Chapter 3

The Gifted Ones

Zechs held tightly to Noin from the top of what remained of the bridge. Relena had quickly descended the bridge/ladder and was clutching the unmoving form of Quatre. Zechs felt a strong tug on his arm but was unwilling to go up any further and leave Relena to hold up Quatre. He chanced to look up and was surprised to see a face that didn't belong to Noin. The woman staring down at him yanked on him again and he obediently climbed up.

After Zechs and Noin had been dragged to safety a swarm of colorfully clad young men acrobatically descended the rope and emerged moments later with a very shaken Relena and battered Quatre. Quatre lay very still and for a minute Zechs began to panic. The woman who had saved him put a reassuring hand on his arm and led him and Noin to the pathway.

The hour after their frightening ordeal was only remembered as a dazed blur. Quatre was carried on the shoulders of several of the men and Noin and Relena were helped along by friendly hands. Zechs plodded solemnly along. It wasn't until later that he realized that the crazed old man had mysteriously disappeared.

The troupe finally reached a pleasant meadow where multicolored tents had been pitched. Quatre was taken into one to be tended to by a healer of some sort. The other three were ushered into another tent and given a drink that reminded Zechs of lilacs and mint leaves. For a while they could only sit in silence.

The woman from the bridge pushed back the flap of the tent and sat down next to the three young travelers. She pulled her long blonde hair out of her face and deftly tied it behind her head to keep it out of the way. She smiled warmly at her guests.

"Hello. It's a real pleasure to have all of you here. My name's Sally, and this is my band. We're nomads. Always in search of adventure I suppose you could say," Sally laughed and stuck out her hand. Zechs smiled too and everyone shook hands on the newly made friendship.

After Zechs had introduced his companions Sally asked them to tell her about their travels. Noin, being a more poetic speaker, told the leader about some of the things they had seen and heard on their travels. Relena too spoke up and, leaving no detail out, explained her whole life and her incredible escape. Sally only shook her head in amazement after all three had told their tales.

"It's a pity that young man you are with isn't awake. I would love to here all about him as well," said Sally thoughtfully.

Zechs sat up a little and looked guiltily at Noin. "I...we...he," Zechs started hesitantly.

Noin waved him aside. "How is Quatre any way?"

"Oh? So that's his name. He was hurt pretty bad, but I think he'll be fine. The strange thing is, it wasn't the fall from the bridge that really seemed to hurt him. I don't know what happened, it's just really weird."

"What's really weird?" asked Zechs.

"I'm not sure but..." Sally let out a heavy sigh and didn't say anything more.

"Would it be all right if I saw Quatre? I'm a healer if you will," Noin said in the silence.

"Of course. Follow me."

Zechs and Relena stood up too and followed Sally to the other tent. The tall woman turned and looked back at the three of them and smiled.

"It would be nice for a...um...healer like yourself to stay with our band," she said quietly. "It's hard for us to find good medical help, and especially someone so gifted. It's hard being an outcast in this world."

Sally smiled again and led them into the make shift medical tent. Zechs looked at Noin and Relena and saw them smiling. The thought suddenly struck him with the speed of a lightening bolt. They were all gifted as well! Zechs then felt very stupid. Relena and Noin must have noticed it as soon as they were introduced to the tall blonde leader. Zechs blushed and swore softly to himself. He had no more time however to think of himself as they were shown to Quatre's side.

The young man was very pale and his breath came in ragged gasps. Relena cried out softly and fell to her knees beside Quatre. She looked genuinely worried. Zechs placed his hand gently on her back. She didn't even seem to notice.

Noin crouched down as well and slowly stretched out her arms. She placed her hands on Quatre's arm with infinite tenderness. She jerked back her arm as if she had been bitten by a snake. She sat back quickly and stared straight ahead with shock filled eyes. Zechs grabbed her and shook her by the shoulders. Noin shook her head as if to clear it, but didn't say anything right away. The band of gifted ones had crowded close around to see what had happened. Sally motioned them back and then sat down with Noin.

"It was awful," Noin said at last. "It was as if...I don't know how to explain it. It was pain, a cold chilling pain. Whatever that old man did to him, it was bad. Very bad."

