The first rays of sunshine still hadn't showered on the woods when Aklas opened his eyes. The night has been surprisingly quiet. No monsters nor guards bothered to check on the gale where they had slept for the night. He slowly rose in his place, enjoying the breeze of the early morning. He stretched his arms, breathing life into them before taking a few steps. A loud snore grabbed his attention. Turning his head towards the source of the sound, he met the sight of Talj completely scattered on the ground, deep in slumber.
Some habits simply can't die, can they? Aklas laughed to himself.
He walked over to where Talj laid down, took out his water pouch and spilled the remaining water on his brother's face.
The blacksmith grunted and sat upright in a tight motion, a loof of confusion and annoyance on his face. As he turned to face Aklas, his eyes drifted to the leather pouch and the mocking smug on the hunter's face.
"Did you just waste water to wake me up?" Talj asked.
"Hmm... Oopsie?" Aklas shrugged his shoulders in an easy going gesture before offering his hand to help Talj get up.
As he stood up, he rubbed his eyes and looked at the sky.
"What time is it even?" The smith inquired.
"I'd say half an hour before dawn."
"Why so late?" Talj sarcastically asked. "Wasn't midnight a better time?"
"If I let you sleep any longer your snores would have gotten all of the Dali on us."
"Ah, you two are awake." The sound of Nyr joined them. The eagle perched himself on a rock, overlooking the two young men. "I just got back from a reconnaissance tour."
"The Dali?" Aklas asked.
"Some are close enough, but none are heading the right way. They're certain you've ventured deep in the woods to hide yourselves."
"Great." Aklas cheered. "Since apparently we must go outside of the woods, right Talj?" He added, turning to face his brother.
"Right. I'll tell you about it on the road." Talj focused and summoned his two mounts. "For now, let's head north-west."
"Do we have a destination?" Aklas inquired.
"Yeah." Talj turned to put on his attire, facing away from the rest of the group.
Aklas raised an eyebrow before asking:
"And that destination is..?"
"Oh just past the west border of the Jibal kingdom, near the swamps."
Aklas and Nyr looked at each other with uncertain eyes. Talj tried to wave away the question before without looking at them, a clear sign for the hunter that his brother was hiding something.
Either he's scared of our destination, or he doesn't want me to know it.
Just as Aklas was about to question Talj, Nyr beat him by a second:
"You want to go to The Rise." The Night Eagle said. His words were not a question, they formed a statement. "You believe there is a drive that pushes us back home."
The Rise, a lone mountain towering majestically north of the Shogre Swamps, in the confluence of the borders between the Ramol, Jibal and Akhdar kingdom. While The Rise was its official name, some people would refer to it with another nomination: The Crying Mountain.
However, the mountain itself wasn't what was on their mind, it was what lied underneath it that was the subject of interest. For hidden inside The Rise was The Sheath, the hideout and main home of The Spear.
The same home Aklas and Talj fled years ago after The Darkness's attack.
He wants to return home? But why? Didn't he say he wanted to leave that life behind? Aklas had many questions, but he decided to give his brother some time. I'm sure he has a sound explanation.
Nyr, connecting the dots, went on with his reasoning:
"You've no need to be ashamed nor scared to speak your mind, young one. If you believe you must brave your own fear of the past, then asking us to join you is no trouble."
Talj sighed and turned back to them, a sad smile drawn on his face. He summoned his wolves and declared lightly:
"Thank you. Let's get out of these woods, I'll tell you on the way."
As the first rays of dawn bathed the Harsha Forest, the two companions headed north east, leaving the tall trees and bushes heading towards the green and radiant fields of the Daiko Hills, while Nyr circled atop their heads, following their course. Still at the forest's outskirts, a group of wild chickens crossed their path. Aklas summoned his bow and conjured an arrow aimed at it. The blow landed in a fatal silence.
"Let's get out of the forest before eating." Aklas suggested. "If our enemies are looking for us I'd rather be in a position where I can see them coming before lighting a campfire. Besides, they're heading deeper into the woods, so it'll anchor some distance between us."
