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#1
Old 10-21-2007, 03:39 AM

Summary: David was a normal teenage boy, well as normal as the future king of the Holy Roman Empire could be. Teresa was a teen with too much homework and the other normal problems for a 20th century girl. But now these two along with their future counterpart, Waren, must learn to protect time and space while coming to terms with each other and the foreign, an in some cases, ancient customs of the other two.

Author's Note: I know this is a lot to read in one sitting, I usually have to print things out so that my brain and eyes feel more comfortable when reading things. If anyone has any comments, I would love to hear them. I'll post the next chapter later on.


Chapter One: The Gathering
“And don’t forget to go and support the final game of Poe’s Ravens tonight at 6 p.m. That’s all and have a nice day!” the loudspeaker sounded before going quiet. Oh boy, Teresa thought as her teacher began class and passed out the weekend’s assignment. It’s seventh class, 44 minutes away from freedom, away from school for two days and I’m expected to pay attention for American Government? Why’d I have to take honors anyway?

“I expect this essay to be done and turned in on Monday. You have the rest of class time to start and I’m expecting, oh, how about 10000 words,” Mr. Straker said as the class let out a very loud moan. Teresa read the form and began her essay on past government types. After a few minutes she let her mind wander and doodle across her paper. Before she realized what she was doing, or rather, not doing, the ending bell rang and Mr. Straker began repeating instructions for the essay.

Teresa walked through the crowd leaving school and turned down the long, quiet road that led to her house. The leaves were turning autumn colors of gold and red with a light breeze blowing through them. She had always loved the fall, especially Halloween. She walked slowly, enjoying the look of the trees and the crisp air as she passed the old cemetery she used to play at when she was a child. As she passed the old iron gates, the wind began to pick up strength and gust in a circle before her. The leaves from the trees and the street moved with the gales into the growing vortex before her, a form taking shape within the center. As the winds picked up, the figure began to resemble a young man about 18 years old with shoulder length black hair. All Teresa could do was stare as the winds seemed to subside and the boy reached out his hand to her. Who is this guy? Teresa wondered as her hand moved to meet his. And why do I feel drawn to him? As if I must go there... Their hands touched and they were gone in the same blast of winds as the boy appeared in, leaving nothing in their wake but the breeze.

---

“What is wrong, your highness?” an archer asked a young prince next to him as the boy stopped in his tracks. He wore finely woven cloths imprinted with the Holy Roman Empire insignia on the back in gold thread.

“It was nothing, but I suggest you go and see how my father is progressing. Protestants can be tricky sort of people and being the defender of the Catholic faith, he could be in danger,” the boy said, his father being King of the Holy Roman Empire, a country that took up much of middle Europe.

“But, Prince David, being the son of King Charles V puts you in danger also,” the archer argued, not willing to leave his charge unprotected.

“I am inside the castle walls with guards on all exits, my father is in a meeting with countless officials, many of them wanting my father’s blood. I do not see why I should be protected when he is more in harm’s way than I am,” the prince countered as officially as he could make his voice sound, “Now go off and leave me.

The man was taken aback by the boy’s harsh tone and then bowed as one should, quietly responding “Yes, my lord.”

As the prince’s young guard left to follow his orders, the boy watched until he could no longer see any sign of the older man, and then let out a breath to calm himself. I thought he would never leave, he thought but then a strange feeling passed over his person as the wind began to pick up. He stared in amazement as a shape took form in the center of the small wind tunnel, a form of a young man and woman about his age.

“Who are you?!” he shouted into the winds but was taken by surprise when he realized he was reaching out his hand towards the shapes, as if the strange happening was calling to him. Once his hand connected with the tunnel boy’s the three of them were taken from the courtyard.

“Lord, your highness’s father is
done?” the archer said when he reached the courtyard only to find his charge missing.

---

“Where
where am I?” Teresa said softly as she regained consciousness, “I was walking home from school when she heard a startled cry next to her

“Where am I?!” a new voice shouted and Teresa saw that she was not alone. She looked in the direction of the noise to find another person, a boy about 17 years old, in simple black pants with a gray shirt. She continued to look around and noticed something very strange. Where are my clothes?! her mind screamed. She shot up and looked at her clothing and realized that she was in the same fashion as her cell mate. As her attention went back to him, she tried to think of where she had seen him before. The young man noticed her eyes upon him and asked, “You girl, do you know where are we?”

Teresa wasn’t sure how to respond, she looked blankly at him until his sentence sunk in “What do you mean, 'girl'?”

“Don’t you know anything? Urgh, you must be just a simple peasant, not even knowing where you are,” he said, more towards himself than to Teresa, and turned toward a large panel behind him.

“A simple peasant?!” Teresa demanded, standing with her hands clenched at her sides as she walked over to him by the panel.

“This would appear to be some sort of door,” David murmured to himself and looked at Teresa, “Leave this to me, this is a man’s job,” David brushed her aside and moved his hands to the crease between the two large sheets of metal and began to try to pull them apart. After several seconds of struggling, David stepped back, the titanic door didn’t move an inch.

“Man’s job, huh?” she asked with a smug grin and moved back to his side, “It’s useless to try and move it with brute force, it’s just too heavy. You probably need the key or command code to open it.

“You have no meaning to me, girl. What do you mean, 'command code'?” he asked her, his eyes watching with suspicion. Before she could answer him, the door moved to the side to reveal another young man in the doorway, dressed in the same fashions as Teresa and David had been.

“She means a command, like one you would give to a knight, Prince David,” the stranger said and turned to address her. “And I am very surprised you knew of such things, Teresa, considering that in your time such things are pure fiction.”

Both were taken aback by the man’s familiar tones with them, David watching the older boy for any move of aggression and Teresa running her hand through her short brown hair. Teresa was the first to speak. “Actually it is, but I am a very avid Science Fiction fan, Star Trek in fact, and those types of doors are always used in the shows
 umm
 yeah
 how do you know my name?”

“I demand to know who you are and how you have come to know me?” David demanded harshly, assuming now that the girl was in the same position as he was in, we’ve both been kidnapped.

“Of course, if you would follow me, I will explain everything,” he turned and began to walk out. When he realized that neither of them was following, he stopped to look back.

“It would be easier to follow you if we knew your name,” Teresa hinted meekly.

“Ah, yes, where are my manners? My name is Waren, Prince of Earth and the Sol Solar Colonies. Now come along, there is much to tell you and, unfortunately, not enough time to allow for much fun,” Waren turned again to leave and was followed by the Prince of the 16th century and a 20th century girl through a brightly lit corridor.

“What is 'sol'?” David whispered to Teresa as they quietly followed the strange young man. Teresa rubbed the base of her neck, apparently trying to think before answering in a hushed voice behind her other hand so she didn't attract Waren's attention.

“I think he means the sun,” then her eyes grew wide with excitement, "That means humans can travel to other planets!"

David just nodded in understanding and moved his gaze ahead of him, What's she getting excited over? he mentally scoffed, Humans can't possibly travel the stars.

“So where are we going? And what are we doing here?” David asked impatiently as the three walked down the hallway, with him to the right of Waren and Teresa on Waren’s left, her attention moving from the futuristic corridors to her companions.

“Yeah, you never did tell us. Do you expect us to trust a complete stranger or something?"

“Actually, you already have,” Waren spoke quietly to them, keeping his eyes on the hallway, as if he had never traveled it before.

“What do you mean, we have?” David asked before Teresa had the chance.

“You both had a choice to come with me. Although you did not say it or even notice it, you trusted me and proved it by entering the vortex,” he explained, still watching the corridor.

“Vortex?! I had no choice about coming with you and if I..,” David began to argue but was interrupted by Teresa, surprising them all.

“Yes, you did! We both reached into the winds that brought us here, we weren’t kidnapped. Those winds were the vortex, right?"

“Yes,” Waren said, still surprised and looked back at her with a twinkle of curiosity in his green eyes,” You seem to know a bit more than we give your time credit for. This Star Trek must be a great resource to you."

“What does she know, she’s a common woman."

“How would you like to be beaten up by a common woman?” Teresa snarled, again surprised by her own newfound courage.

“We are here,” Waren said quietly and stopped in the middle of the hall as the other two looked at the large, twin doors before them. Waren placed his hand on a pad to the right of the doorway and the gigantic doors swung open noiselessly. The trio entered. The room before them looked to be a forest, if not for the brightly lit ceiling on would think they had traveled to a far off paradise away from human hands. There was a small clearing in the center where Waren lead them,” Please sit,” he gestured to the soft earth around him as he took a seat against a large oak tree. David and Teresa followed his actions, David sitting stiffly on the ground to Waren’s right and Teresa on a stump to his left,” To explain this as simply as possible, we are part of the Triumvirate of Time; a triangle of soul, nature and mind; of past, present and future to guard time itself."

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#2
Old 10-24-2007, 10:32 PM

Chapter Two: Training
"We’re what?!" Teresa yelled as David’s jaw dropped to the forest’s floor.

"We are here to protect time," Waren said as if it was a normal, everyday answer.

"We heard you," David said angrily, "We just don’t believe what we’re hearing, and don’t try to say we do since we came with you in the first place. I’m not a simpleton and I do realize that such assumptions are utter rubbish."

"And are you saying that I’m a simpleton because I’m not some closed minded royal and actually accept the fact that I felt drawn to this
 this
" Teresa faltered as she digested the whole of what Waren had said, "How are we supposed to save and protect time? We’re just teens?"

"That has been accounted for, Teresa. Look around you!" and he gestured with his arms to the woods around them.

"I don’t follow you," Teresa said, staring vaguely at the wooden surroundings. Waren smiled at her ignorance and stood.

"Here we will train."

"Here?!" she stood, shocked and looked closer at their environment but it still looked to be normal forest, minus the large doorway they walked through.

"Why not?" Waren wondered aloud while David rose from his seating place and dusted himself off.

"Well, what are we going to use? Do we get ray guns, or giant robots, or special gadgets that can cloak out bodies or something? And who are we to practice with? And..."

"Would you give the man a chance to answer on your ramblings? You are giving me a headache," David interrupted, rubbing his temples dramatically.

"Oh, be quiet, you don’t even believe in any of this so why don’t you just leave, or are you afraid of being alone?"

"Why, you simpleton, I can’t believe anyone would entrust anything to you!"

"What did you call me?"

"Must you two continue bickering?" Waren said over their banter. The two guilty parties looked sheepishly back at Waren before he continued, "As an answer to your questions, no, we will not be provided with any weapons or gadgets as you phrase it."

"Then how are we be expected to do battle?" David asked quietly.

"Yeah, what he said," Teresa added on Waren’s other side, meekly, just above a whisper.

"That is what I have already said," Waren said tiredly.

"You mean the power of soul, nature and mind part?" David provided.

"Exactly, that is what we are to practice here."

"Why here?" Teresa muttered and thumped into the stump close to them.

"What’s wrong with here?" Waren asked again.

"It does seem adequate to me for a training field," David said, looking around them at the large trees of several varieties, some unfamiliar to him.

"Well... I’m just not an outdoorsy type girl, that’s all..," she explained shyly, fidgeting with her hands.

"Simpleton woman," David muttered softly to himself, but apparently, not softly enough. Teresa jerked her head up in his direction and stood, deadly calm.

"What did you say?" she asked him, her voice just above a whisper. David just looked at her and began to let his own anger grow, How could a non-royal think of speaking to me in such a manner as she is constantly using? and then all his reasons snapped.

"I said simpleton woman, you’re a silly, female, common, simpleton!" he said with an equally even voice, watching as Teresa began to clench her fists and glare directly into his eyes, Maybe I will let them argue, Waren thought as he watched, If anything, they’ll find their powers before we even have to teach them.

