FanStory.com - Up The Mountain Again by Erika Whittle

“This is so crazy. Did the records go into detail about how the wizards were sealed in the artifact? I imagine sealing souls is a little different than sealing magic.” Brandy inquired with an uncharacteristically grim expression.

“No it didn’t. But it did list the family lines of the mages who stayed in the kingdom. We traced the genealogy and were lucky enough to find a family line that still exists...one with a mage.”

“It seems you have a plan, Tyler. How can I help?”

“You mean, how can we help?” I corrected Demi, and the others nodded their heads in agreement.

“...you really didn’t know any of this, your highness? You and Silvester were close.” Tyler looked skeptically at Demi.

“...he probably didn’t want to add more to my plate.” Demi frowned. “I was sent to the war to die and Silvester was trying his hardest to keep me alive. He offered to take me north with him when the war ended. Perhaps, if he lived, he would have told me then. At least, I would like to think so.” Demi had a forlorn look in his eyes that was rather heartbreaking.

“I see...I’m sorry for suspecting you.” Tyler bowed his head to Demi.

“It’s fine. I would’ve also been cautious, had I been in your place.” Despite his words, Demi wore a complex expression. I guess logical understanding doesn’t negate feelings. I feel bad for him.

“We have a hideout in the mountains. It would be best to explain the rest there.” We nodded and made plans to go up the mountain first thing tomorrow. Demi let the guild know that we would be leaving for an uncertain amount of time. He tried to return the keys to the house, but the guild master insisted we keep them for now. He probably wanted something to tie us here. Tyler and Tali had already gathered the supplies they needed. The six of us went to the market to gather our own necessities. Jer was noticeably quiet. While everyone was packing and getting ready, Demi grabbed my arm and guided me to his room. Then he called Tyler. I guess he wanted a private conversation, because as soon as Tyler entered, Demi shut the door.

“Now be honest with me, Tyler. The people you allied with, do you really trust them or is it an alliance based solely on a common enemy?”

“...Does it matter?”

“It does. I won’t bring Taya to a place filled with hidden intentions. Not when I could ask Tali for the necessary information without the added risk.” I looked at Demi. He does have a point. We don’t know their numbers, and quite frankly, the only one I trust is Tali. Though I would like to prolong our re-union, sometimes people are more dangerous than monsters. There’s no need to take unnecessary risk.

“I noticed this before, but you’re very protective of your partner. Are you two dating?” I felt my face turn beet red. Demi’s face remained stoic but the tips of his ears were ever so slightly pink.

“No...we’re partners. You seem to have forgotten what happened to my last partner, and in such a short amount of time too. I believe it was just yesterday that we were talking about it.” Demi quietly replied in the most aggressively sarcastic tone I had ever heard from him. He must be talking about Silvester.

Tyler looked away, as he should. This guy really knows how to upset my partner. “There is a mixture of both. I understand where you’re coming from, but there’s a specific reason why you have to come with us. At the hideout...there’s a mage.” Well, that was unexpected. These boys all drop bombs without changing expressions. I wonder if that’s a guy thing?

“...fine. Taya, from now until we return, stay right beside me.” I nodded, not wanting to upset anymore of Demi’s emotions. He looked a little unstable. I wonder if Silvester’s death gave him a sort of trauma? That would be completely understandable.

The three of us left the room and returned to the group. They sent us questioning looks but we didn’t say anything. We trekked up the mountain, making fairly good time. This is definitely easier than following someone’s trail. Tyler informed us of a shelter located partway up the mountain. Having a guide is the best! The shelter was about the same size as the house we were staying in. A little more rugged, that’s all.

We lit a fire in the fireplace and pulled out jerky and trail mix for dinner. I miss the cornbread already. The girls piled into one room for the night and the guys used the other room and the dining area. Derek and Dave, with their large frames, preferred to sleep on the floor rather than share a bed. Jer and Tyler were left with the bedroom, you know, since they’re brothers. Demi...was wrestles. He went outside, leaned against a rock, and surrounded himself with a circle of blue flames. I hesitated but ultimately decided to approach him.

“Demi,” I quietly called his name.

“Taya?” he snapped out of his reverie and looked at me in surprise. I stood about a foot away from his flames.

“You can step over them. They respond to my will so it won’t harm you.”

I nervously moved forward. It’s not that I don’t trust Demi. It’s just instinct to not want to walk through fire. I gathered my courage and crossed through the fiery circle. It was amazing. The flames weren’t even hot. I looked at it with a sense of wonder and ran my hand through the flames once again. Demi chuckled. I looked up, slightly embarrassed, and stopped playing around. Demi’s eyes were filled with amusement. I went and sat crossed legged beside him. We sat in comfortable silence for a while.

“Aren’t you tired, Taya? We have another long day of walking tomorrow.”

“Hmmm, well my body is tired but my mind isn’t.” Demi nodded in understanding.

“But you should try and sleep anyways. You’ll regret staying up in the morning.”

“Yah, you’re right. It’s just...are you okay?”

Demi tilted his head as if to ask me what I was talking about.

“It’s just, you’ve felt slightly off since meeting up with Tyler. Did you guys fight a lot in the past?”

“Haha, no, the opposite. We grew pretty close. Tyler is a skilled fighter. We often worked in the same group. He and his dad were part of Silvester’s inner circle, and no one could approach me without Silvester’s permission. Like I said, he was trying hard to keep my alive.”

“You really cared about Silvester, huh? And it sounds mutual. But if you guys got along, why is it so awkward now? You already explained that you didn’t know about what your father was doing.”

“Trust is a funny thing Taya. It’s hard to build but can be easily broken. Politics, well, it’s like entering a den of snakes and trying not to get bit. It puts people on edge. When stakes are high, it’s to your advantage to keep your cards close.”

“Does it bother you?”

“I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t...but it’s what I was born into. For as long as I exist, politics will be a part of my life, and the subsequent consequences. It’s better to not take it to heart.”

“Yah, I see what you’re saying, but Demi, the heart can’t be controlled. Even if you logically understand, it’s okay to feel sad.”

Demi pulled me into a hug. “For a bit, please stay like this.” I wrapped my arms around him and stroked his back. After a while, I went back inside and went to bed. My mind was filled with many thoughts, but my eyelids won in the end.