Epiphany - Chapter 1 Cont.

The second half of chapter one. A few more characters are introduced, including one who claims to be Chane's sister.1

Epiphany - Chapter 1 Cont.2

“Connor, kitchen.” Helier demanded. Her tone was slightly unnerving. 3

“Uh oh.” June whispered. Connor reluctantly got up and followed. 4

“So...come here often?” He heard Chane say, as he entered the kitchen.....5

Helier didn’t look very angry Connor noted as he sat down on one of the tiny wooden chairs. 6

“Yes?” He asked politely. 7

“You need to go.” Helier said bluntly.8

Connor sat there for a minute, stunned. “Excuse me? Go?”9

“I’m well aware you know what day today is. June is eighteen now, which in Gareth makes her an adult.” Connor tried to interject, but Helier silenced him by raising a hand. “Look, I know you’re a good guy, but that’s just it, you’re a guy. It’s bad enough that you’ve lived here as long as you have. She’s gotten too attached to you.” Helier stared Connor in the eyes, trying to get her meaning across.10

“Now that June has come of age, you can’t live here anymore.” Connor matched her stare with his own. She seemed to believe what she was saying. 11

“You think I would repay your kindness by betraying your trust? I thought we knew each other better than this.” He claimed, trying to convince her he wouldn’t do anything to compromise what he had.12

“I think you like my daughter a little too much. What’s worse is that the feeling might be mutual. Look, I do like you Connor, but what could you possibly offer her? When you aren’t being my errand boy you’re a mercenary! You kill people for a living! What would happen if that lifestyle came around and you died? How do you think that would make us feel? How would that make her feel?” Helier paused to see if Connor had anything to counter her with.13

“I only do it to help you two. I could.....I could find a better job if I tried. I could work with Glade, or Bane.” Connor racked his mind for other job possibilities. Dreen had made a comment about jobs earlier, but he hadn’t ever really thought about them. “Locke would give me a job as soon as I asked.” He struck upon a solid place to land his argument.14

“Connor, please don’t make this harder than it has to be. You don’t have any job experience at all. Anything you would be suited for that Locke could give you would be just as dangerous, if not more so. You’re both too young to understand. Please, get out.”15

Connor stared at her for a moment, trying to understand what had happened to bring about this change. Was it really something as simple as a number? From seventeen to eighteen was the cause for this distrust? June wasn’t any different than she had been. It was because he cared about both of them that he hadn’t done anything before now.16

If that was his reason, then why was he so hurt right now? If he moved out, a lot of temptation would be gone just like that. It really posed no problem, so why was it bothering him so much?17

“Fine. I’ll go.” Connor pushed back his chair, which scraped loudly against the smooth floor. Helier didn’t say anything, but she looked somewhat regretful. Connor paused halfway from the kitchen door, and thought of a few nasty things to say. He swallowed his anger, and instead thanked her for allowing him to stay as long as she had. With those last words, he walked briskly out of the house.18

Chane hurried after the angry and hurt Connor. “Man, what happened?” He asked. 19

“You were right. Helier doesn’t want me around June.” 20

Chane actually seemed surprised at this. “Why? You’ve been like a god damned saint. I know lots of guys who would’ve made a move way before now. Ha, a few moves in particular.” He stated, his face turning thoughtful. 21

“She’s just overprotective, I guess.” Connor muttered. He was angry, but was trying to let it pass. 22

“Well, I don’t think June needs protecting from you. I don’t think she wants it either.” 23

“It’s not like it matters. It’s Helier’s house, she can pick who stays there and who doesn’t.” Connor mumbled despondently.24

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait a sec, she gave you the boot?” Chane asked, waving his arms to match his ‘whoa’s.25

“If you want to say it like that, sure.”26

“Huh, I thought it was just for tonight. Huh. So where are we going?” Chane asked, changing the subject. 27

“I don’t know. I have a free night now.” 28

“Wanna go to the quarry after all?”29

Connor thought for a moment. “Maybe.” He responded. “I think I’m gonna stay the night at Locke’s.” He stated, watching the ground before him as he continued to feel upset.30

