They sat in tall chairs in the corner of the Inn a bit later, watching the people around them. Sharmin had received bewildered stares when they had entered, her armor still bloodied and dirty, and was thankful for the out of the way seat. Ferrol chuckled as two boys wielding wooden swords chased each other through the crowded tavern, pausing to whack their swords together before resuming their game.
"I must apologize, Sharmin, for what I made you go through at the expense of my need for study." Ferrol suddenly said, turning his gaze away from the boys to look at her. Sharmin looked up from the bowl of noodles she'd ordered in surprise, unused to receiving an apology for someone's selfish actions. "I did not intend for you to have to witness or experience that, and I am truly, truly sorry."
"I… um… That is… It's… ok?" Sharmin managed to get out, stumbling over her words. Ferrol smiled warmly at her and patted her hand.
"No, it's not ok. I shall live the rest of my life and think only of how I have wronged you, my girl, and only hope that one day I can make amends for causing you such pain and grief." He said eloquently, sighing. Sharmin's fork fell from her hand and clattered to the table as she stared at him in disbelief. She picked it up quickly, trying to mask her emotions by returning to her food. "How is it, being a warrior of the church?" Ferrol suddenly asked, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. Sharmin stared at him for a moment, unsure of the nature of his question and how to answer.
"Well… I'm not sure." She began, setting her fork on the table gently. "I haven't been a Paladin for very long, and it's still rather new to me…"
"I see…that explains why you have no qualms about talking with me then." He said, smiling at her. "The Holy Church of Einhasad doesn't look kindly upon a Necromancer, especially one such as me who has denounced the teachings of the Holy Mother Goddess." he said in response to her confused look.
"Denounced the teachings?" Sharmin asked, curious now despite herself. Ferrol nodded solemnly and sighed.
"I was once a Priest in the Church, the grand Cathedral in Aden in fact. Priests and Priestesses from all over the continent compete against each other for a place within that church, and I was one of the few lucky ones chosen to teach the healers who wandered through on pilgrimage. I was even in line to become a Cardinal, can you believe that?" he paused his tale to grin at her surprised expression.
"That's quite an honor." Sharmin said with her eyes large. "What happened to turn you into a Necromancer?" Ferrol turned away from her gaze for a moment, and looked down at his pint of mead. He sighed and raised his head again, tears sparkling in his eyes.
"Love." He stated simply, his voice thick. "I fell in love with a Priestess named Deirdre. She was young, having just completed her training here in Giran and had come to Aden to teach, replacing an older Priestess who was retiring into nunnery. I fell in love with her the moment I laid eyes on her." Sharmin's heart swelled in pity towards the older man, as the look of grief that graced his face moved her own heart. He took a breath before continuing. "She was the most…beautiful creature that could ever walk this earth. Her hair was an illustrious golden brown that hung down past her waist. She had a heart-shaped face and lips that weren't too thick or thin…" Ferrol sighed in fond memory, his eyes glazing over. "When she walked, it was graceful, as if she were tiptoeing around clouds that she must not disturb. I thanked Einhasad every minute for allowing me to gaze upon such a beauty as her, telling myself that just to see her was enough. But Einhasad laughed at my gratitude, and punished me in the cruelest way possible."
"It was by chance that one night we would meet during a festival in Aden's town square. At my foolish request, she accompanied me the rest of the night. Ah, I can remember it now…" he paused, sighing once again in memory, "…the feel of her arm linked with mine as I escorted her to the various displays and games set up by the merchants. We watched a traveling band of performers; she had been enthralled by the tumblers," he paused to take a drink of mead. His expression darkened as he swallowed, his memories turning unpleasant. "She was quite taken with me, and requested that we continue to meet, outside of the church, as she yearned to know me better, not as a Priest, but as a man."
"How is any of this a cruel punishment?" Sharmin asked, propping her chin up with her fist. Her finger tapped the stabbing end of her fork, causing the utensil to rock. "It sounds like you were having a good time to me."
