The wind swept through, bringing in a crisp morn; a vulnerability of the mountainous region - for some. For those native to Novus Terros, the cold wind was a fortress, a protection from outsiders.

Julius Ryker stood at the edge of the balustrade, overlooking the morning’s sun attempt to push over the horizon, through the dense cloud line. The overcast skies led to darkened shadows, accenting the crevasses in the Terros Enclave’s tower that lay beside him. Down below, the City of Kyan loomed a distant sight, far from reach.

His swamp green cloak whipped in the wind, thick as winter’s grasp, yet elegant as summer’s kiss. Enclosing the cloak around his chest were two metal clasps, joined in a triangular overlay. Emblazoned in the center was the sigil of the Terros Enclave; a narrow spike with three circles descending in radius to the peak of the sigil, encompassed by two half circle spikes on each side. The cloak, in addition to the blackened leathers from chest to boot, would be sufficient for the day’s affairs.

In the corner of his eye, he saw a shadow approach through the fog that engulfed the bridge. Bronzed metal grasped from his shoulders, forearms, to legs. Lightly tanned leathers underneath, leading to the same swamp green cloak that Julius bore.

The man stood before Julius, put both hands on his shoulders, shook his head, proceeding to fix the alignment of Julius’ cloak. Once Garrett Leidich was content with Julius’ display, he took a step back, marveling at his work. “You wore it. At the least, I’ll give you that.”

Julius smiled, welcoming Garrett with a handshake followed with a quick embrace. “Formalities have never been my forte, that’s why I keep you around.” Garrett stood a few centimeters taller than Julius, but was two or three cycles fresher.

Garrett laughed, glancing over to the massive doors that led to the inside chambers. Intricate glass panels worked their way up well beyond the reach of any human. The sunlight briefly pierced the skyline illuminating the reflective architecture. He then joined Julius in gazing out over the balustrade. “I bring good fortune, Julius. I can now ask of you the same task you’ve asked of me.”

Without taking his eyes off the sky, Julius smiled. “You’ve finally chosen a name for her?”

“Aleyssa. In honor of her sister-in-arms, Alesia.” Julius’ face grew solemn. Garrett turned from the grey sky, leaning against the pillar. In that silent moment, he looked down at his hands, then glanced back at Julius. “I know she shall look up to Alesia for many cycles to come.”

It had been nearly half a cycle since Garrett had found out his wife was to give birth, and just over twelve and half cycles since Julius had asked Garrett to be Alesia’s Godfather. Where had the time gone…

Snapping himself back to consciousness, “I would be honored and humbled, for one day the bond our daughters share, may match our own.”

Garrett laughed again with a raised brow. “Humbled, you say?”

Julius proceeded to walk towards the tower. “Don’t push your luck. Save it for the long day ahead of us.”

