Catalyst

Chapter 9

Morning came as usual. The sun rose, the birds chirped, people began to wake. The earth rotated and another day began as all seemed right. Cavan stood before Seiru again and although a bit early for his liking, he showed no discomfort. Seiru spoke quietly with Natasha for a moment before she bowed and left quickly no doubt heading back to the prison. Seiru headed over to Cavan and stared at him for a while. "Enough playing." he said seriously. Cavan raised an eyebrow. "I've got some real work for you now." Seiru walked up closer staring down coldly at Cavan who met his gaze. Something was up with Seiru this time. Cavan had no clue what it was, but things were about to get serious even for this jackass.

"That 'work' would be?" he asked. Seiru turned around facing away. Fucking drama queen. Cavan held his tongue. He couldn't stand when people would be -as Aizik would call it- melondramatic.

"I'll be sending you along the path of your friend Aizik. There is a carriage outside waiting to take you to Ederich. You'll be bypassing Anadeo. When you Ederich, I want you to find their cathedral." explained Seiru pausing. Cavan glared.

"If you're asking me to kill everyone there too you can forget it. I'd rather trust Aizik's skill than insult him by killing dozens in his name." he snapped.

"Fool. You know he wouldn't survive. Especially since he'll be protecting Eira." Seiru scoffed. Cavan's fists clenched.

"Are you saying that's what you wanted me to do? Go kill several people for you after I just repented!? Go fuck yourself Seiru!" Cavan thundered. Seiru looked back at him with icy eyes.

"Shut your mouth." he growled. "What do you take me for? I could have anyone go and kill those fools. What I want you to do, is take the Tome of Zoran from them." Cavan's eyes widened.

"What? You mean they've actually got it?" he stammered. Seiru looked away from him again.

"I'm saying go to Ederich. I'll send someone to report your progress back to me and once you have it I'll give you more instructions. Understood?" Seiru stated. Cavan stood there stunned for a moment. The Tome of Zoran was in Ederich this whole time? That sounded far too good to be true, but...well...

"I understand."
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The carriage driving from Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint two rattled along the road over the bumps along it's oft traveled surface. Eira stared across from the bench on which she, Malana, and Aizik sat staring at Hayen. He seemed rather normal sitting with Lynn, but his eyes and words from the day before still stung in her mind. It was agitating. Maybe he knew somehow who Aizik was or something, but still...why not just come out and say it? "So Aizik, where do you originally hail from?" he asked. Eira watched him carefully.

"I'm from Poliask. I grew up there for the most part at the halfway house with Ralus and...a good friend of mine." Aizik answered. Malana looked excited.

"Oh really? I was raised in Poliask all my life. Shek and I trained as Knights there together. He's going to meet us in Checkpoint 2 because he was in Anadeo at the time and just decided to go there on his own. Shek's really nice. Anyway, so did you train as a Knight in Alium?" she asked. Aizik looked over at Eira who was still staring at Hayen for some reason.

"Well um...actually...I..." he stopped to ponder for a moment. "Yes, but I stopped training as a Knight to go on a pilgrimage of my own for spiritual enlightenment. I had only just recently returned to Alium and then the tragedy happened." Hayen smiled at the explanation.

"An interesting story." he said lowering his brow eclipsing his gaze a bit. His eyes changed a little but his tone remained constant. A smooth calm with the slightest trickle of facade. "You don't fight like any Knight I've ever seen. You're match with Grael was a harrowing experience to see." Eira was getting a bad feeling. Hayen kept his eyes on Aizik. This man had blood on him. Blood that could soak the streets of Ederich or possibly Alium to be more fitting. The aura reeked of death. Raising a scene would make more trouble than it'd be worth, and he wanted to know what this was about. Why would this man be allowed to come with them? If Grael didn't kill Aizik he must be here for a reason. Lynn didn't seem to notice what exactly was going on in his head, but it may be better that way. This woman Eira seemed to have picked up on his not-so-subtle hint. Aizik seemed like an idiot. He couldn't sense Hayen's disposition at all even looking right at him there was no shift in him.

Aizik stared back remaining outwardly cheerful thought knowing all the while that Hayen was in his own way making it clear that he didn't trust them. It was fine, it was even better if Hayen thought he was being discreet about it. Aizik had no interest in stoking the fires of yet another enemy. Right now, his still healing ribs were aching and sore from his training and he was on a bumpy road. Eira was uncomfortable under the tension in the vehicle, but had just recently sank back into her book. It must be easier for her to put it out of her mind if she just shifted her attention. Most people were very unable to just put something out of their head if even for a little while. In a sense it was a gift. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. He's very good. I'd feel a little safer if he were traveling with us," Aizik joked. It was so obvious a lie he almost didn't get it out.

