Serenity rose from the water and smiled at Kelton. Her beauty drew him into the water. Ignoring the flood over the tops of his boots he pursued his desire. Her eyes sparkled, reflecting the soft morning sun as it danced across the surface of the pond. He heard his name from her lips, a song that dissolved into his soul. Her welcoming arms reached out to him, and his stomach lurched, bile rose to burn his throat.

Kelton snapped to a sitting position and his innards slushed in his skull. The smell of stale fermented honey accosted his nose. He covered his mouth with his hand and struggled to hold the contents of his stomach.

"There's a bucket at your feet," Rolic said. Kelton turned his head too quickly, and the world swam away from his eyes, sending a pulse of pain ricocheting behind his eyes. He rose from the chair he had slept on and rushed for the door of the cave. "Or you can take it outside." Rolic chuckled as Kelton ran.

Kelton fell to his knees on the hillside. Small bursts of better followed each bout of heaving. His body wanted the undigested curse out of his system, and Kelton was more than happy to help it along. He promised himself to never touch or even smell the horrid liquid again. His head was throbbing as if its insides no longer fit properly and were trying to squeeze themselves out. Death, at that moment, would have almost been welcome.

"Water," Rolic said, holding forth a skin. Kelton shook his head, sure that his stomach would revolt. "Drink it. Your body will recover faster." Kelton sat back on his heels and took the skin because Rolic wasn't smiling anymore.

"I don't like you right now," Kelton whispered and took a tentative drink from the skin. Rolic nodded and sat cross-legged on the ground, well away from the mess Kelton had created.

"The feeling is well deserved, though not mutual." Rolic waited as Kelton took another sip. "You are unique, Kelton. Very different from others I have met in this land."

"Do you poison everyone you meet?"

"Sorry. I wanted your story, and you were making it difficult to get it." Rolic shrugged. Kelton closed his eyes to block the morning light. The water did feel good going down. He wouldn't risk a big drink, but small sips were sitting well.

"Did I tell you everything?" Kelton asked. He remembered saying too much. It was the total quantity he wasn't sure about.

"I thought you had, but now I'm interested in this Serenity." Kelton opened his eyes part way and squinted at Rolic's curiosity. "You called the name in your sleep. Passionately, I might add."

"A curse, like that mead of yours."

"A curse?"

"My stomach has quieted. Can we go back inside, away from the light?" Rolic nodded and helped Kelton to his feet. Kelton's head relaxed some when they escaped the blinding sun. It still throbbed, but it was more pressure as opposed to stabbing knives.

"It is an awful thing you did to me," Kelton said as he rubbed his eyes.

"It will pass soon enough." Rolic waved away Kelton's words. "Consider it a lesson for the future, when your opponent has more nefarious motives."

"I don't know your motives."

"True," Rolic said. Kelton had hoped he would elaborate. Instead, Rolic sat in one of the intricately carved chairs and waved Kelton to another. Kelton sighed, resigned to the fact he was outclassed and would never know much about Rolic or his motivations. Kelton sat slowly, not wanting to jar his head any more than necessary. He chose one of the long cushioned seats that allowed his muscles to relax into a slouch.

"From what I have been able to assemble of your tale, you have made some errors." Rolic spoke down to Kelton, much in the same way Gossamer had in the past. "Leaving this Gossamer behind is one."

"I wish him alive," Kelton said. He rested his forehead in his palm, further shielding it from the lamp's light. Sleeping was preferable to talking. "My life is forfeit, there is no reason to add others."

"As long as you are breathing, nothing is forfeit," Rolic instructed, waving his hands in a nauseating way. Kelton closed his eyes. "You are a protector of all but yourself. If Gossamer were about, the fight would never leave you willingly. Now that you're alone, you seem resigned to your fate. Almost as if you think you deserve it."

Kelton grunted. There was nothing he could do about it so why fight it.

"You gave up quickly when I found you," Rolic continued. "If there were someone at your side, you would never have weakened." He chuckled. "Of course, there was a time last night when you challenged the whole of the Brethren to battle. Mead has a way of spiking a man's courage."

"I don't remember."

