Chapter 118 Pt.2:
Dawn rays scattered over the ground, broken up by the wooden buildings of Atros, as Anton and Cetina loaded the last of the food crates onto the Ix drawn cart. They had more than enough supplies to take them to Jaka, Wilford would have additional supplies to take them to the nearest Graterious port where they could resupply again. Since they were not escorting a thousand tired and scared civilians their journey would be far swifter but not fast enough for Anton’s tastes.
Anton dusted off his gloves and looked at the driver. He was glad to hear that one of the Dark Elves knew how to handle the large temperamental creatures. Only the question of how to get the beast back to Atros unscathed remained.
"I wonder how you're going to handle the portal." Anton gently patted the Ix's neck. Rough scales dragged against his glove but the beast still enjoyed the attention. "Hopefully you won't go on a stampede or something."
"I think it will be too disoriented to worry about that." Kal checked the crates for any chance of slippage and gave a nod. "I could barely walk."
"That's something we need to work on. But for now it's still fantastic. I'm a little concerned that there might be a maximum range for these things. There shouldn't be, since it's just a doorway, but you never know. And-"
"There's only one way to find out?" Kal smiled as she raised an aqua eyebrow.
"Exactly." Anton lightly kissed her. "Do you have your mask with you? I didn't see you get it this morning."
Kal pointed to the pack on the side of her horse. "It's in there. I don't see the point in wearing it when we're riding through the wilderness. It's not like the things that lurk in the shadows care."
"True." Anton kissed her again. "But we can't be too careful."
Kal smiled and nodded. Cetina, a few meters behind the Ix drawn cart, let out a grunt as she pulled her horse in line with the others.
"Don't know why you're being so stubborn." Cetina scratched her horse’s neck. "This will be the first time you've been out in the last few days. Aren't you glad to be out of there?"
Atros's stables needed some serious improvement. They were almost identical to those of Earth, but of considerably lower quality. In the rush to make Atros ready for the Beastkin and then the Seocurians improvements had been delayed. Nevertheless it was enough to keep them warm and dry, what more could a horse really ask for?
Cetina gave another pull. This time her horse followed her instructions without resistance. Out of its large eyes it could see the other three horses it had travelled with the past few months. Realizing they were all going together it relaxed and began nuzzling the other horses. Cetina sighed, shook her head, but didn't complain that the horse was being compliant.
"Well." Cetina dropped her arms against her side, the anticipated slap was muffled by her armour and thick clothing. "Looks like I don't understand much about horses still. I thought she'd be glad to get out.
"I don't know that much about them either." Anton said, Kal nodded. "I know how to make them go forward and stop. And how to take basic care of them, but that's about it. Yours must have just thought it was going to be left alone."
"I wouldn't like that either." Verona walked around the front of the Ix smiling wildly, Luna in her arms. "If you three went off somewhere and left me behind I wouldn't be very happy."
"And the second time we went to Maxill?" Anton asked. "You volunteered to stay that time."
"And I'm glad I did." Verona chuckled. "Even though I didn't really like it. But Atros would have been left without any mages. And while it was a little lonely in that bed without you Atros wouldn't be here if I wasn't."
"Damn Kobolds." Anton grumbled as he shook his head. He turned to the south. "Fifty miles south of Surdon. That's as far as Nithroel...I wonder what's happening down there."
"You said you checked the map that Cassius gave you?" Verona asked.
"Yeah. There's nothing special below that mark. Just the usual stuff: cities, towns, villages, forts, farms, plantations and mines. Nothing that would warrant our exclusion. All gone now, of course. I still think the best explanation is she wants a buffer between us and her precious Wood Elves."
Cetina frowned, scratching underneath the rim of her helmet. "But surely they aren't weaker than Atros. I know that Qaiviel does some trading with them so they aren’t unknown. Their magic is supposed to be really strong and their warriors experts with every weapon."
"Living for tens of thousands of years will do that." Anton mumbled.
"Not to mention the creatures of the forest that fight with them." Cetina shrugged as she looked around Atros. "This place..."
"I understand what you mean, Cetina. I'm certain the Wood Elves could easily crush this place. But not without potentially taking losses. Did you know it takes hundreds of winters, cycles, before they can have a child?"
"No."
"About five hundred. Five hundred winters before they can have a child, and it sounds like it's only good for one day a year like the Dark Elves."
