Eranithia: The Healing River: Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Seilnai sat up in bed, screaming at the top of her lungs, then fell back against her mattress. Her scream alarmed her guard of two Forsaken soldiers outside her door. They burst in, searching for an intruder only to find the room empty. Only Seilnai was in the room, sleeping in her soft bed. She suddenly started thrashing her arms and legs again, screaming a piercing, painful scream. They rushed to her side and shake her by the shoulder.
Her eyes opened to find two ugly creatures with gray skin and dreadlocks staring down at her. Even through their grotesque features, she could see a look of concern for their queen on their faces.
“Who attacked you, my queen?” One of them asked.
“Nobody,” she said, then propped herself up in bed. As she did, she felt the blood soaking into the sheets.
Seilnai jumped out of bed, staring at the blood in horror.
“Undo the back of my dress,” she commanded the Forsake soldiers.
One of them unzipped the dress to halfway down her back, then she walked to the mirror in the room and turned around. Looking over her shoulder she saw gashes from whip wounds up and down her back. Before they merely appeared as scratches or scars. These looked more like fresh wounds. She had no idea what was causing her injuries, she would have known if someone had entered her room.
“Maybe we should go back to the castle,” the other Forsaken suggested.
“No!” She snapped.
The Forsaken flinched as she raised both of her hands. Then she closed her eyes and pointed her index fingers at her back as she muttered a few words. The wounds sealed up, then suddenly one appeared down her chest with many more right after. She fell to the floor, writhing in pain and screaming once again. Once the wounds stopped appearing, she got to her feet again and sealed up her new wounds. She didn't know how, but she had to figure out what the problem was and fast. She couldn't have this kind of thing happening in battle.
“Ready the troops. We need to be in Serpa as soon as possible,” she commanded.
The Forsaken left the room to follow out their orders while Seilnai studied the wounds on her chest.
How is this happening? She asked herself. What kind of magic are they using on me? This must be Serina's doing. She did something when she was in my head.
Seilnai vowed she would kill Serina with her own hand for giving her this debilitating condition. This could cost her the war if she didn't get it corrected and soon.

Seth wanted to kill the men in Serpa for the cat calls they were throwing at Serina and Karis. He had to remind himself that these men were criminals, all confined to one area. The law of Eranithia didn't apply to them as long as they remained in Serpa.
The city of Serpa surrounded the entire Serpant's Head Lake. Much of the city had even spilled onto the lake itself. There were many wooden avenues leading to homes and shops on the lake. Those who lived on the lake had a small rowboat to travel from place to place, or to the mainland if need be. Had it not been for the dirtiness of the city, because of the lawlessness of the criminals who occupied the city, then it might have been a nice place to live. They had a great view of the Gar Mountains, being set at the foothills of the Blood Mountains. From the location of the city, most of Eranithia could be seen.
What Seth was looking for, though, in Serpa was the largest house. Your wealth in Serpa was determined by your possessions. The one with the most money owned the largest house and had the most stuff to fill it with. This person was also seen as someone of a governor as well. Seth knew if he could get through to this person, then most of Serpa would follow.
Looking over at Serina he could see her poise. Seth was impressed at her ability to ignore the comments thrown at them by the vulgar men of Serpa. Karis, on the other hand, looked ready to lop off the head of any man who came too close. He had no doubt she would either.
When, finally, they saw the largest house in Serpa, they stopped, admiring the structure. It looked like a small wooden castle of sorts. More house-like, but it was incredibly large. It looked to contain about eight rooms for sleeping, four gathering rooms, and each of the three stories had places for gather on the outside. The first and second floors had wraparound porches, and the third had two large balconies on the front of the house, and one on either of the sides as well. Seth assumed the back looked similar to the front.
