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I

 

Josh's mouth hung open in shock and despair as he beheld the horrible sight before him while his right hand grasped his sword and trembled.  A girl, not much younger than he was, lay on the floor before him, covered with blood, and bearing several deep slashes along her side.  The blood was so thick across her face and hair that not a person alive, including Josh, could have identified her.  Her mouth would forever bear the look of extreme shock and agony that it did at that moment.  Beyond her stood a sorrowful-looking black-haired man in golden robes, marred by a few splashes of red, with a knife that dripped with the still warm blood of the girl before him.  He had tears and what looked like self-disgust in his eyes, as he looked unwaveringly at Josh.

 

"Why?" Josh asked, trembling and without much force.  "Why?" he asked again, his rage increasing as he slowly balled his left hand into a fist.  "Why!?" he yelled, "Why the hell did you do it!?  She never did a thing to you or anyone else!  You said she was like a daughter to you!  Were you lying even then, Veun?"

 

Veun looked at the corpse before him briefly, then back at Josh.  "I'm... sorry, Josh.  But, believe me: it was entirely because I loved her like a daughter that I had to d--"

 

"Bullshit!" Josh interrupted, vehemently.  "You've told us nothing but lies for God knows how long!  If you expect me to listen to you now instead of getting revenge for her..."  He took several steps toward Veun, moving to his right, around the body, his sword still in hand.

 

Veun asked, still sad, but still speaking with his commanding voice, "And would this be the way to honor her memory?"  At his words, Josh briefly paused, but soon continued his approach.  "By murdering her killer, without at least finding out why he had to do it?"  Veun looked at the body, then at the advancing youth, and continued, "Always try to understand others better, before you act.  Always try to learn their motivations before you judge them."

 

Josh stopped in his tracks and felt an ache in his heart as he glanced at the girl's body next to him, the girl who had several times spoken those same two sentences to him.  He felt his anger momentarily increase at the very thought of this man daring to use the words of such an angel, to his benefit.  However, they reminded him of her sweet face...  Her caring voice... Her kind words...  After closing his eyes, Josh could almost feel her standing next to him, as he heard her say the same words to him, her entire nature so much more wonderful in every possible way than the gold robed blackheart before him.  Recalling her, he knew that Veun was right: killing him without knowing his reason would be an affront to all that the girl had ever told him.

 

Josh opened his eyes and immediately felt his rage beginning to resurge, but, the girl's lessons as fresh in his mind as the day she had first taught them to him, he was able to keep his anger in check.  For what he knew to be the wishes of the only person he had ever truly loved, he was more than willing to keep himself from killing the bastard.  Shaking, he sheathed his blade, and simply glared at Veun. 

 

"Very well..." he said, "For her sake...  And for her sake alone...  You may live until you tell me why you did this to her."  Veun could see the hatred in Josh's hazel eyes, as well as longing and nostalgia, and knew that his words had had their effect, but felt bad for having to use them.  He had rarely had any cares about the effects of his words, so long as they got him the desired result.  He felt bad about this time, though.  He felt bad about drawing upon the boy's love for the girl, a love even greater than his own had been.  Josh didn't deserve such pain and because Veun knew it, more tears trickled down his face.

 

Veun knew, however, that he must try to tell all, retelling much that Josh knew in the process.  And he had need of hurrying, as, for all he knew, they stood to be interrupted before too long, and he had much to tell the youth.  He took a deep breath and said, "Several years ago, on a small island in the middle of the Stal Ocean, there was a man by the name of Tary..."

 

And so, he began to tell the tale...

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II

 

What follows are the final eight entries in the diary of Greg Tary...

 

September 7th, 1023

 

Dear Diary,

Menona and I have just arrived at the island!  Oh, I can't find words to describe its beauty!  Then again, maybe I only think it's this wonderful because of the perfect woman who's with me and the knowledge of what glorious event will be taking place in a few weeks.  But, regardless, I can tell that some of the best days of my life await me, and I look forward to them with eager anticipation!  Ulp!  Looks like we're not done unloading our things yet.  I'll get back to you later!

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

September 12th, 1023

 

Dear Diary,

I've neglected making entries recently, I'm afraid, but I have a good reason.  We suddenly realized that we'd forgotten to bring enough food and fire wood with us!  Oh, we had a good laugh about that.  So, for the past few days, we've been going into the nearby small jungle to get food and wood.  It's remarkably easy to collect, actually.  We lucked out when we came here, because there don't seem to be any predators here.  We've found some birds that look like doves, and some surprisingly friendly cat-like creatures, but no other animals.  They both interest me, in that they don't appear to be carnivorous, only eating the small blue buds that dot the ground.  After running a few tests, Menona found that none of the island's plants were toxic so, since we can't bring ourselves to eat such peaceful, friendly creatures, we've found that the buds make a delicious salad at dinner.  It's like we've found our very own Garden of Eden on this island!

I'm almost disappointed that we're only here to enjoy ourselves, because this island has a wealth of research opportunities.  But, we'll have time enough for that after the baby's born.  Also, I've

 

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September 15th, 1023

 

Dear Diary,

I'm sorry for suddenly stopping in mid-sentence with my last entry, but Menona suddenly fell!  She's fine now, but I told her she shouldn't tax her body carrying all that wood.  In all the alarm that followed, I forgot all about the entry.  She's been bedridden for the past few days, which I've spent either at her side, or pacing in another room.  I really should have something to eat, now that I think about it.  I'll see how good a soup I can whip up with those buds and some other flora.  I'll even throw in a bit of the chicken we brought with us.  I hope it'll be enough to get her back on her feet, at least...  Well, I'll let you know tomorrow.

 

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October 5th, 1023

 

Dear Diary,

I'm being horrible with my entries lately.  When I was digging out the old recipe book, I think I accidentally knocked you into a crevice between two boxes.  Well, I'll just let you know what's been going on.  The soup seemed to do the trick.  Menona said it tasted funny, but she liked it a lot.  I wound up using almost all of our chicken on three bowls!  Anyway, I'm glad that she's walking around again.  When I see her smile, it really makes my day.  We've spent most of the past few days just lazing around, doing a little exercise and food gathering.  It's been absolute heaven!  The baby's been kicking a lot lately, and Menona says that she might give birth tomorrow!  Oh, I'm so happy!  Everything feels so light and airy!  I never thought anything could feel this good.

Oh!  I just remembered that I never wrote that bit of research that I meant to before Menona and I left the continent.  So, we've figured out that Yikes!  It's already twenty past midnight!  It's way too late to write all that out now so expect it tomorrow.  Good night!

 

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The following page has a number of small, wrinkled circles upon its surface, which resemble the way that dried teardrops look upon a piece of paper.  The different handwriting leads the reader to believe that the writer was losing hold of his sanity.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

October 7th, 1023

 

Dear Diary,

All the joy that I felt in the past, I feel its equal volume in total agony now.  The baby was born yesterday, but it came out stillborn.  We cried on each other's shoulders for hours, unable to utter any words.  Every time we came close, we would look at our child, our beautiful baby who never had a chance to know his parents or life, and our sobbing would begin anew.  Finally, after a great many hours, Menona shouted, "It's all my fault!  It's all my fault!!"  I cried even harder after hearing that, but I was still beyond speech.  She thought that the problem was the lifting that had left her bedridden, but the truth was what I had figured out several weeks ago.  Why couldn't I have seen it before?  Why the hell did I keep thinking that I had time, that I could do it a little later, that there couldn't possibly be any consequences?  JOSH MIGHT HAVE LIVED DAMNIT!!

The horrors that I knew didn't end with my son's death before life, however.  Menona stabbed herself with a knife in the kitchen today, before I could tell her that it was my fault, my inaction that killed him.  I can't describe the loneliness, so I won't bother.  I feel especially horrible at my own selfishness: I could have lived with the baby's death, but when I found that she couldn’t live without the child, that her love for the infant was greater than her love for me, going on simply isn't an option for me.  I'd go mad within days.  So, I have only one option left to me: I will join them tomorrow by my own hand.  First, however, I must give my information.  Without it, these horrors could be repeated very easily, and nobody deserves this pain.

But, I can't bring myself to say it now.  To put down on paper the information that could have saved two lives, and prevented this nightmare.  I need to prepare myself, so, before I take my life, I'll write my final entry.  So, tomorrow shall I bid you farewell forever, my faithful diary.

 

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The diary's next entry contains only the date, 'October 8th, 1023.'  The rest of that page and all the remaining pages seem to have been carelessly ripped out.  The final entry is written on the back cover, in black ink, and in a distinctly different handwriting, with several more small, wrinkled circles that so strongly resemble dried teardrops.

 

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November 4th, 1023

 

To whoever finds this diary,

I was instructed to burn this book by my superior, but it fell open to the page that preceded its lengthy last entry.  I read every word, as my tears joined with Doctor Tary's.  I read his last entry in its entirety and I couldn't bring myself to destroy this.  I removed those pages and will send them to a safe place when we return to Tral.  I cannot allow Tary's last request to go unheeded.  He wasn't a close friend of mine, but I will do all that I can to see that his final hope can be realized, even if it means I must give my own life.

 

- Hershalt’s Messenger

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III

 

"Oh, Josh!" cried the incredibly attractive redhead as she dashed toward her love.  "Oh, Enrique, the unfortunately named bombshell whose village I just saved!" cried the young man as his feet carried him swiftly across the plains of pink grass, under the beautiful blue sky and golden sun.  The two ran until they embraced.

"Oh, Josh!"

"Oh, Enrique!"

"Oh, Josh!"

"Oh, Enrique!"

"Hey, Josh!  Stop having creepy dreams and wake up!"

 

The youth's eyes opened very widely, as his lovely dream was shattered by the intruding voice.  He sat up in bed, his face the color of a beet.  "Julia!" the alarmed, brown-haired boy shouted, with an exasperated voice, "Why the hell did you have to sneak into my room and wake me up!  I was just about to make out with someone really hot!"

"Umm..." began the usually meek young woman, "It's just that Master Hollin said that if you were too late for the next lesson that she'd probably--"

"Gah!" he interrupted, jumping out of bed before quickly trying to pull on his training uniform.  "Why didn't you say so from the beginning?"

"Well, I... uhh... didn't want to interrupt your romantic dream," she replied, trying, and failing, to suppress a giggle. "It sounded like things were really kicking off between you and Lord Esbert..."  Josh's level of embarrassment suddenly became much more acute as he shot back, "Damnit!  If you're going to eavesdrop when I talk in my sleep, at least hear the first part!" at which point Julia gave up all attempts at containing her laughter.

 

After his uniform was on and the girl had managed to collect herself, he dashed to the chest where he kept his training sword while asking, "So, about how much time do we have to get to the old bat before we'll be too late?"  Julia thought for a few moments, then replied, calmly, "Oh, I'd say about three or four minutes."

"What!?" Josh exclaimed, dropping his sword in surprise.  "Her room's on the other side of the castle!  We'll never make it in time!"

"Well, we might if we leave right n--  Hey!"  Her complete thought was cut short, as her friend grabbed her wrist in his left hand, grabbed his sword in his right, and dashed through the open door, dragging her with him as he frantically ran through the age-old, stone halls.

 

After not even a minute, she was already desirous of a rest.  "C'mon, Josh!  I'm not built like you!  I can't take this kind of exertion!  Please, slow down!"

"No way!  If I show up on time and you're late, she's probably gonna blame it on me!" Josh replied in an annoyed manner, as he continued his run, the back of his gray training gi visible to all they dashed past.

 

Before too long, they passed somebody who gave Julia, despite her usual shyness, an irresistible opportunity to tease her friend.  "Hey, Lord Esbert!  Josh wants to see you later about a dream he had!"

Josh's blush, which had vanished not long before, suddenly returned with a vengeance, accompanied by his cry back to the confused gentleman, "No, I don't, Lord Esbert!  I really, really don't!"

 

As they blew through the door into Master Hollin's large chambers, Josh and Julia fell to the floor, both of them out of breath, though the latter of the two managed to continue her laughter from the encounter with Lord Esbert.  Josh looked up long enough to see the stern, wrinkled face of Master Hollin, who was holding a small golden watch in her left hand.  "According to this," she began, sounding mildly annoyed, "You two have arrived 4.3 seconds late, it seems."

 

Josh gibbered, despite his exhaustion.  "Y- You were timing us?!"

"Of course.  If I didn't, I'd have no way of knowing if you were coming in late or not, would I?"  Josh couldn't think of a way to respond to such a statement, so he decided he should probably just accept whatever she had planned as a punishment.  "I guess...  So, what are you going to have the two of us do?"

"Simple enough."  She turned to the still-chuckling girl.  "Julia, go stand in your normal position and wait for further instructions."  After several moments of silence, the young girl made it clear that this wasn't going to happen for a while, as she continued the laughter that even she felt had gone on for a bit too long.  Ignoring her female pupil for the moment, Hollin turned to Josh.  "You, go stand against the wall as though you were sitting in a chair, with your legs at a perfect ninety degree angle until I tell you to stop."  Josh knew the agony that his legs, not yet recovered from the running, would soon be experiencing, but he sighed, knowing by now that the situation would only be exacerbated if he protested.

 

After several minutes, Julia, who Hollin and Josh both suspected had been faking that laughter for most of its duration, got up and finally obeyed her master's instructions with a perfectly straight face.  The small old woman nodded, then cleared her throat and began.  "The two of you have been my lone students for the past twelve years.  Finally, your training is nearing its end.  Julia, you will soon officially be a white mage of, considering your age, very respectable means.  Josh, you, despite your many failures that have sometimes made me question why I became an instructor in the first place," (at which Josh gritted his teeth and used all of his self-control to keep himself from running to hit the old woman, with the phrase, "Shut the hell up, damnit!" on his lips) "will soon be considered one of the most adept swordsmen in your age group."  She paused for a few minutes, to let her two students swell with pride at her words.  The two of them knew by now that such praise of hers was never to be taken lightly.  Even Josh's anger that had sprouted only a few words earlier in her sentence turned to glee by the time she was finished speaking.

 

"Josh," the woman began again, after she felt a significant amount of time had passed, "You may take your standard starting position."  Happy to be forgiven so quickly, Josh took his place next to Julia.  "Now, despite what I've just said, your training still isn't complete.  The two of you must accomplish several tasks for me, to prove that you haven't just been lazing around, and merely putting out effort as an act whenever I happened to be looking your way."  As she spoke the word 'to' and continued to the end of the sentence, Josh noted with annoyance that her eyes seemed to look only at him.

 

"And, Master Hollin, what would these tasks consist of?" Julia asked.  "Think of them as your final exams.  You'll each do one separately, then work on the last one together.  I'm sure you'll both do fine, but this is just my way of making sure you're ready to go out into the world."

"Umm..." Josh began, "And if we don't exactly pass?"  A wry smile crossed Hollin's face as she replied, "Then I guess I'll be baby-sitting you for another twelve years."  Wisely, Josh chose not to ask, "Are you sure you'll be around for another twelve years?"

 

"Julia, you'll be taking care of whatever's causing the strange weather occurrences in Parrum, about a day's journey south of here.  They're getting upset about all the snow they've been getting this time of year.  Josh, you get to head for Tet, which is about a day and a half to the northeast.  There have been some strange killings there, so they want someone to deal with it.  You'll both set out tomorrow.  Get a good night's sleep and eat a good dinner.  Above all, be punctual.  I've been nice enough to arrange for a few wagons to head off there to take you, but I've instructed them to leave, with or without you, at sunrise.  Your time frame for solving these problems is from the instant those wagons leave here, to the instant they return, at the setting of the sun, three days after each of your respective arrivals.  Good luck.  Not that you'll need it, if you apply everything I've taught you."

 

The short old woman in the scarlet gi took a deep breath, then finished, "And that's all I've got for you."  She strolled to a comfy chair and sat down, cheerfully.  "Enjoy the rest of your day, but don't do anything stupid."

 

Julia and Josh blinked.  "You mean..." Josh started, but failed to finish.  Annoyed, Julia concluded his sentence for him, "... you're giving us the rest of the day off?"

"Yeah," Hollin replied, nodding.  "You kids got wax in your ears or something?"

"Err...  No..." Josh tried starting again and, this time, successfully managed to get out a complete thought, "It's just...  You've never given us the rest of the day off before."

"That's a pretty stupid argument.  I've never sent you two off to take care of real problems before, either.  Just be happy that you've got the rest of the day."

"Ahh," chorused the two young people, who stood as still as statues for several minutes more.  As Hollin noticed the lack of movement, she leaned forward and asked, "What, do you want to spend the rest of the day working with me?  Because I was kinda counting on not having to do anything today."

"Err...  No, that's... alright, Master Hollin," they quickly reassured her.  "We'll just... find something to do until tomorrow."  Josh and Julia bolted from the room and wandered down the halls.  Hollin chuckled.  'Still just as full of energy as when I first met 'em...  Heh...  I wonder if this means I'm getting old...'

 

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IV

 

 

"Miss...  Miss.  Miss!" the frustrated castle attendant shouted at Julia, who suddenly sat straight up in bed, looking around her with a sleepy look in her eyes.  "What?  What?" she asked without enthusiasm.  "Umm...  You asked me to wake you up earlier, because of the task that Master Hollin gave you, remember?"

"Uh-huh," Julia said, getting out of bed and getting dressed, but not really making the attendant feel he had gotten through to her.  "...  You need to succeed before Master Hollin will approve the completion of your training."

 "Uh-huh."

 "...  A large turtle is about to bite your head."

 "Uh-huh."  The attendant threw his hands into the air and looked at the ceiling.  He really didn't need to deal with this at such an hour.

 

 After several minutes of correcting Julia whenever she put a piece of clothing on backwards, the attendant realized he was probably going to have to hold her hand until she left.  After the very irritating experience of getting her to eat her porridge, with only her "Uh-huh"s to let him know he wasn't conversing with a corpse, he led her outside, where even Master Hollin was yawning.

 

 "Ahh.  I see Julia's awake and on time," Hollin said as she saw the two people approach.  The attendant then felt that Julia would be fine without him from then on, so he stopped holding her hand and she promptly fell over.  Master Hollin coughed as the attendant looked frightened.  "Well, she's on time, anyway," Hollin mumbled.  "By the way: is Josh up yet?" she asked the man, as Julia, slowly but surely, began to pull herself back up.

 

 "Hmm?  Oh," the attendant began.  "Well, since the sun'll be up in about five minutes, I'd assume so.  But, I guess I'll go tell him to hurry up and get out here.  I hope I can find him in time..."  He then headed back into the castle.

 

 As it turned out, finding Josh was very easy, as he hadn't moved from his current spot for a good seven hours.  He was then awoken by the attendant’s shout, "What the hell!?  Get up unless you want to fail Master Hollin's test!"  After several seconds, Josh gave some sign of life, in that he pulled himself up and said, plainly, "Buh?"

 

 The attendant, already quite exhausted from the day by the ordeals with Julia, bellowed, "Get the hell outside!" before giving Josh very little say in the matter, by lifting him out of bed, setting him down outside of the room, then pushing him toward the exit.  Josh then dashed outside, not entirely aware of what he was doing, but vaguely grateful that he had fallen asleep in his clothing from the day before.

