13 Fading of Hope

Escaped!? The dark, empty room echoed with those words? They escaped!? A loud outburst of anger. Dammit...shouldn't have underestimated them! This wouldn't go down well...now even more people will have to be involved. Fuck!

A fist slammed loudly on a stone worktable. There was a loud crack and the table split in two. Fuck! The eyes looked up and saw the five dolls still stood in the stone shelf they'd been placed in.

All hope was not yet lost...

* * *

"Well, the game-plan is that you guys are staying behind." said Alex, as he braced himself for the tirade of exclamations that would follow.

"What!?" the other four almost shouted.

"Listen." said Alex. "We don't know what awaits us in Barfoss. We don't know if word has reached from Lemara about us. We don't even know if they'll even let us in the city. We don't know anything."

"And?" asked Liana.

"So, it's better I go in alone and scope the place out. If they're looking for us, they'll be looking for a group of us. Not one random guy. I can go in and find out whatever it is that awaits us." said Alex.

"As much as I hate to admit it, he's right." said Felicia.

"But at least take Robin with you." said Eve.

"No." both Alex and Robin said at once. The girls looked at them suspiciously.

"Rob's staying behind to look after you girls." said Alex, affirmatively.

"Oh, thank God for dear old youngest of us all, Robin." said Eve, sarcastically.

"I don't care. He can swing a sword and he's got more situational awareness than you give him credit for." said Alex. "And this isn't a democracy. I say he's staying with you three and that's it." The last line pissed the girls off and they were about retort when Alex gave them a stern look and each quavered. "Fine!" said Liana a little huffily. "But only because you asked so nicely."

Alex let a small grin slide. "Pull the cart to the side of the road, out of sight and somewhere inconspicuous." he said to Robin. "And, all of you, if anybody asks where we come from or who we are, tell them we're orphans trying to earn our bread." Robin nodded, Liana let out a little snort, and Felicia and Eve didn't answer. "Look after each other while I'm gone, okay?" said Alex. His tone was different though. It was almost like he was scared? Worried. The four picked up on it, and the girls immediately softened. "We will. You look after yourself too." said Felicia giving him a small kiss. Alex nodded and jumped off the cart.

Robin pulled the cart to the side of the road as Alex started to walk away after a short wave. He felt way too burdened whenever Alex wasn't around. He didn't feel like he could handle all that responsibility, but he knew he had to. "Let's pretend we have a problem with the cart wheel or something." he said to the girls.

"I'm not getting off." said Eve. Robin gave her a look. "You're a right old b-" Felica intervened. "Enough!" Robin realized his mistake. He made a mental note to not act like this whenever he was left in charge of the girls and hated himself for slipping up this time. He wanted to walk away a bit and enjoy the air, but he didn't feel like Alex would approve. So, forcing himself, he got off the cart and collapsed by its wheel in the soft green grass.

Alex was walking as casually as he could. The city didn't seem to be getting any closer and he felt he looked so conspicuous and guilty. Plus, he had a lot to think about. Would he find a sorcerer? Would the sorcerer even help? Could he help? Would the soldiers let him in the city? I mean, why wouldn't they, right? Right? He wanted to let out a frustrated scream but thought against it and kept walking.

Alex reached the suburbs outside Barfoss pretty quickly. Despite the situation, he couldn't stop enjoying how alive they were. The outskirts were bigger than Lemara, but still resembled it in many ways. There were the same women cooking food while the children played outside. There were almost no men there and Alex presumed they'd gone into the city for their jobs. One or two men who he did spot were chopping up firewood on the log outside their houses.

But there was something odd there which he couldn't quite place....cheer? Yes, the suburbs were cheerful. The women smiled as they washed the clothes, the children laughed, even the soldiers were still guffawing. Alex couldn't help but grin but was immediately reminded of his situation and the grin was wiped from his face.

After what seemed like an eternity, he finally reached the cobbled road leading into Barfoss. Now his uneasiness increased. Each step he took towards the city increased his nervousness. The entryway was gigantic. He'd seen all this in movies before, but in reality it took his breath away. The intimidating spiked iron gate was raised high up into the entryway ceiling. He stopped just for a second to take it all in, and then continued walking; no point in drawing any attention to himself.