The house was painted a grayish-blue color with white trim. The railings of the balconies and porches were also white. Seth climbed the five steps up to the first level wraparound porch, then knocked on the dark blue door. He heard shouting and swearing from somewhere behind the door, mixed in with the other noise going on inside. From what Seth could hear, it sounded like a fight was happening inside. In any other place, he might find that a reason for alarm, but seeing as they were in Serpa, it was normal to see a fight break out in just about any direction.
Steps came closer to the door, then the handle turned. When the door swung open, there stood a rough looking man about Seth's size. Defined arm muscles worked with the thick hand that gripped the doorknob. From his sleeveless and wide open white shirt, stained here and there (with blood or coffee, Seth couldn't tell), a strong, muscle ridden torso was revealed. As Seth looked up into the face of the man, angry, green eyes pierced through his brown ones.
“What do you want?” the man barked in his gruff voice.
Seth didn't let this man unsettle him. He knew he could take him in a fight if he needed to.
“I came to speak to the man of the house.”
“You're lookin' at 'im.”
“Good, I am Seth, Damien's son, and I ask for a little of your time.”
“I thought you looked familiar.”
Seth's blood froze. This man recognized him from when he had tried to live here ten years ago. Seth's hand hovered towards the hilt of his blade, ready for a fight.
The man laughed and said, “I'm not gonna kill you! Because of you, I was able to rise to where I am today! You killed my brother, who was in line to inherit our father's possessions. Now, I am king over Serpa! Come in! Come in!”
Seth looked back at his travel companions. Serina and Arland stepped forward to join him while the others stood guard outside. Karis and Tobiith took guard on either side of the door, hands resting on their swords, ready for anything. Gaith and Hiln remained on the road, to watch for any kind of danger.
“Take it outside!” The rough looking man barked at the group of men fighting in his sitting room.
The five men who were fighting all looked at him at once, frozen in their brawl. Then the ruffians quietly left the room and sat in the kitchen, waiting for their breakfast to be served. The each took a seat in a plush chair around the room, while Randall sat on the sofa, with his back to the large window next to the front door. He crossed one leg over the other and stretched his arms out along the back of the sofa.
“Family,” he said with a chuckle.
Seth grinned back at him.
“Well, since I know who you are, I guess it would only be polite to introduce myself. My name is Randall Craig-son, son of Craig Michael-son, head over all of Serpa.”
“It is our pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir,” Seth said, dipping his head in respect to Randall. “As you know, I am Seth, Damien's son, and this is my twin sister, Serina. Our companion, here, is our most loyal friend, Arland.”
“Looks like a Wood Elf,” Randall snarled.
“He was born into a clan and once raised by them, but he was banished because of his father's blood and his hatred for their ways. Sol created him differently, though the blood of his father, so that he would not be fully associated with the Wood Elves.”
“I don't care about that. Wood Elf or good Elf, it means nothing to me.”
Seth looked at Randall feeling a little confused. Then why the comment about Arland looking like a Wood Elf?
“As far as I'm concerned, he's an Elf and not welcome in my home.”
Seth realized Randall hated all elves. He looked at Arland who stood up to leave.
“Arland-” Seth started to say.
Arland held up his hand to quiet Seth but kept his eyes on Randall.
“Not to worry, Seth, I will leave. If my presence offends our host, then I shall step outside and wait. I will stand guard with the others.”
Seth didn't know what to say, then Serina spoke to his mind.
Seth, he understands the importance of winning Serpa and is willing to make any small sacrifice he must to gain their trust.
Seth looked at Serina then back at Arland. He nodded his thanks to the Elf and Arland dipped his head in return, then stepped outside with the others.
“That's better,” Randall said.
“Just to let you know, Randall, Arland is one of my closest friends, and an insult to a friend is considered an insult to me and the throne of Eranithia.”
“Then maybe you would like to leave?” Randall suggested.
Seth breathed deeply to calm himself before saying, “No, I apologize for bringing an unwelcome guest into your home, it was  rude of me.”
Seth hated to submit to the racism of Randall, but instead of acting out in his anger, he prayed that Sol would bring about a change instead. Peace and freedom was what they were fighting for, so he must show peace to all men.