 

 As this was going on, Hollin spoke to Julia about her task, starting after the attendant left.  She began, "First, Julia, you'll be in that wagon," as she pointed at the appropriate wagon.  She then went on,

"Now, students--"

 "Hey, lady!  You senile?  There's only one kid!" heckled a man from one of the wagons.  Hollin looked annoyed and shouted at them, "Hey!  I memorized this speech and I'm not changing it!  You're being paid to take the kids places, not heckle your employer!"

 

 The men decided to take her advice at this point and she began again, "Now, students, you'll find these tasks to be pretty hard, but, for the most part, you've both had harder lessons from me.  So, I expect you to suck it up and see them through.  If you think about what I taught you, I don't think you can fail.  But, you will be pretty screwed if you lose track of what I'm about to give you."

 

 She turned to the only pupil before her, who was now standing, but seemed to have only a vague idea of what was going on around her, and placed a pendant in her hands.  It looked fairly plain: the gemstone was a fair-sized ruby, but it didn't have any particular luster to it.  Certainly, a thief would take it at his first opportunity, but, once he had gotten a better look at his spoils, he would probably feel disappointed.  Hollin announced, as she gave it to the girl, "Julia, this is for you --"  She paused briefly in the middle of her sentence as Josh rushed through the doors, looking slightly less groggy than Julia.  "... and Josh, this is for you," she finished as she gave her sleepy male pupil a sheathed blade.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

 Julia, on the wagon, thought about this sequence of events from quite a few hours ago, after the wagon had stopped for lunch.  Hmm...  What did Hollin mean about us being in trouble if we didn't have the things she gave us…  She looked at the small pendant yet again.  She had cast a typical ‘Detect Magic’ spell, so she knew that the gemstone contained some magic, but, try as she might, she couldn't figure out what exactly it did.  She tried giving it another shot and chanted the relevant ‘Identify Magic’ spell again.  As before, a light red mist enveloped the area directly around the stone then dissipated, leaving Julia with nothing but the annoyed question, Why doesn't that tell me what it does?  I know I'm casting it right...

 

 She sighed, deciding that the spell wasn't going to give her any answers at the moment.  Suddenly, she noticed that her breath seemed to be condensing in mid-air.  Surprised, she shivered.  When did it get this cold?  This is supposed to be late spr--  Right.  They're getting a strange amount of snow for this time of year.  Since they shouldn't be having any right now.  Why didn't I think more about that yesterday?

 

 She peeked outside of the wagon and was surprised to see a fairly large mountain off in the distance, surrounded by thick, unseasonable clouds.  Hmm...  What was that mountain called...  Oh, right!  Mount Boreas, with Parrum at its base.  She felt satisfied with herself for remembering this, but the feeling soon faded as she gave the mountain some more thought.  Wait...  What is that place famous for?  ...  Errgh...  Why can't I think of it?  It was something interesting...  Some legend, I think...  ...  Stupid cold!  I can't think!

 

 Julia gave up thinking about the mountain's legend and went back to focusing on the frigid temperature.  Looking outside of the wagon again, she noticed that the mountain seemed quite a bit closer and that the ground around her was covered with white, powdery snow.  She also noticed how cold it was.  "Freezing, freezing, freezing, freezing, freezing, freezing," she mumbled as she tried pulling her legs into her chest, while her teeth chattered.  She stopped when she turned and saw that a member of the wagon team had placed a fairly thick wool jacket around her shoulders.  He said to her warmly, "Here you go, little lady."

 "Thanks," she replied gratefully, pulling it closer around herself.  She then noticed that he, along with everyone else in the wagon, wore a similar jacket.  Was I so lost in thought that I didn't even notice everyone else putting those on?  Great...  They were nice enough to give me a jacket and I haven't even said a word to them...  Feeling embarrassed, she shyly said nothing, gathering her courage.

 

 Just as she was about to open her mouth to properly thank them all, the wagon's driver announced that they had arrived in Parrum.  Silenced again, she got out of the wagon and looked at the snowy village where, despite the clouds and lightly falling snow, at which she shivered again, she could tell that night had recently fallen.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

Julia opened the door, causing a bell to ring, and entered the surprisingly well-lit wooden room.  Seeking the source of the light, she quickly noted the numerous candles resting on shelves along the white walls.  "Good evenin', miss," greeted the elderly man behind the front desk, who stood as she approached him.  "Good evening," she responded, nodding at him, out of habit.

 

"I bet ya're tired, so I'll just take a gold piece for the room and--"  He paused as he seemed to remember something, then began again, "Umm...  Ya wouldn't 'appen ta be one of Miss 'ollin's... uhh..."

"Yes.  Master Hollin taught me," she said cheerfully as she smiled, nodding her head vigorously.  "Ahh.  I'm glad ya said somethin'.  Your room's already been paid for Miss... uhh..."

"Julia."

"Ahh.  Julia.  Pretty name, Julia."  He moved around the desk and began walking to the stairs next to it.  Once he reached it, he took a candle off of one of the shelves, then turned back to her and said, "I'll just take ya up ta ya room, now."

"Thank you," she said, again looking cheerful and nodding more than was necessary.  He smiled, then started up the stairs with her just behind him.

 

As they walked down the hall, the old man's candle their only source of light, he said, "I'm very glad ya've come ta 'elp out."

"Really?"

"Yeah!  A lotta people think Miss 'ollin's just a hyped-up old crone, but some people like me 'ave seen what she can do.  Anyone oo's been taught by 'er should be a great 'elp.  It's a shame the mayor needs 'is sleep.  Ya might've been able ta solve this problem tanight."

 "Ahh.  Well," Julia said, feeling a bit embarrassed, "I'm not so sure about that..."

"Oh, o' course you could.  Wouldn' be 'ard at all.  Ahh," he said, pausing before a door, "'ere we are."  He pulled a key out of his jacket's pocket, then unlocked the door, handing the key to her as they both entered the room.  "Just make sure ta ask if anythin' comes ta mind."

"Hmm...  Well..." she said, feeling somewhat embarrassed about what had suddenly replaced her question of Mt. Boreas's legend.  "Come on, come on.  Don't be shy.  Just ask it," he urged her.  "Well...  I'm just... curious what somebody with a Trellish accent is doing in Parrum."  He chuckled.  "Ahh.  I 'ad a feelin' ya might be askin' about that."  A nostalgic look crossed his face as he continued, "Well, about eight years ago, my wife and I stopped by this town.  We'd just retired, ya see, and wanted ta see the world before we got too old to leave.  Unfortunately, we 'appened to arrive just as winter was settin' in.  The night we stayed at this inn, there began a great snowstorm, and we were stuck 'ere all winter.  Well...  Agnes was always more sickly than I and...  She took ill after a few days.  She didn' make it."

"I...  I'm sorry," Julia said, feeling sad and awkward for making him think about his departed wife.

 

"No, no.  I've... gotten over 'er death.  She wouldn' want me cryin' for the rest of my days, so...  But, the snow..."  He walked to a nearby window in the room and looked out as it continued to fall.  "The snow... always reminds me..."  They shared a long silence.  "I had to bury 'er 'ere.  I sent a letter to my family and 'ers, tellin' 'em what 'ad 'appened.  Then, I used some of what money we'd left with us ta buy this inn.  I've been runnin' it ever since.  Sorry for depressin' ya with that story."

"No, please, don't worry about it," she tried to reassure him, "I asked you to tell me."

"That's true, but ya didn' know it was anythin' like that."  He then looked about the room and said, before she could reply, "Oh, it's very late.  Miss Julia, I enjoyed our chat, but ya need ta get ta bed. From what I understand, ya 'ad ta get up very early ta get 'ere today and ya'll be doin' some work tamorrow."  He walked into the hallway and placed his hand on the doorknob.  "Ahh," she said as he walked, "I guess you're right.  Goodnight Mister...  I'm sorry.  I didn't catch your name."

"It's Alliston.  James Alliston.  G'night, dear.  Sleep well."  He then closed the door, leaving Julia alone in her room.

 

Late though it was, she wasn't quite ready to sleep.  She quickly chanted a  basic 'Light' spell that caused a small dimly glowing ball to appear and hover in the middle of the room for a short time.  In the light, she again inspected her pendant.  She attempted the 'Identify Magic' spell, but the effect was the same as before: a light red mist enveloped the area directly around the stone then dissipated.  She didn't understand why this happened, as the spell was intended to provide the caster with any magical information about the target.  Of course, she did notice, upon looking at the mist again, that it resembled a small amount of red powder, tossed into the air.

 

'But what does that MEAN?  And what is the legend of Mt. Boreas.  Ugh! Why didn't I just ask Mr. Alliston?'  She sighed.  'Oh, well.  I'll ask him tomorrow...'

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

 Julia yawned and descended the staircase, feeling far better than she had the previous morning.  She could actually be pleasant at that time of day, if she had gotten a decent amount of sleep the night before. 

She was greeted by the smell and sound of something being cooked.  She followed the scents and sounds into a room a bit behind the counter and to her left, to find a cheerful James Alliston, preparing a somewhat large amount of scrambled eggs.  He briefly looked away from the food at her and smiled.

 

 "'ungry?  I noticed ya didn't 'ave dinner last night," he said to her.  Now that he mentioned this, she realized how hungry she was.  "Y-Yeah," she said, nodding again, "I'm starving.  That looks and smells great."

 "Thank you.  I've 'ad a lot of practice cooking at this inn, so I 'ope ya enjoy it."

 

 She decided to save her question until he was done cooking and took a seat at the long wooden table, where eating utensils and a napkin had already been laid out for her.  Moments later, he set a plate with a rather large amount of scrambled eggs before her and set a slightly smaller portion on a plate in front of another seat near hers, at which he sat down.

 

 Though she looked at the meal with some disdain, developed from all past times at the castle when she had possessed no other option but to swallow them, she tentatively took a small bite with a fork and found that it was the most delicious thing she had ever tasted at breakfast.  "Wow," she said, "This is great!"

 "Thank ya," he replied, chuckling a bit at the expression on her face.  "I add a few things more than most people do.  Back in Trelland, an old friend of mine gave me the recipe."

 

 The two cleaned their plates with little more meaningful conversation.  When she was finished, Julia said to him, "Thank you again for the food.  But, I have a question tha--"  However, she was interrupted by the sudden ring of a bell from the front door.  He stood and left the kitchen as he said, "Just a moment, Julia.  I'll just get a room for ‘ooever's just come in an--"  He paused briefly when he entered the next room, then continued with, "Oh!  Julia, come in ‘ere, please."

 

 Julia followed him, wondering who the new guest was.  She beheld a stone-faced man in a black jacket and a wool hat.  "Are you Miss Hollin's student?" he asked her, to which she nodded in reply.  He nodded back and continued, "Good.  The mayor wishes to speak with you about the strange weather now, so please come with me."

 "Umm...  Alright," she replied, feeling a tad helpless.  Without a word to Alliston, he left the inn and she headed after him, trying to keep up with his swift pace.  "Goodbye, Mr. Alliston," she called behind her.  "I'll see ya later, Julia.  Just do ya best."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

 As they walked quickly through the snowy, but sunlit streets, the man who seemed to be her guide gave no indication that he was aware of her presence, other than the occasional glance behind him.  Suddenly, he stopped, as a slightly overweight boy accosted him.  "Please, Mr. Mac!" he said, sounding distressed, "I know you have to take her to the Mayor right away, but I think Lilly's getting worse!  Hollin's students are supposed to be good at magic, so I want her to take a look at her right away!"

 "Hmm..." the stern looking, 'Mac' said as he thought about it for a few moments.  "Julia," he said suddenly, which surprised Julia a bit, "Go have a look at Lilly.  Do whatever you can for her, then come back here."

 "Umm...  Right," Julia said, nodding again as the boy dashed through the streets.  She hurried after him, entering a small house.  He stopped next to a bed, in which a woman, only a few years older than Julia, lay, sweat rolling down her face.  She took many more breaths than a sleeping person should and her face was lightly contorted in pain.  "Is there anything you can do?" he asked, looking hopefully up at her.  "I'm not sure.  Let's see..."

 

She looked the woman over for a few seconds, then spread her hands and chanted what she knew to be an all-purpose ‘Panacea’ spell for dealing with most viruses.  As expected, a small yellow orb appeared between Julia's hands, then descended into Lilly's body.  One moment later, the woman's body briefly emitted a yellow glow, but then returned to normal, her appearance seemingly unchanged.  Julia was confused, but decided to wait a few moments.  Soon, Lilly's breathing slowed and Julia believed she had succeeded.

 

"I think that Lilly's going to be just fine," she said cheerfully to the boy, who smiled up at her.  "Really?  Thanks!  I'm sure Richard's going to be really happy you saved her life."

"Richard?  Who’s that?"

"Oh, he's the richest guy in town and he became her fiancée a few weeks ago, but his big brother Edward didn't seem very happy.  Their parents died about a year ago, even though Edward was the oldest brother, Richard got their big fortune.  When Lilly got sick about a week ago, he was about as sad as when they died.  Come to think of it, he said that she looked a lot like his parents did when they died."

"Ahh.  Well, I'm glad to know he'll be happy.  Why don't you go tell him that Lilly's going to be fine?"

"Well, I would, but nobody knows where he's been for most of last week.  He sat by her for a straight day and night, but after that, he started acting weird.  Yesterday, though, he told me what he was doing."

 "Oh?  And what's that?"

 "Well, he's...  Uhh..."  The boy suddenly looked as though he had blurted out a little too much.  "Umm...  Sorry, but he... uhh...  Asked me not to tell anyone else.  And he might get mad if he found out I told you that much, so could you..."

 "Ahh.  Sure.  I promise I won't tell anyone that you know what he's doing."

 

 The conversation was interrupted when the door opened and 'Mac' entered.  "Julia, are you finished with Lilly?" he asked.  Julia felt embarrassed for forgetting her appointment and immediately began to apologize to the man, "Oh!  I'm sorry, Mr. Mac, but-"

 "McDouglas, if it's not too much trouble."

 "Mr. McDouglas, sorry, but I think Lilly's going to be fine now, so let's go see the mayor."  McDouglas nodded and replied, "Good."  He then slipped out the door and waited for her to follow.  "Umm..." Julia began asking the boy, "Is he always... like that?"  The boy sighed and said, "Yeah.  He's a really nice guy, but he's also really serious.  He's got a lot of patience, though, so most people think he's alright.  He's just not much for 'hello's, 'goodbye's and things like that."

"Ahh."  Julia headed after McDouglas, saying "See you later!" to the boy, who replied, "Good luck, Julia!"

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

 The visit to the mayor's office was fairly uneventful.  The middle-aged man did tell Julia a bit more than what she already knew: "About 6 days ago, snow had started falling, and it's kept up since then, as you can see, but it slackens a bit every now and then.  The snowfall seems to be centered on Mt. Boreas and, taking into consideration that it's almost Summer, some type of magic must be involved.  Have you heard of such a spell?"

 "Hmm..." Julia mused while McDouglas stood to the side of the door, like a statue.  "Well, I don't know of a spell that could do anything like this, but some magic-users do some work developing magic in their own time, then just write down what they learn and never tell anyone about it.  Maybe somebody came up with something like that.  But, if they did, can you think of why anyone would want to cause snow at this time of year in this town?"

 "No, I truly can't.  We're not a poor town, but, other than the Rebble family and Mr. Alliston, we're not particularly rich, either.  Besides that, we didn't receive an anonymous letter demanding that we pay to have the snow halted.  I mean, considering how things are going, in another week, conditions could be about as bad as that horrible storm we had eight years ago..."

 "Hmm...  I'm sorry to ask this, since it probably doesn't mean anything, but could you remind me of what the legend surrounding Mt. Boreas is?"  The mayor rolled his eyes.  "Please, girl," he said a tad condescendingly, "That theory has already been put forth.  Even if someone was trying to reach that supposed temple by creating snow, they couldn't get there for the same reasons that nobody can reach that place at the correct time in winter: there's no way to get up the mountain from its base.  If you'd like to check, feel free, but, if all you're going to do is bring up fairy tales like that, then I don't think you're going to be much help to us.  Now, if you have nothing else to say, then I thank you for what little information you could share, but please leave so that I can think about what's best for my town."

 "...  I see," Julia said, her annoyance with the apparently short-tempered man making her forget that she still didn't know Mt. Boreas's legend.  "I'll just leave and come back if I can think of anything else.  Good day, Mr. Mayor."  She then got up and exited, while McDouglas held the door open for her.

 

 As she walked outside, she angrily thought, 'Grr...  If the man is willing to accept that magic is involved, why couldn't he believe that the legend might be involved, too?  But...  I guess I can understand.  He's just nervous about his town and I guess he doesn't like the idea of getting help from a teenager.  Oh, well...  Errg...  And he didn't even tell me what the legend was...  But, I guess I can just ask Mr. Alliston when I get to the inn.'

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

Upon her arrival at the inn, she found only a note, set upon the front desk:

"Julia, if you read this, I've gone to the store to pick up a few things for dinner.  I hope you like tomato soup.  I'll be back before dark to get it ready.

-- James Alliston"

 

She shrugged, then spent the rest of the day in her room, thinking about the problem.  After a few hours, she heard the bell downstairs, as well as Alliston's call from the door, "Julia, I'm back!  Dinner’ll be ready in about ‘alf an hour."

"Okay.  Thank you," she called back.  She wondered what she could get done before she spoke to him, so she went over the issue again in her mind: Alright, I know that the snow started falling about six days ago because of a spell of some kind.  A little before that, Lilly fell ill and her fiancé Richard started acting strangely.  The legend concerns something on the top of Mt. Boreas when it's winter, but the mountain isn't supposed to be climbable when it's covered in snow.  ...

Arrgh...  There has to be something I'm missing here...  Master Hollin could probably figure it out if she were here...  Why is this taking me so long...  I'll bet Josh has gotten further on his test when he hasn't even--  Wait, what am I thinking?  He's only been there a few hours now.  He couldn't have gotten too much further than I have, could he?  And why am I thinking about him, anyway?  I need to focus on this now or--  Wait.  Mayb--

 

"Julia!  The soup is ready!" Alliston called to her from the base of the stairs, interrupting her line of thought.  "I'll be right down, Mr. Alliston!" she replied before she left her room and headed downstairs, finding him in the kitchen as the aroma of his tomato soup greeted her.

 

"’ere you go," he said as he filled a fairly large bowl and set it at the table, next to a spoon and a napkin.  "Thank you very much, Mr. Alliston," she said as she took her seat.  "You're really spoiling me with all of this."  He chuckled as he set down another bowl and sat down nearby.  "Maybe, but, since ya're savin' the town and the mayor's not being 'is nicest ta ya, I thought ya could use a perk or two."

 

 She smiled and tasted the soup, finding it an absolute delight to sample.  He smiled back at her.  "I can see ya like it.  I'm glad ya appreciate my food, as most people in town take it for granted, more often than not," he said to her, as she put spoonful after spoonful into her mouth.  He joined her and, before they knew it, they're bowls were empty.

 

"I really need to get some of your recipes," Julia said.  "The castle's chef doesn't make food that's nearly this good."

"Thank you for the flattery, Julia," he said, grinning.  "But, enough about my food.  How did today go?"  Julia sighed, feeling less than satisfied about how things went.  "Not too good.  I don't really have any idea of--  Oh, right.  Mr. Alliston?  Could you please tell me the legend of Mt. Boreas?"

