Reclaiming A Life: Chapter 8

The sun had finally set that night and something about the night this time was far more unsettling. Despite it the six of them gathered at the outskirts of the city, there were many fires built in the city proper. Most people were gathered around them, using them as a cover for the night and hidden horrors. Though there were those who were doing the opposite.

John watched Shina, their necromancer ally. She was looking at a man who was bent over and murmuring gibberish. Praying to something that was no longer in the sky. She stroked her jaw watching him like someone might watch a rat figure out a maze.

But she noticed that he was staring at her and turned to face him in that dreamlike smile slipping onto her face again. An expression that didn’t disarm him anymore because now he saw the person behind the façade. The powerful necromancer beyond the crazed woman.

“Thank you.”

“Hm?”

John motioned back to the village with his cane, “We wouldn’t have been able to do that without you. More than that even. That demon would have likely come through to this world. We banished it with your help.”

She chuckled, “You would have figured something out.”

“Perhaps. But the damage done would have been much more.”

“Perhaps,” she replied. Looking at the man again she waved her hand. “To think you would have given me such an adventure after a chance meeting in a Norian inn. This world never ceases to surprise me.”

“You talk like you’re very old and seen much,” John mused. “You aren’t that old at least by looking at you.”

“No but immortality has its boons.”

That took John by surprise and he balked at the words. Even more so he couldn’t figure out if she were joking with him or serious. So settling on what he knew he said, “You were very knowledgeable about how to handle this. Who are you? Really?”

Shina looked at him and her lip quirked in a smile. “I’m no one, John. Thank you for the adventures but finally, it’s time for me to move on. Snow is lovely in the south.”

John consented there and nodded, “You’ve talked about the snow often. I’d love to see it. It sounds breathtaking.”

Shina smiled and the warmth in the smile was intimate. To the point where he thought he shouldn’t have seen it. A smile meant for someone far closer and far more important than the stranger that he was.

“They are. Very beautiful indeed.” Sighing heavily, she bowed her head. “You’re from the Sanctum are you not?”

“I am. And it’s long time I go home. Malcolm. Mattheu. Isaac. Many people are missing me. They might have thought I died or disappeared. I want to go back home and see them. I just hope they haven’t forgotten about me.”

A distant look entered Shina’s eyes then and she looked up for a long moment. There was that shadow of a woman that had seen and done more than John could scarcely comprehend. But that woman was there and gone in the second that he’d seen her.

“Love. Real love and real loyalty. They last lifetimes. They haven’t forgotten about you John. I bet they’re waiting for you now.”

That caught him by surprise. But he smiled at her, “Thank you Shina. Those words make me a little more hopeful than I started.”

“Call me Ryza.”

“Ryza?”

“My proper name,” she dipped her head and turned around. “Goodbye John. It was a pleasure.”

She started walking and John swore he saw ears appear at her head and a tail at her back. He rubbed his eyes trying to reconcile that but when he looked again, she was gone like she had never been there, to begin with.

Sighing he went to regroup with the others. Zoren and Brynadette were at the edge of the village, Brynadette holding a pocket watch in her hand. She turned it in her fingers holding it to the sky and turning left and right. While they did that Alistair was holding a coin in his hand, turning it between his fingers.

“What are you doing?” John asked curiously.

“Trying to tell the time. Gosh John read the room,” Semperius shook his head and pointed his thumb at him. “Can you believe this guy?”

“Getting ready to go. It has to be done precisely or it can all go bad,” Brynadette replied.

Alistair nodded, “It’s how they go home. And this is how I do the same.”

“Home. To the castle you mean?” John asked.

“No to the Sanctum bag boy. Yes, the castle.”

John sighed, “I’m not sure why I even try some days.”

Alistair smirked glancing over his shoulder at Zoren who was beside them, his arms behind his head and laughing. “And you’re going back to your time? The future right?”

“Yep. It’s been a minute since I’ve been home properly. Then again, our parents likely don’t even know we were gone that long. Time travel and all that.”

“They probably miss you regardless,” he said though there was a bit of guilt in his eyes. “Parents always miss their children. Even when nothing is wrong.”

“What about you Alistair? You’re going back to Cerise. But what about your daughters?” Brynadette asked.

“I am going back yes. I need to let my Queen know that I am still alive,” he took a deep breath. “But I hope that she’ll grant me a request. I want to go and try and find my daughters. And hope they’ll allow me a place in their lives.”

John reached out and put a hand on his shoulder, “I’m sure they will. If anything, they’ll be relieved that you’re alive.”

“You’re a murder hobo but you’re our murder hobo. So I’ll hope you have good things instead of your downfall,” Semperius grinned. “Besides what if they’re just like us. We can be a big murder hobo family.”

John paled, “Please no.”

And the three of them laughed at that. “With that in mind, you’re going to see your husband, right?”

“Yes. I miss him more than I thought possible.”

