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Chehesapeak Focus Sight

By: Fruanc J.H.

The town was called Chehesapeak. Odd name I admit, but then the place we were in was unusual in and of itself The buildings appeared to sag as if they might cave in on themselves at any given moment. Its population was not much better. The stranger and I didn't really stand out all that much. The garb was as out dated and foreign, as the stranger's. There were lots of browns, grays, and greens, as well as black, with the occasional white garb. All of these filled the street before us. The men it seemed went about in pants, and only pant's in most cases. Women were no better, being even more scantly clad. Most sported faded gowns, that seemed to be falling off of them, or clinging to there every curve. This was initially all that could be seen, in way of the places populace. But we did appear to be in the out skirts of Chehesapeak.

This part in particular, looked to be especially run-down. Were this a port it would have been the equivalent of a shipyard slum, on a waterfront only, without the water front. The train depot, a run down, rusted building, consisted of four walls, and tin roof. It's poor state of repair bordered on the offensive, What with the broken benches and collapsed ticket information desk sign. The entire structure looked on the brink of collapse leaning dangerously toward the tracks. A good gust of wind would probably push it right over.

I looked to the Stranger for Directions "Which way?" I asked. He nodded towards the widest of the roads.

Taking the main street, I put my arms protectively around the iron lantern. The stranger took his bag back, and unsheathed both his blades. Causing people to give us a wide birth. Smart move on their part, because I wouldn't put it past the stranger to cut down anyone, who made a wrong move. The shops, and townhouses looked dark, unoccupied, and filthy. The one on our immediate left, pealed what may have been white wash, at one point in time. Lack of attention, and care, however had allowed things to decompose. Flaking off yellow paint, that may have been white at some point, now powdered the street edge, like freshly fallen snow. Make that freshly fallen "yellow" snow. The building one street down, had a number of broken windows, and a part of the roof had collapsed. How did this stuff happen, to a town? Thinking back I remembered what father told me before I'd left for the station, earlier that morning. "Don't be surprised if your surroundings are in pain, to the underworld, pain is it's treasure, and it has a way of hoarding it up." I think now I began to understand, just what father had meant .

We headed on, past a storefront window that looked in need of a good washing, both inside, and out. The green slime around the edges of the window panes aside, some of the places we passed, needed to just be plain cleaned out. The displays contained anything from an assortment of rusty weapons, to a full human skeleton.

I stopped looking at my surroundings after that, watching the people around the stranger, and me instead. The garb had changed drastically. So much so, that I'm surprised I didn't pick up on it right off. Men in full length... robes? The woman dressing in modest single colored gowns. What kind of mixed up place was this?

We took a left now. And the apparel sifted again. From medieval to garishly bright colored shirts, with puffed sleeves, striped between orange cream, to a sleek purple, yellow on green, blue on pink! Woman wore red skirts, with multiple aprons, a blouse, and headscarf's, of one fashion, or another. In addition to the odd shirts, and aprons, both men, and woman had piercings. Many piercings, in a good number of places, which I will not mention beyond the ears, and nose, I couldn't help but stare. A large man, with an ugly scar running down the right side of his bearded face, noticed me staring at him to long, and advanced on me barking out.

"You find me interesting, runt!" I dropped my eyes and shook my head.

"No?" He said, standing before me now, not noticing the stranger behind him.

"Well I find you boring." He said, shoving me backwards. The confrontation was starting to draw some attention.

"I think you could stand to look a little more interesting." He grabbed my shirtfront then, pulling me closer to his greasy body. He reeked of smoke, beer, and sweat. Turning to another man, who he had been talking with before he caught me staring, he beckoned to him.

"Hey! Mack! What do yah think?" He said, drawing a long cruel looking knife from his belt as he did so.

"How about a good ol scar on that young face!" His friend, a taller equally burly bearded man, in a sleeveless vest, looked me up and down. Looking beyond me, he saw that his friend was in over his head.

"Eh, he could use a little personality, but why should you waste your time given it to em?" Said the man who'd been called Mack, in dismissal to us, smartly trying to end the situation.

"But he was looken at me funny like. Kid'sa gotta learn to respect their superiors." Said the first man, whining like some child, who new he wasn't getting what he wanted. The bigger man called Mack was walking over now.