She reached out to touch him again but Zechs grabbed her by the hands. "Stop! What are you doing?" he asked.

"I have to try and help. I can't stand to see anyone like that."

"You don't have to! You'll just get hurt again!"

"Zechs, you must let me do this. It's my job." Noin said with cold finality.

"Yes…please...help him," said Relena who sounded close to tears.

Noin reached out and touched Quatre firmly. She shook slightly as she used her gift. When she was done her shoulders slumped forward in exhaustion. Zechs quickly reached out and pulled her into his arms. For several moments Noin couldn't do anything but sit and try to regain her energy. She felt herself being pulled into sleep when Quatre suddenly opened his eyes.

Relena breathed in sharply and smiled with relief. She helped Quatre sit up who was still feeling very sore. Quatre smiled weakly at Noin and she smiled back. Zechs began to breath easier too.

"Well then, that's much better," said Sally cheerily, "I'll let you all rest for now. Tonight we'll celebrate having you travelers with us. Then you can decide weather or not you want to accompany us. We'd be more than willing to let you."

"Are you heading towards the Silude mountain pass?" asked Noin.

"No, we're not. It's much too dangerous. You weren't thinking of going there yourself, were you?"

"Yes we were," replied Noin.

"Hey! Wait just a minute! Who said anything about going there? Sally's right Noin, Silude is much too dangerous!" Zechs jumped in.

"What's Silude? How come it's so dangerous?" asked Quatre.

"You mean you seriously don't know?" asked Relena incredulously, "Quatre, Silude is said to be the home of the sorcerers!"

"Oh, I see," said Quatre and he looked away.

Zechs shook his head slightly. That was another time Quatre didn't seem to know anything about some of the most elementary teachings of the world.

Sally recovered from her shock at Quatre and then left the tent quietly. The travelers all fell asleep right away. All but Quatre. Quatre looked up at the tent ceiling and felt frustrated with himself. He really had no idea what the others were talking about. Plus the fact that he kept getting hurt and it was always his friends who helped him out. For once he wanted to do something that would help them. Something for Relena....she was so pretty....

Quatre fell into a deep dream filled sleep. Dreams of his home of Cailon, his father, and old Pertania.

When the four awoke they remained in the medical tent, still trying to recuperate from the adventures of what seemed like a very long day. Outside the tent darkness had already fallen. Lights from many campfires flickered and played over the tent walls and dark shapes of people filtered past the tent.

Noin sighed softly in Zechs's arms and attempted to stand up. She was happy to note that except for some bruises left from the fall on the bridge she had completely recovered. Zechs also felt much better. He was grateful for the comfortable bedding they had been given by the gifted ones. He found it odd that he should think of the band like that. The gifted ones. It was as if he was excluding himself from all those that had the gift. Perhaps it was just that he felt so uncomfortable with being gifted. Whatever it was, he was ashamed that his thoughts didn't include him with the others. He wanted to belong. He had never fit in anywhere before, and now that he was with many others like him he still felt left out.

Noin pulled Zechs to his feet. Relena was up as well and had pulled back the tent flap to reveal a scene of festivity. Men and women danced around the flames of the open fires to the beat of many drums and the squeal of reedy flutes. Everyone appeared to be laughing and having a good time. Zechs was quickly caught up in the excitement. Noin also seemed relaxed by the sight. The two exited the tent and went to sit down by the fire next to Sally who welcomed them warmly.

Relena stepped out from the folds of the tent but stopped before she had gone far. She turned back to wait for Quatre. He seemed unwilling to come out from the shelter.

"Don't you want to come join the party?" she asked him.

"Not yet," he replied in a mere whisper. "You go ahead. I'll be there shortly."

Instead of going to the fire Relena went back to the tent. Quatre looked surprised but nodded his thanks to her. The two sat down on the blankets that had been strewn about and for a time they could only sit and stare at the outside world. Relena carefully kept her eyes averted from Quatre's but a longing to lose herself in his sea-green eyes was overpowering her. She pushed back her hair from her face and tried to clear her head of such thoughts.

