A/N: In case all of you were wondering, the general last chapter was Navampa, though the clues were subtle. Please remember, Navampa, Satrage, and Azart were the men from Collosso.
Chapter 3, Act 2: Fateful Encounters
The General, known as Navampa, had been waiting in the town's centre for a while now. He had decided that he wanted to be early for the appointment with the men from Kalay, so that he would have some time to think to himself. And any way, he hadn't really anywhere else to go.
The town centre wasn't crowded this time of the day—a few others relaxing in benches that encircled half of the Tolbian Springs. He was the only one though leaning over the elevated pool, which stood five feet high. It was filled with clean fresh water, a statuesque dragons head pouring water out of its mouth.
However Navampa couldn't help but stare at his glimmering reflection in the water. The afternoon sun was strong that day, shining a brilliant blue on the cold ripples of water. He could see his reflection clearly, an illuminated image of the original. It was so much brighter that he could see his own face through the dark shroud his open faceguard created. He saw his own reflection look back on him, as if thinking the same thing… of course it was thinking the same thing, if shadowed reflections could even think at all.
This was foolish he concluded, reflecting on his feelings towards everything that was happening. He had to make it clear to himself; his duties now had to outweigh his doubtful constraint. Now was no time for second thought. Now was no time to be a man—to be the person he was. No, now was the time for him to be the General they all perceived him as. Now was the time to be a soldier…
He threw a lucky medal into the water. It was a nice change from the usual coins he threw. The medal was much heavier, and made a louder 'plop' sound when thrown into the fountain. A lucky medal…
May you give all the luck you can…He wished that silently in his heart, drooping his eyes slightly till they nearly closed. He wished it with all the hope he had inside. No… in fact the man within him wished for that…
Navampa sighed to himself disapprovingly. He had just told himself that now of all times, he had to be 'the General'. He had just told himself that a few seconds ago, denying the man he was, denying himself to 'the General'. He smirked quietly.
Fine…
The General thought to himself abruptly.
I'll allow that, that one wish for luck. But that's it…
And so, the golden medal hit the bottom of the fountain. It landed slowly, staying a drift for a second, before falling on its face.
That was the last act of the man. A simple wish for good luck, before Navampa regained his composer as the General…
His comrades had arrived.
Navampa's head rose looking to his left, as his eyes were greeted by a familiar bright orange. From the western stairs his comrade Anatove, fellow General of 'Tolbi's big three' descended with a proud pace, escorted by two armoured men, five other soldiers following behind.
Anatove was the youngest of Tolbi's Generals, and was in charge of providing military aid and defence for Tolbi's non-local settlements. He adorned himself in the same type of armour as Navampa, however instead of purple, his representative colour was a Sunkist orange. He had the same apron like wooden armour, but trimmed in yellow instead, matching the tall Mohawk fibres on top of the helm. His face guard was also yellow, but was of a different design from Navampa's.
Navampa was relieved to see Anatove. He then turned his head to the easterly stairs, only to see the kid squire run down them, arms almost waving with every step. Five other Tolbian soldiers followed the boy. This did not please Navampa's eyes at all, as he didn't know what to make of this. He looked on waiting, but still nothing.
"Where is my younger brother Azart?" Navampa asked turning to Anatove.
"General Azart?" one of the fully armoured soldiers asked, standing next to Anatove.
"Yes," he said inspecting him. "Are you not one of his bodyguards? Why aren't you with him now? Where is he?"
Anatove stepped towards Navampa, removing his helm with both hands to express a warm smile. Anatove had short cut blonde hair, along with a short fade on his chin. He continued to smile, holding his helmet under his armpit.
"I'm more than happy to see you my old friend! It has been too long indeed. The last time I was in Tolbi, I was told that you were on an excursion in the mountain ranges. It is glad to see that you have returned in good health." Anatove said, placing a hand on Navampa's shoulders.
"Yes I'm happy to see you as well. You yourself have been gone for nearly a year now. I've even heard that you were off duty?"
"Yes, I was, but please don't be jealous of my special treatment." he jested, laughing to a soldier behind him.
Anatove had seemed a little too happy now—the complete opposite of Navampa.