Cetina frowned more heavily. "But how do you know that?"
Anton raised his glyph covered hand, even though he wore a glove. "They told me."
"Right...But still..."
"Imagine that the Wood Elves went to war with a human Kingdom." Anton began. The three girls, especially Cetina, listened intently. "Even if they are fantastic soldiers, of which I have no doubt, they are certainly going to lose some."
Especially if I can get guns or at least cannons ready before it descends into war. If it weren't for the Dark Elves we could very well have them before this time next year thanks to the Dwarves. But it's not like we can just abandon them to their fate.
Verona coughed loudly.
"Sorry. Let's say they won and forced the kingdom into submission. Then they get what they want and head back into the forests. By the time that one generation of Wood Elves has been born the humans, if we take a generation taking twenty winters or so, that means how many generations would have passed?"
Verona and Cetina looked deep in thought, their minds crunching the numbers while Kal took only a few seconds. Thankfully it took them only a few more seconds before they had their answer.
"Twenty five." Verona triumphantly stated. The realization dawned on her face. "Oh. Now I get it."
"Not only would the humans have completely repopulated and rebuilt, just look at how well we are doing, it's possible the old kingdom doesn't exist. That is a long time for anything to last. Especially a government. The Wood Elves could come looking for their next reparation and the humans might have no idea who they are."
"I understand." Cetina refused to entirely relinquish her frown.
"Which is why they use other creatures as soldiers." Kal said quietly. "Kobolds and who knows what else."
"The Kobolds didn't strike me as their main force." Anton said. "More like some sort of quick responders or skirmishers. I think Nithroel will have something a little stronger the next time we tangle."
"Are you looking at making it four now?" Anton looked over Cetina's shoulder to see Jeff approaching. He held a wide smile, almost as wide as Verona’s. “Five, six? I can’t keep up. If you reach ten I win ten barrels of Zac’s alcohol. By the way, isn’t Nithroel that goddess that we’re had all that trouble with?”
“Yes she is.” Anton deliberately didn’t address his original point. “And I have no interest in her.”
“Is she not pretty?” Jeff leant against the cart, nodding appreciatively at the sheer amount of supplies they had taken.
“She is.” Anton shrugged. “But her personality is vile.”
“They were out here.” Verona mimicked the size of Nithroel’s bust. “So big and bouncy…And long hair too.”
Kal sighed and shook her head, Cetina looked on slightly troubled as Verona’s eyes were lost in memory.
“So big.” Verona shook her head. “So was Esperit’s. And she dropped them on my head too.”
“Anyway, we were just discussing a few things while we waited for everyone to assemble.”
“Seems like it’s just the Dwarves now.” Jeff looked around the mostly empty central plaza. “Looks like all the Dark Elves kept the drink to a minimum.”
“Yes…”
While the Dark Elves had taken care to limit the amount of alcohol they drunk, some outright refused stating they could not enjoy themselves so when their homeland was suffering, their travelling companions had not. Each Dwarf drunk what seemed to be their weight in alcohol, draining what little they had left, and yet did not appear inebriated on any level. Anton didn’t concern himself with understanding why but it appeared to be affecting them now.
“I’ve sent someone to get them.” Jeff sighed. “Seems the Dark Elves decided to just leave them there.”
“There wasn’t much we could do.” A new voice came from behind Anton. “If we were to wake the Dwarves early they would be cranky until tonight.”
Ceccitol stood behind him, her face only inkling at a smile as one hand rested on a blade hidden by her cloak. In the early morning light she looked very beautiful, the way the light shone on her dark skin and gleamed from her hair. Though, he knew that Verona and Kal were far, far more beautiful. He couldn’t help but remember her mad offering to ensure his allegiance.
“Was it like that all the time during your travels together?”
Ceccitol sighed as she approached, resting against the cart opposite to Jeff. “Oh yes. Nearly every day. Though, after a few rough mornings they got used to the idea of waking up before lunch. Your friend, Raston, was adamant about returning to Atros. I think that helped.”
“I’m sure the alcohol didn’t help-”
Ceccitol chuckled. “Not in the way you’d think. They barely even notice it. Unlike just about every other being I’ve met they, somehow, seem immune to it.”
At least that part hasn’t changed from Earth. Though I don’t remember Dwarves being seafarers.
“They’re going to have to go sober for the rest of our time away from Atros.” Anton turned to the south then to Cetina. “Would a Bebbezzar port have copper stills? For making alcohol?”