I hardly know him, and yet...there's just something about him. As if he had read her thoughts, Quatre turned his gaze toward her. He smiled warmly and she smiled back. The young man with the bright eyes laughed then. A good laugh, something he had not done in a long time. Relena chuckled too, caught up in the infectiousness of his joy.

"It's funny," Quatre started, "I haven't laughed in so long. I haven't exactly had all that much to be happy about, but...I don't know. You must think I'm crazy or something."

Relena giggled, "No...I don't think you're crazy. You have a nice laugh. You should try it more often. My grandmother always said that we should try to spend as much as our life as possible being happy because it makes life more fun."

"Your grandmother was very wise. Pertania used to say such things..." Quatre trailed off as sadness crept into his eyes.

Relena hated to see her new friend in such a state. To bring him out of his sudden depression, Relena had an idea.

"Here, look at this," Relena took from around her neck the pendant that her grandmother had given her. Quatre turned his attention back to Relena and stared at the pretty necklace. "My grandmother gave this to me before she died. I dont know why but I always feel closer to her when I look at it."

Relena dangled the pretty thing in front of Quatre's face to see it better. He cupped his hands under it and she let it fall into them. As the small black stone touched his skin Quatre felt a surge of energy leave him. He cried out in alarm and almost dropped the necklace. The stone had turned a milky blue. Swirls of blue light floated about in the stone like fog. Relena's face was bathed in blue light that emanated from her necklace. Unable to hold it any longer, Quatre let it fall to the floor. The light went out and the rock changed back to plain black.

Relena stared in amazement. "That's never happened before. How did you do that?"

"I don't know," said Quatre. Relena looked excited and amazed but Quatre only felt disturbed. He didn't like what had just happened. He felt a cold prickling at the back of his neck, as if someone was watching him. A burst of cold air brushed past Relena. She shivered and looked around in confusion.

"Did you feel that," she asked in a scared whisper.

"Ya. Hey, do you hear that?" asked Quatre.

"Hear what? I can't hear anything."

"Exactly. A few minutes ago everyone was laughing and playing music outside. Now it's all gone dead silent."

Relena shivered again and scooted closer to Quatre. The firelight from outside had also seemed to have gone out. It was utter darkness in the tent. Relena heard the sound of her breath coming in short spasms. She forced herself to try and calm down and to breath regularly.

Suddenly several things happened at once. A sound like a strong wind ripping through the forest and a rumble like that of an earthquake hit the two and hurled them to their backs. Then all was complete darkness and cold.

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Zechs and Noin were completely enjoying themselves. The band of gifted ones was surprisingly very friendly. They loved to show off their acrobatic abilities and prowess at any instrument. Zechs noticed that even Noin appeared elated by the party. In fact, he hadn't seen her that happy in a while. He held her close to him and listened to the sound of her occasional chuckle. He also noticed that he seemed relaxed and happy.

After what seemed like a short period of time but was really several hours, the colorfully dressed band retired to their tents. Only a few stayed to sit by the main fire and talk. Sally and Noin were having a very pleasant chat. It wasn't until their topic of conversations abruptly changed that Zechs came fully awake again.

"Why do you have an interest in Silude, Noin?" asked Sally, very seriously.

"Hmm," Noin thought for a few seconds before answering, "It has to do with the young man we're with."

"Quatre?"

"Yes. On our travels, right before we met him, we encountered an old woman who was kind enough to offer us shelter."

"Yes, I remember you saying something about that when you first told me about yourselves, but continue."

"This old woman seemed very knowledgeable about gifted people. Her ancestors were gifted. When we were staying with her she told me many things."

"You mean she told us many things, right?" Zechs broke in.

"No, she told them to me after you were asleep. Anyway, she told me the tales of the wizards and of the holder of Isis. Of course I had already heard these stories, but she seemed to have a reason for telling them to me. She soon made this reason clear. The holder of Isis is alive now and has the power to defeat the darkness that troubles our land." Noin paused for a moment to let what she had said sink in.

"And...and you think Quatre's this person?" asked Sally tentatively.

