Hey all. The adventure continues today. Inbetween classes and a job, it took longer than I thought it would to write up this piece. Hopefully future updates won't be quite so long inbetween, but time will tell. As always, enjoy!
Strangers in the Vale
The early morning sun beat down on Jenna as she trod up the rode to Isaac's house. She smiled and nodded at a passing neighbor as she traipsed up the stairs. When she had reached the top, her smile widened at the sight of the Venus adept hard at work already. Isaac was patching up a few holes in the thatched roof of his house under his mother's supervision. He wiped sweat off his brow, but didn't glance up from his task. That was Isaac. Devoted to his current task, and nothing could deter him from completing it once he'd set it in his mind. It was the same in everything he did, whether his dogged devotion to mastering his psynergy or patching up a roof. Isaac was very dependable.
The Mars adept flushed. It was the worst-kept secret in the village that she was fond of the young Venus adept. Everybody seemed to know. Except for the boy himself. Sighing, Jenna left Isaac to his work and walked around his house to pick up Garet. The three of them had a study session with Kraden today. Maybe she could talk to Isaac alone afterward and…
She didn't know. Why did he have to be so dense!? Jenna scowled. If he kept missing all of the subtler clues – and she was subtle! – then she'd just have to drag him off by the ear, "Isaac, I like you, now ask me out!" Her face reddened. That was perhaps a little too forward.
A fierce shout split the air, snapping Jenna out of her reverie. She looked around and found Garet staring flatly at a large statue in front of him.
She giggled,"Still training, Garet?" she said to herself. The spiky-haired Mars adept's eyes were tight with concentration. He thrust out a palm and roared wordlessly again. An aura of psynergy sprang to life around the adept and the statue shuddered forward a few inches.
"You sure do put your heart into it, Garet," she said with a smile, walking up to him.
The Mars adept turned around and grinned, "Oh, I'm just finishing up!"
Jenna crossed her arms, "That's good. It's time to go and I was about to leave you behind!"
Garet frowned, "Is that right? By my reckoning, we still have plenty of time before we're due at Kraden's. Or…" his grin returned, more mischievous than before, "…Maybe you were just hoping for some alone time with Isaac?"
Jenna's face reddened, "Shut up, Garet." Oh Sol, even Garet could see it! So why couldn't Isaac?
The Mars adept made a placating gesture with both hands, "Alright, alright. Just give me a moment to rest. I think I sprained my brain trying to move that thing. I've been at it all morning."
Jenna's smile faded into a frown. Garet and Isaac both had been studying alchemy and psynergy diligently under Kraden's watchful eye. So much time with their noses in books and pushing their bodies and minds to the point of breaking with their training. Ever since the boulder had fallen three years ago.
Three years…
Jenna shut her eyes, remembering the entire night vividly. The boulder falling, losing her family, and then...
Isaac and Garet had been found unconscious just outside the village proper. Garet had only been bruised a little, but Isaac's entire body had been very badly burned from the neck down. She suppressed a shudder; Isaac still bore the scars of those burns on his body. Neither Isaac nor Garet remembered what had happened to them – so they said anyway. Since that night, they had devoted themselves to psynergy. She could understand Isaac, a little. A large part of what drove her own studies was guilt. If she had been stronger, she could have saved Felix. Then nobody would have been killed. She could see Isaac feeling the same way. But to this extent? Jenna wanted to be stronger, but not to the point of breaking herself.
"Hey. You okay?" Garet's voice snapped the Mars adept out of her thoughts. She opened her eyes to find the red-haired teen kneeling and staring at her face with concern.
Jenna nodded, "I'm fine. Thanks." She paused and then added, "…Garet, do you ever think about what happened three years ago? Do you ever…try to remember what happened to you and Isaac?"
Garet's expression was pained. He stared at the ground, "Do you…I mean…"
Jenna sighed, "I appreciate your concern, Garet, but…my family's never coming back…Isaac's father is never coming back. I just…want to forget that day.
Garet flushed, but remained silent. What did he have to be quiet about? His family was still alive! Hers and Isaac's…
She sighed, "Whatever. Let's get Isaac and go to Kraden's."
Garet looked up, "Jenna, are you mad at me?"
Jenna rolled her eyes, "I don't want to talk about it." She started back down the path to Isaac's house and glanced over her shoulder, "Come on!" The Mars adept scrambled to his feet and ran to catch up with her.
