I Came, I Saw, I Conquered
by Corycian Muse

This chapter has been edited, much to the thanks of Meneil, so a big thank you from me!

ShadeXH: Alex? Are you bad?

Alex: NO!

There you go. Now we have to work out whether Alex is telling the truth or not. ; Oh yeah... Damn you! You're finding out all my plot holes... and damn me, because I've literally just given it away! Damn, damn, damn all the way... Geez, don't listen to me, I'm rambling. O.o;;;; Thanks for the review, mate!

Gilly: Thank you for the review! It's good that people think it's interesting and not... confusing.

PyroDragon88: Alex? Are you evil?

Alex: No no no! >

Well, we could listen to him, but that's your choice.Again I don't want to give it away but everyone's suspicions are really interesting to read as well as giving me new ideas, so a big thank you (ShadeXH, PyroDragon88). And I agree, go Aquashipping! Yaaaaa!
Wow! You made the pairing names? That's pretty cool! Well, I'm a proud user of them and I'll try my best to spread them around. I'm pretty sure I've seen someone else using your names as well, sothey are being used. (everybody cheers and throws beer cans around) Ow!

abstractmind: Yay! You're back!Again, sorry about theLighthouseshipping - it's not going to be anything serious, but you'll be happy with this longer chapter anyway (well, hopefully). Yeah I asked my good ol' brother to tell me that name. Gawd I hate thinking up names, they always sound so crap.uu

Thank you for the reviews, they really help a lot...

Please Read, Review, And Enjoy...

Chapter Four:Trust And Truth

Garet heaved the ax onto his shoulder, and grinned at his friend. "Are we ready then? Ah, today is gonna be great!"

"Yeah, great!" Jenna said sardonically. "I mean – I just love to cut down trees!"

"Well you don't have to, do you? Just remember this: have fun! It's morning, a whole day ahead -" at this Jenna groaned "-and the sun is shining; it's warm, and I feel so happy!"

"Ok, ok, fine," she replied, then started waggling a finger in Garet's face. "Just remember: this is not a date!"

"Yes, I know," Garet sighed, a little sadly. "We're going out to get materials to reinforce buildings and so on and so forth."

"Right," Jenna answered.

"Hey, who's going on a date?" a new voice asked, and both Jenna and Garet turned to see Isaac walking towards them.

"Oh, hey, you can come with us!" Jenna exclaimed, thoroughly relieved to see him.

"You two aren't going… out together, into the forest, are you?" Isaac asked suspiciously, glancing at Garet who was running a hand through his hair.

"No, idiot!" Jenna said, looking at him meaningfully. "We're going out – we were sent out -"

"Volunteered, actually," Garet suddenly interrupted.

"Whatever," she muttered, glaring at him. She turned back to Isaac. "We're going to get wood for a couple of unstable houses back in the village. Apparently that stranger thinks the foundations need doing…"

Isaac seemed to be suppressing a laughter. Jenna raised an eyebrow at him. "Sorry," he mumbled. "But what were they thinking; sending the two of you out into the woods to collect wood?" he chuckled. "You'll probably start a forest a fire!"

"Hey, we volunteered like I said!" Garet said indignantly. "And we were the only one's there when Piers brought it up."

"So the two volunteers were the two people there when the subject of cutting down trees was brought up," Isaac said. He paused. "Ok then."

"Why do I get the feeling he's insulting us?" Garet muttered darkly, but Jenna ignored him.

"Well why don't you come with us?" she asked hopefully, then added a little quieter as if someone might be listening in, "There are no older brothers around to get in the way."

Isaac smiled. "Where is Felix anyway?"

Jenna scratched her head. "Uh, I think he's with dad, helping in the blacksmiths. That's probably where he will be – why?"

"Oh, nothing," Isaac answered, a little taken aback. "I was just interested."

"Oh come on," Garet moaned. "Can you two hurry up so we can get going? I'm getting bored standing here."