“So, what brings you to Serpa, young king?” Randall asked.
“We have traveled here to ask for your support in our fight against Arnath. We need all the help we can get to take the throne back from our uncle,” Seth told him.
“And what's in it for us? You know this town isn't part of the Eranithian kingdom.”
“Yes, but Seilnai has already brought some of the Geoth into Eranithia, so either she provided them with protection while they are here, or she has erased the line that keeps them in Geotha.”
“What is your point?”
“They have always wanted complete control of the Blood Mountains. What will stop them if they are allowed in Eranithia once again?”
Randall looked from Seth to Serina, lust in his eyes. Seth didn't like how Randall looked upon his sister, but there was nothing he could do about it at the moment. He couldn't offend Randall again.
“We can defend ourselves against a few giants.”
“From the information we have picked up from Arnath's and the Cathian troops is that the Geoth's numbers reach to just over one hundred.”
“That's an interesting fact, but still not enough to persuade me.”
“You must realize that if Arnath wins this war, he will come and reclaim all of Serpa, including the Serpentine River and Serpentine Valley. You will lose the freedom that is recognized by the good kings of Eranithia. The truce that was made between our kings and yours will vanish.”
Randall sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees and rubbing his chin with one of his meaty hands. Seth looked at those huge mitts and thought they could snap even his neck if Randall could get a hold of him.
“I would hate for us to lose the freedom we do have,” Randall admitted. “But what gain is there for us if we join you? You will take back this land as well, will you not?”
“If you stay true to us, we will allow you to keep your great city,” Serina said, piping in.
Randall looked at her with that lustful look again, “Is that right, Princess?”
Serina kept herself calm and cool.
“Now, you two are twins right?” Randall asked.
They both nodded.
“Then why is it she looks so much younger?”
Serina smiled and said, “Have you not paid attention to what has been happening the past ten years? How my parents were murdered, and how they faked my death, then framed my dear brother for it?”
“I guess I don't get out much, seeing as I'm not to leave Serpa.”
“Well, I will catch you up on the past ten years then, Randall,” Serina said, still in her cool and calm voice. She told him the entire story of the murders of Damien and Seraphim, the enchanted sleep she had been under for ten years and how it was the prophesied twins who rescued her. She even told him how Seilnai was the twin sister of the pair who had rescued her and how Seilnai wasn't who she really was. Seilnai was an alias taken on by the evil inside her. She explained to him how over the past year and a half, she has aged four years to catch up to where she should be.
“That's quite the story,” Randall admitted.
“Here is our promise to you, great ruler of Serpa,” Serina said, buttering him up. “We will allow you to stay in control of Serpa, and to even run it as you see fit, if you will pledge your allegiance to us, and join our forces with whatever men you can bring. We will provide protection for you and all who join our side and give you your land back after the war is through.”
“That's pretty impressive, however, there is still the problem of being under Eranithian control.”
“It's better than losing all control if Arnath wins. Your land is beautiful, and he wants more for himself. He doesn't care who he hurts to get what he wants,” Seth said. He could feel his face turning red as it grew hot with frustration.
Randall grinned at him, seemingly pleased at Seth's frustration. Suddenly they heard a commotion outside. They all stood and stepped outside the door. Karis and Arland looked as if they were about to burst in to warn them about something.
Down the road they saw Seilnai's troops spreading throughout the streets. They weren't attacking the citizens of Serpa, but tossing gold pieces to them. They were bribing the Serpians to join their side!
“Now, that's something hard to argue with. Gold,” Randall said, “is the one thing any Serpian can understand.”
Seth's blood ran cold as his stomach sank and his heart raised into his throat. How would he win the Serpians now? Seth grabbed the hilt of his sword as Seilnai came towards them, slowly making her way up the steps of the porch.
“Randall, is it?” Seilnai asked sweetly. Seth could hear the voice of Jennifer in there somewhere.
