I awoke alone.
The cool rising water had found its way into my boot, and the sudden chill lulled me upwards and out of a dreamless sleep. I sat up on my moss bed, watching as the water slowly trickled in through the knotted tree roots. With the water, came the same familiar orange speckled fish, eager for their morning insect meal. I pulled off my boots, setting them beside me as I let my feet enter the cool shallow water.
It was a peaceful moment, as I watched orange and red fins approach me in curiosity. Few even braved a touch on my bare leg, before quickly swimming away. The birds above also began their morning song, freshly trilling and greeting the morning suns.
I felt as though I should be smiling.
Yet I wasn’t happy, nor sad. I wasn’t feeling much of anything as I sat there, watching the water. I didn’t want to leave though.
Although the underground wasn’t my home for very long, it was familiar to me. I wasn’t ready for a new adventure. But the thought of my presence endangering the already torn community was more than enough motivation for me to leave.
When I did not kiss Aixel back, he pulled away from me, and there was such a sorrow in his eyes, leaving shards more painful than void magic throughout my core. The last thing I wanted was to hurt him, yet there I sat, numb and unmoving before him.
He had asked me what was wrong, and when I only shook my head, I saw his jaw tighten and eyes lower. He had muttered an apology, but before I could respond, he was gone - a cloud in the night once more. I was left, alone once more, but this time with another added sadness to join the pile I did not have the strength to yet sort through. And so I closed my eyes, holding onto myself as comfort, until the suns began their rise and light made its way into the little clearing.
Milea had already packed two large satchels for our journey, and they were sat atop the cot along with my neatly placed armor and falchion, waiting for me when I entered.
“Oh, there you are, Mira. I was losing my mind trying to find you. I almost thought you may have left already,” said Milea, voice half frantic.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to make you worry,” I said, taking a peek into the bag's contents.
There was food, and bedrolls, a fire kit, along with an assortment of items I wasn’t sure were completely necessary.
“This is too much, Milea… Really.”
“I just, I want you to be comfortable out there. I wish I could go with you, really.”
“I know,” I nodded, “I understand.”
“There’s some extra clothes in there too. Please - keep those boots.”
She shook her head, still pacing and straightening the contents of the bags once more.
“I’ve already sent them a crane, so they know that you’re coming. Look for Barros… Oh, and there is a place not too far once you leave the swamps that you can get some horses from. Should speed up your journey… Did I put enough blankets in there -”
“Milea, please. This is more than enough,” I said, slipping on the Halmore armor, “Thank you.”
“Aixel, come help carry all this,” she yelled over her shoulder.
I looked up to see Aixel in the kitchen, eating what looked to be leftover stew. Our eyes met for a moment, until he looked down, continuing to chew. He then rose, wiping his face and putting Doris, asleep on the table, in his front pocket.
Aixel took the bags out of both our hands and threw them over his shoulders without protest, and walked towards the door. I started to follow him but was stopped by Milea’s arm.
“Wait - The most important thing,” she said, pulling something out from under her bed.
Wrapped in thick canvas was the most exquisite helmet I had ever seen. The twisting obsidian black stone wrapped like vines around and caging the front. Jagged spikes protruded from the side like thorns, intimidating yet beautiful. There was a sleek, pointed curve to the mask, with weaves of gold shining in lattice woven wards underneath.
“I can’t accept this,” I said, shaking my head. “This is far too much.”
“Shush, girl. It’s been in the works for a while, and you can’t be seen with a dusty old silver thing, especially when the rest of your armor looks like that,” she said, pushing the helmet into my hands,“Wear it proudly.”
I could only give a nod in response, for fear that any words that came out of my mouth would be joined by tears. Milea then leaned forward, wrapping tight around me.
“I’m just a crane away, okay?”
I walked close behind Aixel, following him between the few shops that were opening for the morning. Familiar smells and sounds filled the air as I said my silent goodbye. We turned left and right through a maze of tunnels, all without saying a word to one another.
“Mira? Mira!”
I looked up from my feet to see the familiar face of the young blood mage girl from the battlefield. She looked different now, with her face clean and smiling brightly at me.
“I was hoping to find you - I was scared that you didn’t make it out of there when I didn’t see you down here…” Cylie said, rushing forward and holding my hands in hers.
