Hours later, a faint red glow coming from Artis that I knew only too well pulled me from my stupor. I raised my head and looked down the mountain, expecting the worst. I was not disappointed.

Artis was aflame.

The fire started on the northern part of the bridges, and if my guess as to where Janace lived was right, his house was already destroyed. I wondered a moment if he had started the fire.

I hesitated. Common sense, of course, told me that Foster could get out of this easily. He was all ready to leave in the morning anyway, so he likely simply needed to grab his bags and leave a little earlier. He was fine. Most certainly, he was fine. Even if he wasn't, he would be, he had gotten himself out of much worse before. It would be stupidity alone that would lead me to go back and see that he was alright.

I cursed and went to my horses. Dawn was in no shape for galloping, so I had to put my trust in the new horse, Night. Quickly, I mounted the beast and set him at a gallop for what remained of Artis.

As I approached the city, it appeared clear that it was not by accident that it was burning. Various armed guards were running about wielding torches and swords. This was a raid, I had been stupid enough to run right into it. Night reared up and refused to go further into the flames. I tried to urge him on, but he refused. I leapt off him.

“You stupid horse! Dusk would have gone in!”

I ran into the village and quickly, I took to the burning rooftops. Another stupid mistake, I knew, however, it was either that or run on the burning bridges with people being kicked and killed all around me.

I fell several times, but never off the roofs. My foot plunged once or twice through the weakened roofs, and my boots were well singed by flames. As I neared Foster's house, the roof of the boathouse I leapt off gave way, and disintegrated just as I leapt. I crawled through an open window at the side of Foster's house, and slipped in quietly.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Foster was still there. His travel cloak was draped over a chair, and his books thrown in the corner. Atop the books, the pendant lay. I grabbed the pendant and put it around my neck for safekeeping, it's cold touch made me shiver. Foster's bedroom door was open. I barged inside. There was another door that led to a small room,with stairs that led down under the bridges. It seemed as though he had a few extra rooms built beneath the docks.

There were three large rooms along one short tunnel. The middle room had light flickering from it. I peeked inside, and saw Foster, cramming piles of books and parchment into a bag. as I entered the room, he stopped and looked up at me.

“Stiri, you're an idiot, but thank the gods you're here.” He threw a burlap sack at me, “I don't know what's important, so put as much into the bag as you can!”

“Foster, we don't have time. The entire island is on fire. Any moment, the bridges will collapse, and you'll drown.”

Foster shook his head. “I have to try to get these papers out. Do you know how long I worked on these? All the information I have about the myth, the items. I got so close to discovering how they work.”

I cursed, and started to cram books into bags. “If I die because of you, I will be angry.” I said. “And I'll drag you down to the deepest level of the underworld and present you to a demon as a washcloth.”

“Deal. Help!”

I turned, and tore more and more books from bookshelves. In a short time, I had the bag filled, I guess that was enough, the rest of the books would have to burn or sink.

“Foster.” I said without turning, “We don't have anymore time, I think-”

“Stiri! Get out of here!”

I turned, but as I did, something heavy and fast threw me into the bookshelf I have just emptied. Thank the gods for that, because the force of me being thrown into it made the bookshelf fall down on top of me.

I lay on the ground, the wind knocked out of me. Before me, Telon had Foster by the neck with one of his hands. In the other, he held the golden feather that Foster must have had on him.

“The two of you are troublesome.” He said. He turned to me. “You more than the old man. I would kill you if Kos didn't have need of you.”

I struggled out from under the bookshelves. Before I could think otherwise, my dagger was in my hand, and I lunged at Telon. Effortlessly, he flicked one of his folded wings at me, and knocked me against the wall. The wall gave way and I half fell out and into the water below. I struggled not to fall. The fire was closing in though, I could hear it, feel it.

Telon clicked his beak, and in a swift motion, broke Foster's neck with only one hand.

“He, however, is worthless. I have the feather.” He walked over to me, and I still laying exhausted on the ground. “And now I have you.” he said. He stomped on my stomach.