"And when will this Asrar return?" The Pakdel Elder asked.

Smoke filled the air of their enclosed space, far more than before. It was enough to make Anton's eyes sting. He just wondered what they were smoking, and why so much now.

"I do not know. He left, saying he would return. We lost sight of him very quickly. I did not expect him to fly that fast. Or to even leave, for that matter."

The oldest Pakdel took a deep breath from a long smoking pipe. A ground red powder glowed as it smoldered from the air being sucked past.

“We informed him of our new fortress location, so he should be heading there instead of here. If he returns at all.”

“Well, I suppose there’s little we can do.” Another elder said. Simin and Sattar, waiting near the entrance, visibly relaxed. “But onto other matters. The Kamran’s were defeated without any losses. That in itself is a tremendous victory.”

The other elders agreed. Empty murmurs and slowly nodding heads, smiles but little warmth.

“So I recall that you wished for metals and a small fortress, correct?”

“That is correct.” Zuhura said. She trailed a gloved finger over a sheet of paper. “Exact prices and exchanges we can establish once this meeting is finished.”

“Excellent. Now, there is one issue.”

It has to be the Feral Beast-kin. There’s nothing else…

“The weapons that you gave the Feral Beast-kin Levies.”

I knew it.

“They are to be returned to you immediately.” The Elder folded his arms. “We cannot accept such gifts for them.”

For them? Because you might be threatened by them for once.

“Of course they are gifts.” Anton smiled. “We have a surplus of such weapons and armor, so they are no real loss for us. Not to mention they’re greatly enhancing the strength of the Levies. Compared to sticks and stones, metal plates are far, far superior. You won’t have to replace them and your industry and agriculture will not be affected.”

“Regardless… They must be returned.”

Anton took a shallow breath. “I understand. We meant no disrespect. We will accept them at our new fortress.”

The Elders looked somewhat annoyed, but it wasn’t like they themselves would be doing it. Too old and frail. Too comfortable in their nests filled with smoke.

“It will take us some time to gather enough forces for another attack. Another Kamran camp. Much, much larger. We would ask that you support this too.”

Anton nodded. The Elders coiled back and rested on their large bodies. A way of saying the conversation was essentially over.

“Honored Elders,” Anton stood up. “We will take our leave then.”

They left without a word. Outside, Anton breathed a little easier, as did everyone else. Eider coughed, wiping the taste from her tongue.

“Was it that bad?” Anton asked.

Eider waved him down as Nassau and Itrez hurried to her side. “Pretty bad. It was doing something to my head. It feels like I’m thinking slower. Does that sound possible?”

“Same.” Rasha grunted. “It’s not going away either.”

Anton used a healing prayer on himself. The smoke contained something, but it wasn’t poison. Thankfully. He quickly healed the others, much to their relief.

“It’s a depressant drug.” Longinious said. “Quite a powerful one. Even inhaling secondary smoke for less than a few minutes is enough to cause an effect. Opium, or this world’s equivalent.”

“Simin? Sattar?” Anton asked the two Pakdels. “What were they smoking? Seemed very powerful.”

“It’s Poppylinda.” Sattar spoke with mild disgust. “One of the few things that grows well in this land. Very addictive.”

Simin shook her head. “The Cobra lady, Eider, is right. It slows your mind. Eventually you just… Stop. I’ve seen it happen. Good fighters, warriors and artisans. Just… slumped in the corner, wasting away.”

“And why would anyone do that?” Cetina frowned, tapping her boot. “Why would you willingly fall apart?”

Anton did not want to remind her that she avoided alcohol at all costs because she was afraid of an addiction. A quick glance confirmed that she had made the same conclusion.

“It’s never straight away.” Sattar continued. “Just a few hits, then you’re basically done. I’ve seen far, far too many of the Feral Beast-kin… I mean Beast-kin, use it before a big battle. Not good for fighting, but you can’t fight if you can’t move.”

“One way of avoiding war.” Anton mused. He noticed Longinious wanted to say something, but not immediately. “Before we leave, there was a Lamia, a Rouya? You said that knew of the Demons invading this world. Is he still alive?”

Mezot tapped her staff. The nearby Lamia’s didn’t pay it much mind, other than the large and expensive looking gemstones on top. “Does this relate to Ancient Magic? Or… Normal magic?”

