This is a novel I wrote for www.NaNoWriMo.org in November of 2008 called "Hero | Truth | Destiny".
All rights reserved,
© S. R. Wilkes
Destiny, Truth, Hope
By Samuel Wilkes
For Kris and Coralie and their new and wonderful relationship, just no matter how good it may get, never forget who introduced both of you!
This novel is merely a collection of shorter novels that I have been thinking of writing for some time now. When I started to write them and I began to realize their size I decided to make them into an anthology.
I’m at a point in my life when everything seems to be chaotic; my parents are moving and I’ll be on my own for seemingly the first time in my life, my girlfriend has left the province to have a heart surgery for her condition, and I’m reaching the end of my high school life where I have to constantly worry about grades and my future in university.
I’m not exactly sure when the thought first arose in my head, but it was somewhere dark and lonely in the midst of this chaos when all of these aspiring stories seemed to coalesce into something much more; they seemed to represent the answers to the questions I now plague myself with.
Everyone has fears; it’s the essence of humanity. Some fear heights and some fear spiders, some people fear commitment and some people fear normality, but though there are apparently four universal fears in humanity, there are many more terrifying questions we can ask ourselves.
There are countless scenarios that we could play in our heads that would utterly terrify us; these big looming “what ifs” that are so out of the ordinary that it’s scary. But are they really that out of the ordinary? Are they really that impossible? And are they even that scary?
Amongst these questions, I think are universal fears that we all harbor inside our souls, whether we know it or not. I believe that there are three main fears that deeply influence how we experience life and go about doing everything that we do.
But at the same time, I believe these fears to be nothing more than stories, and what better way to tell you of these fears than with stories as well?
Lyne and Etsuko
Introduction:
I’ll be asking the questions in order from least potent to most, and though this is the first question, I advise you not to underestimate it because the moment you begin to underestimate it is the moment in which it will strike, and if it does strike out, it will strike true and it will catch you.
If it were to catch you, gripping your very being in its grasp, your time is limited, your very sanity is at risk and there will be eternal darkness until you can answer the question with a different answer.
Until you can scrape your way out of the barren pit of desolation, you will be within its grasp and damned to a period of time in which nothing remains joyful.
It is a fear that can keep us up all night long, staring over the edge of the cliff, into its boundaries.
It’s a fear that can easily show on our face and cause everyone we love pain and anguish simply by knowing that it has gripped us.
It is a fear like no other and one that can completely destroy a person’s life, whether they know it or not, because it has such a consuming power of destruction it can break all bonds and turn your life into a desolate field of waste.
So I ask you this, my dear readers, my question of humanity that invokes fear in us all, the first of the three; have you ever experienced complete hopelessness and despair?
We have all been hopeless at one point in time and we have all had moments of despair, but have any of us ever experienced a moment in which either of these were in their complete form?
When hopelessness is at its utter peak and instead of thinking there can be no better, you know there can be no better; that the world can not get better and you will never see a lighter day.
What of despair? When its blackened clutches graze your foolish soul? When you despair most and not only do you have no hope for the better, but you can no longer rouse yourself in this fight.
Hopelessness is a mindset in which we believe there can be no better, but it is not strong enough to defeat us on its own. As long as we have the strength to resist, to question it, and to fight back in an attempt to prove that there can be better, but what if something was sucking that strength away?
What if you were stuck in the midst of despair as well? True despair is a force nothing like any other on this world of ours. It stops our heart in mid beat and holds our tongue still, an icy grip on our very soul itself.
It is as though the very manifestation of evil, malice, and fear has taken hold inside of you and you can do nothing but spiral downwards into its domain of death.
It can suck the courage away from any man, draining their strength to a dull throb with no chance of escape, save for one thing and one thing alone; hope.
Hope is such a strong force of life that it can banish some of the strongest seemingly otherworldly forces such as despair, and only its light, its prospect of the better can renew our strength for us to continue this fight and escape our icy shores of death.
But what if there is no hope whatsoever and you fall deep within the boundaries of infinite hopelessness as well as complete despair?
It is a situation that we are all vulnerable to, and some of us have even fallen victim to this absolute checkmate of the soul.
One of my dearest friends, who was by far my greatest companion is currently stuck on those shores and my heart throbs in pain at the sight of him every morning, laying on the ground, still and desolate as a corpse.
It is something no one should ever take lightly because, given the chance, it can destroy us all.
Without further adieu; the story of Lyne and Etsuko
Lyne Swiftcall was a man like no other.
He was not boastful or arrogant; he was not pessimistic or close-minded.
He was a hero, plain and simple.
The sky was bright that day as Lyne sat lazily on a park bench looking out at the sky. The clouds would wander lazily across his vision and the butterflies would dance in the sunlight but there was a certain feeling that he couldn’t place about it all.
It was all so simple and so normal, it was almost too simple…
Whatever it was; this feeling he couldn’t place, it seemed to be telling him that an adventure would soon start and that he’d be playing an important role.
He sighed as he pushed the thought from his mind and laid his wooden sword beside him on the bench.
A little girl in a white gown was slowly walking towards the bench. She held a fluffy white bear in her arms and didn’t seem to notice anyone else.
She had dark brown hair and seemed to be hiding her face behind the bear.
Without a word she sat down on the opposite side of the bench and continued to hide behind her bear with distant eyes as Lyne stared upwards at the clouds.
Slowly Lyne leaned forwards so that he could look at the new arrival and he began to smile happily at her.
“Hello.” he said brightly but she didn’t respond. “My name’s Lyne.” he continued as he leaned back once more to keep looking at the sky.
“Are you shy?” he asked but she remained silent as a stone.
She finally spoke after a moment.
“Are you talking to me?” she asked quietly.
“Of course I am, little
She seemed to lose herself in her thoughts once more, as though trying to figure out some way to reply to what he had said.
“What’s your name?” he asked, taking the reigns of the conversation from her.
“E-et-Etsuko.” she stuttered. Her cheeks reddened and she squished her face into her bear once more.
Lyne leaned forwards once more and brought his leg up onto the bench so he could turn and face her before continuing.
“Hello Etsuko.” he said. “I’m Lyne Swiftcall, do you need a hero?”
“Hero?” she repeated quietly.
“Oh sorry!” he said suddenly. “Am I saying weird things again?”
She merely looked at him like he would sprout wings any minute and fly away.
“I just thought, maybe fate brought you here because you needed a hero.” he said, slightly self conscious.
“Hero…” she repeated again as she hugged her bear tightly and buried her face in its fur.
“Hey Etsuko,” he began “you seem like you need a hero. Just remember the name Lyne. If you call, I'll be your hero!”
He stood up slowly, taking his wooden sword and attaching it to his belt. He smiled nicely to her. “Just call, it doesn't matter if I'm near or far, I'll hear you and coming running.”
He bowed courteously before turning to leave her and her bear to their thoughts.
“…hero…” whispered Etsuko as she hugged Ursa the Bear tightly before laying down on the bench.
The next morning, Lyne gone for a walk through the park as he did every morning. There was something refreshing about the morning mist and the chirping birds that seemed to lift his spirits.
He was never depressed or sad; he could always find a reason to smile. Even living in the slums of town failed to bring down his spirits.
So it was with a grin upon his face that he stumbled over the sight of a little girl sleeping on a park bench holding a stuffed bear tightly.
The little girl Etsuko had stayed there all night.
He approached silently; his many years as a traveling hero had given him at least some ability in stealth. He took off his jacket, noticing how cold it was without it, and laid it gingerly around her.
She smiled, ever so slightly, and it warmed his heart to see the sad little girl just a slight bit happier; even if it was while she was asleep.
He sat down on the grass and leaned against a tree so he wouldn’t wake her.
Closing his eyes he let the songs of the birds and the rustle of the wind lull him into relaxation as he waited by the girl’s side to protect her.
It wasn’t long before she awoke; she must’ve been used to sleeping sparingly.
Her eyes fluttered open and she was aware that someone had lain their jacket on her. She sat up quickly to look around and Lyne realized it was reflexive; she was making sure she wasn’t in danger.
“Good morning, M’lady Etsuko.” he said gently, so as to not startle her but she seemed to already know he was there.
“…morning…” she replied quietly, holding her bear tightly like always.
“Why’d you sleep here?” he asked. “Don’t you have a home?”
She said nothing but merely hugged her bear so tight that Lyne was glad it was only a toy.
“Hey…” he said sincerely as he sat in front of her and looked up into her face. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“Call…” she repeated. “Call you? Why?”
Lyne stood up slowly, stalwart as a stone. “I can be your hero.” he said slowly. “All you have to do is call me.”
“Do you know what a hero is?” he asked but she merely sighed in response and buried her face in the bear. “It's someone who you can count on, someone who will always be there for you when you need them; someone who can save you from anything and will save you, if you call on them.”
“…Save me?” she repeated quietly.
“That’s right, Etsuko.” he replied smiling. “I can save you if you call for me.”
“I don’t know you.” she said flatly; it was a defense mechanism. Admitting she needed to be saved would mean admitting she was in a horrible position; her mind was trying to protect her.
“Do you need to?” he retorted calmly.
“…I don’t believe you.” she said after a moment, showing she was resigning from the conversation.
Lyne promptly sat down on the dew covered grass in front of her.
“Then let’s get to know each other.” he announced. “I am Lyne Swiftcall and this is my wooden sword.” he said as he showed her his sword. “I don't use real swords because they’re meant to kill. Wooden swords are used when you learn self defense and I use them because I only want to protect, not to hurt.
