NightTime Roads

You know, I have the strangest feeling that not many people actually LIKE what I write, despite my best efforts... not that it matters to me. I like to think that a true writer will finish a story that he/she starts and take pride in thier work no matter what is said about it by anyone. Of course, that's just me. So whether or not you like this story, I'm finishing it!

Read and review please! ^_^


Chapter 19


The early morning sun shone brightly over the town of Kials, as the first of the people began to wake from thier slumber. Fishermen were the first to awake, hualing thier nets and rods, moving to the boats they had docked by the water's edge. None of them paid much attention to the man sitting at the gates to the town, sleeping away. They really didn't have enough time to pay him any mind anyway. There were fish to be caught, cooked, and sold.

Next to awaken were merchants, setting up thier shops for the people that would buy and sell. In a few short minutes time, they had set up some fish, a few meats, and some vegetables and fruits. A few of these people stopped for a few moments to regard him before moving on thier way. Others hit him, but he either was so deep in sleep he couldn't feel it, or simply chose to ignore it. People couldn't tell which.

As the sun reached higher and higher, the man awakened from slumber. His eyes opened slightly, then closed tight at the sudden light they encountered. He reached his hands up to his face to shield his eyes from the light. Suddenly a shadow appeared, blocking his view. He gazed up to see who it was, but his face was hidden by shadow as well. "Who..." His voice was raspy as the man standing before him reached out with a hand. He gazed at a symbol on the chest of the armor he wore before blacking out.


When Antros next awakened, he was in a bed. The sheets felt good on his skin, compared to the seemingly endless nights of sleeping on the ground. He never remembered it being this hard on his body, but then again he had spent a year in a castle between now and a lifetime of traveling. He looked around and noticed the door nearby was ajar. voices could be heard out in the hall.

"You found him at the gate?" Antros listened hard. It sounded like Evia.

"Yes." Came the deeper reply, Antros knew to be Rekia. "I carried him over here. It's surprising, considering that the poison would have slowed him down. I clearly expected him to be here much later then usual."

"He strained his body alot to get here. He looked really broken up when you brought him." Evia said again. She paused for a minute, before continuing. Damn Antros wanted so badly to get up and walk over to them. Unfortunately, he had no energy to do so. "I'm glad he's ok."

A few more minutes of silence and then the sound of footsteps, someone moving across the hall. Then the voice, the sweet heavenly voice that Antros loved. "He went to the kingdom. One of the fishermen told me he chartered a boat and headed straight for it."

"But why? What does he have to gain from going there?" Rekia asked.

"Not sure. But do you think we should follow? Or warn the kingdom about it and let them handle it?" Evia asked.

Perhaps Ayisa had disagreed in some way, for she said "No, it will do us no good. We already told them about what happened... and who to watch out for. Idora wouldn't go there... at least not without a plan or-"

Perhaps they had just realized something, for there was nothing but silence. Antros pulled his body up and out of bed. He creeped toward the doorway where his companions were. In the end, Evia spoke. "We have to go after him. His crimes are for Gaia Kingdom, and it's solid proof of evidence. If the people heard about it... they might distrust thier ruler if she decides on something based solely on someone's word..."

"She's right. For all our agreements, it wouldn't matter. The people will question Antros' influence over the kingdom." Rekia said. "I guess we have no choice really."

"Exactly." Antros muttered, finally reaching them. Everyone looked a bit surprised to see him out of bed. Ayisa reached over to help support him up, just as Antros let go of the doorframe he had been using to serve that purpose. "We have to find my brother. But does this mean I can count on your help Rekia?"

Rekia nodded sternly. "It's the least I can do to pay for all the trouble this has caused you. Besides, I'd hate to be indebted to you for anything."

Antros laughed weakly, and started to sway again, causing Evia to come and lend her assistance in helpping Ayisa take him back into bed. Evia explained briefly that the antidote they had given him had not yet fully cured him, so it would be awhile before Antros could travel. In the end, Antros agreed to stay in his room with Ayisa, while Rekia and Evia went out to gather a few things they would need.

Once they had left the inn, Evia asked something she had been meaning to ask since they first encountered him. "Rekia, what is it between you and Antros? I know your all for helpping us, and we appreciate it, really. But did you two get into some kind of arguement or something?"

"Antros is my rival," Rekia said, without hesitation. "I have sworn to do everything in my power to overwhelm him one day. You see, back at the castle, Antros always talked about his journeies, and the skills he accquired in order to survive. I want to test him to see if that is really true or not."

Evia nodded. "I see. Well, just don't overdue it, ok?" Rekia did not answer this but continued walking side by side with her. However, when he reached out with his hand to hold hers, it was all the answer Evia ever needed.