A/N: Hey all! Sorry this one took so long to update… I must confess I don't have any good excuses. I was distracted…. Watching lots of anime on my DVD player. (sobs) I'm an Anime Addict! I swear, it wasn't writers block or anything, just... I love anime, got a bit of extra cash, went out and blew it all on various titles... and there went my writing time and feeble excuse for a social life. I once was rich,(looks in wallet) but now that wealth is gone... Oh well, 'tis a good way to squander my youth, I guess. Anyway, you all want review replies, yes?
Umi Kanshisha: Awesome, eh? Cool! Yeah, had to keep making Isaac questioning about it all. I remember when I first played that fight in the game, I kept on wondering why after every turn it said, "Mia gained 12pp" or some such. That's sort of where I got the idea from. Yeah, we might see some of Jenna's feelings for Isaac here... though not much, don't want to make this and angsty pining contest. Don't worry, not writer's block (at least not yet!) just anime addiction!
Unicornmaddy: Thank you! Someone loves my work! (feels happy)
Shining Light: Yes, that was a pretty good battle scene. TLA novel? I'd certainly like too! At the moment, I may do so, but it is a fair way into the future, so I won't guarantee anything just yet. But yes, it is something that I will definitely consider. I know what you mean about no novels out there of it… I'd really like to read one! Provided it was well written, of course.
G.Reaper: Okay, I'm assuming you'll eventually read up to this point after reviewing chapter five. Thanks for all that, I'm glad you like it!
Spirit Seer: Yay, another who loved the fighting! Yeah, I know what you mean about the typos. I did go through this one a lot, but it probably still has all sorts of mistakes that I didn't even notice. Oh well. Glad you like it!
Favri the Fisher: Sorry about the paragraph breaker thing. I did originally put asterisk in between, but it turns out that ff.n doesn't allow them and they got deleted when I posted, screwing up the paragraph breaker thing. (sigh) Will go back and fix it though.
Dutch Duelist: Actually, that fight wasn't a pain at all, it was quite fun to write. I'll try and keep good work up.
Spastic Djinn: You felt loved? I know what you mean, when I first go a review reply from someone… I just felt… great! You really love my work, don't ya? Hopefully I can keep up the great work!
Kd7sov: Wow, I made you "wow"! Cool! Glad you liked Alex's POV, and yeah, those stupid ff.n people removed my original paragraph breaker asterisk, that's why it did't have any. But I've fixed it now. Foreshadowing for sequel? (in mysterious voice) maybe…. As for that teleport comment, I figure that Mia only knows about Mercury Psynergy at this point in time, and as such she is yet to learn about Retreat, because growing up in Imil, she didn't get to learn anything about the other elements. That's just my opinion anyway. I suppose that others may disagree, after all, we don't really know much about Mia's past life, do we?
Spacejoe: Epic? Wow, I never expected that that one battle scene would be so loved! Ooh, a present! Mmm… chocolate! (drools) Even though at the time of updating, my birthday was 2 months ago (wow, has it really been that long?) thanks anyway!
GoldenSunGeek: Don't worry, I won't post any spoilers! (though you may have seen it by now anyway!) Wow, another person who considers my battle to be so epic! And you compared it to LOTR! I think I'm going to cry with happiness… And yes, update X-Men! And son of Lemuria!
Disclaimer: For those of you still curious, nope, don't own Golden Sun. It belongs to the lads over in Camelot. No, not King Arthur's men, I mean… never mind. However, MoR did invent the words "tree-ified" and "tree-ification", but you can all use them if you want.
CHAPTER TEN
REASONS
They said nothing as they descended, brooding upon their own thoughts, thinking about the battle, Alex, Mia's decision to join them.
Four Adepts. One for each of the four elements. It seemed a strange coincidence that things should work out that way. Or was it? Maybe some things were meant to be? No, probably just coincidence.
As the platform slowed to a halt at the foot of the Lighthouse, Isaac looked out to the fountain, just outside the entrance of the Lighthouse. It was indeed now full of water. Although he couldn't sense it like Mia probably could, he guessed that these were the healing Waters of Hermes.
A few people from Imil were gathered around the fountain, some looking up at the bright blue beacon, others drinking of the water. Stepping off the platform, they made for the fountain slowly.
"Come, drink the Water of Hermes." Mia told them. "It brings rejuvenation to all that lives. It will heal our wounds." They all agreed, and made way for the fountain, while Mia immediately began chatting with the nearby people.
Isaac took a deep sip from the fountain, and immediately felt the pure healing power of Mercury wash through him. It tasted just like regular water, a little cold due to the northern climates, but its healing effects could be felt instantly. He could feel as his battle weariness seep away as refreshment rose up in him, and his aches and pains were lessened, the sword cut in his arm fading, his bruised chest easing. He felt so… rejuvenated. Only his Psynergy remained unimproved. Isaac looked to Garet and Ivan, and from the looks on their faces, they were feeling the intense rejuvenation and healing process. One deep sip did so much to him; another sip would surely bring him back to himself.
Mia came after them and also took a deep sip. Kneeling before the fountain with her eyes closed as she felt the Water of Hermes work its power through her body, she almost looked like she was meditating.
For a few moments she knelt there calmly, and then she opened her eyes, took a deep breath and said, "I have never fought in such an intense battle like that before. Though Mercury gave me great Psynergetic might, physically my body is still as greatly strained as your own, if not more from my greater Psynergy exertions."
True, wielding Psynergy did take some physical strength in itself; another reason one could not use it all the time forever.
"I suppose it's no use chasing after Saturos and his friend Alex right now." Isaac sighed. "There probably a long way away by now." Especially with Alex's warp ability. It might only be short range, it had to be or else they would have simply just warped to each of the Lighthouses in turn, but it would get them away from here quickly enough.
"Yes, they probably are." Mia sighed despondently, mind clearly still on Alex's betrayal. "Besides, we need to rest and recuperate for tomorrow's journey. Our wounds may be healed, but our physical strength is worn." It was true, although Isaac's rejuvenation helped him feel great; he still had a lack of energy. He could have run forever and felt great, but suddenly collapsed from exhaustion, not having felt a thing.
"I already spoke with some of the locals, they say they saw a wounded warrior and someone they think looked like Alex leave this place recently, heading out into the snow lands, away from Imil. They could be anywhere by now, we cannot hope to search for them. Anyway, we need to rest and heal. All the Psynergetic might of Mercury may be able to heal your wounds, but nothing can replace a nice, warm dinner and a good nights rest."
"Now that's the sort of medicine I can take!" Garet joked.
They walked back to Imil quickly, saying little and trying to keep themselves warm as it was now late afternoon and temperatures were dropping. Before leaving, Mia had to properly explain what it was that was happening to the Imilians. But after that they started heading back.
As she started to walk through the snowy streets weaving between the snow-covered wooden houses, Mia told them she needed to visit Imil Sanctum to visit her two apprentices, to let them know that she was leaving and what was going on.
"Justin and Meagan need to know what has happened. And besides, they will probably be worried by the lighting of Mercury Beacon." Isaac guessed that Justin and Meagan were the two children that they had met earlier.
"Okay then, let's go." he shrugged. "I think we could all use a rest after that battle. And some healing."
