Lost Traveler Two
By Aaron (Wind Runner Prism)
Sage woke feeling leaves below him. He sat
up instantly realizing something was wrong. As he blinked open his eyes he
looked all around him. He was in a forest of some type and it definitely
was not one he had been to. It also felt strange as though it wasn't even
an earthen forest. Sage tried to contact the other guys and nearly panicked
when he didn't feel their presence. He then heard a small noise and something
rustling in the bushes.
"Kuso." Sage pulled out his No-Daichi and pointed it at
the bush. "Oh please kind and gentle man-person. Please don't hurt Gurgi
with slicing and dicing." The figure came out of the bush. It was small and
furry vaguely resembling a raccoon. It had branches sticking out of every
which direction. Sage glared and the figure not lowering his sword. As far
as he knew this could be some man eating furball or something.
"Gurgi eh, what were you doing in those bushes then."
He smiled as the creature seemed to squeeze in hands in nervousness.
"I was watching for kind and merciful master with sneaking
and peakings." The figure seemed to glance about nervously as though looking
for something." And who may be your master." Sage heard a footfall behind
him.
"I am." Sage turned and saw a man with long grayish black
hair standing their the gleaming sword pointed at him. The man looked almost
wolfish and had more charisma than Sage knew what to do with.
Sage almost gaped in awe but managed to keep his mouth
shut. "You knew Gwydion he doesn't look like one of Arawn's servants to me."
Sage turned to the new voice. He saw a young man with
dark brown hair. His form was only slightly built and tanned. He watched
as the young boy entered from a small grove of trees.
"Arawn has many forms Taran. You still have much to learn."
He heard Taran grunt and watched him step next to the man called Gwydion.
Gurgi bounced toward Taran.
"I did good yes. I distracted with rustling and bustling.
and I avoided slicing and dicings from bad man." Taran nodded.
"Yes Gurgi, you did a great job. I'll remember to get
you something when we get back to camp. For right now though we need to figure
out what to do about this person here." Taran nodded to Sage "Listen I don't
have a clue as to who this Arawn person. All I know was that I was asleep
last night in my room and I woke up here. If you would let me go so I can
find my way home I'd most appreciative." Gwydion frowned. "Your right Taran
I don't think he is. He may be speaking the truth. With all the things that's
been happening lately it's not impossible that another person has shown up
from off this continent. We should take him to Caer Dallben and see what
Hen Wen has to say about the matters." Taran nodded and turned to Sage.
"Listen we don't know where your from but if you come
with us maybe we can get you back to wherever your from." Sage nodded and
sheathed his No-Daichi and followed behind as the men walked off with the
little furball following close behind.
**************************************
Sage followed into a rather large clearer. A large tent
was near the middle of the clearer and several horses were tied up to a
tree on the other side. He watched as the boy named Taran ran up to the tent.
"C'mon Fflewdur it's time to go. We need to be getting
back to Caer Dalben." The man named Gwydion walked over the to now burnt
out campfire and started to pull things into his backpack. Sage turned back
to the tent to see a rather thin young man come from within it. He had spiky
yellow hair and wore colorful garb. He also had a harp that had obviously
seen better days swung over his back. The man looked at Taran.
"Sheesh Taran, Fflam's are early risers but this is
ridiculous. It's not even noon yet." The man looked indignant and started
dragging stuff out of the tent and putting it away never once looking in
his direction. Taran rubbed his eyes a bit.
"I know Fflewdur, but we found someone and we need to take him to Hen Wen."
Taran motioned to him and Fflewdur turned to him a look of surprise coming
over his face.
"Oh well why didn't you say so." Fflewdur walked up to
him and extended his handed. "Hello I'm Fflewdur Fflam, Expert Adventurer
and Bard." Sage distantly heard two strings snapped and glanced at the man's
harp. Two of the strings had broken and the whole thing looked about to snap
in half. The Man looked nervously at his harp. "Um that is I've done some
adventuring before this and well I'm not actually an official bard. Sage
looked at the man frowning and took his hand.
"Sage of Halo. I just wear armor and fight the bad guys."
Sage gave a quick smile and let go of the hand doing a bow.
"Good to meet your acquitance." Gwydion looked up from the campfire
and yelled. "Let's go if we wanna make it to Caer Dalben before dark. Sage
your gonna have to ride with someone." Sage nodded. "I'll ride with Fflewdur,
here." Fflewdur beamed at him.
"Tis an honor." Sage nodded. They got on their horses
and made toward Caer Dalben.