"Yeah, but we should be enough. I have faith in our group." Hayen piped. Fucking liar, Eira could help but think it. She dove back into the novel. Things were better this way. If she got all pissed off they'd be of to an even worse start. Besides, Aizik was either oblivious to Hayen's being a prick or was doing a damn good job of gluing a smile onto it. If she kept her cool, everything would be fine.
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The day in the carriage was long and dull. Cavan lie on the bench hoping for a positive vision, for a traveling group of bards to pass them, a lightning strike, tumbling carriage crash, a fucking loud noise. Something besides a slightly bumpy ride would have been highly appreciated. All in all he should have been thankful everything went smoothly. His body was still in less than excellent condition after the grand first lesson that was apparently so important (read: un-fucking-related) to his current mission. Still, going to Ederich to ask for the Tome wasn't on his list of things to do without Aizik. It didn't seem like this is what Seiru wanted him doing yet, but it was much more important sounding. Getting a priceless possibly life changing record of divine history seemed like one of those 'plot twist' missions whereas walking through a city that wants you dead sounds more like a 'humiliate the slave' kind of mission. Cavan felt strangely on board with this mission when he thought of it that way.

When they finally stopped and Cavan stepped out the long ride had made his legs a little numb. The gravel rocks rolled and crunched beneath his feet. Stretching with arms high, Cavan yawned and looked up at the tall walls of the Ederich Cathedral. It wasn't quite as tall as Alium's, but it still had all the old walls and stained glass windows that gave a cathedral its 'holy' look. It seemed the sermon had ended and the worshippers were leaving. A little de ja vu to start the day off huh? Nice.

He was casual about his approach, if he could do this without bloodshed or his loveable dork of a best friend calling out "I've come for the Tom" then things might go well for a change. This time he wouldn't lose his cool and spout of any Edenian just to see if the guy knew any and if he did he definitely wouldn't say "God is dead". He had by no means expected the people to try and kill them over it, but hey some people love to overreact. The doors still open he slipped inside the cathedral seeing five of each Holy Knight still inside. Since no one drew a weapon on him he presumed that pictures of Aizik and him hadn't quite gotten around yet (thank goodness).

As the building cleared he stood inside. The minister paid a little more attention to him. The doors finally shut and the man smiled down from his pulpit.

"How can I help you son?" he asked in an already understanding tone.

"Minister, I come here seeking the great Tome of Zoran." Cavan answered immediately. He knew already, the answer would be 'earnest disbelief'. The minister stared at him for a moment in earnest disbelief.

"I'm sorry son I don't follow. You think that thing is real?" he asked. Cavan nodded.

"Yes, and with all due respect sir I have reason to believe the Tome is here." he answered sternly. The minister smiled. Cavan knew him from his research of the current ministries as Caleb Stravos. "Minister Stravos, please." The minister held up his hand to stop him from speaking any further.

"I'm sorry son, you've come looking in the wrong place." he replied. Cavan felt the tension rise in the Holy Knights. It would be really bad for him if this turned into another Alium, but still Cavan could not allow himself to die here.

Taking a deep breath Cavan bowed once, "My apologies," he said smiling up at the minister. Apparently this would take a much different approach.

Night had finally come and still Stravos hadn't exited the building. Cavan stood just to the side waiting. No one had exited the back for several hours and neither of the obviously gay holy knights had been his target. Sighing in frustration, Cavan put the last bite of the now hard bread in his mouth. At least now if things backfired he'd only have four opponents.

As if in response to his near giving up, the Minister exited the Cathedral and locked the back door on his way out. Cavan walked briskly up behind him. Just before he reached him and placed his hand on minister's shoulder speaking the word that would debilitate the man, Stravos spoke up.

"Cavan. I recognize you," he said. Cavan stopped. "It's good you're here actually. Come with me." With that minister Stravos walked down the street. Cavan followed reluctantly. What was going on here? Was this guy working for Seiru or something?

It had been several minutes since they started walking and Cavan was getting a little frustrated. With the streets relatively empty he decided it may be safe to ask a few questions.

"Where are we going?" he asked gruffly. Stravos just kept walking. Cavan wrinkled his brow in annoyance. "Minister?"

"You came here for the Tome did you not? Sent by Seiru no doubt?" asked Stravos. Cavan was surprised. This guy had damn good sources. He had to remain alert, this could easily be a setup. They reached a door on a large building that reminded Cavan of the halfway house he'd grown up in. Stravos opened the door and they went inside. Sure enough there were bedrolls lined along the walls with some people sleeping and some up reading. Stravos and Cavan went down a hallway on the right and went through a door into the downstairs area. It was something of a basement. There were two other men there both with graying hair and untamed whiskers. They sat at a table drinking some form of cider. Cavan nodded to them as Stravos sat at their table motioning Cavan to the last seat. It was a small dim room with one exit. Cavan's seat had it's back to the exit which was fine with him. He took the chair and the gray haired man on the right poured a wooden mug with cider sliding it across the table to Cavan. That man was much thinner than the other. The larger man smiled.