As Waren watched the two bicker back and forth he noticed that Teresa’s hands began to glow out a soft red light with each of David’s insults, She has the power of nature! Waren thought just before a burst of energy flew from Teresa in the form of fire.

"What was that?!" David yelled as he jumped to avoid the rushing fireball flying towards his head, "She’s a witch!"

Waren watched with a bit of a smile on his face as Teresa looked from her hands, to David, then to the bushes that she lit aflame, "Did I do that?" she whispered to Waren, trying to get over the shock of what she just did.

"Yes, actually you did," Waren said lightly, his smile growing.

"Are you just going to stand there?!" David blared, "She tried to kill me!"

"Actually, if the fireball had even hit you, your powers would’ve prevented it from causing any permanent or fatal damage to your person," Waren explained, Maybe this will actually convince him that this is all true.

"What powers?" David asked, eyeing Waren suspiciously, "I’m not a witch if that is what you’re implying."

"And you think I am?!" Teresa spoke up, getting over her initial shock.

"Well, if the broomstick fits..."

"Why you..."

"Please!" Waren shouted before another verbal sparring match began, "I can’t believe you two! Can’t you get along for just a few minutes so I can explain your new talents?"

Both folded their arms across their chests and stared at each other as it is to say the other had started it and then looked back to Waren for his explanation.

"Thank you. Obviously, Teresa holds the power of nature, hence the fireball. The powers are soul, nature, and mind for the past, present, and future so that would mean that your power, David, is that of the soul, meaning you can heal yourself and, most likely, others. My power is the mind."

"Meaning?"

Meaning I can talk to others through telepathy, they heard in their heads.

Telepathy? David wondered and was answered by Waren, again in his thoughts.

Telepathy is the ability to send your thoughts to someone else.

"And the ability to hear someone’s thoughts," Teresa added grimly, "Does that mean you can..."

"But I won’t, Teresa, I know that’s wrong and besides, it gives me a headache."

"Oh..."David sighed and sat on the ground, trying to sort everything out.

"Are you okay?" Teresa asked, moving to sit next to him.

"I’m the Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, a future king and it appears that a peasant understands more about all of this than I do," he mumbled, not caring how inferior he sounded at this point, and for once, Teresa let the peasant comment slide and began to comfort him.

"It’s alright if you don’t understand. I mean, to be honest with you, I don’t get most of it."

"But you understand about command codes and telepathy and you’re already able to use your powers."

"Not really," she said meekly, "I was just mad at you and all of a sudden you were dodging fireballs. I’m supposed to have the power of nature, presumably all of nature, not just fire. As for understanding, well, where I’m coming from it’s called BSing stuff. Like if you don’t know what to write for an essay, you BS it, pretend you know your stuff but you really don’t know it up from down, and if you’re really good, no-one will notice."

"You can write?" David asked in astonishment.

"Of course, I can read and write and stuff like that," she said, slightly confused.

"But you’re not of royal blood, are you?"

"Not that I know of, no."

"In my country, I mean time, only royalties or those of the cloth can read or write," he explained.

"Oh, well, in the 20th century it’s a requirement to go to school and learn all that stuff. That and math and history and junk like that.

"This shall certainly take some getting used to," David mumbled and looked down at his hands, Power of the soul, huh? I wonder if I can use it after all.

------

“Children!” a dark figure yelled out as he watched the exchange between the three teens in a view screen. “The Triumvirate of Time is nothing but a group of children! Even better, children from our past, this is much too easy. The man watched as the would-be warriors of the past and present talked quietly,” Those two can’t be much trouble, but Prince Waren will be. Unlike the others, he has known of his abilities since his youth and thus he practiced, but the others
 I believe I have found a weak point in all of this. The other two will be weaker, and thus, more vulnerable to capture
 hmm, yes
 I have found a weak point indeed,” The man laughed and turned back to the control panel to the right of his throne,” Now to choose the right place to attack, or should I say, the right time.

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#3
Old 10-29-2007, 11:51 PM

Chapter Three: Lorid

After three days of getting used to their new surroundings, Teresa and David seemed to be settling in. They each had been given a room, each next to Waren’s with adjoining doors so he could keep an eye on the two and help them out if need be. Teresa’s powers popped up every so often, usually targeted at David since their bickering never seemed to cease, but rather than things being said to hurt the other, it seemed to bring them closer together; neither getting too angry to try to hurt the other. All were in Waren’s room, trying to learn as much as they could about the new time they were in by going through anything they could read, on computer consoles anyway. Waren watched them from his chair, both were sitting on the floor facing away from each other after just finishing another bout of verbal sparing. Each were going through the history of the world, starting from where they left off. This gave Teresa the advantage, but not for long since David refused to let a ‘simpleton’ beat him at anything.

Teresa, although ahead in history, seemed to be taking longer to digest the material, either that or she just kept her pace slow enough so that it appeared she was studying but was really waiting for her teammate to catch up, Waren suspected the latter. He studied her as she twirled her pencil in the air, since she still couldn’t figure out how to get the voice recognition equipment to accept her voice pattern. She looked to be 17 years old, average height, for her time, of five foot seven inches. She had brown colored hair, which seemed to have red highlights, cut down around her face in jagged edges. Her eyes were brown, but seemed to flash colors when she reached her power, like when she called upon air they would flash white, fire would be red, earth is green, and water, aqua. It was an amazing transition that Waren found interesting and David just used in their next spout of insults. She was dressed in normal clothes of his time, which were a sort of red suit with gold trimming, flattering her nicely.

David, also studying his history, was looking over the 20th century, commenting on how barbaric and uncivilized the people looked. He was about five foot eleven inches, short by Waren’s standards but probably very tall in his own time. David had short, light brown hair, cut very traditionally but wavy just the same. His eyes looked to be a dark blue color, like most from the center of Europe, with pale skin. He was dressed in a suit much like Teresa’s but blue with silver trim.

Everyone sat there quietly, reading their work, ignoring each other as the night wore on, eventually getting very tired and very bored with the uneventful-ness of their new lives.

“Why do we have to keep doing this?” David asked Waren after a few hours of none stop reading and note taking.

“Doing what?” Waren asked, looking off his own console.

“Doing nothing,” David said, exasperated, “if we’re supposed to protect time and all that why haven’t we done anything besides practice and read?”

“For once I have no complaint with anything David’s said,” Teresa chimed in, leaving her work to stand and stretch out her aching limbs.

“Because neither of you are trained.”

“Well, then lets go train. Anything is better than just sitting here reading through historical records,” David complained, also standing to stretch out.

“You are being trained, you are learning what had happened so that when we do go back to fight we don’t change anything,” Waren explained. Although admitting to himself that all this reading was making him crossed eyed.

“What do you mean ‘change things’? How can we change something that has already happened?”

“Uh oh, I hear paradox,” Teresa muttered and received a surprised look from Waren and a confused one from David so she decided to explain, “A paradox is what you get when you think too much about time travel. Okay, say something really bad happened in the past and you had the opportunity to stop it from happening and you do. By going back and stopping the whole event from happening, you end up changing your future. The really bad part is that if you did change the future, there's a chance that you were never born, and by you not being born, there wouldn't be anyone there to stop that event from happening again because you were the person who stopped it.

"Then there's the whole possibility that by you going back in time to change the event, you actually caused the whole mix-up to take place in the first place. Its really confusing and that is why a paradox is a bad thing, that and time loops.”

“You’re strange,” David said and looked back at Waren.

“Actually, she’s right, almost, I think, if she’s saying what I think she’s saying,” he said, putting a hand behind his head as he began to ponder.

“How about a simpler question then?” David continued, forgetting about the craziness that had come from his companion’s mouth.

“Sounds like a good idea,” Waren said, dropping paradoxes for another time, sitting down on his bed.

“Who are we to fight?”

“Lorid.”

“And he would be?” Teresa pushed.

“An evil man,” Waren said darkly.

“No fooling,” Teresa muttered sarcastically.

“Come now Waren, if you expect us to do battle, we must know something of our opponent.”

“In other words, spill it,” Teresa added, sitting next to Waren, David on his other site.

“He was a scientist, and the first to figure out how to traverse time effectively. He was highly intelligent but also very twisted. He, like everyone else here in this time, knew that I possessed the power of the mind, the third power of the Triumvirate and planned to find the other two.”

“Doesn’t sound that bad, that’s what you did,” Teresa said calmly.

“He didn’t wish to gather you, he wished to destroy you. The legend of the Triumvirate of Time said that there would be a great evil that would challenge and almost destroy all and bring about the awakening of our powers. Since mine were already awakened her brought it upon himself to become that evil.”

“Why would he do that?” David asked.

“Because then the world would be harmonious, or so the legend goes.”

“But your time seems very ‘harmonious’,” Teresa said, “I mean I haven’t heard of any wars or famines or anything.”

“You haven’t seen the Outside. Outside there is all that and more, there are mutations.”

“Mutations? You mean inhuman? Demons? Devils?” David asked, half expecting Teresa to try and explain again but she remained eerily silent.

“No, they’re human. After Teresa’s time there was another world war, devastating and even worse than the first two combined. Not only were nuclear weapons used but also biological and chemical. Those who survived the attacks of these weapons were mutated, different from the rest of society and therefore shunned and left to live in the wastelands, Outside. That forest I took you to when you first arrived is one of the few remaining on this planet, although we are traveling and colonizing other worlds, the probability of everyone escaping Earth before its too late is dismal.”

“So this Lorid has decided to turn ‘evil’ in order to bring us here and alter time so that none of this happens,” Teresa said, mumbling as she absorbed what the future had in store for the human race.

“Yes, in a way, he has chosen to change time itself to stop the third war, but we can’t let him.”

“But if we don’t change time, Earth will die,” David protested.

“But if he were to change time, none of us would exist. The only way Lorid has found to stop humanity from fighting is to...”

“
is to destroy humanity,” Teresa finished for him as she hugged herself, trying to stop a chill run down her spine and hold back the tears at hearing the fate of everything she knew. David moved to her side and dropped his arm around her, trying to comfort her as he too thought of their enemy and of their duty.

-----------

“So Waren, now they know but that won’t save those children from me,” the shadowed figure whispered as the image of David and Teresa dissolved from view. The robbed figure stood from his seat and let the hood slip from the top of his head to release a long flow of raven black hair, ashen face, and a pair of pale blue eyes as bright as the stars themselves. He was, for lack of a better term, beautiful, but his chiseled features and small grin lent a cold air about him, a cold and mysterious feeling that followed the man as he moved to the window of his chamber. The window showed what lay beyond the bubble Waren and his companions had begun to call home, it showed the outlaying wastelands, where no man traveled, willingly. “You children should be afraid, be afraid of everything that humanity has accomplished, but once I am successful, no one shall have to worry or fear, no one will have to do anything. Poor children, so much is expected of you, I almost feel sympathy, almost. But now,” he raised a gloved hand to the window and an image began to appear, “now we shall meet and I will tell you the truth, the truth that even Prince Waren does not know.” Lorid removed his hand from the glass and the image cleared to the form of the courtyard Prince David was at. The view tightened in deeper to focus upon the archer who was watching David as he began his panicked search of the grounds. “It should be quite interesting."

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#4
Old 11-12-2007, 04:06 PM

Chapter Four: A Mission

“Where could Prince David have gone?!” the young archer wondered aloud. He was about twenty-five years old; young for a guard but none had questioned his position after seeing his abilities with a bow. He was almost six feet tall with short blond hair and a small beard on his chin. He had watched over David for three years, now being able to tell when the prince was up to something and where he would hide, but today there was no trace of the young charge. The footprints lead him nowhere, ending in the center of the courtyard where he had left to check on the king. If his highness were to find out that his first born son was missing, the meeting with the Protestant rulers would’ve been for nothing since they would be the most likely suspects in any kidnapping and therefore, be forced to pay dearly. He knew that if he did not find David soon, blood would rain throughout the land until David was found and his kidnappers put to death. The man shivered at the thought of what would happen to him as well, “I must find his highness before his highness, the king, finds out.”

