"Sir Faulkner III: Ever Dreaming" by Lyn LJ Jackson

A dead man walked the Red Road. He spoke of the past and the future. It was the age when the sky cried for no one and no one cried for the world.

Chapter One: Ever Dreaming

A grey eyed falconer walked with soft feet. His white hair and his pale skin stood out among the red leaves. He eyes followed the path while his mind went dreaming. He was aged twenty three years with a legacy of a forty three year knight. Arch Edgewood's peregrine falcon was silent, perched lightly upon his left shoulder.

"Seheir," spoke Arch to the blue grey winged bird of prey, "Who do you think we will run into today? I hope it is not another old lady complaining about trolls in her yard."

[A man approaches,] answered Seheir, his voice echoing in Arch's mind.

"Where?" Seheir heard his speech also in his mind.

[He comes from the Foggy Road.] Arch turned his head forty five degrees and beheld a path that broke off from the one his feet traveled. Mist hung heavy there, and soon a red haired fellow was running towards the falconer.

"Mister, mister," called the man, jogging in place as he questioned Arch. "Is this the Red Road?"

"Why yes it is. Are you going west?"

"No, my travels take me east. Thank you, sir," said the red head and sped past the grey eyed man. Arch looked on after the fellow.

"And I thought that was another one to request help from me," spoke the keen eyed man to his bird. "Maybe I will go to the Ever Dreaming Lake. What say you?'

[Go to the lake,] responded Seheir.

"Are you excited to be going there?"

[Maybe.]

"Do you ever speak with emotion?"

[...No.] The white haired Arch laughed as he plucked the peregrine falcon from his shoulder and moved it to his arm. Seheir minded his claws against his master's delicate skin.

"Maybe you and I will find some breakfast at the lake," said Arch. "I say...fish for me and some tasty quail for you." He picked up his slow pace and continued to follow the Red Road west.

"Fly, fly, my dear friend!" exclaimed Arch Edgewood as he released Seheir from his hand. The peregrine falcon opened its three and a half foot wingspan and the air took the bird into its embrace. The bird of prey gained height, and was soon only a tiny blemish against the clear sky. Arch walked over to the Ever Dreaming Lake. His grey eyes fell on the still surface. He knew better than to stick his hand, or any other part of his body, into the water.

The falconer stroke over to a nearby birch tree and snapped a firm branch. He stripped it of leaves and stared at one end.

I wish I had a blade to sharpen this with, but I guess I cannot be normal like other average people, thought Arch. He eyes turned golden as he sharpened the end of the stick with the lightning sparking from his fingers. Grey eyed again, Arch returned to the edge to the lake with his spear.  He found a group of sizable fish, and after a few tries, stabbed a Ever Dreaming fish. He carried the meat over a spot of dry earth under a oak. Golden eyed, Arch cooked the fish while it was skewered on the end of the spear, getting rid of the poisonous waters it had swam in.

[We should come to Ever Dreaming more often,] spoke Seheir in the man's mind. The almost two foot bird swooped in below the arms of the oak and landed on a convenient log opposite his master. His kill, an innocent quail, was clamped securely in his black beck.

"I caught this fish here," spoke the white haired man as the flames on the stick went out. "I think it might be scrumptious... I never had a Ever Dreaming fish before."

[All fish taste the same.]

"Oh? And you know this from experience?"

[... I like pigeons.]

"I thought so," began Arch. "Now I will tell you if this fish is different from the one the market lady gave me." The man bit into his fish while the bird ripped into his quail.

[My meat tastes like small bird.]

"That is because quails are small birds," said Arch.

[Yes, they are. And your fish...?] inquired the peregrine falcon.

"Hmm. It is like the fish from the market place," said the grey eyed one. He took some more bites of the water meat.

[Eat faster.] Seheir shredded the quail to pieces. Arch hurried through his meal. Some one was coming, he knew it without Seheir having to tell him. He did so hate being called away in the middle of a meal.

"Sir, good sir!" cried a boy no taller than a meter. "Are you the falconer?" Arch sighed.

"I guess so..." admitted Arch.

