TBC: Chapter Two

Light expanded across the leaves of the Ceiabré Forest trees as a sleek, silver ship with black-trimmed wings marked by a spiraled vortex flew low across the forest canopy. It descended into a clearing near a large jeweled and white-stoned temple.

The ship—the Tritum-X—was recently introduced to the light warriors by Fane Ronar, the head engineer of the Light Warrior Order, after one of the older versions of the Tritum exploded in a recent battle.

"If they destroy them, I just rebuild more," Fane had told the team as he ran his hands over the body of the new ship. "Just try not to get this one blown up!"

On several occasions, Fane had readily expressed his distaste for the need to replace any of his precious creations, so the warriors quickly learned that his list of acceptable reasons for ship reconstruction was very limited.

Lorcan closed his green, red-haloed eyes, ran a hand through his short, golden hair. He lifted his arms in a stretch as the rest of his team stepped away from the lowered ramp of the Tritum-Xand onto the temple's chinálei. "It feels good to be home."

Brogan's tall frame towered over Lorcan as he joined his side. "Right place, wrong conditions," he said as his silver, red-haloed eyes surveyed the temple grounds. "Besides, it wasn't that long ago we were here."

"Still, we get to stay longer this time, at least."

Gyan moved past the others, his chin-length dark hair whipping in Yevani's seaside breeze. His light brown gaze took in the Temple of Kya that stood tall before them.

The light from the setting stars of Elsaria bounced off the jewels of the temple, reflecting colorful patterns across the grounds. A memory of the Ceremony of Pyhron, when the warriors were first initiated as san light warriors, flashed through Gyan's mind. It seemed as if a lifetime had passed since that night, given the training and battles the warriors had undergone in the past year.

The group's current arrival in Yevani signified the end of a tiresome journey inbound from Solara, a city in eastern Alsar, where they had resided at the Celestine Temple for almost a year.

Now, the temple lay in ruins.

Mordán, ruler of the Kingdom of Kraundor, discovered that the temple was a secret headquarters for the Light Warrior Order. He had succeeded in destroying most of the temple during a surprise attack.

Jalena emerged from the ship and joined Gyan's side. His heart seemed to skip several beats as it always did when she was near him.

"You have two days to visit your families," she told the team. "By then, any of your belongings salvaged from the temple will be here. You can then move back into the domusé while you continue your training. Elder Master Faelán will meet you at the chinálei on the third morning for further instruction."

Gyan turned his gaze to Jalena's violet, red-haloed eyes. Please say I will see you tomorrow, he whispered telepathically.

"Tonight," she said in a low voice.

Gyan's chest constricted. "Tonight?"

Jalena smiled. "I'll meet you at the falls. There is something I want to show you."

Gyan resisted the urge to grab and kiss her.

"See you soon." She walked away as Aderes, Gyan's best friend, approached from behind.

"Are you comin' with me or you gonna just stand there and stare at her?" Aderes asked as Gyan watched Jalena.

Gyan smiled. "I'm just gonna stand here and stare at her."

Aderes rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his white, unruly hair. "Let's go. I want some of your nán's cooking like you promised."

Gyan nodded and reluctantly turned his eyes from Jalena. "I do too."

He followed Aderes down the familiar path away from the temple and city streets and into the flowering fields that led to his family's home.

As the two entered the pograpaña grove next to the house, Gyan stared at the large farm home before him. He took a deep breath, attempting to dismiss the feeling of separation that rose within him when he thought about his childhood. The feeling became a little stronger every time he returned. Time and longing for adventure were beginning to replace the nostalgic need for the safety of the past. However, the nonattachment he felt bothered him as if he was leaving something behind that he shouldn't be.

Sahdika, Gyan's mother, rushed to meet Aderes and Gyan on the porch. She reached up and grabbed Gyan to her in a hard embrace. "I'm so thankful that you're okay." She said as she kissed both of his cheeks.

She released him and hugged Aderes tightly to her. "That you are all okay."

"You know of the attack on the Celestine Temple already?" Gyan asked in surprise.

"Yes, well your dán has connections with the Order. You know that." She dropped her gaze. "Come in—both of you. I was just about to start dinner."

