Chapter Three

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AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

A cry in the night startles James out of a dead sleep. Dave is thrashing around in the bed next to him caught up in some nightmare. He turns to him and shakes him vigorously as he says, “Wake up!”

The door to his room bursts open as Jiron rushes in wearing nothing but his nightclothes with both knives drawn and ready.

Dave sits up and lets out another scream as he snaps awake. “He’s just having a nightmare,” James says to the crowd who’s gathered at his door. “Go back to bed.”

“Thought someone was dying in here,” comments Jiron as he leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.

Dave’s eyes dart around for several moments as if he’s not aware of where he is. Slowly, his breathing begins calming down and his eyes settle on James. “You okay?” James asks.

“Yeah,” he says, voice quavering. James can still feel him shaking from whatever nightmare he just experienced. “Thought I was somewhere else for a minute.”

“Where?” James inquires.

Turning his eyes to James, he says very quietly, “I don’t know. It’s fading.”

“That’s the way with some dreams,” says his friend. “Just try to go back to sleep.”

“I’ll try,” replies Dave.

What happened to him in the Empire must’ve really screwed him up. Worry about his friend keeps James from falling asleep for awhile, but eventually he makes it.

The next morning, he wakes up before Dave and gets dressed quietly so as not to wake him. Going to the kitchen, Ezra prepares a plate of food and sets it before him on the table.

From where she’s cleaning up at the washbasin, she asks, “How is your friend?”

“Alright, I guess,” he says. “Did he disturb you last night?”

“I think he disturbed everyone last night,” she replies.

“Sorry about that,” he apologizes. “He went through a bad time in the Empire.”

“I understand,” she says.

He eats in silence and when he’s through tells her that he’ll be out in his workshop should anyone need him.

Once out the back door, he sees where Illan has the recruits doing morning exercises as they begin their daily drill. Glad he’s not one of them, he walks across to his workshop and goes inside.

The sack of crystals Delia brought is sitting atop his workbench. He checks and finds them similar to the ones she brought before. Next he goes over and makes sure the receiver crystal isn’t aglow. A glow would indicate someone or something has disturbed the hiding place of the Fire. He’d hate to think what that would mean. Satisfied it has remained undisturbed, he goes back to the problem of what he learned in Saragon.

If the old man’s family hasn’t unraveled the mystery in the centuries it’s been in their keeping, what hope do I have?

Knock! Knock!

“Come in!” he hollers.

The door opens and Dave walks in. “Good morning!” James says cheerfully.

“You too,” he replies. The cheerfulness that he once knew in his friend is nowhere to be found. The harshness of his recent past has subdued his spirit measurably.

“What are you doing?” he asks as he comes over to the workbench. Looking around, he takes in the sack of crystals on the floor next to him and the other things James has in his workshop. Reaching down, he picks up one of the crystals out of the sack and takes a look at it.

“Just some thinking,” James replies.

“You always did do a lot of that back home,” he says.

James considers what to tell his friend about his life here, what he’s up to and what he can do with magic. “True,” he says. “I want to show you something.”

Putting the crystal back in the sack he asks, “What?” Turning to look at James he sees him holding out his hand, palm up. Suddenly, a glowing orb appears, springing to life upon his hand. “Whoa!” Dave exclaims as he leans closer to look. “How did you do that?”

James cancels the orb and it disappears. “Remember that ad I showed you in the lunch room?”

“Yeah,” he replies.

“Remember how it said ‘Magic! Real Magic! Ever wanted to learn?’?” he asks. “Since coming here, I’ve been able to do magic. I even brought Rocky to life.”

“Rocky?” questions Dave, not entirely understanding what he’s talking about.

“Sure,” he says. “That stone construct you always used to use during our role playing games.”

“Oh, right,” he says. “How do you do it?”

“Just concentrate, think what I want to do, and it happens,” explains James. “That’s the basics though it is a little more complicated than that.”

“Can anyone do it?” he asks. “Could I?”

“Maybe, I don’t know,” he says. “Most of the people of this world can’t. You need a calm mind and concentration, I don’t know if you’ll be able to right now in the state you’re in.”

Holding out his hand, Dave concentrates on forming something similar to the glowing orb he saw James make. After several moments, nothing happens. Lowering his arm, he gazes to him with a frustrated look. “Can’t do it.”

