Ocean's Secret |on hold|

17 | Still Miles Away

A slight breeze rustled the leaves and pine needles as Kallum stood staring into the dark forest, his jaw clenched and his fingers wrapped tightly around the hilt of his sword.

He had no idea what just happened. Meredee and that stranger with the dark hair and even darker scowl had just disappeared into the forest, and a part of him was ready to run pell-mell after them and rescue Meredee, while another part remembered the look in her eyes as she rushed past. A look of pleading, maybe a touch of agony, and desperation that kept his feet rooted to the spot. It was like she was forbidding him to come after her.

Well, if she didn't want his help, fine. Let her run off with that total stranger instead of trusting him, her 'good' friend. That's how she referred to him.

Was he only her good friend, though? A part of him wanted to be more; and today, when she hugged him tight and he held her close, it felt like there was more between them. But maybe not. Maybe she was just missing him after being by herself in this different world, and was just happy to see a familiar face.

And what was she doing here anyway? She hadn't told him anything this afternoon, and he had sensed she was hiding something from him. You didn't hide things from best friends, so maybe she didn't see him in that way after all. His heart ached to talk to her and listen to her like they normally did on Earth. He remembered all the times she would excitedly tell him a funny story from work, and how she would help him with music practice and they'd write songs together, and the days she would especially miss her parents and would tell him memories of growing up in China. He would just listen sometimes as her voice grew quieter and tears threatened to fall from her beautiful brown eyes. He knew she usually trusted him, but these last few weeks..... Something had changed, he knew that for sure. Something had happened to Meredee when they had been here last, helping Jace fight the Tiritians. Would she tell him? Would he get the chance to see her and really ask her what was going on? What had he done to lose her trust? Why was she ...why did it seem like she was running from him?

"You comin' on back to the mansion? Dinner's almost ready," Roakin called from the work shed.

"Meredee...." he began, not sure how to reply.

"She'll be ok. At least we now know she's not lost or in any danger."

"But that man...?"

"Judson? He's a good lad. Known him since he was just a small boy," Roakin came and stood by Kallum, placing a large and reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Come on," he urged him, eager to get inside and cleaned up for a hearty meal and a good night's rest.

But Kallum wasn't convinced yet. What were they doing together?

As they walked back to the mansion, a distant roar echoed from the forest, and Kallum fought off a shiver, looking over his shoulder one more time.

"She'll be alright!" Roakin re-stated firmly, losing some of his patience with the anxious young man and his needless worry.

"I need to speak to Cyrus," Kallum resolved, taking the steps two at a time and heading up the long hallways.

"He's not well! You can't just--"

But the well-meaning governor's words faded and were ignored as Kallum traced the route through the halls and corridors, upstairs and round corners until he reached the creator's chambers in the west wing of the mansion. He needed answers now, and he became surer that Cyrus was his last hope.

The heavy wooden door carved with intricate designs was closed and carefully guarded by two Cyrian soldiers, in armor and with swords at their sides, but they nodded to Kallum when they recognised him.

"I need to speak to Cyrus," he said.

One of the men frowned, "I don't think that's a good idea, but I'll check," he rapped on the door twice, and it soon opened. Skyfali, the governor charged with looking after their creator, stepped out and spoke with Kallum.

"My wife, Lena, is tending to him, but he hasn't spoken much since yesterday. He is very weak."

Kallum stood his ground, "I'll make it short. It's about Meredee...and possibly the dragon."
The governor pursed his lips but let Kallum brush past.

"What is he doing in here? I said no one must disturb him!" Lena, a slim and beautiful woman with long golden hair twisted back from her face, stood quickly from her vigil beside the bed. She was the best healer in all Sen Cyrus, having learnt many things from Cyrus himself about the healing properties of the plants and herbs he created. If anyone could help him get better, it was her, and her husband Skyfali just shrugged his shoulders at Kallum's persistence.

Light from a dozen candles glowed from bench surfaces and book shelves, calmly flickering on the cream sandstone walls, and the air was heavy with the pungent scents of soothing herbs. Kallum sat on the highbacked chair beside the bed and took Cyrus' wrinkled and pale hand in his own strong and tanned ones. The creator's face looked even whiter than the sheets he was lying on. Maybe he shouldn't have come here and insisted, but something was going on and Kallum needed to know.

"Cyrus," he began quietly, by the old man didn't open his eyes or even stir. "Cyrus, please, I need to know what's going on! With Meredee....and the dragon...."

Still nothing.

"Cyrus?"

"That's enough for now, Kallum. I'll call you when he wakes up," Lena's firm tone had softened.

Kallum sighed and rose to go, but Cyrus' fingers suddenly tightened around his hand.

"You must...be careful!" he rasped, his baby blue eyes startlingly clear.

Kallum grasped his hands. "Why? Why, Cyrus? Is Meredee in danger?"

"It's not...it's not what you think it is..." his voice was strained, and Kallum had to lean close to hear him. Skyfali and Lena also leaned in, worried about the obvious distress on Cyrus' face.

"What's not? Cyrus, does it have anything to do with Meredee?"

"It's not....it's not..."

"Yes?" they all held their breath.

"...what you...think it is..." Cyrus sank back into the pillows, his eyes closing and his chest heaving from the exertion.

Kallum was silent for a moment, then he jumped up suddenly, "I knew it! There's more to this Judson character, and he knows something about the dragon, and so does Meredee, but--"

"Shhh!" Lena pushed him out the door and Skyfali followed to calm the young man down.

"We'll figure it out, just let Cyrus rest."

"But he knows more!"

"Maybe so, but now's not the time."

"I understand, but—I'll have to find answers myself," Kallum stormed past the guards and down the hallway, muttering to himself. There was more to this, and he was going to find out what. But how? He wasn't yet sure, but he was forming a plan on the go. He cared about Meredee way too much to just let her wander in the countryside that had become seriously dangerous. And with a total stranger! No matter that Roakin trusted him, Kallum didn't know Judson from a bar of soap. He would find Meredee, he would make sure she was safe, and he would fight dragons for her. After all, he'd already crossed the oceans, crossed time and space to get this close to her. 

He wouldn't lose her now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey Everyone :) I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Is Kallum any closer to figuring out Meredee's dilemma? And just what did Cyrus mean by his cryptic words?? O.o

I have a few questions that I need your help with! So I realise Kallum is a a rather undeveloped character. This has been Meredee's story so far, and we barely know much about Kallum's past besides his friendship with Meredee. But he is the other MC, so I need to think up his back story and have him grow stronger or develop in some way throughout the story. What type of guy do you think he is? What kind of past/problems do you think he might have? What would make him more interesting and unique? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks,
Emmy ~♥~