Chapter 2

Their journey proved to be a long one. Xershies and Tigo traveled for most of the day, which proved to be cloudy and cool. They stopped briefly for Xershies to quickly cook his left over pork from the day before. Tigo and Xershies talked for a little while of each other's past. Tigo spoke mostly of his years at the Military Academy in St. Austin, in the southern part of Weilm continent. This Academy was set up as part of the Kingdom of Austin's defense system. It trained young men into powerful fighters. Xershies had in fact fought for it in the past, when it was much different. Xershies, unlike Tigo, kept most of his past hidden. Most of the rest of their trip was done without any speaking.

Tigo did, however, wonder where they were headed to. He began to question what this quest was, and why he was so willing to do it. That spot on his back; what was it, and how did Xershies know it was there? So many questions.

Nightfall came, and they stopped to build a fire. Xershies muttered something under his breath, and the fire was up and going. After the fire was lit, Xershies went out in search of food. Tigo and he had finished his supply of pork during lunch. It wasn't long before he spotted another large plump pig. He slung his sword at it, without effort, and took it down. They ate quickly and in silence. After finishing, Xershies told Tigo that they would continue their journey for a few more hours. Tigo was unable to keep his curiosity silent.

"So, Xershies, who are you? What are you doing here? What can you tell me about yourself, or your equipment?" Tigo glanced up at his aged faced.

"Why so interested?" A smirk had formed on what could be seen of his face.

"Well, you just look deceitfully old, and decrepit." He was now scanning the length of Xershies body, and attempting to measure him up.

"Yes, many people mistakenly identify me by my outward age, not my skills. And, let me assure you, I am much older than you would possibly think." He stood up, and began pacing back and forth, as if nervous.

"I see, well, what about your odd equipment? It looks so different."

"My, Tigo, you are full of questions. Well, I'll explain to the best of my abilities. My full name is Glenneth Xershies. I was once an elite soldier in King Ferdinand's army."

"King Ferdinand? That was two thousand years ago!"

"Yes, I know." Xershies walked back to a log lying down opposite the fire of Tigo. He began to sit down, and did so with great effort.

"But… but… that means…"

"Yes, yes. I am well over two thousand years old. I told you, you wouldn't think it was true. Well, I can't say too much more than that about my past. Perhaps you will find out one day. My sword, the Masatma, has powerful magic, and attack boosting powers. It is welded with a piece of material, which increases my strength, as my health declines. So essentially; in battle, the more I'm hit, the more damage I deal out. It's quite nice. My shield and staff both have some very powerful properties as well.

My shield has been intertwined with a substance that nullifies all magic attacks that hit it, and it increases its defensive power as my strength weakens. So, in essence; the more I'm hit, the less I can be hurt. Also a very nice quality. My staff is perhaps my favorite. I can't sleep, that ability was taken away from me with the same curse that condemns me to live this long life.

My staff, when stuck into the ground, will restore my body. It heals wounds, as well as revives my body's energy. The most powerful, and difficult to obtain, was its power to nullify all magic within about ten meters from it; while it is in the ground. This has its advantages, and disadvantages. No one can harm me with magic; however, neither can I cast magic while under its protection. So, it's a give and take. I won't go into my repertoire of spells; it would blow your mind."

Tigo sat there eating, hardly believing what he was hearing. His mind began to wander to just what compelled Xershies to continue fighting. What force put such a spell on him? Would he have to confront the same evil? How many spells does he have? Still so many questions.

They continued a few hours into the night, at a rather slow pace. This confused Tigo. How would such a great quest be completed at such a slow pace? He wasn't sure.

"Xershies," he asked," why are we moving so slowly, for such an important quest?"

Xershies glanced at Tigo. He chuckled a little bit.

"Because, Tigo, we are not the only ones that must complete this quest. You see, there are nine of us that must assemble, and we are only two. It has taken me over two thousand years to find one, you. I do, however, wonder how long it will take me to find any others. I believe we are quite close to finding another."

Tigo was even more confused by that assumption. He decided to let it rest for the evening, and they continued walking. The path up to Parthek was a long one, a day or two's journey at least.

