Large peach-sandstone square tiles made the floor to the rooftop terrace. Waves of heat danced on their surface, despite the star of day just beginning its path towards its peak. Vines from below, clung desperately to the balustrade that enclosed the workspace Rowan had chosen for their afternoon session. Wooden lattice decorated the rooftop edges, offering refuge for the vines that sought them.
Rayna pressed her palms over the naked edge, scanning the horizon for all its worth. The rising light painted a vivid palette of warmth over Arenite. Down below she could make out cloth of every color, every hue imaginable, lining the canopies of the marketplaces. Shops in every crevice possible, with alleys frequently breaking off from the main roads leading towards the housing structures. Arenite savored every centimeter of real estate, houses and shops alike were condensed against the side of the other to utilize every part of the oasis to its maximum potential. Like the rise and fall of the tides, buildings rose in some areas, only to sink in others. All with a picturesque flow about it.
Not incredibly far off rose a mountain of a fortress, lying at the heart of the city. Banners hung proudly from the parapets, with an unknown sigil inscribed within, but it glimmered mightily in the light. Metal accents across the city itself shimmered in the growing light, shards of light scattered across the horizon. This, this is a city.
“A bit more scenic than the walls of Andescion.” Rowan joined Rayna’s side at the wall’s edge, leaning over on her elbows.
Rayna smiled, without taking her gaze from the sights, “Quite so.”
The early morn had begun before the rise of day, though this time Lugus awoke with her. Under Rowan’s guidance, Rayna practiced the exercises she had been taught after preserving Geith’s spirit. Each attempt had brought her closer to the northron raven, though not quite close enough to bring to fruition. With controlled focus, the vibrant eneryia flowed through her, - Geith was active enough to force Rayna to take multiple breaks, he yearns to be free again.
Rayna’s gaze dropped from the horizon, staring blankly into the side of the house across the street. The shift did not go unnoticed by Rowan, “Geith had quite an attitude about him today.”
Rayna’s attention snapped back to reality, meeting Rowan’s gaze, “He grows stronger by the day.”
Rowan nodded. “Careful not too strong. There must be balance in the bond, not dominance.” She added before Rayna could reply, smiling, “Luckily you are strong too. It will be only a matter of time before you can summon him from within you.”
Smiling again, Rayna replied with gusto, “Before Lugus?”
Rowan chuckled, leaving the wall’s edge for a nearby table. “That stubborn boy? Oh, most certainly.”
Laughing together, Rayna watched Rowan rummage about her workstation. Rowan had set up her potion kits in an organized fashion, from vials, flasks, even bottles, neatly placed in an order Rayna did not quite understand. Yet.
Rowan called to her without turning from the table front. “Come, dear.”
Upon Rayna’s approach, Rowan revealed a bottle held cupped in both hands. The crystalline nature of the glass revealed a swirl of sapphire blue liquid within, glittering specks flashing when they caught the light. The vortex spiraled in tandem with arctic hues till they conjoined at the center.
“Take it.”
Hesitantly, Rayna reached, taking the bottle in her hands.
“Take the bottle in one hand, shake it as hard as you can.”
Uncertainly, Rayna listened. With each pass the bottle took, she felt the bottle grow colder. Much colder... Ice cold. Rayna stopped, gazing at tiny bits of frost crystalizing on the bottle itself.
Rowan spoke with haste. “Now quickly, toss it high into the air.”
Rayna tossed the bottle high, watching it slowly spin upwards. The frost had spread quite extensively.
In the instant the bottle reached its pinnacle point, the moment of suspense, stillness before the fall - the bottle burst on a flat axis in every direction. The span of the entire rooftop. The sound of glass shattering echoed loudly, if only for a brief moment. What remained after, was without words.
Rayna held out her hand while the makeshift cloud that had formed above them gave a cool reprieve from the desert heat.
She smiled, letting the fresh water wash over her. While the droplets beaded up on her face, she outstretched both arms upwards, yearningly. Within mere moments, the rooftop was covered in a forest’s morning dew, with a cool rolling fog blanketed over the sandstone floor. Flowing from the focal point of the burst bottle, down to the rooftop floor, over the edges on all sides.
Rayna cupped the fog at the floor, watching it dissipate from her grasp. “What is this, Rowan?”
“It’s known through the realm to be ‘Nøkken’s Breath.’” Rowan revealed tiny vials one by one, rotating through them in succession. Named for the wisp that watches over the Tethys Sea. “This thick flaxen powder is lead monoxide. This swamp gold liquid is specially prepared olive oil.” The third vial she rotated between her fingertips, making eye contact with Rayna, “For the final part, the most dangerous ingredient of all.”
Rayna looked on with awe. Rowan leaned over, whispering in her ear, “Water.” Rayna chuckled, while Rowan put away the ingredients with a satisfied grin.
Taking a finished product of the ‘Nøkken’s Breath’ from the table, Rowan held it gently between her fingertips. Her voice fell to a solemn tone. “These types of potions can be used in a much harsher manner. Bringing about horrid, terrible ruin.”