"Don't worry," he said with a thick Welkish(Scottish) accent, "we're drinking the same stuff." Pouring himself another mug of the cider he took a huge gulp and sighed with a refreshed grin. The thinner man still didn't smile. The larger looked over at him patting hard on the back. "Pay ol' Trosky no mind! He don't ever smile does he?" The man stood and held out his hand to Cavan. "Call me Keelan." Cavan sensed no hostility in the man. Suddenly he felt a lot better actually. He reached up and shook the man's hand. This was something of a pleasant surprise. Trosky just stared at him as Stravos poured himself a cup of cider as well.

"We'll speak here, Cavan. Let me answer a few of your questions first. No, I don't work for Seiru, no I don't actually have the Tome, and yes you should still be on guard. Depending on how you answer my next couple of questions will determine how this meeting goes. As long as you tell me the truth I think you'll do just fine." Stravos explained taking a swig of cider. Cavan understood he wasn't quite out of the woods just yet, but he still felt a little relaxed.

"Shoot," he said tapping the side of his mug with his fingers.

"You're not Cezatian are you?" Stravos asked. Cavan shook his head.

"No sir," came his audible reply. Stravos looked to Trosky for a moment and smiled looking back to Cavan.

"Alright, I'm glad we can trust each other with a simple one. Why are you looking for the Tome of Zoran?" Cavan had to think for a moment. Did this guy want to know who sent him here or why he personally was looking for it?"

"Seiru sent me here to retrieve it." he answered. Stravos frowned and Trosky stood walking over behind Cavan. He placed his hand on his shoulder and Cavan felt something hard and sharp touch his throat. Apparently he'd answered wrong. These guys were no joke.

"I think you may have misunderstood the question." Stravos retorted. Cavan didn't flinch at the knife to his throat and instead finally took a drink of the cider. It was decent tasting of apples for the most part. "I would like to know why you are looking for the Tome of Zoran. Not Seiru."

"Aizik and I have been trying to get find the Tome before someone else does and uses it in some sick perverse way. If we get it so that no one else can then that eventual disaster can be avoided. It's the only way to make up for the lives we've taken." Cavan answered. Seeming more pleased with this response, Stravos took another drink and nodded.

"I see. Noble intentions are always good. So, do you and this Aizik believe that you'd somehow make up for all the death by saving lives?"

"No, but what else can we do? If we die then those lives have been taken in vain. If we do something great then at least we made use of our lives in place of the one's that were cut short."

"Again, good intentions. What exactly would you do with the Tome?" Stravos asked looking Cavan directly in the eyes. Cavan paused for a moment. He had an answer, but it may not please the court. "We know you're here on behalf of Seiru and probably not by your own will. Still, if you got the Tome, what would you do with it?"

"I would destroy it. Without a second thought, I'd destroy the Tome of Zoran. Although it could undoubtedly do some lots of good in the world, it can do far too much destruction of it is what it claims to be." Cavan answered. The lack of a sharp blade sliding across his throat told him he had made a good impression. Stravos slowly smiled and Keelan laughed downing the rest of his cider. Trosky moved the knife and went back to his seat.

"I told you this lad had to be somethin!" he cheered. Stravos stood and beckoned Cavan on his way back up the stairs. Cavan finished his cider and walked up to follow him. Soon they were back outside heading toward the inn. Stravos patted Cavan on the shoulder.

"Um, what just happened?" Cavan asked still a little confused.

"I'll tell you this. Seiru isn't going to find the Tome. If you can manage to get out from under his thumb, come find me. You want to continue your mission and gather some info on your own, you'll need to get to Anadeo." Stravos told him. Great, now the cathedral slayer had to go the holy city of light. This just got better and better.

Anadeo had always been the holy city. It's the place where the Church of the Light Father was born and where his tomb was supposed to have been. It was the capitol of religious fervor and their Holy Knights were a deep cut above the rest in the land. If there was any place Cavan wanted to avoid right now it would have to be Anadeo. Still if he was going to better his situation he'd have to fill in the gaps in his knowledge. There were still too many questions and he was beginning to feel like he was still just on the very edges of something much deeper than he'd originally suspected. It would be a difficult climb, but they had to see the whole picture. To do that they'd need to have a spot much higher up on the totem pole.