"Ah, that's the irony of it that they don't tell you when you first join the church. Those fully devoted to the teachings of Einhasad must give up base desires and devote their entire being to her. Things such as romantic love are forbidden, and if you are caught, you are stripped of your title and banished from the light of the church. Deirdre and I continued to meet in secret, usually under the light of the moon, until it happened one night that I could no longer bear to suppress the extent of my love for her, and we consummated it. We were happy despite our taboo, and continued like this until the Head Bishop happened upon one such meeting. We were separated then, the Bishop not wanting to loose either of our devotions to banishment as we were highly sought after teachers, and brought money in to pad his pockets. I was sent to Oren under the guise of a teaching exchange. I taught there for a few months until I received word that my last meeting with Deirdre had been fruitful, and she was with child." Ferrol paused again, swallowing against a lump in his throat. When his voice came again, it wavered. "I was so happy beyond belief. I knew we would both surely be stripped of our titles and banished from the church, but then we could be happy and raise our child together. Sadly, it did not happen as such."
"Deirdre was not released from the church when I was, the reasoning behind it as I found later, was that she exuded some strange magic that the Bishop wished to use for himself out of greed. I tried to return to Aden to be with her when she was to give birth to our child, as the Bishop had promised to give the child to me after it was born, as long as I remained as far away from Aden and Deirdre as possible. This was not to be. As I neared Aden, I was captured by a paid mercenary force that left me in the Tower of Insolence with nothing more than a dagger and one healing potion. By the time I escaped there, the child had been born, and taken away by a couple I did not know."
"Deirdre had been taken to Rune by the Bishop, in an attempt to gain alliance with the Bishop in the church up there. She fell ill while making a pilgrimage through the Cursed Village, and died soon after. I denounced Einhasad, for what Holy Mother would cause suffering to people just because they wished to be in love and happy? What kind of god deserves worship when all they do is laugh at your prayers? She is not worthy of my worship. She is not even worthy of my spit." Ferrol finished angrily, slamming his fist down on the table. Sharmin watched him with tear-filled eyes, wishing to say something but unsure as to what. He looked at her then, his face back to the wistful smile, and put a hand over hers. "It's ok now though, as I have found…"
"Hey Sharmin, there you are!" Narlafayn shouted from the door, waving to her. Terebel and Junk Pixie flanked her, one looking bored, and the other inspecting their surroundings with dollar signs in their eyes. Sharmin smiled and waved back, grateful for a break from Ferrol's sad tale. She did truly feel pity for the man, but it was awkward. What was she to say after being told a lengthy story such as that?
"Hi there." Sharmin greeted them as they weaved their way through the crowd. "Where's Leon and Vuylay?" she asked, rising up slightly to look behind them for the missing people.
"Leon went to the Cathedral, and who knows where Vuylay is." Narlafayn stated, rolling her eyes.
"Checking the bounciness of her boobies!" Junk Pixie offered, hopping in place.
"Alright, enough about Vuy's boobs. What's so fascinating about those things anyway? All they do is get in the way." Narlafayn stated with a disgusted face, putting a hand on Junk Pixie's head to calm her bouncing.
"We like to call them 'fun bags'" Terebel began, cupping his hands and holding them in the air in front of him. In one smooth movement, Narlafayn took Sharmin's half-empty bowl and turned it over on Terebel's head. He froze in his movement, his hands still cupped in front of him, as noodles dripped down his nose and over his shoulders. "You're lucky I think you're cute." he stated, deadpan.
"I think I'll go look for them…" Sharmin said slowly, scooting out of her chair.
"Okie dokie slow pokey, have fun!" Junk Pixie stated cheerfully, waving at her. She plopped herself in the seat Sharmin had vacated, and pulled out her supply bag to inspect the things she had pulled off of the various monsters she had killed in Death Pass. Sharmin wandered out of the inn and into the late afternoon light, shielding her eyes from the sun that momentarily blinded her. She didn't notice the sad look that Ferrol gave her as she exited. She made her way through the crowd and towards the grand Cathedral that sat to the north of the square. Darting through the busy foot traffic, she entered the church with her armor clattering loudly. Pausing at the entrance, she took a breath, several exiting parishioners giving her strange glances. Once composed, she calmly made her way down the center of the church, filing past praying people. Leon stood at the altar, speaking softly with the Head Bishop. A smile forming on her face, Sharmin took a breath to announce herself.