“I'm twenty three years old, my favorite color is green, my goal in life is to be true to myself and achieve my goals. You don’t have to tell me anything about yourself.”
“…oh.” is all she said after a moment; but who could blame her? What else could someone in her position say?
Lyne stood up promptly and bowed to her.
“I’ll see you later, Etsuko.” he said as he walked off slowly.
He had made sure to leave his jacket but Etsuko noticed the alien object right away and laid it beside her on the bench.
That night Lyne returned to the park and found Etsuko silently sleeping on the ground underneath a tree.
He sighed quietly to himself as he shook his head.
“I thought so…” he looked at her for a few moments as he thought to himself and his resolve hardened. “I’m going to help this girl.” he announced to himself. “Whether she likes it or not.”
Crouching beside her, he took a large pack off his back and laid it on the ground. From inside he drew a blanket and wrapped it around her carefully.
The bag was full of all kinds of items that could help her to survive on her own. It had food and water as well as blankets and clothing. It even had some bandages and money for her to use if she wanted.
He left a note attached to the bag that read “from a hero.”
Knowing there was nothing more that he could do for her that night he walked away, leaving the bag beside her in the park.
The next morning Etsuko woke with a start, noticing the alien items right away. She read the note and looked inside the bag. She was happy, but the bag just made her more depressed; she didn’t know why.
“…Lyne…” she sighed.
“Did I just hear you say my name?” he asked as he walked up. “I was just coming to see how you were doing.”
“Not mine.” she said flatly, handing him the bag.
“What’s this?” he asked, not taking the bag.
“…yours.” she said sternly.
“No it’s not!” he exclaimed. “How could it be mine, I just got here! Maybe you have a secret admirer.”
He smiled, knowing that both of them knew he had brought it the night before.
“…Why?” she asked curiously.
“I don’t know.” he replied. “Maybe just because?”
“Yours.” she said flatly again, trying to hand him the bag but he wouldn’t accept it.
“Hey now,” he began “I told you it ain’t mine! Maybe an angel gave it to you, I’m not accepting it! Sorry!”
“Not mine.” she said and laid it on the bench promptly.
“Okay then.” he smiled and she walked away. “Man, this is going to be hard!” he exclaimed.
The next night Lyne returned again and began searching the park for Etsuko. She was sleeping under a different tree this time; the bag was still lying on the bench.
He promptly picked it up and brought it to her side once more.
This time, instead of leaving a note attached to the bag he wrote on the bag itself in large bold letters that spelled “Etsuko’s Bag!” He made sure to make a large enthusiastic exclamation mark at the end before putting the blanket around her again.
He sat down in front of her, facing away like a stalwart sentinel protecting a treasure.
That was how he sat until morning, when she woke up and looked at him curiously but he did not move.
“Not mine.” she announced stubbornly.
“That’s fine.” he retorted as she laid it beside him. “Okay, I’ll carry it.” he said stubbornly.
Lyne continued to sit motionless without facing her as she stood up slowly.
“Leaving?” he asked.
“Why?”
“Why what?”
Why do you want to know?” she asked.
“So if you call me, I’ll know where to go.” he said calmly as he looked towards her with a large grin on his face. She looked back but she wasn’t smiling in the least.
Stubborn girl, he thought.
She walked away without another word and found her way to the well for a drink of water.
Once more, she found a way to escape him and sleep somewhere else that night; this time beside the well but he eventually discovered the sleeping angel and placed the bag beside her, this time with a note telling her to call him.
He climbed a tree silently and found a nice branch where he stretched out and fell asleep.
That night, a mysterious man approached her in the dark. He made no sound and started towards the bag, picking it up without a sound.
As he turned on his heels, he accidentally kicked a pebble and the sudden sound woke Etsuko instantly.
After such a long time living on the streets, Etsuko’s sense of danger was much me refined than most and she knew that something was wrong.
“Oh shucks!” exclaimed the man. “You woke up! Go back to sleep little miss, and I'll just be taking your bag and the bear you've got there.” he reached out for the bear casually.
“Go away!” she shouted but he merely stepped closer to get the bear. Panicked, she began to hit him with the bear; the stuffed toy not being much of a weapon.
“No thanks, little girl.” replied the man as he grabbed her arm.
“Let me go!” she shouted.
“That bear looks like it could fetch a good price!” he exclaimed and tore it from her grip.
“He is my bear!” she cried but he laughed in response.
“I’ll be taking it regardless.”
“Mine!” she shouted and began to kick him violently.
“Now, now, don't get so mad. You should’ve seen this coming sleeping out here!” he stated simply as he pushed her to the ground.
She fell heavily on the bag and the note Lyne had left flew into the air, falling in front of her. “Call
“My bear!” she cried as tears began to form in her eyes. “Lyne!” she cried. “My bear!”
The cry woke him up from his perch on the branch and he was alert immediately. Someone calling for a hero could rouse you in an instant and he was down the tree before he’d had time to blink his eyes.
He landed gracefully in front of the thief and faced him as he addressed Etsuko.
“You called?” he asked her.
“He took my bear!” she announced.
Lyne stared daggers at the thief.
“That’s right!” announced the thief. “So what?”
“Gonna give it back?” asked Lyne.
“Of course not!” cried the thief as he drew a dagger from his belt but Lyne was faster and slammed his wooden sword downwards into the thug’s skull; knocking him out but not killing him.
Lyne promptly picked up the bear and handed it to Etsuko who began to cry profusely, as though the thug had broken her dam to hold back her sadness.
“What’s wrong little Etsuko?” he asked. “I came when you called me. It’s okay.”
She rubbed her eyes and continued to cry.
“Hey now,” he said gently. “Let it out, your hero is here and he wont let anything like that happen again.”
She hugged him tightly with her bear in one hand; burying her face in his chest as her tears drained out; she’d found her hero.
After Lyne had saver her, she had finally agreed to go with him, back to his home together.
It was in one of the poorest districts of town, filled with cutpurses and criminals; but Lyne would protect her no matter what.
After all, that’s why Heroes do.
His house was a wooden shack, to say the least. It was in horrible shape and was anything but high quality.
The roof was sagging and the every door screeched from rust, but it was still his home and it provided shelter when the nights were damp and cold.
“Why have you been sleeping outside?” he asked as they walked through the front door and out of the midnight wind.
“I don’t have a home.” she said quietly from behind him, clutching Ursa the bear tightly.
“Well you know what?” he asked smiling. “This can be your home! Come here any time you want.”
She graced him with a smile, a toothy childish grin that seemed to warm the wooden house itself.
“There’s just one rule.” he said. “Never open the door for anyone, ever. If it’s me, I’ll find a way in.”
She nodded and he was sure he didn’t have to tell her that; she knew enough about the streets already.
“Does Ursa have a name?” he asked as he made her something to eat; she had to be hungry.
She nodded vigorously. “Ursa.” she said.
He smiled brightly as he brought over some sandwiches for them both and a very small one for Ursa the bear.
He rubbed her head, and Ursa’s of course, as he set the food down and took his seat.
She delighted in this; seeing an adult act as though the bear was alive. She’d laugh whenever he said anything to Ursa with a face like he was expecting a response.
“Does Ursa ever talk to you?” he asked and she nodded with Jam on her delicate face.
“He talks to me all the time!”
“And what sorts of things does he say?”
“He tells me all kinds of things.” she said. “He talks about everything, the birds and heaven, and family and heroes, kings and queens and legends too! He tells me when there’s danger and everything.”
“When there’s danger?” asked Lyne slightly surprised, realizing that some of her thoughts must be confused in her head; she thought her instincts were the bear’s voice.
“Yep! He’s saved me a bunch of times!” she exclaimed happily as she ate the rest of her sandwich. “But lately he’s just been talking about you.”
“Oh really?” asked Lyne. “What sorts of things.”
“Well.” she began. “He’s been telling me to go with you, that you can help me. He told me to call for you when that mean guy tried to take him from me. Ursa is always right!”
He couldn’t help but give a genuine smile from the bottom of his heart. This child was so adorable; she was such a delicate little angel.
He’d protect her no matter what.
The next morning, after they’d gotten up and Lyne had made them both toast and tea for breakfast, he decided to ask her something.
“So Etsuko…” he began and she looked up from her and Ursa’s toast “do you want to go on an adventure?”
“What kind of adventure?” she asked and he smiled largely.
“Well this town is kind of boring.” he explained. “We could go on an adventure and find other towns and see the ocean, would you like to see the ocean?”
“Sure!” she shouted, pushing her toast away and leaping up. “I’ve always wanted to see the Ocean!”
“But you’ve got to eat your breakfast first!” he exclaimed, making her pout. She was so adorable when she wasn’t depressed!
“Fine…” she said reluctantly, but she wasted no time and was finished in a matter of minutes, leaving Lyne speechless and wide eyed.
They got ready quickly, mainly because there wasn’t much to pack, and headed out the door.
He had most of their gear, the tent and sleeping bags as well as the essential tools, including his wooden sword at his side.
They walked hand in hand straight out of the city, making absolutely no stops along the way; they had no ties or unfilled promises.
The road to the ocean was long indeed, it would take them near a week to reach it, but they wouldn’t be deterred by the long road ahead.
Especially Etsuko, Lyne couldn’t recall a single time in which he was further along the path than she was.
It was night on the fourth day when they encountered some unexpected guests. They were sheltered inside their tent, with their dying campfire outside when Lyne heard the rustle and bustle of movement outside.
“Stay here.” he whispered and left the tent promptly.
There was the sound of me movement and Etsuko could see shadows dancing on the outside of the tent.