Aderes and Gyan followed Sahdika inside the house.

"Gyan, your room is ready. You and Aderes can go upstairs and wash while I start."

Aderes took off up the stairs, but Gyan followed his mother into the kitchen.

"Nán."

"Yes, dear?" his mother replied, grabbing different pots and containers from a kitchen cabinet.

"Here, let me get that." Gyan reached over his mother's head and grabbed the bowl she was reaching for.

"Thank you."

"There is something you're not telling me."

"Don't be silly."

"Nán, you forget you cannot hide your feelings from me." He smiled. "I have been trained to detect acute fluctuations in someone's emotional state, remember?"

Sahdika put the bowl on the counter. Her expression softened as she looked at her son. "I did forget."

"Is it about dán?"

"Yes. I worry about him more now that—well, I was going to let him tell you, but…"

"Nán."

"Your father is working more for the Order now."

"Working more—what? When did he work for them a little?"

"His friend, Fane Ronar, has recruited more men to help with mechanical work."

"Yes, I've met Sir Fane. He's the one that designed the lumray, and he designs the Order's ships."

She nodded. "He's the brains behind many of the Order's masterpieces. He was designing a new headquarters for the Order even before the attack on the Celestine Temple. Many of his best men are now helping to rebuild the new headquarters. He also needed more help with ship maintenance, so he asked your father. Your father has worked with him on jobs before, but never this extensive."

"Well, it's a good thing to have someone like dán on the team, right?"

She nodded. "Yes, I just worry enough about you as it is. Now the stress is doubled given the hours he's putting in."

Gyan walked over to the kitchen window and looked out over the front lawn. "Times really are changing. I can't believe dán's working for the Order. It only seems like yesterday when I used to follow him around the fields on horseback."

"One reason he agreed to it was because it would make him feel closer to you, I think."

Gyan gave his mother a reassuring smile. "I'll try and look out for him if I can—make sure he doesn't get into trouble."

She chuckled. "He said the same thing about you."

Later that evening, most of the Mesengic household gathered in the dining area to eat along with Aderes.

"Dán working late?" asked Miliani, Gyan's older sister.

"He comes home later now that he is working with Fane. He says it's only temporary until the new headquarters is finished."

"Gyan, tell us about the attack on Solara. Everyone knows the Vaznaun were involved," Miliani said.

Gyan smirked. "I cannot respond until you address me as Master Gyan, The Amazing."

"Here we go," Sahdika said quietly.

Miliani rolled her eyes. "Puleese. Who made that mistake? Besides, you're not a master until after ceremony. I don't see the Lumsigne on your neck yet."

Miliani was referring to the vortex-like marking that appeared on the right side of a light warrior's neck during the Rite of Nysa master initiation ceremony. The Lumsigne symbolized the transformation from a san warrior into a master warrior. It was the traditional mark of the Light Warrior Order.

"Only those of great power and possess the gift of sight will be able to see it before the ceremony," Gyan remarked. "Right, Aderes?"

Aderes looked up from his plate with an innocent expression. "Sure. I think that's how it goes."

"Oh great, you're in on his nonsense too, huh?" Miliani retorted. "Some things never change."

Gyan, Aderes, and Miliani's husband, Haji, laughed.

Haji cleared his throat. "Seriously though, Gyan. Has Mordán lost control of the Vaznaun or did they attack civilians and the warriors under Mordán's orders?"

"I wondered this as well," said Sahdika.

"We can't reveal the details until an official announcement from the Order has been released, you all know that. I'll just tell you that the Order will have to take an active stance against Mordán. They have minimized their interference with his ruling over Kraundor, but after an attack on a community outside of his kingdom, the light warriors must get involved and prepare for his next move."

"The Order has allowed him to do as he wished for far too long anyway," remarked Aderes. "He has taken control of too many things that do not belong to him, including my sister."

Aderes was referring to Mordán's control over his sister, Lesiana. Mordán had kidnapped her when they were children during a raid on his family's farm on the outskirts of Androsa, a city in the Kingdom of Kraundor. Their parents were both killed, but Aderes had not seen his sister since.

