The sun was settling down on the docks of Aquabjorg, the capital of Akhdar, which was known for its majestic dock and its impressive housings. The last vendors closed their shops and started storing their merchandise back. The hearths of their tall and strong homes fumed their warm smoke from their chimneys. Nestled against the North-East border of the city; right in front of the Harsha forest; the royal palace of the Akhdar kingdom bathed in the last glimmers of sunlight, its shadow cast upon the woods.
While all the citizens busied themselves returning to their families and the warmth of their settlements, a small group of four soldiers waited still on the docks, under a banner wearing the Dali insignia. Their eyes were fixated on a ship that was heading towards the port. From its distance, they estimated it would dock in less than an hour.
"It looks a bit damaged, no?" Pointed out Senya, the youngest but wittiest of the group.
"Aye it do. The prisoner may've tried to resist, y'know. They did say he do be a dangerous one, y'know." Replied Manos.
"No." Answered their captain, Telemes. "Whatever may be the cause of this wreckage, I don't think the prisoner is to blame. General Kinfol is the most prudent woman the Dali has, which is enough to fathom she may be the most prudent woman of Ylbunish. She assured me that she'll take enough measures to ensure the prisoner's cooperation, and I trust her word."
"Then what do you think may have happened?" Inquired Senya.
Telemes sighed and scratched his beard.
"I wish I had an answer." He said before quietly eyeing the fourth member of the group: Sentri.
Generals Salzeka and Kinfol had personally debriefed him on the true nature of their mission, and had asked him to prepare a carriage for the day of their scheduled arrival at Aquabjorg. Kinfol had personally insisted he'd take only people he could trust, and that this mission required a profound level of secrecy. Telemes chose Senya, his best pupil, and Manos, his wife's cousin. The morning of their departure to the islands of Enyo however, Salzeka insisted on affiliating Sentri, a prominent soldier who had just graduated as an officer. Telemes was skeptical about letting someone he had never met in on this mission, but seeing his General's insistence, he could only comply.
"What do you think, Sentri?" Telemes asked him, analyzing his body language while waiting for an answer.
Sentri shrugged, his furious frown still on his face, before replying:
"A storm, a sea monster, a poorly executed maneuver... Any idea could work if we don't have a way to prove nor deny it."
Telemes nodded and turned back towards the ship. After a few moments of silence, the captain caught a glimpse of a flying object approaching them with haste. Squinting his eyes, he made out the figure of a large bird with green wings and a black body. Its peak held what seemed to be a piece of paper.
"A message from General Salzeka." Telemes declared, recognizing the general's summon that he used when carrying urgent messages.
The bird-like magical summon arrived on top of his head and dropped the paper on his feet before dissipating in green smoke. Telemes slowly knelt and took the paper, unfolded it and; surprised to see General Kinfol's handwriting; read its content:
"Dear Telemes
Excuse the shortness and lack of explanation of this message but time is of the essence as I am writing this message in secrecy.
We have severely underestimated our enemy's position as I have found a mole within the ship's crew. Worry not, the traitor has been dealt with with ease despite showing slight opposition. But, seeing how little trust has been reduced to, I must ask you to forsake your troops and be dismissed. Tell them the mission is changed and that they can rest for the night. Excuse this sudden change of orders even if I know you must've stood in the docks for hours, but I cannot take the risk of involving more people in this operation while seeing how little men are left to be trusted. Furthermore, I'd like to ask you to do something for us if you can, please.
Could you prepare the prisoner's carriage personally without any help and hide it at the entrance of the Harsha forest? We'll have to more faster and with more stealth than originally planned.
I hope you understand and I wish you and your men -The loyal ones at least- to be safe.
Yours truly.
General Kinfol"
Telemes had to read the letter twice before sighing and turning to leave while addressing his crew.
"Change of plans: You are dismissed for the night."
"Huh?" Manos looked dumbfounded. "Did we do stand here all day for none?"
"There has been a change of schedule." Replied Telemes with calm. "We are all dismissed and ordered to rest for the night before heading to Kealnah tomorrow at dawn."
The last part was a lie, but the ship was almost docked and Telemes had to give his troops a credible reason to leave fast.
Manos and Senya looked at each other but did not question Telemes's words. However Sentri skeptically glanced at his captain.
