Episode Four: Knowledge is Power

Castor clutches his cross necklace sending silent prayers to the heavenly father. The man says “oh, you are Christian?”

“ Y-yes.”

“You must be wary of those who would pose as false gods.”

Castor gives him an odd look but asks “Can you explain more about Chatis and Kaldin?”

“There are many of us Kaldin as well as Chati spread out among the islands. Chāti can exist together but their powers are diminished when together. Chati share a past history, they are one in the same person. Yet, time not a straight line. You could be the first Chati, last, or somewhere in the middle, only you can know. You must truly master yourself to know, you can be taught, but I cannot tell you everything.”

Ivetta asks him “what about them, her and Marco and Viridis? We had a shared dream and when we woke up things were floating.”

He turns to Castor before acknowledging Ivetta. “Master Castor, may I answer her questions?”

Castor turns beet red and stammers, “p-please don't call me that, of course you can talk to her(?!)”

He turns to Ivetta, “You had a shared vision? Tell me.”

“We were told to protect Castor; we pulled him from the water-”

Thinking better of himself, he stops her, “Wait, tell me no more. It seems that you too were chosen to aid Mas- I'm sorry, Castor, on his quest. People who are chosen with the Chati usually have some kind of connection, a love, a friend, perhaps even an enemy, each journey is different, there have been thousands of Chati finding similar threads in each would be impossible. Now have any of you… made things happen, things that have no explanation? I believe you all have magical potential, I can teach you to control it.”

Castor chimes in “but...but magic is the devil's work,evil. What this is isn't that, it's its God shining his light through me or, well, us. It- it can't be *magic*.”

“I know where you come from, it is seen as such but many other places see it as something different. Some realms believe magic evil is superstition at best.”

Castor says nothing in reply. but after a few beats of silence he asks, “What is your name?”

“When we join the order we usually renounce our names, but this is a special case so you can call me James. Please, it seems that you need a few moments to discuss this with your  companions M-Castor, I will step outside.

Castor looks at everyone who each seems stuck in their own worlds and he says “y-yes please just-just for a few minutes.”

James smiles and says to call if they need him.

Marco follows him out, Castor is scared to see him go, “please don't leave me.”

Marco says “I'll be right back.” Viridis edges out soon after, Ivetta follows after her, leaving Castor alone in the cave, shaking by the fire.

He catches a snatch of their conversation as they leave. Viridis says snidely, speaking loud enough that he might hear. “Oh yeah he *needs* protection. Why do we keep following this kid around? Why do we keep making excuses for him?”

They continue to talk outside the cave for several minutes.

Marco comes back into the cave and sits on the opposite side of the fire. He starts to speak,

“Listen, I don't trust this James but if you do, I'll follow you.” Then he looks Castor right in the eyes and says, “but if he tries to hurt you, I will take him down.”

A tear drips from Castor's eye. Then another. Then a waterfall. Through his sobs he says “I-I won’t let him hurt you either. I hate this chati thing but I'll use it to protect the people I love. Bro Moment™ number 2

Ivetta and Viridis re-enter the cave. Marco immediately gets up and goes to the opposite end of the cave as Viridis. Castor continues to cry but quietly now.

Ivetta talks to Marco. And he moves so Ivetta’s body blocks his view of Viridis. “She’s just frustrated. You can't blame her for getting fired up sometimes. Please make up. She said she’s sorry she stabbed you.”

Marco leans past Ivetta and looks at Viridis and says “for the sake of the party I forgive you for stabbing me.”

Castor sniffles and in a tiny voice says “I'm sorry.” That shit breaks everybody's hearts. Ivetta goes to him and tries to wrap her arms around him. He moves away pushing away her embrace.

“No! This is all my fault that we're here. This stupid quest. I didn't want this. We should all be at home where it's safe with your families. I'm-I'm sorry!”

Ivetta says “Castor it's not your fault you were chosen, we all were.”

Bawling once again, he continues, “Yeah-but -but if I weren't here, then you'd all be home, safe not in some far away realm where everyone is after us. I'm sorry Marco, Ivetta -I’m sorry Viridis.”

Castor gets up tripping his way over toward the exit. Ivetta stops him by giving him a big hug. He struggles a moment but realizing she won't let go, stops. After a moment, Ivetta feels his heartbeat slow, his shaking come to a stop. His forehead meets her shoulder and tentative arms wrap around her, grabbing the cloth on her back. Her garment is soaked in the spot Castor's face resides but that too slows as he calms. Castor doesn't know how long they stay like that but eventually he pulls away gently, revealing puffy, red eyes and tear stained face. He breathes through his mouth. Under his breath he says “That- I- thank you it's been a while.” He gives her a tentative, tiny, genuine, crooked smile.