Simon Locke is Koren’s Noble. He replaced Denolar two years ago, when Denolar was killed in a fight against Stenlon, a neighboring village to the south. Locke, only twenty-one at the time, was put into Noble-hood by public favor. With his persuasive and charming nature, he formed a n alliance between Stenlon, and three other distant villages. Two years later, and these villages still remain close. Locke is the youngest Noble Gareth has had to date.31

Locke is as tall as Connor, and has the same build. His hair is black, and unless he has something formal to attend to, is usually unkept. His eyes are a light shade of blue. Locke is married to Irene, who is Ethera’s sister. Ethera is bitterly jealous of Irene, since Denolar had been her husband. No one believed Ethera cared for Denolar, but she did care for his wealth. Many people even believe she had helped plot the enemy ambush that led to his demise. Irene has long, fiery red, curly hair. She is a little shorter than Locke, and has green eyes. Locke doesn’t usually like upperclass activities, but attends them merely as a sign of respect to other Nobles when asked. Connor and Locke met at the library where Shana works. Everyone was glad when Denolar was gone, and Locke replaced him.32

They decided to see what Locke was up to before anything else. Locke’s castle was near the center of the village, where it was easy to flock to in case of danger. It was built roughly into the shape of a square, with sky-scraping spires in the center. Denolar made no exceptions when he added on to the castle. Connor knew, and was friends with, most of the servants at the castle as well.33

By the time they arrived, Connor’s bad mood had dissolved somewhat. The two pounded on the door with the heavy brass knockers. The door itself was a good deal taller than either of them. A few moments passed, and a butler answered the door. 34

“Ah, masters Gavet and Kyi. Do come in.” He ushered them in. “I will alert my master of your arrival.” The butler stated with a bow. 35

“Thank you.” Connor dipped in his own shallow bow.36

Inside the castle, the floor was made of shiny brown wood, and depicted on the ceiling was a beautiful night sky. Whereas it would have taken a hundred painters a hundred years to cover the castle’s entire ceiling with this flawless picture, it took Dreen under half of an hour with magic. The butler reentered the room shortly. 37

“This way please.” He said, with a second bow.38

The butler led them through the long halls, which had royal looking red carpets stretched through the middle. The butler opened a door after awhile, and allowed them in. Locke was inside with Irene. This large room had a huge fireplace, with glittering golden objects on the mantle. Large white sofas were placed around the room, so you could lounge anywhere. Deep blue carpet lined with a gold trimming was laid carefully from the door, to the center of the room where it expanded into a large square.39

“Connor, Chane, come in. Sit down.” Locke greeted them without getting up. Connor and Chane walked over and sat down on one of the large sofas. 40

“So what brings you here?” Irene asked. 41

“I was just wondering if I could stay here for a few nights.” 42

Locke nodded knowingly. “I figured you’d be here tonight. Helier doesn’t want you around, correct?” He asked. 43

“Evidently not.” Connor replied, relaxing into the sofa. 44

“You can stay the night, and no, I don’t have any plans, so you may do whatever.” Locke said with a grin. He always seemed to know what Connor was going to say.45

Connor and Chane left the extravagant castle, but by that time it was time for Chane to go to June’s house. 46

“Hey, don’t sweat it. It’ll probably be boring.” Chane said encouragingly. 47

“Yeah, maybe.” Connor said, trying to sound uninterested. “Tell June I’m sorry I couldn’t make it.” 48

Chane frowned. “I’m gonna tell her it’s her paranoid mom’s fault.” 49

“No, just forget about it. Go have fun.” Chane said good-bye, and left. Connor, now with nothing else to do, decided to go to the quarry.50

It would take him maybe an hour to get to the quarry. The quarry was in a forest, and was more than a thousand feet deep, and about a mile wide and long. The quarry had been abandoned by Darte, the village of elders, when they had gathered all they wanted. Darte was to the North of Koren, surrounded by the massive Darte Forest, where the quarry was. Priests from surrounding villages blessed the quarry so that no serious injuries could occur during a competition. It was impossible to prevent all kinds of death, but this was sufficient. The quarry was full of a kind of white rock, with which most of the buildings down there had been built. Large mounds of these rocks were randomly piled up wherever convenient. The Mercenary’s Hall was down there as well.51

