Fan Fiction ❯ Gelden ❯ Happenings ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4: Happenings

Night had fallen upon Cerik. The darkness had brought a silence that had not been known for weeks. The city was still chaos, since its disaster the night before. Thieves and the rest of the cities normal ragtag group of riffraff were quiet, as the security of the area had grown tenfold and normal citizens mobbed the area surrounding the ruins.

Tal'Karenk was not happy. Virtually no one had shown up all day and on top of that, soldiers had busted up his pub that morning, suspecting Lyle might have had something to do with that big fire at the Guild. But then Tal'Karenk wouldn't have been surprised if Lyle really had been involved. He had been known to do worse than burn down a Magic Guild.

Sighing, Tal finished sweeping up some broken glass from a window the Knights had smashed. While cleaning up the damage never took long, the cost of repairs were often horrifying for Tal to think of. Brawls were commonplace at the Serpent and more than once had they involved Lyle or one of his fighters.

"First a storm, then a bloody fire…" Tal muttered as he looked over his empty bar. "If my customers keep getting driven away, I'll have to sell…"

That was a fearful thought. Tal loved his Serpent almost as much as the money it brought in. He kept it in the best shape since he had bought the building so long ago. It was his home, his child and his job. Selling would be like a family death to him. But then, losing his customers was like a family death to him. It was a terrible feeling, torn between two of his favorite things in life. Only the thought of future crowds kept him from selling. He knew the crowds would return. They always did.

Tal walked back around the counter to grab a sheet of wax to put over the broken window until he could replace it. Suddenly his sense of business cued up and seconds later, Ademsen Nor walked into the pub. Tal blinked and looked surprised but delighted that someone had come.

"Ah hello good sir!" Tal said and hurried out to greet Adem. He stopped short and studied him. Tal never forgot a customer and was sure that this young boy was the hooded thief from last night.

"Good evening." Adem said. He looked around the pub and then back a Tal, though avoiding his eyes. "I'm looking for someone…"

Tal smiled brightly and motioned for Adem to have a seat at the counter.

"I can help. We get many people in here. Would you like anything?" Tal asked and grabbed a mug. Adem nodded.

"Good. I'll have"-

"I know… Cerik's Black Ale?" Tal said, recalling what the boy had drank last night. Adem looked surprised but nodded again. "I remember you from last night…"

"Interesting… Do you remember my companions at all?"

"The odd, michevious looking woman and that respectable, young girl? Yes I remember." Tal said and handed Adem his drink.

"I'm looking for them… I was wondering if they came back here since last night?" Adem said. Tal shook his head.

"I'm sorry, sir. No one has been in here since last night. Soldiers came and busted this place up after that fiasco at the Guild. They suspected one of my best customers to be involved in it." Tal sighed and shook his head. "I almost had to close shop…again…"

Adem looked around the pub again. If any other person had owned the place besides Tal'Karenk, it would have been closed for at least a week. Adem finished his ale and began to get up. He reached into his pouch and withdrew a few gold coins. Tal's eyes sparkled.

"I thank you for your time and ale, sir." Adem said. Tal waved his hand.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help…" Tal said. Adem headed for the door. Suddenly Tal got an idea. "Wait a moment!"

Adem turned back towards Tal as he walked out from behind the bar.

"I… that friend I spoke of who was carried off by the soldiers… He might be able to help you…" Tal said. Adem looked interested.

"How so?"

"He… has fighters. If the price is right he could help you search. He himself seemed…ah… interested… in your respectable friend last night. He might help you out if you talk to him. He's probably at the prison." Tal said. Adem thought. It seemed a little extreme but then, with Hardis, the Cerik Knights and who knew what else after them, extra help didn't seem that bad. Adem nodded.

"That may be helpful. Thank you again, sir…" Adem said and departed. Tal stared after him after he left then returned to cleaning. There was a crash and Tal blinked. He turned to the back door as Aurora Targa kicked it open.

"Lady Targa! Welcome, welcome! What a surprise!" Tal screeched joyfully. He dropped his broom and rushed behind the counter as Aurora walked up. Aurora had a blank look on her face and she gazed around the room.

"What happened here…" She said slowly taking in the remaining mess.

"A few soldiers came in last night looking for… culprits." Tal said flatly. "Unfortunately Lyle decided to cause a ruckus."

"Again…" Aurora growled. "That fool man…!"

"Aye… Lyle was detained and sent to the prison… can I get you something?" Tal asked, his business manner taking over. Aurora nodded and reached into her pouch as Tal began fixing her regular drink.

"I noticed… you're not with Camlin tonight? Where is he?" Tal went on. Aurora smiled.

"It's our off duty. I couldn't sleep so I decided to stop by here…" She said. She withdrew a small piece of paper from her pouch. "I wanted to asked you…"

She held up the paper to Tal, who handed her her drink. On the paper was a sketch of the girl she had taken into custody during the fire. Tal took the paper and his eyes narrowed as he studied it.