"No, I suppose you wouldn't. You could hardly stand at that point." Rolic crossed one leg over the other and leaned further back in his chair. He had an air of authority about him as if he were used to people listening to him. A font of wisdom that demanded attention. Kelton was still trying to get over his current hatred of Rolic. It might pass when his head became his own again.

"The fact is that you are Kushiel's Answer and you must strive to survive," Rolic said as if it were apparent to all. Kelton forced his eyes open and sat up straighter. He ignored the wave of nausea the movement caused.

"I am just boy," Kelton said, repeating Gossamer's words.

"Nay." Rolic shook his head. "While you live, you are Kushiel's Answer."

"Why? Because you declare it so?"

"Why is the King the king?" Rolic asked, then answered his own question. "Because everyone says he is. If the land woke one morning and agreed he is not, then he would cease to be king. Belief is your evidence and nothing more. The Brethren would be better served by ignoring you. Instead, they further the belief by chasing you down. Few trust them, so the louder they claim you are not, more will believe that you are."

"I am the Answer because others claim I am?"

"Yes. That means the Brethren require your death. I can only guess they thought it an easy task and you've befuddled them by being Unseen." Rolic smiled as if the thought was pleasurable.

"You are Unseen. Why can't you be Kushiel's Answer?"

"Belief is a tricky thing." Rolic shrugged. "It can be enhanced and diminished, but its creation is more of fate than design. Besides, I have no desire to draw the ire of the Brethren."

"Nor do I," Kelton said.

"That scar tells a different story, does it not? You wished to draw the Brethren to you and away from others." Rolic tilted his head and folded his arms across his chest. "It's almost as if you wished to challenge them directly."

"I...I didn't want people dying for me," Kelton argued, though he didn't know why he had to defend his moment of stupidity. As far as he could tell, it had worked and seemed a small price to pay.

"As I said, you protect others and not yourself." Rolic pointed at Kelton's face. "That scar enhanced the belief. Only Kushiel's Answer would do such a thing."

"I am not Kushiel's Answer!"

"I know that, and you know that. Unfortunately, we are outnumbered by the many." Rolic shifted in his seat. "For obvious reasons, I don't spend much time in towns, but even I have heard of your existence. The red demon, I believe some call you."

"You see, not everyone believes."

"Oh, they believe," Rolic said with a smile. "So much so, the King cries loudly that you are not. I'll grant you there are some that fear you are the red demon the King's Own say you are. Most discount their words, and some are more interested in the coin your head would bring." Rolic pursed his lips, and his eyes traveled to the roof of the cave as if he were deep in thought. "It is perplexing that the King's men argue the point so loudly. He is no fool, and must realize the claims can have the opposite effect."

"I don't understand why things have to be the way they are," Kelton said. He took another tentative sip of the water. His stomach was feeling better. His head was not.

"That is the heart of the matter. Do you think the Brethren want others to question the way things are?"

"I think they waste their power." Kelton closed his eyes and slowly rubbed his temples. It helped, then it didn't. "I don't even know why everyone gives it to them. If everyone said no, then it would end." He knew the words were coming out angry. As angry as his head felt. Rolic deserved the anger.

"Lay back," Rolic said, rising to help pull Kelton's feet up. Kelton turned onto his back and let the cushion take the weight off his neck. "Close your eyes and rest awhile and let the mead run its course." Rolic tucked his legs into the long seat, and Kelton sighed. Not moving was better than moving. "Mayhap I gave you a cup too much."

Kelton had a fitful nap. Dreams bounced around in his head, traveling among the pains the drink had caused. None of them had structure, and yet they all demanded attention. Somewhere in the middle of it all, his body began to recover. He woke thinking little time had passed. Rolic was nowhere in sight.

Kelton emptied his bladder far from the cave entrance. The relief was all-encompassing. The sun indicated the bulk of the day had passed. His head was his own again, no longer marred by the morning throbbing. His stomach had settled though there was still apprehension at the thought of filling it.

"Not a good spot to piss," Rolic called out. He surprised Kelton, who was unable to sense him coming. It was a strange feeling, not knowing where others were. "There's a hole dug on the other side, well away from the normal winds. There's also a bit of privacy, though the critters don't really care."

"Sorry," Kelton said as he sealed his pants up. There was no point in mentioning that he'd come out many times the night before and fouled the same spot. Rolic was hauling a yoke on his back, a wooden bucket hanging at each end. As he climbed the hill, some water sloshed out of the left bucket.

