Epiphany Pt. 3

Synopsis: Connor prepares to leave for Pontimo, where the Kyis used to live.1

Chapter 2 - Take Care2

“Master Gavet, it is time to arise. You’ve overslept by a good deal.” A butler gently woke Connor up.3

The mercenary opened his eyes, and saw the butler holding up a clean white shirt and heavy black pants like the ones he was wearing. Connor looked under the covers to make sure he was still wearing his, which he was. 4

“Thanks.” Connor said, taking the clothes. 5

“You may keep them, compliments of master Locke. Dress quickly, you are awaited for in the dining room.” The butler instructed Connor. 6

The butler left, and Connor changed. He opened the door, and started walking towards the dining room. Half way there he found Elane, who was quite lost. 7

“Where’s the dining room?” She asked as Connor passed by. 8

“This way.”9

“Are you going to show me where Bane is now?”10

“Looks like it.”11

“Do you ever say more than five words at a time?”12

“Here it is.” Connor said, opening a solid oak door.13

Inside, Locke, Irene, and a man draped in a long, dark blue robe were waiting. They were at a long table, with candles lit and a fancy white table cloth. Food was stretched across the entire table. 14

“Connor, sit.” Locke spoke, motioning to the chair beside him. Connor stepped away from Elane, who was suddenly quiet, and sat next to Locke. 15

“Elane, you may sit as well.” Locke said with a grin. Elane timidly sat next to Irene. 16

“This is Serac.” Locke motioned at the man in the cloak. 17

Serac’s eyes were a dark, fierce blue. His face was pale and smooth, and didn’t show a hint of emotion. He looked like he had seen a lot, like there wasn’t much left to see. Under his dark blue, parted robe, he wore a black shirt and travel pants. His short brown hair seemed to shimmer in the light coming in through the windows. He raised his head to examine the newcomers, his long bangs hanging over his eyes. He was intimidating to say the least.18

Serac tilted his head down in a hello. Connor didn’t say anything. What was there to say? Nice to meet you? Not to Serac. 19

“You are correct, that would be in-eloquent given the circumstances.” Serac said, looking at Connor. 20

“Serac, try not to skim their minds.” Locke said. 21

“As you wish.”22

“So Sage, what brings you here?” Connor asked him. 23

“I am present in respect to Simon’s wishes, and to keep a promise.”24

“To Rane?” Elane asked.25

“Yes.”26

Connor carelessly began to eat, picking despondently at his food. Everyone did. 27

“I am, as I’m sure everyone else is, curious as to how you spent time in Serac’s time warp?” Irene asked Elane. Elane began to shyly talk, although as time went on she grew comfortable. She said she learned everything from Rane, how to write, cook, walk and talk. They lived in a field where the time warp was sealed, and Serac provided all of their needs with the snap of a finger. Serac, who didn’t appear to be listening, was slowly eating, and once in a while he glanced curiously at Connor. 28

After Connor finished, he got up to leave. “Thank you for your hospitality. I’m gonna go now. I may or may not be here tonight, no worries either way.” 29

“Hold on.” Locke stopped him as he turned to leave. 30

“I think you should be the one to tell the other Kyis.” Connor knew there had to be a reason for this seemingly pointless breakfast. 31

“Do you really?” Connor asked, turning slowly around. 32

“Yes. Take Serac and Elane with you. Bane should be in his shop by now. Here is the letter.” Locke said, handing him the message. “If that is not proof enough, Serac can probably prove this is true.” 33

Connor nodded, though he didn’t want to. “I’ll be seeing you soon enough then.” He said, leaving.34

He heard the steady footfalls of Serac, and the hurried steps of Elane behind him. The butler showed them out. 35

“Good luck.” He said to Connor, closing the door. 36

“So where’s Bane’s shop?” Elane asked, eager to meet him. 37

“That’s gonna have to wait.” Connor replied. He wasn’t excited about introducing Elane to her family. It sounded awkward. 38

“Then what do you suggest we do?” Serac asked dully. 39

“I have some chores. I’m gonna knock those off.” This wasn’t true, since Connor didn’t live with Helier anymore. 40

Serac snapped his fingers. “They are finished. Is there anything else hindering you?”41

“Fine, let’s get this over with.” Connor muttered.42

As Connor led Serac and Elane through Koren towards the East gate, he wondered what he was going to say to Bane. Would his reaction be much the same as Chane’s? How Chane had reacted was fairly reasonable. It was probably hard enough for him to have to live with Bane. The prospect that Bane had concealed a sister from him might have hurt. 43

