Chapter 117 Pt.1:

Atros was a welcome sight as the afternoon sun beamed down on their tired bodies. For the past several hours they had maintained a brisk jog through the empty grasslands on their return to Atros. Thankfully the land was flat and devoid of any real obstacles but the sheer distance was a drain.

“Ugh,” Anton grumbled, running a hand through his hair. “Now I understand why Cetina said that we should do some training.”

“It’s not that bad.” Kal said, walking on his left. She wasn’t out of breath or suffering in any way. “This is what I normally used to do. Faster even.”

“But we’ve spent most of our time riding horses or carts,” Anton replied. “Qaiviel, Graterious and here have all been on those. Now that I think about it we haven’t really done much walking or running. We’re just not used to it.”

A groan came from his right. Verona looked worse than he felt.

“Now I know how those Beast-kin and Seocurian’s felt.” Verona breathed deep, her face flushed red. “Though we weren’t going this fast.”

“We might have to take you up on your offer,” Anton said to Cetina.

Cetina, on Kal’s other side in order to keep several people in between her and Verona, walked quickly alongside them even with her metal armour and sword. While her shield rested in the back of a cart her metal armour was still quite heavy, even her arm and leg guards. She looked like Kal, slightly red-faced from exertion but still bright and energetic. At least as energetic as she could be. After the incident with the sling she hadn’t forgiven herself, and it was clear for him to see.

“I’m sorry about how I said it before.” Cetina winced slightly. “I kind of got ahead of myself-”

Anton waved her down. “It’s fine. Though you did see a problem before it really came up. We really need to work on our endurance.”

He was certain Verona said something.

“I’m sorry I didn’t see the sling.” Cetina scrunched her eye and hung her head low. “If I you hadn’t seen it-”

“It’s fine, Cetina. But I don’t want you going on and on about it all the time otherwise I’m going to get annoyed. Learn from it. And move on. That’s all we can do.”

“I still feel bad about it,” Cetina mumbled. She did look a little calmer, perhaps even happy.

Kal patted her shoulder, Cetina wasn’t worried about Kal’s Beast-kin hands touching her. In fact, it had never come up once. She appeared to sympathise with the Beast-kin on some level during her time in Seocuria. They too were downtrodden and abused like she was, though hers was nowhere near as bad as what the Beast-kin still continued to suffer every day.

“There’s the forest.” Anton smiled. Ahead lay the ridge with the small forest on the ridge, one of the few features in the empty grassland. “Shouldn’t be too much longer now.”

Kal nodded. “And we can see the smoke from Atros. At least we know it’s safe.”

“Not like when we came back from Qaiviel,” Anton mumbled. He held Verona’s hand. “That was one of the worst things I’ve seen here.”

“Yeah…” Verona returned the hold tightly. “It wasn’t fun.”

“More Goblins?” Cetina asked.

“Kobolds,” Kal replied. “A lot of them too. I don’t know how many but probably over a thousand.”

Verona laughed. “After a while I stopped counting. It can be hard to tell how many are there when they’re just red paste mixed into the grass.”

“Yeah…” Anton didn’t want to linger too much longer on those days. “Cetina? Is there anything you can tell us about Bebbezzar? Like its people and lands?”

“Are you actually thinking of going that way?” Cetina sounded a little happy though she was a little conflicted.

“Yes.” Anton nodded to the west. “We can’t go back to Graterious, that crystal chasm is still there, and I don’t want to be waiting in a Goblin infested Jaka just waiting for The Snowberry to turn up.”

“Wilford might have run off with your ship,” Verona said softly.

“In that case, he knows that he won’t be alive for much longer.”

Verona looked at Kal with a slightly worried face. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“I’m sure it won’t.” Anton smiled and ruffled her hair. “But if they aren’t there when we arrive…I don’t think any of you want to spend the next few days in a place swarming with Goblins.”

“What about that red crystal?” Kal tilted her head.

“That would work…But I don’t think it’s perfect. Once they notice us they’ll attack. And there’s simply too many of them.”

“Surely you could make a stone that could do that?” Verona shrugged. “Seems that’s what you’re doing all the time now. A stone for this, a stone for that.”

“We could. But I still don’t want to take that chance.” Anton smiled at Verona. “But maybe we should make some and set up a perimeter around Atros. It might not be perfect but it’ll slow them down. If it works.”

“It took a lot out of me just to make that smoke stone.” Kal scratched her long Beast-kin ears. “That might have to be something we look at doing over the next few seasons.”