"Ok, ok fine," Jenna turned exasperatedly. She sighed. "Anyway, the sooner we get this over with, the better."

"Oh I don't know," Isaac said, "It could be fun. We can make it fun, couldn't we Garet?"

Before Garet could say anything, Jenna butted in. "We're not little kids Isaac! Grow up, will you?" she said, and Isaac stared at her. "What?"

"I was just wondering why you're so frustrated," he mumbled, then quickly changed the subject. "Well, let's go then, and like Jenna said: get it over with."

Garet breathed out deeply. "At last," he mumbled. "We're on our way."

He turned and walked into the forest, and Jenna followed with Isaac close behind. Silently, he reached forward and took Jenna's hand in his, and her heart jumped. Quietly she looked at him and they exchanged glances for a moment, and something was said between them that could not be spoken in words.

"She must have dropped it into the sea, when the accident happened," Mia said. "It's the only possibility of how that dagger disappeared."

Felix looked up darkly. "Well maybe it was the best thing to happen. Sheba was too naïve for her own good to simply pick up any odd object like that."

"Well I can see your point Felix, and I understand you're aware of different weapons because your father is a blacksmith, but," Piers said with a smile, "What you both don't realize is I know more about that 'odd object' than you might think."

Mia looked up at him, puzzled. "What are you trying to say?" she asked quietly.

"Oh I'll tell you," Piers answered with a small smile. "But let's stop somewhere first to sit; I can't say it while we're walking about – there are too many people around."

It was true that the village was busy. Being market day a mile away through the forest in a more built-up town, many people bustled around, either on their way there now, or just arriving back with needs and goods bartered for under the canopies of the small square.

Slowly, they made their way between two thatched cottages and off the main dirt road, enjoying the continental summer weather they had been having lately.

Now that Piers' presence was known in the village (and maybe, by now, other neighboring villages), already much action had been put into place because of the news he had brought with him. Ivan had sent for some supplies that morning, and when Piers had brought up his concern of the houses' stability, Garet had been willing enough to go out and collect some wood before they could get better quality equipment from other towns.

But although this was all being done, one problem was still very much in the obvious: no one was actually sure what the danger was. Or indeed, when (or if) it would arrive. It was a problem that was already causing disputes between villagers, and one problem that would not leave too quickly.

"So what was it that you were saying?" Mia asked again, as they sat down in the shadow of a large oak to talk more privately.

"It's nothing amazing," Piers explained. "Except that the dagger Sheba found belonged to me. I was foolish to not look after it better, when I accidentally dropped the weapon in the forest when I first arrived here that night."

"So Sheba was right," Felix said.

"You mean she suspected?" Piers asked, then smiled. "I'm impressed. It seems to me she is more acute to what is going on around her than others, just as Ivan is. There is no doubt it is something to do with the element they are so connected with."

Mia frowned though, and Felix too seemed anxious about something.

"What I don't understand, or what you haven't come to explain yet, is how you came across such a weapon," Mia murmured. She paused.

"And a dagger like that, too," Felix put in. He leaned back and looked up at the clear sky. "It was no ordinary dagger," he ended.

"No, it wasn't," Piers answered seriously. "And it didn't come from my homeland either." He shook his head. "No, I'm afraid that is a mystery that still cannot be explained."

"What do you mean, 'a mystery'?" Mia asked.

Piers, out of habit, adjusted the bandana on his head. "The weapon was found by one of the late explorers, before it was forbidden to pass over Lemuria's boundaries. Somehow it was handed to me by one of the senate -"

"Senate?" Felix suddenly asked, interested.

"Yes, a kind of governing body of the people who ran Lemuria," Piers answered, amused that such things were not known in this land. Felix nodded vaguely, though he appeared to be in deep thought. Mia was watching Piers intently, who carried on. "No one was ever sure where the black knife came from, but as I carried it around with me, it became clear the dagger had some kind of power." He was silent for a moment, and the other two waited for him to continue.

