Setting
- 30 posts here • Page 2 of 2 • 1, 2
Crys reached the desert ruins as the chill of night air began to fill the air. A split second before her arrival, she was surrounded by her people and bombarded with unintelligible questions and explanations, only a piece of sentence making through the mix of voices as all fell silent. â⊠And Ali burned her bow.â
âShe did what?â Crys asked raising an eyebrow. âWhere is she?â
âSheâs in the training field; been there all afternoon.â Trevor informed. âI donât know. Sheâs been acting strange since the attack.â
âWho attacked?â
âDid you not hear a word we just said?â The man scolded.
After getting the whole story from Trevor about the attack from the Wolves and how Dastan had sent them running in the end, Crys went to the training field to find Ali and ask her what was happening. She found her friend mercilessly beating a training dummy with a wooden sword (by the sound of it). Crys stopped a few steps away and stood until Ali noticed her and stopped.
âHey, our fearless leader is finally hoâŠme⊠What did you do to yourself?â Ali asked seeming intrigued. She was silent for a while before she burst into laughter. âIs that⊠Is that an eye patch!? Why are you wearing an eye patch!?â
Crys chuckled. âYes, yes⊠I get it, itâs funny.â She mumbled. âI had a little accident, is all. A glass shard flew into my eye, and I need to leave this on for a couple of days.â
âSee, thatâs what happens when you pay Black Knights a visit.â Ali joked. âNice horse, by the way. Indrani will be happy.â Ali stated, indicating the animal whose reins were helf firmly in Crys hand.
Crys nodded slightly. âWhere is Indrani, by the way? Sheâs not in camp.â
âSheâs not? Last I heard she was in her tent. Iâm not sure, but⊠I get the feeling she and Dastan had a bit of a falling out. Heâs been a little⊠Well⊠Depressed. I tried to talk to him, but he doesnât want to see anyone. Said he needed to think.â
âHum⊠I seeâŠâ Crys mumbled. âAnd what is this I hear about your bow?â She asked.
âIt⊠It broke.â Ali mumbled. âIt was old anyway⊠Doesnât matterâŠâ
âAre you going to finally craft one for yourself then?â Crys asked.
âI suppose Iâll have to.â She stated. âIâm not going to rely on swords to survive, I wouldnât make it.â She chuckled.
Crys nodded, pulling the empty casing of her flute from her belt. âLost it during my accident.â She informed.
âHuhâŠâ Ali mumbled, taking the casing from her. âThat sounds like one hell of an âaccidentâ.â She smirked. âAre you going to tell me all about it?â
âEventually.â Crys replied, shaking her head. âItâs a long story.â
âThatâs two stories you owe me now.â Ali told her. âDonât think Iâll forget.â
Crys chuckled. âAlright, alright.â She agreed. âWeâll have a talk later.â
âLater, alright. I also have a lot to tell you, starting with Lena showing up here⊠And moving on to other subjectsâŠ. Will be a long story too.â
Crys took a long deep breath, the cold night air now filling her lungs. âWill you take the horse to where the others are kept? I will see if Dastan will speak to me, and then weâll talk. There are things we need to discuss, and decide. Whereâs Evin, by the way?â
âI donât know. I think you were the last to speak with him before he left, remember? I came back from the plains looking for him. He hasnât been back since.â
âOh⊠RightâŠâ Crys mumbled, remembering that Evin had gone off after Theron. âI forgot about all that.â
âAll what?â Ali asked.
Crys chuckled. âWeâll add that to my list of stories, alright. Right now, I still need to speak with Dastan.â
[Forest â Early evening]
Sean arrived in camp and was met with confusion from actives and recruits as they gathered around him to actually convince themselves their leader was alive and standing. It wasnât until something small collided with him that he actually realized he was home.
âHow did you manage to get yourself stabbed? Idiot!â Katie scolded, holding a tight grip around his waist that was almost unbearably painful.
Still Sean managed to let out a rather shaky laugh, wrapping his arms around her in a comforting gesture. âIâm fine, Katie⊠You canât believe everything you hear, was just a scratch.â
âDonât lie to me, you jerk!â She exclaimed, pushing him away, obviously upset with his behavior. âYou canât scare me like that! I thoughtâŠâ She simply shook her head, unable to finish the sentence and simply walking away stomping her feet in anger.
Sean shook his head in amusement, but only for a moment. He would talk to Katie later, but right now he other things he needed to deal with; like finding out what the hell had happened while he was away. Franklin has told him of the attack on the Crimson, and that the accounts of the survivors were rather gruesome, he wanted to know what happened in that battle, but most importantly; he wanted to know who authorized it behind his back. All those thought, despite how concerning they were, did not compare to what Sean was trying not to think of; a promise heâd made, and had planned to keep, was now shattered to bits. Coincidently or not, it was to these thought that a voice sounded loud in the clearing, and the sound of it alone seemed froze Sean in place, slow down time itself, and pierce right through him more painfully than any sword could ever hope to do.
âYOU LYING, BACKSTABBING, MURDEROUS, PIECE OF HUMAN WASTE!!!â
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[Flashback â Forest, four years ago]
âI want to march into that camp and bury this axe so deep in that murdererâs skull theyâll have to bury him with it!â Sean shouted, swinging his weapon and opening a gash on the trunk of a nearby apple tree. âAnd Dani next!â
âYou will do no such thing, do you hear me?â Indrani protested, managing to stop Sean from getting past her and pushing him until his back hit the trunk of a tree.
âThat lying, murderous, b⊠Bitch!â He blurted out the last word as if it he feared ever addressing the woman in such a way. âI trusted her! She was never going to make him pay, she knew it all along! Liar!â
Indrani stood, pinning her friend to the tree and just letting him shout his curses and insults until he finally couldnât shout anymore. The rage and the pain in his eyes was something unlike anything she had ever seen before. She almost didnât believe she had managed to stand in his way. Sean had stopped shouting and cursing. Now he simply stood staring at her in silence and she wasnât sure of what to do, or if it was safe to let him go. She didnât; afraid that he would snap again and do something stupid. instead she put both arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug, surprised to feel his arms wrap around her waist and pull her closer, and twice as much surprised to realize Sean was crying. She had never seen, or heard, him cry before. Minutes went by, hours perhaps, she wasnât sure, before he finally spoke again⊠His tone was soft despite his anger, only slightly above a whisper. âI believed her, I believed there was justice, but there is no such thing as justice⊠Not for people like me. Thereâs nothing left for me now, the Wolfpack means nothing more than a bunch of lies. Iâm dead.â
âSean⊠Donât talk this way⊠PleaseâŠâ She pleaded. âWhat about your family?â
âMy father doesnât give a shit.â He muttered. âI donât give a shit about him anymore either, Lionel will just do whatever heâs told⊠Katie and Don are just kids, what do they know about Life? Give it time and theyâll forget I was even there⊠Seems to be easy for most people⊠Like with my mom⊠Theyâve already forgotten her.â
âI wouldnât forget you.â
âHow will I ever go back to that camp and breathe the same air as that monster? How can I ever look my leader in the eyes and pretend I still have any respect for her? What kind of a man will I be if I put myself through this?â He asked. âHow can I keep breathing?â
âItâll get easier in time.â She replied. âLike eating the same bad meal every day⊠The bitterness will fade, I promise. Just make an effort, and if you canât⊠Iâll just have to take you home with me. Just promise me you wonât get yourself killed. Please⊠Promise youâll breathe for me.â
âPrincessâŠâ Sean took a long breath that ended in a shaky sigh. âI donât know what Iâd do without you.â He whispered. âYou saved my life today.â
[Reality â Wolfpack Camp, present time]
Time stood still. Time stood still as if it had frozen the moment she yelled. The rage burning in her eyes as the memories of years of love and support filled her mind. Years of friendship that had been reduced to nothing in one single night. She still wanted to believe it wasnât true, she still wanted to believe this was just a bad dream, but in her heart she knew the truth, and it hurt. The Wolves immediately surrounded Sean to shield him from her, drawing their weapons, some of them seemed to be already be rushing towards her when Sean finally made himself heard in the chaos.
âI said BACK OFF!â He shouted. âBack away, NOW!â
Even though they werenât all too eager to stop shielding their wounded leader from an angered mercenary wielding a weapon longer than she was tall, they complied, not put away their blade, nor stepping too much out of the way, only enough so that the two of them were seeing eye to eye. Silence lingered for quite a bit of time Sean didnât seem to know what to say, and Indrani didnât care to hear it either, all her energy was focused in not being more stupid than absolutely necessary. After a long while of silence, through which the Alpha and the Commander stood gazing into each otherâs eyes, Indrani rose her scythe from the ground holding horizontally at the height of her chest, the blades forming a barrier of sorts around her as she spun around. Again Sean ordered his people to stand back, even though it seemed pretty clear that he was going to get his head chopped off. However, instead of attacking the Alpha, Indrani tossed her scythe across the clearing, and it landed with one of it blades deeply buried in the door of the Leadersâ Cabin. Now unarmed, she walked a straight line to Sean, until she was standing right in front of him. âI came home to the sight of crumbled buildings, and burnt tents, and dead children⊠I came to help you, and when I returned home, I found very little of it left.â She stated, her voice soft, but nonetheless filled with rage and contempt. âI came home to find my very worst nightmare, and I woke up to see myself a traitor... And all because of you...â She shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. âI donât know why, I was never known for trusting people, but I did trust you and you took my life⊠My family⊠I loved you⊠I donât know why, out of all people⊠I guess that was my mistake.â She sighed. âI trusted you even after youâve done, after all I know you were capable of doing⊠I thought there was still enough humanity left in you to stay true to our promises⊠That was my mistake too. I should have seen what was happening to you, even if only to save myself before it came to this.â
âIndrani, IâŠâ Sean didnât know what to say. âI didnât know⊠I triedâŠâ
âI donât care for what you have to say, even if you manage to say it.â She cut him off. âThereâs nothing left to be said between the two of us. Iâll never believe a word from you again.â
Sean seemed to be in a shock as Indrani spoke, as if someone had torn out a piece of him. âIâm sorry.â He finally spoke. âI didnât mean for it to happen this way, but we both knew things werenât going to stay peaceful forever, if you could even say they had been.â
âYou promised me you wouldnât do this unless it was necessary. Remember? You swore on your life Sean, and thatâs a promise I will make sure you keep.â As she said that she punched him in the face.
Sean was way too busy ordering his people to stay put to properly defend himself, so he took the punch and the other two that followed, all the while still holding his clan back with one gesture of his hand. He was now dizzy and blood was dripping down his nose, but he didnât even seem to notice. âFine! Fine! You want to kill me, go right ahead! GO ON!â He shouted, spreading his arms. âDonât you dare touch her!â He shouted over his shoulder to one of the assassins who was clearly trying to get to Indrani unnoticed. âItâs only fair, right? I did give my word⊠Go ahead.â
Indrani seemed to flinch for a split second, but it was only for a split second; she advanced and kicked Sean right in the stab wound in his stomach, causing him to fall onto the floor, gasping for air. She simply marched towards the leaderâs cabin and retrieved her scythe, feeling the stares of the wolves on her, but not caring for them for a second. She walked back to Sean and kicked him onto to his back, placing her foot over his wound and the bottom blade of the scythe pressed against his neck. âIs this how you held her down?â She muttered. âHuh? I bet you had nightmares that were just like this⊠Her standing over you and taking everything back⊠Grasping for air⊠What goes around comes around, right? Everyone must pay, you taught me that.â She smiled, realizing that this was as far as she could go without getting the Wolves to react. âDonât worry kiddies⊠Iâm not killing the Alpha today. No, noâŠâ She stated, glaring at Sean. âSean, love⊠Iâm letting you live, rest, and heal up really nice⊠And when youâre all nice and fit⊠Weâre going to have our very last rematch. And donât you dare deny me, because you owe me.â She withdrew the blade and removed her foot. âUntil you are dead for real, my friend⊠Live with the fact that you are dead to me.â With those words, Indrani turned her back and left, leaving Sean lying in the dirt amongst the other assassins. He might have to explain this eventually, but he really didnât care. He didnât care that his nose was broken and his stitches had burst open⊠He couldnât bring himself to care about anything at all. Even so, he reacted when Franklin pulled him up and walked him to the leaderâs cabin. Sean was going to pass out and he knew it, but before he did he managed to give his second one last instruction. âFrank⊠Deal with AdriaâŠâ
Franklin knew what that meant⊠Moving their assassins without their leaderâs command was treason⊠Adria would have to pay.