"Yes. It makes perfect sense. The holder of Isis is said to come from a far away land. Quatre must come from far away because he knows almost nothing of our ways. Also the holder of Isis is powerful. More powerful than any other and from what I have seen Quatre has abilities that I can not even begin to comprehend. I feel that we need to go to Silude. I want a world full of color and joy. I'm tired of this...this darkness."

"Noin," Zechs began after another minute of silence, "What if you're wrong? What if Quatre isn't the one?"

"He has to be! I just know it!"

"Yes, but Noin...aren't you being just a bit selfish? Have you even asked Quatre yet? Silude is dangerous. We could all be killed just trying to get there. Are you willing to risk the lives of Quatre and Relena based on an old story?"

"Relena doesn't have to come with us. Anyway, if Quatre is the one, and he is, then we have nothing to worry about. But I suppose you're right. I really should have talked to them about this. Just think of it though Zechs! A world like it was before! Isn't that worth a little risk? Besides, it isn't just an old story! The wizards are real! The darkness is real, or haven't you realized that yet?" finished Noin.

Zechs felt like he had been slapped in the face. He couldn't understand why Noin was acting as she was. It was as if she was possessed with the notion that Quatre was the holder of Isis. He remembered her saying something of the like before, but he hadn't thought she was actually serious. She had been leading them to Silude without his knowing it. And she made it seem like he had not seen the awful world they lived in. As if he couldn't have noticed his being an outcast. He looked at her with hurt filled eyes and stood up stiffly. Without a word he turned and marched back to the medic tent.

Noin realized that she had hurt Zechs deeply. She stood up quickly and followed after him, prepared to do anything necessary to make up with her friend. She almost ran into him as he came to a halt in front of their tent. The tent was completely demolished and there was no sign of Quatre or Relena anywhere.

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When Quatre came to, he found himself lying on his back somewhere in the forest. Relena was several feet away and still appeared to be unconscious. Quatre quickly sat up and checked to make sure that Relena was unhurt. She began to regain awareness after a few minutes and Quatre sighed with relief.

"Where are we?" she asked pitifully.

"Somewhere in the forest, but I have no idea where. That was really weird, huh? Are you okay?"

"Ya, just a little shaken. I'll be fine."

A harsh laugh drowned out any further conversation. Relena curled her fists into balls and shook all over with fury. Quatre noticed this and soon realized that the laughter came from the old man that had been chasing Relena before. From what Relena had told him earlier, the man was her family's magician. Quatre's thoughts raced but he could only sit on the ground, unable to come up with a plan. He only knew that if the man tried to hurt Relena he would use every ability he had to defeat him. Set with that resolution Quatre stood up in front of Relena who was on the ground, prepared to protect her.

Jymon emerged from a thick strand of trees. His sunken eyes mocked the stance that Quatre had taken against him.

"What are you going to do, boy?" he scowled.

"Relena," Quatre whispered, "move back behind those trees there. If he tries anything, run. Don't worry about me, just run. I think the camp is straight back past those same trees."

Relena carefully edged back to where Quatre had told her to go. Jymon watched her departure apprehensively. He suddenly lunged forward toward Quatre. Quatre easily stepped aside and at the same time lashed his foot out. His foot snared the old man's cloak and he fell heavily. With a defiant snarl Jymon was back on his feet in a flash and prepared to fight.

Relena watched with bated breath as the two opponents circled each other. Momentarily forgetting Quatre's commands, Relena stayed frozen in place. She could feel the energy that the two were building up for their attack. Jymon was the first to unleash his.

A blinding flash of red light shot over Quatre as he deftly ducked under the attack. Several more flashes like tongues of lightening flickered past Quatre who continued to dodge them with ease. Jymon was growing impatient. He couldn't understand how the young man could continue to avoid all of his attacks. He was more concerned however of why Quatre wasn't attacking.

After a time Jymon's questions were answered. Quatre prepared himself and let loose a surge of energy that lit up the surrounding trees with bright blue light. The one blow struck Jymon in the chest and he was flung back into the underbrush where he lay gasping with shock.

Relena almost screamed as she felt several hands grab her from the back. She whirled around and almost fainted with relief at the sight of Zechs, Noin, and Sally. The rest of the band was standing in a semi circle around the area where the fight was happening. Zechs looked upset with worry but Noin as usual looked composed. Relena turned back to watch the fight.