"The only problem of living in a hill is water." Rolic smiled as he passed Kelton. "The streams absolutely refuse to run uphill."

"Need help?"

"Last load," Rolic said as Kelton fell in behind him. "Got some heating on the fire. Decided I owe you a warm bath." He chuckled. "That and you stink."

"Stink of mead," Kelton added. He followed Rolic into the cave and helped him dump the two buckets into a large wooden barrel wrapped by iron. Rolic used a thick cloth to carry an iron pot from the fire. He lowered the pot, and its boiling contents, into the barrel with a hiss.

"It will heat up in a moment," Rolic said. "Might as well get in with your britches. I'm not sure which smell the worst." Kelton could only smell the stale mead but took Rolic's word for it. He hadn't washed since he left Juno. The memory was a good one, only outdone by Juno's kiss.

Rolic sat an arm's length away as Kelton climbed into the warm water. Kelton had to admit it felt good. The last of the mead's effects evaporated when he submerged his head under. The silence calmed, and the warmth embraced. If it weren't for the need of air, he would have stayed under for eternity. Alas, he rose to breathe and began taking off his clothes.

"This Serenity you dreamt about, why do you think it a curse?" Rolic asked. Kelton wrung out his shirt then submerged in the water again.

"It is a constant thing. It wakes me every morning."

"Every morning?"

"Aye." Kelton twisted his shirt again, forcing as much water out as possible. Rolic held out his hands, and Kelton tossed it to him. Rolic hung it by the hearth and Kelton began to work on his pants.

"I assume Serenity is a girl."

"Aye, and beautiful beyond words." Kelton stopped washing his pants and looked at Rolic. "It is a strange thing. My eyes are sure she is the most beautiful, but my mind is less sure."

"You don't believe your eyes?"

"It is not that," Kelton said, waving away the words. "Beauty is more than what the eyes see." Thoughts of Juno's smile filled his mind. The soft sounds she made when he washed her hair. "There are other things. Better things."

"But still she fills your dreams, unlike this Juno you spoke of last night."

"I told you of Juno?"

"Her tender care," Rolic said as his smile grew, "The flower in her hair and a kiss you hold dear." Kelton sighed at the weakness he showed the night before.

"She is who I speak of. Her beauty goes beyond eyes."

"Did you think so before the kiss?" Rolic's smile was grating on Kelton. He was beginning to think Rolic was playing with him again.

"As much as I fail to keep secrets, I wish to try and keep some to myself," Kelton said. He tossed his pants to Rolic before he had wrung out all the water. It pleased him to see it splatter. Rolic ignored the affront and hung them next to Kelton's shirt.

"Then tell me of this Serenity. How did you meet her?"

Kelton shrugged his shoulders and figured he already told Rolic too much. More information wouldn't make any difference, especially about a girl he would never see again. He told Rolic about the night he met Serenity, even the part about becoming an idiot who had trouble walking and speaking. Rolic's laughter dulled the memory of the meeting and Kelton was forced to join in. Looking back, humor was replacing the original pain.

"So, that was the first girl you saw unclothed," Rolic said between chuckles.

"Aye."

"And she yelled at you."

"I couldn't seem to look away," Kelton said shrugging his shoulders. Rolic started laughing again. Kelton ducked under the water again, hiding the silliness he felt now that incident was long in the past. The guise of washing his hair allowed the feeling to subside. He rose when breathing became necessary.

"I was not laughing at you," Rolic said, his smile still large. "Only at the happening. It mattered not who was there. Sometimes, reasonable things happen, and unreasonable people misinterpret. It wasn't your fault, though you must admit you'll be more careful around bathing women."

"Juno thought Serenity was mean," Kelton pointed out. Rolic handed him a comb made of some kind of stone. It was pale-skin colored with gray trails of smoke embedded in its surface. Kelton had never seen the like but knew its purpose. He began running it through his hair, pulling days of tangles out.

"I have seen many strange things in my life, but a dream that festers day after day is new to me. There is meaning there, though I can not guess at it."

"I wish it would find someone else's mind," Kelton said. "I admit I had a desire for her when we first met. Its lingering is bothersome. In truth, I wish to forget her, and the fool I became that night."

