“Boats are bullshit,” Kaz grumbles as she lifts her pack of gear onto the back of the cart.

It is the 13th of Valafyr. Only a week prior, the group were in the center of the continent known as the Heart of Vale, where they encountered an entity known as Angelika–the guardian of an ancient vault known as the GIX, which harbors technologies and secrets of an advanced, long-dead civilization. After being registered and given identification numbers, the group set out to reactivate the seven Monteith facilities around the world that are still intact–and, in the process, gain the seven Administrator privileges with which to open the vault.

After traveling back to the coastal town of Tarn’s Rest and spending a day or two recuperating, a ship commissioned by Felix ferried the seven across the ocean to the mainland of Kattelox, the second-largest continent on Vale and the location of the capital city of Halcyon, ruled over by Frederik Thorburn–Felix’s brother.

Upon arriving on the coast of Kattelox, a caravan awaits to bring the group the rest of the way to the capital city, found another day or two’s ride inland. It is upon this cart that Kaz, along with the others, load their belongings.

“Iunno, it was kinda nice to be back on the water,” Demy admits.

“Wrong,” Kaz responds simply.

“That’s an opinion, officer. Opinions aren’t right or wrong, they just are,” Cashew argues. “Besides, I liked being back on board, too. Remember, we’re sailors.”

“No, you’re both pirates,” Kaz says, casting a dirty look over at Cashew. “And opinions can absolutely be wrong.”

“How do you figure?” Demy asks, frowning.

“Watch,” Kaz says, pointing at Dahlia, who is currently climbing up onto the back of the cart with help from Addy. “Dahlia: Opinion on beans. Go.”

“Delicious,” Dahlia answers.

Kaz turns to Demy and holds her arms out at her side.

“Okay, point made,” Demy admits begrudgingly.

“Opinions are okay to have, but bringing it up too much can get annoying!” Addy says.

Wren snorts, almost spitting out the drink of water they were in the middle of taking.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kaz asks, eyes narrowing.

“I mean, you complained every day, multiple times!” Addy explains. “It is fair to not like it, but we couldn’t have a conversation with you without you veering the topic to that.”

Kaz stares at Addy flatly. Slowly, she says, “Addy, I’m not sure you have room to talk. No offense.”

Addy blinks in confusion. “What do you mean?” she asks.

“Shiny Friend Kaz means that you also talk a lot about certain things, Friend Addy,” Dahlia explains.

“Oh!” Addy exclaims in realization. “But it’s different. I talk about facts, not my opinions!”

Wren, still chuckling, tries to explain, “Addy, I don’t think there’s much difference between those. It’s the amount of talking, not what you’re talking about.”

Addy wrinkles her nose, expression uncertain. “But I don’t get bored hearing facts, hardly ever! Opinions make me really bored though,” she says.

“I feel like we’ve gotten off the topic of how much I hate water and everything involved,” Kaz interjects.

“Welp, I’m bored,” Addy says cheerfully as she climbs up the side of the cart, flopping down beside Dahlia. The two pick up the intense marathon of Rock, Paper, Scissors that they were in the middle of when the boat docked.

Wren, who has some money riding on the outcome of Addy and Dahlia’s epic showdown, keeps an eye on them as they ask Felix, “So, how long until we get to Halcyon?”

“Assuming all goes well, it should only take a few days,” he replies as he climbs up into the wagon.

Wren elbows Cashew before they also climb up, motioning toward Addy and Dahlia. Cashew’s eyes widen and he elbows Demy in turn, whispering, “They’re back at it, I’mma keep tabs on the outcome. C’mon, spot me!”

Demy rolls his eyes and picks Cashew up easily, sitting him in the back of the cart. He leans his elbows on the rail, leaning in beside Felix and speaking to him candidly, “Hey, thanks for fronting for Red’s Birthday back at the tavern, before we left out.”

Felix smiles a little, noticing that Wren and Cashew are both too preoccupied to hear the conversation, anyway. “It’s important to take any opportunity to enjoy our time on this world,” he says. “Besides, they earned it, after what happened in the Heart.”