“Maybe once you’re life has quieted down you’ll make it happen,” encourages James. He can see his friend’s disappointment at not being able to summon the orb.

“Maybe,” he says. “What else can you do?”

“A lot,” he replies. “Whatever I can imagine, provided I have enough power to do it, I can.”

For the next several hours, they sit and talk about this world, magic, and some of James’ experiences since coming here. He doesn’t mention the Fire or some of the other stranger occurrences he’s encountered, like spirits of dead priests and headless torsos.

After lunch, he takes Dave back to the workshop where they spend the rest of the afternoon just being together and talking of old times. It seems that reminiscing about the past brings him a better mood, or maybe it’s just being away from the others.

That night during the evening gathering, Dave seems a little more animated, as if his old self is once more trying to assert itself. A smile actually comes to him during one of Tersa’s songs.

Seeing his friend come alive more and more gives James encouragement that the devastation wrought upon him by his time as a slave may not be irreversible. On their way to bed after the evening winds down, he actually hears his friend humming one of Tersa’s songs to himself. He goes to sleep feeling much better about things than he had the night before.

Get out!

A cry startles him out of a sound sleep in the middle of the night. Then another scream followed by the sound of a scuffle. Thinking they’re under attack, he grabs his slug belt and races out the bedroom door.

In the light of a candle held by Roland, he sees Jiron on top of someone outside of Tersa’s door. One of his knives is held to the throat of the man on the floor. As he comes closer, he sees it’s his friend Dave.

“What happened here?” he demands as the others in the house come to see what the commotion is. Illan and Fifer both have their swords in hand believing an attack was in progress.

Everyone starts talking at once. “Quiet!” he shouts, cutting through the noise. Everyone becomes quiet as they look at him. Turning to Jiron he asks, “What happened?”

“Your friend here was about to accost my sister!” he says with vehemence.

“I didn’t do anything James,” exclaims Dave. “I swear!” He may not have understood what Jiron had said, but the accusation in his voice was unmistakable.

From the doorway to her room, Tersa says, “He came in here and grabbed me!”

He sees the pleading in Dave’s eyes and the anger and promise of violence in Jiron’s.

“I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding?” he says.

“Misunderstanding?” shouts Jiron. “I aught to kill him right now!”

“I went to the bathroom and got mixed up in the dark,” pleads Dave. “I got lost and went into the wrong room!” He looks to James, imploring him to believe him.

“Get off him Jiron,” he says.

When Jiron hesitates, he adds, “Now please.”

With hate in his eyes, he gets up off the frightened Dave. The knife in his hand remains out and threatening.

“Dave, get back to our room,” James tells him.

Scrambling to his feet fast, Dave moves quickly to James’ room and they hear the door shut.

Every eye is upon him. “He simply went into the wrong room is all,” he tells them. “I’ve known him a very long time and I assure you, he isn’t like that.”

Jiron comes close to him and says, “Just keep him away from my sister. I held back because he was your friend, I won’t a second time.” After meeting his eyes for a second in defiance, he turns and moves into Tersa’s room and then shuts the door.

“Everyone back to bed,” Illan announces to the rest. “Nothing more to see.” As the others begin moving back to bed, he comes over to James and asks quietly, “Was it a mistake?”

“It has to be,” James says defensively. “Dave isn’t like that.”

“A mistake it may have been, but whatever trust he had with everyone in this house is now gone,” he says. “If another ‘mistake’ occurs, I believe Jiron will make good his threat.”

“So do I,” he says. “I better go see how Dave is doing.” Turning around, he makes his way back to his room.

Inside, he finds Dave sitting on the bed facing the door. “You have to believe me James, it was an accident.”

“I do,” he replies shutting the door behind him. “But no one else here does. You’ll need to step carefully for awhile and rebuild their trust.”

“Why don’t we just leave here, the two of us?” Dave asks.

“I can’t,” he says. “I’ve been through too many things with these people to suddenly turn my back on them. They’re all good, solid friends, you’ve just gotten off to a bad start. But once they get to know you better, they’ll come to see what kind of man you are.”

“Thanks for saving me back there,” he says with a slight smile.

“You’re welcome,” James replies. “Just don’t make that mistake again.”

“Rest assured, I won’t,” states Dave.

“Now let’s go back to sleep.”