"Of course, we'll be able to help you." Mia relied with a smile. Leading them through the snowy town, over the wooden bridge that spanned the frozen river, Mia took them to the Sanctum. Opening the stone doors, Isaac found himself in a familiar, homely room, the cold wind on his back a stark contrast to the warm atmosphere inside.
"Mia!" a young girl's voice shouted. That must have been Meagan.
"We were worried that you wouldn't come back!" a boy's voice now added. And that must be Justin. Mia came in to face the two children. Behind them, the large fireplace held a warm fire, heating the room.
"I'm so sorry, you two…" Mia replied in a sorrowful voice, shaking her head. Isaac, Garet and Ivan came in after her, and Isaac shut the door to keep the warm air in.
"Mia, we have a problem!" Justin began, "Have you seen the Mercury Lighthouse! It's been lit!" Mia nodded with a sigh, not saying anything.
"Mia, you already knew?" Meagan guessed, when her elder said nothing. Mia nodded wordlessly, still hesitating to tell them she was leaving. "I guess you can't exactly miss it. Do you know what happened?"
"I…" Mia started, then stopped.
"What's the matter? Justin asked, "You look sad, Mia."
"I… how should I tell you?" Mia began hesitantly.
"Do you have something to say?" Megan asked. "What is it?"
"Well, I… uh…" Mia hesitated, reluctant to tell them. "I… I'll be joining Isaac on his quest." She then said in a rush. "It's very hard for me to leave you, but it's the Lighthouse."
"You said the world would be in danger if the Lighthouse was lit, right?" Justin asked.
"Is that why you're leaving?" Megan asked. "To protect the world?"
"Yes. That's right." Mia told them, her tone of voice indicating that she was reluctant to leave.
"Then there's nothing we can do…" Justin replied.
"We won't try to stop you, then." Megan told Mia. "After all, you are trying to protect the Mercury Clan." Mia breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't going to be so hard after all.
"Yes, I am…" She replied, trailing off.
"As members of the Mercury Clan, we will protect Imil ourselves." Justin reassured her with a proud grin. "So don't worry, okay?"
"I will try hard and learn to heal as well as you, Mia!" Megan promised.
"Okay, I'll leave the village in your hands, Megan, Justin." Mia told them, and then turned to Isaac, "We can leave without any worries, now."
"Well, it that's all sorted then, I suppose we can get ready to leave." Isaac replied.
"Not before we take a look at those wounds." she scolded. "C'mon, take that armour off. Saturos got a few good blows to your chest and I know you had a deep cut in your shoulder."
Mia had a good look at them all, but her healing atop the Lighthouse, combined with the Water of Hermes had ensured that they were all adequately healed. However, she still insisted upon rubbing some sort of creamy mixture on his sword wound so that it didn't get infected. As she did this, and got ready to bandage it, Isaac had a good look at the room.
On the far side were some shelves. On them were various bottles and jars of medicines and various antidotes and herbs. There were also many old, leather-bound books and scrolls, medical journals, detailing how to treat wounds and poisons. Then Isaac noticed the uppermost shelf, which contained only a few books, the oldest of all.
But these weren't books on healing. They appeared to be on other topics, "The Golden Age of Man", "History of the Mercury Clan", "Secrets of the Lost Age". And another one, placed incorrectly as though it were the last read, and quickly put back. An extremely aged leather- bound book, "The Power of the Golden Sun."
The others seem to refer to familiar subjects, but the Golden Sun one seemed unfamiliar. He'd never heard of such a thing before.
"What are those books up there?" He asked Mia as she finished bandaging the wound.
"You mean those ones on herbs and healing?"
"No, the ones above them, those historic ones."
"Oh… there some old books of Alex's that he used to own." she replied. "Before he… left. They're nothing interesting, just some stuff on how Alchemy was used in the Lost Age, and histories from then on. He liked to read about history, legends of Alchemy and stuff. But it never interfered in his healing training, thankfully. At least, it didn't…"
"Hey, Isaac." Garet interrupted, as Mia trailed off. "I'm getting kind of hungry. We should head back to the Inn soon and get some dinner." Again, Isaac's stomach ached, reminding him that breakfast was the only meal he'd had all day.
"Me too." Ivan added. "I may not eat as much as Garet, but I'm beginning to think that I could."
"Yes, we should head back now, shouldn't we?" Isaac replied. "As long as Mia is all done treating us…?"
She smiled kindly. "Yes, I am. Get going. A good meal and a nice rest will do wonders for you. I'll get myself ready here and meet you at your Inn early tomorrow morning."
"Sounds like a plan to me, see you soon then." Isaac replied. Leaving the Sanctum, the three youths left Mia, and made for the Inn through the cold, snowy streets under the late afternoon sun.
That night, Isaac slept fitfully, the blue illumination of Mercury Lighthouse shining through the window disturbing him. A constant incandescent light, reminding him of his failure to stop Saturos from lighting the beacon. His failure to rescue his two friends. From rescuing Jenna.
Felix followed Menardi through the snowy fields, away from Mercury Lighthouse, Jenna and Kraden marching between them. They had already gone around Imil, and were now heading for a small copse of trees, away from the main pathway. Menardi kept the lead, demanding the others to follow her at her pace.
The sun was getting very low now, it would be night soon. They already had a campsite set up; ready for when they would leave, prepared for the journey tomorrow. The only difference now was that Saturos and Alex had stayed behind to finish off their followers. He hated to think of it that way, but that was the truth of the matter.
He still couldn't believe that Isaac and Garet had survived, it seemed impossible! And then they had tracked and followed them to the Lighthouse. Joining with Hammet's servant and that girl Alex called Mia. And he had to abandon them all to death, at the hands of Saturos his master, an expert warrior.
They had no chance at defeating him, he was just too powerful. He couldn't bare the thought of abandoning his childhood friends to death, but he knew that he had no choice. It had to be done. To get the Mars Star. Or all was lost.
They had to stop them, Isaac and his friends aimed to stop them from lighting the Lighthouses. And they couldn't allow that. Since Saturos and Menardi had rescued him, saved his life those three years ago, they had educated him in the truth, taught him the falsehood of Vale's teachings, of the necessity of breaking the seal on Alchemy.
He knew they needed to light the Lighthouses, and release the ancient power. But sometimes he felt the price they had to pay was questionable. But a thought occurred to him, why was Saturos fighting alone? Why didn't Alex go out to help? Why had he just stood there quietly, watching impassively?
He said he knew the girl, Mia, was he reluctant to battle her? In the approximately two and a half years that Felix had known the man, he had not gotten to know him very well. Alex was always very quiet and mysterious, preferring not to get to close to anyone. He did not like to explain much about himself or his past. Sometimes his actions and decisions didn't always make sense. A very mysterious young Water Adept indeed.
"It's so cold out here!" Jenna snapped, interrupting Felix's thoughts. "Doesn't the cold ever bother any of you?"
"No, we of the north are… immune to it." Menardi replied without looking back over her shoulder.
"She's just too proud to admit she's cold too…" Jenna muttered, shivering as she tightened her cloak about here. She looked back behind her longingly, towards the Lighthouse. "Isaac…" She moaned softly, "You tried to save me… please be alright."
"I hope Saturos is okay." Felix murmured more to himself than in reply.
"I see you don't care about Isaac!" Jenna snapped.
"I'm sure he'll be fine." Kraden reassured the young redhead.