-----------------

<MEEP><MEEP><MEEP>

"Wha...huh...oh great," Waren muttered as he rose from bed, his normally neat, should length black hair giving the perfect definition of ‘pillow hair’ one had ever seen. He stood and walked groggily to the terminal and wondered what was happening.

<MEEP><MEEP><MEEP>

"ugh...what now?" David woke, grumbling as the sound invaded his dreams of home, in simpler times. "Now I know why Teresa said she hated alarm clocks so much, they’re damned annoying!" He got up and walked over to the terminal opposite his bed to see if he remembered how to turn off what he thought was an alarm clock. He looked over the time display to see why it wasn’t stopping the noise when he noticed the display read 3:17 am. "Blast it all!" he exclaimed as he ran to Waren’s room.

<MEEP><MEEP><MEEP>

"Mom, turn off the alarm, its Sunday!" Teresa yelled as the sound continued to disturb her slumber. As the sound continued, she buried her head further into her pillow until finally she rolled over and opened her eyes. "Oh
right, I forgot," she muttered as her eyes adjusted to the soft lights and saw the futuristic dĂ©cor of her room. She slumped out of bed and walked over to Waren’s room just in time to see two sleepy and very grouchy boys muttering at the terminal in front of them.

<MEEP><MEEP><MEEP>

"Is there anyway to turn that infernal noise off?!" David yelled over the racket of the alarm. Waren frantically tried to remember the correct buttons to press before he clobbered the poor machine, or David, whichever happened first. David looked over to the door opposite his room’s entrance as it slid open to Teresa’s chambers. "Finally, it seems as though you could sleep through anything."

"And a good morning to you too, Prince Charming," she said sarcastically back as she reached the two.

"Can’t you two be civil to each other for once in your lives while I figure out what button combination it was?" Waren managed out of his grinding teeth. His sleepiness had worn off about three minutes ago after the first combination of buttons refused to work and he saw what time it was.

"Well, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Do I dare ask what this alarm means or are you going to bite my head off?" Teresa said in a huff and began to try and read the red text that kept flashing in and out again, I really shouldn’t have read so much last night, my eyes are going on strike.

"It means that there’s a disturbance of some sort, but I can’t figure out how to switch the alarm on silence."

"Why not?" David asked, looking at the controls as he sorted out the commands he knew in his sleep deprived mind.

"Because I haven’t had to use this thing before. Now would you please keep quiet?!" Waren snapped as he hit his fist on the offending terminal, only to have the beeping change to a shrill whistle.

"Oh, that’s much better," Teresa moaned, covering her ears against the noise.

"If you can do better than be my guest," he said, waving his hands above his head in defeat.

"Alright," she said happily, cracking her knuckles. Teresa looked at the terminal as if analyzing its size and weight and then glanced behind her at David and Waren. "I suggest you back away."

"Now, Teresa, let’s not do anything hasty-," Waren tried as David dragged him slowly away from the wall. Teresa watched and waited until they backed to a presumably safe distance and then focused her attention to the task at hand. Blocking out the shrill wail that clouded the room, she closed her eye and concentrated on the power within her, electricity...electricity...feel the pulse...harness the power... she opened her eyes, which had abandoned their original hazel brown and looked pearl white, the beat of the power she possessed pounding in her ears. The young girl raised her hands to the wall as lightning coursed around her fingers and hair. Once her palms connected with the cool metallic surface, shoots of white lightning moved from the air surrounding her, through her arms and palms, and coursed through the wiring of the wall, short-circuiting everything in its path. Once she removed her hands, smoke arose from the charred panel and her eyes regained their normal tint and asked with a weak smile, "that better?"

"Smart aleck," Waren muttered as he walked to his toasted monitor to find out what the whole commotion was about. "Next time don’t use so much power, you must have sent through over one million volts, the thing’s fried."

"Let me try," David walked over and placed his hands mere centimeters away from the smoking terminal and closed his eyes to concentrate on his task.

"Uh, David, I don’t think your powers can repair-."

"Shh," Teresa interrupted as the smoke began to sink back into the wall. As they watched, a white light emitted from David’s hands and grew to such brightness that Waren and Teresa had to shield their eyes from the blaze. When the light dissipated, they looked to find David huffing from the exertion and a message in bright red text flash across the revived screen, reading:
DISTURBANCE CIRCA 1538

"There seems to be a problem in your time, David," Waren said, reading the smaller message below the bold flashing letters.

"What’s happening? Is my father alright?" David asked hurriedly, concern crossing his exhausted face.

"It would appear Lorid is making his appearance," Waren continued.

"Well, what do we do?" Teresa asked meekly of the futuristic prince.

"We have to go back, back to 1538. Its our mission."

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#5
Old 11-16-2007, 02:20 AM

Chapter 5: Past and Present Collide

David was in his room, donning the royal robes he wore before he came to this place. It had been just a few days and nothing would ever be the same again, but he didn’t care, he was going home. Sure, they didn’t know how long they were going to be there but he was going to have a chance to see his family again, and his father. After the strange events of the past few days, it comforted him to think he was going back to familiar, and far simpler times. Altogether, it seemed like it was to be a very good day.

------------

"Ugh," Teresa muttered in disgust as she looked at the puffed out dress she was wearing. Since the three were to go to the 16th century, they were to dress the part and, unfortunately for her, that meant she had to wear the almost impossible to get on outfit of the times; long skirt, low collar, tight shoes, and all. After taking nearly and hour to get into the dress, she was not happy. Now she just had to deal with the look of it. The skirt of the dress reached the floor, covering her ankles and shoes so as not to be deemed ‘inappropriate’ to the 16th century court.

The cloth itself was made in shades of green, the skirt starting at the bottom with a forest green color and turning into a light, pale green color for her torso. The collar was too low, in her opinion, and showed a little too much of her petit chest with a small, white lace pattern along the edges. The shoulders were puffed up and gathered around the middle of her upper arm and then left to flow nicely over the rest of her arms and cover most of her hands, showing just a little bit of her fingers and nothing else. “It sure is form fitting around the waist,” she said to herself as she studied her image in the mirror, "Oh, why’d it have to be green?"

"Are you sure you three are ready for this?"

"Yes sir, we're as ready as we'll ever be at this point," Waren said to the council before him. His attire had also been modified for the mission, with clothes that match his royal position as a prince. It had been decided David would convince his court to let himself and Teresa stay within the castle, Teresa promising to be on her best behavior. How David was to finish his task, Waren could only wonder since David left almost immediately to get ready. Now Waren had to convince the United Planet’s Alliance, UPA, of their readiness and necessity to go on the mission. "To be honest, delegates, if we do not leave soon for the distortion point, we might not continue to exist for much longer. We all know that if the distortion is not corrected before the temporal shockwave connects with our time, any hopes of fixing anything will be wiped out along with our society. As it is, Teresa's time is beginning to feel the effects as we speak, if we continue to question our readiness we will lose our only offensive member of the Triumvirate, leaving two passive powers which would not be enough to combat anyone, let alone put back time."

"Yes, that is true, but if your group does go while they are not well trained to handle the situation, we would lose all three of our saviors," the elder of the South American continent, Leader Teotecua, argued.

"Wouldn’t it be better to try than to not do anything? If we wait until you feel that we are ready it could be too late."

"So you agree that your team does not meet our standards?" the minister of Eurasia countered.

"I believe that it would be important to, at least, attempt to repair the timeline, Minister Dimitri. The young man is right, if we fail, it would be no different then if they stayed here to gain more training,” Prime Minister Chang told the gathered and turned back to Waren, smiling, “Waren, young man, you have the permission of this council to proceed, but I do believe that even without it, your team would travel back anyway, if I have read the personality reports of you three correctly that is. Wouldn’t you?"

"I thank you, Prime Minister, but since we do have your permission, I cannot tell you what we would or would not have done without it," he replied as he bowed to the gathered officials. Chang’s smile grew as the other ministers and representatives murmured and then he left. He will make a very good leader when the time is right, Chang thought, he might even replace me.

-------------

The three youths met in the main hallway outside their joined rooms, each in authentic 16th century garb and very excited. They walked to a room down the hall that was cleared away for their transport, electricity seemed to jump off their skin as they walked, either that or Teresa was still a little upset over her clothing. Once inside the room, the doors shut and locked behind them so there would be no intrusions as they concentrated on their duty. This time jump would be different from the one Waren had done to retrieve David and Teresa. At that jump, he had had their temporal signals, their auras sort to speak, to tune into while this time they each had to concentrate on a place in time they each had to concentrate on a place in time which would have several different auras over the many centuries. During the first attempts at time travel, some years before Waren was born, this problem of focusing onto the correct aura was a horrendous hazard. If one choose the wrong signal, they would be lucky to just end up in the wrong time. There were cases of when a person’s body would appear in the correct place and time but without any essence, without a soul, leaving an empty shell. Other cases were even less fortunate, leaving their body spread throughout time. Even now, time jumps were used only in extreme cases of emergencies due to these ‘accidents.’ But at an early age, Waren had shown a temporal aptitude, a unique ability to discern one temporal aura from another, which, combined with his empathic talents, lead people to believe in the Temporal Triumvirate and in him. This time jump would not only be important to save David’s time from tampering but also to prove that they were the protectors of time ancient texts spoke of and that travel without technology through the Temporal continuum was possible.

"Alright, so how do we do this?" Teresa said calmly as they moved to the center of the room. David turned to Waren, anxiously awaiting the response.

"Well, we each should be very temporally inclined so if we pool together our powers and focus we should be able to concentrate on the correct time."

"I have a feeling he’s just making this up as he goes along," David whispered to Teresa, who started giggling behind her hand. "Would this be an example of BSing?"

"Very good questioned," she murmured back.

"So, how do we pool together our powers exactly?"

"That's a good question, I guess -."

"You don't know, do you?" David interrupted.

"You've been around Teresa too long, David," Waren muttered.

"But he's right, isn't he?" Teresa joked. "Well, how about we just hold hands in a circle and concentrate on David's time," she suggested, holding out her hands.

"One gets the feeling you've done this sort of thing before," David said, holding her and Waren's hands in his.

"Just intuition really, that and Charmed."

"Is there anything you know that isn't from a television show?" Waren joked, grasping her hand in his own.

"Just math, grammar, you know...nothing deathly important."

"Uh huh," the two boys mumbled while looking at her as though she were insane.

"Aw, come on guys. Waren, you and I should concentrate out powers on David, so shouldn't we try now?"

"Why me?" David squeaked, worrying that the power would electrocute or barbeque him.

"Because it’s your time we’re going to and since you’re the only one who’s been there, you can visualize the tiny details of the place. With that we should be able to pin point a time line to jump to."

"More from television?" Waren kidded.

"Nope, to be honest, I don’t know where that came from."

"Alright David, you heard the lady, imagine the courtyard we brought you from and we’ll work on getting us there after you left, but not too long after, hopefully."