Like an updraft in a breeze, her tone lightened, “But something to the likes of ‘this’, offers both utility, beauty alike.”
“You will have to teach me, Rowan.”
Returning ‘Nøkken’s Breath’ to her worktable, Rowan smiled warmly, “One day, yes. First we get Geith’s spirit in line.”
Both turned at the sight of Sauden standing at the top of the staircase to their rooftop. “Lessiel, Miss Rowan.”
“Yes, yes. Alright off with you, dear. – Not you, Sauden! Till this evening, Rayna. – Don’t you leave Sauden.”
Rayna smiled, while she made her way over to the staircase. “Morning, Sauden.”
Sauden offered an exaggerated but genuine bow, “And good morning to you, Miss Rayna.”
Rayna made her way down the stairs that wrapped the inner confines of the building they had taken for temporary residence. Passing the second corner, Rayna slowed her step, feeling a wash of cold sweep over her.
The door on that floor was slightly ajar, just enough to peak inside. The cold crept out from the doorway, within the room itself, void of light, from what I can see the room is bare, save for Lugus sitting cross-legged, eyes shut tight, embracing stillness.
Another set of steps caught her attention. One of the Shadowmancer soldiers was pacing around Lugus in circular fashion, whispering words she could not hear, but every so often Lugus would stir, the spirit of the beauke moves about him.
Rayna withdrew from the doorway, moving down the final flight of stairs to the open living quarters where Voltaen sat across from Devren. Neither of their attention’s shifted with Rayna’s descent. Both were locked onto the gameboard between them. Three sets of colored pieces were strategically placed across the hexagonal wooden board. Checkered spaces alternated between ivory to chestnut; the platform for three-handed chess.
Taking a seat beside Devren, Rayna watched the two boys study the board. She became fixated on the third set of pieces. “Who is the third?”
Between Devren’s fingertips, a white pawn moved gracefully towards the center of the board. “It was Sauden. Now it’s you.”
Voltaen reassessed the vacant red pieces Rayna was about to inherit. Before she repositioned herself behind her pieces, Voltaen swept his bishop across the board in an arc taking one of her lone pawns. Her face contorted to a questioning scowl while he knocked her pawn free from the board.
Voltaen laughed heartily, getting a grin from Devren, “Sauden wasn’t so good at the game.”
Rayna glanced over her own chaotic setup, comparing it to Devren’s defensive position. Voltaen on the other hand, was taking the offensive, making longshot attacks from across the board. “All the more shame for you two if you lose now.” Rayna brought her lone knight towards the center of her home rank.
Devren smirked, “Copying my defense won’t save you now. Sauden has lost you too many pieces to replicate my fortress.” Devren brought his queen forward one space.
“I’m not copying you, I’m merely absorbing the small strength your formation offers.”
Voltaen snickered despite himself. “She’s not wrong, Devren.” Voltaen freed his bishop from Devren’s queen, rotating it across the board again towards Rayna’s ‘defense.’
Rayna brought out her own queen. Voltaen jumped in while Devren made his move, “So that’s how you guys want to play it, huh? All-out queen battle.”
Devren let a smile slip again, “Last queen standing?”
Voltaen already had his queen between his fingertips. “Bring it.” Voltaen brought his queen from the backline all the way to one of the centermost spaces.
Rayna scanned the board carefully, eventually sliding her queen horizontally across, towards her upper flank.
Devren immediately moved his queen vertically towards one of the center spots, just out of reach of Voltaen.
Move by move, the three danced their way to and from the center, one being forced out by the other two in turn. The other pieces on the board became obstacles to avoid while the three queens strategically stepped between them.
In a hasty display of action to keep up with Voltaen’s pace, I moved too quick! Rayna lay her queen at the center between range of both Voltaen and Devren. At the same moment her hand left the piece, footsteps came from above. Devren glanced to the staircase then back towards the board, “Better I take your queen than Voltaen.”
Gently taking her queen from the board, Devren released his movement, to be immediately swept from the board by Voltaen’s queen. Devren shook his head, “The sacrifices I make.”
Rayna punched his shoulder, before greeting Lugus from her seat. Voltaen threw in before the conversation had chance to change, “No, no, do not diminish my victory! Surely Lugus would have been willing to wait after we waited for him.”
Lugus rested a hand upon his shoulder, “Surely not, my friend.” Nodding to Devren, “A worthy sacrifice. Now let’s get to seeing more of this city.”
Rayna gathered the fallen pieces nearest to her, placing them back upon the board. She lay the red queen beside the other two, then stood to join the others.
The rush of the city sights quickly overtook them, fading the next few hours to pass in the blink of an eye. The city’s vibrance alone, was far superior to that of Andescion. The streets were busier, the hues of cloth that lined the marketplaces were brighter, the people were livelier.
At one point they passed a large clearing, with an incredible statue carved for a centerpiece. Smooth black stone made the bodice of the womanlike figure. Strong, thin curvatures were accented by the carved dress that hung loosely about her. In one outstretched arm she held a chain with a lantern on the end, the desert’s light…
A merchant with extravagant garb had taken hold of the clearing, promoting herbs and powders supposedly not found anywhere in the realm. While the recruits passed, a toned bare-chested man was demonstrating one of his products. The crowd of onlookers watched while he consumed something Rayna could not make out.