"Hmm?  Why, certainly.  One of the first parts o' the legend says, 'when Mt. Boreas is covered with winter, upon the solstice, shall appear in a spot rarely touched by, but made ta be by man, a temple.'  Within this temple is said ta be the Staff o' Life, which restores good 'ealth.  Every winter, we get a fair number o' adventurous explorers comin' ta look for the temple and its staff.  But, since snow obstructs all the usual paths around the mountain, they quickly figure out 'ow pointless it is ta look and either spend the rest of the winter at my inn, or they leave.  And that's basically the legend.  Sorry if my summary didn't 'ave everythin' that would 'ave 'elped."

"Oh, no, no.  Don't worry about it.  I think I can figure out what's going on, now that I know what the legend was about again, but...  I can't seem to think straight..." Julia said as she looked sleepily about the room.  Alliston yawned and nodded.  "I'm sorry, Julia.  I forgot ta tell ya that the soup usually makes people sleepy pretty quick.  I'd suggest turnin' in for the night about now.  It'll come ta ya in the mornin', I'll bet."

"You're right..." she replied, then yawned.  She stood and walked out of the room, saying, "Good night, Mr. Alliston," as she headed upstairs and he cleaned the dishes.  "See ya tomorrow, Julia," he called to her.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

 In her sleep, Julia saw a gray expanse.  She couldn't really make out anything in it, other than a shape off in the distance.  Curious, she walked toward it and saw that it was Josh.  "Josh?  Hey, Josh!" she shouted at him as she began running to him.  She didn't seem to get much closer to him, however, and little time passed before she saw, off to her right in the distance, a large black shape moving very quickly toward him.  'Huh?'

 

 As it drew closer, she saw that it appeared to be a large, wolf-like creature dashing to him.  Alarmed, she tried to warn Josh, who had noticed her and was now, turning his back to the creature, strolling to her.  However, her voice seemed to produce no sound at all and Josh remained oblivious to the beast coming at him, looking fierce.

 

 Helpless to warn her friend, she hoped fervently that he would turn around and look at it, as it would very shortly be upon him.  As it drew nearer, however, she noticed that it looked very little like a normal animal.  It seemed to be a shifting mass of a tar-like material in the shape of the fearsome beast.  In one of its strange twist-like movements, she thought she could see a pair of eyes between the folds of the pitch-black substance.  The strange eyes seemed to be those of a human, but they possessed a strange look that made her think of a wild animal.  Regardless, they looked red and cracked, as though their owner had gotten little sleep and had been crying for countless hours.  She could see them for only a moment, before the muck concealed them again, but their appearance was burned into her mind's eye.  Though she knew the beast wanted nothing more than to tear her best friend to pieces, she felt nothing but pity for it.

 

 Suddenly, Josh turned and saw the creature.  He looked shocked, but drew his sword, which seemed to shine with a strange light.  He plunged the blade into the beast's chest and Julia heard an ear-shattering howl as the darkness of the beast began to dissipate.  However, before it had vanished completely, it sunk its fangs into Josh, who let out an anguished cry that seemed to match the beast's.  Julia then sat horrified as the beast's darkness, instead of dissolving, seemed to flow into Josh, through his fresh wound.

 

 Again she cried out to him, this time hearing her voice very clearly, "Josh!"

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

 In a cold sweat, Julia sat up in bed, breathing heavily.  'Please...  Please let that have just been a horrible nightmare...  No.  That felt... too real...'  "Josh..." she said aloud in a voice that made clear her concern for one very close to her heart, "Please be alright..."

 

- - - -  -  -  -  -  -   -   -   -   -  -  -  -  -  - - - -

 

 

V

 

Josh held his sword firmly, trying to take his standard fighting stance, but finding some difficulty.  He wondered if he should attempt a different stance and shifted his feet on the grass, while trying to put the weapon in a different position, with very little success.  Damnit... he thought, Stupid old lady...  He then recalled what had put him in this situation in the first place.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"... and Josh, this is for you."

"Huh?" Josh asked as Hollin held a sheathed sword out to him.  At least, that was what he believed was happening.  Before accepting it, he rubbed his eyes again and took a quick look around.  This look verified what he thought was going on: he had just rushed out of the castle and found Hollin and Julia, looking slightly sleepier than he felt, waiting for him.  He would have noticed the wagons that were obviously going to take Julia and him to their respective towns, but Hollin quickly smacked him in the back of the head with the sheath, while announcing, "Moron."

 

The force of the blow knocked him to the ground, but brought him out of his stupor.  Angrily, he pulled himself to his feet and yelled at his master, "What the hell was that for!?"  Calmly, the woman replied, "When your master gives something to you, you take it.  I thought it was pretty obvious."

"Grr...  Julia, don't you think that wasn't fair?"  His peer blearily looked at him and proved that she wasn't quite awake yet.  "Huh?  What wasn't fair?"

"...  Oh, forget it!" the young man, sick of the subject, shouted as he snatched the weapon out of his master's hands.  His teacher chuckled.

"What's so funny, grandma?" he demanded of her.  "Oh," she began, "It's nothing.  I was just thinking about how priceless the looks on your faces are going to be if you're not on the wagons in about a minute."  Josh stared blankly at her.  "And what's that supposed to mean?" he asked.

 

Fortunately for him, Julia managed to fully awaken and figure it out.  As she hopped onto the wagon that Hollin had pointed out to her, she reminded Josh, "Remember!  They're leaving at sunrise!"  The young man immediately jumped at the other wagon, a sudden expression of realization on his face.  Several moments later, the people that owned and operated the wagons managed to stop laughing long enough to get on the road.  "Josh," Julia called from her wagon, as the two students got further apart, "Good luck!"

"Thanks, Julia!  You too!" Josh cried back, wondering what each of them would have to face.

 

During the first few minutes of the journey, Josh removed the blade from its sheath to examine it.  'Huh...  It looks and feels like an iron sword, but...  What's with the shine?  It looks like... silver, maybe?  But, why would she coat the blade with that?'  He also realized how much heavier an iron sword is than a wooden one  Forgetting where he was for a moment, he took a few practice swings.  "Gah!  Sorry!" he cried to the frustrated team aboard the wagon, when they began glaring at him.  "Kid, I know you wanna swing that thing around, but wait until we take a rest, first, damnit!" shouted the irritated driver.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

Josh, finding that he still hadn't figured out how to wield the weapon properly after over a day, angrily shouted, "Why didn't you give me some practice time before we left!  It's too heavy to just know how to use immediately!"  Then a small pebble hit his head, not breaking the skin, but stinging quite painfully.  As he brought a hand to rub the sensitive spot, he heard the wagon's driver call from up the hill, "For the last time, shut up!  We're leaving now.  You'll have plenty of time to yell at nobody when we get to Tet in a few hours!"  Josh grimaced and headed back to the wagon.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

Upon their arrival, all of the team immediately made tracks for one of Tet's better-known bars.  "Do whatever Hollin sent ya to do and come see us at about this time in three days," the leader told him as they went.  "Wait!" Josh called to them, "Master Hollin never told me where I'm supposed to go!"

"Well, tough luck.  We were paid to bring you here, stay for three days, and then go back to the castle.  Not to look after some stupid kid with a sword that gets his kicks by yelling at the air."

 

Josh glared as they walked off, laughing at him.  Then he felt a hand on his shoulder.  He looked at the owner of the hand to his right and saw a cheerful, blonde man in an orange tunic.   "Hi.  Miss Hollin told me to take you to the mayor and book you a room at the inn.  Call me Torn, by the way."  Josh smiled at him and said, "It's nice to see a friendly face.  The last one I saw was when Julia was telling me goodbye."

"Yep," Torn replied as he nodded, "The teams on those wagons aren't known for their friendliness, I'm afraid.  At least they're good at what they do."  He began walking off and Josh hurried after him.  They walked through the, Josh noted, eerily empty streets until they came before a large white building at the center of the fairly small town, then walked through the open door.

 

"Wow..." Josh said, as he beheld the incredibly long line that appeared to lead to the Mayor's office.  "Is it always this crowded?"  "Nope," Torn responded as he continued walking through the halls, passing the many people, who, though clearly annoyed, moved to the side, "Most of the time, this is actually the least crowded place in town.  Understandably, everyone's crowding in here because of the strange deaths.  They want to know what exactly the mayor intends to do about it."

"Ahh.  And, umm..." Josh began as still more people moved aside, "Why are they letting us pass so easily?"

"Simple enough.  I'm the Mayor's right hand man and everybody in town knows it.  It's a nice, cushy job.  I've got a lot of free time and privileges, with very, very few responsibilities.  Well, here we are."  The two of them passed through the polished, oak double doors and found a very stressed-looking old man sitting behind the room's large desk, conversing with and cowering before a clearly very upset, muscular bald man.  "Really, Mr. Bradley!  What the hell are you planning to do?" the bald man shouted.

 

"Well...  I... uhh..." the elderly man babbled, sweat covering his face.  "I've ... umm... enlisted th--  ... err...  That is to say...  I've requested--"

"Spit it out, damnit!" the bald man shouted, instantly silencing the obviously quite timid old man.  "Donovan, Royce, and now even my son are dead!  How much longer are you just going to sit around doing nothing!?  I'll sure as hell take matters into my own hands if you won't!"

"That won't be necessary, Mr. Sloane," Torn said, interrupting the man's rant, "Mr. Bradley asked for help from Miss Hollin and she has sent one of her students to help us."  Mr. Sloane turned around, clearly quite irate.  "...  Let me get this straight...  You asked for help from that fossil...  And she sent us some punk kid to solve our problems!?  I thought she was senile before this, but now I've got actual proof!"  The man then noticed Josh and added sarcastically, "Is this him?  Is this the super-tough little bastard that's gonna stop whatever the hell's been killing people?  Hah!  This kid looks like he's about to piss himself just from me threatening him!"

"Shut the hell up!" Josh shouted back, suddenly angry again, "Master Hollin could kick your ass with her eyes closed and both hands tied behind her back and so could I!"

"So ya got a smart mouth, too!  Well, let's just see if your bite's as good as your--"

"Everybody be quiet!" Torn suddenly shouted, silencing everyone, which proved to be a particularly good thing because of the growing confusion of those in line just outside the doors.  "Mr. Sloane, you're a grown man.  I know what you've had to go through, but control yourself!  And Josh you seriously need to learn to stay calm.  How do you expect anyone to take you seriously, if you don't?  And Mr. Bradley, you're the mayor!  If you can't stop panicking, how can you expect anyone else in town to keep from rioting?"

 

Silence filled the room for several moments before Sloane, calmed for the moment, but clearly still upset, started leaving.  "Fine.  Let the kid try to handle this.  But, if someone else dies tonight...  I will take matters into my own hands."  He left the office and everybody in line again stood to the side, all eyes watching the somewhat burly man.

 

The mayor took a few deep breaths, then mopped at his brow.  "Thanks for showing up, Torn.  I was afraid Roger was going to eat me alive."  Torn nodded.  "Yeah.  He's given a lot of people that same feeling, lately."

"Anyway," Bradley said, turning his attention to Josh, "So, you're one of Hollin's pupils.  I'm glad to meet you, young man."  The man extended his hand and Josh stepped forward to shake it.  "Thanks.  Nice to meet you, too."  After the handshake, a somewhat awkward silence set in upon the room.  Torn coughed politely, and then said, "Excuse me, but I have a bit of paper work that needs tending to.  So, with luck, I'll be back before you're finished.  I hope everything goes well."  He then slipped out of the door while Bradley and Josh nodded at him.

 

"So, uhh..." Josh began a tad less elegantly than he had hoped, "I guess I should get started on solving this problem.  Could you tell me everything you know about the killings, like when they started, how it looks like they were done, how often they've taken place?"  Bradley replied, "They began five nights ago.  The latter two of the three people, Roger's sister Royce and his son Gregor, have horrible gashes and appear somewhat mangled, which makes many people, including myself, believe that their wounds were caused by a wild animal, instead of a weapon.  Of course, nobody's been able to put forth a reasonable theory for how an animal would be able to get into the rooms, so we have to consider the possibility that the marks were caused by a weapon.  These victims had a broken window behind them, with shards of glass scattered on the ground outside, which clearly indicates that the killer jumped through to escape.  Of course, the break suggests that a person bigger than Roger jumped through it.  Those deaths took place two nights ago and last night.

"As for the first victim, Mr. Donovan Sel, he was Roger's best friend.  On the day he died, five days ago, he had just returned from a short trip to the capital to meet someone.  He met Roger on the street, but seemed a bit nervous about something.  He gave his friend a sword made out of silver as a gift from his trip and, a bit strangely, asked him to--"

"I'm sorry," Josh interrupted the mayor, "but why'd he give Roger a present like that?"

"Oh?  Well, Roger's something of a weapon enthusiast, you see.  I think Roger asked his friend if he could pick up a weapon from that city.  He'd heard they had worked out some new technique to forge them and he wanted to see what they were like.  Anyway, Donovan asked Roger to visit his home that night and to bring the sword with him.  Roger wondered what exactly was going on, but obliged his friend.

"Nobody has any idea what happened that night, but the following morning, we found Roger unconscious with some slashes on his side, and next to him was the body of Donovan with the sword in his chest.  Roger woke up about an hour after the investigation began.  He looked shocked and horrified at the body, and claimed to remember nothing of the night before, short of Donovan suddenly bursting into tears and apologizing for something.  Before long, though, he passed out and stayed unconscious for two whole days.  Our Doctor Gray had no idea what was causing it.  All he knew was that Roger had the worst fever he had ever seen.  But, after those two days, he seemed to be in perfect health.  He definitely seemed different, though.  It could be that he just hasn't accepted his friend's death.  Or maybe it's because he was there, but he couldn't help his friend when he needed him.

"Regardless, as you just saw, he's been in a constant foul mood.  He swears vehemently that he didn't kill anybody, but even with all the evidence, a lot of people still have some doubts that he's the culprit.  It just really doesn't seem like anything he'd ever do."

"What evidence is there?"

"Well, the day he recovered, his sister insisted that he come over to her place so that she could try consoling him.  But...  As you know...  She was found dead in her bedroom the next day, while he was found lying unconscious in the forest near her home.  He swore that the last thing he remembered was talking to her about Donovan's death before she said she was going to bed. 

"The next day, his son came to visit him, to tell him how much he believed in his innocence.  The young man may have been a tad foolhardy, but he said he'd stay the night.  Just before you arrived, Gregor was found dead, but it looked like he had stayed up during the night.  Lots of Roger's weapon collection was strewn around the house, so we presume Gregor tried running from his assailant, but tried to fight him off, whenever he drew near.  Again, Roger was found in the forest, unconscious and claiming to remember nothing, other than having a few drinks with his son."

 

The mayor, with a sad look on his face, took a breath.  Then, as Torn quietly entered the room, he asked Josh, "So, is there anything else you'd like to know?"

"Hmm...  Well, Roger's not staying with anyone else tonight, is he?"

"Actually," Torn answered, "he's staying with his younger sister, Vesta.  He swears that he's going to stay up all night and stop whoever's been doing this and Vesta truly believes him, but...  Well, nobody else really does.  But, Roger's a very stubborn man, especially now, so he refuses to listen to anyone.  We do have a plan, though.  Some people from town will form a protective circle around Vesta's house, insuring that nobody else gets in.  Unfortunately, we don't have anyone with real skill in combat, so, if you can't come up with anything else, we'd like your help with that."

 

Josh looked frustrated as he replied, "Well, I wish there was a better plan, like being in Vesta's room to protect her then, but I guess Roger's not the kind of guy to allow that."  Torn shook his head.  "I actually suggested that to him and he looked like he wanted to crush me for even thinking of it.  He also insisted that it was his responsibility and Vesta's always agreeing with him, so there's not much we can do."

"Damn...  Oh, well.  When should I head out there?"

"Well, just show up around sunset.  I doubt you've gotten a decent night's sleep with that wagon crew, so why don't you rest at your room at the inn until then?  Well, after I show you where Vesta's place is."  Josh nodded.  "That sounds like a good idea."  Torn smiled and started leading Josh outside of the office, saying to the young man, "With your help, I know we'll put a stop to this tonight."  As some people had, apparently, been eavesdropping and heard the entire plan, the hallway was relatively empty.  "Good luck, you two!" the mayor called after them, while the few remaining people rushed through the doors.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

As he noticed the sun setting, Josh wiped his brow and sheathed his sword before he began walking towards Vesta's home.  At least I can mostly handle the weight now.  I just hope it helps enough...  He thought a bit more about the situation as he walked along.  This would be a lot better if that idiot would just let us keep watch in the same room as his sister...  I mean, what kind of a jackass doesn't want what's best for his only remaining relative?  Wait...  Maybe there's something I haven't thought of.  C'mon...  Think!  ...  Damnit!  Julia's the smart one, so why did the old hag force me into the mystery?!

 

Before too much longer, he arrived outside Vesta's residence, where Torn and a few others waited.  Torn whispered, "Let's just hope we don't have to wait too long.  Some of those guys have been harvesting all day and they look like they're about to collapse."

 

After just over an hour had passed, one of the men commented, "Wow.  The moon's looking pretty nice tonight."  Another added, "Yeah.  It's really, really beautiful."  Josh thought about this for a moment.  Hmm...  The moon...  Why do I feel like that's really important here?

Is there something I--

 

"Oh, shit," he said suddenly, eyes growing wide.  "Huh?" Torn asked, turning, "What's wrong, Josh?"  Josh didn't even give a reply.  He simply ran inside of Vesta's enormous house.  "Hey!" Torn shouted after him.  Several of the other men began to head after him, until Torn told them, "All of you, stay here!  We still need some people to keep watch outside!  Josh and I will be right back!"  He then dashed down the halls after the young man.

 

Josh's heart was beating very quickly as he ran.  I wonder if I'm going to die tonight…  For some reason, Julia came to mind as he thought this, which confused him a little.  No...  I can't get killed.  I'll just solve this village's problem like Julia's fixing Parrum's trouble.  I'm not going to get killed.  He then spied something that interested him.

 

Before too long, he found Josh looking at something around a corner.  "Hey, Josh,  what's the pro--"  He stopped speaking when he noticed Josh was looking at a door that appeared to have been forced off of its hinges.  "What the hell!?" Torn asked, as his mouth dropped open in shock.  Josh shook his head, as though the door had mesmerized him.  He continued running, this time with Torn right behind him.  "Torn, listen," Josh began, "I think I've got it all figured out.  The only thing that explains all this is that Roger's--"

 

Josh paused at the sight he beheld in the room he had just entered; the room where Vesta was sleeping.  "Okay.  Now, I know I'm right," he said as he saw the large creature that was drawing near to the woman's slumbering form.  With the moonlight shining in through the window, Josh and Torn saw the beast's ears prick up before it turned towards them and snarled, giving them a clear view of its body.  It looked mostly like a wolf, but neither of the two men had seen one so large.  Nor had they seen one that seemed to be bipedal, though it was hunched over quite far.  The creature appeared to have hand-like paws and eyes with a vibrant, unearthly yellow glow, though they seemed to give off a level of intelligence higher than a common beast.  In the short time that they looked into those eyes, they almost thought they could see in them immense feelings of sorrow and regret.  The creature bared its horribly sharp fangs and growled at the two intruders.