Talj nodded at the carefulness of his companion. The pair then exited the forest and stepped into the greenery, letting the soft breeze clear their mind as the scenery in front of them expanded into a shining terrain.
After an hour on wolf back, that chicken they had cut was beheaded, exsanguinated, emptied and roasted on fire. Nyr joined them and claimed a small share of the food. As they all sat around the fire they started by gathering wood from young saplings, Talj recounted his tale. How his sailor friend had warned him that The Dali were after his kin, how he'd agreed to follow Kinfol and Salzeka and how his voyage had been interrupted by The Devourer.
"You've defeated The Devourer!?" Nyr exclaimed. "That is no mere feat!"
"It was weakened by the sunlight, and I had the help of two Dali Generals." Talj answered. "The night I escaped The Rise, The Devourer was blocking the escape from the lake. Its power was nothing compared to the monster I faced on sea."
"You have to thank your general friend's stealth spell for delaying its arrival then." Aklas commented.
Talj nodded and continued his story. His arrival at Aquabjorg, his detention at The Tower and the detailed conversation he had with the Dali. When he was done, Nyr seemed to be deep in thought:
"The Roots under corruption... Or, if my theories are correct, under control. They're trying to bind their own continent's magic with ours. And since Dark Magic plagues all the other kinds of magic, it can do serious harm to our continent!"
Aklas took a bite from the chicken's thigh before asking:
"They're binding their continent's magic with ours?"
"Torm and I theorized that they would do it, several thousand years ago." Nyr answered. "If The Darkness could break out of their realm into ours despite the seal, even if just slightly, then we feared they may find a way to weaponize the very magical flow between our continents, merging The Darkness's Roots with Ylbunish's."
"When you say theorized, you mean you were not sure of it?" Talj asked.
"It was more of a 'Let's not halt to find out' kind of sure." Nyr replied. "The Spear's task has always been to thwart The Darkness back into its realm, and preserve our peace. For many millennia, we'd not let them complete even a single stride on our realm."
"That is until the past seven years where they made more progress in less than a decade in a thousand years." Talj commented. "Must be quite the summer break for you, old bird."
"Excuse you-" Nyr wanted to reply before being interrupted by Aklas:
"And Talj, we now know that The Darkness, one way or another, found a way to reach The Roots, which is bad. Now what exactly do you hope to find at The Sheath that may help prevent that?"
"Yes." Talj stared longly at his brother before answering. "But I'm not sure how to make it work. You remember what your parents and Shaja would talk about sometimes? A device or artefact buried beneath The Crying Mountain that could communicate and even heal all the magical flow of Ylbunish? We'd stay up late trying to figure out what it is since we were not allowed to see it."
Understanding dawned on his companions. The Night Eagle muttered out loud:
"The Confluence. Yes... It is a plausible solution to our problem."
"The Confluence?" Talj asked.
"Yes. What you disobedient children have been pondering about instead of sleeping as you should have was no artefact. It was the origin point of all magic of the continent."
"Isn't The Primordium the source of the magic of our continent?" Aklas wondered.
"Yes! And The Confluence is the doorway where magic slips from The Primordium to Ylbunish! Before channeling it to The Roots of every single kingdom where that magic flow is to be distributed! Torm had made that mountain the home of The Spear specifically for that reason! Both to protect The Confluence but also to use it if any ill befell on our realm!"
"I see..." The hunter seemed to understand. "But how will The Confluence get rid of the Dark Magic being incorporated in Ylbunish!"
"That... Will be a problematic facet of our endeavor." Nyr's voice fell low. "There is a spell... A very ancient and powerful one that can cleanse away all traces of Dark Magic from any entity to exist. Torm showed it to me."
Aklas frowned, unsure if he comprehended the eagle's words.
"A spell that can chase away one of the three main forms of magic?" He asked. "Not to question the veracity of your words, but if such a thing existed then why didn't we ever hear of it? The war with The Darkness could have ended years ago!"
