Chapter 33:

It was already evening when I paced aimlessly around Seb’s workshop, unsure what to do. His treatment of Ren had shown results, yet now he was taken somewhere, and Ren’s condition could worsen from here on out.

Seb himself was a decent guy. He’d treated me fairly since we arrived, even started teaching me herbology and alchemy, going as far as calling me his apprentice in front of the Baron’s herald. It made me feel guilty, knowing that, from the beginning, I’d only thought of using him and his wife for my own goals.

And Annabel? What had happened to her? Her disappearance was also the demon’s doing. She’d been gone for so many days, and I kept acting like it was nothing. Now, I could only hope she was okay.

I felt so utterly useless.

Both Axel and Leia had their own missions, yet I was sitting here, waiting for them to tell me anything they had found.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I hesitated for a moment before walking over.

“Are you there?” The voice on the other side asked. It was Olen’s.

I opened the door, and there he was, his eyes lighting up with curiosity and excitement.

“Hey, do you have a minute?” he asked, his enthusiasm barely contained.

I nodded, stepping outside to join him. “Sure, what’s up?”

Olen’s excitement was almost infectious. “Everyone is talking about how the Dragon passed through here. Is it true? Did you see him? Where is he? I wanted an autograph!”

His enthusiasm was ill-timed, given the situation, but I knew I had to keep everything a secret, so I answered quickly. “Yeah, he was here, but he left in a hurry. Said he had urgent business to attend to.”

Olen’s face fell slightly but quickly regained its excitement. “Still, that’s amazing! The Dragon, here in our village! And you’re just acting so casual about it. I mean, everyone I know would kill to meet him personally, and here you are, a friend of his.”

I swallowed hard. My earlier lies were catching up to me.

“Yeah, well, we’ve known each other for a while. It’s not that big of a deal.” I said awkwardly.

Olen looked at me with a weird mix of admiration and confusion. “It’s just weird, you know? You’re so nonchalant about it. If I were you, I’d be constantly bragging about it. How come you’re so...calm about personally knowing a Champion?”

I shrugged, trying to keep my voice steady. “It’s just how it is, I guess. He’s a busy guy, and I’m not one to brag.”

Olen’s eyes sparkled with a hint of envy. “Man, you’re so lucky. You know the Dragon personally, and you’re staying with the Thornwoods...and I mean, Miss Leia, she’s so beautiful. Living under the same roof with her, that must be something.”

I frowned slightly, trying to hide my discomfort. “Dude, she’s Seb’s wife.”

Olen quickly raised his hand in mock surrender. “No shit. I wouldn’t dream of making a move on her either way. But you know...A guy can still feel a bit envious.”

“Then you should be envious of Seb, not me.” I said.

He chuckled. “True, true.”

I suddenly recalled Axel’s warning before he left.

What if Olen was an illusion of the demon all this time? Could his extreme friendliness be just a plot to get close to me and steal the calcite? Or was he genuine?

I decided to change the subject and test him. Perhaps his answers, and possible questions, would reveal his motives.

“So, Olen, how’s the village been lately? Any strange occurrences?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Not really. I mean, outside of the ignifera I told you about when you arrived…We still haven’t gotten a word from Tehl about it.” He paused before continuing. “But the Dragon passing through is probably the biggest thing that’s happened here in a while. Everyone’s talking about it!”

“Yeah, I can imagine.” I replied, watching his reactions carefully. “And the guards? How are they holding up with all the excitement?”

Olen laughed. “They’re just as thrilled. Den’s been trying to keep everyone focused, but it’s not that simple.”

My gaze fell to Olen’s sword, and a pang of envy struck me, reminding me of my lack of skill with one.

“Are you good with that?” I asked, nodding toward his weapon.

He looked down at his sword and shrugged. “I’m okay, I guess, not nearly as good as Den, though. He’s probably one of the best swordsmen in the kingdom. I bet the Dragon already told you that.”

