The Time of the Hidden

The Mechanic and His Daughter

Flynn and I leaned against the wall watching and waiting while Mariah searched for and handed Theo a couple folded papers. The day came when we would leave for Cathyious. Everything was prepared by ten in the morning, the supplies light. We didn't even carry weapons like last time, all I had was a knife at my side.

"The first note is for entry into the castle doors, the second is for some things you need to pick up in the city from a mechanic named Korren. Give this letter to him, and he'll get you what you need."

"And what is it that we need from this mechanic?" Theo asked.

"It's a surprise, one I think you'll enjoy."

He raised an eyebrow before tucking the notes away in his satchel. "Well, I guess this is where we take our leave." Turning to his wrist, he clicked the button that brought the small hologram. Flynn and I moved in around him as he punched in buttons. "Ready?" Flynn nodded a reply and put a hand on Theo's shoulder. Theo looked down at me, clicking the final button before wrapping a hand around my waist. I looked at Mariah's soft smile before the world swirled.

The world we appeared in was shaded over, the sun hidden away behind steep cliffs. we stood in a wide pass, sheltered by mountains. An old stone road was beneath our feet, it wound around the mountains in both directions, and not a person on sight.

"I thought we were suppose to be in a city." Flynn said, scanning the green cliffs.

"We'll get there, but first there is something I wanted to see." Theo said, a hint of excitement apparent in his voice.

"Of course we'll just go sightseeing, it's not like we're on a mission or anything important like that."

"We don't have a time limit here, so we might as well have a bit of fun."

"Yes, because walking around and staring at things is fun."

Theo gave Flynn an annoyed look, "Just come on, you might actually like what you see." We began walking along the road, I sped up trying to keep pace with Theo.

"What exactly is it you want to see?" I asked.

"Well first on the list is The Gate of Panith, entrance to the city of Panith, the capital of Cathyious."

"Oh good, there's a list." Flynn cut in, coming into line with Theo and I.

Theo ignored Flynn, continuing on. "From what I've read about them, they were kinda like a gift to the city when it was formed. Well I guess you can say when the nation was formed. You see the islands of Cathyious were once their own separate kingdoms, all constantly fighting with each other to try and conquer one another. Each island had great land and resources, but all wanted to extend their reach. This created conflict with one another, making a cycle of war. Well, while they were fighting each other, another nation looked upon the land, wanting to take the land back. Because, a couple hundred years before that, the islands were in control by the-"

"Theo?" I interrupted, his hands stopped mid explanation. "The gate, you were talking about the gate."

"Oh right, sorry. Well another nation was preparing to conquer these islands, and it's said that the Sith Othwan warned the islands of the coming attack from the mainland. They convinced them to join forces with one another to fight against this nation. The islands agreed, and eventually won the war because of it. From there, it was decided they would band together into a new nation, and they built Panith as their capital. The Sith Othwan helped in the building of this nation, and before they left one of them built at the gate four figures representing the four islands. Since the formation of Cathyious, its people have been highly religious, and it is said that the Sith Othwan chose the first king, and that same line has been sustained all these years."