For the first time since he came to the Sylvan kingdom, it had begun to rain. The mages were protecting the kingdom from the wrath of the heavens due to Clandra-ζ's cataclysmic attack by turning the mysterious downpour into a downpour when the "rain" passed through that artificially magical sky. And fortunately they had this system, who knows what filth descended from the sky because of the attack of the Treeman-ζ, but it could have been worse was the attack of the queen during the confrontation with the Hero.
And speaking of those two, the queen, after the fight, had taken her quickly to the top floor of the kingdom, near the reserve of Lily the Turtle. They found themselves in a cave illuminated by strange fireflies with resplendent turquoise lights, she walked through a long and dark corridor and then arrived in front of a water point with the same color as those of the luminous insects that surrounded her, golden inscriptions were engraved in the ground, inscriptions that even Audisélia, with all the knowledge she had acquired during her life, would not know how to decipher. She only knew one thing, the name of this place which was: "The Lake of the Distant Songs".
Legend had it that all those who entered it underwent an astral journey to the ancient world of the Faerie, their place of origin, or even to be able to travel to the world of the Dreams where all dreams and nightmares are real. However, few people reported such events when they bathed there.
But what was most true was that this precious water was used to heal the most persistent wounds, nevertheless it should not be used excessively if one did not want to lose his mind. However, in the case of the Hero, there was only this solution so that he would not have internal injuries while regenerating.
The queen placed it there and flapped her wings to spread her fairy dust in the lake, the dust spread on the surface of the water and shone brightly, giving a milky yellow color to the water. Audisélia went to sit against a wall and waited.
- An idiot like one rarely makes..., she whispered, you don't know how much I want to yell at you with unimaginable force.
However, she couldn't, she was dozing as she spoke. The ordeals she was undergoing in the Dark Protectorate were exhausting her and she was still wearing those anti-power bracelets, which increased her fatigue. Nevertheless, she could not afford to sleep now, especially at a crucial time.
She sent a telepathic message to the head of the military police, Rosero Tezande, a man she particularly trusted - although people she trusted betrayed her, but she had no choice but to trust him - and ordered Detsin's arrest, to be taken as quietly as possible to Limbo.
If the Hero's claim was true and the ancillary information she gathered from her own flies, they will have the means to stop this plot in a matter of days.
In the evening, the three best holy knights gathered at a tavern with their squad. They were finally coming to the end of the tournament and had accomplished a lot lately, and the worst was yet to come, so Sawyer decided to buy all his comrades a tournament to treat them to a good time.
Sawyer had stayed at the table to keep company with the young recruit who had been injured during their trip to the Dark Protectorate while Morvian, Globox and the others were having fun dancing and singing on tables. Sawyer knew how this was going to end: he'd still have to pay for the repairs because those jerks would be too drunk to realize that the table legs would crack under their weight, especially with Globox.
Fortunately, in this tavern, there were only five customers at most.
Maybe he wouldn't be honest with himself, and even though he was the captain of this elite troop of soldiers, seeing them feasting like this made him feel good, it was like having built a beautiful family over the years. That's why what was going to happen in the next few days pained him terribly.
With his elbow resting on his helmet, he observed this beautiful world enjoying their life which could end at any moment. Maybe he should go too, if he stayed so taciturn and cold, he would end up looking like his father.
- Chief Vanguard? called the young recruit.
The young woman moved closer to her captain, jumping her chair to get to the level of his point of view, to see what her new companions were doing.
- Yes, Is'telli? Do you want me to get you some more melia?
- Yes, it would be nice but I called you because I felt you were dreaming. You were losing your mind.
- It is true that you, the Yastsi, are linked to the spiritual and to the spirit of the people. By the way Is'telli, why did you agree to join the queen's bodyguard? Normally, you would be a sleep merchant like those of your race.
