The Dying Light

[Fire Of Zion]

Reine jumped, Rowan's voice bringing her back into the present. She didn't realize how deep in her thoughts she had gotten until he spoke. Glancing up, she nodded in obedience, welcoming the offer of rest, and turned away from them to go to the loft where Rowan slept.

When she got into the dark room, she was reminded of how late it really was, and how exhausted her body was, physically and emotionally. As Reine curled up, sleep immediately took her, and she fell into the subconscious world of dreams.

The visions came again, but instead of happening to her, she watched them, as if being only an observer nearby. Leo's face, the fire, the bandits, and the dark creatures, the Fell beings, were as real to her as they had been that night. Things were devoured before her, but she didn't... care. It was difficult to explain, since she knew the pain, but it didn't affect her as deeply as before.

In that world of shifting pictures, something came clear to her. That hurt and pain she felt only made her feel worse, the more she dwelt on it. The answer that formed from watching those events was for her to take that pain and hurt, and join the man in the morning. Reine would avenge Leo. She would do all she could to destroy the things that had killed her dear friend. She owed that to him, after what he'd done.

So, it was settled. A strange peace fell over her as she felt a comforting burning inside. The vengeful anger that fed it was so soothing, in an abstract sort of way. As long as there were Fell things, she would hunt them. She didn't care where the man was going; she would use him to get her out of here. The time for crying was past, as she put it in her mind. Tears never comforted tears. Now... was the time to act.

 

[LightofHeaven]

Rowan sat in a chair. He tried, but he could not sleep. The fireball he had witnessed haunted him. What was it? What had caused it?What did it do?

What . . . what . . . what . . .

He could think of nothing else.

That dark fireball. It was bad. It had to be.

What . . . what . . . what . . .

He'd find answers to all of his what's. Soon. As soon as possible. But he would need to find Tuan first.

 

[Fire Of Zion]

Like she was used to, Reine was up with the dawn. It was just that simple, and she enjoyed the normal task, because it was the one thing that was like before the attacks. It was a piece of her before everything, something that she still had. She used the wash basin to clean her face and her arms, and then found a dress she had stowed away in their home. One might think it strange that she had a change of clothes in a place where she didn't live, but as she held the article in her hands, she was allowed one smile as she remembered the origin of that practice.

It was a number of years ago, when Reine, Leo, and Rowan were not yet adults, but no longer belonged in the world of child's fantasy. Rowan had been the one to grow up the fastest, to understand that play time was now at a stop and it was time to put those ideas behind him, but Reine and Leo were still reluctant to do so. In a rebellious act against Rowan and the adult life he was so ready to pursue, and try to make them as well, they ran into the forest to take turns playing hiding games. Unfortunately, they both managed to do a great deal of damage to both of their outfits, as well as come home filthy but not too scraped up. Obviously, the both of them were scolded, but still found the pleasure in getting away, so Reine took to leaving a spare set of clothes at their house for such occasions.

As she ran her hand across the material absentmindedly, she realized how long it had been since she'd gotten away, until just recently. Now that a part of her longed for what was now gone, she couldn't help but swallow hard the idea that the sooner she put it away, the sooner she could cope and move on to avenging Leo. The sooner it was left behind, the better off she was.

When Reine entered into the main room, her hair wrapped up with string for the time being and a fresh dress on, she saw the dead fire in the fireplace. She lightly walked over to the cold embers and started the fire once more.

 

[K9Guardian]

Dark. Something hard pressed against his face. Dirt.

Tuan opened his eyes and groaned. Fog clouded his mind. Placing the palms of his hands against the ground, he hoisted himself onto all fours . . . and promptly vomited. He hovered there for several moments, head hanging like a beaten dog, unable to comprehend. . . Then with an effort, he rraised himself to a sitting position.

“Can’t be the beer,” he muttered. He hadn’t drunk in two years. Or had he? Everything seemed so vague. He sat with head in hands, trying to clear the haze in his mind. Fiery pain burned every inch of him; it felt as if he’d been – “Oh, hell.” – in a fight.

