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Destiny Awaits, part II

History admires the wise, but it elevates the brave. ~Edmund Morris

It was just her luck that she’d arrive in the winter time of Noctura. At least she wasn’t far from S’ran, as much good that would do her. Adrian would probably just laugh at her. She glowered at the thought of him. That pompous bastard. While he had his uses, she still had yet to see what Solara saw in him.

She nodded curtly to the bar keep when her drink was brought to her. She recognized the woman from her black hair, olive complexion, and lavender eyes, and was almost sure that he woman recognized her from the odd look on her face. It didn’t really matter. The woman was here where she was supposed to be.

She saw a familiar figure descend from upstairs of the tavern and was pleased to note that he was well. The only man to have ever touched her heart: Lucien Roan. She watched him as he took a seat at the far right end of the bar and the bar keep drag her stool over to where he sat. The way they lit up when they talked with each other brought a smile to her lips. Definitely some potential for something more to happen there.

In a way, it made her sad. No. Not really sad. Wistful. She began to hum a little to herself. Celesta would have to be notified of this. She knew that the goddess had a special interest in him and it came as no surprise to her that she did. It was completely understandable why.

Diahnee finished her tea and stood from her seat, leaving a few pieces o silver on the table. Lucien wasn’t the reason why she was here. Although, she was glad that she checked in on him. Now she knew where he was. Still, her reasons for being on Everlynn were not related to him.

She left the tavern and walked out onto the deck. She stared out across the ocean and a small smile crept across her face. Traveling by land and sea to Ryuji may actually be more enjoyable this time. Her mind made up, Diahnee set off toward the wharves and a ship to take her across the ocean.

***

“What do you make of him, Arcana?”

“He seems nice enough.”

“And his progress?”

“Admirable. He has gained some measure of control over himself.”

“Good. Good.”

“However…”

“However?”

“What Tarrant has been through will remain with him ever after. The nightmares he has will never truly leave him.”

Kotetsu nodded. “I see.” He walked a bit in silence with Arcana. “These were brought on by his encounter with these-“ He cast about for the right words.

“Void creatures,” Arcana supplied for him. She brushed some of her golden blonde hair over her shoulder and sighed.

Kotetsu glanced over at Arcana. “Didn’t you say that you fought those creatures once?”

“I did, and it was not a pleasant experience.”

“And that is why it has taken him so long?”

Arcana nodded and said nothing more on the subject.

They both looked up as one of the students in the temple approached them and they came to a halt in their walk.

“Master,” the girl said to Kotetsu,” there is a guest waiting for you in the receiving hall.”

Kotetsu glanced over at Arcana briefly. “Tell our guest that I will arrive shortly.” He turned to Arcana after the girl left and took her gently by the shoulders. “We shall resume our walk as soon as I finish.”

Arcana smiled and kissed his cheek. “I know. Now go before our guest becomes impatient and irate.”

Kotetsu returned her kiss and left her company. He wondered who his guest was and thought it odd that the girl hadn’t told him who it was. Perhaps it was Ryu-Wo. He knew that he didn’t like to announce his presence.

When he finally entered the receiving hall he stopped dead in his tracks. What was she doing here? He stared at her until she turned slightly to glare at him. He hastily came over to where she was and sat down.

“Diahnee, for what do we owe the honor of your presence?” Kotetsu asked politely.

“Tarrant,” she replied coolly. “Is he well?”

“As well as can be expected under the circumstances.”

“May I speak with him?”

Kotetsu raised an eyebrow. Diahnee was being very polite and that was unlike her. “OF course,” he replied. “It is rather late. Would you care to stay the night?”

“Yes, I would.” Diahnee added after a paused, “And I will speak with Tarrant in the morning.” She stood up from her seat on the cushion and quietly walked out of the hall. She waved away one of the students that came rushing to her side to lead her to her room and kept walking. She knew this temple well and knew where her room was. It was pointless to be ld about like a sheep.

She reached her room with the student trailing behind her. Normally, that would have annoyed her; however, she had more pressing matters on her mind. She slid the door shut with a snap, blocking out the view of the student. Kotetsu would have to remind his students not to follow her.

She turned to face her room and set her things down, taking extra care with her satchel. She didn’t want to ruin the documents she had inside. She took off her desert garb and laid it across a table. Blowing out the already lit candle when she had first entered, she laid down on the futon and turned in for the night.

