Brian Pratt - The mists of sorrow

When James passed out after touching Miko’s hand, they watched him closely for several minutes. Anxious that what Scar had suggested might in some way hurt him, they were relieved when he continued breathing and appeared as if he were asleep. Miko too seemed to quiet down shortly after James joined him.

“Keep an eye on them,” Jiron says to Brother Willim.

Sitting down next to them, he gives Jiron a nod.

“Now,” Jiron says as he turns back to Scar, “just where did you learn this little tidbit of information?”

Scar glances to Potbelly and licks his lips. Turning back to look into the intense gaze of Jiron, he says, “Back in the City of Light.” When Jiron doesn’t make any comment he licks his lips again and adds, “From Sorenta.”

“Sorenta?” he asks incredulously. From the way he said the name it’s obvious he knows of whom Scar is referring to.

“Who’s Sorenta?” asks Shorty.

“She’s a prostitute,” replies Potbelly. “Worked over in Mother Chlia’s place.”

“You risked his life based on a story a prostitute told you?” Shorty asks in disbelief.

“You don’t understand,” explains Scar. “She wasn’t just a prostitute. She had the ‘gift’. At least that’s what she called it.”

“That’s right,” agrees Potbelly. “There were times when we would visit her when it happened. She said it rarely came while someone else was around, and that since it did, it must mean something.”

“And when it happened, she told you to have James take Miko’s hand?” asks Jiron.

“Not exactly, no,” replies Potbelly.

“When I saw Miko there and heard what James and Brother Willim said to each other, I knew I had to tell you,” Scar states. “At the time she told us, she wasn’t sure why she felt she had to only that she did. Said the information could come in handy some day, though she was a bit vague about when.”

“Things happen for a reason,” Brother Willim says from where he sits next to James and Miko. “Who are we to judge their merits?”

“What should we do?” Stig asks.

“Wait,” he says. “All we can do is wait.”

“If something goes wrong,” Jiron says to Scar, “I’m holding you personally responsible.” He continues staring at Scar then flicks his eyes to Potbelly before returning to James’ side.

Several minutes pass while both Miko and James lie there quietly. Then they all of a sudden begin spasming and with a gasp, James opens his eyes as he sits up. Releasing Miko’s hand he gasps, “Oh my god.”

A fraction of a second later a scream is torn from Miko as he snaps awake as well.

James looks around with eyes wide. When he realizes he’s back in the camp with the others he visibly relaxes. Next to him Miko holds his arms around his chest and groans in pain.

Brother Willim arcs an eyebrow questioningly at James and he says, “Better check him out. I’m fine.” The pain which was so excruciating while in the dream with Miko is now quickly beginning to fade.

Nodding, Brother Willim moves closer to Miko and says, “Let me have a look.”

Miko removes his arms from his chest and Brother Willim pulls up his shirt. Beneath the shirt his chest is a mass of burns, boils have formed and some are oozing pus. “Get the Star,” he says to Jiron.

As Jiron removes the Star from Miko’s pouch, Scar asks, “What happened?”

Once the Star is in Jiron’s hand he gives it to Miko. No sooner does the Star rest in his palm than a glow envelopes him. They watch in awe as his chest begins to return to normal. The boils recede and the burns turn brown, eventually flaking off to reveal the new skin that has formed underneath.

When the glow from the Star vanishes, Miko is breathing much better.

“Now, what happened?” Jiron asks.

James begins to relate to them his experiences within Miko’s dream. When he’s done Miko has little to add, the memory of the dream has already begun to grow cloudy. “All I can remember is that I needed to get into that room, but was unable to,” he finally says.

“What was the room like?” Shorty asks. “Why did you need to get inside?”

Miko shakes his head. “I can’t remember,” he admits.

“I caught a quick glance within before the door slammed shut,” announces James. “The room was of average size and a pedestal stood in its center.”

Jiron has a thoughtful look on his face when he asks, “Did the room have eight sides?”

Shrugging, James says, “Maybe. I couldn’t see it all but I suppose it could have. Why?”

Jiron doesn’t answer his question, instead he turns to Brother Willim. “You said that the same force or presence was here both times Miko had these visions. Was the presence malign or good?”

“It didn’t feel either way,” he replies. “It just was.”

“Hmmm…” he says as he resumes thinking.

“Let me get this out before I lose my train of thought,” Jiron says. “Miko has the Star which is from the god Morcyth. Miko has now had two visions in which a temple is involved, both times the temple radiates bright light.” Turning to Miko he asks, “Am I correct so far?”

Miko nods.

Turning to Brother Willim he says, “In one of the prophecy you mention that ‘the light of knowledge will be at his side’.” Then back to the others he adds, “I believe the temples he saw are the High Temple of Morcyth in the City of Light.”

“What makes you so sure of that?” asks Scar.

“First, Miko holds the Star,” he says. “Second, a temple of light. I hardly think an evil temple would have a white light associated with it.” Turning back to Brother Willim he asks, “Would it?”

Shrugging, the brother says, “I really couldn’t say one way or another. But since it was Miko’s dream, everything in it would be based upon what he believes to be true.”

“So the light would have to be good then,” he says. When Brother Willim nods he continues. “Third…” Turning to James he says, “Remember just after we met and were trapped in my hideout, before we fled the City of Light?” When James nods he continues. “How did we get out?”

“Through a secret door my medallion opened up,” he says. “A flight of stairs went down and we…” His eyes widen as he remembers.

“Exactly,” continues Jiron with a nod, “we went into an eight sided room that had a pedestal sitting in the middle.”

“I don’t see the connection,” Shorty says.

James turns to him and says, “At the time I figured the room with the pedestal to be located beneath the site of the previous High Temple to Morcyth.”

“There are too many things here that point to that spot,” Jiron concludes. “It has to mean something.”

They look at each other until finally their eyes settle on Brother Willim. “If all you say is true,” he begins, “then I would have to believe Miko needs to enter that room.” He glances to James and says, “And soon.”

“It has long been believed that dreams, especially dreams of such power, are sendings from the gods,” he explains. “The fact that so many have come in so short a time cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. James, you have had dreams of Cassie and Tinok in that place you call a carnival. Miko, your dreams are of a temple that is swallowed by blackness. Blackness that you are terrified of.”

He glances around and says, “I myself have had dreams of late. Nothing compared to the power of the ones you two have experienced, but potent nonetheless.”

“What were yours?” asks James.

“A garden,” he replies. “None too surprising given whom I serve. I often have dreams about gardens and such. However, since I’ve accompanied you, they have become more intense. Lately they have begun differently, but all end at a withered garden. A blackened tree, wreathed in mist, rises high. The tree cracks open, a monstrous creature steps forth and consumes the garden.”