Chapter 4

Yuja: Okay. You can blame my friend Jynx for this one. She just had to go off and introduce me to the music by Jem, particularly "They" and "24". Very helpful when writing this type of fic. And Evanescence. If trying to write drama, listen to Evanescence. And now for a few responses.

fuzzy blob of doom – "Is Garet gonna split on Isaac" you ask? Hmm…guess you will just have to read and see…and I don't think this chapter alone will answer that question. ((grin))

Isaac: -.-;; In other words, she knows, but wants to keep everyone in "suspense" despite the fact that she's terrible at it.

Fjord Cannon – Tee hee. I think I'm developing the bad habit of leaving cliffies. And congratulations, you gave the thief a concussion. Hey! ((whips out bats and other various whacking items)) Who wants to play Whack-A-Thief?

Dracobolt – Phew. Glad you liked the arguments. I was worried that I over did it.

Dragon Scales 13 – Thick? As in, not very smart in believing what Garet said? Yeah, I kinda had some trouble writing that part and it just seemed to happen. I'll try to work on preventing that in later chapters.

Trixie's girl – Thanks. Will do!

Great redwyrm – Wow. Three new reviewers in one chapter? Anyway… Glad you like it.

Jenna: Yuja doesn't own Golden Sun.

Yuja: And I swear, if you see any missing spaces between words or any other typos…THIS CRAZY WEBSITE KEEPS DELETING MY SPACES AND IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY! AND IT WON'T LET ME USE MORE THAN ONE EXCLAMATION MARK!-!-!-! (unless I do that…) Seriously, I read over each chapter at least a dozen times and use spell check almost religiously before uploading, so pretty much all errors can be blamed on this site.

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"Hey, Garet? Remember that thief that Grandpa met with yesterday during dinner?" Garet, still half asleep, made a noise in his throat that Kay assumed to be a "yes" as her brother reached for a piece of toast. "Well, turns out he was able to work up a plea bargain of sorts." Garet made another noise, still only partially listening to her. "I'm not sure what, exactly, but from what I've heard it seems that..." Garet was almost ready to drop the toast in his hand and fall face first onto the table when Kay elbowed him. "Are you even listening? Better yet, are you even alive yet?"

"Quit bugging me," Garet mumbled, swatting away the hand that his sister was waving in front of him. He hadn't slept so well the night before.

"Well, forgive me for trying to keep you updated, Mr. Mayor-to-be. Just thought you'd want to know. I mean, this is the same low life that tried to rob you." Garet's toast hit his plate and his head nodded dangerously above it. "Fine then. Stay out of the loop of things," continued Kay as though sharing some fascinating secret. "I guess you wouldn't really be concerned just yet with stuff like an Adept possibly being found in the area."

That woke him up. "An Adept?"

"Yeah. That crook says he was stopped by a guy that showed the signs, whatever that means. But keep in mind; this is just speculation right now. Nothing's been proven yet. For all we know, this guy's just another raving lunatic that would accuse a dog of Psynergy if it got in his way. Oh, and Aaron's starting his training at the Sanctum later today."

Isaac. "I'll see you later, Kay. I've got something I need to do." He stood from the table and pulled his boots on at the door.

"No problem. Say hi to Jenna and Felix for me." Garet stared at his sister, but she just smiled as she picked at some grapes. "I'm your big sister. What did you expect me to say?"

Garet walked as casually as possible along the dirt path, across a bridge, and down a flight of stairs. Before leaving from the bottom of the stairs, he cast a quick glance around before continuing to the nearest house.

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"I'm taking it you don't want to come to the Jerras' house with me today."

"How'd you guess?"

"Well, you're going to miss a show."

"He's still the mayor's grandson, Felix, so don't hurt him…too much."

"Thanks. Take all the fun out of it, why don't you?" There was a knock at the door, and Felix, being only a few feet away, answered. His smile vanished. "Oh. It's you."

"Who is it?" Jenna stood from the dining table and moved to get a glimpse past her brother. Seeing Garet standing there, her mood instantly turned cold as she returned to her seat. "What do you know? It's our friend the fake."

Garet didn't look at Jenna. "Can I come in?" He stared Felix in the eye. Felix stared back for a few seconds as though considering whether to comply with the request or punch the inquirer in the face.

Finally, he shrugged and moved aside. Garet quickly stepped in and Felix closed the door. "Why are you here, Garet?"

"You need to move Isaac."

Again, Felix just studied their guest for a moment. "Why?"

"Something's come up. Someone's told Grandpa that there's an Adept in Vale-!"

In an instant and despite Garet's considerable size advantage, Felix had grabbed Garet by the front of his shirt and pinned him to the door. "This had better not be your doing," he hissed threateningly. Jenna stood again behind them.