[Desert â In the Meantime]
Crys walked to the Fire Temple, carefully making her way through the first floor where an improvised infirmary was set up, not wanting to trip over anything that might be lying around, very much aware that nothing was where it used to be. She walked past the main hall and towards where the rope ladder would be hanging, not surprised at the fact that it was missing. She heaved a long sigh before finding the spot where she usually climbed up the wall to the second floor, doing so with a grimace as her body still ached considerably. She walked by her room quickly, leaving her bag and removing her boots and cloak, before walking to the opposite end of the hall in time to hear the sound of a shattering bottle. She stopped at the door and cleared her throat as to announce her presence. âHow goes it?â She greeted casually. âI was wondering if youâre up for a little spar.â She teased.
It took a moment, as if he was trying to fight against it, but Dastan chuckled. âYou look like youâve had enough fun without me.â
Crys tilted her head to one side at his tone. He was drunk as it was usual... But he was tone wasnât his usual friendly and silly tone; it was bitter and angry. She entered the room and immediately regretted not wearing shoes as she stepped over a piece of broken glass. She groaned as the shard entered the sole of her foot and lifted it so she wouldnât step on it and push it in further. âWhy always broken glass?â She muttered.
Dastan had stood from where he sat on his bed and rushed over to her, she could hear the crackling sound of his boots crushing more pieces of glass as he walked. Without any warning, the man simply put her arm around his neck and lifted her up in his arms.
âDonât⊠do thatâŠâ Crys protested, frowning at Dastan for just handling her without asking permission or giving a warning.
âThereâs shattered glass all over the floor.â He stated. âEven if you could see it you wouldnât be able to walk around in here with no shoes. Quit whining.â He chuckled, dropping her rather roughly on his bed. âThere, that didnât hurt too much, now, did it?â He teased.
âHmph.â Crys mumbled, reaching to pick the glass from the bottom of her bare foot, but being blocked by Dastanâs hand around her wrist.
âIâll handle that.â He told her. âWhere were you all this time?â He asked, carefully picking the glass from her foot, trying to work the best he could considering his sight was a bit blurry and she wouldnât hold still. You havenât been away this long since you people came here⊠Am I making you uncomfortable with this?â He added, releasing her foot.
âI was visiting a friend⊠And no, you donât make me uncomfortable⊠NoâŠâ She said, turning her face away from him discretely.
âIf you were visiting a friend, why do you look like youâve been beaten up? And⊠Whatâs wrong?â He asked, flinching slightly at her reaction to his question. Finally he realized the problem and laughed out. âOh, youâre ticklish!â
âShut up, Dastan!â She scolded. âItâs not funny.â
âIâm sorry, itâs just so surprisingâŠ. I mean⊠Itâs so girly and adorable!â He laughed out.
âFirst of all: I am a girl. Second of all: Are you saying men arenât ticklish, Shaykh?â She asked, grinning and poking him on his side.
Dastan chuckled, pushing her hand away. âKnock it off! And you know what I meant. Youâre always so⊠Composed.â
âHuhâŠâ She mumbled. âIf only you knewâŠâ She said, shaking her head. âIâm not nearly as composed as I make myself seem, believe me.â
âIs that so? Because to me it seems like youâre always so in control⊠Even after⊠Well⊠It must not have been easy leaving your home.â
âMy homeâŠâ She shook her head. âI only left an encampment; I brought my home with me.â
Dastan snorted softly. âI have no home.â He muttered.
âDonât be stupid.â Crys replied, a severe tone in her voice.
âYou wouldnât understand. You⊠Were raised to do this. I was always the irresponsible one, it was unthinkable that Iâd be responsible for another human life, even less hundreds. Our legacy⊠The last of Brightvale and Effortâs peopleâŠâ He shook his head and stood from where he had sat beside her one the bed. âI was never a leader⊠Iâm here because there was no one left.â
âIâm here because there was never another choice.â Crys stated. âDoes it really matter though? How we got here.â
Dastan paced slowly through the room, the crunching sound of glass being crushed under his boots marking his footsteps. After a few moments he sat back next to Crys and slipped a liquor bottle into her hand. âIf you want to keep me company, then keep me company.â He stated simply, before answering the question with another question. âYou donât think it matters?â
âI think that thinking about it doesnât change the past.â She said, taking a drink from the bottle. âDo you plan on running away from all responsibility on the grounds that you werenât meant to be here? If you do, then maybe it matters, otherwise⊠No.â
âIâm just so tired of this. The War, fighting for territory, fighting for food, fighting just to exist⊠Iâm sick of fighting⊠Iâm sick of Death. I just want⊠Not even Peace anymore, just some release: Just one moment when I donât have to fear the possibility of losing everything.â He took a long gulp from his own bottle. âHave you ever thought about it? Ever thought about walking away? People turn their backs, and people give up, every day. If they can do it, why canât we?â
Crys laughed out. âOh, I love my little assassin clan, and I still love the Wolfpack, despite everything that happened. That said⊠Of course I thought about it. I still do. Jake and IâŠâ She paused and took a long drink. âJake and I used to joke about it all the time. We even made plans about how we were going to run away together, leave Valcrest and buy a farm.â
Dastan choked on his drink when she said that. âYou and Jacob living on a farm? Twins have mercy.â He laughed.
âWe knew that we would never actually do that, but it was amusing to consider it nonetheless.â She said with a small shrug, a soft chuckle escaping her in response to his reaction as she took another sip from the bottle. âI miss Jake. I wish⊠I wish he hadnât left.â She admitted. âYouâll wish the same if you push Indrani out of your life.â
Dastan went silent as she said that, taking another drinking and swallowing hard as if he was pushing something down with the alcohol. Finally he whispered simply. âItâs not the same.â
âSure itâs not. Jake is an idiot and he left me because heâs scared. Indrani is an idiot who tried to do what was best for you, an idiot who trusted someone she thought she knew.â
âYouâre defending her.â He mumbled. âShe was trying to turn your people over to Sean.â
âShe was trying to protect her people Dastan. I donât agree with what she did, but I canât condemn her for it. You might not be able to forgive her, but youâll always love her.â
âIâll always love her, but can I trust her?â He asked; a bitter tone in his voice. âYes, Sean used her, but she didnât think of the clan first. She is supposed to protect them, they trust her with their lives⊠If they knew what she did⊠They would never recover.â He sighed heavily. âThere.â
Crys raised an eyebrow at the last statement before she realized that Dastan had picked the glass from her foot and bandaged it while he was talking. âThanks.â She stated, a little uncomfortable now at the fact both her legs were outstretched across his lap and he was casually resting his arms over her knees. He didnât even seem to notice. âLook, Iâm probably not the best person to give advice on what or not you should disclose to you clan, considering that hiding a secret was mostly what put me in this situation, but⊠I think you should give her a chance to regain your trust. I think⊠Sheâs not a bad person, she doesnât mean any harm, she was simply afraid. Fear can make people do the stupidest things.â
âShe didnât just betray the clan though, she betrayed me⊠That hurt me so deep⊠I just wanted to dieâŠâ He stopped himself, as if he didnât believe he was actually admitting to such feelings. âIndrani is the only family I have left, I have never cared as much for anyone or anything, I would do unthinkable, unspeakable, things for her⊠I would give up anything to make her happy, or keep her safe⊠I never thought she would do this to me.â He heaved a shaky breath, and emptied his bottle in one large gulp, throwing the bottle across the room where it smashed against the stone wall. Crys realized he had probably been walking around the room and drinking all day. She wondered how he even managed to stand, even less carry her, in that state.
âDastanâŠâ She called, when he stood from the bed and she heard him fiddle with glass bottles probably looking for one that was full. âDidnât you have a rule about not drinking upset?â She asked him.
âScrew it.â He muttered, almost under his breath, but still loud enough to hear.
Crys waited before he sat next to her again and snatched the bottle out of his hands, throwing it full against the wall. âYouâve had enough.â
âAre you nuts?â Dastan asked her.
âIf you want to take a swing at me for that, go ahead.â She stated calmly, crossing her arms over her chest. âOtherwise, Iâd say youâre done.â
Dastan flinched and, for a second or two, he actually considered it. Eventually though, he admitted defeat and sat down. âI donât want to die like my father.â He mumbled.
âWhat does that mean?â Crys asked.
Dastan didnât answer however. He yawned, and without the least bit of warning laid his head on Crysâ lap and fell asleep on her⊠Literally. Heaving a sigh, and not wanting to risk stepping down from the bed and into anymore glass, Crys simply leaned against the wall and pulled a blanket over the sleeping mercenary. He probably wouldnât wake up until late morning.
âWhy are you meeting him?â
Dastan lost the little balance the alcohol hadnât taken, when two hands forcefully pushed him forward. He simply groaned in anger with his face down in the sand before pushing himself up and continuing to stumble his way across the encampment. Ever since the morning after the Wolves attacked the camp Dastan had been straight up ignoring Indrani as if she was a ghost and even now, it was no different; he continued to walk as if she wasnât there.
âYouâre being a baby!â Indrani shouted, following after him. âDASTAN!â She finally lost her patience right then and there; it was one thing if he didnât want to talk to her because he was angry, but this concerned her as well, and she wasnât going to let it go. She stood for a moment, fists clenched at her sides; hesitating to anger him further. Eventually she decided that the silence had to end, for better or for worse. She ran after him at full speed, and jumped at him, clinging to his neck and knocking them both to the ground. âYou asshole! Talk to me! I have the right to know!â She shouted, rolling off of him and sitting up in the sand. âI know you wonât forgive me, fine! You havenât removed me from my position as commander though, so I have the right to know why you are meeting with the Alpha in our territory!â
âWhy do you figure, genius? I want to discuss a truce.â Dastan muttered, pushing himself up again and stumbling forward as he continued to walk. âI trust you will not be here when he arrives.â
âDo you?â She asked, jumping to her feet and starting to walk after him.
âWhat?â He mumbled.
âDo you trust me?â
Dastan stopped walking and heaved a sigh. âDonât push it, Indrani.â
âYou could have ordered me to leave. You still can.â She stated. âIâve told them what Iâve done.â
âThey forgave you, I havenât. Not yet.â
âYou arenât sure Sean is really responsible. I know you wouldnât meet him otherwise. Are you afraid I might forgive him if you tell me the truth?â She asked him, placing one hand gently on his shoulder.
âIt doesnât matter if heâs responsible. It doesnât change the fact that you werenât here.â He argued.
âI know that. You didnât answer my question, Dastan; are you afraid Iâll forgive him?â
Dastan simply shook his head. âYour personal life is none of my business, Commander.â
âDonât do that!â She pushed him.
âWhat do you want me to say?â Dastan asked, turning to face her. âThat I am afraid Iâll lose you? Itâs too late for that! Itâs way too late!â
âI want you to understand⊠Iâm not going anywhere. Iâm not letting you push me out of your life. I donât know what is going on with you lately, but Iâm not going to let you go through it alone.â
Dastan sighed softly and turned to walk away. âThereâs nothing you can do for me.â He answered coldly.
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[Desert, close to noon]
Jake opened his eyes and groaned wondering how the hell he managed to remain mounted in his sleep. Shadow was trotting calmly and slowly into the desert sands as Jake pushed himself to sit upright on the saddle, his back aching from the unusual sleeping position. Shadow whinnied and snorted as if to acknowledge that his rider had awoken and Jake gently patted the horseâs neck in greeting. âGood morning to you too, buddy.â He stated sleepily.
It had taken Jake longer than he would like to reach the desert. First of all, he had to make nice with his horse; Shadow wasnât happy at all to be left behind for a month. The only reason the horse hadnât been sold yet, was because he was too angry and no one wanted to take him. The result of this was that Jake had to walk great part of the way, because Shadow would refuse to let him mount. It took him a day later than expected to get there, but on the bright side⊠The trip was surprisingly quiet and uneventful, despite the fact he had decided to cross the forest; it was strangely quiet, but he didnât make much of it until he reached the desert and was immediately surrounded by six mercenaries pointing their weapons at him.
âState your business.â One of them ordered.
âIâm here to visit a couple of friends⊠Whatâs⊠whatâs with all the tension? Whereâs Jackson?â
The Crimson who had spoken turned to another and whispered, probably asking him to call Jackson, before turning back to Jake. âYou know Jackson?â
âI came here with the former wolves, three years ago. A couple of years ago I left. Are they not here anymore?â Jake asked, honestly confused.
