For the last hour, Mira sat knelt before the altar of the Deep-Watcher: Valstrom’s god of the sea. Kai hadn’t realized communing with a deity would be so boring. His eyes wandered around the room. Followers of the Deep-Watcher wore robes dyed a deep cerulean. Adorned with jewelry carved into various sea life.
The temple itself had been raised on a cliffside. Carved from a stone tinted with shades of blues and purples. Their altar was erected at the center of a large circular room. Those who came to worship bowed in a ring around the altar. Only the Grand Priest or other holy figures were allowed to approach the altar itself.
Kai had nestled himself against a pillar near the entrance. The smooth stone numbed his shoulder as it pressed against it. Should have went with the dwarf. At least then he would have had anything to do. Still, Kai couldn’t help but smile as he watched Mira tackle her duties as a priest. Mira may not have thought so herself, but Kai considered her lucky. Her life had a clear goal. Even if that goal was nothing more than to commune with beings beyond mortal comprehension. Him on the other hand, what was there? A desire to take on the Aranea Syndicate? A foolish endeavor. Even if he took out leaders, there were always more spiders in hiding.
“There you are,” a familiar voice called out. Kai watched as his sister slipped into the temple. Mirroring her brother’s posture against the opposite pillar. “Torrik has finished the shopping. When can we begin heading out?”
Kai looked over to Mira, “Unsure. She hasn’t moved in quite some time.”
“Has anything divine happened?”
“No.”
“Just this?”
“Just this.”
“I don’t get holy people,” Vivian stepped away from her pillar. “We’ll be at the inn when you’re ready. Take too long, and Torrik and I will handle this ourselves.” Vivian wandered off. Leaving Kai to consider what she’d said. It had been taking longer than they could afford. Even he began to consider leaving Mira’s side. The thought burdened Kai. Mira was doing this because of him. Abandoning her due to his own impatience would be wrong.
Come on Mira, he narrowed his eyes. Trying to find any sign Mira was close to finishing her ritual. The swish of robes and shuffle of feet filled the air. Those in prayer had risen to their feet. All but Mira. “What’s going on?” Kai called out. Making his way towards the acolytes. He took one by the shoulder. Spinning the man around to look him in the face, “Why did you all stand except Mira? Did something happen?”
“There is no reason to be alarmed,” the Grand Priest approached Kai. Of those gathered, he was the only one to not wear a hood over his head. The Lacerian—commonly known as lizardfolk—was covered in pearlescent scales. “Your friend is with the Deep-Watcher. She should return to her mortal form in moments.” When the Grand Priest saw the confusion on Kai’s face, he explained, “Your friend has left her body. Her soul at least. She is speaking with our god. Within his domain.”
ΦΦΦ
Mira stood atop raging waves. Dark clouds spiraled overhead: golden light broke through them to shine upon her. The Bright Mother’s protection as she spoke with the Abyss Serpent. The deity remained beneath the waves. Four eyes illuminated with green light stared from just beyond the sea’s surface. The endless shadow of the god stretched into the horizon.
“As I have told you,” the Abyss Serpent roared. Voice deep and dark as the sea itself. “I have no claim to these ruins, or this Eye of the Storm.”
“But have you heard of this relic?” Mira pressed on. “Please, any help you can give.”
“Enough!” The Serpent’s voice raised torrential waves to come crashing towards the priest. Mira ducked in fear. Rays of light had shielded her from the attack. The Bright Mother would not let her brother harm a follower. “You have much to learn of gods,” the Serpent dove deeper beneath the waves. His eyes and shadow vanished from sight, “We are not all as forgiving as the Mother. But, your vigilance in the face of despair is commendable. Take my blessing.”
With a plop a pearl the size of a melon rose from the waves. Shimmering with blue light. Mira reached out for the orb. Pulling it close to her chest, the pearl became intangible. Slowly sinking into her body.
ΦΦΦ
Kai’s eyes grew wide as he watched Mira rise to her feet. Legs unsteady, she collapsed backward as she stood at her full height. Swift as one of his arrows; Kai darted across the room, gently breaking the priest’s fall. Her skin had paled. Sweat beaded her face, and her curls clung to her skin. She gave a weak smile. Kai brushed away the hairs in her face, “Welcome back.” She had done nothing but sit there, but her body had worn itself out. The struggle of the spirit strained as much as the body. Making Kai realize, he and his sister truly had no understanding of magic.
“Come on now,” he wrapped her arm over his shoulders. Helping keep her supported as they left the temple. “Let’s get back to the others.”
“Thank you…,” Mira rasped. Her head bobbed with each step. Eyes struggling to stay open. Kai hadn’t wanted to leave her behind. Though in her condition, she would need a few hours rest. She might just have to sit out the mission.