 

"Damn...  Looks like I was right...  Roger's... a lycanthrope..." Josh said, putting his hand on his sword's hilt.  "A what?" Torn asked, too shocked to be bothered to think about the situation.  "A werewolf," Josh told him, drawing the weapon.  'I guess now I know why it's got a silver coating...  Thanks, old lady, but if you knew I'd be needing it, why the hell didn't you tell me?'

 

Josh didn't have much time to worry about this, however, as the werewolf hurled itself at him.  "Torn, move!" the young man managed to shout before the creature tackled him, pushing him back into the hall.  Fortunately, Torn was able to get out of the way and Josh was able to plunge his sword into the creature's chest before it could scratch or bite him.  While a bizarre vapor seemed to rise from where the blade struck it, the beast let loose a horrific wail, but unfortunately, remained alive, for a bit longer.  It brought its head forward and caught Josh's right shoulder between its jaws, before clamping down.  Torn's eyes widened as he shouted, "Josh!"  This, however, was drowned out as Josh cried out in agony and continued his scream even after the beast released, rolled off of the young man, had a number of spasms, then stopped moving.  Torn's eyes widened even further as he watched the fierce animal rapidly change, its fur sinking into its flesh, its muzzle retreating into its head, and so forth, until all he could see was Roger, with the bloody sword sticking out of his chest.

 

Josh lay there, his body wracked with pain while he continued to wail.  His vision was quickly becoming hazy, but he heard Torn crying his name several times.  Oddly, he thought he heard Julia's voice intermingling with Torn's.  As his scream continued, he thought, Guess...  I'm dying...  Sorry for breaking my promise...  Julia...

 

Vesta, by now, had awoken and shrieked at the horrible scene that greeted her eyes.  Josh continued his scream while Torn, hoping to do something about the young man's wound, ripped off his own sleeves and tried to apply a tourniquet, with less success than he had hoped.  Within the minute, all of the men from outside, drawn by all the screams from within, arrived on the scene.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

The doctor looked his patient over, studying him a bit more, furrowing his brow, and growing more and more annoyed that he knew very little more than when he had started.  Josh lay on the room's only bed, breathing shallowly as his face remained soaked with sweat, despite the doctor's constant mopping.  The gray-headed doctor in the room was sweating a lot himself.  He really didn't feel that he deserved to go through this two times in the same week.  He now knew what the cause of the condition was, but that was small consolation, as, try though he might, he proved incapable of doing anything.

 

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.  The doctor walked to the door, mildly grateful for the interruption, as it took him away, however briefly, from the monotony of his apparently hopeless case.  "Who is it?" he asked.  "It's me, Dr. Gray," answered Torn's voice.  "Ahh.  I thought so.  After hearing about what exactly happened, not too many people want to get close to this boy," replied the doctor before he opened the door.  Torn entered and looked down sorrowfully at the young man.

 

"So...  Doctor..." Torn began, "How's he doing?"  The doctor shook his head.  "I'm afraid I still can't say.  Things certainly don't look good, but this is exactly how Roger looked a few days ago.  I guess that means he'll recover, but...  Well, you know what that probably means..."  There was silence for a bit as the two men looked at the youth.  "It's strange," the doctor began again, "I never believed those stories about werewolves when I was a kid, and now I'm trying to treat someone for a bite from one."

 

Silence, other than Josh's breathing, again filled the room, before Gray said, "Also...  I've been wondering..."  Torn raised an eyebrow.  "What about, doctor?"

"Well..." Gray began hesitantly, "It's just...  If he's going to be subject to the moonlit transformations like Roger, might it not be better to--"

"I hope," Torn interrupted, with a hint of anger, "you aren't suggesting we kill him.  He saved my life and Ms. Sloane's."

"Would it really be so horrible, Torn?  He's only going to kill more people if he's left alive.  And if that's the case, he'll probably find out about them eventually, even if we don't tell him.  And when he does, what then?  He'll know that he's going to cause a great many deaths when he has no control.  The way I see it, letting him go through THAT is the more horrific crime to commit here."

 

Torn was silent for a few moments.  "...  Still...  I get the feeling that we should keep him alive.  I feel like... he's different from Roger.  Like... he can resist doing that.  So...  How about this: We'll wait until he's conscious, then we'll let him make the choice.  If, knowing this, he wants to die, I can accept it."  Gray thought for a moment, and then nodded.  "That seems like the fairest thing to do.  I hope that you're right, and that everything goes just fine for him."

"Have faith, Gray," Torn said, "He'll live through it."  The doctor sighed.  "I hope you're right, Torn...  I really hope you're right..."

- - - -  -  -  -  -  -   -   -   -   -  -  -  -  -  - - - -

 

 

VI

 

"G'mornin', Jul--" Alliston cheerfully began, pausing and frowning when he actually saw her.  "What's 'appened?  Ya look awful."  This was true.  She looked at him blearily through half-asleep eyes and a young boy, if he was to enter the room at that moment, would have easily confused her with a zombie of some kind.  "Did ya have a rough night?"

"Uh-huh," she said after a moment, sitting down and rubbing her eyes, trying to fully awaken herself.  Politely, he waited for her to finish this procedure, setting a bowl of porridge before her.  As he took his seat with his own bowl of the gray mush, she said, "I had a really horrible nightmare.  Josh, Master Hollin's other student, was standing around, then I saw this massive animal charge at him.  I tried to warn him, but it was like he couldn't hear me.  He noticed it at the last minute and killed it, but, right before he did, it bit him and...  It looked like it wasn't made of flesh, but of some... strange, dark ooze.  It started flowing into him and he looked like he was in horrible pain.  But...  It's weird.  When the... thing was flowing into him, I could see a pair of eyes in it that looked really sad.  Like it was suffering even more than he was.  I woke up after that and I couldn't get much sleep."

 

Alliston watched her, a concerned expression on his face.  "I'm sorry ya had such a bad dream.  Are ya worried that somethin' like that might 'ave 'appened ta Josh last night?"  The girl nodded in reply, staring at her porridge.  "Well," Alliston began after a few moments, "I'm a tad old fashioned, so if that dream felt real ta ya and if ya really care about Josh, I think it could 'ave been a vision of what's 'appened ta 'im.  About 'ow much do ya care about 'im?"

"Umm..." Julia said, the question catching her by surprise, "Well... I... uhh...  I've known him all my life, so of course I care about him, but I... also...  Umm..."

"Ahh," Allistion mercifully interrupted.  "I see.  'e's like a brother ta ya, right?"

"Well..."  Hmm...  I've never really thought about it like that before.  Maybe, all this time, that's all it was...  "Y-Yeah.  That's exactly right."

 "Well, then.  Yer concern makes perfect sense, but do ya have faith in 'is abilities?"

"Well, yeah.  Sometimes he even gives Master Hollin a run for her money when he's practicing."

"There ya go.  Maybe 'e's 'ad a bit o' trouble, but if 'e can 'andle Miss 'ollin, I'm sure 'e'll be fine."  Julia smiled at him a tad weakly before replying, "You're right.  I know he's going to be fine, but...  I'm still a little worried about him."

"I know, Julia.  That’s only natural.  But, listen: worryin' about Josh isn't gonna 'elp 'im, right?  And the people o' this town are countin' on ya ta solve their problem, which means ya gotta focus on them.  So, just trust that Josh'll be alright and pay attention ta these people."  The two smiled at each other and they began to eat their breakfast, while Julia thought about what she had heard.  He's right.  Josh is going to be fine.  Besides, it was just a dream.  I'm thinking too much about that when I have work to do here.  I'll just finish up, then I'll see him when we're back at the castle.

 

"Speakin' o' the people in this town," Alliston began, after several mouthfuls of porridge, "'orace came by a little before you came down."  Julia swallowed, then asked, "Who?"

"Lilly's brother.  'e said ya stopped by their place yesterday and tried ta heal Lilly, but it didn't really 'elp 'er.  She's in bad shape again."

"Really?"  Odd...  That spell should have had her on her feet within a few hours, or by this morning at the latest...  Maybe I underestimated the illness...

 

"Yeah.  'e asked if ya wouldn't mind stoppin' by and takin' a better look at 'er."

"Ahh.  I'll head over there right now."  She stood and would have dashed out of the door if Alliston had not said, "Oh no ya don't.  Finish ya porridge first."  Julia looked a tad embarrassed.  "I'm sorry, Mr. Alliston," she said, "Your porridge is delicious.  I wasn't trying to get away from it.  I'll come back and finish it after I've helped Lilly."  Alliston chuckled before replying, "No, no.  I meant that ya 'ad a 'orrible night's sleep and now ya want ta go 'eal Lilly without any food in ya body.  If it's even possible, 'ealin' that sickness is gonna take some effort and ya won't be any good ta Lilly if ya collapse in the middle o' the spell."

"Oh," Julia said, embarrassed that she needed to be told this.  She sat down and quickly finished her porridge.  She stood again, smiled, wiped a bit of the gray substance from around her mouth, then said to Alliston, "Thanks for the breakfast.  It was delicious."

"Don't worry about that.  Just do what ya can for Lilly."

"Right," she replied, nodding before she left the room and the inn.  "Good luck, Julia!" she heard behind her.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"How is she doing?" Julia asked, entering the house for the second time in as many days.  "Julia!" the boy called, turning away from his pale sister.  "I'm sorry I couldn't make it work yesterday, but let's see if a more complete 'Panacea' spell will do the trick."  The kid moved out of her way without any complaints and watched from about one yard away.

 

Yee...  She looks a lot worse than she did yesterday.  She looks like she's almost at death's door...  The woman had looked much more lively the day before.  As Julia looked upon her for a second time, however, she noted that only the woman's convulsions made her at all distinguishable from a corpse.  Julia took a deep breath.  Okay.  This is going to take a lot of focus.  I hope I can remember enough of the incantation to work for this...

 

Julia waited a full minute.  Then, when she was certain that she was focused enough, she spread her hands over the woman and began chanting.  Horace noticed that this one seemed very much like what she had chanted yesterday, but the words seemed to be uttered with more precision and this incantation seemed to last quite a bit longer than the other.  Finally, with a bit of sweat formed on her brow, Julia stopped chanting and another small yellow appeared between her hands.  It descended and, just as before, Lilly's body glowed brilliantly for a few moments.  While Julia considered Lilly's appearance much improved, she could tell that the comatose woman was by no means fully cured.  Julia fell to her knees, taking deep breaths and still reeling from the effort of casting a spell with such emphasis.

 

"Wow...  That was great!" Horace announced, noticing the dramatic improvement.  "Is she gonna be alright now?"

"Well..." Julia began, not quite in the mood to tell the child that she had done all she could.  Nevertheless, through her breathes she told him, "I'm...  I'm sorry.  That was probably the most powerful spell I've ever cast.  If this was a normal illness, it probably wouldn't have taken anything nearly this strong to heal, but...  It looks like this sickness is because of a spell.  And unless I know what spell that was, I can't do anything about it.  All I can do is keep the disease from killing her.  But...  Since she can't regain consciousness..."  Julia trailed off.  She absolutely did not want to tell the boy that it wouldn't be much longer before his sister died from starvation and dehydration, especially because, even with the spell, the disease was taking its toll on Lilly's body.

 

"But you can keep her alive for a little longer?" the boy asked sooner than Julia expected, his eyes making it clear that he was clinging to a final thread of hope.  "Umm...  She'll be fine for... today," Julia said, unsure if even that was true.  She took another look at the body.  Horace breathed a sigh of relief and looked, unless Julia was mistaken, fairly happy.  "That's good."

"Umm..." Julia began, confused, "I-Is there something that I don't know about this situation?"

"Uhh...  N-No.  O-Of course not," the child replied, filling Julia with absolutely no confidence in his honesty.  She glared at him, making him squirm a bit, but, before long, her eyes focused on the wall behind him, where she beheld a calendar.  Wait...  Today's date...  It's circled...  And there’s something written in it…  She moved closer to it, then saw the words Summer Solstice scribbled within the circle.  "Hmm..." she mumbled, "'When Mt. Boreas is covered with winter, upon the solstice...'  Grr...  Why did this take me so much time to figure out?"

 

She turned toward Horace, but decided to employ a subtler approach.  "So, where is Richard today?" she asked.  "Oh, he's going to do that secret thing near Mt. Boreas," the child said calmly.  "Odd...  Mr. Alliston told me that he found it odd that Richard was getting drunk at the bar about an hour ago."

"What!?" Horace exclaimed incredulously, "But he's supposed to be going up Mt. Boreas to get the Staff of..."  He realized just what he had blurted out a few seconds too late and decided that completing his sentence could do no more harm, so, he spoke the final, "Life..."

"I'm sorry for tricking you," Julia said, "but I had to be sure.  Now, I know he's planning to use the staff to heal Lilly, but how is he going to get up?  All of the normal paths are covered with snow."  Horace seemed at first reluctant to speak, but decided after a few moments that, after all he had blurted out, keeping anything else a secret was simply a waste of effort.  "Well, there’s a path that nobody knows about.  He's planning to follow it all day, until he finds the temple."

"And where is this path?"

"There's a small dark cave.  At the back, there's a hidden switch.  If you pull on it, a wall lifts up, and there's an underground path that leads throughout the mountain.  I'll show you where it is."

"Thank you, Horace.  Let's get going."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            After they had passed through the hidden passageway, Horace pressed another switch, which caused the wall to fall gently back into place.

"I never would have thought this could be here..." Julia said quietly as they walked, a strange glow from the moss above lighting their path.

"Well, it is pretty hard to figure out.  But you seem pretty smart, so you'd have probably figured out at some point."

"Maybe, but I doubt it would be before Richard got back.  By the way, is Richard working with anyone other than you?"

"Well, he's been heading up here with his brother, Edward, but that's about it.  By the way, could you help me figure that out?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Edward seemed really unhappy when Richard and Lilly got engaged.  He said some really nasty things about her and said she'd ruin their family's reputation.  Why would he help Richard save her?"

"Ahh.  Maybe he realized how horrible her death would make his brother feel and decided to put his feelings aside to prevent that.  Or maybe he just didn't want to live with  himself, knowing that he could have helped save her life, but didn't.  Why don't we ask him when we get there?"

"Okay.  That's a good idea."

 

They reached a steep slope and spoke no words for some time, thanks to the effort it took to climb.  Just as Horace looked as though he was about to say something, they reached a large chamber, with a somewhat small, but quite long, building of white marble and gold ornamental carvings along its walls and turret-shaped roof, situated on a high cliff above a deep drop below.  Awed by its splendor, the two climbed the slope and entered the building to find a horrific scene: Within the beautiful temple, a blonde man, wincing in pain and holding his side, from which blood was staining his light blue tunic, though blood was flowing from several other fresh cuts as well, was lying on the floor, looking up in horror at a brown-haired man in a red tunic, who was holding both a bloody short sword and a cudgel staff that bore an enormous, beautiful, blue, pearl-shaped jewel.  "Edward!" Horace shouted, catching the attention of the two men, "How could you!?  He's your brother!"

"Looks like the brat’s shown up," the brown-haired man, Edward, said with a superior smirk on his face.  "If only you'd waited by your sister's bedside...  Then you could have heard that Richard perished in a cave-in after watching your sister die, while I arrived 'just a tad too late' to save her worthless life.  Now, you'll get to die with him."

"You animal!" the man on the ground, Richard, shouted, now with a look of disgust on his face, "You would have gone through with all of this!? I'm ashamed I used to call you my brother!"

"Why...  Why would you do something this horrible!?" Julia demanded, too shocked by what she was seeing to experience white-hot rage yet.

 

            "I see there's another rodent I'll have to exterminate.  It's a shame she's such a beauty, but, much like you two, she's seen too much.  But don't worry too much, my dear.  You have nothing to do with this, so I'll just kill you quickly with the twerp.  And then, after I slowly rip the flesh from your bones, Richard, you'll join them and that woman you seem so attached to."

            "Is Lilly the reason you did all this?" Richard asked, incredulously.  "Do you honestly care that much about how our family looks to other Nobles?"

            "That's part of it, certainly, but this goes far deeper than that, my dear brother," Edward replied, practically spitting the last three words.  "A part of it is the tremendous success and acclaim that I and I alone will receive for finally seizing the Staff of Life from Mt. Boreas.  Not you.  Not anyone else.  Me!  Now, then..." he said, lifting his blade.  "I've prattled on long enough, so it's time for--"

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            Suddenly, time seemed to stand still for Julia, and a great many images entered her mind's eye.  She saw an elegant room, in which a man and a woman looked cheerfully upon a young brown-haired boy as he played a beautiful sonata on the piano.  What’s going on?  Why am I seeing this now?  Beyond them, in a darker part of the room, she saw a slightly older blonde boy with a look that gave away his yearning to be a part of that happy picture.  He looks so sad on his own…  I wonder why he doesn’t just join those two?

 

            The scene vanished and was replaced by the blonde boy clearly struggling to play a relatively simple piece on the same piano.  In nearby chairs, the man and woman watched him with disdain for a time, before the man stood, evidently angry and began to yell at the boy.  That poor boy…  He tried his best, but he just made his dad angry…  I wonder why I can’t really hear him…  Though she could not make out the words, she could clearly see the scared, hurt expression on the boy's face as he turned his attention to the man.  The woman then stood and began speaking, which directed the attention of both of the room's males and caused the boy to hang his head in shame.  “His brother’s simply better?”  “He’ll never be worth anything?”  Who talks to their kid like that?  The boy shook, then ran sobbing from the room.  The man and woman exchanged a regretful glance for their behavior.

 

            After that room faded, the crying boy stood before a finely appareled man and spoke amid sobs to him.  She could not explain it, but Julia somehow knew the man was the boy's uncle.  He placed a hand upon his nephew's shoulder and spoke words that, despite their muted quality, Julia knew were meant to be of comfort to the boy.  The boy leaped into a hug with the man, crying more than he had before.

 

            Again, the scene changed, this time to a different elegant room in which the two children sat on the floor, the younger annoyed, the elder intrigued, as the uncle spoke to them.  She heard him describe, amongst other things, that "family that disgraced family wasn't family at all" and that "those without Noble blood don't even deserve the air they breathe."  …  That’s horrible!

 

            Next, she beheld the two children sitting on the floor of another room, their expressions reversed, while the man and woman spoke to them.  Julia overheard "love is the most important thing in this world" and "respect all those you meet, regardless of class" from their lips.  Hmm…  He seemed a little confused near the end.  I hope that means he’ll believe what they say more than what his uncle said.

 

            Finally, she beheld a room that contained Richard and Edward, both appearing a tad younger, conversing next to a bed that contained an older couple that Julia knew were Richard and Edward's parents.  Richard hung his head in despair while his elder brother placed a reassuring hand upon his shoulder.  Richard left the room and closed the door.  Edward's demeanor, previously downcast and sympathetic, suddenly became triumphant and malignant.  He approached the bed and gazed upon his parents, both of who were unconscious and breathing shallowly, with pale skin, that reminded Julia of Lilly's countenance, and smiled down at them, chuckling as he tapped a book that had been concealed by his cloak.  …  What in the world…?