"Aye." Nyr seemed to nod -Or so Aklas thought- before closing his eyes. "Torm has always been secretive about this spell, even with me. I was one of his closest friends and his companion, yet all he would tell me was that it was too hazardous and unpredictable to use. Regardless, Torm detached the spell from his own body and merged it with The Confluence. Then, on his final days, he had shown me how to access that spell through The Confluence and asked me to teach that knowledge to every leader The Spear would elect, in case a crisis like this was to happen... Now that I recall his words, he made it seem like it was bound to happen."
"Hold on." Talj asked. "You can detach a spell from your own self?"
"Young one, Torm's understanding of magic reached far deeper than any mage to exist. What you'd consider a fantasy could be but trifle to him."
"So, if I understand correctly." Aklas said. "What we have to do is reach The Sheath, find The Confluence, and... What? Activate some lever that will make the spell work and flow through the whole continent?"
"That's a bastardizing way to put it." Nyr replied. "But the idea is correct. We're seeking The Confluence and there I'll have to teach you how to reach for the spell and activate it. Its effects will spread across Ylbunish, cleansing it of its illness."
"Great!" Talj enthusiastically exclaimed. "So our task is simple: Get to The Rise, get inside The Confluence and save the world!"
"You forget the part where both The Darkness and The Dali are after us." Aklas commented. "And the fact that we're running out of time."
"Well if we don't do anything we're sure the world is ending either way." Talj answered. "So we might as well give it a shot. Besides, isn't that what we've been trained to do? Help the world when the world can't help itself? You have to admit that's a thrilling endeavor." He added with a motivational smile.
"Oh my dearest young and naive little brother." Aklas shook his head in a mocking grin. "How easy it is for you. All you have to do is remember how dearly your Xara misses you and the fire in your vein burns all your worries."
"Hey!"
Nyr chuckled before saying:
"While I do not share all of his optimism, Talj is right. At least now we have a goal. It is easier to get lost when wandering aimlessly than when you have a direction to follow."
The young group finished eating. They decided to bury the bones of the chicken and erase all traces of the fire as best they could.
"Are you sure it can work?" Aklas asked as he got up. "The odds are against us."
"I cannot see all ends." Nyr said, flying to the hunter's shoulder. "But I know this: One may be afraid of the outside world all they want, but it is by stepping out their door that they can know how to face it. No defeat is guaranteed, and there is no victory that can't be earned."
"So in short, don't give up without trying." Talj got up. "That's a positive attitude. Just another adventure for The Hammer and his newfound companion Hunter and Birdie."
"Quit calling me Birdie."
Aklas laughed lightly before explaining:
"Considering our destination, the quickest way would be to cut through the Daiko Hills and climb the Shogre Swamps south to north, but that'll leave us exposed in an open terrain for weeks, not to mention these fields are a common Dali patrol route."
"What do you suggest?" The smith asked.
"We derivate a bit west until we reach the river. From there, we'll follow its course up to Kaelnah. It's not a completely safe path, but it's the least dangerous one that won't set us off course."
"Are you sure it won't delay us?"
"I'm sure of it, we'll just have to move quickly. Besides, our water supplies are running low so we'll have to go to the river either way."
"Alright then." Talj said. "You're the chief, chief. Onwards we go!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kinfol cursed under her breath.
She was meeting with Telemes in his office who was giving her an update on the situation with Sentri's murder, in the city of Aquabjorg. It's been a few days since Talj's escape from The Tower. Reports showed that Talj's escape was done with the help of another individual. A hooded archer who was shown to have affiliation with Conjuring Magic. Kinfol didn't know if the archer was a friend of Talj, and if he was, how could Talj enter contact with them if he was in custody.
Kinfol did not mind if Talj had kept a few secrets from her, but the amount of unknown variables that piled up unsettled her. Kroll's words lingered in her thoughts like a fly, and she then learned that Talj was saved by a wild card. She spent the journey back from Rolmea to Aquabjorg ruminating questions she had no answer to. And, to her weariness, the capital was in chaos. The murder of Sentri caused such a ruckus she had come to see Telemes to ascertain the situation.
"The morning Sentri's body was found, multiple incidents were reported." Telemes said. "Such as the disappearance of another Dali guard. A young woman named Oleem. Furthermore, the circumstances in which the body was found were unusual."
