Chapter 3

The group was fortunate to have a fairly uneventful night. They weren't attacked, and in the morning Xershies was feeling great. He had had plenty of time in which to rejuvenate, and was ready for a long day's journey. Tigo and Caleb had both had a perfect nights sleep, and were also ready for a fast pace. They decided not to eat breakfast, and instead to get an early start.

"Xershies, I do not know where we are going, please lead," Caleb chirped up.

"Yes Caleb, I'll lead," Xershies said," but we must be quick."

Xershies set a swift pace that a man of his age shouldn't have been able to keep up. Caleb tired after an hour, Tigo just a little before that. As usual, almost no talking was done during the trek. Tigo and Caleb were about through; and just before Tigo was about to insist a break, Xershies stopped.
"We will camp here, for a little bit," and with that, he sat down and made a fire.

Tigo and Caleb looked at each other, and shrugged. They weren't ones to complain about suddenly taking a break. As Caleb was sitting down, he looked at Xershies who wasn't even breathing heavily.

"Xershies, I don't know how you can stand that pace, but Tigo and I need to rest a little more," he said as he slumped down," Wait a minute, and I'll be good for another run."
"Wait a few minutes," said Tigo with a grin.

"Ok, we will rest for half an hour, but then not again until sundown, I'll go slower this time," he said, making no move to rest. He continued to stand, and did not eat anything; gazing off into the north.

The thoughts were coming back to him again. The memories. Xershies had been able to keep the memories out since his encounter with Tigo, and he wondered why they kept coming back now. Even more puzzling was that new thought he had. The one he hadn't ever had before.

A few minutes later Caleb was up, and Tigo grudgingly got up from his short nap.

"Let's go Xershies," he said," We still have a good way to go before we get to Parthek."

Caleb and Tigo picked up their belongings, and got ready for the trip. After everything was gathered, Caleb put his head down and quickly recited something. Suddenly a great hawk flew down and landed on the ground at his feet.
"This is Amoria, one of my few friends from the forest. She'll fly ahead a bit and come back to tell us if we need to get ready for anything." He spoke a few more words near the birds head, and it flew off.
Xershies set a slower pace this time around as they went. Periodically, Caleb would un-sling his bow, load an arrow, and fire into the woods. There would be a rustling, and then nothing. Once, he fired an arrow forward into the distance. After a few more minutes of walking, the group found a dead wolf with an arrow in its side. Caleb smiled, and retrieved his arrow.

"Caleb," Tigo asked," how do you know those animals are there?" He gazed down to the dead wolf, and then back to Caleb and his bow.

"You learn a few things in the forest," he replied.

(crest)

At sundown, the group set up camp. Tigo and Xershies were setting up a small fire, and were ready for yet another meal of pork. When they asked Caleb how much he wanted, they found that he had disappeared. They called his name a few times, until he showed up again. He was carrying a deer over his right shoulder. He jogged out of the woods, and set the deer down in the middle of them. Seeing this, Xershies made the fire much bigger. Caleb built a make-shift split, and very quickly cleaned and dressed the deer.

"Caleb, how did you catch that deer so fast?" inquired Tigo. Again, Tigo glanced toward the woods before glancing back at Caleb and his prize."

"You learn a few things in the forest."

Things went smoothly that night. The group talked about each other's pasts most of the evening. Xershies didn't talk a whole lot, he mainly just observed. He was sizing the two of them up. Sizing them up as a team. Would they fight well together? He thought so. The two seemed to have hit it off. They chatted long into the night. When the two were ready to go to bed, Xershies thrust his staff into the ground, and found a comfortable log. The other two fell quickly asleep, and Xershies prepared himself for an easy night.

(Crest)

"Hello Xershies"

"Hello Drake! I'm glad that you chose to teach me!"

"You have great promise as a fighter. I hope train you into a great warrior. Are you ready?"

"You bet!"

They were in a small cave in the south end of the Duvey Mountains. Drake had shown up earlier that week in their refuge, and was instantly regarded as a hero. Drake spoke of teaching the soldiers to fight the darkness. While he was going to train them all, he spoke of choosing a pupil to specifically train one on one. Everyone was very jealous that Drake chose the young and naïve Glenneth. Xershies was a vibrant fifteen year old, who showed absolutely no talent.

Drake held in his hands a scythe with a very long blade. Xershies had only a small wooden practicing katana. They were in the middle of the cavern, facing each other. Xershies was ready for his first day of training.

"Self-control, Xershies. First and foremost is a warrior's ability to control his thoughts and actions. You cannot win if you cannot control your own abilities. Also, you must control your confidence. Being too overconfident is a very bad thing. I know that your father was the best swordsman in this kingdom. You however, are not. Show me what little skills you possess."

"Ok, I'm ready! Come at me!"