"And it would seem that your brother Azart is no different from me, for he has taken his leave."
"Azart is on leave? Where?"
"General Azart has been on leave since the time of the Collosso events." one of the bodyguard sentries said.
"Since Collosso? Why did I not know of this?" Navampa retorted, looking down to his side at the young squire. He peered down on the youth, accusing him of not relaying the message. The boy looked up at him, not a hint of guilt or forgetfulness in his eyes.
"I'm sure this boy was not informed," Anatove interrupted, patting the youth's head. "In fact, barely anyone had know, not even the council I would think. Only Mayor Babi."
Navampa continued to look down on the boy, no remorse in his eyes. It didn't seem like he was apologetic of his accusations towards the young squire. The boy didn't mind as much though; it was all okay to him.
"In fact it was a fluke that I had found out, because for a time he had ventured out to Kalay. By chance alone I ran into him in Kalay's market place."
"So Babi knew of this?" he asked, almost in a sheer disregard of respect for having not referred to him as 'Lord Babi'. It was all right though among the two Generals. He couldn't even recall all the times in which Anatove had done the same.
"Yes, Babi knew of this… I know what you're thinking Navampa. Exactly why would Babi allow 'Tolbi's big three' to go on temporary leave all at the same time?"
Navampa stood there, one arm resting on his waist, while the other reached under his helmet, barely scratching his neck.
"Why do you seem so stressed?" Anatove pleaded mockingly.
"First he allowed you to leave for nearly a year, then he allowed Azart to go for who knows long… then he let me go, for a week and a half in the mountains? It seems curious does it not? What if there was an emergency? None of us would have been here" Navampa concluded. Finally, curiosity got the better of him. "By any chance do you know where Azart has gone to?"
"Well, as I've said, we saw each other in Kalay. We talked for a while there. He was stocking up on traveling supplies. At the time, myself as well as a few of my men had been living in Kalay. Well returning on topic," Anatove said, crossing his arms. "Azart told me that he was quite upset with his pre-mature elimination from Collosso. Apparently he lost to some punk kid!"
Navampa said nothing to this.
"In all honesty, I think Azart began indulging himself with local rumour mongering. He had said that he was going to a famous mountain in some bums-ville continent. He claimed that the mountain was legendary, and that those that could climb it would become great and strong warriors. To think…" Anatove smirked.
Navampa thought hard on the dilemma that was before him; all of them—all of Tolbi.
"Some place called 'Air's Rock'" Anatove continued to laugh to the others through a grin. However he soon regained face. "Navampa my friend, though I so clearly mock these rumours, I by no means mock Azart. I believe that when he returns, he will feel better. When I spoke with him, he seemed so, so… angry and resentful for some reason. I was a bit concerned. I hope that it will give you relief to tell you that he is not alone. I sent my wife's brother, Mateause, as well as their cousin Verona with him. The three have journeyed to this 'Air' mountain."
"I see…" Navampa's concern did not lift.
"Navampa, they will be fine." Anatove said consolingly.
"Huh… that's right! Mateause and Verona were soldiers under your command weren't they?" The squire said openly, forgetting his belief that he should be quiet when they spoke. There was something about Anatove that made people feel relaxed whenever they were around him. He was just so light-hearted, creating a healthy atmosphere around him. However, Navampa was still tense.
"Yes young squire, Mateause and Verona were of my finest, unlike these imbeciles here!" Anatove insulted humorously, as he motioned to all the other men.
"Hey!"
"What does that mean?"
"This coming from a drunkard!" one of the men began, "Do you intend on passing out in another bar again? " The other men began to agree and cheer the one soldier who had said this, laughing and pointing at their General.
"I had good reason for the drinks…" Anatove protested with a grin.
The boy thought for a while. "Ah, yes. Weren't you on leave because of your wife?"
"Your wife Birbi?" Navampa asked.
"Yes," Anatove replied to both the boy and Navampa. "As of one week from this day, I have become a proud father to my new born baby. If you must know, it wasn't my fault if the celebrations got carried away."
"Yeah," one of the bodyguards continued. "His wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl." The men cheered again for Anatove, including the boy as well.
