22 – Strange Enough

The sun had already set but Alexandra was still outside, leaning on the fence near the aetherveil fields. She was gazing at the moon. Close to full, it looked strikingly similar to earth’s. So much so that she hadn’t noticed until now. White, glowing, about the same size, if not for the different patterns marring its surface, one could mistake it as the same astral body.

She found it funny. Not the moon itself, but her mild disappointment at the realization that it was just that: a moon. Why not two? Three? One so large it would be visible during the day. A blue moon? A red moon? That would be cool. Perhaps one that granted magical powers to those who prayed to it.

So many possibilities. Yet, the moon was mundane.

“This is the moon,” a voice called next to her, “in case you don’t remember.”

Alexandra flinched. Marick. She hadn’t heard him coming. The man could be oddly silent for his size. He leaned on the fence next to her.

“I remember the moon.”

Marick shook his head. “Of course you do.” His gaze landed on her. Her hood was down. She’d even removed the glove hiding her missing finger. The absence still stung.

He already knows.

“You’re a strange person, Alexandra,” Marick continued. “I can’t quite wrap my head around why you’re here, or what I should do with you.”

Alexandra met his gaze. “I wish I knew how I ended up here. As for the rest, I will manage.”

“Tell that tale to someone else. Lanterne is my village, my rules.”

“Have I broken a law?”

Marick chuckled. “Not quite. But in small communities like ours, laws come after feelings. And my people are not feeling too happy with you.”

Alexandra nodded. “So I’ve heard. No, I lived through it.” A pause. “I… I know I’m not the easiest of guests, but I will do my best.”

Marick shifted his body on the fence, the wood creaked under his weight. Alexandra looked up at him. How did someone grow so large?

“What do you want to do?” He asked, breaking the silence.

She hesitated. “As in? Now?”

“In general. You can’t be content living like that. No real place to call home, no family. What are your goals, Alexandra?”

She paused. That was a question she hadn’t really asked herself. She wanted to grow her streak. That was the closest thing she had to a goal. Marick wouldn’t understand. Furthermore, while she was determined to bring it as high as possible, it wasn’t really what the village’s chief was asking for.

“I’m not sure,” she answered. “Short term, I want to grow stronger.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “Why not?”

“The drive to grow in power is only as strong as the thing driving you. Without a reason, you will eventually falter.”

She smiled. She had her streak. “I don’t think it will be a problem for me.”

Marick shook his head. “Suit yourself.” His eyes lingered on her hair. “You know your appearance is a problem, right?”

She shifted, leaned away from him. “I’m aware. Bamir explained.”

“I thought so. It’s a good thing you’ve decided to hide your hair and hand. That said, the improvement between a gray haired young woman with facial scars and a missing finger and a hooded woman who’s obviously hiding something is marginal.” He paused. “If Bamir hadn’t assured me you weren’t a demonic follower, I would have already arrested you.”

Alexandra froze. “I am not.”

“Yet, Bamir is but the lowest echelon of priests. He could be mistaken, or deceived.” Marick leaned toward her. She pulled back. “How coincidental that you show up right in the middle of a pretty bad floral infestation.”

“That has nothing to do with me!” She raised her hands. “I’m not that strong.”

He pressed. “Valudipan has his ways. Who knows what a demonic blessing can achieve?”

“Valudipan?” Alexandra latched onto the name. It was the same as in her skill quest for Summon Lesser Fiend.

Marick leaned back, pulling away from her. He let out a low chuckle. “Right. The amnesia. I too would forget the name of my patron, if I were in your situation.”

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Alexandra’s face contorted. She had nothing to do with this!

He smiled. “Just kidding. For now, I’ll trust Bamir’s intuition.“ He jumped down from the fence. “Valudipan, Demon of Tides. All over Laika, we tend to attribute monster infestations to him. As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter. Such considerations are too far removed from my station. All I care about is ending the threat to Lanterne.”

“A noble goal,” she answered, her throat tight.

“I like to think so too. Unfortunately, I am not strong enough to kill the beast responsible for it.”

“You?” Alexandra gasped. The man was clearly stronger than her, and he was telling he could do nothing to the very same beast she was targeting. That quest wasn’t going to be easy. “Is that why you want to call the Wardens over?”

Marick stretched his arms, and put them behind his head. “Interesting the pieces of information you remember, and those you don’t. Yes, that’s exactly right. Sadly, Bamir doesn’t want me to.”

“Bamir? Why not?”

“You tell me. All I know is that it’s because of you.”

“Me?”

Marick nodded. “You.”

“How so?”

“I wish I knew, but that damned priest refuses to tell me.”