Alistair chuckled, “I hope you find him and can retire and live a much more peaceful life than we have for the past two decades.”

“Thank you, Alistair. I believe that’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me.

“I think so too actually.”

“Don’t get used to it,” rolling his eyes he motioned toward their monk. “What about you?”

“Well. I was going to try and go find Hanz. After that no idea.”

“Oh,” Brynadette hit her fist into her palm. “You should come by the Free City if you have nowhere else. It’s a great place and accepting of everyone. Just be ready to work and you’ll have a family.” She smiled at her brother. “It’s what happened to me.”

Semperius raised his eyebrow and nodded, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Looks like we’re all going our separate ways then,” John said and he felt a little sad about that. “I wonder if we’ll meet each other again.”

“I’m sure we will. Can’t imagine things will ever be calm enough for us to ever just retire,” Semperius shrugged.

“I know my life will be that way,” Alistair said. As he spoke, he looked and heard the creak. As if it had always been there. A door opened and the driver tipped their hat to them. “Speaking of. There’s my ride.”

The trio looked at one another and nodded, getting into a make shift hug. It was awkward and not that comfortable but it was them. And they enjoyed it despite mild complaints to the contrary. Alistair walked into the carriage and the door shut behind before it was taken off into the distance, fading away like the morning mist.

It had been a long week but as the sun rose John stepped off the horse and patted its side. He let out an exasperated sigh staring at the gleaming city. One of the major ones of the Sanctum. The last place that he remembered and called home. It was still the same which was a relief all its own.

Even the inside of the city hadn’t changed too much. There were different shops than he remembered last but people still walked and greeted each other similarly. The major buildings like the church and barracks were in the same location. And much to his relief so was the library. A grand library was more akin to a dome than a block.

Traversing up the steps slowly he pushed open the heavy wooden doors and was greeted by the dusty smell of books. He took a deep breath before walking inside slowly. His cane echoed with each step that he took. There were people milling between the shelves, at the various tables, and hanging around.

He saw an empty help desk stacked with books and a small lantern with a fresh candlestick waiting. The desk was empty though John had expected as much. He was often times in the shelves themselves. Walking across the grounds of the library John dipped his head and tipped his hat to people he saw. The friendliness still caught him off guard a little bit after so many years with Alistair and Semperius.

He peaked his head around bookshelves and found them mostly empty with the occasional patron. For a minute he wondered if he had assumed too much. It had been a very long time. Life probably wasn’t the same as he had predicted.

As he went around the final bookcase and found nothing his shoulders sagged. “Perhaps it was too much to hope that he would still be here.” He mumbled to himself. “I can’t be surprised.”

“Excuse me sir. Can I help you? I know that the library system can be daunting but I’m sure I can help you find what you’re looking for.”

John turned to politely decline the help but stopped. He stared at the man’s face shocked. It had aged a little bit, a few strands of grey hair on his head giving it away. The pair of glasses resting on his nose were different. But he recognized the kind and shy eyes. And as the man stared at John his own eyes widened slowly.

He took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes slowly. He looked him in the eye nearly dropping the book in his hand.  Placing his glasses back onto his head he said, “It can’t be. John?”

“Malcolm.” It started as a question but became an affirmation. They stepped forward and hugged each other tightly the years washing away in the embrace. Like a miracle given form.

When they separated, they both had to dab and wipe at their eyes brushing the years away. “Praise the Father. How is this possible?” Malcolm asked.

“It’s a very long story,” John said.

Malcolm took his hand, looping his arm with his. “I’d love nothing more than for you to tell me everything.”

A horse sprinted across the sand beating through the dunes. They were on their way home and all three of them kept their eyes on the horizon looking for the first sign of home. The free city. She was certain that she could see it appearing through the heat haze around her.

“Almost home girl,” the rider said patting the horse’s neck.

The woman in front held the handlebars of her horse tightly, navigating its path with her knees. Her arms dark arms were exposed to the sun, and she was itching for a bath. Scratching at the scarves around her face she fought the urge to yawn. A good ride, a quick job, easy stuff. Getting away from the city was needed as the leader. She wondered how Boss managed to do it for years and make it all seem so easy.

Leaning forward in the saddle she stared not at the city but instead at the dark shape in the sand. She glanced down at her horse and then motioned to slow down, calling for the other two to continue forward. The horse obeyed and they came forward slowly approaching the shape.

It was a person, a man specifically. Face down in the sand with a dark cloak around his neck. This wasn’t her first rodeo, having pulled this trick herself. She circled around the man slowly to see if there was anyone lying in wait. But as far as she could tell no one was there ready to rob her.

Hopping off the horse she came forward and drew a short sword. Leaning forward she poked at the man. In response to the poke, she loosely heard him groan. She raised an eyebrow and crouched. “You alive there?”

Another groan answered her and she turned putting a hand to her ear, “Sorry what was that didn’t quite hear you.”

She crouched lower as she said this and finally, she heard his words, “Water.”