"Was that why you were on leave? Birbi was pregnant?"
"Yes, she lived in Kalay. She is still there with the babe." he smiled. "Yes, I'm a family man now. No more Collosso tournaments for this soldier." Navampa remembered Collosso, and remembered that Anatove had not participated in the events this year.
"Are you still worried about your brother?" Anatove interrupted Navampa's thoughts.
"No."
"It was his own fault for having been beat by a punk kid. I remember last year he ended with third place, right?"
"Yes,"
"Right… I remember that mercenary Satrage defeated him. Oh was he angry! It seems as if every year Azart's short handed of being Collosso Champion. Not like his bigger brother though! No men, our little Navampa over here has been Collosso Champion for three years running now." Anatove spoke, wrapping his arm around the purple armoured soldier. "I'm so proud!" he jested, as if acting as Navampa's father.
"Two years."
"What?" Anatove asked curiously.
"Two."
Anatove continued to stare at his friend, arm still slung around him. "You didn't win this year? You mean to tell me that you allowed that thug Satrage to take the championship from you—one of Tolbi's elite?"
"No I didn't say that… it was… 'the punk kid'" he replied in seriousness
There was a long pause, not a word said. Navampa was always the champion, a man that was looked up to by so many…
As soon as the silence had set, Anatove had a vigorous outburst of laughter, clutching his sides almost in pain by the humour. All the men laughed, not able to hold back as best they could. The entire town centre was in a shocked uproar, of which, Navampa allowed.
"It runs in the family!" someone cried out laughing.
"What do they feed children nowadays!"
"Come, I wish to retire in the palace. You can tell be about your epic defeat by a boy half your age!" Anatove cried, struggling with the words in between laughters.
"Now is not for good times…" Navampa spoke dead serious once again, as he brought out the scroll from under his armour. Anatove tried his best to stop laughing as he turned and drew nearer, standing before his friend.
Navampa waited until Anatove was serious once again, before he offered the scroll that had been given to him the day before.
The youth squire stood to both Navampa's and Anatove's side, watching Navampa hold the scroll.
Feeling duty bound once again, he instinctively grabbed the scroll from his mentor, and offered it to the other General. Anatove took it, as both men gave the boy a funny look for the unnecessary gesture. After all, they were barely an arm's length away.
"…"
Sometimes that boy tries way too hard…
XXXXX
The city of Tolbi was grand. Karst was amused, yet distasteful towards the crowd. She didn't like crowds of non-Proxians. She was too proud.
Strangely enough, her reasons for having traveled so far from Lalivero were strictly based on speculation. Apparently, there were rumours of a strange traveller, whose skin and eyes were exotically brilliant with colour, and who spoke of the elemental stars, a dying home called Prox, and a message for a woman named Karst.
She had believed it to be Saturos or Menardi. However, her hunches were far from the truth, for in actuality, it had been Agatio asking around, though she had no idea that he was even in pursuit of her…
A few backpacking traveler's had relayed rumours of someone searching for a 'Karst', in the docks of Lalivero, shortly after Isaac had left her.
Now, she was searching for a man named Navampa, one of Tolbi's Generals, of whom, had many important responsibilities; one of which was to regulate all the foreigners. Hopefully this Navampa fellow would know who was looking for her…
A scruffy man bumped into her, as her heightened senses soon told her that he was trying to pickpocket her. She quickly grabbed his hand from her waist, warning him of what had happened the last time she had encountered thieves, as well as giving her own personal comments of people like him.
"Such a foul mouth," the General said. She looked up to see the purple of the man's armour.
Navampa, with four others and his squire, were walking through the city. They all seemed very observant towards the city planning, occasionally pointing at the rooftops or balconies. Not once had Navampa looked at her.
"I do as I please."
"That must be convenient," He made a few comments about city defence to his men, as well as how to protect it from attack. "Squire: go to the weapon's shop. Give me a list of what the wares, and ask of his gunpowder stock."
The boy stood there for a bit. "What's gunpowder?" The other soldiers shared the boy's curiosity.
"To you my boy, its just a number… And I'm going to need you to find out what that number is." the General spoke sternly.
