Chapter 9

"Reith, I'd like you to meet someone," Mistress Ladrienne said. Reith looked up from her bedroom window to see a petite, blonde girl entering the room. She wore a large bow in her hair accompanied by a matching frock and frilly stockings. Although her smile was warm, her deep, blue, eyes held a harsh secret that unnerved Reith.

"This is Justina Born. I like to think of her as my own daughter," The Great Priestess said patting Justina lovingly on the head.

"It's nice to meet you, Reith," Justina said, holding out her hand. Reith looked at it, unsure as to what to do. "Oh, you shake it. Here, like this," the young girl smiled as she demonstrated.

"Justina will help you get your memory back, Reith. She is a skilled priestess and will aid you in whatever needs to be done," Mistress Ladrienne said.

"Thank you, Mistress Ladrienne and Justina," Reith replied, bowing to them slightly. Justina noticed the frown that spread across Reith's normally happy face.

"What's wrong, Reith?"

"Well…I don't know where to start searching for my memory. I don't want to be a burden to you…I know that I sometimes anger people, especially Calintz and Haren," Mistress Ladreinne laughed and put a reassuring hand on Reith's shoulder.

"Oh, don't mind them, they're like that to everyone! As for not having a lead to start from, I've arranged for a good doctor to see you in Notia. He is one of the best and knows much of the mind,"

"Notia?"

"Don't worry, I'll take you there," Justina said.

Reith sat in the courtyard, watching the sun as it began to set over the mountains and steeples of the Great Temple. She would be leaving in the morning for Notia and hopefully, her memory. But there was something on her mind. Firstly, she had been thinking about the man she had met in Lester, and again on Mt. Rhyde. Why did she feel she knew him, when she knew nothing about who he was? But his voice…it was so familiar…

"Amila…This is not a good idea…"

"It is the only way…How can we go on living like this?"

"But, it might never work! You do not know what will happen if you go through with it, you may die!"

"Will you calm down. Look outside, don't you remember the trees, the hills, the grass beneath your fingertips? Don't you long to have it back again?"

"Amila…Of course I do…I just…"

"You just what? It is not like you to hesitate with words, Orha,"

"I do not want to lose you again, what would become of the Kingdom if you never returned?"

"Kingdom? The Kingdom went down in flames with the land! There is no order anymore, there is no differentiation between the lands of Efferia and Yason Roven. No one will mind if I am gone…"

"Of course they will. Your sister certainly will, I will, Roxy will, so will many others who are loyal to you,"

"I am going through with this, Orha. I have been selfish for too long, I want to change. I'm doing this for you, for all the Yason and for everyone in Efferia…"

"Reith, are you alright?" Reith was startled out of her daydream. She looked up, the amber rays of the sun stinging her eyes. The person moved position until they were blocking the sun and Reith identified the trim form of Justina.

"Huh? I'm sorry, I'm fine, thanks," she said. Justina sat down beside her on the bench.

"You don't look it. I can tell something's on your mind,"

"I…feel confused…I just don't know,"

"Of course you're confused, you've lost your memory. But don't worry, we'll get it back, I promise," Justina smiled reassuringly. It cheered Reith up a little, she could tell the young priestess was someone she could rely on. She was glad to have such caring people around her, although she felt she didn't deserve it.

"Thanks, Justina," She managed a smile. "I just feel like a complete nuisance, I'm sorry,"

"Don't be, Reith. You can't help it and we understand that. I'm sure this doctor in Notia will cure you and you won't have to worry anymore,"

"Yes…I hope so."

They sat in silence for a few minutes just listening to the whistle of the breeze as it wove through the trees. How long would this journey take? Reith couldn't help but feel nervous. However, as much as she longed to have her memory back, she didn't want to leave without first speaking to Calintz. And since her encounter with General Agreian, the door to his room had always been locked. I can't leave without saying goodbye…After all, he was the one who got me here in the first place. It was then that a thought came to her. Justina lived in the Great Temple, could it be possible that she had a spare set of keys? Reith bit her lip and looked at the young priestess timidly.

"What's wrong?" Justina asked.

"Well…I was wondering, would you have a spare set of keys?" Justina looked surprised, her deep blue eyes expanding.

"Keys? What for?"

"I wanted to say goodbye to Calintz before we leave tomorrow. General Agreian wouldn't let me in and he's locked the door…I must say goodbye, he was the one who got me here after all," Justina furrowed her brow in thought.

"That would be going against my duty, Reith," she said finally. Reith lowered her head and sighed.

"I know…I'm sorry,"

"But, to be honest I've never been to fond of General Agreian and I think he has no right keeping Calintz locked in there, so I will help you,"

"Justina!" The young priestess smiled and stood up, holding out a hand for Reith.

"Come on, if it's going to be done it'll have to be done soon, it's getting late,"

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"You're more resilient than I had anticipated," Orha said, stepping back for a breather. Agreian was on one knee, his other leg stretched off to the side as he supported himself with his sword. He had never come across anyone this strong before, apart from his best friend. He brushed the silvery hair away from his face and glared at his opponent.

"I will never let such a valuable item fall into the hands of Yason scum!" he spat. This only caused Orha to explode with laughter. However, Agreian had one more trick up his sleeve before he would admit to defeat. A sly smile spread across his thin lips as he muttered the sacred words beneath his breath. No sooner had he finished than a thin circle of blue fire surrounded him. He saw Orha step back in surprise through the mask of flames. Agreian felt the power of blue magic surge through his body, raising him to his feet once more. His sword glowed with misted ice as he held it out in front of him, pointed at his prey like a dagger to the heart. In a second he was upon the enemy, shards of ice flying from his sword and slicing into Orha's flesh. The Yason General roared, raising his twin swords in an attempt to block the attack.