The Mercenary’s Hall is where everyone’s track record is kept. Glade Tuliy, the records keeper, can almost always be found in there. Glade has long silver hair, and his voice has an eerie misty quality to it. No one has ever seen him fight, argue, yell, or display any kind of negative feeling. Glade is tall, over Connor’s head by a few inches. He is also thin, but it looks like he should be thinner due to his face and hair.52

The records kept in the Mercenary’s Hall are based on performance in training, sparring matches, and actual skirmishes. The better you perform overall, the higher the price you are expected to be paid for a job. Your record determines how much you are worth.53

Connor entered the forest, daylight fading. The leaves crackled softly under his feet, but out of time. He stopped, and turned around. Jack Rizeck was following him. Jack was Chane’s friend, same age, same height, and most of the time, same attitude. His hair was a dark brown, and he dressed in baggy brown pants and a thin black, green (to match his eyes), or tan shirt. His belt hung loosely at his side, a long, single-edged sword rested in it’s scabbard there. Jack was a message boy. Someone would give him a letter, and he would run it to the directed person. This meant Jack had to stay in good shape all of the time. Jack was a fun person, and not many people disliked him.54

“What are you up to?” Connor asked Jack who, now noticed, strode over to him. 55

“Not much. I’m dead bored though. I thought I’d go to the quarry and see what everyone was doing.” 56

“Same here.” Connor said, starting to walk again. 57

“Wanna race?” Jack asked, standing still. 58

“Not especially.” Connor replied, still walking. 59

“Two coins say I dust you.” Jack challenged. Connor stopped to laugh, then wheeled around to get beside Jack. The quarry was a ten minute walk away. 60

“Ready, set.....go!” Jack yelled.61

They dashed forward, neck and neck. The two wove in and out of the trees, until everything looked like a blur, and they almost smashed into each tree. They dove over a little creek, slid under a fallen tree, and while dodging trees, attempted to knock each other over. After a minute or two of this, the drop came into sight. They both dove over the edge, yelling in suspense as they went. The people below looked up, and started cheering. The thousand-foot drop took a moment before Jack slammed into a pile of rocks. A split second later, Connor pounded next to him. Jack rolled painfully over, then coughed up a little blood. 62

“I win.....” He groaned.63

People surrounded them, cheering in approval. Connor and Jack, now cut up and bleeding, stood up with a little trouble and slid down the rock mound. 64

“Only here could we dive into a rock heap from a million feet and live.” Jack said, accepting Connor’s two coins. He snickered, standing erect even though it stung. “Come on, I’ll get you a drink.” He offered.65

“She finally sent you off? Well, we all knew it was only a matter of time.” Jack stated, taking a sip from his tall glass. Connor did the same. They were currently in the bar, which was chiseled out of the white rock itself.66

“Yeah, I guess so. But I really hadn’t thought it would be so soon.”67

“Soon? It has been almost a year now. Unless I’m counting wrong.” 68

“No, that’s right. So, am I the only one who didn’t see this coming?” Connor asked, looking over at his young friend.69

“I think you saw it coming too, you just looked the other way because you didn’t like it. But it’s not like you have to leave Koren.” Jack paused here to take another sip. “You’ll still get to see her plenty.”70

“Not if Helier intervenes.” Connor muttered pessimistically.71

“She can’t be everywhere all the time right? You’ll get your chance. Plus, now you get to stay in a castle, so don’t try and play up the gloom and doom too much.” Jack joked. Connor grinned, and took another sip.72

“So how’s the errand boy business treating you?” Connor asked, his drink refilled by the pretty blonde bartender. He thanked her, and turned his attention back to Jack.73

“You know, pretty soon they’re gonna listen to my complaints and change it to errand man.” Jack replied seriously, though he smirked. Connor laughed, shaking his head slightly. “I can’t complain. It’s keeping my stomach and pockets full.” Connor was about to ask where Jack was staying, but he remembered that Jack didn’t really have a home.74

Jack was born in a village east of Koren, Rolik. All Connor really knew about Jack’s past was that he had run away when he was about eleven. Jack was pretty cautious when it came to disclosing details about where he had been before he made Koren his usual resting place. Sometimes he would stay at Chane’s house, sometimes Curtis’, and once in a while Locke would let him stay at the castle.75