"You hold no attraction to her?" Rolic asked. Kelton thought about it for a moment, testing his mind for the infatuation that once existed. Now, his feelings rested softly elsewhere. He was sure of it.

"I shall never see her again," Kelton replied, shaking his head. "The memory is more bad than good." He smiled. "Well, not all bad."

"They can be a vision." Rolic shared Kelton's smile.

Kelton felt better after bathing. His skin and mind felt like he owned them as if the morning pains happened winters ago. Rolic shared some unleavened bread that he assured Kelton would not upset his stomach. Kelton skipped the offered cheese just to be sure. Another good night's sleep would guarantee a full recovery.

"You claimed a desire to destroy the Brethren last night," Rolic said. "You were full of bravery because of your victories over the King's Own."

"It was the mead muddling with my thinking." Kelton thought a reminder was in order. "I still haven't forgiven you. It was a cruel thing."

"In your mind, do you see yourself fighting a Brother?" Rolic asked, bypassing another apology.

"Is it not a given? They wish me dead."

"Do you see yourself victorious?"

"Will it not be an even contest?" It sounded reasonable to Kelton. Unseen against Unseen. "I will be outnumbered in the end, so winning is meaningless."

"I wish to spar with you," Rolic said.

"What?"

"Outside. Your blade against mine to test your skill." Rolic displayed an irritating smile. "Perhaps you can get some revenge for the drink." Kelton shrugged and retrieved his sword from his pack.

"That sheath is ingenious. Never saw a blade mounted in such a way." The idea of surprising Rolic pleased Kelton.

"Joycelyn made it when we were holed up. Hides it away so it can be carried without fear."

"And drawn quickly when needed," Rolic said. "Joycelyn must have a good mind."

"A practical one." Kelton nodded in agreement as they exited the cave. He felt confident in his sword skills. Much more confident than the trust game he failed the night before. Rolic lead him to a level area free of trees and other obstacles.

"Your blade is longer," Kelton observed as Rolic limbered up by swinging his sword about. It was a good hand longer.

"Do you wish to exchange?" Rolic offered.

"Nay." Kelton thought it important that Rolic knew his advantage, but there was comfort in his sword, and he had no desire to test a new weight. The pommel of Rolic's sword was impressive, nothing like the shabby leather wrapped pommel of Kelton's. There was a loop of metal that circled around Rolic's hand protecting it from blows. A practical addition Kelton envied.

"Are you ready?" Rolic asked as he raised his blade. Kelton was in the middle of affirming his preparedness when his sword flew from his hand and the flat of Rolic's blade slapped into his upper arm.

"I guess I was not," Kelton said as he moved to retrieve his sword. He made it a point to ignore the dull ache in his bicep.

"If you prefer the longer blade..."

"Nay. You began before I expected and I was still adjusting my grip. It won't happen again."

"Than you shall call the start." Rolic wasn't wearing his normal superior smile. It was disconcerting. Kelton took a deep breath, took his stance, then let it out.

"Ready," Kelton announced, his grip tight.

Rolic's blade moved like an insect. The speed incredible, changing directions unexpectedly with no loss of energy. Kelton struggled from the first moment, retreating backward and protecting himself with no chance to seek an opening for retaliation. It took everything he had to keep Rolic's sword away from his body.

"Do not confuse fighting the King's own with fighting a Brother," Rolic said. Kelton was out of breath. It concerned him that Rolic was speaking as if it were a regular conversation, not winded at all.

Kelton took two blind steps back unknowing the terrain. It was a gamble but gave him the moment he needed, a short respite from the onslaught. He tried to change the momentum and attacked, dropping low to swing at Rolic's less protected leg. Rolic's stepped backward and instead of blocking, his blade followed Kelton's adding to its speed and forcing it away and high. Rolic used the combined force and spun his wrist which twisted Kelton's blade, weakening his grip. Rolic continued the motion in a large circle, and Kelton was unable to stop it. Kelton's blade flew from his hand for the second time. The flat of Rolic's sword found both of Kelton's biceps, followed by quick slaps to both thighs. Kelton's body jerked at the strikes, and he embarrassingly held his arms forward in a useless attempt to block further strikes. Rolic stepped back and lowered his sword.