There was a lonely man outside, Lyne approached cautiously.
“Can I help you?” he asked and the man seemed startled.
“Hello.” he said after a moment. “I believe you can.”
Lyne sensed movement from behind him and whirled on the spot to find two other men, each wielding a club.
He reached for his blade at his side but suddenly the first man had tackled him from behind, forcing him to the ground.
“You’re bandits then?!” demanded Lyne as the first of the three sat atop his back.
“Don’t get the wrong idea.” said one of the bandits as the other entered the tent and he heard Etsuko scream. “We’re not lowlife bandits at all!”
The other man returned, dragging a fighting Etsuko with him.
“Lemme go!” she shouted, tears streaming down her delicate, but angry, face. “I knew this would happen!”
Lyne was dragged to his feet and pulled back away from Etsuko but he struggled with his all to break free and caused one of the other two to aid the first in restraining Lyne.
“Let me go!” he cried. “Don’t you dare touch her!”
But they laughed at him.
“We’re not bandits.” said the one who held Etsuko. “We’re just looking for some people to work for us.”
They all laughed again.
“Slave traders?!” he cried and cursed loudly.
“I knew this was gonna happen Lyne!” shouted Etsuko. “I knew it was too good to be true!”
Her demeanor was not of a child anymore; no child should ever say things so depressing and it pained him to see her to burdened.
“It was stupid of me to think you could be my hero.” she said as the tears stopped falling from her face and she seemed to grow distant and unattached. “I should never have called you.”
His heart seemed to tear in two at this and he wept as the other two held him.
“We’ll be taking her with us now.” said the one holding Etsuko. “And that means we’ll be killing you.”
There was a flash of something in Etsuko’s eyes that Lyne barely caught. It was a look of pain; she didn’t want to see him die – and she would not.
“Etsuko.” he said sternly. “What did I say to you?”
She didn’t respond.
“What did I tell you I would do?”
She looked up at him, but still said nothing.
“Etsuko, answer me!” he demanded. “What did I tell you I was?!”
She locked her distant and detached eyes with him.
“You’re a hero.” she said quietly.
“And what do heroes do?” he asked.
“They protect their loved ones.” she replied in a monotone voice, but her eyes were watering.
“What does that mean for you?” he asked more sincerely.
“That you’d protect me, no matter what!” she cried as the floodgate burst and the tears streamed down her face once more.
That was all he needed to hear.
“Damn straight.” he said and ripped one of his arms free from his captors grip.
They whirled on him, one of them lunging to tackle him but he dropped low in response and they slammed into each other.
Lyne’s other hand was free and he drew his wooden sword immediately.
“And what are you going to do with a wooden sword?” mocked the one holding Etsuko.
“A wooden sword is meant for defense, for protection!” he cried. “And I intend to protect her!”
He lunged forwards and the man moved Etsuko in front of himself but Lyne was ready and he feinted right, stabbing his wooden sword forwards, into the thug’s gut, making him stumble backwards, holding his stomach in pain.
By now the other two were standing and Lyne brought Etsuko behind his back.
The third one joined their ranks and they advanced on him together.
“I will protect her.” he said sternly and charged forwards.
The first thug swung his club but Lyne was too fast and lunged passed the weapon before it could strike him, sending his wooden sword straight up into the man’s chin.
There was a cracking sound and the thug fell backwards unconscious but the other two were flanking Lyne on either side.
He spun on the spot, bringing his sword in a wide arc before rolling backwards towards Etsuko and regaining his footing.
He charged once more, this time determined beyond measure to win no matter the cost and struck out.
His weapon collided with one of their clubs but with such a force that the wooden sword smashed straight through the weapon and into the awaiting head of the second thug.
The third was enraged.
He had just watched both of his companions knocked unconscious and their attacker was in front of him.
He dropped his club and drew his own sword; one made of true metal.
Lyne didn’t hesitate in the least and charged forwards. He swung his wooden sword from the side but the thug stepped backwards and took a swing of his own from above.
Lyne dodged to the left and readied for a second attack, as did the thug. Their weapons clashed, the wood and the metal, and the thug’s blade was victorious as it sliced cleanly through Lyne’s wooden sword.
But he had already let go of it at that point and stepped too close to the thug for him to attack Lyne.
With every single muscle in his body complying and working in a collective effort, Lyne Swiftcall smashed his fist into the Slave Trader’s face; breaking his nose and sending him flying backwards, instantly unconscious.
The three thugs were all laying on the ground unconscious when Lyne returned to Etsuko’s side, dropping down to look her in the eye sternly.
“I told you I’m a hero.” he said. “I will always protect you no matter what.”
Tears fell from both of their eyes as they hugged each other and packed up camp to move on.
Later that week they arrived at the shores of the ocean, discarding their socks and shoes and happily dipping their feet in the water together.
They had made it all the way to an
The three of them were a family now; Lyne, Etsuko, and of course Ursa.
Lyne had taught Etsuko something in their journey; something dearer than any treasure in the world.
Hope is one of the strongest forces in the world, but it is meaningless if the person is too fearful to strive for it. Hope can only make you strong, if you are resolute enough to achieve it.
With Resolve and Hope by your side, you can protect any of your precious people, no matter what.
And together they would make a life together as a family in this
Family.
Lyne himself is like no other man, as I’ve already stated. There are men resolute and hopeful in this world, but he truly knows the meaning of the term “hero”.
He knows, that a true hero, can protect his precious people, no matter what, no matter the cost or the overwhelming opposition there is always a way.
Of course Lyne is a fictional character and one can’t ever hope to stop a train with their hands merely because they are hopeful and resolute, but the truth in this story is on a deeper level.
There is undoubtedly a mass amount of evil in this world; that much is obvious. But whether you know it or not, evil thrives on evil. Negative energy breeds negative thoughts and feelings inside of us which in turn breeds negative energy.
Hope and resolve, when going hand in hand, can create such a strong and positive force that though it may sound like a childish fantasy, it can overcome the greatest opposition in the world.
The question I asked in the introduction was simple. Have you ever encountered infinite hopelessness and complete despair?
I explained how truly fearful this situation is, how unbelievably dangerous such a predicament can be and just how seemingly impossible it is to break free of.
But among this story, Lyne Swiftcall has demonstrated a character trait that can completely eradiate this thing; this strongest opposition of all.
A great man, one who I can agree with infinitely, may he rest in piece, believed in something called Archetypes.
He believed that we were born with these archetypes and they were seemingly humanity’s motifs.
Amongst these archetypes were things such as Mother and Father as well as Perfection and the other things we will always know without needing them explained to us.
But there is one particular one that is one of the most important to us, Lyne Swiftcall being the very symbol of this archetype.
Lyne was a hero, through and through. In everything he did he was a hero, and nothing can change that.
Hero is a very cliché term in today’s society but it is a word that can be thrown into the trash bin alongside other words such as miracle and awesome.
We use the term awesome all the time in society, typically referring to things that we find great, enjoyable, and fun; but it’s not the true meaning of the word.
Awe is something that we rarely experience. It is something that can make you fall to your knees, eyes wide and completely paralyzed by such an extraordinary thing.
Awesome is a term referring to that which invokes awe, can you see the problem in today’s speech?
Miracle is in the same boat. It is used whenever something causes relief and some people use it in such a disrespectful manner I’m actually surprised by it.
Have you ever heard someone say the word miracle when referring to something silly or trivial?
What about something along the lines of “It’s a miracle I made it to the bathroom!” or something as simple as that?
I’ve heard it and it couldn’t be further from the true meaning of the term.
Whether or not you’re religious, it doesn’t matter for what I’m about to say, but I will be using Jesus and the bible as an example.
Jesus is said to be a man who performed miracles, and what he is said to have done is certainly miraculous.
How often in today’s society have you heard someone say something like “It was a miracle I could return that man’s sight to him by putting mud on his closed eyes!”
Probably never.
What about “It was a miracle that I came back to life after three days!”?
“It’s a miracle that I was born when my mother was a virgin!”
“It’s a miracle that I was able to turn a few loaves of bread, only enough for a few, into enough slices of bread for many hundreds of people!”
Miracle refers to something beyond reality, something unexplainable like magic; divine intervention if you will and I very much doubt anyone reading this book has knowingly encountered a true miracle, yet I’m sure everyone who will ever read this has used the term before.
Hero, Lyne’s title, is also used in the wrong sense. A hero in today’s world is someone who saves something, be it a being, physical object, or whatever.
But that’s not entirely true.
A hero can save, yes, but that’s not all. A hero is a being, not just a man, who will never waver in faith and hope.
It is someone who is completely resolute and will readily and willingly without a moments hesitation do what is required of them for success. They fight readily to protect not only those precious to them, but every single thing, living or not, in the world that is the target of something bad.
They are those who could never be considered sadistic or malicious, and those who know the true meaning of the word love.
They are sincere, not arrogant or boastful, maybe not even physically strong, and above all, they are those who truly feel.
They laugh when they are happy, and they cry when they are sad; they are human.
If we were all just a little closer to being heroes like Lyne Swiftcall, there would be no such thing as infinite hopelessness, or complete despair, for it is only in resolute hope, can these things be bested.
Thereby, they should never be feared, as long as you realize that they only have a hold over you, when you believe they do.
A great man once said that whether you believe you will succeed or whether you believe you’ll fail, you’re absolutely right.
DragonBourne
Introduction
This novel of mine came to me in a dream. It was while I was writing my Bane of Thunder novel and one night I had a dream about moving into a new house and a witch in a forest. The dream was much more vivid than I describe here, I can still see it perfectly as though I’m still here. I remember in the dream at one point I found a novel and though it wont be the same in this novel, I knew as soon as I saw it that the novel in the dream was wrote by me, that I would write that story, and so here I am writing about that dream.