The Crimson simply exchanged looks as if not sure what to say to this stranger; he seemed to know the assassins, but they werenât sure. It was at that moment that a familiar voice greeted. âWell, hello there handsome! Thought Iâd never see you again! And look what you carried home with you!â
Jake raised his eyebrow for a moment as the mercenary leader approached him in such a peculiar manner, but then he realized he was speaking to the horse, and snorted a laugh. âI take it she was very pissed, huh?â
Dastan shook his head and waved his men away. âPissed doesnât begin to describe it. Is that why you brought Shadow? Is he a Peace offering?â
âI retrieved Shadow they day after I left. I thought that sheâd like thatâŠâ He said, dismounting and leading the horse along as he walked after Dastan. âWhat is going on around here? Felt like I was entering the forest. Come to think of it⊠It was unusually quiet there today.â
âWeâve been at war with the Wolves lately; been a month since they launched an attack on us. I was not present at the time, neither was Indrani, Crys, or Evin⊠Allison and Jackson had to hold everyone together and⊠Had I not been as close as the healersâ camp, well⊠They could have slaughtered everyone.â Dastan explained, casually, as he led Jake to where the assassins were camped. âCrys isnât here.â He stated; a serious tone in his voice as they stopped by the group of tents and the nearby assassins began to whisper amongst themselves as they recognized Jake. âShe left about a week ago, Ali went with her⊠She mentioned going to see a friend⊠Didnât say when sheâd be back.â
âWhat about Evin?â Jake asked, trying to hide his relief at the fact Crys wasnât there. He wanted to see her, yes, but he couldnât deny he was nervous about it.
âNo one has seen him in over a month. People were wondering out loud if he got himself killed or took off for good, but Crys wasnât worried about it. She said heâll turn up eventually.â Dastan replied. âSo⊠What brings you back? Something must have happened for you to turn up like this.â
âI came to see Crys.â Jake stated. âNot that itâs your business.â
âIt is my business. This is my camp, and Crys is my friend. Besides you didnât seem to show any interest in seeing her in the past two years. So, why now?â
âNone of your business.â Jake muttered. âItâs none of your business.â
âYou had a sister once, no?â Dastan asked casually.
âYes. Not that itâs relevant.â Jake replied, leaning against Shadow and giving Dastan an agered look.
âWell, Crys is like a little sister to me. So, if youâve had a sister, Iâm assuming you will understand my urge to break all of your bones for what you did to her. Now, know that I control myself, because I know she still cares for you, but if you do it a second time⊠I will hunt you down just for that.â Dastan replied, opening a friendly smile and adding: âHave a nice day.â
Jake shook his head and sighed, but didnât bother trying to explain anything to the man, he didnât owe him anything.
âSorry, Iâm afraid I got him angry before you got here.â A voice sounded behind him. âNot that I disagree with him though. You were quite an asshole, and everyone talked about it for months. Which, coming to think of it, only got Crys far more pissed at you⊠Sorry.â
âThatâs nice Indrani. Very nice.â He chuckled. âThank you.â
âDo you want to let Shadow run around with the other horses a bit, or are you already leaving?â She asked, walking around him so that they were face to face.
âI suppose we both need a rest, so⊠Iâm leaving in a couple of hours.â Jake replied. âI suppose if I let him run loose, worst case scenario he wonât want to leave with me.â
âI donât think you should worry much, heâs obviously fond of you.â She said with a little nod, beginning to walk Jake away from the camp to where the other horses were.
âItâs really not that obvious to me.â Jake chuckled. âSo⊠Sean?â
âWhat?â Indrani asked, her eyes narrowing a bit.
âThat is what you and Dastan have been fighting about, yes? You said you made him angry, and I donât see any other reason why he would be angry at you.â
She sighed. âWell, yes.â
âI warned you about him, didnât I?â Jake said shaking his head. âWhat happened?â
âThe night the Wolves attacked, I wasnât here because Sean needed help. He says he didnât order the attack, and⊠I donât know if I believe him or not. He was with me while it happened, but⊠He could have given the order at any time before leaving the camp. Dastan is going to discuss a truce, but I donât know what he believes is the truth. We donât about it, we canât talk about it⊠He is still so angry at me.â
âHuh⊠Well, I donât know what to say. Itâs very like Sean to make sure everyone is away before attacking⊠Especially Crys and Dastan⊠I donât put it past him. What did Crys have to say?â
âJust about the same thing you just did. I just⊠I donât know⊠Something doesnât seem right about the whole thingâŠâ She said with a shrug, helping Jake remove Shadowâs saddle and headgear. âSee? Heâs a good boy.â She stated, stroking the horseâs neck. âThere you go, sweetie.â She smiled at the horse. âSean is not a bad man, Jake.â
âYes, he is.â Jake replied, lovingly running his fingers through the Shadowâs mane and patting his bare back as if encouraging him to wander off. âHe could be a good man, but he isnât. See, you shouldnât see people for what they could be; you have to see them for what they are. So, yes⊠Sean is a bad man. You need to accept the fact that, despite who he was and could have been, this is who he is now.â
âReally?â Indrani asked, leaning against a boulder casually. âDo you have no faith in people at all?â
âSome people can change, and some are just hopeless, I learned that the hard way.â
âWhat about you, then? Can you change?â
Jake chuckled softly. âIâm⊠Trying⊠At the momentâŠâ He shrugged slightly. âIâd like to say I can change, or that I have changed, but⊠I honestly canât know that for sure.â He dug the tip of his boot into the sand and smiled softly. âBastian Rivers used to say that people act in patterns, and those patterns never truly change; he believed every person is doomed to repeat the same behaviors over and over. When it seems like weâve changed, in reality that is just a different manifestation of the same behavioral patterns, causing the illusion of change.â
âSebastian Rivers was a strange, strange, man.â Indrani giggled.
âHave you met him?â Jake asked. âYou are right, but have you?â
âOnce, while we were stationed in the forest, he came by looking for Crys⊠Apparently she was in trouble. Was after a party, I think.â
âAh⊠I remember thatâŠâ Jake snickered. âToo bad I missed that party.â
âSo you donât think people truly change?â Indrani asked, going back to the subject they unconsciously wandered into.
âNo, I donât. If we could truly change, what would make us who we are? If we could change things so deeply rooted within our personalities⊠How would we ever know ourselves, or one another, in any level? These patterns are what make us recognizable as individuals, and not all of them are bad.â
âAlright, youâve known me a while⊠What are my patterns?â
Jake chuckled. âI donât want to do thatâŠâ
âCome on, you think Iâll be offended? Tell me.â
âYou have the constant need to prove your worth. Not even to others, but to yourself, because you never believe you are capable, or strong, enough. And you are terrified of failing the people you care about. Since you are constantly trying to prove your worth, you also have problems with asking for help, which leads to acting behind peopleâs backs, believing that if you show them weakness youâll let them down. That makes them feel like you donât trust them, when in reality you just donât trust yourself enough. You and Sean bonded over this feeling of not being worthy, I assume. Thatâs a side of him Iâve come to know pretty well in the past.â Jake said all of that in one breath, his eyes fixed on Shadow as he happily trotted alongside Mirage; it was the happiest heâd seen him in a long while and he considered just leaving him there, even for a bit. He sure did deserve to run free with other horses after being left with strangers for a month. After realizing Indrani had gone silent for a bit he snickered, glancing at her with the corner of his eyes. âIâm sorry⊠Was that too honest?â
âWhat about you, Jake? What is your pattern?â She asked, ignoring his question.
âI thought that was obvious.â He stated, turning to face her. âI give up on things I care about, because then I donât risk losing them. I havenât known this all along, but⊠Even now that I know it, it doesnât stop me from constantly doing it. All I need is to find an excuse, and it doesnât matter that I know this either, because when the situation presents itself⊠It wonât seem like thatâs what Iâm doing. Itâll seem like the right thing to do. My brain will trick me into it.â Jake stated with a little shrug. âThatâs why we are so doomed to repeating the same mistakes over and over⊠We donât realize weâre doing it, itâs just⊠A part of who we are. As a race, thatâs what we have been doing since the beginning of times.â
âSo you are saying thereâs no way you will ever make things work with Crys. I mean, if thatâs the truth⊠Then youâll just eventually leave her again, because you canât help it.â
Jake shook his head, a sigh escaping him. âProbably, but Iâm hoping not. Thatâs the thing with these habits⊠We donât notice them, but others do⊠So weâre doomed to make the same mistakes over and over⊠Unless thereâs someone there to stop usâŠâ
âAnd, as a race, who is going to stop us? The Gods?â
Jake looked up at the sky for brief moment, a smirk crossing his features as he replied. âAs a race⊠Thatâs where we are truly doomed. Because humanity, as a race, will never truly change.â
Indrani was going to say something else, but was interrupted when one of the assassins came running towards the two of them; Jake only the man by name, but the man seemed to know who he was well enough. âJake⊠We just heard some unsettling news⊠About your aunt.â
Jakeâs frowned slightly as he looked at the man. âIs Lena back?â
âShe came back about a month ago, did you not see her?â The assassin asked him.
âI⊠Iâve been out of circulation this past month⊠In the dungeons of Blackpond⊠What about Lena?â
âJake⊠Word from our contacts is⊠The White Rose⊠She died this past night.â
It was in a lightning fast move that Jake grabbed the man by the front of his shirt with shivering hands as he growled. âThatâs not true.â
âThe White Shadows say it is.â The man whispered softly, not seeming to mind Jakeâs gesture right then; it was visible that he was in pain. âIâm sorry.â
âNo⊠No⊠NoâŠâ Jake mumbled, pushing the assassin back and turning to walk in the direction of the plains without another word. It couldnât be. It just couldnât be true⊠He had walked good distance by himself when he felt something very strong push into his back and he stumbled forward before turning around in anger to see that Shadow had followed him. The horse had been properly saddled, and pinned to the saddle was a little note from Indrani that read: âYouâre doing it again.â
Jake snorted out in annoyance staring at the horse; his face still showing clear anger for a few moments before he forced a deep breath and his eyes softened only slightly. âYou stubborn beastâŠâ He stated, playfully patting the horseâs neck as he mounted. âI would have come back for you.â
âAre you done with the groping already?â Sean muttered out in annoyance. âAny more and Iâll insist you buy my dinner.â
The two mercenaries that had spent quite a few minutes of their time finding and confiscating all of Seanâs weapons didnât seem any less annoyed than him, but their annoyance was mostly due to the fact they wanted him dead and were ordered not to harm him until further notice. Under Dastanâs watchful gaze they couldnât do any more than frown and follow orders.
âThatâll be enough.â Dastan stated, addressing his men. âYou can leave us alone now.â
Sean watched the two mercenaries leave with the corner of his eyes. âYou could have just asked me to surrender my weapons, Iâm an honorable man. In the very least you could have had some pretty ladies search me. That would have been less unpleasant.â
âYou are neither honorable nor a man, Alpha, and Iâm afraid I have way too much respect for the women of this clan to actually order any of them to touch you.â
âI know at least one of them wouldnât mind.â Sean replied with a little smirk. âHow is my dear friend, by the way?â
Dastan chuckled, even those it was very clear he was not amused. âYou donât want to test my patience, Sean... Because itâs been running out for weeks now.â
âYou talk too much for a man who needs to disarm a single assassin, while surrounded by allies, in order to feel safe.â Sean said, with a slight shrug. âBut fine... Iâm not here for a pissing contest, I hope, but you called me... So, what do you want from me Dastan?â
âHonestly, what I want is to kill your sorry ass, but that wouldnât be a smart thing to do as a leader. So... What does it take for you to get your puppies to leave my clan alone?â
âYou know what I want, Shaykh.â Sean stated.
âCrys already left Sean, and she wonât be coming back. So that is out of my hands.â
âHow convenient.â Sean chuckled. âNo matter, I have my own plans for Crystal... I never expected this to be easy. Well, there are other things concerning me, since Iâve heard from rather reliable sources that you have been keeping in touch with a Knight from Nehaven, that youâve been getting help from them... Now thatâs a problem for me. Because when the cities do favors they tend to collect.â
âAnd what do you fear theyâll ask of me?â Dastan asked, raising an eyebrow. âI am not the kind of man who lets himself be manipulated, by anyone... And Iâll make that as clear as day to Newhaven and anyone else necessary.â
Sean chuckled, pacing his way around the training area of the Crimsonâs camp. With corner of his eyes he could catch several of the mercenaries, especially the youngest amongst their ranks, struggling to catch a glimpse of their meeting, but always respectfully distant. âStrong proud warriors, the race of Effort... Isnât it so? Brilliant negotiators, the people of Brightvale... She told me some of your history, itâs quite interesting. I think the history of oneâs people tells a lot about the individual. It is my understanding that when you deal with another individual, friend or foe, itâs important to know their history. Because if you donât... Youâre at a loss.â He stated. âFor instance, if someone wanders into my encampment demanding to see the Alpha, thatâs very disrespectful, but you... You sent someone all the way to Newhaven to send me a proper message, and I appreciate that. See, you are a smart leader, Dastan, and what you want is to protect your people. Yes? So put your little infatuation, or whatever it is, for Crys and the fact that you always hated me aside just for the purpose of this and tell me: what do you need to end this?â He asked, beginning to pace around the arena.
