Gale looked up at the town of Fallmist's clock tower, standing proud as the rest of the city felt beaten and battered. He noticed the people we just as happy as in Summerwind, but it felt alienated. As if the people waring masked as to hide their genuine emotions.
Zephyr glanced around to see an old poster of a man. "Gale, come look at this?" Gale turned to her as he walked over to the flyer. "This looks like a much older Lovell and Hunter, but it seems that time has taken its toll."
Gale went to grab the poster. "Hey, what are you doing!" A voice called out to their left. as they grabbed Gales's hand. "Leave that alone. It is not your place to take that down!"
Gale and Zephyr turned to see a young woman holding Gale's arm. "Sorry, we were just trying to get a better look at the person in the poster. As he looked a lot like two people, we know?" Gale expressed.
The woman grumbled as she stared into their faces. "Fine, if you just want to see Mister Railde's picture up close, I can help with that."
She let Gales's arm go and gestured them to follow her. As they walked threw the town, they noticed it become relatively well built and not run down. The woman walked up to a door and opened it up as she welcomed in. Gale allowed Zephyr in first as he glanced around.
The woman walked over to a photo of the man and handed it to them. "This is Vann Railde; he came into town over ten years ago but was killed around six or so. The killer was never found, but people like having his service poster up as a reminder of his great deeds for the people of Fallmist." She began to explain as her face went grim with a smile. "The investigators said there was no struggle and that he willing allowed whoever killed him. Take his life."
Gale turned to Zephyr as he put the photo down. "I might know who killed him and why…umm?"
"The woman gasped as she realized she never gave them her name. "Oh, sorry, its Grace. I was saved by Vann when I was a child."
Gale nodded as he leaned forward, "This might be hard to swallow, but I thin Vann was a clone of our friend Lovell Krisnik, as we know of another clone of him named Hunter." Grace stared at him with wide eyes listening to him. "And to be frank—All clones are a project of the Faremin Kingdom by a man by the came name as Mister Railde. Vann Kitsu."
Grace stood up, stumbling as she tried to understand what was going on, "Wait, then he was a clone of this Lovell person? Why? I don't understand!?" She screamed, gripping her head.
Zephyr ran up to her and stopped Grace from hurting herself. "I know this is hard, but not all clones are evil, as Hunter changed sides as he was used as a mindless tool. Most clones kill themselves before becoming their own person, but your Vann and our Hunter are broke free and saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Where they set themselves free." Zephyr explained to Grace as she began to calm down. "I know it must be hard to listen, but maybe your Vann tried to save Hunter from being a tool, and it just ended up with him being killed as a result."
Grace closed her eyes, trying to hold her tears back, "I understand that, it's just—I just had a hunch as I heard rumours that something went down awhile ago. Everyone was talking about it as some folks were escorted from the Faremin kingdoms to here in the Faremin. They were led by a man. I don't remember his name, but he went back to help more escape."
Zephyr glanced Gale. "You mean there are people within the Faremin that are trying to save their citizens?"
Grace nodded as she sat back down. Zephyr also returned to her seat as Grace took a deep breath. "yes, I never knew that they were suffering, but it changes your outlook about them being loyal to a fault to Demora." Gale agreed with her as she stared at them, "So why are you two here in town?"
Gale and Zephyr exchanged looks before turning back to Grace. "We are on our way to meet someone in Winterstorm, and knew we had to get gear in town, thank that poster, we met."
Grace smiled at the idea, "Yes, maybe Vann is watching over us still to where he guided us together?" the tears she held back fell as she felt joy wash over her. "Look, I can help with the gear, but it would be best to leave in the morning. As the roads are less dangerous during the day."
Gale smiled, "Thank you, Grace, I that would be appreciated."
Zephyr nodded as she smiled as well. "yes, thank you for your help."
Grace grinned as she rubbed the back of her head, "It is no problem, and I can even let you stay the night in my guest rooms. We probably should get going if you want to be ready by morning."
Zephyr nodded as they all got up. Grace leading the way she noticed how she and Gale walked up to each other. She smiled gingerly at their loving gestures at one another. Grace took them to all the shops that dealt with people going to Winterstorm. After a while, Grace treated them to a late lunch.
"So, how long have toy two know each other?" Grace popped.
Gale almost gagged as Zephyr laughed at him. "Just over a year or so. So not terribly long. We met threw our friend, Lovell, as he, us and two others—sorry three now, are the Ren-Ky warriors."
Grace's mouth dropped open as she looked at them. "Wait, you two are Ren-Ky's?" Zephyr nodded. "So, then this was is going to end—wait! Does this mean that Lunatica is still alive?"
Gale sighed as he glanced at Zephyr, "Yes, that what we hope for, but you see—Our friend Lovell died a while back. Sending everything on hold. Most of the Ren-Ky have scattered with Lunatica searching for those to aid in the battle. We think that everyone just needs to find themselves before reconnecting. Whatever that may look like."
Grace smiled as she leaned back in her seat. "So, hope is over the horizon. That is the best news that anyone could wish for. Wait, what allies do you have so far?"
Gale nodded as Zephyr took a deep breath. "Grand Dale, Evermore, and Gold Heart. That is who is all in an alliance with us so far. If Luna can gain any other kingdoms, that would be great for the cause…" Zephyr trailed off.
"Yet, with no contact, you have no idea what the others are doing?" Grace speculated.
Zephyr nodded as she took Gale's hand. "But yet, we have hope that when someone is ready, they will send out a letter to contact us. Though until then, we are going to work on getting stronger."
Gale nodded at Zephyr as he squeezed her hand, smiling at her. "Yes, and if Kana's friend ca help us, then it will be a win for us."
Grace glared at them as she watched them get lovey-dovey. "Stop that, please. The whole lovey-dovey thing is ruining the moment."
Gale and Zephyr softly laughed as they look at each other. While Grace started to growl at them.