“The latter. Before all of this.” Anton tapped his hands. “But I want to know because the only other person that even vaguely knew about it was Ferula. The Strega Witch.”

Cetina wanted to spit at her mention, eliciting a curious look from Rasha and Axia.

“After going blind after staring into a special fire…” Anton flexed his gloved Dragonoid hands, acutely aware of the thick tail tied around his waist. “Maybe she will know more? Regardless, I would like to see the Rouya if that’s possible.”

“We could reach them before midday.” Simin pointed to the south. “Their Clan tends not to move much, so they should still be there. That Rouya’s crazy, so there’s no way he could live on his own.”

“We would appreciate a guide. If either of you are available.”

The two Pakdels shared a quick whisper. “Follow us.”

Zuhura raised her gloved hand. “I shall remain here. Though I’m sure that talking to a delusional and crazed Lamia will be a tremendously good use of your time, working out the financial deals with the Pakdels is far more important to Atros and your plans.”

Anton nodded. “Make sure you have a few soldiers with you. And always make sure that they know that we’ll be back for you. So they don’t get any funny ideas.”

Zuhura smiled warmly. “I am moved by your kindness. I will do my best to get a honest and fair deal. I’m sure that will make the Pakdels very happy.”

Eider dispatched a dozen soldiers to protect Zuhura, a few armed with Battle Rifles. The Lamia’s would have no way to replicate the weapons even if they managed to steal one. Having overwhelming firepower was far, far more important. With Zuhura meeting with some older Pakdels, armed with reams of paper than metal harpoons, Eider quickly organized the soldiers towards the south. Simin and Sattar led the group. The pair moved so much faster that they had to keep checking back and slow themselves. Cetina and Rasha remained with Anton, Longinious carried Axia and Mezot’s equipment. The Principle Mage pair were not the most fit and the sun had some serious bite. Rasha offered to carry Mezot but she refused. She did not ask again but Rasha remained at her and Axia’s side.

“You’re not fighting for them to keep their armor?” Cetina nodded towards a group of Feral Beast-kin.

They still wore their gifted armor, some even cleaning them with an oily sap from a succulent plant. All were showing them off, marveling at the abundant metal and the sheer brightness. One noticed their passing and gave a hesitant wave. Anton returned a hearty wave, much to their delight. From the simple action they carried their heads a little bit higher, their strides less shuffling. At least until they saw the Pakdel Warriors approaching them and silently ordering them to surrender their weapons. Anton made sure they weren’t looking when their weapons were ripped from their hands.

“It’s best if we’re always seen as their benefactors.” Anton said. Cetina and Rasha leant closer. “It’ll put us in a good position in the future. If and when we have to take action.”

“Don’t see them doing well against the Lamia without our weapons.” Cetina muttered. “Your weapons, but a steel tipped spear won’t do much against their hide.”

“A crossbow then. We can get a lot of those, right?”

“You could purchase some, certainly. But I don’t think Atros’s finances are not in a position to do that.” Cetina looked back, Zuhura was still visible speaking with some older Pakdel Lamia’s. “I haven’t had too much to do with it of late, but even I know we couldn’t afford that many.”

“Not us,” Anton glanced at Rasha. “But someone definitely can.”

They passed through the location they had originally arrived in Frindal, beyond a small rise they found small fields of hardy bushes with large bulbous stalks. Swarms of large bees darted between the red flowers, the same red as the crushed powder the Elders smoked. A handful of Feral Beast-kin moved amongst the plants, wearing actual clothes and large hats, with large wicker baskets on their back.

“You allow something so dangerous to just grow so close?” Anton asked after signaling the Pakdel pair. “After saying it does so much harm.”

“The Elders ordered us not to destroy them.” Sattar said with a shrug. “Not that it matters. This stuff is nearly impossible to get rid of. Its leaves are also edible and completely harmless, so it’s here to stay.”

“I see…”

Anton allowed the pair to return to the front. Cetina tugged at his sleeve.

“I know that look.” Cetina frowned. “What could you possibly want with these? Can’t be good for Atros. In any way.”

