ILIAS VAN PAYNE
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Eleven of us set forth from Gilead to the Capital. The journey back will only consist of six.
Since Heloise and I weren’t sharing a horse anymore, Camaro set aside two hours of the day to teach me how to ride a pony. Riding a mount was second nature and it only took me thirty minutes to remember how to control one.
“Just how many things do you have a talent for?” the colonel asked.
Except for Tank, the mounts we rode on weren’t the same as the ones we had when we left home—they had been traded back for money.
In almost every village, town, and city was an established horse rental business called the Rohan Company. With this service, people were able to trade money for horses. If it was no longer of use to them, they could drop the horses off at any of the company-owned buildings and get their money back. The horses they owned were healthy and strong, so if one were to die, it would be the renter’s fault. With no horse to return, the company would keep the money they would’ve otherwise given back.
There were still many people who owned horses, but for people that didn’t travel often, it was a useful service. Adventurers also loved this rental system as they didn’t have to worry about getting their mounts getting stolen or killed.
No adventurers had decided to accompany us this time around so our journey grew stale just a few days in. Camaro’s unit wasn’t boring by any means, but it was more interesting talking to strangers while on the road. The adventurers that accompanied us from Gilead gave us that sense of discovery. They would tell tales and give advice about niche things like catching crabs or preparing pinecones for consumption.
On occasions, we would befriend adventurers who happened to be heading towards the direction of Gilead and temporarily merge our parties. They gave us much-needed company, though we’d end up splitting a few days later.
A few new faces every now and then is better than no new faces at all.
No matter where we were, there was always one topic that everyone talked about. I heard about this back in the Capital and assumed the subject was only popular there, but conversations about a white whale always surfaced wherever we found ourselves.
When an adventuring duo who talked about wanting to help exterminate this beast split from us, I asked, “What’s up with this white whale business?”
“While you were taking your exam, a leviathan claimed Headrig’s Pass as its territory,” the colonel explained. “The entire eastern side of the Armestis has been cut off from us and there’s no way to contact them.”
“Aren’t leviathans supposed to be giant monsters of the sea? Why is it such a problem on land?”
“Because this leviathan took the form of a giant six hundred-foot whale that can fly. The theory is that it realized it can form a contract with itself and its ability to fly is its alchemy ability.”
“If it can do that, it won’t take long for it to learn basic elemental abilities. And you said it was six hundred feet? It’s got to have tons of gates.”
“Which is exactly why King Arthureus hasn’t done anything about it yet. He’s trying to get people to learn about the whale.”
“Is that why our coronation to become State Jynxists was so informal? We just signed documents and left. There was barely anyone in the throne room.”
“Yeah, the higher-ups should’ve been there to witness but I bet they had to get straight back to work. And you said Karma Chameleon was your proctor? He’s a zoologist, so I wager he flew for Headrig’s Pass the moment you were gone.”
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The Peaks of Asaru was a mountain range that divided the continent into two. It was skewed to the east of the prime meridian. The mountains were dangerous as eighty percent of labyrinths resided within the range. This caused monsters to gather there and make the mountains impassible.
Headrig’s Pass was the only way both halves of Armestis stayed connected. Around three thousand years ago, a dwarf lord named Headrig rallied the eastern and western sides of the mountains and had them carve a kilometre-wide and fifteen-kilometre-long pass through the mountains at the southern tip of the continent.
Sailing to the other side of the country was never a good idea as passing through the prime meridian was a death sentence.
Along the prime meridian was an active line of volcanoes—the mountain ranges were the result of the volcanoes rising out of the ground and cooling down. The volcanoes on the ocean floor would boil the ocean and cause a three-kilometre radius around it to be significantly warmer. Unfortunately, these warmer waters were the perfect habitats for monsters called Lobstrosities—fifty-foot-long lobsters that can snap their claws so fast that they can shoot out a bubble strong enough to capsize a ship.
This made sailing around the world impossible and why a leviathan claiming Headrig’s Pass as its territory was a huge deal.
“No word of anyone who was in travelling through Headrig’s Pass when the white whale suddenly appeared had been heard. Same for the military personnel guarding the rest stops,” Camaro explained. “They’re most likely dead.”
I slowed down my pony to match Tank’s speed. “A coordinated attack from the eastern side and ours should take down, or at least scare away the beast.”
“If you figure out how to contact the other side of the country, request an audience with King Arthureus. I’m sure you’ll be rewarded.”
“Can’t someone fly a dragon over the ocean around the white whale?”
“We don’t know what this white whale is capable of and dragons can’t fly for long amounts of time without rest. They’re big creatures after all. Even if dragons can do that, there’s a chance leviathans from the sea can attack them.”
“Do you think a state of emergency will be placed?”
“If they have enough information and they need the help of State Jynxists, they will.”
“Will you and Teacher be forced to help?”
“Usually, they’ll only request for State Jynxists in the area. But no matter what, I’m reasonably safe from being conscripted. I’m in jurisdiction of a village—that’s a valid reason not to show up.”
“Your Marching Dolls will be of good help, though.”
The colonel nodded. “Indeed, they will be. But unless the king himself asks for my help, Gilead is where I’ll be and so will you. You may be a State Jynxist, but you are still twelve and aren’t required to attend states of emergencies until you’re sixteen. Best pray they deal with that leviathan within four years.”
On our fifteenth day of travel, we made it all the way back to Bel Tine. We ended up staying in the same inn and went to the same tavern we got drunk at. The owner recognized us and was surprised when I allowed him to inspect my watch and decree. He insisted on throwing a party like last time but Camaro shut that idea down quickly. I did get a glass of ale on the house.
The infamous Bel Tine jynxist whom the party was for the last time we were here arrived at the tavern later in the night. Her constant petrified face was unforgettable.
Billie Jean and I didn’t get to talk much during phase one’s preparatory week and neither during the time we were holed up inside Roswaal’s Jailhouse Rock. I ended up taking her to a table outside to do just that.
She kept her gaze on the glass of wine she swirled in her hand. “So, thanks for letting me stay with you guys during phase one.”
“It wasn't really my call, but you’re welcome.”
“I heard from the patrons inside that you passed.”
I handed my pocket watch to her. “Is this enough proof?”
“You’re twelve right? You’re four years younger than me, so I wasn’t really expecting you to pass. But it doesn’t look like age matters. Maybe it was me that was the problem.”
“You’re sixteen? You look much younger.” I took back the watch. “Only Roswaal and I passed. Thaddeus would have been the third, but he’s an idiot.”
“Roswaal?” she smiled. “I’m glad he passed. It looks like my party members dying for that bird was for a reason.”
“The innkeeper told me you have a talent for wind jynx and you know a couple of intermediate arcane spells. It sounds like you just have to work on your courage. Will you be taking next year’s exam?”
“Not likely. I’m too cowardly and I crack under pressure—those are not the traits someone who’s supposed to be protecting the people should have. I don’t think I’m cut out to be a State Jynxist. Congratulations on becoming one though. I’m sure you’ll serve the country well.”
“Just because you’re cowardly now doesn’t mean you’ll be one forever. If you find the resolve to change, I’m sure the courage you’ll have can overcome any obstacle. You don’t get anywhere by giving up.”