"We'll see how ready you really are."

Drake charged head on toward Xershies. He had his scythe held at his right, ready for a blow. Xershies was in a defense stance, and thought he could stop the oncoming attack. At the last moment, Drake changed his attack stance from attacking from the right, to doing an uppercut maneuver. Xershies tried to stop the blow, but his mark was off. The scythe came up, and across his face.

Xershies yelped with pain, and dropped to all fours. Blood was streaming from the deep wound that went diagonally from his left brow, to his right lip. Drake stepped backward, and muttered three simple, but very motivating words.

"You… aren't… ready"

Drake walked out of the cavern while Xershies bled there on the floor. When he cried, the salty tear and sweat rivulets crept into his open wound causing even more excruciating pain. Drake had signaled the healing women to go to him. Xershies just laid there until she came in.

He felt horrible. Not from the cut, but from the fact that he had once again not been able to hold his own in a battle. He had never lost a battle, because he had always felt too afraid to stay and be in one. His over confidence had gotten the better of him in this battle, and he vowed to himself not to let it happen again.

His thoughts drifted to the next fight between himself, and Drake.

"Very nice, Xershies. You have definitely improved."

He swung down on top of Xershies, only to have has blade blocked.

"I would have hoped so. This scar is a constant reminder of my failure."

Xershies returned the blow, and met Drake's blade just inches from his neck.

"I hope you know that I will never apologize to you for that. You needed it."

Blades crashed again, this time with a block from Drake.

"I don't expect you to. It taught me."

Xershies nicked Drakes leg, and spelt a few drops of blood.

"Very nice Xershies..."

Drake pushed him backward, and backhanded him across the face. Xershies landed on his butt, with Drakes sword ebbing at his neck.

"…Now do better"

(crest)

"Xershies!"

It was morning. The clouds had cleared, and the sun was already high in the sky. It was around ten in the morning. Xershies shook his head a little bit, and began to get up. It was very hard for him. He still felt as drained as the day before.

"Xershies! All our gold is gone!"

He tried to out of his trance, and looked toward Tigo, and Caleb. They looked like that had been searching for their gold through all their bags.

"We woke up, and there were footprints. Our bags had been gone through. All our money was stolen… Xershies! Were is your staff?"

Tigo ran over to him, and gave him a hard shake; it wasn't helping. He was still stuck in his state between memories, and real life. A small moan escaped his lips, and a few words. The words were short, and separate.

"I wasn't… able to… reg… enerate. Whoever took… my staff… find him. I need… a stick…"

Caleb ran into the forest as quickly as they could and found a good sturdy walking stick. As quickly as he had left, he was back. Tigo was supporting Xershies. Caleb handed the stick to him.

"Can you walk?" asked Caleb.

"Ye… yes. It will be slow going."

Tigo, and Caleb quickly gathered the supplies, and each helped Xershies along. Just before heading out, Xershies stopped.

"Look."

He reached his hand into his right pocket. There was a hole there, and below it was another pocket attached to the chest plate that he wore. He pulled out several coins. After Tigo and Caleb had seen it, he replaced them.

"I always have a little extra for just such an occasion."

Tigo and Caleb laughed, and they continued on. They had traveled far enough the previous night to have only about an hour of travel, at normal speed. In a little over two hours of slow traveling, they could see Parthek in the distance.

The group traveled a little farther, always making provision for Xershies in his weakened state. It was only a short time later that they came to the city. It was a little bit larger than Reynard had been, and a little bit more crowded. Xershies pointed them in the direction of the inn.

They passed several small shops, and locations on their way. Xershies was getting weaker and weaker with each passing step. He had never been apart from his staff for this long. He needed its power.

When the group finally arrived at the inn, they rushed in and asked the innkeeper for a room. The inn keeper pointed them to a smaller room up near the attic.

After placing Xershies in bed, Tigo and Caleb decided to let him rest. Xershies gave them a handful of gold coins, and told them to buy a drink. They made their way down and into the tavern built onto the side of the inn. They reluctantly decided to use the coins that they had received from Xershies.

(crest)

"…I will do better."

Blades meet, and depart. They crash again, and again. Block after block. Attack after attack. A lunge is made, but redirected. The room is filled with the furious sound of two locked in battle. One looses control of the blade and it is flung from his hand.

"You are improving Xershies!"

"I told you that I would, Drake."

Drake walked over to the wall, to retrieve his fallen blade.

"I never thought that I would have dropped a sword against you! Very good."

"Why aren't you using your scythe this time around?"

"I don't know. I just thought that you needed to battle a real opponent with a real blade. You did very well."

