Decisions
Sefton stood staring at Chen's headstone, waiting deep in thought for his four friends to arrive. It was deathly silent that morning. Neither wind nor mothbee disturbed the moment Sefton found himself in. he knew his decision had been made, however he still wondered about the alternatives…and the consequences.
"Sefton."
The assist turned to see the faces of Mikyel, Mepstet, Dawelien, and Weneibo; each of them mirroring another's worry. Mikyel was the first to break the silence and somber expressions. She jumped softly from Mepstet's airborne board and quickly threw her arms around the man. The others dismounted their own boards and waited for Mikyel to step back. Mepstet was the first to let his voice be heard.
"What have you decided?"
The man once again looked over the faces of the four, then at Mepstet's hand. He was holding a large wicker basket with a blanket over it. Looking upon Mikyel's face, he smiled wide and answered finally.
"I've decided…I'm kinda hungry."
They let out short laughs, and prepared the blanket and food, all reminded of that day one month ago. As was the tradition, the breakfast went slowly at first until either Weneibo or Dawelien got the group started. This days ice breaker being imitations of both the overly theatrical Modos, and overly liquored Pycap that helped lead them into light hearted conversation and laughter for the remainder of the meal, and the time after.
Sefton took this moment in wholly. He savored every smile and dramatic gesture. He memorized every glance from Mepstet to Mikyel, and even those returned that went unnoticed by the bowman. He did all this while participating in the nonspecific banter, avoiding as the others did, the one thing they all dared not bring up. This day was not the one to do so. He knew to give them this, as there would be a chance they would never get it again.
The breakfast had ended. The entire group said their goodbyes in turn as they walked through Flaris stopping by each home or workplace.
It was now night in Flaris as Sefton prepared his board with reserve fuel he had purchased earlier. He closed the door to his unlit home and turned around. So surprised by the company he didn't know he had, Sefton jumped back slightly and hit his head on the top of the doorway.
"Dammit!"
He looked up while rubbing his head to look upon the visitors.
"What are you two doing here at this hour?" He asked.
"The same thing you are." Dawelien answered.
"Oh, so you live here now too? Funny thing, I don't remember seeing your name on the property deed."
"What exactly makes you think we were going to fall for the idea of you giving up the search like Mikyel and Mepstet?"
"Well, I guess sometimes I forget what world class intellects look like when they're having spitting competitions. I'm so sorry."
"You really should be, but not to us."
"What are you talking about?"
"Two of your friends aren't quite as quick to your lies as we are."
"I never lied to them."
"Sure you didn't."
"Look…"
"I don't care Sefton. We aren't here to stop you, or give you a lecture."
"Good."
"We're in this together though. Weneibo and I have already decided on this. Whether you think you need us or not, we're with you."
"Wasn't Saint Morning enough for you two?"
"We can handle whatever trouble you throw us all into just fine."
"What trouble I? Fine then, let's just go. I've wasted enough time with you two anyways."
"Where are we off to?"
"The continent of Darkon."
"Oh…wait a minute then."
"What is it?"
"Ummm…do you have spare fuel?"
Sefton turned bright red with anger but remained mostly silent but for the occasional curse muttered while helping the two fuel their boards.
"So is there anything else you two need to do to make my life miserable? Maybe some bathroom breaks, fresh pairs of underwear, pig wrestling? Or could you just kill me and get it over with?"
"Maybe later. I think we should probably be heading off though for now."
"I can't wait."
The trio began the fairly lengthy flight west toward the continent of Darkon. They had just begun to cross the mountains where Noeir the astronomer's observatory was based when Dawelien pulled up next to Sefton.
"Hey, so what's in Darkon all of a sudden? Did something Mepstet tell you point that way when you went to see him?"
"Not exactly. Have you heard anything about what recently happened aboard Bobor?"
"Only something about an intruder."
"Well, I believe that intruder was Sirch."
Sefton rolled his eyes at the blank look on Dawelien's face before taking a breath to continue.
"That guy you told me the Datri brothers were talking about back in Saint Morning."
"Oh, right. The guy they said they saw earlier that day. Their…uncle right?"
"Right. Anyways, Sirch broke into Bobor searching for something, and Mepstet pointed him in this direction."
"Oh…so wait, we're following Sirch now? What happened to the answers you were looking for before?"
"We're still looking, just right now we're taking a different path."
"No kidding."
"Hey, you're the one who wanted to tag…"
"Are you going to continue?"
Sefton thought for a moment about taking a swing at his friend but decided against it.
"Ok. So, it turns out, that in some way Sirch was in search of the gods. Or at the very least, a way to contact or summon them."
"Is that possible?"
"According to Mepstet. So, I can't fully explain why, but that that, coupled with what Nithiw said about some guard screaming about the coming of the gods in Saint Morning got me thinking."
"That's it? Sirch asks about the gods, and you hear about some guy from Nithiw who mentions them and that brings us to Darkon?"
"Look, I realize it's kinda thin, and maybe to a degree I'm just going off a feeling. The thing is, Sirch had a symbol on his forehead as well. I don't remember what it means, but I know of somebody who can tell me."
"Who's that?"
"Yesai Bimit."
"Yeah…that didn't help at all."
"Yesai is an amateur writer I met a few years ago in Darkon."
"Which one?"
"No, I mean the continent. He was a wandering writer. He would only return to one of the cities he found himself closest to when he finished a story."
