Chapter 26: IRONHAVEN

----------------------------------------

Kyra’s father was equally impressive and intimidating.

Aric, easily a head taller than Cragmarr, filled the doorway with his broad shoulders. His dark hair was streaked with silver, pulled back neatly to reveal a sharp, angular face marked by a few deep lines. But his eyes were mesmerizing, an intense shade of swirling black and violet. I couldn’t stop staring.

His purple robes were embroidered with gold threads, the dark and luxurious fabric falling in heavy folds, brushing the floor as he moved. The clothing was fit for royalty, and every detail was carefully crafted to project power. Despite the richness of his attire, there was nothing soft or gentle about Lord Aric. His voice was deep and resonant, with a hint of warmth verging on humility.

He led us past a pile of broken vases into another chamber with a crackling fireplace. As we sat, he poured us tea and folded his hands on the table.

“Thank you,” he began, “for bringing Kyra safely to Ironhaven. She told me who you are and what you did. I can see she’s grown into a remarkable young woman. For that, I’m grateful to you both for her safety.”

“She can hold her own,” I said. “We just came along for the ride… um… my lord?”

“Aric is fine.”

“Aric, what are you going to do now?”

Aric’s gaze dropped before he answered, “I have no choice but to escort her back to Queen Zenobia—her mother. As much as it pains me, I’m powerless in this. Kyra is the princess, the heir to the Amazons. Keeping her here would be considered defiance, even a declaration of war.”

“But how can you do that to your daughter? She doesn’t want to go back.”

“Please do not speak to me as if I am ignorant.”

He sighed deeply and drained his entire cup of tea in one swallow.

"I loved Kyra’s mother when she first came to Ironhaven," he said. "She was strong and passionate but wasn’t a queen yet. Everything changed when she ascended the throne—something hardened in her. Zenobia became dogmatic, obsessed with the Amazon code above all else." He stood, walking over to the window.

"I’ve tried to protect Kyra in the only ways I could. I sent her pets like Ebon—small gifts to remind her she was never forgotten. But I kept her a secret from Tavian and Elara, thinking it was for the best. Now, I see how much I’ve failed her. And them."

"So what now?" I said. "You’re her father. And you’re going to let her become a baby factory for one of your rich buddies?"

"Ember," Cragmarr whispered.

Without turning from the window, Aric's presence shifted. The air grew thick and oppressive. A powerful aura radiated from him, crashing into us like a tidal wave. I gasped for air, my knees buckling as I slid off my seat. Cragmarr fell beside me, his teacup shattering in his hand.

My throat tightened, choking me from the inside out, like my chest was collapsing. I tried to speak, but all that came out was a strained gag. Something rose in my throat, and I coughed violently, spitting out a Zii coin onto the floor.

Aric kept gazing out the window.

The crushing weight lifted. I gasped for air as the Zii coin rolled away. Silence fell over the room, broken only by our ragged breaths and the crackling of the hearth. Aric didn’t move, his gaze still fixed out the window.

“Please, forgive us, Lord Aric,” Cragmarr rasped.

“No, forgive me, Cragmarr. As you know, these are trying times. All you are trying is to protect my daughter’s honor.”

The room finally stopped spinning. Grabbing my Zii coin, it dissolved in my palm as I climbed back into my chair.

“Lord Aric,” I coughed. “I don’t have the best relationship with my dad. But I miss him—a lot. I’ve screwed up many things in my life, but I’m now learning I regret that the most.”

“Why did you agree to bring her here?” he asked. “The Emperor territories are unkind to your faction. Kyra told me you had another reason.”

“I need to find an elf named Jon Deerfoot.”

“I see,” Aric reached into his robes and withdrew a small pouch. With a casual flick, he tossed it onto the table, the sound of coins jingling as it landed.

“We’ve done business with them in the past,” Aric explained. “You’ll need this if you plan to deal with Jon. But be careful—don’t trust any of the Deerfoots. They’re dangerous. Jon is the worst of them all.”

“Thank you, Aric,” I said.

“Now, you need to leave, both of you. Zenobia would never tolerate your release after what you did. I will arrange a night hunt and be off the grounds. It is your opportunity to escape, but it must look real, or my head will roll alongside yours.”

“Thank you, Lord Aric,” Cragmarr stood and waited for me to do the same. “You have been most gracious.”

“You can stay in the guest house tonight, but come dawn, you must be gone,” Aric said, moving to the door and opening it.

NEW QUEST: ESCAPE IRONHAVEN

Find a way to escape the Ironhaven estate.

* * *

I paced in circles in the Jingozi area.

“What do you want to do?” the voice asked.

“Grab Kyra and get the hell away from this damn mess,” I said.

“You’d be on the run. From two factions.”

“Well, it’s better than the alternative.”

“And then what?”

“Are you saying I shouldn’t do it?”

