Chapter 23: Back to the Remembered Place

Tired and sleepy, the group stumbled into the place they had camped the night before, the moon slightly visible through the clouds. Legerra looked around at the group. “How are we going to work this? We’ve only got three tents; we can’t fit four guys in a tent and Fraydon would have one to herself while you guys…well…” Sara glanced from tent to tent. “Darren, he’s got a point. What now?” Darren looked from Legerra to Sara. “Same sleeping arrangements as before. Is that a problem?” She looked at him and shook her head. {No, that’s not what…never mind. I thought that you’d want…and…we’re not married.}

Darren smiled tiredly. {I would never force anything on you against your will or your conscience.} “Same as always, guys. And no watch tonight. We won’t need it.” They set up the tents and got ready to sleep, but before they went to bed, Darren motioned Sara to the side. “Do you still have the necklace?” She nodded. “I know I sound like Acerin, but…could I see it?” Sara looked at him, a bit suspicious, but had no reason not to.

He held it up in the moonlight. It seemed to glow slightly, but not as much. He frowned slightly. “A lot of power seemed to leave the necklace when you summoned Larauc. I was really hoping it wouldn’t come to that. Oh…one more thing.” Sara looked at him expectantly. “Yes?” He smiled slightly. “Could I have the Stone of Naugan back?”

Sara looked at him, puzzled. “I thought you had it?” Darren pointed to the left side of her cloak and she reached in, drawing out a small purple bag, gold stitching dull in the low light. Sara was more confused now than ever. “Why was it in there?” Darren smiled sheepishly as he handed her the necklace and took the Stone. “I knew that the chieftain would imprison all of you once I refused to give him the Stone…so I slipped it into your pocket when we were surrounded. I figured that worst case, he’d release you after he didn’t find it…and the entire group could probably kill him then. The Stone of Naugan would be returned to the king, and the quest would be over.”

Sara stared at him. “You expected to die?” Darren took a step back, holding his hands up. “No, not entirely. I anticipated a possible death, and I made sure that no matter what, the purpose of the mission would be fulfilled.” Sara looked angry. “Why didn’t you tell us he was going to imprison us?” Darren shrugged. “What good would that have done? It all turned out well in the end, and that’s what matters.”

Sara turned and walked away into the darkness. Darren retrieved a short sword from his gear and then followed quietly, stalking her just as he had when she used to walk home alone in Silver Lake. After a little while, he leaped up and landed in front of her, the point of his sword close to her throat. “Control and caution, Sara.” She had her own swords out in a second and knocked his blade away. He raised an eyebrow. “Training when you’re tired? Not a good idea…”

Sara swung both her swords towards him, aiming a blow that would have sliced a lesser man in half. Darren jumped back to avoid it and then jumped forward over the next slash she aimed at him. He paused to look her over; mentally examining her new weaknesses and strengths, then jumped and brought his sword down for an overhead slash. Sara blocked it with her right sword and swung with her left. Darren sheathed his sword in the blink of an eye and brought his palm against the flat of her sword, knocking it away.

The battle kept on that way for a while. Darren would parry the swords with his hands, never touching the blades. Sara would aim cunning blows that he could barely block, but he could keep it up for a while.

Finally she sheathed her blades and assumed her own fighting style. Darren’s eyes gleamed. “Well, this should be interesting.” Sara didn’t speak, concentrating. Darren stepped back and bowed. Sara dipped her head in return, and lunged forward. The speed she moved at would have overstressed normal muscles and broken bones. Darren knocked it away and threw a counterpunch, which Sara parried.

Punch, counterpunch, kick, block, the rhythm, speed, and force of the blows changed quickly and often. But they were too evenly matched for either one to gain any real advantage. They drew back, leaning over and panting. Darren looked up at Sara, breathing heavily. “Had…enough…yet?” Sara gave him a withering look while struggling for air. “Giving…up…Darren?” He grinned and caught his breath. “Maybe. Maybe not. Remember caution and control?” He gestured at her feet. “Look behind you.” She turned her head while speaking. “Darren, I made sure the cliff was far away so that-”

Darren plowed into her, knocking her back a good forty feet, sending them both off the cliff. Sara recovered quickly and started to float up, but Darren grabbed her arm and pulled her level with him. {You won’t regret this.} Sara gave him a suspicious look, but stopped floating up. “Okay, what won’t I regret?” He grinned and let go, plunging downward. {The rush.}

She followed immediately, knowing full well she couldn’t catch up if she waited too long. Darren moved in close to the cliff, still facing downwards. He loved the wind pulling back on his face, the feel of flying straight down. Sara could hear his euphoric “Whooooooo!” floating up even as she plunged after him. She smiled, feeling his excess excitement come through the link, herself feeling only the slightest bit nervous when they started to come close to the ground.

