Author's Note: I don't know why, because I've seen it work in other people's stories, but when I put *** or something in for a scene change, it never stays there. I guess I'll start putting (scene change) for now even though I hate it. If anyone knows how to do it better, by all means let me know, and please review! :) Hope everyone's still liking the story. Please let me know what you think of the dialogue and the barely-beginning of their relationship.
Barnaby listened to the news and shook his head sadly. "The dragon's coming has loosened the Everfall's seal," he said gravely. "More monsters have already started to enter this world through other portals, and their numbers will increase until the great battle."
"So the Everfall is a portal?" Ceileigh asked.
"It is a link to other worlds and things beyond," Barnaby replied. "Do not concern yourself further, however. I sense the seal will hold for now."
It was pitch black when they left the Guild. The area was empty except for a few pawns hanging around outside the door, and the only light came from cottage windows and torches along the Quarter walls. They walked back to the inn in silence. Ceileigh was mulling over everything they'd just experienced and Leandor was replaying what had happened to her, thinking of ways he could have stopped it. Hannah trailed after them, fidgeting and glancing around nervously.
Ceileigh turned to her when they got to the room. "Unfortunately we only have two beds, so you'll have to sleep on the floor. Sorry. You can have my blanket though." Hannah nodded mutely and curled up on the blanket, stuffing her pack under her head for a pillow. Leandor watched with mixed feelings how his master indulged and apologized instead of being more in-charge. At least she kept the vast majority of their conversations centered on business, which was a relief because he wouldn't know what to say about anything else. The rest of the time she seemed lost in thought.
Ceileigh and Leandor stripped off their armor and fell into bed, exhausted. Ceileigh's mind kept going though, and she finally got up on one elbow. "Hannah, are you awake?" she whispered.
The mage made some sort of unintelligible noise and raised her head. "Yes, Arisen," she said groggily. "What do you require of me?"
"Sorry. I was just wondering. Getting healed by a pawn feels different from getting healed by a human mage. I feel great afterward, like every little thing is fixed no matter how small, I have a ton of energy and I feel really…motivated. Like I could jump up and run for miles. Why is that?"
"Pawn magick comes from a different place than human magick, so it affects beings in this world differently. It can heal almost any wound and brings humans or other pawns back from the brink of death. Not only that, but it makes human bodies a little bit stronger each time it's used on them."
"Huh." I wonder if using healing spells while healthy would have an even bigger effect? I could get much stronger much faster… Ceileigh thought about that for a while and finally drifted off. Her sleep was fitful at first from bad dreams and the cold, but the next morning she woke up comfortably covered with a blanket again. She glanced around curiously and saw Leandor asleep under just a sheet. She smiled and snuggled back under the covers, wishing she could stay there all day. She was amazed at how cold Gran Soren was compared to her southern home even though they were less than two days' distance apart. Makes it so much harder to get up in the morning. Can't wait till we can afford a room with a fireplace!
She heard Leandor sit up and uncovered her head. He was a little hunched over, shivering, with his sheet pulled around his shoulders. Ceileigh felt bad for him but chuckled at the way he looked. He straightened instantly and wiped the uncomfortable look off of his face. She brought him his blanket and put it over his shoulders. "Thanks," she smiled, sitting next to him. "Sorry you froze all night."
"It was nothing, master," he said, drawing into himself slightly. His eyes swept over her briefly then to the floor. "I wish to…give input, master," he said hesitantly.
"Okay, what is it?"
"You treat your pawns well. Almost like equals. As human," he started. "That is respectable. However, you may put yourself in too much danger trying to keep us alive in the field. If you - died," he said with difficulty, "this world's hope would die with you, and all would suffer greatly. Now that you know pawns do not die, you must consider us expendable. Please promise you will do this."
"I understand," Ceileigh replied, feeling again the weight she carried. "I'll try to hold whatever pawns I hire at a distance. But I can't not care about them at all. I won't let them suffer if I can help it. If I can help them with risking my life, I'm still going to."
"There is also the matter of pawn healing," he continued. "You must be warned that if humans use it without being injured, it has a drug-like effect. It will make you strong, yes, but also excitable and unreasonable. With repeated use, it drives men permanently mad."
"Oh," Ceileigh said, disappointed. "I take it you heard me and Hannah last night? I was wondering about that very thing afterwards. Well, thanks for letting me know. Sorry for keeping you awake." She supposed gaining strength with no effort would make her feel like a cheat anyway.
"Please do not apologize," he said uncomfortably. "It is difficult to fall asleep before you do anyway. Talking does not make much of a difference."
