Chapter 7: Wherever You Go, There You Are

Sara sat up and looked around her. Where am I? She appeared to be on a cliff of some sort. Light came from somewhere unknown, lighting just the spot she was in. Looking down, she could not see the bottom. Looking around, she could not see through the darkness. I guess I’m stuck here. Nothing to do but sit and wait.

Minutes passed. Hours passed. Days, even months could have passed and Sara knew she wouldn’t have known. There’s no way for me to keep time. She smiled. And it IS kind of boring…

Sara stood up and immediately the world began to spin. Whoa…no more of that. There’s really nothing else to do, though.

Sara stood up and sat down slowly until the she was over her dizziness. Picking up the sharpest rock she could find, she set off into the darkness surrounding her. God, protect me…

Time passed. Sara came stumbling out of the darkness, a confused look on her face. I’m back at the cliff? I guess something important is supposed to happen here.

Looking over the edge again, she noticed that it didn’t seem as steep as it was before. Alright, I guess I have no choice. Finding a good handhold, she started to climb down.

Not a minute later, she hit bottom. The ground is completely black? I never would’ve guessed…weird. Now she had the same problem as before.

I’m still surrounded by darkness…just in a different place. What’s the point? And that’s when she realized: This is what Darren is going through. Endless living, never dying of age, always seeing the injustice…how does he keep from going insane?

“Sara…” Whispers came from the darkness. “Saaaaraaaa….”

Sara put her hands over her ears. “No…don’t talk to me from the dark. Come out here where I can see you.”

The voice acknowledged her. “I can’t do that, Sara. It’s not the right time.”

Sara frowned. At least there’s someone to talk to.

As if hearing her thoughts, the voice quickened. “I must go now. Tell no-one. I will come to you again.”

Sara took a step forward. “Wait! How will I know it’s you?” But the voice was gone.

The darkness turned to a gray fog, then a white haze. It was still difficult to see, but a little more cheering.

Sara cried out in pain. “AH! Ow…it hurts…my head..” Her head felt like it was being pounded repeatedly. “STOP! Ahhh!”

She sat up in bed, gasping for air. After catching her breath, she realized she couldn’t open her eyes. Panic set in, quickly relieved by the discovery of a bandage over her face. Relax…Wherever I am, at least they doctored me.

She willed herself to lay quiet and still when she heard a door open. “She’s in here, Doctor.”

“Thank you.” The voice was not familiar. It sounded…strange, like whoever owned it was leasing a new one.

The bandage over her eyes was removed, and she found herself staring into a strange face.

The white-haired doctor jumped a little. “Well! Your recovery has been most successful. I’d say you’re able to walk and talk, as long as you don’t do anything strenuous.”

Sara stared wide-eyed at this strange man before her. He was average in every sense of the word…but there was an otherworldly air about him. “Who…are you?”

The doctor smiled. “My name isn’t important. I was called here by the Cameron family after they found you while enjoying a leisurely horse ride. You were quite badly burned.”

Sara looked at her arms. “But there’s no scarring.”

The doctor frowned and sat in a chair next to the bed. “Yes, that was most puzzling. In all my years as a doctor, I’ve never come across something like this. Of course, you’re not from around here, are you?”

Sara gave a timid smile. “No…not really.”

The doctor clapped his hands. A servant entered the room. “The young lady will need a guide around B’thda, and possibly the whole of Shirn. Please send for one.” The servant bowed and left.

Sara looked quizzically at the doctor. “You keep servants?”

The doctor looked puzzled. “Of course. We pay them well, and they serve us loyally. Many of us don’t hold to slavery, but it is legal. Thank whatever God you worship that Mr. Cameron found you instead of a slaver. You’d have been a nice prize, if you’ll pardon me for saying so.”

Sara blushed. “Thank you. You mentioned B’thda, and Shirn. What are they?”

The doctor smiled. “Do you really not know?” Sara shook her head and blushed again. “It’s alright, you probably got kidnapped or something and got taken overseas without knowing where. This town we are in is B’thda, and Shirn are these continents.”

Sara nodded, taking it all in. “And…how many continents make up Shirn?”

The good doctor was doing his best to be kind. “Two. The one we are on is called North Shirn. The other, logically, is South Shirn.”

Sara smiled. “Thank you. Uh…I have another question. I don’t suppose you’ve heard any reports of anyone else like me appearing on Shirn?”