"…Should be considered extremely dangerous." The Bishop was saying, "He has fashioned himself into a prophet of Gran Kain since his dismissal from the church, and goes around preaching of a false Genesis, as well as studying and teaching the forbidden magic of the Giants!"
"He was once of the church?" Leon asked curiously. His back was to Sharmin and did not notice her presence.
"Yes, once he was a priest who broke our laws. Now he performs such blasphemy!" the Bishop whined, biting a handkerchief he'd produced from a pocket inside of his robes.
"So I've witnessed." Leon stated grimly.
"Ah, you've seen it then! His disgusting obsession with living organs. No wonder he was driven from the church!" the Bishop stated, crinkling his nose at the thought. Sharmin's eyes widened as it dawned on her that they were speaking of Ferrol. Her heart began to pound and she ducked behind a pillar to hear more.
"So what are my orders?" Leon asked seriously, staring at the Bishop.
"Bring in the Necromancer, one way or the other. If he complies and comes in without a fight, good, but if he resists…well…I think you know what to do from there." The Bishop stated his voice dark. Leon shifted uneasily, but nodded his head in agreement.
"As you command, sir." was the last thing Sharmin heard before darting away from the pillar and out the church doors.
She exited the church quickly, biting her thumbnail, her emotions swirling around inside of her. On one hand she knew that what Ferrol did was unforgivable, and for that he should be punished. But on the other hand, she felt as if he had suffered enough in life. She stopped as she noticed Ferrol standing to the side of the church, watching her with a solemn expression.
"So, they've finally put a warrant out for my arrest?" he asked, smiling lightly. Sharmin chewed on the inside of her mouth and averted his gaze. "Your silence is answer enough." he turned away from her and walked slowly into the square. "Do not hate your friend for what will transpire, Sharmin. He will be acting on what he feels is just, according to his faith." Her eyes widening in slow realization, Sharmin darted forward and caught Ferrol by the sleeve of his tunic.
"Where can you go that's safe?" she found herself asking in a desperate voice. Ferrol's eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Sharmin, don't get yourself involved in this mess for my sake…" he began; placing a hand over the one she had gripping his sleeve.
"Where can you go that's safe?" she asked again, her voice more insistent. Ferrol's mouth parted slightly as he stared into her eyes. He shut his own eyes and sighed, shaking his head as a grin touched his mouth.
"She was always so stubborn too, once she'd set her mind upon something." he said to himself, more than to her. Sharmin tilted her head in question, but he ignored it. "Hardin's Private Academy. The research I've been conducting was for him. He and anyone who enters his Academy are instantly under the protection of the Lich King Icarus, so I will be safe there from the church."
"Then go. I'll make sure Leon doesn't leave Giran until you're far enough away." Sharmin decided, releasing his sleeve. "Can you make it there on your own?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. I only need find a corpse to act as my shield, and there are plenty of those lying about Death Pass." He stated, smiling. It faded a moment later, and he raised a hand to pat Sharmin's cheek. She suddenly noticed that she was taller than him, and he had to look up slightly to meet her gaze. "Be well, Sharmin." he said sadly before turning away from her. Sharmin watched him retreat into the crowd, feeling sad but not understanding why.
She leaned against the side of the church, and stared down at her feet as she waited for Leon. She had lodged her hands behind her bottom and rested against them as a kind of cushion. She tapped her heel against the cobblestone ground, trying to dislodge a few pebbles. Leon paused as he stepped out into the fading daylight and took a breath, as if composing himself. Sharmin pushed herself from the wall and approached him, forcing a large smile to her face.
"Hey Leon, there's this merchant selling the craziest things, you should come look!" she stated brightly.