“Why are you wearing your armor? Are you going somewhere?”
She turned to Aixel who stood waiting, heavy bags on each shoulder. Her eyes widened upon seeing him.
“I’m… We’re heading for the southern camps,” I said.
“Oh! Perfect timing, it’s bound to get cold here soon,” she laughed.
Suddenly, her eyes brightened, and she held my hands tighter.
“Can I come with you? Please? I promise I won’t be a bother. I can take care of myself. It’s just… been a bit dreary here lately,” she frowned.
“No,” muttered Aixel.
“I would love if you could join us, Cylie. An extra pair of eyes on the road never hurts,” I smiled, ignoring Aixel.
“Oh perfect, this is so exciting! Let me just grab a couple of things and I will meet you up there.”
By the time we made it above and outside, we found that Cylie was somehow already there waiting for us. Instead of armor, she wore a dark green cloak, with two silver daggers poking out from beside her belt. He had her hands on her hips, triumphant almost in her demeanor.
Aixel seemed to slump upon seeing her, maybe half expecting her not to come. But when she quickly pulled one of the bags off his shoulders and on to her own, his mood seemed to brighten.
And with that, we began the slow and tedious trek southbound through the western Barren bogs.
Cylie was a strange, butterfly of a person - much different than when I had first met her. Even as we made our way through the knotted path, her steps were light and airy, unaffected by the large pack on her back. I tried to take it from her to hold, my own arms being empty, but she refused
“Absolutely not. You saved my life. This is nothing,” she laughed.
“Speaking of which… Are you from the mountains?” I asked, remembering the vision I saw when I used the binding chain.
Her eyes brightened.
“You saw! Ah, wasn’t it lovely? I hope I can make it back there one day. Maybe find a hidden place out of view from any of the roamers. It was always pretty desolate up there though. Except for every once in a while when the Herculea dragon rider hopefuls would come stomping through, but pa would send the dogs after them,” she laughed, “It was pretty funny watching them roll down the snow in their fancy armor.”
I smiled.
“Are they still up there? Your family?” I asked.
“I think so. I haven’t gotten a crane from them in a while. Last time I saw them, they were chasing off another band of guards, coming to take me to my ‘judgment’ or whatever they call it. I was able to sneak away on one of the direwolves when they were distracted. Made it across the border all by myself in five days time.”
“Direwolves?” I coughed.
“Yeah, we bred them up there. One of the easiest ways to travel the mountains unless you’ve got a griffin or somethin’ else that can fly.”
“So where’s this direwolf now?” suddenly asked Aixel, now curious.
Cylie stumbled a little, looking nervously at Aixel.
“Oh… had to sell him for food, unfortunately. But he’ll make his way back to me. Once you bond with one, that connection can’t be broken. But I don’t think the guy I sold him to knew that… Also - you’re a void mage, right?”
Aixel nodded, almost looking embarrassed.
“Wow,” she muttered, amazed, “I think I’ve seen you before, sneaking through town at night. I asked Gilda at the shop and she said not to ask - ‘It’s Milea’s business.’ It’s strange - usually I’m running away from you guys,” she beamed, “... Other than the few that join us when we’re defending the underground, that is. But I don’t think those guys really like the blood mages either. They always seem so cranky. But wow, I sure am grateful that they were there. Without them and the fae - I’m not sure we could have made it out of there. Do you remember, Mira - Do you remember when the Sylien? That was so amazing! Never in my life did I think I would see such a sight. And the chimera -”
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“Yes… We were there,” grumbled Aixel.
“I know!” I said, running up to Cylie, “Never in my life did I think I would see such a sight. When the bogfae came over the hill - In all the battles I’ve ever read about, in all the bard’s song I’ve ever listened to - never in my life did I think I would experience something like that. Gods! Did you see when Milea jumped off the chimera’s back?”
Aixel let out a groan and thrusted the pack towards me.
I turned to him, confused, but still smiling in my excitement.
“Take this, I’m scouting ahead with Doris, now that we’re out of the anasilan’s influence,” he said flatly.