"I swear. I didn't tell anyone," Garet responded evenly. "But someone else has. It's that thief that robbed me before. He was finally arrested trying to rob Mr. Carlson. Turning in Isaac is his idea of getting out of trouble." Felix glared at him a little longer before letting go.

"So why'd you come running to us? I thought you didn't care. You just want to be a good mayor after all, don't you?"

Garet hesitated. "Yeah, well, consider it as being for old time's sake," he answered, opening the door and leaving the siblings behind him.

Felix turned back to his sister. "What do you think? Can we still trust him? We don't know what all has happened in that house for a while now."

Jenna was silently thinking the same thing, her gaze lowered and away from the door. "I don't know anymore. For all I know, his family finally broke through him and set him up for this. I know it's a crazy idea and I don't like the thought of it, but it's as good a guess as we've got right now. I just don't know him like I used to anymore."

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A small boy tugged at his father's sleeve. "Papa? Why is Grandpa so sick all the time?"

The man kneeled so that he was eye level with the child. "Don't you worry, son. It won't be long before the problem is handled and your Grandpa is better again. He's just under a lot of stress right now."

"But, how can a person my age make him sick?"

"An Adept isn't a person, son. An Adept is evil. It can only bring trouble." The man ruffled the boy's hair as he stood. "You'll understand someday."

"Then I'll be a good mayor, right Papa?"

The man smiled. "That's right. Then we'll be assured that you will be a fine mayor, Garet."

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Garet kicked a pebble along the path back to his house. He had been half tempted to visit the cave when he had come to the crossroads, but had decided against it. Knowing my luck, I would probably be followed. Continuing on, Garet didn't really look up until he had crossed the bridge, and what he saw waiting for him made him stop where he was.

"Now, I don't want to take any real action before I've checked with my grandson, but you have your orders for what to do if he confirms what that criminal claims," explained Mayor Jerra to a group of at least a dozen Valean guards. "If the claims are false, then there will be no need to carry through with the-"

"Grandpa!"

Mayor Jerra turned to see his oldest grandson running towards him. "Ah, Garet. What perfect timing."

"Grandpa, what's going on?" He could see Kay off to the side trying to signal him to remember his place and manners, but Garet ignored her.

"Come inside, Garet. There's something I need to ask you." Kay was almost begging where she stood, mouthing what looked like "yes sir" over and over again. Garet saw no reason to worry her and said the phrase to the mayor, making Kay look considerably more relaxed as he entered the house and was led to the empty conference room.

"Shut the door, will you Garet? Now, a slight issue seems to have arisen concerning the thief the guards apprehended yesterday. First of all, is there anything you would like to tell me, Garet?" Mayor Jerra took a seat near the end. Garet remained standing, shaking his head with a quick "no sir." "Good, good. Well, as I'm sure you know by now, that thief has claimed that an Adept is living within the boundaries of this town. Unfortunately, Garet, as the mayor of this town it is my duty to prove or disprove such statements. I must ask you, Garet, do you know anything about the Adept of which this man speaks?"

An Adept isn't a person, son.

"Sir, I can assure you that there weren't any people in the alleys aside from the thief and myself that I could see."

"He said he was attacked and that you witnessed it."

"I had chased him all through the market place, sir. He panicked when he realized I was still behind him."

"You saw no Adept or any signs of an Adept?"

"No sir."

"What of your friends? This man says he has seen them entering a cave with supplies, sometimes accompanied by you."

"It's just a place we go to in order to hang out, sir. Jenna and Felix sometimes bring snacks or something for us to do."

"As a man talking to his grandson, Garet, I have to ask you: are you speaking in all honesty, or are you simply saying these things to protect something?"

"No sir." Isaac wasn't a something "I'm not protecting any thing."

Mayor Jerra studied the teenager in front of him before standing. "Come with me, Garet. There is something I feel you need to see." The mayor led Garet out of the conference room and down a hall to a room that was somewhat smaller than Garet's bedroom. The room was mostly empty aside from a row of unlit candles lining the left and right walls, both of which also contained murals of what seemed to be a battle. Mounted in the center of the opposite wall from the door was a large suit of armor, almost samurai-like, and a sword rested on a pedestal in front of it. "Garet, do you know what this room is?"

"No sir. I've never been allowed in here."

"That is because you were not of age. However, I believe you are now close enough. This room serves as a constant reminder of what our people have overcome."

"Overcome what, sir?"

"The Adepts." Mayor Jerra motioned at the walls. "These are murals of a great battle this town once faced many years ago. This armor belonged to one of our ancestors. I am not sure how many generations ago it was, but when Vale was merely a mountain base village, it was attacked by a band of fierce Adepts. They set fire to houses, created a storm, and flooded the river. No one knows why they attacked, but many lives were lost in the struggle. Our ancestor, Vale's Mayor at the time, faced the Adepts with this very sword you see before you." Garet stepped closer to the mentioned weapon for a better look. "It was named the Fire Brand, for when wielded in battle, it was said to unleash the very flames of Purgatory itself."