“I don’t want to waste away.” Rasha nervously smiled, slapping her massive forearms. “I kind of like being this strong. I mean, I can’t pick you up anymore. And… Don’t tell me that you want to do that? I don’t mind your new arms and tail. I think it’s even kind of awesome. You have all of us, Verona and Kal. Not to mention your children-”

“Not for me.” Anton raised his hand. “And I would hope that’s never a serious thought.”

Rasha nodded seriously.

“But I was thinking we can sell these. We take a reasonable cut, of course, but it becomes an important income for them.”

“Seocuria.” Rasha slowly nodded. She gave the trailing Mezot a gentle push to catch up. “They’re the biggest threat to us. Graterious is focused inward, we have an alliance or peace with Qaiviel and everyone else is too far away to be a threat. And you have a noble family working with you, that’s poor and desperate for money. So…” She smiled. “I’ve been listening during your meetings. I can’t do much else.”

“Exactly, Rasha. Exactly the plan. The Opium trade destroyed ancient China and weakened it to be carved apart by foreign powers. Same thing happening to Seocuria won’t lose me any sleep.”

The others were satisfied with his explanation. He didn’t want to tell them that his heart felt hard and heavy, scratchy memories trying to resurface. While he pushed it away the mere fact it had happened by seeing these opioid plants was very disturbing. He kept his eyes towards Simin and Sattar, still leading them further south and away from the Poppylinda.

---[]---

The sun was almost directly overhead when they arrived at the Rouya encampment. It was very similar to the Kamran outpost, but without the Feral Beast-kin Levies. The Rouya’s scales were bright red and stood out amongst the pale brown stone. They were somewhat slimmer than the Pakdels but these wielded bows rather than harpoons. Before Anton could ask he saw some practicing. Both hands were used to hold the bow, the end of their tail wrapped around the string. It was a little awkward but the thick wooden arrow shattered a reasonably sized stone and damaged the one behind. The Rouya looked pleased with their work and slithered to retrieve their arrow. It was then he realized all of their hair was kept short, even the women.

“Bows are not what I expected.” Anton said to the Pakdel pair.

Sattar nodded. “Our harpoons can go much further, but for their smaller size it’s quite effective. And you don’t need as much room. Thirty or forty could easily cluster together. Not so much for us.”

“Everyone still prefers ranged combat.” Longinious placed Axia down and returned Mezot’s equipment. Both were drenched with sweat and looking thoroughly unprepared for it. When they traveled through Frindal they were riding with the Nomads, not exerting themselves. They would all need a good bath when they returned to Atros. “Safer than getting yourself stabbed.”

“So where’s our crazed Rouya?” Anton asked.

The Rouya guarding the encampment guided them through. They were very curious, children pointing and laughing at their pale skin, the adults in awe of Rasha’s size and all looked at the Principle Charms with suspicion. Little was said until they arrived at a small, ramshackle hut at the very rear of the encampment, next to a refuse pile of broken wood and the dried discarded remains of food.

“I take it there’s a reason that he’s so far away.” Cetina asked the Rouya.

The Rouya leading them lightly shrugged. “Gera’s mind is not well. He’s as much a danger to himself as he is to us. But when he’s inside he’s calm and doesn’t lash out. We make sure he’s fed and looked after. There’s nothing else we or our healers can do for him.”

In a place like this, I’m surprised he hasn’t just been… Dealt with. They must eat a lot just from the size of their body. And these Rouya aren’t an exception.

“And rifling through the garbage heap keeps him entertained.”

And there it is.

“What fond memories he must have.” Anton mused. “We’d just like to ask him about some of his visions.”

“Sure.” The Rouya shuffled backwards. “Just don’t go too hard on him. His mind is pretty fragile at the best of times.”

Anton steeled himself for something infinitely worse than his first meeting of Mezot. Cetina pulled the heavy flap aside and Anton murmured an apology that he was intruding. He was pleasantly surprised that Gera’s hut wasn’t a complete mess. Sure, there was a lot of trash about but it was roughly organized into piles. The standard Lamia nest lay on the far side, before a stone encircled fire pit, on which a small piece of odd colored meat slowly roasted.

“Who are you?” A hissing voice asked from behind a trash pile. “I… Who are you? Are you the one…”

A Rouya Lamia peered out. He looked normal, a little thin and haggard, but his eyes were completely white. Just like Ferula’s.