âSome answers first of all.â Dastan stated simply, following Sean with his eyes.
âSuch as?â
âWhat else has Indrani told you about us, besides history?â
Sean laughed. âShe never passed me any information, if that is what youâre asking.â He replied. âI would love to tell you I completely stole her loyalties from you, but that wouldnât be true.â
âAnd how much did you tell her? About your plans?â
âYou mean... If she knew I was planning on stabbing my clan leaders in the back? I never got into any details about that, no. Did she know I wanted Crys dead? Absolutely. Did she ever help me? Not once, and I never asked.â
âI see...â
âDo you, now? The fact that you are asking me these questions tells me that either you didnât ask her, or you didnât trust her answers. Is your clanâs leadership structure not what it used to be, friend? What a shame!â
âThatâs funny considering the fact that this whole thing started because you left some random woman in command... For what I hear you canât even find her now, is that true? I mean certainly itâs not that hard for a man with a whole clan of highly trained assassins under his command to find one single woman in a land as small as Valcrest?â Dastan laughed, now starting to pace around as well, eyes still locked on Sean wherever he went within the circled area of the training field. âHow long have you planned to take the Alphaâs place, Sean? How pathetic is it that you never seemed to think of what to do once you got it? You have people moving without your orders, attacking innocent civilians; something the Wolfpack prouds itself in not doing for decades... â
âWe donât attack civilians.â Sean retorted.
âOne of your men attacked our temple, where the civilians were being guarded, he aimed his arrows at them.â Dastan stated, his eyes narrowing as he stared into Seanâs trying to catch his reaction. âThe arrows exploded upon contact.â
âExploding arrows?â Sean asked, honestly intrigued. âWe donât have any enlightened with that kind of ability.â
âAli seemed to know who he was...â
âThen ask her who he was. He was certainly not one of my people though. And we do not attack civilians. Thatâs all I can say about this.â
âYou donât know what your people do, Sean. You donât know who they are... I donât think you even know who you are anymore Alpha...â Dastanâs voice was only slightly above a low growl, the rage and contempt clear in his voice. âYou think you are a man, but you are nothing more than a scared little boy with way too much power in his hands.â
âThink what you will... I may be a boy, but right now... Iâm a boy with enough power in his hands to end your life. You know it, I know it, letâs not pretend the situation is any different.â
Dastan looked up at the sky for a moment, squinting at the sunlight. It was just a little past noon, and the sun was high and bright in the sky. âYouâre in my territory, Alpha.â He stated simply, smiling at the daylight. His dark eyes seemed to shine, almost in delight, at whatever thoughts were running through his mind right then. âAre you sure you want to be so arrogant?â He chuckled. âAre you even aware of how unwise that is? Didnât your men tell you what they saw the night they attacked us? Maybe it was useless to let them leave with their lives after all...â
Seanâs body tensed at the manâs words, he clenched his fists for a brief moment as he felt the air between him and the mercenary leader growing thicker... This encounter was taking a slow turn towards hostile, and that was the opposite of what Sean intended. He wasnât afraid of Dastan, not in one bit, but he didnât want whatever happened between the two of them to make things worse between their clans. Finally he sighed. âDo you want to hurt me? Will that do it for you? Because, really, Iâve spent the past three years exchanging threats and insults with the world, and after a while it gets tiring. So, really... Give it you best shot.â
Dastan chuckled, shaking his head as his laughter grew into a tiny fit. âOh, please... I donât beat up children.â He mocked. âI see that we should get this over with, however, so Iâll make this simple: Youâll stay out of my territory and away from my people, I will stay out of your territory and away from your people. Thatâs the deal. As long those boundaries are kept, what you do and who you do it to is none of my concern, and my business is my business.â
Sean sighed, tilting his head back to watch the blue sky above as he thought about the terms of their âdealâ. He had little to gain from attacking the Crimson any further, actually he had much to lose, but he also didnât want to just bend to Dastanâs will that way.
âWell...?â The man insisted.
Sean took a deep breath, and made a huge effort to swallow his pride. âSounds reasonable enough for me.â He stated finally. âAre we through?â
âI certainly am.â Dastan stated. âYou may take your weapons and leave, Alpha.â
Sean occupied himself with picking up his daggers from the small pile the mercenaries had made in the sand, as he heard Dastan begin to leave. He snickered softly under his breath.âOne more thing...â
Dastan halted as he walked away from Sean, without a word, to simply let him say what he needed and end this meeting. Get it over with.
âMake sure to communicate this agreement to you commander... She did swear to kill me after all.â
-------------------------------
[White Shadows Camp]
âYou are an idiot, boy.â Lena stated with amusement in her tone. âYou should have just told Dani what Sean did.â
âI didnât stop him and I could have... That makes me just as guilty and pointing a finger at him wouldnât make anything better.â Jake replied. âCan we please not discuss this anymore?â
âDo you see how hypocritical that is though? You want the people who murdered your sister to be punished, Sean wants the man who killed his mother punished, but neither of you are willing to allow the person who disfigured that woman to be punished. Sean wonât take responsibility for what he did, and you wonât cast blame on him either. Thatâs fine, but that womanâs face was scarred for life and her children will surely be scarred as well; for life. No one should know this better than you.â
âIt was my fault... I shouldnât have taken Sean with me, and I should have turned back when I noticed his behavior was... Growing angrier, more erratic, I should have known he would snap like that. It was my fault, and thatâs why I didnât want to cast any blame on him.â Jake muttered. âI noticed Sean was losing it, but I didnât want to stop. Now, can we please drop this subject already?â
Lena heaved a sigh, followed by a soft chuckle. âFine. Youâre stubborn like your father, you know? Itâs your ego talking, when you assume you alone are responsible for all the bad things that happen around you. His was rather loud in its claims as well.â
âIâm not my father.â
âYou are your father, Jacob. You are your father, your mother, your sister, your friends... You are everyone who ever mattered in your life. Whether you like it or not, whether you see it or not, they all make you who you are.â She stated. âYour father was a good man, and you shouldnât try so hard set yourself apart from him.â
âHe hated you though, didnât he?â
âI judge people based on my opinion of them, and not their opinion of me, Jacob.â She stated simply. âHe hated me, for his own reasons, but he was a good man. His worse flaw was that he tried to do too much. Be responsible for everything at once. He meant well, like you, but in the end how was he remembered?â
âAs a hero.â Jake stated. âMy father was a hero.â
âYour father died a hero when he could have lived as a simple man; that was a choice he made. Itâs a choice you might have to make one day too: Do you want to be a hero, or do you want to make a difference?â
âHeroes make a difference, donât they?â
âNo. They donât. Have you ever met a living hero, Jake? Men fight battles, and if they fight them well enough to be remembered, they die and become heroes. They donât win the battles, they just die a heroic death. They die for what they believe in, for what they think is right, to save lives... It doesnât really make a difference though. In the end, dead heroes wonât save this land.â
âAnd who do you suppose will?â Jake asked, slightly skeptical in his questioning.
âJust... People who are stubborn enough to actually make a change, and not simply die trying.â
Jake had stood beside Annie the whole time while the White Shadows paid their respects to their former leader. Some of them spoke a few kind words that he really didnât pay attention to. He hated funerals and burials and the only reason he was still there was that Annie just seemed unable to let go of his arm. The girl was standing firmly, however, her eyes were sad, but no hint of tears was seen within; people seemed wary of this, as if expecting her to suddenly crack, but Jake knew that Annie wasnât the type to act proud or hide her feelings. Of course that didnât mean he wasnât worried about her all the same.
People said their words, shed their tears, and the body was laid to rest, a white stone marking its resting place. The name âHelena Turnerâ skilfully carved into the smooth surface of the gravestone; only the name and nothing more.
Slowly the healers all returned to their duties, one by one, until no one was left standing before the grave except Jake, Annie, and Alistair. After minutes of silence, Annie released Jakeâs arm and whispered. âGive me a moment, please. Alone.â
âSure.â He replied, grasping the girlâs shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze before walking away, giving Alistair a nod to follow him and leave her alone in the burial grounds.
The man walked their way out of the encampment and through the village ruins for a good period of time before the first word was spoken between them. âShe was born here.â Alistair stated. âI remember when it burned. Ten years ago it was. The last remaining village... Rosefeld.â
âTen years ago? Thatâs... Aliâs village?â Jake asked, stopping in his tracks and turning to face Alistair with an intrigued look in his eyes.
âThatâs the one.â The man confirmed. âLena was born here, her mother was found and killed by the Wolfpack three years later, thatâs how she ended up there. The Alpha adopted her after killing her real mother...â He tilted his head to the side. âShe never told you?â
âI never asked.â Jake stated, running a hand over his eyes.
âHow long has it been since you last slept? And I mean a full night sleep, without the aid of any medicine?â
âTwo years or so... I think.â Jake answered with a small shrug. âDoes it show?â He chuckled.
âThatâs very dangerous, Jake. You need to sleep.â
âI know, Al... Thanks.â Jake muttered. âItâs not like itâs my choice to have insomnia.â
âDo you know why you have insomnia?â Alistair asked, walking a bit further into the wrecked village. âStress does awful things to the mind, friend.
Jake snorted a laugh. âI know that.â He ran his hand over his eyes one more time and then through his hair. âBut thanks anyway, for the concern.â
Alistair shook his head, an amused look in his eyes. âKnowing it doesnât seem to make a difference, now does it? Are you going to do something about it?â
âIâm doing something about it.â Jake stated with a half smile. âSay, Al... Youâve been with the Shadows for, what, fifteen years?â
âFourteen. Why?â Alistair replied, sitting on a stone that seemed to once be part of a wall.
âWhat do you believe Peace truly is? And do you believe weâll ever see it?â
âNo. You canât see Peace. You can feel it.â
âHave you?â
âNo... When I was boy, I thought I had, but that wasnât peace... That was... Apathy...â He sighed softly. âOne day, maybe... Lena said she felt it once in her lifetime. Only once and that was rare, because peace never lasts too long.â
âDid she say when?â Jake asked, moving to sit next to the former healer, his eyes scanning the bare earth beneath his feet with interest.
âNo. I didnât ask.â Alistair replied. âI asked if she could describe it, but she couldnât... Why are you asking this?â
âSome people just donât believe in Peace anymore... The White Shadows seem to preach it, but not one of them seem to be able to define it. So what exactly do they believe in?â
âYou sound confused, Jacob.â Alistair stated simply.
âThatâs not the answer to my question Al.â
âThe White Shadows think of Peace as a feeling of acceptance of fate as well as the understanding that accepting fate does not mean taking no responsibility for choices. Itâs hard to explain, but mainly... The White Shadows have taught me to do what I can for others as well as myself and accept the fact that sometimes there is nothing to be done. Death is the where the road ends, our final destination, Life is a path, and you choose which path to take and which to turn away from, but you need to accept that you have no control of the obstacles in your way, or other travelers you may encounter... That is fate.â
âIt sounds like...â
âNonsense. It always sounds like nonsense. The truth is, Jake... You canât control how a story ends, but you can control your part in it. You canât control the full consequences of your actions, but you can control the intentions behind them, and not being able to see the subtle lines that separate what is and isnât in our control is what makes living so hard. So, in theory, peace is the feeling you get when you finally understand the difference. I say in theory because itâs debatable whether that is even possible. Some believe you can only experience it moments before Death takes you.â Alistair shook his head slowly before letting his eyes wander around the devastated village. âDid Ali ever tell you about this place?â
âNo... She didnât like to talk about it, and I respect that. I donât like thinking about the past either...â
âNeither do I, I understand...â Alistair mumbled. âI just... Think you should ask her now.â
âDo you know something, Al?â Jake asked, raising an eyebrow.
âI canât really say. Just... Ask her when you see her.â He smirked. âYou are going to go see them this time, right?â
âWhat do you mean with that, Al?â
âI mean... You have doubts about seeing them... Her... Again... Donât you? Fear. Itâs understandable that you feel this way.â
Jake grunted in annoyance. âI forget youâre one too.â
âOne what?â Alistair chuckled.
âNothing.â He muttered.
âOh, I see...â The man laughed. âI sse!â
âShut up.â Jake mumbled, pushing Alistair away and onto the floor.