Kai managed to find the inn. Torrik and Vivian waited in the lobby for the two. Both rushed to Kai’s aide with Mira. Vivian took the half-elf upstairs to a room.
“We waiting on her?” Torrik asked. The dwarf sank into an open chair by the door.
“Depends,” Kai replied. He leaned against the window to Torrik’s side. “I was going to ask you and my sister.”
“Good call,” the dwarf agreed. “Well, I’d like to get this over with.”
“You mean you’d like to get your reward.”
“Aye, which means getting this over with. I’m sure your sister will agree.”
“Likely,” Kai shrugged. “But you never know. How many potions were you able to find?”
“Twelve, plus a few new toys.”
“Oh really, and what kind of toys?” Torrik listed off the various things he’d managed to find while shopping. A satchel magically enchanted to carry more than should fit inside, enchanted arrows for Kai—something he very much loved to hear. And lastly, Torrik managed to find what he was told was a mage’s staff. Not a single mention of anything for himself. Seemed he was more generous than Kai gave him credit for. “Not a bad haul,” the dwarf laughed. Hope the staff doesn’t go against Mira’s oaths. Guess we’ll find out when she feels better.” Kai nodded in agreement. Torrik let out a sigh, “Would be a waste if she turned it down.” Whether Mira would allow herself to use the staff or not was the last thing on his mind.
It wasn’t long before Vivian descended the stairs. Once regrouped, they held a vote on whether to wait or not. Unanimously, Vermilion Wing chose to let her stay behind. “I’ll let her know,” Kai took it upon himself to break the news.
“Don’t take too long with your goodbye, brother,” Vivian winked. Causing her brother to pull his hood over his face.
“Not now, Viv,” Kai wasn’t in the mood to humor his sister. He asked her which room Mira was in, and had Torrik hand over the staff. From the satchel came a staff of white ash wood; an ornate set of wings adorned the top, wrapped around a crystal of sky blue. It was beautiful. Light weight in his hands.
Following Vivian’s directions, Kai easily found the room. Finding the door left unlocked. As though his sister had expected him to want to visit before they left. Still, he announced his entry before pushing his way inside.
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It was a simply furnished room. Mira lay in bed, but she had yet to climb under the blankets. A weak smile as she saw Kai enter, “Is that for me?” Her eyes seemed to light up when he told her it was. “Thank you, Kai.”
He shook his head, “This is from Torrik.” She seemed a bit upset to learn Kai hadn’t purchased it, but she remained happy. Setting the staff by the door, Kai approached the bed, “We’re leaving now,” Kai sighed, “but you’ll be staying here.”
“I see,” it was difficult to tell if she was upset or not. Kai crossed the room. Sitting at the end of the bed. “It’s probably for the best. I still don’t know what the Abyss Serpent did in his astral realm. And my strength has yet to fully return.”
“You spoke to a god other than the Bright Mother.” Her people’s name for the god felt strange on his tongue. He was unsure why he used that name. Was it because that was what she knew her as? “That must be difficult so early into your training.”
Mira nodded, “I still have a long way to go, but I progressed as a priest.”
“Tell me about it when we return,” Kai said. Genuine curiosity in each word. “But for now, rest.” Kai lingered long enough to watch her climb under her blankets. “We’ll be back,” he assured her. When he received no reply, he smiled. Sleep had taken her faster than expected.
When he arrived downstairs, Vivian started to say something. Choosing to bite her tongue at the last minute. Torrik pounded a fist to his chest, “Well then, let’s go.”
ΦΦΦ
Midday heat beat down upon Vermilion Wing; the comforts of Karo left behind. Golden grass rose up to Kai’s ribs—tall enough to hide the dwarf from sight. A cooling breeze swept through the open fields. Causing Torrik to enter into the occasional fit of sneezing as his nose was tickled.
“Damn this place,” he started to rip handfuls of grass from the earth. He would tire himself out before the sea of grass ended. “How much further until we leave this blasted field?”
“A couple hundred feet,” Kai looked out towards the horizon. Spotting where the grass began to fade out. A brief patch of empty field before they would reach the edge of the forest. “Enjoy this part now. Once we reach the trees, we’ll have to keep an eye out for dangers.” None of them had ever been to Karo—the city or the island. With no prior knowledge at their disposal, there was no telling what dangers were in store.
“I’d rather fight beasts than deal with all this!”
“My brother is right,” Vivian spoke up. “We can’t be too careful.”
“Easy for you to say now,” grumbled Torrik. “At least you can see out here.” The twins got a good laugh out of that. Causing the dwarf to make some noise of frustration. If you had told them he was mimicking a dying beast, they would have believed it.