"How so?" Kinfol asked.
"The body was isolated in a remote area that had no reason to go to. And there was no trace of struggle on the victim. No wound but the one that killed him, no torn clothes, no signs that the body was dragged there... Nothing."
"And the killer?"
"They left no trace. Whoever they were vanished right after the kill. No weapon nor stain was seen around the body. Although, the wound indicates that Sentri died of an arrow shot on the neck. Albeit the dart was nowhere to be found."
At the word arrow, Kinfol's eye twitched.
Another archer? Or the same one that helped Talj?
"And I assume the investigation is not advancing at all." She said.
"Dead end after dead end. And the bad news only adds to each other."
Telemes sighed and massaged his temples before asking:
"How about you, General? I heard the prisoner escaped and is still on the run."
"Yes." Kinfol's face was stone cold. "He proved to be more arduous to deal with than anticipated."
"Arduous is a criminal understatement." Answered Telemes. "To escape four Dali Generals and Rolmea City of all places is no child's play."
"Indeed." Kinfol said. "Well then, Telemes, I wish you the best with your search. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a ship to catch."
"Thank you, General. Have a safe trip back home."
Kinfol exited the office, the Dali guards inside the Dali quarters saluted her. As she joined the streets, Kinfol skillfully avoided the awestruck gazes of the inhabitants that she came across.
Poor naïve souls. They believe the General's life is all about glory and power.
She swiftly gained the docks. As she approached the ship that was supposed to take her home, she was surprised to see a familiar figure crouching and petting a dog.
"Who's a good boy? Yes you are!"
"General Jokra." Kinfol greeted her.
"General Kinfol!" Jokra shot back up and turned to face her. "You startled me."
"I thought you had already departed."
"I would have, but I got delayed. The city is in big trouble and it affected sailing schedules."
"I see. Would you mind keeping me company?"
Jokra eyed the Enyo General longly and understood the hidden word behind her sentence.
Privately.
"Of course! I know a place, just a few steps ahead!"
As they exchanged trivial formalities, Jokra led Kinfol to a remote area on the side of the docks, in a narrow gap between the back of a fish market and one of the city walls.
"Any news about Talj?" Jokra asked.
"None. He vanished beyond all sights."
"Oh. That's a good sign, no?"
"I don't know." Kinfol replied. "All I know is that he's not alone right now, and I cannot tell if his companion is a friend or foe."
"The archer?" Jokra asked. "You think it's the same one that killed our guard?"
"I see you're up to date with the recent events."
"More than up to date. Since my ship couldn't take the sea I thought I'd give a hand and help with the investigation. Multiple problems showed up in the same morning."
"And it was the morning that followed the night Talj, Salzeka and I arrived at Aquabjorg. That's too many coincidences in one week."
"That's true... Have you heard of the purse?"
"The purse?" Kinfol asked.
"The same morning, a woman reported that her horse got stolen." Jokra answered. "Well, technically it wasn't stolen. The thief left a purse full of money as compensation. A purse that belonged to Sentri."
Kinfol frowned, a new piece of the puzzle added to the other ones in her mind.
"Hypothetically, the killer stole a horse to run from the city but left the purse... To frame his second victim? Or maybe the woman is the killer and she used the disappearance of her horse to cover her deed?"
"I don't think the first theory is correct. The thief left a note saying 'I took a horse, here's money for it' on it."
Well, at least our culprit is a samaritan.
Jokra brought her fingers to her chin, deep in thought. Before snapping her fingers.
"What if there's another perspective to it." She said, "Since every logical reasoning doesn't solve this riddle, what if we take a more... senseless approach to it. Like, for example, imagine that Sentri is the culprit, and not the victim."
"What do you mean?"
"Picture this." Jokra seemed to be rushing with thoughts. "Sentri and Oleem are running away from the archer, he catches up to them and kills Sentri. Oleem manages to escape, the archer then steals a horse to catch up to your carriage and save Talj in Rolmea. Now whether that archer is with us or against us all depends on his motive."
"I'm not sure I follow." Kinfol said.