"But Saturos, you've seen how powerful he is!" she replied despondently. "Poor Isaac and Garet ..." Kraden shook his head doubtfully.
"I'm not so sure." He told her. "I've studied a lot on the power of the four Elemental Lighthouses. I'm not certain, but I think that Saturos wont be able to defeat them all, the light of Mercury-"
"Saturos will be fine!" Menardi snapped irritably. "Those foolish kids will be taken out of the way soon." Felix said nothing, remained quiet. But not Jenna.
"Why? Why should they be 'taken care of' as you put it, like their not even people!" she shrieked aggressively. "Isaac has gone to so much trouble to rescue me and stop you, he's only fighting for what's right! What about you? You guys are always so self-righteous about the need to relight the Lighthouse, and the good that will supposedly come of it, but I don't see any proof, no evidence!"
"Right now, I'm not in any mood to discuss it." Menardi snapped, without bothering to look back. "Ask someone else to explain it to you."
"I suppose you want me to explain to you the decision I made to side with Saturos and Menardi?" Felix asked his sister casually.
"No, I don't care!" she snapped. "You know the destructive power of Alchemy! You know what people all over Weyard will try and use it for! How could you possibly think there is any good in releasing it? It's a dangerous power, isn't that right, Kraden?" The old scholar turned, surprised to suddenly find himself getting involved.
"Well, yes, Alchemy's power can potentially be used for warlike purposes, it is said in the Lost Age its might very nearly destroyed all of Weyard itself!"
"You don't understand, don't you think I know that?" Felix snapped back. "I know that could happen! But I have good reasons for being on this journey. Alchemy is the source, the very power of the four Elements! And it does more than just make people Adepts and give them enormous powers of Psynergy! Alchemy has more importance than that. Saturos and Menardi have helped me to understand that, since they rescued me!"
"Can you just turn you just turn you back on Vale's sacred teachings like that?" she asked him. "What the Elders taught us? What the Wise One told them? Don't you care for that anymore?" Felix sighed.
"Kraden, isn't Alchemy the very life blood of the four Elements?"
"Yes, it is, but what are you getting at?" The scholar replied.
"That there is a very good reason for giving back Weyard this power. I understand now, that my rescuers have explained it to me."
"And you're going to believe them, Felix?" Jenna countered. "Felix, they are the reason you nearly died! That our parents are dead! Isaac overheard the two of them talking."
"We already explained all that to him." Menardi spoke up. Jenna snorted.
"I think Isaac was telling the truth, though."
"Jenna, I know that I can trust the two of them." Felix explained to his sister. "They have been like virtual foster parents to me for the past three years."
"Felix, those two are responsible for you parents deaths! OUR parent's deaths!" she shrieked at him. "Do you think our parents would have wanted you to betray Vale, and join their murderers?"
"Jenna, we did not murder your parents, it was accidental in our first attempt to retrieve the Stars." Menardi stated softly as they stopped at their campsite, turning to face them. Felix was as much surprised by her gently response as the fact that she had referred to Jenna by name. Jenna wiped an involuntary tear from her, eye, and looked back the way they had come, to Mercury Lighthouse.
"I wish Isaac and his friends had rescued me." she whimpered softly. Menardi waved her hand over the wood pile in front of her, a fire roaring into life in response to her Psynergy, heat bathing over them.
"You said you were cold." Menardi stated. "Warm yourselves up. We can't very well have our hostages dying on us before we have the Mars Star." Jenna muttered something under her breath, but made no further comment, choosing instead to sit by the fire and warm herself up. Kraden sat down next to her, muttering something about how men his age shouldn't be made to walk out in the cold.
Menardi stood nearby, keeping an equal eye alternatively on Jenna and Kraden to make sure they stayed put, and looking towards the Lighthouse, looking for a sign of Saturos and Alex's return. He long, curved bladed scythe lay against a nearby tee, blade retracted so it was now only a staff. Even though she didn't hold it, she could grab it, release the blade and have it ready for battle at a moments notice. She seemed to tense right now to sit down and relax.
Felix sighed, a fog of frost emanating from his mouth. He sat down by the fire, awaiting his friends return. It was going to be a long night.
When he saw Isaac and Garet atop that Lighthouse, events has been further complicated than what they already were. This whole quest had gone wrong ever since Sol Sanctum, when he had to reveal his face to his friends and sister. Actively betraying the Elder's commands and steal the Elemental Stars. Kidnap his own sister and an innocent scholar.
Now she hated him. His own friends probably wanted to kill him. All for the quest to release Alchemy. He wished there were something he could do to redeem himself, ease his guilty conscience, but of course there wasn't. The mission was too important.
Still, it would be some consolation if his sister, Jenna, would talk to him. Acknowledge him as her brother. Her hatred stung his heart. He sat and stared grimly into the fire, black thoughts passing through his head.
During his years with Saturos and Menardi, and later Alex, he had grown used to the cold weather of their home climate, but he was only human, and he still relished the heat of the flames.
Sometime later, he was unsure how long; Alex arrived, carrying a limp, semi-conscious Saturos with him. Menardi immediately rushed to check on him.
"Is he alright?" she asked. "What happened?"
"He'll live." Alex stated laying the stricken warrior down by the fire. "He will fully recover in time, these wounds are only superficial. I'm afraid I was unable to bring him here quickly enough. His loss of blood and the native cold have weakened him somewhat since we left the Lighthouse."
Felix couldn't believe it, Saturos, their leader and the strongest warrior he'd ever known equalled only by Menardi, laying there beaten. Surely Isaac couldn't have-
"Impossible." Menardi spat. "It couldn't be… those kids? Did they do this?" Alex nodded as he knelt beside Saturos, preparing to heal the warrior.
"I'm afraid so." he replied.
"I knew Isaac wouldn't let me down!" Jenna smiled. Menardi shot her a glare, but Alex ignored Jenna and continued.
"It would appear that we have underestimated their abilities, but more importantly we did not perceive Mercury Lighthouses true might. It weakened him, he couldn't fight at his full power, and so his enemies that were aided by a Water Adept, who was strengthened by the power, were able to defeat him."
"I cannot believe that Isaac was able to do this." Felix muttered. This did change things a bit. Isaac and Garet should never have come.
"Well I hope he comes back here with his friends to finish the job!" Jenna prayed. Menardi laid a hand on her scythe, and knelt beside Saturos. "Not while I'm here. They won't harm him."
Alex turned to Jenna. "I'm afraid your would-be hero will not come to your rescue. Saturos put up a mighty fight, and they are worn and wounded. They will seek to rest before further pursuit."
Menardi looked up from Saturos with a fiery glint in her eye. "Then let's find these kids and avenge Saturos's defeat." Alex shook his head.
"Are you sure that is such a wise decision? I am no fighter, so can offer you no help and Felix here, loyal though he is, would be unable to raise his sword against his former friends. His feelings would prevent him. That leaves you on your own. The Water Adept, your most deadly enemy, is still strong. With the aid of the others, you would be in a tight position. Could you slay them, surrounded by innocents?"
"Are you certain they would be too dangerous to face, even without the power of Mercury Lighthouse?" Menardi asked him.
"Or are you just afraid of letting Mia get hurt?" Felix questioned him, "You did mention you once knew her." Alex was silent for a moment, and then shook his head calmly.