***

Morning brought dew on the grass, and with it brought breakfast. Diahnee soon followed after. She sat down across from Tarrant without a word, a plate of food in one hand. They ate together in silence, their eyes downcast. When their meal was finished, they left in silence.

“You were there, weren’t you?” Diahnee glanced up at Tarrant, taking her eyes off the garden path momentarily. “When they had first come to Lady Adaemee. You were her Blade Dancer.”

“Yes, I was,” Tarrant replied quietly. “I was Lady Adaemee’s protector and I was there when Guenwhyvar and Lady Wyndelyn had been summoned to my lady’s home.”

“They were summoned? They didn’t come of their own accord?”

Tarrant shook his head. “No. They were summoned.”

“And you traveled with them for a time, yes?”

A nod.

“Then, if you had been with them for so long, why were…are you never mentioned?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps I was not important enough.”

“And Guenwhyvar, Strite, and Wyndelyn were?”

Tarrant shrugged, a slight rise and fall of his shoulders. “What of Lucien?”

Diahnee snorted and stared angrily down at the stepping stones beneath her feet. “Oh, he’s mentioned, but more so in passing. As if he had been an afterthought.”

“An afterthought? And I was almost left out, save for the end, correct?”

Diahnee hesitated, then nodded. She eyed him curiously, wondering how he knew.

Tarrant caught the look and chuckled. “I have been catching up on my history. I was curious as to what happened after that particular encounter with Brimra,” he admitted. “I have noticed, though, that the history recorded is much different than what I remember happening. Many things were left out.”

“Oh? How so?”

“An example would be the fact that Guenwhyvar wore green paint about her eyes. It almost looked like the two wings of a butterfly, but on their sides,” he tried to explain. He laughed. “It’s difficult to describe.”

Diahnee regarded Tarrant for a long moment. “You seem to be a well spring of knowledge. There seems to be more to you than meets the eye.”

“I am as you see me: once the protector of Lady Adaemee, now a man plucked from his world and trying to make sense of everything.”

“Hmm.” It was more of a thought sound than anything else. The wheels in Diahnee’s head were beginning to turn. “If you had traveled with Guenwhyvar and the rest for so long, then why were you hardly ever mentioned until the very end?”

“History is a strange thing. While it may mention those that were wise, such as Lady Adaemee or the first emperor of Ryuji, and praise them, history glorifies the brave. Especially the ones that died for their chose cause, “Tarrant explained. He smiled a little. He was beginning to sound like Kotetsu. “Didn’t you find it odd that all those that are praised the highest are the ones that had died for a cause? The seven gods that had been stripped of their powers and condemned to live as mortals, those that had fought the Void and died, the Goddess Selena who chose to abide by the Will of the All Creator rather than give her brethren access to the very treasure that she guarded… I could go on.”

“No,” Diahnee replied, a bit annoyed. “I see your point.” How could this man know so much more about the history that she was meant to protect than her? She was beginning to like this Tarrant less and less. Still, what he pointed out was quite interesting.

“Your interest has been piqued,” Tarrant observed.

Diahnee glared at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said coldly. “Do not assume you know everything about me.”

Tarrant inclined his head to her. “Of course.”

Diahnee continued to glare at him. His politeness was really going to irritate her. Why couldn’t he be blunt and straightforward? She wouldn’t have to play this little game of being polite and nice all of the time; however, she was in Kotetsu’s temple, and despite herself, she respected him too damn much to be her normal self around his students and guests.

“Damn you!” she hissed and stalked away. Whether she was cursing Tarrant or Kotetsu, she wasn’t sure. Probably both. She would have to try to ask Tarrant her question tomorrow.

***

Arcana was very displeased. It wasn’t because Kotetsu had failed to return to finish their walk. He had actually returned to her to do just that. No. She was displeased for a vastly different reason.

“Kotetsu!” She glared at her husband and was satisfied to see him cringe. “What is she doing here?”

“She?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. You know exactly who I’m talking about.”

“I still don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kotetsu protested weakly.

“Diahnee,” Arcana ground out between gritted teeth. “What is she doing here?”

“Oh! Well, she came to visit,” Kotetsu replied, fidgeting in his seat.

Arcana raised an eyebrow expectantly.

“To talk to Tarrant,” he finished meekly.

“And why does our esteemed guest want to talk with Tarrant?”

“I haven’t the foggiest,” Kotetsu confessed.

Arcana pursed her lips and began pacing. “There must be a reason why she would want to talk with him. She doesn’t talk to just anyone.”

“Perhaps she is looking for a bodyguard,” her husband suggested.