"What kind of powers?" Mia whispered.

"Strange things… the blade became hot and strange at recurring moments, things like that," Piers answered flatly.

"That's a little vague, but I suppose it's not the point," Mia said. "I suppose the point is that Sheba may have sensed this… maybe. But it doesn't matter now; the dagger's gone, and who knows what's happened to it."

There was a silent agreement between them, and for a while they enjoyed the calmness that surrounded them, away from the busy village.

"It is lucky that Sheba didn't hurt herself, save for a few scratches and bruises," Piers said lightly. "I haven't been able to talk to her in a proper conversation yet, but I'll look forward to it."

"Well be ready for a very unusual conversation," Felix muttered. "Sheba finds it enjoyable to mess with your mind and catch you out when you least expect it…" he paused. "For some strange reason."

"Well in that case, I'll look forward to it even more," Piers said with a small glint in his eye, and both Mia and Felix looked at him oddly. He laughed.

Suddenly Felix twitched and looked up. "Someone's been listening," he said calmly, and quickly got to his feet. Mia and Piers followed suit.

The wind picked up, and all stood still. Mia glanced warily about herself. She had never lost her trust in Felix, but there was no one nearby - that she could see anyway. "Are you sure?" she asked him, but he did not answer.

Then, without warning, everything went deathly silent, and Piers instantaneously grabbed Felix and Mia and pulled them to the ground. "Get down!" he yelled, as they fell back behind one of the cottages.

The sky went dark like an eclipse, and a sudden surge of wind pummeled into them. At the same time streaks of lightning flashed against the grey sky, aiming for earth. They cut through the air and hit the ground where they had been only seconds before.

Clods of earth were blown into the air and dense smoke lifted from the burned area. The heat slowly wafted away from the ruined ground. Mia held her breath, wide-eyed, as Piers stayed in front of her, protecting her.

The sound of normal day life from the village came to them slowly, undisturbed as if nothing had happened. The sky quickly cleared.

Felix abruptly pushed forward. "Hey!" he yelled angrily, sprinting forward towards a clump of trees. Mia immediately saw a movement in the shadows between the trunks.

"Quick!" Piers said, pulling Mia up before she knew what was happening, and starting to follow in Felix's footsteps. "He might need our help!" he yelled over his shoulder, as Mia pressed on after him.

The person began to run, dashing in-between the trees and jumping nimbly over fallen branches, further and further into the darkness.

"Wait! Stop!" Felix yelled, as he tried desperately to keep his eyes fixed upon the fleeing figure dashing through the shadows. The stranger gasped at the sound of his voice echoing through the trees, and fastened their footsteps. They looked over their shoulder for a split second… and lost their footing.

The person tripped, and went flying forward, crashing into the loamy ground. They groaned and tried to get to their feet once more, but failed to do so. Felix, with Piers and Mia just behind, came to a halt before the person and immediately reached down, grabbing hold of the person's wrist and pulling them over so he could see their face. It was a young woman, of no more than sixteen or seventeen years old. The sun glowed through the treetops and danced about upon her face.

"You heard what we were talking about?" Felix asked straightly. She nodded slightly, glaring with fury up at him. "And you were the one that tried to attack us?" Again she nodded.

"Yes, and I did it with pleasure," she snarled.

Garet whistled jovially up ahead of them as they walked further into the forest. Jenna however, wasn't having such a good time. Her dress kept getting caught on branches and snagging them, which constantly annoyed her until she was so furious, she threw her hands up in defeat.

"Garet!" she called ahead, glaring at him with fire in her eyes. "Garet, I can't take this any more! I've had enough!"

"You've what?" He yelled back, and continued to whistle. Jenna took out her vindictiveness on a nearby log, kicking it hard. Sadly this only caused her toe to go numb in pain.