Darren eased up and used his momentum to hover an inch off the ground as he flew across the rocky plain at the base of the cliff, aware of Sara just a second behind. A second cliff loomed before him, and he debated for a second whether to break through or fly up. Up it is. He gathered more power and sent it downwards, blasting himself off the ground and directly up, face mere inches from the side of the cliff, Sara still following him.

They shot up, slowly losing speed as the trees became a dark mass instead of individual objects. Darren shot through a cloud, trailing wisps of smoke. Sara went through the hole he had left, but couldn’t find him. Looking around, he was nowhere to be found. “Hey, speedy! Down here.” She looked at him lying on his back on a cloud, reclining.

Floating down, she laid next to him, and they stared up at the stars. They had never seemed so bright when Sara was down on the ground, and she said so to Darren. He smiled. “Same thing with life. Once you get away from all the pollution and junk, it clears up rather quickly.” His face lost all emotion as he stared off into the sky, eyes unfocused.

Sara pushed herself up on one elbow and glanced at him. “You come up here often?” He answered without moving his eyes or his body. “Yes, I do. Every night, as a matter of fact. It helps me to sleep better, and it’s a relief from what goes on down there.” Sara looked at him. “What do you mean? What goes on down there?”

Darren’s eyes focused and he rolled to face her. “People. After living for so long…I see their frailties, their weaknesses, their strengths, what they want to keep hidden, what they pretend they want to keep hidden…and it disgusts me.” Sara stared down at the cloud, twisting tendrils of smoke between her fingers as Darren kept talking. “Destruction, perversion, and the lack of all that is good…you saw for yourself in Pilosh what goes on.”

Sara nodded, looking up. “So why do you stay, then? What keeps you here? Helping people?” Darren moved over to the edge of the cloud and dangled his feet over the edge, looking down below at the land far away. “When I look at the people that I help, it does bring some small amount of satisfaction, yes. That’s not why I don’t abandon them, though. There’s a reason they haven’t destroyed themselves yet. Because of people like you.”

She blushed and turned to hide it. “Because of our group, you mean.” He sighed and stood up. “Just take the compliment and store it away. Remember it when you’re feeling down. As for the group…we all have flaws.” Sara kept avoiding his gaze, almost whispering “Mine are worse...”

Darren walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, whispering into her ear. “The flaws that stand out the most to us are our own.” She didn’t turn around. Darren leaned back and fell onto the cloud with his hands behind his head, closing his eyes. We truly are our own worst enemies. “So, wait…this is your bed?” He couldn’t contain a grin at her sudden change of topic. “Basically, yeah.” He raised his head and opened his eyes. “But it’s a big one. And there’s always a cloud a few feet over, eh?”

Sara shrugged as she lay down. “This works.” Darren hid a smile and let his mind wander through the stars. Five minutes passed…then ten. A little while later, a sleepy voice floated over. “Darren…what was with the spinning rocks?” He stiffened. “It wasn’t important…go to sleep.” The cloud shifted slightly as she crawled over. “Darren...it’s very important and you know it.” He rolled over, shoving his face into the cloud, muffling his voice. “No…it’s not that important. If there’s anything you can do, I’ll let you know, alright?”

She sighed and placed a hand on his back. “Alright.” She rolled him over and looked into his eyes. “Anything?” He smiled reassuringly and kissed her goodnight. “Anything.” She smiled back and laid her head on his chest, keeping warm. His heartbeat was steady and reassuring, and she soon fell asleep.

Darren remained awake, feeling his heart flutter every time he looked at Sara. I’ve lived for countless years. I’ve seen death, life, construction, destruction, and everything in between. Ages of stone, wood, iron, steel, information…and I’ve never met anyone that makes me feel the way she does. Why her? What makes her so special?

