by Liandra Jake
"Are you coming on to me?" Iode asked.
"Answer the question!" Rose snapped.
"I don't know why! I'm just compelled to help him any way I can. He sees the world as something he can change, something he wants to change. When I learned what he went through, I could understand why he wants the world to be a different place. No one should have to live in a world stagnate from our ancestor's mistakes. He's the person who can get us all together and ultimately restore the world from what the Great Wars had left behind."
"It may help me to understand if you told me a bit of what he's gone through." Rose said as she turned around and crossed her legs.
"Fine, just don't expect me to have an answer to everything. My memory of the story isn't exactly perfect." Iode replied, sitting up.
Iode and Rose spoke through the remaining daylight. Long shadows cast from the mountains below bathed the forested plateau in darkness. "I'm not sure what else was in the envelope, but I know it was from his father. From the monument we found, we flew to the lake you picked us up at." Iode finished.
"That's quite a story. I'm sure Michael's article will be fascinating." Rose said.
"But do you see my point? He's not exactly a normal person." Iode asked.
"To answer your previous question as well, yes." Rose replied.
"What other question?" Iode asked.
Rose simply smiled and laid back beside him like Iode had previously. Still confused, Iode laid back as well. The sky was surprisingly clear. "I haven't seen a sky like this in a long time. Even back in the desert, wasn't like this at all." Iode said.
"Wait until the sun sets. It'll be even more brilliant." Rose said.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, stars began to poke through the thin veil of darkness. Iode gasped at the growing vastness before him. Even with the faint tendrils of sunlight blocking the faintest stars, Iode was speechless.
"You were right; I would be more relaxed up here." Rose said with a laugh. 'He's actually pretty cute like this.' Rose thought with a smile.
"AHOY IODE!" Arend yelled out."
Iode rolled around and peeked over the ledge. "Hey Arend!" He called back with a wave.
Corenden, Michael, Flake, and Night joined Arend outside the gateway. "Rose! Are you okay!?" Night called.
"Yes, I'm fine!" Rose waved back. Night looked relieved.
Arend looked up at the sky and whistled. "There seem to be a lot more stars out tonight!"
"What's going on?" Iode asked as he and Rose flew down.
"We've had some trouble finding you. Maeil has ordered some food. You two hungry?" Michael asked.
"I guess. You up for some grub?" Iode asked Rose.
"Sure, where are we eating?" She asked.
"Nova." Maeil said darkly.
All eyes snapped to him. He was waiting under the gateway with two other Serephs. Their faces were hidden behind black, chainmail veils. A tight fitting black chest plate swept from right to left across their upper body, creating a dragon-like crest across their left breast. Twisted Black-steel gauntlets hid their arms from view; as well as matching pair of greaves to hide their feet, even their toes.
Only the long, sweeping white hair was a hint to their features under the black armor that covered every patch of fur. Even their wings and tail were hidden by specially crafted pieces. One carried a spear with three triangular heads twisted together. The other had a black compound bow folded at the base of their tails.
"Michael and Arend are to join the Grand Patriarch for the evening meal. Night is allowed to come at her discretion." One of them said.
The other pointed at Rose. "She, the misguided guard, and the malformed are not allowed."
"I'm not going anywhere with you if they don't come to." Arend said.
"This is not your choice." The first one said as they stepped forward.
Arend had Civen's sword out in a split second, the tip pressing the black chainveil against their neck. "I can and will kick your ass. This is your choice; innumerous injuries and irreversible damage to this place, or you can let us all go." Arend growled.
A face stirred on the other side of the veil. The other Sereph had their bow in their hands, an arrow notched and half drawn. Rose was twice as surprised as the other Serephs at Arend' actions. Arend' group didn't twitch.
"This is a dangerous path you walk. Others still lie before you can go any farther." The spear Sereph said.
"I have my beliefs. I'm not changing how I behave because a pair of black furred, black armored punks stands in my way." Arend replied.
The armored Serephs stepped back, unsettled by Arend' words. Arend raised an eyebrow. "Guess Mr. Grand Patriarch forgot to mention I'm part Pendragon."
The two took a cautious stance, still wondering if they should engage Arend. "Enough you two. Almost everyone knows by now. You should look into what goes on more often." Maeil turned around. "If you're done acting like barbarians, we have a meal to eat."
The Serephs lowered their weapons, as did Arend. "What about Nova?" Rose called to Maeil.
"What about him? Nova needs to learn not everyone folds like wet paper. I'll handle the politics. I suggest you two leave Arend be, he could kill you without the sword." The group followed Maeil. The two armored Serephs followed at the rear, far from Arend' leading form.
