Jay - Ahern's Burden

Demetri arrived on the scene and surprised those around him. Some bowed, and others became immediately busy. After scanning the crowd, he found Remis.

“Demetri is here,” Zane said.

“He’s here?” Remis asked, not wanting to make eye contact. “How did he know?”

Zane didn’t have an answer and he didn’t try to hide Remis either. He stepped out of the way and gave Demetri a direct line of sight.

“Remis,” Demetri said, in a cheerful tone. He stepped over numerous charred logs, holding his robes above the blankness. “Dear Remis, may I have a word?”

Remis tried to ignore him, part of Seneca’s latest instructions.

“Zane,” Demetri said, with a simple nod, “nice to see you.”

Zane returned the gesture but didn’t speak.

Demetri turned around to witness the scenery. “What happened here?”

Zane moved his eyes to the ground.

Remis pursed his lips.

Demetri tilted his head to the side. “Remis?”

Remis looked away and the silence continued.

Demetri exhaled and clinched his fist. The motion sent a searing pain through Remis, causing him to scream and his body to buckle over.

Zane stepped back at Remis’ outburst.

Falling to his knees, Remis grimaced in discomfort.

“Would you excuse us, Zane?” Demetri asked, “We have a few matters of state to discuss.”

Zane looked down at Remis and back to Demetri. He nodded and walked off the hill.

Other soldiers walked by, most of them medics, carrying the surviving burn victims away from the scene. They watched Remis go on all fours but did not stop to help. They assumed the other Idol would ask if he required assistance.

Demetri let the pain linger before letting him catch his breath. He opened his hand and turned back to the burnt clearing. “What happened here?” he repeated.

Remis relaxed and sat up on his knees and toes. He caught his breath and tried to wipe the soot off his hands. He looked at Demetri with a smirk of indignation. He knew he was no match but he needed to be strong, and he had a direct order from Seneca to not disclose anything to Demetri.

Below them, a horse-drawn carriage passed at the hill’s base. The Idols watched the covered wagon hit a pothole and bump out a dead soldier. The grotesque, black corpse slid onto the ground, face down.

Demetri turned back to Remis. “Seems there was a fire?”

“Yes,” Remis responded, “but as you can see, it is contained.”

“True, I don’t see danger to the remaining forest. Have you determined the cause?”

Remis met Demetri’s eyes and looked away.

“And why capital soldiers were called to assist?”

Remis still looked away, somehow pretending to not hear the question.

Demetri clinched his hand again, sending Remis’ semi-clean hands back to the charred earth. This time he did not release his hand when he spoke. “The pain I am sending you will not tire. It will intensify the longer you persist. You have two choices. You can answer my questions directly as a civilized man, or you can continue to hold out for Seneca’s relief. The choice is yours, but I guarantee you, no one is coming to relieve you.”

“No. No,” Remis repeated through clinched teeth before falling to his side.

Demetri slowly closed his other hand, sending twice the agony.

Remis screamed, hoping his pleas would draw attention to his situation. It didn’t work. The men watched but kept moving. Not a soul was going to get involved with a quarrel between two Idols. Zane also ignored them.

When Remis stopped screaming, Demetri again spoke. “Are you ready to answer my question?”

Within the heavy breathing and muffled yells, Demetri made out a single yes. He opened his hands and Remis rolled onto his back.

Demetri had not tortured anyone in decades. He preferred other, less painful means of communication, but he knew Remis would not speak with him otherwise. “I’m sorry, Remis,” he said, squatting next to him. “I know Seneca gave you instructions, and I do not desire to harm you.”

Remis closed his mouth and swallowed. Above him a shooting star crossed the sky. He rolled his head towards Demetri and saw compassion in his eyes.

“I only want to know what you know,” he said, extending his hand.

Remis looked again to the sky and let out a heavy exhale. He raised his right arm and Demetri pulled him to his feet. He staggered but Demetri held him up and brushed the soot off of his robe.