"Not now Sharmin, I have an assignment I must complete." Leon murmured, dismissing her and gazing into the crowd. "Have you seen Ferrol?" he asked, squinting at the people still shopping in the square. Sharmin shook her head; making her eyes large in what she hoped was an innocent expression. "All right, but if you see him, let me know immediately, ok?" he said seriously, staring at her. Sharmin's act faded and she frowned. His tone of voice was similar to one a person would use to speak to a child to make sure they understood a command.
"Ah! Wait!" she exclaimed, moving forward to grasp his arm as he walked away from her at a brisk pace.
"Sharmin, I really have to do this. I'll go shopping with you later, all right?" he said, gently lifting her hand from the black and white checker print of the under tunic.
"Hey Leon!" Narlafayn called, coming into the square. "Where ya goin'?" Junk Pixie, Terebel and a very dejected looking Vuylay followed her.
"The Head Bishop has given me a very important assignment that I must complete. I'll see you later." He said, trying once again to move into the crowd. Narlafayn planted herself in front of him and leaned forward, inspecting his face.
"How long has it been since you've rested?" Narlafayn asked, glaring.
"I don't need rest, I feel fine." Leon began, his voice low as if he were a child being scolded.
"Three whole days!" Junk Pixie exclaimed, hopping forward. "I made a bet with my brother Spore that he can go another week without sleep!" Narlafayn folded her arms as she stood, and tapped her foot, giving him an even look.
"Your orders can wait until you've rested. Would your superiors like it if you dropped dead from exhaustion in the middle of carrying out a mission?" she scolded. "You. To the inn, on the double. There you will get some rest and some food and you can start your mission the moment you wake up." She got behind him and began pushing him towards the inn.
"Uh oh, Narlafayn's in mother mode. Everyone beware." Terebel muttered to Vuylay who snickered.
"Narlafayn, stop. I have to find Ferrol." Leon said stubbornly, planting his feet into the ground. "I'll rest after I get him. If he's not with you now it means he's taken off and I must go locate him before he gets too far."
"He went on ahead to Heine." Sharmin suddenly spoke up. The group turned to stare at her, and she blushed. "He said that he needed to report his findings to someone there and used the Gatekeeper not a half hour ago." Leon took a few steps towards her, his face intense.
"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" he asked, placing his hands on her shoulders. Sharmin gulped and made sure she met his eyes, knowing that if she averted her gaze, her lie would be seen through.
"He told me not to tell anyone." She lied. "I didn't see any harm at not saying anything…at first." Her voice faltered and she inwardly winced.
"Hey, that's great, weren't you guys headed in that direction anyway?" Narlafayn stated, clapping Leon on the back. Sharmin blinked at her cluelessly before remembering why they'd traveled to Giran in the first place.
"Oh yeah, Komugi is going there!" she exclaimed. Vuylay put a hand to her forehead and shook her head, sighing.
"That settles it then! Leon, rest for tonight and then we'll all go to Heine when we wake up, alright?" Narlafayn decided, grinning.
"This isn't the way I want to do things…" Leon grumbled, but allowed Narlafayn to lead him towards the inn anyway.
"I hear ya man, but when Narla gets something in her head, you can't resist her." Terebel sympathized, walking behind them.
"You would know." Vuylay said in a sly tone. Terebel paused for a moment before clearing his throat and folding his arms behind his head.
"Hi-ho, Hi-ho, it's off to Heine we go!" Junk Pixie sang as she skipped behind them. Sharmin watched them walk away for a moment before letting out her nervous sigh, relaxing now that Leon wasn't staring so intensely at her.
"Deirdre?" a voice suddenly exclaimed behind her. Sharmin turned to find an elfin priest staring at her with large eyes, his face pale as if he were looking at a ghost. "Oh no, I'm sorry, you couldn't be Deirdre. Please forgive me." The elf said hastily, retreating back into the cathedral.
"Wait, why did you call me Deirdre?" Sharmin called, taking a step towards him.
