Chapter Text
He waited. And waited more. No sign of the brave stonewood or bright Vapran. The castle was cool, up to his liking. But still a big chip on his shoulder that blew off the cool musky wind from the opening balcony. He waited for his friends. Nothing. No call from the captain, no letter, not even a difference in his companion's bed when he woke up in his bunk from the previous hours.
Even though He is clearly ‘Waiting’ he still felt the need to go down in those dark webbed caverns for a good search. But even that would bring a sense of urgency and worry a tall Gelfling such as himself, for all he knew the spitter probably-
“Drenchen!” Husky, tan, and full of stubbornness. He saw a Gelfling that he couldn’t get along with ever since the day the captain of the guard put them on patrol. Tolyn. Not a very good name to start off with, “Drenchen” why not his name? He knew Tolyn wasn’t a bright and cheery Gelfling at his post. Quite stubborn at times as some others would say. But Gurjin and his small crew didn’t hang with the big crowd. So mainly the majority looked up to bulky Spriton with respect and admiration. Probably why the Captain gave most of his orders to him when he left for Ha’Rar.
“Drenchen? You know my name, Tolyn. I mean, how many cold patrols have we walked together? Since when am I just a…Drenchen”
“Since your best friend broke his oath and killed Mira.”
What. What did he just hear? How could that be? Rian was never a killer and would never dare escalate an issue with his beloved. Nor was that Gelfling way, or at least it was in the past with Stonewoods and Spritons, but not now. Plus, what stonewood would murder a Vapran and get a way with it.
Gurjin choked.
“Wha- Rian? That can’t be.”
He looked to his left to hear the voice of female Vapran Paladin. She was stationed with the uptight Spriton on all accounts…just like him and Rian. If he hadn’t known better, he could have sworn that these two like each other. Perhaps he was right. She gave a claim which was so unsuitable to hear for someone like him “Lord Chamberlain told of the traitor’s crime personally” she described it crisp and clean. Nothing unexpected from a simple sentence, but for the drenchen guard, it’s like she was speaking in Tongues of an ancient city civilization.
Gurjin didn’t believe it. There had to be a miscommunication or some misunderstanding. “But he loved Mira, H-he would never-“
“Tell us where Rian is!!” Tolyn yanked Gurjins uniform pretty hard. Startled him but quickly snapped out of it when realizing how strong he is compared to others.
He shoved the demanding Spriton’s hand back to his own area.
“Easy Tolyn, I don’t know”
“Think carefully, Drenchen. Are you loyal to the traitor? Or to your oath?”
“To my oath! Same as you.”
“Be sure it stays that way…” the two left Gurjin back to his post. In an arrogant way, they didn’t even go around him as if they had to patrol. They just walked up to a guard and demanded an answer and walked away. But again to some Guards, it would be seen as answers from the Captain.
He was pissed. Just walking up to a kind friendly guard and demanding an answer and just walking away with insults? Couldn’t believe it, if only his sister was here.
“What a couple of sm-“ He was then pulled back behind the corner of his post by someone. Nervous and Gelfling instincts kicked in and suddenly drawed him to pull his sword.
He did…for a split second, then recognizing the most familiar face in the castle.
“Rian!” He looked around the corner to spot any sign of Tolyn. There was none. “W-What happened I waited,” he was then shushed by the stealthy woodland
“Be quiet!” Rian whispered loudly. Still holding on to his friend’s chest, trying to calm him.
“But, everyone has gone mad, there saying that-“
Gurjin was interrupted by Rian loud whispering,
“No. No, not here.” He looked around. “Where’s Kable?”
Gurjin didn’t know where Kable exactly was but knew that his burning buddy always works on the highest tower balconies of the castle.
“Uhm…”
Rian got impatient but tried not to be rudely ignorant.
“Come on, hurry”
“Ahh he works in the top tower this week, but I’m not sure of where exactly he is stationed” Gurjin rubbed his neck but still pumped with adrenaline with all that was happening in small moments.
“Ok, follow me. I need you both” he turned quietly and quickly.
The two were walking up the stairs that normally take 3 minutes to get up at a normal walking pace. It was different, quickly moving up the stairs causing them to start sweating. Gurjin couldn’t wait any more, “Rian, where is Mira? The Skeksis…the guards, Even the… medics have said you killed her” they were out of
breath but nearly to the top. “I’ll explain everything…” he bent down to breathe properly “but I need you and Kable to DreamFast to see the truth.”
