I left the dryadalis guild to work their own magics, and do with the land what they saw fit to heal it. I had something else I needed to concentrate on. I was sure the way the dryadalis people would possibly change the way they think of my own people, and things could change in the future for us all, for now I needed to make sure there was a future for the awakened still, without being under the rule of Amaia. The evil that sprung from the earth here where she stepped through the portal, I was sure it was only the beginning.
I started to walk back to where the Guild had set up their command for my horse and other belongings. Bellator came with me, knowing I was unable to stay here and do any more. Whatever time I had left with Aadi's magic, I needed to use it to rid the world of Amaia. Kai's life was mine to claim for my father. An eye for an eye, I thought to myself. The entire idea I ever thought I would save his life really seemed unreal now. He wasn't a man, he was an evil bastard snake.
"Where do you think Amaia and Kai have gone to?" I asked Bellator. "There's no way Amaia is going to go to Perifrey. She wouldn't lower herself to a village."
"Theramill?" Bellator asked me.
"Amaia could take them anywhere in the world she wanted with a flick of her wrist."
"How about the temple of Nef?" A familiar voice said behind me. Fredrick had come rushing up behind us and caught ear of our conversation.
"The temple of Nef is gone. Sunken in the northern sea, when the first awakened left it. " Bellator said to Fredrick.
"Or did it?" He asked Bellator. "If it were me, I would go to the temple where my powers were greatest." Shrugging his shoulders, he turned to leave, coming face to face with Valandria. His shoulders straightened standing a little taller. "Ranger," He said and bowed his head slightly as he left.
"I know you are not leaving without me." Said Valandria. "You have done me and mine a great service, more than that, you are my friend." She smiled. "And I'm coming," She dictated.
"to the temple of Nef, that's probably at the bottom of the north sea?" Bellator asked amused.
"I'll get my furs." Valandria laughed. The three of us walked together to fetch the horses.
We didn't need to say goodbye to anyone, or wait for others. We gathered provisions from the guild, everything we could carry and headed towards the dryadalis Harbor village back towards the west. We would commandeer a vessel and go north. Something told us that Fredrick kid was right about this temple. There was history behind that temple with the gods. It was supposedly sunk into the sea when the last awakened left its shores. Bringing with them the last of the magic that allowed the island to stay afloat in the north sea. That the north sea used to be warm as well, the island was beautifully warm with many different sights to have seen, but when the awakened left the island leaving the temple of Nef for bigger, grander lands the island sunk and the sea became cold and frozen in places it changed life in that part of our world forever.
From what I knew from stories, there were not very many awakened villages near the north sea, populated mostly by non-awakened folk. Personally, living in the north was not something I enjoyed, the far north sea was going to make my blood freeze. However after the fires, It might be a welcomed change.
We didn't have an agenda which I was thankfully, the hard riding back and forth from the valley and the cities was unreal, and exhausting enough my body was sore and tired from the magic use and fighting. My chest was bruised and sore from the draugr, so our slower pace was good for the time. A rest was something we could all use.
"Valandria, have you left these lands before? Gone north?" Bellator asked her.
"Not often, I stay south unless there is an extraordinary circumstance." She told him.
"Have you been as far as the temple in question?" I asked.
"No. Dryadalis settlements do not reach that far. However, I did happen to acquire this." Valandria pulled out the book Fredrick had in his hands at the guild meeting in the mountain city.
"Have you read it at all?" Bellator asked.
"Some, a lot of details about things that don't matter much. I haven't had much time to read it." She pulled her horse close to Bellator and passed the book to him, "Here. You may be able to pick out something I have missed."
"I'll look at it when we stop. I do suggest that we stick to the deep woods. I feel like braving the wildlife and such is a better option than risking coming across anyone. Welcome or not." He said, slipping the book into his satchel. As the book slid into Bellator's satchel I thought I could hear a faint, "Watch it!" in a small voice.
"I have to agree with that one." I said, I needed to get away from the world. Really I just wanted to go home. Mourn my fathers death, and honor his sacrifice he has given for my cause. I could feel a swelling of emotions filling my throat. Swallowing them down trying to gain control of myself. I would be fine.
"Bellator?" Valandria asked. "I'm willing to bet my left foot there is a brownie in that bag of yours." She said,
I burst into laughter, "No! No, tell me it isn't true." I said to Bellator.
It was true, he opened the bag and Mabe popped his head out with a shameful look at Valandria. "I didn't want to miss out on an adventure, Ranger!" He said to Valandria. "Can I still come?" He asked.