Isaac watching her sadly as if it would be the end for her, and finally decided it was time to say something. "Don't worry about it Jenna. You can go back to the village if you want."

"Oh I'm not worrying," she spat. "I'm just really, really mad!"

"Well not everything's so bad," Isaac tried to reason, and then bravely carried on when Jenna did not say anything. "I mean, you and I have got some time together, haven't we? Without your brother. That makes a change for once, I have to say."

"I suppose you're right," Jenna muttered. "But you don't have to always talk about Felix so badly. It doesn't make me feel any better."

"I don't talk about him badly – well, not in the way you mean!" Isaac protested. "Anyway, it doesn't matter because it's the truth."

"Oh please," Jenna said, starting to get angry again. "You make it sound like he really hates us being together. He's only protective over me, that's all. He hasn't built some barrier between us to stop us from getting close…"

"Fine," Isaac said. "But he does hate me, which is probably why he's more protective."

"He doesn't hate you!" Jenna yelled at him, anger building up once more.

"He does!" Isaac protested. "He said it to my face!"

Jenna stared at him, her face contorting with fury and confusion. "I can't believe you're lying about something like that!" She shouted at him, and Isaac's eyes narrowed in disbelief.

"I'm not lying Jenna," he said, trying to bring the volume of the conversation down. "He does not like me and he said so. I would not lie to you about something like that." There was a pause in the conversation. "And anyway," Isaac carried on, trying to change the subject. "It's not important – it doesn't matter. Let's go and catch up with Garet, because he's left us behind."

Jenna did not look him in the eye. "I think I will leave you to it," she said quietly. "I'm going home."

Isaac could not say anything. His mouth opened and closed a few times but no words came out. He did not have a clue what to say, and so stood watching her, dumbstruck, as she walked back the way they had come.

He could not believe it. The one time they had managed to be together, and he'd blown it – by telling the truth. Yeah well, the truth doesn't have to be told, his conscience told him, and he winced at the words. But then, Jenna hadn't believed what he'd said. She doesn't trust me enough! Isaac pouted as the new thought occurred in his head. No, on this matter, he was going to blame it on Felix. It wasn't his fault, and it wasn't Jenna's, but the two siblings were close, and it was no wonder Jenna would not listen to what he said.

Damn, Isaac cursed, and abruptly kicked a stone into the trees.

"Isaac?" Garet had plodded back a few steps upon noticing the other two weren't following. He looked at his friend, slightly confused. "Where'd Jenna go?" he asked.

"She went back to the village," Isaac muttered, moving forwards so they could walk together. "She got fed up and left."

"Ah so that's why you two were yelling?"

"Sort of," Isaac answered flatly, not wanting to go into details. "I said something I shouldn't have, but it doesn't matter because Jenna didn't believe me anyway."

"Ah, well never mind eh?" Garet answered cheerfully. "She'll get over it – she always does. It's just one of her little tantrums."

"Yeah," Isaac sighed. "I hope so."

Her name was apparently Feizhi. That much they had managed to get of her, but where she came from or indeed any other information, she had not said; she refused to say.

"She's certainly stubborn," Piers said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here," she spat at him, making him flinch. "I'm not a barbarian, and I can understand what you're saying!"

"Oh I'm sure," Piers answered kindly. "But whether you are willing to answer is another matter." He had a point. Feizhi said nothing after that.

"Do you think the inn will take her in?" Mia asked instead. "I mean," she said, turning to the stranger. "Do you have any money?"

"I don't even want to go there!" she said indignantly. "If you will -" she struggled for a moment in Piers' and Felix's grip. "-If you'll just let me go! You stupid men!"

"We're not letting you go anywhere," Felix said darkly. "You're up to no good, or you know something. You're staying till you spit it out." He looked at her sideways. "And anyway, you probably don't even have a home. An outcast, I would suspect."

"Shut up!" she said angrily as she was pulled up before the inn's door. Mia went in first and walked over to the innkeeper, trying her best to show confidence in the matter.

