Where Bellflower Still Grow

Chapter Two: Dark Secret

Karsh nearly missed his dawn riding session with Zoah the next morning; The night before, he'd suffered horrible nightmares that had definitely been instigated by Lady Riddel's mention of her dreams of Dario. But while Riddel's dreams had been somewhat peaceful, Karsh's had been anything but.

Instead of the tranquil, lush wood that had been the setting for the lady's dream, the Isle of the Damned had been the setting of the Deva's nightmare. He shivered as he recalled the visions of last night. He could still hear the crunch of brittle bones beneath his feet, smell the stench of death, feel the weight of cursed souls wandering lost on the forsaken land. He could still see the vision of his esteemed friend falling into the black oblivion, never to be heard of again.

Karsh couldn't tell if Zoah was looking at him or not from behind his mythril helmet, but his fellow Deva spoke anyway.

"I, ZOAH, SENSE THAT SOMETHING IS BOTHERING SIR KARSH." he growled in a brawny voice that others who did not know him well would shy away from.

Karsh frowned. "Nothing's wrong, yo." he insisted, "Just didn't get much damn sleep last night is all."

Zoah chuckled. "DOES THIS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A CERTAIN LADY OF THE HOUSE?"

If Karsh had been a more emotional man, he would have blushed. Instead, he prodded Zoah with the head of his ax. "Cut the crap!"

"I AM SPEAKING AS A FRIEND, KARSH." Zoah continued, his tone sobering, "EVERYONE IS VERY FOND OF LADY RIDDEL. WHAT YOU ARE OFFERING HER IS NOT ONLY APPRECIATED BY HER, BUT BY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT ALSO."

Karsh scoffed. "I'm not worthy of such appreciation."

"WHY, SIR KARSH?" Zoah inquired, "SHE HAS BEEN IN MOURNING FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. PERHAPS SHE IS LOOKING TO MOVE ON?"

"Yeah." Karsh said in a far-off voice, "Maybe."

--

Karsh found Lady Riddel in the library tower later that evening. He hadn't been looking for her, but yet here they both ended up. He had just come to look at the maps of the land in preparation for a new expedition that he and his men were to be embarking upon shortly.

"Karsh!" Lady Riddel said, smiling at him warmly after she'd run into him in the stacks. "How are you this evening?"

"Fine. Just fine, Riddel." He rubbed the back of his neck, "Yourself?"

"Restless." she said with a sigh. "I've been researching."

"May I ask what Milady has been researching?" Karsh asked respectfully.

"Certainly!" she held up a leather-bound book. "The bellflower. It hasn't been found in these parts for quite some time and I was wondering where else I would be able to acquire it."

"Of course." Karsh said, "Yours and Dario's fondest blooms. I remember."

"I went to the florist in Termina just the other day, seeking the bellflower with Glenn." she said sadly, "But alas, the merchant told us she had none!"

"It is unfortunate to hear this, Riddel." he said.

"Yes." Riddel shrugged, "I had just about abandoned all hope when I came across this passage. If I may..."

"Certainly." Karsh waved her on with his hand.

Riddel flipped through the pages of the book, stopping when she got to a certain point. "This. Read this passage here."

Karsh read swiftly, his copper-colored eyes scanning the words to memory. When he finished, he glanced up at the pretty, raven-haired maiden. "Is this fact?"

"I believe it to be, yes." She nodded enthusiastically.

"It's funny." Karsh chuckled, "My men and I are to embark on a mission in a few days to an island just off the shore of the Shadow Forest."

"You mean..." Riddel's eyes lit up, "The uncharted land the book speaks about?"

Karsh nodded. "Perhaps. We are to explore it in two days time."

"And the book says there may be bellflower there?"

"Now, Miss Riddel," Karsh began, "The book simply speaks of and uncharted island, an undiscovered forest. We know not anything of this land, yet. It is best that we don't get our hopes up, yes?"

"I agree. I apologize." She chewed her lower lip, "Nonetheless, I should wish to accompany you."

"But, Miss Riddel, I--"

"Tut, tut!" Riddel hushed him, mid-sentence. "I have had much training in white elements and defensive technical skills. I believe I will be safe... Especially in your care, Sir Karsh."

If Karsh would show a blush to any one person, it would have been Riddel. She smiled when she saw his cheeks grow slightly pink.

"Well, I... I..." he cleared his throat, "We would have to tell General Viper."

"I'll take care of my father." Riddel said. "I'm sure I will sway his decision in my favor."

"If you say so, Miss Riddel." Karsh said, smiling, "And if it is your wish."

"It is." She nodded, "Thank you, Karsh."

"No problem." he said, informally.

She chuckled.

"What?" he asked.

"It is just funny to hear you speak so informally." she said, "Though I have heard you take such a tone with the other dragoons and Devas."

"Yes, well, um..." he stuttered nervously.

"Karsh, it is okay." She placed her delicate hands on top of his, "There is no need for such formalities with me. We are friends. I wish for you to address me as such."

"If it pleases Milady..." he paused, "You got it."

Riddel laughed once more before bidding her friend a fond farewell. He watched her scurry out of the library, the book clutched against her chest. How he longed to be able to ease her sorrows and mend her broken heart. He sighed, fearing he'd never get such a chance. Especially if she were to find out about his dark secret. He frowned and went back to his reference.

--

Karsh tossed and turned in his bed that night, gripping the sheets and pulling them up around his shoulders. His nightmares found him back in The Isle of the Damned, charting the area with his friend, Dario. Their exploration of the dark, cursed land brought them to a cliff, where a great sword lay embedded in the rock.

"Could this be?" Dario asked, amazed.

"The legendary sword known as the Masamune!" Karsh breathed, sharing his friend's amazement.

"For so long we have searched and wondered..." Dario reached his hand toward the sword, his hand trembling over the hilt, "Now, it shall be ours for the taking!"

"Wait..." Karsh held up a hand, "Don't touch it, Dario..."

"It is okay, friend!" Dario chuckled, "Worry not."

The vision flashed before his eyes and the next thing he saw was Dario's body falling into the black oblivion. Falling forever. The clash of steel upon steel ringing in the Deva's ears.

He sprang up in the bed. The sheets were tangled around his body uncomfortably and he had to struggle to wrestle his way out of bed. His bare feet hit the cold floor, startling him into full awareness. The room was completely engulfed in darkness, with no window to allow light to filter through. Karsh turned up the dial of a small kerosene lamp on his desktop.

The lamp came to life, illuminating the room in bright, warm light. Karsh squinted in the light only briefly while his eyes adjusted to the sudden change in brightness. He rubbed a hand across his face, sighing deeply. It had only been a dream. Nothing more, nothing less.

Only one mirror was in the room. A small oval-shaped, looking glass. He stared inside of it, at his reflection. He wondered who the person was staring back at him. The person who hid so many dark secrets. Secrets that could crush him into nothing.

Had the events of The Isle of the Damned really been an accident? Or had he acted out on his own dark jealousy?

Karsh growled and tossed a rag over the looking glass, banishing his reflection from sight.