Memories and Promises
By Royda

Chapter Thirty-Nine

 

Both boys stared at the monk for a few more moments. They couldn't tell
if he could see them through the leaves like they can see him. Something
radiated from him and the boys got really curious. If it wasn't for that
stupid chiming, they would have like to go over and talk to him.

"Can't he see that we don't like that sound?" Kiefer said, his hands over
his ears.

"I think that's why he's making them," Kieran answered, hands closing his
ears as well. "There must be something with that staff."

"It's going to turn into pieces of a staff if he doesn't stop."

Suddenly, the chiming stopped and both kids brought their arms down.
They looked at the spot where the monk was and he was gone. There was no
trace of him anywhere and they both started to look around. They couldn't
see where he had gome to and they couldn't have heard him leave. The noise
from the staff was too much and they were both getting a headache.

"Where did that monk go?" Kiefer balanced himself on the limb and looked
through the leaves. Kieran was doing the same, although a lot quieter.

"There." They both looked up ahead and spotted him on the ground not far
from where the men sat.

"We're going after him." Before Kieran could stop him, Kiefer was off
swinging across trees.

"Kiefer get back here."

"Why?" The boy stopped and looked back at his brother. "We're
observing, aren't we? We'll find out who he is."

"And how do you know that it's not a trap?"

"We're going to have to find that out too, don't we?" He started
swinging across trees again and Kieran huffed in frustration.

"Okay, fine. I'll go with you." Kiefer smiled, thankful that there was
somebody going with him.

The monk was walking slowly away from the men. They didn't act like they
saw the man so that got them more suspicious. The staff was chiming again
and it was almost too much for them to take. Almost. Their curiosity had
taken them over and they knew they had to find out who he was. After walking
for a few more minutes, the monk stopped and so did the noise.

"What do you think?" Kiefer asked his brother. They were still up in the
trees just right behind him.

"I think we should go back," Kieran answered.

"What?"

"You heard me. I don't think we're going to like who this is."

"But I still want to know who he is. I'm going for it." Kiefer get
ready to jump down.

"Kief wait." Kieran grabbed his arm before he jumped.

"Do not worry little one. I will not hurt either of you."

"Who said that?" both boys said together. They straightened from their
crouched position and looked around. "You don't think...?" They stared at
the monk.

"Come children," the voice echoed again. "I am nothing to be feared."

"We're not scraed of anything," Kiefer blurted out.

"Then why not join me down here?" The monk turned around and looked up
at them, his eyes still covered in shadow.

"I'll show you who's scared," Kiefer mumbled as he jumped down. Kieran
shook his head but followed anyway. The monk stepped forward and observed
them while they looked him over.

"The two of you have a great power within," the monk said. It was the
same voice they heard before. "It's such a shame that you use it this way."

"I've had enough of this guy," Kiefer said, gritting his teeth.

"Hold on there Kief." Kieran's arm was across his chest, stopping him.
"Why don't we listen to him, huh?"

"But...?"

"If you fight him now, the Ronins will be here. Papa wouldn't be happy
with that."

"So what do we do now?"

"We listen." Kieran walked up to the monk and looked up. "We're
listening."

"Are you ready to listen?" The monk looked at him then at the other twin
that hadn't stepped forward. "How about him?"

"He'll listen too even though he doesn't want to listen."

"Fine." Kiefer threw his hands up and rolled his eyes. "I'll listen,
but no promises." He stepped forward and tried to peer under his hat. "So,
who are you anyway?"