“Why yes, ma'am, you are correct.”
“May I have a word with you?”
He looked to Seth and gave him a wink, saying, “Thanks for stopping by, Seth. It was great catching up.”
Seth stared at him, dumfounded at what had just happened. Seilnai must have played some sort of mind trick on him to allow this to happen. Suddenly he felt someone's hand on his arm. He turned and saw that it was Serina. She was pulling him away from the house.
“It's no use now. We've done all we can,” she said sadly.
Seth watched as Seilnai entered the house. She looked back with one evil grin, then closed the door behind her. Jennifer was lost forever, in Seth's mind. There was no way to bring her back. What could they possibly do to bring Jennifer back to them?
Seth walked away with his small guard. Some of the Underworld creatures tried to attack them, but they were tossed away by an unseen force. Seth assumed it to be Serina.
Nice toss, he said to her.
That wasn't me, she said. Sol is protecting us while we're in Serpa. As we were walking in, I noticed a couple arrows flying for us but before I could repel them, they flew back into the hands of their owners.
Seth had no idea that Sol had protected them like he had, but Seth also didn't care at the moment. He was full of self-pity and self-doubt. He doubted they would win the war now. Randall would lead all of Serpa to Seilnai's army. She would more than likely have them turned into werewolves or vampires. Jennifer was lost forever to Seilnai, there was no hope in bringing her back to light. Seth believed that the light in her head that was all the good left of Jennifer was now out.

That night, as they slept around the campfire, Serina sensed someone approaching their camp. She found a pebble and threw it at Seth, hitting him square in the head.
“Ow!” He said, sitting up. “What was the meaning of that?”
“Someone is coming!” She whispered.
The rest of their camp stood, weapons ready to face their enemy. Serina searched with her mind for any thoughts of who was approaching. Then she met the mind of Randall. He had fifty men and their families with them.
How many are with you in all? Serina asked Randall.
Two-hundred. Sixty of them able to fight.
That is all you could bring? Serina asked.
“That's all that weren't swayed to Seilnai's side,” he said as they entered the light of the fire.
“What happened?” Seth asked, stepping up to Randall.
“She tried to turn my mind against me. I'm not as easily swayed as people might think,” he said.
“What about the rest?”
“Like I said, gold is hard to argue with,” he said sadly.
“Well,” Seth reached out his hand, “it is good to have you with us.”
Randall nodded then gave orders to his men to spread out around the fire and set up a perimeter to protect their families with. Serina started smaller campfires, surrounding the main one, for families to share and keep warm easier. Randall nodded his thanks to her.
“So, what made up your mind?” Seth asked him as they sat next to each other by the main fire.
“I could see the lies in her mind as she tried to control mine. However, there seemed to be a small light in there somewhere, conflicting with the darkness and the lies. I can't explain it, but it's like there was someone else inside her, like you were saying.”
Serina looked at Seth with a smile. Jennifer was still in there somewhere. Serina was impressed by how strong Jennifer was. Granted, Seilnai was doing horrible things, but the real Jennifer was still holding on! Still trying to be seen! Striving to be freed!
“But something else happened that I found strange,” Randall said.
“What is that?” Seth asked.
Serina looked at the man curiously as he explained himself.
“She suddenly screamed as a large scratch appeared on her face. It just came out of nowhere. Nobody hit her or anything. It just opened up and started bleeding.”
Serina looked at Seth who looked back at her with the same confused, but intrigued, look she was giving. What could this possibly mean? They both wondered at this mystery.

Eranithia: The Healing River: Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Mark watched as Jennifer went through her after school routine once again. This was the third day he'd been studying her. She was diligent in her exercises everyday. Arland had sent her a letter with a daily routine, Mark had sneaked into her room and found the letter, and she was following it to a T. She started with praying to Sol each day for all that was on her heart. Mark was the first one she always prayed for. He knew that with all they had gone through that first adventure in Eranithia, they had grown closer, but he hadn't realized how much she truly missed him during their separation. Seeing and hearing her pray for him touched him deeply.
