck here for three days. Sadly, I cannot help them deal with their problems, even though I wish to do so. I wonder what they are doing right now? Other than what that mind reader has said.
End of Chapter 9.
Note: Like I said, this chapter does not follow the previous ones as Erk is mostly on his own and Serra and Priscilla make no appearances other than references. The mind-reader is sort of like an original character, but is not due to a lack of description. The next chapter will focus on the two women and how they go about their lives knowing that Erk is not there and won't be coming back for three days.
Erk seems to be questioning about things that might happen. These questions tend to happen when you're away from the one(s) you love.
If I was to include an original character of mine to make things more interesting, it would have to be the "Dark Warrior" and I know that some of you know of him. I won't go down this road unless you, the readers think it would be a good idea.
Anyway, please R&R
--Davis--