"Ok…"
"So, I ended up bumping into him on my heading out of East Darkon one day. He was on his way to the city to turn in his latest story, but he looked haggard and almost as though he wouldn't make it. As I got closer I realized why. There was a group of demons trailing after him."
"And you helped him? For no reason?"
"Well…I did already have a job to hunt some of those demons anyways. The thing is, I rushed to him, and when I said I was there to help, he had no idea what I was talking about. I had to actually point out the fact the demons were chasing him."
"What?"
"No joke!"
"What a weirdo."
"I know. But anyways, after he finally realized the demons were after him, the two of us took care of enough to them to scare the remainders off. It turned out, that this guy only looked as horrible as he did because he had been up for nearly a week finishing his book, and traveling all about Darkon in the process."
"Alright…so what else?"
"Well, I healed him a little, and he was so grateful he said he'd put me in a future book or something. Now, I'm not sure why, but this guy was interesting to me, so I went ahead and accompanied him into the city to help with some things to get his book finished. I spent the next couple of days reading over his book, helping to edit and such. The story itself was fairly interesting. Had to do with some of the history of Roika and some kind of alternate reality or something, supposing what would happen if the gods went to war. "The Gods Must Be Angry" I think it was called. Anyways, I remember he had illustrations to accompany each new chapter. In one chapter, I swear there was the exact same insignia as the one I saw on Sirch's forehead."
"How's that possible? The story was made up right?"
"Well, yes and no. most of the story he made up, but even so, a large part of what he wrote was connected with Roika's history. Maybe that was too."
"I should hope so."
"What do you mean?"
"Well otherwise, that Yesai guy has one scary devoted fan."
Both Sefton and Dawelien laughed, and even Weneibo who had been silent the entire trip chuckled slightly.
"So," Dawelien said after some time passed. "You must have some idea of where to start Sefton. Even as half baked as your ideas or plans are sometimes, they aren't usually just so…blind."
"Well, there's not really all that much I can think of right now. I suppose we should start at one of the cities, or even the factories and try to get a lead. Other than that though…I guess this plan really is pretty half baked isn't it?"
"Yeah."
The two men smiled before Dawelien continued.
"But I guess as long as the others don't come looking for us it'll be fine."
"What others?"
"Mepstet and Mikyel."
"Well that would be pretty unlikely. I mean why would they…or even how would they?"
"Ummm…"
Sefton's smile quickly faded and he glared at his friend.
"How would they even know about this Dawelien?" The assist asked accusingly.
"Look, I couldn't just leave them both in the dark like you. So I left them a note."
"A note!"
"Yeah, but nothing serious, just that we decided we were still looking for answers and that we were going to Darkon."
"You did what!?"
Mepstet stared worriedly at the message that was delivered for him from Mikyel. It had come much earlier in the day, but with repairs and reports about the incident on Bobor still being done, he hadn't the chance to respond. The words "I have to talk to you!" were all that he could think of, even while riding to her doorstep.
He tapped lightly on the wooden door three times and almost instantly was pulled in through the open doorway.
"Mikyel!" The bowman said surprised as the young woman led him to the table and pushed a letter into his chest.
Mepstet looked at her puzzled a moment before reading. Though the letter was short it took some time to decipher the horrible handwriting of his friend.
"Gods…I should have known." He said taking a nearby seat. "There was no way Sefton would give in like that. Not coming back empty handed. I am such a fool."
"He lied to us all…but only Weneibo and Dawelien could see it. Now they're all gone again. I can't stand this! And why Darkon?"
"He's just chasing ideas now. He can't stand knowing nothing about anything. But…if it weren't for things at Bobor…I wonder…"
"What?"
"He didn't check every lead as he though he had…or maybe, that's my fault."
"What do you mean?"
"I didn't get a chance to tell him that day, or maybe I just didn't want to but some things began coming to me."
"About?"
"That moment in the ruins, when the Master Clockwork called out to Chen."
"What is it?"
"I…can't be sure. At least not yet. Not until I go to Saint Morning and see for myself."
Mepstet stood and turned to the door.
"Wait…Mepstet!"
"I'm sorry Mikyel. This time I'm not sitting by and waiting. I can't."
Mikyel hurried off to an adjoined room as Mepstet headed for the door. He was only a foot out of the house when he felt a hand gripping his forearm.
"I'm not getting left behind again." Mikyel said starting up at Mepstet with a resolve he hadn't seen before.
"Mikyel, if what Sefton is chasing is what I'm thinking of…our paths could both lead to the same place. I don't want you…it'll be dangerous."
"I'm not afraid of any of that. The only thing I can't stand is not knowing if the next word I hear about my dearest friends is that they won't be returning, while I sit idly. If there is some danger, at least we'll be together when we face it. I'm not completely without knowledge on how to fight you know."
She swiveled on her foot to show that she had a sheathed sword at her waist.
"How long has it been since you've used that thing Mikyel?" Mepstet asked remarking on the dusty scabbard.
"Huh? Oh!"
Mikyel ran to the sink to wet a cloth and began wiping down the old heirloom, returning only after she looked it over once more satisfied. Mepstet could only smile.
"Alright, it looks like we're both ready now."
Mepstet tapped the center of his belt and summoned the flying board before them once he was fully outside. Once on, he held his hand out for Mikyel, but noticed she looked away.
"No." She said.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't be a burden any longer."
"What are you talking about?"
"Mepstet, I've decided that if we're going to do this, I need your help with something."
"What?"
"Teach me to fly."