After her prayers, she would go through Seth's stretches, then she would go through the training exercises Arland had prescribed her. First weaponless, then with a sword, then she would practice her archery.
Mark was impressed with how well she did, and how she never missed a day. Granted, it had only been three days, but he could tell she was determined to keep it up everyday. For one, she didn't know when she would be brought back into Eranithia, so she kept up her training to keep her in shape. Also, she wanted something to remind her of him and all their friends in Eranithia. It was a piece of their other world that she could hold onto.
There were times when she would take a break that Mark could see how down she was. He wished he could go out to her and comfort her. But he knew he couldn't interfere with the past. This was purely an educational trip. He had to observe her and learn what it was that connected her to her true self. What was it she held onto? What meant more to her than anything? Was it a memory of Arland? It had to be! She had fallen hard for him. But she rarely heard her mention him in her prayers.
Mark sighed as he laid back on the couch, staring at the ceiling as he listened to her as she trained. He knew his mother wouldn't bother Jennifer during this time; pretending she was doing something to hold onto a piece of Mark as she pretended he had run away from home. Then he started to wonder if that was something he would have actually done. Would Mark have run away from home if they had both returned from Eranithia? The Mark of now wouldn't have. He was older and had experienced much more. He was much more mature now. But would the Mark of then run away from home to teach his parents a lesson?
Sitting up again, he watched Jennifer spin and twirl through the air. Something about her movements seemed off, as if her powers weren't as strong in this world as apposed to Eranithia. Were they stronger there? Did they only have powers in Eranithia? Or was she just distracted? Of course, this was before her second trip into Eranithia, so her skills weren't quite as fine tuned as they were when they had brought her back. She still had about two months worth of training to go before she was back with him in Eranithia.
The longer she trained, though, the better and more fluid her motions became. She had finally found a rhythm to move to. Something in her face looked more confident. She suddenly looked at peace and in full focus. Mark thought she looked completely different in that moment, like something in her had clicked and she knew exactly what she was doing.
No wonder her powers were so strong when we brought her back to Eranithia. She'd been training flawlessly for nearly two months! Mark realized.
This was the precise moment Jennifer had realized the extent of her powers and abilities. Watching her train, Mark knew she would be a tough match for him in battle. He believed she would even be able to best him in a fight. There had to be something he could do to bring her back out of Seilnai's mind, if not to have his sister back, but so he wouldn't have to face her in a fight.
After a couple hours of training, Jennifer went inside to get cleaned up for dinner, then to do her homework. Mark crept out of the pool house and followed her into the house, careful not to let her see him. The first thing Jennifer did was grab her pajamas, then she went straight into the bathroom she and Mark used to share to take a shower. He could hear her crying from down the hall. His heart ached to comfort her, to tell her that everything was going to be okay. But he knew that wasn't true. In two short months she was going to be pulled into Eranithia from the middle of her English class only to discover in the Cave of Truth that she would have to hand herself over to Arnath to save the lives of her friends.
Mark sat on the top step of the staircase, saddened by his predicament. Here he was, only feet away from his sister, someone he loved wholeheartedly, but he couldn't do anything to keep her from feeling the way she did. He knew in the long run it was best for her, but Mark was having a hard time keeping himself from knocking on the door of the bathroom to talk to her.
He didn't know when it had happened, but the water was off and she was coming out of the bathroom. The door was unlocking and the knob was turning. His heart pounding rapidly, Mark jumped to his feet and darted for the closet at the top of the stairs. He threw the door open, stepped inside and quietly pulled it shut not a second before Jennifer came out of the bathroom. He heard her bedroom door shut, but to be safe, he didn't open the door to check if she was in her room. Something told him she might have seen or heard the closet door shut.