As he reached the entry and started walking through, a guard in the white and gold armor eyed him for a second, but didn't say anything. Alex let out a deep breath as he got into the city. And suddenly realized, he'd only planned till getting in Barfoss. Now what? He looked up around him at the city...the first city he'd ever seen in Decimandria.

The suburbs were as if they were asleep compared to the bustle that enveloped him now. There were people walking by fast, a few men were pushing wheelbarrows of fruits, there was a town crier shouting about some show. One or two children were begging for coins from the entering people who all ignored them. A few women walked by, chatting and giggling. Alex had a lingering suspicion about their occupation, but quelled it for now.

He turned to look at the buildings. Some were painted white with some kind of lime. Others were just bare stone. There was one building which was yellow. As he looked left and right on the two way street, he saw other houses constructed from some kind of white brick. He shifted his gaze upwards; almost all the buildings were two storeyed or higher. Their roofs were made from some kind of red tiles. Some long buildings had what appeared to be black tiled roofs.

Alex shook his head. "How the fuck am I gonna find a sorcerer in this?" he wondered to himself out loud. Suddenly, he realized he'd been standing by the entrance too long. Wouldn't wanna get anyone suspicious. Acting like he had his bearings, Alex went with his whim and took the street left.

"If this was a small town, I'd just ask anyone to point me in the direction of a mage." thought Alex. "But in a city like this..."

He wandered up the street, and the further he went, the more posh the city started to get. There were fewer beggars now. The buildings were a lot neater and well kept and Alex even spotted a few opulently dressed noblemen walking along. He stared curiously at the shops too. Most had a small boards sticking out from the top corner, perpendicular to the facade so that a person could identify a shop when going along the road. They consisted of different symbols like anvil, a shirt, a pot, etc. Once the person did turn to face the facade of the shop, they had bigger boards with different names painted on them.

Alex forced himself to stop. This was going nowhere. He had to think of something instead of just walking. He took in a deep breath. Who had enough time to guide a nobody to some shop? Why would anybody guide him anyway?

All of a sudden, he spotted a small boy in a ripped gray shirt that was as big as a gown for him. He wore no pants and had his small clawy hand out as he pointlessly begged passers-by for coin.

"Yeah, he's the one." thought Alex to himself and made his way over to the boy. The kid saw Alex approaching and he turned to him, his hand stretching further. "Coin, kind sir? Or bread? Anything?" the little boy asked, hopefully.

Alex scrutinized the beggar; it was a wretched sight. His clothes were even worse than Alex had thought. Dirty and ripped, the shirt was barely holding on. He had no shoes on and his feet were covered in mud. The hand he stretched out to Alex was thin and malnourished and covered in dirt. Alex looked at the boy's face; his hair was disheveled and messed up. The cheeks covered with the same mud that seemed to coat the boy's entire body. But his eyes...his eyes struck Alex. They were...shining. Bright blue pupils stared back up at him. There was hope behind them, and suddenly Alex felt an immeasurable amount of pity for the kid.

With an effort Alex controlled himself. "Hey, kid." he said, kindly.

"Are you gonna tell me to fuck off?" asked the kid, almost scared. "That I shouldn't show my face around here? I'll go mister, just don't beat me up, I-"

"No, no, no." said Alex, shocked. "Nothing of the sort." The boy looked at him curiously. "What's your name?" asked Alex.

"Jey." the beggar answered.

"Nice name." said Alex, nodding. "I'm Alex."

"Are you gonna give me money, Alex?" asked the boy.

"Well, Jey, I'm new in town. And you see, I'm looking for a mage or sorcerer or whatever. Do you know of any here in Barfoss right now?" asked Alex.

"Sure, mages keep coming and going here." the boy answered. "There's one here right now. Very Lord-ish, this one. Rich too. He gave me a crown when he saw me. So...kind, this mage, I think."

Alex nodded. This was good. Very good. "Listen, Jey, I'll give you a crown too if you take me to wherever this mage's staying."