"Let him go Darl, he ain't worth it." Putting a hand on the shorter mans shoulder, again he tried to dissuade him. "Let's get another drink en yah, you'll feel better after dat." The man called Darl seemed to like this idea, a good deal drunk as it was.

"Hold on a sec dis ol only takes a minute." Bringing the knife up, he moved it toward the left side of my face. I pulled back, but it was no good. Holding me off balance by my shirt front, and raising his knife with the other, the blade started to descend. What could I do, with my hands occupied, and not daring to drop the lantern, I couldn't even shield my face. Closing my eyes I waited for the imminent pain of cold steel slicing my face. Then something happened.

'NO!'

The man called Darl stepped back, as if from a physical blow.

'GO HAVE YOUR DRINK!'

As if struck by a spur of the moment inspiration, the man called Darl, turned to the larger man called Mack.

"How bout anudder drink, Mack?" The man called Mack looked relieved.

"Now you're talking sense." He said, proceeding to steer Darl away from us, and in the direction of the nearest tavern door. The man called Mack gave Darl a shove, in the doors direction, passing him two coins.

"You order dah drinks, and find us a table, I'll catch up." Turning back to us he nodded to the stranger, who nodded back and then turning on his heal the stranger started walking again. The man called Mack fell into step beside me. I didn't look at him, or anyone else as we walked on in silence. That only seemed like it would be asking for more trouble. We didn't have far to go, just around the next corner, and we were there.

The tavern was not entirely run down, but it looked close. The paint of course was pealing, having clean flaked away in some spots. The sign above the door displayed the picture of a tankard, with a crescent moon on its side. The words: The Silver Tankard Were painted in spidery letters, across the top of the sign. And in the window was another like the first, with the message of: Rooms Available. I got the feeling I'd be sharing rooms with these two, for the next month, or more.

We entered through the front door, into a low ceilinged, poorly lit room with a miss matched jumble of chairs, and tables. The tavern was near deserted, with only a few of the most loyal patrons, or those to plastered to rise, occupying the rooms far corners. The stranger gestured us to a table in the corner of the room, that remained unmanned. Taking our seats, I made to ask what this was all about, but he silenced me with a look in the way from before.

'LATER.' His eyes said, in a way that resounded in my head, like an echo. The bartender, a fat balding man with a full hazelnut colored beard, dressed in a dark shirt, with a maroon vest over it, meandered over to our table to take our order. The man had on a white apron over everything stained from a spill. Brown pants, and boots completed his wardrobe.

Now I'm not much good at reading people unless things are obvious, and the moment the bartender spotted the stranger, bullets began streaming down his face.

"May I g-get you anything to drink s-sirs?" He said unsteadily trying to keep his nervousness out of his voice. It wasn't working. I am not sure of this, but I believe he recognized the stranger.

His looking overly long at him, as though it were some kind of wild animal that sat before him, and not a man, was what gave me the tip off. The stranger didn't seem to notice, and standing up, he slapped the man on the back saying. "Come now my old friend, is that any way to greet your Patron?" The bartender cringed from the touch, trying to look now as if he were confused by the strangers overly familiar air.

Trembling slightly, he said . "I'm s-sorry sir, but I don't know w-what you mean." The stranger's face, which a moment ago had been open and friendly, darkened now with an intensity to rival his usual glower. The stranger rose from the table, the old bartender practically cowering. He was caught then in another of the strangers disarming stares.

'THE BACK ROOM, NOW.' Standing erect the bar tender stopped trembling, his muscles seemingly working against his will. He turned, and walked to the bar going behind it, then the stranger followed him. I did too, and so did the man called Mack. We went through a back door, into a dark room. The bartender lit a candle that rested on a pewter candlestick. This lit up the table, and not much else. Lighting three additional candles, the man turned his back to the far wall, seemingly coming back into himself. As the stranger advanced on him then, he retreated until he was pressed flat against the back wall.

"P-Please, M-Maric it's n-not m-my f-f-fault. It's n-nothing p-p-personal against you, I s-swear it." Whimpered the cowering barkeeper. Maric as the stranger had been called, came to stand in front of him. The man turned his head away from Maric, only to have a firm hand under his chin, turning it back to face that all-piercing gaze. Studying the man for what seemed like forever, he finally released his hold on him, giving him a gentle pat on the cheek.