"Yes sir!" he said running off towards Karst.
"Sir, what is gunpowder?"
"Its an oddity that the scholars created, using their sciences."
"Oh," the soldier said, still confused at the concept. "Hold on, what is a 'gun'?"
Karst was studying the purple clad soldier, and at the last moment spotted the young squire make his way in her direction, quickly averting his gaze as the two made eye contact. She quickly cut him off as he ran forward, preventing him from going any further.
"Tell me boy, who is that man over there?" The boy did not answer, and instead looked back at Navampa, hoping that he would be told what to do, even though Navampa was still talking about gunpowder. "So what, don't you have a tongue boy?" She questioned further, mocking with intimidation. Clearly, this boy was either too scared or too shy to uphold a decent conversation.
Thus, he shuffled to the side, trying to pass her. She quickly stood in front of him yet again.
"It was a simple question…" she asked curiously with a disbelieving tilt in her eyebrows. "Just tell me and then be on your way." He shuffled to the other side, as she yet again cut him off. This continued once more, before Navampa screamed out in anger.
"Boy, I don't have time here!"
Having been completely caught off guard, the youth lurched forward, bouncing off Karst hard, falling on his side. She looked down on him in amazement. She looked at Navampa, who only shook his head in disgrace. Karst looked down again. He was still just a child, and she had sadly overlooked that fact.
Karst squatted, her frown long forgotten. She placed her hand on his shoulder while the other lifted his chin. "Hey now, it's okay. I didn't mean it"
The boy looked up at her holding back a tear. She patted his head, lifted him up by one arm, and finally told him to be on his way—but not before wrinkling her nose to him in a tender smile. He felt better. The Proxian looked up again, realizing that he was now gone.
XXXXX"And where have you been?" Kraden asked curiously, though he already knew the answer. It was hard for him to say those words to a tired Jenna.
"I've been exploring the forests, as well as a part of the fissure…" Jenna replied as she dragged the end of her walking stick along the dirt.
"And the lighthouse?"
"Yes, and the lighthouse. I forgot to mention that. I still can't find another entrance."
"It seems as if every time you go exploring, you go deeper and deeper into the forest, and closer to the ruined lighthouse. What is it you expect to find?"
"They could still be out there… I'm not going to give up on Felix, or Isaac." Jenna spoke quietly under her breath. Kraden sighed, taking in a deep breath. He had to be careful with his words now.
"It has been three months Jenna. There is nothing more you can do now for them. If they are alive, then hope that they are somewhere else, well off, and more importantly, alive. Your brother, Garet, as well as Isaac are a resourceful bunch. They're not the type to just go and die."
"But…"
"If Felix is still alive, then I believe he would have gone already on his own, on to Jupiter Lighthouse. You remember the way he was acting before. Not to mention that there's also the possibility, that Felix may be the one to believe that we are the ones dead! After all, Idejima was swallowed by the whirlpools and earthquake. It appeared that way at least."
"I suppose. If it weren't for Alex, we would have ended up on that floating island…" Jenna slightly reminisced of how Alex had saved them that day.
"Ah yes, Alex. If Felix is out there, trust Alex enough to find him. And then there's Isaac and his group. I would imagine that they had absolutely no idea that you and I are here now in Lalivero still." Kraden watched as small tears hazed her eyes. He had absolutely no idea how tormented she felt.
"But what if you're wrong?" she continued doubtfully. "What if they're still trapped there, in the lighthouse?"
"Then they would probably be dead." he replied factually, his words striking like a pin through her heart. "Are you ready to accept that possibility child?"
"Stop treating me like a child. Stop trying to shelter me from finding the truth!" she swore, swinging her arms wide. "I need to know—even if they're all dead. Who are you to tell me to remain in the dark like this, and just sit here and do nothing!" She stormed out once again, though she was truly exhausted from her day's exploration. She had no idea where she was going, but grabbed a cloak before she went. Clouds loomed overhead the setting sun; rain was expected that night.
Kraden no longer knew what to make of the girl. He wanted to tell her about Isaac, but feared that wouldn't help. Isaac's survival would only give more doubt as to the possibility that Felix was still alive.