“He didn’t actually.” I said. “Why did Den leave the capital?”

Olen chuckled. “He had to retire. Because of old age and all that. But old Den is not one to actually retire. Instead, he came here and offered his services to the mayor.”

“Why here, though?”

He gave me a dumbfounded look which I didn’t understand. “Obviously to be closer to his daughter.” He said, his tone laced with confusion.

I nodded slowly, still unsure of why he looked at me like that.

“Why did you ask? About the sword?” he asked, shifting the subject.

“Just wondering if you could teach me some basics.” I lied on the spot.

“Oh, if it’s learning you want, you should ask Den. He’s a great teacher!” Olen’s eyes lit up again. “You should join us in the mornings. After the jogs, we do some sparring and drill sessions. I’m sure he’d be happy to have you.”

“Thanks, Olen. I’ll think about it.” I said, forcing another smile, knowing that I would never join them, and especially won’t ask Den for help.

His answers didn’t raise any suspicion, and I wondered again if he was genuine or not.

Just then, the sound of footsteps approached. Leia appeared, looking tired, worried, and sad all at once.

Olen noticed her too and immediately straightened up, giving a small bow. “Mrs. Thornwood.”

She acknowledged him with a nod, not saying anything as she walked past us and went inside the house.

Olen glanced at me. “She seems sad.”

I shrugged, trying to brush him off.

He shrugged back, gave a quick wave, and said. “I’ll see you around, Luca.” before turning and heading off.

As soon as he left, I hurried inside, feeling the urgency to know what Leia had found out.

“Did you find anything?” I asked, my voice filled with hope and anxiety.

Without looking at me, she climbed up the stairs. “I don’t want to talk right now.” She said quietly.

I watched her disappear into her room and close the door, leaving me alone in the kitchen, my mind racing with worries and uncertainty.

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***

I woke up the next morning, after another mostly sleepless night, to find the house eerily quiet.

Climbing the stairs to the second floor, I searched for Leia, but she was nowhere to be found. I assumed she’d left to search for more clues. Axel hadn’t returned either, and a growing sense of unease gnawed at me as I made my way back to Seb’s workshop to check on Ren.

My heart missed a beat when I saw her arm. The purple hue had begun to return. It was faint, barely noticeable, but unmistakably there. Her condition was worsening again without Seb’s treatments last evening and this morning. And now, with Seb gone, I was terrified that the ominous purple color would completely return and that Ren would eventually succumb to her condition and die.

Left alone again, I paced the room nervously, biting my fingernails. Then, suddenly, the sound of footsteps outside interrupted me, followed by the familiar blare of trumpets.

I rushed to the window and saw the same herald from the day before – the one who had come to fetch Seb to the Baron’s estate. On horseback, he was again accompanied by another armored guard holding the trumpet.

My heart raced. Could this herald be an illusion too? Was that how they’d kidnapped Seb?

Another round of trumpet blasts was followed by heavy knocks on the door.

I hesitated, debating whether to stay silent and hope they would leave. But that was futile since he had likely seen me through the window and shouted up at me.

“I see you in there!” he bellowed, his voice firm. “If you do not open this door at once, you will face punishment directly from Baron Tremoux himself.”

I knew I had no other choice. This man might be a demonic illusion, but if he wasn’t, refusing him could lead to our arrest, and later, to us being handed over to Alaric Belton.

Reluctantly, I opened the door, trying to mask my unease. The herald looked at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. He was probably in his mid-thirties, with carefully groomed brown hair slicked back with some sort of gel. His facial hair was neatly trimmed as well, giving him an official and very serious look.

“Where is Mr. Thornwood?” he demanded. “I came to fetch him once more, as per his request yesterday.”

His words piqued my curiosity, and I realized I might be able to learn something useful. “Request?” I echoed.

“Indeed.” The herald replied. “He said he needed to continue the Baron's son's treatment for one more day. We offered him a room to stay the night, but he refused, saying he had another patient to treat in Lind and would return by morning. It’s highly disrespectful toward the Baron, if you ask me, but Master Thornwood had earned the Baron’s respect in the past, so he was permitted to leave.”