“They should. You can get just about anything in Bebbezzar. Though I would suggest landing at one of the larger port cities if you want to be sure.”
“We might make that our destination then. Give Zac a present. Now,” Anton clapped his hands, attracting a loud squeak from Luna. “What are we going to do about you?”
“I was thinking about bringing her with us.” Verona bounced Luna like a baby. “She’s great at keeping people together, like when we were travelling from Jaka. Not to mention she can do some sort of healing. Even if it’s only of the mind.”
“And the milk?”
“I’ve made another Cold Stone.” Kal pointed at Verona’s horse. On the side, where a second pack should have been, were two small wooden barrels. The edges were stained with the tiniest hints of dried milk. “So we shouldn’t run out this time. Though we can just jump through the portal if we need to.”
“Still no luck from me.” Verona chuckled.
“And…” Kal sighed, her shoulders drooped and her eyes closed. “Oh Verona. This morning I saw her eating grass. So she might be already able to handle it.”
“You really are growing up fast.” Anton gently rubbed Luna’s head. She sneezed and beat her tiny wings furiously.
“My people are ready to leave the moment the Dwarves are.” Ceccitol said. “I’ll double check that everything is prepared.”
“Are you going to ride in the cart?” Anton asked. “We don’t have that many horses. And I know that Dana would be loathed to part from that many.”
“We’ll run alongside the cart.” Ceccitol raised a hand. “We need to get some exercise, and recover our strength, before we return to the Shadow Isles. Travelling with the Dwarves was…a slow experience.”
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Kal frowned at the cart. “I don’t know how much room we’ll have for the Dwarves. It’s pretty full already. Where will they sit?”
“I’ll prepare another cart.” Jeff slapped the old wood. “We’ve got lots of these Ix and losing another cart won’t be too much of a problem. Not with that portal thing you made us.”
Anton had shown the council the portal after dinner. All were greatly impressed, though were obviously worried about their first attempts tendency to cut things in half when it collapsed. When Anton explained it would only be used for metal ore or coal Zac and Jonathan were very happy. It would free workers and carts to collecting wood and continuing to build Atros. Later today the portals would be established and the resources begin to flow, but they would not be present to witness the inaugural event.
“Just make sure that no one falls in.” Anton smiled. “The set we’re taking has been set up in the Main Hall, just so no one touches it.”
“Right…That would leave you on some ship hundreds of miles from here.” Jeff chuckled. “I can see why someone might want to mess with it. I’ll go get that second cart.”
Jeff waved lightly while Ceccitol bowed and returned to a group of Dark Elves standing a few meters away, looking impatiently towards the south.
“While we wait for the Dwarves…” Anton frowned at the large water barrels. “How many streams did we find on the way back?”
“Not that many.” Kal sighed. “And they were drying up. It hasn’t rained for some time, only twice during the time I’ve been here, so they’re just running out. Once the winter snow falls there’ll be more but I don’t know if there’s going to be enough. If some of the streams are empty…”
“Maybe we can solve that.” Anton began looking at the ground.
“Again with this.” Verona chuckled.
Anton picked up a small loose stone from the cobblestone ground. It did leave a small hole for someone to trip over but Anton was sure it wouldn’t cause that much of an issue.
“You and your stones.” Verona smiled at Cetina. Cetina raised a black brow but said nothing.
“I want to see if we can fix the water problem. And maybe fix the issue that Bertram said about us only having one well. If Kal could make one emit tones of viscous toxic smoke surely I can make that only weeps a little water, right? But…I can’t just make it make water indefinitely. Otherwise it’ll drown Atros until we can destroy it. So I need a limit. You just told it to last for a day, right Kal?”
Kal nodded seriously as she looked at the stone.
Anton hoped onto the cart and opened a water barrel. “Tethra, Goddess of Prayer, grant this stone the ability to emit water, utilizing earth mana, until the barrel is filled. Once it is filled the stone shall fall dormant and once emptied the stone shall emit water once again.”
Anton’s hand instantly felt cold, the leather of his gloves began to soften and seeped with water. He didn’t notice the amount of mana it took, some considerable mana at that, and simply dropped the stone into the barrel. It was impossible to tell if it was producing more water or not so he scooped out several large handfuls. The water didn’t replenish itself instantly but slowly he watched the level rise until it neared the top. Once there it stopped as the surface rocked gently back and forth.
