With her back straight, Rayna sat cross legged on the slate floor. She didn’t need to open her eyes to feel the surrounding darkness of the room; the emptiness of the gap lay between herself, and the solemn walls.
Letting out her breath as slow as possible, Rayna felt her skin prickle. She felt the cool hardness of the slate below her. A frantic movement swept its way through her, from one arm to the other, back and forth, as if desperate to escape.
Rowan’s calming voice echoed in her ear, “Find him. Hone your eneryia and his spirit as one.”
Rayna continued as still as she could make herself be. The frantic spirit moved about her, slowing to a standstill for a moment, fluttering in her chest. With another breath she felt the eneryia course through her, homing in on the spirit’s location.
Pressure built between the two conjoining forces; the resistance grows. Rayna’s heartbeat grew quicker, each pulse an echoed drumbeat in the total silence.
The beat grew in crescendo, and reaching the heightened climax Rayna, the cool sensation in her veins began to dissipate. In the deafening sound of her heartbeat, she searched. Come back, come back, come back.
The spirit of the raven fluttered about her, then retreated deeper within, till the movements faded out of reach. Seemingly all at once, the room was still once more.
Opening her eyes, Rayna could feel the reflection of defeat, and her face failed to hide the despair. Rowan however, simply smiled with that genuine look of motherly grace. Rowan sat opposite Rayna in the same position, “He’s a stubborn one isn’t he.”
Rayna could not stop herself from grinning, though she did resist.
Rowan clearly saw through it, “He will emerge in time. It takes practice and patience to call upon the spirits of the realm. Even after we preserve them.”
Rowan’s shadowed figure displayed clear as day, despite the darkness of the room. It is quite surreal when the sight adjusts to total darkness. Rayna relaxed her posture resting her arms on her knees. “The connection does not yet feel… complete.”
Rowan watched Rayna, pondering, before replying. Shifting from contemplation into genuine warmth, she finally answered. “Did you name him?”
Rayna sat puzzled, “What do you mean?”
Rowan gracefully stood up and slowly made her way to the nearest wall, pulling down a blinder at a hairline’s depth letting the afternoon’s light sneak in. The brightness pierced the darkest corners of the room, illuminating enough to fill the room with warmth.
The slate stones beneath her absorbed as much as they could. The light boldening their rich pine hue. Rayna pressed each hand behind her to lean back and continue facing Rowan from her position.
Rowan made her way back over to Rayna and crouched beside her, “You must give him a name if you hope to call upon him, no?”
Tiny little paws perched themselves upon rowan’s shoulder. Residing in the shadows of the room, Lessy, Rowan’s spirit bound meerkat, sat upright watching Rayna. With beady black eyes, ink dipped ears and tail, and fur that looked soft to the touch despite its sandstone hue.
Rayna stood herself upright, slowly letting an open palm to Lessy. The meerkat hopped onto Rayna’s hand, basking in the daylight, the beauty of the spirit form.
As daylight fell upon the meerkat, the sandstone fur became more and more transparent, retaining its color at the tips and focal points. From the tips of the fur, ears, tail, Lessy let off tiny ashen vapors. Bits of fiery orange flakes danced in the daylight before they too dissipated. Absolutely captivating.
Despite the fiery appearance of Lessy, the paws are cool, soft to the touch. He spun himself around Rayna’s body before hopping back to Rowan. Rayna watched, beaming as Lessy returned with Rowan. “Geith.”
Rowan watched her with a puzzled look. Rayna reiterated. “I shall call him Geith.”
“Ah! There we go.” Rowan continued inquisitively, “And what significance does the name carry for your newfound Geith?”
Rayna hesitated as the words flowed slowly, “It was the name of someone I once knew, when I was a Deathwalker.” Rayna quickly added in, “I know we are not supposed to delve – “
Rowan put a finger to her lips, “We’ll keep that between us, my dear.” Earnestly, “If the sentiment helps tie the bond, go for it.” Rowan opened the blinders fully now, painting the rest of the room its true color. Rayna still squinted from the rush of light. “Now. That is enough practice for one day. You should join the others and meet with Grent.”
