Chapter 27 - Z
I couldn't help it. I just wanted to touch him; brush his hair, kiss him, hold him. I hated that I couldn't have my arm around him while we were sitting at the table with our friends, having a fun time and drinking our troubles away. I wanted to join in the fun, but every time I saw his face, I just wanted to take him away. It was hard to think that we couldn't even walk closely in public without unwanted glances, yet it was hard not to think about it.
"Zael, you seem distracted," Mirania pointed out with a smile after I'd been staring at Yurick for a bit longer than I'd thought.
"Ah, no… I'm fine," I scratched my neck and gave a nervous smile. They knew, but we were still in public.
"Seems to me like a certain friend of yours is getting' your pants a bit bunched," Syrenne teased. I blushed and looked down, glancing discretely at my red-faced boyfriend who was doing the same thing with his hands folded in his lap. He looked like a shy puppy.
"Well, I guess all of my lessons on being a lady's man are going to waste," Lowell laughed.
"And what do you know about bein' a lady's man?" Syrenne looked him up and down and made a few more comments which triggered another playfully hilarious argument.
"As exciting as this is, I'm going to turn in for the night. We have much to do tomorrow," Mirania smiled and stood up, wobbling a little, then walked gracefully up the stairs like nothing happened.
We all laughed as soon as she was out of sight, but then Yurick stood as well to go upstairs.
"I think we should all get some sleep. It's gotten rather late," I suggested.
Lowell made this sound that was almost a groan, but was also like he had gotten stabbed in the leg. "He's upstairs… I think I'll sleep down here, unless Syrenne would let me share her room," he winked then had his smirk slapped off. "Or not."
I laughed then realised what he'd meant. Oh right… Dagran… I winced. "Oh no, Yurick…"
Just as I'd said it, there was a thump just above our heads followed by two more. My head jerked up and my legs understood. I ran up the stairs and swung the door open. "Are you all-," I looked down to see Yurick on his rear against the wall, looking shocked and disgusted. I followed his gaze to see my brother half hanging off of my bed, unable to walk, let alone speak, with only half of his clothes on. I fell to my knees in laughter as he tried to say something that just came out in slurs. The look on Yurick's face, I will never forget, but could never explain. I stood up, still shaking, as Lowell ran in after me, I assume from hearing another thump after I hit the floor, and tried to help up the confused and dazed Yurick.
Lowell took one look around before saying, "He's yours this time," and closing the door.
"What… what's wrong with him?" Yurick asked, still not understanding at all.
I tried to stop laughing, but couldn't. "Just wait," I rubbed my arm across my face and tried to calm down. "That's right, you've never seen him drunk before," I finally stopped and just stared at his expression. "The last time he was like this was just before you joined us," I started. "He gets like this, he cries a bit, then he falls asleep."
"Wait, he cries?" the confusion kept growing. "I don't think I've ever- I don't think I want to see that," he squinted, probably thinking of what that looks like.
"Hopefully we missed that part…," I looked over my shoulder at my half asleep brother. I couldn't hold back another laugh.
"Why don't you keep him from drinking then?"
"Oh, no… we don't tell him this happens… imagine what this would do to his pride…," I shivered, "then we'd never get another night's rest." I walked over to Dagran and straightened him up, then pulled my blanket over him. "I guess I get your bed tonight," I smirked and laid down on one side of the small bed as he sat on the other side awkwardly. I leaned forward and kissed his side, pulling his jacket back slowly as I inched up his rib cage. He shivered lightly but didn't move. "You said I could tonight," I kissed again, pulling him backwards so I could reach his chest.
He let out a jagged breath. "Did I? I don't remember that," he turned towards me, "Remind me." I leaned up and kissed him softly, which he returned faster and more passionate than I thought he would have. I pulled him on top of me and his hands traced my chest. I could feel the warmth of his body before he even leaned down to kiss me again.
"DunTellMeWha, you don' kno," a loud mumble came from right beside us just before his head hit the floor.
We both turned to see if he was okay, but neither of us moved until we burst into laughter.
"Shh," I tried to stop laughing, but even my whispers were hitched.
He buried his face in my chest and gripped my jacked tight. "I can't do this tonight," he spoke quietly, but his chest still showed his amusement. "Not with that looking at me," I didn't know what he meant until I looked back down at my brother, whose eyes were now open as he lay on the floor.