"In all our years together, have I ever let anyone hurt you, or your family?" the voice was kind, the posture easy now. The bartender shook his head, calmed by Maric's words.

"Be easy, Robert, I won't bring harm on you, or yours." This reassured the man, and letting out an audibly ragged sigh. He leaned forward, into Maric's shoulder. The stranger being a tall guy, the other man began to cry! Putting an arm around the older man Maric began to steady him, saying then.

"But some one has threatened you, and promised to hurt yours if you harbor me, haven't they." The older man nodded into Maric's shoulder Giving a large sob.

"Shhh." Maric whispered. "You can tell me when you're ready." Maneuvering the man over to a chair, and sitting him down in it, he turned to us.

"Mack take the boy up to my room. I'll join you when I'm ready." Turning to me, he smiled wanly.

"Start a fire and put the lantern in it, don't open it." I nodded quickly, understanding his request to be command.

"Good lad." He said passing his bag to Mack. We left and headed for the stairs, Mack keeping me in front of him. The landing was dim like the tavern bellow. The hall that stretched its full length lined with three doors, had a fourth one at the halls end. This was to be our room apparently. Fishing a large rusted key out of the stra... Maric's bag. Mack inserted it into the lock, and gave it a twist. From the sound of things the lock that held the door closed was of a heavy make. Pushing the oaken door open with his hand, the hinges squeaked loudly in protest, as if crying out for a good oiling.

Maybe I'd expected the place to be brighter, but it wasn't. The windows were shuttered, only allowing a sliver of light to penetrate the gloom, through a slight niche at the bottom, and top, of the barred portals. Shoving me forward indifferently without a word, Mack closed and locked the door, removing the key to place it in his pocket. We were momentarily plunged into near utter darkness. Then with the crack of the shutters, being pushed open, to smack against the outside walls, sunlight flooded the room. Revealing with its golden rays, the room that I would be spending a lot of time in from now on.

Like the key that opened and closed it, the room was of another time all together. As though the tavern bellow had been an after thought, or addition in recent years, to this piece of a structure that had long proceeded it. The paneling was dark walnut, as was the flooring. All the furniture was covered over in white sheets, to keep the dust down I imagined. The two windows, both of which looked out onto the street bellow, were swathed with long, faded, green, moth-eaten, drapes. As for the bed, well it was king sized, four posted, with more mottled-green drapes, to conceal whomever slept there in darkness. On the back wall, was the only white curtain in the place, that wasn't covering a chair or table. Upon further inspection, I saw that it hid a bathtub, that looked big enough to fit at least four full-grown people. By the bed there was a small side table, hard wood of course, as well as a wash stand, and mirror. For faster washings I suppose. On the opposite side of the bed, there rested a large wardrobe, and dresser. About every wall was occupied with something or other. If it wasn't bookshelves it was a mirror, or a desk covered with more of those white sheets. Remembering my task to get the lizard heating up, which I had practically forgotten, in my taking in the room. I turned about in search of a fireplace, there were none in sight. Looking to Mack, I asked. "Where's the fire place?"

Jerking his thumb at a bookshelf back by the bath, he grunted. "Should be a knob over der." I looked, there was one in fact part of the bookcase. I turned it gingerly, it rattled as I twisted it, and then the shelf swung inward. It was a whole other room, smaller by half, and of similar design. It was however made of stone, and bore several moth eaten tapestries, instead of hard wood paneling.

The fireplace couldn't be missed, seeing how it dominated the entire back wall. A wood stack sat next to it, along with a tinderbox, and kindling. Making for this I set the lantern down to build the fire, stacking the dry wood with kindling appropriately, and then arranging the kindling. I took the tinderbox in hand, and began to strike sparks onto the pile, until flames took. Careful not to extinguish the small glows, I blew on them, encouraging the slow golden mass to spread out, steadily watching as it climbed upward to lick the larger timbers. Satisfied with my work, I put the lantern on a kettle hook just above the flames. A rustling from inside, followed by a soft chirp, spoke of the creatures stirring. For a brief moment, I had a bit of a dilemma, unsure whether this was to hot for the little creature. What would Maric do if I were to get it to hot? I knew the answer to that question I realized.