“Not at all, Ember. I want you to think it through.”

“What do you think I should do?”

“Trust your heart.”

“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

“This decision is up to you. Whatever you choose, you have my support.”

“That’s something Cragmarr would say.”

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

“Yes, I do like him.”

“What is all this then?” I extended my arms and spun in a circle. “You’re this voice that helps me sometimes, but then you leave me high and dry other times? Who are you, or exactly what are you anyway? And no more abstract self-help bullshit.”

“I am Alphathir. That is my name.”

“So, you’re like a god?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes,” he paused, but I said nothing. “I am the god to end all gods.”

“Like the Jingozi?”

“The Jingozi are not gods. They are a religion. I will destroy that religion and their system.”

“Man, I cannot take this right now,” I huffed. “We can come back to this. What do I do about Kyra?”

“What do you know you should do?”

“I have absolutely no idea, which is why I am here.”

“That is the response of an orphan. You want someone to tell you what to do. I am asking you what you know.”

“I. Do. Not. Know.”

“If you did know, what would you say?”

I wouldn’t admit it, but that was a damn good question. I knew exactly what I needed to do.

“This conversation,” I said, “is not done. We’re picking it up again ASAP.”

“I look forward to it.

* * *

“Why won’t you help me?” Kyra cried out, her voice breaking. “I can’t go back to the Amazons! You know what that means for me!”

Her desperate pleas echoed through the small foyer of the guest house. She stomped back and forth, her frustration growing with each step. Cragmarr and I stood across from her while two knights flanked the door, gripping polearms buzzing with energy. The taser-like weapons, identical to those the Samurai used, were highly effective against Jingozi players—they disrupted cards.

“Kyra, going home is for the best,” I said. “It’s where you belong. You’re the princess, the heir. You can’t just be on the run for life.”

Kyra turned to me, her expression shifting from anger to something more vulnerable.

“There’s something you don’t know, Ember. During my Jingozi trials, I met someone—another apprentice. He’s from the Emperor faction and Tavian’s friend. And… I love him, Ember. I want to be with him.”

“What the hell, princess? So, all that stuff about your brother was a load of crap?”

“Would you have helped me if you knew the truth?”

“That’s not the point. You’re throwing it all away—over a boy?”

God, I sound like a boomer parent right now.

“Yes! I would die for him.”

“Listen, it isn’t worth it,” I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Kyra, but this isn’t the way.”

The heavy footfalls of armor marching in unison came from outside. The guards in the room stiffened, raising their charged polearms as Cragmarr peered out the window.

“They are coming,” Cragmarr said. “I count at least four knights and ten guards.”

Damn, I had assumed that Lord Aric was going to let us slip out in the middle of the night. I guess this was what he meant by making it look legitimate. Let's put on a good show—if it doesn't get us all killed, that is.

I grabbed Kyra by the hair and pulled her close, whispering, “Play along.” Yanking her in front of me, I charged a Jingozi card and held it to her throat.

“She has the princess,” a guard yelled as they backed to the door.

“Stand aside!” I shouted. “If you want her to live, you’ll let us go!”

The door burst open, and we stepped out into the night—Kyra still held firmly in my grasp. The courtyard was teeming with guards, their weapons drawn, unsure of what to do. They parted a path for us to walk through.

“I swear, I will cut her throat right here,” I hissed. “And you can explain to Lord Aric how you let his daughter die!”

We pushed through the crowd. The guards’ eyes followed our every move, but no one dared try anything. As soon as we cleared the line of soldiers, I embraced Kyra tight.

“Sorry, princess,” I whispered.

With a swift blow to the back of the head, she fell unconscious, slumping through my arms onto the ground.

I can’t let you die like Hiro.

My next card erupted into a dense cloud of smoke, shrouding us in a thick fog. We bolted, leaving Kyra behind as the ground trembled beneath us. The sound of hooves thundered closer—a squad of knights on horseback burst from the shadows, their energy swords crackling through the night. They charged straight at us.

I hurled smoke bomb after smoke bomb, filling the air with an impenetrable haze. Searching for cover, I veered left, sprinting past a structure. As I passed, Cragmarr’s hand shot out, yanking me into a narrow alley between two buildings. He signaled for silence, pulling me into one of the structures, and quietly shut the heavy door behind us—the moonlight streaming through the windows, revealing old carriages and scattered equipment.

We pressed ourselves against the wall, watching through narrow slits in the windows, our breaths shallow as the guards searched for us. The crunch of boots on gravel and the barked orders echoed louder with every step—they were closing in. It was only a matter of time.

I scanned the courtyard outside and spotted a large stable across from us. I nudged Cragmarr, pointing in that direction.

“Keep your eyes on that stable,” I whispered. “I’ll create a distraction. When the guards are drawn away, sneak out and head for safety. I’ll find you after I escape.”

Cragmarr frowned, clearly not thrilled with the plan.