I know that some authors say that their stories come to them and all they do is tell the story; like passing a package from one person to the next. But I never thought it would be as vivid as this; I lived through that dream, it was just as real, if not more, than every day for me and I’ve never had an experience like it.
This novel represents a lot for me. It itself represents one of the three questions of fear I mentioned early, and my own answer to it.
It represents my own struggles in life with what I want to do and what I know I should do and so much more.
It’s based on a simple question, a question that invokes fear in most of us whether we know it or not.
Have you ever asked yourself if what you’re doing is the right thing? If what you’re doing is for the greater good or for your good? The short term or the long term fix?
What about our futures and destinies? We’ve all contemplated them, I’m sure, but how many of us have questioned them? Have you ever wondered if the future you’ve set for yourself is the right one? If you’re even on the same path you wanted to be on while you were younger?
Most of the time we don’t even realize it when we’re worrying about the paths we’ll take in life and the type of career we’ll have one day, but we all worry about them none the less.
So here’s my question to you, not meant in any sadistic or malicious way I assure you, is the future you’ve set for yourself the right one? Is it the one you truly want, the true future you want to strive for that will make you truly happy? Or is it some sort of easy way out? Are you hiding from your future because it’s too painful or too much work? Are you ignoring the people that need you? Are you running away from your problems and looking for some way to just live life?
Though this is not the answer to the question, I just need to say that there is no way to run away and live your life when you know what could have been; you will never forget the paths you could have taken and they will torment you until you can no longer take them.
This question represents unsurity in every day life for short term and long term decisions. It itself is a test of strength, separating those who are strong and courageous enough to strive for their futures, their destinies, what they want, and those who are too weak and fearful to attempt such.
It separates the heroes from the cowards, the kings and the traitors.
After all, if you run from your own life, aren’t you a traitor to your own empire?
Without further adieu, I give you Dragon Bourne, my novel.
“It’s wonderful.” announced Jared. He and Martin were out together looking at a house Martin had recommended. The house itself was amazing; no wonder Martin had recommended it. It was massive, a true mansion with long stretches of open land and a forest in the back. It had a wonderfully ancient tower behind the house and a stable too! Not only that, the price was next to nothing; it was a godsend!
“I told you, didn’t I?” asked Martin rhetorically. He never seemed to want to hear your answer, but Jared didn’t care. After all, Martin had found them this wonderful house. Jared made a note of recommending Martin to his sister when they got back to town. She was already great friends with Martin, that’s how he had managed to find this house.
“Why is it so cheap?” he asked.
“The old owners were really old fashioned.” explained Martin. “They had a lot of foolish superstitions.”
“I have a few foolish superstitions of my own…” offered Jared somewhat awkwardly. “What were they afraid of?”
“Oh don’t be silly, Jared” replied Martin. “It’s just some stupid legend.”
“I probably wouldn’t be so silly, Martin, if I knew what the legend was.” retorted Jared, slightly agitated. This was another of Martin’s quirks; anything he didn’t like he figured you wouldn’t like either. He always seemed to force his opinions on you.
“There’s apparently some curse on the forest.” explained Martin, but Jared could tell he didn’t like having to explain it. “They thought a witch lived in it and that if you somehow found a way to get in, she wouldn’t let you leave until she’d taken revenge for trespassing or something foolish like that.”
“I see…”
“So what do you think?” asked Martin getting back to business. He was a real estate agent after all; this was his business.
“I’m going to buy it, I’ve already decided.” stated Jared. “It’s a great place, I’d love to settle down here and I’m sure my mother would love it too.”
“Great.” replied Martin with a clap of his hands. “We’ll get all the paperwork sorted out when we get back.”
“I’ve just one question.” began Jared. “When will the previous owners be taking their possessions, like the furniture and such?”
“They won’t be.” replied Martin. “They didn’t want any connections with the house anymore. They said they’d never return and that the furniture could stay.”
“I see…” that had worried Jared though. In hindsight, he probably would have thought he was a fool for not trusting his intuition.
They walked through the house one more time, just to make sure everything was proper before heading out.
“What’s this?” asked Jared referring to an old dusty book on a table.
“Beat’s
“I wonder what its about.” said Jared to himself as he lifted the book and flipped through the pages. It was about the witch in the forest and curse she had cast to keep out trespassers.
“How the heck should I know?” shot Martin as he turned to leave. Jared followed behind as he read the book casually.
Jared got into the passenger seat of the car and Martin started the engine. They were an hour away from home, long enough for Jared to finish the book.
“Listen to this, Martin.” offered Jared after a long drive of silence. “It says the witch cast a curse on the forest not to hurt any, but to keep them out. That if you try to enter, the curse will activate and you will be sent back to the entrance of the forest. The forest is supposedly lined with these waypoints to keep you away from her home in the center. It’s not a curse, it’s a simple enchantment.”
“Listen Jared,” began Martin coolly. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about this stupid curse. I don’t believe in these stupid superstitions, they’re just tales to stop kids from wandering off and getting lost in forests!”
“I know you don’t believe in it,” replied Jared. “But I’m not saying I believe in it either. I just think it’s interesting that a witch would go through so much trouble just to be alone for such a long time.”
“I can certainly see why she’d want to be alone.” retorted Martin rudely.
“What’s got you so riled up?” replied Jared. “Don’t get sore, I was just telling you what I thought of the book.”
“I’m not sore!” shouted Martin. “I just don’t believe in magic, it doesn’t exist!”
“Whatever you say Martin.” replied Jared as he kept reading a section about defending against the curse.
The book was wonderfully insightful. It told that the curse could only affect one person at a time, that it could break if you had a magic relic, and all kinds of things.
Something stuck out to Jared though as he read. The book told of magic and rituals, but it didn’t say anything about only witches being able to use magic.
It told of a spell that anyone could use, but it was only to be used as a last resort. For if you got stuck in the forest and couldn’t go anywhere. The book told to say the words “Eh-ruhnun, Beelz Ruhdis” three times to be transported to a safe haven. If done correctly, the spell would transport the user back to their homelands.
Though Jared didn’t think he would be trying a spell at any point, he made a mental note to remember the incantation. Sometime during the trip, Jared had unfortunately misplaced the book. It had seemingly disappeared right out of the compartments of his backpack.
He joked at the idea, saying it was “like magic” which seemed to annoy Martin.
“Oh Jared, it’s wonderful!” exclaimed his mother. He had bought the house and most of his family was moving in with him. There was so much room it was as though they each had their own house on the same property.
“I know, isn’t it great? And it hardly cost a cent!”
“Jared, can you help me with my boxes?” asked his sister and he rushed off to help with the moving.
“Sure thing, where do you want it?” he asked.
“Oh these are just going to my bedroom.” she motioned to a large pile of boxes with names of rather heavy items on them.
Sighing he began to lug the boxes up a wooden staircase towards his sisters bedroom without any help at all. That was one of his sister’s flaws; when she got caught up in something, she couldn’t think of anything else.
There was a dull thud as he dropped it on her bed and looked around the spacious bedroom.
“Wow, I must have missed this one on my tour.” exclaimed Jared as he looked around. It was very spacious, with an aged feel to everything. It seemed almost medieval. The house wasn’t that old by any means, it had electric heating installed and all the typical equipment, but it just had this very aged sense to it.
“Isn’t it wonderful?” she asked, though she wasn’t listening to him. “I just love this mirror.”
“What mirror?” asked Jared as he approached her.
She was staring at a large mirror in a cubby hole against the wall. It was larger than either of them and wider than both of them side by side. It was lined with gold and smoother than anything. Everything else in the house was covered with dust but this seemed like they’d just bought it; it didn’t have a spec of dirt anywhere on its surface.
But it felt weird.
Jared wasn’t touching it, but something felt odd, something felt different when he looked at the mirror. There was something about his reflection that seemed off, like it wasn’t really him that he was looking at.
Slowly he reached out a hand, just to touch it, make sure it was a mirror and not a window.
“Hey, how do you like the place?” asked Martin as he entered the room, breaking Jared from his thoughts.
“It’s wonderful, my sister’s already chosen this to be her room.” replied Jared.
“Oh Marty,” she breathed. “It’s wonderful!”
“I’m glad you like It.” he replied with a smile.
“Well, I better go help everyone else.” said Jared as he left. He made sure to look once more at the mirror before leaving. Something was weird about that mirror. He’d have to figure it out another time though.
He found his mother and nephew in the kitchen. They were looking out the double doors into the backyard at the towers and the forest.
“Do you think there’re any snakes?” asked his mother. “I’m not sure if Jason should go out.”
Jason was his seventeen year old nephew, seven years younger than he was. He was a great kid, with a great spirit.
“Oh there’s nothing too bad out there.” replied Jared. “I doubt there’s anything out there, worst he’ll find is a garden snake and they’d just run away.”
“Great” exclaimed Jason as he burst through the doorway to go explore the backyard and its prominent towers.
“How do you like it?” asked Jared again.
“I love it, it’s so amazing. Thank you so much.” she hugged him once and he smiled back at her.
“It’s a great place to retire, isn’t it?” asked Jared rhetorically. “I thought it fit you perfectly.”
His mother had lived a rich life; her career had brought in a lot of money and sent her all around the country. Finally she had decided to settle down and it was the perfect time for Jared to find her a home.