Blod surged to his head, searing away the cobwebs. He looked up, blinking. Smoke.

“What the – !?‘

Smoke drifted over Celdon Settlement, turning the sky a dense gray. That was all that could be seen from this vantage point, but the smell of char was like pungent flowers.

Tuan struggled to his feet. “Dangit! Kaur!” The image of Takeo’s decapitated body came back, a ghastly leer. He took a few running steps forward, then stopped. What was the use? She was gone.

He stood and watched the smoke for a long time. One day ago, he had been recording a dream. now his world lay in ashes. No point in going back. If anyone had lived, they would be gone, and likely only Fells waited there – Fell-hounds and Fell-wings and Undead, maybe even the Dreamshadows – and Tuan would die next. He watched the smoke, and his eyes were cold.

“You’ve won, Mathios,” he whispered.. “I step down.”

Smoke.

 

[Fire Of Zion]

Raymus wasn't a morning person. That was just a simple fact. Unfortunately, when his sleep was disturbed, there was no way he was getting back to sleep. This morning seemed to be that morning... Something just didn't feel right, and it hadn't felt right all night. He grumbled, his body aching from tossing and turning all night. It was now, right before sunrise, that he finally decided to quit wasting time laying there and get up.

Rolling out of bed, he put a hand against the wall to help himself up. Maybe it was the drinking he did last night that caused this problem, though drinking had never kept him up. If anything, it'd helped him to pass out faster, and stay passed out. As he straightened out and stretched, he peered out over the horizon his window presented. Raymus had to admit, sunrises made the world a little more mysterious, what with the rays over and through trees, and mountains, and mist...

He blinked over and over, trying to remove the sleep from his eyes, and then realized that not all of the fog was just mist. It seemed to also be... Oh, no.

Raymus grabbed his tunic and threw it over his head as he clamored out of his room, through the cabin to the door. As he tripped over a body, he found four of his men asleep on his floor by the door that went outside. Well, there was only three now, because the man he'd stumbled over was groaning and clutching his side.

"Aye, wha's tha far?" he grumbled and sat up.

"Get up, you oaf," Raymus snapped. "Wake the others, and call a meeting. Celdon is burning, or was. We meet in an hour, under the old oak."

The man sighed and pushed himself up, muttering, but he was going far too slow.

"Dominic! NOW!" Raymus yelled, and the man jumped up. The others were on their feet immediately, though they knew not what was going on. All they knew is that they'd better go.

Raymus sighed, irritated and finished dressing. This was going to be a long day.

 

[LightofHeaven]

Haven slowly opened his eyes. It had been a good sleep, especially afte what had happened that evening. It seemed as though it had all just been a dream --

Hope burst into him as he remembered he had fallen asleep under the starry sky. But there was no sky now. Instead, there was a cabin ceiling. And he was lying on something soft, and his body was covered in a blanket.

A dream! Yes, it all had to be a dream! There was no Reine, no Rowan, and his closest friend was still alive! He was home in Sialan's cabin!

He threw the covers aside and sprang to his feet.

"Sia --!" He froze.

It had not been a dream at all. He was standing in the cabin of Rowan. Disappointment flooded him. He'd hoped to see Sialan again, but he was not here. There was only Reine, who looked at him curiously from the fireplace, and Rowan, who had apparently awakened at his yell.

"Uh . . . hi. Sorry." He muttered, almost embarrassed.

"Sia?" Rowan looked at him strangely. "What the heck is Sia?"

"Um . . ." Haven didn't know whether or not to mention who Sialan was. Sialan himself had forbidden it. "Nothing."

Sialan is nothing. He hated the sound of that.

 

[Fire Of Zion]

Reine sensed a hint of something in Haven's voice... or maybe eyes... that betrayed what he said, but she said nothing and rose to her feet, dusting her hands of the ash. A warm fire now burned brightly in the fireplace, safe and contained. The gentle heat warmed the chilly cabin, the wet dew hanging in the air. Outside, the mist and the sun mixed together made the world seem a little more mysterious.