“That’s awesome.” Verona laughed. “If only we did that on the way back from Jaka.”
“We didn’t run out of water that way.” Kal said softly. “We ran out of food, remember?”
“I’m sure your stomach remembers.” Anton teased. As he stepped down Verona puffed out her cheeks in feigned indignity.
“I was very hungry. Just as you all were. I could hear your stomach’s growling as you slept. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t have fought for a nice piece of rabbit meat.”
“Absolutely not.” Anton sighed. “And to think it was only a day that we were without food. I can’t imagine what it would have been like if it had been more.”
“I think everyone would have been watching the horses very closely.” Kal said softly.
Cetina shook her head. “Usually they are the first to go.”
A clamor from the south broke their slightly depressing conversation. The Dwarves had finally arrived. While they were undeniably late their demeanor showed nothing of the sort. If anything they acted like they were early. However Anton saw why they might have been late. Their weapons and armour, once covered by a thin layer of grime and grit now shone brightly in the morning light. Every ring, buckle and joint of metal had been restored to its original luster, even the leather looked new and supple. They weren’t hung over, they had simply been preparing as best they could. In the distance Jeff approached with another Ix drawn cart. Anton was sure another of the Dark Elves knew how to drive one of these creatures, if not he would have to. He had the experience and this way his legs and butt wouldn’t get sore straddling a large, warm and sometimes temperamental beast.
“Sorry for the delay.” Umikgruid laughed and slapped Anton’s side, his hands could only reach that far. “We wanted to look our best. So, are we ready to go?”
“Basically. How good are you at riding in one of these carts? We don’t have enough horses, though I know you said that you didn’t like to ride them…”
“That will be fine.” Umikgruid smiled at the other Dwarves who nodded. “Better than walking. We can’t move as fast as you humans or Dark Elves. At least now we won’t slow you down.”
“Excellent. Please say your goodbyes to those that are staying behind…Is it still going to be ten Dwarves?”
Umikgruid scratched his beard. “Last night, after we’d finished drinking, which was pretty decent for a human’s brew, we had a bit of a chat. Not that we don’t doubt you…But almost half of us have decided to stay here.” Umikgruid waved Anton down. “I’ll be honest but some are nervous about going to fight the Goblins. So,” Umikgruid stepped back. “Thirty of us will join you. The others will stay here and help to build Atros into a great and powerful city.”
“Will twenty be able to do that much before we get back?” Verona titled her head. “I don’t doubt that you are very good, but that’s not very many people.”
Umikgruid smiled. “You’d be surprised. When you get back you won’t recognise your city, in a good way.”
The second Ix cart arrived and Jeff gave the reins to a Dark Elf. With grace only a feline Beast-kin on a good day could muster he jumped onto the cart and took the reins.
“Right. Hop on the back and we’ll get going. There’s not much else to do now.”
The Dwarves approached the cart but couldn’t reach, not without having to jump up. A Dwarf looked awkwardly at Jeff. Jeff quickly returned with a small wooden crate. The Dwarves chuckled as they used it as a step to hop onto the second cart.
At least they aren’t taking it badly. I’m sure we’ll have a proper step by the end of the day.
“Kal!” Yet another voice cried out. This time it came from the east, Marion approached with Kristof and the Beast-kin girls in tow.
“Mother.” Kal gently pushed past Anton and ran towards her mother. Anton saw her tail sway ever so strangely, her mother was running and she still didn’t have a bra. Even Verona and Cetina were slightly miffed at the sight.
“Don’t tell me that you weren’t going to go without saying something.” Marion’s green eyes almost welled with tears. She pulled Kal into a deep hug, one that Kal eagerly returned. “Do you have to go?”
Kal nodded as she nuzzled into her mother’s neck. “I do. I have to go. Otherwise who’s going to look after them?”
Anton and Verona scoffed at the indignity, Cetina smiled awkwardly and almost chuckled.
Kal gently patted her mother to let her go. “But this is something that I want to do. I want to see the rest of the world too. Even if it’s dangerous. Don’t worry, I’ll be safe.”
“Okay.” Marion smiled faintly and gave Kal another quick hug. When she released she looked straight at Anton. “Make sure that you all come back safely. Okay?”
“We will.” Anton said, Marion still didn’t look that happy. “Trust us. We got all of you out of Seocuria, this will be easy compared to that.”