"That girl… she was here last night. Have you seen any of the people she was with? I know you don't forget customers easily, Tal." Aurora took a drink. Tal set the paper on the counter and thought for a moment.

"I just had a boy in here looking for her… The same one that was wearing the cloak last night…"

Aurora slammed her mug down and stood up. "Where did he go?!"

Tal took her mug and began cleaning it. "I told him to find Lyle."

"You idiot! This girl is at the bloody prison! I arrested her last night after she climbed out of the Guild basement. That boy was one of the thieves that burnt the place! Fool!" Aurora cried. Tal sighed.

"So… unknowingly I have helped the terrorists…" Tal said calmly. "That could be considered a crime…"

"…"Aurora was in a silent rage. She glared at Tal as he calmly dried off the mug she had been using.

"I thought you were off duty…" Tal said and Aurora stopped seething. She straightened up and fixed her hair absent-mindedly.

"I am off duty… But I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you down to the prison…" She said slowly. "Conspiring with terrorists is a major offence… knowingly or unknowingly."

Tal set down the mug and sighed again. He took off his apron and stepped out from the bar. Aurora walked towards the bar.

"I'm coming…" Tal said. He looked around his bar sadly. He had been taken to the prison before and didn't think much of it. He just hated have to close his bar, especially if it was in the state it was now. He walked over to where a large urn rested near the fireplace and removed its lid. Inside was a pouch filled with the majority of his earnings. He tucked it into his belt. He never left his wealth alone when he closed shop. The silently he strode after Aurora.

There had been an eerie silence in his head for days. No pain. No voices. Just peace. The man sprawled on the dais shifted slightly, listening to the silence in his head. It had been still for days, not a rustle or breath of the presence that lingered in the back of his mind. It had never been quiet so long at one time. He was alone. Finally alone to think as he pleased. Nervously the thought of freedom crossed through his mind as it had the last few days.

He curled into a fetal position and covered his head in his hands. The movement stirred the cloth that draped slightly over the dais. Similar cloth hung loosely from the ceiling and walls. Tall marble pillars stood around the dais but the rest of the room was empty besides a small handheld pearl-handled mirror lying next to the dais. The man enjoyed looking into it when there was peace of mind. The he knew he was truly himself. The fine, silvery fabric glinted as the door at the far end of the room opened, admitting a tall, willowy form. The man, curled with his back to the door raised his hand.

"Leave…" He muttered. He had refused to meet anyone these last couple days, ever since the presence had vanished from his head. He enjoyed being alone during these times. The figure moved, as if annoyed, but didn't leave its position, leaning against one of the pillars in the room. The figure cocked its head; it's hair falling gracefully over its shoulders.

"…Why is it you have not left your chambers…" The figure said. The voice was like roses, soft and beautiful, but sharp and full of thorny impatience. "You've stayed locked in here for over a week…"

The man on the dais slowly sat up and turned to face his visitor. He knew who had barged into his thoughts, as she so often did. He looked toward her sideways, and light from the open door illuminated his right side. Hair that matched the draping hung loosely over a headband the color of midnight. Robes that swirled like a rainbow trapped in mist wore loose to his frail form. His skin was pale and on one side of his face, two markings crossed his nose, even lighter than the surrounding skin. He gazed sideways at the woman at the door and a smile touched his lips.

"Why must you intrude on my solitude…" he asked. His voice was blank. "I am merely thinking…"

"I was worried… you've never locked yourself up for this long…" The woman replied in the same blank voice. She didn't sound worried at all. Instead she looked the man over, noting his current appearance and meeting his gaze.

"I am perfectly fine…" The man suddenly raged. He turned fully around and his entire face was illuminated. The strange markings on his nose continued across his face, slashed by two similar markings. Scars they were, four in all, sealing his left eye shut and ruining the otherwise perfect face of the man. Suddenly the man gave an insane laugh. The woman's eyes widened not in surprise as much as anger, but only for a second. Serenity reasserted itself almost immediately on both their faces.

"… I came to tell you that Traque's sunskiff returned this morning. Miss Illumin has reported that there was a fire at Cerik's Guild of Magus. She also brought a message from Traque, since he decided to stay in Cerik." The woman said, rather coldly and threw down a small sealed envelope. It landed at the base of the dais as the woman turned and left the room. Again, the room became dark and the man relaxed back onto the dais. He reached down lazily and scooped up the letter. With a flick of his finger, a round flame of blue light appeared in the air and he opened the letter. He read slowly, taking every detail written on the parchment. There were just a strange riddle scribbled down in this letter, but to the man on the dais knew it meant differently.