Lying back on the bed, he listens to Dave as he slowly succumbs to sleep. He’s worried about his friend. This was not a very auspicious beginning and the others are not going to be too trusting of him for awhile. The worries churning in his mind at last quiet down and he’s able to fall asleep.

The following morning at breakfast, those still there when he and Dave come to the kitchen give Dave cold stares and hardly talk at all. Most excuse themselves as soon as he and Dave sit down.

Ezra fills their plates and Dave’s is decidedly lacking in the better portions of the food. He may have missed that little nuance, but James certainly picked up on it. After last night, it’s only what he expected. He’s actually surprised that Ezra didn’t demand he go out and eat with the recruits. Probably would’ve if he hadn’t been friend to the master of the house.

The morning goes pretty much the same. Wherever Dave goes, the others either pointedly ignore him or slight him in some small way. James feels bad for his friend, but knows only time will heal this rift between his friend and the others.

A little before noon, two notes are blown by the sentry down at the road and every one rushes out to see what’s going on. James and Illan are standing outside the front door as a rider comes toward the house.

“He’s wearing the King’s colors,” Illan says. “Which means he’s on official business.”

“What in the world would bring him here?” asks Jiron.

“I don’t know,” Illan replies.

The man is wearing the coat of arms of the King of Cardri. James recognizes it from his time in Cardri earlier when he met with the Archive Custodian, Ellinwyrd. The appearance of the herald can only be bad news.

As the herald reins up before them, he dismounts, turns to them and says, “I bear a message from King Colbern, King of Cardri for the mage known as James. Would one of you be he?”

Stepping forward, James says, “I am.”

Removing a rolled scroll bearing the wax seal of Cardri, he extends it to him. “I am to await your response.”

Taking the scroll, he cracks the seal and reads it:

To the Mage known as James:

You are forthwith summoned to appear before the Royal Court with all due speed.

His Royal Majesty,

King Colbern Cardri

He shows the letter to Illan and then asks the herald, “Why am I to appear before the Royal Court?”

“That was not told to me sir,” the herald replies. “I am simply to await your reply and then return to the King.”

“Give us a moment,” he says. The herald nods his head.

Indicating they should go back into the house, James moves inside and the others follow. “What do you make of it?” he asks.

Handing the letter back to him, Illan replies, “I don’t know. Maybe your reputation has at last reached the King and he wants to see you for himself.”

“Maybe. But what should I tell him?” he asks, gesturing to the herald waiting outside.

“You have to go,” he tells him. “You cannot ignore the summons of the King, no matter what. Not if you wish to reside in his kingdom.”

“He’s right,” adds Roland. “A local noble here and there is one thing to antagonize. But it wouldn’t be wise to put the king of the land against you, as surely would happen should you ignore his summons.”

“So I have to go all the way to Cardri?” he asks.

“Yes, you have no choice,” Illan states.

“There’s always a choice,” he says as he returns back to where the herald is waiting.

The herald sees him coming and says, “And what is your reply?”

“You may inform his majesty that I will leave first thing in the morning for Cardri,” he tells him.

“Very well,” he says. “I shall so inform his majesty.” Mounting his horse, he turns it around and rides down the lane back to the road.

James watches as he reaches the end and turns onto the main road. Glancing at Jiron, he says, “Not only do I have the bother of people coming here to gawk at me, but now I have to travel for days for the King to.”

“This may prove beneficial to you,” he replies.

“In what way?” James inquires.

“Ellinwyrd, the Royal Archivist in Cardri you mentioned before, may be able to help you with what you discovered in Saragon,” he explains.

Nodding, he says, “You may be right.” To Illan he says, “I’d like you and Fifer to accompany me to Cardri. I’ll also bring along Miko, Jiron and Dave.”

At the mention of Dave, Jiron gets a dark look. The thought of traveling with him brings back the anger from the night before.

Seeing his reaction, James turns to him and asks quietly so only he may hear, “Would you rather me leave him here?”

Realizing that would be even worse he shakes his head. “No,” he says, “best to bring him along.”

“You know, he really isn’t a bad person,” James assures him. “I’m sure last night was just as he said, he simply went into the wrong room. He probably got confused being in a strange house in the dark.”

“Maybe,” Jiron says, though the tone of his voice tells he doesn’t believe that. His eyes dart to the door and he sees Dave standing there. Turning around, he stalks away from the house.

