Alaric:
“I think you understand why we want you to go to Bridgemond,” Fitzgerald continued, his voice serious.
“Isn’t their base situated there?” Alaric asked, trying to gauge the scope of his mission.
Fitzgerald nodded. “Exactly. You know, the Rebellion has answered every single question about the Kingdom of Lutra, except for one. What are the ores that the Kingdom is harvesting, and why?”
A tense silence filled the room as Alaric absorbed the gravity of the situation. He knew the importance of this mission; finding out why exactly people were being deported, and any intelligence gathered could sway the balance of power.
“I’ve met with the other Board Members,” Fitzgerald continued. “The Third Member, next in line for the throne, learned from a bribed Rider Second Rank that they are holding a meeting with one of the Wardens to discuss their operations. Specifically, a discussion about the transportation of ore.”
Alaric felt a pang of suspicion. “Why me?” he asked, his voice tinged with apprehension. “I’m still relatively new to the Rebellion. Why give such an important task to someone like me?”
Fitzgerald and Richard exchanged a knowing glance. After a moment, Fitzgerald spoke, his tone measured. “A higher-up specifically requested you for this mission, and if this succeeds, I'll be the sixth in succession.”
Alaric’s eyes widened in surprise. Someone within the Rebellion had singled him out for this task.
Did they know who he truly was?
Astrid placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You’ve proven yourself more than capable,” she said softly. “They must have seen your skills. Nothing more, nothing less."
“So, at the end of the day, or month,” Fitzgerald concluded, “we want you to infiltrate the Riders, gather information discreetly, relay it back to us, and leave it to the Rebellion to wipe out everyone else."
“How will I send back the information?” Alaric asked, his mind already racing with plans.
Echostone,” Fitzgerald replied.
“Isn’t that really rare?” Alaric questioned, eyebrows raised. "I've never seen one with my eyes before."
“Yes,” Richard said, stepping in. “I had to go through all types of hell to get a single cluster.”
He pulled out a white stone with gray swirls.
Fitzgerald gestured for him to test it while pulling out another, bigger, stone for himself.
Taking his sword, Alaric made a small cut on the Echostone. Instantly, the same cut appeared on the other Echostone that the Eleventh Member held.
Richard looked proud of himself. “These rocks grow like families, you see. Every cluster has the same perfect memory but a different rock structure. A mark on one will appear on the other, no matter the distance.”
Alaric studied the stone in his hand, responsibility settling heavily on his shoulders.
“Understood,” he said, his resolve hardening.
Fitzgerald nodded in approval. “Good. Make sure to keep it safe. This mission is critical, Alec. We’re counting on you.”
"Give me a month to get it done."
Katherine:
A fleeting three weeks slipped away like a whisper in the wind, urging Katherine to make a hasty move to Bridgemond. She had forgotten about the magical abilities she needed, having grown accustomed to a life devoid of magic.
However, her drive resurfaced as she caught her reflection in the polished surface of her polearm, evoking memories of her surreal encounter within the cavern.
The fear of death still lingered in her thoughts, the mere thought of letting go sending shivers down her spine. Katherine yearned to erase that haunting reflection from her eyes forever.
That voice in her head. It called out to her.
Years of searching, curiosity, and a childhood desire to avoid responsibility had led Katherine to discover a weathered piece of paper in one of the castle's hidden rooms when she was younger.
The paper bore a mysterious green tint, which she suspected was a protective covering. Leveraging her extensive knowledge of herbs, a part of her education, Katherine concocted a solution over two weeks.
She gathered enough redroot and shadewood—herbs known for their gentle, cleansing properties—to remove the green tint without damaging the paper. Despite her careful efforts, the map appeared blank, impossibly clean on both sides.
She quit trying.
But the years passed by, and Katherine found herself among her classmates as they prepared for enrollment by presenting their identification. One such identification was Lunarell paper, a unique material crafted from a specific wood treated with ice. When blood was applied to the paper, it revealed a distinctive color and texture unique to each individual.
A revelation struck Katherine: these papers shared the same composition but differed only in color. Returning to the hidden room, Katherine pricked her finger and allowed a drop of her blood to fall onto the mysterious paper.
To her astonishment, black text and lines began to materialize, forming a detailed map of Lutra. Two dots stood out on the map—one in the sea and the other in Pinewick.
“Could it be hidden treasure?” She wondered. But the Aiyimoreans had one oath. They couldn’t leave the land unless instructed to do so by the Arbitrator to protect the realm.
As she matured, she had dismissed such notions of hidden treasure as nonsense, though a faint spark of belief had always resided deep within her heart.
If the Void Spear was truly at that location, it would be miracle.
On a passing thought, she also found the name of the spear rather peculiar as well, a vibrant, golden spear named after the emptiness itself. But she wouldn’t complain. If it existed, maybe it would heal all of her troubles.