Rayna let her eyes adjust before she replied, “Thank you, Rowan.”
Rowan brushed her away, encouraging her out the door, “No need to thank me, dear. Now go get your arms before he gives them away to Lugus.”
~~~
Devren, Voltaen, and Lugus stood conversing under the archways outside the Shadowmancer castle. Devren was the first to spot Rayna walking towards them from within the castle. “There you are, about time!”
The others turned once Devren cut from their conversation, Voltaen patting Lugus on the shoulders. “Good, now we can all watch Grent yell at Lugus.”
Even from a distance Lugus loomed over the other two in height, and with that glare to Voltaen, an extra few centimeter for good measure. Once she reached the three other recruits, Rayna leaned against a stone pillar with her hands tucked in her pockets. “Is it true you asked Grent to make you two swords?”
Devren gazed back at Lugus puzzlement clear on his face, “What are you going to do with two short swords?”
Lugus laughed, “More than you Devren, that’s for sure.” He threw in a quick glance to Rayna, “Training with physical weapons will do until we come across more of the… other kind.”
Voltaen conceded, “He’s not wrong. How often could we possibly be coming across nearly dying creatures?”
Devren’s mouth went agape, “I think that’s what he plans to use the swords for.”
Rayna lost herself in laughter as she added, “Lugus the goal is to preserve the creatures of the realm not drive them to extinction.”
Lugus crossed his arms across his chest, “We may find out who will be the first to preserve a creature’s essence just yet.”
Rayna pointed a finger at him. “And what exactly are you implying?”
Lugus smirked, “Well for all we know you did not truly capture the raven’s essence. I think it should only count if you can summon him forth.”
The other two glanced inquisitively between Lugus and Rayna before she gave reply. “I absolutely – “
Lugus cut her off, “No, no. The first to summon the creature from within.”
Rayna resolved reluctantly, you’re a real pain in the – “You’re on.”
Voltaen waved his hands in front of both Rayna and Lugus, “Now hold on here, don’t rule us out of this. I want in.”
Devren, “I as well. Certainly, you don’t intend to take all the glory for yourself, Lugus. Though if I had to bet on it, my coin is on Rayna.”
Voltaen smiled and put his open hand to Devren, “One platinum malic.”
Devren did not miss a beat. He met and shook Voltaen’s hand. “One platinum malic it is.”
Lugus gripped their conjoined hands with his, never taking his eyes off Rayna, “So be it.”
A whole platinum malic for this farce. Rayna joined the other three, “A platinum malic for when you all lose.”
The four recruits broke away at the same time, Voltaen was radiant with admiration over what had transpired from this. “Now let’s get to the forge so we can loosen Lugus’ purse some more.”
Devren jumped in before Lugus could retort, “I’m sure Forge Master Grent will have no problem assisting in that matter.”
Lugus just shook his head as the four of them began to weave their way through the outskirts of the Shadowmancer District, to the nearby guild forge.
The afternoon’s light was heavy in the sky, will not be much longer till nightfall.
The four approached the forge, pausing outside to realize it is nearly as busy inside as it is outside. Leatherworkers were set up two at every station. One knelt at the tanning rack, the other organizing the leather pieces themselves across the table next to it.
The rapid-fire clanging of metal gave evidence it was a similar scene inside on the anvils as well. While the four recruits stared in awe at all the commotion the forge bolstered, Forge Master Grent came out from within the dome structure itself bearing a large hide of a beauke slung over his shoulder, seems to be as close as that man gets to a shirt.
Slinging the hide over on to the nearest table, he caught sight of the four recruits, waving them over brusquely.
Devren continued to watch people move about him, “Should we come back at another time?”
Grent dismissed the notion, “There is no other time. You’re all heading out this evening.”