The three of them spent the next several days selling loot, working, and training as usual. Ser Berne worked them mercilessly. The duke's soldiers were used to having her around by now and a group of them regularly practiced group fighting with her. She was also focusing on hand-to-hand and using her new barbed glove. She was right handed and fired arrows with that hand, so she was learning to use the glove with her left and control it with the same precision as her right.
Ceileigh had come to realize how much she loved fighting, which surprised and alarmed her at first. She'd never thought of herself as a violent person. She did like learning, physical activity, and improving her body, however. The better she got at battle, the more fun it was and the more she wanted to learn. She liked building on what she was taught and improvising new moves. And she loved being the victor. Eventually she told herself she'd be fighting a lot anyway, so her enjoyment was a blessing.
She was becoming faster and more agile than ever. Sometimes she wished she had Leandor's pure strength though; she loved the way he could chop off a head or slice a creature in half with one blow. She glanced away from the soldier she was sparring with to see him practicing a new move called the tusk toss, where he skewered an enemy, in this case a wooden man, lifted it on his sword and tossed it away. Impressive! she thought for the dozenth time. How does he DO that?
She thought about their conversation that morning. She wondered if he realized she hadn't included him in her promise. If he went back to the Rift she would be totally lost. And what if it happened while they were in the middle of nowhere? It was a scary thought. She'd really come to rely on his presence, support and protection. Ever since that tentacle had grabbed her he was being more protective than usual, even glaring at the soldiers she practiced with when they started to get the upper hand. Even though she felt like it was unnecessary when they weren't in battle, she loved how he always looked out for her.
Sometimes she almost wondered if he felt something for her, but reminded herself that protecting her was his job and pawns probably didn't have romantic feelings anyway. Either way, it was nice having him around, like her own personal shield of determination and muscle. So much muscle…Ceileigh was shocked to suddenly find herself on the ground, trying to catch her breath after being butted in the solar plexus by her opponent's stave.
The young soldier, who's name was Clifford, laughed good-naturedly and helped her up.
"Uggghh," she moaned. "Guess I got distracted."
"Distracted?!" Clifford teased her. "Won't do to be distracted in the field, Arisen! Some enemy could get the jump on you!" He crept toward her comically.
She laughed and put up her fists. "Bring it on, I'm not scared!" He lunged at her and she yelped, kicking out at him. She connected but he caught her leg and they both fell with an 'oof!'
She barely had time to hit the ground before Leandor was hauling her up by the back of the shirt. Wasn't he all the way across the training ground a minute ago? Ceileigh thought. "Please be more careful with yourself, master," he said, shooting an irritated look at Clifford, who looked indignant.
"I do have to practice you know," Ceileigh said playfully as she and Clifford dusted themselves off. "Are pawns normally this grumpy?"
"No," he said flatly. "I am not…being grumpy."
"Sounded grumpy to me," she said to Clifford, who was snickering. "Anyway, we'll see you tomorrow."
Hannah left off practicing and trotted over. She'd been freezing the ground beneath her opponent's feet so they fell on the slick surface.
"'Till then, Arisen!" Clifford replied with a wave.
(SCENE CHANGE)
Ser Berne's footsteps echoed as he ascended the stairs to the castle's upper level. The Duke was in his private chambers for the evening, leaving an empty throne and a deserted receiving hall. Berne made his way to a room with a large white and gold door, gathered his courage, and knocked.
After a moment, Captain Mercedes answered. "Yes?" she said impatiently. "Is there a problem?"
"You could say that, captain," Berne replied, drawing himself up resolutely. "May I come in?"
"Fine, but be quick about it," his captain sighed in irritation. She returned to her desk and shuffled through some papers, barely looking at him.
Berne brought his heels together nervously, opened his mouth, then closed it again. Finally he asked, "Captain, I must ask. Why has the Arisen not come before the Duke yet?"
Mercedes looked up sharply. "Why do you think?" she asked disdainfully.
"I…assume because you lied about slaying the hydra, and have otherwise downplayed or discredited the Arisen to His Grace," he said boldly.
"How dare you!" Mercedes came around her desk and stalked toward him, pointing her finger at him like a sword. Berne leaned away like she might stab him with it. "I have not mentioned this supposed Arisen to the Duke because she is an imposter! Do you really think a nation's hero would hail from a tiny fishing village? Do not be a fool."
"You did not slay that hydra," Berne said quietly. "Whether you think Ceileigh is the Arisen or not, you stole her glory and lied to the whole city. Your actions are not honorable. You care only for your own advancement, no matter who you step on. I hoped a real campaign might teach you to work with others and mature, but you are the same here as you were at home in Hearthstone!" Berne finished in a raised voice, his heart thudding at his forthright words.