It looked like Isaac was just putting the finishing touches on the roof. His psynergy flared around him as he guided the last few bundles of straw into place with a steady arm before fixing them to the rest of the roof himself.
"Finished!" Isaac called down to his mother who smiled and climbed up the ladder to inspect his work.
"Good job, Isaac. You've patched everything up nicely." Isaac flushed and smiled at his mother's praise, "You're very reliable…just like your father was."
The teen's smile faded and he looked away uncomfortably.
Dora frowned, "What is it, dear? Do you still think about the accident three years ago?"
"Yeah. Mom…I just…" Isaac started, looking unsure of what he wanted to say.
"You and Garet have both been working yourselves to the bone studying psynergy. Do you think things would have turned out differently if you had been stronger?"
"Of course," Isaac mumbled, "I mean…I could have thrown the rope to Felix if I'd been able to use my psynergy. I could have saved him, and then we could all have gone down to the plaza together, and…and then Jenna…"
Jenna felt her heart break. Isaac felt guilty for her? She'd had no idea. Isaac had grown quiet the last three years. She'd always assumed he'd been dealing with the loss of his own father, but he felt bad about not being able to save Felix…? Of course, Jenna was sure, he still felt bad about not being able to help his father. Still…he cared. It wasn't hopeless after all. Maybe she would get him alone after Kraden's…
Dora moved to cup Isaac's face in her hands, "I was devastated when your father died, Isaac. It's taken some time, but I'm better now. Neither one of us is alone, dear. There was nothing either of us could have done to save your father and poor Jenna's family. It's okay to move on. You're almost seventeen years old, Isaac. You have so much ahead of you. All I want is to see where your life takes you. Don't let yourself live in the past, dear."
Jenna smiled. Isaac's mother was such a strong woman. She really admired Dora. Garet nudged her sharply in the ribs, "Are we gonna eavesdrop the rest of the morning or what?" he asked softly. She shot him a glare that promised revenge later and then smoothed her expression into a smile as she walked around the house.
"Good morning, ma'am!" She called as she clambered up the ladder, she beamed at Isaac, "And to you, Isaac."
Dora nodded, "A good morning to you, Jenna." She gave a start as Garet lumbered up the ladder as well, "Oh my, and Garet, too, I see! Good morning!"
Garet waved an arm, "Good morning." He grinned at Isaac, "Morning, buddy."
The sandy-haired Venus adept's grin took in Jenna and Garet both, "Morning," he said, "I just finished up."
"And where are you three off to so early?" Dora asked.
"We're going to Mt. Aleph with Master Kraden," Garet said excitedly. Jenna couldn't help but mirror the Mars adept's excitement. It wasn't often that people were allowed to study Mt. Aleph and Sol Sanctum, but Kraden had obtained permission from the elder and the mayor for the four of them to take a day to study the sanctum.
"Mountain climbing with Kraden, eh?" Dora asked with a frown, "A part of your studies?"
"Yes, ma'am," Jenna said, "Master Kraden says that Sol Sanctum holds the keys to the origins of Alchemy and psynergy."
Dora nodded gravely, "Ah yes, Alchemy, the foundation of all psynergy. I wonder what use it all is?" she looked at Isaac with a touch of sadness, "I'd rather see you grow to be a happy, ordinary man. My own two hands have always been good enough for whatever needed doing." She chuckled, "But I suppose you still want to go?"
Isaac shrugged uncomfortably, "It's what I want, mom."
His mother smiled again and hugged her son, "Well if that won't persuade you, I don't know what will." She drew back and tsked, "You're just like your father! Stone stubborn!" Isaac grinned sheepishly. "Well, don't let me keep you. Off with you!"
Isaac nodded and turned to the two Mars adepts, "To Master Kraden's, then?" he asked, sliding down the ladder. Jenna followed and turned to wait with Isaac for Garet to come down. The teen hurried after them and yelped as his foot broke through the thatch covering the roof.
"Garet!" Jenna shouted irritably.
"I'm sorry!" Garet called. Jenna could see Dora helping him out, "I'm so sorry, ma'am. I'll fix it. Just a-" He cried out again as he broke through another hole in his haste.
Isaac was laughing and Jenna's furious glare broke and she joined the Venus adept, giggling fitfully.
"It's not funny, you two!" Garet yelled, face beet red, "Keep laughing like that Isaac, and I'll make you fix it again!"
"Garet, don't worry about it, dear. I'll take care of this. You just head on to Kraden's," Dora said gently, helping the Mars adept up. She bit her lip, stifling a chuckle, "Carefully, mind." Garet came down off the roof red-faced.