Sinking as far into the closet as he could, Mark listened carefully for any footsteps. Suddenly the door flew open, spilling the hall light into the once dark closet. Mark was thankful for the coats that kept him hidden. He just hoped that whoever had opened the closet door wasn't looking for him. There was no doubt his legs were visible to anyone searching for an intruder. The coats separated and there stood a blond woman staring straight at him, blue eyes piercing through the darkness.
“Mark?” His mother asked in a whisper. “What are you doing in here?”
“I was just watching Jennifer like I'm supposed to be doing, but I didn't hear the water turn off. I hid in here before she could see me.”
She sighed then said, “I'll try and sneak you out of here, but you better stay quiet or she'll find you.”
“I know, and I can't let that happen. If she finds me, her memory will enter Seilnai's mind and she'll kill my body in Eranithia, which will kill me here.”
“I'll come and get you once it's safe,” she said.
“Well, she doesn't come out much anymore. The only time she's not in her room is for dinner and to train.”
“That's if she even comes down for dinner. Sometimes I have to bring her food, and even then she doesn't always eat.”
Mark's head drooped. He hated seeing his sister so down, especially if there was nothing he could do about it.
“I'm sorry, honey. I didn't mean to make this harder on you.”
“No, you didn't do anything. I just need to find what it is she's attached herself to so I can break her from this poisoning Arnath has inflicted on her mind in Eranithia.”
His mother looked sadder than ever. The look on her face made him hate his uncle more and more. She never looked more hurt than she did in that moment. Every time she saw Mark, the reality of what was happening seemed to sink in deeper with her. He couldn't stand seeing the pain on her face as she turned away and shut the door, hiding him in the closet.
About three hours later, the house had become very quiet. The hallway light was off making the closet pitch black. Mark couldn't see his hand in front of his face. He waited a few more minutes before venturing into the hallway. He extended his mind to Jennifer's room, careful to block his presence from her. She was asleep. It was safe to sneak back out to the pool house.
As quiet as he possibly could, Mark opened the closet door and stepped out into the hallway. The house was completely dark, but he was used to walking around in dark places in Eranithia. The winter nights were dark with the moon and stars typically blocked by the thick clouds that brought them snow.
Mark slowly but surely made his way down the stairs to the sliding glass door to the backyard. He looked back at the keypad next to the door leading to the garage. The red blinking light told him that the alarm was set. He thought hard about what the code might be. He couldn't remember for the life of him. He tiptoed to the keypad and stared at it, hoping the number combination would come back to him.
Suddenly a hand grabbed his shoulder. Spinning around quickly, he grabbed the hand and spun the attacker around, pinning him to the wall. But it wasn't a man, it was a woman.
“Mom!” He whispered.
“Sorry, honey. I didn't mean to scare you,” she said with her face pressed against the wall.
He let go immediately and began apologizing, “I'm sorry, you just startled me. I guess I don't know my own strength.”
“It's okay, honey. I dealt with worse in Eranithia,” she said turning and facing him. Then she turned back to the keypad and punched in the alarm code. A soft triplet of beeping announced that the house was disarmed.
“Thanks, Mom,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.
“There's a plate of food waiting for you in the microwave out there. It should still be warm.”
He smiled at her and said, “Thank you, Mom. I really appreciate you helping me like this.”
She smiled back at him then shooed him out the door. Mark ran across the backyard and entered the pool house quickly and quietly. He didn't bother turning on a light, he didn't want to attract any attention to himself in the pool house, especially from Jennifer. The less she knew about his presence in their home world, the better.
Mark crossed the main room to the small kitchen and pulled the plate of food out of the microwave. It had been a long time since he'd had any of his mother's home cooked meals. The past few days had been a real treat. The first night was her beef stew, which was one of his favorites. Last night had been pork chops, vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes. Tonight, chicken, seasoned broccoli and mac and cheese. His favorite.
