Chapter 2

 

                The wanderer opened her eyes to find herself staring at a gray ceiling. Frightened she jerked up into a sitting position, only to find the world swirl before her eyes. With a groan she let herself fall back onto the bed and squeezed her eyes shut.

                “I wouldn’t move about so much if I were you.” Said a girl’s voice to her left. The wanderer didn’t open her eyes or try to speak. She wanted to throw up. Something cold was pressed against her head, relieving the worst of the nausea. Slowly, the wanderer opened her eyes to find, not a girl as she had first thought, but a young man with long white hair and long pointed ears attending her. He bowed politely.

                “I’ll inform the princess that you have awaken. Excuse me.” He said rising and left. The wanderer didn’t really know what to make of her surroundings and didn’t have much time to think about it before a girl entered the room and sat down on the bed across from her. The young man she had seen first did not return.

                “I’ve sent Avery off to find some food for you.” Tella said. “Now then I have some things I want to ask you.”

                “I have a few questions myself.” The wanderer said, not entirely sure she could trust this girl. Tella bit her lip in annoyance.

                “Look, if it weren’t for me you’d be worse than dead. I wanna know why you were with those Areans. What were they up to? Where were they going? What did they want with you?”

                “I-I” the wanderer stuttered, “I don’t know! Th-They came up on me and my friend in the woods.”

                “Who did? Was it Mahito?”

                “Who?” the wanderer asked. Tella sighed. Apparently this girl knew nothing.

                “Long black hair, creepy, and one of the most arrogant buggers your likely to ever meet.”

                “Well, yes. That was him.” The wanderer said, even though she wasn’t sure about the arrogant part. “I’m not sure what he wanted.” The wanderer said. It was the truth, though she suspected he had been after her staff. Come to think of it… Where was the staff? It had melted away when he touched it- was it gone forever?

                “What’s wrong?” Tella asked, picking up the troubled thoughts of the wanderer.

                “N-Nothing just-” but the wanderer got no father than that when a soundless blast of golden light exploded in the room. Tella was about to cry out but by the time she opened her mouth it was over. And in the wanderer’s hand was an ornately carved staff. Tella’s eyes grew wide and she let a few curses fly. The wanderer blushed knowing now that the girl would interrogate her nonstop until she found the answers.

                “W-Where did you get that thing?” Tella asked.

                “Umm… It was given to me.” The wanderer said vaguely. Tella let out a little moan of amazement and scooted back a bit.

                “Well yeah. I didn’t think you made it.” She said. “I suppose this is why the Areans were after you? Yeah, Mahito has an eye for shiny things. You’d better watch it. He’d love that in his collection.” Tella said. The wanderer shrugged and thanked whatever higher power there was that he had not gotten a hold it and her.

                “Well now, my other question, where are you from exactly?” Tella asked. “I know your not Betamian, defiantly not a Hailian, and probably not an Arean. Somehow I doubt your Iyokian either.” The wanderer paused still unsure if she should tell this girl anything, but it seemed futile. The girl seemed to guess pretty well.

                Well, you tell me.” The wanderer said. “You seem to already have your ideas about me. Right?” Tella shrugged.

                “I don’t know anything about you except your weird… Hey, you said you had a friend with you in the forest when the Arean’s attacked?”

                “Yes.” The wanderer said suddenly intent, “his name was Will and he was helping me through the forest when we were attacked by Areans.”

                “He had scruffy brown hair in a pony tail…?” Tella said suddenly feeling a little sick.

                “Y-Yeah.” The wanderer said.

                “Oops. I ran him off. I guess he was trying to help you but…” Tella said. “I thought he was an Arean trying to take you… though I thought he was a rather strange looking Arean.”

                “He’s not Arean. He’s Iyokian.” The wanderer said, a little proud to have that much information. Tella nodded.

                “Arean and Iyokians don’t look terribly different from each other… Hehe… honest mistake.”

                “Oh no. You didn’t kill him did you?” the wanderer asked. Tella made a face.

                “I’m not that barbaric! Well, not usually, not when they run away.” She said then jumped. “Oh! I haven’t introduced myself yet! Well, I am Tella de Alarica, Princess of Betamy. I don’t suppose you knew?”