A Yastsi is a kind of hairy fox with little "tentacles", if I may say so, for a moustache. Is'telli had a super light orange coat and tiny feline legs. She and her race belonged to the therianthrope family, which leaned toward the animal side rather than the humanoid side.
- Don't be so closed-minded, stir Vanguard," Is'telli told him amused.
- No, but it's just that it intrigues me.
- I understand you. It's normal to think that at first, but I didn't feel like doing that all my daughter. Being a psychologist, a sleep trader, a psychotherapist, a mentalist... Mind manipulation is an extraordinary thing to study but not very...
She scratched her head hard looking for that word that escaped her as if she had fleas.
- Galvanizing? proposed Sawyer while filling his glass of melie.
- I will say "exhilarating".
- Fight it more?
- I won't say that... but I feel less of a charlatan... Not that my mom and dad are huge crooks, far from it, she reassured her boss, it's just that...
- It's okay," Sawyer said as he finished his pint of mead, "even if you can't express it with your voice, I understand it with my heart.
- Thank you.
Seeing the field open, she moved even closer to her leader, eyes sparkling, she asked him.
- I had a question for you.
- Tell me about it?
- Is it true that you are the son of Torn?
- If I have the surname "Vanguard," it must be," the Queen's Saints leader said with a laugh.
- You could be a usurper.
- Few would risk this. I myself, as his legitimate son, have already been subjected to pressures that I would not wish on anyone, even though I would have liked to sell this lineage to someone else.
- It's still great to be the son of such a prestigious hero.
- If you knew... You know what? If I told you a story about my past, you'd learn a secret about the Queen, Globox and me.
- I would have preferred on Morvian.
- But Morvi and I met much later!" exclaimed Sawyer, caught up in the alcohol, "unless that redheaded lady is attracted to that skirt chaser.
She struggled to hide her embarrassment, then relented. Is'telli poured herself a glass of alcohol and gulped it down.
- You know how strong this drink is," chuckled Sawyer.
- I don't care. If you're going to let loose on the confessions, I might as well let loose too. Yes, the third knight interests me a lot, despite his reputation.
- It does not surprise me, it makes effect to all, except to Audisélia strangely.
- You call the queen by her name?
- Don't you know that? the knight was amazed, Selia and I are childhood friends.
- But it's extraordinary!" the yastsi enthused, "the son of Torn, childhood friend of the queen...
- In addition to having been his champion!
- It's not possible.
- In addition to being a very good shot in bed.
Now, the alcohol was starting to make him talk nonsense. Normally he drinks in moderation, but I didn't know why, on this particular day, he had decided to drink more than usual.
- That's not true, Globox told me," she said, hiccupping.
- Oh, he can't keep his mouth shut. That dirty felon...
And under the effect of alcohol, he took over the expressions of his interlocutors.
- What else did he say?
- That you didn't know anyone because you were saving yourself for one woman, but he didn't tell me who?
- He was quite right, otherwise I would have buried him sooner than expected.
- Do you think Morvian would be interested in me?
- He has love in spades, so maybe he does. Mating, he will definitely do it, pairing up, it's up to you.
- V'te don't worry, with my skills of yastsi, I manage rather well, she boasted while tending her biceps.
- Well, wait a minute, I had to tell you my story from the past. It was about seventy years ago and...
A loud crash sounded and Sawyer's men fell to the ground. The son of Torn sighed and pulled a purse from one of his leggings' pockets and left it with the tavernkeeper with a note.
- I'll tell you that story later, I'll deal with your future fiancé and the other felon there. Oh, you morons! Now you're going to stand in the corner with the rookie and I won't hear you making any more noise!
All went to sit by Is'telli, except Morvian and Globox, who were dragged to another table near a window to let Sawyer watch the rain.
- Give me your sobering pills," Sawyer ordered Morvian.
- And how do I do it if I bring a girl home, huh?" he grumbled, "I need it to sober her up.
- Tonight, you won't bring a girl, we're way too busy.
- Tsss... You and your sad liquor.