"No, Felix. I am not like you. My ties are severed clean. I am willing to leave her." He began weaving his healing Psynergy into Saturos, repairing his wounds. As he helped Saturos recover, he continued speaking.
"Besides, there are other reasons. We do not know where in Imil they are, or even if they are there. And Saturos requires our attention. Do you not think this is reason enough?" Felix sighed.
"I suppose. Depends on what Menardi says." Menardi didn't take her aching eyes of Saturos.
"With Saturos down, I'm in charge now. Alex, tell us exactly what happened atop mercury."
"Of course," Alex replied smoothly. "But first, one more thing." He pulled out of his pocket a small jar of clear, pure liquid. "On my way here," he informed them, "I stopped only to collect some of Hermes Water. I knew it would be there, I know the old legends of the Lighthouse. With this, Saturos should be his old self within a day."
Alex poured the liquid down Saturos's throat, who swallowed it graciously. When he was finished, he breathed easily. At once, Saturos's wounds appeared eased. Menardi breathed a sigh of relief.
"He's going to be okay." Alex sat down on a long, his work done. "Now, the story of Saturos's battle…" And he told them his story into the night.
Isaac awoke feeling greatly refreshed compared to the night before. He felt so much more energy in his limbs, and his muscles no longer ached. Outside it was cold, and he tightened the blanket around him, trying to keep warm and wanting to get back to sleep. Then he remembered what it was that he was meant to be doing and got up, shivering involuntarily against the cold, he awoke his two slumbering partners, Garet with some aggravating difficulty, and then they had a quick breakfast, packed and ventured downstairs to meet Mia.
She was already there ahead of them, calmly awaiting them in the Inn common room, in one of the wooden chairs. Her blue hair was freshly combed, tied back with a blue hair clip and she wore a clean white and pale blue dress, with dark blue markings on it.
"Good morning, I already paid the room for you." she told them politely. "Are you all ready to leave?" They all told her they were. "Good. We should hurry. I don't want anyone to know I'm leaving. Too many people will plead and insist I stay, because they don't want me too leave. But I have to. It's hard enough to leave as it is. So I want to go before anyone sees us." Isaac nodded.
"I know how you feel. It was hard for me and Garet to leave our homes, and we had our friend's encouragement behind us. Well, let's go then."
Mia picked up her pack, a dark blue no less, and made for the door. The others followed.
"I've already said good bye to Justin and Meagan." The healer explained. "They will keep my departure a secret long enough for me to leave."
Outside, it was still early morning in Imil, and there were few people out on the streets. Rushing out of town through the freshly fallen snow from the night before, they quickly left the town and followed the snowed over track that left Imil from the south west, heading through the Imilian snowfields that would eventually make it's way to the northern mountains.
As they topped the last rise out of town, Mia turned to look longingly at her hometown one last time, before turning and following the others, leaving her home behind her and out of view for she did not know how long.
They strode down the path quietly for a while, chatting lightly after a while, before Isaac decided he should explain to Mia the full story of how they came to be where they were. He described how his father and Jenna's family were lost in a tragic storm three years ago, and how he had overheard Saturos and Menardi talking. He and Garet subsequently tried to tell her about Vale, and how everyone was and Adept that possessed Psynergy in one of the four Elements, and the Elders were sworn to protect Sol Sanctum in Mount Aleph.
Satisfied she understood their home life, she asked them to continue. They described the journey into Sol Sanctum with Kraden to prove that Saturos and Menardi had broken in, and discovered the Elemental Star chamber where the two thieves aided by Alex and Felix stole all but one of the Stars and kidnapped Jenna and Kraden.
After that, the Wise One tasked them with the retrieval of the Elemental Stars. Ivan then told her the tale of how he had joined the party, and journeyed with them to Imil, the rest, of course, she already knew.
X
The next day, they reached the mountains, and followed the path up the steep snowy, slippery slopes, until they reached the cave mouth that was the opening to the tunnel that led through the mountains, opening up on the other side.
As they passed through the dark, cold tunnel, Garet in the lead with a fiery torch to light the path, Isaac decided to ask Mia something he'd meant to ask since they left Imil.
"Mia, tell us about Alex." He asked her, "We don't really know much about him, but you seem to have known him somehow at some stage." Mia sighed, although in the gloom Isaac couldn't make out her facial expressions.
"There's… really nothing to tell." she told them, her voice hinting that he was reluctant to touch the subject.
"Come on, there must be something to tell." Garet insisted from the front. "It's going to be a long trip."
"We told you our story." Ivan piped in. "So enlighten us with your own tales. I'll read your mind if I have to." He was only joking of course, he would never pry into a friend's private thoughts unwanted and Mia knew it, but his comment seemed to have achieved the desired effect.
"Fine. I'll tell you of the Alex I did know." she sighed. "We had known each other since birth, although we were not blood related. We grew up together, being taught by the then remaining members of the Mercury Clan, three full-fledged Water Adepts. We learned the arts of healing, and we both tried to help the sick and injured. We also learned the legends of our Clan; at least what was still remembered. The two of us were the only two Mercury Adepts born in a generation. Our three teachers were old. It was clear the Lighthouses power was not as it once was. The power of our Clan was waning. We were possibly the last Water Adepts the Clan would have, so our dedication to healing was paramount. Our people's very survival depended on us learning to wield our powers to heal, for there is no other cure for the Sickness. There was great mourning when the last of our teachers passed away, but fortunately Alex and I were prepared for our duties. As well, by then Justin and Meagan had also been born, though they lacked the blue hair that is unique among pure Clan members. And their powers are not as strong as me or Alex. But they signalled a continuation to the Clan, and the hopes of Imil. That is why they meant so much to me. Why me leaving meant so much, and was so hard. Do you understand now what it is like?"
"Yes," Isaac replied. "But why are you telling us this? What does it have to do with Alex?"
"I'm telling you this so that you can understand what our situation was like." she responded. "Of course, Justin and Meagan could do nothing to heal others then. Only recently have the come to lean the basic healing powers. Without that, or without the running Water of Hermes, I might have been more reluctant to leave. But either way, our people depended upon Alex and I. It was hard enough for the previous three, two of us had an even harder job. We dedicated ourselves heart and soul to the job ahead of us. We had to. We worked together, very well. I trusted Alex, and knew him very well, at least up until the other day I thought I did. Now I'm not so sure how well I ever knew him."
"He grew more distant with time, engrossed himself in his old books and studies of history. He became less emotionally bonded with me as time went on. One day, some two and a half years ago or so, a group of travellers arrived in Imil. I was engrossed in helping others and only caught a glance of them, a hint of their names. Somehow, Alex came to speak with them. I don't know why, but the next day Alex left, without explaining why, only promising to one day return. Since then, I hoped that he did have a good reason for leaving, that he would one day return. But when I saw him up there, I realised he wasn't away for any good reason. And he wasn't returning, at least not to help the sick. I felt sickened, betrayed. He had turned against his own people, his own Clan. Saturos must have promised him dreams of power and glory. I'm sure now that they must have been the travellers that Alex met with. Who else? So although I joined this quest partly to help save the world, it's also partly to find out what made Alex turn evil."
They said little after this, continuing through the dark, cold cave, thinking on their own thoughts. Slowly, the temperature did seem to warm as they approached the warmer southern side. Icicles hanging from the roof seemed to slowly disappear as they went on the tunnel began to brighten, as it became clear they were approaching the end of the cave to Bilibin.