She turned and walked to a cabinet and pulled out an old loaf of bread and dried meat, portioning it out for everyone. She worked quickly and carefully, a somber tone enveloping her mood.

"By the way," she told them, handing them each a serving and then looking at them, her eyes somewhat deadened. "I'm coming with you."

 

[K9Guardian]

Kaur stood at the window, looking out at the smoldering remains of her world. Smoke obscured everything, making it impossible to see much beyond the blackened fingers that only yesterday had been trees. Yet one did not need eyes to sense what lurked beyond the dense curtain; the air moaned with their presence, as though the last vestiges of dying screams still clung in desperation to living minds. She felt oddly calm.

Someone groaned behind her, and Kaur turned to the woman stretched out on a pile of blankets, now beginning to come to. A young boy, presumably her son, sat vacant-eyed and unmoving beside his mother. Kaur felt a stab of sorrow for the child. Would he ever recover from this? She went to kneel beside the bedroll, carefully arranging her dress. Several other gaunt faces looked up, but none took an interest. Death was the least of the horrors they’d seen.

The woman groaned again and opened her eyes. Breathing raggedly, she gazed into Kaur’s face. “Asher?” she whispered.

Kaur shook her head.

“I saw them take him.” The woman seemed to struggle for words. “The . . . Fellwings . . . they attacked us . . . He told me to take Perri and . . . go . . . “

“He loved you,” Kaur said softly.

“I couldn’t,” the woman went on, obviously fighting for breath. “Perri wouldn’t leave his daddy . . . so fierce . . . like Asher . . . Tried to protect him . . . and then, he . . . Asher . . . screamed . . . “

Kaur hid her shudder and stroked the woman’s hair, listening.

“’Gorhoughust!’, that’s what he said . . . ‘Gorhoughust!’ . . . and then . . . ‘Gorhoughust!’ . . . and then . . . “

Shock ran through Kaur like a thunderbolt. Gorhoughust. She remembered the name from her days living with Tuan, when she had often listened to his lengthy debates with Dionys, on those common occasions when the older man visited. Gorhoughust was one of the six Dreamshadows, she recalled, the greatest of the Fellwings, to be exact. Tuan had said that the Dreamshadows could enter the minds of those touched by the Fellsbut he had never said much beyond that. Still, if Tuan feared them . . .

The woman caught her reaction. Seizing Kaur’s hand, she rasped hoarsely, “It means something? You know what it means?”

“Yes,” Kaur lied in a soothing voice. She felt a little guilty, but telling the woman her husband had died in vain seemed the greater evil.

It appeared to appease the woman. She closed her eyes and sighed her final breath. “Asher . . . I’m coming . . . “

An unearthly wail pierced the stillness, a drawn-out scream of untold misery. Kaur looked up inn time to see the boy, Perri, rocking back and forth, face contorted with an emotion far beyond what his little bdy was ready to bear. Before she could move, the child flung himself onto his unmoving mother and began to weep, sobs riing to a desperate pitch. The other occupants of the room, elderly men and women, looked on in silence as the plaintive cries washed over hem, a music of sorrow they culd no longer make.

Kaur rose to her feet and left the room. She had her duty to the living.

 

[LightofHeaven]

"Just what the blazes are you talking about, Reine?" Rowan demanded, "No one said anyone's going anywhere."

Of course, Rowan hadn't told her anything about what he'd seen the previous night. He had no intention to tell her, nor did he want to take her out there into danger. If it was danger.

 

[Fire Of Zion]

Her gaze was harsh as she looked back at him. "Oh, come on, Rowan. Even I'm not stupid enough to think that this man, who ever he is," she said with a sneer, "is going to stay here forever. He is going to leave and carry on with what he was doing before, and I'm going with, despite what he may think or say. I'm not going to sit around here like nothing's happened. Something did happen, Rowan, and I'm going to..."

That was the first time she'd voiced her plan out loud. Now that she heard herself say it, it almost sounded insane. Her? Go out and do what? What could she possibly do? Whatever I can and whatever it takes, came the reply.