The four looked to each other to see if anyone knew, no we did not. Lugus spoke up first, “This evening?”
Grent nodded his head and waved them inwards, shouting back over his shoulder as he led them past the anvils. “Lessiel gave the word a few hours ago.”
The wave of heat hit Rayna by surprise, just as much so as the first time. Sweat beaded up on Rayna’s face, she looked down at her hands which were beginning to sweat at mere moments in here.
Leading them past the main area, Grent shut the door to the armory behind them, drowning out a good majority of the metal clanging. Rubbing his hands together in anticipation, he looked them over each in turn.
The four recruits stood before him in a long hall-like room filled wall to wall with weaponry. The metal glistened in the candle light, easily drawing in the attention, there must be thousands. On the other side there was a wall with stacked chests that rose much higher than Grent himself.
By the time Rayna was done basking in awe of it all, she glanced behind Grent to see four large chests pulled aside apart from the others.
“Firstly, for you Rayna.” Unclasping the locks on the first chest, he let the top fall open and stepped back.
Rayna walked up to it, even before she lifted the pieces from the chest, the presentation itself was worthy of note.
Inside was an obsidian black cloak, thick and warm to the touch, neatly wrapped in a square on top of the other pieces. Next to it were two purely leather vambraces in the Shadowmancer’s hue, accented with beautiful, intricate designing inlaid about it in pearlescent white.
In similar design, underneath lay a leather cuirass bound at the neck with leather string, and all the way down to the waistline that looked to fit her and only her. She lifted the piece from the chest, and her momentum brought the armor piece upwards much quicker than she anticipated. So light.
Continuing to rummage through the chest Rayna found an assortment of belts, pouches, thick riding pants, and boots at the bottom. This is incredible.
Rayna took her head out of the chest to find Grent had introduced the other chests to their owners as well now. “Grent this is absolutely amazing work.”
Grent was unfurling Voltaen’s cloak for him, and stopped mid-stride when Rayna spoke.
Grent’s face flushed, definitely takes pride in his work. “I personally worked on all four of your armors.” He chuckled to himself, “My way of leaving my mark on each person that enters the fold.”
Distracting from himself he nodded to Rayna’s armor pieces. “Still have to try them on though, and see if any adjustments need adjusting.”
Rayna smiled and began to assemble the outfit, unlacing the cuirass to start. While she prepped the armor pieces, she curiously watched what Grent had prepared for the others.
All four recruits had received the styled cloak, seeing it on Devren however, revealed the burning wings of the seraph on the back, along with the full Shadowmancer sigil embossed in even darker black.
Devren was nearly finished trading off his current armored wares with what Grent had made him. He definitely capitalized on Devren’s liking for steel.
From the dark dyed greaves and bracers, to the prominent pauldrons on his shoulders, leather took the foundation as Rayna’s armor had as well. However, Devren’s armor pieces were lined with a rustic blackened steel on the accents. Especially on the bracers, steel took more of the surface than not.
The chest piece itself was the most impressive. Styled after a steel chest plate, again Grent built the foundation in leather, and around the chest itself was an intricate steel design hued in the same fashion as the other pieces. The Shadowmancer sigil inlaid at the center in a brighter steel made of a magnificent display. It looks much heavier than mine, but he moves about easily enough… Almost seems regal in a sense.
Voltaen’s style was built upon his current favor as well. In place of his own, he now wore a heavier leather trench coat with seemingly small pauldrons that fit right over his shoulders. His vambraces, pauldrons, greaves, and all accents were dyed azuline exposing the weaved designs embossed about them.
Lugus was strapping on his bracers, but was just about finished as well. In contrast to Voltaen, he bore a much lighter trench coat, and underneath was a blood dyed leather cuirass. Ebony and the hue of blood, no surprise there. Save for the slim leather greaves, his armor accents were minimal. Even his gloves were fingerless.
As Rayna pulled on her last boot, Grent came behind her, unfurled the cloak, and placed it upon her. “How does it all fit?”