"Really!?" exclaimed the boy, unable to believe what he heard. Alex wondered if he'd been too gracious, but seeing the boy's face light up cleared his doubts. "Yes." said Alex.

"Follow me, sir!" said the boy, cheerfully, and scampered ahead.

The beggar boy proceeded to lead Alex down a few main roads and a lot of backstreets. Alex kept one hand on the hilt of his sword; "always be vigilant" as Fegg used to say. The boy appeared to know his way around and moved ahead with great confidence, positively skipping along. He'd go to the end of the alley and then wait for Alex to catch up. "Is it very far?" asked Alex as the boy went ahead again. "It is far if you go by the main road, mister." the boy called back. "But I know short ways." he said, proudly puffing out his chest. Alex grinned to himself. This was most convenient. He made a mental note of asking kids for help if he was ever lost again.

Finally, they came out of an alley, and the boy pointed down at a building. It was a fairly sized house made of stone. What made it stand out was that it was draped in various places with liquid purple colored banners with delicate silver embroidery on it. There were laces intertwined with the rails along the steps leading up to the main door. The small iron fence was similarly decorated. There were two big drapes covering the pair of huge windows on the facade of the house.

"Why is it...dressed...up like that?" asked Alex, as he stood by the alley's corner. Jey shrugged his shoulders as if mages being eccentric was nothing new. "These magic people are all like that. He rented the house and then put those flags up and the master of the house didn't say anything. I was there when the mage was putting these up. The master just stood by and watched silently." he said. "Anyway..." The boy looked up, hopefully at Alex, almost extending his hand.

Alex looked down and smiled at the little kid. "I'll give you your crown, but what happens when I want to get back?" he asked.

"That's easy." the boy answered back. "You just go left from the main road in front of the house and then follow the city wall till you come to the South Gate."

"Can't you stay here and guide me back the short way?"

The boy shifted uncomfortably. "A crown is a lot...and people will take it if they see me have it. If I get a crown, I have to run and put it somewhere safe."

Alex sighed. "Ah, well, okay, then. You held up your end of the deal, so I can't complain. There you go, kid. Take care now." and he handed Jey his promised crown. The boy's eyes looked like they'd pop out his socket when he saw the coin and he took in gingerly in his hands, treating it like some revered treasure. "Thanks, mister...no, Alex, was it? Thanks!" said the boy, and ran off, disappearing into the small alleys. Alex grinned and turned around to head for the house. He tried mentally bracing himself for whatever might come, but it wouldn't work. He had to admit it, he was nervous.

Within a few seconds he was at the house at the foot of the stone stairs. Alex paused and looked at the four steps leading up the solid wood door. This is it. With sudden determination, he walked up the steps and boldly knocked on the door.

"Come in." said a voice from inside.

A bit surprised, Alex slowly pushed the heavy door and walked inside. The interior was dim, so he stood blinking in the doorway for a second, allowing his eyes to adjust. When he was able to see properly, he saw that there was a small table right in front of the door like some kind reception. There was a man sitting behind the table with a fishbowl haircut. He had some dark, but well made, clothes on and was staring at the newcomer with bored eyes. Alex shifted his eyes around the room and saw it was barren except for the staircase in the far right corner, presumably, leading up to other rooms. The door to the left was closed shut.

"Yes?" the young man from behind the counter asked.

"I...er...would like to see the...er...sorcerer." said Alex, feeling stupid. The young man blinked. "Master's out." he said, turning back to the book he held in his arms.

"So, you're not the mage?" asked Alex, and felt even more idiotic as the words left his mouth.

"No, I'm his apprentice." said the man without looking from the book as if this question from simple folk was nothing new to him.

"Any...idea when the mage will be back?" cautioned Alex.

"No." said the man. "And even if he does, he wouldn't see you."

"Why?" asked Alex, shocked.

"Because we're leaving Barfoss as soon as he comes back. And," the man finally looked up from his book and narrowed his eyes at Alex. "you have to pay to see the Master. You can't just come in and expect an audience."