Tigo and Caleb sat at the bar, and talked about their past battles, and experiences. The conversation moved toward how odd they both thought Xershies was. After a while, Tigo noticed that in the corner, a darkly clad man was sitting. In his hand was blood splattered staff. The top of it was covered with an empty wheat bag. Tigo tapped Caleb on the elbow, and nodded in the direction of the figure. After nodding at each other, they both got up from their seats, prepared for battle.

"Xershies, I believe that you are prepared. You have proven yourself worthy. But more than that, you have proven to be a great friend. You were the closest thing to a brother that I had."

The man with the staff stood up, recognizing the men that approached him with looks of extreme anger on their faces. He backed away, and leapt through an open door. Tigo and Caleb broke off at a dead sprint after him. He made an immediate left, and ran out of the city; Tigo and Caleb on his heels. The man still held the staff. Tigo and Caleb noticed that he still had both their coin purses around his waist. The thief ran strait into the dense part of North Reynard Woods.

"But Drake! Why must you go?"

"I have a mission that I must to complete. I have dabbled here long enough here as it is. You will be a fine warrior. I commend you for your strength and courage. Continue to serve your King well. We must together go speak with him."

The chase took a new turn, it was almost pitch dark inside the forest. Night had come several minutes ago. Tigo and Caleb did the best they could to keep up with this surprisingly fast man. Through brush, and over limbs they went. At one point, Tigo watched Caleb jump up into a tree, and disappear. He decided not to pay much attention to it, and continued to chase the man. He hoped that the other man would stop soon, Tigo was almost out of steam.

"King Ferdinand. We must part company. I have tarried here too long. My mission might not be completed. Serving two masters is not an easy task, and I must go. I leave Xershies in your hands, and to your service. From this day forward, you two will be the sole survivors of this nation, until the day that the Darkness is defeated. I'm sorry for this, but it had to be said."

Tigo was almost out of breath, but was still on the man's heels. He had no idea where Caleb had gotten to.

"Drake! Please don't leave! I want a brother!"

I know, but you will have to come to me later in your life. Not soon, by any means. I will not be able to defeat the Darkness. I have assigned that task to you."

Tigo was nearly to the point of exhaustion, when Caleb flew out of a tree, and right onto the man's shoulders. The man, and Caleb, fell to the ground; the staff flying through the air. Tigo managed to get to the staff, and then took a seat.

"How can I do that, Drake?"

"When you are able, travel north…"

"What should we do with him, Tigo?"

"I don't know, do you think Xershies would like to have a chat with him?"

"… find the nine…"

"Yea, he probably will."

"Hey, Caleb, what's that across his back?"

"… and gather at the Glyphs…"

"Wow! That's a nice scythe!"

"It sure is! Maybe we should steal it from him?"

"… There you will find me and the ability to open the door…"

"Tie him up, Caleb. He'll talk with Xershies tomorrow, as soon as he can rest up."

"… Thank you for everything Xershies, and good luck."

"Wait Drake!"

Drake simply turned, and ran toward the cave's entrance. With one last backwards glance, Drake shouted something Xershies never did understand.

"Never forget the words on a dying father's lips."

With that, he was gone.

(crest)

Xershies snapped back from the void of memories to find that he was reenergized. He quickly sat up, to find that his staff had been placed up against the small desk. He smiled, and glanced over toward it. As he sat up, he pushed the memories of his last account with Drake from his mind. He stood up, and reached for his staff. It felt cool, and refreshing.

"Xershies!"

There was a knock at the door. Tigo and Caleb walked in, they were dragging a bound body. The figure looked as though he had been badly tortured. Tigo and Caleb had been up to mischief. Xershies had a seat on his bed, and looked at the man. Tigo unbound his mouth.

Tigo spoke simply, and quietly, "Who are you?"

The man looked like he didn't want to answer, so Caleb put one of his daggers to the man's back.

Again, Tigo asked, "Who are you?"

In a very cold, and sarcastic voice, he replied, " James Dega."

Caleb looked at Xershies, who showed him Dega's scythe, "He had this weapon on him, when we caught him."

Xershies caught his breathe a little bit, but no one noticed.

"Why did you steal from us?" asked Caleb.

"Traveling isn't always cheap and by the looks of your friend there," he pointed to Xershies," You wouldn't miss a little money. You didn't think that I didn't know he had reserves under his cloak? It's the oldest trick in the book. I just needed some money to eat."

This made Tigo angrier, "Then why did you take his staff? He's an old man for heaven's sake!"

"It looked like it would have traded well. Who are you anyways?" He said, looking over to Xershies.
Xershies attention came back, "My name is Glenneth Xershies. This is Tigo Magus, and Caleb Deadeye. Caleb, let me see that weapon you have."

Xershies glanced toward Caleb, who immediately handed him the scythe. Upon holding it, Xershies felt the coldness of the blade. Nothing happened. Xershies held his hands out, face up. He took the scythe, and slit his own wrists with it. The warm blood trickled down his arm, and fell to the ground. The blade began to glow a bright yellow. Instantly, the blood and cut healed on Xershies wrist and were gone, and the scythe's glow diminished.