The man puffed out his chest, angled his head to the skies, contorted his face to a snarl, and roared. Baring teeth like a tiger bares fangs, the man roared loudly – through flame! A plume of flame shot upwards, bursting through the air for a mere moment - till the man inhaled once more, taking a bow to the sound of an excited crowd that drowned out the ferocity of the roar itself.
While the crowd itself roared with delight, Rayna’s focus became dazed in the sea of applause that filled the scene. Her attention was drawn off in the distance. Scanning through the crowd she could not quite make anything out, but something draws me forward.
Mid-step towards the calling, Devren rested a hand on her shoulder. “Rayna come, Lugus found a wall that overlooks the mesas.” Shaking it off, Rayna followed Devren’s lead.
When their legs could not carry them any longer, the recruits found themselves at the final steps of a stairwell beside the outer wall’s walkway.
Rayna sat cross legged on the outer wall. Devren, Voltaen sat on either side of her, with Lugus on the end, legs hanging over the wall’s edge down to the sands below. Wispy clouds snaked across the horizon, parallel with the waves of sand that rose underneath.
Off in the distance, mountainous mesas stood watch in rich shades of red. The tops of which all ran flat, plateaus spanning kilometers across the horizon. “There’s nothing out there.”
Rayna turned to face Voltaen. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing worth not coming back from.”
Rayna ignored him, soaking in the warm breeze that swept over them.
Voltaen pushed his point, “Who knows what could happen, face to face with a sandstorm. Even if they are the wisp’s doing, that makes them all the more dangerous.”
Rayna eyed him quizzically, “You don’t believe me, do you!”
Voltaen took his gaze back to the horizon, “I’d like to see the light for myself, that’s all.”
Rayna nodded to Devren, “What about you?”
Leaning back on his elbows, Devren cleared a strand of his hair from his face, “I believe you. Though I still have no desire to witness it for myself up close.”
Content with the answer, Rayna peered over to Lugus, “And you?”
Without lifting his head, Lugus instead raised a finger, answering back from his resting state, “I’m on Voltaen’s side this time. I owe him for the chess match.”
Basking in his victory, Voltaen furthered the conversation, “I’m feeling good today, perhaps we should search for some creatures in need of preserving.” Peering between Rayna and Lugus, “After all, the real competition is far from over.”
Devren agreed, “This is true, we cannot sit idly by while you two compete.”
“Are either of you two, close?” Voltaen rose to a squatted position, prompting the others to get up.
Lugus finally rose from his rested state, eying Rayna curiously. He gave reply in the moment of silence, with a cocky grin, “Definitely.” No way.
Rayna rolled her eyes, rising up with the others, “We’ll see how true that is soon enough!”
Lugus’ expression did not fade, he nodded, “That we will.”
Voltaen led the recruits this time, Devren on his every move – in the off chance we come across a dying creature in the middle of a bustling city. Lingering on the outskirts of the main roads, the recruits aimlessly continued their exploration. “Is it cheating if we head to a butcher?”
Devren jumped either from the random start in conversation, or genuine surprise of what Voltaen said, either way it had Lugus and Rayna bursting at the seams. “I don’t think it works like that.”
Lugus threw in, “No, no. By all means I want to see him preserve livestock.”
Voltaen dove deeper down the rabbit hole, “Would it be an atrocity if we ate the meal afterwards?”
Rayna cut him off before he could continue, “Yes! Once you create that bond, you’ll see for yourself!”
Nodding to himself, “The search continues then.”
The recruits found a bend in the main road that led towards a row of shops they had not seen prior. Steel glimmered in the light, catching all but Voltaen’s attention.
One by one the recruits stopped before a small stall with all sorts of weapons that fixated them. Voltaen was meters away before he realized, “Hey! …Oh, what have you found over here.”
Rayna curiously scanned the various weaponry, from a chain with a spiked ball on the end, to curved swords, to metal forged arrows, much longer than a bow should hold. She felt a warm sensation rush over her, skin prickling from limb to limb.
Voltaen wedged his way between the recruits to get a better look himself. “Certainly, different to what Grent made us in Andescion.”
Lugus added, “Seemed a shame to leave such freshly forged weapons behind.”
Devren attempted to hide the disappointment in his voice, he enjoyed that claymore, “Lessiel raised a valid point. Best to hone the eneryia before relying on a physical weapon.”
Lugus lifted a double-edged dagger from the table, holding the balance between his fingers. Devren and Voltaen became absorbed into a scaled whip with a long spike at the tip. Catching the attention of the previously distracted shopkeeper, who came over to oversee what was becoming of the situation.
Rayna found herself taking a step back from the table front. Drawing in her breath she attempted to focus. Something within her drew her attention elsewhere. From the corner of her eye, she spotted an alleyway hidden from the day’s light. Nothing stirred down the corridor, the path wound itself all the way up to the outer wall of the city’s fortifications.