"I'm going to find my own answers, since this god-forsaken settlement seems to be content enough to sit back and accept things as they come. I'm not content!" It was then Reine realized she was already shouting, ready to fight against Rowan when she didn't even know what his response would be, whether he'd care which way or the other. Her eyes fluttered and she sighed, looking at the fire. "I'm sorry. I'm just... not going to stay here any longer. I can't take it."

 

[K9Guardian]

The front door was barricaded, a a table nailed over it to prevent entry. As Kaur entered her front room, heads turned in her direction.

It struck her how lifeless her people had become. Here in this room were all the men who had fought in last night’s battle and lived – how few, and for some how young! They stared at her with blank eyes and faces so devoid of emotion. Jensi, lean and whiplike, no longer had a smile for her. Gone was the loud, boasting voice of Bre, whose big hands now fidgeted nervously with a hunting spear. Tomert, barely old enough to have seen his first shave, looked to have aged ten years with that round face so hard . . . She counted twelve. Twelve vacant faces. And what of the women in the sickroom?

Kaur walked over to Jensi and took one of his large hands in both of hers. He did not respond.

“Jensi,” she said softly. “It’s Kaur.”

He blinked, and his eyes came into focus. “Kaur?” Then he tried to smile,. It looked forced, but it was a smile. “Been awhile, girl.”

“I’ll say,” Bre spoke up. “None oof us ‘as sseed da purdy lass since she were with tuan. Pity, don’ ‘all think?” His chuckle sounded forced as well.

They were all watching her now, expectant. She understood why. They wanted her to give them hope, something to believe in. But hat could she give? She was a healer of the sick. Letting go of Jensi’s hand, she turned to look at them. What hope could she give?

“Tuan.”

Dionys stood in the doorway to his room, leaning heavily on a cane. No longer vague, his gray eyes shone fiercely from beneath his brows.

“Tell them to find Tuan, Kaur,” Dionys repeated. “They need him.”

She took a deep breath. They were still looking at hher. Was she strong enough for this?

 

[LightofHeaven]

She wanted to go with him? But why? And where was he supposed to go?

"Are you mad? It's dangerous out there." said Rowan. "Do you want to end up like my brother ?"

Haven looked at Reine. She had washed herself clean and changed into a clean dress. Of course, she wouldn't want to end up like this leo, whoever he was. And yet, this . . . beautiful girl wanted to go with him into danger. "To find my own answers." she had said. But what answers? Was it about Leo? Or about him?

"I do not know where to go." he said, almost certain they would question him about what he was doing out there again.

 

[Fire Of Zion]

"What? Are you afraid to say his name now? I'm going out there and finding out what killed Leo, and do whatever I can about it," Reine told Rowan, her voice again raising a few decibels.

And Haven's thoughts proved to be exactly true. Reine looked at him funny and crossed her arms.

"Why are you even here?" she asked, her rage carrying over towards him.

 

[LightofHeaven]

"I . . ." Haven looked at Rowan, remembering what had happened the previous night when he'd told Rowan whom he sought.

But Rowan ignored him, and Haven was relieved when he said, "Never mind why he's here, Reine." His voice rising a little. "And you know what killed Leo, don't you? Of course you do. You said so last night."

Haven looked towards the door that led outside. If he could only get through it unnoticed, he could leavethese two to their own little debate. He did not belong here. He felt like a nosy intruder. But he needed information and Rowan had been his first lead.

Finally, he spoke."Excuse me, sir." he said, "May I have a word with you?"

Rowan seemed reluctant to be pulled aside by someone he didn't trust, but he didn't seem to have a choice. He stood up. "Outside." and then to Reine he said, "Stay here." And they turned and left the cabin, closing the door behind them.

 

[Fire Of Zion]

Reine put her hands on her hands, furious. He just told her to stay! She growled under her breath as the door closed, and began to pace. She hated this. He always did that! He always had to tell her what to do. But it was too late now. She wasn't a little girl anymore. And it didn't matter what he said, she'd do as she pleased.