He was kind enough to people he knew, in a ruff sort of manner. But I was just a mere boy, that he'd happened to encounter in his travels. No one in this place would bat an eye, if I were to suddenly not show up for breakfast one morning. My parents, and grandmother would notice after two months, or if I didn't show up to my job. If the man I would have been working for, got around to informing them of this fact. Frantic I looked around to the one door, in and out of the room. Mack was watching me, leaning on the door frame as he did. "How hot should I let this get?" I asked nervously.

He shrugged. "Heck if I know." Fortunately, I was saved from having to make an error, for the stranger, Maric, had entered the room. Coming in through the main room, he turned to look at the fire going in the adjoining chamber, with the lantern hanging above the flames.

He nodded. "Nice work John." He said, using my name with a satisfied smile. "When the fire burns low you can put the lantern down in the embers." Mack walked out of the door way, and into the larger bedroom to start uncovering the furniture.

Coming into the room, and lifting a sheet off one of two red comfortable looking armchairs, that sat next to the fire, Maric seated himself making a steeple with his fingers. He was looking at me now, and it was more than a little uncomforting to be observed in this way. Like a wolf examining its prey. The cold sweat from earlier on was back again, running down my spine while I tried to look as though I were tending the fire, unaware of his tense scrutiny.

"Come here and let me get a good look at you John." Standing awkwardly I went and stood before him. He looked me up and down, studying my frame and features. Perhaps it was the play of the fire light, but his eyes looked unnaturally large in this lighting. They flashed gold for a moment... I think.

Blinking to clear my own eyes, I shook my head and looked again. They were still blue, with an eerie green tint that was the affect of the fire. I had just been seeing things.

An easy grin split his ivory face, melting the dark accents of his brows. Reaching out a hand, he took my right arm, and lifted the sleeve of my off-white shirt. I was fairly tanned, from working in the sun on a regular basis at home. His white hand holding mine as he examined my wrist, and forearm only stressed the fact all the more. "You do any sword fighting or archery?" He asked me, genuine curiosity on his face.

I shook my head, but did inform him with an. "I've had some practice with a quarter staff." To my preference in fighting styles. His face, which had reverted to the usual mask, lightened some, and he nodded. "Would you care to show Me?"

Knowing once again that it was a politely phrased command, I nodded, but then asked "Where at exactly?" He smiled at this, his wolfish smile, this time speaking of secrets that little pups would not know, unless he wished to share them. He did apparently wish to share this one however. Having released my hand when he asked the question, that had brought us to this. I backed out of his way, going to stand by the fireplace as he rose from his chair, and walked over to one of the book shelves. Moving a musty old tome that faced its broader expanses out towards us aside, he revealed yet another knob. like the one that led to this room it situated itself as part of the bookshelf. I took in a breath of air. It tasted of old books and smoke.

"Would you like to see what's left of my families estate here?" He asked a mischievous bent in his voice now. Stalk still, I stood there, not sure whether I did, or not. He turned the knob and gave the bookcase a light shove. Swinging inward as the other bookcase had, this one was on silent hinges. The distinct sound of moving air, whistled at us from within the dark passage.

"Get us some candles and I'll show you around." Had this not been another command I would have stayed where I was, but his voice compelled me to compliance. There were several candlesticks on the mantle of the fire, and I took those. Lighting their ancient bees-wax rods in the fire, before handing one to him. Turning to the bookshelf door by which we'd entered, he hollered back to Mack.

"Close the door would yah, me and the boy will be taking a turn in the inner wings." Mack appeared at the door momentarily.

"Should I call for a meal?" Mack sounded hopeful, he looked it too.

Smiling again with what looked like genuine emotion, this time amusement, Maric said in an easy going tone "Sure Mack, but get us some meat if you're going to all right." The bigger mans face split in a wide grin.

"What do you want for drinks?" He asked again, like this was turning into a dinner party of sorts.

"I'll take care of that, I was thinking we might crack open one of the old family whites, or did you want red?" The bigger man was nodding with approval.

"Whatever pleases you." And with that he closed the bookshelf. Putting the room into candle and fire lights unusual golden hues.