The doctor looked down in deep thought, then his eyes brightened. “Why yes! I heard multiple reports from South Shirn. None from here, I’m afraid.”

Sara frowned, disappointed. “Thanks anyways. One more thing. How can I thank Mr. Cameron for his generosity and repay him for you and the guide?”

The doctor shook his head firmly. “No, it’s quite alright. Mr. Cameron had to leave with his family for the death of his father. He’s letting me stay here, as long as I take care of you. There’s really no way to pay us back, and we don’t need any. Your thanks and your health are enough for me.”

Sara leaned over and hugged the doctor. “Thank you!”

The doctor tensed, then relaxed and hugged her back.

The servant returned. “The guide is here, sir.”

The doctor helped Sara up from the bed. “Oh, you will find a change of clothes in the closet over there. You may want to take a spare outfit, as well.” The doctor left the room, waving. The servant bowed and followed.

Sara looked down at herself and blushed. Could’ve been worse off…At least I was wearing something. She crossed the room to the closet and opened it up. Hmmm…no t-shirts…no pants…but these look pretty comfortable anyways. She posed in front of the mirror. No…not this one.

Outside, the guide waited as the doctor gave instructions. “Now listen, she is not used to Shirn and must be treated with respect, but also as a naïve girl. Understood?”

Mirael nodded patiently. “I understand, doctor.”

The doctor sighed. “I trust her to you. Cameron would be most upset if something were to happen to her.”

Mirael’s answer was to let his hand fall to the hilt of his saber. “Nothing will happen to her.”

The doctor nodded and left.

Mirael knocked at the door. “Miss, are you ready?”

Sara’s voice floated through. “Yes, one moment.”

The door opened. Mirael caught his breath. She was truly as beautiful as the doctor had said. Even dressed in a plain woman’s tunic and simple skirt with sandals, she would certainly be noticed. Mirael winced. This was going to make his job a whole lot harder.

Sara extended her hand. “Sara Williams. You must be my guide.”

Mirael bowed. “My name is Mirael. I hope I don’t sound too chastising, but you may want to not mention your last name in public. Here in Shirn, last names are all but gone. We focus on making our first names more unique.”

Sara nodded, a slight flush coming to her throat. “Thank you. Please let me know if I make any other mistakes. I don’t want to draw attention to myself in this world.”

Mirael smiled. So polite, and eager to please everyone. “Very well. I will stop you from doing what may be considered rude. Now that you are dressed, would it please you to-“

Sara tipped her head to the side and frowned. “Could you just talk like you would to a friend? It’d make it a whole lot less awkward.”

Mirael bowed, and then smiled. “As you w- sure. Want to explore B’thda now, Sara?”

Sara grinned. “Yes, I would. Please, lead the way.”

They walked out of the huge inner balcony, down the stairs and past the huge statues in the great hall. Sara craned her neck, trying to see all she could. “This place is really something.”

Mirael nodded. “Mr. Cameron made quite a fortune completely by accident, finding a sunken ship while diving. He hired some of his trusted friends to help him retrieve the treasure. After building this house, he realized his wealth was worthless, and decided to spend the time and money he had left helping others. He’s quite a jovial man, and his wife and children adore him. It’s too bad his father died.”

They left the house, and stepped onto a dusty road. Sara looked in all directions. What an interesting place. A large wooden sign proclaimed the house she had just left to be Cameron Manor. The setting sun seemed close to the one she was used to, perhaps a little bigger and less painful to look at. Another sign showed the road going east into town, and west into a forest. Grass grew on both sides of the road.

Mirael started towards the town. “If we walk quickly, we can make it before the sun goes completely down. That’d probably be better for us.”

Sara let her eyes wander all over the place as they walked. The foliage looked the same, with the exception of some new plants she’d never seen and couldn’t pronounce. After a while, the same scenery got a little old. She decided to try something new. “Why did you become a guide?”

Mirael seemed taken aback. “What? Well…because they are needed. Shirn isn’t safe; it’s actually quite dangerous. Monsters, evil men and women, and some tell of a greater danger soon to come. I became a guide to help those less skilled than myself. Guides must know Shirn inside and out, be able to protect those they guide, and be able to live on next to no pay.”

They reached the town just as the bottom of the sun touched the horizon.

- posted by Nick @ 4/05/2004 09:12:00 PM