Arcana waved off the idea. “Unlikely. We both know that she is more than capable of taking care of herself and on top of that she hates people.””

“I wouldn’t say that she hates people. Difficulty relating to others, yes, but not hate.”

“Oh? Is that what you’re calling her anti-social behavior?” Arcana placed one hand on her hip. “Stop making excuses for her! Yes, she is who she is and no, I don’t care. Some of us have had traumatic experiences and we have turned out just fine. She should be treated no different.”

“And allow her to loose her sanity? By forcing her to become part of the social community? She acts the way she does in order to protect herself.”

“From what? Being human?!” Arcana railed against him.

“She’s not human,” Kotetsu replied quietly.

All of the fire seemed to die in her at that moment. She let out a noisy sigh and brushed her hair out of her face. “No, she isn’t human,” she agreed. “That still doesn’t excuse her fro her horrid behavior. It wouldn’t kill her to at least be decent. Especially to my students.”

“I take it you will be keeping a close eye oh her?”

Arcana snorted in a most unladylike manner. “As if you must ask.”

“Very well, then,” Kotetsu assented. “Try not to cause any trouble, though.”

Arcana arched an eyebrow and swept out of the room.

Kotetsu shook his head. “This is why I am going bald.”

***

Tarrant faced the rising sun whit his eyes closed and his legs crossed in silent meditation on the grass. He tried to clear his mind of all things: his surroundings, his thoughts, and images. But it was the images that were hardest to banish. He’d always see Guenwhyvar with her quiet, serene smile or Lucien with his heartfelt laugh. Wyndelyn constantly bent over something in intense concentration or Strite with his witty comments and ready grin. He thought of others on that strange journey and they always led back to Lady Adaemee, the mysterious lady of shadows and the keeper of the Crystal Tower.

He wondered if perhaps she knew all along what would happen. She had made preparations long before she had summoned Wyndelyn to the tower. Guenwhyvar and Strite’s swords had been made for them long before she even knew who she was making them for. She only knew that it had to be done.

When he thought about it, she seemed to do things on an impulse. It wasn’t until later that it would be realized why she felt compelled to do things. She sometimes knew things before they happened or anticipated what people would say. Could she have anticipated the Void overtaking Brimra? Was that why she made all of those preparations?

He heard movement in front of him and tried to sense the presence before him. Nothing. That was odd. He cracked open an eye to see who it was. “Good morning, Diahnee,” he said politely.

“I cam here to ask you a question, but I never got around to it,” she explained. She moved her head slightly and the sun’s rays reflected off of what little bronze tinted hair was showing beneath her hood. “So, I ask you my question now: What really happened? I need to know the truth of that encounter with Lord Brimra.”

“Why do you need to know such truths? You have what you need written in your history.”

“But it is not the truth and it is the truth that I desire, that I need.”

Tarrant remained silent. Diahnee hadn’t answered his question and that concerned him.

Diahnee saw the resolution on Tarrant’s face. She thought of telling him some off-hand story but decided against it. She looked at him, then. Actually looked at him. There was a pain and sadness in his eyes that she would never understand. As she continued to look at him his eyes seemed to become fathomless and she recognized something familiar in his gaze.

She leaned forward ever so slightly and quietly said, “It is beginning to stir again, Tarrant. That darkness that you and I know so well. The Void has broken free from its imprisonment that you and your friends put it in. It is traveling up and down the stream of time, disrupting and changing events in the past to suit its needs.”

Tarrant stared at Diahnee in disbelief. Her story was too fantastical to be true; however, the fact that Diahnee and her friend had been at the temple still puzzled him. She could very well be telling him the truth.

“Tarrant, please believe me,” Diahnee begged quietly. “I need to know so that we, Solara, Sagan, and I, can understand and defeat it. If we don’t the future that you had fought so hard for at Tymy will mean nothing. Your friends will have died in vain.”

“They did not die in vain!” Tarrant hissed between his teeth.

“They will have if you don’t pull yourself together and help us!” Diahnee shot back.

Tarrant clamped his mouth shut and glared at her. IN a way, she was right and that bothered him the most. Lucien and Wyndelyn survived and would most certainly be doing something with their lives in honor of Guenwhyvar and Strite. He could do no less, even if it meant facing the Void once again.

He looked down at the ground for a moment. Perhaps this was the reason why e had been saved: to help Diahnee and her friends. Perhaps it was his destiny to fight the Void once more. Whatever the case, eh couldn’t stand idly by and do nothing. He would fight it and destroy it if he could. He owed Guenwhyvar and Strite that much.