"Urgent news sir!" began the lad. "Ereling Village calls for you to aide them in their time of peril!"

"Gosh, not again... They keep coming, do not they?" asked the man to his bird of prey.

[Well you have made a name for yourself.] Arch looked over at the boy.

"How did you find me?"

"The shaman executed a locator spell," informed the boy. "But please! Come with me now back to my village!" Arch sprung up on his feet.

"Well then! Let us follow into this inquiry," announced Arch. "Seheir, where do you think this will lead us?"

[Another day of saving the helpless masses?]

"Yes yes, my falcon. I know you are right, and still I wish you are wrong," spoke the white haired man as he cast aside the spear. He followed the lad from the Ever Dreaming Lake and into the trees.

"There! There he is!" A voice cried out as Arch Edgewood entered Ereling Village. A small crowd began to gather by a market fruit stall. The boy who had led Arch motioned for him to talk to a silent old man dressed in blue furs.

"Are you the one who saved Deep Sea Town from the shadow bat infestation? Are you the one who killed the Still Bone soldiers that murdered in the Fields of Spring Bloom?" questioned the old man. Arch nodded.

"My reputation precedes me."

"Yes, it does. For one such as yourself who eliminates evil to help the people, your good deeds never cease to spread. If not for you, the valley Village of High Soar would not be in existence now. Half of this beautiful land would be in ruin from the devices of Rainne if you were not around to protect the people from his works," praised the old man. "You are our hope during this age of fleeting shadows. If Rainne's ways are not stopped, everything could soon fall to deception and treachery."

[He speaks of things we already know,] spoke the voice of the peregrine falcon in Arch's head.

"You understand the situation of this land," began Arch as he addressed the man in furs. "Yet are you truly grasping the severity of things? These minute attacks in this land of Shinoir are as they are because Rainne is focusing his power else where. He has not looked fully upon Shinoir yet; his main devices are set in the neighbouring land of Jshair. They are suffering over there, and the more they fall, the more powerful Rainne becomes. When Jshair is finished, Rainne will turn the full force of his power on Shinoir. If he is not defeated, Shinoir's ashes will mix with Jshair's. Who will eliminate Rainne when he falls upon us?"

"You have traveled all over Shinoir combating the plagues and devices Rainne has set upon us."

"Yet I am not strong enough to defeat Rainne."

"In time you will grow," said the old man, tugging his furs tighter about him. "So far, you are the only human known to have unexplainable abilities like Rainne. You alone will stand a chance in dealing with that dark mastermind. Most people who to stand against his creatures are killed. Falconer, you meant to be a hope for us as the age is gradually being consumed by Rainne. "

"Please do not remind me," said Arch.

[They speak sweet words now, how will they speak when darkness covers all?] inquired Seheir.

"I like to deal with the present now and the future later," informed the grey eyed Arch. "Just tell me what Ereling Village's problem is."

"At night, huge vicious wolves run through this main street of the village. Their fur is mangy, and teeth sharp. What ever their red eyes light upon, it will be torn to pieces, Damages results in bodies, goods, and plant life. Those creatures are also sickly; if one does not die from its bite or claws, they become diseased to die a slower death," informed the old man in blue furs. "The wolves that attack are also intelligent. It seems they never leave this main road in their attack. Some have seen them huddled and howling as if in conversation at the edge of the village before departing." Arch crossed his arms thoughtfully as Seheir flexed his talons on his master's shoulder.

[This does not seem like the work of Rainne,] stated Seheir to his master.

"I think you are right Seheir. Those wolves must be a result of something Rainne did." The old man blinked.

"Who are you talking to?" asked he.

"My falcon, Seheir," responded Arch. He sighed. "Fine, old man, I will investigate into this for you. Once night falls, I hope every one has sense enough to stay inside and not come out to watch what I might do. I cannot guarantee any one's safety if they put themselves in danger."

"Understood, good sir," said the old man as he bowed slightly to the falconer.

[The dark wolves are almost near the middle of the village,] informed Seheir. The peregrine falcon was high in the air, invisible against thick clouds that succumbed the moon. Arch was standing inside a shadow, waiting for the wolves to get to the exact point where he would attack them. His eyes were shining gold, and his blood alive with lightning and fire. His white hair glinted red and silver. His fingers glowed with lightning while his fists were wreathed in flame.