- The question is whether alcohol is making him sad or whether he is drinking in a discouraging way because he is sad.
- Thanks to the counter philosopher for this psychoanalysis, says Sawyer, I owe you how much?
- Your belt made by Marguela.
- Do you see my eyes? I sleep in front of your request.
All three laughed.
It reminded them of the great days of their youth, when they were feisty, rambunctious and stingy youngsters, and had to watch and catch the sulks of the not-yet queen of Sylvania. A most catastrophic quartet.
They missed the good old days, even more terribly afterwards.
It's a pity that I can only witness their perilous adventures in their "sweet", because everything is relative, now.
- If not, you the fatty? When are you going to show your damsel, asked Sawyer after having taken the Morvian pill.
- Always in a hurry. It happens. You'll know in time.
- Basically, it didn't come from me but from Morvi.
- You want me to believe, Sawyereli, that you're not intrigued?
- Me? Not at all," Sawyer retorted, crossing his arms behind his head and sticking to the wall. Besides, I think I know who he's talking about, the little bastard.
- Did you?" the two men exclaimed.
- Reveal it to us," Morvian demanded excitedly.
- You didn't hear it "It's coming. You'll know in time".
- Does his opinion count?" Morvian chuckled, crossing his arms in front of him.
- You're talking about your superior," Globox told him.
- Superior because the queen hates me more than you do, reminded him the casual knight, if we were to base ourselves only on the feats of arms, it would be a long time ago that you would clean all the toilets of the barracks, especially those of your fellow creatures and the centaurs.
- Yes, but that's not the case! The world is mean.
- The queen is mean, yeah.
- Afterwards, if you feel up to having your handsome portrait done, it can be done in the alley next door.
- You see things small, what if I settle with you in the big place? In front of everyone.
- Well, come on!
- You come!
Sawyer clapped his hands to calm the two guys, but seeing that it was not enough, created two portals and through them, slammed the faces of Morvian and Globox on the table. A waitress, a new ration of drink that was offered by the house - one can really say offered after the scholarship they gave.
- You see that chick, Sawyer? I swear to Fasqueta that I'm doing her whether you like it or not, so let's get that wiggle on!
- Lead by example, for goodness sake!
- He's not wrong," Globox said, "otherwise it's okay, Captain, we've learned our lesson, now let go!" Globox begged him.
- What a whore, this one! swore Morvian, he hardly feels a pain that he makes the scrunchy? Push me more the head, that makes good.
As soon as these words were spoken, Sawyer withdrew his hands and shook them, disgusted by the way his friend had spoken them.
- I didn't know you were on this side of the world," said Globox.
- And if I told you it was true, would you let me spend a night with you?
- I'll tell you that you're a liar because male reproductive organs disgust you so much! You were forced to run away to the special fairy locker room when we swore we would stop going there.
- Not my fault if they are strangely limbed to these guys. Bah!
- Intolerant!" said Sawyer and Globox.
- Yeah, yeah, you're well informed.
And it went back to laughing. They were unstoppable. With their never-ending workload, they never had too much time to indulge in such parties. Once the laughter and tears of joy subsided, Sawyer's expression darkened, and he twirled his spoon in his glass, slowly shattering the fruit at the bottom of his drink. His look became more and more serious, but also empty.
- Guys, you know things are going to speed up with the days ahead.
- The tournament, the sect, Audisélia, you and that famous Pluto weapon, the kid with the blackish curse, the two apterous fairies and the Basfonds..., Morvian enumerated while drinking, so many things that are going to set in motion the next few days.
- And is the kid okay?" asked Globox, "I hope the pastries that were brought to him will make him feel better.
- You fat bastard...," Sawyer scoffed without smiling.
It almost sounded like an insult, given his intonation.
- Did you know that we gave him pastries?
- You know I have connections in the kitchens of the royal palace and everything...
- Even I, who am the closest to the queen, only learned that it was about sweets, at most.