âWhat? I didnât say anything!â He laughed out, getting on his feet, taking another look around the area and heaving a sigh. âI remember this place.â
âDid you see it burn?â
âNot really... Was in the middle of the night... When we got here, there wasnât much left. No survivors, or so we thought.... Just bodies everywhere... Wasnât pretty at all.â Alistair answered, a slight frown crossing his features. âI remember Allisonâs brother, we found him almost on the edge of the forest... Alone... Stabbed in the back.â He added, pointing towards the trees where the forest began. âWe buried him there, underneath a tree. Lena took Ali there in the time she stayed with us... And she marked the tree...â He chuckled, shaking his head and placing his foot on the piece of wall he had been seated on. âIf these rocks could talk, huh?â
âIf Valcrest had a voice, itâd be screaming I think.â Jake stated, standing up with a heavy sigh. âWe should go back, I think. I need t go rejoin the Blacks in the morning, unless Annie needs me to stay.â
âShe wonât ask you to stay, and thereâs no need for you to worry... Iâll take care of her.â Alistair stated turning and beginning to walk back in the direction of the camp.
---------------------------------------
[White Shadows Camp]
Luckas entered the White Shadows encampment and immediately felt the burn of angry glares watching his every move. He ignored the healers the best he could, eyes scanning his surroundings for where their leader would be. His head was throbbing and he was sure he needed sleep soon, but for that he needed a safe place; and this was certainly not it. He was more and more tired by the second, to a point where his mind just started to drift off. It was in that stated a someone firmly, yet gently, gripped his shoulder. Luckas immediately turned his head as if heâd seen a ghost, only to find Annieâs dark brown eyes looking back at him.
âAlmost fooled me.â He mumbled. âFor a second.â
âSheâs really gone now, Luckas.â Annie replied simply. âWalk with me.â she stated, steering Luckas by the shoulder to a more secluded area, away from the glares of the angered healers and towards a small flower garden. âWhat happened to your arm?â She asked as they paced, the patches of frozen grass making a crackling sounds beneath their feet.
âCaptain⊠Didnât have time to be gentle with me⊠As Iâm sure you already guessed.â He replied.
âUh-huh.â Annie mumbled, turning to face him and placing both hands over the broken arm before he could protest and healing the fracture. âSo⊠Tell me what happened.â She asked, turning away to walk further away from the encampment.
Luckas stood with a confused expression on his face before following after Annie, removing the protection of his, now healed, arm. âYou⊠Youâre not tired.â He stated. âI mean⊠Something like this would have knocked you out a couple of years ago.â
âI have been working on developing my gift, Luckas⊠It takes more to knock me down nowadays, but thatâs not something I like to brag about.â She shrugged. âGiven the chance, people will always take the easier way out. Instant cure is not all people believe it is and, even for me, itâs not very easy to make them understand that.â
âSo, you hide.â He nodded. âI seeâŠâ
âWe all hide things, one way or another⊠Donât we?â She retorted, crouching down to stare at some of the flowers. âAnswer my question, Luke.â
âI donât know if I have an answer to give⊠Iâm not so sure what happened exactly.â He stated crouching down next to her. âWhat are we doing?â
âTell me what you do know then.â She stated calmly. âItâs alright Luckas. I know itâs not your fault. I just want to know what you remember.â She insisted, reaching out and gently grazing the petals of one of the white flowers. âAnd⊠Iâm picking flowers.â She nudged him slightly. âWhat do you think sheâd like?â
âShe hated white, but I think theseâŠâ He said pointing at some light blue flowers that resembled roses in shape, letting himself drop onto a sitting position on the frozen grass.
âThese are pretty.â Annie agreed, with a half smile, proceeding to pick the blue flowers amongst the other few that had managed to bloom even in the cold weather, holding them together in one hand. âI healed your arm.â
âYes.â Luckas answered. âSo?â
âSo now everything you tell me is confidential. I canât tell anyone anything, unless you give me permission.â She explained, staring deep into his black eyes with a gaze that was blood-chillingly similar to her motherâs. âTell me everything, Luckas. What did mother ask of you and why did she have to die to get it?â
--------------------------
It took Luckas a good while to tell Annie absolutely everything Lena had told him, and what she had asked him to do; he didnât want to tell anyone, but somehow he felt like he needed someone to know the reason behind everything in case it slipped his mind somehow. Once she had all the answers she needed, Annie pushed the flowers sheâd been holding onto his hands and told him to go pay his respects. So now there he was... Standing before a gravestone, with flowers awkwardly dropped at his feet, pretending the whole thing actually meant something. It didnât. It was a rock, what was he suppose to say to it? The flashes of memories never stopped spinning in the back of his head, but they were clearer now⊠It was manageable. He understood that Lena had planned for all of that to happen; that she knew that it was truly the only way she could ever keep her promise to him. What he still didnât understand was why that would matter so much to her anyway... Why now of all times? Heaving a sigh in his exhaustion the memory of the last time they spoke before she left came to his mind.
âWell, like I said⊠You wonât live forever.â
âDoes that thought frighten you?â She asked. âOne day I wonât be here to hold your leash, and when that day comes, you will be alone.â
âWe are always alone when it really matters.â Luckas said, absently. âIâm not frightened by that.â
âAre you sure?â Lena asked with a smile. âWhy are you here then?â
âHumph. I wanted to be alone, thatâs why. But you just canât stay away can you?â He asked.
âIâm heading for the desert, and I will be leaving within a year. I only came here to say that our arrangement doesnât change just because Iâm absent. I will know if you violate our terms.â She smiled. âAnd donât get too comfortable⊠I plan on coming back one day.â
âWait, what?â the boy turned towards the woman, unable to hide the shock in his eyes. âWhere are you going?â He asked.
âThat doesnât concern you.â She replied.
âI could find out.â He said.
âNo. You could try, but we both know how that would end.â She chuckled. âBesides, these are sentimental things you would have no interest in.â
He nodded, going silent for a long while. Then he cracked open a smile. âSentimental things are always interesting; they are weaknesses in more ways than one.â
Lena nodded, laughing lightly. âOnly if you allow them to be; if you fear your own feelings, they will make you weak. If you embrace them, they can give you strength when you need it.â
âDo you need it now?â He asked, raising an eyebrow.
âWeâll all need it soon enough.â
Lukeâs eyes narrowed at the stone for a moment before then widened and sparkled. âYou knew it... You knew all along!â He whispered... Letting the realization sink in before exploding in giggles. âYou lying, misleading, bitch!â He exclaimed, hysterical laughter echoing through the Shadowsâ burial grounds as Luckas fell to his knees unable to stop himself. âYou played me! You knew all along! You... Deceptive... Two-faced... Manipulative... Used me... You used me... Hahaha.â Luckas laughed himself to a point where he could barely breathe, even less form any more words to express himself. All he could bring himself to do was laugh louder and louder, clapping his hands in amusement as if congratulating Lenaâs ghost with a round of applause. It had just hit him how the woman knew all along this was the only way to make him remember, and every excuse she had ever given him as to why it couldnât be done just yet began to cross his mind. Luckas had to admit that Lena had been smarter than him all along. He couldnât deny he had been made a fool of. And the sheer hilarity of the whole situations was just overwhelming. How stupid was he if he didnât see it from the start? How can anyone be THAT stupid? It was just too ridiculous not to laugh.
âWhat are you doing here?â
Luckas stood up straight, but didnât turn to the sound of Jakeâs voice, giggles still escaping him here and there as he tried to take deep breaths. âWhat does it look like, Jakey?â He asked, letting out a snicker as he calmed his voice the best he could. âIâm saying my goodbyes. Just like everyone else has.â
âDonât call me that, you piece of shit.â Jake muttered out, rage seeping through his every word. He couldnât bear the sight of Luckas laughing in front of Lenaâs grave; it made him sick in more ways than he could ever describe. âDidnât you have time to say your goodbyes when you killed her?â He asked, his voice rising. âI donât care what Annie says⊠I know what you did.â
Luckasâ whole body tensed and his fists clenched at the words, slowly he turned to face Jake, a red glow in his eyes as he muttered. âYou know nothing... Jakey... You never did.â
âI know what you are, Luckas. What your brother was...â He muttered out. âWas just a matter of time...â
Luckas raised an eyebrow at Jake for a few seconds before slipping back into uncontrollable laughter, clapping his hands again, but this time in pure mockery. âWell⊠Congratulations, Jakey! You discovered the whole truth! It surely doesnât go any further than that. It was all about me absently killing a healer. Well done!â Luckasâ expression suddenly turned more serious as he glared at Jake. The look in his eyes would have been enough to send anyone with the slightest bit of brains running away as fast as they could, but not Jake. âYou know nothing about me, you know nothing about my motives... And I hate breaking this to you, my dear friend, but you know so little about your aunt I actually pity you.â
Jake shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping him as he glared at Luckas."And you knew her so well... Right? Tell me then, did you even hesitate to kill the only person who ever believed in you? Despite everything youâve done, everything you are... She treated you like a son⊠Did you even hesitate?â
Luckas laughed again. âTreated me like a son? No⊠No, no, no, no⊠Jakey; she treated me like a student. She treated YOU like a son. And all you did was act like a spoiled little brat, blaming her for everything and accusing her of not being there for you.â Luckas smiled. âI saw her memories, Jakey, every single one. I know everything she knew; everything she kept from you." His smile turning into a grin as he added. "The only piece left of Lena... Is mine." He laughed rather evilly and whispered. "And I don't like to share."
Jake's face was red and he was shivering from head to toe, hands balled up into tightly clenched fists at his sides. The thought of Luckas knowing every intimate detail of Lena's life, her memories... That in itself nearly pushed him over the edge, but the way he spoke, as if he owned a piece of her soul... As if he'd stolen from her... That sick twisted laugh... It sent a wave of shock through his whole body, and without much thought into the matter, he pulled a throwing knife and sent it flying grazing Luke's face. It didn't hit, but it was only meant to distract Luckas from the fact that he'd gone invisible.
Luckas flinched as a knife passed his face, and when he stopped to look around, Jake had vanished. If he was smart enough he had probably covered his ears so Luke's enlightenment wouldnât affect him. Usually Luke would shrug and walk away, but this time he had more than enough of this crap. âJakey⊠Jakey, boy⊠Can you hear me? Read my lips, maybe? Iâll talk slow, because I have one little thing Iâd be willing to shareâŠConsider it proof of my undying affection for you...â He snickered, his eyes moving from side to side searching for some sign or movement that gave away Jakeâs whereabouts, but he knew that if he could anger him just enough heâd make a mistake. âI know how your mommy died⊠Lena didnât tell you about that, did she? Neither did your sister, right? No one ever mentioned it to you, and havenât you ever wondered why? Why no one talked about it?â He chuckled. âNow that I think of it... Jess looked a lot like her, didnât she? Do you think they screamed alike too?â Luckas giggled. âDo you think mommy begged for your life too, Jakey?â
That did it, and Luckas suddenly felt the painful result of all his provocation as Jake collided with him, knocking him down and holding a firm grip on his throat, making himself visible and staring right into his eyes as he pinned him to the ground, anger making him completely careless to the fact that Luckas could just destroy with a slight touch of hand. âWhat are you talking about, you piece of shit?â Jake muttered.
Luckas grinned. âDid I say something? I donât rememberâŠâ
Jake responded to that by tightening his hold on Lukeâs throat. âTalk.â
âCanâtâŠâ Luke replied, pretending to be out of breath. He then giggled. âCome on, kill me. I dare you. Do it! Whatâs holding you back, pretty boy? Iâm a monster, Iâm a killer, and youâd be doing the world a favor! DO IT! Come on, you pathetic little shit! Be a man for once! KILL ME! DO IT!â
Jake was shivering in his rage, and he tightened his hold on Lukeâs neck more and more, actually causing him to choke this time, staring into his black eyes, honestly eager to watch life slip away from them forever.
[Flashback â Healerâs Camp, approximately 4 years ago]
âWhat is the problem Jacob?â Lena asked, her tone half amused and half annoyed as she pulled him by the shoulder to walk with her.
âThe problem? That kid is a psycho, that is the problem! Do you honestly trust him running loose in this camp?â Jake asked looking at her with a severe frown as if she was the irresponsible teenager out of the two of them.
Lena laughed at Jakeâs tone. âDo I trust him? Of course I donât.â She replied. âTrust is something that must be earned, and Luckas is yet to earn mine, but his presence here doesnât disturb me in the slightest if thatâs what you mean.â She sighed softly. âJacob, you are yet to understand certain subtleties of Life; you and most people, to be honest. Luckas is not a hopeless case, and until he becomes one I wonât see him as such. Youâve heard of his brother, yes?â
âYes.â Jake answered with a shrug.