                “No.” she said, “And you can call me the wanderer, because I can’t remember my real name…” the wanderer paused and changed tracks, “Was it you that rescued us from the Areans?”

                “Yes… But you can’t tell anyone. If you do it wont be good. It’s a secret, you understand. I can’t have people knowing the princess of Betamy is running around in the woods running Areans off. All of my advisors would think it terribly disgraceful behavior, so you see-” Tella cut off and cocked her head listening. Rapid foot steppes came hurrying up the stair case. The wanderer had not time to hid, nor did she really need to.

                “Princess!” Avery shouted. Tella rose quickly and face him. She had never seen Avery this agitated.

                “Avery?” she asked, “What- what?”

                “Lord Fairien. He’s-”

                “Fairien?” the wanderer asked. “Fairien Bayard?” but no one was paying her any attention.

                “I-It was an ambush-” Avery stuttered out.

                “He’s only been gone an hour!” Tella shouted.

                “There was a large group of Arean, only two men made it back out of the five guards we sent with Lord Fairien. They- the Areans- were waiting just inside the forest… It was lead by the general Mahito… I-It…” Avery stopped and looked away. Tella did not move. “He didn’t make it. It seems the Arena s knew he would be coming out. And they wanted to strike this blow…”

                “He can’t be dead!” the wanderer screamed. “I have to give him a message!” now Tella turned toward her. The princess’s jaw was locked tightly clinched to avoid trembling.

                “W-What did you say?”

                “I-I have to give him a message. That’s why I came here…” the wanderer said close to tears.

                “He didn’t even make it two miles away form the castle… I-I can’t believe this… Is our country this weak? There’s been no time…” Avery was saying quietly.

                “What message?!” Tella shouted. But the wanderer shook her head.

                “ I don’t know!… I don’t know anything….”

                “He lost… He lost to them…” Avery said.

                “Fairien would have lost to them! Its impossible!” Tella was shouting. “I mean, even I can handle the Arenas in the woods, Fairien wouldn’t have… H-He…”

                “No one can stand against some of their weapons.” Avery said. “They have technology we can only dream of. And with so many of them… How did they know he would be there?…”

                “Fairien is still more than a match… I won’t believe this!” Tella yelled running toward the door. “You stay here,” she shouted back at the wanderer. “Get some rest or something. I have things to take care of.” And so both she and Avery ran down the stairs leaving the wanderer alone.

 

 

                It was dark by the time the wanderer awoke. She had decided there was nothing she could do and so she had gone back to sleep in hopes of feeling better when she awoke. As she opened her eyes she noticed the door opening and Avery entering with two trays of food. Seeing that she was awake he drew nearer and set the trays down gently.

                “Princess Tella will join you shortly.” He said, “Please excuse us for our lack of hospitality… The circumstances have been… trying.”

                “Oh, no, don’t apologize. I-I wish I had gotten that message to him sooner…” the wanderer said. Avery looked at her curiously but was much to polite to ask, and so he rose to leave. As he opened the door Tella stepped in. She looked tired and somehow older than the wanderer remembered her looking.

                “There is food there on the table, princess.” Avery said quietly as he left. Tella nodded and flounced down beside the wanderer.

                   “The Areans didn’t even leave us the body.” Tella said. The wanderer didn’t know what to say to this so she remained silent while Tella glanced at the tray of food.

                “Well, what was this message you were suppose to give him?” Tella asked.

                “I told you before, I don’t know…” the wanderer said. “I was just told to find him and that I was going to deliver a message.”

                “Will you tell me who sent you?” Tella asked.

                “There not much to tell.” The wanderer said, “I don’t know who he was. You seemed to have already guessed, I’m not from this world. He sent me here…” the wanderer hoped she was making sense.

                “I guess he’s the one who gave you that staff?”

                “Yes.” The wanderer said looking down at it lying on the floor next to the door.

                “Well… I have a guess at who this person might be.” Tella said.

                “Who?” the wanderer asked. Tella paused a moment.

                “Maybe I shouldn’t say.” She said. “If he didn’t tell you who he was.” The wanderer sat back disappointed.

               

 

                At that moment Will stood outside the castle staring up at the glowering stonewalls. He glowered back at them.