Garrett fell in tow, the second Julius passed him. “I told you I brought good fortune.”

~~~

The Audience Chamber was comprised of multiple levels, all giving line of sight to the focal point of the room. Coliseum-oriented seating fabricated the upper level, allowing attendance for an abundance of members from the various squadrons gathered. Down below, the bronze and copper colored floor enveloped the eye of the room, with outlines of massive carved gears designed into the floor itself. The center table, in similar fashioned color, let off a reddish hue from the sun let in from the ceiling’s skylights. Dim it may be, we’ll need every drop.

The other captains had already taken their place at the center table. Julius and Garrett made their way to their seats. Across from Julius sat the Leader of the Terros Enclave; Axus. To Julius’ right, Garrett took his seat.

The clamor of the hall died off when the Enclave’s Leader, Axus rose from his seat. Salt and peppered hair fell slightly below his ear line. He wore an elegant blackened leather jacket with a bronzed pauldron clasped at his right shoulder. His green cloak hung over the pauldron and swung down to his boots, fastened differently from the other captains, but bearing the same sigil. Always the one for bureaucracy.

“This morning we’ve gathered captains from across Novus Terros, to vote on business affairs regarding opening trade with Melacalya.” Axus looked to Julius. “Captain Julius Ryker, shall be opening the floor.”

Calm and collected, Julius rose from his seat in sync with Axus sitting down. Julius watched his leader carefully. Axus gazed back with dark eyes, a pit of curiosity and contemplation. Even if he is willing, it’s the hundreds of other eyes I need to win to my side.

“For numerous cycles we have watched tensions rise between Novus Terros and Melacalya. From territorial disputes, to cultural differentiations, it seems the divide only grows thicker by the day.”

Disapproving looks were spreading like weeds - this was not the first debate. “I wish to call for a vote on an end to the embargo against eneryia practices. Let us be the ones to bring balance to the realms. The Terros Enclave should be at the forefront.” Silence instilled the chamber.

A battle-aged captain from the table, Johne Royhus, spoke with calculated weight in his voice. “They renounced their humanity the day they embraced such dark powers.” The approval was all but definite in the audience.

Julius looked around the hall, then back to the captain. Careful. “We could lead them back to the righteous path, instead of cast them aside. Should we allow ourselves to become no better than them?”

His hair cut short and swept to the side, had begun to fade from black to grey, only a dozen more cycles than I, but his face was gaunt. Johne gradually rose from his seat, with his open palms pressed against the table, his unblinking eyes set on Julius. “The guilds of Melacalya have no interest in bringing balance outside of their favor. If we show any inclination of weakness, they will strike us, and take what humanity we have left.”

Julius let instinct take the form of words, despite his resistance. “Have you treated with their leaders as of late, captain?”

Johne scoffed at the very notion. “I’ll be making no deals with savages.”

“Then you bring the equal amount of ruin that you condemn the Melacalyan for bringing down upon us. If we are to find what we have spent countless cycles searching for, then we must make peace with the past. For the hope of a future.”

The tension in the room was stirring, two other captains rose to speak. Before it could progress further, Johne gave response to cut all off. “Say we open our doors to these creatures. Bring them in our cities. Let them eat from our tables.” He had begun to pace the floor now, speaking to the audience above. Silence ensued the chamber.

“How long will it be before they start demanding representation at our counsels? How long till they manipulate their eneryia towards us?” The older captain stopped, letting a moment of silence pass. “Would we be safe should they turn on us, with our doors wide open?”

The uproar was consuming the hall. Julius gave quick reply. “Should our doors open, theirs shall as well. With passage through their lands, we may find the prosperity we haven’t found before.”

Captain Johne approached face to face with Julius, increasingly stern. “You mean with open passage of both lands, so your scouts may come home? Or is it to let them in for her?”

Julius’ temper flared. “My scouts search for the benefit of our people – “

Axus waved a hand to silence the argument. He knows. “This isn’t about the eneryia embargo, is it Julius.” The hall stilled. The other captains took their seats, all but Johne and Julius. I must make him see.

Johne took an extended length to give Julius one last long stare, before turning to his seat, with no sign of haste.

“The eneryia embargo is a crutch upon both realms, should we lift it – “

Axus never changed emotion, he was calm, yet authoritative. “This is about Alesia, Julius?”

Julius remained silent, the exposition no longer in his favor.

“She belongs here with her own kind, surrounded by those that love her... you know I would do anything I could – “

The moment’s reprieve was over, Julius made his move. “What if there was a way. These Melacalyan believe in ‘wisps’ – what they consider to be gods, with different powers pertaining to their respective lands. There is one of these wisps that is said can ail any sickness. If there is even the slightest chance of truth in this, I must seek this out. We could bring our two factions together brother, for the benefit of all – a new era of medicine we could ignite. We could finally find what our ancestors sought.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Axus Ryker shifted in his seat, resting his hand to his chin. “The Melacalyan have hunted our people down anywhere near the border. None of our scouts ever return. We would endanger how many lives, for just a hope - with no evidence on top of that. I cannot risk our own for this.”

Julius gathered what organized thought he had left, before Axus left him devoid of that too. “I wish to take my own squadron with me, free of the Enclave’s supplies. Should we fail, then you are short a captain and a few good soldiers. Should we succeed, you are credited with sparking a new era of peace and advancement between our factions.”

Axus rose from his seat now. “Should you succeed…” Axus slowly walked around the table, maintaining eye contact with Julius. “If you brought our armies, or even a squadron of yours across the border, they may take it for an act of war. They may attack at the mere sight of your presence.”

Axus was now face to face with Julius. “If you fail, you risk the lives of all our people. If you fail, you risk the life of your daughter.”

Julius snapped back aggressively. “She is of your blood too.”

Axus lowered his head for a moment, rising to meet Julius with tranquility to avoid calamity. “If you fail, you risk the lives of my brother and my niece. Should they see it for an act of war, they may invade us entirely. A price I am not willing to pay. Sending her out there, is marching her to her death. It’s suicide.”

Julius searched to find an answer in his brother’s face, some route to take, anything.

Axus spoke softly now, the room was quiet. “I have exhausted every outlet the Enclave has to offer. Let her enjoy the rest of her days amongst those that love her dearly. If there is hope, and I pray there is, it is here in Kyan.”

Axus concluded the discussion on the matter, it was on to the next topic. “I believe we have other matters to discuss here today.” He made his way back to his seat. “The Invictus Trials approach soon, and we have champions from each land to represent the Enclave. Captain Johne, if you may?”

Captain Johne rose from his seat, briefly staring at Julius, then beginning his speech to the Enclave. Julius could hear none of it though. The echo of Axus’ denial was deafening. In the corner of his eye Garrett was motioning to leave the table.

Julius and Garrett made their way to the hallway, out of earshot of the chamber. Axus watched Julius leave. Passing a dinner table lined up with fresh fruits, Garrett grabbed a ripened apple, tossing it a few times in the air while they walked.