“I… There are a lot of you, aren’t there?” He licked at the air, nervously picking at his fingers. “Not Lamia. But one smells close. That’s very odd. Oh, very odd. What do you want with me?

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“I would like to have a talk about your visions.” Anton said. “They said you saw something like creatures made of fire and stone that caused untold destruction. Does that sound familiar to you?”

Gera’s head twitched towards the ceiling. The way he moved was quite unnerving. He snapped his fingers and darted to his nest.

“Yes! Yes, that is right. I saw it in the flames… The flames…” Gera lowered himself and stared at the fire cooking his odd meat.

Anton did not think the simple flame was enough to drive some blind or see visions. It had to be Esperit. At least that’s what he thought.

“Yes.” Anton nodded. The others were content with playing along. “But I want to know how you can see this. These visions… Can you see?”

Gera twitched as he sat. He pondered his words, scratching his chin so much a scale almost came free.

“Yes. Yes I can see. No. I mean…” Gera let out a pained laugh. “Not anymore. I stared into the flame and now, now I see so much more.”

Anton was already growing slightly irritated at the conversation. There was one way to make sure it wasn’t just some infection and induced delirium.

“Gera? Could you come closer? I think I might be able to heal you, to see like you did before.”

“Before?” Gera slithered out of his nest. His body trailed perilously close to the cooking fire. "Why… Why would I do that? I was nothing before I looked into the Flames. No one knew who I was. But now?"

He chuckled to himself. Anton did not have the heart to tell him they considered him a nuisance at best, or ask why he lived in relative squalor.

"Perhaps you are right." Anton folded his arms. "If you say you're fine, then you're fine."

Gera stopped a few feet from Anton. Cetina raised her hand to stop him, Rasha stepped forward but Gera did not seem to care. He lightly bit his lower lip then sticking his tongue out the side.

"I wondered… I could see you coming when you left the Pakdels’ city. Something very strange…” He pointed at Anton. “You’re like a bag that’s about to rupture, too much… Stuff, put into one container. Forced into one.”

The coughs haven’t been improving.

“And that isn’t right.” Gera unsurprisingly pointed at Longinious, who held her metaphorical ground. “A spindly thing, bound into that body, a fleshy coil wrapping itself tight to keep itself from bursting out."

Longinious remained calm. She looked at Anton and shrugged.

"Well, I can't say that I can agree with all that-"

"That's fine." Gera doubled back on himself before darting back to his nest. “I don’t even know if I’m understanding what I see correctly.”

“But…” Anton searched for Simin or Sattar. Both were content to wait outside. This wasn’t their concern, after all. “I was told you attacked people, Lamia’s, after you had visions of Demons. Beings of flames and stone, coming from another world.”

“Did I? I think I remember that… I can’t really recall.” Gera scratched his chest. There were many scars on his scaled skin, most appeared self-inflicted. “No. I did. And they were very scary. Like a scary dream and I hit… Oh… Maybe that’s why I don’t see many of them now.” His shoulders dropped slightly. “Oh. That must be it. But I can’t remember it. There were many…"

Gera sighed. “It is hard to think sometimes. My mind is like sludge somedays.”

"But that doesn't mean things can't change for the better." Mezot said, much to everyone's surprise. "I… Struggled with my mind. I still do, sometimes. But my thoughts are clearer and it's easier to think and describe what I want.”

She looked at Anton. “Even if it’s difficult to say it with words.”

Anton gave Mezot a gentle, quick kiss.

Gera remained nonplussed by the display of affection. He continued to scratch his chest, picking at some of the smaller scars.

“I would like to be able to tell you. But I just can’t recall.” Gera stopped scratching. “Do you know some way?”

“Let me heal your mind then. It won’t remove your sight but it will make it easier to think.”

Mezot nodded furiously. Axia was almost as equally enthusiastic. Gera eventually agreed. The mana needed to heal his mind was extensive. An addiction to the Poppylinda was ruled out but Gera was clearly not well. Compared to Mezot there was only a marginal improvement, but something was better than nothing.

“My head feels…” Gera scratched his head, pushing through his short hair. “Lighter. My thoughts and words are not going through sludge anymore. Th-Thank you.” He gave an awkward bow.

“It was my pleasure to help. But do you know more about these Demons? Now that you can think more clearly.”