Katherine let out a melancholic sigh, a tinge of sadness lingering in her heart. Amidst the vast snowy plains, her gaze fell upon a distant figure, a girl navigating the landscape. Katherine had learned from her previous mistake and had bundled herself up in multiple layers of clothing, shielding herself from the biting cold. While it was initially annoying, she had grown accustomed to the added weight over time.
Aiyimorea had an enormous amulet at its center, supposedly pushed into the Earth by Primordial Arcanists, or those who had the Talent. The city had always been warm.
“Hey, Cora! Finished with the wood?” Katherine called out, her voice filled with a mix of concern and anticipation.
Cora’s head emerged from behind the stack of hefty logs she had been holding.
“Yup!” she replied, attempting to muster enthusiasm, although the strain of the load was apparent.
“Let me help you. Just a second.” Katherine decided to let go of her thoughts, focusing instead on lending a hand.
As they walked, their conversation turned to various topics. Katherine struggled to fully relate, as her interactions with the outside world had been limited compared to others.
She could only nod and smile, finding solace in the thrill of experiencing someone else’s stories. Cora, despite being only a few years older, had a wealth of captivating tales to share.
Throughout their gossiping, Cora brought up the date she was taking to the upcoming Summer Solstice festival.
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“Cora, how did you?" Katherine’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, causing her to hesitate before continuing her line of questioning. The woman before her, let out a playful giggle.
“Oh, you know. It’s just a feeling,” Cora replied. “When you lay eyes on him, an electric jolt surges through your veins, making you feel jittery inside. You’ll be captivated by his physical features. But remember, it’s the essence of his character that truly matters. Don’t let yourself be raptured solely by his external appearance. As for the art of winning their hearts, well, that’s a lesson for another time, Kat.”
"Please, just tell me," Katherine pleaded.
Cora paused thoughtfully, then set down the abundant stack of firewood with a gentle thud. Stepping back, Cora met Katherine's gaze with unwavering sincerity.’
"It's quite simple," Cora began, taking a calming breath. "Whenever you feel that pull, offer the one who captures your heart a kiss on the cheek. Nothing more, nothing less. I won't burden you with intricate strategies. Believe me, you won't encounter any difficulty." She winked, leaving Katherine feeling a warm glow inside.
"You know, I will miss you lots, Kat."
Moments after wrapping up their conversation, Katherine wordlessly trailed behind her friend. But as they embarked on her final goodbye to the crew, Katherine couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness, knowing she would miss the calm and serene place.
The two trudged through the snowy landscape and approached a small brown hut. This place, though simple, was now her home.
As she climbed the snow-covered steps, the biting cold nipped at her cheeks, turning them rosy. Inside, the warmth of the room wrapped around her like a comforting embrace, melting away the chill.
Just then, three of her friends sprang from the shadows, shouting in unison, their laughter filling the cozy space.
She let out a startled shriek as her first and three friends, Finn, Maya, and Alex, jumped out from behind the furniture, giggling mischievously at the successful scare. Cora, who had led her to the temporary house, was also in on the surprise, and all four of them burst into laughter at Katherine’s reaction.
“I should’ve known something was up.” Katherine realized.
Finn, the joker of the group, grinned and said, “It’s all in good fun, Katherine! We just wanted to break the ice, you know, welcome you to the house that we convinced the village leader to give you.”
“Yeah, and I heard you have a fascination with spooky stories,” added Maya, an avid storyteller herself.
“So, we thought we’d give you a taste of our own haunting tales.”
Katherine chuckled and shook her head, feeling grateful for their efforts to make her feel at home.
At least, her temporary home, she thought, her mood becoming more gloomy.
As the day began to wane, the group found themselves sitting cozily around a crackling fireplace, sipping hot cocoa and exchanging tales of ancient stories and romantic legends. The dim light from the flickering flames danced across their faces.“
Have you heard the legend of the star-crossed lovers from the neighboring village?” Cora began, her eyes glowing with excitement. “It’s said that they were deeply in love but were forbidden to be together by their families. So, they decided to meet under a particular oak tree every night to share their dreams and hopes, even if they couldn’t be together in reality.”
Maya chimed in, teasingly remarking, "Oh, you dimwit, you completely forgot about Riptide."
Confused, Finn responded, "What?"
"You know, the ancient tale of the lost princess who fell in love with a commoner," Maya explained.
"They encountered numerous challenges and hardships, yet their love endured unwaveringly. That story was truly inspiring. Unlike the star-crossed lovers one, it teaches us something worthwhile."
Katherine spoke, “I feel like there are always lessons with these kinds of stories. Maya, even when I got here, Alice told me a story that teaches people to be cautious with how they spend their time.”
Maya laughed, “Huh, really? And here I've always thought our stories were all cheesy.”
Cora took center stage, narrating the story for Maya, while Finn sat in the corner, fiddling with his hands, uninterested in the tales. Katherine, on the other hand, was enthralled by her friends' stories.