“And we still need to get the portal working properly. But I think we should look into it as well. Now that we’ve got Atros mostly protected, what can you tell us about Bebbezzar?”

It took Cetina a moment to realise she was being spoken to. She shook her head and flexed her hands. “Right. Well, it’s very much like what…my father told you. Open, warm grasslands with many forests and small hills. But I’m sure you could work that out from the map you received from Lord Cassius. As for what you might want from there…There are a lot of rare things in the larger cities. That’s where the people have lots of money. One time I travelled with my father to the port city of Alcanares and I saw things there that…I can’t even begin to describe.”

Cetina looked away, her eye turned misty, reliving a precious warm memory. Anton, nor Verona or Kal, wanted to break that feeling.

“Anyway, I saw things from more than just Bebbezzar. Things made in Qaiviel, Seocuria…” Cetina looked a little awkward at saying that place’s name. Anton motioned for her to continue. “Graterious, even a few things from the Kar Kingdom.”

“I’ve always wondered what this place was like before it collapsed.” Verona shrugged lightly to his words. “But Bertram and Sybil are probably the only two who know much about it. What sort of things were there?”

“Well, I was pretty young, but I’m sure there were some books, some weapons and armour, a few mages amulets, charms and staves. There was something else that I saw, it was really expensive, but I can’t remember what it was…” Cetina ground her temple with her glove. “I remember it was with the magic…stuff. Some sort of warding amulet or something. I can’t remember. But it was with the other magical items. Trading cities in Bebbezzar are always kept ordered by royal decree. Though, I don’t know if that’s true anymore.”

Maybe that has something to do with the strife? The merchants weren’t making enough money because they were being stifled? Seems a bit far-fetched but it might have contributed, especially if someone dripped those words into a greedy merchant.

“There’s also things from the Mycenaean City States, The Holy Kingsland…They worship the Holy Father as well and are allies of the Qaiviel Kingdom. Kind of.”

“We definitely need to be careful with any information getting out about Atros until we’re a world power.” Anton turned to the Beast-kin. They were as tired as the humans, physically better but mentally worse. “If they found out about this place then…How big is this Holy Kingsland?”

“Bigger than this continent.” Cetina grimaced. “And there’s a lot more people, well, humans there than here. If they really wanted to they could probably take all the Kingdoms and Empires over.”

“So why don’t they?” Verona asked. “If they could do it...”

Cetina shook her head. “You have no idea how difficult it is to move that many people. And the food and supplies needed for such a thing. They’d need to travel a straight before they reached land, and then they’d just end up in the Mycenaean City States. And they wouldn’t like that. And then they’d have to cross lands that no one controls before reaching Qaiviel. Except beasts and monsters. I think centaurs live there too.”

“Again, let’s not anger them. Though it might be difficult for them if they’re angry enough I think they might just do it. Anger can cloud one’s reason.”

Verona and Kal shared a silent glance.

“There’s also a few things from Frindal Emirate. Spices, mainly. And a few swords and even some horses.”

“Spices?” Anton asked. The two girls looked very eager to know more as well.

Cetina chuckled nervously at their intensity. “Y-Yes. There’s some spices that taste really strange. Different to salt…I had a soup made from it and it was so good.” Cetina licked her lips, something he never imagined her doing. “My lips tingled and it was not just the soup but my mouth stayed hot for a long time as well.”

“Sounds like some sort of chillies.” Anton mused. “It’s all well and good to have good natural foods but I would like something with a bit more flavour. All we’ve got right now is a bit of salt.” Anton ruffled Kal’s hair. “Not that the mushroom soup that you prepared wasn’t fantastic.”

“I’ve heard about something like that too.” Kal chuckled as she straightened her hair. “Apparently the Seocurian Masters liked it and started importing it recently. I never actually had some but…”

“Something like that would be great to have-”

“Are you going to make something?” Verona asked, her body bouncing in eagerness. “You two can make some really delicious food.”

Anton pinched Verona’s cheek. She resisted but playfully tried to swat him away. “Only because you get lots of free food to eat. Or, more to the point, steal.”

“You guys just need to eat faster. Or give me more, then it’ll be fine.” Verona slurred out. Anton released his hold and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”

“Where do you put it?” Anton and Kal asked simultaneously.

Verona laughed while Cetina glared at Verona’s chest.

“I’ll make you something once we get some of those spices.” Anton began. “If they’ve made it to any of the cities away from the coast if we head that way. I would like a good curry, it’s been so long.”

Cetina snapped her finger. “That’s what they called it! It was really, really good….Wait, how do you know what…Have you been to Bebbezzar or the Frindal Emirate before?”