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            "-- your deaths," Edward said, finishing his sentence and bringing Julia back to reality.  "How the hell did I not figure out what a swine my brother was until now?" Richard shouted, before he was struck in the head with the hilt of Edward's blade.  He spat some blood to his side and continued speaking.  "I would have thought all our parents' lessons about love being the most important thing in life and equality amongst the classes would have sunk in."

            "And I would have thought that our Uncle Eikre's lessons of how family that doesn't give a second thought to the family's name and reputation isn't family at all would have penetrated your thick skull!" Edward shot back, giving his brother's head another blow.  "Those without any class don't deserve the air we breathe and, deep down inside, you know it's true."  Richard simply gave his traitorous brother a cold glare.

            "Edward...  Did your parents truly hurt you that much?" Julia asked, feeling somewhat detached from the entire situation.  Confused and with a small note of fear in his voice, Edward replied after a moment, "What are you talking about?"

            "That day...  When you were trying to play the piano like your brother.  And your parents made you feel so horrible."

            "What... did you say?" he asked, his voice a raspy whisper, his eyes fixed intently upon Julia.  "Julia," Horace asked, concerned.  Richard began to ask, "What are you two--"

            "Shut up!" Edward shouted, kicking his brother's face.  He turned his attention back to Julia.  With his entire body quivering, he demanded with rage in his voice, "What.  Did.  You.  Say?  How do you know about that?  How in the HELL do you know about that!?  I confided in Eikre, and he'd never tell anyone!  After I killed my parents, nobody else should know about that day!"

            "What!?" Horace and Richard exclaimed, stunned.  Edward turned and kicked his brother in the head again.  "Yes, that's right.  I killed them.  I used exactly the same spell that's currently killing that commoner bitch you seem so attached to, brother." Edward said, something like pride coming into his voice in his last sentence.  His ego continued to swell as he continued, "I think you two remember it well enough.  Suddenly, Lilly took ill and you were both so depressed.  Richard, I still remember you combing the library for hours, looking for a spell to save her, but all for naught.  Then, I pointed out that the Summer Solstice was coming and laid out the plan.  Edward, you and I would keep the blizzard going in shifts while Horace showed us the way to reach the top, through his secret path.  And so was the stage set for me to seize the Staff of Life and bring much acclaim to my family, while killing off my parent's favored child and the peasant he fell in love with."  His pride vanished when he caught Julia's eyes and saw that they held nothing but pity, as though she didn't merely understand, but actually 'knew' his pain.

 

            He didn't know why, but something about her eyes compelled him to continue speaking, while his eyes began to well up with tears.  "My parents gave all of their attention to perfect little Richard."  What the hell is wrong with me?  "All they gave me were criticisms and insults!"  Why am I saying these things to her?  "Then, Uncle Eikre came to visit for a few months."  Why can't I stop these things from gushing out!?  "He respected me.  He showed me the finer things in life and told me things my parents hadn't.  So, what if they’re wrong?  He was the only person who mattered to me, the only person who actually cared about me.  How could I not listen to him, and accept what he said?  For the first time in my life, I had praise and I'm not going to give that up, no matter what it means!"

 

            Tearing his eyes away from hers, he shouted, "What did you do to me, you bitch!?"

            "N-Nothing," Julia replied, surprised at his accusation, "Really, I didn't do anything."  As the tears continued to flow, the words of Eikre came to his mind, "Tears are a sign of weakness.  I want you to be strong, alright?"

            "I haven't cried since that day, so many years ago.  And in only a few minutes, you've reduced me to a bawling weakling," he said, quivering with rage.  "You did do something!  But, in a moment..." he added, tossing the Staff of Life aside and holding his sword with both hands, "You won't be doing anything else!"  Edward let out a horrifying war cry and charged at Julia, brandishing his weapon.

 

            Julia was surprised, but she managed to keep her cool.  She chanted the words to a 'Force' spell, putting more emphasis into it than she intended to, thanks to her slight panic.  Richard dashed towards her, but her spell connected and he was thrown back with an incredible force.  He collided with the far wall and a sickening crack was heard.  Edward's body landed in a tangled position that normal human spines should not allow.  His contorted body convulsed a number of times and then was still.

 

            Julia sank to her knees, her mind reeling as tears fell from her eyes.  Oh...  Oh my god...  I...  I just meant to knock him out.  I didn't mean to... kill him.  He could have... made up for everything he did... somehow...  Why... did that have to kill him...?  Richard, bleeding to death not far from his brother's body, then caught her eye.  Feeling a tad shaky, she rose to her feet and began walking across the room toward Richard and the staff.  ... I can't think about Edward right now.  Richard is still alive.  If he dies because I'm busy grieving for his brother...

 

            When she reached the Staff of Life, she lifted it, then turned toward Richard.  She chanted a 'Heal Wounds' spell and both the large jewel and Richard's body glowed with an unearthly blue light.  Before Julia's eyes, all of Richard's many wounds closed and, within moments, he looked as healthy as any man had ever looked.

 

Sounding as though his mind was on other things, he mumbled, "Thank you."

"Come on," she said, still panting, "We have to save Lilly.  She doesn't have much time left now." He said nothing for a moment, then replied, "Please, go and save her.  I want to... spend a few minutes with my brother."  She nodded, understanding completely, and left him standing there in that beautiful but eerie temple, looking down at the corpse of his brother.

- - - -  -  -  -  -  -   -   -   -   -  -  -  -  -  - - - -

 

 

VII

 

"Unnh..." Josh grumbled as he sat up.  He looked around him, not yet feeling fully conscious, and saw nothing but darkness in all directions.  What the...?  There's nothing here.  I'm just...  surrounded by darkness.  Is this... death?  He stood, afraid of the situation he might be facing.  "Hello?" he called, hoping that he wasn't really alone amongst nothingness for what he assumed would be all time.

 

A reply came from six feet in front of him where a tan, fairly plain-looking, dark haired young woman, only a few years older than he was, he estimated, slowly materialized, as clearly visible as if she was standing in broad daylight.  "Greetings, Josh," she said, with a fairly expressionless, but not unkind face.  "Huh?" he asked.  "Who are you?  And how do you know my name?"

"I heard that man, Torn, cry it aloud while you were being bitten the other night.  As for my name, though it won't matter soon, it's Lupita.  Now--"

"Wait a second; that's right.  I was bitten by a lycanthrope that died only seconds later.  So, I guess I'm not dead.  ...  Instead I'm cursed."

"No.  That bite didn't curse you.  In fact, that bite ended the curse."

"Huh?" Josh asked, confused.  Unless he had paid less attention to most of Hollin's lectures than he thought, all who were wounded by a werewolf, but managed to kill it in the end, became afflicted with the same curse after becoming comatose for some time.  "What are you talking about?"

"Things shall become clear once you know all that I have to tell you.  To an extent...  I was the beast that bit you."

"What?  But...  Roger got the curse after he was hurt by --"

"Did you never wonder where the curse originally came from, then?" she asked, sounding somewhat annoyed.  "The knowledge that a werewolf's bite or scratch before death passed on the curse has existed for centuries.  Did you never think that such a thing was too unnaturally horrible to have come into the world on its own?  Did you always assume that the creature attacking under moonlight was doing so out of nothing but bloodlust?"

 

Josh stood silent for a few moments, unsure of the best way to respond to such words.  "I...  I guess that's just what I always thought."

"I can't blame you.  That's the way every person who's ever borne this curse has ever felt.  But, I'm going to explain everything.  Before I go, I'll leave you with that."  Josh said nothing, while she took a breath and began.

 

Suddenly, he saw strange images appear in the darkness behind her.  They appeared to be crude drawings of dog-like creatures, people in what seemed to be a bowing position and a circle above them all, made on stretched, hairless, yellowed animal skins.  Huh...  It looks kinda like some of those really old parchments made by some of those ancient tribes...  He ceased his silent speculation as Lupita opened her mouth to speak again.  "I don't know how long ago it was, many centuries before I was born, at least, when my people came into existence, like the other first tribes of this world.  We believed that all things in the world were to be worshipped, but, above all other things, we held the wolf and the moon as the most sacred of nature's creations.  We looked to the wolf to give us strength, and we looked to the moon to give us guidance."

 

A similar animal skin replaced the image behind Lupita, though it bore different drawings: the people and the dog-like creatures (wolves, Josh realized) were there again, though some of the creatures appeared to be on their hind legs, but, prominently there was a single man with numerous lines drawn from him, then outward to certain points.  Wierd… Josh thought, noticing the central figure, The lines around that guy seem a lot like the halos in some religious works of art...  "One day, a man in strange clothes, with a golden glow and a trail of gold behind his head appeared before my ancestors.  As he spoke, his voice sounded divine and they felt they were in the presence of a god.  He said that he would give them a great gift, for their faith, to be enjoyed by not only them, but by their children as well.  He then touched each of them and they all gained the ability to become partially or fully wolf at will.  While in such shapes they also gained incredible strength, speed, endurance, and recovery while under the moon's silvery light."

 

Hmm...  I wouldn't have thought of this.  I wonder how it got so screwy...  Lupita continued her speech, "For a great many years, this became their greatest asset and all rival tribes came to fear them, leaving my ancestors, who came to call themselves the Wolf Kin, with the entire forest.  Food was plentiful so, throughout the centuries, my people were content to stay within our village and our forest, for the most part.  Only a few ever left to see what lurked beyond, and the majority of them returned, believing all outside places to be inferior.  But..."

 

The image vanished, and the darkness around them became, instead, a large village that bore little semblance to anything that Josh had ever seen.  The many huts appeared to be fairly primitive, fashioned with animal skins and a little wood, as opposed to bricks and a greater amount of lumbar.  Around the edges of the village, he saw strange pole-like structures that appeared to be made up of blocks of wood, carved into the shapes of animal heads, stacked on top of each other.  To Josh, everything seemed primitive, but, in its own way, he found it somewhat elegant.

 

The full moon above would have amply illuminated everything, but there was also a large fire burning in the center of the village, with what he assumed were all of the village's people, as well as some wolves and some creatures that appeared to be clothed wolves standing upon their hind legs, gathered around it, all looking cheerful.  However, that was quick to change, as all heard a strange noise from just outside the village and a man, surrounded by a light golden glow and garbed in elegant, white silk robes, while his long flowing blonde hair trailed behind him, stepped into the village, a furious look upon his face.

 

Lupita took a breath, then spoke again a note of sadness and resentment quite audible, "That strange man of gold, the same one that visited my ancestors, appeared as we celebrated the full moon, as we always did.  Somehow angry, he said to us, 'Wretches!  I gave you such incredible gifts and you squander your lives, existing in a state of near-endless bliss, without a care in the world?  You should have risen above this pathetic state and improved the world.  All of you shall suffer eternally for having thrown away your lives!  You worshipped the wolf and the moon above all else, but before long, you shall despise them both more than anything!'"

 

Josh saw all of the villagers that were partially or fully lupine glare and growl at the man, while many of those still human joined their comrades in their feral states.  He saw them all charge at the man, trying to scratch and bite him.  But, it was all in vain.  The golden man drew a staff, as golden as his hair or his glow, from his robes and effortlessly bashed them all aside.  Josh winced as he saw some of those struck try to limp away, but the great majority of them seemed to have died instantly.

 

Lupita continued, the resentment sounding stronger in her voice, "Needless to say, most of us weren't pleased with this declaration and tried to kill him.  Not only was he stronger than any of us, but he seemed to know exactly where we would try to strike him.  After that first assault, he spoke again, 'I gave you your gifts to improve your lives, not so that you would reduce yourselves to simple beasts that attack without thinking when displeased!  You have proved to me beyond a doubt that you deserve this fate!  And mark my words, you shall believe those dead to be the lucky ones, after you learn of your punishment!'"

 

With all that still lived watching in horror, the man chanted in a strange, ethereal voice, the likes of which Josh had never heard from either Julia or Hollin, much as he sounded like them as they prepared a spell, and, after several minutes, a great darkness began to form in the air above, quickly attaining an enormous size and concealing the moon.  It then took on the shape of a fierce wolf-like beast (at which Josh shuddered, nothing the resemblance to the beast that had so recently attacked him) and descended, sinking its fangs into each living villager.  Once all lay twitching upon the ground, wailing or howling in agony, the massive beast faded into nothingness and the golden man stood there, watching them all suffer.  Then, though the enraged look never left his face, he turned and walked out of the village.

 

Lupita took a breath and, sounding just as sorrowful, said, "On that night...  It was as though all of our lives ended.  Our gifts were gone, replaced with the curse that has made our kind infamous.  When the moon shone upon us, we became the beast you know.  Like the others, I was helpless as the beast killed any friends I had made during the day if they happened to cross its path.  About a week after my nightmare began, the beast attacked a man who carried a silver sword, who, despite all my best efforts, had insisted on having a drink next to me.  After all the slaughter, all the killing, being fully aware of all I did, but being helpless to stop it, I hoped that blade would end it all.

"But I was wrong.  After that weapon pierced my flesh, I knew that my body was dying, but the beast and I, against my will, left that form and entered the man's body through a wound the beast had made in his arm.  The pain I felt from his sword was incredible, almost as excruciating is when the beast first bit me, but, sitting there in his comatose body, feeling much of his restraint die to make way for the beast, I realized that this wasn't going to end.  I was going to endure the pain of being killed and then ruining another's life for all time.

"So, helpless, I watched as, the day he recovered, he acted with rage towards everyone around him.  That night, still more lives were lost.  I've lost count of how many years it's been going on: the endless cycle of death and the trail of ruined lives.  And, call it strange, but I've come to pity the beast as much as myself, the cursed, and the victims."

"What?" Josh asked incredulously, speaking for the first time since she had begun her speech.  "How could you pity something that was making your life a living hell like that?"

"Because, I came to realize its true nature.  It had been created to feel some bloodlust, but that was the fault of the golden man.  It couldn't feel anything positive towards any being other than itself, whatever hapless soul we were currently within, and me.  It could sense any strong feelings in our hearts, but, it could only understand them as hatred.  It thought that by killing any people that aroused strong emotions, like love, it would please us, so it became frustrated when that brought us so much pain.  That frustration affected the cursed during the day, making them more aggressive and further ruining their lives.

"But, though I don't know why, the beast began to die when we entered your body.  The end should finally come for both of us by the end of the day."

 

Josh thought about all of this.  "I... see.  ...  I wouldn't have ever guessed that lycanthropes led such horrible lives.  I'm... really sorry that you had to go through all of that."

"Don't feel too bad.  The golden man was right, in a sense: nobody of the Wolf Kin did anything outside of the forest for so many centuries.  Nobody should get away with living in such a carefree and wasteful manner for that long.  Not that I think the punishment remotely fit the crime, but, at this point, I'm just happy it's all over.  And knowing that you'll be using the Wolf Kin's gift for the benefit of the world will help me rest easier."

 

Josh gave her a confused look.  "Err...  What do you mean by that?"

"I said my gifts were gone, but it would be truer to say that they were distorted.  When my life ends, the gifts will remain within you.  When you awaken, you shall possess the same abilities that I once enjoyed."

"Err...  Thanks... I guess..." Josh replied, not entirely sure how to feel about possessing such a talent.  Lupita sighed and said, "I'm not too surprised.  Nearly all of the cursed I've seen would have had too much pride to willingly take on any form other than a human."

"Well, it's not pride.  It's just...  ...  Uhh..."

"Don't want Julia to see you as something that isn't human?" she asked, cheerfully.  At this, Josh began to gibber as his face turned red.  Lupita smiled.  "You don't have to worry.  The ability to change should feel as natural as lifting an arm.  Even if it was pride, you can freely choose when and when not to transform, so it shouldn't be a problem."

"Hmm...  I guess...  Wait, how did you know about Julia?  And why do you seem more expressive now?  When you first talked, you seemed pretty lifeless."

"Well, before you lost consciousness, you started thinking about the promise that you broke to Julia.  And, when someone thinks they're dying, they usually only think about whoever they care about the most, so, I just assumed...  As for seeming more expressive...  Well, when you've gone through all that I have...  Knowing that it's all coming to an end and that you've done all that you can...  It just makes you feel at peace with everything.  Which means, even though it's just before I die, I can finally tear down the walls I've put up between my emotions and me.  They may have been all that kept me sane, but I intend to spend what little time I have left in this life fully aware of myself."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

A great deal of time passed.  The two occasionally chatted, to help alleviate the tedium and lack of comfort in waiting for Lupita's end to come.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"Hey, I've been wondering about something.  You could tell what was going on with people's thoughts when you were part of them, right?"

"Well, yes, in a sense.  I could tell what they were feeling at the moment, but unless it was from something currently around them, I couldn't tell why."

"Ahh.  Could you tell me what happened with Donovan and Roger?  From what the mayor said, Roger made it seem like Donovan really didn't want to give the curse to his best friend, but he gave him the sword, so it seems pretty obvious that it's what he was trying to do."

"Ahh, yes.  I've been wondering about that myself.  In all my years, the curse has always been passed on unintentionally.  It happened right after another strange occurrence.  After the beast bit a man by the name of Thomas, we fell unconscious as usual, but, when we awoke, it seemed that a very great deal of time had passed, and we were outside of what seemed to be the outskirts of a city.  We were also no longer in Thomas's body.  We didn't really seem to be in a body at all, for that short time, during which I recall seeing... a strange woman with a bloody knife.  Other than the knife, she looked fairly normal, but she... this may sound strange, but she felt different, as though she was somewhat like me and the rest of my kind: part of humanity, but part of nature as well.  I haven't been able to figure her out at all, I'm afraid.  Not long after, though, we entered Donovan's body, after glimpsing his terrified expression, through a fresh wound on his chest, probably made by that knife.  The last thing he saw before blacking out was her, avoiding his gaze.

"When he woke up, he was in a bed and he found both a note, what looked like a bottle of wine, and a smallish, but long, package on the desk nearby.  The note said, 'Go back to your home as quickly as possible.  Before each sunset until you arrive, drink a cup of this potion.  It will suppress the beast for that night and the following day.  Now, to explain everything in full, you are now a werewolf.  After the potion runs out, you will kill everyone you care about in a horrible fashion.  However, there is a way that, instead, you will take only one life.  When you return, give the sword in the package to your friend Roger, and then invite him to your home, insisting that he bring the weapon.  Keep him there until nightfall.  Your suffering will be ended, then.  In case you are curious about why this is happening to you and Roger, the two of you can blame only yourselves and fate.  A Noble Wolf must appear in your town and you two are to be involved in its creation.  If you think of the hunting outing of two months ago and the atrocity that you committed, you should understand why I have chosen the pair of you.  If that makes no sense to you, then you deserve this even more than I thought.  Do not bother searching for Eikre.  He left the city long ago, and you will have been dead for at least two days before he returns.  I would advise that you leave now, as the potion will keep your loved ones safe for only so many nights.'

"Donovan felt very betrayed, sorrowful and, briefly, regretful but, within the hour, still sulking, he hired a wagon and left for Tet.  I think you know the rest."

"Hmm...  Even stranger than I would have thought.  But, if he knew he was going to die for sure and that he would have to screw up his friend's life in the process, why didn't he just take his own life?"

