The southern part of Golodh

The attack on Iolite

Riding on the back of the wooden wagon, Ian was laying down with his hands behind his head. A wheat straw stuck out of his mouth. “Tell me, why do you suck on the tip of the wheat straw again?”

“Well, ‘cause it’s cool, duh. And you don’t die from it.” A dwarf child said, lying beside him.

Moving his jaw, he twitched the wheat straw up and down. It was nice to chew on the edge of the dry straw, he could see why it was addictive. The open blue skies were soothing, allowing him to sort his thoughts.

“Mister, what did you say you were gonna do again?”

“I’m going to see my friend, but she flew away.”

“She? Pops, he said it’s she! I told you it wasn’t a guy!” The child directed his voice to his father, who was focused on riding the horses.

“Shut yer’ mouth. You better keep that straw tight. And focus on guarding the goods! Don’t want any bandits sneaking up.” The dwarf responded, gripping tighter on the reins.

“Yeah, right. Whatever.” The child said, twiddling his fingers.

“I’m gonna lay it to you. She’s not into you. Take the hint and move on.” The child adjusted his straw back into his mouth.

“How old are you again?”

“Ten.”

“There’s no hint.”

“She left you in a town and flew home. It’s obvious! Also, cause she’s a fairy with awesome magic and you, as a human, could help her. Sensible.”

Ian gave a carefree laugh and stretched his limbs in a long, relaxed manner. After a while, his view slowly changed from one of a clear sky to being shaded by the canopy of trees.

“Old man, we’re not following the main path?”

“Rumors have been going around on the bandits on the main path lately. No biggie, we’re just going to keep at the edge of the forest.”

“No problem” Ian said, lying back on the wagon. The sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the ground below. The lush greenery of the trees below the canopy created a serene atmosphere, and the tranquil surroundings were broken only by the echoing calls of tropical birds.

And the sound of a child that would not stop talking.

“What’s this forest called?”

Ian looked at the kid. His beady, hazel eyes sparkled with wonder and excitement. His long wavy hair was tied into little braids, two on each side, with a summer cap fitted neatly on his head. He placed his little hands on the walls of the wagon, trying to see outside. But being the dwarf, there’s nothing much to be seen.

He picked up the kid and placed him on one of the cartons on the wagon.

“First time out here?”

“Yeah, ‘cause I’m ten, and I’m the coolest child in the family. I can work like pops.”

“You’re my only child. Stop boasting.”

Ian gave a hearty laugh. “Officially, there’s no name. Within the locals, it’s called the Forest of Banishment.” Ian wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes.

“Banishment? Meaning no one can get in?”

“They say it’s the work of fairies or drows. Some also say that it’s because druids keep those who are evil away. But no one could ever cross this forest.” Ian explained.

The older dwarf chuckled. “Lad, what you said was the partial truth, but that’s not why.”

Ian turned to the dwarf, listening to what he had to say.

“Eh, it’s never mentioned. Just word between us merchants. Everyone who entered the forest deep enough said the same old. They heard a bell, and they were kicked out of the forest.”

“Whoa! Like kicked out. Were they flying?” The kid exclaimed.

“Quite literally. Them and the things they brought with them. Before them, I never believed any nonsensical fantasy. It slows the coin, you see. But these old eyes saw a group of elves flying out of the trees. Their wagon, horse, and their shit loads of stuff.”

“Whoa, that’s so cool! Let’s go there!” His face scrunched up, giving a toothy smile.

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“Not with our lives’ worth of trade goods, you twerp! Yer’ ma is going to send me flying when I show up empty.”

Ian played a few rounds of ‘I Spy’ with the kid, which was quite unfair for Ian because dwarves have better sight. They could see in the darkest corners of the world, and further than any other races.

Soon, they exited the forest and rode a little longer on the main road, reaching the port of Golodh.

“Are we there yet?” The child asked excitedly.

Ian narrowed his eyes to see royal ships carrying thousands of citizens to the trading port. Even the old merchant brought his horse to a complete stop.

“These ain’t no merchants,” he said, getting off the horse.

“They are evacuating the country. Something is going on. I’m sorry, old man, but you might need to turn back.” Ian jumped off the wagon.

“Evacuating? From what?”

“From that thing in the sky!” Ian yelled, pointing up at the sky.

A foot parted the clouds and descended from the skies. A foot made of a mixture of the tycoon, blizzard ice, and magma, coexisting in harmony. From their distance, it was clear as day that the castle seemed small compared to it. Before it could land on the ground, all the buildings and trees in its vicinity were blown away. The trees closer to the magma burned in flames, while the rivers close to the blizzard froze in time.

The child narrowed his eyes. “Someone is burning in black flames over there.”

Ian’s eyes widened. “Where?”