After some time, they reached the end, the tunnel reaching out to the fresh air and afternoon sun of the Northern Mountains. They made their way down the rocky slopes to a small grassy clearing by the river, near the waterfall that was the source from the mountains. Isaac stopped them there to make camp for the night. It was a couple more days still till they reached Bilibin. Having left Mercury Lighthouse, Saturos and Menardi had no choice but to head south. They would probably have to stop at Bilibin to get fresh supplies. Isaac couldn't be sure where they would go after that. Sitting around the campfire that night, they discussed where they might go.
"I had hoped to just follow their tracks, go where they'd been till we caught up with them." Isaac told them over dinner. "There isn't anything else to do unless we can guess where they're going, and try and find a shortcut there to beat them."
"Well, we might have to guess that." Mia suggested. "They know we're after them now, they might try to cover their tracks."
"Well, they still have the Jupiter and Venus Elemental Stars, right?" Ivan offered, "So they'll probably head to one of those two Lighthouses."
"Yeah, but which one?" Garet queried around a mouthful of steak. "You've got the map, haven't you Isaac? Which Lighthouse is the closest and most easily accessible? I'll bet you that they head to that one."
Isaac laid his plate of food to the side, and looked to the unfolded map before him.
"This map only shows the continent of Angara and the northern parts of Gondowan." He told them, "But I can see Venus Lighthouse right there," he pointed to a point of the map, "way to the south, in the north-eastern area of Gondowan. It's near the Suhulla Desert and Idejima peninsula, south of the town of Lalivero. That's a long way to go, it would take a long time to reach there."
"And that's assuming that they don't head for somewhere off map for Jupiter Lighthouse." Ivan cautioned.
"Which leaves us just trying to follow, hoping we catch up!" Garet muttered.
"They'll head to Bilibin down south without a doubt." Mia declared. "There is nowhere else to go past that, it's either east or west."
"Well, the curse of Tret is east." Isaac reminded them, "I'm not sure they'll head there."
"But we don't know for sure." Garet informed. "They might be able to repel the curse with their power if they're strong enough." Isaac hadn't thought of that. Could it be possible? They had already seen some supposedly impossible powers displayed by them before…
"So there's nothing else to do then." Ivan said with a sigh, "We'll just have to find where they went in Bilibin."
"Let's hope we can find them soon." Mia said as she resumed her meal. "That Alex has a lot to answer for."
In the Lady McCoy Inn, Jenna sat miserably on her bed with the villainous thieves who had kidnapped her and Kraden, and stolen the Elemental Stars. The two leaders, Saturos and his cohort Menardi, as well as that Water Adept Alex, and her older brother Felix. No. The stranger who claimed to be her brother, she didn't know him. Didn't want to know him.
Kraden sat opposite her on the adjoining bed, in his worn, brown robes, wizened blue eyes gazing through his glass spectacles at nothing. His expression said nothing about the thoughts going through his head, other than that he was thinking deeply, which he did often. He occasionally muttered something to himself under his breath, but nothing loud enough for her to hear.
Even though she sat still and said nothing, she longed to find a way out of her situation, or at least make her captors lives a misery while they held her.
But there was little she could do. Physical resistance had immediately proven itself useless after being forced bodily from Sol Sanctum. The following day of kicking, screaming, scratching, anything to get away from those fiends had resulted only in exhausting her and further aggravating her already irate captors.
Psynergy had proven no better at freeing her, although it did at least harass her enemies more, for which she was grateful.
By the time they had reached Vault, she had given up trying for the time being, and she did nothing in the actual town, too exhausted as she was, and planning for the next efforts.
Besides, her powers would make her an outcast in such a place, she may very well have been better off temporarily with them. In the time since then, nothing she had tried had worked. She was just too weak. She had only begun being able to properly use her powers before being kidnapped, her abilities neither strong nor impressive. Either Saturos or Menardi on their own could've overwhelmed her. And the one called Alex, being a Water Adept, could easily defeat her even if he had been as weak as she currently was, simply because of his elemental advantage. She'd learnt enough about that stuff from Kraden to know her own element's strengths and weaknesses.
Every attempt she made had only resulted in either Menardi or Saturos rather fiercely telling her off. They had not once, rather strangely she thought, raised a hand against her, or even harmed her intentionally in any way physically, since imprisoning her. Only handled her roughly, and then only when necessary, in order to keep her in line.
It's only because Felix won't let them hurt me or Kraden. She bitterly reminded herself, that's all. They wouldn't hold back otherwise.
Alex, on the other hand, in contrast to Saturos and Menardi's heavy-handed rule, or Felix's conflicting defence of her and imprisoning, was entirely neutral. For the one who had given them the idea of kidnapping her and Kraden, he seemed strangely distant. She didn't know, or care, about his relationship to the others, she imagined he was in close collaboration with them, but he hardly said a word to her or Kraden more than he had to.
Even now, he sat by the table on the far side of the room, toying with water in a glass. Focusing his Psynergy only a tiny amount, Alex made the water crawl out on its own, and form strange patterns on the table's wooden surface. One she recognised as being the ancient symbol of the Mercury Clan, a blue circle with a blue water drop within. It only took a minute amount to do such things.
Felix and Menardi sat by the window at another table, talking quietly amongst themselves about something or other, Jenna wasn't listening.
Felix wrapped in his green cloak, long dark hair tied back with a leather cord, sat with his back to her, eating dinner, speaking in between mouthfuls.
Menardi sat opposite him, red eyes occasionally glancing her and Kraden's way, but for the most part gazing idly out the window. She wore the same magenta battle dress as always. She was idly toying with a lock of her long blonde hair, which framed her oddly coloured, pale face with strange markings upon it. Menardi and Saturos were both reluctant to talk to her about their 'unique' looks. Felix had told her, during one of the rare times she would listen, that it wasn't tattoos, just that "their looks were native to the people of their region," and refused to tell her anything more.
Jenna could only sit and stare at her dark red dress and toy with her auburn ponytail for so long before wanting to do something to get out of there. They hadn't crushed her spirit yet! She would find a way out of this yet!
This whole night was turning out to be fairly boring. She wished Isaac would rescue her. When he'd sown up on Mercury Lighthouse, her heart had leapt for joy. He and Garet, with two others, a young boy and a blue-haired girl that reminded her of Alex.
He had looked so brave and handsome up there, in his battle gear, staring eye-to-eye with Saturos like equals, determined to rescue her and set things right.
He seemed almost like a great and noble hero. She had to admit it was pretty impressive. She hadn't even noticed very much what the others looked like, only the basic details.
Then it had all gone wrong.
That woman, Menardi, and the traitor, Felix, had dragged her away, leaving poor Isaac and his friends at the mercy of Saturos and Alex, who had stayed behind the beacon.
It was welcome relief to know that Saturos had been defeated by Isaac. It was just a shame Isaac hadn't finished him off. Apparently, Alex had rescued Saturos.
But Isaac had proven himself. She hoped he would return to her soon, he would save her. It was just a matter of time.
Sighing, she made herself more comfortable on the bed, as she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Alex drew the water into the glass with his Psynergy, and turned to face the door as it opened to reveal Saturos stepping into the room.
"The rumours of the tree-curse are true." he announced after shutting the door.
"Who would have imagined such power still existed in the world?" Alex questioned no-one in particular.