"Err, can you keep this girl here for a couple of nights?" she asked flat out.

The innkeeper leaned over the small dirty desk. "Sure," he said with a large grin. "I'll look after this little missus here if you want." He paused. "But, I don't go free, as you should know."

Mia sighed, and turned back to the other three, shrugging. "Now we need to work out how to pay it, or if there's any other way it could work out," she said.

"It's not even safe keeping her here in the inn. She could escape at any time," Felix pointed out, almost to himself. Feizhi continued to glare at the lot of them.

"You're confusing even yourselves," she said, not far from a mocking voice. "What are doing, taking me hostage? Planning to squeeze out some truth from me that's not even there?" She sighed. "Like you say, it's not clever going and getting me a room in an inn, is it?" she said tauntingly.

The innkeeper meanwhile, watched it all with mild interest from behind his uncomfortable small desk. Two people sitting in the corner looked over with distaste at the raised voices, and Piers appeared unsure.

"Perhaps we should talk about this… somewhere else?" he said quietly. Felix pursed his lips and Mia crossed her arms, exchanging a glance with the Lemurian.

"Why?" Feizhi said loudly. Then she suddenly smiled. "Oooh, I know! There have been strange things going on around here, haven't there?" She felt the two holding her tense. "And I'm a suspect? Wow, I feel special. You want to know why I attacked you?"

"Keep it down," Felix said touchily, strengthening his grip on her arm as they were given more looks. This was exactly what Feizhi wanted – a show, and a chance to escape. He looked around quickly. "Let's go," he muttered, and turned back to the door.

"Where is she going to stay?" Piers asked, keeping his voice low.

"Anywhere but here," came the answer.

The sun was getting closer to the horizon all the time. The village had become quieter and more placid since the morning and the market's bustle and things almost seemed normal if it weren't for the silent dread behind people's faces. It was the knowledge that something was going on in the outside world, something they couldn't quite understand. Something that played a big part with Alex, or that Alex played a big part with. The thought of him brought no good feelings to Mia's heart, only anger towards that traitor. That's what he is, she thought, and she could feel her face muscles trying to snarl.

"Are you alright Mia?" Piers asked, noticing her sudden change.

She started slightly. "Yes, I'm fine," she answered, trying to smile. "I just suddenly thought about Alex, that's all."

"Ah," Piers said understandingly. Neither of them could forget the conversation they had had the day Alex left, and Mia still remembered his words. "It's best to try and keep your mind away from him for now, even though you will never be able to fully rid him from your memory."

Even Feizhi said nothing as they stood wondering what to do. Eventually Felix took in a deep breath and looked slowly to his two friends. "She'll have to stay with one of us," he said at last. "It's the only possibility."

"It would seem so," Piers said. "We can't let her leave. We don't know who she's with, who she would tell. After all, she owned up to hearing what we were talking about."
"In other words, she's a liability," Felix ended.

"Hey!" Feizhi muttered angrily up at him, but he hardly seemed to notice.

"Where would be best until we can ask Ivan about her tomorrow then?" He asked the other two.

After a pause, Mia looked up. "It seems it would be best if she stayed with me," she said, smiling at the other girl. "After all, I have a spare room in my house, though it's nothing special, and it's not like Piers has a home at the moment either so she can't stay there. There's no room at your house Felix so I'm the only one left."

"Well," Felix said, unsure. "If that's what you think is best."

"It is," Mia said firmly. Then she turned to Feizhi. "Anyway," she carried on. "It would be better if she stayed with another female -"

"-Better than these two any day," Feizhi grumbled, pulling at their taught grips upon her. She puffed. "Well," she said, talking normally. "It looks like I'll be staying so I can be interrogated tomorrow. It's not like I have a choice in anything around here." She looked Mia straight in the eye, but said nothing.