“On that building over there.” The child said, pointing in the direction of the royal capital.

Ian gulped. It can’t be. “Thanks for the lift, old man! I’ll see you soon!” He dashed off, not waiting for a reply.

“You’re going in there? To save your friend?” The kid exclaimed, admiring Ian’s actions. Ian was nowhere to be seen by then, disappearing into the crowd.

“Eh, haven’t thanked him for fixing the wagon.” The older dwarf said regretfully.

“He’s cool.”

“Yeah, but stupid. Let’s get out of here.”

Ian waded against the flow of the panicked crowd, contemplating if he should use the power of the stars now. He needed a disguise.

Ian tapped the shoulder of a random person. He gave a convincing smile. “Hey, can I have your cloak? I’ll give you two silvers for it.”

The elf stopped abruptly, bewildered. “What? Alright, whatever.”

As soon as the hood was on, Ian leaped into the skies, traveling through the skies on the road of constellations. As soon as he reached the ocean, he lowered down to avoid any unnecessary attention. But he did catch the attention of a certain royal guard from that leap.

“Hey, you! You with the blue cuffs! Are you insane?! The continent is about to blow!”

Ian pondered and continued to run at top speed.

“How the hell are you running on the sea? Wait, no! Come back!”

He heard the voice traveling closer to him. “Are you deaf or mute? Answer me at least!”

Ian had to maintain his concentration on the constellation. He had two constellations running simultaneously, so he barely gave out a whisper, “Don’t mind me.”

“So, you’re not mute or deaf. Come back to Golodh immediately! Things are chaotic over there!”

“I can’t stop.” Ian gave out a small whimper, feeling his foot descending into the sea of water.

“You what?”

“I’m losing me—” Ian yelled, as his whole body sunk into the ocean. The waves were rough from the change in the wind and swallowed Ian whole, not giving him even a fighting chance. The sounds of the rough waves, the thundering weather, and the screams of the fairy behind him were all muted as he plunged deep beneath the ocean surface.

A few bubbles of air escaped his lungs. Ian tried to hold in as much breath as he could, praying that he could use it as a source of buoyancy. A man could never fight against the tides. He felt someone pulling him out of the ocean, grabbing him with his outreached arm.

The fairy gasped for air on all fours on the sandy shores of Iolite with Ian beside him, coughing air.

“Are you insane? If you wanted to cross, why didn’t you just use a portal or…” The fairy’s eyes blinked a few times out of surprise. He peered closer to feel Ian’s rounded ears.

“You’re… human. A human that uses magic.” The fairy said, giving out a small gasp.

Ian gave a nervous chuckle. “It’s an artifact.”

The fairy nodded his head. “Right, I’m not stupid. We have spells that tell truths from lies. Never mind that, I’m bringing you back.”

“No, I’m going to the Princess. You’re a royal guard, right? Where’s the way to the castle?” Ian asked, standing up.

“Why are you going there?”

“Because only I know how to save her life. And now, she’s on the brink of dying.”

The fairy kept quiet for a while.

“I don’t exactly have time now. Your Princess is in the middle of the foot now. That foot!” Ian’s glare was unwavering, his voice lined with a thread of warning.

The fairy shook his head slightly in disbelief. “You better be right about this.”

“You should be wishing that I am wrong about all of this,” Ian mumbled under his breath.

“My name is Jade, by the way. Spread this flat down on the ground. I’m sending you to the royal castle straight away. If you see the King and Queen, bring them as well.” Jade instructed, handing Ian a golden linen cloth.

“Not to mention there’s no way back. The spell burns the only linen cloth I have with me. The royals have an emergency tunnel at times like these. A trapdoor under the throne. You’ll find it once you remove the carpet underneath. Follow it and it should lead you to the shore. I will wait for you there with a ship.”

“Alright,” Ian nodded, spreading the linen open. But the winds were blowing hard, making it hard for Ian to do it properly. “In any case the footfalls, the emergency exit…”

“It should survive a few natural disasters.” Jade clasped his lips tight until they became a line, looking at the giant foot that could crush the entire continent.

“Right, it should.” After a few tries, the golden linen was neatly placed on the sandy shore, secured by four rocks in each corner.

“That’s alright. Just keep holding on to it.” Jade closed his eyes and focused on the spell itself.

“By my birthright, I humbly speak, through mystic forces, the path I seek. Between the realms, I call it forth, a bridge to guide and lead him forth.”

The gold linen folded itself into a beautiful golden door. The double doors swung right open, inviting Ian into it. He took a step into the door, immediately entering the royal palace. Before the doors closed, Ian took a glimpse at Jade, saying, “Bring Lucia back, please.”

Ian looked at his surroundings, walking around. It seemed to be a dining room of sorts.

“Why didn’t you send me straight to the throne room?” Ian sighed.