James can hear Illan mumble under his breath, “This is going to be a fun trip.” Shaking his head, he knows that if they just give Dave a chance, they’ll come to find out he’s not nearly as bad as they think. They’ve just gotten off on the wrong foot.

He returns to the house and takes Dave out through the kitchen where he picks up a couple of towels. Leading them through the back door, he leads him out to his bathing pool.

“What are we doing?” Dave asks as they approach the water.

“Taking a bath, why?” asks James.

“Out here?” he asks.

“Sure,” replies James. “Not much privacy around here.” When he sees Dave hesitating, he adds, “Everyone knows to avoid this area when someone’s here. Don’t worry, no one will disturb us.”

“Okay,” agrees Dave hesitantly. As he gets undressed, James can again see the patchwork of scars and mutilations across his body. No part of him seems to have escaped the wrath of whoever owned him.

As they settle into the water, James is greeted by the coldness. Taking baths here certainly cannot continue much longer. He glances over to the construction site of his new house. The outside is practically complete and the inside is coming along nicely as well. Soon he’ll be able to have a hot bath.

During the time they spend in the pool, they talk about inconsequential things. James learns a little more about Dave’s time in the Empire, but nothing of any real relevance. He in turn, tells of some of his exploits.

By the time lunch is ready, he’s ready to get out. Drying themselves off with the towels, they get dressed again and head back to the house.

The rest of the afternoon is taken up with preparations for their trip to Cardri. James is annoyed at having to make the trip, but at the same time is looking forward to seeing Ellinwyrd again. Maybe as Jiron suggested, he could help in figuring out the enigmatic riddle he came across in Saragon.

The riddle continues playing through his mind,

When the Fire shines Bright

And the Star walks the Land.

Time for the Lost

Will soon be at Hand.

Time for the Lost. What could that mean? Suddenly, a memory comes to him, something he hasn’t thought about for quite some time. It was during the time when Igor had taken him to Disneyland in that dream, vision, whatever it was. He had bent over and picked up a wallet. But it was what he said about it that stops him in his tracks:

“Sad when something gets lost,” he tells James. “When you lose something, you always hope an honest person will find it and work to get it back to you. All too often though, you never see it again. Such is life.”

Could there be a connection? Something to do with Igor is lost? Or with Morcyth? His mind churns over the idea. Other visitations by Igor have had ulterior meanings, why not that one. He always thought that particular one had to do with Disneyland being a focal point. But maybe it was to do with returning something that was lost.

A shiver runs down his spine as he suddenly comes to the realization of what this could all be pertaining to. The Star of Morcyth! Of course! That makes perfect sense. Taking out the medallion bearing the symbol of the Star, he holds it up and looks upon it. Could that be why I’m here? To find the lost Star of Morcyth? Then that could mean the second and third stanzas of the riddle could be directions to lead him to it.

He hears Ezra call them for dinner and he practically skips on his way to the dinner table. Excited, he takes his seat and the meal commences.

“What’s got you all happy?” asks Miko from where he’s filling his plate with boiled tubers.

“Oh, nothing,” he says. But the grin on his face belies his statement. He would like nothing more than to talk about it, but too many here don’t know the whole story and it wouldn’t be wise to mention it in front of them.

“Sean said the new house will be ready in a couple weeks,” Roland says. “Maybe when you come back, you’ll be able to move in.”

“That would be nice,” states James.

“If he’s done in time, we’ll be sure to get your stuff transferred over,” Roland assures him.

“Thank you,” replies James.

Dave sits quietly to the right of James as he eats his dinner. The attitudes of the others have begun to mellow, some beginning to realize that he could have actually stumbled into the wrong room as he says. That James vouches for him gives credence to his story as well.

None come right out and really talk to him, and James is worried for his friend. He wants him to become a part of his life here and over time, he’s sure he will.

The evening’s gathering goes by quickly and they soon head to their respective beds. When he and Dave are lying in the dark, Dave asks, “Where is this Cardri?”

“It’s several days away, out on the coast,” he tells him. “The king has a large castle, just like the ones I’ve always wanted to see. Was able to see it up close a month or so ago.” Turning to his friend, he says, “I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“I’m sure I will,” he says. “Thanks for being a friend, James.”

“Always,” he assures him.

“No matter what?” he asks, hope in his voice.

“No matter what. Now get some sleep,” James says as he turns over to go to sleep.