“No…” Anton scratched his head, mentally cursing his slight slip. “But it feels right. Sometimes these things come up, like muscle memory. I don’t think about it I just say it.”

Cetina looked at him for a second before giving a single nod and looking away. Verona and Kal appeared relieved that she had, at least appeared to, give up questioning it further.

“What about anything else?” Anton asked. “Like tools?”

“Most of them you could make here, I’m sure. But there are a few special items that they make there. Oh, not to mention this.” Cetina pointed to her bright clothes. “I know you’re always asking why I keep wearing these…Anyway, they make a lot of dyed cloth over there. They go all around the world.”

“A bit of colour would be nice.” Anton scanned the guards. “I think us four are the most vibrantly dressed here. The Beast-kin don’t count, since it’s their natural skin and fur.”

Kal raised a very questioning brow, held back a chuckle and shook her head.

“What about those birds?” Verona pointed to the south.

At the very limit of his natural vision, a small herd of brightly coloured birds ran near the lake. Anton had seen these creatures often but never up close, they were afraid of humans and never came close. However they never attacked Atros nor had he heard of anyone being attacked when collecting timber or stone. They were an enigma to him after all this time, time that had to be spent in other more helpful areas.

"If we want to brighten this place up they could be a good idea," Anton said. "Capture a few and keep them in pens and collect their feathers. We could even have guards and police wear them so they're easy to identify. Making blue cloth here for their armbands is all but impossible here. For now at least. At least without us constantly using our power."

"Do you know what dye they use in Bebbezzar?" Verona asked Cetina. Verona skipped behind Anton and Kal to Cetina's side. She pulled at a loose blue fold. "I don't know if its wool or cotton but it feels really soft. Strong too."

Cetina eyed Verona warily until she released. Only when Verona did and returned to his right did she relax, a hand brushed lightly across her chest plate.

"It is cotton. I'm pretty sure but I don't know for sure. Thessos didn't make any so I don't know what they use. I think the purple cloth is only made by the sea..."

Purple is the colour of royalty on Earth because it was so hard to get. If I remember things right it only came naturally from some sort of sea snail, and not much from each. Perhaps that's true here?

"I'm sure that we could just use our magic to turn cloth purple or any colour if we really wanted to. But I'd prefer not to."

Verona frowned lightly. "Why?"

"Because if we make everything rely on magic then it'll be incredibly easy to break. Say we only use some sort of water stone for all of our water supplies. And then someone spreads Gliyrhil over it."

Verona nodded glumly. "Then it wouldn't make any water. And if it couldn't be replaced we would all die of thirst."

"Atros will become very susceptible to sabotage if we rely just on magic. That being said a normal well could be poisoned, I just don't think it's a good idea to rely solely on one thing. Especially when there will be so many people that would want to see us dead."

"You see what I mean?" Verona leant forward to look at Kal. Kal nodded once and looked forward. When Anton tried to get an answer out of Verona she said nothing and patted his side. A strange feeling tickled at the back of his head.

Their group began the slow ascent up the ridge. Though only a modest increase in gradient its effects were obvious. Still, it wasn't much of a ridge and they would soon be in sight of Atros. At least this time the air was devoid of the rumble of lightning.

Anton's eyes wandered aimlessly through the group until he found the Beastkin girls. They had done very well bearing the brunt of the Goblin attack on the rear. He would hear what they had to say later but what caught his eye the most was the blood staining their skin, especially Rasha and Eider. Irso had avoided most of the blood but they were all covered in it. Most had been wiped away, they had used a good portion of their water supply to remove the worst of it but their skin was still stained red with blood.

I'm sure I could make a water stone quite easily but I'd have to have a cutoff point. Otherwise the whole world would flood. Maybe. I'm not sure if they do last forever. Maybe it fails once the caster is dead? Since there are only two in the world I'm not eager to find out. But all that blood...

Anton gently nudged Verona. "I've asked before but how comfortable are you wearing a mask to fight?"

Verona loudly tapped the helmet hanging loose around her neck. "This thing's saved me from a few nasty hits. I'm fine with it. Or do you mean something like Kal's white and green mask?"

"That one. So you don't accidentally taste the blood."

"Oh..."

"Where did you get that anyway?" Cetina asked.

"From someone in Qaiviel." Kal looked to Anton for permission to speak further. Anton gestured that it was her decision. "They gave that to me so I wouldn't have to wear cloth around my face. That way I wouldn't be thrown out of a big city or someone thinks that I'm a beggar and an easy target."