Sitting at the coffee table in the pool house, Mark set his dinner down and prayed to Sol his thanks for the meal. As soon as he was done praying, he began stuffing his face with his favorite home-cooked dish. As he ate, a blue glow suddenly appeared in front of him. Looking up from his meal, he saw Sol sitting on the sofa across from him, grinning.
“Enjoying your meal, Mark?” Sol asked kindly.
“Yes, thank you. Aside from the daily beatings I receive from another world, this has been the best mission you've given me yet,” Mark said.
Sol laughed and said, “I'm glad you're enjoying the food. I know it's hard to come across a good meal during wartime.”
Mark nodded as he stuffed another large piece of chicken into his mouth.
“So, what have you learned about Jennifer?” Sol asked.
Mark looked up at Sol again, finished chewing, then said, “She's very diligent in everything she does.”
“Yes, but what else?”
Mark was at a loss for words. He still had no idea what he was looking for.
“Okay, tell me this. What is her routine when she gets home from school each afternoon?” Sol asked.
Mark set his fork down and thought about Jennifer's daily afternoon routine.
“The first thing she does is pray to you,” he said.
“What does she pray about?”
“She prays about everything, giving each thing the same amount of time in prayer.”
“It's not about how much time is spent praying over something, but how fervently she prays for certain things. What does she pray most passionately about?”
Mark stared at the coffee table. His mind was drawing a complete blank. He couldn't think of anything in that moment.
“I want you to do this, Mark. It should help you figure out what you need to learn much quicker. Listen to her prayers. Listen to how she prays, not for how long she prays about something. Listen to her heart. I know you know how to do that.”
Mark looked at Sol speechless. He knew how to listen to someone's heart?
“Yes, you do, Mark. The way you love those close to you is proof you know how to listen to their heart with your own.”
“But what about the proverb saying that the heart is more deceitful over anything?”
“It is true, but when you learn how to listen with my heart, as you have learned to do better than you realize, then it can't lie to you, because it is my heart speaking, not your own. Tomorrow, listen carefully to her prayers.”
“I will,” he promised.
“Good, enjoy your meal, Mark. The sooner you learn what you need to, the sooner your mission here will be and the sooner you can save your sister from Seilnai.”
And with those final words, Sol vanished from Mark's sight. However, Mark knew that didn't mean Sol wasn't there. Sol was everywhere at all times.


Mark got as much rest as he could while staying in the pool house. He couldn't remember the last time he had slept on something as soft as that plush couch. The past year and a half had been full of sleeping on cold, hard ground. Clouds weren't much softer than the cushions he slept on.
He slipped into a dream, talking to Serina...

Mark walked towards the girl dressed in white. Her black hair blew in the gentle breeze, flowing behind her. She had her back to him, but he knew this girl. She was a sister to him. 
“Hello, Mark,” Serina said, turning to face him.
“Serina,” he said, stepping closer to hug her.
“Where are you?” she asked.
He smiled and asked, “Which one of me?”
Serina looked at him, confused. “Are there more of you running around? I'm sure we have our hands full with just one of you.”
Stepping past her, Mark looked out over the peaceful country of Eranithia. It was obviously in their minds, because Eranithia was at war, and it was the end of the winter season. The scene before him looked like mid-summer. The forests were lush and green, the rivers full with the snow runoff from the cold winter melting away. The Gar Mountains were always the last to give up their snow caps.
“Sol has me in a deep sleep in the dungeons of the castle. He also has me fully awake and living back in my old world, shortly after the separation Jennifer and I went through. I'm there in secret to find the key to unlocking Seilnai's mind to release Jennifer again.”
“You're the key, Mark.”
Mark turned back to Serina.
“Me?”
“Yes, I saw inside of Seilnai's mind and saw a light in the darkness. I believe you were the memory Jennifer chose to protect a piece of her. You're the only one who can save her.”
He rubbed his chin where a small patch of hair was finally growing. It had taken a few years, but he was finally developing some facial hair.
“I think that's what Sol was trying to tell me without actually telling me last night. He said to listen to her prayers she prays before she starts her training everyday.”