XXXXX
Anatove sat alone on a stool, third row from the front, looking at the empty Colloso ring. Navampa entered. The stadium had been unused for months, leaving it to the keep of dust, emptiness, and silence. A couple of torches were lit, leaving the stadium's grandness forgotten in a veil of thick blackness. A lone candle sat in the stool next to Anatove, while his helmet lay on his knee, posing as an armrest. In his other hand was an oversized mug filled with a fluid, of which Navampa could only presume to be alcohol.
"I see you're drinking again. The men weren't procrastinating when they said you were a drunkard." Navampa said, taking a seat next to the almost burnt out candle. He placed his own helmet on the chairs back.
"I'm not a stupid drunkard. I drink for good reason."
"As would I," Navampa continued, taking the mug from his friend. Navampa brought the brim of the mug to mouth level, but spoke before drinking. "Yes, being a General is not an easy task. The stress gets to us, which is why occasional drinks are a relief."
Navampa rocked the mug into a swish before taking in a large gulp. The General played with the fluid in his mouth, tossing it from cheek to cheek in a couple of swigs, letting the taste roll off his tongue.
He did not feel the burning sensation that one would usually feel from alcohol, which was very, very, odd. Navampa looked up to his fellow comrade with a peculiar look. Anatove held back a giggle.
Navampa spat out the contents in his mouth, letting it pour back out into the mug. His stare was as strong as ever, yet Anatove still did not look down. His eyes were focused on a spot on the wall, over the ring.
"A fruit drink?" Navampa asked calmly, yet carrying a frustrated tone. Anatove stared harder at the invisible spot on the wall, a smile creeping on his cheeks.
"Yes my friend." Anatove responded sarcastically, a laugh starting up in the pit of his stomach. "Yes I drink like all men do!" he continued in an exaggeratedly deep and manly voice, somewhat imitating Navampa.
"Yet you drink a child's drink" Navampa retorted.
"I drink not because of stress. I drink because of the cold I got last night at the docks" he said deeply, lifting his arms in a 'strong man' pose, rocking his upper body from side to side.
The two had a good laugh as Anatove finally broke under the pressure, bawling his eyes out. His friend handed back the mug, eyes wide open in a sarcastic nod.
Anatove gave an intently curious look at the drink. Navampa had just backwashed the juice, yet Anatove couldn't help but think. The mug was still half full…
"Don't even think about it," Navampa announced, already knowing what Anatove was thinking of doing.
"But its a shame to be wasteful," Anatove gulped down the now vile drink, trying his best to finish it in one motion.
Navampa was utterly disgusted, yet couldn't help but laugh, harder than he had done so in such a long time. The General couldn't stop himself from laughing further, as his voice was echoed in the stadium. Anatove felt satisfied that he had finally made Navampa laughed.
"Congratulations to you and your wife Anatove. I am sorry that I hadn't said anything earlier."
"It's fine, but thanks! I understand now… you had a lot on your mind." Anatove remembered what had been written on the scroll.
"Yes."
"A lot more than one would think. I know you well enough. Tell me, what was really bothering you?" Anatove accused. There was a moment of silence, laughter no longer filling their ears
"It must be nice, having a family… Anatove, you're a father now. You can't keep on thinking of what you alone want. You can't be so selfish…"
"So I see, it's the issue of fatherhood. Hearing that I was now a father, that must have dug up some painful memories for you, especially with the company that had been there…"
"Oliver?"
"Yes…you'll have to tell him one of these days…"
"He lives with a kind elderly couple, Kathy's parents."
"Well that's all fine for them, yes indeed. I'm sure they'll do a better job raising him, than his deadbeat parents."
"Anatove! Don't speak of Kathy's memory like that. Your sarcasm is not always appreciated"
"That was not sarcastic! I never meant for the word deadbeat to strike a cord like that. I wasn't using it in that sense. I'm just saying he deserves to know. And maybe you should think about yourself too, it's not healthy to keep things like that bottled up."
"It's not that."
"Then? I'm out of guesses. I'm gonna have to go back to the 'punk kid' theory, and only imagine that you have sour grapes about Collosso." Anatove had a fetish for sarcasm
Navampa finally confessed it all to him, the reason he was so down trotted lately...