Gera frowned. “I do not remember. Everything before is still so… Hazy.” He looked up. “It’s better now, but looking back…”

Mezot drew close. “It’s like that for me sometimes too.”

“I see. But,” Anton folded his arms. “It is disappointing that you can’t remember. I suppose the next time you see a vision, or whatever you would call it, will have to do.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve looked into the Flame.” Gera idly scratched his head as he looked at the fire cooking his food. “Quite a while. I should be able to use it again. And make sense of it this time…”

Gera sighed as he looked out the tent. “Do you think they’ll believe that I’m better?”

Anton raised his hand. “Hold on. You’re saying that you have this Flame here?”

“Just a bit that way.” Gera lazily pointed to the south. “If we leave now, we should reach it and be back before sundown.”

Anton felt he had not asked the right question at the beginning again. Like Mezot omitting Frindal’s magic dampening effect because he had not asked.

“Alright then.” Anton smiled. “Gera? If you have some time, could you please show us this Flame? I would be incredibly interested to see it, and more importantly what you see in it.”

---[]---

Gera slithered at the front, happily humming a wordless tune, looking back to ensure they were keeping pace. They were, but he had to be called back from time to time. Regardless, they soon arrived at the site; five large stone pillars tightly arranged in a circle in a slight depression. Markings had been carved into the stone but weathered down by time to vague lines. There were two distinct markings. One appeared to be Esperit’s’ Glyph, the other Anton did not recognize at all. Longinious did not know so it must be truly unknown for now.

“I found it when I was young.” Gera said loudly as he waited at the edge. “I… I think my mother got very angry at me when I came back like this. No, I’m certain she did.”

If my children came back nearly blind and what anyone else would consider insane, I would be very angry. Angry at myself for letting it happen.

Gera moved a large wooden barricade aside, it was very flimsy and wouldn't stop a child pushing through, and waved them forward. At the center lay a small cave, the pathway down had a well-worn Lamia path filled with sand, with an extremely bright light hidden by a sharp bend beyond the cavern entrance. It was so bright it cast light upon the stone pillars.

“In here.” Gera waved them into the cave. "Just be careful. It is extremely bright and if you look at it too long… Well, you'll start seeing as I do."

Gera let out a high pitched laugh and disappeared into the cave. The bright light cast a near perfect shadow, showing him slowly moving forward until he drew so close to the source of light that he disappeared.

"Do I even need to ask?" Cetina raised her brow.

“I am curious,” Anton smiled and patted her arm. “But Ferula-”

Her eyes narrowed.

“Said that she had to use it for some time before she went blind, or whatever she is now. So don’t look at the fire.”

“Fine… Just be careful.”

With his questions unanswered he followed Gera into the cave. More weathered markings covered the inside of the cavern, not as weathered but… Older. More primitive and tribal. But the markings were not the most important thing. That distinction belonged to the small blinding white flame at the center of the cave. No bigger than a head it glowed brighter than a star. It was truly painful just to be in its presence. Gera, waiting but a few feet away from it, held no concern.

"You weren't kidding that it was bright." Anton held his hands to block the light. "No wonder you went blind."

Cetina emerged around the corner and shrieked. She darted away, holding her eyepatch.

"I can't go in there. It's too bright."

Rasha and Eider peered around and quickly backed away. Eider hissed and barred her fangs in pain.

"Anton! Get out of there." Eider’s arm waved furiously from behind the stone cavern wall. “It’s too dangerous, even for you. And I don't want to have to explain to Kal, Verona or this heffa that you're now blind."

"Heffa?" Rasha knew instinctively who it was directed at.

"Gera?" Anton turned his back on the flame. "Can you tell me what you see in the flame? I cannot look at it.”

“I might be able to.” Longinious darted around the cavern corner. “Even if my eyes are damaged by the Flame I should be able to restore it.”

By cutting them out and letting them regrow? So strange to have such little regard for yourself.

Longinious gave a wink before floating past. Anton dared a glance, blocking the Flame with his hands, and saw Gera looking rather perplexed that Longinious was alright.

“How are you able to float?”

“Another time.” Longinious laughed. “Is Mezot or Zuhura just around the corner? They’ll want to write this down.”

Zuhura’s colorful sleeve waved in the light.