“Tell me, why’d the old owners just up and leave?” she asked but Jared wasn’t listening. Something had caught his attention. He had always had a sixth sense; he could always tell when something was wrong, or if something was up. That was how he knew there was something mysterious about the mirror.
“Sorry, what?” asked Jared after a moment.
“Why did the old owners leave so suddenly?” she asked again.
“Oh, there was some superstition about the forest.” replied Jared but suddenly something was wrong. There had been no sound but something was wrong; he knew it. Jason was in trouble.
“I’ll be right back!” he shouted and burst out the door after Jason. Normally he never acted suddenly on these feelings and senses he had but this was different. It wasn’t just a feeling; he knew something was up.
His footsteps thudded rapidly through the long grass in the backyard. His heart was beating fast and he was sure wherever Jason was, his heart was beating faster.
“Jason!” he cried. “Where are you?!”
“Jared!” he heard Jason shout. It was coming from the forest.
Cursing loudly Jared took off again towards the forest and started around the needlessly large barn.
With a thud he crashed to the ground. He had tripped over a rake that was hidden in the grass. He heard Jason shout his name again and sprang to his feet, all the while cursing loudly.
“I’m coming!” he shouted as he rounded the corner of the barn.
His mind was racing in panic and fear. That was probably why he started thinking about the curse of the forest and the witch that hated trespassers.
He told himself to calm down, that he was crazy and it was probably just a simple snakebite from scaring a garden snake. Nothing poisonous or too serious, it just probably scared Jason is all.
Jared stopped dead in his tracks as the forest came into sight. Jason was there, nothing seemed wrong, save that Jason was running in Jared’s direction but that could be for any reason.
Suddenly something happened and Jared had to blink several times as déjà vu washed over him. Jason seemed further back than he was, still running towards Jared but it seemed like he suddenly had to go further than a few moments before hand.
Jared took a few awkward steps forwards as he watched Jason reach the edge of the forest.
Suddenly it happened again but this time Jared didn’t blink. Jason had literally been transported back, further into the woods.
“The curse!” cried Jared as he rushed forwards. “Jason, get out of there!”
“I can’t, I can’t get out!” shouted Jason fearfully. The kid seemed to be on the verge of tears.
“Hold on, I’ll be there in a second!” shouted Jared as he kept running. He stopped short of the forest, afraid that if he went any further at all he’d be stuck like his nephew.
They were mere feet apart.
If they reached out they’d be able to touch each other but if they tried, Jason they’d be teleported deeper into the forest.
“What are we going to do?” cried Jason as his eyes started to water.
“Hold on, I’ve got an idea!” shot Jared as he picked up a fallen branch. “Grab on and I’ll try to pull you through!”
“Okay.” agreed Jason, glad to finally have a plan.
Jared reached out with the branch and it didn’t seem to be affected by the forest. Jason grabbed on easily and they both started to back away from the forest, waiting for Jason to reach the edge.
“Hold on tight.” advised Jared as they kept moving.
All at once Jason was gone, teleported back into the forest, with half of the branch; it had been cut in two.
“It didn’t work!” cried Jason desperately as he ran towards Jared again.
“Wait!” shouted Jared. “I’ve got another plan!”
“What is it?” demanded Jason emotionally.
“I think if I enter the forest, the barrier will work on me, but at the instant it’s working on me I bet it wouldn’t be able to stop you.” explained Jared. “If you run out at the same time I run in, then you should be able to get out.”
“But what if I’m a second too soon?” asked Jason fearfully, the tears starting to drip down his face.
If that were to happen, Jared knew that the curse would work on Jason and then him and they both would be stuck but he couldn’t tell Jason that; he’d be too fearful and he’d never be able to do it properly.
“Don’t worry about that!” he said. “Just do it on the count of three!”
Jason nodded and Jared counted to three slowly. They both took off running as fast as they could towards the edge of the forest.
Cursing loudly Jared knew that he was older than Jason and that he would run much faster and get there too soon so he slowed his pace dramatically.
He cursed again as he realized he had slowed himself too much and began dashing towards the forest once more in a hope to reach it at the same time.
They reached each other and locked eyes momentarily before an explosion of light flashed about them and suddenly Jared found himself inside the forest – standing beside Jason.
“It didn’t work!” cried Jason.
“Calm down.” soothed Jared. “Maybe if we try at the same time again one of us can break out.”
Jason nodded and they walked forwards together and met the barrier at the same time.
The light flashed again but this time they weren’t sent to the same place. They were sent deeper into the woods, much deeper. They were inside a clearing that was fenced off.
“Where are we?” asked Jason fearfully.
“I don’t know, stay calm.”
There was a cackle that sounded like lightning and a figure appeared in the distance.
Slowly an old and grayed woman with a massive hunch edged closer and closer to them.
“Jason!” cried Jared. “Run!”
He needed no more convincing and took off through the closest gate. Jared could see the witch raise her hand and point one finger at Jason. He heard her utter something and a light danced out of her fingertip towards Jason.
Jared threw himself forwards and placed himself between the witch and Jason but the light slammed into his chest and his body began to glow. It seemed that every muscle in his body was being prodded with needles and he started to float.
In the corner of his eye he saw Jason, being teleported back and forth from waypoint to waypoint. They were both stuck and there seemed no way out.
The spell from the book floated into Jared’s mind and he knew it was their only chance, however foolish it seemed.
“Jason!” he shouted again and Jason turned to look at him, shouting in surprise when he saw that Jared was floating. “I want you to say Eh-ruhnun, Beelz Ruhdis three times, and quickly! It’s the only way out!”
There was a moment hesitation as the witch’s eyes widened but Jason knew to trust Jared and shouted the worlds three times quickly.
“Eh-ruhnun, Beelz Ruhdis, Eh-ruhnun, Beelz Ruhdis, Eh-ruhnun, Beelz Ruhdis!” he shouted and in an instant he had disappeared.
“So you’re young wizards?” laughed the witch as she poked Jared in the chest with a long and sharp fingernail. A small red light danced across her fingertip and into his chest and all at once the world seemed to thrash about. His body cringed in pain and he flailed wildly, unable to think properly. He acted in reflex and found himself shouting.
“Eh-ruhnun, Beelz Ruhdis, Eh-ruhnun, Beelz Ruhdis, Eh-ruhnun, Beelz Ruhdis!” he screamed and in an instant there was nothing.
He was weightless, he was nothingness. Everything was black but he knew he was moving. He was moving fast, in a direction he had never known but he was fearful and didn’t want to go.
He saw himself, through a familiar mirror looming in the darkness. He rapidly approached and collided with the mirror, but he passed through easily and instead collided with his reflection.
He looked at his reflection with a face of confusion and his reflection looked back with a similar look but it only lasted briefly before his reflection altogether disappeared, as did the blackness.
“Jared, wake up.” he heard a familiar voice say. Opening his weary eyes as they protested madly in the afternoon sunlight he saw Jason.
“Jason, you okay?” he asked with a tired voice.
“No, we’re not okay!” he shouted madly as Jared began to sit up and look around.
They were in the middle of marketplace, except it looked like something out of the dark ages. The roads were made of dirt and the stalls were horribly old fashioned.
“Where are we?” he asked.
“How the heck should I know?” shot Jason. “After I said what you told me to, I was here, and then you showed up right after me, what happened?!”
“I read in a book about that witch,” explained Jared. “And it said to use that spell as a last resort.”
“Great, you made us use magic without knowing what the heck it did!” cried Jason as people began to watch them.
“Keep quiet.” demanded Jared. “The book said it brought us home, to a safe haven.”
“Does this look like home?” asked Jason rhetorically.
“No, but it may be a safe haven.” replied Jared as he stood up and approached a stranger.
“Excuse me, Sir,” he began. “Do you happen to know where this is, and if anyone has a phone I could use?”
The stranger looked at him curiously for a moment, debating what to say.
“Well you’re in Sirth, if you don’t know where that is, it’s Capitol of Alsymok.” replied the man. “And a word of advice, don’t go asking for things native to your homelands, when people find out that you’re a lost tourist, they’re likely to beat and rob you.” With that, the man left them be.
“Have you ever heard of Alsymok?” asked Jared as he approached Jason again.
“Not once.” replied Jason.
They kept asking around sparingly, making sure to only approach the people who didn’t seem so dangerous but no one could even tell them what continent they were on. No one even seemed to know what the term continent meant!
They wandered the marketplace awkwardly, wasting time, neither sure what they should do. Jared soon found himself leafing through a book at one of the stalls.
“Excuse me,” he began to get the shopkeeper’s attention. “What language is this in?” he asked referring to the book but the shopkeeper merely laughed at him.
“The same one yer talkin’!” he shouted. “If yeh can’t read, then don’t bother tryin’ ta make it seem like yeh can!” The shopkeeper continued to laugh, it obviously amused him.
“But I can read.” muttered Jared as the sudden realization that he was in a completely alien place where he couldn’t even read their books dawned on him.
“Aw, don’t be like tha’.” said the shopkeep after seeing Jared’s expression. “Lissen, if you wanna read, then you can have a book to learn. Go ahead and pick one, it’s on the house.” The big burly shopkeep gave Jared a nice smile as he turned to do his business.
“Thank you very much!” exclaimed Jared happily as he began browsing but immediately a book caught his eye. It was the same book that he had read on the ride from the house, that had told about the witch and the curse.
He turned to tell the shopkeep he’d chosen the book about the witch when the shopkeep began shouting wildly at someone else.
“Yeh thief!” he bellowed. “Tryin’ ta steal from meh, are yeh?!” The man began to run as fast as he could through the marketplace and the shopkeep took after him just as fast.