"All right then let's get going." The room we entered was actually a stair well leading strait down in a winding spiral. The room was made entirely of stone, as was the stairway. The floor had a thick layer of dust covering it over smoothly, which our descending foot steps stirred into swirling clouds. It was almost like fog before it settled after our passing. There was little in way of vermin, or cobwebs, and the stairwell looked as if it had remained untouched for a century. When we'd gone about a floor down, the spiral opened up onto a small landing immediately across the length of which lay another spiral heading farther down. Walking to the second stair-well, I noticed that a portion of the brick on the right wall looked newer than the surrounding material. Like an entrance had been bricked off a while back.

A hand on my shoulder giving a squeeze told me that I'd stopped, which I hadn't realized, and that I should keep going. Moving quickly not wanting to incur Marics wrath, I hurried on to the second stair case to begin the second decent.

The lower landing we came to was like the stairwells; in way of dust. But unlike the stairwell, it had some furnishings. More wall hangings as from the first stone room, also the dark wooden furnishings mirrored the upper levels, but unlike with the upper two rooms, these ones had a worn look to them. Like they'd seen much use in an age long past; never being repaired. Some of the furniture was broken, tossed down to the floor, to lie in a shattered state of disarray. Like a great urgency had been present to leave, at the time of it's destruction.

Sensing the question in my examination of the visual state of things, Maric answered my question before I asked it. "It happened about eighty one years ago, when an invading army seeking to take this land for themselves came, raiding, and pillaging. They burnt most of the town. Large estates like my grandparent's were included, and this is all that remains." He paused allowing the effect to sink in. Still looking around me, I noticed that among the rubble, there also lay a number of weapons. A broken spear lay at my feet. I reached for it, but his hand on my shoulder stopped me. "Please leave it." I did as he asked the question why torturing me.

"I leave it this way as a memorial to those of my family that perished here, my little cousin will do with it what he wants when the inheritance passes to him, but until that time it remains as is." The firmness in his voice finalizing the statement, as if to speak it true, that any who would so dare, ought to challenge it and be slain. His mood lightened then "The wine however is a different matter." He laughed then. "I'm sure my ancestors won't miss a few bottles." I smiled at this, and we continued walking down the hallway we were in. entering a much larger room I had to look around yet again. This room had the look of a main living space. A fireplace sat on the wall to our left. Logs burnt, and not, laying inside it. The table before the fire looked like it had been a dining table. Silver and cutlery still lay scattered upon it, and the floor. On the right wall was another door way, and what looked like it may have been at one time a kitchen. The far wall was home to some number of bunk beds, made and not. The overlying theme of the place looked to be dust. This wall also had a doorway in it, which we took. Another stairway lay beyond the door, going strait like the ones I was accustomed to. This stair lead us down to another hallway, going left, and right. Taking the left way, we passed through another door on the left side of the hall, directly opposite another which led down another stairway. The room we entered was small, but lined with shelf upon shelf many of which still held their contents. Obviously, this was where the wine had been and still was stored.

Going to one of the shelves located at the back of the room, Maric took down two black looking bottles. Handing me one he turned, and we went out the door of the wine room, and came to stand at the base of the stairs leading back to what had been the main living quarters.

"Hmmm," Maric mused pausing, "perhaps I should..." He trailed off and started up the stairway.

"Tell me john, do you have a head for archeology?" He looked at me as if expecting a response. I could only stare back.

"You don't have a clue what that is, do you?" I shook my head.

"Well I had better explain it then." He continued walking taking us through the living space and back to the hall, we had come in through.

"Archeology is, well it's..." He paused again thinking. Then looking about him at the memorial to his ancestors a spark came to life in his eyes.

"Archeology is basically figuring out something that no one is around to show or tell you. Take this room for example. If I weren't here to tell you, what had happened here you would still be wondering what had happened. You follow me?" I paused considering the thought.

"I think so," I said coming to the conclusion that he was making sense so far.

"Well archeology is just that, had I not been here you would have had to find out what happened here on your own. And say for instance that there was a device you discovered down here. That you didn't know what it was for or did, you'd play around with it and make guesses as to what it was you'd found, right." I nodded, seeing that he was going somewhere with this.