Gurjin’s heart felt bad, emotionally and physically. Is this really happening? Is his dear beloved Vapran friend dead? Is it possible Rian murdered by accident?
They made it to the top panting heavily. Gurjin put his palms on his ragged guard pants, sweating into his knees but only to be grappled by Rian and his swiffer lunges.
Several seconds go by, then halted by the sight of a simple guard at post. They hid behind a wall carving of the wavy design of the castle, very paranoid to draw any attention to themselves. Rian took the Liberty spying first to discover who it was.
There he was, a bright orange tint glowing out of the helmet spaces.
Kable.
“Great. It’s Kable. Come on…” Rian spoke back to Gurjin, he looked both ways to see if anyone was checking in. All clear. “Clear, let’s go!”
Rian and Gurjin rushed to their loyal Fireling friend with nothing but his guard uniform and spear. He was keeping watch over the perimeter of the land following into the bridge that led to the castle, anything that didn’t seem normal to everyday life was soon to be seen through his eyes. But often wondered ‘who would bushwack this place? And why would-
The two guards ran so quickly behind him with no care for who heard them, even though it didn’t matter because they just analyzed the hallways. It made Kable get jump scared, so much of him jolted his helmet was hanging half off his head. He adjusted it.
“Holy thra! What are you two-“ before he finished his scolding of the statement. Rian placed his hand over the fireling’s mouth. Kable had been dipped in the pool of tears at a young age. It made him immune to water and allowed his fire to touch others without harm. Although there was a still bit of warmness that was pacing on Rian’s hand.
“Shhh! I need your hospitality right now, both of you! DreamFast with me, not as a friend but as a Gelfling…”
Rian placed both of his palms up. Gurjin lifted his palm up but went hesitant to see Kable, still confused.
“Rian what’s going on? They’re saying you killed Mira, is that true?”
Rian wanted him and Gurjin to be told there and then, but decided to surprise them.
“DreamFast…” Rian’s ears went back but his stern lip was stronger than ever.
Kable lifted up…
Then, Gurjin…
*****
Swirls and twirls came through all of them when they shared their memories. He showed them the horrible truth of what happened to their beloved Mira. The Skeksis used the crystal to drain the essence out of this poor girl. Helpless. Like monsters they gargled it down like sweet nectar. No more Mira, no more funny jokes, no more Kisses from a good girlfriend, no more pulling the dreadlocks from behind, no more tags or races when off duty… why? Why would the lords do this? This seems cruel and unusual, even if she committed a treasonous crime. Their sharp beaks going back and forth of laughter was haunting the three gelflings' souls. Almost like their blood was beginning to run cold and sticky, instead of warm and soft.
Tears become fresh, warm and salty for all three of them. Definitely warm for Kable.
“I-I- I don’t be-Believe it” said Gurjin rubbing his eyes and nose. Kable went wide eyed with his yellow bright auburn eyes, he couldn’t control his breathing so he put his hand over his left chest. “Why? Why would they do this? She w-she was…” starting new strand of tears
As Kable was struggling with words, suddenly Rian sputtered out a half spit half losing breath cry. Not loud nor loud enough. His lips quivered.
Gurjin came to hug him tightly, then as a cycle Kable joined too crying himself into Rian. Kable thought of Mira as the sweetest person alive and a true lovable friend. Gurjin wasn't a wailing type of Gelfling. His dad always taught him how to be a man and take pain, this time was not one of them. Cooing of cry’s erupted from his mouth into Rian’s shoulders. “no…why would-“ his throat was becoming sore, not able to proceed with the words he wanted to express.
Kable patted his back, not letting him feel lonely.
The moment went on for about two minutes before Rain took part away from the hugging.
He snorted, wiping his nose. “I need your help”
“Why would they do this Rian?” Kable asked. He wiped his nose. Specifically taking off his gloves that were used to hold on to the Gelfling sized telescope. Mainly because of the heat or cold ( depending on where the day was) and for the fact that It required a grip to move and turn.
Rian remembered every second of it. “They drained her essence into liquid to drink, the Skeksis did that so they could live eternally. I suppose…I-I suppose Gelfling essence is really strong”
“Selfish…” Gurjin piped in from leaning on the balcony. Wiping the tears from his upper cheek and corners of his mouth. After a minute or two his eyes got rid of the redness and tired setting image. All that remained was wetness.