He looked up at Diahnee. “I will tell you what I know but on one condition: you let me help you fight the Void.”

Diahnee considered him in silence. She searched his face and saw determination gleaming in his eyes. “Agreed,” she said.

Tarrant help up a warning finger. “I can only tell you the story in part. To know anything else, you will have to look elsewhere,” he warned her.

“I understand.”

“Good. At least one of us does.”

***

Tarrant turned away from the window as he felt a presence behind him. He straightened himself and bowed to Adaemee.

“Please, Tarrant. There’s no need for that. You and I have been friends and companions for nearly a year now. Such formalities are unnecessary between us.”

“I would feel awkward if I didn’t,” he replied.

Adaemee smiled. “Be that as it may, I would ask that you not be so formal unless the situation calls for such things.”

Tarrant bowed once more, arm at the waist. “As you wish, m’lady.”

“Come,” she beckoned with a smile. “I need your help with a few a things.”

“More preparations, m’lady?” Tarrant inquired. He followed her away from the window and further down the hallway. He glanced at her as they talked. Her black hair was pulled away from her face and allowed to flow over he shoulders and down her back. An intricate, silver circlet adorned her head and complimented the simple earrings she wore. Her dark eyes took in everything they saw and gave a hint of knowledge and wisdom not yet seen by others. A black choker with a cross made of deep red stones graced her throat and stood out against her pale skin. Her gown was dark, comprising of deep reds and blacks. It flowed about her in an almost unearthly way and gave her the appearance of being ethereal.

“Yes,” she replied. “More preparations; however, these will be different.” She led him down to the receiving hall and outside. “You and I will be seeing someone about swords and incantations,” she informed him.

“Another one of your impulses, m’lady?”

Adaemee made a face at him. “Don’t be so mean. Something tells me that we’ll be needing these.” She climbed into a carriage that was brought around for her and waited for Tarrant to enter before continuing. “There’s a whispering upon the winds and it strikes me as being very sinister.”

“What form will it take?”

“I don’t know, but whatever it is we must be prepared. This isn’t going to be like the other times, Tarrant. Something disastrous is going to happen.”

“Ill tidings indeed, m’lady. Especially for the new year.” Tarrant sat back in his seat, his right hand resting on one of the daggers at his waist. “Who will we be seeing for these creations of yours?”

“An old friend of mine. Brimra,” she explained. “He specializes in weapons and weapon imbuement.”

“Was he the one that you went to that school with?”

“To learn magic? Yes. The very same. I only hope he hasn’t forgotten his craft. He’s become a bit of a recluse as of late.”

“I’m sure he has his reasons, m’lady,” Tarrant reassured her.

Adaemee smiled. “You’re absolutely right. Brimra has never done anything without reason.”

They rode the rest of the way in silence, both seemingly content to be lost within their own thoughts.

“Tarrant?” Adaemee asked quietly.

“Mmm?”

"What made you decide to become my Blade Dancer?”

Tarrant didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he collected all of his thoughts and gave her a reason why. “I still wanted to protect people but not from the shadows. Accepting you as my charge gave me the opportunity to be a Blade Dancer after my training rather than a Shadow Walker.”

Adaemee smiled. “Out of the darkness and into the light. How strange it is to have a Blade Dancer guarding a shadow mage.”

“Not as strange as you might think.”

“True.” Adaemee glanced out the window and a satisfied smile crossed her face. “We’re here.” She waited for the carriage to come to a complete stop before letting herself out.

Tarrant was not far behind her, and when he finally looked over the abode of Brimra he was a little surprised. He had expected a grandiose manor with all the trappings. Instead, a simple cabin just large enough for two people live in it comfortably and a forge off to the side greeted him. “He likes his privacy,” he commented.

“Indeed I do.”

Tarrant looked toward the entrance of the cabin where the voice came from. There, in the door, stood a man wearing a deep forest green robe and a shock of blonde hair on his head to go with it. His eyes were a faded blue and at his side was a simple wooden staff. “Adaemee, it has been awhile.”

“Indeed it has, Brimra. Allow me to introduce you to my companion,” Adaemee began. She turned and stretched out her hand. “This is Tarrant.”

Brimra looked Tarrant over with a critical eye. He noticed the two rings that were on his right hand, the cloak pin that fastened his well-worn, faded grey-green cloak, the sword strapped to his back, the two daggers at his waist, the nondescript clothing he wore, and the gleaming medallion hanging about his throat.