"So you've found something like that and you're asking if I'd be interested in helping you guess what it is." His smile was sincerely warm as well as pleased.

"You catch on quick I see, and yes that's exactly what I'm asking. Are you interested?" I shrugged.

"Do I really have a choice." He smiled that wolfish grin again.

"Not exactly no, but it'd be much easier on all of us if you were willing to help." We began ascending the stairs then.

"I might as well, it's not like there's anything else interesting to do." We reached the top stair, and the room behind the bookcase. Setting his candle and bottle on the mantle, I did the same, and when I had, he took a fist full of my hair in hand. And bent my head back to look him in the eyes. His usual scowl was back now. His eyes had me and I heard what it was I'd been hearing all afternoon.

'FAIR WARNING.' He tugged my hair up, his voice ringing inside my head now 'DO NOT CROSS ME, FOR YOUR SAKE.' What was this? How was he doing this to me? I felt my limbs go limp and floppy, like boiled noodles. This wasn't right why was he able to shout in my head? Summoning what will power remained in me to control my limps I stood forcing my limbs to straiten even though they screamed for me to give into him. The effort caused me to shake violently but I was able to face him. 'get out of my head...' feeling my anger and revulsion come to a point my vision flashed red. He released my hair, nursing his hand as if it had been stung, or burnt. Staggering backwards I fell on my rump for the second time that day.

"You're stronger than you look." He said, studying me as he had before. I didn't sweat as I had earlier, but I still felt small, and wearied; looking up at him didn't really help either. But the moment ended; smiling he offered me a hand up. I didn't know that I should accept it though, after all it could be a trick. But deciding staying on Marics good side was in my best interest for survival I did take his hand.

Pulling me up like I weighed next to nothing, he laid a hand on my right shoulder to steady me this time. His features smoothed out. "Just don't betray me all right, can we agree to that?" He was compromising I think and I decided I'd push things a little farther before I agreed to anything.

"I will agree to nothing." I said. He began to have that dangerous look about him again. The one that reminded me, that no one would miss sixteen-year-old John kinsmen, in this town, or anywhere for the next two months at least. I decided I'd compromise with him too.

"At least not until I know what you're asking me to do, or be a part of." The dangerous look passed.

"Very well." He gestured to the red armchair he'd uncovered earlier, indicating I take it as he removed the white sheet from the one opposite it. He let the sheet fall to the floor. And taking off his cloak thing, which he'd worn since I first saw him. He tossed it over the back of his chair, and took a seat sighing.

"All right kid, what do you want to know?" With his cloak off now, I saw how he was able to conceal his swords so well. The scabbards, like the blades, curved to a certain extent. He had on a harness of some sort, which crossed them behind his back, curving them upward so they were out of his way, and didn't show. I also realized that he had two more knives at his waste, and probably more concealed in his pockets, or boots. He was also of a physique level that surpassed Mack by a long run.

Mack had a bit of a beer belly to him. While Maric was solid muscle. It felt like sitting across from death. This thought only accented by his pale skin, black, and grey leather clothing, as well as his assortment of scythe like knives, and swords. The cold sweat was back, but I forced myself to forget about it, and meet this man on his own level, which he was offering me a chance to do.

I hadn't been expecting to ask questions, that I would get answers to, so it was a blundering scramble to get words out. "What, um, what is it you want my help with?" The man smiled.

"I thought we covered that already. I was going to want your help in guessing what something was." I grimaced at the bluntness of my own question.

"I know that, what I meant to say was, what do you know of it? What does it look like? How big is it, what colors, stuff like that." The mans forehead wrinkled in frustration, serious thought smoldering in those blue eyes.

"It would probably be easier to show you." He stood, and walked over to the bookshelf, next to the one that opened into his "Inheritance." Reaching up to the top shelf, for a tome that looked older than the estate below, he continued.

"The thing is we know what were looking for, and where it's located, we just can't find it, or a way into the place where it is." Coming back to the chair with the book he sat down, and opened it thumbing through the pages until he found the one he was looking for.

Passing it then to me, he said. "This is loosely what it looks like." The page was yellow, crumbling at the corners. The drawing on the page was in black ink. Depicting a circle, surrounded by eight mound looking things with points at their top, and then another eight cylinders with a second set of the same mounds. Each cylinders had three spikes that supported a large circle disks, like a covering of sorts.

