Hidden Realms Unseen To The Eye

Where it even is Trognath? I’ve never heard of it, I’ve never even seen it mentioned on a map. I’m on the huge spider's back as it moves through the colourful forests. It is moving slowly and carefully as smaller creatures run away. Everyone is on the frost spider’s back while Elysande is talking to it. I recognise nothing here, where ever we are in Moss Tempest it’s nowhere I’ve ever been before. It’s also annoying as my hands are still tied and Agomais is holding the rope end, watching me with his annoyed glowing violet coloured eyes.

Neither him or Bastian have spoken to me since we left this morning at first light. My head has been hurting so much from the moment I woke up it’s like a nail being driven into my brain. Worse since they put my armour back on the patterns that glow have been pulsing on and off like firefly lights and it’s making my headache worse. I watch as the huge spider suddenly stops in the centre of a huge open area as Elysande gets off looking at us. “We are here!”

Keira eyed her. “There’s nothing here!” Agomais sneered at her as he spoke. “Shut up Keira.” Elysande moved into the centre of the open area. “You know you should never take anything at face value, as things are not always as they seem.” She lowered her sword hilt putting the tip into the ground watching as the gem stone hilt pulsed with bright light. “Trognath isn’t on the map as its people don’t want to be part of the capital nor be under its laws. They also don’t want to give their wealth and products to them.”

She paused, pulling her sword away, watching as the illusion around them melted away and the ancient town appeared, which had huge stone closed gates. “They hide themselves away permanently, so the Mages and Paladins have no control over them.” She watched as the others got off the spider who stepped away from the gate she moved over to her stroking her mandibles. “Thank you old friend.”

The spider’s eyes moved as it spoke. “Be safe, little human friend.” She smiled looking at her. “I will, be safe too.” She watched as the huge spider turned moving back in to the forest disappearing from sight. “We all need to go inside, the illusion will fade and it will vanish again, as when it vanishes the magic makes it so phased out that even if you walked through it you’d never know."

Bastian moved forward. “Fascinating, the same kind of magic as the dungeon where the mummified body was?” Elysande nodded. “Yes but it’s not done by Mages. All these people are craftsmen and women, they only sell to people they trust on the agreement that they keep the village safe. Plus it won’t be here tomorrow as it moves regions. Don’t ask me how, all they told me was that the ancient device built under the village means it can move and change appearance depending on where it is, I first found it in Trius Amaya.”

Agomais moved towards the gate pulling Keira along much to her annoyance. “Do they have someone who can cap my horn?” Elysande watched as the huge stone gates creaked open fully revealing the village inside which unlike the modern villages had houses that were old white stone and more villa like. Showing its ancient age and heritage, though towns like this existed in some regions they were now in disrepair or being rebuilt with the more modern look. “They have everything here, even magic that’s considered illegal so if you need it, it's here.”

She looked at Keira. “They have things in there that can help you, but I can’t untie your hands till you're inside.” Keira eyed the rope. “I’ve broken magic chains…I’ve broken other magic ropes, why can’t I break or get out of this?” Elysande took the rope from Agomais clawed hand. “Because it came from this place, it’s a more ancient design.” She paused as they all walked inside fully as the huge stone doors closed behind and the sound of bolting was heard. “I brought it to hold you when I met you, since my adopted parents used it on me when I was recovering.”

Keira eyed the rope. “I see… so how were you out of control?” Elysande breathed in deeply. “I was sucking animals dry of their blood, and like you, high on suppression magic. I also thought changing my look would help but unlike you, I was trying to look the way I used to, not like someone else.” She moved her inside so they were in the village square, with its many shops and vendors. She eased her hands up, undoing the ropes letting the other woman free. “You should go eat something, it might stop the headache you’re getting, I put some silver in your money bag, also we need to sell off those insect parts here”

Keira breathed in, moving away from her saying nothing, truth be told she was tired, worn out and hungry. Today had just felt like an effort, and she just wanted to eat and forget that she was living this nightmare. Agomais eyed Elysande. “Are you positive she won’t run away?” Elysande watched Keira go inside the tavern. “She is about as ill as Paladin gets. She won’t run anywhere, though I can buy something here that can help her mind a little.”