“Water. Of course.” Reaching out to the saddle bags she found a water skin and flipped over the dried out Semperius. Once he drank a few gulps he sat up suddenly startling her and the horse. “Whoa there. You’re dehydrated. What are you even doing out here? You get banished or something?”

“No. Uh. Shit,” he looked around slowly, narrowing his sand crusted eyes. He looked down at his hands then swore again because he thought there would be a map somewhere in his hands. “I was going somewhere. The Free City. A kid told me to try and find it. You know where that is?”

The woman snorted and laughed, “You’re lucky. That’s where I’m heading. We’re close in fact.”

Groggily he said, “Seriously?”

“Yeah. If you can manage, I can give you a ride there with me. Just don’t cause me any trouble along the way or I’ll leave you to deal with the desert.”

“Holy shit maybe I’m finally getting some luck after all.”

He held out his hand and she grabbed his gloved hand pulling him up to his feet. He wobbled stumbling toward the horse. She got onto the back of the horse settling in and then grabbed Semperius’s hand as well helping him onto the horse’s back.

“Are these handlebars?”

“Sure are. Got a name?”

“Semperius.”

“Well Semperius I’m Monica. Let’s get going. The Free City doesn’t wait for anyone.” With that she kicked her foot, leaned forward and the horse started sprinting through the desert.

The castle was radically different than what Alistair remembered. In his short time here he learned about the destruction and then the rebirth of Cerise. So much had happened and changed since he’d last been home. He’d felt like a stranger in a strange land. A place that was no longer home.

But as he was led down the long hall by the butler Walter, he took it all in. He observed suits of armor on either side of the hallway and gems along the wall. The gems he knew were definitely powered by magic but the fact that they remained without anyone powering them was a strange feat, even to him. He’d have to spend some time just traveling the new castle when he had the time.

The door to the queen’s chambers opened without any ceremony or guard allowance. Approaching the throne of the queen of Cerise he came close and bowed sweeping back his new coat. The queen of cerise sat legs crossed with her hands resting on the arms of her throne. She wore a simple red dress with her familiar black veil covering her face.

He waited for her to address and speak to him. He knew his place here and even now he knew she remembered him. In fact, it was at her orders that he was given a place to room, a place to clean himself, and new clothes. It was the greeting that befit one of her hand picked knights. He’s forgotten what this was like.

“Alistair. You requested an audience with me so soon after your return. I wonder what it’s about hm? I thought you might take some time to relax. Explore our home. It’s changed much since you were last with us.”

He raised his head to face her and took a slow breath, “You aren’t wrong my Queen. I almost don’t recognize it. But more importantly, I’m requesting time to pursue something personal.”

“Something personal?”

“Yes. Before Gehrcraft manipulated my mind, I left behind family. Two children. With your permission, I wish to find them. At the very least see if they have grown well.”

The queen nodded slowly and reached out motioning with her hand. Confused Alistair looked to the side and watched as a young man came forward. A Cerisan by every stretch of the mind from the way he walked to the way he carried himself. But looking at him made Alistair pause.

The young man looked at him apprehensively. Something about this was very uncomfortable for him but he did his duty. Gathering himself he turned to the queen and bowed to her. The queen motioned back to him and smiled. “Alistair. Thank you for coming.”

Turning back to her kneeling knight she said, “Fate is a funny thing, Alistair. I had my suspicions when I met this boy but seeing the two of you here, the resemblance is almost uncanny. You said you wanted to find your children. Meet your son.”

Alistair blinked, his eyes widening slightly. He stood up slowly and shook his head, “My what?”

“You have a son Alistair. A son who found his way here.”

He struggled to find the words before saying, “I only knew of my twins.”

“I am. One of your twins,” Alistair said slowly. His voice was confident but at the same time, it was hard to process as it reminded him of his own when he was younger. But different. “I’m trans dad. I’m Alison’s twin brother. I. I. took my name after you.”

Blinking quickly Alistair approached his son by the same name and stood in front of him. They were very nearly the same height, the father a step taller. With a shaking hand, Alistair touched his son’s face gently as if he would disappear when he touched him. Closing his eyes, he lowered his head shaking slightly.

“I’m so sorry Alistair. For not being there for you and you sister when you were growing up. And now look at you. You’re a man now,” he looked up wiping at his eyes. “There’s so much to know about you.” He paused closing his eyes. “If you want to share that part of your life with me that is. I know I don’t have much right to this, much less as a father.”

But Alistair looked at his father and stepped forward embracing him tightly. He held him and said, “I’ve seen a lot of death. A lot of chances stripped away. It’s rare that we get a second chance. Especially with our family. So, I’ll take this second chance at having a father. And my son’s chance at having a grandfather.”

Alistair stared at his son and then heard his queen chuckle behind him. She waved them away. “Go my knights. Enjoy this blessing. This is a new era for Cerise. Let’s relish it.”