****************************************
Sage rode quietly behind Fflewdur watching the scenery
flow by. He looked at Taran and Gurgi ahead of him and was aware of Gwydion
behind him. Sage was comfortable in the silence. It wasn't a hostile silence
but a silence that has signs of people thinking. Sage shifted a bit in his
saddle. Fflewdur turned to face him.
"So how'd you get here?" Sage shrugged. "I'm not sure
I just woke up in that forest earlier this morning. Where exactly is here?"
He heard Gwydion answer behind him.
"This is the land of Prydain, ruled by Math Mathonwy and
protected by the Sons of Don." Sage nodded thoughtfully. He noticed Taran
and Gurgi were quiet and he shuddered slightly feeling a cold wind pass through
him. They rode for many hours and before long Sage saw the signs of buildings
ahead of him. He watched Taran stop."Maybe we should make camp outside of
Caer Dalben for now. We still have a few hours of traveling and it is already
nightfall." Gurgi smiled.
"Yes my bones hurt with achings and breakings. We can
sleep tonight and then go on in morning. Be kind to gentle Gurgi." Gwydion
looked thoughtful and lowered his head slightly."Alright, I think we can
last one night longer." He looked to
Sage.
"Is this good with you." Sage nodded though he felt a
bit uncomfortable. They dismounted and soon put up there tents and built
a small fire. They sat around the fire listening to Fflam's music which
admittingly wasn't the best but wasn't bad either. Sage noticed Gurgi and
Taran sitting up against a fire. Gwydion had went to sleep earlier with the
fact that he'd probably be the first one up. Eventually Fflam's music ended
and Fflam turned to Sage.
"Is it ok if we share a tent. I have to admit it was awfully
shortsighted of us not to bring an extra one." Sage shrugged again.
"It is good with me." Sage turn toward Taran and Gurgi. "Are they usually
that quiet? When I first met Gurgi he seemed like the type of person who
would love talking, but he's hardly said two words since we've started riding."
Fflam stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Normally no, but they just got back
from a harsh personal journey, you see Taran was.." Fflam's voice lowered
to a whisper "...searching for his father. By the looks of it he hasn't yet."
Sage nodded in understanding. "But anyways shall we turn
it. I must say my bones are aching and I can't wait to catch a few winks
or forty." Sage nodded again and they entered their tent. The tent was rather
large. He figure it could probably fit four people easily maybe a fifth person
if they didn't mind sleeping right next to each other. He watched Fflewdur
lay down putting his harp next to him.
Sage laid their in thought. He started to think of his
friends. He missed them and at the thought of them he felt his eyes grow
a little damp. Sage wiped away the turns away from his face. It was unlike
him to cry. So why was he. The answer because he missed his friends. They
were a part of him, they were his very essence. he would live and die for
them. He felt the tears fall from his eyes again and didn't stop them this
time. He longed for Ryo's warm touch, or Rowen's smart alecky remarks. He
wished for Sai quick smile or Kento's patience and understanding. But none
of that was here. Sage curled up against himself and let himself cry to
sleep.
****************************************
Sage heard a noise outside the tent. His eyes snapped
open and he slipped his hand onto his No-Daichi waiting for the intruder
to make his move.
"Sage are you awake?" It was Taran. He recognized the
voice etched in his memory like the last stroke of a paintbrush on a grueling
and arduous painting. Sage started to nod and realized that Taran had no
way to see it.
"Yes I am now. What do you need?" His voice sounded tired
and weary even to him. He raised his hand up to his eye and felt that they
were still damp. He hadn't been asleep for more than half an hour. He watched
Taran open the small flap of the tent and step inside. The moonlight outside
made Taran look somehow menacing and Sage grip on his No-Daichi tightened.
Sage looked over the Fflewdur and saw that he was soundly asleep on the opposite
side of him. Sage eyes widened as his gaze returned to Taran. Taran wasn't
wearing a stitch except a small amulet he hadn't noticed earlier. Taran walked
over to him and sat down next to him.
"I couldn't go to sleep." Sage raised an eyebrow and nodded.
"I was wanting some company" Sage frowned but he felt the throng of loneliness
in his heart and saw himself take the small boy into his arms holding him.
Sage tried to let go but he felt like he wasn't even in control of his body.
That his body wasn't his but belonged to Taran instead. Then Sage threw himself
back from Taran and growled.
"What are you doing?" The response was more of an answer
then a question. A small cruel smile placed upon Taran's lips and he watched
in an frightening twist of reality as the Taran's skin peeled back to reveal
a elderly gentlemen. He had long black hair and a thin black beard the jutted
from his his sharp chin. He wielded a small sword at his side and the amulet
around his neck glowed brightly. Sage reached for his No-Daichi and thrusted
it toward the man. The man vaporized into a small puff of smoke causing Sage
to tear a whole through the tent. He heard Fflewdur wake up with a start.