~~~

With the glass paneled door slammed shut behind them, once again they were back outside by the balustrade. Julius looked to the grey sky again, the sun had become a dim shadow overcome by clouds. “I thought you brought good fortune?”

Garrett took a bite of the apple. “I always bring good fortune. However, what you seek was never in that room.”

Julius gave Garrett a perplexed look.

Garrett took another bite of the apple. “I wanted to be certain we had no other option, and it seems the cards have been dealt.”

Julius failed to read into Garrett’s cryptic behavior. You are usually much blunter than this, my friend.

“I know where we can find the wisp we’re looking for. It’s going to take a while to get there, and we will need escorts along the way, but I believe in this source.” Garrett leaned over the balustrade, gazing at the skyline again.

Julius joined Garrett in gazing out over the balustrade. “My brother will not be keen on letting two captains, nor an Enclave squadron walk out of Kyan, let alone Novus Terros, unnoticed.”

Garrett let the remains of the apple roll in his hand. “Your brother said we can’t take a squadron. So, we won’t take a squadron. What I’ve put together, is more of a militia.” He turned to the length of the bridge, beginning to walk away from the corner.

Julius looked down over the edge, you leave me no choice brother. He turned to Garrett, “Who are these people, and where are we taking them?”

Garrett turned, “The who, well better for me to show you than to tell you. And as for the where?”