In return, she shared heartwarming legends from her homeland, weaving in the magic of her 'Winterfront' heritage. As the night wore on, a bittersweet feeling settled over the room; they all knew she would leave the next day. Noticing everyone’s fatigue, Katherine gently sent them away for the night.
"I wish we had more time together," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.
“You’ve made this place feel like a second home to me, and I’ll never forget the moments we’ve shared.” Maya said, putting a hand to her heart.
Finn, who had always been the prankster of the group, spoke with a sincerity that surprised her.
“Katherine, you’ve brought such joy and warmth into our lives during your stay here. You’re an extraordinary person, and we’re grateful to have met you.”
Alex nodded, her eyes gleaming with emotion. “Visit sometime. ”
Cora, who had grown particularly close to Katherine, held her hand gently and said, “Thank you for being part of our lives, even if it was only for a short while. Remember, no matter where you go, you’ll always have a place here with us.”
Tears welled up in Katherine’s eyes as she embraced her friends tightly, and she sent them off. She stretched her arms and changed her clothes. After twisting and turning in the bed for a long time due to her various thoughts, she finally fell asleep, ready for the long journey the next day.
Katherine jolted awake, trembling from yet another nightmare. Determined to shake off the lingering unease, she swiftly rose from bed, took a brisk shower, and readied herself for the day. After a few moments of washing her face repeatedly, she emerged, selecting her usual attire stored in her bag before heading straight to Cora's house. Aware that layers wouldn't be practical in the warmer weather ahead, she hurried there with her belongings, eager to ask for some summer clothes.
Arriving at Cora's doorstep, Katherine knocked urgently, calling out, "Cora! Can you let me in?" Her friend, still in her pajamas, yawned and stretched, standing before her without the burden of heavy clothing, despite the chilly morning.
"Yeah, sure," Cora replied, rubbing her eyes.
She was sipping a dark, bitter drink.
After watching Katherine eyeing the mixture, Cora asked, "Want some?"
Katherine shook her head. "No, thanks."
Cora paused, taking a deep breath. "I’m really sad to see you go. But as we already talked about, you always have a place to stay here. Hopefully, we’ll meet again."
"Same here," Katherine replied softly. "I’ll go check in with Alice then."
As Katherine started to walk away, Cora called out, her voice low. "Katherine, this might be our last meeting."
Katherine turned back, puzzled. "Why would you say that?"
Cora’s hands clenched into fists before relaxing again. She stepped closer, her expression suddenly icy and cold, sending a shiver down Katherine's spine. Extending her hand, she shook Katherine's firmly.
"I’ll always be there for you," Cora said with a chilling smile. "I’ll be there."
The comment sailed right past Katherine as she bowed absentmindedly and made her way back to her bedroom. Once she emerged, she embarked on a stroll to the small medical ward, a place where Alice wasn't typically busy given the limited number of inhabitants. In a town like Wildedrift, news traveled swiftly, making Katherine a known figure almost as soon as she arrived.
At the door, Alice greeted her, "Hey, Katherine." Turning slightly, the nurse inquired, "Where's Cora? I thought she was going to remind you."
Katherine waved her hand dismissively, "I checked in with Cora.”
Concern etched on her face, Alice remarked, "Alright then."
Katherine nodded in acknowledgment.
Alice continued. "Finn ventured into the forests and wanted to give you a gift. He mentioned he couldn’t return in time, and since you're leaving, I'll just pass on his gift," Alice walked to a corner of the room where an exquisitely crafted grip holder sat. She handed it to Katherine.
“It’s for your polearm.” Alice told her.
“Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Tell Finn I love it!”
The nurse smiled. “Will do. Katherine, have you decided if you want to go with a caravan on your journey?”
Katherine shook her head. “My past is dark, as you know, Alice. I don’t want to be associated with anyone when I go back to that cursed Kingdom.”
Alice covered her mouth as her eyes widened. “Don’t go around saying those things.”
Katherine nodded and laughed.
Her friend didn’t join in. Alice said, “Just trust me, you don’t want to.”
Katherine rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. So, other than the beautiful gift, is there anything else? I have already said my goodbyes. I really don’t want to leave this wonderful place, and if I stay longer I think I would be able to resist anymore.” Alice laughed at the praise.
Katherine finally left after talking with most of the familiar residents. Securing the sheath onto her weathered polearm, she commenced her journey on foot once more. While Maya had kindly offered to lend one of her horses some time ago, Katherine hesitated, concerned about the returning process. Carrying the map was her priority, and she couldn't afford anything that might divert her. She mentally prepared for another expedition towards her destination.
Stepping away, she cast a final glance at her once-new, now-familiar home. Leaving behind so much, Katherine knew deep down she would never quite acclimate to the sense of departure and loss.
She was happy that she had made her first friends.
“But I feel even more sad to leave them just like that…” She whispered to herself.