Quatre watched in disbelief as Jymon found his feet again. He had thought that the blow would be great enough to stop the old man. Jymon however was having difficulty standing and had to support himself on a tree. His eyes glowed a malicious blood red.

"This fight isn't over. Not by a long shot!" Jymon launched himself at his younger opponent.

Expecting to be able to dodge him again, Quatre was taken completely off guard when Jymon turned in mid air and fired a blast that rivaled the one Quatre had just used. Quatre barely had time to jump out of the way. The red ball of energy missed him by mere centimeters. The shock waves from it however threw him off balance and he nearly toppled over. He still had his wits about him and saw out of the corner of his eye Jymon's next attack. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and turned aside the attack with a small surge of energy from his own hands. Jymon's red eyes glared out at Quatre from beneath the cowl he was wearing. Quatre glared back.

After the last attack that had been so easily deflected, Jymon realized that he was running out of energy. He couldn't sustain the amount of power need to defeat the bold young man. The first blast that had hit him had also weakened him to a point of near exhaustion. In desperation, Jymon tried one last attack. He summoned what remained of his energy and let it loose at the undaunted face of his opponent. Again it was deflected easily. Jymon sank to his knees, unable to hold himself up. His shoulders sank in resignation and the battle was over.

Quatre came up beside him and Jymon could feel the incredible strength. The younger man hadn't even been affected by the amount of energy lost in the fight. Jymon stared up at Quatre and shook with fear. Quatre's eyes shone with a smokey blue light that was interspersed with tinges of green.

"Are you finished?" asked Quatre.

Jymon could only nod his head. He then tiredly stood up and retreated back to the forest. He had been defeated. He had failed.

Quatre watched the tall figure go and nodded his head with relief. Slowly his eyes returned to their normal color. He turned slightly when he felt the stares of people on his back. The troupe was standing in open mouthed amazement.

"I told you," said Noin with a superior smile, "I told you."

Back at the camp site of the band of nomads Noin sat discussing her plan with Quatre and Relena.

"I've seen what you're capable of Quatre. You have a gift that goes beyond anything anyone has ever seen. That's why I believe you are the holder of Isis. As such it is your duty to rid the world of this horrible plague and destroy the wizards. I ask now that you fulfill this duty, with us along side you the whole way."

Quatre nodded slowly but inside his thoughts were flying about like a swarm of bees. He sighed softly and realized that once again he would have to play the fool and ask what in the world Noin was talking about. He remembered Pertania once talking about such things but it had been a long time ago and she had never mentioned the old stories again. She hadn't even liked to talk about his gift.

"Alright. I'll do what you want me to, but first would you mind telling me the old stories? Just once? Where I...where I came from I was never told such things," he managed to stammer out.

"Oh..." said Noin as carefully as she could, "Well, sure I can. One hundred years ago two of the most powerful people with gifts came to the land and caused war and destruction, just like what's happening now. Another powerful person though, who came from a far away land, came and destroyed the two wizards. Before the wizards died they promised to come back with full knowledge of who they were and ruin Tera. The person who had defeated them before came to be known as having the power of Isis. It is said that he will also return to kill the sorcerers. I think you have the power of Isis."

"Me?" asked Quatre with wide eyes.

"That's right kid. You get to save the world," said Zechs.

"Look, I think you have the wrong person. I can't defeat these wizards or whatever they are. Anyway, if I really did have the power of Isis, wouldn't I too remember who I was?"

Noin thought about this for a minute but it was Relena who finally answered.

"It never says in the old stories that the holder of Isis would remember anything." She shrugged and stared at him solemnly. "But anyway, it's been a really long day. I wouldn't mind just closing my eyes and going to sleep for a couple of years." Everyone agreed with this and they all trouped back to their tents to settle in for some long deserved rest.

Zechs did his best to repair the demolished tent but in the end the four decided to just sleep by the fire. Quatre and Relena fell asleep first, Relena slowly inching her way towards the young man. Zechs and Noin chuckled over this and fell asleep in each others' arms.