The wooden doors of the Inner Sanctum were cracked open enough for the group to walk through. A large table was laid before them, decorated in food. Kale was seated beside Nova and the Serephs that were up on the platform during the day's fateful meeting. Few others were seated at the table. These Sereph's were overly clean and fidgeted nervously. Arend' motley crew confused them all.
"Why are they here!?" Nova exclaimed, a furious look, on his face.
"Due to the circumstances surrounding your invitation, they had to come as well." Maeil replied.
Chairs were brought for Michael and Arend. Arend sat on the floor in defiance. Michael stood, caught in uncertainty.
Nova frowned. "Do these preceding offend you?" Nova asked, his voice a dark guttural.
"Your attitude offends my very soul." Arend growled.
The Serephs in the room blinked. "-What-?" Nova said.
"The treatment of my friends and your personality switch from this afternoon and now really pisses me off. I suggest you change your focus from trying to bend me to your will to making up for you behavior." Arend said.
"You're a guest here. I expect you to follow the rules." Nova said as he rolled his drink.
"I ain't no mirror of affection. Nothing about you scares me. You and everyone here know who stopped this place from crashing. And it wasn't a fool who trades a few honors for discrimination."
"Instead it's a fool who's being unnecessarily stubborn." Michael grumbled.
"You know he's full of bullshit!" Arend exclaimed.
"Yes, but they aren't keeping me from eating! I'm just a human remember?" Michael replied.
Flake sat beside Arend and picked a piece of meat from its platter. "Then eat." Flake said before chewing it.
Arend' group joined him on the floor and began to eat. Michael was still irritated, but ate nonetheless. Iode found his height useful in that his head was well above the edge of the table.
Nova hid his emotions behind a passive wall. Arend could still feel the anger in his gaze. Maeil sat in his usual spot at the table, but tore into the food as wildly as Arend and his group. When they were 'allowed' to leave, the group had thoroughly inebriated themselves. Rose felt Arend was being a bit stiff, but didn't say anything.
Everyone but Rose carried the party over to Night's place, throwing off the night shift as they partied on. Rose walked through the Recreational Tower by herself. Only slightly buzzed, it wasn't obvious she had been drinking. Walking through the front gateway, she flew up to where she and Iode were previously. She waited, listening for the sounds of someone following. Satisfied she was alone; she began a long walk around the tower.
She reached a spot
where a thin blanket was tied to a metal loop attached to the concrete. She untied it and curled up against the base of the glass roof. She tied the string to the blanket and pulled it over her head to make sure it wouldn't fly away. Pressing tight against the glass like she always did, Rose waited for her exhaustion to overpower her discomfort and the chill of the wind.
[X]
Nova swore in his own tongue and kicked over his table. "What's the matter dear?" A female Sereph asked as she wrapped her arms around Nova.
"Not now." He pushed her off with a stiff arm.
Two other female Serephs helped her to her feet. "You must be really upset, dear." One of them said.
'I can't believe she had the gall to show up. That bastard Pendragon must have pushed her.'
The three Serephs swarmed him. "Come to bed dear, brooding won't help you."
"Come to bed and relax."
Nova let them guide him to his bedroom. 'I'll be watching, Arend…'
- - Tender Hearts- -
The next few days passed quickly for Arend. He spent most of his time fiddling with the Dragon Drive in Maeil's lab. Corenden and Night continued to spar. Michael would occasionally look up from his reading to help. Iode and Rose wandered about, trying to find something to do and noting any of the structural problems they found. Flake had the same boredom as he watched over Arend.
"We'll reach the islands in little over two hours. Do we still have to sit here in the dark?" Flake groaned.
Arend set down the Dragon Drive a few seconds later. He turned around. "Let's go. I have to let the Korvan adjust to the new settings anyway." Arend said. The Drive was left running on the lowest setting, making little sound as it spun.
"I swear nothing is a coincidence with you." Flake said as he followed Arend out into the library.
"I gave up trying to understand that a long time ago." Arend said.
They found Corenden and Night talking to Michael about something. "Hey guys, what's up?" Arend asked.
"We're trying to find the best way to utilize Corenden's features in a fight." Night replied.
"I bet you're happy to get out of there." Corenden said to Flake.
"You have no idea." Flake replied. "I don't have to wonder why Maeil's different. It takes a special person to work like that."
"You guys want to check out the islands?" Michael asked. "They should be in view by now."
"I don't see why not, I could use the fresh air." Flake replied.
The group headed for the Recreational Tower. More Serephs were wandering about than usual. The large park areas were finally getting some use.
Serephs in some form of jerseys were playing a game. A ten foot ring was hovering above the ground. A second was at the end of the playing field. Since the game took place in the air, the ball was made to float slightly. It was most likely filled with a light gas instead of straight air. A missed shot to the ring made its way to Arend.