Rayna took a few steps letting her feet settle in the fresh leather. Devren, Voltaen, and Lugus were moving about testing the armor’s stretch points and at a quick glimpse, I would have mistaken them for full grown men in that armor. “Fits perfectly, Forge Master Grent.”
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Voltaen was walking in circles swinging his fist through the air, “This is fantastic. However, I do feel it is missing something.”
Rayna rolled her eyes, imbecile.
Grent laughed and slapped Voltaen’s back as he made his way to the weapon racks and began sifting through them. Voltaen staggered forward eyes bulging from the impact, serves you right.
Peering through the racks, Grent called to Rayna, “First, for the Lady Rayna.”
Facing Rayna, Grent held an ebony dyed sheathe in between his two outstretched palms. The same fashioned design from her cuirass lay on the length of the sheathe itself in ivory. Resting on top was a smaller sheathe about a third the length.
Rayna thanked Grent graciously, taking the bundle in her hands, moving hastily back out of the way, before Voltaen tramples me over.
“Come on over Voltaen, I have yours as well.” Handing Voltaen a similar bundle, Voltaen took a longsword and dagger versus the short.
Devren had not even reached Grent for his weaponry before Voltaen had his longsword unsheathed and swinging about.
Grent handed Devren a long sheathe nearly one and a half meters long, and in the other hand Grent handed Devren a shoulder strap for the massive weapon. “Take care with this one Devren, the momentum of the claymore can be a vicious beast to tame.”
As Devren turned, Grent’s face grew sterner. “And for you, Lugus,” Grent pulled out a longsword sheathe slightly longer than Voltaen’s, and on top was a smaller dagger sheathe. “Let’s see what you manage with this.”
Lugus unsheathed the dagger first. “A stiletto, not keen for swiping, but will make an excellent defense should your adversary draw too near.” Grent watched as Lugus unsheathed the longsword, “And for your main-hand defense, a longer breed of longsword with a bit more kick in the swing.”
Without giving Lugus a chance to speak, Grent moved away from the weapon racks, “You survive a full cycle we’ll talk about a curved blade like the one you’ve got on your mind.”
Rayna couldn’t suppress the laughter, neither could Voltaen apparently. Lugus eyed the blade up and down, “It will do.”
Rayna pulled the dagger’s hilt slightly from the sheathe. Revealing the inlaid weaving work on the blade itself to match the sheathe. Sheathing the blade, she placed the bundle of weapons on the nearby bench and began to remove the armor. Much easier to put on than to take off.
The others followed suit after some encouraging from Grent, and soon enough the war armor was packed away in the chests. She clasped the sword at her waist and dagger on the outside of her thigh, turning to watch Devren handle the claymore.
With the strap going across his chest and back the claymore rested over his shoulder. If the sword drew endurance from Devren he did not show it. He stood waiting for Lugus and Voltaen.
“I feel like I can still make good use of this cloak.” Voltaen was reluctantly clasping the armor chest shut with the cloak still inside.
Grent moved the armor chests back into storage one by one, Voltaen’s eyes followed as Grent took his. “On the cusp of midsummer?”
It was Lugus who laughed this time while Voltaen protested. “Not midsummer just yet, and the nights are certainly brisk enough!”
Grent began encouraging Voltaen and the rest out of the shop with his hands. “Save your coin, Voltaen. You’ll be fine.”
By the time Grent managed to get the four of them back at the outside entrance to the forge, the day’s light was holding onto its final moments. Standing still in the midst of the day’s dying traffic was Rowan with her arms patiently behind her back.
Forge master Grent flustered for a moment when he caught eye of Rowan standing before them, “I was just finishing up with the recruit’s armor.”
“Certainly, about time, Grent. Did you gather their provisions?” She scolds him like his mother.
“Ah, yes!” Moving briskly back inside the forge, he came back out with two backpacks in each hand. “Food, storage, all ready to go.”