                “I’m beginning to think that guy may not have been as nice as I first thought.” He said. “I wonder what happened to sending the guard back to let me in….. Well, no matter. I still have to find a way in. I think he was telling the truth when he said the wanderer was in there. Let’s see…” Will walked around the walls again. It was getting late and the sun was almost gone. Will reached the far end of the wall and stopped.

                “Oh this is hopeless! I’ve walked around this castle a hundred times already and I still haven’t found any way in… I guess that’s the point…” he sighed and walked towards one of the crevices in the wall. “I guess I’ll sleep here tonight. I’m too tired to climb a tree and I haven’t seen any Areas or anything all this time I’ve been here so…” Will plopped down and laid back against the wall. “Besides, if I sleep in this crevice, no one will see me… Ah!” he cried out realizing that the stone he had been leaning back on was not quite as stonish as he had originally thought. Looking behind him, Will could see in the fading light vines creeping up the side of the wall. He looked up and could see a small window peeking out of the stonework. Will smiled and for the second time that day thought, things were starting to work out.

 

                The wanderer was fiddling with her staff. Tella sat silently on the floor at the bedside.

                “Becarful with that thing. Its pretty powerful.” Tella warned her.

                “What are you talking about?” the wanderer asked. Pointing it at her. Tella growled loudly and knocked the staff away from her.

                “Idiot! You don’t point something like that at a person! Don’t you know anything? Who knows what kind of magic that thing can do.”

                “Magic?” the wanderer asked.

                “Yes.” Tella said glaring at her. The wanderer looked at her staff again curiously.

                “How do I make it do magic?” she asked.

                “Go bug someone else.” Tella muttered staring off into space. The wanderer frowned and remembered this had not been the best day for Tella. So, she would have to amuse herself.

                “Poof…” she said quietly as she jerked her stick to the right. Tella glared at her sharply and was opening her mouth to say something when she stopped. Her eyes grew wide and she scooted back away from the bed. The wanderer looked back down at her staff to find it was glowing and little stringlets of gold twisting themselves around and a around the staff. She cried out and tried to drop the staff but found she could move. The wanderer looked up in panic and found herself staring into a pair of deep golden eyes.

                “My wanderer, we meet again.” Said the one who had called here to that world. Next to her, the wanderer heard a quiet squeak from Tella and His eyes shifted to the princess.

                “You needn’t be afraid Princess Tella.” He said. She stared at him with frightened eyes and nodded slowly.

                “S-Sir…” the wanderer said, “I-I’m sorry… I didn’t get to him in time to give him the message.” He nodded sadly. Frightened the wanderer continued, “I- um, y-you won’t send me back home will you?”

                “… Only if you want me to.” He said. The wanderer shook her head.

                “This world will become a very… difficult place now, are you sure you want to stay?” he asked her.

                “Yes sir, I can’t leave these people to deal with something that is my fault.” The wanderer said.

                “No, it is not your fault at all. You needn’t worry about that. I am very grateful for your attempt. There are forces working against you and it was not the easiest mission.”

                “Excuse me.” Tella said. He shifted his eyes to her again and Tella froze but continued. “this girl’s message… Was it going to keep Fairien from going to Area? Keep him from getting killed?”

                “… It is impossible to tell what would have happened.” He said. “Fairien Bayard had a very important part in the fight to balance this world’s forces. That is all I can say for certain.”

                “I see.” Tella said.

                “Isn’t there anything we can do?” the wanderer asked. “Whatever Fairien was going to do, can I do it?”

                “The mission-” the man stopped and glanced to his left. Tella and the wanderer followed his gaze to the window.

                “Perhaps you should invite him in.” the man said, “before he falls off the ledge while he listens to other people’s conversations.”

                “What?!” Tella cried running to the window, throwing the shutters open and looking downward. Will peered back, up into her angry eyes.

                “W-Who are you?!” Tella cried.

                “Will?” the wanderer asked joining Tella at the window.

                “Hey! Wanderer! I thought that was your voice!” Will said. “Sorry for eves dropping. I didn’t want to interrupt.”

                “Why don’t I drop you off the eve?” Tella muttered. “Get in here you before you fall who ever you are.”

                “Jeez…” Will said as he climbed in the window. “Not too friendly are you? At least your not trying to kill me this time…” Will trailed off as he saw the man with golden eyes.

