Once Forgotten 1.4

Kurel entered her throne room, holding onto her love's arm. Kadrin emerged from a shadow across the room. He glanced up, then turned his attention to the young queen. He gave a bow of respect, then stood and observed her as she strode further into the room.

"I hope that I have not offended by bringing Roylen with me?" She asked, praying that he wouldn't be.

Kadrin was silent for a moment, then ignored her question entirely. "Your sister is far stronger than anything Kadic has told you."

"She's stronger than you?" Roylen voiced.

Kadrin chuckled. "In all honesty, it is not really a matter of who is stronger than who. When it comes to Overseers, we are all equals. It is all a matter of wits, reflexes, and endurance. Strength is really all a matter of opinion."

"Overseers? Who are they?" Kurel frowned.

Kadrin was silent for a while. "Tell me, young queen, do you believe in myths? I certainly do. Whole lost civilizations. Knowledge so deadly that all who knew it were wiped out. Machinations so powerful and deadly that they were buried because they could not be destroyed."

"What is the point of all this? What has any of that to do with Sari?" Roylen pressed.

Kadrin turned to him, surprise echoed in his movements. "Why everything, favored of the queen. Believe it or not, but Sari is a part of that world. She was born into it, she has grown up surrounded by it and now it is simply time for her to fully enter into that which she was born for." He walked the edges of the room, inspecting the paintings and relics of the past that were displayed.

"Born into it? I once knew a boy who had said something of the same thing. He said that he had been born into a world he wanted no part of. His name was Brint. Have you crossed paths with him in your travels?" She asked, struggling to keep a grip on her emotions.

"Brint..." Kadrin echoed softly. "Yes, I may have met one by the name once or twice. He was a brave lad. Strong too."

"And do you know his fate?" Roylen asked, keeping a comforting grip on Kurel's hand.

"No, I'm afraid I do not." Kadrin turned to them. "But I suppose that he is still out there, somewhere. He is a fighter." He turned back to the displays and continued his progress about the room. "It is said that the kings of old held power. Your sister is confirmation of that. As I told her, so too shall I tell you: power flows through your veins. For centuries, possibly even millennia, it has lain dormant, waiting for one to feel its presence."

Kurel frowned. "If this...power has been dormant for so long, then why hasn't it revealed itself before? Why now? Why Sari?"

Again, Kadrin was silent. "We all have our role to play in life. Whether we realize it or not, we all have some meager significance. Some more than others, of course, but the point remains. And yet, we are still so insignificance within the confines of time."

"And if one is outside the confines of time?" Kurel asked.

Kadrin turned to her. "Then you enter the realm of gods, goddesses, and immortals."

Silence fell upon them. Kurel's voice caught in her throat. "When....when will you be leaving?"

"As soon as your sisters gathers everything that she wants to take with her." He turned to fully face her. "It is how it must be."

"Will....will..." she turned away, unable to voice her question. Kadrin turned away.

"I cannot promise you anything. Whether you ever see her again or not, I do not know. But there is always a chance you will." He said quietly. "I am sorry that this is happening, but I will take care of her. No ill will befall her while she is my charge." With that said, he turned and slipped into the shadows. Kurel broke down and fell into Roylen's arms, sobbing.
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Sari stood in her room. Kadrin had told her to gather her things. She went through her belongings, thinking over each item logically. Her spell books and charms she cast aside. She had a feeling Kadrin would scold her for carrying such "petty magic" about. Instead, she gathered a few treasured items, an angel necklace she had had since she was six, and her mage's staff. She glanced over her room one last time, then she turned and left. With a whirl, she threw her cloak about her shoulders. She had dressed as a traveler would, her clothing a mixture of earthy tones. Her cloak was a dark, forest green, with a hood. She headed down the passage, the Palace workers pausing in their work to watch her pass. She entered the foyer. Kadrin appeared next to her.

"Are you ready?" He asked. She nodded, to nervous to speak. He nodded. "Good. We need to make a quick stop before we leave the city. From there, we head out."

She followed him, not daring to look behind her. When she finally looked up, it was before a small run down shop. She frowned. "What are we doing here?"

Kadrin chuckled. "Just a quick visit to an old friend." They entered the shop. No one was in the front, but they could here someone working in the back. The old shop keeper emerged again. He frowned.

"You shouldn't have brought her here." He said, giving a small frown.

"And why is that? She will know soon enough about you. You know how these things go." Kadrin responded. "I take it she is the one you spoke of, Gartrand?"

Sari gasped. The two turned to her. Gartrand stepped closer to her, inspecting her even closer. "If I am not mistaken, you have heard of me, haven't you?" She nodded. He frowned and stroked his beard. "And how, pray tell, did you ever find out about me? Speak, girl, where have you heard of me before?"

"There was a book in the Palace's library. I-It spoke of you, but..." She broke off.

He raised an eyebrow. "But...?"

She shook her head. "But...it said that you lived over two centuries ago. That's...that's impossible!"

Gartrand chuckled. "Oh, yes, you're absolutely right! Living for centuries, it's all just a myth." He allowed his laughter to die down. "You've got a lot to learn, girl. You've entered a whole new world the minute you called him here." He pointed at Kadrin. "And as for you, I wonder if you're even capable of training her. I know your viewpoints. Are you sure the world can handle another follower of your beliefs?"

"That will be entirely up to her. And at least I try to make a difference." Kadrin shrugged. Gartrand's face darkened.

"That was low, my old friend. You damn well know that I tried to make a difference once. Then he came. He destroyed everything that I had worked to build." The old man seemed to shrink.

"You can have it all back, Gartrand. That is what I have trying to get across. All that was before he ever came, we can have it all again. The peace you created can be brought back. We have more supporters this time. More who are loyal to our cause." Kadrin insisted.

Gartrand shook his head. "Are you insane? He would never allow it!"

Kadrin sighed. "He can't even kill me. Oh, he's tried, many times. I've always gotten through his traps and his henchman."

Gartrand sighed and leaned against the counter. "So, where are you headed then?"

"To the Kingdom of the Six Nations. I am head to meet with Queen Dylan." Kadrin answered.

Gartrand smiled. "Still trying to win Flamian over are you?" He chuckled. "You know, that may be why we just might win this time. You're too damn stubborn for your own good! Now, off with you! I've had enough of you to last me years!"

Kadrin bowed (Sari followed his example) and exited the shop. He turned to his new apprentice. "Now, are you ready for this?" She nodded. "Then let's head out." With that, he turned and led her away from everything she had ever known.