With that same stern motherly tone, “Thank you, Grent.”
With a quick nod to Rowan and the recruits, he headed back inside the forge. Once he was back inside Rowan melted the hardness from her face. “As warm as a bear that one.”
Devren, Voltaen, even Lugus, let a sigh of relief escape once Rowan changed her tone. I guess I’ve been around her enough to understand the strangeness of her playful behavior.
Rowan studied each of the three in turn, “Oh, come now. It wasn’t that bad.”
Voltaen casually, “Did you see the look on Devren’s face, he was terrified. He thought we were in trouble.”
Rowan’s face grew stern again facing Voltaen in particular, “Who’s to stay you still aren’t?”
He froze with his next word stuck in his mouth.
Rowan burst out laughing, “This is far too easy. Now come, catch up with the rest before Lessiel has all our hides.”
Devren fell in line next to Rayna as the group made their way to the outer edges of the city. “You seemed quite unfazed by Rowan’s humor.”
Rayna chuckled, “You get used to it. The more time you spend around her, the more it grows on you.”
Devren smiled acceptingly, “If you say so. How goes your practices?”
“Rowan is most helpful.” Rayna contemplated the conversation would come eventually. Devren is quite the curious one. “Summoning the raven forth seems more difficult than preserving it.” Geith.
Devren nodded, “Understandably so. Gives the rest of us time to catch up.”
Rayna smirked, “Don’t think I intend to allow you to catch up. You won’t talk your way out of my malic.”
Devren kept the same grin as before, “It’s like I said earlier, my bets on you.” Devren’s attention was drawn to the group of Shadowmancers gathered up ahead outside the north gate. Rayna watched him for a few moments longer, a curious one indeed…
The looming sentinels of the Bloodwood Forest stood sentry not far from Andescion’s walls. The coming darkness of night approached even faster under the canopy of the massive tree lines.
Rayna scouted the open field that separated Andescion from the Bloodwood. No coursers? There were a good number of guild members gathered, many I have yet to meet. The ones that weren’t busying themselves with a given task, had circles of conversation of their own.
In one of those circles Lessiel was giving orders to some of the Shadowmancers Rayna did not recognize, other than Rowan of course.
Not far off from Lessiel’s gathered group, Safeera was handing out commands of her own. The Shadowmancers dispersed from the circle one by one, till there was no one left to assign. Safeera made her way over to Lessiel and joined in on their conversation at his side.
It wasn’t long till that group dispersed as well, and Rowan walked over to Rayna and the other recruits. “You haven’t been eavesdropping have you?”
Rayna glanced curiously towards Safeera and Lessiel, “Just wondering what all the commotion is about.”
Rowan followed Rayna’s eyes and laughed, “Safeera may be an officer, but she runs the guild as much as Lessiel does.”
Rowan brought her attention back to the recruits to catch where Lugus’ gaze had wandered off to. “Careful there Lugus, Lessiel is quite the jealous type.”
All eyes were on Lugus now, flushing when the others laughed, “I was waiting for Lessiel to give us instruction, not gazing at Safeera.”
Rowan went on despite his retort, “Of course not, Lugus. Don’t worry your secret is safe with us.”
Voltaen chimed in, “With us? Speak for yourself, Rowan. I shall be pocketing this leverage – “
Rowan cut him off, “Oh hush now, you were ogling her yourself.”
Lugus shook his head while Rayna and Devren continued to enjoy the amusement at his and Voltaen’s expense. Before Voltaen could say anything more, Lugus changed the subject, “So where exactly are we going?”
“Arenite.” Everyone turned to where the voice came from. Sauden Vulog stood idly with a large leather backpack over his shoulder, as if he’d been in the conversation in its entirety.
Rowan rolled her eyes, “Yes, we are stopping off at Arenite, before we head north and west to the Greywacke Promontory.”
Voltaen spoke the excitement apparent on all the recruit’s faces, “You mean an actual city?”