To my horror, she agreed. What was next, pixies for messenger birds? At least it was Mabe, for a spear chucking pest at least he was entertaining.
Traveling through the thicker woods proved to take a few days extra before the dryadalis harbor village Míol Mór came into sight. It was the same as the city, the farm and village homes all grown in the same manner. It was quiet other than the wagons leaving the harbor to the city, and trade in their neighboring villages. The harbor was straight down the village's center road, visible from the village gates. The villagers we passed honoring Valandria as she passed by them, most of them shocked to see her accompanied by two awakened.
"Never mind them, most of my kind are still close to the awakened because of your history of destruction." She explained.
"Do your people not have their own dark past?" Bellator pointed out.
"True." Valandria half laughed as she spoke.
"We should gather extra provisions and whatever we need here before leaving." I suggested. "We will have a long journey from here, might as well take a minute."
"Yes! I need a new spear, clothing, and possibly a head piece that speaks of my greatness." Mabe added in.
"There is a lodging house just there," Completely ignoring Mabe, Valandria pointed to a group of large trees where a large lodging house had been grown and weaved between the trees. A sign hanging out from the door with the name, "Béar ag Rince" with a tiny bear that was dancing with an Elven woman.
"Alright, let's say we stay the night, all meet there and sup together at a table for once?" I asked. We all agreed and Valandria went to confirm our vessel will be ready to leave by the morning.
Bellator, Mabe and I wandered around, trading what we no longer were going to need for things that were more useful for where we were going. Mostly the furs we had collected from our stay in the woods, as well as a few of the gems and golds we came by. We kept our fur cloaks as we headed back north where winter was coming to an end, but the far north was always covered in snow and ice. We had to make sure we were prepared. Mabe insisted that he needed to 'upgrade' his forest attire for something that was better fit for a sea riding warrior of the north. When I suggested a seaweed cloak and crustacean slippers he shot me a dirty look and whispered something into Bellator's ear, which he laughed at followed by guaranteeing him we would find Mabe some fine armor. Which he did. In fact they actually found a merchant that produced and sold just the thing. If there was one thing I never thought I would be doing, it was picking out items needed by a brownie.
Mabe found the perfect spear, two daggers made from the fangs of a snake, and some leather armor, unbelievably I actually enjoyed the tiny versions of weapons. What could I say? A good weapon is a good weapon. He was devastated that he was unable to find a helm that suited his needs.
After gathering enough salted, dried and smoked meats, some oats and a few fruits that the elven lady who traded to us told us were grown of mixed fruits for the benefits, it really didn't matter as long as we didn't starve, we returned to the Béar ag Rince for the night.
Stepping through the door we were welcomed by a delicious smell of roasting meats, and other foods. A man was playing on his lute in the corner singing about something in dryadalis. Valandria turned to see us from the table she was sitting at accompanied by three other dryads.
"These are friends of Hafa and I." She introduced us to her company, raising her cup. "Kaida, Bellator, and Forest trooper, Mabe. They are great warriors." She introduced us. "Laoch, Ean, and Feet." Valandria named the men as she gestured to each one.
"Damnit, Valandria, its Veet." The third man interrupted. We laughed, as she said, "Sorry, Veet." Enunciating the V sounds longer and more strongly this time.
Food was brought to us along with malt ale that smelled like it may even have a berry aroma to it, though it did not taste like it, thank the gods. I would have to draw a line at fruity ale, something about it seemed wrong.
As we drank and ate roasted pheasant, I thought about Aadi. He had not visited my dreams like I expected. My father died for his cause, I thought he would have come to me, I know he could feel my sorrow. My Hate for Kai. I needed him, now more then any other time before. The worry I had for my mother and sister, I had no way of knowing if they were safe, or hidden. If they had news yet of my father. I knew there was no sense in dwelling about any of this, there was nothing that can be changed. I was going to have to be patient.
The food was good enough to make me feel full, and after receiving a room to use Bellator stood from the table.
"Let's sleep." He said to me, "I could use some myself anyways, and a bed is a rare commodity in our lives." He smiled.
"Yeah, you're right. I want to show respect for Sjø before we leave tomorrow." I said to Bellator. Sjø was the god of seas, he was the sea and I was not going to tempt his temper on the open sea.
He nodded silently, and we retired for the night leaving Valandria to her conversation, and Mabe sleeping in a plant on the windows ledge.
Meeting Valandria with Mabe by the doors of the tavern the next morning, after she bid Veet a good day we left for the dock.
"The vessel is ready, the crew is probably waiting on us now, early enough as it is." Valandria said as she stretched walking down the pathway.