“How many men did we lose?” Demetri asked.

“We don’t know.”

“Because of the darkness?”

Remis shook his head. “Because many of them were cremated.”

“Cremated?” Demetri asked, raising his eyebrows.

“There were three individuals,” Remis explained. “Two stayed on the ground but the third could fly and throw fire.”

Demetri coughed. “Did you confirm the sanity of the men who reported this to you?”

“The report is mine,” he said, looking at Demetri. “I was impressed at the odd beauty until he turned his inferno in our direction. But what we cannot explain is the failure of the Obfuscators.”

“You had an Obfuscator?”

“Yes. We brought two. I saw the man fall from the sky and his fire cease when they arrived. But after a moment he took to the sky again and destroyed the area, men and all.”

Demetri looked over the clearing in the heavy moonlight and became jealous that he wasn’t able to witness such a feat.

“During his barrage,” Remis continued, “the other two slipped away. The fireman flew to the north after he extinguished his carnage and we have not found their trail.”

“He extinguished his own flames?” Demetri asked. “Can he divide the great seas as well?”

“I don’t know,” Remis answered honestly. “He gathered the flames in his hands.”

Demetri looked off. He felt like sending another round of pain at Remis, but something told him he was telling the truth.

“Do you know why the Obfuscators failed?” Remis asked.

“I have a theory,” he answered, “but until I learn more I will not share my thoughts. Anything else?”

Remis shook his head.

Demetri nodded. “Zane!”

Behind them Zane climbed the low hill.

Demetri turned around.

“Zane, I understand you have new baby boy,” Demetri said.

Surprised at the comment, Zane nodded.

“This is your fourth child, if memory serves.”

Zane nodded again.

“I have a request of you,” Demetri said. “If you are asked, I need you to report my behavior to Seneca. I need you to inform him of my persistent badgering of Remis and how I attempted to persuade him to disclose information.”

Zane looked between the two men.

“Tell him of Remis’ strength, do not embellish. I need him to know I was unsuccessful, and I walked away frustrated. Is this something you can do?”

Zane nodded.

“I’m counting on you,” Demetri stressed. “I need you to swear to me that it will be as I requested.”

Zane again nodded. “It will be as you requested.”

“Excellent,” Demetri said, winking at Remis. “Gentlemen, it has been a lovely evening, but I must take my leave. I have another individual I must visit.”

“Master?” Zane interrupted, before he left.

“Yes?”

“I understand your request, and it will be done, but what of my family. Why did you mention my children?”

Demetri smiled. “Put your mind at ease. I know your wife’s health troubles you.”

Remis glanced as Demetri.

Zane took a step back. “How do you know of my wife’s illness?”

“My mandate is to know the health of those in my stewardship. With your permission, I intend to heal your wife and prevent future illnesses.”

Zane’s eyes grew large.

“In strength, she will raise your family.”

Zane’s mouth parted, and his eyes began to glisten.

“Thank you for your permission,” Demetri said with a small nod. “Gentlemen.”

Flog closed the barn doors and rested two wood rods across the doors, one at the base and another above the center. With a dim lantern in one hand and freshly washed clothes in the other, he walked passed large stacks of hay towards a spiral staircase. At the top of the stairs, he laid the clothes over the rail to dry. He walked to a small box next to his bed and sat down. With the flame from the lantern he lit a small stick and touched off two small candles.

A quick flutter overhead told him the barn owl had left to hunt rodents in the fields.

Flog had used the barn’s loft for many years and enjoyed the simplicity. To him, it resembled sleeping outdoors but with a roof. Another reason was his struggle to overcome the difficult memories of the nearby house.

In the subtle light he thought about his time away, and his travels. Though he was glad to have new acquaintances, the familiarity of his makeshift home brought peace to his mind. The building was his sanctuary. His thoughts teased him to visit Spree, but in the end, he traveled far from Theaton and removed the temptation.