Snarls and growling sounds echoed off the falconer's ears, and he lunged out into the path of the sickly wolves. Arch punched the first wolf he saw, and the creature's body was blown apart from being impacted by the lightning that seared at the ends of Arch's fingertips.

"Yaa!" cried the golden eyed man as wolf after wolf succumbed to the fire and lightning attacks. Three mangy creatures leaped at once to bring Arch down. The white haired one cast forth his hand, and a string of fire and lightning hit the wolves.

High up above, Seheir watched the scene. Arch was holding his own, being that there were only around ten wolves in the first place. Except...that one of the huge creatures was slowly getting around to his master's back side.

[Arch may not see you, but I do,] said the bird to the wolf who could not hear him. The peregrine folded his wings, and descended to earth. The wind cut past the bird of prey; the falcon gathered more speed. The bird hit the sneaky, mangy creature with the force of a fatal bullet. The wolf fell as Arch turned to defend against another creature.

"Thank you, Seheir," said Arch as he felled his final foe.

[You cannot be every where.] spoke the falcon. The falconer looked down at his hands as his abilities faded from view and his eyes lost their golden sheen. He had no blood on him, he always made a point to keep his battles some what clean. He knelt next to a wolf carcass.

"Seheir, take a look at this," the white haired man pointed at the froth on the wolf's jaw. "I think maybe these wolves were insane. They were probably affected by what ever disease they passed on to their victims. We need to find the source of what it was that altered the minds of these animals." Seheir flew over to his master and perched upon his familiar seat on the grey eyed one's left shoulder.

[Let us leave before dawn. Let us retire to Ever Dreaming's waters,] said the peregrine falcon.

"Yes, let us do that. I could use some more of that fish," spoke the keen eyed Arch Edgewood. "Shall we keep out of side of people for the next few days? I promised myself a small holiday."

The sun was shining down on Ereling Village. The old man was now wrapped in orange furs as he and other villagers peered at Arch's handiwork. The carcasses were burning in the middle of the main path.

"He truly is a unique character. A single man able to take on these huge, vicious beasts," commented a passerby.

"Our village is cleansed! Thanks be to the blessed Heimdall!" exclaimed another.

This was only a small attack, thought the orange furred man, How will the Falconer fare when the foes get bigger and nastier?

"What is his name?" asked a little boy. The villagers stopped oohing and aahing after the question hit the air. Each one looked upon the other. No one knew. "I think we should call him--"

"--Faulkner was one of the great heroes from the First Age," spoke Arch to his falcon. "It was rumored that he could command the seas and waters just like Rainne. But after his death, there had not been an emergence of my type, the UeHumans, for two hundred years. Then Rainne appeared, and soon afterward me. The Ue gene must have been dormant all that time..."

[I wonder where it originated from,] pondered the bird of prey. It was ripping through a breakfast of pigeon. Arch Edgewood munched on some more skewered fish. The waters of Ever Dreaming Lake were silent and poisonous in the background.

"Where shall we go after this? For our holiday?"

[The Peering Peaks.]

"Hmm, nice nice. There are not that many people there, the scenery is breath taking... I say we go there," agreed Arch the white haired. "Shall we take the Red Road or shall I Disperse us there?"

[Take the Red Road until you grow weary, then Disperse,] suggested the falcon.

"What ever you say, Seheir," consented the grey eyed UeHuman. The two finished their meal and departed from the Ever Dreaming Lake. The Red Road soon had its familiar travelers going the direction of the sun's descent.

Arch stood at the edge of a cliff off Mount Sebastian. He looked down at the valley below. He was not too high up, and could still see the people in the small settlements moving around. Seheir flew circles around his master's head. He was enjoying the wind through his feathers and also kept an eye out for unusual movements.

Arch closed his keen eyes as a breeze hit his body. He embraced the cold arms that brushed past him and cooled down his always warm body. The cold air helped to settle some the flames and electricity that were always nourishing upon his heart.