"Sir, I'm sorry to insist but are you sure this is what the letter asked of us? It seems unlikely that two generals would ask us to stay put for a whole day weeks in advance only for them to dismiss us at the last hour."
"Are you questioning your Generals' orders, Sentri?" Telemes asked, his voice buffed with authority.
"I'm questioning your comprehension of those orders, sir, considering how important we've been told this mission is. Maybe if you'd read the letter-"
"And what do you know of this mission's importance, Sentri? From what I know, you were not with us when I debriefed my own troops about it as you've joined us late, or did General Salzeka mean to say that you are aware of our mission's true nature when he said 'Put him up to date.'"
Sentri stayed quiet for a moment, understanding he crossed the line in questioning his captain. Bowing his head, he muttered an apology and took his leave.
Senya and Manos looked at the scene with concern. When Sentri left, Telemes offered them a smile.
"Go rest you two, I'll see you in the morning."
Smiling back, the two Dali exited the docks while dreaming of all the options their future dinner could offer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Night fell on the now quiet capital of Akhdar. All of Telemes's troops went to sleep and get some rest after a strenuous day stationed at the docks. All except one.
Sentri looked behind one last time to make sure nobody was following him, his frown now hidden by a mask to conceal his identity. He had abandoned his Dali uniform for a dirty long cloak and hood. Bifurcating on the narrow and dark streets of Aquabjorg, camouflaged by the moonless night. After walking for dozens of minutes through the capital, he found himself and a somber alley that stretched on a dead end. He waited at the wall for a moment before a whisper called out from behind him.
"Sentri. Are you here?"
"Yes, Oleem."
"What's your report?"
"The boy is alive, and they probably have docked by now."
"I take it the mole and Her Majesty's pet failed at their task."
"Probably."
"Well shit, that's gonna piss her off."
"Yes. They found the mole, and the generals ordered us to step out of it as precautionary action. They're being more careful. Telemes even lied to make sure we get out of the way."
"Oh?"
"Yes." Sentri replied before getting the letter he had stolen from his captain. "But I know about Telemes's whereabouts and their course of actions. I can still kill him and get the boy-"
"Actually, don't."
Sentri raised an eyebrow behind his mask.
"Excuse me?"
"I received word from the high lord. He wants the boy alive."
The high lord wants to keep the last known member of The Spear alive!?
"Apparently," His interlocutor went on. "He came up with a plan to seize both Ylbunish and The Light quite easily, and it revolves around keeping the boy alive."
"Did he discuss the contents of this plan?"
"No. But Her Majesty has approved of it and is even excited to see the results. Or so I've been told."
Sentri pondered Oleem's words for a moment. Kroll, high lord of The Darkness, was known among them for his witty mind and his cleverness, always seeing ends through paths they didn't even fathom. It wouldn't be the first time in the history of The Darkness that one of his ideas would seem mad, yet his plans always brought fruitful results.
"Okay, how about Telemes?"
"Your orders regarding him have not changed. He must die, his loyalty and strength may make him an obstacle."
Sentri nodded and concluded:
"Alright. Until dark is cast by no light."
"Until dark is cast by no light."
Sentri exited the alley, a crooked smile deforming his face. He's been affiliated with Telemes for too long in his opinion, and had to bear his authority and boring speeches about justice and discipline. Sentri has had enough to be ordered around by a man who would soon fall under the triumph of The Darkness.
After a few turns that led him to an isolated space behind all the houses that led him to the city's northern walls. Hidden behind the strong buildings and the impressive ramparts, Sentri let his glee take over as the satisfaction of finally getting rid of his now ex-captain surged in his muscles and veins.
Unfortunately, his mind too focused on the wicked joy of killing his target failed to perceive the dark blue feathers of a small eagle watching him, perched on the city's walls.
Nor did he hear the arrow aimed at his neck that put him in an endless silence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Talj walked in silence, lounging the walls that marked the limits of Aquabjorg on his left as the trees of the Harsha forest looked at him from the right, about a hundred meters away.
He looked down at his now cuffed hands, bound together from the wrist by a magic suppressing artefact.