"What are we going to do, then?" Felix asked his master.
"Will we still go by the original, planned route?" Menardi queried her partner.
Jenna began listening to the conversation. She might just learn something interesting.
"Yes, the original route is the only option available to us." Saturos replied, the powerful warrior standing before them in the centre of the room. "The bridge between Vault and Kalay is out, it's impossible they would have repaired it in this short amount of time. So we must take the route through Kolima, over the Mogall Prairie and across the Lamakan to Kalay. But there are some slight obstacles in the way."
"Slight obstacles? Is that all?" Alex articulated sarcastically.
"What sort of obstacles?" Menardi asked, standing to face Saturos.
"The leader of Bilibin had a barricade built, preventing any access of Kolima from Bilibin and vice versa." Saturos replied, brushing back his silvery blue locks.
"Then why don't you just destroy the barrier when you get to it?" Alex asked the blue skinned leader. "Surely you and Menardi combined…"
"No." Saturos cut him of with an upraised hand and a deepened voice. "We won't go about destroying things. It would only cause more unnecessary trouble."
"So what is your plan then?" Menardi questioned.
"The Lord of Bilibin gives powerful warriors keys to get past the barricade if they desire to try and end the curse by slaying the forest guardian, Tret." Saturos told them. "I have decided we will show ourselves to this Lord McCoy, so we can get this key."
"And we will travel through cursed Kolima?" Menardi asked, cocking a blonde eyebrow. "Are you sure that's safe?"
Saturos smiled unconcerned.
"Of course, you and I are the greatest warriors of our Clan, possibly all of Weyard. This curse is surely the work of some sort of Psynergy. We can easily defend ourselves from it.
"Excellent plan, Saturos." Menardi said with a smile, nodding. "With any luck, those kids will get taken care of by the curse."
Felix breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. Then we won't have to fight them." Then he grimaced. "Although abandoning them to this fate is hardly much better…"
Jenna felt mildly disgusted that this Felix guy should express such concern for those he betrayed, but she held her tongue and said nothing. She wasn't in the mood to deal with any of them berating her again. So she just contented herself muttering under her breath.
"You seem reluctant to do this to your former friends." Saturos noted the young man's attitude. Felix shook his head stubbornly.
"No, my past is gone. I understand our need to light the Lighthouses." he affirmed.
"Good. I want to know I'm able to trust our colleagues regarding those we meet on our travels."
"You can." Felix assured his master, and Jenna hated him for it.
"Good, Menardi, Felix, will you accompany me to meet Lord McCoy?" Saturos asked.
"If you three are going to meet this Lord," Alex spoke up from his place by the table. "Then perhaps I shall stay here and take care of these hostages."
"Excuse me!" Jenna then exclaimed, her anger and impatience boiling over at this comment. "Our names are Jenna and Kraden; I'll thank you to use them!"
"Quiet you!" Saturos snapped, "We don't need you interrupting our conversation!"
"Saturos, there's no need to yell at her like that." Felix growled.
"Felix!" Menardi warned icily.
"Ah, my apologies," Alex spoke calmly before Jenna could flare up. "I shall look after Lady Jenna and Master Kraden." He emphasised the names in a way that almost would have bordered on sarcasm, had he not sounded so sincere.
He had a way like that, speaking sarcasm, humour or aggression in a totally calm, honest, sincere manner. It was kind of disturbing, and Jenna didn't like it. Alex acted as though he was trustworthy, his words and personality seemed to suggest it, but Jenna just couldn't bring herself to trust him, she had a feeling inside about him, and it had nothing to do with the fact that he was an enemy.
"Fine then." Saturos spoke, calmer than before. "Look after them. Come on Felix, Menardi." And he stomped out of the room unceremoniously.
"Good riddance." Jenna muttered sourly, causing Menardi to glower at her with angered red eyes.
"You should learn to have a little patience," The dangerous looking woman warned her. "Maybe try listening to us sometimes."
"Forget it; I won't listen to a thing you say." Jenna shot back, arms folded across chest defiantly. "You should learn to show some respect."
Menardi glowered at her, seemingly about to retort, when Felix murmured something to her. Jenna didn't hear it, but it was enough to make Menardi choose to ignore her, instead turning to Alex and saying, "Perhaps you should try and cool that girl's temper." Then she stomped out the room, hefting her long-handled scythe, blade retracted.
Felix looked at Jenna for a moment longer with his chestnut brown eyes, then sighed and followed after Menardi, leaving Jenna and Kraden alone in the room with Alex.
Alex stared at the door his companions had left by with his blue eyes, deep blue pools of mystery. He was always reluctant to reveal his true intentions to others, unless maybe to his companions when she wasn't around. In fact, Alex never said a word more than he had to, to her. Usually it was Saturos or Menardi ordering her around, or trying to explain their wild reasoning for lighting the beacons to her, although she ever listened of course, she knew they were lies.
Sometimes, when they were alone, Felix would talk to her, try to gain her trust. But she refused; she wouldn't let the traitor deceive her.
It was then she realised that Kraden hadn't said a word during the whole thing. He still stared into nothing as though the whole world did not exist. Normally the Alchemy Sage was full of talk, indeed the whole journey had been made more bearable by the conversations with Kraden.
He had explained much to her along the way, even though most had been beyond her, but it had been better than listening to any of the antagonists. But now he was strangely silent. He had listened to the previous conversation, but said nothing, now he was again focused on his thoughts.
"Hey, Kraden, why are you so quiet?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"Me, wha-oh… I was just thinking." he spluttered as he snapped out of his daydream.
"About what?"
"About what Saturos was explaining to me about Alchemy." the scholar replied.
"Why would you listen to anything he says?" she snapped. "He's a liar; he only wants to seize Alchemy for his own greed for power. You can't trust him."
"Perhaps, but nonetheless, his theories do necessitate consideration." Kraden replied in his scientific tone.
"Ah, so you are at least coming to understand our points of view?" Alex interrupted as he got up out of his chair and stood before them, between the two beds.
"I can understand Saturos' desire to light the Lighthouses and the power he would inherently gain by doing so," Kraden replied slowly, "but the reasons that he told us just don't ring true. They sound almost reasonable… but I would rather see proof before I believe."
"What reasoning is Saturos trying to tell you?" Jenna asked, demanding to know what lies Saturos had given Kraden.
"That Weyard needs Alchemy." he stated simply.
"Pfft. Weyard needs Saturos ruling the world with Alchemy, like I need a hole in the head." she snapped back.
"Ah, but yet you still misunderstand out intent." Alex told them smoothly. "There is more to be resulted from this than simple power."
"Who asked you?" she asked bitterly. Alex seemed taken aback momentarily, but he hid his shock behind a mask of blank indifference.
"No one, but would you not like to hear our full story before making judgement?" he asked coolly.
"No." she told him disdainfully.
"Well, I would like to learn more." Kraden interjected. His hunger for knowledge would sometimes lead him to listen to some unacceptable theories, Jenna thought.
"Well then, I shall tell all." Alex began as he sat down next to Kraden carefully. "Listen to our tale."
And then, because she had nothing else to do, she began listening to Alex tell his tale as though she and Kraden were friends.
X
It was late afternoon the next day when Isaac and his party arrived in Bilibin. The sun was just setting behind the Goma range to the west, and the people of Bilibin bustled on the streets to their south.
