A soft voice beckoned them, "Come Alex, who's with you," He was the one of the few who could get away with calling him Alex.
"His name is Kevin." AJ replied. Kevin stood in the background, mystified.
"No need to be frightened Kevin," He beckoned Kevin to sit down beside him. He pushed back the cloak, and Kevin could see a smile. "My name's Howdo. However, many prefer to call me Howie." He reached out to shake Kevin's hand. Howie turned to AJ, "You get the medallion?" AJ beamed and pulled it out from under his tunic. Kevin was mystified by it. he had never seen anything like it. "Excellent." Howie smiled. "I sense you need help with something."
"Yeah, these two guys who got me off the planet are in a detention block on a Royal craft and I'd like to repay them for the flight," AJ explained. He was never one with formalities.
"And you," he turned to Kevin, "Want to know of your cousin."
Kevin was shocked, "But how did-"
"Never mind how I know." Howie dismissed his question. "There is a young boy who will assist you in your mission." Howie paused, "Nicca's brother."
"Who's Nicca?" AJ questioned.
Howie thought a second, "I believe you would know him as Nick."
"Oh, the pilot," AJ figured out.
"Correct, he is some what of a street rat here. I have seen him many times. He lives near here, and I see him in the plaza a lot," Howie continued. "He will help you with your rescue." AJ and Kevin nodded.
"What does he look like?" AJ asked.
"Short, blode hair and brown eyes. You remember Nick?" AJ nodded. "Looks just like him, but he's only about 11 years old, maybe 12." Howie described.
"Ok," AJ soaked in the information.
"After you find him, bring him here and we'll form the plan of rescue. After you regain your friend's ship, you are to head to the Vamouus Ashes, where you must destroy the medallion, it is the only place where it can be completely destroyed," Howie instructed.
"Excuse me, but what about my cousin?" Kevin interrupted.
Howie smiled again. "Your cousin is closer then you think he is. Don't worry, you'll see Brili soon enough,"
"How-" Kevin began again.
"I told you not to ask how, it ends up getting you into more trouble then it's worth. Besides, I need to keep a few secrets, don't I?" Howie smirked. Kevin shook his head at the man's oddness as he and AJ headed down to the plaza to find the boy.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Brian came back to reality a few hours later. He wondered what the vision was that he had seen.
"Nick," His voice was a bit stronger, but still weak.
"Hmm," Nick sounded distant.
"Are you ok man?" Brian felt like he was getting stronger by the minute.
"No," Nick mumbled.
Brian tried sitting up, but to no avail. He heard the door his open. As he looked up, he saw Leiwa. She swiftly walked over to him. She cupped his chin in her hand. "Feeling better?"
"A Little," Brian choked.
"Good," She leaned down and kissed his forehead, which she found was still warm.
"Is Nick ok?" Brian weakly inquired.
Leiwa looked over at his tall blonde companion. He seemed to be unconscious and his chest rose and fell with each shallow breath. "He should be fine." She turned back to Brian. She knew that unless she provided them with medical attention, they would both die. Although she didn't want either alive, the could provide some use for her. Leiwa turned back to a guard. "Get a med down her at once!" She snapped. With that, she left the room.
Brian's vision blurred and he swore he saw a young blonde boy standing in the corner of the cell. He shook his head and looked again, he was gone. As he slipped into darkness, another vision began to form in front of his eyes.
"What's your name kid?" Alemc asked.
"The Royals know me as Aarca, but everyone else, either calls me kid or Aaron," He replied solemnly.
"As far as the Royals are concerned, I'm a thorn in their ass known as Alemc. YOU however can call me Alex, other wise known as AJ," He pat the kid on the back and smiled.
"You're a great street fighter and thief, what would you want with me?" Aaron asked.
"To train you NOT to get caught and I need your help." AJ confessed.
"What could I help you with?"
AJ smiled again, "Small help is hard to find. Com'on, I'll fill you in and tell you a story." He led the kid down an alley.
"What about my sisters?" Aaron asked.
AJ's eyes narrowed. "Sisters?"
"The two oldest are servant girls and the other is my twin, I was looking for her in the plaza earlier." Aaron explained.
"Anyone else I should know about?"
"I have a brother, the oldest of all of us. But he left a while ago. He usually sends something that we can sell or just plain money, but we haven't heard from him in some time," Aaron looked down at his feet.
"I know where your brother is, com'on," AJ grabbed Aaron's hand and pulled him through the square.