"I don't know, Josh.  He came close several times over the next few days, but he never actually plunged the weapon into his own flesh.  He lifted the blade to his forehead and seemed ready to stab himself there, but he then hesitated and put it down before he buried his face in his hands.  He may have simply been a coward, but I doubt that he fully believed the note.  He may have dealt with Roger in the recommended manner and continued to drink the wine because, even if he didn't actually believe it, he thought the risk of it being true was simply too great to ignore.  The human mind is a complicated thing.  I've had a lot of time to think about it over the years and I still don't really understand it."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"So...  You learn any interesting spells or anything in all this time?"

"I'm afraid not.  I've been with some very great swordsmen and mages, who certainly knew some such spells and sword techniques, but, sadly, the frustration of the beast kept them from focusing enough to do anything.  It's a shame, really."

"Ahh.  ...  Well, at least I asked.  Sorry if it bothers you."

"Don't worry about it.  Just ask me anything you want to know.  The information can't do me any good, so I'd feel good about passing it on."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"Umm...  I hope you don't think I'm rude, but how do you speak this language?  I mean, if you were born so long ago in an old tribe, wouldn't the languages be different?"

"That's right.  My native tongue is very different from yours.  However, after many years of hearing your language, I taught myself to speak it.  As I had little else to do, it didn't take too long, either."

"Ahh.  I guess I should have figured."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"Say, do you have any idea of what that note meant by 'Noble Wolf'?"

"Sorry, but I've never heard the term before.  Hmm...  But, now that I think about it...  Perhaps they were talking about you."

"Huh?"

"Well, it's just speculation, but perhaps they meant someone like you're going to be.  Someone who, like me so long ago, can change form to fully or partially wolf."

"Hmm...  That's true.  And I guess that means there are other people who the beast can't handle.  But why did it say that 'a Noble Wolf must appear' like she knew it would happen?"

"Well, there are some people that really believe in prophecies.  Maybe she found something like that and felt like helping it come true.  We can't really know, but, if I were you, I'd probably try to look into it when you wake up."

"Right.  I'll definitely do that."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

After a long time of still more silence, Josh noticed that the dark area began to lighten gradually.  Lupita smiled at him and said, "Well, this is it.  In a few minutes, you'll be awake and I'll be gone."

"Ahh," Josh replied, not sure of what else to say.  More time passed before Lupita seemed concerned about something.  "Josh..."

"Yes?"

"I...  I want you to remember me, no matter what happens.  I've never really thought about it too much before, but...  I just realized that if I'm dead and nobody even remembers who I was...  It... would be like I never existed at all.  As though there's always just been the beast, killing people.  I... really don't want that to be my legacy.  Just a mindless, horrible monster...  So--"

"Lupita, I couldn't forget you.  I'll tell everyone everything about you and everything you've told me.  Trust me: you won't be forgotten.  I promise."  She smiled at him and seemed very relieved.  "Thank you.  Thank you so much."

"It's not a problem, really.  I couldn't live with myself if I didn't, anyway."

 

Silence filled the area again, as the area gradually became brighter.  "Oh, and one more thing," Lupita said, when the area was almost as bright as it could be.  "Anything," Josh said, feeling sad again, thinking about the horrible life she had led.  "If you haven't yet...  Tell Julia how you feel about her."

 

Josh blushed again as he quietly gibbered.  "You really need to do it, Josh.  I was going to tell the man I loved on that last night I was truly myself, just before the golden man appeared.  I didn't and I've always regretted it."  Josh thought about this, then gasped as he noted that the area seemed as bright as if all the area were encased in sunlight and Lupita, smiling, was quickly fading away.  "You never know what will happen, Josh.  Don't live your life regretting what you could have done.  ...  Goodbye, Josh.  I enjoyed our time together."  He tried to say something meaningful, but nothing truly appropriate came to mind, so he simply stood there with his mouth opening and closing.  She chuckled at the sight and, just as she vanished, she said, "Remember your promise...  And good luck..."

 

- - - -  -  -  -  -  -   -   -   -   -  -  -  -  -  - - - -

 

 

VIII

 

Julia, frozen tears on her face, ran down the streets amidst the light snowfall with Horace and many of the townspeople just behind her.  Please let us be there in time...  Please don't let Richard have to lose two people close to him in one day...  After what felt like far too long, she reached the house.  The door was thrown open and she ran to the convulsing woman.  For the second time, she spoke the correct words and, again, both her subject and the gem glowed brilliantly.  In a matter of seconds, Lilly's skin retained a healthy hue and life flooded back to every part of her being.  Seconds later, her eyes opened and she slowly sat up, looking at the many very relieved and cheerful faces that surrounded her.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

Josh sat up in bed in a cold sweat, with the early morning sunlight streaming in through the window.  He appeared to be in his room at the inn.  He saw Torn sitting in a chair near his bed, asleep.  Josh smiled at the man.  Heh...  It's nice he stayed up all night looking over me.  Then again, it's kinda weird.  But, I guess he's just grateful I pushed him out of the way the other night.  Yeah.  That makes sense.  He heard the door open and saw a slightly surprised gray-haired man on the other side.  "You're--!" he began to say somewhat loudly, but Josh gestured toward the snoozing Torn, and the man quietly chuckled before whispering, "I'm glad you're awake.  You took quite a bit longer than Roger to wake up from that slumber."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"So," Lilly said, in between mouthfuls of mashed potatoes and gulps of wine (the girl hadn't been able to eat or drink in about a week, after all), "Edward got me... with that illness... then went through... all of that... just because I wasn't... in a noble family?"

"Yes," Richard said ambivalently, while he picked at his own serving of Alliston’s cooking, "And now he's gone, but the two of us lived, thanks to that staff and that girl."

"Ahh.  ...  Where is she, anyway?  ...  I never got... to thank her properly."  Richard looked around the room of reveling townspeople, but failed to spy her.  "I'm not sure.  She seemed to disappear not long after she cured you."

"I know where she went," Horace said, after swallowing a large bite of his food.  "She said she was going to her room at the inn and that she wanted to be alone for a little while."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"Hmm..." said Torn, contemplating what he had just heard, while Josh enjoyed his bowl of soup.  "That sounds... pretty interesting.  I wouldn't have ever thought werewolves had so much to them..."

"Neither did I," Gray said, intrigued.  "How would you feel about letting me test out some of those legendary healing abilities later tonight?"

"Umm..." Josh said after swallowing some of his soup, with an unsure look on his face.  I'm still not even sure how I feel about having those kinds of abilities...  "Uhh...  We'll see..."  Making no attempt to hide the fact that he was trying to change the subject, he turned and asked, "Hey, Torn; when is the wagon supposed to leave with me on it?"

"Err...  Well, you're supposed to leave in a few hours, but...  Well..."  He fell silent.  "But... What?" Josh inquired, raising an eyebrow.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"You did WHAT!?" Hollin screeched at the cowering wagon team.  "H-Hey...  Don't blow an artery..." one member said, hiding behind his boss.  "Yeah," the larger man said, trying to conceal the fact that he was shaking in his boots, "I mean, you saying that if you were in our

position, you'd have taken that kid back?  I mean, since you were paying us, we were willing to put up with him swinging his sword around inside the wagon a coupla times, or with him having to be told five damn times to get his ass back in the wagon, but I draw the line at carting a werewolf somewhere over night."  At this, Hollin simply glared and told him, "Trust me: if you don't go back right this instant and bring him here at the time you're supposed to, not only will you not be paid, but I'll show you a MUCH worse time than any werewolf could."

"Uhh..." the leader said, crumbling from the look in her eye, "Y-You heard the nice lady...  B-Besides...  We've got the reputation of the... uhh...  Wagoner’s Code to keep up.  ...  R-Right?"  The rest of his team loudly and, to an unnecessary degree, voiced their assent.  However, the phrase, "Shut up and get moving!" from the elderly woman immediately silenced them and, within about four seconds, they were on the road again.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"Julia?" Alliston asked as he knocked on the door.  After a moment, he continued with, "Julia, I know ya're in there.  Everyone's waitin' for ya ta come back ta the party."  He heard nothing, but a soft sound he wasn't sure he could name.  "I'm goin' ta come in now."  As the door opened, he beheld the girl on her bed in the darkened room, weeping.  His expression turned from one of slight annoyance to one of concern.  "Julia...  What's wrong?"

"I...  I killed somebody...  I didn't have to, but...  I did..."

"Oh.  Well, 'e was tryin' ta kill ya.  'e was crazy.  Nobody's blamin' ya for doin' what ya did."

"But...  I didn't want to do it.  Even if he was crazy, I... kind of understood him.  I felt really sorry for him.  I wanted him to survive and...  I don't know...  Get better.  He could have been a good person, if his uncle hadn't messed with his head.  If I hadn't killed him..."

"If you 'adn' killed 'im, 'e would 'ave killed ya.  Even if ya 'ad knocked 'im out, 'e would 'ave killed more people later.  'e knew some powerful magic.  There's no way they could 'ave kept 'im locked up for a while without 'im breakin' out.  Even if they could, I know 'im.  'e's a slippery one.  'e'd pretend ta be better, but 'e'd just 'urt more people later.  And even if it wasn' 'is fault, it doesn' change the fact that what 'e was doin' was wrong."  Julia said nothing for a while, thinking about what the man was telling her, while tears continued to roll down her face.

 

"Maybe you're right, but...  I still feel bad that I had to kill him...  It feels like... like there was always some hope while he was alive, but once he died..."

"Julia, i's normal ta feel bad about thin's like this.  Anybody 'oo's a good person that gives somethin' like this so much thought is goin' ta feel bad about it for a while.  Remember, ya can' change the past.  And because o' ya, a' least two lives 'ave been saved."

"Thanks," Julia said, smiling weakly.  "I needed a talk like this.  I feel a lot better now."

"Don' worry about it.  Jus' take as long as ya need and come back ta the party whenever ya're ready."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"So, are you planning to ever come down and let the town meet the guy who put a stop to that werewolf?" Torn asked, closing the door behind him as he entered Josh's room.  The youth looked at the man across the room and smiled.  He was sitting by the window, looking out over the sunlit streets and had appeared lost in thought.  "Eventually, yeah," the youth replied, "But, for now, I just kinda want to think a little bit."

"Hmm?  What about?"

"Oh, a few things.  Why didn't that bite do what it usually does?  Who the hell was that golden man?  Things like that.  But, right now, I'm mostly thinking: What the hell was Hollin thinking when she sent me up here with a sword that has a silver coating?  It seems kinda obvious that she knew I'd find a lycanthrope here.  And she's not an idiot, so she knew that the odds of getting wounded by one are pretty high, so why'd she send me without a half-way decent warning?"

"Well, it could just be that she'd just gone senile and forgot to tell you, but, who knows?  Maybe she knew that even if you were bitten, you wouldn't get the curse.  Or, maybe she just thought you were skilled enough to kill it without getting hurt.  You won't really know until

you ask her about it."

"Right.  I guess I'll just try not to worry about it until then."

"Sounds like a plan," Torn said as he stood.  After walking across the room he added, "Well, I'm going to head back down.  Just join everyone when you're in the mood."

"Thanks," Josh replied as Torn left the room with a smile.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"Thank you so much!" Lilly enthusiastically told Julia while she embraced her savior.  "Yes, we're so grateful for what you've done," the man added, smiling.  "I'm sorry if I seemed insincere earlier, but..."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Julia cut in, after Richard trailed off, "I can understand how that must have felt.  Please, don't give it another thought."

 

A somewhat awkward silence engulfed the three for a time.  "So, uhh," Richard began again, sounding a tad inelegant, "I wanted to give you some sort of a reward for saving us.  What amount of money seems fair to you?"

"Oh, no," Julia said, shaking her head, "I really couldn't accept any money.  I mean, I did this as a test for Master Hollin, so I'm happy enough to have passed."

"Ahh.  Still, I'd like to give you something.  Are you sure you can't think of anything?"

"Hmm..."  Julia thought for a few moments before replying, "Well, I would like to keep the Staff of Life, if that's possible."

"Oh, come now.  I was planning to give you that staff from the beginning.  Please, ask for something else."

"Ahh.  Well...  There is one other thing.  Could you tell me how I could meet with your uncle?"  The smile on Richard's face faded as he replied, "Julia, believe me: you really don't want anything to do with that man.  He's obsessed with money, power and status and he's not afraid to toy with another person's mind and emotions to get them.  I mean, you saw first-hand what he did to his own nephew."

"Yes," Julia said, briefly pausing as she looked at the floor.  "But," she quickly continued, intently matching Richard's gaze, "That's why I want to meet him.  I really want to see if I can change him.  I know it sounds naive, but...  I want to try, at least."  Richard sighed and threw up his hands. 

"Alright," he replied, making it perfectly clear that he felt she was making a big mistake, "I don't know where he is, since he changes his address every few months and I haven't seen him in years.  But, if you can find out where he is, you can get an audience with him if you give one of his flunkies a letter from me with my family's crest on it.  I'll write that letter when I'm back at the house."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"So, how are you feeling?" the mayor asked the town's young hero.  "I'm not too bad, thanks," Josh replied, "I really thought the whole situation would end a lot worse, considering--"

"Excuse me," a woman, who appeared both a tad shaken and somewhat familiar to Josh, asked after suddenly approaching the three men, "Josh?  I doubt you remember me, but...  Thank you for saving my life.  I wish you could have done it without... killing him, but...  I... understand why you had to do it.  ...  Thank you."

"Ahh," he replied, not really knowing what else to say to Vesta.  "I'm... sorry I had to do it," he said, sounding a tad awkward.  "Please...  Don't worry about it.  I'll be alright."  Josh could quite easily see and hear that the woman was struggling to hold back her tears.  "Well," she said, her voice cracking, "enjoy the party.  See you later, I guess."  She then smiled weakly, and walked off, while Josh waved ungainly, then looked at the ground.

 

"... I've really screwed up her life, haven't I?" he asked the Mayor, eyes still fixed upon the ground.

"Hmm?  No, of course not, Josh.  She's been surprisingly stone-faced when all the killings were going on.  She's a very strong woman, but I think that everything that's happened has finally gotten to her.  But, really, don't worry.  If I know her, I'm sure she'll be just fine in a

few days."

"...  I want to figure out why all of this happened.  I want to figure out who that weird woman was and who that golden man was."

"I'd be happy to help you with that.  I think your answers probably lie in the capital.  That's where Donovan had gone before he was cursed.  It was a very strange reason that he went up there, now that I think about it..."

"Strange how?"

"Well, he received a letter from a someone named...  Oh...  What was it...  Erk?  No...  Erik?  Not that either..."

"Eikre?"

"That's it!  He was called up there by Lord Eikre.  It seemed to come entirely out of the blue, too.  Sure, Donovan has some noble blood, but his family left the capital a long time ago, and the last time I checked, he's never had any associations with anyone from there.  So for someone like Lord Eikre to suddenly call him up there all of a sudden is really very strange."

"Ahh.  Who is this Lord Eikre guy, anyway?"

"Huh?  You mean you don't know?  How'd you guess I meant Eikre, then?  It's a pretty uncommon name."

"Well, it sounded like that name in the letter Donovan got after he was cursed.  Something like... 'Don't bother looking for Eikre.  He's long gone by now.'"

"Ahh, yes.  Well, Eikre is the head of the most powerful noble house in the entire kingdom.  He's got a ton of money and they say he has major influence on nearly every part of the capital city.  He'd definitely be your best bet, if you need a place to get started."

"Alright, then.  I guess I'll have to ask Hollin if I can head to the capital before I take my last test.  It shouldn't take too long"  Josh smirked.  "I'll  just get this Eikre guy to spill his guts about everything that happened with this."  At this, the mayor chuckled.  "Something funny?" Josh asked him, clearly annoyed.  "Oh, nothing...  I think you're just underestimating him, is all.  The rich and powerful are often hated or resented by many, so they usually try to take some precautions.  He'll probably have at least one top-level bodyguard around him at all times.  Besides that, there are regulations you'll have to follow before you can even see him.  You see, you aren't allowed to meet with a noble unless you are either a noble yourself, or you have a note from someone in his family, complete with the family crest, that says you are allowed to see him.  I'm afraid I don't have a clue of any other nobles from Lord Eikre's house that would give you the time of  day, much less a letter for an audience."

"Hmm...  Damn...  Well, could you at least tell me where he was last? I'll find some way to get to him, but that doesn't do me any good if I don't have a clue where he's living."

"Certainly.  I'll give you a note with his last known address on it later."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

The entire population of Parrum turned out for Julia's big send-off.  "Goodbye, Julia!" Horace said, hugging her.  "Goodbye to you too, Horace," she replied.  He took a step book and his older sister smiled at Julia and took her hands in her own.  "Thank you so much Julia.  I'm

sorry we didn't get to know each other better."

"I'm sorry too, Lilly.  But it was very nice to meet you."

"Julia, I can't thank you enough for what you've done," Richard said, smiling sadly at her.  "Please, I've heard you say that more than enough times before, Richard.  I only did what I had to do," Julia replied.  "I know, I know.  I'm just that grateful.  Also," he added, reaching into his jacket's pocket, removing a letter and handing it to Julia, "I wrote that letter you asked me to write.  I really would advise you to think before going to him, though.  I truly think it's a mistake."  Julia took the letter and smiled sadly back at him.  "Thank you for remembering.  I had almost forgotten about this.  I will think about it again, but I think I will have an audience with him, anyway.  What he did to your brother...  I just have to do something, even if it doesn't change anything."  Richard nodded in response.  "I understand.  I wish you the best of luck."

 

He stepped to the side and Alliston, with a slightly downcast look on his face, took his place.  He opened his mouth, but before he could get a word out, McDouglas approached and interrupted him.  "Mr. Alliston, the Mayor wishes to say something to Julia.  I apologize, but would you wait for him to say what he wishes to say?"

"Umm...  Sure, sure.  'e can go ahead," Alliston said with less energy than usual.

 

The mayor then approached Julia, bearing a less condescending air than at their last meeting.  "Julia, ah...  I apologize for the way I treated you earlier.  I really should have known that a student of Hollin's must have known what they were doing.  You saved my town.  I thank you for it all.  I hope you can forgive me for treating you like a child."

"Thanks for coming out here to tell me that," Julia replied.  "And don't worry about the way you acted.  I think I can understand the way you felt.  I forgive you completely for it."  The mayor smiled at her, then turned to Alliston.  "I'm sorry for interrupting you, James.  Go ahead and say what you wanted to say."

 

Alliston nodded and, with a sad smile, said, "Julia, thank ya.  Ya've done so many good thin's fer this town.  And it was nice ta 'ave some company at tha inn fer a change.  Especially someone as kind-'earted, and full o' life as ya' are..."  She noticed, with concern, that a tear rolled down his cheek as he said this.  "Mr. Alliston, what's the matter?  My leaving can't upset you that much, can it?"

"Oh..." he said, wiping it away, "Ah'm sorry abou’ tha’...  I's jus’ tha’...  Ya're so vibran' and tender-'earted...  Jus' like Agnes was... 'avin' ya around... made me realize 'ow much ah miss 'er..."