Isaac had no idea what their destination would be after passing through Bilibin. He could only hope they would find out from someone in there. There were really only two ways they could've gone. Back west, over Goma, or east towards Kolima and Kolima Forest. And the Curse of Tret.
"So you say that there is a curse that can turn people into trees near here?" Mia asked, blue eyes gazing upon the people of Bilibin.
"Yeah, it comes from Kolima Forest, from some forest guardian called Tret." Garet informed her in his loud voice.
"Supposedly, it's because the people of the town of Kolima cut down trees from the forest of the same name." Ivan told her in his younger, smaller servant's voice. "They were selling wood to the Lord of Bilibin so he could build a palace for his wife."
"Sounds rather vain. Don't people have better things to do in life?" she asked no one in particular. "Not all things can be healed, even by the best of us." Isaac led them through the town gate. Like last time, the people on the streets refused to acknowledge the presence of the man sized tree. And when they realised that the travellers were investigating it, they refused to look at them, either.
"So this is the… man-tree you told me about?" Mia asked, gesturing to the tree in front of her.
"Yes, even from here I can sense its twisted wrongness." Isaac replied, standing a little way off. He didn't like the twisted feeling coming from inside of it.
"I read his mind once, I didn't like what he was thinking." Ivan told her softly. "I couldn't bear the anguish he was feeling."
Mia grimaced. "This poor man… I wish there was some way we could ease his pain."
The attitude of a dedicated healer was still etched in her.
"Looks just like a small tree to me." Garet said, not paying any real attention.
"Let's just find an Inn for the night." Isaac stated. "We'll find out where we have to go tomorrow. There isn't anything that we can do for him." Mia left the tree somewhat reluctantly.
They strode through the streets, heading straight for the Inn they had stayed at last time, the Lady McCoy Inn. As they entered, the Innkeeper seemed to immediately recognise them.
"Aye, 'tis the lads from not all that long ago! Back in Bilibin, I see." He greeted them in a friendly Bilibin accent. "And yeh have a new blue-haired friend with yeh, what might yeh're name be, lass."
"I am Mia, of Imil." she told him politely.
"Aye, yeh're that healer them travellers speak of. I had another one o' yeh're Clan here last night. Alex, I think his name was." Isaac's ears pricked up at this. They had been here, then!
"He and his companions," Isaac spoke up, "do you know where they went?"
"Aye, the two strange lookin' ones, with an old man and two kids yeh're age?" Isaac nodded. That was Saturos, Menardi, Kraden, Felix and Jenna.
"Can't rightly be sure, sorry to say, lad." Isaac sighed; he felt the others around him do the same. "But I might have an idea. Three of 'em went tae see Lord McCoy about the Kolima Curse. They look like real tough warriors if yeh ask me, so I 'spose they're headed east."
East? Into the Curse of Tret!
Oh, Jenna… please be alright.
Isaac thanked the man, and payed for their rooms. When they entered the room, they immediately began talking.
"Can you believe it!" Garet exclaimed first. "Kolima! They'll all be tree-ified!"
"How can we be sure it's safe to follow?" Mia questioned. "They must have a way to defend themselves if they're heading that way. But how can we save ourselves there?"
"We don't even know if we CAN get into Kolima." Ivan reminded them. "How do we get past that barricade that McCoy built?"
"Quiet!" Isaac silenced them. "I have an idea." They all began listening intently. "They only allow powerful warriors to pass Bilibin Barricade, right? Well, we should just meet with Lord McCoy tomorrow, and obtain the key that will let us through, and we continue our pursuit. They may be a full day ahead of us, but if they want to be careful in the lands of Kolima that are Cursed, then they will be slow. Hopefully we can catch up on them."
"And how are we going to survive this curse without being tree-ified?" Gare asked.
"Garet, tree-ified isn't even a word." Ivan told the Fire Adept softly, receiving a glower in reply.
"I don't know what we can do about the Curse." Isaac admitted with a sigh.
"Maybe we can just end it like they say," Mia suggested, "by slaying Tret." Garet and Ivan looked at her like she was mad.
"We'll find a way." Isaac told them before either could say anything. "We're Adepts. We must have some sort of power with which to defend ourselves."
"Let's hope so." Ivan sighed.
X
The next day they woke up bright and early, ready to meet Lord McCoy. Mia, however, went to get some healing herbs. Heading towards the manor with the directions given to them by their friendly innkeeper, Isaac caught a glimpse of the palace that was being built next to McCoy Manor. It was just some simple framework that was barely enough for the first floor. Built with some wood from Kolima. There was still a small pile of ununsed logs nearby. In the shade of some nearby trees, a few builders were resting. Idly, Isaac wondered if they were still getting paid even though they weren't doing anything.
McCoy Manor was a large, impressive building, elaborate and expensive looking. It was rectangular, wide side towards them and three stories high, on each of the corners there was a tower jutting out of the roof and slightly out of the walls, adding a fourth floor. There were many windows along the walls and tower, and at the front were stone slabs leading up to the large wooden, elegantly carved double doors. Either side of the door stood two guards.
They were both rigidly holding long wooden spears, and were clad in polished, gleaming armour that was light, made out of simple plate and mail armour. It wasn't ideal armour, designed to look good more then to fight in, but then there hadn't been need for McCoy's men to fight anything more major than a local bandit for many generations anyway.
"Can I help yeh?" One of the guards enquired in a gruff Bilibin accent. "Are yeh warriors come tae en tha curse?"
"Yes, we want to meet Lord McCoy." Isaac replied.
"So, is he available?" Ivan asked timidly.
"Aye." The guard grinned. "He's eager to meet younger warriors, like yehselves! Foller me!" With that the guard opened the large, impressive doors and led the three of them into the hallways of McCoy Manor.
The manor was as impressive inside as it was out. A thick, expensive looking red carpet led up through the hall to large, heavy-looking wooden doors at the end. Along the way, two other hallways branched off the other parts, and several doors lined the walls. In between the doors, expensive looking paintings and tapestries decorated the way, many of Lady McCoy, while candles in decorated, golden candle holders lit the place.
As they reached the end, they stopped by the door, where the guard asked them politely to wait, while he opened the door and entered the room.
Inside, behind a large desk covered in papers, books, two candles and an inkwell, sat a round elegantly dressed man that Isaac guessed to be Lord McCoy. He sat there in a comfy looking chair scribbling on a piece of parchment with a quill he would occasionally dip into his inkwell.
McCoy was a rich, somewhat round man with dark reddish hair that was slicked back and had a pointed moustache and goatee of the same colour. He wore impressive, expensive looking clothing like that of Master Hammet. He looked to be cheerful, friendly. Behind Lord McCoy were two larger, more impressive paintings of Lord and Lady McCoy.
"What 'tis it?" he called out to the guard without looking up from his writing.
"Sir! Some new warriors have just arrived regarding the Kolima business!"
"New warriors, yeh say?" McCoy questioned eagerly, looking up at the guard with a keen glint in his eye. Then he sighed, with a shake of his head. "We've sent many a man in tae that cursed Kolima Forest, but not a one has returned." Not one? "These warriors… did yeh get a good look at 'em?" The guard motioned for the three Adepts to come in. They walked through the door and stood a short distance from the desk.
