Allies

Sefton began to feel warmth where previously there was nothing. He squinted his eyes, gauging how much light from the room he could bear. Suddenly Dawelien's familiar voice entered his ears.

"Come on Sefton, wake up."

"Here, give him this." Geiox said, handing a glass of water to Dawelien.

"If you splash me with that, I swear I'll kill you." He said weakly, his eyes intently watching the glass.

With the help of Dawelien he sat up in the couch the group laid him in. Sefton drank the water down thirstily.

"Where are we?" He asked placing the glass on a nearby table.

"You're safe for now, that's all that matters." came a voice from behind him.

"Just because Geiox and I are here now, I wouldn't say that makes him really safe." Targos commented.

"Of course not. As strong as you two may be, against an entire city of pirates, you would most certainly stand little chance. That is of course, if they were actually more organized."

"After bumping into Dintab, I'm sure that it'll be a short time before that happens though."

"Not likely."

"How so?"

"He was never of very high stature in the pirate community. At least not since he handed over leadership of the Scavengers to Nithiw. My guess is that the other leaders wouldn't even agree to see him. The only reason he's still alive is merely because he's still one of the most powerful pirates on Roika, let alone in Saint Morning. But I don't need to tell you that do I Targos?"

"No…you really shouldn't." He answered, glaring back at the figure Sefton couldn't see.

"Would you mind moving over here? I'm grateful for the help and all, but if I have to start turning my head around just to look at you with the headache I have, you could've just left me in the streets." The assist interrupted.

"My apologies." The mystery man said, before foot steps were coming to Sefton's side, and the man bowed slightly before him. "I am…"

"Modos Ayd?"

"Oh, yes I forgot we were both in the tournament weren't we?"

"What happened to you?"

Modos was no longer the pretty young male counterpart to his love Ayako. His hair had grayed deeply and was unkempt unevenly all about his head. There were several scars on his face, giving him a somewhat monstrous look. Two scars starting above the eyes and going straight down to his cheeks. A third went from the bottom of his left ear to the edge of his mouth, and then continued from the other edge to his right ear. He no longer smiled, and the once vibrant eyes were now dull and almost lifeless.

"After Ashel died, things got bad, or so our troupe heard. At the time we were touring some outposts all over the country, trying to lift spirits, and help with the devastation left behind by the Clockworks. After about a month and a half, the troupe held a meeting. Most were thinking about leaving Saint Morning for any of the other three countries. We ended up deciding against it. I…decided against it. I paid no head to the warnings about pirates, and I thought the city could really use a performance from us. I convinced the others that the pirates would leave us be if all we wanted was to put on a show.

We had our performance, mostly watched by the pirates in the open, but I know the citizens were also. We decided on "Who Makes the Jester Laugh?" A comedy that Ayako had written in which I play the jester and it's all about…" Modos paused scanning the disinterested faces of the men in the room. "Well, I suppose it's not important. Anyways, after the show, we were all on our way out of the city when we were ambushed. I don't recall how many there were, or even the moment I lost consciousness, but when I came to Ayako was gone. That's when we heard the screams.

We all headed back to the main court of the city, and that's where we found them. The pirates and my sweet Ayako."

Modos' eyes began to well with tears after mentioning her name, but he continued on.

"We tried to save her, but there were too many, and I underestimated Dintab's strength. He gave me these scars because he said he liked the look of the jester on me. So I was cut to match the makeup from our play, and left bleeding in the streets. The rest of the troupe was wiped out."

"What are you still doing here?" Sefton asked, after giving the man a moment to collect himself.

"Where would I go? I have nobody anymore. No purpose, no reason to leave. I still have reason to stay. I must see that pirate pay for the evils he has done. And that is why you two are here." He said motioning to the brothers.

"So this is your employer?" Geiox asked turning to his kin.
"I am a representative of them all. I can assure you the employer is no single person, but every citizen of this city. They are all united under the guidance and help of miss Nithiw and…"

"Nithiw! So she is still in this city?" Sefton asked excitedly.

"Yes, of course."