Marion grumbled but didn’t reply. Kristof held her tight in an attempt to calm her. It worked slightly. When Kal returned to Anton’s side he saw an odd look on Kal’s face. Perhaps she didn’t like to think about her mother having a partner, just like Marion probably didn’t want to think about Kal sleeping with two other humans.
“How long will you be gone?” Kristof asked.
“Not really sure.” Anton held his chin. “It’s the beginning of autumn right now…I’m hoping before winter starts. Before the snow starts to fall.”
“Oh. Right.” Kristof turned to the Beast-kin girls. Specifically Eider.
Eider scratched the scales of her hood. “I don’t think I’m going to have much fun then.” She chuckled. “Whenever it’s cold it feels like everything slows down. I can barely move.”
“Or get up in the morning.” Ulyaa sighed. “Usually it’s me or Irso that have to drag you out.”
Eider chuckled, her long forked tongue liking the air. “Well…You’re both warmer than I am.”
“I have an idea to fix that.” Anton said, all four looked surprised at him. “But right now I can’t. I need as much mana as I can for the journey. When we get back I’ll be sure to give it to you.”
“More stones I bet.” Verona sniggered. “When in doubt that’s what our husband makes.”
Eider smiled and laughed. “I look forward to seeing that, Anton. I’d love to be able to play in the snow like they can.”
“We were never playing.” Irso grumbled, a smile creeping up her lips.
Anton frowned ever so lightly. "I hate to have to say this at all but with us gone...There might be some troublesome elements that think they'll be able to get away with things. And I don't just mean humans that don't want the Beastkin here. So...Be ready to defend yourselves if necessary."
Rasha tilted her head. "By defend?"
"In your case just punch or kick them. It'll probably break a rib or two but that's their problem. Irso can just rip them to shreds and the rest of you might want to start screaming fire."
"Why fire?" Eider asked.
"Because people are going to come if thy hear fire. If you say help...They might not want to get involved."
"Sounds shitty." Irso grumbled.
"Trust me. It'll get their attention."
At least I hope that still applies here.
"We're ready to go." Umikgruid yelled, leaning over the edge of the cart at a dangerous angle. "Whenever you lot are."
Anton returned a wave. All the Dark Elves were waiting patiently for them to finish.
"Just us then." Verona said softly.
"Time for us to go then." Anton started walking to his horse after taking Luna from Verona's hands. "And you're going to have to spend a fair amount of time in that pack again. Don't worry it's very comfortable."
Luna wasn't concerned in the slightest as she slipped down into the pack, the pack where she had spent a majority of her life. Once Luna was secured Anton mounted his horse. It took two attempts but he managed to scramble on. He caught the Beastkin girls laughing silently at his attempts. He smiled back but felt a little annoyed that Kal and Cetina mounted theirs without issue. Verona took slightly longer but didn't require multiple attempts.
"I do need more practice." Anton laughed. "A lot more. Now, you four behave yourselves and make sure you keep Marion and Kristof safe. I don't want anything to happen to her, or any of you for that matter, after everything we've been through."
"You can rely on us, Anton." Rasha spoke proudly, puffing up her chest, which did nothing for Eider's sanity.
"We'll keep training." Eider began clearing a path for the carts, the others followed. "Next time it won't be so bad. Right?"
Anton gripped his reins. "Hopefully next time, and there will be a next time, things will be go better. But until then you'll all be within the safety of the walls. Not to mention there are a lot more mages than there were last time."
"Is there any way we can get magic like that?" Ulyaa asked. She appeared the least enthusiastic about fighting again, at least in melee.
"I honestly don't know. But we might be able to get some materials relating to Principle Magic soon. We'll go from there."
Ulyaa looked a little happier. Irso gave a grunt as she folded her arms, probably the most they were going to get out of her.
Anton looked back to Jeff. "Tell everyone that I wish them the best and for them to behave themselves. I'm sure they know what I mean. We'll keep in regular contact but I can't guarantee it'll be every night."
"I'll let them know. Good luck on your journey."
There was little else to say. They said what little they could for their final goodbyes as they trundled towards the gate.
---[]---
Little fanfare followed their small convoy as they left the final gate of Atros. To many they had just returned. The Beastkin looked the most nervous, now without the people that wanted them in Atros the most and a psychological barrier against harm. Anton lamented that there was little else he could do. They needed the help of anyone that was willing to raise their hand. Nor would he sleep well knowing they had left thousands to die a horrible death.