"Come closer, laddy." McCoy motioned for them to step forward. The three of them stepped forward to stand right by the desk. McCoy eyed them up and down critically, making Isaac feel a little nervous.
"Hey… are these the ones yeh were talking about?" McCoy asked the guard. The guard nodded slightly nervously. "They're but children!" He spat, and then turned to look Isaac in the eye. "Would yeh expect me tae believe yeh can save Kolima?" Isaac nodded.
"Yes. We may not look it, but we three and our other companion are more powerful warriors than probably any other men in this palace." It was true. The powers that Adepts wielded was something normal people just couldn't defend against. McCoy nodded, impressed.
"Yeh're not afraid, are yeh?"
"No way!" Garet declared boldly.
"Hmm. Well, I'll grant yeh're a brave lot." Then he opened one of the draws on his desk, rummaging through the contents, producing metallic clinking sounds. He withdrew his hand to place a large, simple wrought iron key on the desk before Isaac.
"Here. This key'll get you past the barricades tae the east…" He told them, trailing off uncertainly. Isaac hesitated to reach for the key at McCoy's next sentence. "Even with the key, such wee lads as yerselves'll never reach Kolima."
"Never even reach it?" Ivan exclaimed softly.
"So, will yeh still accept our little job?" McCoy asked them. Isaac nodded, and reached for the key, but stopped short when the Lord spoke up.
"Wait a second there, lad." Isaac let his hand fall back to his side. "I'm nae so sure now…"
"What troubles you, milord?" the guard asked him. "They seem willing enough…"
"They call themselves warriors…" McCoy sighed, then turned to look at them, "but they're naught but wee children! Aye, these are desperate times, but I cannae send such wee lads tae their doom!" Isaac groaned inwardly. Surely he couldn't be changing his mind now?
"Then what will happen to Kolima Forest?" the guard asked, sounding partially as though trying to convince McCoy to accept whatever help they could get anyway.
"We cannae give up hope on our other champions!"
"But what about us!" Ivan asked.
"What are you going to do with us?" Isaac added.
"We cannae send yeh intae certain doom." McCoy replied levelly.
"What if we said that we were going east anyway?" Garet asked, folding his arms over his braod chest.
"Yeh can go once things have settled down." McCoy told him in a voice that would brook no argument. Then, to finalize his point, he took the key of the desk, putting it back into the drawer and shut it.
"But that means…" Ivan spoke in disbelief, "you're not going to let us go?"
"But why?" Isaac asked. The other residents of Bilibin had been so eager for more warriors to save them, even if they were only kids.
"Ach, it's fer yer own good, lad." McCoy replied. "I dinnae wanna talk about it anymore. Captain?" The captain, who Isaac had assumed earlier to be a simple guard, stepped forward with a look of genuine sympathy on his face.
"I'm sorry, but yeh should leave now." he told the trio. He led them out of the room, shutting the door behind him, leaving McCoy back to writing whatever it was that was on his desk. As they walked back down the red carpeted hallway towards the entrance, the Captain began speaking to them.
"Yer name was… Isaac?" Isaac nodded wordlessly. "Ahm sorry that yeh were rejected." He sighed deeply, then shook his helmeted head. "I never, ever, expected something like this to happen to Bilibin."
As they stopped for him to open the dor outside, the captain turned to look at Isaac squarely in the eye. "Will yeh promise me yeh won't go tae Kolima?"
"No." Isaac replied honestly. "We have to go. We don't have a choice." The guard grinned in amusement.
"Yeh are persistent, aren't yeh?" he asked jokingly as he led them out the door and down the stone path that led up to the manor. "That barricade… yeh may not need a key." Then he seemed to realise abruptly what he'd said. "Oops… I shouldn't have said anything. Well, I'm going tae go now." Then he turned on his heel and strode back up to his place guarding the door.
"Did you hear that, Isaac?" Garet asked him.
"Might not need a key…" Ivan mused.
"Yes, interesting." Isaac replied. "I wonder what he meant. Ivan, what was he thinking?" Isaac turned to Ivan who had, of course, been reading the man's mind immediately after he said that.
"I got a firm image of the barricade in my mind." The young boy replied. "It isn't very strong, or tall. They built it very quickly, in just a day. And it's unguarded. We could just find a way…"
"Excellent." Isaac nodded. "That makes sense, we first came here only a week or so after the Mount Aleph eruption, and it was up then."
"I say we go down and take a look at this barricade!" Garet suggested.
"Well then, let's find Mia and get going." Ivan said.
"She said she'd meet us by the statue in the centre of town." Isaac reminded them. They walked quickly to the meeting place ignoring the looks some of the townsfolk gave them. Isaac now understood that they may have thought them warriors in their outfits, well Isaac and Garet at least, but they also thought them to be children.
As they reached the larger-than-life statue, they found that Mia was already there waiting for them patiently. Her blue pack was bulging slightly more than it had before, and her blue hair was neatly held back with a blue hair clip. A few passer-by's glanced at her hair colour, such a thing was unusual in Bilibin. But apparently not such an oddity that it warranted more than a bemused glance, they had seen stranger travellers here recently, namely Saturos, Menardi and their lackey Alex.
Mia hardly noticed the stares; she'd probably received worse from foreigners in her hometown of Imil. As her sea-blue eyes saw them, she smiled warmly.
"You took your time." she told them. "Now, I got plenty of supplies to look after us on our trip. I got some food, but I also got medicines, healing herbs, antidotes that will cure most poisons, potions and vials of…"
"How much stuff do we need in case of injury?" Garet asked, interrupting.
"Enough." she replied matter-of-factly. "Anyway, how did your meeting with Lord McCoy go?"
"Not as well as we'd hoped." Ivan replied. "But it actually worked out in the end." Isaac told her everything that happened, McCoy's rejection of their help and refusal to hand over the key and the guards slip of the tongue.
"So, we're heading east, then?" she asked when he was finished.
"Sure are." Garet replied.
"If someone is turned into a tree…" she mused, concerned. "I don't think that there is anything I know of that can help you…"
"Let's just hope no-one does get, as Garet puts it, 'tree-ified', then." Ivan joked.
"Hey, we're Adepts, we can handle it!" Garet insisted, ignoring the small Adept's gibe at him.
"Not if we stand around here all day!" Isaac reminded them. "Let's move!"
A/N: Well, that's a wrap. I didn't mean to make this chapter so… well sort of a travelling chapter, but I had lots of stuff that I wanted to show from Felix and Jenna's POV and also have Mia talk a bit about Alex, give some little hint of his past and… well, yeah, you see what happened. But if it makes you all happy, in the month that I squandered watching my precious anime collection, I did get pretty far writing the next chapter (before even uploading this!) and it shouldn't be too long a wait. I might even have to split it up into two chaps with the way it's looking right now.
Oh yeah, before I forget, recently my comps been screwing me around (again) and won't let me review anything! So if I normally review something of yours, and haven't done so recently, just know I did read, but couldn't review. I might just try sending of emails instead, but… we'll see.
Well, if you put up with my ramble long enough to read this far, then let me ask that you leave a review. Don't have to be much, just a simple "I'm reading and enjoying this" (or not, but then if you aren't enjoying then why have you read this far, hmm?) So yeah, get crackin, people. Just remember, those lovely chaps of ff.n gave us authors hit counts now! (THANKS!) So I'll know if I'm getting' more readers than reviewers ;)