“Alright.” Longinious cleared her throat, not that she actually needed to. “The Flame is a large sphere about thirty centimeters, that’s a foot, wide and long. It is, of course, extremely bright but rather stable and floats without anything to suspend it.”

Longinious murmured something, Anton dared to look down and saw her on the ground looking up at the base of the Flame.

“There appears to be a thin amount of gas from just below, feeding the Flame. I suppose you could just cover it if you really wanted to put it out.”

“No! Don’t do that!” Gera pleaded. Longinious backed away, Anton could not see but he was certain she was raising her arms.

“I would not dream of it. Merely pointing out how it is able to burn seemingly without fuel.”

“I just thought it was magic.” Gera sounded rather despondent.

“It certainly is.” Longinious backed away. “So, I cannot see anything strange from it. So, Gera, what do you see? Show us that this isn’t just a strange flame that doesn’t need dousing.”

The slight jab was more than enough to convince Gera, not that he really needed it. Through tiny glares around his tightly held fingers he saw Gera holding his hands like he was cradling the flame. Tiny licks of the fire touched and burned his hands but he did not seem to mind.

“I… I can see! I can see so much more clearly now. The Flame… I’ve never known what I wanted to see. But now I do. The Demons, the terrifying creatures that you showed me… Please show me again, oh Flame. Please. Show me where they are arriving next so my new friends can fight them.”

Anton doubted they were anything remotely like friends. However, they probably were the friendliest people he had met for many, many years. Gera grumbled as he repeated the question over and over. Eventually he let out a cry of delight.

“I see it! I see them. A massive flash of red lightning and they emerge. Hundreds of them.”

“Hundreds is not good.” Anton mused. “We barely have half the ammunition we started with. We’ll need to drastically increase production.”

“There are really, really big ones. Like hunched over Beast-kin. And… There are ones like Longinious? Was that your name?”

“It certainly is. But multiple arms? That’s what you’re saying, right?”

“Yes. And they have massive red swords. They look… Confused.”

“And where are they? Is it Seocuria? That’s where it’s supposed to be arriving next. Sometime in winter, so they’re running out of time.”

“I don’t know where Seocuria is.” Gera waved his hands over the Flame, not that Anton could see anything. “But it is very dry, not this land, but with trees and Beast-kin? They wear ragged clothes, chains on their wrists and legs. Why would they do that?”

“Not their choice.” Longinious said dryly. “But where?”

“I see… I see four small rivers joining together, there are massive mountains in the distance. Something white covers the tops.”

“Recalling the map of Seocuria I have located the area.” Longinious sounded very happy. “There is only one place that matches that location. A location near the border between their Empire and the Deweth Clans. The only border connection, if the maps are true. So it should be easy to locate.”

“And when?”

“That. That is a little harder.” Gera clicked his tongue. “Maybe if I ask it. No, wait. It’s twenty days’ time. Early in the morning.”

“And did it just tell you that?” Longinious asked.

“Yes.”

“Well, that’s good then, isn’t it?”

“At the best of times it was always so vague and confusing. Or maybe that was me? But it’s all so clear now. I can see the leaves, the grass and the flowers. Even the breaking fibers of the… Oh… It’s gone.” Gera waved his hands around the Flame but he only grew more and more frustrated. “I can’t always see something. I must have been lucky today, right?”

“Very lucky to have met us. But, Anton, I couldn’t see anything. But I will require your assistance to leave.”

Anton held out his hand, still blocking the light of the Flame. He could just see Longinious wave her arms to try and catch him. When he touched one the others quickly snapped onto him. She was almost trembling when she grabbed further along his arm. Her eyes were burnt out sockets, the flesh around them just as damaged while the rest of her face and body were unhurt.

“It did not grant me anything.” Longinious pulled herself close. “It appears that one must have an actual soul to burn, which I do not have. So it just roasted my flesh.”

“Shit, Longinious. Do we have to… Cut it out?”

“No.” Longinious shook her head. “Well, you don’t.”

Before he could speak she dug out the burned flesh with her bare hands, while still keeping a hold of Anton. Her orange blood poured around her fingers. A gruesome act to watch. When the damaged flesh was thrown away it disintegrated into tiny white cubes then into nothing. Once it was cleaned she waited for her body to repair itself. Tiny orange wormlike protrusions knitted themselves together to perfectly recreate her body, just like when she injured herself with the exploding Charm. When she was fully healed she relinquished her hold and let out a gentle sigh.