Agomais snorted. “Surprised you want to help her as she’s such an asshole towards you.” Elysande turned to him, seeing that Bastian was not paying attention, he was getting giddy about all the stalls with their trinkets and devices. “No she’s just sick and I don’t think any of us really knows who she is. I don’t think she even knows who she is, she’s just lost.” Agomais carefully took the pack with the insect parts from her hands. “I’ll go sell these for you, get a really good price.”

8

It’s been a long time since I was here, eight seasons ago this place showed up in Trius Amaya. They all knew about it appearing, they even waited for it. As the goods sold here are some of the best magic wise there is, plus the rare items and illegal ones which are very hard to get. We are not the only ones here, there are loads of races shopping and browsing and eating at the Tavern. As that’s how it works, you come early in the morning but must leave by nightfall as then they move the place to another region.

It’s not the only village or town that moves regions; there are four in total, though I have never found the other three; they are run by a group called Orionfell Enclave, a secretive faction who believe that no magic should be banned and that losing old magic is a sin. They were where I brought a lot of my old scrolls from but they had no idea what the stone in my chest is. They said it was much older magic than their moving towns and villages.

They could tell me though what a War Mage was, which is when they used to work with the Paladins and Mages as guards to kings, queens, emperors and empresses. At the height of the first age which is now called the ancient time. They were highly respected for their specialist skills, since they could channel spells through weapons, along with being a much harder mage than the regular one.

That’s why my adopted parents, once I was well, put me in this armour, they wanted me to be true to myself and embrace my powers. My armour was recreated based on sketches and drawings of how those Mages used to dress. I picked the colours though and the helmet design as that’s an undead land signature and I am happier with whom I am now. I embraced it, that it is now my home.

I really hope the seller I’m looking for is here, as she gave me something I value deeply, and though I can’t give Keira the item I have, I can have one made for her. I turn, finally catching sight of the cleric stall in the busy market area where a beast woman cleric is sitting, working with her tools on her best creations. These are not illegal items, you can get them anywhere, but hers are best as they channel through a single person, helping them control bad emotions.

They are far from a cure, it's more that they calm you down, they allow you to think of a happier places and times, and see happy images in your mind’s eye, you can even hear music. She watched as the beast woman looked up, with a smile appearing on her face as she stood up. “Elysande! It’s been so long.” Elysande moved forward giving her a warm hug. “It’s great to see you again Safiya.” Safiya pulls away from her, sitting back down as she adjusted her white and blue robes. “So I see the trinket I gave you worked, you found this place again no issue.”

Elysande pulled out a glowing gold and green metal ball whose sections began to rotate and glow green. “Well you did hide it inside my serenity sphere, where only I could see the vision since no other person can access these as they bind to a single person forever.” Safiya raised a long clawed finger. “As it should be, we both know the capital is full of evil corrupt Mages and Paladins.”

She paused, shaking her decorated horns. “But I do get the feeling you are not here to talk about that.” Elysande raised her gold and green ball. “No, I need a new one of these for a friend.” Safiya smirked. “You mean for the really sick werewolf Paladin?” Elysande breathed in deeply. “Yes, how did you know?” Safiya laughed as she pulled over some steel and bronze metal as she started to work. “Oh trust me, that one’s very ill I could feel her emotional turmoil the moment she came in.”

She looked over at the tavern where the dark haired woman had gone inside. “She needs much stronger magic than mine to fix her shattered mind, plus her self-loathing is very bad. She won’t accept what she has become and embrace it.” She carried on moulding and curving what would be a round blank until its new owner held it and channelled it. “This will help through, like it helped you, as you feel much healthier now in your soul.”