The three closed their eyes, David picturing the vast courtyard with its green trees and lush grass; empty as it was when he was there. He remembered the flying banners of his and the visiting countries, the gray stoned castle he had called home his whole life with a light green hint from the moss growing along the sides. Teresa and Waren worked on putting all their powers into where David was thinking of. As they concentrated, their mind's eye began to envision the picture David had formed in his mind; Teresa could almost smell the wind as it blew through the leaves of the vast trees. Waren reached out with his mind to reach this beautiful place, each of them put every fiber in their being to wanting to be there at the exact moment in which David had envisioned. As this yearning grew, so did the power flowing through the image in their shared consciousness. Light began to envelop their forms and their bodies took on a light all its own, their forms turning a brilliant white as the encircling power changed from light blue to gorgeous green to a subtle yellow hue. Wind came from no where as the colors grew brighter and their bodies less distinct, it picked up their hair and sent it billowing as the last of bodies lost their solidity and vanished into the light, into the powers of their own existence, becoming one with time itself.

----------

After the archer's discovery of his lost charge, he had called upon some of the other guards to help him search, of course, only the one's he knew he could trust. After scouring the courtyard dozens of times and finding nothing they took to searching the roads not too far from the castle, warning the maids that if they were to see Prince David that they should send a trusted messenger to find him and tell him of the prince's discovery. The archer was in a panicked state, worrying not only for the prince but for his own hide as well.

----------

The winds in the courtyard once again picked up as three forms became to take shape in the center, blinding lights flooding from the center of the shapes. As the winds and light faded three people emerged, two boys and a young woman in well dress. The two men were dressed as royals as the girl seemed to be a well-off peasant, lucky for them that no one seemed to be in the courtyard at the time. As they were, there would be much explaining to be done since they could not come back right after David had left since the courtyard was not empty until quite some time afterwards, a few hours difference at least. David looked around excitedly, happy to be home again.

"Wow that was cool! Can we do it again?" Teresa said excitedly and then took a look around the courtyard, "This is gorgeous, just like the picture I saw. Very cool place, David."

"Thank you," he said quietly as he looked around, thinking how long it felt to be away from here when his thoughts were interrupted abruptly by a shout from above.

"Your highness!!! Your alive!" yelled a young servant girl from the second story, looking out through a window to the courtyard at her beloved prince and then let her eyes wander to the others below her, "INTRUDERS!!! INTRUDERS!!!"

"This can't be good," Teresa muttered and moved closer to Waren, both moving strategically behind David.

This is exactly what I had hoped to avoid, Teresa heard Waren say to her mind and then heard people rushing behind them.

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#6
Old 11-17-2007, 08:16 PM

Chapter 6: A Court of Convincing

"What?!" boomed the commanding voice throughout the great halls. After the discovery of Teresa and Waren, all three were taken to the King for an explanation since, apparently, David’s disappearance hadn’t gone totally unnoticed. Now the three stood humbly before King Charles V himself, eyes lowered, all thinking frantically of what they could say to calm him. King Charles was a very large man, about 250 lbs, all of it muscle. He had dark brown hair, cut short much like David’s and a short, bushy brown beard along his chin. All Waren and Teresa could do was to follow David’s lead, which was to keep silent and pray the storm passed with as few casualties as possible. "David!" the king commanded.

"Yes father," David responded respectfully while deepening his bow.

"Explain to me where you disappeared to and why you felt it entirely necessary to do so during critical negotiations."

"Sire, I did not mean to cause a panic, simply to stay out of your way and allow yourself the opportunity to handle the meetings without distraction."

"And so you sneak away from your guard, leave the protection of the castle walls, and return hours later with these strangers?" he questioned, gesturing towards the two next to his son. "Just who are these people?"

"They are my friends Waren and Teresa," David said quietly and lifted his hand to Waren and then Teresa, naming them in turn.

"And from what country are you a royal of, Waren? Or do you simply dress as a prince?"

"Father, he-" David started to defend but with a quick gesture from the king, fell silent.

"I was directing my question towards the young man, son."

"Your highness, I am the first son, Prince Waren of Sol. I apologize for my coming without any notice but it could not be helped."

"And where exactly would ‘Sol’ be, young Prince Waren?" the king asked softly, rubbing his dark brown beard.

"We’re a country of many different smaller countries in the Sea of Omrade, to the west of here," Waren said, giving the impression that everyone knows of the sea he spoke of.

"So it is like an empire, this country of yours?"

"You could say that, but we have forgotten our conquering ways long ago. Now we seek knowledge."

"And this is why you have come here? To learn?" man eyed Waren suspiciously.

"Father," David interrupted, not being able to stand the conversation any longer, "Waren has come here to help us, and I believe he can, him and Teresa."

"Teresa?" his father asked, a little surprised by his son’s tone but proud that he was showing some backbone. Now he turned his eyes upon the well-dressed girl next to his son. Under his scrutiny, the girl’s face gained a pink tone and she lowed her eyes to the floor once again. "And what might this young peasant be able to do, David?"

David and Waren looked at Teresa as what the king had said sunk in, only to see she was standing properly for a peasant, eyes cast down in respect but her hands clenched at the work ‘peasant’. Teresa, control yourself. You can’t lose your temper now, Waren said to her and then heard in her mind, I’m trying but I HATE being called that, he’s lucky he’s king.

"Teresa is my cousin, your highness," Waren spoke aloud, monitoring Teresa’s thoughts and emotions carefully. "My father is brother to her mother, it was suggested she come with me, to see the world. She is actually quite good in many things and is well educated as well."

"Father, I request that we give them residence for their stay. It would be advantageous for us, a new ally."

"Very well, but they shall be your guests. You shall be held accountable for their welfare and accommodations. You are dismissed," the king’s baritone voice rang out in authority as he voiced his decision. Very well handled everyone, Waren told Teresa and David as the trio bowed low and walked out smiling in triumph.

---------

David handled all the accommodations, as his father had commanded. The two visitors would be lodging in the same wing as David, not too far away from him. During the rest of the day, David had given them a tour of the castle and the vast grounds and gardens. Waren kept commenting on how large the land was while Teresa kept very quiet so as not to cause people to suspect she was disrespectful. Waren and Teresa were also introduced to Marcus, David's bodyguard and archer friend who was just overjoyed that David was safe and King Charles V was not too upset with him, although there was a long discussion about repercussions if the incident was to ever occur again, some rather painful and permanent repercussions. Overall Waren and Teresa were quite impressed with the conditions of the past but Waren could not help but wonder what was wrong with the time. That night, Teresa, Waren, and David sat in the west garden, as the sky grew darker.

"Why did the alarm go off?" David asked after the sun dipped below the horizon. Waren looked at him for a second in confusion while Teresa continued to enjoy the scenery.

"I don't know," Waren said honestly, "everything seems normal enough. You don't notice anything odd?"

"Nothing, its just as I had left it," David responded thoughtfully.

"Its so peaceful here," Teresa said, closing her eyes and inhaling the fragrance of the night blooming jasmine that filled the courtyard.

"Too peaceful," Waren commented, causing Teresa to giggle. "What?"

"Very clichĂ©, that’s all. It was funny."

"I’ll never understand your sense of humor," David muttered, shaking his head with a small smile on his face.

"Yeah well, you’ll just have to get used to it is all. By the way, do I have to keep wearing this thing the whole time we’re here?" she asked, gesturing to her green frock.

"Yes," both men said, laughing as Teresa cringed her nose in disgust.

"I think you look quite nice in that, Lady Teresa," a voice sounded behind them, causing all three to jump.

"Oh, Marcus," David said, relaxing, "you startled us."

"I truly apologize, your highness. I simply came out here to tell you of the hunt tomorrow. You are required to attend, your father’s wishes.

"But what of my guests?" David asked, his mind racing for reasons why he couldn’t go on the trip.

"The invitation is extended to your guest, Prince Waren," the archer bowed his head in Waren’s direction as he mentioned his name.

"What about me?" Teresa said, panicked about being left alone.

"Surely, you don’t wish to attend a hunt, Lady Teresa? It is most uncommon of a woman to attend, especially one of your status."

"Forgive my cousin, but my uncle did have a very large estate upon which several hunts were held annually. Teresa was always in attendance, if for nothing more than to accompany and watch. Is that not so, cousin?" Waren spoke politely.

"Oh, yes," Teresa agreed, nodding her head even though the idea of hunting down animals seemed entirely barbaric in her mind, at least I won’t be left alone.

"She especially loves to horse ride," Waren added. Marcus thought about this for a little, wondering if it would be acceptable to allow the young woman to accompany the rest of the men along.

"Marcus, how can I watch over my guests when we are separated? Since my father requires my company and for me to be a good host, both are necessary to come with us, it is only polite," David pressed quietly.

"Very well, Prince David, but if your father does not agree to this..."

"I shall tell him that it was all my idea and you had nothing to do with the decision."

"Yes sire, I shall have an extra horse prepared for the young lady. And madam?" the archer turned to Teresa, who nodded for him to continue, "Do you wish for me to acquire for you a garment more appropriate for hunting?"

"Oh, definitely, with pants please!" Teresa said excitedly, shocking the young man with the way she spoke.

"Pants, miss?" he asked.

"How else would a person dress when going hunting?" Teresa asked, seemingly offended at the idea of anything else.

"Of course, Lady Teresa," and with that the man bowed and left, off to accomplish his task. Once he was gone, Waren and David began laughing hysterically.

"What?!" she demanded.

"I swear, Teresa, they’ll think your crazy by the end of this trip, or I’ll eat dirt," David said between gasps for breath.

"How about you eat it now?" she said, her eyes bright green. The next thing David knew, his mouth was full of mud. As David spat to remove all of the dirt from his mouth, Waren continued to snicker until his mouth was similarly filled with dirt. As the two sputtered, Teresa closed her eyes once more and inhaled the soft fragrance of the garden, "I think I’ll like staying here."

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#7
Old 12-10-2007, 04:44 AM

Chapter 7: Trouble in Paradise

The sun tipped above the tips of the forest, blessing the grounds with its golden rays of warmth and light. As the crisp yellow touched the treetops, the ancient elms changed from their blackened state to a beautiful emerald, the morning dew glistening off the tips of the branches giving a sense of peace, tranquility, and order, all of which lacking in the castle at the end of the forest. Inside the human dwelling, hell was about to break, and it was not going to be pretty.

As the rest of the castle slept, the drudges where busy preparing for the day. Cooks in the kitchen making the breakfast for the royal family and their guests, maids cleaning the tables in the grand hall that would soon be used to house the large gathering of lords present for the hunt, stable boys began to cleanse and feed the mighty steeds that would be used for the hunt, making their manes softer than the finest cloth and their skin glisten with the clean water in the rising sun. People where working, attending to their early morning chores, some have been awake for hours, some still wiping the sleep from their eyes.

One specific man was also attending to his task, a rather odd if not ridiculous job given to him by a rather odd woman. Marcus, David’s ever present guard, was bustling throughout the castle in hopes of finding a seamstress that could create leggings for the young Lady Teresa and not ask many questions about it. After going from one woman to another and being laughed at, tossed out, or ridiculed for such a strange request he was beginning to wonder if the lady would be happy with a pair of male trousers or if she would just cope with the garments she had at the present time. He had little time before the chambermaids woke the lords and ladies and flatly refused to return empty handed. Be it the girl was strange, with her shortly cropped hair, her direct manner with Prince David, and her obvious accustomed behavior of following the men of the castle rather than tending to the female activities he knew many preferred such as sewing or reading, she did have a certain air about her that made him willing to go about this strange quest. She was a lady after all, a wealthy lady to be precise, and thus should be respected, even though her ways seemed rather backwards.