“Do as Sol says and I'm sure you'll see that I'm right.”
“I will, Serina.”
She smiled at him then looked past him at Eranithia.
“I wish it was as peaceful as it is in our minds,” she confessed.
“Me too, Serina. Me too.”
“It will be, one day,” she said with hope.
“I believe that as well. How are things with you?”
“We're heading into Serpa soon. We're ahead of Seilnai from the looks of things. If we can sway the men of Serpa to our side, we will have a strong ally with them.”
“They could be a great asset, but they're unpredictable. We need to be careful aligning ourselves with criminals. They're not known for being very trustworthy.”
“No, they aren't typically, but how long do you think Serpa will stay separate from Eranithia if Arnath is allowed the amount of control he seeks?”
“That's a good argument. What are you offering them in return for their services?” Mark asked, stepping up next to Serina, crossing his arms behind his back.
“Freedom. The charges to their crimes will be dropped.”
Frowning, Mark said, “It'll probably work, but what if they abuse this offer?”
“Then new charges will be issued of their new crimes committed..”
Mark nodded, agreeing that it was a good idea.
“You should probably be waking up soon, Mark. You need to find out exactly what it is that will wake Jennifer again.”
“You're right. I'm sure we'll meet again, soon.”
She kissed him on the cheek, then the scene began to fade.


Mark woke up, sensing that Jennifer was near. He sat up and saw her sit in the grass. There she closed her eyes and began to pray. Concentrating hard, Mark listened to Jennifer's prayers.
“Sol, I never knew how hard this would be until we were separated. I knew it would be painful, but I feel like a piece of me is missing even though I carry a piece of him in my heart and mind always. Nothing could ever take my love for him away or make me forget him. I hope in this time we're apart, he grows in so many ways. I pray, Sol, that his love for you grows so much...”
Finally it hit Mark what it was that would bring Jennifer from the dark pits of Seilnai's mind. It was him! He was the key, like Serina was saying. He stepped away from the window to the center of the room. There he hit his knees in prayer to Sol.
“I understand, Sol. I am the one piece of her old self that will make her let go of Seilnai. Please, take me back to Eranithia so I can fulfill my destiny to bring Jennifer back to the light.”
Mark felt something in one of the pockets in the pants he wore. It was a folded up note from the day Jennifer had written back to him from their home world. The note was short and sweet saying simply that she loved him and that he would always be in her heart and mind. This note was just more confirmation that he was the only one who could bring Jennifer back.

Mark woke up to searing pain. The crack of a whip echoed throughout the room. He was yelling in pain. Mark knew he was back in Eranithia and Arnath was beating him. The beatings were easier to handle when all he had to deal with was the pain that would come while he was back in his home world.
“Nice of you to wake up, Mark,” Arnath said, stepping up to Mark, a grin spread across his face as he coiled his whip. “It's about time, too.”
“Sorry I kept you waiting,” Mark said, doing his best to block the pain.
“I hope you don't mind, but I got started without you.”
“No, that's fine. I wouldn't want to keep you from having fun.”
“Shall I continue then?” Arnath asked kindly.
Mark grinned back at him, “Actually, I wasn't sure if you'd really started or not.”
Growling, Arnath backed away and uncoiled the whip again. He didn't turn Mark around to whip his back more, but whipped him across the chest. Mark blocked the pain as much as possible, but didn't make a sound as Arnath continued his beatings.
“Is that all you got?” Mark asked when Arnath stopped after a few whippings.
Arnath gritted his teeth and whipped Mark again. A large gash opened up across Mark's chest, diagonally. Blood dripped down from the wound stretching from his left shoulder, across his chest and stomach, almost to his right hip. Arnath laughed in evil pleasure as Mark gritted his teeth and bore the pain. He couldn't let Arnath know how much it hurt. There was no way he could give Arnath that satisfaction. This would be his test. This would be his trial. This was how he would get through to Jennifer again.