Demy nods, thinking back to the battle with those creatures, the Failures, that left the entire group on the verge of death. After all that, everyone was more than happy to have a day of food, drink, and merriment at the tavern. “I just wanted to thank you, is all. I don’t think Red ever got many Birthday celebrations, back home,” he says softly, watching Wren cheer–and Cashew tantrum–as the outcome of the bet is resolved.

Felix nods but says nothing, waiting until Demy and Kaz finally get settled in the cart. The cart begins moving, leaving the docks behind as it winds its way through the port town.

The buildings are similar to the ones in Tarn’s Rest, due to the Loxians being the ones to build both that town and this one. Once the town melts away and is replaced by countryside, however, the similarities between Kattelox and the Heart become truly evident.

Rolling hills and dense forests are punctuated by tiny farming communities and divided by the well-traveled roads of a bustling region. It is damp all year round, with mild temperatures–people from other lands refer to Kattelox as being cold and wet, a bit morose and drab, but overall charming and livable.

To Felix–and Addy–this is home. The dour climate is comforting, cozy, and most importantly, alive. Compared to the Heart, this land might as well be exploding with life and color and excitement. Even to Cashew, who typically finds Kattelox depressing and cold, it is a massive improvement over the last couple months.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

As the cart rolls down the winding forest road, guided by a pair of horses and a driver who came from Halcyon specifically to pick up the group, Felix shifts uncomfortably in his seat. A couple of the others have dozed off to the rhythmic clip-clop of the horses’ hooves and the gentle motion of the cart: Dahlia is curled up beside Addy, who is engrossed in tinkering with her Monteith visor; Wren is dozing against Demy, who sits near Felix, watching the scenery pass by with an oddly serene expression; Cashew is busy chatting up the driver about what Halcyon is like; and finally, Kaz is either asleep sitting upright or praying, it’s hard to tell which.

“Demyan,” Felix says quietly, so as not to disturb anyone else–or to bring any attention to the conversation. “When is your next transformation night?”

“Uh, the 15th is always Corvega’s night for being full,” Demy says. “So, we got a couple nights–why?”

“That should be the night before we make it to the city. I figured it would be easier for you out here, with just the others, instead of rushing to figure out a safe place in Halcyon,” Felix explains.

“Yeah, it will be. Would that be, uh, a problem in the city?” Demy asks.

“It’s not looked upon highly and I have not informed my brothers, so having more than a few hours to figure out a plan is probably best,” Felix says.

“Good thinkin’, yeah,” Demy mutters. “I appreciate everyone being… cool about it, you included.”

“Seeing how you handled yourself in the Heart, I believe you to be a valuable asset,” Felix explains with a sly smile. Seeing his opportunity, he adds, “I wanted to ask you something, as well. Back in the Heart, you didn’t really specify whether or not you thought that we should… share whatever technology and information we find, on our venture.”

“Oh, uh,” Demy stammers, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic–and the topic itself. After making it back to Tarn’s Rest, the group have been quiet about discussing all of that. In truth, there’s only so much to discuss until they speak to the Halcyon nobility and actually encounter one of these “Facilities” that Angelika spoke of.

“Well, if we find out things that could help the world, why wouldn’t we share it? Even Dahlia is willing to do that, if it doesn’t hurt nature or whatever,” he says, shrugging. “I don’t think I’m really, uh, qualified to decide that stuff. I figure we’ll just end up letting you and your brothers decide.”

“Hm,” Felix says, nodding along, though his thoughts darken at Demy’s words. “I was merely curious. I think I, too, will enjoy our ride and have a rest.”

Demy yawns and voices his agreement; within a few moments, he is dozing along with Wren.

Felix, on the other hand, is wide awake despite his eyes being closed.

I’m sure what my foolish brothers will say. I fear that everyone will go along with their decision, he thinks, lip curling a bit unconsciously at the thought. We just achieved peace, must we give the fools another reason to fight?