---

Another of the early morning risers, a young chambermaid by the name of Margaret, walked the halls of the East Wing of the castle, the lodging area of Prince David and his guests. She was dressed in a modest, brown, long skirted dress with her dark brown hair bundled up in a messy, rushed bun. Margaret walked along the corridor, through the sunbeams that streamed through the narrow windows along the outside wall. Not only had she been late in rising that morning but, as punishment, she was to attend to Lady Teresa. The head maid, a grouchy old woman with sagging features and a harsh voice, had made sure to tell Margaret of the lady’s odd behavior and requests, she also went so far as to tell Margaret that it had been told to her by a ‘very reliable source’ that Lady Teresa had even gone so far as to request a pair of trousers be brought to her that day so that Teresa would be more comfortable when she accompanied the men on their hunt. Margaret didn’t know what to think of this and tallied it up to the maid in charge trying to scare her into running away, and leaving the castle in disgrace and dishonoring her family. And yet, just in case the woman had been telling the truth, Margaret had obtained a pair of young men’s trousers from the laundry of one of the stable hands while she was helping another chambermaid, Jane, sort through the large amounts of clothing. She now carried the purloined pants in her petit arms, hoping that they would not be necessary.

As she turned the corner of the ever-brightening corridor, she held her breath and slowed her steps. Before her stood a character draped in darkness and shadows, back turned on her standing outside the Lady Teresa’s chamber entrance, mumbling to himself.

---

"Is someone there?" whispered the young boy. Within a sea of dead blackness stood a young, innocent child of ten years. He stood there, searching the unknown, yet somehow familiar, surroundings. It was pitch black, the child’s black hair melting into the background as if he had no hair at all. He had been here before; he had felt this feeling before. Something was to happen, something had happened to make him feel this way, to feel weighted down somehow. He could hear someone or something at the very edge of his range of sight, very faint, very old. The child began to move towards the horizon, towards where he thought the noise was coming from, finding his movements slow and dragged out, as if he were under water.

The child ran as fast as he could, trying desperately to reach the voice at the other end, feeling the need to reach the end, that his life depended on it, somehow knowing that it meant something important. As he continued to race through the endless night around him, he began to realize that the voice he was hearing was not a voice so much as a thought. It was not his ears that were hearing but his mind. He slowed to a stop, focusing his mind to concentrate on the foreign entity invading his mental senses, feeling a cold wind rush past him he whispered towards the entity, Who are you?

~*
that is not important
*~ came the shadowed response.

Why are you here? the boy tried again.

~*
to help
to warn you
to advise
*~

Advise me to do what?

~*
what you were destined to do
*~

I don't understand.

~*
yes you do
there is little time
*~

Little time for what?

~*...my warning...*~

About my destiny?

~*
about your enemy
beware
he will hide amongst the innocent
*~

Who will?

~*
you will know
he will use goodness to his advantage
*~

What goodness?

~*
you will see
*~

Would you give me a straight answer?! the boy yelled, his anger sparking with light, revealing an older version of himself.

~*
you will understand in time
Waren
*~ with the last word, the voice disappeared along with the darkness.

<KNOCK><KNOCK>

"Whose there?!" Waren nearly shouted as the noise broke through his mind. It was a dream?! he wondered as he recalled the eerie voice, I can almost still hear it
, noting he was drenched with sweat.

---

"Ex
excuse me," the young woman whispered to the dark figure in front of her, Margaret’s voices breaking the man’s concentration, making him jump and turn abruptly towards her.

"I’m sorry miss," the man said, still too far in the shadows for Margaret to make out his face, but she did notice his voice seemed oddly familiar.

"Do you wish to see Lady Teresa?" Margaret asked politely, scanning the shadows and noticing a bundle in the man’s arms. "Is that a package for her ladyship?" she continued, pointing to the bundle.

"Oh, um, yes. I mean, I was told to bring her something," the man stuttered and moved forward to show the chambermaid his parcel in the light. It was a pair of male trousers he held in his hands, making Margaret feel much better and close to laughter.

"Well, sir
" she started, trying to hide her hilarity.

"My name is Marcus. I know it seems strange but it was requested by-"

"I do understand, for you see," she paused and pulled out her pilfered pair of pants, "I was told to bring some as well," she smiled meekly, hoping he wouldn’t ask where she got them. In fact, instead of questioning her, he began to laugh and she found herself joining him. They continued to laugh, not caring who heard them until Marcus heard the door behind him creak slowly open to reveal a very tired Teresa in her sleeping attire, and a long white robe.

"What’s going on?" she asked groggily, looking from one shocked face to another. "Marcus? Come on, what is it? And who are you miss?"

"Lady Teresa
"Marcus muttered below his breath, his face turning bright red as he tried to look away from the young woman. Margaret was also in shock, trying desperately to gather herself.

"My lady, I am named Margaret. I was assigned to be your chambermaid during your stay," she told the other girl, some how finding her voice. The lady looked somewhat confused, but before Teresa could ask anything Margaret began to usher her back into her room, removing the pants from a highly shocked archer’s arms before he could realize they were gone, Marcus simply staring in their wake.

---

"Who are you?" Waren asked the unfamiliar face behind his door. Just outside his chambers stood a woman in her mid-thirties with a bundle of clothing in her arms staring back at him with a rather cold, stern expression.

My name is not important, I am assigned to attend to your chambers," the woman said rather curtly while she passed him towards his bed. Before he could protest she began removing the bed dressings and piling them on the floor. Waren stood at the door and watched her continue her work; curious what else she was supposed to tend to. As he continued to look on, the women looked over to him and shook her head dismally, heaving a breath. She left the sheets hanging off the bed and walked over to the pile of clothes she had brought in with her and brought them over to Waren.

"You should change into these," she ordered.

"But
but
" Waren stammered as what she had told him registered, "here?"

"Behind the screen!" she nearly yelled and pointed to a screen on the other end of the room in a corner, "Now go while I finish this up."

And David likes being treated like this? Waren couldn’t help but wonder as he began to disrobe behind his privacy screen, I’m going to have to talk to him about this, I prefer dressing alone.

---

I can’t believe how much I’ve missed this place, David thought as he walked through the corridors, towards the Grand Hall for breakfast, it felt so pleasant to sleep in my own bed too, I hope Teresa and Waren handled themselves appropriately, I forgot to mention a few things. Heh, I wonder if Teresa actually got a pair of trousers to wear today. He continued walking, a smile on his face at the idea of Teresa being stuck in the dress she so obviously hated, its not like she looked ugly in the garment though, David noted as he rounded the corner into the Grand Hall.

The hall was decorated beautifully in honor of the visiting royals. All the silverware and candleholders shinned wonderfully in the sunlight streaming through the windows that lined the east wall of the room. His father was already seated at the head of the long table, speaking kind salutations as his guests entered. The king was attired in a loose, white shirt with ruffles David saw Waren and Teresa already seated along the right side of the table, he also noticed that Teresa was dressed quite decent even in the male clothing she had on, which consisted of a loose, beige shirt with pale green pants that stopped at the bottom of her knees, meeting the pale stockings she wore to cover her legs.

David walked over and sat on his father’s right at the table, Waren on David’s right. Waren had pulled back his black hair into a neat ponytail joined at the nape of his neck. He wore a white shirt underneath an apple red vest with golden colored trims. He, too, wore pants that stopped below his kneecaps in the same fashion as Teresa’s, only black.

"Father," David said stiffly and politely once he had seated himself properly, bowing his head. Unlike Waren and Teresa, David was robed more formally since it was his father who was hosting the day’s events. Although he had on the same basic white shirt and trousers as the others, he wore a longer version of the vest, the front panels stopping just above the start of his knees, and was a light shade of purple with his family crest embroidered into it in a darker shade of the same color. This attire was both proper and elegant, showing to all where he belonged and his status, just as his father’s demanded a type of respect, his showed his place as next in line.

The king had on much the same as David, just with full-length pants and even longer vest panels down half the man’s calves. As the final guests appeared and took their seats, David glanced towards his own guests who were conversing politely with the representatives nearest them.

"Of course I have heard of your country," one such representative voiced loudly. It was obviously quite hard for Waren and Teresa to not laugh as the man continued, "I have always wished to visit Sol, young Prince Waren, but you do understand just how pressing matters of state are," the man said, Teresa giggling from behind her hand softly. "Perhaps if your father, good King
" the man paused, not sure how to continue, panic crossing his features.

"King Phillip," Waren helped, feeling slightly sorry for the man.

"Of course!" another man said from across the table, interrupting the French delegate from next to Teresa, "Even I, from England have heard of your King’s kindness and generosity."

"As I was saying," the first man said over the British envoy, "if good King Phillip would be so kind as to send an invite to France, I could see about visiting, since I do so hate to drop in unannounced."

"I’ll tell my father you are interested, sir. It would be a pleasure to have such fine company as yours again," Waren said politely and then turned to David. "Yes, your highness?"

Slightly startled by being addressed, David remained silent for a few seconds. The French ambassador looked expectantly towards the younger boy and then to David’s guests.

"Ah," the man said, coming to his own conclusions as to David’s pause, "it would seem, Prince Waren, that your cousin has taken the eye of the young prince, eh?" All three youths looked from the ambassador to each other, Teresa and David both gaining a red tint in the faces and Waren began laughing.

"I’m afraid, my dear ambassador friend, that Teresa is a little too head strong for court life. She has many odd ideas that makes her unlikely to catch any man’s eye for more than a minute or two." Teresa’s face became redder and she began to glare at Waren, coming very close to losing her temper, Its one thing when strangers talk about me like that but now Waren too?!

"I believe," King Charles V spoke from behind David, making his son jump, "that a woman with a mind of her own is something no good king should be without. It tends to keep one on his toes, and seeming as to how well Lady Teresa is adjusting to the court life and is respectful, she would do any man a dose of good."

"Thank you, your highness," Teresa said smugly, bowing her head courteously.

"Respectfully, sire, I’m not entirely sure if I agree to a woman joining the hunt," the British emissary spoke, eyeing Teresa oddly, "a woman’s place has always been in the kitchen."

"We must all be open minded, Lord Damian, or have you forgotten our talks from yesterday so quickly?" the king countered, the tone of his voice telling all that to continue the topic would be futile. "And besides, Prince Waren, my son, as you might know, has his own stubborn side. The match could be interesting."

"Oh I believe you, sire, quite interesting," Waren agreed, thinking of all the arguments Teresa has already had with David.

"Well, now that all are present," Charles’s voice boomed throughout the hall, "bring out the food."

The rest of the meal progressed with much small talk and little else as the servants walked around the hall with trays of various foods and drink. Afterwards, his highness announced that anyone joining on the hunt should meet at the stable in an hour, allowing time for the horses to be prepared. David, Waren, and Teresa, with Marcus in tow, decided for a final walk around the gardens to the east.

David told his two companions of what would take place at the hunt and what would be expected of Teresa, who assured the young men that she knew how to ride a ‘stead’, commenting that it was like riding a bike and that it would all come back to her. Although the two didn’t find this overly comforting, Waren pointed out that since Teresa was gifted with nature, it would hopefully follow through to animals as well.

Either way, Teresa’s horse did not canter off as David feared and the first part of the hunt went on quite well. That is, unless one wanted to catch anything. Through the first hour and a half of the ride, no one had caught sight of a fox, pheasant, quill, or even a squirrel, making the men quite displeased.

"Men aren’t happy unless they get to kill something," Teresa grumbled to Waren as the party continued through the dense woods. Waren let out a quiet laugh and moved his horse closer to Teresa’s so as not to be overheard.

"Just remember, Teresa-," he began.

"I know," she interrupted and said, trying to imitate Waren’s slight accent and wagging her finger, "behave. Its not like there’s anything here to do."

"It is a bit odd," Waren commented, "not seeing any animals around, I mean. You wouldn’t happen to be
I mean
I know the idea of this is barbaric but this is a little
extreme."

"Waren!" she said in hushed shock, bringing a hand to her chest to draw more emphasis, "You don’t think that I could do this? I doubt I could do anything on this scale
yet."