Darren drifted off to sleep, questions floating in his mind. He dreamed of a city nearby, and instantly knew where their next destination was. But what waits for us there? He watched himself walk through the city, go into a building, and-

He bolted upright, the dream cut off by his awakening. Sara’s head fell onto the cloud and she woke up. “…Darren?” Darren jumped off the cloud. {Get to the camp!}

The trip down was quicker than the trip up. Darren hid his aura as best he could when in sight of the three tents, flitting from tree to tree noiselessly. Sara squatted overhead, silently moving in the branches. They reached the tents and looked at what had happened.

The tents were slashed and flapping in the wind, gear strewn about the camp. Darren glanced in Sara’s direction. {Back me up. Stay hidden.} He flipped into the center, waiting for an attack. After a while, he relaxed and motioned Sara to come, pointing at her tent. “What can you tell about the attack?”

Sara moved around the tents and gear, noticing how small details fit into the larger picture. “Judging by the slash patterns, they came from the southwest, probably followed us here from the Valley. It was an organized attack, but they didn’t know how many of us were here, because it was quick and quiet. They took everyone, apparently even Acerin, without surprise because there’s not a single trace of magic here.” Darren nodded. “Impressive. I was wondering about Acerin myself…but we have to follow them. Know which direction they left in?”

Sara looked around for tracks, finding nothing. “They’re skilled warriors, quick and quiet…but they broke a few branches on their way out. They’re heading straight north.” Darren nodded again. “Towards the city they originally came from. Well, not really a city. It doesn’t even have a name. Everyone just calls it the Wizard’s City. A bunch of people who practice magic for good, but shunned by everyone else. For whatever reason…the attackers came from there.”

Sara shushed him. “I thought I heard something.” Darren closed his eyes. Sara heard the trees around them rustle, but didn’t feel a breeze. She glanced at Darren. “We’re surrounded.” He didn’t open his eyes. “Sara…I’m sorry, but I have to.” She floated up and was encased in crystal again. She almost screamed through the link, barely holding it in. {…Darren, don’t do this to me…} {If there was another way, Sara, believe me, I’d do it. But with enemies all around…what I’m doing would hurt you even more than right now.}

He stood with his legs shoulder-length apart, arms at his side, head tilted back and eyes closed. He kept them closed as the first shadow darted from the trees and towards him. Darren threw it over his shoulder and resumed his stance. The shadows stayed back then, circling. He smiled and opened his eyes. He clenched his hands as the air started to shimmer around him. The moon darkened and soon only Darren was visible.

Suddenly, the land around Darren was lit up by a pale red light, and dust flew. The trees bent to the ground and were ripped out by their roots, flying away. The shadows lifted into the air and swirled around Darren in a terrifying whirlwind, unable to stop. And then it stopped, and the land around him was strangely clean. The shadowy men were slammed to the ground and knocked unconscious. Darren unclenched his hands and walked over to the nearest one, releasing Sara from the temporary prison. She calmed herself and followed him.

Darren held up the head of the man and took off a dark mask. “I don’t believe it. They still use you guys, huh?” The man didn’t answer, as unconscious people tend not to speak. Sara looked at Darren. “What is he?” Darren shook his head and stood up. “A ninja. They used to use them for assassinations, secret kidnappings, and usually only for important things. They probably wanted to catch all of us asleep and carry us off. At any rate, we follow. We can’t leave them behind while we return to the king.”

Sara agreed, and off they went. With just the two of them using magic, they made it to the city by morning. The gates were open and a few people walked the streets. Darren moved with a purpose, following the path from his dream. The building doors were open, shutting behind them. Sara glanced over her shoulder, but followed quietly.

The room they were in was small. Doors were directly in front and behind them. Two small seats sat facing a larger one. They sat in the small ones and waited. After a minute or so, a tall thin man clothed in ninja garb stepped through. He removed his katanas and bowed to Darren before sitting down. “Your performance this early morning was entertaining to watch. I assume you’ve come for your friends.” Darren didn’t answer directly. “My name is Darren, and this is Sara. You are?”

The man dropped his facial covering and pushed back his hood, revealing a ruggedly handsome face with dark hair cut close to his head. “My name is Khris. I am the leader of the band that kidnapped your friends. We needed you to come here right away, so we took your friends.” Darren nodded slowly. “How did you take Acerin without a fight?” Khris smiled. “We’ve developed a sedative for those we wish to take quietly. We made sure to use it on him first.”