"Remember the excursion I made to the mountain ranges." Anatove nodded as he took another drink of the foul fruit drink. "One night I saw it. The reason for war…"
"You can't possibly mean this supposed dragon of rumour…" he chuckled. "Are you serious?" he continued when Navampa wouldn't answer.
"I swear to you I saw it—the two-headed demon of fire. Rumour is true; there is a dragon out there. I saw it with my own eyes." Navampa shook his head preparing himself for Anatove's insults. Instead, a firm hand gripped his shoulder.
"So I see. That's what I like about you… you are reliably honest. No jokes whatsoever, ever. I mean, I'm guessing its because you're dead weight with humour, but either way, I've always been impressed with your seriousness."
"Then you believe me? But why? Where is your trademark laugh? The mocking?" he said disbelievingly. It even seemed as if Anatove wasn't paying attention, for his next reaction to the conversation was unreal.
"No time! I have a family to protect now… Tell me where is the selfishness in that? And anyways, if it turns out that you are wrong about all this, I'll do all the mocking then," Anatove smiled with a glint in his eyes. He always knew how to lighten up the mood. He was just too well natured."Thank you," Navampa whispered, only to have his words drowned out….
A strange roar echoed like thunder in the mountain ranges, booming in a shrilled whistle. Everyone in Tolbi froze at the dragon cry from so very, very far away, it's sound just as strongly heard in the palace and stadium.
No one had any idea as to what it could have been, except for the two General's alone.
XXXXXBack in Madras, Isaac was found sitting calmly at the mayor's dining table. The Mayor and his son sat across from him, whilst Iodem leaned against a wall. The other soldiers of Isaac's crew remained outside, loitering. Iodem began before Isaac could.
"I am amused to see that your town is fairly prosperous. Most regions along the fissure have come under the greatest of hardships. Just the other day, we came across the Kandorean Temple. It was in complete ruins."
"Yes, between pirates and earthquakes, Madras has seen more than its share of hardships. However, we must count our blessings still. Like you have said, others are far worse off than us."
"If I may be so bold," the younger man said. He had a distinguished nose, much like his old father, as well as the same mayor attire. "What reason would Tolbi officials have for coming here now?" He seemed rather upset stumbling over his own words.
"We are here on personal affairs that do not concern politics." Isaac answered before Iodem could.
Iodem looked away as he could feel the confusion from the Madrasians. He was somewhat embarrassed to be standing there. Iodem had remembered Isaac's reasoning for the journey, and he himself did not believe it to be plausible.
Flashback…One of the soldiers pounded hard on the wooden table; the noise startling the innkeeper who was just about to retire to his room for a well-deserved sleep.
"A dream? How can you tell me that now! Iodem! I believed you when you told me that Isaac was worth following in this crusade against the mission of finding Lemuria; against Lord Babi's wishes."
Iodem stood there in shock as well, looking at the Valean. He shared the same feelings as the soldier, yet was reserved when it came to temper.
"You must believe in me." Isaac said calmly.
Iodem, for the first time, began to feel regret. The promise made to Isaac long ago left him feeling empty. It was as if he were being made to eat his own words now. Regret.
"Just wait until we return to Tolbi. Imagine the humility!"
"Hold on, wait…" the other soldier said, seeming like the most relaxed of the four on the main level. "Wait guys, you must still remember… Isaac also promised an end to the dragon scare."
"Dragon scare! Dragon scare! Simon there is no dragon out there!"
Iodem's mind snapped back to reality as he realized that he was lost in the current conversation.
"And what business would you have with this Pirate?" the mayor's son protested.
"This man," Isaac began, "was given a chance to be proven innocent. That was why you had journeyed to Alhafra, correct?"
"We found no such proof. We gave him so many chances to explain himself. So many, but no plausible reason was given to us. He just remained there in his cell. What were we to do?"
"That's a weak excuse," Isaac responded with a sigh.
"But," the mayor's son protested till his father silenced him. The old man had rested his hand on his shoulder.
"Please," Isaac asked again.