Bellator and I had put together a small wooden sacrifice to give to the sea, an idol of a dragon boat he carved from a chunk of wood by the room's fires. Along the side of it carved small protection ruins. In the small floating vessel were herbs and other materials. Placing it in the water and letting it float out into the sea, Bellator sent a flame from his palm out to the idol. The vessel meant more for me than I could let on. I imagined my fathers body being given to the sea, and the Morwyn y Duwiau coming to collect his soul to bring the Ota to sup and drink with his ancestors. Kai stole my father's life and burnt his body, I would never be able to give him the funeral he deserved.
After we watched our small sacrifice to Sjø float out to sea, we followed Valandria down the dock to a row boat that would take us out to a ship that was bigger than any galley I have seen, It was grand. It awaited past the rocks and reefs like a floating building. The bow of the ship was built into a steep pitch where a carved idol of Juniper, the dryadalis god who stands with Terra. It was made of oak as most ships were, it had two large square sails and masts and two smaller sails to match. A large cabin near the stern that had lanterns hanging from the deck walls, rails along the top of it where the captain was standing by the wheel. There were two small versions of catapults each on port and starboard sides of the ship, that were capable of throwing fire and tar at an attacking ship. The largest mast had a look out on the top where a man was already posted.
Climbing the rope ladder and hopping over the gunnel brought me to a tightly planked deck complete with crew and captain awaiting us just like Valandria said they would be.
Even their navy clan members were well trained. They shouted orders at each other and confirmed jobs were done. Tugged on ropes, and tied them off. It was impressive to see such a great ship. I was hoping it was as fast as it was fancy.
Valandria led us into the cabin, a warm room with a table and chairs, shelves of books, maps, and scrolls of information. On the wall was a framed map of the world with pins and markers in it, the northern region almost bare. Mabe hopping down from Bellators shoulder onto the table we stood at, examining the papers spread around.
A man wearing a jacket that was black with gold lining, waist length in the front and longer in the back, and black leather pants. His boots were tall and leather, black matching the rest of his clothing. A sword on his right hip, and a whip on his left. His hair was dark and long, pulled back into a variety of braids pulling it back into a single one. His ears were shorter than the other dryadalis I have met however.
"Well met, Captain Ketil." Valandria held out her arm to his, Captain Ketil gripping her wrist in greeting.
"It's an honor to have such a decorated Ranger on my ship, Valandria." He stepped back and turned towards Bellator and I. "And you companions?" He asked.
"Kaida and Bellator." Valandria introduced us, motioning her arm towards us. " Hafa, and I are helping them. They stood by the Dryadalis clan in a dire need of time. Also they have gained my respect." She told the captain.
"Well met." Bellator reached for Ketil's arm in greetings. Ketil returned the gesture. I bowed my head to him in respect.
"I see you have been to the north sea, Captain Ketil, can you show us how close we can get to this area?" Bellator asked him to point to a far northeast location on the wall map.
"As far as the village Frosinn Villtur." He pointed to one of the red marks that was in the north sea, just miles shy of where we wanted to be.
"Not bad, I had thought farther, this is good." I said to them, "And what of this village here?" I asked for a second mark that was just west across a thin sea channel that separated the main land and some other frozen islands.
"That is Kló. The people there are not friendly or welcoming. My ship stopped trading there long ago after they tried to burn it and sink it into the sea."
"We will be passing by Duskenhill harbor?" I asked.
"Yeah, it will be the last stop before we enter the north sea, and then we will be on our own." Ketil explained.
"Kaida, we should avoid stopping there. If Kai has sent anyone looking for you or the rest of your family, that's where they will be." Bellator said as kind as he could. " I have faith the guild has gotten to Astra and Aimee, and they are safe."
"I know, I know, they are better off away from all this anyways." I admitted.
Valandria and Captain Ketil had been talking amongst themselves as Bellator and I talked of my family.
"Captain Ketil is sorry to say, Bellator, we will have to stop there no matter the situation. It will be the last chance to get the provision we need to cross the sea to Frosinn Villtur. You will have to stay on board the ship, and out of sight in order to avoid trouble, for obvious reasons. I'm sorry." Valandria informed us.
"Okay, I'll stay on board, but as long as we are there, I want you to ask about my family." I asked. "Please."
Captain Ketil agreed and that set our trip in motion. We left north down the coast far enough away that we were not easily seen from the shore. I was not going to admit that I was sure Bellator was right, there was no way my mother would stick around the Duskenhills lands if she received any type of troubling news about my father. She was smart, and strong.
Stolen novel; please report.