Rayna heard Lugus’ voice growing in crescendo, bringing her attention back to the other recruits. Devren was arguing with Lugus over the necessity of the purchase, with Voltaen laughing egging either of them on in turn. Their voices… fell from earshot despite being directly in front of her. Rayna turned her head towards the corridor once more.
Taking weighted steps, Rayna curiously approached the corridor, the shade falling upon her, instantly offering reprieve from the day’s heat. The other recruits’ conversation turned nonexistent; the soundscape became the corridor itself. From the soft steps she took from her boots on a cracked sandstone street, to the breeze snaking its way through the length of the alleyway. To the growing pace of the heartbeat within.
A few paces in, Rayna had nearly passed the first set of structures. She felt the blood warm at her fingertips, down to her toes. She halted her step, becoming one with the stillness of the alley. Kneeling down, she picked up a black feather between two fingers. Frayed from tip to stem. Take me.
Gradually rising, Rayna continued down the corridor, delicately holding the feather at her fingertips. The darker the alley grew, the more surreal the scene became. Compelled, Rayna pressed on.
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A pass of a bend brought Rayna at the end of the corridor. The wall that separated city from desert lay near ahead. The final structures around her showed no signs of life of any kind. What is it…? Passing over each in turn, her gaze lingered on the building built into the side of the wall at the end of the leftmost side. From the distance, it blended in with all the others. Abandoned, dusted over, falling apart at the seams. Regardless, she stepped towards it. Each step closer became heavier, slowly revealing the features of the building itself. A church.
Rayna stood before two wooden doors, dry to the bone, barely fastened to their hinges. The front of the building revealed no windows to peer within, but the architecture still held some of the abandoned church’s former glory. The peaked roof, with a tiny bell tower at the top, gave way to tall walls on either side. A carving of a statuesque woman watched from above the doors, bearing a lantern of some kind in one hand. The same design that took hold at the center of Arenite; Duharrae.
Rayna felt the warmth at her fingertips again, bringing her attention from the upper limits of the construction. Hesitantly, Rayna reached forward. Fingertips grasped upon the barely closed doors, she pried them open with minimal effort. With the swing of the doors came equal parts cascading dust, to sand. She took a step back, while the plume of dust masked the interior of the once-church.
When the dust settled, the shadows of a darkened room began to take form. The inside framework was much larger than the outside display led on. A rising sensation of vertigo struck Rayna, bringing her to steady herself where she stood. Closing her eyes, she steadied her mind, we move in.
Focusing in on the looming room ahead, Rayna stepped inside. Darkened planks splintered off at the edges, warped from time, or from the strange dampness that lingers here.
The interior indeed felt, surprisingly damp. Rayna ran her fingers along stone benches, moist to the touch. Miniscule beams of light penetrated the narrow slits in the walls, but with each passing bench she caught moss grasping at the sides of the pews. Moss in a desert?
The air felt heavy in her mouth, each step Rayna took brought her deeper in the eerie atmosphere that encompassed the mysterious building. Each step revealed more of the confines hidden in the darkness. Gradually, at a crawling pace, the altar section came into view.
Rayna paused mid-step, halted by the rise of hairs on her neck that shivered down to her spine one vertebrae at a time. Raising her head revealed a cloaked figure standing before the altar. Flanked by two acolytes on each side of the altar. All the figures faced in a crescent’s line; five northron raven grown full form.
The five raven rested near still upon the cleared altar. Staring. In a glance Rayna caught sight of small empty canisters beside tiny leather straps at the edge of the altar itself. Empty.
The warm air lingered frozen in her mouth agape. Her eyes darted at each shrouded figure in turn, failing to grasp at any tangible features.
Rayna felt her body grow cold, none of the figures moved, nor I. Like the rush of a looming storm’s wave, a deep crimson aura moved in vein-like tendrils that snaked from the temples of the shrouded figures, up into the air. Each aura spread like a rampant root system thirsting for water. Crimson feeder roots resembling talons descended upon the raven, impacting all five at once.
With a horrifying screech, Rayna’s vision swirled from the piercing sound. Her ears rang the moment it hit. Beaks snapped open, black eyes wide, wings beat in futility. Rayna staggered, clutching her own chest, beating frantically.
In rapid succession the five raven dropped upon the altar, each thump upon the altar rang loud, thick, - the root system that had left the lifeless husks upon the altar had vanished, fading lightning fast back to the sources from which they had come. Move.
Rayna felt the pull of wings at her back, watching the scene unfold in slow motion, the life-or-death moment. She turned her head, succumbing to the momentum Geith within had offered, in the corner of her eye she saw the crimson tendrils emerging once more from the shrouded figure behind the altar itself.
Without a returning glance, she finished spinning towards the doors, full sprint. Fists clenched tight, gaze focused solely on the doors, nothing else if we are to survive this. In the midst of her sprint, she felt her blood burn, the heat! – the doors are infinitely far away!