"Are you questioning my fitness to lead?" she said dangerously, making him feel small even though he was taller by a head.
"I think you know that woman is the Arisen. The nation needs her in the fight against the dragon! I simply ask you to do the right thing," Berne said.
"Get. Out," Mercedes said through clenched teeth, jabbing her finger toward the door. She watched Berne walk away, his back stiff with anger and fear. She could have him discharged for this, or worse, but to do so might uncover the fact that she had something to hide. She intended to keep this Ceileigh woman from the Duke's orbit until she faded into obscurity once more. I'll be the hero of this story, Mercedes thought, staring across the room as she sat against her desk. And father will finally see me as a true knight.
(SCENE CHANGE)
Ceileigh, Leandor and Hannah were having drinks at Arsmith's after dinner. Ceileigh was sampling her second ale while her pawns enjoyed water.
"So…why were you all upset during practice today?" Ceileigh asked Leandor.
"I apologize, master. It is only that I do not like to see you in harm's way."
"You know I'm not in real danger during practice though!"
"The Everfall showed that I am lacking as your protector. I must redouble my efforts to-"
"Leandor!" Ceileigh stopped him, holding up her hand. "I hope you don't think I blame you for getting hurt! You can't always prevent it. I know you always do your best, whether it's keeping me safe or helping me when I'm already in trouble. You can relax - I think you're doing an amazing job and I'm so grateful to have you at my side."
"Well - I -," Leandor stuttered, shifting his feet under the table, and Ceileigh chuckled. He takes compliments about as well as I do!
"It's not only that," he recovered. "The Duke's men act too familiar. They do not show you the respect you deserve." Not to mention the ones who look at you too long.
"I don't need them bowing down to me though! I'm just me. If one gets out of hand I give you permission to beat them soundly if that makes you feel better," she laughed.
He gestured toward her, shrugging a shoulder. "And this is why - you do not demand that which is your due. Pawns will follow you no matter what, but I fear men need a show of power or some reason to do so."
"You think I should stop being so friendly?" she asked with dismay. I won't turn into Mercedes! she thought vehemently.
"No, master. Your personality is very agreeable." He paused, trying to find the right words. "It is only that being Arisen means more than fighting Grigori someday. You are humanity's helper, meant to inspire men and lead them against the monsters being drawn here. You must always act toward that goal. That means gaining influence and the Duke's favor."
"I see," she said, nodding. "I hadn't thought of that, but you're right. The legion did tell me I have to meet all threats. But I have lived in a very small village my entire life. I belong in a boat, not at court. I don't understand politics or how to lead." She sighed, leaning on her hand. "I suppose the first step is making my name known."
"If we take on some of the requests from the notice boards, word of your skills and good heart will spread through the people we help. Eventually the news is bound to reach the Duke," Leandor suggested.
Ceileigh nodded. "That's what I was thinking," she smiled. "After all, people in need will not simply show up on our doorstep."
As they were about to get in bed that night, there was a sudden knock on the door and Hannah answered it with a nod from Ceileigh. She could hear a man's voice speaking rapidly, then Hanna looked over her shoulder.
"Arisen, there is a man here who wishes to speak with you," she said meekly.
"What does he want? How did he know where to find me?" she said, fearing it was Mason.
"I saw you at Arsmith's," said the man, poking his head in the door and bringing Leandor to his feet immediately. "Forgive the intrusion, but I have a favor to beg. You are the Arisen, are you not?"
The man was older but not decrepit, with long gray hair and a slightly crazy look in his eye. He was dressed in a white and yellow robe and his feet were bare. He muttered under his breath as he glanced around the room suspiciously.
"I heard of your adventure in the Everfall, and I thought to myself, 'she would be just the one to help with my problem!' I've seen you around, yes! I didn't know you were Arisen at the time, and I've been seeking you since. I lost and found you, perhaps there is hope after all," he laughed as if at a private joke.
"Ser, please. What is it that you came to say?" Ceileigh said, not knowing quite what to make of this man.
"Ah, yes, ah…there is a lost magick tome I have sought for many years. It grants magick abilities to the user, be they mage or no. The problem is, my research leads me to believe it lies within the ruins of Aernst Castle, which is now the stronghold of a mighty bandit brotherhood. I wonder if you might retrieve it for me?"
Leandor and Ceileigh glanced at each other. This was just the opportunity they were looking for. "Absolutely," Ceileigh said. "Come in and we'll discuss the details."