"What on earth are you doing? Your gonna bring the whole
tent down on us. Sage heard a yell from the adjoining tent and started to
dash out of theirs leaving a very confused but alert Fflewdur. Sage saw several
men surrounding Gwydion's tent. The men looked almost normal except that
he could feel their souls or lack of souls sending a shudder of utter terror
through his spine. He noticed in one of these things eyes the lack of life
in it and his he fumbled in his pocket for his armor orb to find that it
was gone. Then it hit him. He felt the blade slam into his back and come
through his front. He felt the scream of pain through his chest. He caught
a glimpse of Fflewdur struggling to get to Gwydion and watched as the sword
that Gwydion so protected wrenched from his hands. He watched as these souless
things beat upon Gwydion and he felt the life drain out of his own being.
He tried to grasp the last string of life but lost it and with that he was
gone.
Korin no Seiji smiled as put his No-Daichi back in his
sheath be careful to wipe the remaining goblin guts off on one of the many
pieces of clothing he kept for such purpose. He looked at his friend Kongo
no Shuu and smiled but Shuu seemed dazed as though he had just been his with
something and Shuu turned toward him. "Sage???"
*****************************************
Sage eyes opened wide. He saw Fflewdur standing over him
with a concerned expression on his face.
"Are you okay Sage?" Sage nodded slightly and rubbed his
head the visage of his nightmare still in his head.
"Just a bad dream." Sage sat up and placed his hand on his No- Daichi making
sure it was still there. Fflewdur let out a long sigh.
"No kidding, you acted like the cauldron-born or something
were after you." Sage frowned the name ringing some internal bell inside
of him. Fflewdur looked at Sage in concern. "Something wrong?" Sage shook
his head slightly.
"The name cauldron-born, it seems familiar to me but I
can't figure out where?" Sage jerked back as the image of the souless dead
warriors popped back into his head. "Sage looked at Fflewdur a haunted look
in his eyes causing Fflewdur to start in alarm. "I s-s-something wrong?"
Sage let out a long shaky sigh.
"Do these 'Cauldron-Born' you speak of look like things
from the dead" Sage's eyes held Fflewdur as Fflewdur nodded slowly. "Then
perhaps your statement was more correct than you though." Fflewdur looked
at Sage a expression of horror crossing his face.
"My friend. I am sorry you have these visions. But we
destroyed the 'Black Cauldron' long ago. There aren't many Caudron-Born left.
Sage frowned and looked Fflewdur with a stern face.
"I know what I saw and I saw Taran turn into a man. A
man with a black beard and black hair. His breath smelt like death." He stopped
as Fflewdur gasped and whispered.
"Arawn" Sage frowned.
"You know of this man." Fflewdur nodded and when he spoke
in barely came out as though merely speaking would wake those dreadful
memories.
"Yes he is the evil Lord of Annuvin. He seeks to conquer
Prydain and rule over it all. The cauldron born were his creation. He made
them with the Black Cauldron which we managed to destroy though we lost many
of our friends. You say you saw Taran become this man. How is that Taran
is in his tent sleeping. We caught up with him only a few days ago. He seems
perfectly normal..except" Fflewdur face grew in horror.
"He's been rather quiet. I though perhaps it was only
because he was searching for his father. No, because if he was Gurgi would
know." Sage frowned remembering catching a glimpse of Gurgi from his eye.
The saliva dripping from the prolonged fangs. The wild and twisted expression
upon the once gentle creatures face. He remember it attacking Fflewdur right
before. He shuddered at the memory his skin crawling with the eeriness and
realness of the dream. He looked at Fflewdur and shook his head. "No Gurgi's
one of them too. I saw it in my dream." Fflewdur let out a long sigh.
"Why don't we prove that this dream was at all it was,
just a dream." Sage looked at him incredulously "Listen if your dreams right.
Taran would be on his way over here about now right. Why don't we just go
to his tent and look up on him ok. If he's there we'll know it was just a
bad dream. All be it a weird one, but a dream nonetheless." Sage frowned
but reluctantly agreed. Sage and Fflewdur grabbed their weapons quickly and
head outside the tent. Fflewdur's mouth dropped in utter horror as he saw
Taran wearing not even so much as breeches standing at the front of their
tent.