"And he fought back the invaders with that alone?"

"Yes. Simple Adepts do not possess such weapons. They rely on their Psynergy to wreak havoc. When they realized what they were up against, the tides of battle shifted in Vale's favor. The stone statue at the entrance to our town was once solid crystal, but the Adepts changed it to stone as they retreated, a final attempt to leave a mark."

Mayor Jerra turned to his grandson. "Now do you see why, as the leading family, it is our duty to protect this town while continuing to fend off the Adept threat? Even now, after all the hard work to single out Adepts, they still manage to appear from time to time. However, even ignoring the matter of the Adepts, since we are members of this proud lineage, it is our job to do what is best for our people, no matter what the costs."

Garet stared at the armor and weapon a little longer. "Our ancestor, the one you were telling me about, what happened to him after the battle?"

"Didn't you notice? The answer is right over there." He pointed to a section of painting to the right of them. There was the image of what looked like flames around a dark human-shaped figure laying on a gray rectangle. A funeral pyre. "He was injured in battle, but fought on until he could fight no more. That is the image we must live up to each day. That is what it means to be a mayor, a leader, of Vale.

"Forgive me for asking again, Garet, but are you sure there is nothing you wish to tell me?" Garet shook his head. "Garet, I did not raise two boys and not learn to know when something was being hidden."

"I'm just having some trouble with Jenna and Felix." Garet realized and was confused by his grandfather's words. "Two boys, sir? Dad had a brother?"

Mayor Jerra's face darkened slightly with this new topic. "Yes, but you wouldn't remember him. He died many years before even Kay was born. Had he lived, he would have been the mayor after me."

"What… happened?"

"You could say that he went for a stroll in the woods and did not return. Search parties were formed, and his body was found beside the road. Again, the Adepts are to blame. They were caught red handed, still hovering over him like vultures."

"What did they say? Were they questioned?"

"Heavens, no! They were all killed at first sight! You can't contain an Adept. In that kind of situation, they would kill you before you could even find a rope. No, Garet, the best thing at a time like that is to kill first, ask later. Even then, there isn't much to ask."

The two emerged from the house moments later. Garet moved to the side where Kay and Aaron, the boy already dressed for his first day of apprenticeship, stood while Mayor Jerra faced the waiting officials. "Garet has assured me to the best of his knowledge that the thief has been dishonest about a possible Adept. Thank you for your time, gentlemen. Captain, if you and your men would follow me."

Garet turned back around. "Grandpa, where are you going?"

"Forgive me, Garet, but I must thoroughly examine every possibility."

"Garet, what are you doing? Get back here," ordered Kay, but Garet still followed the group over the bridge and along the trail. It wasn't until they reached the stairs that Garet felt his heart speed up and his feet stopped. Before his grandfather could reach the bottom step, Garet had turned around and was headed back for the crossroads.

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The small boy stood with his sister at her bedroom window. From there the siblings could easily see the sanctum, the white stone of the structure illuminated by the mass of torches being carried by the mob. Some of the men from the village were angrily trying to climb the stairs, and even the many priests had trouble keeping the crowd at bay.

"Are they really getting rid of the Adept, Kay?" Where any adult's voice would have been filled with excitement in asking such a question, the boy's young voice was a mix of fear and confusion.

The girl put a hand protectively on her brother's shoulder. "The villagers won't give up until they do, Garet."

"But what about the Elder? Don't they care about what he says?"

"The Elder's word means nothing against Grandpa's or the people. If Grandpa says the boy must go, then the boy must go."

"But it wasn't his idea. Why is he doing whatever the people want?"

"Because he's the mayor, Garet. He has to do what he thinks is best for his people, no matter what the costs," answered the girl, repeating the motto of sorts that the children had been hearing since before either could remember.

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Garet struggled with the vines where he knew the cave entrance should be, but they refused to give way. "Isaac, I don't know what Jenna's told you, but you have to trust me for now," whispered Garet to the vines, still trying to move them out of his way. "The thief was caught, and he's ratted you out. Please, I never wanted Grandpa to find out. I never wanted you to be treated like that again."

As though the vines had listened and judged him worthy, each fell limp in his hands as he finished talking. Isaac's getting better at this. Garet wasted no time in moving along the tunnel and entering the chamber at the end where Isaac waited silently.

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"For Sol's sake, just cut the things!" Mayor Jerra was growing impatient. One of the guards drew his sword and cut at the dense vegetation, revealing the opening beyond.

"It's just a cave, Mayor," assured Felix casually behind him. "Nothing too grand. Just some place to relax from time to time."