"Okay," I laughed again, "I understand completely." We rolled over and I draped an arm over his waist. I tried to block his view with my body, but it wasn't necessary since he was already asleep with his head at my chest. I got comfortable and let out a pleasant sigh before closing my eyes, too.
"Shouldn't you put him back on the bed?"
"Yes," but neither of us moved and we chucked silently until we fell asleep to each other's warmth.
*** *** *** *** *** *** In the morning *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
"Up an' at 'em, boys!"
I woke up with a start and Yurick wincing. I looked down and realised I'd grabbed his arm. "Ah, sorry," I pulled my hand away and sat up as he rubbed his forearm.
"You're up late. Everyone's gone on ahead. Remember, we were going to the castle?" Syrenne bent over us and cocked her head like an owl, then walking out. "I'm leavin' without cha if ya don't hurry."
"Shit!" I jumped up and threw on my gear. Yurick did the same and we ran out after her, grabbing some bread on the way out.
We ran through Central Plaza to the gate, where the guard was already waiting for us. As soon as we walked in we were getting controversial looks. The maids were being treated like dirt in the corner and the knights were standing and having a conversation about unimportant things, like gossip and what so-and-so's face looked like at the Count's gathering yesterday.
"Treating people like servants already. Just what I'd expect from bloody nobles…" Syrenne muttered. "Go find Dagran, will ya?"
I nodded and headed up the first set of stairs. I found Lowell first, standing by the stairs to the library.
"Zael! Have you seen the servant girls? They're pretty hot. I'm gonna have me a great time," he winked.
I laughed. "Sure, if they don't see past your repetitive flirting."
"Not so! I have different material for all the different ladies and lasses," he looked proud.
"Sure, but if you remember the 3 maids you fancied last time you were here, you used the same lines on each one of them. I heard them talking about it."
"Ah, but they were talking about me. That's what matters," he smirked again.
I rolled my eyes. "Have you seen Dagran?"
"I think he went to see the Count," he yawned. "It's too early…"
"Thanks," I laughed then started towards the Count's chambers. I passed by a few of the knights talking about how they 'felled the most Gurak' during the attack, but if I remember correctly, Therius and the General were the only ones actually fighting, but what do I know, right? I'm just a mercenary…
When I got to the Count's chamber doors, the guards informed me that he had been expecting my arrival, meaning Dagran probably was still in there. Sure enough, he was. I stood next to him as the rest of our friends were shown into the room.
"The Count and I were just discussing matters," he said and gestured for the Count to finish filling us in. Is it just me, or did Dagran just 'Allow' the Count to speak? Anyone else doing that would have gotten punished immediately…
"Today we will set forth to the Gurak Continent," he pulled his foot up onto the chair casually.
"Today?" I took a step forward and all of the guards looked at me like I was out of line. "My Lord, isn't that a bit soon? Won't the fleet need time to prepare since they just got back?"
"HA! I can understand your doubts. Dagran, tell them," he looked off in the distance like we weren't important enough to speak to directly.
He nodded and turned to us. "There's a legend on this island of a fortress that crosses the seas."
"What? What does that even mean?" Mirania chimed in.
"Exactly what it sounds like. A fortress you can steer like a ship," he said plainly. Because that makes sense. "Once upon a time, it charged across the sea and drove the Gurak from the Empire. So the story goes, anyway." He crossed his arms and started pacing as he spoke. "The founder of the House of Arganan left writings about it but no one alive today has seen it for themselves, and no other evidence remains." He stopped to look at me before continuing his laps. "According to those writings, however, a man with the Mark of the Outsider will have the ability to reawaken the fortress." I looked down at my hand.
"Ah, so the one who can bring back this legendary fortress is our very own Zael," Yurick glanced over at me and looked at my hand, too, but from the other side of the room.
"Exactly," Dagran stopped in front of me, "and we're going to turn that legend into a reality. There's a place under the castle called the Realm of Ascendancy."
Lowell raised his hand like a school kid, "And what's that when it's at home?"
"It's a sealed area. One that will open only for the man who bears the Mark of the Outsider," he looked at the ground and started pacing again.
"I take it we're going there," I asked obviously.
