Chapter Five: Secret Intents

As they entered the forest, a cry came from the Inn. “MURDER!” Cried Serenity, “SOMEONE HAS MURDERED THE WEAPONS GUARD!”

Three hours later, Elba, Eliac, Jack, and Niendel arrived in Westpoint. Eliac walked towards the Horse Master.

“Hello,” Said the Horse Master.

“I am going to be truthful with you,” Said Eliac, “I’ve no money and I need horses.”

“Why do you have no money?” Receiving no reply, he said, “You aren’t running away, are you?”

“No. My colleges and I lived in the village of Cesium, which was recently burned to the ground. My family is dead, and I track an evil man who has taken one of my friends prisoner.”

The Horse Master looked as if he would fall over in shock.

“But…you’re a bunch of bloody children! What can children do?!?”

He seemed to be talking more to himself then the four friends, but Eliac said, “What we can.”

“Well,” He said, “If you are running away, points for creativity. Follow me.” An hour later, they had the horses. Next, they went to the Inn. Two guards had barred the door.

“May we go in?” Asked Elba.

“No, I’m sorry miss.” Said a guard.

“No ones going in, you know,” Said the other guard.

“I see,” Said Elba, “What’s happened?”

“There’s been a guard killed,” whispered the second guard.

“My,” Said Eliac, her voice layered and perfectly beautiful, “That’s too bad.” Elba recognized that voice, the voice used to hypnotize Mr. Amur. She shivered and said nothing.

“Yes, It really is.” The guard said, blinking more then he had been before.

“I bet your tired,” She said convincingly, “I bet you want to take a rest. You’ve earned it.”

“Yes… I think I’m tired… watch the chickens, will you Adam?” He said, falling asleep. The other guard had fallen asleep too.

Stepping over them, Eliac said, “We’d best go before we’re spotted.” Jack shook his head.

“Are you sure you can’t fix my choppers --”

“FOR THE MILLIONITH TIME, NO, JACK!” Jack sighed.

“Well geez,” he said, “There’s no need to get snippy.”

“Excuse me,” Said Niendel to a red haired young women, “What’s happened here?”

The woman had long red hair and green eyes that looked puffy, as though she’d been crying. She wore a green dress.

“Well...” she sobbed, “Someone has murdered my husband.”

“There there,” Said Niendel calmly, patting her arm, “I’m sure it will be alright.”

“I’ll never be happy again,” She cried, sobbing, throwing her arms around Niendel. Niendel blushed, Eliac glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.

“Err..” Said Eliac, “Excuse me milady, but have you by chance seen this women?” She held up a painted portrait she’d found of Circe.

The woman nodded, a weak smile forming on her face. “Not two hours ago.”

Eliac fought back her excitement as she asked, “Did they say where they were going?”

The woman nodded again. “They said they were going to Willow creek, in Battleon. Although I’ve never heard of Willowcreek…” Biting her lip, she walked away.

Eliac looked as though someone had hit over the face.

“Eliac?” Asked Elba, “What is it?”

“No wonder she doesn’t know where it is,” Said Eliac.

“Why is that, Eliac?” Jack said.

“Because," Eliac said slowly, "it doesn’t exist.”

“It don’ t make no sense, tha’.” Said Jack.

“You mean it doesn’t make any sense. To say that it does not make ‘no sense’ is to suggest that it does make more sense then nothing, meaning it does make some sense. Does it not make sense that it doesn’t make sense, Jack?” Eliac put in airily.

Jack twitched, as though his mind had went into overload. “Wha-?”

Eliac rolled her eyes. “Oh, never mind!”

“Well,” Niendel Said, “If we look at it mathematically, it is possible. My father was running a few experiments on the matter for.. Ah.. Shall we say very personal reasons?”

Elba snorted. “You mean so he could make sure his political candidates weren’t a problem that he‘d have to deal with. Does killing babies make him a hero, Niendel?”

Niendel grinned shyly, but said nothing. Eliac sighed, and Jack pretended he didn’t understand what was happening.

“Anyway,” Said Jack, “Wha was tha’ about the whole not existing yet it’s?”

“Right,” Said Eliac, “Thank you from moving me away from digressing, Jack.”

Jack sighed and bit back an argument.
“At any rate, Circe’s pendant belonged to her mother. Her mother was just as beautiful as she was, from what I understood. I was very young, maybe three or four, so I can’t remember precisely what happened. However, from what I understood… Circe’s mother was a witch.” Eliac said.

“I would rememba,” Said Jack, “But I lived in Battleon at tha’ time. Trainin’ t’ be a rat catcher.”

“I have yet to finish my tale, be silent Jack,” Said Eliac kindly.

“What happened to her mother?” Asked Niendel, interested for once.

“Your father…” She paused, as though uncertain if he could handle this information, “Your father ordered her burned at the stake. He also ordered all of her processions burnt… accept for one. Circe’s pendant.“

All could picture Circe’s pendant, glowing with numerous mists and stinging any who would be brave enough to touch it.The others watched her with wide eyes, even Niendel, who had a spark of something faint in his eyes. Several thoughts appeared in his head, faint memories, but he shook them away.

“Before she was born, she bore Circe into this world. The ultimate cruelty, Peter ordered the child killed. But the pig keeper took the child into the church and protected it, far from Peter’s grasp. Circe owes the pig keeper her life. As for the necklace, it wasn’t that he didn’t try to dispose of it, but the little necklace withstood all attempts to destroy it. The rumor is that it was enchanted.”

Eliac paused again before continuing, as though the story were a hard one to tell.“Even her name, Nimori, means ‘dark beauty’.”

“Dark Beauty,” Remarked Niendel, “Are you sure that was it, Eliac?”