Elysande breathed in sadly. “That’s why I want to help her, I know how it feels.” Safiya felt a sly grin form as she looked up. “You don’t normally speak highly of people you have just met.” Elysande leaned forward. “She saved my life so I feel I at least owe her something that can make her life a little better.” Safiya slowly finished her work raising the perfect bronze and steel sphere. “Well I hope this works.”

She carefully wrapped it in a cloth. “Since this is hers you can’t touch it so give it as a gift or something as the first person who holds it, it binds to them.” Elysande slowly passed her two gold pieces. “I’ll do that thank you.” Safiya eyed the Ratman and Minotaur who were looking over the other stalls. “Also nice to see you have more friends.” Elysande put the sphere away carefully. “No, they are the werewolf Paladin’s friends. They have been very welcoming to me and understanding.” Safiya looked up with a smile forming. “I’m sure they will be your friends in time.”

8

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Agomais walked through the stalls which were filled with items he had never seen before. Some were from distant regions and he had no idea what they were for, he could see that Elysande was talking with a beast woman cleric some distance away at her stall. He stopped as he caught sight of a stall which had metal horn caps and was being run by a weird looking ratman, as he was wearing some kind of glasses on his face that had multi lenses and could be changed… it was impossible to see his eyes.

He had just sold off all the parts and shared all the money out with the others apart from Keira who was in the tavern and who had fallen asleep at one of the tables. He could see her in the window as the tavern had bigger windows than normal. He walked over to the ratman who was looking over some gem stones. “Hey do you do horn caps?” The middle aged ratman turned looking at him grinning with his crooked teeth. “Yes-yes we do all sorts.”

He suddenly sat up. “Oh I see someone broke your pride, Minotaurs love their horns and they are a big measure of your power and a status symbol.” Agomais breathe in deeply. “Yeah some idiot broke it and I can’t channel my magic right.” The black rat man suddenly jumped on his stall as he pulled over a chair for him. “You can sit down here; I will fix your horn up real good.” Agomais sat down slowly as the rat man looked his broken horn over. “Red, blue, yellow, which type of gemstone do you channel?” Agomais raised his armoured clawed hand. “Red.”

The rat man looked his hand over. “What magic user type are you?” Agomais breathed in deeply. “Cleric.” The ratman looked at his gemstone breathing in. “Your current stone isn’t a good grade, I’ll fix it. Very shitty grades have cracks that stop your magic working well.” He unscrewed it out of his glove, his eye lenses moving as they looked at it. “Whoever sold you this was restraining your magic.” Agomais eyed him. “It was the guild of clerics.”

The ratman shrugged. “Shitty grade equals poor magic.” He turned going through his stones pulling out two red ones. “These are much better from Ethereal Tusken, the snow region.” He paused. “It’s freeze your balls off cold but they have high grade quality gemstones with no cracks.” He turned his glove as he pushed the new one in, then used special four screws to lock it into place. He moved to his horn grabbing a bunch of unworked caps. “Silver, bronze or gold?”

Agomais turned to look at them. “Bronze like my armour.” The rat man’s lenses moved. “Good choice.” He slowly brought the decorative cap down covering the big Minotaurs broken horn. “This horn cap will help your horn grow back but it could take some months.” He pulled out the special magic nails as he started to hammer the metal join in. “You’ll look very handsome with this, maybe you can gain a loved one’s interest.”

Agomais looked down sadly. “Yeah I don’t think that will be a thing, my relationships never work out.” The ratman smiled as he started to carefully bend and shape the decorative metal into a seamless point along with creating a decorative edge near the bottom. “You like men, women or both?” Agomais looked at him. “Men.” The ratman smiled. “Then you just have not found the right one yet is all, as they say plenty more sunfish flying over the endless seas of Dreath.”

Agomais eyed him as he started to put in the second stone, screwing it in. “No, I think it’s me, people don’t like me.” The ratman stopped working as he looked at him. “If people you love have not been kind to you then they are not the ones for you, and they cannot see the goodness in your heart.” He carefully finished his work. “There you go all done and dusted.” Agomais turned to him as he started to use a special cloth to buff and shine the bronze tip. “How much?”