                “Who… are you?” Will asked.

                “You don’t know Mr. Kapino?” the man asked. Will shook his head.

                “Hey idiot,” Tella said turning to Will, “The wanderer has an excuse for not knowing. You don’t. In less your also not from this world?”

                “No way!” Will said then proudly said, “I’m Iyokian.”

                “Please tell us, who you are.” The wanderer said.

                “My name is Azrael. I am the Soul of this World.”

                “I know who you are.” Will said. “But don’t you rule over Hailia? What are you doing here in Betamy?”

                “I suppose you will see.” Azrael said and turned back to the wanderer. “To answer you question earlier, yes, it is possible for you to do what Fairien was going to do, however it will be very difficult.” He sighed and walked to the far side of the room and peered back at them. “I wasn’t meant for you to have to do this.”

                “What is it?” the wanderer asked. “What do I have to do?”

                “You would have to go to Area. To the capital city of Avrai.”

                “Is that what Fairien had to do?” Tella asked.

                “…Yes.” Azrael said reluctantly.

“So he was supposed to do that? He was supposed to have to put aside everything here and go there?” she asked. “Then why did he die? That’s what he was trying to do!” Azrael said nothing but listened silently until Tella was finished.

“It was not the right time.” He said. “That’s all I know.”

“Is that what you were going to tell him in the message?” the wanderer asked. Azrael nodded.

“But I don’t know that it would have saved his life.” He said.

“Can I ask something?” Will asked. “Why Avrai? Why would anyone need to go there?”

“…That is not something that should be spoken of.” Azrael said. “I am sorry that I cannot tell you, but if you are to get safely anywhere it would be best that you do not possess such knowledge. As I told you there are forces that would try and prevent your progress. If you know too much, they will seize upon you until you are destroyed. For now my wanderer, you must trust me.” The wanderer nodded.

“If she’s going down to Area, in place of Fairien,” Tella said, “then I’m coming too.”

“This is very dangerous.” Azrael said. “Princess, do not feel that you must go because of Fairien Bayard. I doubt he would want you to go.”

“I know he wouldn’t. And I know that everyone else here would want me to go, but I’m going nonetheless. You say this affects the balance of the world? Then that affects my country, and this war we are in. If I am to do my duty to help this country in any way I can, then I must go.”

“If you guys are going to Avrai, you’ll need to go by way of Hailia.” Will suggested, “If you try and enter Arean on Betamy’s border, you’ll end up dead. It way too heavily guarded to get past. But Hailia isn’t guarded so well because they are considered a lost cause to Area since they have no way of fighting back.”

                “So you do know something.” Tella said. Will nodded.

                “Like I told the wanderer, I run Arean blockades around Hailia all the time to bring in supplies.”

                “Which you charge extra for.” Tella muttered. Will shrugged.

                “Supply and demand. That’s business.”

                “You are correct.” Azrael said, “About Hailia’s boarder. It would be the only way to go.”

                “I don’t know about Avrai,” Will said, “But I can get you guys to Hailia on my uncle’s boat… That is if you make a good impression on uncle.” Azrael smiled at them and spread his arms toward them.

                “Then go with my blessing.” He said. “And please be very careful.”

                  “Of course. We won’t do anyone any good dead.” Tella said. Azrael closed his eyes and faded away.

                “Wow… That was really weird.” Will said.

                “Well! We have a lot of work to do. We’ll have to leave tonight.” Tella said.

                “Huh? Tonight? But- but if we go at night it will be dangerous in the woods.” Will said.

                “It will be dangerous in the day time too.” Tella said.

                “But-but!”

                “Look,” Tella said grabbing shoulder bags and stuffing things into them, “If we don’t leave tonight then we won’t leave at all. The people in this castle won’t let us leave so we have to sneak out and we can’t wait a whole nother day.”

                “Right. We have to leave soon,” the wanderer said. “And we have to avoid the Areans at all costs, alright Tella?” Tella make a face and nodded.

                “Wow! Food!” Will said spotting the untouched trays of food Avery had brought in. “You guys have no idea how hungry I am, mind if I…?”