"Fine. If you believe you could, then you can defend his case. Prove to us that Piers is innocent." The elder finished the conversation, telling his son to follow them, and listen to any more that needed to be said on Isaac's part.
They thanked the mayor for having heard what they had to say, and then left; the mayor's son followed behind them as instructed.
They all gathered outside, Iodem rallying the men while the mayor's son continued to question over the broad shoulders of the Tolbian.
Isaac just stood there by himself, staring up at the diminishing blue of the overhead sky. It was a beautiful day, as well as a beautiful sunset that he was watching. Not a cloud in sight upon the fading azure, turning to a warm glowing orange. However, the setting sun reminded him of his past, and what the sky was like that day he woke up at the ruined Venus aerie.
The sky was warm that day also, for a time…
The aerie…
His eyes became disillusioned as he began to remember the aerie…
XXXXX"So, what do you think about my new scarf?" the girl questioned cheerfully, not breaking the eye contact she had with her reflection on the mirror.
Jenna on the other hand, couldn't be bothered. She was too wrapped up with her own problems to notice. She sat distractedly on a stool, pouring a cup of tea for herself, of which so happened to be the same thing Isaac had been doing three days ago, even at the exact hour roughly.
"Yeah, um." The innkeeper's daughter continued. "If you want you can sleep in my room tonight. My dad would've given you a hotel room free of charge and everything, but they're all booked right now. Don't worry though; it'll be like a sleep over! It's gonna be fun." She turned to look at Jenna, who still seemed depressed. Worse had come to worse, and in the end Jenna had chosen to go to the inn rather than returning to Feran's house, where Kraden was now.
"Thanks Lila." Lila was the innkeeper's daughter, fifteen years old. She slightly reminded Jenna of herself when she was that age. Lila was always cheerfully loud, lively and spunky, but only when she hung around Jenna. On every other occasion, she was shy and timid. It was something about having a friend like Jenna that brought something out of her. Lila had never had a female friend around her age before. She almost looked to her as a sister, these past few months they knew each other.
"You okay?" Lila asked, appearing reserved and timid all of a sudden, as if expecting the worst.
"I've finally decided," Jenna spoke, sipping some tea. "I'm leaving Lalivero. I'm going to travel to the other lighthouses." Lila knew well enough about the quest to light the lighthouses, having been informed thoroughly by Jenna in the past.
"I think you should stay," Lila protested with a puppy look on her face.
"There's nothing here for me anymore," Jenna whispered, lowering her chin to the table's surface. She pressed her lips against the resting cup for warmth, slightly being scorned.
"What about the lighthouse reconstruction," Lila pointed out observantly, remembering the rumours of Feran and Kraden gathering all the construction workers. "Ya'know," she suddenly began to ask. "I thought that only adepts could enter the lighthouse, through the secret entrance north of Lalivero—beneath Babi's lighthouse."
Jenna shuddered at the idea, so disappointed with herself as she began to remember that horrible day… the day the doors wouldn't open for her, and when even her own fire psynergy wouldn't answer when summoned…
That was the one reason she couldn't enter the lighthouse. Apparently, both Weyard and the element of fire, no longer recognized her as an adept. Since the lighthouse destruction, a great emptiness had grown in her heart. She was so very dispassionate as day after day passed, and soon she began to lose touch with her own powers, until eventually, she became nothing more than a non-adept. Jenna couldn't understand any of this.
"But you know what," Lila snickered in whispers, "Apparently, Feran had a dream involving Sheba, as she told him how to enter the lighthouse and rebuild it from the inside," Lila continued, interrupting Jenna's self-loathing thoughts. "It sounds interesting. Maybe you could help them in some way."
"I'll think about it," she answered, still pretending that nothing was wrong with her. Jenna refused to tell anyone that she had lost her psynergy abilities.
A/N: Well, did you like the ending? If you loved it, then I'm grateful. Please review! Thanks.
My next chapter is long, about 10,000 words, even though it's pretty much one big battle scene. However, I'm not sure as to how you the readers would like me to approach this: Should I break it into two parts instead? My chapters so far have all been about 5 000 words a piece, but still, I guess I don't know what to do next. Give me feedback!
Peace and good love