"But it still attracts attention."

Kal chuckled, a faint smile on her face. "A lot less than if they saw my real face. Normally they just give one look, see that I'm with Anton and that's it."

"And you say my clothes are too bright."

"You aren't going to be hanged from a tree if they see your clothes." Kal smiled bitterly.

Cetina opened her mouth but thought better of it. She mumbled something that sounded like an apology and looked forward.

"Anyway." Verona coughed loudly. "I don't have a problem with it. It'd make things a lot safer for me. But I don't think anyone can make something like that here. And I don't want one made out of steel or leather."

An inappropriate image flashed thought Anton's mind. He didn't know how he felt about it, something to deal with later. Verona frowned at his internal conflict.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Do they sell stuff like that in Bebbezzar?" Anton asked. "A mask like Kal's, not..."

Cetina, thankfully, didn't understand. Neither did Verona but Kal had an inkling. She had once stolen clothes from an establishment that catered to many whims and potential sins.

"I don't think you're going to find it at a general store but there could very well be some." Cetina chuckled. "A lot of strange items find their way to Bebbezzar."

"Oh." Verona pulled on his sleeve. "Get me one like Kal's. That way it'll look less suspicious and I'll look really awesome when I charge into battle."

Verona laughed as heroic imaginations circled through her head. If anything she looked a little delirious.

Anton let his tense breath loose as they reached the top of the ridge. Atros, a small bastion against the wilderness sat perfectly safe behind its many stone walls. Already construction of the next layer was beginning with carts laden with stone moving through Atros. Even the buildings were rising at an impressive rate. He even saw a few that appeared to be multiple stories tall rising in the newest ring. It was truly amazing what a few extra hands could do. Anton made a note to visit everyone and see how the new citizens were fitting in. Verona and Kal smiled at him, the tranquillity broken by a horn blasting from Atros.

"What now?" Jeff pushed his way to the front. The Beastkin and Seocurians didn't understand what that meant but quickly picked up on their distress.

The horn sounded three times, three short bursts. Anton found it odd that the villagers weren't flying into a panic to gather their weapons. They retreated into the safety of the walls but only at the behest of guards waving them inside.

Another three short horn blasts came from Atros. Jeff scratched his bald head. "We decided to improve the warnings. One time when Raston came back we thought it was a Goblin attack. Everyone panicked for nothing."

"You seem rather calm," Anton said.

"Three short horn blasts means something's coming but they aren't sure what it is. But it isn't hostile. At least yet. If they do they'll blast the horn, one long blast, over and over."

Three quick horns cut through the murmurs of the villagers.

"But we should still hurry," Jeff said. "It might be Raston. He might have word of what's happening in Qaiviel."

"I'm getting a little worried that we haven't heard anything from Duchess Belinda in some time." Anton mused.

"What's happening, Anton?" Eider pushed her way through the bunched up villagers. "Is Atros under attack? Again?"

"I don't think so, Eider." Anton patted the Cobra's cool shoulder. "But we need to get a move on."

"Start running," Jeff yelled. "If you fall behind you'll be doing laps with me for the next ten days."

Anton hoped that didn't extend to them.

---[]---

Anton found his breath short when they reached the outermost wall of Atros. The run had been gruelling but they had made it very quickly. Some had fallen behind but given their state they didn't care about Jeff's threat of intensive exercise. Anton didn't want them to have a heart attack after all this.

"They're coming from the east!" A guard on top of the gate yelled at Anton. "A whole lot of them."

"Who?" Anton gasped to breathe.

"I don't know. But I'm sure Raston's with them. They don't appear to be enemies." The guard shrugged. "At least for now."

"Thanks." Anton waved his hand. "We'll be there soon."

"They haven't reached the gate yet. If you hurry you'll beat them to it."

Anton gave another wave and the guard began running back to the east along the wall.

"Fucking hell." Verona, red-faced, heaved a deep breath. "That was shit." She pulled him down. "And we need to get those bra things made and soon. Mine were killing me the whole way. Bouncing and bouncing. Think of my pain!"

Anton hadn't noticed this time. His eyes drifted to Rasha and Ulyaa, the other two who could suffer the most. They too were puffing breaths but there was a pain underneath their face. Idle hands did their best to massage the area without being seen.

"Another time," Anton said. "Jeff, Avery. Are you two coming?"

"Sure am," Jeff said, Avery silently agreed. "I need to know what's happening and not be left in the dark."

"And everyone else?" Cetina asked.