"What is it?" I asked having never seen anything like it before, all the places I'd been. These places were few in number true, but I considered myself decently well traveled.

"It's a focus sight," Maric said this like it was some great statement, that should have had me struck in awe. I wasn't however.

"A what?" I asked dumbly, a number of more questions rising up in me like what's that, what's it do, what's it for, etc... he saved me the trouble again, going into an almost lecture tone he began his explanation.

"A focus sight is an amplifier for the super natural. It amplifies, monitors, and regulates a balance of magic in nature." I must have been looking at him with a blank face, like all this was flying over my head, which it was, because he stopped and asked me.

"You do know what magic is, Don't you?" I shook my head, and he sighed.

"It's not an easy thing to explain but, well it's... It's kind of like a life force of some kind. Every living creature has a certain amount of it. Even you." Frowning I attempted to figure out what he was saying.

"So there's this force, that exists, and everyone has it?" He nodded saying.

"Yes, and some creatures have a larger amount in them, like me, and you and the fire lizard." I thought about this and then asked.

"But what's it good for, and if everyone has it do they need it to live or something?" It didn't take him long to answer.

"You don't need It to live exactly, but it can help you to stay alive. As for what its good for..." He trailed off, and then drew one of his smaller weapons. I jumped back in my chair at the sight of the blade, thinking he'd gotten tired of me and was about to get rid of me. My fear had no real foundation though, and as it turned out he cut himself instead. Slicing across his right palm. I watched with dark fascination as he did this, grimacing while crimson welled up from the cut on his hand.

"Watch this." He said. Raising his hand over his head. A blue light erupted from his sliced palm swelling to encompass his entire hand, before flowing down and over his body turning him entirely blue for a split second before the light sank into him. I could only stare. He showed me his hand. The wound was gone, as if it had never even been there. Not believing my eyes though I had to stand up, disregarding his knife, and feel his hand with my own. This didn't make sense, where was the cut, it couldn't be gone, I'd seen it with my own eyes. Maric let me have some time to look his hand over, so as to convince me I guess.

"It's good for healing wounds," He said, gripping my right hand that I'd still been feeling his palm with. I tried to pull back but he held me there.

"Please let go." I said, he didn't though, so I looked up into his eyes, thinking that I might have to go through another mental struggle with him again. Our eyes met but there wasn't a challenge there.

"If you're not convinced by that then I guess I'll have to show you this way." taking the blade and bringing it towards my hand, I pulled back trying to get my hand away. Why didn't I just stay in my seat?

He sheathed the knife, in it's scabbard, and said. "You don't have to be afraid, I'm not going to hurt you, not yet anyway." He released my hand letting me retreat to my chair. Which I quickly sat down in eyeing him warily.

Pointing his hand at me, his fingers splayed open, while still tensed, I watched as a pinkish, purple light gathered in his hand, and then suddenly fired at me. Or so I'd originally thought. I winced expecting to feel pain, but nothing happened to me, instead the chair I was in began to vibrate softly, and then the room started to move. No not the room, my chair. The floor had been left behind, I was flying. I started to feel nauseous when the chair made a sharp turn to the right, causing me to abandon ship. I landed with a thud at Maric's feet, having all the convincing I needed. Maric smirked down at me, as I got up cautious as ever.

"I believed you well enough the first time." I said. With each passing hour that I spent with this man, I was realizing on continuously greater levels, just how dangerous he was. Escape looked more impossible than ever. Deciding I'd stand for the rest of this talk I posed my next question shakily. "S-so this focus s-sight thing can do stuff like what you just did."

"Kind of, It's got a different kind of power to it, greater, than anything I just did. Think of it more like a lake, compared to a puddle. I'm the puddle, and it's the lake." Maric had returned my seat to the ground, and relaxed in his own again. "And if I become part of the lake for a time then I can use it to locate my next objective." He said indicating that I be seated.

I stood my ground, and declined with a shake of my head "No thanks."

"Suit yourself." He said with a small shrug. "So what other questions did you have?"