Later that night, Xershies abruptly stopped, and said that they were stopping their for the night. Tigo walked to the edge of Rankin Woods and gathered some firewood. Much to his dismay, Xershies had already started a small fire. Xershies decided to take the watch, and let Tigo sleep a little bit. Even though he couldn't sleep, Xershies did need some regeneration time. While Tigo slept, Xershies kept a constantly moving eye on the surrounding woods. Something was bothering him. Something was out there. But what? He knew he'd find out shortly.

(crest)

A short distance away, a figure had been following the group. The person had been listening to the conversations, and had overheard Xershies explanation. He was intrigued. The figure refused to believe the old looking man's attempt at explaining himself, and just continued to watch.

Silence.

The figure cast a silencing spell on himself; so that he can move about freely, without making a sound or being seen. For some reason, he felt like he should stay near to them. He wasn't sure just what it was, but he needed to hear more.

(crest)

Dawn broke, and the sun began to rise over the distant horizon. Tigo and Xershies were very far north, which meant the sun came up very south of them. They put out the fire, and gathered their things. Thoughts were still racing through Tigo's head. A few times he almost asked a few more questions before halting himself.

The day was a long one. The weather was almost the exact opposite of what is had been the previous day. Sunny, and sweltering. The two sweated profusely, and stopped constantly for a drink of water. Tigo had a flask hung on his side that he would drink out of. Whatever was in it, Xershies was sure it wasn't water. The lunch break came later that day.

They had started a fire, and had already put the leftover pork on to heat it up. The smell had attracted a pack of wolves. Six in all had approached the fire, and its vitals.

Tigo had gotten frightened, and reached for the two daggers slung at his side. Xershies, with that same unnatural speed, struck his staff to the field and equipped his sword and shield. Tigo hadn't seen Xershies in actual combat before, and the speed at which Xershies could move surprised him greatly. Tigo threw both daggers at one of the wolves; one hitting its left side, and one jabbing the top of its rear-end. This wolf yelped, and limped away. While Tigo quickly grasped the two daggers across his back, Xershies was casting a high level fire spell. This spell set three of the wolves on fire. These three ran around for a little bit, before succumbing to the flames. Three left, one of them injured. The injured wolf attempted a leap at Tigo, who slit its throat. Two left. Xershies just stood waiting for an attack. When one came, he powerfully split the animal in three large chunks. Again, the animal hadn't realized what had happened because of the swift powerful stroke.

The one wolf that was left had been stabbed twice by Tigo, with one blade still embedded in its side. This wolf decided the jig was up, and started to run. Tigo glanced toward Xershies, and then toward the animal. It still had one of his daggers in him. Tigo took off at a full sprint toward the animal, which was quickly out running him. Xershies just chuckled, and sat down.

An hour later, Tigo returned. He had gotten all his daggers back, and was ready for a meal. The two sat down and ate together. After they had finished, they packed up and headed out.

A few more hours passed by, with relatively little talking. Periodically, out of boredom, Tigo thought, Xershies would show Tigo how to do some basic level spells. After that, Xershies would do some higher level spells, many of which Tigo couldn't do, but enjoyed watching. Later that night as they were sitting down to a meal, Xershies jumped up to attention.

"Tigo, be wary. I sense that we are not alone." Xershies glanced about, but couldn't figure out what it was he sensed. Something was amiss. Something, someone. He couldn't put his finger on it. Right near the edge of the forest, the figure was watching.
"Xershies, is there anything else I need to know?"
"No. When you need to know a certain part about the quest, I will tell you."

Xershies was still a little wary of the disturbance in the woods.
"Well, ok then. How about your past, other than your soldiering days? You look like a wise old man. What kind of things have you been through in life?"
"More than you will ever know Tigo. More than you will ever know. If I told you what kind of horrors I have seen, you would think me to be a mad man. You already know how old I am. Older than any tree of the forest, or beast of the field. There is only one thing that I am not older than."

He hesitated for the slightest second before going on.

"You know of the darkness?" Xershies was still glancing into the woods.
"The darkness, Xershies?" Tigo was now completely confused.
"No, I guess you would not. Long ago, darkness swept the land. It was at that time that I was born. My father fought it. The darkness destroyed everything, and everyone in its path. My father was the best swordsman there was, and he died fighting, right in front of my eyes. I will not tell you how it happened. But I will tell you it was horrible."

"To make it short, the darkness swallowed the land. Kingdoms were reduced to mere rubble, and hundreds of thousands of people died. It was in this time that many kings lead what people they had left into caverns deep beneath mountains, and oceans. It was in these places only that the darkness' reach could not extend. Ironic isn't it? The darkness's only place it couldn't reach was darkness."