The events of the night happened quickly for him. Kinfol personally woke him up and told him both of them were going with Salzeka on a small boat, not towards the docks but southward, right outside the perimeter of Aquabjorg. As they arrived on sand, Kinfol urged the group to leave the beach and put some distance between them and the water before the two generals crashed onto the floor in exhaustion.
What in the world made them this tired!?
It has been a week since their fight with The Devourer, and Talj could only guess that the only thing that may have tired the two Dali Generals was related to the traitor on board. Kinfol then woke them all up a bit before dawn, gave them a poor quantity of rations for breakfast and asked Talj to put on anti-magic handcuffs.
"Our destination is near. Remember that you are still our prisoner."
Talj didn't object, his mind too busy to order his thoughts.
They want to go around the city until we get the forest's official entrance. Probably to avoid unwanted eyes.
And now, as the small party walked in the direction of the north-east, Talj couldn't help but glance at his two companions. They seemed too stressed and tired.
Clearing his throat, he asked as lightly as he could:
"What happened to the traitor?"
"He died." Kinfol answered with her usual calm. "When we revealed we knew he was a mole he tried to escape."
"In the middle of the sea?" Talj asked.
Kinfol nodded.
"Salzeka's axe found him before he jumped off the vessel."
So The Darkness can open portals even in the ocean? That explains how The Devourer could get to us.
"After that." Kinfol continued. "Salzeka and I couldn't sleep. The man who died was someone I thought I knew well, one I trusted with many important missions that he always would carry flawlessly."
"That must've been a blow for you."
Kinfol didn't reply.
"After that, we couldn't sleep." Salzeka went on. "What if one of those bugs was still on the ship?"
"We stayed vigilant, eyes open. Barely catching a wink." Kinfol sighed. "We're now in a world where it's either eyes or knives in your back."
"That explains why you both look like ghosts right now." Talj said.
"Let's just get over with this." Salzeka replied.
The small group continued their expedition in silence, each consulting with their own thoughts as the walls of Aquabjorg scoffed at them from on high. The sun wasn't fully up when they reached the entrance of the forest, situated half a kilometre away from the city's main gate.
"Someone's approaching." Kinfol said.
The small group tensed, but as the newcomer appeared from the bushes and trees, Talj saw Kinfol and Salzeka relax and smile.
"Generals." Said the man.
He wore a Dali uniform of the Akhdar nation, and from his silver medal Talj knew this man was highly ranked. His smile shone through his silver beard as half closed eyes looked back and forth between the two Generals.
"Telemes." Kinfol nodded at him.
Kinfol smiling? This guy must be quite the fella. Talj thought to himself.
"Your letter didn't say whether I could wait for you or not, but I had to make sure you both are safe and sound."
"As safe as these times allow. Is the carriage ready?" Kinfol replied, shaking the man's hand.
"Yes, it's hidden just behind those trees. Getting it back on track will be easy."
Telemes then turned to face Talj, studying him.
"So this is the supposed bringer of our doom?" He asked.
Talj frowned and looked at Kinfol.
"Telemes is one of the only people, along with the kings and queens of Akhdar and Enyo, who Salzeka and I entrusted with the true meaning of our mission."
Talj raised an eyebrow and retorqued with a bit harshness:
"Oh sweet. Another person who may bring a giant crocodile on my ship."
"I understand your skepticism to have other people know of our secret, but I can assure you, he is the only man in Ylbunish who I know is on our side without doubt."
"More than your own crew?" Talj asked. "I'm sorry but how many people exactly did you warn that you have an ex-member of an ancient order who may cause the end of the world that I have to hunt and that the world is between the hands of the most dangerous force it has ever faced. I don't say you're reckless, but you said the crew of your ship was trustworthy. And where did that get us? Almost in the jaw of a giant lizard!"
Melenes, dumbfounded, opened his mouth to speak, but Salzeka waved his hand at him:
"We'll tell you later."
"So, Kin." Talj said. "You have important information I must know, and I trust you as a friend. That's what let me cooperate so far. But tell me: How can I be sure this Telemes is reliable when you can't even see through the lies of your own men!?"
Kinfol looked into Talj's eyes before replying:
"Telemes saved both me and Salzeka's lives."
The words hung in the air, replying in Talj's mind.
"Come again?"