Three jewels and a seed lie in a pile of pebbles. Two jewels are destruction, one is knowledge. A thief will take them and use them while the seed can change everything if the bird does not swallow it…

Two jewels lie close to hand but the thief is sly. There may be more diamonds among stones.

Only the wolf can see how things play out…

Intrigued the man read the letter once more before setting it into the blue flame. The fire turned black and consumed the letter as well as itself. The room plunged back into darkness, as new thoughts dug into the man's head. It was still quiet but an itching in his mind was beginning. The man had felt that before. The presence was returning.

"I thought I was alone…" The man said quietly to himself. In the back of his mind the itching ceased and the presence awoke. A cruel laugh echoed in his mind.

Alone… You don't deserve to be left alone… I will haunt you for eternity… The presence said. The man's head lolled unnaturally and claws seemed to rake his brain. There was also the burning in those scars. The endless pain was beginning again. He was only glad that the presence hadn't returned while he was reading that letter. Now… let us go out and catch up on the world… Where is your mask?

The man on the dais sat up automated and reached into his robes. He withdrew a strange mask and placed it on his face. The mask always went on when the presence was there. The man felt a change as he stepped from the dais. The pain subsided, but there still was a pinprick in his mind. The mask lessened the pain and also the force of the presence. The man never understood why the presence insisted on the mask when it was there, if the mask only lessened the presence's power on him and increased his own power.

Silently the man strode out of the room, a smile beginning on his face. The presence wouldn't know about those jewels. Perhaps this would give him the advantage he needed to make sure the presence would leave him alone for good.

Falon stared at the man named Lyle. He was sitting crossed legged on the floor, with a bored look on his face. He had explained to her why the guards had arrested him, and that it was nothing new to him either. Apparently they believed him to be partially connected with what she had helped do. She didn't mention the fact that she had been one of the people involved in the fire. She didn't trust this Lyle fellow, and she wasn't sure how he would respond if he found out she had been at the Guild. Even if she hadn't started the fire herself, merely being connected would be bad enough. Lyle on the other hand, had been put off by her obviously unenthusiastic silence after his tale, and had become rather quiet himself.

Outside the cell, papers were being shuffled and someone was pacing. Falon could hear the door open and two people walk in. Someone pounded on wood while another person yawned.

"Quinton! Has a boy come in here in the last few minutes?" Barked a voice.

"Miss Targa! Ah… sorry… no one has come in…ah…" said the guard. Silence for a moment. "Why is Tal'Karenk with you?"

Suddenly Lyle perked up from his bored sitting. He got up and walked over to the door and pressed his ear against it.

"He has been cooperating with the terrorists. In fact, the boy I'm looking for was just given information by Tal here, that his accomplice is here." Aurora said.

"That's not quite what I…" Tal said quietly, but he was cut off as the guard made a yell. A few shuffling noises and then a crash. There was a thunk against the door, and Lyle took a step back.

"What's going on?!" Falon said. Lyle shook his head and kicked the door. It didn't budge.

"Quinton!" Aurora screamed. There was a sound like two swords crashing together.

"Man, don't move." Someone said. Aurora gave a cry and there was more clashings of steel.

"Lyle! Are you in there?!" Tal cried. He sounded scared. "I got the key"---

He was cut short as another crash and Lyle only had time to jump back as the door crashed down. Falon jumped off the bench and stared wild eyed as Tal stumbled into the room. Lyle caught him as he fell forward.

Falon stared out of the doorway and her eyes widened. A moan escaped her lips. Aurora stood, locked blade to blade with Traque. His eyes were maniacal, an insane smile spread across his face.

"Oh…no…" Falon said. She ran out of the cell and towards the back of the building as fast as she could. It was only a second later before Lyle was helping Tal to his feet, and they followed after her, avoiding the battle in the front. Falon reached the back entrance and tore out of the building into the alley.

"No...no…no…" was all she could say. She ran blindly, tears streaming down several back streets.

"Falon!" She heard a voice cry, just before she slammed headfirst into Adem, sending them both sprawling to the ground. Adem bolted up and grabbed her. Adem hugged her as she cried.

"He… he's coming… He's everywhere…" She cried. Adem started to get up helping Falon along. Adem's eyes narrowed. He knew who she was talking about. Slowly he withdrew a dagger from his belt and drew her closer. He peered into the darkness from the alley she had been running down. Footsteps echoed closer and Falon whimpered.

Suddenly Lyle and Tal'Karenk burst from the darkness. Adem frowned and slowly lowered the dagger. Tal was limping slightly. Lyle was almost carrying Tal.

"Who are you?" He asked. Lyle and Tal slowly stopped, gasping. Adem's eyes widened as he realized who one of the men were. "Master Tal!"