"Yes, well, we aren’t trying are we?"

"I don’t know what you mean," she said and moved her horse to speak with Spain’s diplomat, a young baron of about twenty who seemed to forget all about the lack of game after noticing Teresa’s appearance.

"Maybe she is ready for court life after all, eh Prince Waren?" a baritone voice said from behind him.

"Oh, your highness," Waren replied, bowing his head in respect.

"Come now, young boy, cease with these constant formalities. Tell me, what did you say to cause your cousin to take offense?" the older man said, smiling. Waren was taken aback by the familiarity the king had taken but smiled in return.

"Oh, not much. She just takes offense to small things. She commented on how little game she sees when we hunt and I merely implied that without her, there always seems to be plenty."

"Sort of a bad luck charm, eh?" the man let out a hearty laugh. "You should like Lord Damian."

"Oh no, I don’t mean to think that she shouldn’t come-"

"I know, young man, I understand you perfectly. Tell me, do you have any siblings? Sisters, I mean?"

"No, no sisters, why?"

"Well, myself? I have three, older though, none younger. It’s just that the way you behave with Lady Teresa is more the way a brother would. You seem to be protective of the girl, protecting her from herself and from others. How well does David get on with her?"

"Excuse me?" Waren asked, shocked.

"How do the two get along?"

"Fine, I guess."

"Do they argue?"

"Well
" Waren muttered, not sure how to answer, "Doesn’t everyone?" The king let out another hearty laugh and slapped Waren on the back, almost sending him flying.

"So the girl does have spunk? I thought so the moment I saw her in my court. I believe it was when I called her a peasant? Or was it a commoner? It doesn’t matter, the look in her eyes, her clenching fist, I thought she would actually try and punch me in the nose. That’s the type of woman my son needs, one that isn’t afraid to put a man in his place." The king continued to ride, smiling smugly to himself as he went to the other guests. David rode over to Waren a few minutes later, both watching the king ride in high spirits.

"What was that about?" David asked quietly.

"I’m not sure. David, are you already betrothed to someone?"

"What? I think so. We all are at birth. Why?"

"Who with?"

"Some girl from a French province. I’ve only met her once."

"Did you like her?" Waren asked warily.

"To tell you the truth, I can’t even remember her name, let alone her features. Why?" David pressed, still watching his father as he lead them further into the forest, sunlight beginning to dim from the dense leaves.

"I think your father’s up to something."

"Such as?"

"It has to do with-" but Waren stopped, the forest getting denser and wilder, Teresa looked back at the two with a worried expression. "Something isn’t right."

The three protectorates slowed their pace, falling behind everyone and regrouping to talk. Teresa was the first to speak, her expression grave at best.

"Something is seriously wrong here."

"A little obvious, isn’t it?" David said, glancing ahead at the hunting party. "It was never this dark here or anywhere in this forest."

"And all the animals are missing," Waren added.

"It feels dead," Teresa shuddered, "and these tress aren’t natural. I mean, they don’t grow like this unless made to," she continued as they passed one particularly twisted tree, its roots half exposed, and leaves brown and rotting off the branches.

"Animals only flee around danger, but they seemed gone long before we entered," David muttered, "maybe they can sense something we can’t."

"But what?" Waren asked, agitated. "Teresa, there must be another feeling your getting from here, we’re in the middle of nature for goodness sake."

"It just feels like something’s going to die, soon." Before anyone could speculate more the party stopped. They moved forward again to see what was happening and saw what appeared to be an old, sick man lying on the dirt path. At least, it was assumed to be a man, he was bundled up from head to toe in old, filthy cloaks. The king was requesting the bundle to move but nothing stirred under the pile of cloth. David reached the front and dismounted. He walked over to the person to see if there was anything to be done but didn’t seem to know which end was up.

Teresa began to shiver beside Waren, making the futuristic prince even more nervous. I wonder if I could read him, see what happened, it he’s still alive, Waren thought as David began to try and roll the man over. Waren closed his eyes and tried desperately to focus, but all he could sense was dark and cold. Teresa shuttered again, Waren feeling a chill emanating from her. This place is definitely affecting her, he opened his eyes and watched David struggle to move the heap. He can’t be that heavy, unless the man’s fighting it. Waren leaped from his horse and began to help try to help David but as soon as he came in contact with the dirtied garbs that covered the person he felt a chill run down his spine. ~*Death!!!*~ screamed into his head as the bundle spun with almost unnatural speed, a crossbow appearing from the mass.

"No!" came a shout as the arrow pierced the cold forest air, hitting its target, King Charles V. The large man fell from his mighty stead, the small assassin’s tool protruding from his chest, just below the heart. While everyone watched as the great man fell, the man behind the weapon shoved Waren and David to the ground and raced off through the ever-thickening trees.

David raced to his father’s side, applying pressure to the wound with one hand and grasping his father’s in the other. The lords and diplomats seemed in shock as Waren watched them. He looked for Teresa to notice she had already ran off, leaving her horse next to his.

Teresa! his mind screamed, Waren finding himself begging any greater power out there that he could reach her.

Ow, came the mental shout he had hoped for, quiet will ya?

Are you following the assassin?

No, I just felt like going for a little stroll, what do you think?! she shouted back, not sure how to be sure Waren heard.

I’ll send some men your way to help. Be sure they get lost in the forest I have a feeling-

Lorid’s behind this, geez you’re predictable. Okay, and David will save the king, see ya later. When ya wanna find me just call.

"Oi!" Waren shouted to the puzzled lords. "We need to catch the attacker. Some of you go to the castle to try and find help while the others start searching. Prince David and I will watch over his highness until you get back." If any questioned his authority, all knew this was not the time to argue. The dozen men split up and began to carry out Waren’s commands. As soon as they were through the thicket, the branches around David, Waren, and the wounded royal grew, closing off the small area, letting no light in but through the top canvas of the forest.

"Thank you, Teresa," David whispered.

"What is going on?" the king asked in a strained voice, noticing the moving trees.

"Hush father, save your strength," David said softly.

"We’ll need to remove the arrow," Waren noted, kneeling next to David.

"I am already as good as dead," the king argued quietly, gasping between every few words, "Just catch the man who did this to me."

"You’ll be fine, your highness, trust me," Waren said, wrapping his hands around the arrow’s base, "Now this will hurt."

---

After ‘losing’ the other pursuers, Teresa proceeded to thicken the entire forest, her eyes glowing bright green. As she ran through vines, shrubbery, and branches bent to allow her passage. That should slow that jerk down to a crawl, she thought bitterly. Then, as she walked through an arch of oak tree branches, she felt a stab at her ribs and heard a large snap up ahead. Pain seared through her right side as she tried to understand what she had been hit with. She continued on, walking with her left arm clutching at her ribs. In the next clearing stood two men, the one held a dagger in one hand and had a crossbow flung over his shoulder. This man was slashing through the thick gathering of vines in front of him in a panicked state; the other figure, all in black, simply watching with his back to her in mild interest.

"Hey, idiots!" she shouted, straightening herself out, ignoring the throbbing that seemed to be spreading. Both men turned, the attempted assassin showed a face pale from utter terror while the other person’s hood made it impossible to see anything.

"A witch!" the frightened man screamed, his hands trembling.

"Ah, Teresa," the cloaked figure spoke silkily, "How wonderful to finally meet you."

"Lorid, I presume," she nearly spat. Her eyes shinning a darker green, nearly lighting the whole clearing in their glow, she raised he arms to shoulder height, entwining both men in rose bushed, the thorns scratching through their clothes. "Why not stay awhile?"

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#8
Old 12-10-2007, 04:46 AM

Author's Note: Yup, that's two chapters today for those looking at the date stamps. Simply because the Lit Spot was closed for awhile for cleaning and rather than holding back Chapter 8, I figured I'd share.

Chapter 8: Why?
As the glistening golden sun reached its peak across the medieval setting, another light filtered upward from the mortal forest below. A pure white hue that even the angels would envy blossomed forth from the ever thickening and darkening elm forest. At the center of this angelic saturation of light knelt two young men next to an elder man in royal garbs. The older man’s once blood drenched jacket was cleansed and his wound healed before his very eyes. His savior before him, hands still raised to his chest, sweat glistening off his son’s forehead from the exertion.

"David?" the man whispered to his wondrous son, but the boy could not hear him.

"...a little...harder than...a computer," was all he muttered as he collapsed onto his father’s chest.

"Don't worry," said the other boy, lifting David off the king and leaning him against a nearby tree. "He just needs to rest now."

"What? How?"

"This might be a bit much for you to handle, sire," Waren warned as he helped the man sit upright.

"I don't care. What are you? Angels?"

"No, I’ll explain but first I should tell Teresa you’re alright."

"Where is she? David said something-"

"I'll explain it all in a moment."

Teresa, Waren once again called out into the forest.

I've got 'em! her panicked mind screamed back, I’ve got ‘em! Now what?

Slow Down! Waren commanded, placing a finder to his temple, Got who? The attacker? Lorid?

Both! Now hurry! There’s so much
pain
 Teresa’s mind finished, the sound emanating from her brain decreasing into a small murmur of unknown nonsense.

"Your highness, Teresa’s in trouble so you’ll just have to trust us for now," he waited until the king nodded and then asked, "Do you think you could walk?"

"I would move the world if possible for you three at the moment."

"Good, then help me with David before Lorid gets away."

"Lorid?" the king asked, grabbing one of David’s arms and throwing the boy over his shoulder.

"I’ll explain on the way, just hurry," Waren shouted back on the now clearing shrubbery as it created an arch just large enough for him.

---

"I assume that Waren is coming?" the robed figure asked with a bored interest. Teresa jerked her attention back to her prisoners, trying desperately not to panic or lose control while pain throbbed throughout her body.

"I suppose he is," she said, attempting to keep the fear from her voice. "Why do you care? I would be worried about what was to happen to me if I were you."

"Would you now?" he said, "Well, I believe that if I were in your position I would be more concerned about the blood that seems to be seeping from your side rather than trying to stop the future savior of humanity."

"What?" she whispered, looking down to find her beige shirt stained bright red, "but how?"

"Its quite simple, child," Lorid began, his face still hidden from view.

"Be quiet!" Teresa yelled, emerald light blazing from her eyes as anger seared inside of her. "How can you call yourself humanity’s savior when your trying to kill us?!"

"My, my, aren’t children these days so impolite. Your time has a phrase for an occasion such as this, ‘the end justifies the means’ I believe it was. I plan to stop the persecution, the suffering, the grief that humanity puts itself through; the hunger, the disease, it will all end when I have completed my task."

"There is no justification for mass murder, that has also been proven in my time because of men like Adolf Hitler."

"Please, you could hardly classify myself with that monster?" he said, laughing lightly as Teresa stared at him through narrowed, emerald eyes; only slightly noticing that the vines binding him had tighten.

"But I do because you are a monster. You’ve already judged the human race without giving it a chance to defend itself."

"Judge, jury, and executioner, those are my duties to ensure the survival of this planet. You accuse me of being a monster, but you too have judged me before hearing my own defense."

"What defense? You’re crazy."

"Only time will tell on that account, but should you not listen to my reasons?"

"Fine," she spat, watching him carefully as blood continued to drip down her side, staining her pants. "Why destroy humanity if you just want to stop a war?"

"I don’t want to stop just one war, I wish to stop them all. You know how destructive mankind is and it’ll never learn. Even after the third world war we fall into the same pattern that lead to the deaths of billions. You, at least, should understand, your time has just recovered from another war and yet you learn that there will be another. Is there really any hope for us?"