He smiled, tossing the apple core over the edge, “Beyond Oblivion.”

~~~

The pale grey sky had begun transitioning into a darker night’s palette, shifting the shadows in peculiar forms while Julius and Garrett rode through the pass.

Together they rode side by side through the mountain’s curves, each bend taking them deeper into the southward regions, yet higher in altitude. The walls of the passage were smoothed from cycles of rain, helping the man-made passageway take its full form.

The mountain’s trench came to a peak, with five figures on horseback blocking the path. Behind the ensemble, was a packhorse tied off to one of the others.

When Julius and Garrett drew closer, he recognized the dark palfrey that had been bred in his family’s line for more cycles than he could recall. Sitting in the palfrey’s saddle was a child of twelve cycles.

With her posture straight, shoulders back, she wore a browned sepia riding jacket with lightly tanned pants that tapered down to the calve high boots, dark as coal. Her stare was transfixed on him, showing little on the surface.

But beneath those storm cloud grey eyes, and lightly freckled skin, the curvature of a smile begged to erupt from either end of her lips. Her hair fell long past her shoulders in thin strands of strawberry blonde. Just as her mother’s.

Alesia urged her mare forward a few steps to Julius’ approach, with the others in tow. Two of the mounted, he recalled, one of which from my own squadron, the other two he could not place a name to. On approach of the two captains riding up, both parties dismounted.

Zandra at the girl’s right, offered a hand to help Alesia dismount, “Thank you Miss Zandra, but I am capable.”

She laughed, watching Alesia help herself down, taking the reins of her palfrey, “I know you are quite capable, my dear. Your father would have my head on a pole if you weren’t.”

Julius embraced Alesia as she came to him in open arms, while analyzing the comrades around her. “Has my own daughter been used in plot without my knowing.”

Garrett strode past Julius, ruffling Alesia’s hair in passing. All the while managing to make Alesia turn to scrunch her face at him.

He smiled, turning back expectantly and theatrically, “Julius you are correct on one account, but Alesia brought about this whole arrangement on her own.”

Julius laughed despite himself, shaking his head, “A Captain of the Enclave, outwitted by one with twelve cycles?”

Garrett straightened his presentation, nodding persistently at the humorous concept. “Why yes, yes I was!”

Alesia turned to her father once more, excitedly, “I want to see Melacalya.”

Julius took both of her hands in his, gently rubbing them with his thumbs. “Your fingers aren’t so swollen today.”

“Zandra said there would be no time for swordplay today. That I must save my strength for a long journey.”

Julius took it all in at that moment. If only I could keep you safe here, and bring the aid to you. He studied the faces around him. “So, Garrett… this your militia?”

Garrett gestured to each standing before Julius in turn. “Zandra Paet and Lodan Balvent make for excellent choices. Zandra from your own squadron, Lodan from mine.”

Garrett was right on that account, Zandra Paet had been in Julius’ squadron as long as he could remember. Zandra wore hair wound tight in braids of dark auburn, with the swamp green cowl pulled over the top of her head. Attached to the cowl was a sleeveless tunic that rested over her steel armor. She was athletically built, but more importantly, she was very close to Alesia.

Lodan Balvent was clad in thick steel, with a throwing axe at his side, and a greatsword over his shoulder. He bore no helm, letting his sand-grain hair fall to his shoulders in slight waves. His face had seen more cycles seen than Julius or Garrett, but still one the Enclave’s best hunters.

Garrett continued, “To avoid giving our intent away so quickly, no more than one from a squadron can be taken. To bolster our strength, we have the Gaius Rosche of Viridios.”

His shirtless display marked a heavily tattooed torso carved from stone, even in having an equal number of cycles to Lodan. His beard was freshly cut, his head was shaved, save for the top, which fell about eight centimeters off to one side of his head.

Julius rose to face the man. “I have heard great stories of your prowess on the field. You are to compete at the Invictus Trials this cycle, no?”

Gaius spoke surprisingly earnestly, “They’ll always be another cycle for the Trials. Garrett tells me you have a need more dire.” He brushed his beard with his fist. “As far as I see it, she’s got captain’s blood in her. I’ll be damned if I don’t play my part in protecting that blood.”

The other man stepped in beside Gaius and Julius. “Save some of that glory for the rest of us.”

Garrett smiled with his arms across his chest, “And this, is our engineer. Jaecar Erinth from the City of Kyan itself.”

Jaecar stood wrapped in numerous leathers and pouches, straps bounding them all, with an azulene undershirt beneath it all. A quiver of bolts hung from his side, ammo for a large wood-steel crossbow, intricately carved, slung over his back.

While not quite the massive presence of Gaius, both men would deal serious damage with or without their weapons by the look of it.

Julius nodded thoughtfully, with approval. “My brother, will most certainly send after us if he can help it. However, once we clear the border, I’d be more concerned about the repercussions upon our return.”

Julius stood with Alesia in front, both hands on her shoulders, analyzing the ensemble laid before them. He eyed them each in turn. “Are you prepared to deal with the consequences we may receive?”

Garrett strafed a measured pace in front of the militia he had assembled. All watched silently until he spoke. “He is not wrong. At the absolute least, you each face desertion from your squadrons… Treason… Imprisonment… This is the tip of the mountain’s peak, in comparison to what you will find in Melacalya. None of our scouts have returned prior. In essence, death awaits us all, should we fail.”

He continued with robust momentum. His pace constant, all eyes were fixed on Garrett. “Meeting the justice of the Enclave will be a victory, for we risk it all – not only for an opportunity to bridge the divide between our two realms,” Garrett knelt beside Alesia, “but for an opportunity to bring home the aid we require.”

Garrett stood, drawing his sword. He toyed with it before pressing on. “I ask each of you here, right now. To pledge your lives, your blades, your very blood, not to either me nor Julius. Nor your captains. Nor the Enclave itself. I ask your allegiance to her and only her. Your loyalty for every moment muscle moves in your very being. Every breath you take, is hers.”

Garrett spun from facing Julius, bringing the tip of his blade at the eyes of Gaius. He stood steadfast, unchanged. “The heir of the Enclave has my sword.”

Garrett turned, repeating the same motion for Zandra. She snuck a quick smile at Alesia before she gave reply. “We bring Alesia home. No matter the cost.”

Garrett brought his attention to Lodan, then Jaecar. Lodan nodded with the same conviction as the other two. Jaecar spoke with resolution. “We bring victory at our heels, or we shan’t come back at all.”

Julius held Alesia’s shoulders a little tighter. Alesia stood with the utmost composure, quiet, but attentive. The eyes of the militia that lay before him, rose to Julius’. Garrett turned his attention to Julius as well. “Well, Julius?”

Something extraordinary, or cataclysmic, will become of this. “Let’s get moving.”

God help us all.