Darren smiled back. “Good thinking. Probably saved a few of your men, too.” Khris’ smile left. “Even so, some of my men were hurt badly by the whirlwind, and a few by the larger swordsman in your group. We would appreciate anything you could do.” Darren glanced at Sara. “Up to you if you want to heal his men.” Khris spoke before she could. “We would, of course, be happy to assist you in procuring more gear for your travels.” Darren smiled and glanced at Sara again. “He’s offering to replace all our stuff that they broke if you heal his men.”

Sara smiled slightly. “Alright.” Khris rose, picked up his katanas, and bade them follow. They went through the door behind him, down some stairs and into a larger room made of stone, cool and quiet. Several men lay on beds, moaning in pain. Sara immediately went to work, causing more than one of the sick to wonder if an angel had taken pity on them.

Darren leaned over to Khris. “You didn’t say why you needed me here.” Khris stared straight ahead. “The king needs you back as quickly as possible. Problems have come, and he wants you back with the Stone or without.” He turned and looked at Darren. “It is imperative that you do not lie to me. Do you have the Stone or not?”

Darren stared into the ninja’s eyes, judging what he saw. At length, he spoke. “I have the Stone.” Khris sighed with relief. “Excellent. We can get you back to the king as soon as the healing woman is done.” Sara came over and pointed to a wooden door. “Anyone need healing behind there?” Khris smiled. “That’s the woman’s quarters.” Darren looked at him puzzled. “You have a female ninja now?”

Khris smiled slightly. “No, we hire women of…low repute to work for us instead of staying on the streets. Only as servants,” he added quickly, noticing Sara’s disgusted look. Darren smiled slightly. “So…you pick up prostitutes and try to reform them?”

“Hey! Who you calling a prostitute?” The door opened slightly, the woman behind it balancing plates. Khris gestured at the door. “Her name’s Cherry, and that’s all she’ll tell us.” Darren tilted his head to the side. Cherry? Why does that…?

The door swung all the way open, revealing a well-dressed, good-looking middle-aged woman carrying dishes up to her neck. Sara glanced at the woman and then at Darren, whose eyes widened and then went cold. He knows her? Darren walked over to a chair and sat down with his hood over his head, ignoring the woman completely. She set down the plates and walked over to Khris and Sara. “My name’s Cherry. Nice to meet you…”

Sara offered her hand. “Sara. Sara Williams.” Cherry whistled. “Got a last name, huh? You’re special, then…I knew a couple men with a last name once. Who’s your friend in the chair?” Darren threw his hood back, looking up directly into her face. The woman gasped and almost fell over. “Darren? Darren Kinsley?” Darren nodded, eyes still cold. “Hello, Clarissa.” Clarissa sighed. “Great, now Khris here knows my real name. You realize how hard it’ll be to find work now?” She turned to Sara. “I dated his brother, Zerach.” Sara nodded, somewhat relieved.

Darren stood up and went for the door. Khris stepped in front. “That’s not the way out. You must stay here for the day and night, then your friends will be fully ready to accompany you to the king.” Darren got directly in Khris’ face. “And what if I choose not to stay?” Khris laid a hand on a katana. “Then I will be forced to fight you.” Darren nodded slowly. “So be it. Show me and Sara to our room.”

Clarissa looked at Sara. “You’re a lucky girl. Darren’s quite the prize, it’s said.” Sara smiled politely and followed Darren and Khris out a different door.

Darren spent the remaining day in meditation and study, facing the wall. Sara went through some of the old books that Khris had given her. When night came, Sara sat on the edge of her bed and looked at Darren, who was lying on his bed facing the wall. “Darren, what’s wrong?” He remained silent for a few seconds and then spoke with a wavering voice. Whether with anger or grief Sara couldn’t tell, but it was barely controlled. “Sara…do you remember when I said you’d know if I wanted to be alone?” Sara nodded ever so slightly, and then remembered Darren wasn’t facing her. “Yes, I remember.”

“Please…for both our sakes…I need to be alone.” He cast his hood over his face and went to the outside balcony, staring at the ocean far off in the distance. Sara sat up for a while, watching him. There’s so much about him that’s confusing. What now? She quietly drifted off to sleep, a solitary tear staining her pillow.

She woke up when the door opened, placing her hand on a long knife. A woman’s figure moved through the shadows, towards the balcony where Darren still stood. Sara sat up quietly, moving closer so she could hear what was said. I want to know the truth.