“They were chanting how they found a new way to live longer with this power…meaning they’ve looked into doing this again…using power from the crystal to take our own lives.” Rian was heated, most of them were by now. But deep down he was scared, not of dying but rather not being able to do anything that will avenge her.
“Using power from the crystal,” Kable repeated. He couldn’t believe it. “That doesn’t sound like 'protecting’ to me! Sounds like stealing or abusing it.” He walked over back to take a deep breath and see the view of the river that passed around the castle.
“They will try to stop us.” Gurjin said, staring down at the stone balcony that was engraved perfectly. He sounded so given up, like he just got done running a mile. Not tired, just sad.
Rian stopped, to look up to Gurjins gaze. Both who were previously stared at the floor, as if it were some way to ease the pain. Kable did the same, practically mirroring Rian’s reaction.
“Us?”
“I go where you go” was all the big supportive Gelfling said.
“Same as I,” Kable walked over near the two. “You shouldn’t do this alone. It would also be very disrespectful to not do anything.” He shed off his dark grey guard’s cape that lengths to his calves. Along with his shoulder armor, but kelts his leather armor on just in case. He was done by the time Gurjin ended his sentence.
Rian was still wryyy about having lost two friends. No. “No…No it’s too dangerous for you guys I won’t allow it.”
Gurjin stood up properly, towering over Rian's height, and making complete eye contact. “Mira would do the same for us, she wouldn’t take no for an answer and neither am I!” The drenchen male spoke firm and serious. He was a loyal friend to Rian. Because Rian was first Gelfling outside of The Swamp of Sog to appreciate him for who he is. Aside from captain Ordon. Mainly his first non drenchen friend. Which is hard to find and get in the great Smerth, according to him.
By this time Kable was free of his cape, gloves, and metal shoulder pads. He rolled his brownish taupe colored tunic arm sleeves halfway to his elbows, cutting off half of the forearm. He kept his wrist guards on. As well as the handy homemade combat boot knives.
Rian agreed but didn’t fully approve. Still thought of risking his friend’s under his misdoings. But yet it wasn’t his fault that Mira got murdered…or was it? He wanted to go spitter hunting…it was starting to swell his mind. But quickly rushed the thoughts out of the way.
“All right, together then” he nodded.
Gurjin patted him and gave a quiet chuckle. Kable planted his hand in the middle of their little circle. “For Mira!”
The woodland and Drenchen put their big hands on top of the fireling’s “For Mira!” They shouted.
Gurjin came to his senses shortly after. “So what is it we really need to do?”
Rian stuttered at first but quickly spit it out. “Well, we need that vial of Mira’s essence that I showed you when we DreamFasted. The scientist put it in a cabinet for research purposes. It’s only been several hours since this whole thing happened. I’m sure he hasn’t used it yet. But if we’re all in this together-
“Always brother…” Kable said, Feeling prideful.
“Then what I need is to grab the essence for official proof for maudra fara, because they will deny my words and label me a traitor. But with you guys along with me, when we escape the castle, you will be more of testimonies…witnesses more of”
“Would it be better if we went our own ways after escaping the castle?” Gurjin suggested. Even he wasn’t so sure of this idea. He looked to Kable for an agreement. But surely as expected, did not.
The fireling got snarky. “What was all that ‘I go where you go’ stuff”
Gurjin tried to plead his defense. Surprisingly to Rian, it made Kable slowly trail over to his ideology as the drenchen explained. Gurjin spoke “well now that I think about it? Why would you need the vial? What I mean is, she’s your maudra…you could just DreamFast with her”
Kable agreed.
“Actually yes, she would trust you more than she should trust us.”
“No, I'm a wanted fugitive. If something happens to me then…” Rian knew where they were getting at but also knew it was really risky to just do it by himself with no eyewitness. Rian ended the sentence to let Gurjin continue the rest by realizing what he was getting himself into.
“Then the truth dies with you…huh.. I won’t be able to pass your memories”
“Which is why we are going to bring maudra fara proof of the Skeksis crimes. Mira’s essence…”
The other two exchanged nods. “So, exactly how do you plan us to steal the essence?” Gurjin asked. Rian explained why he needs this bottle of confirmation. But never addressed how they would get it.
“You do have a plan right? You can’t not have a plan after all that talk” Gurjin chuckled a little.
“Yes, but you're not gonna like it.”
To be Continued-