"Right..." Jeff turned to the breathless guards as the last stragglers caught up. "Everyone new, good work today. I need you to return your weapons to the armoury. Then...Take a break. We'll handle this. Everyone else come with us to the western gate."

The villagers quickly split into two groups. Those that were new hanged back, eager to catch their breath, while Jeff and Avery led the others into Atros. Just as Anton turned to follow he heard a light thudding on the ground. The Beastkin girls approached them, apprehension clear on their faces.

"What about us?" Ulyaa asked softly.

"For now do as Jeff says and return your weapons and armour. If this goes bad you don't want to be anywhere near it."

"We can fight," Rasha spoke proudly, holding her spear tight. Strangely even Eider agreed with her. "We held the Goblins back."

"Goblins without any weapons. Look." Anton raised both his hands. "For my sake, and everyone else's, please do as you've been told. Please. I'll see you all after this is dealt with."

"Let's not be silly," Irso said. Her crackle had only increased with her laboured breathing. "We aren't soldiers."

The other three agreed. Anton gave a curt nod as they ran towards the western gate. The villagers inside held a strange mixture of nervousness and apprehension mixed with a nonchalance as they continued their everyday tasks. Anton noted that many stayed in groups and had weapons within easy reach.

"Anyone want to take any bets?" Verona cheerfully laughed. "I wonder if it's a hundred wandering Beastkin, ready to throw themselves at Anton."

"No!" Kal realized that she had been played and covered her reddening skin. "That's my thing." Kal turned to Anton. "What did Shawn and Jocelyn say about the Old Gods?"

"That they were sending help." Anton shrugged. "That it wasn't going to be like Kal unless I was into beards or stealing someone's wife."

"Those both sound icky." Verona chuckled. "I've got no idea who that's supposed to be."

"Sorry, Anton." Cetina smiled bitterly. "But that's not much to go on."

"Only one way to find out."

Jeff and Avery cleared a path through the busy afternoon streets, Anton merely followed closely behind. Upon reaching the final wall Jeff ordered his men to position themselves behind the gate while Avery and his archers took up positions along the wall. Everyone wore steel and cloth padded armour. If it came down to a fight they wouldn't be walked over. Unless they were powerful mages.

Please don't tell me it's the Strega witches. We were supposed to be protected. If they really want to attack us...

Anton prayed with all his might that his fears were unfounded as they moved onto the wall. Several archers and crossbowmen cleared a space and moved further down the line, giving them a clear view of what was approaching.

"Okay..." Verona titled her head. "Since when were there Seocurians in Qaiviel?"

Verona wasn't entirely wrong with her assumption. A little over two hundred people approached in three distinct divisions. Anton mumbled an eye enhancement prayer.

The first group in the middle was Raston and Qaiviel bondsmen and a few Atros Guards. They looked happy to see Atros, the relief clear on all their faces but most of all on Raston. Not a hint of concern anywhere.

The second group of about thirty men and women, upon first observation, could be mistaken for Seocurians. Their skin, however, was a slightly lighter shade, somewhere between Loretta and Kal. Shoulder length perfectly straight jet black hair occasionally fluttered out from a thick dark green cloak. Though the cloaks hid most of their body he didn't miss the outlines of weapons hanging from their waist. Judging by their size they were large daggers or short swords. Each had a large bow on their back made from an extremely dark wood marbled with red streaks. One of the cloaked figures, very close to Raston, turned their head to speak to him, pointing at Atros. Raston replied and pointed straight at Anton. The person nodded and removed their hood. A woman, perhaps in her middle to late thirties emerged. While she was quite beautiful Anton's eyes were drawn to her ears. They were as long as Kal's.

An elf.

Anton readied his magic but forced himself to calm.

Just take a few deep breaths. They don't look like Wood Elves, since Nithroel is supposed to resemble them. Or perhaps the other way around. Bertram told me there were many types of elves: Fire elves, which are gone, Desert elves that presumably live in the desert, And...

“Dark Elves,” Anton mumbled.

“Their ears are almost as big as mine,” Kal said, an idle hand reached up. “Are they good or bad?”

“Nithroel…” Verona grumbled. Her hands gripped hard on the wall. “But she’s only interested in the Wood Elves, right Kal?”

“Yeah…” Kal looked at Anton.

“I don’t think they’re with her.” Anton rubbed his beard. “If they were it’d be a violation…”

“A violation of what?” Cetina asked, a deep frown on her face.

“A deal that we made with Nithroel, the Goddess of the Forest.” Anton began. Cetina missed a breath, it wasn’t every day that a bargain was made with a god. “She tried to destroy us, so to stop things from escalating further we agreed to stay out of each other’s way.”