“Yes, I am quite certain,” Said Eliac, “It was after I asked what her name meant that my parents taught me Elvish.”

“Oh,” Niendel said, “Alright.”

“I’m curious,” Elba put in, tired of being silent, “why would you ask such a thing?”

Niendel shrugged expressively. “I have my reasons,” he responded.

“Can I help you, Kids?” A booming voice asked from behind.

“Nicholas!” Cried Eliac, “How good to see you!”

The four of them explained their story to Nicholas the hunter, who was quiet at all the right places.“So, I’ve only one question,” He said, “After seeing Eliac do that incredibly complex spell, you asked her if she could fix your teeth?”

The forest was dark, the wind sounded like pieces of shattered secrets as the day wore on for Circe and Nydia. Eyes of countless creatures stared at her.
“Nydia… How much longer do we have until we get to..” She realized she had no idea where they were going, and was silent.
Nydia turned back to her, smiling.

“Not very far, Kuahin.”

About two hours later, they came to a charming clearing. A stream of sunlight fell graciously on well-tamed rose bushes, a small cottage sat in the middle.The cottage was lovely, but simple, and Circe nearly laughed. He must’ve seen her smile, but he said nothing regarding the look on her face.
“It is my humble duty to serve you here, and train you against the troubles of the world,” He said, bowing to her. “If you need anything, anything at all, you need only to ask. However, I must ask you two terms.”

“Yes?” Said Circe, realizing he’d just made himself a servant to her.

“You must not leave the clearing after dark unless you have permission, nor can you enter my room at any time.” His face was deeply serious as he asked her,” Do you accept my terms?” All was silent again while he awaited her reply.

What only was a few moments seemed an age to Nydia before she responded, “Of course, Nydia. You should know I trust you by now.”

The charming smile appeared on his handsome face again as he offered his arm. “Then follow me to your castle, Milady, and welcome home.” Circe couldn’t believe this. It was the third day after she’d arrived, and Nydia said he was going to teach her more about magic after she’d mastered the sword.

“The sword,” He said, “Is not a tool. It is an artist’s brush, a way of defense, a friend when there is no other.” He smiled, flashing white teeth gleaming in the sun.

“So, get out the sword I got for you.”

Circe brought it to him eagerly, drawing the sword. “Very good!” He laughed, “So quick!! Now, meet your sparing partner…”

A woman in a white cloak walked from the edge of the clearing. She looked like an enchantress of white magic, standing against the evil of the forest in the night.The cloak fell from her, revealing a woman in a red dress trimmed in gold. She had long, raven hair, and an exotic beauty about her. The woman had brown eyes that glimmered of knowledge long forgotten, pale skin that looked as though it had not seen sun in far too long. She was pleasantly thin, her every move swaying of grace.

“Who… who are you?” Asked Circe, stuttering.

“I am known as Saphira to some,” the woman said in a voice that was unlike any Circe had ever heard. “But you may call me Nimori…”

“How do you know Nydia?”

“I, like Nydia, serve the Master, and the Master’s power can over come any one of us…”

Eliac couldn’t believe their luck. Not only had Nicholas seen Circe with this fellow, he knew the guy. Nicholas had said the fellow’s name was ‘Nydia,’ and that he was wanted for several crimes against the Guardian order. After hearing the story, he’d also offered to accompany them. Not that it really mattered, because they had no idea where Nydia lived. Nicholas had invited them to his little house for supper.(For some tax reason, all head slayers were called ‘Nicholas’.)

As Elba walked up the stairs, she tripped, the bible she’d found at Cesium falling out. As Nicholas bent to pick it up, the map stuck out.
“Elba,” Said Nicholas in pure disbelief, “Where did you get this?”

“Get what?” She asked, glancing at him.

“THIS!” He cried, taking the map from the bible as quickly as humanly possible.

“I found it,” She said sadly, “in Cesium, on the site of my father’s death. Why do you ask?”

“It is a map to Nydia’s house! How would you father have come across this?”

“I knew little to nothing about my father,” Said Elba, “Your guess is as good as mine.”

***

Clash! The sword blades of Nimori and Circe hit true, sparks went flying from each blade. Nimori spun and flipped over in an impossible move, while Circe simply took a step to the left. Parrying the blow, she sent Nimori’s blade flying into a nearby tree.
Nydia laughed. “You did very well!” He said, smiling. He was always smiling, but Circe didn’t seem to mind so much.
It had been a week, and everything had went wonderfully. Today she had won her first sparring battle, and that night was the full moon.

They always had a small party in Cesium on the night of the full moon, believing it to be good luck. Circe, knowing naught the fate of Cesium; saw no reason not to continue the tradition. “Full moon tonight, Nimori! Nydia!” She said brightly, in especially high spirits, “Would you like to have a special dinner?”Nimori and Nydia exchanged concerned glances.

“No, little dove,” Said Nydia, “I have to travel on business tonight.”

“That’s too bad,” she said, seeming hurt. “What about you, Nimori?”

“I will stay with you,” She said, “Although I’m afraid I’m not much of a cook.”

“Nor am I,” Said Circe, laughing, “Nydia always does the cooking.”

This was apparently news to Nimori, who raised an eyebrow and grinned. She opened her mouth to respond.“Not. A. Bloody. Word.” Hissed Nydia, but Saphira only fell over laughing. She laughed so hard that Nydia laughed, too.

***

“So, wait,” Jack said, frowning, “it was jus’.. sittin’ there?”

“Yes,” snapped Niendel, who’d been grumpy ever since Eliac had told her story.

“I don’t like tha’,” He said, “What if it’s a trap?”

“A trap?” Laughed Eliac, “Who on earth would set a trap for us, Jack?”

If only they had known.