"Ah, I remember that day." Salzeka laughed sharply. "That cave sure gave us some spooks-"
"The when and where isn't important." Kinfol cut him. "Talj, I know how you feel. Not even a month ago you were planning your wedding, now here you are, a fugitive hunted down for a prophecy you're the victim of. I know I made many blunders, and that indirectly almost cost our lives, and I am truly sorry about that."
"Did some poor decisions on my side too." Salzeka interjected.
"And I deeply apologize for all the anguish you were not supposed to face but still had to, during our journey. But please, believe in me just this once and don't oppose us."
A moment of silence passed, ultimately broken by Talj's sigh and him loosening up. A defeated chuckle escaped his lips before he replied:
"Funny of you to ask, when you're probably taking me to my own execution. Unless when we exchange the intel we all need you're gonna let me go on my way?" He added sarcastically.
Kinfol and Salzeka looked at each other, a look of both complicity and unsureness in their eyes.
"Well... You see-" Kinfol's words got interrupted by a loud scream coming from the road leading to the city.
"CAPTAIN TELEMES!"
The four of them turned towards the source of the voice. A young woman wearing the Dali uniform too was hurrying to them.
"Senya?" Telemes asked aloud.
"You know her?" Kinfol inquired.
"She was in my unit."
When the newcomer got to their level, Talj noticed her eyes were red.
She was crying. Talj thought. And judging by how rushed she seems to have put on her uniform and her messy hair, the matter is both urgent and distressful.
"How did you know I was here?" Telemes asked her.
The young woman was panting and was too alarmed to speak coherently:
"The ship that arrived... Crew told me you'd meet generals... I had to be quick... You were nowhere to be found... They said forest... I got scared you-"
"Calm down and breathe, Senya. Collect yourself."
Senya stopped talking and tried to gasp as best she could.
"Alright, what was so urgent you had to run all the way here to tell me?" Telemes asked with a comforting smile.
"It's Sentri, sir. He's dead."
The word 'dead' loomed over them mockingly, enjoying the bitter shock it caused to the group.
"He's dead?"
"Yes! Killed by an arrow. But the whole situation is weird! He had strange clothes on, and his body was just-"
"Senya! Not in front of the prisoner." Telemes ordered.
Everyone seemed to remember Talj's presence, including himself. Salzeka suddenly pushed him from behind.
"Get a move on! This isn't your business!" He barked. "Come on! Move!"
Talj tried his best to hear the rest of the conversation.
"... A strange mask, and weird clothes! His uniform was nowhere to be found...."
That was the last thing he could hear before Salzeka shoved him inside the prisoner carriage that awaited them a few meters away.
How are they going to move this thing without any horses?
Talj sighed and rested his back against the carriage's wall. Right after these woods, Rolmea awaited. There, he'd get the answers he wanted. He'd see how bad the situation truly was.
Why, though? Why do I want to see how deep in this hole we are?
Talj closed his eyes and tried to focus. He guessed that he'd either offer to cooperate the best he could to ward off this threat if they let him live, or he'd try to escape if they attempted to lock him on or execute him.
Then what? Even if I escape? What will I do? Go back and live my last days with the ones I love? Fight a battle I know I can't win?
But Talj, despite his fears, despite the questions that tried to distract him, knew the answer. He gave his word through a Sacred Oath. And despite The Spear's fall, he still carried it. He had to carry it. His expeditions, his help towards the citizens, his trips where he'd kill a few monsters in the false name of profit through bounties. He still tried to bring light upon this world, despite the guilt and fear that he had failed never leaving him.
But... I chose to stay away, no? I chose to found a family, to pursue my own happiness. Doesn't that mean I failed? Doesn't this whole mess prove I failed!?
But in that moment, despite being too scared to truly search for the answer, Talj understood one thing. He had lost one family once, but now all he rebuilt in his life was in danger, and he willingly got dragged across woods and sea for it to stay safe.
I still strive for the world's safety... Even if it's a small fraction of the world... Maybe it's because I'm the only one left; maybe my loneliness made my burden harsher, but smaller. Maybe I chose to protect only what I could...
Talj sighed to himself in contempt. The daylight reached for him in comfort through the narrow window of his carriage.
Suddenly, he felt himself moving. As the compartment started moving he couldn't help but ask himself in amusement:
"I guess they didn't need horses to move this thing."