"Alright what's this objective you have then." I asked

Taking his time to think his answer through, Maric eyed me with that dangerous look around the edges. "I'm here to find magically endowed creatures... And that's all I'm going to say for now." I didn't push for more, getting the idea that this might have something to do with the fire lizard.

"What's my job in this, and how much are you going to pay me" I said hoping that payment wasn't to much to ask.

The grin that spread over Maric's face, sent chills up and down my spine, making me wish that I had been less bold. "Whoa-ho, when did you get into any position to bargain for pay?"

I'd put my foot in my mouth again, If I wasn't careful then the floor might need scrubbing. "It's just." He nodded waiting for an explanation. I had it. "Before I got mixed up with you, I was on my way to this town to work at a summer job. and If I don't come home with three months pay, and some tips, then my parents are going to kill me."

Maric nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, with his right hand. "Uh huh, I see where you're coming from. Got to start saving up to get yourself some land, and settle down with a misses don't yah. Alright John, tell yah what, I'll give you a years wages if you will work with me, and our friend Mr. Mack." I could tell that my jaw had dropped from Maric's expression alone. With a years wages, I could afford to buy a fairly sizable piece of property back home, maybe just under what my dad, and grandpa had compiled together in their life times. Maric continued observing me with amusement. "So what, that sound fair?" I nodded sitting in my chair again. "Ok John, now what I'll need you to do for the most part, is go into tight spaces that me and Mack can't. It's an awful good thing that you're so scrawny."

He didn't have to point it out, but I was pretty skinny, and short too. And going into tight spaces was something I'd been handy for at home too. "Is that all, Tight spaces, and traveling with you for a month, or two?" I asked not believing this to be possible. I mean there just had to be some kind of catch.

"Well there is one other thing I'll need you to do for me." Maric said, the tone of his voice telling me I wasn't going to like whatever it was I'd have to do.

I'd known something like this was coming "What is it?" I asked, half not wanting to hear his answer.

"It's simple really, all you have to do is learn that spell that I used on your chair." I went pale at this. He wanted me to learn magic? I didn't know anything about magic.

"Um I don't even know the first thing about magic." I said, nervously.

"Well we'll just have to remedy that problem, because I need you to be able to use that spell, and sustain it for eight hours by the end of this week." He finished matter-of-factly.

How was I to master a spell like that by the end of the week, it was already Tuesday! "Normally this kind of magic would require years of practice, and study in order to master, but since we're sort on time I'll just have to show your mind what to do." Said Maric serious as death.

I gulped. "So, what does that mean?" I said nervously. Maric shrugged, "Well I'm going to have to get inside your head again, and your going to have to let me." My Vision flashed red at this remark, my whole body shouting 'NO!' When I could see again, I was looking over at a burning red arm chair, where Maric had been previously sitting.

Maric stood off to the side, having just escaped being incinerated, "Easy on the furniture John," said Maric, pointing his hand at the charred remains of the chair. His hand glowed white, and then water started to poor over the chair out of no where. When the second fire was out and in no danger of igniting the room, Maric turned to look at me. I looked away saying "Sorry"

"I know it feels like a violation of your person, and I'm sorry that first time was a bad start, but I'll be gentle this time." He began walking towards me. I instinctively got up and moved away my vision edged with red now it seemed. "I'm sorry about this John, but we're wasting time..." One second Maric was five feet across a room from me the next I was pinned to the floor. With him sitting with my head in his lap. Making to rise I found myself unable to move my body, and then I discovered that I couldn't even speak. "Easy John, I've temporarily paralyzed you, now try and relax and just let go." Maric said this putting both of his hands on either side of my head, "It's ok John nothings gonna harm you."

For the first five minutes I still tried to will my limbs to move but they didn't even respond despite my being able to feel them. I looked for the presence of Maric in my head, but it wasn't there. It was just me not being able to move. Grasping that my deprivation of movement wasn't induced by Maric inside my head, but was rather caused by some other means, I realized the only way out of this was to give the man what he wanted. So I tried to relax, and let things go. Letting my mind go blank, I stopped focusing on moving my limbs. "Good John, now we can get started, I'll explain things as we go along,"

A minute passed without me feeling anything, not Maric, not pain, just my body that I wasn't moving or focusing on. After a few more minutes, I slowly became aware of a presence in my head, 'John?' it said. "John can you hear me?