Realizing that Seb was probably referring to Ren twisted my gut. He’d turned down a noble’s request to treat a girl he barely knew. The weight of guilt immediately intensified within me.

But with Seb gone – and unable to reveal he’d been kidnapped by demons – I had to think quickly and lie.

“I don’t know where Seb is.” I said, my voice as steady as possible. “He left an hour ago, and I haven’t seen him since.”

The herald’s expression turned doubtful. “And Mrs. Thornwood? Is she here?”

I shrugged. “Out as well.”

The herald’s face darkened. “If Master Thornwood doesn’t show up in the next five minutes, both he and his wife will be punished by the Baron for neglecting their duties and deceiving His Lordship!”

The threats were flying left and right and my mind raced. I couldn’t reveal the truth, but I didn’t want Seb or Leia punished. I’d already seen first-hand how cruel nobility could be toward commoners. And while Seb and Leia weren’t ordinary commoners, they were still on a much lower social status than any noble.

I felt trapped, until suddenly the herald’s eyes lit up. “Wait! Didn’t he tell me yesterday that you were his apprentice? You can come and treat the Baron’s son in his stead!”

A wave of panic washed over me. I wasn’t really Seb’s apprentice – I’d only known him for about a week. I was on the verge of telling the herald it was all just a joke. That I didn’t have any real experience or skill in treating people. That my knowledge was mostly theoretical. But then, a thought struck me. Axel likely wouldn’t risk going to Tehl himself so soon. If Alaric found out, it could raise suspicion. But me? If my description wasn’t passed down, I should be plain enough to not grab any unwanted attention while I figured out what happened to Seb in the Baron’s estate yesterday. If the herald was real, then judging by his words, Seb left the estate yesterday, only to disappear either on the road back to Lind, where Axel was searching right now, or possibly somewhere in Tehl itself. From the map I’d seen, Tehl was big enough to hide one healer.

It was risky, maybe a terrible mistake. If the herald was an illusion, I’d be walking down into a trap, handing the calcite over. But the thought of doing nothing drove me crazy. I needed to find Seb – not just for Ren, but because of everything he’d done for me without asking questions. So I could stop feeling so guilty already.

I nodded, trying to sound confident. “Yeah, sure. I can treat the Baron’s son instead, as long as Seb and Leia won’t be punished.”

The herald’s stern expression softened, and he smiled, clearly pleased with his quick thinking. “Of course not! The Baron only needs his son treated. Now come along.”

“I’ll be out in a moment.” I said, hurrying back inside to grab a few things.

The herald seemed annoyed but nodded. “Make it quick.”

Inside Seb’s workshop, I grabbed a small leather bag from the corner. It was mostly empty, except for a jar of white powder that I didn’t recognize, which I left. I added some jars with ingredients which I though could be useful: moonflower petals, yarrow root, and turmeric – all common in general healing. I didn’t know what the Baron’s son was suffering from, so I packed anything that might help.

The herald called out impatiently. “What’s taking so long?”

“I’m almost done.” I replied, feeling the urgency to avoid testing his patience further.

I gave one last glance toward Ren, promising I would return soon, before heading to the kitchen.

There, I grabbed the spare key Leia and Seb kept hidden in the drawer and locked the door behind me. Then, with the bag slung over my shoulder, I joined the herald and his companion outside.

***

At first, they led me to the village stables, located near the western edge of the village, opposite the eastern entrance through which we had arrived more than a week ago. They expected me to fetch my own horse, but knowing I’d never ridden one in my life – and unwilling to embarrass myself or ruin the guise of Seb’s apprentice – I decided to tell the truth. “I can’t take a horse from here. I’m not actually from this village, you see.”

The herald’s face twisted in frustration. “Wh-what? Oh, we don’t have time for this!” he sighed heavily. “Just get on my horse. Let’s ride already.”