Not sure what to do Jared took the book and returned to Jason.
“What’s that?” he asked when Jared arrived.
“It’s a book about the witch.” replied Jared and Jason’s eyes widened and he snatched it out of Jared’s hands.
“How do you know?’ asked Jason. “It’s in some weird language.”
“I read it when it was in English.” replied Jared. “I know the look of the book.”
“But it’s still no use if we can’t read it!” replied Jason frustrated. “What language is it in?”
“The shopkeep said it was in the same language we’re speaking.” replied Jared as he gave a tired sigh. “Come on, let’s get walking.”
“Where to?” asked Jason.
“It doesn’t matter, staying here wont do us any good.” replied Jared as he started walking away.
Jason rushed to keep up, leafing up the book as they went.
The day wore on consistently and neither of them had any real plan as to what they should do when they stumbled across a large stone building.
“Hey doesn’t that look like a church or a temple?” asked Jared.
“Yeah, what about it?” replied Jason.
“Well, if it’s a church, I’m sure they could help us, or find us a place to sleep.” answered Jared as they walked up.
“Should we knock or just walk in?” asked Jason.
“I honestly have no idea.” replied Jared. “If we knock they may not hear us or think we’re crazy, and if we just barge in, they may be offended.”
“Well what should we do then?” asked Jason.
As the two argued the door opened and a woman stepped out. She was Jason’s height but seemed to be closer to Jared’s age. She had a long white gown on and long dark brown hair cascading down her back.
She seemed the essence of grace, save for her expression. She seemed genuinely angry at Jared, for reasons he had no idea.
“Hycindathaul!” she shouted. “Where have you been?!”
“Pardon?” asked Jared quite taken aback. “My name is Jared.”
“Don’t you give me any of that!” she shot. “None of your games, get in here!”
At that she grabbed his arm and yanked him in, leaving Jason to follow nervously behind.
“Ow, ow!” shouted Jared as he was dragged. “Lemme go!”
“I’ve been waiting for you all day!” she shouted as she dragged him into a bedroom. It was small and made of stone. It had one bed; a rather dirty looking mattress with a few sheets, a dresser that was covered in splinters, and a nice oak desk in one corner.
He suddenly found himself on the bed; that girl was strong when she was mad.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“Stop with you games, Hycindathaul!” she shouted and made to slap him but suddenly he found himself against the wall. He wasn’t sure how he got there but he thought it involved a quick roll.
He was confused though; he had never practiced anything like that and had never done any martial arts. He didn’t even do any sports yet here he had just done something surprising.
“You and your stupid training!” cried the woman before turning on her heel to face Jason. “And you Roan, I should have known you kept him out all day! He has a life you know!”
“What?” cried Jason. “I don’t even know who you are!”
“Don’t you take after him with those silly games!” she took a deep breath before stepping out of the room and Jason stepping in. “You know what?” she asked. “I don’t care anymore, you’ve ruined today but I’m not going to get mad over it, just go to sleep I’ll see you in the morning!”
With that she slammed the door and her footsteps were heard thudding into the distance.
Neither Jared nor Jason said a word for a long moment.
“Who the heck was that?” cried Jason when the footsteps could be heard no longer.
“How should I know?’ retorted Jared.
“She seemed to know you, Mister Hycindathaul!” replied Jason with sarcasm.
“You too, Sir Roan!” shot Jared.
“I’ve never heard that name before in my life!” argued Jason.
“And you think I’ve heard of Hycindathaul?”
“Well I don’t know what you’ve heard of and what you haven’t!
“Listen, arguing is no good.” offered Jared.
“Obviously.” muttered Jason.
“I don’t think we can do much, and this woman seems to know us.”
“But she obviously hates us.” added Jason.
“I think we should wait until morning and then talk to her.” offered Jared.
“And what do you suppose we do until then?” asked Jason.
“Sleep, obviously.” said Jared as he stifled a yawn. “You can have the bed, I’ll get the floor.”
Without another word they both lay down and fell asleep. They were terribly tired from the running and walking al day long and neither wanted to try to think of a way out of their situation anymore; they just wanted to sleep.
The next morning the same woman from last night burst into the room without warning and started shouting. It seemed as though she was always in a bad mood.
“What the heck are you doing sleeping on the floor?!” she demanded. “And why the heck are you sleeping in his bed, Roan?! You’ve got your own room across the hall!”
The two jumped up in an instant at the sudden intrusion, both half asleep but flailing wildly. They found each other and began beating each other while attempting to open their eyes.
Jared found himself reaching for something at his side that wasn’t there but he wasn’t sure what.
“What the heck are you doing?” demanded the woman. “I had it with your games, smarten up or else!”
“Who are you, anyways?” asked Jared when he’d finally managed to get his senses about him.
“Very funny, don’t know your own sister.” she toyed.
“Seriously woman!” he cried. “Who the bloody heck are you? I don’t know you! My name is Jared and this is my nephew Jason! We’re not from here and we don’t know who this Hycindathaul guy is!”
“Then why do you look exactly like him, sound exactly like him, and act exactly like him?!” she retorted.
“I’m telling you I’m not him!” he cried. “I’m Jared! Jason and I just had trouble with a witch and used this stupid spell that brought us here! We have no idea where we are!”
She looked at him curiously.
“You’re against magic.” she said curiously.
“I didn’t believe in it ‘til I used a spell to escape from a stupid witch!” he shouted.
“She would have killed us!” added Jason desperately.
“The Hycindathaul I know wouldn’t even joke of magic.” added the woman. “Unless you really want to trick me I doubt you’d go that far. Who are you?”
“I’ve been trying to tell you, I’m Jared and this is my nephew Jason.” replied Jared.
“We used a spell that brought us here and suddenly it seems like we’re a thousand years in the past.” added Jason.
“Well if you’re not Hycindathaul, where is he?” she asked.
“I don’t even know who the heck this Hycindathaul is!” cried Jared again. “First tell us who you are.”
“I’m Sarissa.” she replied. “Hycinathaul is my brother, and he looks exactly like you. Roan is his best friend and looks exactly like your friend there.”
“Honestly, I don’t care who this Hycindathaul is, I just wanna go home.” replied Jason.
“Watch your tongue about my brother!” shot Sarissa and Jared found himself reaching to his belt again though there was nothing there.
“What are you reaching for?” asked Sarissa. “You act like you don’t know how to fight and here you are reaching for a sword where my brother normally keeps his.”
“Sword?” asked Jared. “I’ve never held a sword in my life, why would I reach for one?”
“Beats
“We’ve already told you.” replied Jared. “We had a tussle with a Witch who had surrounded her forest with a curse that stopped us from leaving and the only way we could get out was by using a spell that I found in this book.” He waved the book in her face slightly as he said it. “The book said to say Eh-ruhnun, Beelz Ruhdis three times and it would bring us to a safe haven. It said it would bring us home.”
“But this is Hycindathaul’s home.” replied Sarissa.
“We know that.” shot Jason angrily.
“Listen,” began Jared. “Maybe if we’re here, this Hycindathaul fellow is back with that witch.”
“If he ended up with the witch, he’s probably toast.” added Jason.
“Don’t underestimate my brother.” replied Sarissa. “He is a strong warrior and no mere witch could best him.”
“I hope so.” offered Jared. “’Cause that witch was strong.”
“So what happened when you used the spell?” asked Sarissa.
“Well everything went black,” began Jared. “But I felt like I was moving and soon I saw a mirror, but my reflection seemed a little different. I went through the mirror and suddenly I was beside my reflection, but it was real. It was a real body. After a second it disappeared though and I ended up in the marketplace.”
“That’s where I sent Hycinathaul yesterday.” added Sarissa.
“Yeah, that’s where we ended up and I ended up getting this book that told me about the witch but I can’t read it because it’s in a weird language.” added Jared.
“Let me see it.” offered Sarissa as she took the book and leafed through it. “Are you stupid?” she asked after a moment. “You’re speaking the language.”
“No we’re not, the language we’re speaking is written differently.” argued Jared.
“Well I’ve got a question for you,” began Sarissa. “What do you call a man who is in a position of power and controls a city or nation?” she asked.
“A king.” replied Jared.
“Right, and what word is this?” she asked pointing to a word.
“I have no idea, I can’t even pronounce that!” replied Jared angrily.
“It’s the word king you twit!” she shouted.
“No it’s not!” argued Jason. “This is!” he took a feather pen from the desk and began to write. “What the heck?!” he shouted suddenly and leapt up.
“What is it?” asked Sarissa as she and Jared looked at the parchment.
“That’s not the word for king!” muttered Jared angrily as he picked up the quill and tried to write the word himself.
“When I tried to write it, that’s the word that showed up!” explained Jason fearfully.
“How can that be?” asked Jared rhetorically but after a moment his eyes widened and he jumped up himself. “I can’t write it!”
“You both seem to be playing tricks on me again.” noted Sarissa angrily.
“Really, we’re not!’ pleaded Jared. “This is all so weird!”
“I might know what to do.” offered Sarissa.
“What?!” demanded Jared and Jason simultaneously.
“The head of my order may know what to do. He’s very intelligent and knows a bit about magic.”
“That’s great, where is he?” asked Jared with excitement.
“He’s in the forests of Vel Aryth.” replied Sarissa.
“And where exactly is that?” asked Jared. “God, Hycinathaul, you really don’t know anything.” she exclaimed. “Vel Aryth is to the west and a long ways away from here.”
“Well let’s get going.” demanded Jason. “I want to go home!”
“First is breakfast!” shot Sarissa. “Or lunch for that matter, you twits sleep too long!”