"Deirdre was a friend of mine, many years ago." The elf said, turning around slowly. "Please forgive me for the mix-up, it's just you looked just like her for a moment." He smiled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Where is she now?" she asked, even though she already knew the answer.
"She died, almost eighteen years ago now, at the hands of her former lover." The elf stated, tilting his head at her. "Why do you ask? Did you know her as well?"
"Sort of…" Sharmin said slowly, thinking hard. "But I thought she died from an illness she caught in the Cursed Village."
"Oh Heavenly Pool no." the elf's eyes were large with surprise. "Her former lover had been studying forbidden magic in the Cursed Village and she raced there to see him. He had gone mad with the power he'd invoked and killed her; along with the missionary group she'd traveled to Elmore with. Quite a sad end, isn't it? They say her lover is still at large, so I'd be careful if I were you. He might see you and mistake you for Deirdre." He said, shaking his head. Sharmin stared into nothing, shocked by this new tidbit of information.
"Thank you." She said, slowly retreating away from the elf, who watched her go with a skeptical look. As she lay in bed that night, her mind swirled about all that she'd learned that day. What her mind was suggesting was impossible for her to fathom; could she be the child that Ferrol had been talking about? No, that couldn't be! She was the daughter of Zephan and Prisca Kerr. She was born in Aden…
She rolled onto her back to stare at the dark ceiling above her, her heart beating hard. Sighing in annoyance, as her mind would not let her sleep; Sharmin scooted out of the bed and tiptoed out of the room she was sharing with Junk Pixie.
Your father had blonde hair and your mother red, you know. Both Ferrol and Deirdre had brown. The evil voice in her mind said slyly.
Shut up. She told it, walking down a darkened hallway with one hand on the wall to guide her.
Komugi has pink hair, why doesn't yours echo either of your parents then? The voice continued. I know you noticed how Ferrol's eyes seemed to be the same color as yours…
"Shut UP." She said aloud. The door she'd rested her hand upon swung open quickly, and Leon poked his head out, startling her.
"Is something the matter?" he asked, looking up and down the hall. "Were you talking to someone?"
"Yes… I mean no, I wasn't." Sharmin stuttered. Leon had removed his armor and wore a brown pair of leather trousers. He'd left the checkered under tunic on, and now that armor wasn't confining it to his body, it billowed out in a poetic style. "I can't sleep, so I was taking a walk."
"Oh. Shall I accompany you then?" he asked, stepping out of his room. Sharmin held her hands out and shook her head quickly.
"No, it's fine. You need your rest the most, don't worry about me." She insisted quickly, feeling guilty still for lying to him earlier that day.
"Please, I insist. I'd feel better because I'd know you were safe then." Leon argued, smiling. Sharmin's will to argue melted away, and she sighed in silent defeat.
Leon walked beside her with a clueless smile upon his face as she made her way out of the inn and towards a large tree the city had built around. A circular bench surrounded it, and she sat down, gazing up into the branches as a nighttime breeze blew through it.
"It's been quite a month, hasn't it?" Leon asked, breaking the silence. Sharmin nodded, leaning back against the tree. She shut her eyes as the wind blew over her, relieving her of all stress.
"Hey Leon, why did you become a Paladin?" Sharmin found herself asking a moment later. Leon cocked his head at her in surprise, and then thought for a moment.
"To protect." He stated simply. Sharmin's eyes fluttered open and she looked at him. He gazed into the distance without expression, but his eyes were peaceful. He turned to look at her, his visible blue eye staring intensely into hers. "Why did you become a Paladin?"
Sharmin's face turned beet red as she searched for an answer. She couldn't tell him that he was her main inspiration for drawing a sword; that would seem so dishonorable and silly.
"I'm not sure, actually." She faltered over her words, causing her face to turn a darker red. Clearing her throat, she attempted to change the subject. "So…before you came to Talking Island, where did you live?" she said casually. Leon smiled at her before settling against the tree himself.
"That's a long story…" he said, chuckling, and then began his tale.