 

Julia was silent and looked at the ground, feeling suddenly much worse than she had a moment ago.  She then felt him embrace her.  "Ah'm sorry about that.  Ya've gone through so much while ya were 'ere.  I's not right fer me ta make ya feel bad abou' ma' feelin's.  They're ma' burdens ta' bear an' nobody else's."  She suddenly realized that she was truly going to miss this man, who she had met only recently, yet who seemed to understand her and life on the whole far better than she.  She tightly hugged him back.  "I'll miss you," she said, feeling a tear roll down her face.  "An' ah'll miss ya, too."

 

After a few moments, he gently pushed her away.  "The wagon team's waitin' fer ya, so ya'd better get goin'.  Goodbye, Julia."  She nodded and started walking toward the wagon, hearing a great cry of, "Goodbye, Julia!" from everyone behind her as she neared it.  She turned, smiled, and waved back to all of them.  "Thank you all!  I'll come back someday!  See you all, then!"  She then hopped aboard the wagon.

 

"Nice to see you again, Miss Julia," the team's leader said to her, with a smile.  "As you know, we had some problems leaving yesterday and the day before, thanks to the snow piling up, but we shouldn't have any problems, now that most of it's melted."  She smiled at him.  "I'm glad. ...  Let's get going."  As the wagon began to roll away, she looked out of the back and waved one last time at the town of Parrum.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!" the wagon team's leader said worriedly, "If we don't get you back fast, the old lady's probably gonna play our lungs like the bagpipes!"  Josh chuckled.  "If you think that's all she's gonna do, you really don't know her at all."  All members of the team really felt that this statement wasn't too far from the truth and began shaking.  "Isn't that just more reason for you to hurry the hell up!?" the leader asked with an audible note of fear in his voice.

 

Torn laughed.  "Well, if you hadn't left like you did, you wouldn't be in this pickle, now would you?"  The team mumbled, but continued looking anxious.  Mayor Bradley then took Josh's hand and shook it heartily.   "Thanks a lot, young man.  Everyone in town owes you a debt of gratitude for what you've done here."

"What can I say?  I just did what I came here to do," Josh said, smiling at the elderly man.  "The hero treatment was a nice change from what I'm used to back at the castle, though..."

"If you're so appreciative of that treatment, then why don't you let me inspect that lupine form a bit, hmm?" Dr. Gray asked, leaning forward with an eager smile upon his face.  Nervously, Josh chuckled, and replied, "Eheh...  M-Maybe next time, doctor...  I mean, I do need to  get going soon..."

"Aww..." the man replied, looking quite disappointed.  "Oh, well...  I understand.  See you another time, kid."

 

Vesta stepped forward, looking a tad more cheerful than before.  Josh recalled how she had seemed when last they had met, so he was a tad surprised when she hugged him.  "Josh, thanks again for saving my life, and god knows however many other people in town."  She took a step back and looked sad for a moment.  "I'm going to miss my brother, but I'm glad you finally ended that nightmare.  I'm sure he'd feel the same way."

"Y-Yeah," he said, nodding. "You're probably right.  I still wish it hadn't come to that, but...  I'm glad you're feeling better about it."

 

She smiled back at him, then Torn placed his arm on Josh's shoulder.  "Well, Josh, it was great meeting you.  You're one of the... most interesting people I've ever met.  And you saved my life to boot!  You've gotta come back here some day.  This place is gonna be way too drab without you."

"Thanks, Torn," Josh responded, grinning at him, "I'll come back for sure, some day."

            "Good.  I'll look forward to that.  Goodbye.  And good luck with that bastard Eikre."

"Thanks.  I just might need."

 

Josh walked toward the still agitated wagon team, waving back at the people he had met in Tet.  He boarded, then continued waving as the wagon very quickly moved away from the town.  "Say, aren't you pushing the horses a little too hard?" he asked, "I mean, they looked exhausted when you got here and they didn't rest for very long at all.  Weren't you traveling for about two and a half straight days?"

"Can it, kid!" the leader yelled at him, "We don't even have to take you with us!"  Chuckling,  Josh replied, "Based on how shaken up Hollin has you, I'd say you do."  The leader simply looked irritated, and stopped talking.

 

The entire wagon ride passed in complete silence, other than the sounds of the horses' hooves upon the path, the turning of the wheels, and any tasks the wagon team was required to perform to keep the wagon running properly.  I don't like this...  They keep giving me those looks out of the corner of their eyes...  And they seem way too scared to even talk to each other.  Even if Hollin did scare them into coming back here, it's obvious that I've got them terrified.  Damn idiots...  Torn, Bradley and me told them everything Lupita told me about it.  I'm not going to turn into a monster and rip them to shreds.  ...  Damnit...  Getting treated like some stupid kid like sure felt better than this.  Even Torn and Bradley looked at me different than before, much as  they tried to hide it...  ...  Is it going to be like this for me wherever I go from now on?  ...  Is Julia going to act that way?


- - - -  -  -  -  -  -   -   -   -   -  -  -  -  -  - - - -

 

 

IX

 

            As the sun set before the castle, the two wagon teams stood behind their former passengers, one team looking cheerful, if a bit sad to see the cheerful girl depart, the other looking terrified, if a tad cheered to see the quiet boy leave them.  The woman watched the slightly furtive looks on her pupils' faces for a few moments, cleared her throat, and then began to speak.  "I knew you'd make it back, but I'm still glad to see you both alive and well."  She paused to cough, while her students continued looking at the ground, Julia somewhat despondently and Josh with a resentful look aimed at his teacher from the corner of his eye.

 

"Anyway," Hollin continued, "Thanks to certain extenuating circumstances, be they prolonged unfriendly travel conditions or incompetent entrepreneurs," at which the men behind Josh visibly shrank, "I'm not going to uphold the time limit I mentioned before you left.  I'm very proud to say that both of you have passed the first part of your final exams with flying colors."  After a pause, she continued far less cheerfully, "I know that both of you probably want to talk to me a bit about one thing or another, so just come to my room when you're in the mood.

"Wagoneers, it's getting late, so you can stay the night, if you want."  She turned again to her students.  "Anyway, kids...  Welcome home."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            "Hmm...  So, that's what happened," Hollin said levelly.  Silence filled the room for a few moments.  "Umm...  Master Hollin?" Julia asked, a tad anxious about the look on her teacher's face.  She must be disgusted because of what I did to Edward…  She looked at the ground.  When Hollin realized this, she shook her head, clearing her own thoughts, and asked, "Hmm?  Julia, what's the matter?"  The girl sighed and replied, "I killed someone..."

            "Ah," Hollin said with an understanding nod.  Thinking quickly, she asked, "Did you think I was upset you'd killed Edward?"

  As her student, still downcast, nodded, Hollin felt somewhat relieved to have an explanation crafted for her, though she refused to let it show.  "No, Julia, I'm not disappointed in you.  I mean, I'm surprised, of course.  I'd hoped you wouldn't ever have to take another life, but...  Well, sometimes we just don't know what fate has in store for us.  I understand that you did what you had to do.  I'm just glad that you came back safely."

            "Oh," Julia said, glad beyond measure that Hollin didn't think her a monster for killing someone.  "I'm glad to hear that, but...  Why did you look so worrisome a moment ago?"

            "That?  Well...  You mentioned that you saw some visions in that temple?"

            "Oh, yeah.  Yes, I saw some images that must have been from Edward's youth.  But...  I can't imagine why.  Do you know something about them?"

            "Hmm...  I might.  When you mentioned them, I tried to remember where I'd heard of 'em before.  I still can't quite remember, but..."

            "But...  You have heard of them?" Julia gently prodded.  "Yes," Hollin nodded.  She stared thoughtfully into space, then shook her head.  "I'm sorry, Julia.  I just can't remember where I've heard of something like that before.  But, I do know I read it in one of these books," she said, gesturing to a small bookshelf with a brief sweep of her arm.  "I'll work it out later and tell you all about it.  But, I think it would be a good idea to keep them a secret until we know more about them, so try not to mention them, ok?"

            "Alright.  Thanks, Master Hollin," Julia said cheerfully, to which Hollin beamed back at her.  After a few moments, Hollin told her, "Well, Julia, you should head to the kitchen.  It's nearly dinnertime."  The girl nodded.  "Right," she replied, hugging her teacher.  As she headed to the door, she said, "I'll see you later!"

            "See ya!" her aged master answered.

 

            Outside of the room, Julia almost didn't notice Josh, waiting just to her right.  "Oh.  Uh... Julia," he said, not quite sure of what he was doing, but drawing her attention nevertheless.  "Oh.  Josh..." she replied, equally as unsure of what she was doing.  "So..." he began again, after a few moments' silence.  "So..." she repeated, moments later, before continuing with, "Going to speak with Hollin?"

            "Yeah, yeah," he said, nodding and making both of them grateful to have a way out.  "Going to dinner?" he asked her in return, to which she nodded and replied, "Yep, yep."  Neither of them moved.  "So...  I'll see you there, then?" he asked her.  "Right.  ...  Well...  See you, then," she said before she began backing away from the awkward conversation.  "Right.  Bye," he finished, giving her a clumsy wave, which she returned.  When she was out of sight, he took a deep breath, mumbled 'Josh, you idiot' under his breath, took another deep breath, and then opened the door.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            While Josh and Julia dealt with their problems in a mature manner, Hollin organized her thoughts.  Good.  I'm glad she doesn't think anything's amiss.  She didn't even ask what the pendant would do.  I do wonder, though...  What DO those visions mean?  Why'd she see them?  And why didn't he mention 'em?  They seem like they'd be important enough...  Did he... really not know about them?

 

            She heard the door creak and swore silently as her male student entered the room, looking a tad cross.  Great...  I really hope nothing unexpected's happened to him, or else I don't think he'll ever forgive me.  But, if he trusts me, this should be pretty easy to smooth over...

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            "So," Josh said, continuing to look upset after finishing his description, "My question is, why the hell did you send me up against a werewolf?"

            "I didn't know it was a werewolf," Hollin replied, sounding concerned.  "What are you talking about?" he demanded.  "You gave me a sword coated in silver!  It's obvious you expected something."

            "Actually, I didn't.  I thought you should get used to a sword like that.  I didn't think you'd NEED it out there.  I just thought it'd be good for you to use the same kind of weapon that experienced warriors know to use."

            "Yeah, sure," he responded, rolling his eyes.  "It was all a big coincidence that I happened to need it."

            "Josh, I really didn't know there was a werewolf there," she insisted.  "Oh, yeah?  Then why'd you give me a sword with silver on it?  Why go to the trouble of coating a sword with silver when a regular one would have been just fine?"

            "Well, for starters," she said, beginning to sound a little indignant, "that sword was supposed to be a present for you.  I want you to use a weapon like that because it's really useful for what you're planning to do with it."

            "And you thought I'd be running into lycanthropes left and right?" he asked, sarcastically, "You taught us that there are only a few sightings every couple of decades.  You expect me to swallow that?"  She stared at him, apparently at a loss.  "...  Josh, did you REALLY sleep through all of my lectures if they didn't involve swordsmanship?"

            "Huh?" he asked, surprised by this reply.  Hollin sighed.  "OK, here's how it goes," she began, quickly recovering from exasperation. "Warriors who know what they're doing have silver or some such substance put on their armor and weapon because.  Things.  Like.  That.  Disrupt.  Magic," she told him in a patronizing manner.  "Lycanthropes, as you'd better remember, were created a long time ago by some spell.  The whole beast thing is a direct result of that spell, and silver screws with that spell.  Other materials would have the same effect, but silver's the most common of them that it's what everyone remembers.  The sword I gave you has silver on it because that makes it really, really effective against creatures created or strongly affected by magic."

 

            Josh stood before her, stunned into silence and feeling incredibly foolish.  "Oh, yeah..." he said awkwardly after a pause.  Following some embarrassed chuckling from him.  "Uh...  Sorry.  Well...  Umm...  Thanks for the sword, Hollin.  I... think I'll go have dinner now.  It's been a long day, you know."  He then swiftly departed her study.

 

            Hollin let out a sigh of relief.  'Well, I'm glad that didn't have any unpleasant surprises.  It's good to know that I've still got their trust, but...  I wish I didn't have to lie to them.  I wish I could just tell them everything I know.  ...'  Frustrated, she shook her head.  'What's wrong with you, Hollin?  You know you can't do that.  You don't have any more choice than they do...  The facts aren't going to change, no matter how much you want them to...  Just accept it...'

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            "Hey, Julia."

            "Oh, Josh!" Julia exclaimed, surprised to see him joining her in the castle's main terrace.  "I saw you head out here after dinner," he told her, "I would have come right after you, but Enrique showed up and wanted to here about what I did in Tet."

            "Ah," Julia nodded.  "I saw that you had quite the crowd gathering.  Everyone wanted to hear your story.  Why don't you tell it to me?"

            "Umm...  Well, you had a lot of people gathered around you, too.  It was the reason I couldn't sit by you.  Why don't you tell me what you did in Parrum?"

 

            Julia fell silent and looked downcast.  "Did... I say something stupid?" Josh asked, concerned.  "N-No..." Julia replied, shaking her head.  "It's just...  I... left out something big when I told it to everyone else, except Master Hollin.  ...  Part of me really doesn't want to tell you, but...  I know that I can't just cover it up."  Josh stood in silence while she drew a breath.  "Josh, in Parrum, I... I killed someone."  She noticed the surprised widening of his eyes and began to babble, "I didn't mean to, but I-- I mean, he-- then...  This is all coming out wrong...  I mean--"

            "Julia..." he said, silencing her with an embrace, "I understand.  I don't need to hear what actually happened, if it hurts to talk about it.  Just tell me when you're ready and know that I could never hate you for it."  The two stood in silence for a few moments.  Finally, Julia detached himself from him and smiled at him.  "Thank you, Josh.  I really needed to hear that from you.  I guess I just feel like I've gone against what I always told everybody."

            "You mean, 'Always try to understand others better, before you act.  Always try to learn their motivations before you judge them?'"

            "Exactly.  I mean, the situation was a little different, but..."  After Julia trailed off, they exchanged a smile and both turned to the beautiful star-streaked sky.  "The moon's really wonderful tonight," Julia noticed.  "Yeah," Josh agreed, "It hasn't looked this nice in a while."

 

            Silence settled upon them for a few minutes.  Gazing at the moon, Lupita's words came to Josh's mind.  "If you haven't yet...  Tell Julia how you feel about her."  He glanced at Julia and noticed that she was thoroughly entranced by the heavens.  "You never know what will happen, Josh.  Don't live your life regretting what you could have done."  Right, he told himself, Now's as good a time as any to tell her.  So...  He opened his mouth to say something, but, unfortunately for both of them, she beat him to the punch.

 

            "I really do feel so much better after hearing what you said.  I guess there are just some things that I have to hear from you.  It does make sense, though.  We are like brother and sister."

 

            Josh felt as though he'd been stabbed.  Like b-brother and sister...?  He thought about Lupita's words again, but not even they gave him the courage to say what he wanted to say after THAT comment.  I...  I can't say I love her now!  The 'brother and sister' comment makes it seem weird and creepy!  "Y-yeah," he said to her, after finishing his internal monologue.  He stood helplessly with her in silence for some time more.  Feeling entirely different about their conversation, they both looked reflectively into the infinity of stars.

- - - -  -  -  -  -  -   -   -   -   -  -  -  -  -  - - - -

 

 

X

 

            I guess they'll be asking a lot of questions today, Hollin thought as she stretched her right leg's hamstrings, the pre-dawn's light, or lack thereof streaming through the window of her room.  There's still a lot they should know.  A shame I can't tell 'em everything, though.  Oh, well.  It'll be kind of interesting to learn a little more about Noble Wolves.  And I wonder if Julia can help me figure out more about her situation...  Her train of thought ended abruptly when she and the rest of the castle's population heard a boy's scream.  Hollin paused for a moment, then shrugged and resumed her stretch.  Sounds like Josh gets to be first.  I hope it's nothing too serious...

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            "And you don't see this as a problem?" Josh demanded, clearly in pain as he held up the back of his left arm, which bore a small cut.  However, the cut itself was not what worried or pained him.  Rather, it was the fact that the small wound appeared to be... bubbling a little.  Hollin had seemed surprised, but had adjusted far more quickly than Josh had expected.  "Well, of course it's a problem," she told him, grabbing hold of his arm and setting it flat against the table.  She then chanted the incantation for a 'Heal Wounds' spell.  Josh's arm ceased its bubbling and began to seal up as a blue glow consumed it.  Within moments, Josh's arm appeared perfectly healthy, leaving not even a hint of any previous injury.  Out of habit and feeling very relieved, Josh rubbed the recently healed area and flexed his arm.

 

            "Thanks," he told her.  "Now, do you have any idea why that happened?"

            "I might, but why don't you tell me how you really got that."

            "But..." he replied, a little surprised, "I did."  She raised an eyebrow at him.  "So you expect me to believe that you woke up early on your own?"

            "Yeah, that's right.  I couldn't sleep very well, so I thought I might as well practice with the sword.  I made a little mistake and cut myself when I was sheathing it.  Then it hurt a hell of a lot more than any other cut I've ever gotten, so I couldn't really stop myself from screaming that loudly.  So, why did that happen?"

            "Hmm...  Well, if that's the story you're sticking to...  Anyway, you're not much for thinking in the morning, are you?"

            "Huh?"

            "Just think for a moment."

            "Hmm...  Wait...  The silver?"

            "Bingo.  If what you said Lupita told you was right, then it makes sense.  That 'Golden Man' in their legends cast some really powerful spell on all of the Wolf Kin.  If the spell's effects got passed to their kids, the magic must have really become part of their bodies.  So, it just stands to reason that the same thing would happen to you and that silver would hurt you the way it does."

            "Ah.  Well, I guess I just can't let myself get cut by something like that."

            "Probably.  Now, hold out your hand."  Not knowing what to expect, Josh obediently held out his palm.  She set something into it and Josh instantly winced in pain, grabbed his hand and let the object fall; the silver coin clattered to the floor.  "Ah," Hollin noted, nodding.  "So, that hurts, too, does it?"

            "It burns!  It burns!" was Josh's affirmative reply.

            "Thought so."

 

            He shot a glare at her after shaking his hand for a moment.  "Wasn't sure if the silver had to get into your blood," she explained.  "Now, let's see it."  Reluctantly, he again held out his palm.  Hollin examined it.  "No marks.  I guess it just stings a little if it doesn't hit your blood.  Just be careful and it won't be a problem."

            "And you couldn't have told me you were gonna do that?" Josh demanded, a tad miffed.  She replied, "Did it really hurt that badly?"

            "Well...  No, but--"

            "Then what's the problem?" she asked, smirking.

            "Argh..." he groaned.  "Y'know, I was wondering why my time away felt so relaxing...  And now I know: Getting bitten by a werewolf is a lot nicer than your lessons, Granny."

            "Oh?" Hollin asked, her eyebrow twitching in mild annoyance.  "So, you've developed a taste for being savagely beaten to within an inch of your life.  I'll keep that in mind for the next time we spar."

            "Really?  If you can, I'll be sure to return the favor."