Tonight, he wanted to forget the world outside Shent and rest. When he arrived around mid-morning, he met the two families that assisted him in caring for the land. They still had much work to do to clear the vegetation from the previous harvest. Flog wanted to help but they insisted he rest and join them in a few days. He took the afternoon to clean up and was forced to eat a strong stew prepared by one of the family’s young handmaids. Before the sun set, he trotted around the property on one of his many horses bare back and washed his clothes.

Exhaustion soon overwhelmed him and though he was happy to be home and among friends, he knew he was no closer to his goal. He rubbed his face and messed up his hair. He grabbed a small mirror lying next to the two candles and viewed his condition. You’ve looked better. He knew the reason for his neighbor’s concern that he rest.

Following an extended yawn, he blew out the candles and climbed into bed. He leaned over to extinguish his lantern when three quick knocks boomed throughout the barn and snapped his eyes open.

Flog never had visitors and the only people who knew of his return were his neighbors. What do they want? He thought about the possibilities when three more knocks echoed to the loft. He rolled out of bed and slipped on his shoes. Grabbing the lantern, he hurried down the stairs.

“Who’s there?”

“Demetri Toria.”

The name was familiar, but he knew he wasn’t close to anyone named Demetri. “What’s your business at this hour?”

“I seek Flog Rolla,” Demetri said. “I am alone, and I carry no weapons.”

“I am Flog Rolla. What do you want?”

“I have information I would like to share.”

“At this hour?” Flog questioned. “Would prudence dictate we speak at this hour?”

“Prudence would,” Demetri responded. “Do you not seek a young boy and his guardian?”

Flog stood in the middle of the barn and shook his head. “Do I know you, sir?” he asked, stepping slowly towards the door.

“We have met once before.”

Flog was a few steps from the door and reached for the upper rod.

“In the Hall of Requisition,” Demetri finished.

Flog froze with his hand on the cold pine. His heart began to race and his breathing intensified. He remembered who Demetri was, but why he was standing outside his barn frightened him, and he stepped away.

“Do not be afraid,” Demetri said. “I swear to you I intend you no harm. I only wish to share with you what I know.”

Flog continued to back away. How did he find me?

“You have a slim chance to see the boy,” Demetri continued. “He will soon be out of reach.”

Flog took another two steps and stopped. He knew the Idol could force his way in or level his barn with no effort. Pretending he wasn’t home profited him nothing.

“I understand your constraint,” Demetri continued. “I would have the same reservations if I was in your position.”

Flog stepped back to the door. He didn’t have a choice. He removed the two rods and pushed one door open. He held the lantern up and saw Demetri’s silhouette.

“Good evening,” he said, cheerfully.

Flog nodded.

“May I speak with you?”

Flog nodded and stepped back.

Demetri entered, and the door swung closed on its own.

“I don’t have chairs,” Flog explained, “and I have yet to restock my provisions. I only arrived this morning.”

“No matter,” Demetri said, pointing to the bales of hay. “May we sit here?”

“Yes,” Flog said, picking his spot and setting the lantern on the ground between them.

Demetri looked around.

Flog tried to read his face but the low light made it difficult.

“I envy you, Master Rolla.”

Flog lips parted and he held still. “You do?”

Demetri nodded. “This farm reminds me of my parents’ old homestead. Even the size and smell of this barn tugs at some of my earliest memories.”

Flog watched him look around.

“When I was a young boy, I thought I would become a farmer like my father. As you know, I followed a different path, but I often wonder how different a life I may have had.”

Flog watched him take in a breath and look around one more time.

“Did your father grant you this land?”

“No,” Flog answered. “What I own, I purchased more than a decade ago.”

“Is the residence not yours?”

“It is mine,” he responded, “but you didn’t come here to discuss my history.”

“No, I did not,” Demetri said, turning towards him. “I came to discuss your future.”

Flog looked at him wearily. “You came to discuss my future?”

“When you spoke in the Hall of Requisition,” Demetri started, “I knew your heart.”

Flog stayed silent.