"We must come here more often, friend," spoke Arch. "The serenity of this place erases all of my thoughts about the world's situation. If only this peace here was every where..."

[I wonder if their are any mountain pigeons here?]

"Seheir, Seheir," said the falconer as he shook his head, "It is not even close to lunch time, any you are thinking about food again."

[I am sorry I have instincts.]

"Was that some sarcasm? Did I hear sarcasm in your voice, friend? This is some thing new, indeed!"

[Oh do shut up.]

"Make me."

[Child.]

"I am hurt, Seheir. I really am. How could you call me a child?" as Arch mockingly pouted.

[Watch out below...]

"Why do you plan on launching some thing at me?"

[No, there are people coming around.]

"People? I came here to get away from them," began Arch as he let himself behind a boulder. "Who are they? Some settlers of the Peering Peaks mountain chain?"

[No...they look like...Rainne's workers!] Arch climbed inside a serenderry bush to better get a look at who ever might walk past.

"And the Master said to me, 'Subparr, I want those venom darts, or your head'," informed Subparr. He was speaking to another man who was carrying a wooden crate. Subparr had green hair, and hazel eyes. He was tall and broad chested, wearing dark leather under a billowy blue cape. At his waist a rapier was sheathed. "The Master knows I am the only one he can trust to oversee his plans, so his threat to kill me was very hollow, Duke. But my loyalty ties me to him, so I just follow orders." Duke only nodded absently as he set the crate down. Many of Subparr's subordinates were used to him talking about nothing that was really important. So they nodded here and there just to be polite.

"Shall we have a look at this, sir?" inquired Duke as he pulled a crow bar from his belt. He wore dirty loose clothes, and had black grease all over his pants. His large hands were grimy and small rocks clung to his shirt. He was one of the Mount Sebastian miners, pulled from the caverns to carry the for Subparr. Duke could not complain. Any thing was better than working the only job he could get. Seheir circled slowly high above them, watching and listening to the scene below.

"Yes yes. Get on with it," began Subparr. "I hope Master Rainne sent the right stuff this time. He got the formula wrong on the last batch. He seems to be more forgetful when he has late night projects he is working on while still trying to conquer Jshair." Duke nodded his head without realizing it as Subparr's words went past his ears.

Duke pried open the crate, and beheld three red glowing containers inside the wooden box. Subparr knelt and picked up a canister. His eyes fell on the contents bar.

"Finally!' proclaimed he. "The Master sent the right stuff. Now, good miner, I want you to return to your shift in the caverns. Tell my lieutenant Fleance to come over." Duke left to do as he was commanded. "My, my. This stuff is more potent than the last failed batch." Subparr replaced the canister.

"Subparr, sir!" called a voice. Lieutenant Fleance strode in to the scene. He wore a red cape and dark brown traveling armour.

"Have you the testing grounds secure from settlers trying to access them?"

"Of course, sir."

"Then I want you to take this crate, and try out this new batch," commanded the hazel eyed Subparr. "I will join you in a minute." Once Lieutenant Fleance had left, Subparr took out a Communications Device. He activated the ComDe's communications link to talk to his master, Rainne. Arch's advanced UeHuman eyes easily allowed him to see the screen Rainne's minion was peering at. Rainne's face soon flashed in to view, and Arch recognized him immediately.

Rainne had long sea blue hair and thin steel blue eyes. He was face was grim, his glare cut iron, and his features were sharp. Rainne's skin was unnaturally pale, and his eyes always seemed to be carrying a hint of sadness.

"Yes, Subparr? I pray you received my gift," spoke the image of Rainne from the ComDe.

"Oh yes, yes I did," assured the dark haired man. "I sent my lieutenant to test the formula now."

"Do be more careful this time, Subparr," cautioned the master mind. "Your last mistake cost us the Ever Dreaming Lake." Arch's ears were soon more attention than they had to be doing before.

Ever Dreaming?, thought the falconer. The source of the spring for that lake is up here! Maybe the lake got infected by the testing Rainne's having done up here...