"I don't wish to doubt you, Felix, but I cannot dismiss this case without thoroughly investigating." Mayor Jerra led the way, followed by Felix, Jenna, and six guards. Jenna marveled at how calm Felix was being, yet even she knew Isaac wouldn't be caught by surprise. He controlled the vines at the entrance, and he would already know of the unfriendly presence.

As they rounded the final corner, the siblings almost walked into the mayor when he halted suddenly, momentarily too shocked for words. When he could speak again, the leader could only form the question, "Garet? What-What are you doing here?" Looking over their mayor's shoulders, the group found the leading family's youngest heir sitting contently on the wooden bench in front of them.

Garet looked up at his grandfather's words and grinned. "Oh, hey Grandpa. I was just waiting for Felix and Jenna. We were going to hang out today."

Mayor Jerra glanced between the three youths, visibly confused. "But…didn't you say you were having problems?"

"Yeah, well, that's why we were meeting today. We've got to work things out sometime, you know."

As he looked around, Felix could barely resist grinning as well. You've certainly pulled it off this time, Garet. A table had been moved into the corner, both it and one of the benches now covered by thick sheets serving as table cloths and draped to the floor. Most every item that would suggest a full time resident was missing from the cavern, and Felix had a sneaking suspicion that the reorganized furniture had something to do with it.

Mayor Jerra straightened. "Well, then, would you mind if I took a look around?"

"Actually, Grandpa, this might not be the best time. I was kind of hoping to-"

"I am sorry, Garet, but I must insist." The mayor motioned towards the guards behind him and each was soon in the cavern, forcing Garet to jump aside lest he be knocked over in the now crowded room. There was one official at the cabinets, another at the table, two at the book shelves, and the other two looking in every nook and cranny.

"Sir," called one within the first half minute. He was at the pantry, and Garet was already making his excuse. "It looks as though there is enough food here to last one person a week, even with three full meals a day!"

Jenna stiffened behind Garet as the mayor turned to his grandson. "Garet?"

Garet had his arms crossed and was leaning casually against the tunnel wall. He shrugged at the inquiry. "We get hungry sometimes. Jenna just got a little carried away last time she went shopping, so she stored some of the extra supplies here."

Another guard that had been looking through the cabinets now turned as well. "Mayor Jerra, sir, there is a large amount of cloth and sewing materials here. There also tools here that are used for wood work." He opened another cabinet, revealing more provisions. Everyone looked to Garet.

"Jenna likes sewing and making different crafts. She patches up our outfits whenever needed, and the wood carving tools belong to Felix. Just another hobby of his." Felix smirked. Garet was almost as quick as him when it came to making excuses on short notice. The procedure continued, Garet always supplying a decent reason for each item's presence. Then it came to the matter of the crude wardrobe Felix had crafted years ago. The three teenagers stiffened as the guard quickly opened the double doors, but it only exposed a row of tunics and blankets. Garet instantly excused them almost in an embarrassed manner as costumes for when the three used to dress up and role play as knights or wizards.

The guard began to close the doors to move on, but stopped suddenly. When asked what the matter was, he stated that he thought something moved, then dismissed it as his imagination or the breeze caused by the movement of the double doors and turned to the book shelf where the earlier two were still examining each volume. Felix looked ready to protest when several papers fell out of one book and scattered on the floor near the entrance, but decided against it, though Jenna could tell that the damage was silently killing him. After what couldn't have been more than ten to fifteen minutes, the search was announced complete. Garet almost sighed in relief that no one had thought to check the covered table or bench.

Each guard retreated to the entrance, and the mayor apologized to Garet and the siblings for the intrusion. As the guards began to file out, the next to last one slipped on the fallen book pages. Flailing his arms for balance, he accidentally hit his comrade behind him, causing the man to stumble backwards and into the side of the wardrobe. The teenagers held their breath as the structure wobbled dangerously. The guard tried to still the wooden closet, but he only seemed to make matters worse as it fell forward in almost slow motion, the front crashing and splintering onto the end of the uncovered bench.

The two guards apologized profusely as they attempted to right the now ruined furniture, but the teenagers hurried forward to shoo them away. However, the other guards insisted on correcting their friends' errors, and the three youths could only stand helplessly to the side as the wood was lifted up and put back against the wall before anyone noticed the lump under the mass of blankets and clothes. Before anyone could stop him, one of the accident free guards had picked up a bundle of cloth. There was a stunned pause as the intruders stared down at the remaining pile and the blonde-haired, blue-eyed figure that stared up terrified in the center of it.

After what seemed like an eternity, Mayor Jerra stepped forward. "Garet?" he asked slowly. "Just what is the meaning of this?"

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Jenna: You're evil if you're gonna leave it there.

Yuja: Then call me Miss Evil, 'cause that's where I'm stopping. And the request for any and all title suggestions is STILL on. ((hint hint))

And in case anyone is wondering, I'm kind of trying to rotate my stories. n-n;; I'm not letting them RIP for 2 years again…I think…