"Not a word," he grumbled as he fell in beside Jenna and Isaac.
Jenna glanced at Isaac. He was grinning at her. She grinned back. He always looked so much cuter when he was smiling, not frowning over an alchemic book or working himself to death honing his psynergy.
"Not a word!" Isaac said, trying to look innocent. Garet glared at him.
"Although…really, Garet. Isaac just fixed the roof. How oafish are you?" Jenna teased.
"I will chase you both down and force feed you straw," Garet said sourly, "Besides, I was standing further back than you were! You try walking on a freshly thatched roof!"
"Well that would be the one place you wouldn't catch us," Isaac quipped quickly and took off running. Jenna laughed and ran after him.
"Get back here!" Garet shouted, "I'm gonna get a nice big clump just for you, Isaac!"
Laughing, the three adepts pounded across the bridge over the river. Garet tackled Isaac to the ground when he caught up to them and Jenna giggled as the two wrestled in the dirt for a moment. The Mars adept reached for a few bits of grass, tugging them out of the ground. Isaac already had a handful and the two broke apart, throwing their grass at one another.
Jenna rolled her eyes, "Alright, boys. Are you finished?"
Still chuckling, the boys got to their feet and clapped each other on the shoulder and joined Jenna once more. They rounded a corner and stopped abruptly, catching sight of two strangers. And strange, they were, Jenna thought. A man and a woman.
"They seem to have little grasp of Sol Sanctum's mysteries." The man spoke. He had wild pale blue hair that flowed across one side of his head. His skin was as sickly as his hair and seemed to be scaled like a lizard's, "The elders of Vale must not permit anyone to enter. Though I wonder about Kraden…"
"Kraden…" the woman mused, "Can we use him?" She was no less strange. Her hair, at least, was a natural blonde color, but her skin was a sickly pallor much like the man's, and dark red scales ran up her bare arms. Jenna eyed her large, wicked scythe warily.
The man folded his arms, "His knowledge of alchemy is no meager thing…" his eyes, red like blood, flitted toward the cottage where Master Kraden lived, "We can use him."
The woman nodded as if that were all she needed to hear, "He is stubborn, though. More than we expected."
"And cunning," the man added, "Beyond measure."
The woman shrugged, "If he won't come willingly…"
Jenna frowned. Who were these people? She glanced at her friends. Garet was frowning at them, head tilted quizzically to one side, but Isaac was staring at them in…wide-eyed terror? The color had drained out of his face. His hands quivered as he hugged himself.
She put a hand on his shoulder and the Venus adept jumped, staring at her wildly, "Isaac…it's okay," she told him soothingly. He swallowed and shook his head shakily. Jenna wanted to hug the young boy. He was terrified!
The sound of grass being crunched beneath boots made Jenna glance behind her. The strangers had noticed them and were walking toward them.
"You there!" the man said, "What are you doing?"
Garet glared at them, "What are we doing?" he demanded, "We live here!"
The woman seemed to ignore his answer and stared at Isaac, "Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?"
With that single sentence, Garet's confidence left him and Jenna stared as the Mars adept took a step back. Recognition played across his face and he did not like what he was seeing. She thought she heard him whisper something, but she couldn't catch what.
She rounded on the stranger angrily, "We didn't hear a thing!" she said hotly, "We were just walking."
The woman frowned, "I suppose I can take your word for it…"
Jenna put her hands on her hips, "You're the ones who are sneaking around!"
The pair glanced at each other. "Sneaking!?" the man demanded, "Who are you to accuse me?" Jenna took an involuntary step back. He was intimidating…
Realization flitted across the woman's eyes, "Ah. You must be the prior engagement Kraden spoke of."
Jenna nodded, and spoke, more bravely than she felt, "Yeah. We're on our way to meet him." She wished Isaac or Garet would speak up. As it was, the two strangers were focused solely on her. Her mouth had gone dry under their piercing stares. She glanced at the woman's scythe again. Surely she wouldn't use it…
The man folded his arms, "And this appointment is important enough to drive us away?"
Jenna opened her mouth, but this time, it was Isaac who spoke, "Yes," he said, "Kraden doesn't often have time to give us lessons." He was staring at the duo firmly, but his face was still pale. At least he wasn't shaking anymore.
The man barked out a laugh, "If your teachings is more important than our errand, then…" he broke off, eyes glinting. He stepped back, "Go."
