Aodan was still waiting outside his room when he stepped out the door. He glanced at Midhir with a glimmer of hope in his eyes before rushing inside to take the sending mirror away.
“Thank you for waiting,” Midhir said, watching him cover the basin with a large piece of cloth, and roll the contraption through the doorway. “Enforcers have been dispatched here, and they should arrive in a few days. Until then, we will try and persevere.”
The butler nodded with a somewhat relieved smile. A few days wasn’t a short time when the forest was creeping ever closer, and an unknown number of terrorists were roaming outside the city, but at least it was a timeline.
While Aodan rolled the sending mirror away, Midhir hurried back to Lord Orlein’s study. By the time he arrived there, the doors to the Lord’s study were wide open, and his classmates were inside, along with Lonan the historian.
“Apologies for being late,” he bowed before joining the others.
“It’s quite alright,” Lord Orlein said with a tight jaw before taking a deep breath. “Now that all of you are here, listen carefully. The Imperial Family has mobilised aid, but it’s expected to arrive in several days. We must defend Bareon from all threats until the – both within, and without.”
So she had already contacted him. She was fast, as always. He just hoped the enforcers would arrive in time, and without endangering the situation in the Olisar province even further.
“We have some new information on the cultists goals, so we will act accordingly.” Lord Orlein clenched his fist. “First – their primary goal is to allow the New Growth, and eventually the Old Growth to overtake Bareon. As such, we can expect them to attack after nightfall again. Second; they are seeking something. We don’t know what or who.”
“Then we must be pushing the New Growth closest to the city walls out,” Alistair muttered absentmindedly. “It’s the only thing I expect will buy us enough time for help to arrive.”
Lord Orlein nodded. “The city guard is currently doing just that. It’s not the only way though. Midhir,” he turned his gaze towards him. “You mentioned an altar below the city. Do you remember where it is?”
“I do, the cavern isn’t a complex structure.” The mere thought of descending back into the caverns sent chills down his spine. He would rather stay as far away from there as possible.
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“Good. Then you will lead this group down there. Your mission is to destroy the altar, and escort Professor Lonan here to the temple you mentioned earlier. It’s clearly relevant to the events happening in and around our city. Move out, I want that altar destroyed today, before nightfall.”
Their preparations didn’t take too long, as Aodan had already put aside most of what they would need – a set of clean clothes, enough food to last them a week, ropes, torches, bedrolls, and other miscellaneous items were set aside for them.
“I understand your weapon was destroyed,” he said as he approached Midhir with a shortsword in hand. “Lord Alistair said you used shortswords, so I prepared one for you.” He shot a hesitant glance at Midhir’s wrapped hand. “I would suggest you avoid fighting however, since your hand seems to be healing quite slowly. If you still feel any pain, please avoid fighting.”
Midhir nodded as he took the sword from him. It was a little heavy, and its hilt didn’t fit in his palm quite comfortably. “Thank you.” He said as he clipped the sheath onto his belt. His hand still ached and felt somewhat sore – he couldn’t properly use it even if he wanted to. But it was good to have a weapon with him, nonetheless.
Once their preparations were complete, the group set off towards the caved-in pavement by the church. The sun was still climbing to its zenith when they arrived.
“By the daughter and the son…” Willow whispered as she peered down into the hole. “You fell down here? How did you survive that?” She shot him a quick glance. “Not that I’m complaining, but you know… it is a long way down from the looks of it.”
Midhir couldn’t help but chuckle. “Pure luck,” he shrugged, pushing away an annoying thought that surfaced in the back of his mind. Was it just luck?
“A hollow hill…” Lonan muttered as he crouched by the edge, and ran his finger across the broken pavement, and the rock shell beneath. “It’s hard to believe. This could date back to the fall of the Rose Capital, or even be the cause of it!” His excitement was palpable as he spoke with a glimmer in his eyes. “Or, it could be even older – you said there was a temple inside, right? Not a church, but a temple.”
Midhir nodded. “A very old temple, with an unpleasant inhabitant. But that’s a layer beneath this cavern.” He hovered his hand near his ear, summoning several long, sturdy ropes.
The area around the cave-in and the burnt church was completely cut off from the rest of the city with makeshift walls. Several guards were posted in and around the area, and they were quick to help him find strong enough spots to tie the ropes. Once the ropes were secured, he returned to the others. “Let’s go, we have half a day before nightfall.”
“Stay near me,” Willow spoke up as she extended her hand. Her rapier appeared above her palm, as the air around it twisted, and reality bent for a split second. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Midhir’s eyes widened as he felt his body grow ever so slightly lighter as winds whirled around them.
“Let’s go.” Willow took one of the ropes and jumped down. The winds grew stronger as the gemstone embedded into the pommel of her rapier glowed brightly. Instead of falling, she floated down.
“Amazing!” Lonan exclaimed before following her lead and prompting everyone else to do so as well. taking a rope in hand each, they descended down the hole in the pavement.