********************************************
Sage stood there for only a brief second, noticing
a drip of drool land on the ground and sizzle. He took his No-Daichi swinging
at the once beautiful Taran as quick as his namesake. But before his blow
ever landed the boy was gone and he watched as a snake quickly slithered
away. He heard Fflewdur mutter The Lord of Annuvin's name under his breath
and then all hell broke looses. He was aware of screaming and fighter and
wielded his blade with expertise seen by no other, but however he was unaware
of his surroundings. Something seem to be trying to tell him something and
he couldn't quite figure it
out. He looked out the corner of his eye and saw the creature once called
Gurgi, it's fangs and claws elongated. Sage heard metal and the thought hit
him. He turned around swinging his No-Daichi to where his assailants weapon
was. The strike hit home tossing the sword several feet away from his opponent.
The man was tall a bedraggled.
He had the look of a hunter but deeper and more malicious.
Sage had no problem dispensing of his would be killer. He turned back around
to see Fflewdur helping Gwydion to his feet. Then something awful happened.
He felt his very being rip apart. Slowly, but surely. He could feel his body
trying to rip free from this world. He stumbled away not wanting Fflewdur
or Gwydion to see his pains of anguish. He made to a small clearing in the
forest where the moon light seem to shine specifically. He dropped to his
knees there holding his stomach using everything he knew to fight the pain.
He heard footsteps behind
him. "Sage?" It was Fflewdurs voice. He turned weakly toward him. "Leave
me alone!" Sage tone was harsh and full of hurt.
He realized quickly what was happening. He was leaving. He didn't want to.
Not completely anyways. Not like this. He wanted to stay with Fflewdur and
Gwydion. Fflewdur knelt down next to him.
"Sage, are you alright?" Fflewdur's voice was strained
with worry and concern.
"I'm leaving now, I'm going away." His teeth gritted the
words out.
"Where too? There is nowhere to go?" Fflewdur blinked
and sighed in realization. "Oh your going home aren't you?" Sage nodded.
"I'm sorry your leaving? Can I do something before you leave. I always wanted
to since I met you and..." Sage looked up at him causing Fflewdur to stop.
Sage knelt forward using the last of his strength and pressed his lips against
the blond haired man. At first Fflewdur was surprised but eased into the
kiss tasting the hot lightening inside Sage's lips. Sage pulled back licking
the sunlight from his lips that Fflewdur had left and smiled. Then it was
all gone.
Sage snapped open his eyes. He was standing. He felt his
hand on a cloth of some sort. He looked down at it seeing it covered in
greenish-black ickor. Then noticed that it was on his No-Daichi. He heard
a voice that struck a note in his heart and looked up. He saw Kento standing
looking at Sage oddly. "Korin, you alright?" Sage blinked.
"You've never called me Korin before, what's going on?"
Kento blinked. "You've had me calling you Korin since I landed in this forsaken
world. Why would you want me to stop unless....His voice trailed sudden
realization coming to his eyes. "Sage?" The questioning tone in Kento's voice
made him wonder if he really was Sage and not some hallucination of Kento's
mind.
"Yes, who else would I be?" Kento smiled broadly.
"Well about time" Sage frowned.
"Time for what?" Kento laughed.
"About time you came to your senses. Ever since I came
here the only one of us I've ran into is you, and you had me call you Korin
the entire time, saying Sage sounded like an odd spice or something."
Sage harumphed.
"So where is here then, if I'm not home?" Kento sighed.
"Well from what time I've been here. This is the Island
of Fleronz, on some world called Keran. I dunno I've never heard of it, But
King Gravedigger mentioned that I was the second person to have come here
after there portals were closed. Apparently people used to travel from different
worlds to here or something like that. I guess we got caught in some sort
of weird crossover or something. I'm not to sure myself." Sage took all this
in and frowned.
"Can we get home?" It was Kento's turn to frown.
"Not from what I can tell, all the portals were closed
about twenty years ago during some event called the Cataclysm(I did not steal
this from Dragonlance..made it up way before I ever read Dragonlance), after
that supposedly no more portals existed. But I guess they'd have to if I
got here and you got here. " Kento seemed to think about this. Sage shifted
his weight and nodded.
"Why don't we see this "King Gravedigger" and see what
else he can tell us.?" Kento shrugged
"Alright, we already finished our commission, so I see
no rush to get back to our employer." Sage frowned
"Commission?" Kento smirked "Yeah we were supposed to
hunt down a goblin tribe and kill em off. They were wreaking havoc on some
villages nearby so I decided why not help them out. You agreed to go along
for the action." Sage shook his head in disbelief "Why don't we just go ahead
to King Gravedigger. You can tell me the rest on the way there."
Kento nodded and they headed down the dirt road unaware
of a jingling staff behind them.
The End!!!!