âDark Mirror was a psychotic menace and my suggestion to Newhaven authorities when they asked us to try and find a solution for his victims was to put the kid to death before he managed to break loose again.â She told him. âI saw the kid with my own eyes and I can say for a fact that there was not a single shred of humanity left in him. That is not the case with Luckas. Heâs a bright kid actually.â
âYes, doesnât that make him all the more dangerous? Heâs smart enough to plan, clean up after himself and he is a freaking sadist! He was never caught, Lena, no one knew he even existed, how much do you suppose he got away with so far?â
âHe killed considerably little when compared to his brother and, overall⊠Heâs killed less people than you.â Lena stated. âSo no, heâs not more dangerous than his brother. Yes, he can be, but he isnât. So youâre saying I should have this kid locked up in a cell for the rest of his life because he can, maybe, be that dangerous one day?â She chuckled. âJacob, thatâs just not how it works. If thereâs something there to work with still, I plan to work with it.â Jake opened his mouth to argue, but Lena stopped him with a gesture. âIf it ever comes a day when he becomes a menace, then I will personally take care of it. Until then, donât question me anymore on this. I understand your concern, but if you trust my judgment so little as to believe I would deliberately endanger my clan, and my daughter, simply because I took pity on a kid⊠Then we have nothing else to discuss. Understand?â
Jake flinched. Luckas still choking under his grasp and showing signs of losing consciousness, finally he snapped out of it and released him. Standing up straight and looking down at Luckas as he rolled over to his hands and knees, coughing and trying desperately to catch a breath. Jake would have let it end there, wasnât for the fact that Luckas used the breath he caught to piss him off further.
âYou⊠CowardâŠâ He laughed. âWeak... Thatâs what you are...â
Jake felt the rage burn in his veins again, and he kicked Luckas on his chest, knocking him over to his side âDonât you ever know when to shut up?â He muttered, kicking him a couple of more times before finally turning to walk away.
Big mistake.
âHey, Jakey, boy⊠Stop.â Luckas called as he lay on his back on the floor. The sky was clear in an astonishing blue color and still, it was nice and cool. Luke was dizzy, and his body ached, but he smiled up at the sky as if it was the greatest day of his life. Slowly, he began to stand up. A slight groan escaping him as he stood upright⊠Walking over to a paralyzed Jake with a delighted grin plastered on his face. âYou stupid bastardâŠâ He laughed. âI gave you a chance to end it and you didnât take it. Did you honestly think I was going to take all that quietly, now?â He shook his head, absently searching Jakeâs pockets and ridding him of his needles and blades. The last one he took was a small golden dagger that was sheathed at his ankle, hidden underneath his boot. âHuh⊠This is an interesting one. Kinda small though for a big man like you, isnât it?â Luke said, unsheathing the dagger and waving it in front of Jakeâs eyes with a snicker. âYou always said everything you wanted about me, Jakey... Calling me a freak, a maggot, saying that Iâm a monster, an animal, and that I donât deserve to live⊠It was cute at first, but now your hypocrisy is really starting to get annoying. So, you know what? Iâm going to tell you what I think you are and why you donât deserve to live.â Luke said, pressing the tip of the blade between Jakeâs eyes and tracing a line with it playfully down the bridge of his nose. âYou donât deserve to live, because you are the worst type of coward there is. You like to play the hero but youâre nothing but a selfish prick that walks out on anyone who happens to give a shit about your sorry ass! Some big freaking hero! Huh? If only daddy could see you now!â
Luckas looked into Jakeâs eyes absolutely delighted with how enraged he was. If he wasnât paralyzed Luckas would be dead for sure. âLike I said, Jakey; weâre not so far apart, but the difference is that I donât pretend Iâm some kind of hero, I donât make people think I give a shit and then walk out on them when things are just too stressful and I know what my role is.â Luke growled. âAnd yours... Iâm the monster, and youâre the knight in shiny armor⊠Thatâs how the world will always see us, but we know better, donât we? Youâre nothing better than me.â Luke dragged the knife to Jakeâs throat pressing the blade harder against his skin, his eyes glowing red as he stared into Jakeâs. âDo you think theyâll bury you like a hero, pretty boy? Do you think theyâll cry for you even though you donât deserve a single tear out of them? I bet you wish you could beg forgiveness now, huh? Wish you could go back in time and say all those things you were too much of a selfish bitch to actually admit to?â Luke pressed the blade harder against Jakeâs throat, drawing a little bit of blood in the process. âYouâre no hero. Youâre a pathetic excuse of a man.â With that said he pulled the dagger away and began walking around Jake, stopping behind him and kicking him hard in the back of the knees forcing them to bend. Jake fell to his knees and then onto the floor, since he couldnât move a finger to help regain his balance. Luckas crouched, placing one knee on Jakeâs back and pressing the tip of the dagger on the back of Jakeâs neck, leaning forward until he was whispering right in his ear. âHow does it feel, huh? I want you to cherish this moment now, Mr. Hero, and remember it every time you decide to voice your pitiful and near-sighted opinions to me, because in this moment I own your life and I can own it again at any moment in the future if I want to. To be honest, Iâd love nothing more than to rid the world of your sad pathetic excuse for a life right now.â He said, in a low growl. âIâm just afraid if I did she might not forgive me.â He added, whispering the last sentence as if he was speaking to himself, and not Jake. He then sunk the dagger into the soft dirt, near Jakeâs face. âNow you probably know what youâd like to say and do before you die, but the most pathetic part is that you wonât do anything about it, because youâll never be more than what you are: A selfish and coward little prick.â
Jake remained on the floor, feeling Lukeâs hold on him fade as he walked away. Once able to move Jake lifted his head to the sight of the little golden dagger, his blue eyes sparkling slightly as he stared at it, Luckasâ words still ringing in his ears. He reached for the weapon as he sat up. âCoward little prickâŠâ He muttered to himself, angrily.
Slowly Jake pushed himself off the ground and began picking his weapon Luckas had scattered around him; his hands shivering in anger still as he shook the words out of his mind and began to walk back into the healersâ camp, not giving another glance to Lenaâs grave as he passed. Maybe it was all true, and maybe Jake needed to admit to some things, but he sure as hell wasnât going take it from Luckas.
âWhat did I ask of you, Jake?â Annieâs voice sounded in his ears. It was clear to him that she was upset with him.
âI said I would try.â Jake retorted, not looking at her. âLittle bastardâs lucky I let him live.â]
Annie heaved a sigh, walking after Jake until they were in the middle of the camp. âThatâs not what it looked like from where I was standing Jake. Not that it matters anyway...â She grabbed him by the shoulder, to make him stop walking. âHey... Youâre angry, I understand, but isnât the right way to handle it.â
Jake stopped walking and heaved a very long sigh before turning to face his cousin and unsheathing his sword, holding it out as if offering it to her. âDo you know where this comes from?â He asked, indicating the blade in his hands. âThis sword belonged to Bastianâs brother, Kyle. There are only two swords in Valcrest quite like this one. There are better blades, maybe, but not one of them is quite like this. Bastian told me that his father really, desperately, wanted a son and after his wife had a girl and miscarried twice the man decided to pray and ask the Twins to give them a boy. He promised the Gods that if they gave him a son he would be the most honorable and just warrior in the land. When his wife got pregnant again he traveled out of the land to have the two swords made, and after she gave birth to twins he assigned a sword to each of the boys . See the symbol?â He pointed to a visibly foreign symbol engraved on the blade near the handle. âIt means âjusticeâ. The sword Crys now has, Bastianâs sword, holds the symbol for âhonorâ. When I graduated from training and decided to go after the men who killed my sister, Bastian gave me this sword and told me that after he betrayed the Wolf Hunters his brother gave him the sword back as a reminder of what heâd turned his back to.â
âJustice? So he was encouraging you to kill those men?â Annie asked, tracing her fingers along the marking on the blade.
âNot exactly.â Jake said, a little hint of a smile breaking through his expression. âRather he was just reminding me that sometimes itâs best to walk away.â He sheathed his blade and looked Annie in the eyes. âI walked away... This time... Out of respect for Lena... For you. The next moment he gives me a reason though, and he will give me a reason, I wonât hesitate.â
[The Manor]
Amberâs blue eyes narrowed slightly in confusion at this strange womanâs words. âFor you?â She asked, letting out a giggle, her form slowly shifting to imitate that of Lamya, every trace of her, with exception of the eyes, when she spoke next it was in the other womanâs exact voice. âIt may appear so, but then... appearances can surely be deceiving... This house already has a Master, youâre certainly not it, in fact... The cats are smart to know youâre certainly not one of us... One of âthemâ, for sure... They feel the stench a mile away. Buuuut... Youâre funny... So why the hell not let you see? Can always just kill you later...â She stated, giving a shrug of shoulders and beginning to walk her way back towards the main entrance of the house. âSeth, Pandora!â She called out over her shoulder. The white cat, gave one last hiss in Lamyaâs direction, looking up at her with mismatched eyes, one green and one blue; his right, blue eye, glowing in red before he finally turned away to follow after Amber, the female cat following him without giving the visitor any attention.
âJacks, Jacks...â One of the younger mercenaries called as he ran up to him. âIs it true? Tell me itâs not true...â
âIt is.â The man confirmed heaving a sigh. âShe left a letter; it says sheâll come back, if heâll take her, but that she needs to settle her score with Sean.â
âI donât understand why she had to leave...â
âBecause...â Dastanâs voice sounded suddenly as he walked in their direction. âWe just agreed on a truce with the Wolves, and if she wants to kill the Alpha she canât be associated with the clan, or she will be violating that truce.â He explained in a casual tone, his eyes following Jacksonâs towards the tent.
âShe left Mirage.â Jackson pointed out, handing Dastan a sealed letter. âIâm not so sure she really plans on coming back.â
âWeâll see. Until then, you know what to do.â
âYes Shaykh.â Jackson replied, with a simple nod of agreement as he watched his leader walk away from the camp, letter in hand.
Dastan walked away from Jackson and headed towards the area where Indraniâs home was set up, walking past the sealed tent it didnât take him long to find a pale grey mare, smiling a bit sadly as the animal turned it head towards his footsteps somewhat eagerly and stared with what he could swear was a questioning look. âYou miss her already, huh?â He asked, approaching the animal and soothingly stroking its neck. Finding a nearby rock to sit on, Dastan opened the letter the girl had left him and started to read.
My dear brother...
I write this letter in the hopes that you will find it in your heart to understand, and not hate me for what I have decided to do. I know that I was weak and selfish in my past actions, even if I thought they were the right ones. For that, I will never be able to truly forgive myself; therefore I cannot ever ask you to forgive me as well. Nothing hurts me more than to realize I let my faith in you falter after everything we lived together, after everything you taught me, after all the times we supported one another. You were, in my lifetime, a constant, supporting, and loving figure, and the one who always believed in my strength even when I was unable to believe it myself. What I did to the trust we shared as leaders and to the loving bond we shared as siblings was a despicable, unforgivable, thing. I disgraced myself that night. I disgraced my family name; and I betrayed you.
You have not made me an outcast, for which I am grateful. Iâd like to believe you did so out of the kindness of your heart, although I am aware it might have also been an emotionless act of mercy, or worse; pity. Whatever the reason, I respect that decision, and please believe that I am not questioning you, or your motives, as I leave. Yes, as you probably already know, it has to do with the truce you have just decided on. No, I donât believe you should have acted any different... I believe this truce is extremely beneficial to the clan and to this, already torn, land as a whole and that is precisely why I am disengaging myself from the clan as of this moment. I donât want my personal feelings or foolish actions to harm the Crimson Shadows any longer and yet... This is something I feel I must do for myself. For my own peace of mind.
I wish, with all my heart, that I return safely once itâs over, but if I donât; please remember two things:
First: This was something I decided for myself, and you need to think of the clan above it all. If I die trying, accept my failure as an honorable Death. A warriorâs Death. A consequence of War, and nothing more than that. Do not seek to ease whatever pain it causes you by retaliation. Donât make this painful gesture of mine a meaningless one. Honor my memory that way and be the leader you and I know you can be; with or without me. I have faith in you.
Second and last, but certainly not least. I always have, still do, and always will love you above anyone and anything else. Forever and always. I know you will be well in my absence, however long it lasts, because even if I die tomorrow I will always take care of you. You will never be alone. Thatâs a promise.
Until we meet again, in this life or afterwards...
Your little sister...
Indrani.
