They finally got the wind to stop rushing past them as they exited the village. The trees of the barrier were no longer in sight. Anabelle lightly trotted through the grass. Nicholai had left Anabelle back once already to awe at his new environment.

“Ezra what are these?” Nicholai asked.

“Those are Drymites, small creatures that hang around trees and other floral.” Ezra responded.

“What’s this?”

“That’s a Doran Mole. It has 6 arms and can dig into the ground at an alarming rate. However only the females have the 6 arms.”

“How about this?”

“Rose Ents. Small tree-like beings who naturally grow different flowers on their heads.”

Nicholai took notes of all these fascinating new finds. Every step he took through the woods, he would write something else down. Ezra contained his laughter as well as he could. Anabelle herself sensed joy within him, more so than when they were in the village.

“If only I was a better artist.” Nicholai said to himself.

“Just make accurate descriptions. Then you’ll remember them more vividly?” Ezra told him. Hoping to ease the worry laying within him. Nicholai continued on, branching out through the woods, past rivers and bushes. Finding more of the same. Seeing all of their activities. He followed them around, his back hunched over or crouching down to see. Ezra continued to chuckle beneath his breath. Watching as this new ally wondered about.

“So we got a plan.” Nicholai asked Ezra.

“Well you got any leads on your pops?” Ezra responded, hoping for a solid answer.

“Nope.” Ezra mentally fell off Anabelle due to that response. “I guess my only option is to look around. First we should probably find a village. If he left he had to of stopped somewhere. Even if he had a destination.”

“That does seem like the most possible outcome. Plus if he’s anything like Irene, i’m sure he would have made an impression on some people.”

The next plan was set. All they needed was the right place. Nicholai continued looking through the woods of flowers and exotic creatures. His eyes continued, until he caught sight of something different, something darker than everything in the bright forest. The bodies of a man and woman.

“What? Ezra!” He called over. Ezra walked over to him, unaware of the urgency. Then he found the bodies himself. Ezra kneeled down to them and rubbed their blackened charred skin. The ground around them as well had been burned as well. “Wh….what happened to them?”

Ezra turned to see Nicholai clenching his staff with both of his hands. He shook in place staring at the deceased. His decided to choose his words carefully.

“They were attacked by a monster. Poor bastards.” Ezra’s response tried to be as subtle as possible. Nicholai continued to shake. Ezra look for the best opportunity to move the conversation forward. “We should bury them. But if there is a monster that’s capable of this running around we should do something.”

“Like what. Fight it?” Nicholai asked through his breaking voice.

“Yup. Give me a second. I’ll have to analyze the bodies and the area.” Ezra averted his gaze to the areas unburnt by the monster. Some trees had been taken down. “It was pretty big to tear down that many trees.”

“Hey what’s that on their necks?” Nicholai pointed without coming any closer to the bodies. Ezra knelt down for him, he noticed a symbol. Two rhombus’ linked with an eye. Ezra took notice of this immediately.

“A necromancer.”

“Necromancer? Wait, isn’t that a mage that controls the dead?” Nicholai asked.

“It is. These two were killed and it seems that some necromancer has used them for something.” Ezra responded. He then continued to think about their purpose to the necromancer. Nicholai also began his thinking process.

“These were obviously burned to death.” Nicholai noticed.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“No. It was lightning.” Ezra retorted. “I can use lightning as well as fire. I know the difference.”

“Ezra. Nicholai. I’m picking up some strong emotions. There must be a village nearby.” Anabelle called over to the two. She began moving towards them from near a cliff. Both of them halted their thinking.

“A village. We can discuss this over a drink and food.” Ezra prompted.

“Good. I need something after eating so much crap in Fayspell for such a long time.” Nicholai didn’t hesitate to agree.

“Maybe the village will have what we need. A potion that will help us track the necromancers magic signature.” Ezra stated.

“That’s possible.” Nicholai’s mind flinched at his words. “You can just do that?”

“Well. Yeah, but it’s not easy. Potions that trace magic signatures are hard to come across. We’ll just have to see if this village has one. Come on. You ride Anabelle. I’ll bury the bodies.” Ezra said to Nicholai. He walked over to the mare, looking at the bodies that the swordsman touched without conflict.

They proceeded through the woods and past the event. Anabeelle followed the trail of the strong emotions. Nicholai remained silent. Ezra struggled to find the right words for the occasion. All he could do is stare down at the brown grass. However it began to lose its color, and shifted into a bright lifeful green. Ezra looked up, a village lay in the distance. It lay on top of river of water that shone in the sun. A soaring tower could be seen even from their distance, and the skeleton of some large beast. It stretched the width of the village, and stood nearly as high as the tower.

Nicholai too saw the village, and once noticing it’s features. His spirit was lifted.

“Woah. Look at that place.” He spoke with enthusiasm.

“Well no need to sit here and gawk. A place that cool looking must have some good food.” Ezra led them down into the singing grass. They began to run, their excitement overtaking them. The village got closer. Annabelle continued to sense emotions as they got closer.

“Someone is incredibly angry.” Anabelle said.