“That’s…” Cetina blinked furiously.

“You get used to it.” Kal chuckled, Cetina still looked more than a little shocked.

Anton looked at the third group of about fifty people. While it appeared they were using Raston’s group as a human barrier they didn’t appear hostile, some were even speaking with the Dark Elves, if that’s what they were. At first, Anton thought they were children, fat children. A second glance proved him very wrong. They were Dwarves, no other words existed in his mind to describe them. About thirty had impressive beards reaching halfway down to their rotund bellies. Their forearms were exposed, great muscles bulged against their cut and scar-riddled skin. None waddled but rather strutted with strength and an overwhelming sense of confidence. They too wore cloaks, dark grey that reached to their feet, but Anton saw the axes at their sides. Several had large two-handed axes on their backs. Those without beards had small but well-made crossbows and a single axe on their hips. Anton felt a little ashamed to only then realize they were women and not young dwarves that had yet to grow a beard. Their clothing hugged their bodies tight but gave them an impression of all being rotund, rather than having more distinctive curves like a human.

“And Dwarves…That part makes sense now.” Anton smiled. “That’s definitely the beard thing Shawn was talking about. But the stealing part…”

“That person talking to Raston looks like their boss,” Kal said.

Anton deactivated his eye enhancement. One quick look at Kal and it was clear she was using the same enhancement he was, her eyes and head were almost perfectly still. Violent illness would result if she moved even slightly.

“Guess that the Dark Elf right behind her is her husband then.” Verona chuckled. “Look like they’ve got a decent build on them.”

The lead Dark Elf ran a hand through her jet black hair. She had some sort of band around her forehead, a protector, but Anton knew that Verona was looking lower than that. It was hard to determine their exact figure underneath a mixture of a dark padded cloth and black leather but Anton knew that at least the women had bodies suitable for archery. There was little to differentiate between them, if one just looked at their bodies, apart from the women being slightly shorter and having wider hips.

“Perhaps,” Anton said. “But I don’t think those bows are just for show.”

“Neither are those axes from those Dwarves.” Kal mused.

“I thought that’s what they were.” Cetina smiled. “My father pointed them out to me once. They were selling weapons and armour to mercenaries in Alcanares. And they were paying huge prices for anything that had. I remember a small shield went for several gold coins.”

“Master craftsmen then?” Anton patted the hard stone wall. “And the Gods said they would be sending help. Fifty will surely be a great help. And thirty expert archers are just a bonus. But…”

“But what?” Verona tilted her head.

“I get the feeling it won’t be as simple as that.”

---[]---

Anton, Verona, Kal and Cetina walked out of Atros to meet the new arrivals. Jeff ran in front of them with fifty well-armed villagers. They stopped about fifty meters from the gate and signalled for Anton to do the same.

“So how do we do this?” Jeff asked, forming his men into a rough line.

“I think it’ll be best just to play it by ear,” Anton replied. “First impressions are important but if they’ve been travelling with Raston long enough they’ll know we’re very much a frontier town cut off from the world. Hopefully, that’ll be enough to smooth over any mistakes we might make.”

Kal pulled on his hand. “What about me? Do I get my mask? I don’t know what they might think of a Beast-kin.”

“I think it might be a little late for that.” Anton nodded towards the approaching group, now about fifty meters away. “There’s no way they could miss your tail and ears.” He planted a gentle kiss on her lips. “Besides, once they get inside they’re going to see a lot of Beast-kin. Better for them to know right off the bat.”

“Right…”

Cetina frowned lightly at him but said nothing.

“Hello!” Raston shouted and waved. Even from this distance, Anton knew that he was relieved to be back, probably to spend some time relaxing with Dana. “I’m so glad to see you all. Oh, I didn’t think I’d see you back this time, Anton. How did it go? Did you make it to Seocuria?”

Anton waited until he was closer. “We did. We certainly did. It…It seems like you have brought some new friends with you as well.”

Raston waited until he was a few meters away before replying. “Yeah…It’s a strange story. But we’ve travelled together since Maxill. There was a whole bunch of Green Goblins that tried to attack us on the way back, about eighty I think.”

One of the Dwarves nodded, his arms folded showing off the muscles that ran along his squat body. Of all the Dwarves he appeared to have the most expensive clothes, fine stitching and an impressive set of metal bands on his finely groomed beard.

