Episode Thirteen: Hero
"So it's really over, then?" The man who spoke was probably in his mid or late forties by Kieme's estimation; a sort of local figure who had assumed authority after Lady Nele's untimely demise. He seemed intelligent enough and willing to listen, not to mention well liked among the people, unlike his late predecessor. Perhaps she'd appoint him governor of the district when negotiations were over.
"So what did Sephoni have to do with this?" Kieme wondered. "How did she get involved?"
The man shifted in his seat. "Sephoni showed up about a year ago," he began. "She promised Lady Nele that she would make her Empress of this world. All she asked for in return was that her religion be enforced through the continent."
"I see," Kieme said, "but that's not all, is it."
"Of course, the lady was skeptical at first, but her greed soon overrode her judgement. I think she knew that she was being used, but Sephoni wasn't much more than a child...Nele assumed she could outsmart her in the end."
"And now she's gone," Kieme sighed. "Thank you, sir. You're free to go. I look forward to working with you in the future."
The man looked confused for a second, then bowed to Kieme before he exited the room. Kieme watched him go.
I suppose I ought to talk to Grandfather again, she thought.
*
"So is he up yet?" Gregan asked Triana as she exited the infirmary. The blonde shook her head.
"They say he'll be all right," she said. "That he'll feel better if he sleeps."
"That's probably right." Gregan smiled. "I'm glad he's all right."
"I guess I am, too," Triana sighed. "But it still doesn't make it right. Kieme shouldn't have made him go through that. He could have been killed."
Gregan shrugged. "Well, he wasn't."
"I was so scared," Triana said. "I had a dream-" She cut off.
"Excuse me?"
"It's stupid," Triana replied, laughing uncomfortably. "I just had a dream that someone like Sephoni was trying to kill him."
"Wow, that's kinda weird," Gregan replied. "You know, I did an old play once about a prophetess. Ceto said it was silly, but I think there might have been some basis in history. You see, there was this woman, this prophetess, and her name was Linde..."
"Linde..." echoed Triana. My mother's name was Linde. Gregan didn't seem to hear her, and he continued his story.
"And she was the servant of a cruel master, Lord Amot, and she was his slave, forced to look into the future for him. And then a man showed up-a hero, played by me of course-and his name was Dannel. They fell in love and were married in secret, and Linde became pregnant. When Lord Amot found out, he was furious, and locked Linde away until the child was born. Amot took her baby daughter away and Linde never saw her again. Dannel found out that Linde was being locked up and he rescued her, and they ran away-Linde had seen in a vision that she would never see her baby again, but Amot never caught them."
"I don't know," Triana replied distantly. "I don't think I'd ever heard that story, but it sounds kinda familiar, somehow..."
"It sure would be weird if people could see the future," Gregan said. "I mean, what would you do if you could tell you were gonna, like, die tomorrow? Or that someone you cared about was going to be killed, and there was nothing you could do about it-would you tell them?"
"I don't know if it would be like that," Triana said softly. "The end of that story is sad. They never went back for their child?"
"I'm sure that they wanted to, but they couldn't," Gregan said. "I don't really like the ending, but that's the way the story goes. If it were really just a story, I think it would've had a better ending. That's why I think it really happened." He shrugged and grinned his famous grin. "Of course, I'm just a hopeless romantic like that. Every story should have a happy ending-or at least a dramatic ending that I use my talents on, don't you think?"
"You act like life is a story," Triana laughed. "You're running off to join the army because it's dramatic, right?"
"No, of course not!" Gregan looked a bit offended. "It's something that I have to do-it's my duty, you see. I need to help people, after all. What can I do just by acting?"
"You've been acting the hero all your life," Triana murmured. "Now you actually want to be one for real."
"What was that?" Gregan wondered, leaning in close to hear her.
"I said that you still can't escape the fact that deep down, all you want is to be a hero."
Gregan shrugged. "Well, if you put it that way...who doesn't? Kreis is a hero, isn't he?"
Triana thought about it. "I don't know."
"Kreis was a hero, today. If he hadn't fought, a lot of innocent people wouldn't be killed. You know Nele's army was only fighting because she was forcing them to."
"Does that make him a hero, then?" Triana wondered.
"I think so," Gregan replied. "I'm jealous of him. One day, I'm going to be a hero, too. Then I can be your hero and sweep you off your feet, and we'll live happily ever after."
Triana examined his face. He seemed to be joking, but there was always something about the way Gregan joked, the way there seemed to be a spark of sincerity in his eyes.
"Jeez, stop looking at me like that," Gregan said. "I'm just making a joke, all right?"
"Sorry, it's sometimes hard to tell when you're joking or not," Triana replied. "And it's not like he's my hero, anyway. If he saved anyone today, it would have to be..."
*
Kieme sneezed.
"Are you okay? I hope you're not getting sick..."
"I'm fine, Aradel." Kieme leaned back in her chair.
"Are you sure? You're pushing yourself too hard," Aradel insisted. Kieme snorted.
"You're telling me that? You're the one who should be living the life of a normal thirteen-year-old, not helping some mad woman conquer the world."
"Kieme..." Aradel sighed. "We talked about this before. This is more important to me than silly things. I'm happy with what I'm doing. I can handle this. You need to concentrate on getting them to Thaliron-I can handle the rest, here."
"And you don't mind taking on Gregan and Arik?" Kieme said. Aradel sighed.
"I'm not thrilled, but I can handle it. I'll let Re handle their training, I suppose."
"No," Kieme said. "I want Re to come with me, once he's a bit more healthy. General Hirokitan will be here, soon, and if anyone can handle them, he can. Stick to the original schedule, and the Tresuan will come with me."
"What? Are you crazy-after what happened last time?"
"I wasn't with them last time. I'm the one who saved them from the dralions the first time, remember?"
"But why was the dralion following them in the first place? It probably sensed Triana's Tresuan blood! With Amercy and Triana together-"
"They'll know when the dralions are coming, and we'll be able to prepare accordingly," Kieme said calmly. "And Re will be able to help."
"He's not fully recovered," Aradel admonished her.
"I know," Kieme sighed. "I can help him, though. It's the least I can do."
"You are getting sick."
"It doesn't matter whether I am or not. I can take care of myself."
"Kieme, I swear, I am going to smack you," Aradel announced.
"Jeez, Aradel, I'm fine," Kieme sighed, shaking her head. "I told Kreis and Triana I'd take them to Thaliron. I've made promises." She looked down at her hand and sighed. Aradel followed her gaze and then snatched her hand.
"Who are you to talk about promises?" she yelled, glaring at Kieme and reading more into her action than the older had realized she could.
"Some promises don't last beyond death," Kieme sighed. "I would think you'd understand that."
"Well, I've never stopped you before, so I guess I won't be able to start now," muttered Aradel. "Fine, go. But don't make Re go with you. He deserves some time to recover."
"Let him decide whether or not he wants to come," Kieme replied with a shrug. "I think you'll be surprised."