"Well, I'm sure the Order won't be waiting much longer to get Lesiana away from Mordán now. His actions have put her directly in harm's way," Gyan reassured him.

Sahdika placed her hand on Aderes's arm. "Aderes, I am so sorry to hear what happened to your parents and sister. Eamonn told me what happened after he heard. I wish I had known when you were a child what you had gone through. I would have scooped you into my arms long ago. No one should endure such things alone."

Aderes gave Sahdika a nod of gratitude as he dropped his gaze.

The san warriors recently learned that Lesiana was still alive and living under Mordán's care at his palace. When Aderes was told he must wait to retrieve her, he made his frustration known to the elder masters in the Order. Elder Master Syam reassured the team that Lesiana was being observed by spies in the Order and that no harm would come to her. Aderes was having a hard time controlling his patience, however, after Syam recently disclosed that Mordán was in love with Lesiana.

Gyan shuddered at the thought of it all.

"Yeah, Aderes," Miliani said as she touched his other arm. "You will always be part of this family, so don't forget that we are here for you."

Aderes swallowed hard and cleared his throat. "I know. Thanks," he said quietly.

"Besides, Gyan's less annoying when you're around, so we certainly don't want that to change," Miliani continued.

Aderes smiled. "Of course not."

Miliani laughed as Gyan shoved Aderes's shoulder.

Aderes's responding smile faded and a narrowed look of concentration returned to haunt his features.

Gyan tried to ignore the feeling that Aderes was becoming more consumed with the idea of getting his sister back as time passed. It was all he talked about ever since the attack on the Celestine Temple, if he spoke at all. He understood Aderes's thoughts because he knew what it was like to be preoccupied with a desire for something. An image of Jalena flashed through his mind.

"I have to get going, nán," Gyan said abruptly.

"I do as well," Aderes stated.

The two stood and lifted their empty dishes from the table.

"You just got here," Sahdika complained.

"I'll be back soon. I just have a prior engagement."

Miliani watched Gyan carefully. "You're going to see her."

Sahdika looked from Miliani to Gyan. "Who?"

Miliani smiled slyly. "Jalena."

Gyan glanced at his mother's face, which was unreadable. "Seriously, Mili, can't you keep anything quiet?" He said as his cheeks flushed.

Miliani laughed. "Like I told you before, it's not like it's a secret. Except maybe to nán."

"It isn't now," Aderes stated.

"Well there is nothing to be ashamed of in being attracted to her," his mother said reassuringly. "She's lovely, Gyan."

"Yes, Gyan. She's lovely," Aderes mocked, smiling in spite of himself.

"Very funny, Aderes. Okay, nán…" Gyan bent to kiss her cheek, "…Thank you for the meal."

"Yes, thank you," Aderes echoed.

Haji stood and embraced Gyan.

"Let me know if you need to learn any combat maneuvers to keep her from driving you insane, Haji. I already know the damage my sister can do."

Haji chuckled as Gyan dodged Miliani's punch to his leg. "I will."

"Give Master Jalena my love, Gyan," Sahdika said.

"Oh, I'm sure he—" Aderes began.

"Not," Gyan said in a low voice, "another word."

Aderes smirked and followed Gyan out of the house.

"Hey, Gyan. I've been meaning to talk to you about her," he said as the two set out through the grove.

"About who?"

"Jalena."

Gyan slowed his pace. "What do you mean?"

"I just think that you should be cautious of your emotions for her, is all."

"And why is that?"

"She may not get attached to you like you are to her."

Gyan looked away.

"Part of you knows this, I think," Aderes continued. "I just don't want to see you get—"

"It doesn't matter if she does or not," Gyan interrupted. "How I feel is what matters."

"Don't you think you should—?"

"What? Hold out for more? And risk never experiencing a deep connection at all?" He shook his head. "I don't even care if she ever feels the depth I do for her. I just know that I am supposed to be near her. There is no one—nothing more I want."

"Most would want to take a risk only if there is a chance for what you give to be fully returned."

"This is different."

"How?"

"I have no desire to stop giving to her no matter what is returned."

Aderes clamped his hand on Gyan's shoulder. "I just hope she deserves your type of love."

Gyan raised his eyebrows in certainty. "I have no question that she does."