"Anadeo it is then..." Cavan said reluctantly as he lay in his rented bed.
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Aizik opened his eyes feeling groggy and disoriented. The blurry surroundings swirled around him. He was lying on his belly surrounded by night. Something had happened. Slowly standing on wobbly legs, Aizik try to focus his vision. His head was pounding and pain throbbed in multiple spots on his body. He reached up and rubbed his right shoulder feeling warm sticky blood on his arm. A rush of throbbing hurt pulsed through his body centering in his knees. A sweeping sense of realization burned though him. He remembered. They had fallen asleep and he'd heard something outside. A great heat exploded beneath their feet and ripped the carriage apart. In that instant he remembered holding his arms out over Eira and Malana.

Vision still stumbling as bad as his feet he rolled his blurred gaze across the ground seeing glowing spots of orange and writhing quivering masses he assumed were people. The blood pounding in his ears muffled the sounds, but as the fog in his head cleared he heard screams. Not cries of agony or dismay, more of those of battle. Adrenaline hitting like a violent wave crashing into tide walls, Aizik's vision straightened as best it could. In front of him was Eira rolling onto her side clutching her arm. Malana lay facedown nearby still unmoving aside from a low groan coming from her mouth. Several figures were approaching from the right and Aizik understood. They'd been ambushed and in a bad way. Seeing how effective the initial attack was, it seemed they were as good as dead. Aizik drew his sword his right arm feeling something in his shoulder slide out of proper place and a pricking sensation rip through the muscle. Ignoring the pain he slid in step between the approaching assailants and the two women.

The figures wore some kind of scarce leather armor, but appeared to be male. Long dark hair trailed their heads. In the blur Aizik barely made out the various axes and swords they wielded shouting and screaming as they charged. Aizik stood fast preparing his body for the assault it would take.

"I cannot die here," he chanted, "I cannot die here, I cannot die here..." Eira groaned behind him trying to stand, but she would be useless in battle right now. Ribs howling in agony and shoulder failing, Aizik focused his mind. These men were...dead. They dare attack him? They dare attack these women? Hatred built up in him as they gained ground targeting him and fully intent on bringing him down. He hated them. He hated them!

The sword came flying out of it's sheath passing through flesh and bone like air and water. Two men fell instantly. Downward motion filled the muscles of a third as he brought his weapon down on Aizik, unfortunately for him the man he attacked was an expert at his craft and turned his body ending up at the side of the attack. The attacker's thoughts didn't last as he was just another hostile neutralized in the next moment. Aizik turned again lashing his blade with teeth set on edge. His attacks were all hatred and violence bursting forth from him like flames from a burning building. It was similar that as dangerously that he was his destruction was obvious. Men fell at his feet left and right, but the small blows he was dealt were like mortal blows to his weakened form. Eira looked up seeing him stumble back after barely deflecting an axe swing. His attacker leapt at him relishing the thought of finishing him off. Suddenly she felt a familiar power come from behind her. Something shouted in her mind like it was right in her ear.

Begone!!!

The attacker's entire countenance erupted in volatile flames that burst out like the bomb that'd taken out their carriage. Aizik was thrown back and tumbled to his stomach. Grieves put his hand on Aizik's left shoulder while Aizik gripped the other one, his face red with agony. His shoulder had given out on him. The blade was now in his left hand. It was but a moment before they were surrounded. Everyone huddled to the center. Hayen's blade dripped with blood as did Lynn's. They were both bleeding as well. Hayen's eyes went to Aizik.

"I expected better from you..." he said before his eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed. Lynn's eyes widened as she knelt to him. Arrows notched behind the melee lines of cheering warriors.

"Hayen!" Lynn cried shaking him.

"This is unexpected...everyone stay calm. We can fight them off if we're patient. Trust me..." Grieves whispered. Eira stared at him. That incredible power had come from him. It still resonated from his body. Aizik's eyes were shut tightly in pain. It couldn't end here. Why did his body stop working?

"Come on..." he growled to himself tightening his grip on his shoulder as if he could rally it into functionality again. Getting no results he focused on keeping sword in hand. Lynn continued shaking Hayen and suddenly a club struck her on the back of her head. Her eyes rolled back and she collapsed next. Aizik's instincts took over and he lashed his sword out at the man. The attacker leapt back, but that wasn't the bad news. The pain in his shoulder and ribs took a backseat to the pain that came after the whizzing of arrows through the air. Looking down at where the sudden crippling agony struck in his leg and stomach Aizik spotted two shafts of wood sticking from him. The wind knocked out of his body, he fell back and darkness swept his vision. He heard Eira call him, but he couldn't answer now.

Dammit...Cavan, Eira...I'm sorry. I just wanted them to be safe.