It was like a hollow glass orb, but was covered in slight bumps. A raised ridge ran around the equator of the ball, made from a Korvan that would react with the rings when passing through. Arend juggled the ball like he would if it was a normal soccer ball. Arend sent it back with a heavy kick. The goalie that caught it was a little winded. They quickly returned to their game.
"Nice footwork." Night commented.
"I've had lots of spare time in my life. It's nothing compared to flinging a full deck through a mail slot twenty feet away." Arend replied.
"Not really a skill that comes in handy is it?" Flake asked.
Arend shrugged. The group walked out through the gateway. A little off to the right of where they were headed, little spots of green land floated in the air.
"Wow. They're larger than I thought." Michael said as he blocked the sun with a hand.
"From what I can see, they actually have things to do." Arend said. "Shops and restaurants."
Corenden squinted. "How the hell can you see that?"
"Do Serephs have a currency?" Arend asked.
"We usually barter, but Ere is widely accepted." Night said.
Iode and Rose came up behind them. "Heeey!" He called with a wave.
He stopped briefly and pointed. "There's something headed our way!"
A blurry spot on the horizon was moving very quickly in their direction. Arend recognized the shape as it shifted slightly. "It looks like Kyrel's glider."
In what seemed like an instant, a blur of an airplane shot overhead, bringing a shockwave that rattled everyone's brain and left their ears ringing.
"It's supersonic!" Arend exclaimed once his hearing returned.
The air-jet came back around, slowly this time. Arend ran out across the platform with an excited grin. He motioned the pilot to do a corkscrew. They were happy to comply. The tip of the small jet's nose passed a few feet above Arend. In the brief instant the pilot was upside down above him, Arend gave him a thumbs up. The gust from the jet almost knocked Arend over.
On the second pass, the jet landed a distance between Arend and the others. They hurried over. The cockpit windshield slid forward, allowing the pilot to stand up. He was a Sereph, covered in blue streaked white fur with the same blue color for his hair. He was wearing a pair of cargo pants fitted tight to his waist and ankles. A pair of red tinted goggles were pulled over his head.
He wore a simple, plain tee shirt. He lacked wings of any sort. A twisted halo ran across his back, spanning about three feet in total. Arend was surprised to see a special pair of boots on his feet.
"Ahoy hoy!" He called to them. Corenden and Arend locked eyes across the jet, faces paralyzed between laughter and a frown.
"Yo!" Arend finally said.
"So what's up? Why's there a fortress so close to the islands?" He asked.
"We almost crashed a while ago. Coupled with the enormous damage from that event, practically everything else is falling apart. We need materials for repairs." Iode replied.
He paused briefly, glancing from Pog to Pog then back from human to human. "…'Ight." He nodded. He offered a hand to Arend. "Th' name's Zephyr. Friends call me Zeph."
"Arend…" Arend replied, shaking his hand and quickly moving on to the question at hand. "Do you know Kyrel BluZeph?" Arend asked.
Zeph shook his head. "Nope just named after the soft breeze. Why do ya wanna know?" He asked.
"You two share some of the same mannerisms; Ahoy hoy and an enjoyment of flying." Arend replied.
"Ts' from a movie. At least the greeting. The joy comes naturally." Zeph replied. He turned back to everyone else. "So who are you scrubs?" They collectively scratched their heads.
Arend named them off. "Iode, Flake, Rose, Michael, Night, and Corenden."
"Nice to meet ya!" Zeph exclaimed.
"Zeph, why don't you have any wings?" Corenden asked.
"That's a tough question to answer. It's best if-"
"He was exiled." Rose cut in.
Zeph's eyes narrowed. "This is Nova's fortress."
Rose nodded. "Exiled for what?" Arend asked.
"Wanting to leave." Zeph replied with clenched fists. "The removal of the wings is supposed to be only for great offenders, not someone wishing to live off the fortress. This punishment is why some stay, and definitely why anyone's here."
Zeph climbed back into his jet. "Come see me in town if you can. I don't want to spend another second on this cursed fortress."
The jet shot off, heading for the approaching islands. Kale was walking briskly in the group's direction, with an entourage of black armored Serephs.
"Who was that?" He demanded.
"An adrenaline junkie." Arend replied.
"He had no wings." One of the armored Serephs said. "
Birth defect. That's why he flies mechanically." Arend said as he scratched his chin.
Kale remained suspicious, but didn't probe further. "I assume you will be going to the islands?"
"Yep." Michael replied.
"Then pick five of the Serephs here. They'll take pla
ce of your guards until you return." Kale said, gesturing to the six Serephs behind him.
Arend walked up to the first of them. He stared at the veil covering his face. "…Could you stop that? It's very unnerving." He said after a while. Arend poked the Sereph's face through the swatted at this hand. He only succeeded in jerking his head to the side as Arend pinched the veil.