"You cause wolves to be infected with the ZF Solution, Subparr. Wolves. Those are my favourite animals. De be careful not to hurt them again," spoke the Master through the ComDe.

"I apologize , Master Rainne."

"And make sure to not hit the Lake's source this time. Is there any hope to clean it up?"

"Not that I know of, Master, sir."

"Find a way. Or I shall have you...displaced." Subparr's mind began to panic, but he did not show it on his face. Master Rainne might not kill him, but he sure could demote him to be a lowly infantry solider.

"Yes Master Rainne." Subparr shut off the ComDe. He needed to find some kind of sorcery or special power to get rid of the pollution. Arch's mind a few metres away began to turn.

Being that I am UeHuman, I could purify the spring for that guy...in return for a price, thought the grey eyed Arch. I could get some information out of that minion. This Subparr seems to be a close figure to Rainne. Just as Rainne's minion turned to depart from the area, Arch emerged from the serenderry bush. Subparr immediately tuned to the direction of the noise, drawing his rapier.

"Who are you?" asked the hazel eyed minion.

"I am who ever you need me to be," answered the white haired Arch. "And right now, I think you need me to be a purifier."

"You were listening in that bush the entire time, eh?" asked Rainne's general. "What is it you want?"

"In return for my help to purify the spring," began Arch. "You have to answer some questions first."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"You can trust me because you do not wish to be demoted." Subparr gazed at him and decided to take the grey eyed man for his word. Seheir kept his eyes on the two, and dropped lower on the wind.

"You know what is going on up here on Mount Sebastian," stated Subparr, his cape tossed by the wind. "Will you tell what you have heard and what you will see?"

"And if I do, will the fearful townspeople and villagers of Shinoir be able to do anything about it?"

"What about you? You are an UeHuman, are you not?" Arch calmly smiled.

"If this base of operations ever threatens the people of this land, then I will rip it to shreds," said the white haired man. "But for now, I just want answers."

"Then inquire away, stranger."

"First, I want to know how much longer before Rainne decides to come for Shinoir." Subparr considered the question. It was not too bad; it did not give away any information that people in bad dealings did not already know any way.

"He planed to strike in three months," responded the minion.

"And what place does he plan to strike first?"

"The town of Ice Drift."

"How many men?"

"Not men, but a new creation. The Woolly Men Soldiers. They had their genes spliced to be better suited for the cold."

"I see...," said Arch, crossing his arms. "Okay, those are all the questions I had. Take me to the spring."

"That...that is it? No inquiry on secret devices, dark plans, nasty weapons, or deceptive schemes?"

"...No... Did you expect me to?"

"Who are you?"

"A purifier." Subparr only sighed and shook his head. It was probably best the UeHuman did not tell some one who was working for an evil master mind who he was. The dark haired Subparr silent led the way to the source spring of Ever Dreaming Lake, Seheir following in the sky above.

"I had my men test the waters once we realized they were infected," informed Subparr who was standing at the edge of the spring. The falconer was kneeling at the water's bank. "The waters here are acid, while the ones in Ever Dreaming are poisonous."

"Interesting," commented Arch. "Good thing I do not need to stick my hand in there." His eyes turned gold, and his hand was consumed by fire and lightning. He stretched out his fist over the spring, and a jolt of lightning struck the water. The whole spring became electrified as the water began to boil. Arch stood and turned to Subparr.

"Sir Subparr, when that lightning bolt at the bottom of the spring fades out, then it will be cleansed...though it might take a few months for the Ever Dreaming Lake to absorb the affects," informed Arch. "Seheir!" The peregrine falcon obediently came to its master's call, landing on the falconer's left shoulder. The white haired man's body began to Disperse. "We will meet again." Subparr sat staring at the blank spot where the 'purifier' had been. He wondered if he should inform the Master about him.

"Oh well," spoke Subparr aloud to no one as he walked to the testing grounds for the ZF Solution. "It will be interesting to see what else this mysterious UeHuman does. And if he opposes the Master, that will just give him a challenge. He sure does need it. Been closed up in his laboratory for two weeks, and he just does not know..." His voice was taken by the wind as he left Ever Dreaming's spring source behind.