[Title in Progress]

Chapter 2

Far away from Tricon, so far it was nearly untouched by the war, a man adorned in royal robes was continuing to make his way through the wilderness.

It's been nearly three weeks since I left Tricon, Vestele thought, yet I haven't felt the urge to eat, drink, or even rest! What in Hythe did Rash give me? Vestele shook his head to clear his thoughts and continued walking, step by step, hoping to find a rebel soon.

Not far away, a young boy lay on a hill, breathing in the cool air and reveling in the breeze. He stood up and closed his eyes. I'm incredibly grateful that the rebels decided to place one of their bases here... it's remote, beautiful, and simply amazing. You can almost forget about the war here. Opening his eyes, he noticed a straggling form slowly walking along, until it collapsed a few moments later and lay there, unmoving.

Swiftly the boy ran down to the form, curious as to what it might be. A few moments later, gasping for breath, he stood before the form, noting that it was a man.

Breathing shakily, the boy reached down and felt for a pulse on the man's neck, sighing in relief as he felt a thump, albeit weak.

The man groaned and opened his eyes. "Who are you?" he asked weakly.

"I'm no one, "replied the boy, "but who are you? What are you doing here?"

"My name is Vestele, "he answered, "and I come from the city of Tricon with urgent news."

"What's this news?!"

"I can't tell you; I need to get to a rebel." he answered.

"I can lead you to a rebel, "the boy said eagerly. The rebels said to report anything odd to the local Veiled One, he thought.

"Thank you, "Vestele sighed. Pushing himself up from the ground, he stood shakily for a moment, but steadied himself. "Show me the way." he said.

Later that day:

Vestele and the boy stood before a small village of tents. "I'll drop you off at the medical tent, then you can go see the Veiled One tomorrow." the boy said.

"I need to see him now!" exclaimed Vestele.

"You're going to get to see him soon, " replied the boy, "but you need some help first. I could tell you were barely able to make it here."

"You're very perceptive, but you're correct." Vestele admitted.

"Then let's get you that treatment you need." the boy smiled. Vestele, leaning on the boy, began making his way towards the medical tent. Several people glanced at the duo with surprised expressions, and some even with anger, but no one said anything. Vestele was confused and looked down, then realization hit him. I'm dressed in royal robes, he thought, and I probably look extravagant enough to be Eraven himself. I'm the living example of what these people are fighting against! Vestele was about to say something to the boy, but that thought was wiped from his mind as he noticed a woman, who looked furious, marching towards him.

"Lance!!" she shouted.

"Yes?" the boy replied. So his name is Lance, Vestele thought.

"What are you doing??" she barked angrily. "Bringing in one of them?? Are you mad!?"

"I found him lying on the ground, nearly dead, " Lance said defensively, "I wasn't just going to leave him there to die!"

"For all we know he could be a spy! We don't even know what his name is." she hissed.

"His name is Vestele, "replied Lance, "and he's going to get some help. You've always told me to help those in need, no matter their loyalties, so why don't you take your own advice and be quiet?"

"Don't you tell me what to do Lance." she growled. She continued to bicker, but Vestele tuned her out and instead turned his attention towards the growing crowd. Vestele cleared his throat and caught the attention of one. "Why is such a big group gathering here?" Vestele inquired.

"Flo's famous in the camp for her temper, "the woman chuckled, "but it's more of an entertainment rather than it hindering her. She might get a bit mad at times but she still stays rational."

"I see." Vestele turned back to Flo, who seemed to have calmed down. "I'll allow you to let this.. filth get treated." she conceded reluctantly, with a mutinous glance at Vestele. "It doesn't mean I approve, though. We'll just see what Kiev says about it."

"I knew you'd understand my position, Flo." Lance chuckled. Flo simply exhaled then turned and left. "You get used to her after a while." Vestele heard Lance mutter. Grabbing Vestele, Lance began to lead, almost drag, him to a huge white tent adorned with a red cross on the front of it.

"Who was that woman?" Vestele asked.

"As you already know, her name is Flo, "answered Lance, "and she's a leader of sorts for this camp. She may have a bit of a temper, but she cares for her people. In my eyes, that's what makes a good leader."

"Which part of that are you calling a good leader?"

"A little of both, I guess. If you care for your people, then have a temper to go along with it, you'd give your life for those you're trying to protect and defend." Give your life, Vestele thought, I thought I would've given my life for Eraven not so long ago, but ever since this foolish war began... he's not the man he once was. Vestele was snapped out of his reminiscing by Lance announcing in satisfaction, "Here we are!"

"No need to act so dramatic about simply arriving at a tent." Vestele muttered.

Lance chuckled. "You were extremely close to being thrown to die in the wilderness by Flo, so you being here is definitely a dramatic event."

A nurse came out of the tent with a shocked expression on her face. "Lance, the types of people you bring to me continue to surprise me."

"Shall I introduce you to your patient?" Lance asked. The nurse gave a nod. "Ova, this is Vestele, fresh from Tricon, "the nurse raised an eyebrow, "and Vestele, this is Ova, the best nurse in all of Hythe."

"Stop talking like that, Lance, " Ova laughed, "you're vastly overestimating my abilities."

"You don't want to admit how good of a nurse you are, you mean." Lance replied with a mock roll of his eyes.

Ova suddenly stopped laughing and looked at Lance with a serious expression on her face. "Lance, why can't I save all these patients that are down with this new sickness if I'm such a good nurse?" she asked grimly.

Vestele tried to continue listening to the conversation, but his body suddenly started jerking uncontrollably and his eyes forced shut. He collapsed to the ground, too weak to focus on anything but the sudden, intense pain that was coursing throughout his body. He was aware of someone touching him, but his mind went back to pure, raw pain a second later.

Pain.

Pain.

More pain.

Until finally, pain gave way to blissful peace and darkness.