“Well, we’re here. The Kyi’s shop.” He announced. Standing outside of the small wooden shop, he dreaded to enter it. 44

“This is it?” Elane asked, ready to go in.45

“This is it.” Serac said knowingly. He strode ahead and in, followed by Elane, and a reluctant Connor.46

The Kyi’s shop was built by Chane and Bane, so it wasn’t exactly symmetrical. The floor was slightly tilted to the right, the walls curved in at odd places, and the wood was starting to look rotten. Inside were strange things that you’d never seen or heard of. A lot of the items looked fake, or were exaggerated. They were all crammed onto shelves and bookcases. 47

“Hey Connor. What brings you here?” Bane asked from behind the counter. Bane usually wore a red vest over a teal shirt, and the usual dark travel pants. When it was wet or cold out, he threw on a black cloak. When fighting, he weld a heavy, double-headed mace. He had a necklace of a crucifix that hung loosely from his neck. 48

“Oddly enough, family.” Connor answered, motioning at Elane. 49

“What?” Bane frowned. Serac held out the letter without a word to Bane. Bane took it and read. All were all silent while he went over it. After he finished he quietly put the letter down on the desk. 50

“I’m assuming you believe this?” Bane asked Connor, a skeptical look on his face. Connor didn’t answer. “Do you?”51

“I don’t know.” Connor answered truthfully. Bane turned his attention to Serac. 52

“And you’re the Wanderer right? You understand how ridiculous this sounds?” Serac didn’t move. 53

“It only sounds ridiculous to those who cannot comprehend.”54

“Maybe I don’t comprehend. But this girl isn’t my sister.” Bane stated firmly, folding his arms. 55

“Let us leave. There is naught we can do to prove her heritage, and this one does not appear likely to change his outlook on the subject anytime soon.” Serac said, walking through the door. Elane sullenly followed. Connor was about to do the same, but Bane grabbed his arm. 56

“What was that about?” He asked, looking a little angry. 57

“Locke got that letter about a year ago. He believes Serac. I’m here because he asked me to be.” 58

“What should I do? What if he’s telling the truth?” Connor didn’t move, and Bane didn’t let go of his arm. 59

“You have to decide.”60

Bane sighed deeply, releasing Connor from his tight grip. “The choice isn’t that difficult. I’ll leave for Pontimo tomorrow.” He turned around, and walked into the store room. Connor followed him. 61

“I’ll go too. Helier doesn’t want me around anyway.” 62

Bane smirked. “Thanks. I think I’m gonna bring Chane too. He should be there when we find out what’s going on.” 63

Connor agreed. “I’m gonna go get my things.” 64

Connor knocked on the door. June answered it. “Connor! Where were you last night?” She asked, letting him in. 65

“Around.” Connor answered, entering the house. “Sorry I missed your thing last night.” 66

“I was a little surprised you weren’t there.” 67

“Same here.” Connor said. “I’m gonna be gone for a couple of weeks.” He popped out. 68

June didn’t say anything, she just looked surprised. “Were you called off?” She mustered up the courage to ask. 69

Connor shook his head. “No, this is just something I’ve taken a personal interest in.” 70

She looked relieved. “Alright, but where were you last night?” Connor walked passed her towards the guestroom. 71

“I spent the night at Locke’s.” He answered.72

He opened the door, and started packing things into his worn out brown pack. 73

“Where are you going to?” June asked from the doorway. 74

“Pontimo.” Connor answered, stuffing a blanket down. 75

“Isn’t that where Bane and Chane are from?” She asked yet another question. 76

“That it is.” Connor replied. 77

“They’re going too aren’t they?” 78

Connor nodded. “But you don’t need to know all of this, so stop asking me stuff.” Connor told her. 79

“Can I come?” She asked.80

Connor had been worrying that she’d ask that. He didn’t want to say no and make her feel bad, but he also didn’t want to bring her if she might be in danger. A few weeks travel could be hard, not to mention treacherous at times.81

Connor smiled at her. “Why do you ask me when you know it may be dangerous?” 82

“I wanna go. Plus, you’ll be there to watch over me right?” June asked, smiling back. 83

“Yeah but...what would Helier say?” 84

“I don’t need to please mother all of the time do I?” 85

Connor shrugged. “That’s your call. We’re leaving tomorrow.” June hurried off to pack her things. 86