                “Go ahead.” Tella said to him and turned to the wanderer, “You know we are going to have to travel inconspicuously, and your clothes are a bit… strange to say the least.” She said eyeing the jeans, jacket and tennis shoes. The wanderer blushed.             

                “Well, what should I do? I don’t have any other clothes.”

                “I’ll give you some of mine. Go back there in the closet and grab some stuff and put it on. It doesn’t matter what.” The wanderer nodded and walked back into the huge closet area and closed the door.

                “Man, who makes this stuff?” Will asked. “This is the best food I’ve ever tasted, of course, it could be that I’m just starving…”

                “Humph. It probably is the best food you’ve ever tasted and ever will taste.” Tella said.

                “Umm, Tella..” came the wanderer’s voice from the closet. “I’m sorry, but w-what is this thing? And how are you suppose to… get it on?” Tella stopped packing and went back to the closet.

                “That’s a corset, don’t worry about that thing. Pure evil that. Try something like… this here…”

                “… How do I…?” the wanderer asked.

                “Here, I’ll show you.” Tella said.

                “I’m sorry.”

“No its fine.” Tella said. Will, meanwhile oblivious to all stretched out on the bed, his stomach finally full.

“Better enjoy it Will, you won’t be sleeping in a real bed for a looooong time…” he said to himself and closed his eyes. The door cracked slightly and Avery stuck his head in saying softly,

“Madam, I’ve brought you some tea-” he cut off seeing Will. Will jerked his head up and stared at Avery. Avery’s face went pail and he dropped the tray.

“H-Hey…!” Will said jumping up and raising his hands, “Let me-” but Avery shouted something unintelligible and rushed at Will, knocking him down and pinning him to the floor.

“E-Ep!” Will said choking as Avery pushed his arm down on Will’s throat.

“A-Avery!” Tella shouted sticking her head out of the closet. Avery glared at her.

“Madam! What is this… male doing in your room, with you in a state of undress!”

“H-Hey! It’s not like you think!” Tella protested. “Just let him up-”

“If he’s hurt you or caused you any distress at all madam I can kill him for you.” Avery said narrowing his eyes.

“Avery! Stop!” Tella shouted. “Let him up this instant! He’s done nothing! Understand?” Avery gazed at her in dismay and reluctantly got up.

“Then explain to me why he his here.” Avery said fixing her with a stern glare.

“Umm…” Tella bit her lip searching for an answer. “He’s the wanderer’s friend. He was looking for her.”

“And why were you undressed?” Avery asked.

“Oh come on Avery, I was in the closet, he didn’t see anything…” Tella reached behind her for one of her bags. “I was showing this girl some of my clothes.”

“That’s rather unusual for you Princess, don’t you think? Clothes?” Avery asked his glare growing more intense by the second. Tella smiled apologetically.

“I’m sorry Avery.” She said and pulled her staff out of the bag. “Sleep!” she shouted. Avery jumped back in surprise but couldn’t avoid the spell. He fell to the floor and lay in a small heap. “Nothing personal Avery.” Tella said. “I’m really sorry and I’m sure you’ll be mad at me for this but I’ve got to go help Betamy.” With that she grabbed her bags and motioned for them to follow her.

“Come on wanderer, you’ll be alright now in those clothes.” The wanderer came out wear a loose white shirt, long dark pants and a short cape.

“Here,” Tella said handing her a small round case. “For your staff.” The wanderer blinked looking at it.

“There’s no way my staff will fit in that thing.” She said. Tella held up her staff and another round case and slide her staff in. It seemed to disappear when it entered. It was impossible. Te wanderer shrugged and tried it with her staff. It went in just fine. Tella tied her case around her waist and grabbed a few bags, giving them to her companions.

“We’ll go out the secret passage.” Tella said. “It’s the way I brought the wanderer in.” Tella said smiling.

“Well, we’re off then.” the wanderer said, “Won’t this be frightful? What an adventure!”

“We are so dead…” Will moaned to himself. “How do I get into these messes?”

“Oh, be an optimist!” the wanderer said smiling.

“Right. Optimistic… Well, at least I’m not hungry anymore.” Will said.

“That’s the spirit.” Tella said. “We’ll make Verca by sun up! Come on! HAHA!!” and she ran off with Will and the wanderer struggling to keep up.