Before I could respond, he was gone in a cloud of black, spiraling through the trees until out of sight. I grunted with the sudden weight of the pack, then lifted it over my shoulder with a laugh.
Cylie turned to me, voice low and mischievous.
“What’s his problem?”
“He’s… always like that,” I said, shifting my weight under the bag.
“Oh? So there’s no history there I should know about? This is going to be a long journey, Mira…”
I hesitated, unsure of just how much I should divulge.
“I mean, void mages are all creepy… But he’s not the worst looking one I’ve ever seen,” she giggled, elbowing me.
I shook my head.
“It’s… Something happened between us and now things are a bit more awkward than they once were,”I mumbled quickly, regretting the words as soon as they left my mouth.
“Something happened?” she coughed.
“No - nothing like that,” I spat out, “He… he kissed me and… I didn’t kiss him back. So now… Things are a bit strange.”
She gave me a look.
“Is he giving you a hard time about it? Because these daggers are newly sharpened and I can cut off a couple of appendages or two if you’d like. He’s gotta sleep eventually.”
I laughed, “No… no. Just… Don’t mention it, okay? I… I feel bad about it.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Why?” she asked.
“Well… I don’t want to hurt him. I just…” I sighed, trying to find the right words.
Cylie rolled her eyes.
“He’ll get over it. Boys his age can’t sing a song while they buckle their boot. He’ll be fawning over the next bogfae that gives him lovey eyes,” she teased.
She looked again at me and paused, giving me a curious look.
“Mira - I noticed it before when we were out on the field - but why do your eyes look like that? You’re obviously a blood mage. Are they enchanted or something? I’ve never seen anything like it,” asked Cylie.
“Oh… I wish there was an easy explanation. But honestly, I’m not quite sure of it myself,” I sighed.
“Were you born like that? Oh!” she jumped, “What if you’re a chosen one of Solia - somethin’ real special. We’re all disciples but maybe you’re like a Solia princess or something,” she inhaled, eyes bright with excitement as she shook my arm.
“No… no,” I laughed. “It’s nothing like that. I… Gods, where do I even start...”
Cylie let out a warm laugh, “It’s not like we don’t have time, Mira.”
And so I told her. Each new turn was met with excited gasps and new hits to my arm of disbelief, especially when I first spoke about Lumo.
“It was Lumo?” she screamed, sending flocks of birds around us to flee. She covered her mouth, seemingly surprised at her own volume, still smiling, “Prince Lumo? Saved you? Gods, and I thought my direwolf tale was impressive,” she snorted.
Then there was the proud Gaelenod knocking on the cabin door, and Vasati’s precious gift. I told her of our journey to Ciro, which was also met with gasps. As I already knew upon our first arrival to the underground, I knew that he was a legendary figure.
Then there was the Castle Locus, and my armor… Then came Herculea.
It was there, as I told of my encounter with Solia herself, that Cylie stopped.
I turned to her, watching her face drop.
“You asked Solia…” Cylie whispered, “And she actually came. A Solia trial. I’ve heard of it before, but… Who would think it would be true… I suppose that’s why they gag the blood mages before they enter judgment, forbidding any spoken word, so they can’t call upon her.”
It was true, those brought before the Seven Judges, whether blood mage or voided child, were only allowed to write their so-called confessions down. Their mouths were covered, preventing any bewitching words being spoken in case they had hid any sort of magicked artifact with them. It was a protection measure, keeping the wise and honorable council safe from the dangerous mages as they read their final words.
I continued and explained the rest of my tale, although abridged and without any mention of void magic. She listened, brows furrowed in concentration as she absorbed every word.
“And now, here we are - on the run once more,” I gave a sad smile.
Cylie still seemed deep in thought.
“He said to trust him, so why didn’t you?” she finally asked.
“What are you talking about?”
“Lumo. He said to trust him. It was obviously Herculea who showed you the mirror - but why would you take that as truth…” she shook her head, “Sorry, I suppose that’s not my business, but what does she get out of showing you that other than to make you stop looking for him? I mean, even if it’s no illusion, I don’t think Lumo would just happily surrender and marry her without some greater grand plan.”
I exhaled.
“Maybe… Maybe not. But it’s not as though I can go back to the Guide’s tower and find out the truth.”
Cylie frowned.
