Davik remained silent to her question, but she noticed that he didn’t outright deny the claim either. Maybe he was Derrick. She needed to give him a bit more.

“I remember when you got that scar. It was shortly after I arrived at the orphanage. Miss Hilda had sent the three of us out to get some food and we got attacked on our way back because we took a shortcut, courtesy of Owain and his infamous short cuts, through a sketchy part of the neighborhood. You jumped in to defend the both of us and got cut for your trouble. Luckily, the blade missed your eye and we managed to make to the orphanage, with most of the food intact. Miss Hilda was not happy, mostly because she was worried about you.”

The memory was still fresh in her mind despite it happening several years ago. It was after surviving that the three of them stuck together like glue, especially whenever they went out.

“How did you get away from an armed person?” Malatar questioned.

“Well, I kicked him in the shins and Owain threw a gourd at him. It turned out it wasn’t ripe and as hard as a rock. We ran while he was dazed.” It had been luck, mostly. But sometimes, luck was all it took. “It wasn’t easy dragging Derrick. He was taller than both of us.”

Davik put at hand on hers and lowered it from his face. “There are only six people in the country that know that story. Miss Hilda, who is dead, the one who attacked us, another orphan who saw us come in, and the three of us. Me, Owain, and...you, Celeste.” He chuckled again, but more softly than before. “I had a feeling when I saw you come in, but I know how good con artists can be and how many people can have similar names. I had to make sure.”

Celeste jumped forward and wrapped her arms around her brother, not caring that he was wearing hard armor. This time, she didn’t hold the tears back. There was no shame in crying around Derrick. He was still as warm as she remembered him.

“Thank goodness you’re alive! When I saw the state of the city and heard that no one had heard of you, I was worried that you were dead! Then the information broker couldn’t find you…”

“The dwarf, Micah something or another.”

She nodded. “Yes. I couldn’t just go around to the camps and ask. That would attract too much attention.”

“It would take more than a civil war to kill me.” He stroked a strand of her hair. His touch was still gentle. Was he the fearsome warlord she’d been told about or had it just been rumor? “Nothing about you has changed, Celeste. I can hardly believe you're real. But I’ve never been one to ignore my instinct. It’s never steered me wrong.”

Then something occurred to her. “If you’re still alive, what about Owain? They said his name was on the monument dedicated to the missing. But if you’re not missing, then I doubt he is either? Is he here? I heard you weren’t too friendly to scribes…”

The shove took her completely by surprise. He moved his foot to right behind hers, ensuring that she wouldn't be able to regain her balance. Her back hit the floor and Davik came down, pinning her. She tried to shove him off, but he had the weight advantage. Fortunately, he didn’t put all of his weight on her.

“The man you knew as Derrick died long ago and the dead do not come back.” Celeste struggled, trying to free herself the way that Derrick had taught her to. She shifted where his weight rested, hoping to throw him off balance. But Davik made sure not to allow her any leverage and adjusted with her.

“I taught you that trick, Celeste. Do you think I would fall for it? Good to see that you remember it though. You’ll need it in this day and age.” He shifted himself so that his knees pinned her arms down and sat up. His weight crushed the breath out of her. He removed his gloves before shifting his weight off her chest. Much longer and she probably would’ve blacked out.

“Derrick...why?” The tears stung her eyes, though these were tears of a different source. “What happened to you while I was asleep?”

The Derrick she knew would’ve never treated his friends this way. If it didn’t hurt so much, She would dismiss it as a nightmare, a fear of what she might find. But no, just like when she woke up in the cave, this wasn’t a dream.

“You’ve missed a lot, Celeste. And part of me is thankful.” He cupped her face with his bare hands. “I am Lord Davik, former Captain of the Guard and leader of the Renewers. I do not allow old friendships to get in the way of my goals or distract me. Just ask Orsic.”

Celeste stopped struggling. She looked up at Davik. His answer explained almost nothing. If he didn’t tell her what happened, who would? She doubted that his former name was a widely known fact. And why bring Orsic into this?

“Orsic? The leader of the Revivers? What does he have to do with us?”

Davik sighed as if he was a teacher’s whose patient was wearing thing with a difficult student. “Let’s just say that I wasn’t the only one who changed their name when I hit a certain position in my field before the civil war.”

Then it hit here. Now the pieces were starting to come together. “You mean Owain…”

Davik nodded. She was surprised he didn’t pet her or offer demeaning praise with the way things were going currently.“I suspect he knows of you but is too cowardly to come forward. He would claim that he doesn't want to overwhelm you or drag you into our conflict.” His grip tightened on her face and then he loosened it suddenly as if he realized who and what exactly he had been squeezing. “When you see him, tell him that this changes nothing. There will still be no peace treaty or ceasefire.”

Celeste wanted to know more. How had the two become so divided? What drove Derrick to become this man who used his strength to rule over others? What was Owain doing leading an army? He wasn’t a soldier. But she couldn’t vocalize any questions as pain rippled through her. It was stabbing or like being cut. She couldn’t quite describe it, but she had a feeling that Davik was the source of it. Her struggles started once again.

“I’m sure you’ve heard of what happened with me and the crystal and how a piece is embedded in me. Well, it turns out it’s given me an interesting ability, besides the fact that I heal quicker than the average person.” Davik’s grip tightened on her face. “I can drain the very life from anything I touch. Don’t worry; I won't take your life. You’ve been through enough. It wouldn’t do for your journey to end here. But you will be unconscious for a while. Andra will make sure you reach safety. Consider this my one and only favor in memory of what we once had.”

“Are you sure, my lord?” Up until then, Celeste had forgotten that there were others there. She couldn’t see Malatar, but she could hear him. She decided to conserve her energy and not struggle anymore. She wasn’t giving up, just biding her time. Or at least, that’s what she told herself. “Some might see this as you letting sentiment get in the way. Not me of course, but…”

“Of course not, Malatar.” He replied to his second. Celeste could feel her energy decreasing as they spoke. “You're my second because you bring up what critics might say. It’s true, I could completely drain her and cut off one of the last links to my old life. But that would mean admitting that I found her too dangerous, someone who doesn’t even know how to use a sword. And I won’t admit that I found something so weak so dangerous. Does that answer your question, Malatar?”

“Amply, my lord. I believe your reasoning is sound. Besides, we do have a bit of a population crisis among the human population. Another person couldn’t hurt, especially a woman. Hopefully, she wasn’t afflicted the same way several other women were when the crystal shattered.”

“Don’t expect any kids from her. I don’t think she even knows how to flirt with a man, much less end up with one.”

Now that part was true, but it wasn’t important at the moment. She wondered if Rusty would know what they were talking about with the women. She felt herself begin to slip away and could barely keep her eyes open. Davik leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead like Derrick used to do when he knew they wouldn’t see each other for a long time. This time, according to him, it would be forever.

“I am truly sorry this is the world you woke up to, Celeste. You deserve better than this.”

Davik got off her. If she had more energy, she would try to get up. But all she could do was lay there while Andra approached her and started to pick her up. Would the woman be able to carry her? She was pretty slender…

“Oh, and about your diary…” So she had stolen it and given it to him. “It’ll be back in your possession soon. It was a rather interesting read, despite the cheesy lines. Owain would’ve enjoyed it back in the day.”

And with that, she lost consciousness.