She dared not look behind, the doors drew closer, despite the corners of her vision being clear, the tendril aura claws my neck not a moment behind. Without hesitation, Rayna threw herself at the doors, shouldering her way through.
The light hit equally hard to the sandstone that caught her fall. Rayna burst through the doors, smacking them wide against the outer limits of their hinges into the outside stone of the church. She tumbled roughly, catching herself on all fours.
Flinching with the piercing rawness that dug through her palms, move, Rayna pushed herself up, down the alley. Without any thought other than flight, Rayna rounded the first bend, - knocking directly into Devren’s chest.
Devren’s face contorted at the speed to which Rayna knocked into him. He grabbed her by the shoulders, painted with confusion, he concerningly inquired; “Where did you go?”
The adrenaline had caught up. Rayna’s breath caught in her throat, she struggled to maintain any control over the tempo of her breath. Voltaen attempted to calm her down while Rayna attempted to get any word out, “Rayna breathe. What happened?!”
Lugus stepped to the forefront of the recruits, eyes locked down the alleyway, bringing the attention of the other recruits soon after in tow.
One of the shrouded figures stood at the center of the alleyway. The lack of strong light still hid most of the features, but through the shadows Rayna saw body-forming armor to the likes I’ve never seen. – Where are the others?!
Rayna looked down, realizing her hand was clutched around the necklace Rowan had given her. She stood frozen. The shrouded figure took a step forward.
“We need to go, now!” Devren held a firm hand to Rayna’s back while they moved backwards, away from the depths of the alleyway. Voltaen moved at their side, Lugus remained steadfast.
The figure took another step forward, Rayna, shouted, “We need to get out of here, Lugus!”
Rayna tossed a hand to Lugus’ shoulder, making to pull him towards her. His shoulder reluctantly caved to her grasp, he made to back away from the approaching figure. In the instant Lugus moved, for a flash of a second something held in his stead. Rayna blinked, the essence, aura, or whatever it was, is gone…
The recruits turned together, running full force away from the corridor. Within moments they rounded another bend, bringing sight of the main road ahead. The closer they approached the main path, the brighter the light of day became again.
In the final meters ahead, two cloaked figures, veiled in shades of black, blocked the path on either end. The recruits skidded to a halt, directly in front of the figures. We’re surrounded. Rayna shot a glance behind them, the path back the way they had come was clear, for the moment.
When Rayna returned her glance to the two figures blocking the path to escape, an imploding ball, a darkened spherical cloud of chaos, emerged between them. Shadows shrouded the sphere, till it emerged, taking the form similar to the others. A figure veiled from head to toe in various shades of black. A woman.
Fitted ebony steel plates outlined her every curve, a flowing cloak swept in the breeze behind her from underneath. A thick leather cowl hung just over her eyes, leading to an emotionless stare below locked with scarlet lips. She stepped forward, lifting the cowl from her face with both hands, revealing an icy glare to match the hue of her eyes. A golden earring dangled from one ear with an unknown sigil, resting just above the full length of her hair. The tone matched the glare. “Hands above your head. Now.”
Lugus stood at the forefront, Voltaen and Rayna made to turn to the path they had come, only two – with the turn of Rayna’s head, she felt the breeze sweep over her, but on both ends of the alley.
The shadowed spheres appeared a few meters in front of Rayna and Voltaen on either end of the alley. Emerging quickly to form the two figures that moments prior had flanked the third. Each took a step forward in unison.
The recruits had fallen back into each other, facing both directions, completely surrounded by the three. Arias only knows where the other two are.
“I am not going to repeat myself again.” A finite violet sphere electrified within a hand of the woman in front of Lugus. With an aggressive sweep of her grasping fingers, she hurled the purple sphere down at the sandstone beside the recruits.
A burst of sandstone erupted beside them sending shards upwards in a violent frenzy. Immediately Rayna raised her hands above her head. This is how we end? Voltaen soon followed, Devren too. Lugus stood in defiance through gritted teeth, clenched fists, don’t do it, Lugus. Devren whispered without daring to move his head, “We’re unarmed, Lugus. We cannot fight our way out of this.”
With much effort, Lugus reluctantly raised his hands above his head. Pray we live to fight another day.
The woman nodded at her two companions, then returned her attention to the recruits. “Down to your knees. All of you.”
With much hesitation, the recruits obeyed. Devren without moving, called over his shoulder, “What is it you want with us.” At the same time, Rayna watched the two figures disappear down the alleyway.
The woman snapped back before any of the recruits could manage a thought, “Be silent. You will speak when spoken to.”
The passing moments could have been seconds, minutes, or hours, it makes no difference when your life hangs in the balance. Slowly the adrenaline was wearing off. Rayna felt blood trickle down her palm, the reality of her flight prior had begun to take its toll. The longer the woman kept them alive, the more soreness began to creep in.
Finally, a different woman’s voice broke the silent suspense. “They’re gone.” Rayna looked up to find the two figures returning. Rayna shot a puzzled glance to the woman facing Lugus.
The unveiled woman took a calculated step forward, now directly before Lugus. She then paced the recruits, eying each over in turn. “Where are your companions.”