Rowan tried futilely to calm their excitement, “We aren’t going for leisure that’s for sure.” The first city outside of Andescion.
Lugus repositioned the backpack over his own shoulder, “Why travel through the late evening? Why not get an early morning start?” This time Sauden was quiet.
After Sauden revealed his lips to remain sealed, Rowan gave the answer. “When approaching Arenite, it is best to have the night in front of you, versus staring at your back.”
The first few hours of trekking the Bloodwood Forest had been spent under the cover of near darkness, relying on the shadowy figures of the ones ahead of her to continue on. Save for stumbling across roots, and rocks. The trees thickened immensely as they hiked further from Andescion. The night itself was still warm, not even a breeze could make its way through the dense forest.
Every so often one of the moons, either Matua or Dannia, would pierce their way through the canopy to illuminate a spot ahead of her. Often flickering off a piece of someone’s metal armor.
At many points Devren and Voltaen occupied themselves in conversation, but every so often when the conversation would come to a lull, the only sound that could be heard was the soft padding of boots on dirt.
It the surrealness of the never-ending forest it was easy to get lost in it all. Every so often Rayna would look up, the moonlight breaks through more and more.
Seemingly many hours later, slowly but surely the canopies gave way and the forest began to thin. The trunks were growing thinner, the canopies less dense. More of the night’s sky began to reveal itself, and when Rayna got a full glimpse, she stopped mid-step. Never on any night in all of Andescion…
The night’s sky was a blanket of stars shining across a black canvas. Waves of light, weaving across the sky, with light hues of sapphire accenting one of the major streams. The sister moons themselves were bright porcelain orbs in the sky, illuminating the forest floor as clear as a luminescent day.
Reluctantly pulling herself from the magnificent sight, she saw the Shadowmancers grouping up versus spread out in the line formation they had been in for hours now. Over the next hill’s rise, Lessiel and Safeera were laying out the dimensions for what would become the camp for the night.
Not too far off from where she stood, Devren was captivated by the same sight it seemed, while Lugus and Voltaen made off ahead towards the ‘soon to be’ camp.
Giving the night one more glance, I am more awake than tired now, she made to catch up to the others, cutting through the tarul plants with none haste.
The more steps Rayna took towards the camp, the more her body reminded her the hour of the day. It may in fact be technically ‘day’ by now.
Bringing her absent gaze from the forest floor she was met with Sauden, Lugus, Voltaen, and Devren approaching her direction, versus heading to the camp. Behind Sauden, three archers came as well.
“Our journey is not done yet, apparently.” Lugus called to Rayna as they approached.
Sauden clasped Lugus on the shoulder heartily, “It will be an excellent experience for you all. Besides, you are hungry, aren’t you?”
Voltaen gave that serious thought, “I’m not entirely sure if I’m hungrier than I am tired.”
Sauden laughed, “Lucky for you, we spotted some beauke not too far off from here. So, this shouldn’t take long.”
Following Sauden and the three archers he brought with him, the four recruits sauntered after them. Lugus seemed the most upbeat of the lot, surprising change from his usual nature. His pace was quick enough that even Voltaen took notice.
Voltaen eyed Lugus suspiciously. “Was this your idea?”
Lugus smiled, “In part, yes. Safeera wanted us to assist Sauden in bringing back what they catch. I merely suggested that perhaps we should be using every part of that which we take.”
Voltaen stared at Lugus puzzled while they walked. No one could piece together what he meant, or was too tired to care.
It wasn’t long before Sauden waved them to quiet down, and Sauden rested his back against one of the larger redwood trees while the three archers fanned out in either direction.
Crouching their way to up Sauden, the four recruits squatted silently beside him in the underbrush. Rayna peaked past the redwood to see moving hooves in a small clearing. The clatter of the hooves was quite loud in the deadened silence of the surrounding atmosphere.
