Past in the Future by Lisa Krnac

Chapter 17

The fire place made the study a calm atmosphere. Xander sat in his usual spot and Edger and his wife sat across Nadine and Dustin. Refreshments were brought out to them and then they were left alone. "Thank you Xander for bringing us into your home. I honestly didn't know what to expect when I entered your door. I'm just glad I trusted my instincts." Everyone was listening to Edger and drank their tea. "I don't want to seem rude, but I don't know your name." He gestured to Nadine sitting across from him. "I am Nadine sir." She said. He nodded in greetings. "I thank you for helping my daughter and her husband with their injuries." Nadine nodded and wished they would stop with all the greetings. Nadine looked at Xander and asked "shouldn't Peter be here as well?" Xander looked at Nadine and said "I sent him on an errand." Nadine knew what that ment. Peter went to Xander's sister.

Xander then started the conversation. "I am glad that we have you with us. We need some more people from the west lands."

"Well if you need more I am sure I can find more that despise the king as much as me." Edger said.

"Yes. That will be one of the tasks. Resently a lot of people like yourselves have reached my doors. They had a similar experience with the kings guards. They say that the people are stealing from the king, but yet use that excuse to destroy houses and take their properties. I have made a sanctuary for these people. At this sanctuary men are being trained to fight. Woman are being trained to heal and make weapons. And the children I have made a great big room of learning and activities."

"What are they learning exactly?" It was Edger's wife that had spoken. It was the first time she had opened her mouth so Nadine supposed that she is intent on children learning. "They are being taught the value of life. The true history of our world and how it has become."

"But don't we all know how we are here? Char Hempler saw the destruction that the people were doing and he made himself a ruler to the people to make peace among the people."Edger said.

"That story is not entirely acuret. The world was a lot bigger then we know and Char Hempler was the reason the people were destroyed. When you go to this sanctuary there is teachers that will be happy to tell you the past. Right now I would like to talk about the future." Everyone agreed and Nadine sat back being greatful that Xander didn't mention who she was.

"I wish to bring the kings line down and to set up a new one." They all nodded at that notion. "I have some who are in the palace right now letting me know information of the kings plans. So far all I now is that the king wants to expand his land. He is moving people out of the way so that he can expand. There has already been some rebellious wars against him, but no one was able to get to him. He would send anyone that he sees as a threat into the dungeon and the woman that didn't please him he took their tonges out so they wouldn't speak. This is all I know, but I will be getting more information soon.

I have set up the sanctuary so that we can make people ready for when the time comes for war. The king needs to stop treating everyone like they are mice." Edger nodded in agreement and then asked. "When we do take over the king, who will take his place and lead a peaceful kingdom?" Xander took a quick glance at Dustin, but kept it suttle when he said "The one worthy will present himself when the time comes. Now you must be tired from the days events. Please get some sleep and I will take you to the sanctuary tomorrow myself." Edger and his wife said they were greatful and went to their rooms. Nadine sat back in her seat and listened to the fire. She had saw the glance that Xander made to Dustin and was curious at the reason why. Dustin sat beside her, but never moved during the talk. He was much to himself as Nadine has always noticed. From his brown eyes she knew that he had a secret. Dustin was clean shaven and short dark hair. Nadine thought he looked fairly attractive by the glow of the fire. Nadine gave a look to Xander who was about to get up himself to go to bed. "Xander I noticed that glance. There is something you are not telling me."

"I am an old man Nadine. Bad posture, sore legs, and a headache that is knocking my head like a mallet that constant hits the dumby. I must retire. Nadine, Dustin." He bowed to them both and then exited the room before Nadine could say something else. Nadine didn't understand why he completely ignored the question, but she knew that there was something. Nadine desided that he will tell her when he was ready.

Nadine didn't feel tired, but felt ackward sitting beside Dustin. She knew that he was a nice man, but didn't feel a connection to him like she did with Peter. Nadine almost stood up when Dustin started to speak. "You should be proud of your brother he is strong boy." Nadine stopped and looked at Dustin, but then turned down her gaze as he looked at her. "I know." She said. "He has been through so much this past week and he still has that proud smile about him. He's the one that makes me strong."

"I can tell the connection, he has no fear and that can be a strength or a weakness. I think he will learn to use it as a strength." Nadine smiled, she didn't realize that her brothers fearless thinking could be a good thing. Nadine than remembered what he did for Henry and forgot to thank him. Before she could speak Dustin stood up and said "I must retire, good night me'lady." He gave a slight bow and walked out the door.