After they drank their fill, they went out to watch some people spar. They watched person after person get beat up, until they were both bored of it. 76

“I think I’m gonna head back to Locke’s. I’ll see you later.” Connor bid Jack farewell. It was pretty late, he guessed it was an hour or two into the new day. He was just about to start up the long set of stairs, when someone stopped him. 77

“Excuse me, do you know a Bane Kyi?” A woman’s voice came from behind him.78

Connor looked over his shoulder. The girl looked like Bane would if he were a girl. That thought made him grin. Same build, same brown eyes and hair, and same height. Her hair was down to her waist. Her once white clothes were dirty, like she’d seen a lot of travel. 79

“Who wants to know?” He asked without turning around. 80

“I’m his sister.” Now Connor did turn around. He looked her up and down. 81

“Excuse me?” 82

“I’m Bane’s sister, Elane. Do you know him?” She asked hopefully. 83

“Bane doesn’t have a sister. Just a brother.” He said.84

“I know, he doesn’t know me. I was born shortly after he left to find Chane.” 85

Connor held up a hand. “That’s not true. You look as old as Bane. He came to find Chane two years ago.” He looked at her, and was certain she wasn’t telling the truth. “Elane, your story doesn’t check out.” He said, starting up the stairs. 86

“Please, tell me where Bane is!” Elane pleaded to his back.87

“Bane’s got a groupie? Huh, didn’t see that one coming.” Chane stated. Connor looked up to see Chane was descending down the stairs. 88

“No, she says she’s your sister.” 89

Chane’s cheery demeanor vanished. “My mom’s dead. Not to mention I’ve never seen you before.” He said angrily. Connor stopped walking, and turned around as Chane walked passed him. 90

“Just listen-“ She started. 91

“Save it!” Chane interrupted. “I don’t know if you’re drunk or insane, either way I don’t care. As for Bane, he’d probably say the same. Don’t bother Connor, or anyone else I know.” He told her, before walking away. 92

Connor, once again, started up the stairs. He hadn’t gotten up twenty more before Elane was talking to him again. 93

“Please, where can I find Bane?” She asked. Connor didn’t stop. 94

“Didn’t you hear Chane? He said to leave me alone.” He said. He heard Elane following him up the stairs. “It’s late, go home.” Connor told her. 95

“I would, but you won’t tell me where Bane is.” 96

“Ha, ha.” Connor laughed dryly. He made it up the stairs, and was out into the dark forest. 97

“I’m just going to follow you until you take me to Bane.” Elane stated. 98

“What are you, four? There are better ways to find him.” He said. 99

“Like what?” Elane asked. Connor sighed, but said nothing. And so, Elane began to ramble on and on, telling Connor her life story. She knew Bane’s pregnant mother had died in a fire. She said Rane, Chane and Bane’s father, had gone off to find a way to bring her back. Which would explain why Bane’s letters were never responded to. Rane traveled to the Underworld, and made a deal with Death. But Death tricked Rane, bringing only the baby their mother had been carrying back, and leaving Rane only one year to raise her. 100

But Rane was resourceful. He took the baby to a sorcerer, Serac, who could alter time. Serac was able to make one year for them slow down into a little over sixteen years. This made sense, since Connor had heard of Serac before. Also known as The Wanderer, Serac travels the lands in search of someone. Who, no one is sure. But it seemed highly unlikely that Rane would have been able to contact a legend like Serac. So Rane brought Elane up in Serac’s time warp.101

Connor knocked on the large door to Locke’s castle. 102

“Are you just going to leave me here?” Elane asked, red faced from talking. 103

“You catch on fast.” Connor replied as the door opened to reveal a tired looking butler. He ushered Connor in. Connor looked at Elane, and before the door closed, mouthed, ‘Go home.’ 104

Elane started yelling at Connor through the door. 105

“Who is that woman?” The butler asked, rubbing his eyes. 106

“She says she’s Bane’s sister.” Connor stated. 107

“Preposterous!”108

“I know, it doesn’t make any sense.” 109

“What is all the yelling about?” Locke asked, stepping into the room. 110

“A woman outside claims to be master Kyi’s sister. She demands that master Gavet reveal his location.” 111

