Episode Eleven: The Way it Used to Be
Re opened his eyes groggily, escaping unpleasant dreams. It was dark, but he wasn't alone-he heard breathing, and turned his head a bit to see the Tresuan-Amercy--sitting beside him. "How long have you been there?"
"I don't know," Amercy said.
"You should've awakened me."
"No," Amercy replied. "It didn't seem right to disturb you when I came to thank you. You saved my life."
"Not really," Re grunted, starting to sit up and then wishing he hadn't. "You might've been lying here instead of me, but I doubt if you'd be dead. Besides, they're probably more willing to use their medical resources on someone they trust rather than a boy they captured. I bet tomorrow medicine and healers are gonna be in short supply-real short supply."
Amercy thought he had an interesting accent. He'd never heard anyone who talked like Re. Of course, it wasn't like he'd done much traveling... "I'm still grateful," he said. "But if you want to rest, I'll go..."
"No, it's all right. I did want to talk to you. You said you created those monsters that attacked us?"
"I didn't have a choice," Amercy protested. "I was just involved in making them, not with the design, really, and he just used my power-"
"Hold on a second. It's nothing to whine about," Re interrupted. "If you want to help undo the damage you've done, you can help us to defeat them-and the person who would want to create such monsters. If you know how they were made..."
"I-" Amercy began, shaking his head helplessly. He wanted to curl up into a ball, remembering things he'd rather forget. Why did these people have to bring up such unpleasant things? All he wanted was to live in peace and freedom-why couldn't he just forget what had happened before his vision?
But then again, even if he hadn't had a choice, he was still somewhat responsible for the lives taken by the dralions. It was his duty to atone for his sins, no matter how terrified he might be. He never realized how sheltered he had been before coming into the real world for the first time; there seemed to be terrors around every corner.
"You don't have to tell me now, of course," Re continued, noting the fear and confusion on Amercy's face. The younger man's expression turned to one of relief.
"Thank you," he said softly.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, now," Re continued. "The queen herself will protect you."
For the first time, Re saw the glimmer of a smile on Amercy's face. He's just a kid, Re thought sympathetically. But, being Tresuan, he never had a chance to be a child...they used him like a tool...
"I really think I'm going to be okay," Amercy replied. "You, too. I still owe you a lot. If there's anything I can do for you..." he trailed off.
"I'll let you know, Amercy." Re managed to return a smile despite the pain he felt. Despite his efforts, it soon became a wince.
"Are you all right?" Amercy asked, noting Re's clenched teeth and fists.
"I've been worse," Re replied. "Go ahead, go. I'll be fine once I fall asleep."
"Okay, then." Amercy smiled, a reluctant but heartfelt smile. "Thank you," he said.
"Don't be too hard on yourself," Re said. "You're a good person. Beating yourself up over the past isn't going to do anything but hurt. That's something I wish...oh, never mind."
"Hmm?"
"Nothing. It's a lesson I wish I'd learned earlier-a lesson I don't think Kieme's really learned."
"Sometimes I think I can't help it," Amercy sighed.
"How old are you?" Re wondered. "Seventeen?"
"Sixteen," Amercy corrected him, cheeks reddening.
"Then you've got a lot of time to grow up," Re said. "Things'll be okay, you'll see."
Will they? wondered Amercy. Well, there's only one way to find out.
*
"Kreis!"
Kreis jumped, letting out a cry of surprise as he heard his name called at a rather excessive volume. He looked up to see Triana towering over him.
"Finally. Did you know that you sleep like a rock?"
"Did you know that this is the second time someone's woke me up tonight?" Kreis replied bitterly. "I need some rest, you know."
"Well, this is important. I just had a dream about you." You don't have to be so angry at me, she thought at him. We've barely even talked lately. Don't you miss me? She squatted down beside him. "Some girl was trying to kill you."
"Did she succeed?"
Triana rolled her eyes. "Do you think I'd be talking to you like this if she did?"
"What did she look like, then?".
"She had short, black hair-I couldn't see it really well, though, but she looked really angry, and she kept shouting at you."
"What am I supposed to do? Couldn't this have at least waited until morning?"
"Kreis! You're so selfish. I was trying to have a dream about you, and I did. I'm learning to control my dreams, Kreis!" Triana allowed herself a small smile in her pride.
"Good for you."
His unenthusiastic reply brought a pout to Triana's lips. "But why should I expect you to care? You're only my best friend in the world."
"I'm sorry, Triana, I'm exhausted. All I want right now is some sleep. Some good, restful sleep. And I keep having weird dreams and people keep waking me up and I'm sick of it!"
Triana blinked at the vehemence in his tone. "Why do you hate me, Kreis?"
"Why do I hate you? What kind of question is that? Look, it's late. I guess neither of us is thinking clearly. Why don't you go back to sleep? Maybe you'll have another dream to tell me about once the sun's up again." Kreis was rather exasperated. It wasn't the first time Triana had exasperated him, and he always got on edge when she pouted at him. His eyes still wanted to close, and he wanted to go back to sleep.
What did Triana want? Triana asked that of herself. Why had she come to Kreis's tent in the middle of the night? It wasn't just the dream...she wanted to see him...
I liked it better when it was just the two of us, she thought wistfully. I guess I even miss hearing him breathing while he slept. I worry about him when he's not with me. I'm so pathetic...and he doesn't even understand. It must be so easy to be Kreis, to be able to stop thinking and sleep at a moment's notice. I wonder if all men are like that.
"Well, I'm sorry I bothered you, then," she sighed. Sorry I was dumb enough to think you might care. Kreis didn't reply. Well, it's certainly not my fault that you don't care enough to prepare for your future.
*
Arik saw his pink-haired adversary coming out of the infirmary tent as the sun was rising the next morning. "G'morning," he said casually. She ignored him, and he followed her.
"I said, good morning, flamingo."
"I'm busy," Aradel replied, quickening her step.
"Too busy to even say hello to me?" Arik jogged around to block her path.
"Just quit bugging me, all right?"
Kieme came up from behind Arik. "Quit flirting, Ara, we need to talk."
"Flirting?!" coughed Aradel.
"That's not even funny," muttered Arik, who wandered away.
"You really shouldn't blush, Ara. Your red face clashes with your hair."
"Don't even start, Kieme."
"Anyway, I finally got in touch with Grandpa. If all else fails, you're to flee to him and he'll send reinforcements to clean things up here. Everything falls into your hands." Kieme explained.
"What about you?"
"I'm going to fight her."
"No, you can't!" Aradel threw herself against Kieme, hugging her. "Without you, I couldn't-I wouldn't-"
"Don't worry about it," a third voice interrupted. "I'm going to do it, all right?"
Kreis looked exhausted but resigned to his decision. Aradel looked up from her sobbing to see his face. She followed his gaze to the completely shocked expression on Kieme's countenance.