"Of course there is," Teresa barked back, finding herself sympathizing with the man, "Humanity learns, as long as we do that there will always be a chance."

"The only thing people learn is a better way to hurt each other."

"Oh really?" Teresa asked, angry with herself for not only listening to him but for understanding his position and wondering if she would do the same in his place. Lorid allowed himself to grin as he watched the young girl argue with herself, feeling the vines loosen around him, he decided to continue his conversation.

"Your emotions are showing, Miss Teresa. Perhaps that is what is destined to bring our downfall, emotions. Anger specifically, vengeance, or would you call it justice?" Teresa jerked her head upward, eyes glaring again, and his smile grew. "Oh, you don’t see a problem your sense of justice? On second thought, of course you wouldn’t, it’s always someone else who is wrong. Your time is notorious for its lack of responsibility, everyone’s a victim, it is rather pathetic how you people go on and on as if you’re impervious to flaw, to wrong doing."

"And I’m assuming you’ve never made a mistake in your life? I admit, I’ve made mistakes but the way you go on, it’s as if you’re not apart of the human race."

"It pains me to say that I am human, capable of mistakes-"

"So this could be a mistake, logically," Teresa interrupted.

"Unfortunately, no. I have made no mistake in my plan other than to underestimate your abilities to adapt to situations, and each other. I assumed you three would’ve had more difficulty in working together, you and young David particularly, but Waren is very good at adapting to a situation; keeping you two together but not halting those stupid arguments you always seem to have."

"How do you know we always argue?" Teresa whispered, her eyes returning to hazel hue.

"Do you honestly think that I would not have assistance inside your little protective dome?" Lorid mocked, the vines slipping quietly to the floor as Teresa looked onto his dark form, her shirt now entirely bloodied from her wound.

---

"How much further could she have gone?" King Charles V shouted up to Waren as he readjusted David on his shoulders and continued to run through the oddly shaped path.

"I don’t know, I don’t think much further though," Waren called back over his shoulder. Waren increased his pace through the thicket, his face etched with worry. He had been trying to call to her ever since he had first lost contact but all he could hear was pain and confused thoughts. The last coherent thing he heard was that she was hurt, but how he didn’t know and with David still unconscious they were down to just him.

"Are you sure David will be alright?"

"Trust me, your highness, David is the least of our problems. He’ll be fine but if we don’t reach Teresa soon
" Waren let his sentence drop, trying hard not the think would happen if they lost Teresa, saying it out loud might jinx it somehow, it couldn’t be their fate to just die here, could it? Waren shook his head, trying to clear his frantic thoughts and try, once again, to reach Teresa.

"Do you really think Lady Teresa is injured?"

"I’m not sure, but I’m afraid that she is in danger. If only she didn’t travel alone she could’ve had help and be safe."

"I doubt that girl is the type to accept any type of help."

"You’re probably right about that," Waren said grimly, turning a rough corner in the green trail as it leads them deeper and deeper into the dark forest. After a few more moments of tense silence the trail appeared molded into an abstract sort of archway. Waren entered the small, enclosed area, feeling a strong sense of dread enter his heart. His feet refused to move as he was forced to look onto the courtyard from the entrance Teresa’s power had carved. Near his left stood a young man, unconscious and very pale, bound to the ground by brown, wilted rose vines. Closer to the center of the area laid a pile of more dead rose vines and what appeared to be an a young woman on the ground, surrounded by a small gathering of blood. Waren stared at the scene for what felt like hours until a loud noise came from behind him.

"What has happened here?!" demanded King Charles V, shoving past Waren and sliding David to the ground next to the shocked young man. Waren ran over to the girl, leaving David alone to sleep against the dying vines that now surrounded them. The girl was badly injured, her short hair all over her head and her breathing extremely erratic.

"Teresa!" Waren shouted, reaching out his hand to feel her wrist for a pulse. Although the teenager didn’t move, he could feel a faint but sturdy rhythm pounding against his sweating hands.

"Is she alive?" the king asked quietly, not sure what to do and fearing Waren’s answer.

"Barely," Waren whispered, closing his eyes and thanking any supreme power he could think of for the miracle. "Check David and see if he’s any closer to waking, we really could use him right now."

"What if he won’t wake?"

"Please just check," Waren murmured, resting his hand softly on Teresa’s and suddenly feeling very exhausted.

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#9
Old 12-12-2007, 07:20 PM

Chapter Nine: Troublesome Things, Consciences

After they had finally made their way back from the forest, all the delegates and diplomats were sent back to their respective countries, after all had been assured of the king’s safety. Waren had taken up the task of caretaker for his fellow guardians since neither Teresa nor David seemed likely to regain consciousness any time in the near future, both were moved to the same room to make Waren’s job easier.

He waited for hours in the quiet room, letting the wind from the ancient windows tickle across his face as he thought. He never left that room for more than a few spare minutes, a chambermaid named Margaret brought up meals to him. She had told him that she felt sorry for him and his friends, she tried to make him speak but Waren merely kept to himself until she left. Besides Margaret, there were two other frequent visitors, namely King Charles V and Marcus; no one else was permitted to enter the room by order of the king. As the hours wore on, Waren found himself wondering if he could’ve prevented this whole thing from happening.

"I am telepathic, for God’s sake. Why hadn’t I had known?!" he asked himself, and then he remembered the nightmare he had before the hunt, the very memory sending a cold shiver down his spine and through his very being. "It said it wanted to warn me, could I have known? Was it some sort of vision? Have my powers progressed to precognitive? Now what did it say exactly?"

~*He will use goodness to his advantage*~ the thought burst through his own, like someone had screamed the answer into his ear. Waren covered both ears reflexively, trying to block out the flood of images and words that suddenly rushed through his head. His whole dream, the warning, or was it a prediction? It did not matter what it was, or who had sent it to him, all that mattered was to understand exactly what it had meant. As the images subsided, the voice became softer, just above a whispered it repeated its words:

~*My warning must be heard, your enemy, our enemy, beware, for he will hide amongst the innocent. He will use goodness to his advantage.*~

Somehow, during the barrage of foreign images and thoughts, Waren had fallen from the chair he had been sitting on, almost trying to hide his mind from the unfamiliar onslaught. He slowly moved back to his seat, mind still hearing an echo of the warning, but this one was different, as if to be a plea for help. Waren looked at his two companions as they lay asleep in their beds and noticed a bead of sweat trail down their faces, as though they too had felt the unknown presence. "David, Teresa, please wake up. I need you, I’m talking to myself and hearing strange voices," he let out a sarcastic laugh, "I think I’m going insane."

---

Waren had to wait for another day before he got his wish, for the next day, around dinnertime; David awoke from his slumber while complaining quite loudly of a pounding headache. As the news of David’s recovery spread the castle took on a new light, replacing the quiet feeling of anxiety with hope.

As soon as the two boys were left alone, Waren told David of his dream and the warning he had received while David slept and of their unconscious response to the voice that Waren heard. David just sat in his chair and listened quietly through the whole story, occasionally glancing to where Teresa slept peacefully in her bed next to them. Once Waren had finished, David continued to keep silent, thinking to himself. After what had seemed like hours, David asked.

"Are you sure this all wasn’t just a dream? I don’t remember anything after I healed my father, let alone some strange voice telling me to beware."

"It couldn’t have been a dream, it was all too real. I could feel everything as though I was really there. Besides, the dream I had happened the night before the hunt."

"So its some sort of vision? I thought you could only send thoughts?" David asked, still looking back over to Teresa’s sleeping form.

"That’s what I thought too. Maybe my powers evolved somehow."

"Evolved? What do mean?"

"Changed, grew, developed, progressed to higher point."

"Alright, I understand, but why should they
evolve
now? You said you’ve had these most of your life, why would they suddenly change?"

Waren looked up at the ceiling, thinking hard on what had changed. He looked back to David to catch him watching Teresa again and then he understood the cause. "Its because of you two!"

"What?" David asked, looking back at Waren as though someone had just accused him of stealing something.

"I have had these powers all my life, but I’ve only just met you two. You and Teresa have never been able to use your powers until we were all brought together so it would make sense that the power I have had would also grow once we’re together."

"Of course that makes sense," David muttered sarcastically, and then they both turned to Teresa’s bed. "You do realize that we still need to figure out what that dream meant, right?"

"So you believe me?" Waren asked, thankful that he finally had someone to talk this through with.

"Well, you seem to know more about everything to do with these powers than I do, so I suppose I have to," David said slowly. "But might I make a suggestion, get out of here."

"What?"

"Go for a walk or something, to get your mind off of all this. My father told me you stayed here watching over both of us ever since we arrived at the palace. You need rest, I’ll stay and watch Teresa."

Waren thought about this and looked from David to Teresa, and then remembered the conversation he had had with David’s father a few moments before the king was attacked. "Very well, but let me know as soon as she wakes up. I’ll tell your father, he should be pleased."

"What do you mean by that?" David demanded but Waren simply shook his head and left the room, a smile trailing across his face.

---

"It's in our nature. We all make mistakes and then we learn from them and grow."

It was happening again. She could remember having this argument somewhere before, but where, and who with? She could hear it again, she watched from the shadows as she, Teresa, countered her opponents viewpoints, but with each counter she grew weaker, she could feel the weakness and pain that the Teresa before felt but could never see or hear the opponent. It was as if she was watching a bad television show, unable to see the other half of the screen and not allowed to change the channel.

The scene continued to play out until the girl before her lost consciousness and then it began again. Teresa still left to watch it over and over again, to see what had happened to her, helpless to stop.

What did I do to deserve this? she asked herself, calling out to anyone who could hear her. Someone make it stop! she pleaded, please...can anyone hear me?...can anyone see my nightmares?...please take the pain away...someone...

She quietly watched the scene again, despair entering her confused subconscious. It continued for awhile before, as if someone had heard her cry, the image began to slowly melt and change into a soft, comforting warmth.

David, her mind sighed as the touch soothed her into a peaceful rest, recognizing the familiar contact. Thank you.

---

David sat in his seat, trying to figure out what Waren could've possibly meant by his remark. After awhile he simply gave up, cursing under his breath, and turning his attention back to Teresa on the bed before him. He watched as she seemed to stir quietly, her forehead wet with perspiration and her usually glowing face bent in pain.

"I wish there was something I could do for you," David whispered to her as he wiped the sweat away from her brow. She continued to shift in pain as he watched her with growing concern. "Why am I so helpless? Why won't you just wake up? Your wounds are healed; all you have to do is wake up! Do you realize how much of an annoyance you are?"

David stopped and waited, half expecting her to start yelling at him, anything was better than this silence. "Please," he begged her sleeping form, "tell me how to help you. I can't stand seeing you like this."

Teresa stopped moving, he expression calmed and her body relaxed. David didn't move an inch and quietly watched as she settled into a dreamless sleep. He didn't know how long she was like that, or when he had sat back down to relax, or even how long he had been asleep, but when he woke up, the sky was dark and the room was cold. He checked to see how Teresa was doing to find there was no change. So after bringing the covers back over her, David leaned back in his chair.

"Sweet dreams," he said quietly as he closed his eyes again, hoping that when he opened them, he would be able to see the soft hazel hue of his Teresa's looking back at him.

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#10
Old 12-17-2007, 12:52 AM

Chapter Ten: Arrangements and Engagements

Waren had been kept out of Teresa’s room ever since David awoke so he could relax, but the peace simply gave him more things to worry about. Not only had another day passed without much improvement in Teresa’s condition, but there was also a question of how she got hurt in the first place. Since the would-be assassin was still being held at bay when they had arrived, that left Lorid, and Waren knew it wasn’t his style to wound Teresa. No, he was sure that if Lorid meant Teresa harm, she would be dead. These and several other things continued to nag at him and since David had basically shut him out, he felt totally alone.