"The little buggers tried to take us in the night." The dwarf spoke with a deep voice, perhaps with a slight tinge of a Scottish accent. "They're quick and hide in the bushes really easily. Not much more than wooden sticks but...I’m thankful that we had the elves with us."

The Dark Elf woman chuckled, running a hand through her hair.

"I'm glad that you made it back in one piece," Anton said. "But before we go any further I think we should get the introductions in order. My name is Anton, this is Jeff, the commander of the Atros military."

Such as it is.

"And these lovely ladies are Verona, Kal and Cetina."

Anton received a bump from Verona and Kal. He understood his potential mistake when he looked at Cetina. Verona silently chuckled as Anton endeavoured to move on.

"Anton..." The dwarf turned to his fellows, a few murmured something in hushed whispers. He rubbed his bear as a smile grew over his weathered face. "It seems that my mad visions were true." He laughed and smiled at the other Dwarves. "And you called me crazy."

"You still are." A female Dwarf to his side snipped.

"Oh hush you." He slapped her behind loudly. Her face turned scarlet in an instant before she returned the strike. He simply laughed. "Forgive my wife. We often fight like this. My name is Umikgruid of the Dragongaurd Clan. And this is my troublesome-"

"Troublesome?" She raised a brow, put a foot forward before leaning back, her arms folded. "I seem to recall that you spent the whole summer trying to woo me."

Umikgruid laughed. "And it worked."

She sighed but couldn't help the smile that crept over her face. "Oh dear. My name is Gosthilda. Of the Dragongaurd Clan. It is a pleasure to meet you all." She attempted a curtsy.

"We have travelled far to find you and your city." Umikgruid began. "Even I was starting to think it was madness that I saw in the flames...I'm so glad it's not."

"And why have you come so far?" Anton asked. "I've heard the Dwarven Isles are a considerable distance away."

"It..." Umikgruid looked to his wife, both held pursed lips and awkward faces. "It's quite a tale. Quite a tale."

"We can talk further once we get inside the safety of the walls. But before we do that..."

The Dark Elf woman straightened her back. "I am Ceccitol, of the Duskreaver Clan." She spoke with grace and diction, her voice smooth and mature. "As you can see I am a Dark Elf. This is my husband, Tuccac."

Tuccac waved gently. He looked slightly younger than Ceccitol, perhaps barely twenty in human terms, but Anton could tell that he was an accomplished warrior simply by the way he stood, his hands never left his weapons and his eyes were constantly watching them for any potential hostile action. At least that's how it felt.

"And these are my loyal clan warriors. They have all pledged their service to me, and came with me across human lands. Even though..."

Tuccac gently held Ceccitol’s hand. "We will follow you no matter where you lead us. That is what we all pledged to you."

"The..." Cetina spoke softly yet caught everyone's attention. "The Shadow Isles are some way off the coast of Bebbezzar. So why have you travelled through Bebbezzar and Qaiviel to get here?"

"I thought you were a Bebbezarian." Cecittol smiled at Cetina. "I wouldn't forget those colours. But...I, we, wouldn't have made this journey if we had any other choice. Stratos told me that I would find salvation here. And that is why I have come."

"Sounds pretty bad," Verona mumbled.

"It is, clanswoman."

"I..." Verona restrained herself. Ceccitol tilted her head slightly.

"However, Stratos said nothing of a Beastkin." Cecittol nodded at Kal. Kal held her ground but Anton felt that she wanted to move behind him.

"Kal is actually a half breed. Human and Beastkin. And there are many Beastkin living in Atros." Anton took a shallow breath. "Is that going to be a problem?"

Umikgruid and Ceccitol looked at one another confused. Eventually they shrugged dismissively.

"Doesn't matter to me, human." Umikgruid laughed. "It's only your kind that cares so much about that stuff."

"So are there Beastkin in the Dwarven Isles?" Anton asked. Kal appeared hopeful.

"I...No." Umikgruid scratched his head and looked away, unable to look them in the eye. "No. No."

"I don't understand it either." Ceccitol faintly shook her head. "I've read the ancient books of the United Kingdom. Humans and Beastkin fought side by side. It was only when it collapsed did everything turn out the way it has."

"Yes...I intend to right some of those wrongs." Anton smiled. "But we could be talking all day if we don't get a move on. Please, follow us inside. We have food and water, I'd you are running low-"

"Do you have any beer?" Umikgruid expectantly asked. "It's been an age..."

"We don't have beer but Zac makes some very strong alcohol." Anton looked over the Dwarves squat forms. "I don't know if it's what you'd like but it's all we've got."