Jenna could hardly believe it. "You're letting us go?" she repeated weakly.
The woman frowned at her companion, "Are you sure, Saturos?" she asked.
The man nodded firmly, "We have no reason to delay these children any further, Menardi." He turned on heel and strode away. The woman, Menardi, gave the three of them one final glance and then followed after him.
Garet stared at Isaac. Understanding passed between the two boys. Garet looked scared, and Isaac firm. "Let's go," Isaac said quietly, "Kraden's waiting." His face broke into a smile, "Everything's okay, Jenna." The smile was forced.
Garet clapped her on the shoulder, "Yeah. Kraden's famous. They probably just wanted a lesson or something. Come on, Jenna."
Jenna didn't think she would ever understand boys. One minute the both of them were scared witless and now they were reassuring her and telling her not to be afraid. She kicked both of them in irritation.
"What was that for?" Garet asked, hopping on one foot and grabbing at his other.
"Making me worry!" she muttered, stalking up the path.
"Jenna…" Isaac began.
"Come on!" she said.
The two boys joined her hesitantly, falling into step as they finally reached Master Kraden's house.
The old sage was pacing outside his door, frowning absent-mindedly and muttering to himself.
"Just who were they?" a few more steps, "They already know too much about Sol Sanctum…" his frown deepened, "Things even the elders of Vale do not know…" He turned around and was walking furiously in the other direction, "And what were they saying about the elements? Setting them into motion…"
He blinked, suddenly noticing Jenna, Isaac, and Garet standing there. His face broke into a grin. "Ah! My three young students!"
"Hello, Master Kraden,"the three adepts said in unison. Jenna put a hand under her chin, "You look like something's bothering you. Is it those two strangers?"
Kraden started, "Ah, well…you met them, did you?" his eyes traveled along the road leading away from his cottage, "Are they still out there? They're quite persistent…" he frowned again.
"What did they want with you, Master Kraden?" Isaac asked.
"Mmm…they spoke as if they'd seen Mt. Aleph and Sol Sanctum with their own eyes. They wanted me to…" he broke off, "Isn't that strange?"
Isaac nodded slowly, "The elders don't allow anyone to enter Mt. Aleph without a good reason. Especially not after the storm."
Jenna gasped, "And if they entered secretly, they could be thieves!"
Kraden frowned thoughtfully, "Perhaps…"
Open fury painted Garet's face, "Then let's go tell the elders and the villagers! Thieves!" he spat.
"Wait, you three," the old man said slowly, "I still don't know how accurate the things they said are. Innocent until proven guilty, as they say…" he looked toward Mt. Aleph, "We have permission already to go inside…perhaps we could investigate."
"What?" Garet spluttered, "Go into Sol Sanctum ourselves!?"
Isaac folded his arms, "I think it's a good idea."
Jenna glanced at the Venus adept. His face had firmed and any hint that he had been near tears just moments ago was gone. His crystal blue eyes were calm and sure. It made Jenna smile uncontrollably and she shrugged, "It's not like we'll be doing anything bad. Just looking around…" she said it more to convince herself than Garet. Entering Sol Sanctum was forbidden, regardless of reasons!
"I guess…" Garet said uncomfortably, "If my grandpa catches us up there, though…" he shuddered.
Kraden nodded, "Splendid. Then it's decided! You'll take the lead, Isaac."
The Venus adept nodded. Jenna wished she could have had Isaac's confidence just then. They were about to break all custom. If they were caught…she had seen others put out of the village for trying to explore Mt. Aleph without permission. Where would she go? Vault, perhaps, that was the nearest village to Vale. But what about Isaac and Garet? The three of them had talked often about leaving Vale to go on an adventure, but that had always been idle talk. Dreaming of finding riches or meeting a gleaming knight in shining arm, like in the stories.
It took her a moment to realize Kraden had stepped back into his house for a moment.
"He was muttering something about stars," Garet said when she asked, "Honestly, you poke fun at me for not paying attention."
Jenna flushed angrily, "Tell me again what the four elements are, Garet? Fire, Earth, Water, and Pork?"
Garet went red, "That was one time! I was hungry, and mom was spitting a pig that day!"
Kraden appeared in the doorway, "Not now, Garet," he said absently, "We had pork yesterday." He had four large bags in his hands. Jenna frowned, they looked like they were made of a very fine material.
"What are those for, Master Kraden?" she asked.
"Oh…just in case, I suppose," he stared longingly at Mt. Aleph, "This is our best bet. Let's go!"