“I know,” I said, “but it’s our best shot. Trust me.”

He gave a reluctant nod.

I blinked through the Jingozi arena, reappearing outside the shadowed structure. Slipping inside, the scent of hay and animal musk hit me first. But instead of horses, rows of hulking beasts filled the stalls—creatures part rhinoceros, part buffalo. Twice the size of any horse, the heads were rhinos with the bodies covered in shaggy fur like buffalo. Saddled and surprisingly calm, their wide eyes tracked me with mild curiosity.

Two of you should do just fine…

I heard a snort and a rattle as I worked on untying the knots. In the far corner, a massive cage stood, its iron bars barely holding the beast within. Inside was another rhino-buffalo, but this one was the size of an elephant and had three heads. Its six eyes gleamed with fury, shifting restlessly against the shackle on each leg.

I fired cards at the chain bindings, and with a clatter, they fell away. The creature stirred with a snort. Stepping behind the enclosure for cover, I hit it with a fire shot right in the ass.

The three-headed beast exploded through the bars with a roar, tearing through the stable’s stone wall. It charged into the courtyard, a living battering ram scattering the guards in a frenzy. They tried to subdue it with their stun weapons, but the electric shocks only enraged it further. The beast trampled everything in its path, sending armored bodies flying.

Grabbing the reins of two rhino-buffalos, I swung myself onto one and led them through the new exit in the broken wall. The courtyard was in utter chaos—the three-headed monster rampaged while the guards scrambled to contain it. I bolted for the carriage house, urging my mount forward.

“Cragmarr! Get on!”

Cragmarr burst out of the carriage house and leaped onto the second rhino-buffalo mid-stride. With a swift kick, we tore through the courtyard. I emptied my deck, smoke bombs bursting everywhere. With a final surge, we crashed through the gate, iron bars splintering as we rode into the night. The chaos behind us faded, the guards too preoccupied to give chase.

In the distance, Kyra cried my name.

QUEST COMPLETE: ESCAPE IRONHAVEN

Find a way to escape the Ironhaven estate.

* * *

By the time the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, my body was aching with exhaustion from riding all night. But we couldn’t afford to stop. Not yet.

Krya’s voice echoed in my mind. I couldn’t shake it, and doubt gnawed at my decision.

* * *

As the morning sun climbed higher, I signaled for us to stop. The sturdy rhino-buffalos were tireless but deserved a break. Cragmarr pulled up beside me, his expression calm as expected.

“What are these creatures called?” I asked, patting its neck. The rhino-buffalo rumbled as it grazed.

“In the north, they are known as thunderhorns, bred for rough terrain,” he said. “But in the south, there is a breed called a tuskwind. Their horns protrude forward like the tusks of the elephants from your world.”

“How do you know what an elephant looks like?”

“We have them here in our world, too.”

“What about those horse robots with six legs I rode during my trials? What are those called?

“Steed golems. They are enslaved metal golems trapped in a suit of horse armor.”

“Well, that sucks.”

Cragmarr dismounted, producing a Zii coin and feeding it to his thunderhorn.

“You’re kidding me. They eat Zii?”

“Yes. It provides energy and bonds them to their rider.”

“When in Rome, I guess,” I jumped off my thunderhorn and fed it a Zii coin. It nudged me with its leathery snout.

“What is our next step?” Cragmarr asked.

I retrieved the map Valen had given me from my inventory, unfurling it so Cragmarr could see. The parchment was marked with detailed sketches of the terrain, with a clear path leading to a location circled in red. A glowing red heart marked my current location.

“This is where we’re going,” I pointed to the spot on the map. “Jon Deerfoot’s is here. An elf that knows him marked it for me.”

Cragmarr studied the map for an extra moment—brow furrowed in concentration.

“We are close,” he said. “Only a three-day ride by thunderhorn.”

“Okay,” I folded the map and stored it in my inventory.

We kicked the thunderhorns back into motion at a brisk yet measured pace.

“That was a difficult choice with Kyra,” Cragmarr said. “I was surprised.”

“Yeah, me too,” I said. “It was a last-minute decision.”

“How did you choose?”

“When the Jingozi sends me home, I don’t want to leave my host a fugitive. And as I thought about it… I realized that not every problem is mine to solve. Taikumi taught me that. I need to accept things in this world and not take myself so damn seriously in the process.” I glanced at Kyra’s familiar ring given to me as a thoughtful gift. “She’ll figure it out… but probably hate me for it.”

“What is your plan with Jon Deerfoot?”

“I’m going to punch him in the face until he helps me get to the Emperor. There’s a prisoner in Edric’s dungeon—an old man—no idea if he’s even alive. But I can’t shake the feeling that everything’s coming together for a reason. Plus, I need to clear my name.”

“How?”

“Well, Crag, I have absolutely no clue. That’s a problem for future Ember.”