The rat man smiled as he pulled around a small glass mirror so he could see his work. “Three silver.” Agomais stood up slightly pulling some coins out. “Take four silver, for your good work.” The rat man took them smiling. “You’re a nice young man.” He paused. “You need to test it though so give channelling a shot.” Agomais breathed in as he closed his fist watching as his gemstone started to glow only for it to channel up his horns which he felt instantly. “Oh that’s much better!” He eyed the ratman. “Thank you so much.” The rat man moved the chair back behind his stall. “You can always come to me in the future if you need replacements.”

8

Bastian moved around the stalls, a lot of things here he recognised, a lot he didn’t. He moved up to a stall which was being run by a white bearded dwarf man who was busy fiddling with his magic tools while making amulets and rings. The dwarf looked up smiling. “Looking for something special?” Bastian eyed all the rings and trinkets. “Do you have anything to enhance magic?” The dwarf man smiled. “I do but it’s not legal.”

Bastian raised his clawed hands. “My magic is very weak. I just want something else to help channel it.” The dwarf man eyed him. “Ah yes I’ve heard white furred rat men and women get issues with that, unlike those with black and brown fur.” He paused. “I can give you a channelling amulet but understand, once you open that door it can never be closed again and for some people it doesn’t end well.”

Bastian looked around him. “All my friends are magical. I just feel like the odd one out. I can only do limited magic like seeing traps and hidden doors.” The dwarf looked at him. “What stone are you using to channel?” Bastian looked up. “Red gemstone.” The dwarf looked at him picking up a red stoned amulet with a large red gemstone at its centre. “This you can put around your neck, it will slowly release its magic into the stone on your hand.”

He paused. “Once its released fully it will split and crack, it will work slowly over a week or two, and don’t let anyone see it, as you’ll be arrested. Those awful Mages and Paladin up in the capital are very unsympathetic about people enhancing their magic, but everyone should be allowed to in my opinion.” He raised the chain. “Three silver, one gold.” Bastian eyed his coins this would be his last gold which he hated all he’d be left with was silver and copper.

He handed him the money. “There you go.” The dwarf handed him the amulet. “To activate it you need to channel.” Bastian carefully put the pendent on, hiding it under his armour. “Thank you, the reality is I may need this, as my friend is not well, her magic won’t be normal for a while.” The dwarf pulled up a ring as he started to work on it. “Ah yes… the werewolf Paladin, we’ve all felt her torn up magic. I hope she recovers as I can spell magic suppression and potion addiction from here.”

Bastian looked at him in surprise. “Is my friend dangerous in this state?” The dwarf turned a ring pressing in a new yellow gem stone. “Only to herself, but coming off the addiction is the worst. For some people, they realise they have not been good, which might hurt her more as she is a Paladin, not the regular type, but Paladins like rules and being good people. Dark Paladins do not care what they do, they have no morals and they waste magic like the Dark Mages and Necromancers.”

Bastian blinked. “What is a Necromancer?” The dwarf looked up. “A Mage who is undead themselves, controlling undead against their will, they are rare and deeply disliked, by the region of the dead. They are not to be confused with Dark Mages or Paladins who abuse magic…as they are using powers from the nether realms. They have a name but I don’t know it and it’s not to be confused with the undead realms, as it’s a different plane of existence.”

He put the ring down. “Necromancer’s steal power from the realm of the dead and bastardise it.” He raised a thick eyebrow. “Only saying it unless you meet one on your travels, as here though we believe all magic should be given and used. We don’t believe in magic that harms and hurts others or stealing it from other realms and twisting it.” Bastian looked at him for a long moment. “Thank you for the advice. I will keep that in mind.”

