Cold winds blew as the group reached deep into the heart of the Vesgeriath Woodland. Fetid scent infested the air which seemed to follow them in their tracks across the blessed paths created by the elderly vicar Hevaeck.

From his amulet he gained seemingly endless power to erect a vast bubble of radiant energies which expelled not only the accursed dead, but also other wicked spirits lingering in the shadows of the decaying trees. Their route towards the Deoshiar Monestary, a route of great peril under the jurisdiction of the utmost surreptitious lords of the damned woodland.

Shadows lingered at the edges, whispering sweet words into the ears of the party’s members, beckoning them to join his umbral court where eternal joy awaited them in the soft and cold shadows of a once great fortress living still with its once protective purpose.

Each their steps faltered except for the experienced Aelfsigior and Priernuss who wandered distant, dangerous lands and the elderly vicar enjoying the protection of the magnanimous deossos. Eadwald struggled occasionally, his faith in the Almodo who blessed him, chosen him wavered as he took small glances at the shadows of the forest.

In the end he pulled through and ignored the children’s laughter reaching his ears from beyond the protective aura, and inquired on their next stop. The enchantments woven into their clothing, their armor slowly began to fade in power and his muscles were burning, screaming for rest.

While Aelfsigior himself was knowledgeable about most of the woodland, he himself was a bit unsure setting up camp within this territory seeing the dark circles, the pale complexions of the others besides Priernuss and Hevaeck.

The elderly dwarf furrowed his brows, stroked his beard while the other hand remained on his amulet engulfed in radiant golden energies. “There is a clearing not far ahead. We should be able to rest there I believe.” Hearing those words, Eadwald heaved a deep sigh as he prepared himself.

For a short moment he even closed his eye and rested not more than a few seconds. Then as he opened his eyes, he felt the firm hands of his father touching his shoulders. He looked at him and conveyed he can endure the cold and the tiredness for a little bit more.

As they continued on, he decided to ask old Hevaeck about the priesthood who set up shop in the middle of Vesgeriath Woodland. He had been quite curious for the reason a small sect of the Dawn Father settling down practically in the middle of enemy territory

Hevaeck explained to the young man that contrary to what he believed – and what was told to him – the so called healers of Vesgeriath did not dabble in simple restoration maghia, but their title actually meant their mission was to cleanse the forest of negative matter and the ravenous, anger-filled undead.

Now for centuries, they had been patrolling the forest in small groups of four, hunting down lesser and or greater revenants while also seeking out insidious points where lesser aydvroegh or umvraoth dwelled even alluding to the tale of one famed healer of the woodland called Galen.

Galen was a truscian man who came to see the first ray of light of the world in the deep south of the Vhalleryon, born into a poor family in a small settlement which lost its name the day a disciple of the ill-famed Pharaoh In Black laid waste to it, adding the residents to its growing horde of the dead.

The event left a deep mark in his soul as he became the soul survivor only thanks to the kindness of his mother who led him down into secret tunnels created by the ever migrating worms of the south. For many years he studied the maghia of the Dawn Father the arisen dead were so afraid of, leading to his enlisting into the 2nd Legion then later into the Order of Maghia’s Truth.

There after many decades gaining knowledge both on repelling the undead and the aydvroegh, he found himself amongst like minded friends who decided to cleanse the accursed woodland of Vesgeriath where he fought against the Crimson Praetoriar, a fallen knight whose corpse was inhabited by an Aydvroegh whom possessed a ceaseless thirst for the blood of the living.

Eadwald listened with glinting eyes to the ardent retelling of the tale, imagined the days long duel between brave Galen and the Crimson Praetoriar whose once snow white armor gained a deep crimson shade. And just as the tale reached its end, the group also stepped forth into the vast clearing with nothing but snow and rotten dead turning towards them.

Eadwald amidst counting the revenant gulped then gave up after reaching two dozen at least. The group stood frozen in place as they contemplated their next move, but as most were tired decided to rely on the protection of the ward while they rested.

**

The hour of dusk swiftly approached as darkness lengthened the empty sky and the only source of the light were the golden ward shaped into a large bubble around them. Beyond its radiant border, a vicious darkness nestled infested with the revenants waiting futile for any of them to step beyond its scorching, transparent walls.

Right at the center, Priernuss and Lioba together rose and shaped a caved mound with a small hole in its center. Within its relatively spacious earthen interior, the fire burnt calmly bathing the cold walls in warmth and light while the smoke escaped through both the entrance and the small aperture of the ceiling. The moderately seasoned boar broth steamed within the onyx kettle.

Its mesmerizing scent permeated both the inside and the outside where Ulrich and Eadwald stood rested and full of bread and broth, vigilantly watching the vicious darkness. Although they could not see the ceaselessly hungering pack of revenants circling around tirelessly, waiting for the ward to collapse at any moment in vain.

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The two stood in silence, straining their senses, their muscle ripped arms hidden beneath layers of thick garments and the white armor of theirs, close enough that their hands could grab their swords in a matter of seconds. Yet the only thing he fought against was his urge born of deep, endless curiosity as he wished to learn more of the world, and the tales of his father accumulated during his years in the legion.

“You should rest Priernuss, the morning will be a long one.” Ulrich turned around as he heard the faint crunch of snow, the soft clacks of the armor pieces caressing each other as Priernuss walked up to the two trying to make as little noise as possible and with childish intent on his face.