"After this long, I'd settle for some piss weak wine." Gosthilda glared at Umikgruid but he made no apology.

"Zac might not be happy that everything's gone," Jeff spoke softly. "I know there isn't much left after last night."

"He'll recover." Anton chuckled. "Now. Accommodation for those travelling with you might be a little difficult, we've had a few problems and there simply aren't enough places to sleep. You may have to bunch up for tonight."

"Nothing new." Umikgruid waved down his concerns. "We've all had to do it. Dark Elves turn out to be good singers."

Ceccitol smiled and, while it was difficult to see, a faint redness worked its way along her ears.

"Excellent. I'd like to speak with you in more detail about why you've come. In private. But please come in, and welcome to Atros."

The Dwarves and Dark Elves breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Whatever troubled them, a part of that journey was now over. Their words did not fill Anton with confidence that it was going to be simple. Clearly they had travelled long and far to find them. That alone worried Anton the most.

Anton stood to the side and allowed them to pass. They spoke in hushed whispers as they passed, Anton couldn't make it out but it didn't appear hostile or rude. So it was at least a start. Anton’s eyes drifted to Raston at the lead of the new humans.

"Raston!" Anton yelled. "Hang back a moment! I want to speak with you."

Raston smiled and waved to the slightly apprehensive former bondsmen as he left the group of humans. To them, he was probably their only lifeline. To be truly alone in a foreign land is never a comforting thought.

"Is everything going well in Atros?" Raston asked as he approached. "When I left the Goblins were starting to come over the hill."

"Well, they got close enough that they had to close the gates." Anton began. "And then they attacked the wall. None got it but it was pretty close when we arrived."

"And Dana? Is she still alright?" Raston asked softly. Was he still embarrassed by their relationship?

"She's fine." Verona chuckled. "She rode out to meet us."

"Oh thank the gods." Raston chuckled. "I kept having terrible dreams."

"I actually wanted to know how Maxill and Qaiviel are doing." Anton began walking back into Atros. "Apparently we haven't heard anything in some time."

"Everything seemed normal." Raston held his scruffy chin. "Maxill is now doing really well, lots of trade and the people look happy too. The trader guy that you know there is doing really well too."

"Good for him." Anton smiled. "After all the shit he's been through when Belinda wasn't running the joint. But what about her? Anything?"

"I was speaking with one of the guard captains there, Hemiskr I'm pretty sure his name was, and he said they should have been back by now. Duchess Belinda had no desire to head to the capital so it makes sense that she would want to leave."

"Anything strange happenings nearby?"

"Not that I heard. Everything seems to be calm."

"Right..." Anton looked at the backs of the Dwarves and Dark Elves. "I get the feeling that we won't have much of a chance to investigate any time soon."

“It’s quite a story.” Raston smiled bitterly. “But I’ll let them tell you, otherwise I’m sure I’ll get it wrong. I need to keep up with them. A lot of people, humans, there don’t have any idea what they’re about to see.”

“We’ll see you later then.” Anton gently waved as Raston rejoined the small convoy.

Anton turned to the girls. "Do either of you know anything about the Dwarves or Dark Elves?"

"Not much." Kal smiled bitterly. "Only that the Dwarves are fantastic builders and craftsmen. As for the Dark Elves...They're good with a bow? I'm sorry, Anton, but I didn't hear much about them when I was still in Seocuria and Graterious."

"It's fine." Anton did his best to placate her. "Cetina?"

"The same about the Dwarves. I know that each Dwarf clan owns a mountain in the Dwarven Isles. But I've never heard of the Dragongaurd clan before." Cetina scratched her chin as she turned her eye to the Dark Elves. "I know I've heard of the Duskreavers before. I think they control the most southwestern island and they trade a lot with Bebbezzar. They might be one of the few that actually do."

"An isolationist society." Anton mused. "Then they must be truly desperate to come all this way."

Verona chuckled as she leant forward, peering around Anton to smile at Cetina. "And you thought you wouldn't be much help outside of haggling."

Cetina smiled and looked at the ground. "I only know a little bit."

"But it's very important." Anton began. "We now have a vague idea of what to expect now. And I would have gone in completely blind if it weren't for you two."

Kal and Cetina smiled warmly at him, Verona chuckled at the sight.

"Those Dark Elves are pretty, aren't they?" Verona asked, a finger dragged against her lips.

"Oh stop it." Kal sighed. "Anton's not interested in married women."

"One's that aren't married to him. Right?"

Kal chuckled. "Right."

Anton gently wormed his hands into theirs as they returned to Atros.