The wagon rolls on through the forest as Felix Thorburn ruminates on impending ruin.

~~~~~~~~~~

Even a few hours’ travel away, the city lights of Halcyon are visible through the darkness of the forest. Torches and lanterns dot the cityscape, cascading down the large hill in the middle of the valley upon which the settlement sits. At the very top is Castle Thorburn, surrounded by rings and rows of buildings and stone walls, all the way down to the farmsteads of the flat plains below, just on the outskirts of the mighty capital.

Addy has been keen to point out all the landmarks as the group set up camp for the night, rattling off old historical facts and tidbits of information–the most dense of which revolve around the University of Halcyon, the towers of which are clearly visible just below the castle.

Felix has spent the impromptu lecture busying himself with idle tasks, either already fully aware of the things Addy is talking about or decidedly uncaring about that which he isn’t. In reality, he is merely waiting for an opportunity to present itself.

It is only when most of the group are busy fawning over the giant, fuzzy werewolf and the fire is beginning to burn low that Kaz offers to grab some more firewood.

The opportunity has arisen.

“I’ll come with you, Kazimiera. We would do well not to go off alone in the forest, even this close to the city,” Felix says as he meets her at the edge of the encampment.

Kaz nods in agreement and replies, “If you think it wise, then I would certainly appreciate the company, my lord.”

The two make their way into the dark forest, following the path of illumination created by the glow coming off Kaz’s outstretched hand. She glances over at Felix, raising an eyebrow as she says, “It does seem as if the roads around Halcyon are well-guarded, though. We’ve yet to encounter any form of bandit or beast, though we have seen a few patrols.”

“Yes, well,” Felix admits. “There is a reason for the patrols.”

Kaz smiles a little and says, “If I didn’t know better by how you were laying low at camp and appeared just as I was about to go off on my own, I would say that you were wanting to speak with me about something in private.”

I hate perceptive holy people, Felix thinks.

“Ah, guilty,” Felix admits with a feigned smile. “I admit, I am curious about something related to our little quest.”

“I had a feeling,” Kaz says as she takes out a small hatchet and begins clearing some of the smaller saplings. She holds out the gathered stalks to Felix, who frowns at the notion of having to carry firewood of all things. This seems to amuse Kaz, who says, “You offered to help, my lord.”

“Mm, that I did,” Felix grumbles, letting Kaz pile piece after piece upon his outstretched arms.

“I think everyone is anxious about the situation, which is why we haven’t spoken about it at length,” Kaz says as she gathers the last few pieces that they should need for the night, carrying these last bits herself instead of piling more on Felix.

“It seems that many of us are still dealing with our own reservations, as well,” Felix adds.

“True, though I think the reality that we could be doing something very good for the world is setting in,” Kaz explains, which causes Felix to frown behind his pile of wood.

“That’s what I wanted to ask about, actually,” he says. “Before speaking to my brothers, I would like to know where we all stand on the issue–whether this is a quest to preserve these secrets, or to bring them to light.”

“I can’t speak for the others, but I don’t believe that it’s just to hoard these secrets for a select few,” Kaz explains. “No good can come from such greed.”

“What about if those secrets are dangerous? What if they will be used for ill?” Felix asks.

The two begin walking back; Kaz considers this in silence for a few minutes, before answering, “If people use such things for ill, it is a reflection of them, not of the secrets we find. There will always be people that will use tools for evil, just as there will be people to use those tools for good.”

“It is not the tools that I worry for in this situation,” Felix says flatly. “But your point is fair.”

“Methinks that you have been worrying enough for all of us, my lord. Perhaps it is not wrong to believe in the good of people,” Kaz says with a smile.

Felix stares at Kaz, at the former military captain, who has likely seen just as much pain and death as Felix, if not more. He can’t help but feel some sense of ease, knowing that she still believes there to be good in the world in spite of all of that.

The feeling of impending doom lessens ever so slightly.

“Perhaps you are right, Kazimiera. I cannot help but feel responsible for all of this; the thought of it being the cause of another period of fighting…” he trails off, staring up at the night sky. “I am still uncertain, but I appreciate your counsel on this.”

“Anytime,” Kaz says, letting the conversation drop as the two return to the campsite.

They have no way of knowing that the trees themselves are listening.

And that something beyond the trees hears the uncertainty in their words.