The Dark Elves were true to their word and jogged alongside the cart. This appeared to be near effortless yet their kept their eyes and ears peeled for any potential threats. While the Ix were not the nimblest of beasts they were the most enduring they had and were moving considerably faster than the Beastkin and Seocurians they had escorted. Anton guessed they might arrive in Jaka early, not that he really wanted to. Spending restless and haunting nights in a village overrun by Goblins did not appeal.
"Which route do we take?" Anton said aloud. They rode at the back of the small column, several Dark Elves jogged behind them to keep watch over the rear. "The old road or something different?"
"Judging by how you said that," Kal spoke slyly. "You already have an idea."
Verona chuckled. "I know you well enough that you're planning something."
"True." Anton reached into a pack, scratching Luna on the way, and pulled out Cassius's map of the Kar Kingdom. "The journal that we found on our way to Graterious spoke of a place called Balefire Mine. Where the last remnants, outside of Atros, were going to find shelter. Nithroel said there were three thousand people still in the old kingdom, now that we know of the Seocurians it still leaves a few hundred unaccounted for." Anton shrugged lightly. "And I want to know what happened to them."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Kal asked. "If they still act like the old kingdom than they're going to hate me."
"And all our new fluffy friends." Verona laughed, trying to lighten the mood but it didn't work. "They'd hate them even more than they do now."
"I don't know anything about governing." Cetina spoke softly. "But I don't think Atros can take much more until some time has passed. Let the humans and Beastkin get used to each other. If you were to bring in humans who hated almost a third of Atros on sight..."
Anton nodded glumly. "I know. But I still think it's wrong to let hundreds of people die. Especially since we're going to need everyone to beat back the Demons. We haven't seen them since Acidava. I don't doubt that it won't be long before they even start turning up here."
"Which is why you want your mysterious weapon ready." Verona said. "Probably when you...first arrived here."
"Yeah. It would have made the Goblins a piece of cake."
"Is Balefire Mine out of the way?" Kal asked. "I don't think the Dark Elves would like us taking a detour unless it's absolutely necessary."
Anton glanced to the Dark Elves behind. They moved silently but he was under no illusion that they were listening. Thankfully he didn't need to lie.
"The road we took last time was slightly longer than it could have been, but it avoided unknown obstacles." Anton unfurled the map fully, holding it up so they could see. "But if we go along a straight line from Atros to Jaka we pass right by Balefire Mine and avoid a lot of these big cities. Something I expect to be crawling with Goblin. And who knows what else might have moved in."
"Sounds like a plan." Verona nodded thoughtfully. "And it'll take a few days off the trip too. All around we win."
"And if Balefire Mine is still there?" Kal asked. "Are we going to tell them anything?"
"This time, I don't think so. The knowledge that other people are alive will be enough of a shock to them. But if they've got a lot of soldiers or mages...we might want to keep Atros a secret. Just in case."
"Play it by ear." Kal's ears pricked up, her face serious. "Just like Cassius and Danafra. I understand."
Not exactly an order, but...
“There they are again.” Verona said excitedly.
She pointed to the brightly coloured birds running in the distance. The small herd stopped and looked towards them, cocking their heads while the other caught up. It was strange to watch them all stop and stare at their small convoy. Something spooked a bird at the rear and they ran away again.
“Hmm.” Verona gently rubbed her chin. “I want to have a chat with Ceccitol. See what she has to say.”
Before Anton could inquire further Verona whipped her horse forward towards Ceccitol. She began speaking with the Dark Elf and pointing towards the rainbow coloured birds, Ceccitol nodding in understanding.
“I wonder what she’s planning this time.” Kal said softly.
When she turned to Anton she tilted her head. Anton was lost in thought, thinking about their allies to the west. Now he was free of Atros his mind was constantly drawn to it.
The lack of information coming out of Qaiviel, that everything’s fine yet Duchess Belinda is not responding to our messages and has failed to return…it fills me with concern. Is this still fallout from intervening in the Clansmen and Orc invasion?
Anton glanced over his shoulder, looking past the thin smoke trails of Atros, the only beacon of light and civilization in this land, to the Accursed Forest beyond.
“What is happening over there?”
Kal nor Cetina had an answer.