"I was arrested for helping you right after you left the Serpent…" Tal wheezed. He sat down on the brick road. "That man attacked right after we arrived. Threw me against the door and killed the guard. Aurora…"

"He's no man… he's a demon…" Falon muttered. "He'll kill her… then he'll come after me…"

"…This is insane… I'm not sure who you people are or what is going but I'm not going to stand here while that maniac is slaughtering Lady Targa... " Lyle said. He turned to head back down the alley. Then he stopped. "Could you please look after Tal… He's in no shape to be left alone…"

Lyle took off down the alley. Adem bent down to examine Tal's leg. It looked broken, with a large cut on the upper leg.. Hesitating, Adem began to stand up again. Cries echoed down the alley. Falon went pale again.

"We can't stay here…" Adem said. Tal tried to stand up, but he grimaced in pain. Another cry came from the darkness, closer now. Falon looked ready to dash. Adem grabbed Tal's arm and hoisted him up.

"I'm sorry to be a bother… I really don't want to meet that demon man again, though…" Tal muttered. Falon paused a moment, then helped Adem with Tal.

As fast as they could go, the three walked out of the alley into the main street. There were no people on the street but lights in the windows of surrounding shops.

"What do we do?" Falon asked Adem.

"Put me down…" Tal said. "I know a few people around here… If you people need to leave Cerik, I'll only be slowing you…"

Adem and Falon both gave him a look.

"I really don't need your help…" Tal grimaced again. Then he reached into his pocket and withdrew a few gold coins. "Just go… Take this and get out of here before that man finds you."

"We couldn't…" Falon began but Tal waved a hand.

"Listen to me, girl… I've seen all sorts of people and I know the ones who really need help… Besides, you're wanted in Cerik for that fire… I don't believe you really started that fire after seeing that man…" Tal stopped and listened. There was very little noise now. "Just leave and if you ever do manage to come back to Cerik, remember Tal'Karenk is a friend…"

Adem nodded and grabbed Falon's wrist.

"You can keep your money… and again I thank you…" Adem said. The two thieves ran off and Tal nodded. He just hoped his other friend wasn't dumb enough to have gotten himself killed.

Lyle slowly crept into the prison from the back. All the lights had been extinguished and he squinted. He reached the entry room and looked around. The table had been thrown across the room and several gashes had been made in it. Various other furniture was ruined. There was a small light near the floor. Lyle's eyes widened when he saw Aurora's face illuminated by the meager light. She looked peacefully asleep but he couldn't tell if she was dead or just unconscious. A silhouette of a man walked into the light and hunched down over her. Lyle watched quietly.

"Damn…" The man muttered. "She could have been the one… She has the same potential…"

The man swept upward and turned to Lyle. Lyle took a step back as he realized the man saw him.

"Another fool… What do you want?" Traque drew a breath and shook his head. Lyle nodded towards Aurora.

"What did you do to her?"

"She just got in my way… Just like you are now, you Untalented fool!"

Lyle grinned madly suddenly. He drew out his sword.

"The last person to call me Untalented wound up without any legs…" Lyle said. Traque laughed. "If you insist on fighting me, then"-

Lyle was suddenly across the room, sprawled on the floor. Traque shook his head, his earring reflecting the meager light.

"I never said I was going to fight…" Traque laughed. "Soldiers are too cocky these days…"

Traque turned around and walked out of the prison.

Adem and Falon ran down towards the docks. A few ships had come into port since the storm end.

They reached the boarding plank of the first ship and stopped. Adem stared back from where they came from. Falon looked around the ship to see if anyone was nearby.

"Someone is following us…" Adem said. "I don't think its Traque, though…"

Falon called up to the ship. "Hello? Is anyone on board?"

Adem withdrew his knife again and continued peering into the darkness. Suddenly something caught his eye on the ship and he froze. A gaunt man was walking along, carrying a lantern. He seemed to be intently looking for something on the dock. Adem stared at the man and suddenly their eyes met. Adem staggered and fell to his knees. His head throbbed.

Gold, treasure… Burning… Greed…

Falon grabbed onto Adem.

"What's wrong…" She asked. Adem put his hand over her mouth.

"Falon be quiet… That's a pirate ship… The man up there heard you calling and came out. They won't help us. They'll give us passage but rob us and throw us overboard halfway there." Adem warned quietly. Falon nodded. Silently, as not to attract the pirate's attention, they continued down the dock.

"Did you say someone was following us a minute ago?" Falon asked. Adem nodded. He turned around to peer into the darkness again.

"I sense someone following us, but I don't think"- He was cut short as a large sword hilt cracked down against his skull. Adem crumpled as a large figure holding the sword landed next to Falon. Falon stared at the figure and blinked. Then she looked down at Adem.

"I'm terribly sorry I did that if it startled you, Princess…" Said the man as he gently picked up Adem's limp body. "But I'm not sure I can trust this thief, even if he is your friend..."

Falon could only gape as she realized the man in front of her was Lodon Camlin.