Dastan read the words repeatedly and intently; his eyes darkening from their usual brown to a jet black here and there, only to soften again moments later, the shadows around him moving constantly and somewhat eagerly in response to his conflicting emotions regarding Indrani and his anger towards the situation as a whole. His own shadow had changed from a replica of his own sitting figure to a whirling pool of darkness beneath his feet, as if at any minute he could sink into the shadows and drown in them. Disappear in the darkness... It would be so easy if thatâs what he wanted, but... Was it fair for him to even wish for such a thing when he had so many people depending on him? Was it fair that he be the one responsible for so many live in the first place? Did fairness even matter anyway?
Sighing wearily and closing his eyes, Dastan turned his face towards the light of the Sun, allowing its warmth to drown out his bitter feelings and give him some, probably foolish, notion of comfort. He needed to pull himself together and not break further apart. He needed to pull himself together somehow and be the leader he was expected to be.
[Flashback - White Shadowâs Camp, 8 years ago]
âI havenât told anyone. Iâm afraid to, even though... I question my sanity, and I question it constantly. What if something like that happens again? I donât even recall what I have done, but the... Blood... Iâll never forget waking up covered in all that blood... Iâm not... A violent guy. Not like that... I...â Dastan hid his face in his hands and let out a choked whimper. âAnd now these nightmares... I donât want to die like my father. I know you tried to help him, tell me what I can do, if thereâs even something...â
Lena sighed slightly as she watched the mercenary leader and caught the fear and doubt in his expression. âHm... I see... Well... Youâre not going insane, per se. What you are experiencing; the whispering, the nightmares, the blackouts... Your gift causes these side effects. Remember when I explained to you that your shadow becomes alive as a severed part of your personality? That personality doesnât disappear when you dispel the shadow-golem, it continues to exist inside your mind. It doesnât always happen with shadow manipulators, the golem is usually only an imprint of the casterâs personality, responding in a similar manner than he, or she, would. In some rare cases, such as your fatherâs and now yours, the golemâs personality splits from the casterâs, which is not necessarily a problem if the caster is aware and careful in how and when to cast his shadow. Nighttime is when your ability is more powerful, but it is also when you suffer the greatest risk of losing control.â She sighed. âDastan, there is no... There is no guarantee that this will not take control of you one day. There are things you can do to manage this, and nothing says you will lose control, but... Your father was as careful as one could be, in the end, he just wasnât strong enough. If you donât want to hurt anyone, I suggest you confide in someone. As your father did his Commander. If he hadnât, then you wouldnât be alive today.â
Dastan shook his head. âMaybe it would have been better, no? I wouldnât have to worry about waking up to find Iâve killed people I care about. And I donât understand... I thought my enlightenment didnât work in complete darkness.â
ââShadowsâ, as defined by the myths, is an element that fills the spaces where light cannot get through... Darkness is made of shadows... Your enlightenment wonât work because light is what gives shadows dimensions your mind is capable of measuring. See, just as with any other element; the more of it there is, the harder it is to manipulate it. In time, if you work for it, you will be able to use your ability in the full darkness, but Iâd suggest you to never cast your own shadow in such a scenario. That would be terribly dangerous.â
Dastan nodded, running one hand through his hair and giving the woman the most confident look he could manage. âAlright... Tell me what I should do.â
[Reality - Desert, present time]
âShaykh! Can you hear me? Are you alright?â
The voices grew louder and louder and Dastan mentally begged them to let him sleep some more, someone was shaking him forcefully as if in a panic and finally, as he senses began to kick in he realized heâd been lying in the warm sand. A grunt escaped the mercenary and whoever it was trying to wake him became less frantic at his response. Slowly he lifted his head and opened his eyes to find himself in the middle of the training arena, a quick look around showed why the mercenary trying to wake him seemed so frightened... The training dummies were wrecked, and several training swords were parted in half, scattered across the ground. Sitting up, Dastan noticed his whole body ached, but otherwise, he didnât even remember walking the small distance from where he had been sitting to the arena.
âWhat happened?â He mumbled.
================================================
[The Manor]
âLuckas... Shut up and tell me who did this to you!â Ezekiel scolded, glaring at the laughing man laying in the infirmary bed; sword still pierced through him. He had been laughing like an idiot when Adam found him lying in front of the gates.
Luckas forced himself to stop, looked up at Ezekiel, took a long deep breath... And exploded in another fit of giggles.
âSHUT UP!â Ezekiel shouted, losing his patience completely.
âDo not shout in here.â A woman in blue scolded as she entered the room, walked past Ezekiel, yanked the sword out and placed both hands over the wound until it was fully healed. Afterwards she simply exited without another word, not really paying the âpatientâ and his ridiculous fit of laughter.
âLuckas...â Ezekiel growled at him.
âHah... Hahahah... How... Heh... How... Do you expect me to shut up and then tell you anything? Itâs not... Heh... Possible!â He played, rolling over and nearly falling off the bed in his amusement. Laughing twice as hard when Ezekiel grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, nearly choking him in the process. Eventually he stopped again, this time actually taking a serious tone as he replied. âIâm a big boy, Zeke... I donât need anyone hunting down my attackers, I can do that myself, if I wish to. Now...â He firmly planted his feet on the ground and worked his way out of the manâs grip. âIf you excuse me... I believe I was on my way to the city.â
âYou donât leave without Amber... Mistressâ orders.â Zeke replied.
Luckas sighed, but didnât reply as he walked past the man out of the sick ward, Amber meeting with him just down the hall... Today looking like an eighteen year old, redhead... boy. Luckas was undeniably bothered by this, but decided that it was best not to say so. âNew look, huh? Not my type.â
âRight back at you.â The âboyâ replied, tugging on his bloody, and punctured, coat.
âI like it, personally... All black sometimes can become a bit bothersome.â
Amber let out a ridiculously girlish giggle considering her appearance and nodded in agreement to his comment, somewhat bouncing as 'he' made his way towards the main entrance a bit ahead of him.
==========================
[White Shadowsâ Camp]
Annie had decided to sleep shortly after meeting with Crys, but as she entered her tent she found the book Sean had left her and ended up reading it for great part of the night, and writing in it on the remaining part. During that period she was constantly updated on the state of Isaac, Alistair, Pondus and others, as well as informed of Crysâ departure, only a little bit later than she said she would be leaving. Annie hoped that her trip was a safe and uneventful one.
Because of those things and more, she was resting when someone came to tell her someone was looking for. The man didnât say more than that and seemed slightly shocked. Annie followed the man to where a redheaded woman was waiting. Annie looked a bit surprised at the womanâs state, but not as shocked as the other healers. She had noted that the woman had punctured an artery and was bleeding quite a bit. Raising an eyebrow at the seemingly oblivious bleeder, who she had never seen in her life but was asking for her for whatever reason, she walked towards the woman and casually made use of her enlightenment to handle her wound. After which she opened a curious smile and spoke. âI hear you have been looking for me? Iâm Annie, and you are...?â
Kneeling down beside Andrew, making sure he was still conscious, he carefully brought the tea to the boyâs lips to sip. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sora dash past, back towards the entrance, a chorus of pants and yips as he quickly deduced a furry sibling had arrived. The two sisters dances around one another in greeting and then together they investigated the injured, almost as if Sora was showing Kaya her new âfriendsâ. Kaya was not as subtle and a few patients startled and began to whimper.
âItâs ok, we are all family, the furry ones, I swear.â Darren smiled, whistling to get the wolves attention and then was almost knocked over by the two as they sniffed, licked and tried to steal some bread Kenya was in route of bringing over. âNo. KayaâŠ.â Darren clapped slipped off his gloves and clapped, the noise only settling the wolves for a second, but enough to distract them back towards the entrance once again. âDonât yell or scream...it will only excite themâŠâ
Andrew reached out a hand as Kaya passed, letting his fingertips graze the tips of her fur and smiled. âShould we be expecting anymore to show up and startle the camp? Why do you even have...HOW...I ...are they like pets?â
Darren cursed as he caught Kaya momentarily dropping her plushie companion when Kenya tossed a piece of bread away from herself as if to lead the wolf away. Kaya looked over in the direction the food was thrown and then she simply circled behind Kenya and snatched a larger piece of bread and bounded back to her stuffed dragon. âLazy wolf...go get a mole or something..â Kenya simply laughed, and held the rest of the bread on a platter above her head, out of reach but Sora took that as an invited to play; a challenge and began jumping to reach the platter.
âSora! Come here girl..â He smirked as the wolf trotted back to Darrenâs side and laid down with her head on Andrewâs lap. âNo...they are not pets...they come and go as they please...see my Mother had puppies..â
âWait..your MOTHER had PUPPIES?â Andrew started to laugh, groaning in between chuckles.
âNo...hey, no, no..She found a wolf as a cub and took care of it and it stayed with her for years. The wolf recently gave birth to a litter of wolf cubs and they all...found someone to latch onto.â
Andrew smiled, his eyes growing heavy as he stifled a yawn. Darren nudged at the boy. âHey now...stay awake..stay with me..or else..â He snickered, waggling his eyebrows. âSora likes giving kisses...donât you Sora?â
The wolf perked up and started slowly inching towards Darren, her tongue lapping at the air playfully, her tail thumping in approval. Darren motioned towards the boy and Sora lept up and began to drown the boyâs face in wolf kisses.
âUgh..no...wait...thatâs so not fair!â Andrew laughed, unable to fight the wolfâs advances.
âIt does the job quite well though..â Darren signaled Sora to stay, as he stood once again, his attention drawn towards an approaching figure he recognized instantly. âJakey..so youâre the one letting Kaya run a muck, mhmm? Always letting children walk all over you, yea?â Absently, Darren slipped his gloves back on and glanced around the room. âIndrani is still unconscious...and there are survivors. Looks like the funeral is proceeding..â Darren whispered the last words, staring off into the night, fixated upon distant torchlight.. Sudden distant cries and pleas, pierced through the eerie silence, his heart sinking fast at the sorrow he could only imagine the families were feeling. It was hard to make out the words and at first, he only thought it was the grief, until he swore he caught the words, â Not Dead.â He took a few steps forward to leave the temple to investigate when Sora started to whimper and bark, dragging Darrenâs attention back to Andrew who was no longer sitting there with his eyes open smiling, now closed and slouched, the wolf frantically licking the boyâs face with no response. Again came the screams, even louder this time, the sound sending shivers down Darrenâs spine.
âAndrew? Hey...kid...heyâŠâ He poked the boy in the side, shook him some and began trying to force open his eyelids to see his eyes, but they were rolled up in his head. He couldnât see the boyâs chest move and had to lean in close to catch a few shaky breaths, but it was almost impossible to detect.
âJake...can you..go. see...would you?â Darren didnât even look towards his Uncle before running off to fetch Annie, all the while yelling her name. âThe kidâs out...canât wake him...barely breathing...and something is going on outsideâŠâ He called up the tower, feeling momentarily torn and useless where he stood, his face going slightly pale.
Jake had barely stepped into view and he heard Darren call for him, a smile crossed his features as the guy mentioned Kayaâs antics. âHey, Crys handles the discipline and I just spoil her with toys and treats, thatâs the deal.â He smirked, calling the wolf to him with a gesture; Kaya obediently sitting beside him and nudging his hand as though deciding she deserved praise. âThere, see? Sheâs a good girl.â Jakeâs smile shut as he thought about the dead bodies outside, deciding that he would actually go check on Shadow and then help put the pyre together, the man silently petting Kaya as his thoughts seemed to wander away for a moment only brought back by the commotion coming from outside. He scratched behind Kayaâs ears in a more playful manner before agreeing to Darrenâs request with a simple nod and leaving the temple towards the screaming; the wolf following him closely.
The screams that could be heard faintly from the temple became clearer and clearer until Jake finally spotted the woman clinging to her deceased husband; a knife waving in the direction of the two men trying to calm her down.
âWhoa, Raina, come on, thatâs not necessary.â One of them tried to reason. âSomeoneâs going to get hurt if you donât put that down.â
âNo! Youâre not listening to me! I saw it! He moved!â
âRaina, thatâs not poss-...â
âYOUâRE NOT TAKING HIM.â
Jacob silently commanded Kaya to stay put and the wolf laid down a few steps behind him remaining perfectly still as he continued to move forward towards the commotion. He walked close enough to the woman that, had he chose to, he could have disarmed her by force. He didnât think that was the best way to handle this, and it didnât seem to him like it was actually necessary. âExcuse me.â He called, as softly as possible. âI donât want to bother you, maâam, but the screaming is upsetting the patients in the temple. Is there something I can do to help, maybe?â
The woman turned momentarily to look at Jake, but kept her attention on her fellow Crimson. âAre you a healer?â
âNo, maâam, but Iâve worked with them, maybe I can do something for you.â Jake offered. âRaina, isnât it? Is this your husband?â
âI saw him move. He moved. Heâs not dead. I wonât let them burn him.â
âRaina, heâs been dead for hours... Thereâs no way to save him, why would we lie to you?â
Jake sighed. âAlright, alright. May I suggest something? Raina, how about I tell these guys to go away and in turn you give that knife to me? Then we can talk about your husbandâs... Condition. Can we do that?â
Raina agreed with a slow nod of her head and her two companions shook their heads in defeat as they turned to walk away. Only after there were a good distance away from her, the woman offered the knife to Jake, like they had agreed. Jake smiled kindly as he took the knife from the distressed woman. âThere. Thatâs better. Now, whatâs your husbandâs name?â
âJohn.â The woman replied, eyes glancing towards the deceased man she had been guarding.