“I mean, it’s not that much of a stretch with your history,” she laughed, “I just don’t think you should write him out of your story just yet. Also - can I please try on your helmet? I promise I’ll be careful.”
I smiled, “Of course.”
It took until the suns were just about to lower below the tree line when we finally approached the large first clearing and were finally on dry land. I was desperate to take a rest, and never wanted a fire to warm my feet more than at that moment. Aixel was waiting for us, Doris in his hand, looking impossibly bored. When he saw Cylie still wearing my helmet, he shook his head in disapproval.
“Jealous?” she teased, pointing one of her daggers at him in mock-battle stance.
He grumbled, then pulled the pack off of my back.
“We should set up now, before it gets too dark,” he said, sorting through the overstuffed bag’s contents. He pulled out a strange bundle and frowned.
“Really, Milea? A book of recipes?” he sighed to himself.
Cylie threw off the other bag with a dramatic wheeze, then plopped down in the soft grass.
“Should I start a fire?” I asked, pulling a few loose sticks off the ground.
“A fire?” Cylie shot forward. “In the middle of the fields? You really are a brave one, Mira.”
Aixel ignored her and looked up at me, “You can start one. There’s only a couple of imps nearby and we need the warmth.”
“But what if there’s void m-” she caught herself, then gave a sly smile, “Ah… I suppose you’ll protect us then, big strong man.”
She shoved Aixel’s shoulder playfully, and he recoiled away.”
“Don’t touch me,” he grumbled.
“Oh, calm down,” she chuckled, pulling a large canvas sheet out of her bag.
The camp was cozy, with a makeshift tent, propped up with two long twigs on each side and rocks to weigh down its corners. Cylie and I sat beneath the cover while Aixel remained outside by the fire, preferring his distance. We had already had a small meal of leftover stew and bread. I was even able to take a few bites, with the odd effect of Lumo’s magic beginning to dull, much to my relief.
Cylie had told us tales from her childhood of raising the direwolves high near the peaks of Mount Cria. Every summer, she and her family would bring the wolves down the mountain to sell to the Slathe. They were a favorite of the bustling port town, and the fiercest of hunters from countries near and far would make their way to get a pup of their own.
We were making tiny woven wards beneath the firelight using the nearby tall grass. Cylie showed me how she made them in the mountains, using the thinnest of grasses as plants were a rarity so high up. I, in turn, showed her what Lumo had taught me, while Aixel watched us both, pretending not to listen to our moonlit chatter.
“So who would you rather marry?” Cylie asked with a mischievous grin, firelight making her look particularly sinister, “A bogfae, the anasilan, Myrot, or a void mage?”
“I can hear you,” shouted Aixel from outside.
“Sorry,” Cylie shouted, “No boys allowed.”
“Doris is welcome to join us!” I called out.
Aixel shot us a look from behind the smoke.
“Fine - A bogfae, the anasilan, Myrot, or old man Findel?”
“Who’s old man Findel?” I asked.
“The creepy guy who sells rocks? Swears they’re dragon eggs?”
I blinked, shaking my head.
“Fine, ok. Between the three then - which would you marry?”
“...Myrot?”
I heard a dramatic gag from across the fire, with Cylie looking equally disgusted in front of me.
“What? The rest aren’t even human,” I laughed.
“Myrot? The snake? Oh Mira, you need to spend some more time with your fellow blood mages. I’m embarrassed for you,” she shook her head dramatically.
“Well then? What about you?” I asked.
Cylie crossed her arms.
“Well, I’d just jump off a cliff,” she said flatly.
“That’s not fair.”
She laughed.
“Perhaps a bogfae? They can turn into anything, right?” she smiled.
I don’t remember the last time I was this happy. There was so much joy, so much laughter and comfort. I felt as though all of the weights were beginning to lift off of me. Could this be what it was like to go to one of the four schools? Days filled with friends and gossip, instead of all the anxious uncertainty and fear?
When I thought of seeing Cylie back on the battlefield, terrified and trembling, staring up at me, it filled me with such overwhelming sadness. She was such a bright light, fire of a person, excited and clever. She did not belong on any battlefield, no matter how skilled a fighter she may have been.
When would this all end?