"When he gets there," he continued without acknowledging me at all, "Zael will need to reach out to the island itself in order to uncover the fortress of legend." He shrugged, "Of course, there's some kind of trial we have to pass before we can get there."
"Oh yeah?" Syrenne finally piped in, "What kind of trial are we talkin' about?"
"It's best if we see it for ourselves. That's all the Count said."
She put a hand on her hip and spoke loudly, "If he doesn't know, why doesn't he just admit it?"
"Syrenne!" Mirania scolded under her breath.
The Count cleared his throat. "It is time for you to prove your loyalty," and with that, we were escorted out of his room.
"Umm, okay," Syrenne shook her head and walked towards the stairs.
The rest of us began to follow her, but a knight grabbed my arm and pulled me back for a second.
"There is a staircase to the underground level in the courtyard. Please take it," he let go of my arm and stood at attention again.
"Alright."
When we got to the courtyard, there was a guard standing next to a set of stairs under the arch that had not been there before.
"Master Zael, Master Dagran, Please use these stairs to enter the Castle Depths," he saluted.
Lowell fake saluted back and we descended into the darkness. As we reached the bottom of the stairs, a flame lit in all of the lanterns at once.
"Where was that when we were walkin' down the stairs?" Syrenne complained as she looked around. "Who waits till you're at the bottom? We don't need them now, do we?"
"The Count is waiting for you up ahead," another guard pointed us down a long hallway.
"Thank you."
At the end of the hall was a large door.
"Look an elevator!" Yurick shouted suddenly.
"The fuck is an elevator?"Syrenne looked at him like he had lost his head in a pumpkin fight.
"I'm not sure… the author just wanted to throw in a joke about how this kind of technology shouldn't have been invented yet in this time period," he looked so serious, even though it didn't make any sense.
"Author? Have you lost your senses?" Dagran joined in on the strange stares.
"Yeah, who'd want to write about our lives? Ha!" Lowell joked and kept walking, which the others soon followed, forgetting that this conversation ever took place…
MAGICALLY they end up 8 levels below where they were earlier…
*** *** *** *** *** *** In the Castle Depths *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
"Ah, you're here," Lowell greeted lamely.
"Where are the others?" I asked, looking around for Yurick and Mirania.
"We're here. Sorry to keep you waiting," she said, but I was watching Yurick as he watched the doors close behind him like it was some sort of confusing futuristic contraption.
"All present, correct?" Dagran looked around. "Good. Moving on."
I heard a clicking behind us and turned to find the Count. "The Realm of Ascendancy lies at the end of a passage guarded by dark spirits." I saw Yurick flinch. "These spirits will only reveal themselves to the one with the Outsider's power." He relaxed. I chuckled internally. "Without it, they cannot even be seen." He tensed again. Count Arganan looked towards me. "Zael, you must use your power to overcome them."
"So that's the trial…," I looked towards the gargantuan archway that we needed to walk through. How did they keep this hidden for all these years? Look how high that ceiling is… that can't be structurally sound…
"Naturally," he continued, "I do not doubt you will succeed in reaching the Realm of Ascendancy. However, you must leave a number of your companions here with me. Not that I expect you to betray me, but… you understand." Why do I get that same feeling I get when Jiral says 'Mercen'ry'?
Lowell sighed stiffly, "Never hurts to be careful, eh?"
"I'll go with Zael," Dagran volunteered. "The rest of you wait here."
"Erm," Mirania interrupted shyly, "May I join, too?"
Duh, Dagran, she has healing powers. But I do NOT want to leave Yurick here with him. Then again I don't really want to take him with me… he could get hurt.
"Makes sense, don't it?" Syrenne added. "The two of you can't heal on your own. She'll help out loads."
"I guess you're right… Fine," he looked at his boots. I knew that look. He felt the same for Mirania what I did for Yurick, he just never acted on it like I…. Yurick did…. Heh. I blushed at the memory.
As we approached the archway, it began to glow. I felt a slight tingle and realised that my hand was as well. It opened a black hole in the middle, creating some sort of portal.
"Let's go, Zael. Don't worry, I'm with you every step of the way," Mirania had that face that told me the only reason she was coming was to take care of her boys. She's the best.
"Let's not keep the Count waiting," Dagran gestured and walked through the light. Mirania grabbed my hand and we walked through together.
"Zael!"