Chapter 4 -
Time Passes, Heroes Change
Toriban
Fangora gazed longingly at where House Fangora had once stood, anger still in
his heart even after all the time that had passed. 'Five years,' he thought.
'Five years of training for my vengeance. Now is finally the time to act'
He turned and walked done the road as he had years before, a dark smile
on his face. 'What I need now is
someone from the inside. Time to find
out if the brat-Prince is still alive.'
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"Mommy,
what's wrong with that man?"
"Come
here, honey. Keep away from him. He's just a poor beggar."
'Yes,
nothing but a filthy beggar,' thought Allendrie. 'That's all these people think of me anymore. But it’s a life I have to put up with for a
little longer. Soon, though I'll be skilled enough to break into the
palace and end my brother's tyrannous reign.'
He
continued with his beggar facade until he had acquired enough money to buy a
meal at the local tavern. On his way
there, though, he became aware of someone shadowing him. Allendrie gradually slowed his pace in
attempt to get a better look at his stalker.
Finally, the man simply approached Allendrie.
"Excuse
me. Aren't you Allendrie Merdoon?"
"Yes,
why do you ask?"
Allendrie
suddenly realized how familiar the man seemed.
It was his last thought before a heavy
punch brought him to unconsciousness.
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"I
am still against this, Zara. There is
still much training you should do."
"What
is the point of possessing these powers if I can't use them to help
people? Besides, Kala-sensei, you
yourself have said that I am more skilled at healing than any who have trained
in the temple's history."
"But
why, Zara? Why so far away? Can you not practice closer to home? Why must you travel to Dewvron?"
"Its
distance from the temple is the reason that I must go. None of the Temple have gone to the
continent of Untala in four hundred years.
There must be some place in Dewvron that desperately needs a healer and
protector."
"Zara,
I..."
"No,
Kala-sensei. My mind is made up. You have nothing to worry about. You yourself have trained me in the attack
arts of Rei Ki and the use of
weapons. I will be perfectly
safe."
"It
is not bandits or vagabonds that worry me, Zara. It is the fact that Dewvron may be at war. We have had no trade ships from Untala in
five years. That means either a
recession or outright conflict. Either
scenario is far from enjoyable."
"Your
fears may be well founded," Zara said, "but my decision has been
made. I sail for Dewvron in two
days. The journey will last a month,
and I will be staying for seven years, the standard time for missionary work
for the Temple."
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Two
days later, Kala could not watch her go.
He sat in his chambers remembering the last embrace Zara had given him
before she had left, remembering the love of one who had been a daughter to
him. He sat with regret in his heart,
for he knew that he would not likely last another seven years. Kala wept at the thought of never seeing his
adopted daughter again.