âJohn. Seems like John was a very good man.â
âHe is a good man.â The woman corrected, stubbornly.
âRaina, John isnât alive. What you saw was probably a spasm, dead bodies do that sometimes.â
âIâm not tossing my husband in a fire over a âprobablyâ.â The woman declared, stroking the deceased manâs hair lovingly. âHeâs alive. I know it. Heâll come back to me.â She whispered, almost as if she understood how crazy the words actually sounded.
Jacob sighed softly; he found no joy in this, but he understood it needed to be done. âRaina, listen, I want you to do something, just for a minute... Close your eyes and think about your husband, think about the last time you saw him, the last words he spoke to you. Remember him then.â He waited for the woman to close her eyes and gave her a few moments, he knew she had done what his asked when tears began to roll down her cheeks. âNow open your eyes and look at him. Can you honestly believe that the good man you knew and loved, is still here? Can you see anything of him still left?â
The woman hesitated, seemingly unwilling to open her eyes and face reality, but eventually she did open them to stare at her husbandâs dead body. She looked straight into the manâs unblinking eyes, tears streaming down more intensely, but she didnât answer Jakeâs questions.
âI know this is difficult, Raina. Trust me, I understand that right now you donât want to think this is real. You just rather believe he will wake up somehow, that you will wake up and discover all of this was just a nightmare, or that something, anything, will happen to change things back to what they were before; to what they should be, but deep down I know you know that this is your reality now. Look at him, heâs not here anymore. He canât get hurt anymore, but you can. This denial is a knife through your heart.â
âWhat is your name?â She asked him suddenly. âI think I remember seeing you around here before, but I donât think I know who you are.â
âJacob.â He answered her. âI donât think Iâve been here many times in the past few years. I donât think weâve met before.â
âJacob.â The woman snorted in a mix between a laugh and a sob. âAre you married?â
âNot yet, no.â Jake mumbled, a bit startled by the question.
âYou do have someone though, donât you?â
Jake simply nodded his response, not sure how or why the subject had shifted to his personal life, but indulging the woman.
âDonât do to her what my John did to me, do you understand? He was a good man; too good sometimes. Good men like him, like you, donât know when to stop fighting.â
âI canât promise that.â Jake smiled. âI promised her that I wouldnât make any more promises.â
âSensible girl.â Raina nodded her approval, suddenly patting Jakeâs cheek playfully as though he was a misbehaved child. âYou hold on to that one.â
âI take it itâs okay to give you this now.â Was Jakeâs only response, returning the knife to Raina.
The woman nodded, returning it to her husbandâs belt. âWould you be a dear and tell those two to come back now? Iâm ready.â
Annie was already on her way out of Dastanâs room when she heard Darren calling for her. She quickened her step and practically jumped down to ground level, making her way to her medicine bag and finding a vial that seemed to be containing some sort of white smoke, staring at it in a brief moment of hesitation before kneeling beside Andrew, making sure the boy was laying comfortably on his back, checking his pulse and breath; that were considerably weak. âItâll be alright.â She smiled at the unconscious boy for a moment before handing the vial to Darren. âThis is in case I pass out; just hold it under my nose and open, should wake me right up. I havenât done this in a while now, not sure what will happen exactly, but should be okay unless I go unconscious. Itâs very important that I wake up right away. Otherwise I might... Not...â She mumbled the last few words in a softer tone and covering them with a little forced cough. It would be a lie if Annie told herself she wasnât dreading this, even a little bit; that she wasnât worried. Last time had been unpleasant and Alistair had wanted her to promise not to heal anyone until this whole illness thing was solved. She obviously couldnât agree to that. If such a promise had been made, this is where she would have broken it; because there was no other means to save this boyâs life. It was not something Annie felt she could turn away from, even if it meant taking a risk.
Annie inhaled deeply, placing one hand over Andrewâs chest and the other over his abdomen, golden flecks of light could be seen spreading across her dark brown eyes for a just a moment before they closed, a slightly pained grimace marking the girlâs features as she concentrated. It took more effort now than it did a few months ago and Andrewâs internal injuries were severe so what would normally take no more than a minute stretched on for several.
The act of healing was always exhausting; that was not new, but it had only briefly been painful during Annieâs early years and never quite like this. She could feel her work was done when the after effects began to set in, her head was pounding, stomach turning, before she even managed to open her eyes she felt around and grabbed a small bucket that at one point contained water; it was empty now, but not for long. Annie threw up into the bucket, spitting out the taste of rusted iron, her stomach hurt and now she became very aware that she had not opened her eyes. âUgh, fucking hell...â She muttered out, making an effort to stay awake, to open her eyes... Open her eyes... She needed to open her eyes now. Light stung, but gradually that feeling faded and she was able to see again, looking down she noted the red droplets staining her white robes and only then she realized the warm substance trailing down from her left nostril, raising her hand towards the bleed and leaning forward where she now sat on the stony ground. âWonât be doing this again anytime soon, I hope.â She mumbled, her voice a bit weak. âDarren... Letâs not tell Alistair about this, okay?â
âWait..is this ...really wise?â Darren was able to mutter between his instructions as a small vial was handed to him. He followed Annie close, and stood giving her enough space but close enough to catch her if she collapsed. His brows furrowed in a worried grimace, not liking the risk that was becoming unfortunately clear before him. âI donât like thisâŠbut..whatever you need...â He whispered as Annie placed her hands on Andrew, twitching and reaching out towards her in a childish helplessness as he observed the transition of pain. He knew not to touch her though but all he wished to do in that moment was hold her in his arms, feeling slightly sick at the idea of her not waking up. His light, blue eyes flickered, the color appearing to swirl within his irises yet unmoving as the tension unnerved him.
Andrewâs breathing became more steady, noticeably, which was what hinted to Darren that whatever Annie had done, seemed to have worked. The minor wounds on his face and chest had faded almost completely away, disappearing before his eyes. Her balance seemed off and as she reached out for the bucket to expel a reddish liquid, he figured as a result of whatever pain he could only imagine she was feeling. Where she moved, he moved, holding the vial ready incase she passed out. As she lowered herself to the stone floor, Darren knelt behind her, gently rubbing her back in circular motions with his gloved fingertips. â..Is it odd, that I find it attractive when you curse?â He whispered half in amusement and half complimentary. âDonât believe Iâve ever heard you curse at all during the few months Iâve known you.â
Once Darren saw Annie open her eyes, he set the vial aside, taking a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbing at the blood trail from her nose. He paused to lift her head, so he could see into her eyes, inspecting them carefully. Darren quirked a brow, shaking his head slowly, handing Annie the handkerchief to hold to her nostril. âI donât wish to get on Alistairâs bad side...but...if you take it easy and let me take care of you and help more...then I could be persuaded to keep my mouth shut.â Darrenâs smile was devilishly handsome, as if he were up to no good and trying to play innocent, while his eyes were gentle, sparkling wildly like firecrackers as he continued to stare at Annie. âWhite...is not a very convenient color for Healers..â He sighed, glancing down at the womanâs dress and the drops of blood staining the white cloth. âYou..did a very..brave thing..you know.â He whispered, leaning into Annie a bit, encouraging the woman to use him as support, sneaking a flask of water onto her lap.
Annie couldnât help but feel a bit of amusement at Darrenâs worry. It made her want to shake her head and laugh as if he was just being foolish. However, actually doing it would make her headache worse and probably cause the room to spin faster. She knew he wasnât worrying over nothing; this was really cause for concern, but she couldnât help but be amused all the same. âHeey, are you trying to blackmail me, mister?â She questioned, holding the handkerchief to her bloody nose for a little while, but pulling it away when she felt the bleeding was starting to subside. âBecause donât think I wonât tell your mother about this when I see her.â She threatened, giving Darren a pretty convincing angry glare for a few moments before letting her expression melt into a warm smile. âDonât worry, thereâs little work left to do here, a good nightâs sleep and Iâll recover. Iâve had worse. Well, maybe not worse, but Iâve had pretty bad before.â She shrugged calmly, letting her gaze fall to the blood stains on her robes and sighing at a thought. âI have a feeling that now is a bad time to start parading around dressed in red, so Iâm afraid white will have to do. Besides, weâd have to change our name and Crimson Shadows is already taken, even if thereâs only a dozen of them left... I see a lot of confusion, donât you think? The whole land might fall into absolute chaos!â She exclaimed, faking shock at the thought. Sarcasm wasnât something that showed very often in Annieâs personality and it was a part of her self that very few would expect to see; much like her occasional cursing. âI think the last person to hear me curse was Luckas, but then heâs more inclined than you to come find me in a bad day and bring me extra worries.â She noticed the flask of water sitting idly on her lap and drank from it slowly, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths in between sips until it felt like everything was a bit more steady. âDastan should come down eventually if I managed to get through to him.â Annie opened her eyes and was glad that the walls seemed completely motionless now. âBetter.â She mumbled under her breath. âThe man is in a very bad place right now. I donât blame him.â
âBlackmail? Not at all. I like to think of it as a mutual agreement between friends...but I would keep any secret you asked of me, so long as it does not endanger you. You seem like youâll live...so no you donât need to go tattle on me to Ess..er my Mother.â Darren smiled, rolling his eyes in fake exasperation. âBesides..she might just say Iâm a resourceful man around stubborn women.â
Darren casually stood, extending his hand down to help Annie to her feet, just as Sora appeared from the other side of Annie to lick at her cheek in greeting. âSleep? When was the last time any of us had a âgood night sleep?â Hmm? When was the last time you slept in general?â It was Darrenâs turn to try to give a convincing scowl of concern but instead he looked more like a puckered fish, holding his breath. He chuckled at Annie, taking a moment to look over Andrew is quiet amazement. Darren thought he saw the boy begin to stir, but he waited for the kid to come to on his own and after a few moments the boy opened his eyes.
âWelcome back, Andrew. How you feeling?â
âUgh...tired...and like I have to take the biggest piss ever..â Andrew mumbled, as he slowly got to his feet, leaning against a small table and chair. âThe pain..itâs gone?â
â.Thatâs...probably a bit more information than I needed, but ok, just..take it slow..â Darren snorted, wondering to himself if that were a side effect from the rapid healing, but didnât say anything. âYep. Those cuts and bruises look to be gone too. You sir, are good to go.â
When Andrew had wandered off far enough, seemingly a bit disorientated still, Darren turned back to Annie. âSo...did you figure out if Dastan is not to blame then? How should this be handled? Do we send word on what has happened or do we wait for Dastan?â
âTrust me, after this Iâll sleep whether I like it or not. I just have to hang in there and stay awake for an hour or so to make sure itâs safe.â Annie smiled, petting Sora cheerfully before accepting Darrenâs offered hand to pull herself up on her feet. Her brown eyes followed Andrew as he wandered off; a bit groggy but otherwise fully recovered. It didnât even look as though the kid was moments away from Death. âI donât usually keep secrets from Alistair, none of my own at least, but thereâs no need for him to worry over this when thereâs nothing he can do about it. He knows that Iâm sick, he knows that in situations like this I wonât turn my back regardless of risks; thatâs just who I am, he doesnât need to hear that this happened. Besides, if he worries about me any more heâll push me right over the edge of sanity, and no one wants that.â Annie silenced for a few moments. She had theories upon theories concerning what had happened to Dastan, but there was very little that she could actually say at this point. âDastan is not responsible. He presented symptoms of having suffered mental paralysis or manipulation. If my mom was still around sheâd be able to know for sure how and what happened, but as it stands... The only telepath I know who might be able to do this... Well, I donât want to say I donât trust him, but basically: I donât. And Iâm not sure whether the eclipse was natural or caused by shadow manipulation; I canât really speculate, could be either. What I can say is that Dastan was not responsible for what happened here. It doesnât mean he wonât feel responsible, or that it wonât be difficult for him to face all of this. So maybe we should let Jackson, and Indrani when sheâs better, handle him from here. Still, I want to talk to Crys and Jake about what happened here.â
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