Locke put his hand on his forehead, massaging it with his thumb. “Elane yes? Allow her in.” 112

A confused Connor watched the butler open the door. “Why?” He asked. 113

“She told you her story didn’t she? About Rane, and Death? Serac?” Connor nodded. “She speaks the truth.” Elane walked in, face scarlet from yelling. 114

“Are you serious? She’s a Kyi?” Connor asked. 115

“Serac has told me so.” Locke left the room, and returned with a letter in hand. “Read it.” He instructed.116

“Simon, I write to you now to inform you that in one year a young woman by the name of Elane Kyi will come to Koren in search of her surviving family. I’m sure you know of whom I speak, Bane and Chane Kyi. Rane Kyi, their father, has been tricked out of life and his wive’s soul. Their unborn child will be restored, and Rane is permitted one year to raise the child. I will stem the flow of time for a period to allow Rane the proper amount of time to see his child grow, however it is not my place to give him his life back.117

When Elane arrives in Koren, I ask that you assist her in what ways you see fit. Be kind to her, as it is not her fault any of this has happened, and she will be initially rejected. She is a good person, and will have a role in all of your futures. See to it the Kyis take her in, in the end.”118

Serac 119

“That’s interesting.” Connor said, handing the one year old letter back to Locke. 120

“Yes, and now that time has come. Tomorrow, we shall deliver her to the remaining Kyis. As for now, she may stay.” Locke addressed the patient butler next. “Prepare her room. Tomorrow morn, make sure there are three extra places at the table. Do well, and there will be a reward.” The butler bowed, and made off to prepare a room for Elane.121

“Told you.” Elane said haughtily.122

“I don’t believe your father would approve of you flirting with a complete stranger so. Perhaps you should lean away from it a bit.” Locke said, lighting his pipe and sitting on a couch. 123

“Flirting?” Elane repeated. Connor shook his head, and sat across from Locke. 124

“How come you never told any of us?” He asked. 125

“There was no need.” 126

“Chane reacted poorly once he heard that Elane said she was his sister. If he had known it was true, it may have been handled differently.” 127

“Perhaps.” Locke said, puffing up rings of smoke. Connor watched them twist up to the ceiling. “But what is done is done. I made the choice to conceal the letter, so let us not dwell on it.” 128

“Why didn’t you tell me you knew Serac?” 129

“You never asked. Besides, it’s always good to have a wild card.” 130

“Whose chair is the third?”131

“Don’t worry about it, go get some rest.”132

Connor pulled off his shirt, and climbed into the soft, feathery bed. He took off his bandana and earring, which he placed on the bedside table. He wasn’t exactly sure about how to process everything. Chane and Bane had a sister, Rane was dead, and Locke knew Serac. Not to mention he and Helier were now at odds about June. June was probably upset at him for missing her birthday as well. He leaned over and blew out the flickering candle on the bedside table. It was only when everything was quiet that Connor became aware that another person was in the room with him.133

He didn’t let on that he knew, but instead acted like he was drifting off to sleep. He could hear the other person’s shallow breaths, in and out, in and out. Slowly but surely, it was drawing closer. When he felt the air around him warm, he lunged up from the bed, tackling the person in the act.134

The two crashed loudly to the ground, and a sharp giggle erupted from Connor’s assailant. It was too dark to make out who he was holding down, but they were large and soft. The door burst open, and Locke quickly scanned the situation. Connor was shirtless and on top of one of his maids, Gretchen.135

Connor saw who he was on top of, and cleared his throat. “She was.....uh.....I don’t really know.”136

Locke sighed deeply, muttering to himself under his breath. “Gretchen, what did I tell you about coming in here? Hm?”137

The large woman stood up once Connor hopped off. “I’m sorry sir, I just couldn’t help myself.” She looked over at Connor, and made a sort of growl.138

“I know, I know. Go on, get out Gretchen.” Locke instructed the maid, who unwillingly obeyed.139

“So.....what just happened?” Connor asked, rubbing his forehead.140

“It’s nothing. Good night Connor.” Locke muttered, closing the door.141