Today, he wandered around aimlessly in a fog, visiting the lush gardens that the three had been to before the hunt, the faint scent of the blossoms playing with his senses as he walked to the bench in the center. He sat there, totally unaware of the whispers of passing servants as they continued with their chores. He didn’t care what they were saying; he simply stayed where he was until the sun began to set. Watching the sky change the colors of fire, the clouds highlighting the burning heavens. We never have sunsets like this, he thought wistfully, I just wish there was some way we could stop that war from happening without destroying everything that humanity has accomplished afterwards. There must be some other way for humanity to survive, some other way we can survive without destroying others.

"I’ll probably have to go back soon," Waren sighed aloud, "I’ll need to make arrangements soon, I just hope we can all go back. The others seem to be happy here, and it is nice to not have to think through protocols like I have to back home," he smiled to himself, remembering the many training sessions he was forced to attend in order to continue as prince after his father died. "I wonder if we could come back here, when the problems have passed."

He stayed there, sitting amongst the many flowers and trees until the sun had fallen below the horizon and the air chilled before he went back to his room, skipping dinner. His chambers had been cleaned while he was gone. He walked across the dark room to the lamp on the small desk and lit it with the matches next to it and turned around, taking in the simplicity of the room with some comfort.

It was a small, rectangular room, with a slit in the far wall for a window and a large bed draped with fine fabrics for the cold nights. There was a screen on the other side of the bed that was used to change behind and a small table that held a basin to use to wash up with. Most of the stone floor was covered with a large, red and gold rug. There was a rather large armoire to his right, made of a dark wood with bronze handles. He sat at his desk, writing (with the quill, ink, and paper provided on the desk) a list of the events that took place since he and his companions had reached the castle, just in case something else happened, like he was told to do. He would later put the letter inside a small compartment to be found in the future, if they didn’t return.

He had been in his room for about an hour when someone knocked on his chamber doors. Once Waren granted access, a very flustered archer stormed into the room and began demanding to know what had really happened in the forest.

"Is it true you were attacked by devils and that we hold one in the dungeons? I heard tell from the nobles before they left that his highness was killed and one even suggested that the king is not really the king but some sort of demon in disguise," Marcus continued on, telling Waren of all the rumors that have begun to spread, each more bizarre than the last, but some surprisingly accurate, that is if they removed the wings and change the devil to a mad scientist from the future. Once Marcus stopped, Waren let a small smile creep upon his face and looked directly into the archer’s keen eyes, sending a swift chill down his spine. When Waren spoke, Marcus could’ve sworn he had not heard with his ears, but they came to him as if from a dream.

"What do you think happened?" Waren whispered, peering stealthily into the man’s mind to see just what he had seen from the castle, replaying that memory for Waren to see.

Waren saw through Marcus’s eyes, the horses leave the castle gates towards the lush, green forest to the west of his guard tower. Marcus remembered looking over the forest and seeing a large flock of birds leaving the middle of the woods and wondering how the party could’ve possibly gotten that far in so short a time, but Waren’s mind caught what Marcus had missed, a soft glow had appeared in that area right before the birds had scattered, much like the light Waren had traveled in to collect David and Teresa. It must’ve been Lorid coming to this time, so we had actually arrived a few days before the distortion, well at least we know that much, Waren thought and then continued on until he saw a bright white light spread through the trees, that would be David. As the beam slowly faded, another light, this time bright green, gleamed from the place where Lorid had appeared. This pale green light flashed only briefly and as Waren watched, turned blood red. FIRE?! Waren’s mind exclaimed in surprise, causing Marcus to shrink back suddenly, both physically and mentally, breaking the connection between them.

Marcus rushed backwards, confused and frightened by what he had just seen. "What did you do?!" he demanded after he gained some of his composure. Waren was still recovering from the sudden separation. He stood where he was, next to the large wooden door, holding his temples and looking through sore eyes at the man before him.

"I’m sorry," Waren muttered, his mind reeling with unknown, confused images. "I didn’t mean any harm."

"What are you? What did you do to me?" Marcus demanded again, holding his own head to stop the throbbing he felt behind his eyes.

"I just needed to know what you saw before we got back from the hunt."

"You are a demon, you and that woman Teresa."

"Actually, no we’re not. I know this sounds strange and I doubt I can clarify things but I’m trying to help."

"Help whom?" Marcus asked suspiciously as he began to watch Waren and ignore the pain in his head, ready for an attack of any kind.

"Help you! Everyone! I’m here to stop the change," Waren yelled, loosing his calm. "If I don’t find out what happened to Teresa, the same thing could happen to me and David. I don’t think you want to see him hurt now do you?"

"No, I pledged my life to protect him," Marcus said warily, "but I still don’t know what you mean, what change are you afraid of?"

"I don’t know," Waren confessed, "the king knows all about this. He was injured in the forest but I can guarantee that he is the real king."

"And how can I believe you?"

---

David continued to wait in Teresa's room, trying to stay calm as the girl battled her demons. She had begun to dream again in the middle of the night, yelling out for help. Although that subsided quickly and it was now well past noon, David refused to allow himself to sleep until she woke up. He watched in silence as Teresa's face contorted with silent pain and started to thrash about, as if someone was holding her down. She let out a weak gasp before her struggling ceased.

"...help me..." she whispered.

"I wish I could, Teresa," David whispered back, rubbing her hair gently with one hand while the other grasped her hand, "but you are the only one who can defeat your demons."

"...make it stop..."

"I can't," David said softly.

"...David..." she struggled out, startling him.

Can she hear me? he wondered Is she somehow conscious?

"...it hurts...I can't watch again..."

"Watch what? Teresa, you have to wake up."

"David," she muttered again, slightly louder than before, her mind leaving its drug-like state just enough for her to realize she wasn't imagining David's voice at all, that she really wasn't alone. But when she tried to fight, tried to make it all stop, tried to wake up, all she felt was pain. "I can't," she whimpered, her body going slightly limp as she let the fog enter her mind again.

"Stop it! Fight, damn it!"

"...I can't..." Teresa whispered, fog clouding her thoughts.

"Don't give up!"

"...I'm...not...giving...up..." she argued quietly. David was taken aback, he watched as her face changed slightly, from the defeat he had seen to a quiet defiance. So you still have some fight in you after all, he let a small grin grace his features, Thank God you're so stubborn. Now to make you fight back! With a new plan formed, he jumped into action.

"Fine!" he grunted at Teresa's sleeping form, "Give up! That'll just prove that I was right all along. You're just a pathetic, weak, good-for-nothing, commoner."

"I am...not weak," she struggled out, her defiance growing.

"Of course you are," David yelled back as his smile grew. "A few scratches and you just die on me?! That is weak, even for a girl."

"...die?...on you?...I won't...die," her face skewed in the effort it took to speak.

"Why don't you tell that to my face then?"

"...I...can't..."

"Why?" he demanded.

"...because...I was wrong..."

---

"Take this to the Duke," King Charles V ordered as he handed over a sealed letter to a messenger, "and be sure to hurry. I plan to make the announcement as soon as things settle down."

The young man bowed deeply before retreating out of the hall to deliver the message.

"Are you sure about this, your highness?" an advisor asked once the messenger left. During the few days after David's recovery, the King had busied himself putting together plans of what to do if he did die, most plans being against the many advisors' suggestions. Today, his highness had decided to send out a notice to the father of the girl Prince David had been betrothed to since birth, making every advisor extremely nervous as to what the message had been about and exactly what the king had in store for them. Now they all stood around the throne the King occupied, each dressed in their finest attire, five men in all.

"Of course I'm sure," the King bellowed, making the group of advisors cower slightly. "I almost died out there and if I had one of you," he waved his large hand around the hall to indicate the many advisors that stood around him, "would have taken control and I think that David is more than ready to be permitted kingship upon my demise."

"But your highness, he has yet to become of age," one advisor spoke quietly, hoping not to enrage the strong king.

"He is not even married," another chimed in and the others began to nod in agreement.

"Ah, but he will be," the king said smugly.

"But, sire," the first man spoke again, "you just sent out an engagement cancellation to Baron Dussert. How is the prince to be married if you cancelled his engagement?"

"I cancelled his engagement to Lady Jeanne, do you think I would do that if I hadn't already chosen another bride for my son?"

"But who?" the man urged, gaining a mumble from the others gathered.

"You shall have to wait and see."

---

"This is madness," Marcus muttered as he sat down on Waren's bed. Waren had just told Marcus everything he could, cursing himself and swearing that if this changed anything in the future, he would work with Lorid willingly rather than face what his home would be like, changed. "How can you expect me to believe this?" Marcus asked after an awkward silence.

"Well," Waren started reluctantly, "if I was going to lie to you, don’t you think I would’ve thought something up that was a little more normal?"

"I suppose I should agree with you on that," the archer admitted, and then turned to face Waren directly, "So what really happened to the King, Prince David, and Lady Teresa? Were you really attacked by a demon or was it this Lorid person?"

"Lorid, although I suppose you could consider him a demon," Waren joked, "As for what happened? The man who is being held in the dungeons shot the king; David healed the king, which wore him down to the point of exhaustion; and I still have no idea what happened to Teresa." Waren sighed and waited while Marcus digested what he had just heard.

"So what you did," Marcus began, trying to gather his racing thoughts, "what you did to me, did that help any?"

"Actually, it just confused me even more," Waren said, and then walked over and sat next to the older man; sighing heavily, somehow pleased to be able to finally speak his mind to someone, even if it was a seventeenth century archer. "From what you saw, Lorid had arrived right before all the problems, then there was the white light which signaled when David healed the king. That green light that followed was from Teresa when she went after the assassin, but the red means that Teresa used her fire powers."

"How is that odd compared to everything else?"

"I don’t remember seeing any scorch marks in the clearing."

"Could the light have meant something else?" Marcus suggested, "Maybe there was someone else with a power as well or perhaps it was this Lorid devil."

"Or," Waren said gravely, "Maybe I was too concerned about Teresa that I simply didn’t see anything."

"Well, the only way to be certain is to go back there and look," Marcus said as if it were the only obvious solution and then stood and began to walk to the door. He stopped when he realized Waren was only staring at him. "Aren’t you coming? I doubt I’d know what to look for alone."

Waren just watched Marcus for a few more seconds before following after him, Maybe I should’ve told him about all this before, he seems to be taking this all very well.

The two left immediately towards the forest, ignoring the demands of the stable workers. They rode quickly and in silence towards the center of the woods, Waren noticing the dramatic change in the forest as they went. It all seems back to normal, everything’s so alive now. And it’s not nearly as dark as it was before.

Once they reached the clearing where Waren had found Teresa and the assassin, the two men tied their horses’ rains to a nearby branch and proceeded to the center on foot. At first glance, nothing had changed; there were two rings of dead thorn branches on the ground and a bit to their left was where Teresa had been, the ground slightly off-color from the dried blood that had seeped into the grass. At the sight of the rust colored grass, Waren felt a familiar pang of guilt, the same feeling he had been grappling with since they had seen her there, several days before. He walked slowly, almost automatically to the dark patch, vaguely noticing Marcus move towards the opposite end of the field, near one of the thorn rings. The young leader knelt down and slowly brought his hand to touch the darkened foliage, the image of his fallen comrade as clear to him as if she were still laying there, blood seeping out of unseen wounds into the once crisp green grass. Then Waren realized something both horrible and terrifying, he wasn’t remembering Teresa like that, but actually seeing her.

"Prince Waren?" Marcus called out to him, barely audible compared to the thundering of his heart. He couldn’t move, he was paralyzed as the image before him began to move.

 


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