"I need to see her then!"

"You can't."

"What do you mean I can't? You know where she is right?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me where I can find her."

"I'm afraid I can't do that."

"My ass you can't! You mean you won't."

"That too I suppose. We can't risk the pirates finding her just for whatever reason you may have to see her. I'm sorry, but as important as I'm sure you believe your mission to be, my only concern is her and Dintab."

"You bastard! Who do you think you are to decide my quest ends here?"

"It need not end."

"What are you talking about now?"

"The sooner we free this city, the sooner we will be able to show you her whereabouts. You could help with that."

"You…you're trying to force me into joining your cause?"

"Nobody is forcing you into anything Sefton. The liberation of the city will happen. I'm sure of it. However, there's no telling how long it would take. Adding three more able bodied warriors to this cause will certainly help expedite the process though. The choice is still yours. Whatever that choice is, I will need to know now. We can't afford to waste any time."

Sefton sat a moment in silence and looked at his two comrades who showed they would follow whatever his decision may be.

"You still speak to her right?" Sefton asked the former actor.

"Yes."

"Good. Then you tell her that I have a condition."

"A condition?"

"The three of us have to leave before the end of the month. We'll stay and help for the time we have, but when we have to go, I want to see her. When we are done with our business in Flaris, we may be able to bring help back with us to continue the fight."

"I will have to bring this to her directly. I don't know for sure how she would answer."

"Well then hurry up and speak with her. We don't have time to waste either."

"First, I'll show you to your rooms upstairs. You all must be tired."

"Maybe they are, but I'm not."

"Sefton, let me put it this way for you then…I don't trust you. I will relay your offer to Nithiw as promised, but I won't have you leaving your room until I already have. Otherwise I know you would try and follow me. Simply put Sefton, while your help would be appreciated or even beneficial, it is not necessary. You need our help more than we need yours I think. Do we understand each other?"

Sefton clenched his fists a moment only glaring at the man. The log in the fireplace popped and shifted. After pushing his glasses further on his nose, Sefton slowly forced himself to stand before Modos.

"Show me to my room."

Modos nodded and lead the five men upstairs, placing the three friends in one room then assigning a second to the brothers. At this point, Targos adamantly refused, taking a single pillow and a blanket back downstairs. Sefton thought of doing the same given his current roommates and the argument they were pursuing over what kind of cheese went best with Flari Pang's bread, but decided that Modos wouldn't allow it. After Dawelien decided to concede to Weneibo's superior knowledge of cheeses, Sefton broke in before they could change subjects to the best ingredients of a stew.

"What did the two of you hear while I was out?"

"From who?" Dawelien asked.

"From who? The gods for all I care! Everything that everyone said when I lost consciousness."

"Oh, well let me think." The man said staring at the ground, his face twisted in deep concentration. "Oh, after you blacked out, we all decided to get out of the streets obviously. Geiox could've worked on healing you there, but we didn't know if more pirates would come. So we picked you up and right around when we were trying to figure where to take you is when Modos arrived and brought us here."

"Here where? Do you know where we are?"

"No, it's just a house like any other at the eastern end of town. Although, Geiox seemed to recognize it."

"Anything else?"

"Not really. Targos and Geiox were discussing something about a man they met earlier today. Said the name was Sar…no Sirch. Didn't sound familiar so I just ignored it."

"Sirch was the name of their uncle. Nobody has seen him since the Datri parents died. What else did they say?"

"Nothing much, just how it seemed he was looking for something at their cabin, and something about a mark Geiox saw but didn't recognize."

"A mark?"

"Yeah, but that was around when you woke up."

"Nothing from Modos?"

"Nothing that I heard. He and Targos spoke only a little while Geiox was healing you. What…"

Sefton held up his hand to silence the other man as he faintly heard a door down the hall, and then footsteps cross the doorway. He moved swiftly to the door and opened it slightly spotting a shadow descending the stairs. Entering the hall, to the right he saw that Modos' door was opened. As softly as he could, Sefton made his way to the staircase and quickly glanced down. Modos was nowhere in sight. The fireplace had burnt out and the only light in the room was coming from the next. Sefton was nearly at the bottom of the staircase when Targos entered the doorway to the kitchen with a sandwich in hand.