“But what about Vel Aryth?” protested Jared.
“I don’t think it’s going anywhere.” replied Sarissa angrily.
The two ate a solitary breakfast together neither saying much to the other save for complaining about the cold porridge. They both just wanted to get up and go to this Vel Aryth place and find the head of Sarissa’s order to figure out how to get home.
Eventually Sarissa came out carrying a pack and several blades alone with a cloak around her shoulders.
“Can we go yet?” asked Jason when she arrived.
“If you’re both finally finished eating.” she shot back.
“Stop arguing, it doesn’t help in the least.” stated Jared as he stood up from the table.
“Don’t you tell me what to do!” snapped Sarissa.
“I’m not telling you what to do.” argued Jared. “I’m making a suggestion.”
It wasn’t five minuets after they’d left the church that trouble started to brew. Some shady character had knocked a man onto the ground in the street and was beating him savagely while another attempted to rob the man.
“What’s going on?!” demanded Jared.
“It’s just a mugging, Hycindathaul.” replied Sarissa simply though she eyed him curiously.
“And why isn’t anyone helping him?!” he demanded.
“It happens all the time,” she replied simply. “It doesn’t concern us so why bother?”
“I don’t care if it doesn’t concern us!” cried Hycindathaul. “I can’t sit idly while an innocent man is beaten to death for mere gold!”
With that he’d spun on his heel and rushed towards them with Jason by his side. They surprised the muggers with a quick punch to the face. They were knocked down easily but up in an instant and the fight began. Jared and Jason took a few hits but they gave just as many, that is, until the two muggers drew their blades. Two short swords, equally pristine and short, obviously used frequently.
“Roan!” shouted Hycindathaul as Roan’s attacker drew a blade. Hycindathaul tackled him but the attacker threw Hycinathaul off and he rolled towards Sarissa who merely stared at him.
“Here.” she said simply and handed him a blade and tossed one to Roan but Hycindathaul just shook his head and grabbed a different one.
“I’m not sure why but I want this one.” he said as he turned and charged back into the battle with his sword drawn. Roan drew his own blade and the battle began in full. He blocked the first attack and parried it before Hycindathaul rushed in and blocked the next attack aimed at Roan.
They stood back to back and fought fiercely slashing and thrusting, blocking and parrying until eventually they fought side by side; their movements in sync, and their enemies fearful.
Hycindathaul and Roan both blocked perfectly and parried both attacks at the same time in opposite directions, sending both enemies into each other. In the moment of distraction the two charged and struck out with the hilts of their blades, knocking the two attackers unconscious.
They sheathed their weapons, took a deep breath and nodded to each other.
“Did you see that?!” shouted Jason.
“I did!” cried Jared. “We were amazing!”
“Where did you learn to do that?!” cried Jason.
“I have no idea! It seemed so natural!” he replied in excitement. “How about you?!”
“I don’t know either!” replied Jason as Sarissa approached.
“You are Hycindathaul and Roan.” she said calmly. “I know it.”
“We’ve been over this Sarissa.” argued Jared. “We’re Jared and Jason.”
“The only reason I didn’t attack those fools myself was because I wanted to see what you would do. I knew that Hycindathaul and Roan would not have allowed that to happen, not only that you fought with both of their techniques and styles.”
“Well we didn’t even know what we were doing!” cried Jason.
“It was a coincidence.” added Jared.
“Then was it a coincidence when you called him Roan?” asked Sarissa.
“I didn’t say,“ began Jared but he realized surprisingly that he had in fact called Jason Roan. “I have no idea why I said that!”
“I have an idea but I’m not sure about It.” offered Sarissa.
“What’s that?” asked Jared.
“Never mind about that.” she said knocking the question aside. “We’ll find out when we find the head of my order, Tulla.”
“What makes you sure this Tulla figure knows?” asked Jason.
“Tulla is incredibly wise.” replied Sarissa as they continued to walk. “He knows a lot about the mysterious and the magical, he could probably give us the answer.”
“I hope so…” muttered Jared. “This is all so weird.”
The three walked for hours along the dirt roads of Sirth and Vel Aryth. Jared and Jason complained like madman the entire way until Sarissa could handle it no more and threw them into an inn for the night.
“Great, when’s dinner?” asked Jason as they lodged.
“Whenever you want, twit.” she shot back. “It’s downstairs whenever you feel like ordering!” she shouted as she left, slamming the door as she went.
“You comin’?” asked Jason as he crossed the room to the door.
“No, I’m going to try and read this book.” replied Jason as he sat down with the book and a quill.
“Alright, I’ll try to get you something too.” offered Jason as he left leaving Jared in totally quiet.
He began to write out word after word on a sheet of parchment in a hope to find what the first word of the book was. It took him nearly a half hour before finding it and realized it would take forever to do the entire book.
He slumped down on the chair and leaned on his elbow.
“There’s just no way this is real…” he sighed. “And even if it is, there’s no way I can decipher the book!”
He was absently scribbling on his page of parchment and started to write the first word of the book, and then the second, and the third.
But suddenly he stopped. The words had changed when he had written them. They were no longer in a language he couldn’t read; they were as they were in his home!
After some practice he realized that every time he tried to write a word he could read, it ended up being in the language he couldn’t read but the reverse was also true. All he had to do was right the words in the book the way they appeared and he’d be able to read them!
With a renewed sense of vigor he jumped back at it and started writing like mad to decipher the book. He had somewhere near a thousand words when he decided to take a break and go for a walk.
He wasn’t even aware that he had strapped the sword he had fought with the other day to his side when he left; his cloak seemed designed to hide it perfectly.
The cool brisk air whipped about him as he walked the
But amidst the madness of this new world he now found himself in, there seemed to be an odd sense of satisfaction, of belong, of familiarity. Like deep down in some repressed memory he had been here before, he had grown here.
But he dismissed the feeling quickly, as there was no way he could ever have been here before, he had only ever used magic one time and that was how he got here in the first place.
There was a shrill cry in the distance and he knew something was up. The cry seemed to have been muffled but he knew the sound of terror, though he wasn’t sure how, and he took off at sprint through the streets looking for the source.
There it was again. This time accompanied by the sounds of a struggle to his right. He was standing beside a dimly lit alleyway and knew that someone was getting roughed up in there.
“Leave her be!” he shouted fiercely as he entered the alley though he wasn’t sure how he knew there was a woman being roughed up.
“And who’re you to tell us whadda do?” asked a man as Jared approached.
“Hycindathaul, that’s who.” he said. “I said, let her be.” this time his voice dripped with ferocity and command.
“I ain’t think so.” said another as they both approached brandishing daggers but Hycindathaul was undeterred. The first took a jab but Hycindathaul grabbed his wrist and sent him flying past while he kicked the second in the gut.
They both stood up and advanced on him again, this time in unison but once more Hycindathaul was undeterred.
“Attempted rape and assault.” he said quietly to himself. “Both highly punishable crimes.”
‘Shuddup!” shouted one of them as they both attacked.
Hycindathaul crouched slightly and gripped the hilt of his blade. He spun quickly as he drew it and knocked them both back almost simultaneously and threw them away.
He stood to his full height before speaking.
“You both attempted to rape a woman!” he shouted, his voice commanding and authorative. “Be thankful you only received flesh wounds!”
He crossed the alley quickly and approached the naked woman. She was terrified and when he knelt down she almost tried to run but he spoke soothingly.
“Don’t worry, I’m no one dangerous.” he said softly. “You’re safe now, they didn’t do anything.” Before he said anything else he took off his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
“Thank you.” she breathed in a weak voice.
“Listen, you need to get home, I can walk you there, let’s go.” he helped her up as he said it but she shook her head no.
“I don’t have a home.” she said.
“Do you live on the streets?” he asked.
“No I’m staying at the Inn.” she said and he smiled.
“So am I, I’ll escort you safely back, then you can get some clothes.”
She smiled nicely at him and nodded her head. They began to leave the alleyway but they had to stop once so she could kick one of the two that had attempted to rape her.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“I’m Sarah.” she replied sweetly.
“My name is Jared.” he offered with a slight bow.
“I thought you said your name was Hycindathaul?” she asked slightly confused.
He was surprised, he hadn’t even noticed there was anything different when he had said it and he was so caught up in helping her that he hadn’t even noticed that he had fought two armed attacked by himself!
“Well…” he began but had no idea how to explain it. “I go by both names, you can call me what you want.”
“Okay.” she agreed as they reached the
“Walk behind
She nodded once and they entered but there was no way to get through the entire Pub and
“I think they like you.” said Jared as he opened her door for her and she walked in. “I’ll be going to my room now.” he said. “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to come and find me, I’m actually in the room right next to yours.”
“Thank you so much.” she said through slightly teary eyes and hurried into the room to get dressed.
Jared retired to his room but he found he couldn’t concentrate at all on deciphering the book. He was me concerned with what was happening to him.
He seemed to be fiercer now; his senses were heightened, he was stronger, and he knew things he shouldn’t know. He was so different now.
Sitting on his bed he began to think of Sarah, and he became more and more mad, thinking about how horrid some people could be; how absolutely horrendously low a human being can sink to, just to have a few moments of please. He despised people like that and he would show them no mercy.
There was a soft knock at the door and when he opened it he found Sarah. He let her in and they sat on the bed.
“What can I do for you Sarah?” he asked.
“Well I don’t have any company,” she began. “I didn’t want to be alone so I thought we could just talk.”
“I’m always up for a nice conversation.” he said as he moved to the chair at the desk.