“You were the first person in many years to speak up against the council’s decision. You were not scared to speak your mind. I was pleased. I’d failed to make you appear unimportant to the others. To protect you. You were tasked to find a boy and return him to us. Your strong will wanted to fulfill the contract. I know what happened in the Library of Cedar, but I don’t know why your heart has softened. I sense a change. So, I ask you, do you still seek the boy, or have you changed direction?”

Flog looked down. “I still seek the boy,” he answered, “but for a different reason.” He lifted his head. “I seek him to ask forgiveness.”

“Why do you seek forgiveness?”

“Because my apology is more important than anything else,” Flog said. “I do have plans. Plans that do not require me to hunt fugitives. But what kind of husband or possible father would I be if I ignored my past? I know I have left scars. I know my actions will return if I leave them in their current condition. For me to move on, I first must clear my conscience, whether I receive their blessing or not. If I do not complete this task, I am cheating those I have wronged, and I will mislead those I love.”

Demetri nodded. It was as he expected.

“Forgive me for not fulfilling my contract,” Flog said. “After all, I was told my services were no longer required.”

“To the others of my order, you are correct.”

The barn owl swooped in and landed on its perch. Demetri looked up and the owl hooted. Without a second thought, the bird spread its wings and disappeared again into the night.

“And to you?” Flog asked. “Do you still require my services?”

“Not in the same way,” Demetri said. “I would like to offer you mine.”

“You want to help me?”

Demetri nodded. “Since the incident at the library, the boy and his guardian have eluded us on two occasions. The first was in Boon, and the second was earlier tonight in the Renair Forest.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes. He appears to have aligned himself with another sorcerer.”

“In addition to his guardian?” Flog asked.

Demetri nodded. “The sorcerer is powerful, and because of his strengths, the boy and those he travels with have again covered their tracks.”

“How can you help me if you don’t know where they are?” Flog asked.

“I can help you find them faster,” Demetri said. “I can teach you to teleport.”

“No,” Flog said raising his hand. “I do not want to learn magic.”

“Then may I take you to them?”

Flog frowned and looked away and back again. “Do you know where they’ve gone?”

“No.”

“I’m confused.”

“I know whom they seek,” Demetri explained, “and I know what route they have to take. What I do not know is when they will pass through Etheral.”

“Etheral?” Flog asked. “The northern-most port leading to the Crystal Sea?”

“Yes,” Demetri said, nodding. “They must pass through Etheral before they can reach their final destination.”

“Where is their final destination?”

“I do not know.”

“You know whom they seek, but not where they are going?” Flog clarified.

“Yes. And if you miss them in Etheral, you will miss your opportunity.”

Flog sat back and thought about Demetri’s offer. “Why are you helping me? Is this another tactic to achieve your goal by dangling my own in front of me?”

“I swear to you I carry no deception.”

“But you must want something for helping me?” Flog asked.

Demetri looked down, his eyes in deep thought. “I need you to trust me,” he said, sitting up.

Flog looked into his eyes. He saw no ill intent, but his body and mind were exhausted. If what Demetri said were true he would never forgive himself if he missed his opportunity. “I trust you, but if I do not rest, I fear I may become ill.”

“Your body is drained,” Demetri said. “May I renew your strength?”

“How?” Flog asked.

“I know a technique that will revitalize you,” he said. “May I?”

Flog still had reservations about magic but saw no alternative. He nodded, and Demetri stood.

“Please stand,” he said.

Once on his feet, Demetri stepped closer and flexed his right hand and brought it to Flog’s chest. He held his palm up and pressed only his thumb against the center of his chest.

Flog held still and heard Demetri mumble words in a different language with his eyes closed. He looked down and saw a faint blue green glow travel between his hand and his chest.

Demetri held the position for a moment and then backed away when the glow faded. “How do you feel?”

“I feel stronger,” Flog said, searching. “My eyes are no longer tired. My body doesn’t ache.”

“Your body will strengthen throughout the night,” Demetri explained.