Sauden merely put a dirt-stained finger to his lips while he peered out into the opening as well. Getting a slightly better glimpse, Rayna spotted six or seven beauke in he clearing.
In the moonlight it was easy to make out the oaken brown hide of the beauke, the antlers as wide as they are tall on some.
One of the beasts had wandered its way quite close to the tree Sauden and the recruits were hiding behind. Save the only barrier being the massive trunk of the redwood. Watching the long legs of the closest beauke slowly walk past them and graze nearby, Rayna and the others held their breath.
With the air on the verge of escaping her chest, a quick thrum lashed through the air. Not even a moment later two more came in rapid succession. The last of which burst loudest near them. The legs of the closest beauke jolted stiff at the same instant the noise struck.
Before anything or anyone could react, four more arrows flung through the air striking their targets with perfect precision. On the seventh strike, Sauden rose, and they watched the seven bodies fall one by one. As silent as they had been before we arrived.
Sauden waved Lugus over while the three archers revealed themselves from the underbrush, they had the creatures completely surrounded, that’s why they didn’t run.
The largest one at the center of the herd was on its knees, struggling to remain upright. Rayna looked around the clearing, the rest lay lifeless.
The dying creature moaned faintly with a low-pitched rumble. The black eyes darting in all directions, the only movement the poor creature has left.
Sauden and one of the archers eased the beast on its side, with little resistance from the beauke itself. They took a few steps back, and Sauden called to Lugus again, “He only has minutes left, if that even. Shot just above the heart, enough to cut its life slower than the others.” This is why Lugus wanted to come.
The archers went to the other fallen beauke to prep hauling them back to camp. Sauden waved a hand to the nearest of them, “Give us a minute, Safeera wants the recruits to preserve this one.”
Voltaen and Devren’s eyes lit up at the opportunity, but Lugus was already approaching the beast. As Lugus slowly made his approach, Voltaen whispered to Devren, “I got next attempt when he fails.”
Kneeling beside the creature Lugus gently rested one hand on the beauke’s chest, near to the arrow’s pierce. The other he lay upon the beauke’s head. Closing his eyes, all grew still.
Rayna watched as silence lay a trance over the scene. The hand by the beauke’s heart shook slightly, with the rapid rise and fall of the desperate breathing. Come on, Lugus.
Taking a deep breath himself, Lugus seemed to press slightly near the heart, and each successive breath from there became more and more in sync.
Lugus’ head drew closer to the creature, while the eye of the beauke became less frantic, and more acceptant. Lugus’ breathing grew deeper as the beauke’s became fainter.
The shaking on Lugus’ hand had stilled, and with a deep inhale, Lugus and the beauke exhaled in sync. Bringing a final moment of peace in the creature’s eyes as its chest failed to inhale once more.
Slowly rising from the lifeless corpse, Lugus stared absently at his hands, opening and clenching his fists in disbelief. He feels the eneryia flow.
“Ah ha that’s it, Lugus, well done!” Sauden excitedly congratulated Lugus, while beginning to string up one of the fallen beauke.
“This whole scenario feels rigged.” Voltaen sarcastically glanced between Sauden and Lugus. While Devren walked at his side towards Lugus.
Rayna smiled as she made her way over to Lugus, “Took you long enough.”
Lugus had confidence sweeping over him, “Just wanted to make sure Voltaen and Devren knew what they were up against.”
Sauden interrupted Voltaen and Devren’s incomprehensible retorts, “Come here you two and help me carry this one back to camp.”
Rayna stayed by Lugus while Voltaen and Devren began to assist in the cleanup. Bringing her attention back to Lugus, “Check your book.”
His absent response forced Rayna to reiterate. “Check your srola book.” She poked him at his chest. “What other book could I possibly be talking about.”
“Right, right.” Quickly he pulled out the book Safeera had given him. With a thumb to the edge of the pages, he skimmed through the blank ones till the first page stared them both in the face.