Castor calls to James, asking if he’s still out there. He was sitting on the edge of the cliff but rises and comes inside. “I, uh, have a few questions for you.”

“I am at your disposal.”

He fumbles with his necklace, nervous. “Is there a way to get rid of this? I-I don't want to be a Chati, I don't want this power. All its ever brought is death and pain.”

James sighs and says, “This gift is a part of you. One of the aspects of your character. It has been a part of you since your before your birth and will be beyond your death. You fear using it to hurt others, the wisest decision, then, is to master it and control how you use it.”

“Then, can you teach us how to get home?”

“Castor why do you want to go home? There is nothing for us there, they're hunting us, trying to kill us-”

Castor ignores Ivetta. “Can you teach us?”

“I am sorry to say I don't know how you would go about that. Perhaps if you told me how you got here in the first place?”

“We went to the edge of our world, saw an angel, then fell, landing here.”

“It is extremely difficult to travel between realms. Most use way points, objects that can bring people to different realms. Some even live between the clouds that separate the realms, this is called Inter Caelium: among the sky.

Marco asks Castor why he wants to go back home reiterating Ivetta’s points. Castor says that maybe he can tell the church that he enchanted them to do the things they did then they could all go back to their lives, families.

“No! We can't! You can’t! We have to do this.”

“Are there any other Chati here I could talk to, maybe they could help?”

“Not in this realm, no.”

“We can’t go back home Castor.”

James insists “no one can choose for Castor where he’s to go. His journey takes whatever path he chooses. If he wants to go home, that is his decision. Previous Chati have used their powers for good, to help people, civilizations, to right wrongs. Others have used it to best enemies and gain wealth. It seems, sir, that you are the former.”

“I-I don't want to hurt anybody. But I haven't even decided to learn magic yet.” He backs into the cave slightly. “Could you,” he puts his hand to his temple, “please just come back tomorrow? Today has been- I, I need rest.”

“Of course, but I would prefer to stay by your side. If it makes you more comfortable I will stay outside the cave.” Castor looks to the others questioning. Marco says that’s alright.

Castor thinks or another important question and pipes up, “Wait uh, before you go, do you know, can you tell me what, what a harlem is?”

“A harlem?” James looks puzzled “Do you mean a harem?”

“Yes, that. Ivetta was ordered to join one. Is it dangerous?”

James explains that it is “the female members of a household which can include servants and slaves.” Although he tries to stay away from the upper echelons of society.

“But- but its not dangerous, right? They don't fight or anything?

“No, no but it matters in the case of slaves and servants. If slaves they are at the beck and call of their masters, while servants can be dismissed in an instant.” Castor breathes a sigh of relief.

Ivetta shows James a drawing of the necklace, “we were told to find this. Do you recognize it?” He admits he doesn't, but it could be the symbol of a house, perhaps some wealthy person.

Ivetta says “Maybe it's a good thing we got jobs at the palace because of el Yassin. Hey, do you think you could find out anything about him?” James has no idea who she’s talking about.

Castor explains “It was outside his house that I- uh… exploded? Glowed and such.”

“Oh you mean you used your Aschar?”

“My what?”

“Your power. You utilized your Aschar. When your eyes glow, it causes you to harness the thoughts of all those in the realm. Quite powerful, but if you’re killed while in this state, the entirety of the realm will be destroyed and the entire memory of it destroyed. If you are able to master your aschar, you will have access to the realm’s memories and be in control of your actions. Every chosen individual has their own journey. Each one is different. Chati have always had a connection to the supernatural, magic, God. There are very few who can match your power. You can do anything you like once it is under your control."

Viridis pipes up “That's Castor, what about us? Don’t we get a say?”

“That's a conversation you should have with Castor.”

They bid him goodnight, for real this time.

Castor sits at the back wall, Marco and Ivetta join him, staying close. They talk together some more. Ivetta says “I don't want to give el Yassin actual information about any palace going ons. We also need to find a way to get Imilia out of there, especially if we don’t hold up our end of the bargain. But maybe we should have thought about that before we just trusted some rando.” She looks to Viridis who is staring daggers at Castor. He doesn't meet her eyes.

Castor speaks up, “I think it'd be best if you two stayed here tomorrow, Viridis, Marco. Please don't hurt each other, I beg you, I can't take much more fighting.” Rubbing his temples, he continues, “Is everyone okay?” Marco says he's tougher than he looks. Ivetta says she’s fine. Viridis wordlessly shows them her scraped arm and Castor asks if Ivetta can do anything. She whips out some herbs.

Marco shows Viridis his arm where she sliced him saying “you didn't cut deep, look it is fully healed.”

And Viridis replies “next time.”

Too tired to deal with anymore of their shit, Castor curls up and goes to sleep.  For the first time in a long time, Castor does not pray before retiring.

TBC

Episode Five: Palace Shenanigans