"What if the archer was actually doing us a service? What if he found out the victims were shady and took them out before saving Talj."
Kinfol thought about Jokra's words and remembered what she had told Salzeka on the ship.
Could I have been right? Other members in the dark, silently aiding us?
"You have quite the insight." Kinfol commented.
"Well, I have a lot of thoughts fuzzing in my brain all the time." Jokra beamed a bright smile. "It gets overwhelming but it helps seeing things differently."
Kinfol nodded and presented her hand to shake Jokra's.
"Well then, it is time for me to depart. I hope you don't get caught up here for long. Extend my well wishes to King Chionizo."
"Thanks, I will!" Jokra replied. "Tell Queen Lin I send her support and hugs!"
Kinfol rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile at Jokra's cheerfulness.
"You really need to address your rulers with more respect."
"What do you mean?" Jokra replied. "Hugs are proved to be a huge form of respect and trust!"
"You're insufferable."
"What can I say." Jokra giggled. "Life's too short to not enjoy it! Bye Kinfol!"
"Farewell, General Jokra."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Telemes's back ached from how long he's been leaning on his desk. The orange lights of dusk breached his window. He's spent the whole day filling forms and documents about the recent events. His conversation with Kinfol had happened hours ago, and it has been the only one he had ever since. He was getting tired of dealing with bad news and officializing them.
Telemes had spent decades in the service of The Five Lands. He had proudly fought for this continent's peace. Yet, as of the recent years, a distressing sensation grew within him, as if he could perceive a great dread coming. Change could be felt in the air, and to Telemes, change was always difficult.
Retirement sounds mighty fine right now.
He sat back up, cracking his vertebrae to ease their pain. A sudden knock echoed from his door.
"Come in." He said.
As the wooden frame creaked open, a large man with a Dali uniform and holding a large cardboard box tied by a ribbon entered his office.
"Officer Telemes." The man greeted him.
"Hello. Who do I owe the pleasure of visiting?"
"I am Officer Uldra, from Rolmea." The man replied. "I come to bring some help with the matter at hand."
"Rolmea? Did you find a correlation with the disappearances here and the outbreak on your end?" Telemes asked.
"Yes." Uldra answered. "All you need is in this box, I suggest you give it a good look."
Just what I needed, more paperwork. Telemes cursed internally.
"Thank you, Officer Uldra."
Uldra nodded briefly before speaking:
"Excuse me for making our time together short, but I have orders from General Salzeka himself, and I am running late."
"I understand. The General can be quite moody when his orders aren't followed thoroughly."
Uldra gave him a knowing smile before leaving:
"Good day, officer."
As Uldra left the office, Telemes noticed that no sound reached him from outside, which he found strange considering the situation at hand.
It sure is quiet today. Maybe everyone is focused on their work? Ah, I'll check on them after I take a look at this.
Telemes took a deep breath, got up and walked to the box, carefully undoing its ribbons. As he revealed its content, his eyes frowned at the unexpected sight. The content of the box was not a stack of papers, it was an artefact. Its name was Pyrogene.
An item Telemes knew very well.
While pyrogenes were very rare, they were extremely dangerous. They were small magical devices that could be triggered from afar to cause a massive explosion. The main component was a pyrostone, a powerful gem that can, if handled incorrectly -or correctly for some cases- burst and unleash massive shockwaves. While many models of the artefact could be forged, its weakest ones were enough to kill.
"Why would Rolmea send me this... Unless... OH SHI-"
But it was too late. Telemes did not notice in time that the pyrogene was fully operational and active.
The explosion happened as quickly as deadly. The entire office burst into flames. The roof violently burst into many pieces that were sent flying in the air. The quarters' structure tore and cracked. The wall forcefully shook before rupturing. The entire building crumbled. The rare people who passed by screamed and fled, fear overcoming their minds and taking control of their limbs. The smell of smoke joined after the deafening sound of the explosion, alarming half the city of the tragedy.
After some time, guards joined the scene, calling out for any survivors inside.
Telemes however, could not hear them.
Nor would ever hear anyone again.