I climbed up behind the herald, trying to settle in without falling off.

As we rode out of the village, the road quickly turned rough, slowing our pace. I noticed the trees lining the path were charred, their once-green leaves now blackened and brittle. Scorched marks marred the road, and several burned carriages and caravans lay abandoned along the way, their wooden frames reduced to burned and blackened wood.

“What happened here?” I asked, though I already had a suspicion.

The trumpet-bearing guard shot me a grim look. “It’s the damned ignifera. It’s wreaking havoc on these roads, burning everything and everyone it encounters.”

I nodded, recalling Olen’s description of the creature - a being made purely from dark fire that wielded its own twisted version of fire magic.

The devastation was extensive. In some areas, the trees had been burned down to stumps, while ash coated the forest floor like a gray blanket.

“Is the Baron going to send another unit to deal with it?” I asked.

“It’s not that simple.” The herald replied. “The beast hits hard and is impervious to most of our attacks. Last unit sent out hasn’t returned and is presumed dead.”

“But I assume there’s a plan?”

“There is.” The herald nodded. “But, unfortunately, the baron’s son was struck with this strange sickness, so everything’s on hold.”

I couldn’t help but question the connection, assuming it was just an excuse.

The trumpet guard added, seemingly addressing my suspicions. “The baron wants to make sure his household is in good health while dealing with this. He’s already lost a lot of valuable goods and resources because of the creature.”

“And people, too.” I pointed out.

“Indeed.” The herald agreed. “If you can finish the baron’s son treatment, then he can turn his attention toward this matter. It's up to you.”

***

As we continued our journey, the city of Tehl gradually came into view, stretching in all directions. From a distance, its towering stone walls loomed against the horizon, imposing and majestic.

As we drew closer, the massive gates of the city came into focus. Even compared to most of Willox’s gates, they were an impressive sight - towering high above, adorned with intricate carvings and metalwork. The gates were open, and the herald raised a hand as we approached, signalling to the guards stationed at the entrance. They recognized him immediately and stepped aside, allowing us to pass without delay and any questions, much to my relief.

We entered through the gates, and I was immediately struck by the bustling activity within the city. The streets were alive with people going about their daily business, merchants hawking their wares, and children playing games in alleyways. The air was filled with sounds of chatter, laughter, and the occasional shout from a street vendor trying to attract costumers.

The city’s architecture was a blend of old and new, with ancient stone buildings standing proudly alongside newer, more elaborate structures inspired by uncanny geometric shapes. The houses seemed well maintained, painted in vibrant colors that added to the city’s lively atmosphere. Flower boxes adorned windowsills, and climbing vines added touches of greenery to the stone walls.

As we passed a grand magical fountain in the center of a bustling square, its waters sparkled in the sunlight. People gathered around it, some resting on the stone benches encircling it, while others filled jugs with the cool, clear water. The fact that people could freely drink from the fountain astounded me. It seemed surreal that they could do so while in Willox, people weren’t even allowed to drink from the Bracebrug Stream, let alone the fountains.

As we navigated the streets, I couldn’t help but draw more comparisons to Willox, feeling an unexpected sense of detachment. I had been a street urchin in Willox for many years, surviving by my wits and the occasional stolen coin or meal. Here, however, as I scanned the alleys and street corners, searching for familiar signs of homelessness or desperation, I found none. No one was begging for money, no obvious pickpockets weaved through the crowds. It was as if Tehl had no room for the likes of me.

I felt a pang of envy and disbelief. How could a city be so prosperous, so free from struggles that had defined my life in the capital? The contrast was stark and unsettling.

Even the city’s citizens seemed relaxed, mostly happy and unbothered. They were also largely oblivious, and perhaps uncaring, to the creature lurking just outside their walls in the forest.

At last, we arrived at a large, imposing building near the city’s center – the Baron’s estate, I assumed.

My heart raced at the challenge ahead.