Connor hauled the pack over his shoulder, and started through the house. He almost walked into Helier. 87

“Getting your things?” She asked. 88

“Yeah.” He replied, trying to step around her. She stepped with him, staying in front. 89

“Did you get everything?” 90

“Yeah.” Connor repeated himself, stepping to the other side. Helier again stayed in front. “Can I help you?” Connor asked, getting slightly annoyed. 91

“Now that you have your things, I want you to stay away from here, alright? And we don’t need your help, so don’t do us anymore favors.”92

“I didn’t.....Oh, my chores. Fine.” Connor concealed a grin. Serac had actually done them.93

June was waiting for him outside, with a pack similar to Connor’s on her back. 94

“Did you tell Helier?” Connor asked, as they walked together towards the Kyis. 95

“I left a note.” She said, avoiding eye contact. 96

“God, are you serious?” Connor laughed. 97

June nodded. “So, why exactly are we going to Pontimo?” Connor told her about Elane and the quarry, and Serac and the letter. 98

“Am I gonna meet Serac?” June asked in awe. 99

“Probably. He might come with us to Pontimo. But after meeting him, I’d say it’s doubtful.” 100

“That’s great. You actually met the Wanderer. Most people have only heard of him in stories.” 101

“He’s just a creepy, powerful man.” 102

“By creepy, you mean intimidating.” June stated. 103

“Yeah.” 104

“Mother used to tell me stories of him when I misbehaved. She said he wandered aimlessly, killing people who got in his way, or he didn’t like. He didn’t like misbehaving children she told me.” 105

Connor laughed. “That’s mean.” 106

“It’ll be great to actually meet him.”107

June knocked on the Kyi’s shoddy door a few times before Chane answered. 108

“Hey you guys. Come in.” He invited them. “That girl we met, the crazy one, you think she wasn’t lying?” Chane asked Connor. 109

Connor shrugged. “Who can tell?” He asked. 110

“She comin’?” He asked about June. 111

“Yes, I am.” June stated. “If it’s alright with you.” She quickly added. 112

“Pssh. I don’t care. More people means more company.” 113

The Kyi’s house was built by none other than Bane himself, who could not afford to buy one. It had one floor, two rooms, a hall, and a kitchen. There was a wash house out back. It was definitely an on budget home. Bare floors and walls with thin cracks in them spoke it’s testament. 114

Bane entered the hall. “June’s coming?” He asked. “You don’t think she’ll slow us down?” 115

“I won’t.” June answered. Chane and Bane gathered everything they wanted in a matter of minutes. 116

“Here.” Bane said, handing Connor a scroll. Connor took it, and unfolded it so everyone could see. It was a detailed map of Gareth. 117

“Where’d you find this?” Connor and June asked. 118

“The Sage dropped it in my shop. I doubt it was accidental either. I figure you should have it.” 119

“Are you sure?” Connor asked. 120

“Let’s not do that, just keep it.”121

“So you are coming then?” Chane asked June. All four were sitting together in the tiny Kyi kitchen.122

“Yes. It’s been awhile since I’ve gotten to leave Koren. I’m looking forward to a change of scenery.” June replied sweetly.123

“Keep in mind that this isn’t a vacation. We’ve got a goal.” Bane stated seriously.124

“I know, it’s just...” June trailed off uncertainly. They all knew what she meant, it just seemed inappropriate given the circumstances.125

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say it like that. I’m just a little stressed out right now.” Bane apologized, lowering his eyes. Connor watched Chane fidget uncomfortably. He was uneasy about having anyone in his house for very long. He was a little ashamed of the decrepit building, Connor thought. After a few quiet seconds, Chane quickly stood up. 126

“Who wants drinks huh? I’ll make some.” He made it across the room in two steps, and reached up over Connor to the shabby cupboard containing the Kyi’s only source of kitchen-ware. Connor lowered his head to avoid Chane’s elbows.127

“I uh.....” Connor mumbled, feeling uncomfortable. “I’m gonna go say bye.” Chane backed up, holding a few chipped teacups.128

“Huh? What?” He asked, eyeing Connor as he made to stand. “Wait!” Chane exclaimed. Connor banged his head on the wooden door which had been left open.129

“I’ll be back before long.” Connor said, rubbing his head to dull the pain. “Don’t wait up.”130

Connor left the uncomfortably tense Kyi household, and inhaled the cooling air. The sun was setting in the distance, glowing a bright fiery red. He decided he would visit Flint first before leaving Koren.....131