None of the recruits spoke.
The woman nodded, pulling a small curved dagger from a hidden sheathe. She spun it in the air, catching the hilt, twisting her arm with the snap of a finger to bring the blade directly at the center of Voltaen’s throat. It happened so quickly, Voltaen had to force himself from falling upon the blade itself, his gasp for air struggling to keep up with the pace of the scene unfolding around them.
She whispered close in Voltaen’s ear, loud enough for all the recruits to hear. “I do not ask twice.”
Voltaen struggled to steady his breath, his eyes locked forward, shaking palms, still as he could manage. Rayna’s heart began to pick up again. Words ran rampant through her mind, but all catch a twisted tongue to carry them out. Lugus began to move his head slowly in Voltaen’s direction.
In the frozen moment, one of the woman’s associates walked over, whispering something in her ear. In another instance of silence, the woman sheathed her dagger, releasing audible breaths of relief from Voltaen.
The relief was merely a second’s reprieve, if that. Immediately after the woman stood, the clicking of metal gears rattling, broke the silence. Voltaen, Devren, Lugus found their raised hands bound at the wrists, with Rayna following immediately after.
Lugus spoke this time, aggressively, “What is this?”
The unveiled woman, tightening the bounds around Rayna’s wrists, gave reply, “That is exactly, what we intend to find out.”
The walk through the city had taken quite a while, all while managing to not pass a single Shadowmancer. Every so often, a fortress peaked over the shops and housing, drawing larger, nearer with each passing corner. The closer towards the fortress they got, the fancier the architecture became. It didn’t take long to realize wherever this woman was taking the recruits, was within that fortress.
Another rounded corner led them to a main road leading directly towards the inner walls of the city. Which would be far more captivating under different circumstances. Strategically placed throughout the wall were carved stone pillars, glistening a pale red. Hiding the carved designs in the walls themselves, were lush wrappings of vines that snaked their way all the way up.
The fortress itself was a magnificent display, Rayna gazed openly despite herself. Massive square towers rose high over the city below, accented at the base with desert greens. The pale stone was ripe with battlements, covering the tops of each tower, and wall alike.
On the face of each tower draped an ivory banner from the parapets. The large canvas painted a golden sigil at the center; six angular points fanned out like a wing, all leading to a central point of the sigil, a solid sphere.
Before Rayna realized, the recruits were being marched within the main gate of the fortress. The vibrance of the inner city faded to what loomed ahead.
The innards of the fortress revealed stone ribs erected to support the cathedral-like hall. All arched at the ceiling, with layers of stone cut back the higher up the ceiling rose. At the base of each column rested torches that beamed white flame far brighter than any torch I’ve ever seen. In spite of the flame’s small presence, the light lifted high into the ceiling.
The hall was bustling with people moving in and out. Many commonfolk dressed simpler than the recruits, with equal parts merchants, occasionally with a passerby in fancy garb that reeked of wealth. The most common sight however, were the ones wrapped in black. From linens to leathers.
Rayna’s attention latched to them, trying to make out any detail she could. Most were dressed extremely similar, all cloaked in that same dark hue, cowls pulled over their heads, though not veiled. Wait a second…
Rayna got a glimpse of the woman leading them through the traffic. Catching sight of the dangling earring she saw the sigil draped upon the walls spin slowly with the woman’s step. Checking the two companions of hers that flanked the recruits behind, the sigil was clasped just above their breast lines.
Scanning through the crowd, the sigil was all she saw now. Most, nearly all of… the women, had the sigil clasped about them in some way shape or form. That being said, with those shapely figures I’d wager them all women, or young girls not yet of their elder’s cycles.
The woman at the lead, led them away from the traffic towards a staircase lined with ornately thin blood red carpet. The ascent was taken in silence. More than once, Voltaen attempted to get Rayna’s attention, only to be met with an aggressive jab from the watchful eyes behind.
Lugus made no attempt to stir the others, his gaze was solely locked on the woman leading them through the fortress. Devren was the only one who did not seem openly worried, he bore the only face of comfort in the depths of the unknown situation.
The staircase wound to a high ceiling corridor, void of any traffic whatsoever. The hallway was significantly darker than the main hall down below. The red carpet lay flat, spanning the most of the width of the corridor. Length wise it led to a closed double-door display at the end, quite a distance off from where they now stood. The last set of doors did not yield great results. The pace was steady, but with the end of the corridor in sight, it spanned much longer than she thought.
On each end of the hallway, lay a medium sized pedestal, placed symmetrically on either side, every few meters. Each pedestal had the same intricate designs carved within the smooth onyx stone. In the same blackened hue, within each pedestal, grasped four small arches, grasping at a full-size onyx orb within. The orbs had deep cuts in beautiful design, somehow darker than the orb itself.
By the time the group had passed the first set of orbs, Rayna felt the light in the room grow. One by one, the stones turned in their bases, rising slightly, hovering just above the grasp of the arches of the pedestal. Crevices in the stones revealed the erupting light from within. The corridor slowly became illuminated along the path of the rising orbs. In their full form, the orbs rotated slowly in their hovering state, each bringing the warm glow of day to the hall from within the depths of the stone. At equal pace to their step, the light filled the room.