- Do you know me? My head is more in the stove than on the field.
- Yeah...
Although this conversation seemed harmless, the coldness of it made Morvian shiver. The dark look Sawyer gave his friend made Globox lose his smile, it was rare to see this fat man full of serious soup.
- Hey guys, you're setting the wrong mood!
- It's Sawyer, I don't know what's wrong with him," said
- Nothing, I just had some questions, but as you said: everything will be settled in due time. If not, is Morvian ready to go back to the Shallows? Because that's where we're going to get the Feline Adepts.
- Oh yeah! You want me to get my boots dirty.
- We'll go in armor.
- Yeah, but that doesn't change anything I just said. All this to get to where else in the Nether?
- Right on the corpses that he, his father, Audiselia and that human who had once come killed.
Sawyer raised an eyebrow, curious.
- Haven't you heard? We've received new information. The Adepts have moved to a new location, and we've found their true hiding place.
- Ah, but that's fine, instead of us falling into a dirty ambush.
- Yeah, so we don't have to repeat the tragedy of Azertazia," Morvian said with a roll of his eyes, "but that's the only time you've made yourself useful.
- You're abusing it, exclaimed Sawyer, he often makes himself useful when he disappears half the time, laughed the chief with a snide laugh.
- I don't really like the way you talk to me Sawyereli," says Globox, "I want to laugh and all, but you don't seem to be doing it in a second degree.
- What are you blaming me for?
- Don't you know?
- No..., he said hesitantly.
- Really not?
- No.
- Really, really not?
- No, damn it!
- Sawyer, stop that right now," Morvian ordered.
- But do you know what that traitorous bastard did?
- What?" said Morvian, squinting.
Then gradually his expression changed, his mouth opened more and more and he turned to Globox, his face shocked. The ogre's face was beginning to be beaded with sweat, he gritted his teeth, his head back, he was preparing himself for fear. Leaping from his chair, hand on the hilt of his weapon, Morvian cried out:
- Did you say he was a virgin?
- I can do anything... Right?
- No, but I don't believe it. You're such a snitch! Even I didn't say it!
- Since you are screaming like a snake, this is what it amounts to.
Globox was stunned; he had just been caught off guard. He had not thought that it would be such a thing that Sawyereli would blame him for.
- You told me it wasn't a secret.
- Because I didn't think you were really going to say it.
- Wow! Well, I'll keep that in mind.
He sat down, stunned by the lie of his friend. He took another sip of his drink with his two red fruits and took his coat.
- Well, guys, it's been a fun night, but I want to get some sleep. I've been feeling a little run down lately," he yawned.
- Are you serious, Globy? The party has just started!
- Whatever you say," says Sawyer, "take care of yourself.
Globox waved to his companions, the patrons, and the tavernkeeper and left. Sawyer yawned too and got up from his chair.
- I think I'm going to leave too Morvian. Handle those rambunctious kids for me.
- Do I have to be the fucking nursemaid here?
- If I tell you that the young recruit wants you, are we even?
- You've always been my real brother, Sawyer.
The head of the holy knights patted him and withdrew. He went into an alley, and waited while sitting on a cardboard box. After a few minutes, an elf woman wearing a long cloak came to meet him, she removed her hood and revealed herself to be the waitress of the tavern.
- Sir Vanguard, the transmitter works through Globox's body. Should I follow him?
- Yes, it will surely lead us to the true lair of the Adepts.
- Got it. Sorry it was him.
- You're welcome. Security is more important than my emotional life.
The woman put her hood back on and went after Globox. Meanwhile, Sawyer climbed down from his crate and into the darkness, he pulled out a medallion from under his breastplate and opened it and saw two pictures, one showing Sawyer, Elena and Audiselia and the other, Sawyer, Audiselia, Morvian and Globox in their prime.
As he closed the pendant, the rain stopped falling, but in Sawyer's heart, the downpour continued.