“Now we’ve got a destination,” Alice said excitedly. “If that map is right, then the source of the corruption will be somewhere in that area.” She turned to Elias who now stood over the map examining it. “How far away is that petal? Have you ever been?”

“I have not been to those petals before. Only once have I been to Stem Island, the largest of the dozen, before on a Sword Temple trip. Luckily, the fifth and sixth petals are relatively close to the stem. I would estimate that the trip will take a little over half a day of sailing. Maybe a little longer if the weather is not great. Ultimately it is all dependent on finding a good boat and as few interruptions from the corrupted sea beasts.”

“It sounds like the trip will be risky and I’m not even clear if we will be able to take the journey,” Thompson said. “How are we going to prepare?”

“It is getting later in the day so we should do the prep work we need to now. We will leave in the morning ready to deal with whatever the journey throws at us,” said Elias. “Alice, you will help me tend to the horses today and expand the radius a bit with your cleansing. We need to get them well-fed and ready. I will be there with you in case anything around us starts to attract corrupted monsters. Thompson, you will…”

“I am going to finish up sorting some of the books here so that I can safely transport them without damage. After this is all over I would like to take them back to the capital’s imperial library. Maybe take a second trip back here with carts and more supplies so that it can all be preserved and copied as the corruption recedes. I’ll make sure to disassemble and pack up some of our less-needed items. We will be ready to leave right as the sun rises.”

Elias nodded. “Good. We can start preparing a plan for once we reach Dawncoast over dinner and on the road.” He looked at Alice. “I know that you have been itching to leave and so have I. We’ll be ready.”

He turned to the ladder and Alice followed him out in preparation for the end of their stay and the Sword Temple. They gathered the three horses together and led them out one of the side entrances into the forest. Alice ran ahead to start using her Sword Breath magic. She crossed over the line between the healthy grass and the dead forest. Elias brought the horses closer and waited for her ritual to end.

Elias watched as Alice performed the ritual with practiced ease, her hands weaving through the air, casting a soft, ethereal glow. The dark, corrupted land before them gradually began to transform, the dead and withered plants giving way to new, vibrant life. The transformation was mesmerizing, a testament to the power Alice had honed during their time at the Sword Temple.

He let the reigns go. The horses started grazing on the newly sprouted grass.

he evening found them gathered around a campfire, the flickering flames casting a warm glow on their faces. It was their last night at the Sword Temple, a moment of calm before they embarked on their perilous journey to Dawncoast and beyond.

As they sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts, Thompson broke the quiet. "Tomorrow, we step into the unknown. It's hard to believe how far we've come." His voice was tinged with a mix of apprehension and excitement.

Alice nodded, her eyes reflecting the fire's light. "We've learned so much, yet it feels like our journey is just beginning. I can't help but worry about what lies ahead."

Elias remained silent for a moment; his gaze fixed on the dancing flames. "I think back to my master, Sir Callum," he began slowly, his voice soft. "He was a great sword master, someone I always aspired to be like. But as we venture forward, I realize that it's not about living up to someone else's legacy. It's about forging our path, making our own mark."

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“You have done a great job as a sword master and teacher of your own,” said Alice.

Thompson chimed in, "And we've each played our part. Alice, your growth in mastering the Dance of the Dragon and your magical abilities is nothing short of extraordinary. And Elias, your guidance and strength have been our anchor."

“What do you think we will find at this ‘core of corruption’?” asked Elias. He turned to Thompson. “What do the books suggest based on your readings.”

“I’m not sure what this one will look like, but the accounts of other spreading corruption tides have been very similar. The monsters will likely be more fierce and strange. No longer will they look like the animals we know. Whatever self-preservation instincts it has will likely kick in as well. We will need to be more careful as we approach the island. The core itself varies from account to account. To cleanse it you will need to use everything you’ve got.”

Alice, her eyes reflecting the fire's glow, broke the silence. "We've come so far, and I have learned so much. I know that I will make it to the island. I must for the prophecy and for myself. Each step of this journey has led us to this point. I won’t let anything else stand in my way. Don’t worry. I will do everything I can to get this done. As long as you both are by my side.”

“We will be. Until the end. I have made sure of it. My father has made sure of it and everyone else who has trained me has made sure of it,” said Thompson. “We may not be able to wield the power that you can, but we will be there to help you in other ways.”

“I know that. In the week alone you have shown how valuable you are to our team and our future,” said Alice.

Elias, who had been quietly staring into the flames, finally spoke. "I often think back to my master, Sir Callum," he said softly. “In the starting courses at the temple, you are expected to fight on your own and prepare for the duels against other members of the Sword Temple. Once you could get past that grueling experience then being able to work together as a team and deal with teams of people was often the next step for most students. Enemies don’t abide by the rules of duels and are rarely isolated. With teams more complex maneuvers could be attempted and they were stronger and safer together. As a team, we are stronger, safer, and better.”

Alice was the first to be on watch for the night while the others slept. There wasn’t much worry now that she had cleansed all of the temple grounds and some of the surrounding area. Still, it was a routine for them and good to follow. She knew that just because the area had been cleansed didn’t mean that a monster or two couldn’t come wandering through and try to attack them. When she felt tired she woke Elias up and they rotated shifts.

When the sunlight started to poke through the trees they all hurried to finish packing up. The embers of the fire were scattered, and their sleeping bags were rolled up. They strapped their bags to their horses and then got to riding. They already knew part of the way and quickly got back onto the King’s Road.

As they rode down the King’s Road, the early morning light cast long shadows through the trees, creating a serene yet eerie atmosphere. The road was well-traveled, but at this hour, it was theirs alone, a quiet path leading them towards their uncertain destiny.

Thompson, riding at a steady pace, glanced over his shoulder at the Sword Temple, now just a silhouette against the rising sun. “It’s strange,” he mused aloud, “leaving a place that’s been both a refuge and a prison. Do you ever think we’ll come back?”

“We will,” said Elias affirmatively. “It won’t be an empty home ever again. With what Alice and I have learned. With what you have found stored in the libraries the Sword Temple will be rebuilt. As the towns start to expand once more and the farms are replanted new students will take over the temple. Eventually, the students will grow in an environment much like I did. Surrounded by fellow students and mentors to breed competition and growth. I hope the same can be done for the Witch of Temora.”

“I think I will be handling that part as long as you are the leader of the Sword Temple,” said Alice. “I may need Thompson’s help learning more about the coven. If old documents are waiting for me at the Witch Coven then I will need you to sort through them for me.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Thompson responded with a smile.