 

            The two, understanding that their exchange was more playful than serious, shared a chuckle.  Afterward, Josh sighed.  "Something the matter?" Hollin asked, genuinely concerned.  "Well...  This silver thing...  It just... doesn't seem particularly fair."  Hollin stared at him.  "Oh," she said after a moment, "I'm sorry.  Were you serious?  Because I remember saying 'who said life was fair?' a few times.  I kinda thought you could pick up on my oh-so-subtle message.  And besides that, considering what you can do now, I think it's definitely fair.  Those abilities you picked up by dumb luck are supposed to be pretty damn exceptional.  The silver weakness isn't too bad a trade-off for those."

            "If I decide to use those abilities, anyway..." he mumbled despondently.  Hollin raised an eyebrow.  "What the hell is that supposed to mean?  You have access to two physically more powerful bodies, not to mention much keener senses and great regeneration, and perfect disguises, if you need them.  Why wouldn't you use them?"

            "Well...  It's just...  The things that would happen when I used those abilities...  They just--"

            "Oh ye gods..." Hollin sighed, looking skyward.  "You're too proud to willingly become something that isn't human."  He shot her a glare.  "That's not it at all.  How could you think it was something like that?  You were the one who..."  He paused, his anger gradually melting into sadness.  "The one who told me about my..."  Again he paused, unable to finish the sentence.  He closed his eyes and sighed.  "About what happened to her," he finished.  Oh, shit! Hollin thought.  How the hell did I forget about that?  "Josh..." she said looking genuinely distraught.  "I'm sorry.  I guess I'm just getting up there in years and...  Well, it's been over a decade since I told you, so...  ...  I'm sorry.  I should have known why it was bothering you."

            "I-It's okay." he told her, after a deep breath.  "I just... don't really want to think about it."

 

            They shared a silence.  Hollin wondered if it was an appropriate time to hug him, but the time passed before she could act.  "Also," Josh said after some time, "If it's not too much trouble...  I want you to promise not to tell Julia."  This caught Hollin by surprise.  "Oh?  Why's that?"

            "Well...  It's just that...  I want the two of us to have a normal relationship.  The 'Noble Wolf' thing is just gonna make things too weird."

            "Josh...  You've lived in the same building with the girl since you were both little kids.  I don't know what definition of the word 'normal' you're using, but it's new to me."

            "...  Look.  Please, just promise me you won't tell her."  She gazed into the sincerity of his eyes, sighed and nodded.  "Alright.  You've got my word.  But, trust me: this is a really stupid idea.  She's a smart girl and she'll figure it out.  Then she'll be mad at both of us for lying to her."

            "I know.  I'll tell her eventually, but... just not now."

            "Well, if you're going to eventually tell her, then fine.  Try to do it soon.  I'm not sure how long I can lie to one of my students."  When did I become such a damn hypocrite? she wondered.  Unaware of this thought, he smiled weakly and told her, "Thank you."

 

            Some time passed before either of them said anything.  "So...  Umm..." Hollin began, elegantly breaking the silence of the student-teacher moment, "I thought I might try one more thing, if you don't mind."

            "Uhh...  Sure," Josh said, knowing he would probably regret it, but not wishing to be the one to end the 'moment'.  Hollin took a step back and chanted two words.  Josh's eyes widened as a small ball of fire moved from just in front of Hollin to his left arm.  "Gah!" he exclaimed.  "Do you just like watching me burn?" he demanded.  "You're not burning," she said.  "Of course I'm…" he said, before realizing that she was absolutely right.  He saw that, while his arm had sported a very small blaze for a brief moment, it was now perfectly fine.

            "Err...  What did you do?" he asked.  "Well, first off, the 'Heal Wounds' spell from earlier seemed to be more effective than it should have been, given how much power I was putting behind it.  So, I figured your new capabilities had something to do with it, and that 'Fireball' proves it.  It seems like it handles magic better for you now."

            "...  Meaning?"

            "Well, basically, White magic spells will have a more powerful effect on you, while Black magic spells will be weaker.  So, even if you never transform, you can look at that as the trade-off for the silver weakness."

            "Ah.  I guess that is a pretty nice bonus.  Thanks, Grandma."

            "Yeah, yeah."

            Josh happened to gaze outside and noticed that the sun had risen.  Wow...  We talked for a while...  I wonder why nobody complained about my scream earlier?  I would have thought at least half the castle would be up by now.  ...  Then again, they DID all stay up pretty late last night for the homecoming party.  Everybody in the castle sleeps pretty heavily after festivities like that.  "I guess we should go get breakfast now."

            "Good point, I guess.  Let's get going."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            They entered to find the dining hall full of the castle's occupants, already eating breakfast.  Josh looked around.  "Hmm...  I think I see an open table over there," Josh said once he spied a good spot.  "Right," Hollin agreed, "Let's go take a se--  Oh, Julia."  The girl, walking at a significant distance, turned when she heard her name, smiled, then began approaching the two.  "Hi, you two," she said cheerfully, "I guess we all slept in a little today."

            "Actually, Hollin and I got up a while ago," Josh corrected her, smiling.  Julia looked perplexed for a moment, then chuckled.  "You know, that's a good joke, Josh.  You getting up early..."  Hollin chuckled with her and patted Josh on the back.  "Yep.  You know Josh.  Such a kidder.  Anyway, we were just looking for a place to sit.  We haven't had breakfast together in a while, so why don't all three of us share a meal?"  Julia nodded.  "Mmm.  That sounds great.  I'll go get our food."

            "Julia, you don't have to do that.  I can go get it for us," Josh suggested.  "Thanks, Josh, but it's really not a problem.  You two just find a place to sit.  I'll be right back."  With that, she left for the other side of the hall.  "Well, I guess we should--" Josh began, before a slightly droning, foppish voice interrupted him: "Oh, Josh.  Come here for a moment, will you?"  Josh turned and saw Enrique waving him over to his table.  "Damn..." Josh whispered.  "Oh, well.  He lets us stay here without paying a thing, so I think you can bear to deal with him every once in a while," Hollin whispered back.  "We'll just have breakfast tomorrow."  Reluctantly, Josh nodded.  "I guess...  Hopefully, Enrique won't bore me to death.  Last time, he went on for three hours about some war game he played before I was born...  And he'd probably still be going, if I hadn't told him I badly needed to take a leak."

            "Eh.  How bad could it possibly be?" she told him as he grudgingly walked over to the castle's owner.  "Oh, good, Josh.  I was almost afraid you didn't see me.  Anyway, I was hoping I could finish telling you about that war game I was in the middle of..." Hollin heard, before she noticed that Julia was on her way back, a tray with three steaming plates of breakfast in her hands.  "Where did Josh go?" she asked, seeming a little distressed.  Hollin pointed a thumb at the table where Josh was pretending to look interested in whatever 'critical part' Enrique was talking about.  "Seems our boy's been hooked," she told Julia.

            "Ohh...  Poor Josh..." Julia replied, looking unhappy.  "The last time he stopped me, Enrique wouldn't stop talking about some combat game he played over twenty years ago."

            "Oh, ye gods..." Hollin groaned.  "Would you and Josh quit complaining about that?  I've known the guy a lot longer than either of you.  How many times d'ya think I've had ta hear it?"

            "Ah.  Good point.  I wish we could save him..."

            "He'll be fine.  I'll wake him up with a sparring match, later."

            "Good.  He'll like that.  By the way, did Enrique ever tell you how he manages to remember every single dice roll he made?  Wondering about that was really the only thing that kept me from nodding off."

            "Well, he keeps a little journal and records every detail about every game in it.  Then, every now and then, he dives into it and enjoys reading it over some wine."

            "Oh.  ...  Well, whatever makes him happy, I guess.  In any case, I think I see two open seats over there."

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            "So, Hollin," Julia said, picking at her food after taking a few small bites, "Did you learn anything about those strange visions I had?"

            "Hmm?" Hollin said, still chewing a bit of roll.  Upon swallowing, she replied, "Oh.  Yeah.  I did a little bit of research last night and found something that kinda describes it."  She cleared her throat.  "Basically, in some Zerian monasteries, some people were trained to be what they call Soothsayers.  After they finished their training, they were said to sometimes have visions of important things.  If they focused, they could see things like that almost on command, but it didn't always work."

            "Ah," Julia replied, intrigued, "That's really interesting.  I wouldn't have ever thought it was related to something in the Church.  But, it said that Soothsayers needed training, so why can I see these visions without any?"

            "Eh.  It said there were some prodigies who could be considered Soothsayers after just a little training.  The records didn't really say if they could see anything before any training, so maybe you're just really talented at getting the visions."

            "Oh.  Well, that makes sense.  But, Master Hollin, why do you keep talking in the past tense?  If these Soothsayers were such an asset to the Church, why would they not be easy to find in the present?"

            "Good question.  One guess is they were an old tradition of the Zerians and some arrogant bastards somehow lost the descriptions on how to train more.  But, since they're so incredibly well organized, I kinda doubt that.  So, it's probably just that we're in something of a lull."

            "Err...  Pardon?" Julia asked, looking up from the egg she had been poking.

            "Right.  Forgot to mention that, too," Hollin said, gently whapping herself in the head.  "Well, according to the accounts, Soothsayers seem to be pretty easy to find during certain time spans, but, during others, they're rarely mentioned.  The last time they were relatively common was around 50 to 100 years ago.

 

            "But anyway, Julia, let's stop talking about that for a moment and get to why you're playing with your food."

            "Hmm?  Oh," Julia said, realizing that she wasn't really eating.  "Well, it's just that it doesn't seem as good as it used to be."

            "Julia, it was never good.  We just ate it and held our noses if it was really bad.  But now, you don't even seem to be trying to get it down."

            "Ah.  Well, I guess it was because of Mr. Alliston's cooking.  He made me the best meals I had ever eaten and...  After a week of that...  I think I've become a little spoiled."

            "I see."  Hollin thought aloud, "Alliston...  Alliston...  You told me about him last night, but it's been driving me crazy since then...  Where have I heard that name before..."

            "Hmm?  You thought it was familiar?"

            "Yeah.  I would have mentioned it last night, but we kinda went into different matters.  Hmm...  Wait, when did he say he had gotten to Parrum?"

            "Oh.  He said it was about seventeen years ago.  Does that help?"

            "...  Damn...  I can't--  Oh!  Right!  I bumped into him and his wife when they were first getting there.  They were a really nice couple.  It really was a shame she passed away...  I did what I could to save her, but...  In the end...  Well, it was just her time."

            "Wait.  You were there that winter?" Julia asked, surprised.

            "Yeah.  I was there with them to deliver..."  She paused and, before she continued, Julia thought she saw a very strange expression pass over her master's face for a moment.  "...  A package from Enrique.  Their families had some trade relations with his, so he thought he'd send 'em a present and invite 'em to the castle."

            "And he sent you to do it instead of a servant?" Julia asked, a tad dubious after the strange, fleeting look on Hollin's face.  "Well, I was on my way through the area at the time.  I didn't think you'd be too surprised.  I've told you both a lot of stories about what I did when I was younger.  Anyway, it was just convenient for someone who was already on their way through the area to give it to them, so I volunteered to take it."

            "Oh," Julia said, blushing for doubting her teacher.  "That makes sense."

 

            Hollin nodded.  "Good.  Any other questions?"

            "Hmm...  Well, now that I think about it...  You gave Josh a sword because you thought he might need something better than a wooden training sword for his mission, right?"

            "Yeah, that's basically right.  Why do you ask?"

            "Well, I was just wondering...  Why did you give me this pendant?" she asked, holding out the small ruby.  "I mean, I guessed that it was special in some way, but no 'Identify Magic' spell would work on it."

            "Ah.  That's a little something I picked up a long time ago.  Some ancient group with really powerful conjuring spells probably made it.  That pendant makes whoever wears it totally resistant to any magic.  That's why your 'Identify Magic' spell didn't work."

            "Ah.  I see now.  You realized that whoever was creating the snow in the middle of summer had to have some very powerful magic, and gave me that to protect me, if they tried to attack me with it."

            "Exactly," Hollin said, nodding.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            Hollin sipped a cup of tea and sat in quiet reflection.  Well, that was a close call with Julia, earlier.  I'm glad she bought it.  I wish I could tell her.  It's really something she deserves to know.  But...  I guess, if everything works out, she'll get the truth.  She took another sip.  It's a good thing the books said Soothsayers trained with meditation.  If she keeps focusing on the visions in solitude, maybe she'll get a better idea of why they happen.  But, in any case, she deserves some time to herself.  After she saved that girl in Parrum and found the Staff of Life, I can't imagine they left her alone, much.  She took another sip.  And I wonder whatever happened to Josh...

 

            As if on cue, her room's door slammed open and Josh stood angrily in the doorway.  "You!" he shouted, pointing a finger at his master.  "Hello, Josh," Hollin greeted him, lightly tipping her cup in his direction.  "Did you have a pleasant chat?"

            "You abandoned me!"

            "What?  No, I didn't," Hollin replied with a smile.

 

            Actually, she had.  As she and Julia exited the room, Josh had reached towards Hollin and mouthed, "Help me..." while his captor continued to drone on and on about the masterful pincer he had created with the aid of two 6's, somehow oblivious to the boy's attempt to obtain a rescue.  Julia had failed to notice this, but Hollin had seen him.  She had smiled at him and continued her conversation with Julia.  This behavior gave him the expression a castaway would likely possess if the rescue vessel that he had watched approach him suddenly turned in the opposite direction.

 

            "Four hours, Hollin!  Four.  Damn.  Hours!  Four hours of unceasing babble about things I couldn't possibly care less about!"  She continued to drink her tea, as though the torrent of words was not directed at her.  "Four hours of my life that are now eternally lost to me!  Four hours that could have been quartered, had you merely thrown me the life preserver I so desperately needed!"

            "On the bright side," she said, standing as she set the now empty cup by her side, "It's done wonders for your speech mannerisms."  Josh merely quivered and, following what Hollin swore was a snapping sound with its origins around the youth's head, shouted, "Blargh!" and charged at her.  Hollin adeptly leaped to the side of her pupil's lunge and seized two wooden training swords from the wall.  Opening a door that led to a fairly large field, she dashed outside, pursued by her student.

 

            After reaching a fair distance, she tossed one of the swords at him, which he caught with ease.  "So, why didn't you just say you had to take a leak, like before?" she asked, getting into a defensive stance.  As he entered a striking stance, the young man answered, "I tried.  The bastard said he'd join me.  And then he just kept talking."

            "Ah.  Well, so it goes.  Anyway, I'm glad you've got a lot of aggression to use.  I haven't had a decent workout in a week."

            "Good...  'Cause you're about to get the workout of your life!  Don't get mad if it costs you a limb!"  She blinked at him.  "You do remember that these things couldn't cut butter, right?"

            "Which'll only make it that much more impressive!"

 

            With that comment of rapier wit, he charged.

 

        -          -          -          -          -          -

 

            "Alright, Josh!  Ready or not, here I come!"  Hollin rushed towards her terrified student, still struggling with the training sword he had been given less than 2 hours ago, his arms still tired from practicing with the weapon earlier.  "But it's still my first day!  Uwah!" he cried, bringing the blade into the overhead defensive position Hollin had taught him earlier.  She swung and forced the boy back several feet, at which point he dropped his guard and panted.  She frowned.

 

            "S'that all?" she asked, moving forward for a swing to his right.  "Gah!" he cried, forced to abandon his panting to push his sword into the proper defensive alignment for the strike.  Again, his body briefly moved in the same direction that the attack had traveled.  Moments later, he slid back the other way while defending from an attack on the opposite side.  He briefly forgot his exhaustion to launch a strike of his own, lifting the blade with both hands above his head and attempting to bring it down upon Hollin.  With what appeared to be a single movement, possessing no effort at all, she single-handedly blocked this strike and slammed the side of her weapon's dull blade into Josh's stomach.

 

            The air knocked out of him, the boy lay upon the ground, looking up at the heavens in a daze.  Hollin then drifted into view.  "Hmm...  Three almost halfway decent parries and a pathetic excuse for a slash...  I guess it's not bad for a first day after an hour and a half of exhausting practice.  I expect at least double that tomorrow, though."  She bent over and patted his forehead before going inside.

 

        -          -          -          -          -          -

 

            "Argh!" Josh shouted as he brought his blade down, only to find her sword between his attack and its intended target.  He pushed for a moment before she threw him off and went for his side.  He parried this and made another strike at her head.  This, too, met with failure, and another of her slashes greeted him, this time from above.  He deflected this, too, not sliding back as far as when he was eight-years old.

 

            He took two steps forward, the second of which never quite reached the ground, thanks to a well-placed kick that the woman delivered after sidestepping his advance.  The pre-teen landed flat on his back.  "Josh, Josh, Josh..." she chided, "You've got to think outside of simple blade maneuvers.  Your opponent can whip out almost anything against you and, unless you're prepared, it may just kill you."

 

            Between gasps for air, he demanded, "And you... couldn't have... just told me... that?"

            "Of course not.  You should know by now that I like teaching by example."  He thought about this for a moment, then, noticing her proximity to his lower body, attempted to show what he had learned by performing a leg sweep.  She leaped over his attack and landed gracefully with her sword at his throat.  "See?"

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            Josh feinted a jab at his instructor, who chose to respond with a true strike, at a diagonal.  He ducked and moved beneath it, evading it with ease, while he brought his own sword into Hollin's stomach.  Predictably, she dropped her attack into a defensive stance and stopped his advance, though it pushed her back a bit.

 

            He drew back his weapon while she came at him from above.  She recognized that he was now stronger than she, after he blocked this, and allowed him to push her back, using that force along with that of her own hop to the rear to land almost seven feet away from him.  Wasting no time, he leaped toward her, hoping to catch her off her footing.

 

            Hollin had no trouble in hopping to his left side, then connecting with a jumping sidekick.  However, she had not counted on his regaining his balance and attacking her before she was prepared, so his strike hit her side almost dead-on.  She was knocked to the ground, but rolled briefly and, within moments, had hopped back to her feet.

 

            "You've... gotten... a lot... better," she told him between pants, unable to remember when she had last been so tired.  "Yeah...  ...  You're... still... really good...  too," he replied, also out of breath.  They simply stood there, gazing at one another in the field that, save for their gasping, was completely silent and still.  "Umm..." they heard from near the door.  Still with labored breath, they turned to see Julia, watching them.  "Err...  I thought you should know that... it's lunch time now."  The two figures stood for a few moments more.  "...  I could... go for something... about now," Josh said.  "Yeah," his teacher agreed,"...  Me, too."  The two sweating combatants then approached the girl and prepared for their meal.

 

-          -          -          -          -          -

 

            "Alright, then," Hollin said, her lunch finished and her two students assembled in her room.  "Well, as you know, you both passed your individual final exams with flying colors.  But, in a few days, you'll be heading out to Merida for your final test.  It won't be easy, but I know you'll get it done.  While you're in the capital, I want you to..."  She paused and seemed to reconsider something.  "On second thought," she continued, "I'll just let you enjoy the next few days before you leave.  I'll let you know what it is that morning."

            "Err..." Josh started, not entirely sure what he intended to say.  "Umm..." Julia began, equally as unsure of why she was beginning.  "What is it now?" Hollin asked.  "Well...  Could you..." Josh trailed off.  "G-Give us an idea?" Julia finished for him.

 

            Hollin looked at the two of them thoughtfully.  "Well...  If you insist...  It involves..."

 

            She paused for dramatic effect.

 

            "It involves a man named Eikre."

 

 

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