Within moments they were at the end of the corridor. Thick wooden doors lined with metal lay firmly shut ahead. The woman at the lead pressed fingertips to either door, pushing them open with ease. The doors opened to another open-spaced chamber, the woman did not hesitate to press onwards, the warmth of the orb’s light to be left behind.
The recruits were marched along the red carpet that flowed through from the corridor, but here the edges were lined with gold. Stone columns descended from the high-rise ceiling like stalactites, scattered across the room every few meters. The center of the room opened up to a large clearing, free of columns, lit by rays of light that entered from floor to ceiling windows all around the edges of the circular room.
A stone desk wrapped in a crescent around the edges directly across from where the recruits were marched from. While not necessarily high, it rose above the wooden benches lined to face them. Two women sat behind the desk at the centermost point, looking on to two people that stood beneath their podium. Upon the recruits drawing close, whatever conversation was being had, ceased. All turned to look at the group being marched in. Just when this couldn’t get any worse.
Behind the desk at the center, sat a woman in cedar dreads, neatly tied behind her head, falling gently past her breast line. The same hued eyes bore sternly down at the recruits on their approach. She was seated above the benches below, but she definitely stood taller than most women. She wore the black garb that would have her blend in with all the others, the sigil firmly clasped, cowl resting behind her back.
At her side, sat a woman with far lighter skin. Her gaze held not the stern glare of her associate, but more a vibrant curiosity, unblinking in green sage. Thick black hair fell about her shoulders behind her back, a thin figure, accented with her upright posture. She too wore the garb, wrapped in layers of black, a cowl that rested behind her head, a sigil clasped at her chest.
Standing before the two women, stood Lessiel and Safeera, watching the recruits with equal parts curiosity to rage. Not sure for whom.
The woman leading the recruits brought them to a halt before the crescent podium. “These four were in the alleyway where the Blood Rangers were fleeing.” Blood Rangers, wait –
Voltaen’s eyes nearly bulged from his head, he managed to whisper, “What did you see, Rayna?!”
“Not only did the Blood Rangers escape, but they managed to kill all the raven that flew in this morning. Leaving five corpses fully drained in an old church on the outskirts of the city.” The two other women escorting the recruits flanked the four on either side. The woman that led the march, approached the long desk from the side, taking a seat beside the centermost woman.
She pulled a small metal canister from a hidden pocket, sliding it across the stone desk towards the centermost woman with the dreads, letting the tiny object echo across the silent hall. “All messages of the day are gone.”
Lugus shot a hesitative glance towards Lessiel, before speaking, “We are not Blood Rangers.”
The centermost woman now held the canister between fingertips, “No. No, you’re not. That does not change the fact that you were in their direct proximity when they drained the eneryia from those raven.”
The pale woman at her side added in, “Perhaps they were paid to aid their escape.”
Devren spoke up this time, “We would have nothing to do with the likes of them.”
The woman that marched the recruits to court, gave aggressive reply, “Then enlighten us with what happened in that alleyway. How did you find yourselves in such a predicament?”
Gently placing the metal canister down in front of her, the centermost woman spoke softly, but with an unyielding authority, “Do tell how four fresh recruits, with ‘pledged’ loyalty to the Shadowmancer guild, newly traveled from the city of Andescion, wandered directly into the hands of Blood Rangers.”
Before any of the recruits dared to defend themselves further, Lessiel spoke, with a quiet calm that silenced the room. He paced directly in front of the crescent, his shadow lingering close behind. “Loyalty certainly concerns me.” He turned to face the recruits. “But it is not the loyalty of ones virgin to the outside realm.”
He turned towards the woman who arrested the recruits in the alleyway. “What more concerns me is how a war strategist, such as yourself, Alorix, managed to let a group of foreign Blood Rangers enter their city unopposed, allowing them to escape in spite of the Daughters of Duharrae at every possible post in the city.”
Shaking his head, he lifted an open hand towards the recruits, while facing the centermost woman behind the podium. “Alexra. Certainly, the Daughters were not thwarted by children.”
Before Alorix could rain the might of oblivion down upon him, Alexra silenced her with a motion of her finger. “Children or not, their role in this matter has yet to be revealed.” She turned to the pale woman at her side, “Tauri, what say you on the matter?”
Tauri curiously eyed down the recruits in turn, “Children have a curious nature about them. Regardless of their role, they have information.”
Lugus snapped back, “We saw the one man in the alleyway, nothing more.”
Tauri leaned her head purposely past Lugus, “Perhaps so. I think however, there is at least one of you that saw more. That caused them to flee so quickly.”
Voltaen impulsively shot a quick glance at Rayna, Voltaen no! Rayna’s eyes went wide. “Ah, there we are.” Tauri resolved a finite smile.
Rayna’s glance darted between approaching gazes from all directions. Shifting her weight, the metal around her wrists suddenly became uncomfortably cold.