“Well, do bad for them, because we couldn't be more estasic.” Ezra said back. They slowed down, and managed to get a clearer view of the waters surrounding the village. A stone bridge connected the grassland to the village. They passed under the sign to the village. Dustgarde it read.

Ezra saw twice as many people here than in Fayspell. Many men and women were garbed with either armor of all types, and weapons to match. Other women dressed more in style to mages, unlike the girls in Fayspell, even carrying magic staves. Other men sat around anvils tuning weapons or crafting them. Even the children were occupied in their own activities.

“This is amazing. This place is amazing.” Ezra’s enjoyment rose with every second he stood in the village.

“Hmm.” Anabelle sensed the vexed emotions growing closer. A single female. Her dress was sparking blue, with black underlinings. Her hair was massive and white, growing completely that it almost covered her whole head and she carried her magic staff on her back. Her arms were crossed and she had an irritated expression. Behind her a man chased. He was much larger than her. He was clad in golden armor, and had a massive axe on his back. He was screaming after the woman.

“Aden. Come back!” He cried out to her and she refused to listen back to him. As she left the town, she vanished in a puff of smoke. Completely gone. The man stopped at the gate, completely saddened by the woman vanishing.

“Hey, let’s find a pub.” Ezra said to Nicholai now that the situation has ended.

“You two, boy with the sword, and young sorceror.” The young men turned to see the man in gold armor still slouched over yet calling to them.

“Um..Anabelle how is he feeling?” Ezra asked the horse.

“He was just feeling sad, now he’s….not.” Anabelle gave her confused answer.

The man stood straight. He turned to the two while rubbing his head. “You two must be new in town.”

“Yeah.” Ezra responded, attempting to escape this interaction by just sneaking away.

“Wait. Is that the Crimson Mare?” The man came back with a question that made the entire town stop what they were doing, and gaze at Anabelle. Ezra mounted her back. People now gathering around the three. Nicholai clutched his staff close to him again. Ezra mentally tried to back everyone off him and Anabelle. The whole town made such a warm and tight welcome for this group. Yet most were excited to see the Crimson Mare. A legend it was, and they all knew about it.

"HEY! BACK OFF YOU IDIOTS." the large man yelled making the crowd disperse. "DON'T GO AROUND SCARING THE VISITORS!" Everyone left the three be. Ezra managed to dismount Anabelle. He stood before the golden knight. Yet was unable to see past his large chestplate.

"Hello." Ezra said hoping he heard. The man bent his body forward, bringing his face to the swordsman.

"Ah. Where are my manners? Welcome to Dustgarde. The powerful, beautiful village where anything is made. I'm Granius Howle. Chief of Dustgarde. And you are?”

“I’m Ezra. That’s Nicholai. And…..yeah this is the Crimson Mare. Her name is Anabelle. Umm….we need some food. And a potion.” Hopefully Ezra thought this would get them on their way.

“Oh...a potion. What do you two youngins need with a magic potion?” Granius asked, circling the three newcomers.

“We’re looking for a necromancer.” Ezra said. Granius stopped moving.

“A necromancer!” Granius lost his happy tone. He smirked at Ezra while chuckling. “A necromancer! Now tell me why some runts like are out looking for a necromancer.”

“Two bodies were found in the nearby forest. They had the symbol of a necromancer on their necks.” Ezra told the large man. “So do you know where we can get a potion that will allow us to track the magic signature.”

“Candice!” Granius called out. A young girl came from around the corner. Nicholai took notice of her first. Her long blue hair reminded him of Irene just a little. Though she stood nowhere near as tall as his old headmaster. The woman wore no shoes. And the only thing she did wear was a completely yellow dress. She was smiling the whole way coming over to Granius.

“Hey, you need my help.” Candice asked the chief, her hands clutched behind her back.

“These guys do. Take this one and make him a potion to track magic signatures.” Granius pointed to Nicholai for the girl. She looked back to him. Nicholai’s heart began to beat. And not out of how pretty this girl was. “I’ll take this one and give him some info on old Zarcah.”

“Zarcah. You found him?” Candice began to worry.

“He found Zarcah. You one with the sword. Come with me to my office. I’ll tell you something about this necromancer.”

Ezra looked back to Nicholai and Anabelle then pulled them to the side.

“Just go with the girl for now. She seems…..nice. Me and Anabelle will see what this dude has to say.” Ezra told his companion.

“You’re really going to leave me alone like this. Come on man.”

“Look I know you're still into that isolator's lifestyle, but now that you're out of Fayspell, things have to change. Just try not to explode.” Nicholai gave in. He made his choice to leave, and now he had to uphold his piece of this responsibility. He had to learn to face the world. He saw Ezra go back to Granius and confirm the meeting about this necromancer Zarcah. Meanwhile the young girl Candice turned to Nicholai and gave a warm smile. Making him blush and quietly flinch.

“Alright. Candice you and Nicholai here go make that potion. I’ll take Ezra with me and give him the rundown on Zarcah.” Granius informed the girl.

“You got it.” Candice approved. Getting ready to help out the uneasy Nicholai.