"Hey, you hungry too Sefton?"

"No. Modos in the kitchen?"

"Why would he be?"

Sefton made his way into the kitchen to find it empty.

"You haven't heard anything while you've been down here right?"

"No. What's this about?"

"Nothing." Sefton went to check the front door which was still locked. "Nothing at all Targos. Good night."

The young assist returned upstairs and looked at Modos' door just a moment. It was still open slightly, but he decided not to snoop around any more.

"What's wrong Sefton?" Dawelien asked, as his friend laid out on his bed with a sigh.

"Nothing. I'm just tired I suppose."

After a moment of Sefton staring at the ceiling, Weneibo decided to change the subject.

"So, what's your favorite kind of cheese Sefton?" He said with a smile.

"You're joking right?"

"No. I'm really curious, and I just think that you've become so serious lately…"

"Oh you think so?" Sefton said bitterly.

"It was just a question Sefton…"

"Dammit Weneibo! What don't you understand about what's going on here? We're being forced into this conflict, which may very well easily be a lost cause. For all I know, Nithiw may already be dead, and Modos is just using her name as a tool."

"Do you really think that…"

"I don't know! There are still so many questions flooding my bloody mind right now, that all I know for sure is that one question I don't want to add to that ever expanding list is anything having to do with your stupid cheeses!" Sefton snapped.

Weneibo looked down a moment, his face looking like that of a hurt child's before lying in his bed and rolling to face the wall. Sefton soon rolled over himself and Dawelien blew out the light after looking worriedly at his two friends.

Sefton awoke the next day to find neither of his companions in their beds. From the hall, he could see that Modos' door was wide open, and several voices were coming from downstairs. A large group of people were all gathered in the common room. None of the strangers paid any attention to the newcomer as they were all preoccupied with each other, and Modos at the center of the group.

"Morning."

Sefton looked to his left; leaning against the wall was Targos.

"What's going on?"

"A meeting. Modos arranged all this at some point last night, though don't ask me how."

"But who…"

"I'm really not the guy with answers here Sefton. I think it would be best you talk with Modos."

"Fine. Where's Weneibo and Dawelien?"

"In the kitchen. I think they're making breakfast for everyone or something."

It was true. Almost the moment Targos finished his sentence he could smell something cooking. Once in the kitchen doorway he could see his two friends hard at work preparing large amounts of food. There was a woman there also, directing the two.

"Are you here to help cook?" The woman asked.

Sefton looked the old woman over a minute. Her pink shirt sleeves were rolled up around her elbows ash turned some eggs over in a pan. She was wearing sandals and a blue dress. She turned to Sefton, and wiped her hands on the yellow apron, which matched her hair.

"Oh, no ma'am…"

"The name is Karin, not ma'am. If you're not here to help cook like these fine boys, then get out of the kitchen."

"What?"

"You heard me. We've got plenty of mouths to feed, and no time for delays sonny. Out!"

Sefton was surprised at the force of a shove from the old beady eyed woman, as he found himself on the ground facing the ceiling.

"Oh Sefton, I didn't know you were already awake." He heard Modos' voice. "Come on over, I've got news for you."

Sefton got up quickly, dusted himself off, and readjusted his glasses.

"News of?" He asked, entering the group.

"Nithiw agreed to your terms. Regardless of the state of affairs when you have to leave, she'll meet with you."

"Good."

"Ok, everyone come and get it!" Karin shouted from the kitchen.

Sefton held Modos until they were alone.

"Who are all these people, and what are they doing here?"

"They are all citizens of Saint Morning, and they're here for the same reason as you are now. They are going to help fight for this lost city. So from this point on, in whatever varying degrees, they are our comrades."

"Hey!" Karin interrupted. "You two should hurry. That guy in the red armor doesn't look it, but he can pack away the food."

"You ready to hear the game plan Sefton?" Modos asked with a smile.