“This is amazing,” Flog said, feeling his body rejuvenate.

“Are you ready to go to Etheral?”

“Let me dress,” Flog said, bounding away to the stairs.

Demetri looked around while Flog collected his necessary items. He turned towards the stairs when the candles were put out.

“I feel like I have new life,” Flog said, stepping off the last stair.

“The effects will wear out,” Demetri cautioned, “but not until tomorrow night. You will need no sleep until then.”

Flog nodded, still excited about his shot of youth. “How will we travel to Etheral?”

“Take my hand,” Demetri said, extending his own.

Flog obeyed and before he knew what had happened, he and Demetri stood on a small hill outside the sea city. Flog stumbled on the new terra and would have fallen were it not for Demetri’s stabilizing hand.

“Where are we?” Flog asked. “Is that the ocean?”

The soft crashing of distant waves sparked his question. The low moon had almost set beyond the watery horizon.

“We are in Etheral,” Demetri explained, letting go of his hand and walking away.

Flog looked around. He knew they had teleported, and though he desired to stay far away from magic, the instant trip left him nauseous and glad the trip was over.

“Have we missed them?” he asked, catching up to Demetri. “Have they already passed through?”

“We will know in a moment,” he said.

The port city slept in darkness. A few lanterns burned outside a tavern’s entrance and the lighthouse in the distance burned bright.

They walked through the empty streets and turned east two blocks before one of the many wharfs. The buildings shrank in size and frequency and the solid brick and wood plank sidewalks ended. The sandy shores surrounded the city for miles and many chose to live privately than amongst the larger, inner city merchants. Flog noticed a few smaller houses on a raised hill to his right, but Demetri headed straight for a single-story house with trees to the north.

Demetri pointed. “The man they will meet lives there. If you’ll wait between those homes, I will confirm whether or not they have passed through.”

Flog walked away and stood in the darkness.

Demetri teleported to the front door and knocked. When no one responded, he knocked again. He looked to Flog and then disappeared.

Unsure of what to do, Flog leaned forward and peaked around the corner of the house. He stepped back when Demetri appeared next to him.

“The boy has not passed through,” Demetri said.

“How do you know?”

“The seaman left a note,” he explained. “He seems to know they will soon be here, but he has a pressing errand he cannot avoid and instructed them to wait until he returned.”

“Do we know when he’ll return?”

“A few days, according to his note,” Demetri said, without hesitation.

“A few days?” Flog asked.

“Yes, but Etheral is a warm city, you have no need for lodging.”

“I am to wait for them to arrive?” Flog asked.

“Yes,” Demetri said, looking up to the stars, “but it should be within a few days based on the note.”

“What if they left the note to mislead anyone searching for them?”

“The possibility exists,” Demetri consented. “Regardless, you will know in a few days.”

“I have no provisions,” Flog stated.

“Here,” Demetri said, reaching inside his cloak. “Take this.”

Flog accepted a small sack, heavy with coins. He poured a few into his hand. “I don’t need all this for a few days.”

“Take it as another layer of trust. I know you are not wasteful.”

Flog began to protest further but Demetri ignored him. “I must be off.”

“What do I say?” Flog questioned, turning Demetri towards him. “They believe I am still in league with the Idols.”

“The truth has never failed me,” Demetri said. “And true intent is easy to decipher.”

“You want me to tell them I still work for the Idols?”

“I consider it more of a mutual agreement, but I was referring to what you told me earlier tonight. Tell them why you seek the boy. Do not hide your identity. As you said, your intent is to clear your conscience, whether they accept your apology or not.”

Flog looked down, digesting Demetri’s counsel. He knew what he must do, but faced with the events in front of him, he feared it might backfire.

“I do not believe telling them you are still in communications with an Idol will gain you support.”

Flog looked up, knowing he spoke the truth.

“Be honest,” Demetri said, extending a sympathetic smile. “Good luck on your journey. I look forward to our next encounter.”