But he was too slow.

Agreian spun around, his sword tracing a spectacular arch, slicing down on Orha. Frost began to form over the Yason General's body, confining him in a prism of glacial ice. Agreian stood back, running his cool gaze over his work, then thrust his sword forward, shattering the ice in one deft movement.

Orha staggered and fell to his knees, cut and bleeding.

"You…" he breathed. "Will regret…what you are about to do…" He gasped, his eyes filled with an intense fury. He muttered something under his breath and a moment later vanished in a vortex of black feathers. Agreian cursed. Damnable Yason, not even worthy enough to finish a battle! But none of that mattered now, he was in reach of the Lightening Shard at last. He staggered up to the altar. Electricity jumped and danced all around him. He could feel the power tingling through his skin as he picked up the treasure. As soon as his fingers connected with the shining material, a pang of sadness struck his heart. It was almost as if he'd lost something, something dear to him. He ignored it and pocketed the shard. It was most likely due to his exhaustion, nothing more. He slumped down beside the altar, tilting his head back against the cool stone. However, the feeling persisted and he became even more eager to return to the Temple. He knew he would never get back in his current state, not without some rest. So it seemed it would be harder than he had anticipated, now that the Yason were also after the Shards. But why? To wipe out all of the humans? It seemed the most logical explanation, but why had he not heard anything of it until now? He eyes drooped shut, his vision slowly fading into nothingness...

The wind had picked up violently and the rain lashed down, saturating the ground into a muddy swamp. He wasn't far now, he could see the roof over the next hill. Agreian pulled his hooded coat tighter around him and he hurried on. Why had he come all the way in such horrific weather? He wiped rain drops from his face, looking off into the distance. He had come because he couldn't bare to wait any longer. There were things that were being retained from him, things which he should know about. They weren't expecting him of course, but how could they decline him when he was the General of the Alliance?

He had finally reached the Tears of Blood Headquarters as darkness was overtaking the land. They had immediately offered him food and rest but he had declined. He had more urgent matters to attend.

He found the lithe man in his office, pacing back and forth, his sword elegantly tracing patterns of techniques he knew so well. His snow-white hair was untied and drifted around his face and chest like a frame. He didn't even look up when Agreian entered the room.

"You came all the way here in that downpour? Are you insane?" Calintz said sadistically.

"I came to check you were alright, I heard what happened with the Yason attack,"

"Even after I gave strict orders for you not to be told…" He said under his breath, bringing the sword down in an aggressive stab, causing it to stick in the wooden floorboards and quiver precociously.

"Calintz…look at me," But he only grabbed his weapon once more and began stepping further away, tracing the air once more with the tip of his sword.

"Haven't you go duties to attend to, other than standing around pointlessly in my office?" There was a hint of a smirk on the captain's pale lips but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. Agreian strode over to him, swiftly grabbing his wrists. Calintz yelped as Agreian twisted his hand, causing the sword to clatter to the floor.

"What the fuck are you doing!" he spat. Agreian pulled him close, leaning towards his ear.

"You work yourself too hard," he whispered.

"What I do is none of your business, Hugo," He felt a pleasant shiver when Calintz spoke his name, he hadn't uttered it in so long.

"You never replied to my letters, why?"

"Why do you think?"

"You want nothing more to do with me…other than what our job calls for?" Calintz turned his silvery eyes away but did not answer. The silence was awkward, so strong you could almost see it. Agreian was positive he could hear the sound of Calintz's heart beat along with the rhythm of his own.

"Does the past not haunt you, Hugo?" he finally said. Agreian sighed. He felt guilt for himself; that he had run instead of fought on the fateful day, and he felt pity that his best friend had to suffer the reoccurring nightmares that never left him.

"Of course it does…" He held the smaller man tighter, as if he would be swept away in any second. He ran a long finger over Calintz's pallid cheekbone.

"I do not want to lose you, Mano…I can help you…"

"Help me? I never even asked for help," He struggled to get away, but Agreian did not loosen his grip. He kissed the young captain roughly on the lips and to his surprise Calintz consented, opening his mouth slightly to allow Agreian's tongue to enter. It had been weeks since he had last had this pleasure and he was more than eager for it. Agreian ran a hand through the long white hair, tracing Calintz's spine all the way down to the fastening of his top. When he started to undo it, the captain pulled away, walking over to lean with two hands on his desk, facing away from him.

"Calintz?"

"Just go, this was a mistake…" His voice was controlled as always but Agreian knew him too well to distinguish the undertones of melancholy.

"You are being irrational,"

"Go or I shall have to make you leave!" Agreian knew too well that that was a bad idea. Calintz had the ability to seriously injure him, even kill him if he wished and after travelling for so long Agreian did not have the strength he would need to fight him. The general sighed, why did Calintz always have to be this difficult? He turned and left the room, slamming the door viciously behind him.

Could he have ever made it work? Was it purely the fact that Calintz didn't want to have anything to do with him because he reminded him of the past? Perhaps, he was too emotionally damaged to be able to love him, to be able to accept the love of another. These thoughts plagued Agreian like swarms of ravenous wolves. If Calintz wanted distance, then that was what he should give him, even though it made his heart ache. Distance…to never feel his touch or taste his lips…It seemed unbearable.

Agreian awoke with a start, covered in sweat and an impending dread. Just another dream? It was always just a dream, but the dreams were true or at least had been. He hauled himself to his feet, wincing at the stiff pains in his legs. How long had he been asleep? Time eluded him here, there was no way of telling whether it was night or day: the cave was always dark.