As the page had filled on her own book, it had filled on his now as well. Freshly inked symbols littered the page, with a crude drawing of a beauke mid sprint lay inscribed at the top of the page.
Voltaen and Devren passed by them with the weight of the beauke between them. “When you two are done gloating feel free to grab dinner.”
Lugus looked down at the corpse he had just preserved. “I don’t think I can eat it. Or should for that matter.”
Sauden joined between Rayna and Lugus, roping the legs together. “You don’t have to eat it, but you sure are going to help carry it. This one is huge.”
The walk to find the beauke felt way shorter than the walk back. And the weight of the beauke made the journey quite tiresome.
By the time they reached the campsite Rayna had worked up an appetite, just enough to stay awake a little longer. Most of the Shadowmancers had already gone to sleep save for a few that had gathered around the fire while a portion of the beauke meat cooked.
Finishing a small piece Sauden had sliced off for her, Rayna rose to finally get that much needed sleep.
Rayna’s body drew her to the tent, and she subconsciously walked towards it. Just as she reached the opening flap, Sauden beckoned with a loud whisper, “Rayna! Come look!” With a heavy sigh, so close, she turned towards the peak of the hill where it ran up to a crest. Sauden had called over the others as well. Lugus, Voltaen were already there, and Devren was making his way over as well.
The steep ascent of the crest did her in, tomorrow will be a sore day for walking, but when she reached the peak with the others, it is worth tomorrow’s gripe.
The skyline Rayna found before was merely a piece of a much larger puzzle, and the open night, lack of any trees to hide in, is truly a sight to behold. The desert below rolled in hills, softly lit by the sister moons.
Veins of shifting pathways spread fingerlike throughout the sands, and far off in the distance stood mesas that towered above the sands below them.
Shifting her gaze across the horizon, on the western front there were light sources coming from a centralized point, and a cluster of structures erected all around them. This must be Arenite, and the Arkose Desert…
Standing behind Rayna, Sauden shifted her shoulders to draw her attention to a different part of the sands. “Look here, Rayna.”
Rayna’s eyes shook the tiredness off in a heartbeat as she watched in partial awe with a twist of fear that brought her heartbeat up.
Off in one of the sand dunes, waves of sand were whipped into a frenzy, spiraling upwards, grasping at the sky like a flame grasps for air. The sandstorms.
Devren watched intently, “Glad we are not down there.”
Sauden smirked, “As well you should be, wait for it.”
Confused, all four recruits eyed Sauden questionably. Devren spoke up first, “Wait for what?”
“It is as I told you, remember?” Sauden stood arms crossed watching the sandstorm brew on the desert dune.
One by one Rayna and the others turned back, waiting for something.
After minutes of silence, the surreal nature of the situation began to lose its luster as tiredness crept back in. Lugus was the first to voice it. “Well as fun as this is, I’d like to be awake when we head to Arenite tomorrow.”
Patting Sauden on the shoulder, he turned and made his way back to the tents. Before leaving however, he stopped next to Rayna, “The race to summon is on.” With that parting smile he walked back to the tents.
Rayna watched him leave for a moment before turning back to the sandstorm. We shall see, Lugus. Bringing her attention back to the sandstorm, nature’s beast rages as it did before.
Not a minute later, Voltaen and Devren were next to say their goodnights and headed back to the tents. The thought of the tent alone was enough for her eyes to close long enough to struggle to reopen.
Catching herself swaying slightly, she turned to Sauden, “We should head to the tents, Sauden.”
“You go ahead Rayna; I won’t wait up much longer. Per-” It wasn’t excitement that lit up Sauden’s face, it was awe.
Sauden just stood there with his mouth open mid word, and as Rayna turned, she saw it. A tiny bright honey hued ball of light moved about within the sandstorm. It swayed in a rocking motion, strangely mesmerizing.
A strange sensation swelled in her fingertips, such peacefulness for such a chaotic event. Should there be this much calm in the midst of a storm? Part of her longed for sleep, part of me does not wish to look away…