“There. Back to normal.” Longinious blinked hard. Her glowing orange eyes took a moment to focus themselves properly. “Perfect. Well, we wouldn’t know if it would work-”

Longinious looked up as Anton poked her forehead hard. She yelped from surprise, not pain.

“Don’t ever do something so foolish again.”

“Coming from you?” She raised his hand, throwing him a worried look. “It’s a little insincere. Perhaps Verona and Kal should be telling you that even more? Always willing to go in yourself but tell others, who can heal anything, to be careful.”

She sighed, lowering his hand. “But I… Are you alright, Gera?”

The Rouya Lamia had silently approached and waited happily just to the side. “I don’t often see people talking so happily with each other.”

“I was admonishing my companion for being so foolish.” Anton said.

“Companion?” Longinious scratched her chin while tapping her golden bracelets. “I will need to recover more gemstones before something like that is possible. At least walking on feet would be preferable. But let us go. Before I actually start to see things in the Flame.”

Longinious spun Anton around and forcefully pushed him towards the entrance. Gera gave a final glance at the Flame before following them out. Outside a perimeter had been formed, Eider and Cetina waited just beyond with worried expressions.

“Are you alright?” Cetina pulled him closer with all her might. She held his arms tight, her gray, purple flecked eyes furiously flicking over his. “Looks like you’re not blind. So. So that’s good.”

She gave his arms another pat and pulled him in for a quick hug.

“Are we done with this place?”

“Certainly.” Anton gave her soft cheek a squeeze. “Gera? How often can you look into the Flame? Without hurting yourself. How are your hands, by the way?”

Gera gingerly showed his hands. There was some light burn damage, nowhere near as bad as it should have been. Only then did Anton realize the Flame did not give off any serious heat. Infinitely less than the star-like light would indicate.

“Not too often.” Gera flexed his fingers. “About every ten days? I usually know when I am to return. There’s… Just a feeling, a feeling that I should go back.”

“We can provide you and your Clan with food and medical assistance." Anton healed Gera’s burns, much to his surprise. He bounced back and forth like a happy child. "Within reason, of course."

"That would be… Fantastic. I'm sure they'll like me more now that I can get them food easily." Gera stopped his bouncing. "We can't afford to keep Beast-kin. The Pakdel’s have them all, we have to do our hunting and farming ourselves."

Simin and Sattar were too far away to hear, safely near the ring of upright stones.

"So this will be great!" Gera slithered closer, Cetina kept close to Anton while Rasha loomed over him. “There’s never enough food to go around. I find enough, but I’m pretty skinny. But there’s a large home, next to mine, that’s full of starving children.”

His head dropped low. “It’s so sad to see them like that. I try and give them food that I find, but I’m always chased away.”

Discarded scraps are not what you want to be giving your sick kids. But the thought is there.

“We’ll swing by them on the way.” Anton gave Gera’s shoulder a hearty slap. The Rouya looked confused at the act. “Don’t worry. So long as you continue telling us everything you see in the Flame we’ll send your people food and supplies.”

Gera heartily nodded.

“A fantastic trade.” Anton glanced at Cetina. “Some food for advanced warning is a very, very good trade. Nations would pay literal fortunes, and now we have it.”

“Are you saying that for yourself?” Rasha asked.

Gera looked rather confused, tapping his fingers together.

“No. Do not worry, Gera.” Anton patted Gera’s shoulder once again. “I think this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship. And a chance for the rest of your Clan to finally see what a good person you are.”

This time Anton did feel a little bad, especially how eagerly and happily Gera took his words. Still, he meant nothing to break his faith. Eider whistled and the Atros soldiers began to withdraw in an orderly fashion. Gera, still in a happy mood, watched with delight at the ordered formation, like a child watching a wind-up toy. He slithered to Simin and Sattar to chat. Neither of the Pakdels were particularly interested, for them this was almost a favor to their new allies, but they played along regardless.

Anton looked towards the north, wondering if they would ever see the Werkel Fairy again. To know if his Ancient Magic creation would work or even hold. Or just how he could rescue any survivors. It would be interesting if nothing else.