And that man... who was he? It was strange he hadn't already given his name to them. No, that was beyond strange. It was suspicious. But it was obvious by what he was seeking was something of a touchy subject with Rowan. Tuan. What was Tuan? Reine shook her head and ran into Rowan's room, fetching a bag and stuffing it. She looked under the bed to see if there was anything else she needed... and found a weapon of Leo's, his Sai. They were old now, Leo and Rowan's mother's. She held the two subtle weapons in her hands and skillfully stepped, swinging them methodically. With a smirk, she wrapped them and put them into the bag and walked out of the room to find the pantry.

 

[LightofHeaven]

Rowan led him several feet from the cabin, glancing over his shoulder every now and then to make sure Reine stayed inside. It was fortunate that the only ay out was the front door. If she planned to escape . . .

He stopped and turned to face the man.

"Well," he said, "what do you want?"

The man hesitated, glancing around. What was keeping him?

Rowan took the opportunity and glanced up at Mount Celdon. Yes, the fireball had been real. Smoke was rising high into the sky, hiding the peak from view.

"No time for hesitation." said Rowan, turning bak.

The man sighed, facing him. "I was forbidden to give myself away, but . . ." he lookwed around again as if checking for eavesdroppers " . . . my name is Haven. I was sent to find Tuan, whom you seem to know."

Haven? He knew that name. He'd heard it before. But where?

"Who sent you?"

"My teacher and only close friend." Haven's eyes dropped to the ground, and the next word he said seemed to carry the note of sadness, "Sialan."

Rowan's heart skipped a beat. He knew Sialan. They had spent most of their teenage days together. He, Sialan, Tuan, Leo, Takeo, and Dionys had all been separated after a major conflict in the city ruins. And here was Haven standing before him, apparently carrying bad news.


"Sialan? What the h*** happened?"

"The Fell Things. They attacked us. We couldn't touch them."

This was bad. Very bad. "You could have said sooner! C'mon!"

He ran back towards the cabin. He would not leave Reine.


He reached the door and flung it open. "Reine! Come! We must go!"

 

[Fire Of Zion]

Reine stood there in front of him, bag on her back, and her arms crossed. She gave him a condescending look and walked past him out the door. With a sigh, she placed her hands on her hips. She had a haughty air about her, waiting for the cue of which direction they were headed. His alarmed tone was of no concern to her; all she care about was that she was leaving. But leaving with Rowan did dampen the pleasure of getting away.

"Where ever you lead, I will follow," Reine mocked in a breathy voice. "Oh, and Rowan? The next time you tell me to stay as if I were a dog, I'll give you rabies."

 

[LightofHeaven]

"There is no time for brats, Reine!" Rowan snapped, and Haven knew that what had told Rowan had to have seized Rowan with urgency. "N ow, listen, because I will only say this once. We are taking Ha -- Aron to find Tuan. You will not wander off."

Rowan paused. Letting it all sink into Reine. He said every word with an air of authority, as if to warn her not to argue, which Haven noticed she had a habit of doing.

"Now, look." Rowan pointed and Haven followed his finger up the slope of the mountain. Not too far up, there was a huge cloud of smoke. Dark smoke. "If any of us are separated, go there. Now let's move."

 

[Fire Of Zion]

It had to be the attack on the settlement and Leo's death, even her near-death, that made Rowan like this. She didn't remember him ever being so domineering. It could have also been the fact that there was another man around. Perhaps that contributed to his sudden explosion of controlling attitude. He could try, but Reine was dead-set on never letting him feel like he had any control over her.

"Good," she said matter-of-factly, acting not at all fazed by his chauvinistic mannerisms. In fact, she couldn't help but throw in a last minute mock, "Lead the way, O great leader."

 

[LightofHeaven]

Rowan felt like slapping her. Good? She did not understand the situation at all. This was NOT good. None of it was good.

He cocked his fist and scowled at her. "This is a warning, woman. You give me bullcrap and you can go and get killed."

Rowan saw Haven flinch, and he turned to him. "I assumeyou have a weapon?"

Haven slowly nodded.

"Good, let's go."