“And here I though I could scare you Eadwald.” He chuckled while bluish energies of the mind dispersed from around his head. “An old habit we had back down at the south. Plant certain sensations like itching or a bad stomach ache.”

For a moment Eadwald thought the spell went into partial motion as he began to fold some of the layers looping around his arm and scratching his skin beneath. “Don’t worry, no spell had been cast on you, also if you are tired Eadwald I can replace you. I can function with little sleep.”

Eadwald closed his eyes for a moment, then let the cold air hit his face. “No need. This much I can and should endure.”

“Good. Let’s just pass some time. Boredom is the enemy of all as we say.” Priernuss walked between father and son and inhaled deeply the fetid air while his slightly sharpened ears twitched as he listened to the air carrying the creaking steps of the dead.

Silence settled between them for a few seconds as the two stared at Priernuss, as if anticipating something great akin to witnessing a spell turning a mountain to rubble or turning water into wine of the very best kind. “Have you ever wandered what compels the revenants to seek out any and all entering these lands?”

Ulrich and Eadwald both raised their eyebrow at the question. “Isn’t it their hatred for the living?”

“Well most people think that regarding the revenants not just of this land. But in actuality – like with everything – there is more to them, including inscriptions instilling murderous thoughts into their restless minds.” Priernuss continued cracking his fingers and breathing deeply in the cold, fetid air.

“Revenants – and might I say every other breathing, thinking, existing creature including us – are drawn to various things like hounds who picked up on a scent.”

Eadwald listened excitedly but then began to question those words and thought maybe Priernuss hoped to prank him, yet his curiosity still forced the next set of words out from his mouth. “Scent?”

“Scents, sounds, sensations we produce by just existing effecting them and us. For infaerni, these scents are sweet as cinnamon, maddening like love. For the revenants its like a good lamb broth or stew, swelling their hunger, while also the source of their rebirth into nekrossok.”

The two looked at each other and Ulrich asked next.” But how does it affect us?”

“It is only a theory I heard from the aetherkiin I met long ago, but these unseen, void smells and sounds are what leads us onto our paths, what makes us desire to do good or evil, to create peace or wage war to lie or to tell truth.”

“What happens if we would be deprived of any one of them?” Eadwald asked out of the blue surprising both his father and Priernuss who began to scratch his temple.

His eyes wandered out the radiant border as he pondered then heaved a soft sigh. “Hard to say if I am being honest. My closest guess would be it would severely hinder us, may even degrade us into a state similar to vegetables.”

“Do you believe in the existence of this not smellable scent, cannot be heard sound, unknown faint sensation?” Ulrich asked as his attention returned to their dim surroundings.

“A little. Aetherkiin have no sense of humor, and they see things beyond our sight.”

“Like Sigi.” At that Priernuss nodded while Ulrich’s nose began to search vainly for this scent, hoping to pick up on. In the end he smelled only the stew’s alluring one, and the sweat under the other two’s armpits.

“Speaking of which – are you excited now having a certainty to leave and even fulfill your ambitions?” At that both Ulrich and Eadwald twitched a little. For the past few days, the thought of being The Ones, the Almodo’s chosen evaded their minds as they mostly focused on their daily lives of getting up in the morning, practicing, helping the elderly of their settlement.

Yet now that there was a certainty that he shall leave the walls of Vonschneithar further than the woodland, the source of many of his fears and nightmares filled him with uncertainty in a twisted sense. “Honestly, I am a bit afraid. The past few years, I just felt content ensuring that Vonschneithar could enjoy a sense of peace. But now, thinking that one day I may face threats greater than some revenants, wild beasts – the horrors of this forest – fill me with dread.”

Priernuss looked into his eyes, than nodded to Ulrich whose head was now filled with a fluster storm of thoughts. “It is never easy to leave your home, to face challenges you only heard from tales. But me and your mother are proud to give life to you, and you won’t have to worry about home, because one day you shall return, I have no doubt of that. Until than I wish for you to live your life, to fulfill your destiny and join the annals of the greatest who walked these lands.”

Ulrich placed his right hand over his shoulder and embraced his son while holding back tears, while also repeating to himself that they still have some time left before the goodbyes. Time which he vowed to himself to spend with each of them to the best of his abilities.

“And if it helps, I know a few spells which you could use to keep touch with your old man and mother.” Priernuss waited and spoke only when the two finished their heartfelt embrace.

“Will you stay at Vonscneithar?” Ulrich asked as he turned back towards the dim surroundings devouring the light of the ward.

“Probably for a few more years so they can return home one day.” Priernuss said jokingly, then Ulrich sighed and turned towards him.

“Honestly, I am glad we can count you amongst us. But I would be even more glad if you accompanied them when the time comes.”

Priernuss turned back a bit surprised at the statement. “Are you sure? I have no doubt the top shall send the best of the best. You may even meet your idol my friend.” For a short moment Ulrich’s eyes lit up at the thought of meeting the famed blade of the Empire but shook his head.

“Maybe but still I think Sigi and Ami would be happy to have you along while teaching them at least a few more spells. Plus I think they shall definitely need someone to eternalize them in their greatest of moments.”

Priernuss chuckled a little while stared down at the ground before he bowed. “Then when the time comes, I shall accompany them and protect them until they pass us far ahead. And probably make a few more portraits maybe even for free.”

With that without noticing, Eadwald’s heart eased knowing that one familiar face shall be with them in a world fully unknown to them. The rest of the night passed by as he listened to the two recounting old tales in their respective legions, and before long shift changed, and the darkness slowly faded from the sky as a new day begun.