8

Keira felt a hand shaking her, only to cause her to shoot up out of her dreams suddenly as an older woman’s voice spoke. “Here’s what you ordered: vegetable stew and weak mead.” Keira groaned as the meal was put in front of her. She looked up seeing that a huge green clawed hand was holding it. Her eyes moved up slowly as she realised a huge crocodile woman was standing over smiling. The words came out before she could stop herself. “Please don’t eat me!”

The crocodile woman looked at her for a long moment before bursting out laughing. “Oh it’s been so long since I’ve heard that.” She put a hand on her shoulder turning to the huge crocodile man who was cooking behind the tavern bar. “Hey this little werewolf paladin thinks I’m going to eat her.” Her husband smirked. “She's clearly from the capital!” Keira looked at the huge crocodile woman. “But I heard that you eat your children…”

The crocodile woman smirked as she opened her jaws then slowly inflated a thick large pouch on her throat. “This is a safe pouch for our young. We normally only have three to four and we carry them around in this with our mouths open, we don’t eat them.” She breathed out causing the thick pouch to deflate. “The jungles region off Anacaona Narah and other regions have dangerous predators that hunt our hatchlings.”

She raised a clawed hand. “It’s not just us frog men and women have even bigger throat sacks for taking their tadpoles around. Also Lizard people carry their two to three hatchlings on their backs, till they're old enough to be safe.” She turned, seeing the vampire, the white rat man and Minotaur all appearing in the tavern though only one she recognised. “Elysande, it's been a while!” She walked up hugging the vampire before pulling away. “I see your new werewolf Paladin friend here is a real sweet summer child.”

Elysande looked at her as they all sat near Keira, who looked down as she started eating, clearly embarrassed that she had been caught saying something foolish. “Sorry about that, my friend has not travelled much beyond the capital and Moss Tempest.” The crocodile woman smirked. “It really shows… I’ll get you and your friends some lunch. Just tell me what you want; the menu is on the chalkboard.”

Agomais eyed Keira in annoyance. “So how did you insult the tavern owner?” Keira turned to look at him, seeing he had a new decorative bronze horn cap in place. “I thought they eat their young! An ex friend once told me that.” Bastian shook his head. “I’m from Anacaona Narah, trust me they don’t do that. The crocodile and frog people just protect their young in special throat pouches…who even told you that bullshit?”

Keira looked down sadly. “A lizard man called Titus…told me that he was in charge as the head of the junior Paladins, he is probably elite by now.” Agomais shook his head. “Guy sounds like a complete idiot.” Keira took a sip of her mead. “Funny, because he always really enjoyed sleeping with Minotaur men...” Agomais sneered slightly, showing off his razor sharp teeth. “Yes, well I prefer Orc men, beast men and rat man, because I have a real taste, unlike your idiot ex friend. I can’t stand how the capital forever spills out lies on other races.”

Bastian looked at the menu. “I just want women of any race who are nice to me, I’m not picky.” Elysande looked up slightly. “Once we’ve all eaten we can go to the stables at the entrance. They have everything there, but after this my money will run out so we will need to start hunting for food supplies.” Bastian pulled a map he had brought, putting it on the table and rolling it out. “Well I know the way to the tip of Anacaona Narah as my family lives there so we can drop in, see my brothers and sisters.”

He paused, moving his clawed finger to the tip of the undead region. “I don’t know my way to Trius Amaya. I've never been there before.” Elysande looked at the map. “It's fine I can take it from here. It will take over a week to get there though and we’ll pass through many villages and towns.” Keira breathed in as the others carried on talking as she looked at the map, realising now that her destiny was set and she could do nothing to change it.

All she could do was go with it and hope at some point they threw her out. Everyone who had spoken to her today, before she’d fallen asleep in the tavern, had called her werewolf Paladin, so there was no escaping now from who she was in their eyes now, which was deeply depressing. She breathed in, noticing that Elysande was watching her quietly and with keen interest, she really didn’t understand this woman at all. Why wasn’t she telling her she was an idiot like everyone else was? Truth was she still didn’t feel well. She kept on needing sleep. The only upside was her headache was going away slowly.

End of part 10

Silvermoonlight