“Thank you again.” she said, as though she wasn’t sure what else to say.
“It’s no problem, really.” he offered. “What brings you out here anyways?”
“I’m looking for someone.” she replied.
“So am I, actually.”
“Who are you looking for?” she asked.
“I’m looking for a guy named Tulla.” replied Jared.
“Why are you looking for Tulla?” she asked suddenly but he was slightly taken back and not sure how to answer the question.
“Well it’s sort of a long story but I need to ask him some questions.” he replied. “What about you?” asked Jared.
“I’m looking for a king.” she explained. “My homeland is wracked with crime and it’s all because of Mallunun.”
“Mallunun?” asked Jared.
“Yes, Mallunun.” she replied.
“No, I mean who is Mallunun?” explained Jared.
“You don’t know who Mallunun is?!” she cried. “How could you not know of the evil he induces?! How he dams rivers just to sell the water to the city’s that enter drought because of him, how he destroys the forests so that animals have less room and are easier to catch and skin, how he is so horribly evil that if given the chance I would take him out myself!”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” offered Jared awkwardly.
“You know,” began Sarah. “I came here expecting you to be some hero, or maybe even the man I was looking for and I honestly believed it possible, from the way you acted early but you’re completely different now! You’re not the man I was looking for, I’m sorry, but I’m leaving.”
She left before he could say another word
A little later on Sarissa and Jason returned. Jared had a few scraps to eat but he was too immersed in his thoughts to have much of an appetite. They all retired to sleep not long later.
The next morning Sarissa was up and yelling at them again.
“How can you both sleep so much?!” she demanded as she attempted to rouse them. “Get your lazes selves ready, we don’t have all day!”
“Alright, alright!” cried Jared. “We’re getting up!”
She had already packed everything by the time they had managed to get out of their beds.
They had left the inn before any of the merchants had set up their stalls, there was hardly a rush.
“Why’d we have to get up so early?” asked Jason as he stifled a yawn.
“It’s no so early.” argued Sarissa. “This is the proper time to get up, any more sleep and it’s a waste.”
“But it’s so early…” whined Jason. “Is this Tulla guy so far away?”
“It’ll take all day to get to him if that’s what you mean.” replied Sarissa as they walked.
“Why does he have to live so far away?” asked Jason.
“Because the universe doesn’t revolve around you!” she shouted.
“Is there a king of Vel Aryth?” asked Jared suddenly.
“What?” asked Sarissa taken aback.
“Is there a king of Vel Aryth?” he asked again. “You know, prominent male in a position of power?”
“Why?”
“I’m just wondering, I met a girl last night and she said she was out here looking for a king. She thought I was that person.” he explained.
“And what did you say?” demanded Sarissa. She seemed completely concerned with only him now.
“I didn’t say much, just that I was looking for Tulla, eventually she left after she said she thought I was this king but was mistaken.”
“A king huh?” asked Jason rhetorically. “That’ll be the day!”
They both laughed awkwardly, though not sure why.
“Shut up you twits.”
Sometime around
“Hey look at this!” he shouted and the other two moved in to see what he was talking about.
“I started to translate this book so I could read it and I found something amazing!”
“What is it?” asked Sarissa.
“This book isn’t the same as the one I read and at first I thought it was just a fictional novel but now I realize it’s a prophecy!” he explained. “It tells of a new king rising to power, one who possesses the true noble blood in its purest and wields the flame.”
“Yes yes, I’ve heard the legend.” said Sarissa defensively.
“I just thought it was neat.” offered Jared. “The king supposedly meets an ill tempered mistress and an unmarred beauty on the verge of tarnish as well as meeting the scholar of scholars, and obtaining a dragon.”
“So do you hide that dragon in your pocket?” asked Jason jokingly.
“Yes actually.” answered Jared continuing the joke. And I wield the flame, I hold it in my palm but it likes to be hot.”
They both broke out laughing uncontrollably.
“Shut up you twits!” shouted Sarissa. “Don’t you dare mock the coming king!” she was furious.
“I didn’t mean anything by it.” apologized Jared as he tried to stop laughing.
“It’s not that mean.” offered Jason. “It’s just a simple joke.”
“I don’t care what it is!” cried Sarissa angrily. “Don’t you dare go insulting someone as amazing as them! Just shut up for the rest of the walk!”
And they did. They didn’t dare speak with Sarissa so positively angry.
All they could do was merely walk in silence, afraid that if they even complained about stepping on a sharp rock, she would have their heads.
A little later in the day they reached the
“Don’t go wandering anywhere.” warned Sarissa. “You could get lost for all eternity in a forest like this.”
“Duly noted.” muttered Jason as they crawled through the forest slowly.
“How far into the forest will it be?” asked Jared.
“Not that far, but in the forest we’ll be moving slower than normal so about a half hour until we reach it.”
“What will it be like?” asked Jason. “Like, will it be very formal? Or will he be a jolly fellow who’s impossible to insult?”
“He is what he is.” replied Sarissa. “You will see, he wouldn’t want me to make you act differently than your norm around him.”
“I think I know what kind of person he will be.” said Jared quietly.
“Oh?”
“I’m not sure how, but I feel like I’ve met him before.” explained Jared. “And I have a feeling that all he’s going to do, is confirm what I already fear.”
That was when the hut came into view. Neither Jason nor Jared thought it would be the home of Tulla, but Sarissa directed them inside anyways.
Sat atop a stool in front of a fire pit and a table was Tulla; a short man with a long beard and a face older than death.
“Greetings Tulla.” said Sarissa as she bowed low.
“So great to see you Sarissa.” he replied. “And nice to meet you, Hycindathaul and Roan, though I have met you before, I have yet to meet the new you.”
“What do you mean?” asked Hycinathaul as he stepped forwards. “I’ve never seen you before, and I don’t think Jason has. What do you mean by the new us?”
“You already know.” replied Tulla. “Come, sit. What use is traveling is you do not receive comfort?”
Hycindathaul and Jason sat awkwardly beside the fire and accepted a warm mug of tea each.
“As you were saying?” urged Jared.
“You’re not from here are you?” asked Tulla and Jared shook his head. “But Hycindathaul was.”
“Neither of us are from here.” explained Jared. “We were attacked by a witch and we used a spell that brought us here. I didn’t believe in magic but when I said Eh-ruhnun, Beelz Ruhdis three times we were transported here and apparently Hycindathaul disappeared.”
“We thought that maybe Hycindathaul was transported back to where we came from.” added Jason but Tulla shook his head.
“Hycindathaul wasn’t transported anywhere.” he replied.
“Then where is he?” asked Sarissa as she took a seat and a mug beside the fire.
“Why he’s in the room Sarissa, can’t you tell that he’s your brother?” asked Tulla.
“I am not!” protested Jared. “I had never saw her before I was brought here with the spell.”
“That simply isn’t true.” replied Tulla.
“Why not?” asked Sarissa.
“Because it’s not.” said Tulla simply. “How do explain to someone that they have lived most of their life beside someone? You can’t explain it with logic and reasoning, it’s merely true or not.”
“But how could it be that I don’t remember her?” asked Jared as he played along.
“Well it’s quite simple,” began Tulla. “You’re just using the wrong memories.”
“What do you mean?” asked Sarissa.
“You’re giving me a headache.” muttered Jared. “Start from the beginning please.”
“Very well.” agreed Tulla. “You used a spell that brought you here, correct?” Jared and Jason nodded. “Do you know where this is?” he asked but they shook their head. “Quite simply this is a different world than your own.” he explained. “When you came to this world Hycindathaul didn’t disappear, he merely became you.”
“What?!” demanded Hycindathaul as he leapt up from his seat.
“Let me explain it further.” offered Tulla. “In this world, take every single person here, and then go to the other world and you’ll find every single one of them. The only difference is they are different people, with the same soul.”
Hycindathaul sat back down as he listened.
“Our souls have two bodies, one in each world, but no one knows why. Each body grows in separate worlds and become essentially separate people with separate experiences and therefore separate personalities.
“When you came to this world, your soul knew and when you met yourself, your soul came together and reformed it’s full self, the two separate people became one. You are neither Hycindathaul nor Jared, you are both.”
“But that can’t be!” exclaimed Jason in disbelief. “That just can’t be true, how can two people become one?!”
“It’s perfectly normal to deny it.” offered Tulla. “But I assure you it is true. Have you not already experience something that didn’t seem possible? Perhaps you knew something you shouldn’t know, or did something that you hadn’t learned how to do?”
“There were the fights!” exclaimed Jared suddenly. “We fought some thugs early on with swords and neither of us knew how to fight back home.”
“That is precisely the experiences I meant.” explained Tulla. “Because Hycindathaul was an experienced fighter, you are as well simply because Hycindathaul was one half of you.”
“I don’t believe it!” cried Roan in disbelief.
“You do not have to believe
“Then you could be wrong?” asked Jason.
“There is a chance, as there is with anyone.” agreed Tulla.
“Tulla is rarely wrong, Roan.” stated Sarissa.
“Don’t call me that!” shouted Jason angrily. “I am Jason, not Roan!”
“Jason, calm down!” shouted Jared.
“How could I calm down?” he cried. “I’m in some new world and this guy says I’m not me anymore! I can’t stand it!”
With that he stormed out of the building and into the forest.
“That fool is going to get himself lost.” muttered Sarissa.
“Just like Roan.” offered Tulla and Sarissa nodded.
“We’ll continue this conversation later.” stated Hycindathaul. “I need to find my friend.” He stressed the word friend rather than using either name.
Tulla nodded and Sarissa got up to leave with Jared.