"You can trust me," Mia said kindly, the sun gleaming in her clear blue eyes. "And we'll have to trust you too. You can't go back to wherever you came from now anyway," she said. "It's too late. Consider it as a place to stay for the night, yes?"

"I suppose," Feizhi muttered slowly, seeing the sense in her words.

"Well, let's show you to where you'll be staying then," Mia said brightly.

"I'll come with you," Piers added quickly, which gained him an odd glance from Mia. He pulled a face. "Well someone has to, just until we get to your house, to be safe."

"I suppose," Mia answered. "But we are meant to be trusting Feizhi here. If you come then that trust will mean nothing.

"No, it's not like that," Piers explained. "I'm… seeing you off. Or, escorting you, if you wish." At this, Mia chuckled, and Piers found it hard to hide his grin.

"Well we'd better hurry up and get escorted then," Mia said at last to Feizhi who's only answer was some inaudible muttering.

"We'll see you tomorrow maybe, Felix," Piers said over his shoulder as they walked away. Felix nodded, his mind in other places as they disappeared around a thatched cottage.

He stood for a moment, and then turned, deciding it was time to return to the blacksmiths as he should have done at least two hours beforehand. When he arrived, there was no one in sight. His father and mother were gone.

Thinking that in itself was slightly odd, Felix entered the house and waited a couple of seconds for his eyes to accustom to the darkness. All was silent.

Before he could even take in a second breath however, someone returned loudly behind him, entering the thatched cottage at a fast pace.

"Jenna?" Felix said questioningly as he saw her expression and her heavy breathing. "Weren't you out with Garet?"

She did not answer, but stood glaring at him, waiting to catch her breath. She gulped. "You don't talk to Isaac much, do you?" she asked, staring at him closely.

Felix was a little bemused. "Uh, I suppose not," he said, thinking it best to just answer her question and ask later why such a random thing would be brought up.

"You don't like him, do you?"

"Jenna -"

"Do you?" Jenna repeated angrily.

Felix stared at her, and then blinked, coming out of a trance. "If you really want the truth, though it's not important… No, I don't like him much."

Jenna remained silent, but it was clear from her face that she was trying in vain to suppress a number of emotions inside her. Felix waited for impact. "God dammit!" She suddenly exploded. "You said it to his face, didn't you! Yeah you have to make your point clear to everyone!" She yelled in fury at him. "Let him know how you feel about him! Just because you're so protective. Why don't you sort your priorities out Felix!"

She was rambling, but he knew what she meant. "It's not because I'm protective," he said, attempting to defend himself in this argument. "I just don't like him, that's all."

"You don't say to someone that you don't like them, just because it's the truth! You are such an idiot!" Jenna shouted, brimming with emotions. They were about to overflow.

"Well, what do you want me to say?" Felix asked. "Sorry?"

"Oh you can say what you want – you do anyway. But whatever you do say, it doesn't make much difference. You'll never mean it!" she fumed, then burst into tears.

Is… it really that bad? Felix thought incredulously as he wrapped an arm around his sister's shoulders. His face softened. "I'm sorry, Jenna, for whatever trouble I've caused," he murmured softly. Jenna buried her face in his shoulder, her tears already stopping their flow.

"You're so rash," she mumbled, frustrated. "I know you care for me, but sometimes you're too close. Just… give me some room in life, for my own freedom."

Felix said nothing.

"Do you want me to say something to Isaac?" He asked after a moment of silence between them.

"No," Jenna said quickly. "No, I'll talk to him tomorrow." She laughed nervously. "I… I ran off on him today, when he told me what you had said. He probably thinks I don't like him anymore."

Felix refrained himself from saying anything out loud, and instead kept to wondering why Isaac would tell Jenna about what he had said, knowing full well it would hurt Jenna's feelings.

No, he thought decisively. That would only cause more painful feelings between Jenna and me. I'll let her and Isaac sort it out between themselves…

End of Chapter Four. Please Review!