"As I thought," said Xershies," Your weapon is that of the Chosen Ones. Peculiar I should be finding you all so quickly after so many long years of searching. However, I'm not so sure…"

"… There you will find me, and the ability to open the door…"

"It is an ancient weapon. One of which I have seen before. In fact…"
Xershies pulled back his hood, but only enough to reveal a deep red scar across his face. The scar extended from the top of his left brow to the right of his lip. He then covered his face back up.
"…in fact, it caused this. But this was many years ago, before the curse that keeps me alive took effect, hence the scar. The scythe has since lost its power. However, I have just regenerated it. I believe you will find it much more powerful. Caleb, please take Dega outside for a moment. I need to speak the two of you, alone."

Caleb dragged Dega's bounded body out into the hallway. He had been re-gagged. After Caleb came back, and shut the door, Xershies began.

"I'm not sure about him. He has the weapon of a Chosen One. My mind tells me that he is one of the nine. What do you two think about the situation?"

Tigo instantly responded, before Caleb even had time to consider the question, "I don't like him! He stole your staff! You could have died!"

"Well, Tigo, I wouldn't go that far. Death can't come to me naturally, remember? I would have just been so weak, I couldn't have gone on. Anyway, I think we should let him travel with us. At night, I will put a sleeping spell on him to keep him subdued until morning. Then, we can keep his hands bound, at least until he proves his trust. Oh, and I guess that you two fought well together. I'm very pleased by this!"

Caleb and Tigo glanced at each other for a second. Before nodding.

"Please collect him."

Caleb walked back out into the hallway, and dragged his prisoner inside. Xershies had resumed his seat on the bed, and was again holding the scythe. He looked up, and into Dega's eyes.

"I have need of you, James Dega. And I believe you have need of me. Am I mistaken? Or do you seek something also? I think so... I think it would be in all of our best interests for you to come with us. However, I am not to sure of one thing. I'll decide on it later."
"By the way Xershies, where are we going? You have yet to tell us that," Tigo piped in.
"Ah, very good Tigo. I have need of secrecy at this current time. However, I promise you, that at Midry, I shall tell you all more. And I will reveal the place to which we are going. There is a vision I have had repeatedly, and that I need to show you. I will require an item found in Midry to show you all. So, I'll give you the day today, but tomorrow at sun break we leave. Come back to this room tonight. Caleb, please release Dega."
Caleb reluctantly cut Dega's bindings.

"Dega will stay with me for the day."

Dega looked up sharply, and had an obvious disgusted look on his face.

(crest)

When twilight fell, Tigo and Caleb returned from their day of leisure. The group needed a lot of sleep that night for the long day's journey tomorrow. Xershies was prepared to cast the sleeping spell on Dega, but only ddid so after asking permission from Dega; which he readily gave.
"You two need rest. Go to sleep. I'll wake you at day break," Xershies said.
The other two fell asleep rather quickly. Xershies began pacing the room. He was having the vision again. So avid. So horrifying. His father fighting. His father dieing. Like flashes of lighting, two thousand years of history, all falling into place. His long life continually flashed before him. Culminating into something he didn't want to confront. He didn't know what to think. Flashing, flashing, flashing...

(crest)

His head hit the bedpost. He was out of the vision. Xershies stumbled about, regaining his balance. He looked through the window, and off into the horizon to see the sun reaching over the cliffs to the east. The sun was not completely up yet .He had yet to actually totally regain his strength, but he hadn't really gotten much rest in a long time. The visions were coming almost every night now. The one troubling him more than all, is that of the Glyphs. Their destination. The place he shall introduce in Midry. He thought of how unlikely it was that they shall all want to go. Three of the eight he had been searching for. Xershies sat quietly thinking to himself. What about Dega? He wasn't quite sure yet that Dega was actually one of the nine. He walked across the room, and prodded Dega with his staff.
"Awaken, James Dega."
Dega awoke groggily from his sleep. He glanced from left to right, and rubbed his right shoulder. The sleeping spell had had some adverse affects.
"Yes, what is it?" Dega asked.
"Wake the others. We set out today."
After about thirty minutes, the others were up, and set to go. They were out in front of the inn.
"James Dega, I give you the freedom to chose. Shall you come with us? Do you wish to know that which you seek? Yes, what you're thinking is true. You have seen me before. And yes, I am older than any living mortal. But that is where I hush. To find out the rest, accompany me, and this group. Come, Tigo, and Caleb."
Xershies began to walk into the sun. Tigo and Caleb followed him into the distance. Dega was left standing there, thinking.

Do I go? How does he know? What kind of man is he? To go... or not to go...