-Forgotten Remnant-
To Red’s credit, she wasn’t surprised. She merely nodded her head while taking a massive swig from her glass. The four Trucesan men took turns gasping and talking over each other in excitement, confusion, and curiosity.
Jordan took in the scene with a smile. What a relief that the lineal had been Cal instead of her.
The captain looked over his crew with a shrug of his shoulders and set his now-empty glass down on the polished wooden table in front of them. “I’ve finally managed to finish my drink. Now, if I recall correctly, you wanted answers about the Forgotten Trio, isn’t that right?” Winsom said.
“Yes. And you said I might find answers here… and that was before I knew you and the innkeeper were twins!”
“True, true. We might know something that could aid you in your journey, but we’ll have to take this conversation outside.”
“What, you don’t trust us, Cap’?” Yinc asked, his big brown eyes sad.
“Course he doesn’t trust you, you massive pile of brainless muscle,” Berren said disdainfully.
“Sounds like he doesn’t trust any of us, but that’s okay, I wouldn’t either,” Smiley said, living up to his name once more.
“It has nothing to do with trust. Now, if you’ll excuse us…” Winsom snapped, standing from the table and inviting Jordan to join him. “Oh, and Sareth, Red, you can join us.”
The four men began talking over each other again, but Cal was quick to say, “Who would like to hear about a sulfin attack?” Jordan flashed him a look of thanks, which seemed to bring a slight degree of color to his cheeks, but he quickly recovered, beginning to dramatically tell the story of the creatures’ nest and the ensuing battle, complete with hand signals and sound effects.
Their attention completely captured, Winsom tipped his hat toward Cal in gratitude before leading the small trio out a side door onto a large, wraparound balcony constructed from the same hulking logs Jordan had noticed on their hike up to the inn.
Salty sea wind greeted them, and the captain took an appreciative whiff before walking over to the railing and looking out toward the Glacian Sea, large waves crashing against the rocks below them and throwing up pearly sea spray.
“Jordan, it’s been many years since I heard of the Forgotten Trio, and hundreds since our family learned of the ancients.
“You see, centuries ago, when the Forgotten Trio fell into obscurity, they entrusted their resting place to my however-many-greats grandfather.
“Their brother paid my ancestor handsomely for holding and passing on the location at the right time to the right individual.”
“It’s with that money that great-great etcetera Grandfather, Lawst Winsom, built the Forgotten Refuge in homage to the trio, with the intent of providing a place to stay and food to eat for those less fortunate, like he himself had been growing up,” Eithan said, coming up behind them suddenly.
“And why have Red and I been invited to be part of this conversation?” Sareth asked, cutting straight to the point, her icy eyes serious even as she twirled her knife in her right hand.
“As much as I love the boys, they’re a little too distracting and untrained to help with something like this. But you two, I can spare you for a couple weeks, and I refuse to send one person after the Forgotten Trio alone,” Winsom said.
“But didn’t you say that Lawst was waiting for the right individuals? How do you know that I’m one of them? I don’t even know that,” Jordan said.
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“Simple,” Eithan interjected, “you’re a Guildedsun. All Guildedsuns fall under Lawst’s pact with the brother.”
“All?” Jordan echoed.
“Of course. The Forgotten Trio was formed millennia ago. You didn’t think it would apply to only you, did you?”
“No, I just hadn’t considered… has anyone in my family line contacted the Forgotten Trio before?”
Eithan winked at her and said, “That’s between the individual and the Forgotten Trio. We don’t make the rules. But you come from a fascinating family line. You should do some research into your ancestors…”
“Shouldn’t we tell her how to travel there?” Winsom interrupted.
“Naturally, Jarred, I was just getting to that part. It’s not like I get to talk to people about the Forgotten Trio every day you know. Now, do you have a map of Ealias?”
“Smiley gave me one while we were walking here,” Jordan said. Conveniently, Smiley hadn’t only had a map, but a round brass cylinder to hold it and protect it from the elements. She’d clipped it to her belt, where it hung beside her scabbard.
Removing it from its brass case, she handed it to Eithan. Although it was full-size, it seemed small in Eithan’s broad hands, hands which probably handled the large serving trays with ease.
He unfurled it gently, taking his time to ensure the map, which was extremely old, didn’t tear.
“Red, would you mind fetching us a table?”
Directed at anyone else the request would have seemed odd, but she nodded cordially and disappeared back into the Forgotten Refuge, returning with a small round table a moment later.
Settling it in front of Eithan, Red stepped aside, giving the large innkeeper space to spread the map before them. The five of them gathered around the parchment, studying Ealias.
Smiley hadn’t been joking—the map of Ealias seemed far more detailed than the maps she’d seen hanging in the academy.
Parts of the map were smudged, the minuscule handwriting impossible to make out, but it still contained information that baffled Jordan. She’d have to take more time to study it later, when she had a moment to spare.
“The path the three of you will take can only be taken on foot. Not because the ancients didn’t have rowders, but because part of conversing with the Forgotten Trio is traveling to their lair the traditional way. Consider it the rite of passage to speak with the three ancients.”
“Are they Abysmals?” Sareth asked, interest sparking in her icy eyes.
“No one in the Winsom line has ever met or spoken to the Forgotten Trio. It’s not our right. Our only task is to guard their location and lead worthy individuals to them. Red and Sareth, as Jordan’s companions on this quest of sorts, you will be permitted to meet the Forgotten Trio and each ask them one question, which they will be bound to answer.
“Consider your question wisely—very few receive this privilege.”
“But why choose us?” Red asked, perplexed.
“Jarred has vouched for your character and abilities in the past. As innkeeper, I have the final say in Jordan’s two companions, and I think the two of you have the fortitude and determination to reach the Forgotten Trio and endure their immortal presence.
“You’re correct for thinking that it didn’t have to be you. It didn’t have to be Jordan either. But her family line was capable of moving certain events forward, events only the Forgotten Trio are privy to.
“If her line had been broken or fallen into darkness, the responsibility and privilege would have passed to another. Clearly the three ancients have waited a long time to select a champion—centuries later, and they are still waiting.
“Jordan, the only advice I can give you is the advice given to Lawst when he was selected as guardian of this sacred trust—approach the Forgotten Trio with perfect honesty and transparency. Anything less, and you will become another dull chain in the link, waiting for a future descendant to be worthy and willing.”
Jordan bowed her head, the weight and responsibility falling over her like an ancient Forlorn crown, crusted with Orenda-infused jewels.
“That being said,” Winsom was quick to add, noticing the invisible burden settling over Jordan, “visiting the Forgotten Trio is not a death sentence, nor is it impossible.
“Trust me,” he smiled, “I wouldn’t be lending you the brains and brawn of my crew if I thought it was a fool’s errand. The three of you are well-equipped to reach the three ancients and counsel with them.”
Winsom’s words had their desired effect: the dread coursing through Jordan began to change to determination. She straightened, removing the hood and kneeling, her blonde hair falling around her like a curtain.
“I’m willing to accept this task, and I will strive to be found worthy.”
“I know you will,” Eithan smiled, extending a hand and bringing her back to her feet. “Now, let’s update that map of yours.”