"That's fine-" began Alex but suddenly the door behind him flew open and a short man walked in. He had a long white beard down to his chest.His back was a little bent over from age and his hands were knobby. He wore a dark purple robe that was a little too long for him. He was carrying a small wooden crate covered with a dark cloth under his right arm and he stared at Alex with kind, keen eyes for a second.

The young man jumped off his stool and came rushing to his master to take the crate from him which he was handed to without protest. The apprentice then proceeded to gingerly carry the crate through the door on the left and into the next room. Alex wondered what was in it.

"I'm sorry, lad." began the mage in a low, aged voice. "But I can't see anyone at the moment. Too busy."

"But-"

"I'm sure you're a very nice young man, but I am simply too busy. I do apologize." said the mage walking over to the stairs and taking the first step. "Cinut! Please show this young man out."

The apprentice came back from the other room and started to try and guide Alex out the door, as the old man slowly continued to climb the stairs.

"I'm from another world!" shouted Alex, desperately. The effect was immediate. The apprentice stopped his gentle shoving and the old man froze for a second on the stairs. Then he slowly turned around. "From another wold, you say?" he asked. Alex nodded. "If you're lying to me, young man, I'm gonna turn you into a rat." said the old man.

"I'm not." said Alex.

The mage stared at Alex for a second as if evaluating him and then waved his hands and the apprentice let go of Alex. "Come with me, kid." he said and continued up the stairs. Alex followed him and the mage led him to a room left of the landing. They walked into an empty chamber except for a bed, dresser, and a chair. Alex presumed all the personal stuff had already been packed.

"Close the door, please." said the mage. A little apprehensively, the Alex acquiesced. "What's your name, young man?" the mage asked.

"Alex."

"Alex what?"

As if he had an epiphany, Alex decided not to give his real name. He had no idea why he was thinking that way. He made a mental note to tell the others to change their surnames to something else. "Wright. Alex Wright." he said.

The mage nodded. "I am Triffard Amira of Yendelberg" he said with a gracious bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Alex stood there a bit sheepishly. "Now." said the mage straightening up and his face turning serious. "Now that we've got the niceties out of the way, can you tell me again what you just said on the floor below?"

"Er...I'm from another world." said Alex, feeling equal amounts of apprehensiveness and stupidity.

"Well." said the mage, with a thin sliver of sneer. "There's no such thing as 'another world'."

It took a moment for Alex to register what the mage just said. "Huh?" he said, staring at the old man's face.

"There's no such thing as another world." repeated Triffard.

"But, listen here-" began Alex.

"Had too much to drink, young man?" asked Triffard.

"No. Listen-"

"You don't even look any different from anybody else. You're a simple commoner from the looks of it." continued Triffard.

Alex paused for a second and evaluated the old man in front of him. Now, with a sudden calm over him, Alex responded: "Yes. I look like a commoner. But you don't believe that, do you? If you did, you wouldn't have brought me up here."

The old man almost grinned at Alex's response, but instead broke off eye-contact and started stroking his long thing beard as he started out of the window, his eyes distant. "Something about you makes me think you're telling the truth. Or at least you think you are." The mage paused for a few seconds. "Or maybe it's just that I want to believe you..."

This was no time to be philosophical or vague. Alex was feeling frustrated and confused. Did the magic users of Decimandria not know of parallel worlds either? If that was the case...how would the five ever get back? "Listen, old man, can you help u-...me or not?" said Alex, rather crudely.

Triffard looked up at Alex. "How did you get here? I mean, how did you get to this world?" he asked.

"There was this...flash...flashes...of light...and it suddenly engulfed me and I opened my eyes in Decimandria. I've been living here for the past few months trying to track down a sorcerer who would be able to send me back to my world." answered Alex.

Triffard mused again. "But you see, my dear fellow, I have no inkling about other worlds. One of my close colleagues have theorized about it, but, personally, I was skeptical."

There was silence between the two for a few minutes as each pondered their own thoughts. "Tell me, Alex, how different is your world from this?" asked Triffard, finally.

"Well...if anything, it's this world's that's different. The main difference that comes to mind is that we don't have any other race except for humans." said Alex. "And then there's the fac-|

"No demi-humans, no elves, no dwarves?" Triffard asked, slowly.