Tarrant had the sudden itch to raise the collar of his cloak to cover his face but resisted. The man unnerved him for some reason. It was probably because of the knowing smile that was creeping across his face. This man knew. He just knew. He knew what Tarrant was and what he had been. How could someone not of either Order know?

“You keep interesting company, my dear,” he told Adaemee, his eyes never leaving Tarrant’s. “Very interesting.”

“An added measure of protection,” Adaemee explained. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to discuss with you why I came.” She took Brimra by the arm and led him back inside of his home, giving Tarrant a quick, meaningful glance.

Tell him nothing! Tarrant read in her eyes. So, he was to let Brimra draw his own conclusions about him and neither confirm no deny anything. He waited a few more moments to gather his and Adaemee’s things and followed them inside. He had a feeling that it was going to be a long day.

He occupied himself as well as he could while Adaemee and Brimra discussed their project. They were bent over pieces of parchment, sketching out ideas and conversing together in low tones. They were so engrossed in what they were doing that he went unnoticed. Tarrant was sure that if he left for a little while and returned he wouldn’t even be missed.

The day dragged on with Tarrant going over in his mind what he’d much rather be doing right at that moment. He had tried to entertain himself by looking over everything Brimra had in his cabin but that only rewarded him with a glare and a warning not to touch anything. So, Tarrant had to resort to daydreaming, after a fashion. He was so engrossed in an overview of the list of things he’d much rather be doing that he hadn’t realized Adaemee was calling his name until she touched his shoulder.

“Tarrant, is everything alright?” Concern was etched o her face and her eyes searched his for any sign that everything was anything but alright.

“Yes, everything is fine.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “I was thinking,” he explained.

“It must have been something important for you to have dazed off like that,” Brimra commented.

“My companion does not ‘daze,’ Brimra,” Adaemee replied coolly. “He meditates.” She turned to Tarrant, annoyance flashing in her eyes but not at him. “We must be leaving, Tarrant.” She walked past him and to the door. “I trust I shall receive a missive of some sort when my requests are finished, Brimra?”

“Of course,” the wizard replied just as equally cool. “I can hand deliver them as well.”

”That would be greatly appreciated.” Adaemee waited for Tarrant patiently. As soon as he was at her side she swept out of the cabin.

***

“M’lady?” Tarrant approached her quietly, waiting for her to recognize his presence.

“No one is allowed to treat my Blade Dancer the way Brimra did,” Adaemee said quietly.

“M’lady, all he did was comment on-“

“He insulted you and I will not stand for that. You made great sacrifices to become what you are now and I know it must have been terribly boring for you while you waited on us.” She smiled. “Did you know that you are the first Shadow Walker to become a Blade Dancer? Normally, it is the other way around.”

“My soul couldn’t survive in the darkness much longer. It needed the light to renew it,” Tarrant replied. “I was tired of hiding in the shadows, m’lady.”

“But why accept the charge of protecting me? I am a shadow mage,” she pointed out.

“Something familiar?” he replied hopefully, then laughed. “No, I accepted this charge because I felt it suited my skills. I will be able to implement my abilities as a Blade Dancer as well as a Shadow Walker.”

“I honestly don’t know if you’ll be given the chance to use them. As you can tell, my life isn’t that exciting,” she said ruefully. Adaemee picked up a cup of tea and took a sip of it. “Would you care for some tea?”

Tarrant shook his head. “Thank you, but no.”

“Very well, then.”

A long silence lapsed between them. Tarrant stayed in the room, sensing that what Adaemee needed the most was just the presence of another person. How long was she alone until he came along? Yes, he cared for her but not romantically. That would complicate things greatly. He cared about her wellbeing, though, and noticed that she was lonely. Everyone feared her for the power she wielded and the supposed demons she kept locked away I her tower. She was all alone.

“A cold wind is blowing,” Adaemee announced softly. “A change unlike anything we have every seen before is coming.” She looked up at Tarrant, her eyes focusing on him.

Tarrant felt a chill go down his spine and shivered.

“We must be on our guard. Anything could happen,” she warned him.

“What could happen that would change everything so drastically?” he inquired curiously.

“Something of immense proportions that could alter the very fabric of time itself. It’s why I’ve been making all of these preparations,” she explained. “As soon as my requests are finished we’ll move on to the next step.”

“And that would be what?”

Adaemee smiled, humor in her eyes. “We summon some heroes.”

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