The Sorceress Knight: The Three Feathers

Chapter IX Honor And Duty

                         

          We walk until we get to a safe area to camp for the night. "Ok let's setup camp for the night everybody." Sapphire says as everyone starts setting down their belongings. "I'll go get some firewood." I say after seeing everyone putting down their belongings. "I'll help you Darian." Zoey says.

We both go into the woods. I'm gathering what loose wood I can find as Zoey swipes at branches and they fall to the ground. I start watching her. Her finger tips look like their some type of metal. "That's incredible Zoey, how can you do that?" I ask in amazement. "I'm glad you enjoy what I can do, very few are aware of my talent. But honestly, these abilities I have are not natural..." Zoey says calmly.

"What do you mean?" I ask still gathering wood. "I was part of a science experiment a long time ago, and through that I am able to do what I do." She says as she stops and looks at her hands. "Science experiment? Is it like you drank a potion and it gave you special abilities?" I ask curiously.

She starts laughing, holding her sides and bending over laughing."Hahaha!" After a few moments she stops laughing. "Sorry Darian, but if only it was that easy. I was torn apart and put back together more times than I can count. Things were put into my body that I can't even describe. And after I thought it was over and I thought I no longer had to beg for the pain to stop. It started over. I could feel my body being shredded and then put back together." She says very somberly.

"Who would do this to you? You did not deserve this and I would gladly punish those responsible." I say angered that anyone could hurt someone like that. "I'm flattered but no, it's not possible for him to be punished. Not even I alone can claim that right. He has hurt many. And many lives have been lost all because of him. My kind are all gone because of him. I'm alone now." She says both angered and saddened as she stares up at the sky. "No, you are not alone! You have Plague, Sapphire, Robin, Babe, Gem and who ever else you live with plus me now. So you are not alone don't think that!" I say as I drop the wood I'm holding and take her hand and hold it tightly.

Her hand being metal, it feels cold to the touch but I know she has a warm heart. Her hands change back to normal in an instant. She looks at me as if she is looking through me and smiles. "Thank you Darian that means a lot. You are truly a good hearted man. I can see why Rose wishes to see you." She says as we let go of each other's hands and pick up the rest of the wood around us.

"This Rose, what does she want with me?" I ask hoping to understand the reason for my rescue. "You're a very kind, caring man with a heart of gold, your courageous and honorable. With those kind of qualities who wouldn't want you?" She says with a grin as we walk back to camp.

What does that mean. I think to myself as we set down the wood. Plague looks at me and then Zoey and looks annoyed. "Took you long enough Zoey, I'm getting hungry!" Plague snaps at Zoey as if she completely ignored the fact I was out there too.

"You have two legs and a heart beat you could of helped if you thought we weren't being fast enough Plague." Zoey snaps back at Plague as Plague's hair begins to redden. "No reason to be upset Plague. It was my fault we were talking. I wanted to know more about you ladies so that I can better understand what's going on. I feel lost right now and I just wanted to get a grip on something. So please don't get mad at Zoey it's my fault we took so long." I exclaim as I get between Plague and Zoey looking at both of them hoping they don't come to blows.

After what seems like a lifetime of them glaring at each other Plague stops glaring and says. "Ok, you're right Darian and yes Zoey you're right too. I could of helped but I figured you both could handle it so I'm sorry for getting mad." Plague says as her hair goes back to normal. Robin runs up to me and hugs me. "I love you Darian, your awesome!" She says as she steps back and smiles at me. The rest of the girls look at Robin intensely. "What!?" Robin says as she turns to look at the others.
"Plague apologized without a fight all because of Darian that puts him in good with me!" Robin exclaims as she and gestures to me and Plague.

I stand looking at every one not sure what's going on. "Darian, sorry didn't mean to bug you." Robin says as she smiles at me. "It's ok, I didn't mean to speak like that I'm just not sure what's going on." I say looking at every one. "Well I think it's safe to say that we can explain what we know for now." Gem says as closes the book she was reading and sets it on her lap. "You sure Gem?" Robin asks. "Yep, I don't hear or see anything for a long ways so we're good." Gem replies confidently. I look around and try to listen. "Do you hear or see better than me Gem?" I ask, "Yes I can I'm a Carrick which is an alien to this world but, Yes I can." She answers as she holds out her right hand which has an artistic ring on her pointer finger. "I'll show you what I mean." She says as she takes her hood off with her left hand exposing her long black hair. She then takes off her ring. Revealing catlike ears on her head that turn and move in different directions.

"You definitely are not from here that's for sure." I say trying to understand what it is I'm looking at. "Yeah I made this ring to camouflage my appearance so no one would freak out. my people are closely similar to felines." Gem adds.

I keep looking at her ears how unique they are. I start feeling like the odd man out.

"Well we can talk about that later." Gem says as she puts her ring back on making her ears and her tail disappear just as I realized it was there. "You were going to be killed because you would of made what ever plan that someone has come up with fail if you were still around. Lady Rose felt something going on and knew you had to be rescued. So, she sent us to save you and try to learn anything else we could to make more sense of this." Sapphire explains. As she puffs on her cigarette and looks at me.

"A plan to do evil?" I ask thinking back about Aria and worrying about her safety.
"Yes, but she will be fine for now. We just need to get to Lady Rose, she will know what needs to be done to save everyone."
Babe says as she walks up to me and hugs me. "I can go back since I know something is going on I can keep an eye on everything and protect every one." I say feeling determined, "You can't fight an enemy that you know nothing about or who it is. That's why we pulled you out, they think you are dead so now you can learn about your enemies and attack with the highest chance of victory possible." Sapphire states as she looks at me.

"I can't believe someone would do something like this. We are a peaceful Kingdom." I say in response not happy about this situation. "Anything is possible Darian, we couldn't believe our own flesh and blood would kill members of our own family but, it happened so be happy you get to save lives and protect those you care about. Not everyone gets that chance." Plague says very angrily. "Sorry Plague, I didn't mean to make you mad." I say very somberly.

"I'm not mad at you Darian, I'm mad at the bastard named Red!" Plague exclaims. "He killed your sister and mom? Unforgivable, no man should ever hurt a woman for any reason!" I say angrily. "Yes, that's true but we are here now we are here to help you now Darian. So don't lose focus." Zoey says as Robin, Babe, and Sapphire hug Plague.

"Darian, you have the choice of accepting what help we can offer and saving your kingdom or you can try to do so on your own. But keep in mind if you go back, those involved will make sure you die this time and try to piece together how you survived in the first place." Gem says as she closes her book. "I owe you my life for saving it and I accept your help, I just need to think about all of this for a minute." I say as I bow to the ladies. "I'm going to take a walk to clear my head I'll return shortly." I say as I turn to leave. "Be careful Darian." Sapphire says. "I will." I say as walk away.

I begin walking through the forest towards the moon. Trying to go through all the information I've been given. Someone is trying to bring ruin to our kingdom? Who? Will this Rose truly help and why? These girls they are so different. I have never seen anyone like them. This Red, their relative was able to do such evil why? These questions run through my mind as I continue to walk. I walk a good distance and turn around as I walk looking back towards the camp and I trip falling backwards. I bump my head. I'm quick to my feet hoping nobody saw. And I begin walking again.