Clarissa stood to his left and slightly behind him. Darren spoke without turning. “You shouldn’t have come.” She bowed her head. Darren spoke again. “What’s wrong?” Sara shivered, hearing the cold, harsh tone he used. Clarissa said nothing for a second, and then leaned forward in a small outburst of emotion. “What happened, Darren? We used to be such good friends!”

Darren said nothing, his jaw visibly set to prevent him from screaming. “Oh? I guess we just drifted apart…” Now Clarissa was slightly angry. “Drifted apart? One minute we were playing in the forest, and then something happened, and now you’re cold as ice!”

Darren whirled, uncontained rage causing Clarissa to step back and Sara to step slightly forward. He spoke slowly, raising his voice. “Something…happened…? Something happened? Something happened!” He turned to the ocean and laughed hysterically, speaking to nobody. “She doesn’t even remember what that something was!” Clarissa ventured a small “Darren…what happened?”

He picked up a small rock from the ledge and stared at it in his palm, clenching his teeth as he spoke. “Zerach happened, Clarissa. Zerach was the wedge that drove us apart. ‘We used to be such good friends…’ I uttered those very words when he left both our lives and we didn’t even speak to each other for the longest time. Do you remember that, Clarissa? I was wandering outside the inn in town, staring up at the stars, and you walked around the corner and asked me what was wrong. And then I said that…and you ran away.”

Clarissa cringed as the memory flooded back to her. “I remember now.” Darren slowly closed his hand into a fist, dust pouring out from between his fingers as the rock was slowly crushed. “I tried to warn you when he came back for you. He promised he’d take care of you this time, but I knew he wouldn’t.” He gave a wry smile. “I remember when you talked about something beyond my comprehension when we were younger…I didn’t understand you. I didn’t tell anyone what you were saying because I didn’t think it was important. And to spite me in that…you ignored my warnings. And he left you a second time.”

Clarissa shrugged. “I’m behind all that now.” Darren turned around, the rage still burning inside him. “No you’re not. You are what he made you. And you can’t change that now, even if you wanted to. By my silence he got to you once, by your lack of trust in me he got to you again, and I will never forgive him for what he did to you both times. The only reason he lives now is because…”

Darren drew a shaky breath as he faced the ocean. “He is my brother. And as much as I hate him, I cannot kill him for what he did. I am no longer his judge. Indeed, you and I used to be very good friends. Almost best friends, in fact.” Darren turned to Clarissa, the rage fading and leaving only sadness. “You mistake my cold exterior towards you as bitterness. The only bitterness I have is for him. I will not accept what you have become, and so…” He couldn’t finish. He turned to the ocean again, tears streaming down his face.

Clarissa nodded, crying as well. “I understand. I’m sorry, Darren. I was a fool, and I made some horrible mistakes.” Darren shook his head and dried his eyes. “He is to blame.”

Clarissa finished wiping her tears and put a hand on Darren’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Darren.” He turned and hugged her one last time, kissing her forehead. “Go in peace, and stay out of trouble.” Clarissa made an attempt at a smile and hurried from the balcony and the room.

Sara climbed back into her bed, trying to comprehend what had just happened. Darren's brother destroyed his friendship, turned one of his best and only friends into a prostitute twice, and had the gall to act like nothing was wrong when he met Darren in his hometown. She shook her head. I’d probably want to kill him too.

She sat up, watching Darren stare out at the dark ocean, hands clasped behind his back. After struggling with herself for a few minutes, she got up and went out on the balcony. Darren didn’t turn around, but she knew he heard her. She walked to his side and looked up at him. He stared straight ahead, tears streaming down his face in a silent lament.

Sara said nothing as she stepped in front of him and wrapped her arms around him. His quiet tears increased as he remembered silent comfort given, now returned to him twice. He hugged her back hard, never moving his gaze from the horizon. When he could shed no more tears, he rubbed his eyes with his sleeve and looked down at Sara. "I'm sorry. It was too painful to speak of directly, or even think about for long." She ventured a small, hesitant smile that he returned with slightly more strength. He took a deep breath, as if breathing for the first time in a long while. “No more of the past. All that matters is what happens from here on.” Sara moved to stand by his side, and they watched the sun rise together.
- posted by Nick @ 5/14/2004 10:31:00 AM