"No."

Silence fell between the two again.

"Teleportation magic." said Alex, breaking the silence. "Can't you use some kind of teleportation magic to send us back?"

The old man burst out laughing. "It's not as simple as that, young fellow."

Alex expected this, but it was his desperate shot in the air. "I need to know where you've come from to send you back." said Triffard. "Plus, teleportation magic is very, very difficult. I have done it only a couple of times in my life and almost killed myself on the second try. The strain...can be too much...it can tear a caster apart..."

"Is it really that hard?" asked Alex.

"Well, for someone on my level, yes. There are some very gifted mages who could teleport you in their sleep. But then, keeping the portal open requires immense reserves of power. Then there's the distance you're teleporting, the number of people, the size of objects, etcetera, etcetera." said Triffard. "And I'm talking about teleporting people in the same world."

Alex put his face in his right hand; his head was reeling. If the sorcerers can't help them, who can? Were they stuck here forever? What would he tell the other four? Would they one day be teleported back just as suddenly as they had been brought here? Why had they been brought here anyway?

Triffard was observing how crestfallen Alex had become. "Maybe it wasn't a different world." said the mage, trying to be comforting. "Maybe just a far off land." Alex looked up. "No." he sighed. "It was definitely a different world. I need you to just trust me on that."

For the third time, silence between the two.

"Tell me." said Alex. "Are you the best mage in Barfoss?" The old man looked at Alex quizzically. "Well...I suppose I am." said Triffard. "I don't live here, but I'd certainly know if someone more talented than me would've come here. But no mage is stupid enough to come all the way out here to this rundown city anyway."

Alex groaned. If this was their best mage, and he was totally clueless, the five's fate had been sealed. "Is there any mages you know of who would be able to help?" asked Alex, desperately.

Triffard stroked his beard again. "Well...I suppose there's the Royal Sorcerer, but obviously, he wouldn't even bother looking at you, a commoner, twice. And if he did, you sure as hell won't be able to afford his services."

This was getting hopeless. No...it was already hopeless thought Alex. "But...aren't you a mage?" asked Alex. "Wouldn't you know some others, more talented ones?"

Triffard laughed his wheezy laugh again. "Mages have circles only on their level. Those more talented than me don't bother looking down, and I don't bother with those less talented than me. Even if I knew of some other mages, I wouldn't be able to tell you where they live or how you could find them. The few of which I know live extremely far away from here. And there's no guarantee they'll be able to help you either."

Alex felt sick. He had no ideas left. His mind was cluttered, his head spinning, his thoughts racing. He let out a deep, long sigh.

Seeing Alex hopeless like that, moved something within Triffard. "Don't lose hope just yet, kid." he said, patting Alex on the shoulder. "You came at a very inopportune time. I have to leave very urgently for some important business. But you see, I'll be back. In the meantime, I'll try to dig up some information on other worlds. Contact a few colleagues, fly a few birds, try to track down some distinguished mages who might be able to help."

Suddenly something struck Alex. "Don't give any of your colleagues my name though. Please." said Alex. The mage laughed. "If us sorcerers were that generous with each other, the entire world would be swimming in gold. Don't worry, young man, your secret's safe with me."

Alex sighed. Well, that's that then. There was nothing he could do here anymore, Alex realized. He had to go back to the four and tell them what had transpired. He could just about collapse in Felicia's arms, Alex thought longingly. "Guess...this is it, huh?" said Alex to Triffard. The mage nodded, slowly but sadly.

"Do...do I owe you some crowns?" asked Alex, tentatively.

"Normally, you would've." said Triffard, smiling. "But your curious...predicament...has touched me. You don't owe me anything."

Alex grinned. "Till next time then." he said, holding out his hand. Triffard's smile widened. "Indeed, my boy." he said, warmly shaking his hand. "Till next time."

Alex walked out of the house without even really thinking about it. Before he knew it he was on the street. He looked up at the sky; it was bright and blue, with snow white clouds merrily dotted around. Alex sighed; now he truly had no plan left. Nothing. The five were now truly alone and truly stuck.