Safeera calmly approached closer, kneeling beside Rayna she took a hand in hers, whispering, “You can tell us what happened.”
The warmth of Safeera’s smile, brought the attempt of a smile from the corner of Rayna’s mouth. She nodded. Rayna recounted the recruit’s exploration of the city, the wandering of the alleyway, the abandoned church… the Blood Rangers within… The desperate flight that led them straight to Alorix.
Safeera ran a finger through Rayna’s hair, “You did well.” Before standing upright, Safeera gently pointed a finger at Rayna’s heart, whispering in her ear, “You are stronger than you know.”
Safeera turned to stand by Lessiel’s side. A heavy firmness carried in her voice. “I think we can remove these binds now.”
Alexra nodded. The two Daughters of Duharrae that flanked the recruits unfastened the binds on each of the four. Sighs of relief were followed by rubbing the redness the binds had left around their wrists. All but Lugus, he remains unmoved.
Alorix whispered something in Alexra’s ear, bringing the three Daughters behind the crescent in quiet conversation while the Shadowmancers regrouped.
The metal binds hung in the hands of the captors, when the ringing finally grew still, Lessiel interrupted the Daughters conversation. “Addressing our previous discussion, the light of today’s events has brought the matter to your doorstep. ‘Why’ the Blood Rangers are here in Arenite remains to be revealed, this further strengthens the resolve for our need for the ambilos gauntlet.”
The three Daughters stopped their deliberating by the time Lessiel finished his last word. Alexra gave reply, “In spite of the current circumstances, Duharrae’s will has brought our attention elsewhere. We cannot succumb to distractions.”
Tauri added in before Lessiel could protest, “Should we uncover more details however, we would gladly send word to you.”
Lessiel’s tone did not shift, “You will have a hard time on that front.” Alorix shot him a glare. “We will be giving pursuit, with or without your assistance.”
Alexra’s composure did not shift either. “Your young initiates will require weapons if they are to defend themselves from another experience like that. We will permit you access to purchase wares from our forge before your departure.”
Lessiel nodded, turning from the Daughters, he began leading the Shadowmancers away from the court’s hall. The recruits quickly fell in tow. Safeera walked at his side, with equal resolve.
Nearly halfway towards the court’s doors, Alexra’s voice carried to the recruits. Lessiel paused his step, leaning over his shoulder to gaze back. She remained seated, but called out to the Shadowmancers. “The Promontory.” Lessiel quietly waited for her to continue. “We can lead you to the Arbhant.”
Lessiel called over his shoulder. “We will leave at first light.” With that, the Shadowmancers continued for the doors. The recruits following in silence while Lessiel and Safeera set the pace.
Lessiel did not look back, but he spoke openly for the recruits to hear, “The forge you passed before arriving here, just past the inner gate. Purchase the equivalent of what we forged for you. There will be no time to turn back to Andescion to start this hunt again.”
The group kept pace, following in silence while they moved along the corridor. Stone orbs rotating the light around them. Lessiel continued, “What I intend to be purely investigative, I fear may evolve into some more sinister. Should that be the case, you must be ready for the worst.”
The stairwell loomed ahead, “Equal parts training in eneryia and in physical weaponry. For the next time Blood Rangers fall upon you, you will be ready to step in the other direction.”
Individually the recruits nodded to themselves. Lessiel started down the staircase. Keeping pace at his side, Safeera leaned closer to Lessiel, “It’s not here.”
His voice did not lower, but his pace slowed to face Safeera, “No.”
Safeera went on, “The guidance they offer, is merely us scouting for their own benefit.”
Lessiel nodded, “They fear what we fear, they leverage our path to confirm it.”
Safeera brought the group to a halt. Concern crept from the depths of Safeera’s gaze while she stared into his eyes. Lessiel ran a finger through her hair, “We must search for the source, confirm or refute where they’re coming from. It’s the only way the others will join.”
Safeera took his hand in hers, holding it to her chest tightly. Lessiel leaned in, kissing her tenderly. After a few seconds of embrace, he parted, continuing down the staircase, with Safeera in tow. The recruits shot glances between each other, without losing a step behind. Rayna smiled. There lay to rest your hopes boys.
The Shadowmancers moved together through the main hall of the fortress, emerging from the main gate to a heavy light resting in the sky. The two moons sat crisp on the horizon. Soon the sky will paint a palette over this city.
Standing statuesque on either side of the main road from the fortress were the two cloaked women, Daughters of Duharrae, that had assisted Alorix prior. Still veiled.
Lessiel paused the Shadowmancers before them, while people moved in and out between them. With a quick exhale, “I take it you’ll be coming with us.”
They both nodded in unison. Lessiel continued down the main path, heading towards the forge. “Excellent. You know when we depart.”
Lessiel did not offer another word, nor a passing glance while he walked. In turn, the Daughters had no response.
A few steps down the road, Rayna felt her skin prickle. A breeze swept over, crisp. Rayna glanced over her shoulder to the fortress entrance, the Daughters that had stood statues moments prior, had completely vanished.
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