"There was one man, named Drake. He was strong enough to walk about freely, and not be killed instantly. How he acquired this power and might, no one knows. Not even myself. However, what I do know is that he cast it away. The darkness was gone. Freedom was regained. Before he went off, and defeated the darkness, he trained the soldiers in my refuge. I was one of his closest pupils. We were like brothers. I pains me very greatly that he disappeared after defeating the darkness. I have used my time to try and search for him, but have never succeeded.

While the darkness was gone, something was odd. Myself, and King Ferdinand did not age. We watched the people around us die, and yet we did not. I spoke to him one day, and he," Xershies looked up suddenly, and swiftly,"There, in the bush, Tigo. See that?"

"No, I don't."

"Petrify!"
The bush discontinued moving. Xershies made his way toward the edge of the forest. He took out the Masatma, and cut the bush away. What was left was the figure of a man, with a bow and arrow. The image was ghostlike. He was clearly stone, and yet had a hollowness about him.
"Thought so."
"Yes, Xershies?"
"He cast a silence and invisibility charm on himself. That's why he appears ghost-like. De-petrify!" The stone man suddenly came to life, in full form, "Explain yourself... now..."

The man was of mid height, and very lean. His hair was long and dark. He had several small scars around his face, and hands. A bow hung across his back, and several knives are placed at easy to reach locations across his body. The knives were smaller than Tigo's daggers. His quiver was a small one, which held roughly twenty arrows. He wore a dark blue tunic with thick leather belt, and he had several small pouches around his waist.

The man gathered himself slightly, and began to speak in a slightly raspy voice," Greetings, that's quite a trick you got there. I'm Caleb, Caleb Deadeye. As to why I was following you, I saw you on the road, and overheard what you were saying. I wanted to hear more, so I followed."

Xershies lowered his sword, "I see. What skills have you?"

"Well, I was raised in the forests east of Reynard by my father until I was fifteen, when he died. He taught me all I know, and I know quite a bit. I'm pretty handy with my bow, and I can hold my own in a melee. I have many fighting knives, as you can see. Very few can beat my skills in the wild, and I know some magic, too. I came to town looking for adventure a few days ago. Then I saw you two, and followed."

"Hmm. Something is peculiar about you… and I am wise in the ways of magic, and swordsmanship, as well," Xershies spoke.

"You are wise in the ways of magic? Well then, old man, can you tell me what my bow does. My father said it has magical properties, but he died before the time he said he would tell me."
"Interesting... let me see your bow."Caleb handed Xershies his bow. He looked at it strangely, and found a small indention on the side of it. The indention was a hand. Xershies put his hand on the spot, and muttered a few words. As he removed his hand from the spot, all three could see that a crest was indented on the bow. A red circle, quartered, with a sword down the middle. A dragon, full bodied and flying, clutched a man in his front claw.. Xershies moved toward Caleb, and touched his right shoulder blade. The pain shot through his shoulder, and the same red crest burnt its way through Caleb's shirt. It was on Caleb's left shoulder blade. Caleb yelled, and winced from the pain.
"Well, sir. You are one of the chosen ones. That urge for adventure led you to me. Interesting how quickly I found two of you. Perhaps the rest of my journey will be as easy as this leg. As for the magic capabilities of your bow, I can not tell you that. That is something you are meant to discover on your own. I know this bow… Caleb, eh?"
He handed Caleb the bow, and glanced toward Tigo. Tigo had a slight smile on his face, as did Xershies.

"So, you heard what I was telling Tigo over here. Excellent. That makes my story less complicated to tell again."
"Xershies," Tigo spoke up in the silence," am I a chosen one?"
"Of course, Tigo. You had the royal crest. I have a feeling you might be more than that. But I do not know. I can't tell either of you too much more right now. I will fill you in both later as soon as we reach Parthek." Xershies lent down to grab his last little bit of his meal.

"Well, can I join up with you? I won't be a burden, and I was looking for adventure. From what I heard you saying, it looks like I'll find plenty of it." Caleb was still rubbing his left shoulder.
"I'm glad you said that. I didn't want to have to drag you, tied hand and foot. You will be crucial to this mission before the end. We shall journey to the north. The trek to Parthek is another day's journey. Get some sleep. You will need it.