Once out of the grassland, Torrik took a moment to enjoy the scenery. Looking back down the hill they’d just climbed. Kai also took a moment to look back. The silhouette of the city against the sea. The sun shimmered off the still waters was a work of art. “Hard to believe this place belongs to the Aranea,” he remarked.
“Yes, brother,” Vivian said, “and I would like to be far from this place. So, let’s get a move on.”
“Of course,” Kai agreed.
“Aye,” Torrik chuckled. Vermilion Wing stepped beneath the canopy. It didn’t take long for the sunlight to dwindle out as the forest grew thick. An earthy aroma of moss and mud filled the air; the underbrush grew thick. A sound of shuffling leaves echoed all around.
“Pleasant,” Vivian sarcastically remarked.
“Indeed,” Kai earnestly agreed. A smile upon his face as he took it all in. It had always been that way when it came to the twins. Whenever one loved something, the other tended to disagree. Only thing they seemed to agree about was money.
“Keep an eye out, brother,” Vivian took the lead. “You were always better at this than me.”
“Of course, sister,” Kai followed close behind. Torrik took the rear, keeping at a favorable distance. The kind of distance that would keep him relatively safe if either twin was ambushed. Neither twin took offense to this. Both equally used to being used as bait by now. And both trusting in Kai’s ability to notice the danger before things get bad.
For now, all was clear. The only sounds were the suction of mud against their boots. Occasionally they would stumble upon wildlife during their trek. Usually birds, an occasional deer or fox along the way.
“I can’t make sense of this map,” complained Vivian.
“Then why are you the one with it?” groaned Kai. “Give it here.”
“No, you need to be on the lookout for any dangers. With your nose in a map, we’d be ambushed for sure.”
“Then give Torrik the map.”
“Bad time to say I can’t read maps, huh?” laughed the dwarf.
“Great,” Kai palmed his face. “I’m the only one who can read a map, and you relegate me to lookout.”
“My poor baby brother, too skilled at everything. Stop complaining, I’ll figure this out.”
“Fuck off,” scowled Kai. “If you would just let me—” He stopped dead in his tracks. Finger pressed to his lips, signaling the others to stay quiet. Eyes darting from left to right, then back to left. “Down!” Kai suddenly yelled. Leaping forward and tackling his sister into the mud. A makeshift spear soaring overhead. Splitting the trunk of a nearby tree with a heavy thunk!
Vile cackling filled the air. Wild and wicked. “Goblins,” the twins groaned in unison.
“Little bastards,” Torrik spat. “How many?”
“Enough,” Kai jumped to his feet. Bow at the ready, arrow nocked. Once more he listened out for their attackers. In one swift motion: Kai pivoted around his sister and drew back the drawstring. Letting his arrow soar into the underbrush. A gurgling scream marked his hit. Vivian rose to her feet. Taking a readied stance. Back to her brother. “Are you ready, sister?”
Vivian brushed mud from her torso, “You owe me a new outfit.” She was joking, she was ready.
The grotesque creatures swarmed from all around. Eight in total now that Kai had picked one off. From their bulbous heads to their stone-gray skin; these horrid creatures tended to move in larger groups than this. Either these goblins were an advance scouting party, or the others remained in hiding. Waiting for the opportune moment to attack.
Those gathered attacked. “Shit,” Kai tried to ready an arrow. The beast drew close too quickly for him to do so. He barely managed to shy away from its rusted sword. Once more, Kai tried to ready his bow, only to then have to dodge another wild swing.
“Careful, brother,” Vivian called over the commotion. Swiftly dodging before retaliating with a flurry of blows.
“I know!” Kai kicked away the creature that had attacked him. Dodging an attack from behind. He didn’t bother to check on Torrik. Joyous laughter was enough to know he was fine. As he continued to dodge strike after strike, Kai had to change tactics. Tossing aside his bow, he drew twin daggers from his belt. Sparks flew; Kai caught his enemy’s attack on the weak of the blade—the end closest to the tip—which allowed him to easily parry. Opponent stunned from shock, Kai swiftly closed the gap. Steel bit into the creature’s throat.
His victory was cut short. Two goblins whose skin had already begun to bruise assaulted him. Seemed they tired of fighting his sister and thought him an easier target. Kai managed to dodge the first’s attack. The simple-minded creature leapt through the air unarmed. Seeking to rip him apart with teeth and claws. Before he could deliver a killing blow, the second goblin managed to get in a clean cut. Right across Kai’s back. Shallow as the cut was the sharp, stinging pain caused him to miss.
He turned to face the one who struck him. Fresh blood dripped from the knife it carried. Carved from the bone of a previous victim. It lunged toward him. Kai caught the attack. Using his own blade to disarm his enemy. Driving his free blade into the thing’s chest. Behind him echoed a wet crunch. Torrik had managed to handle the goblin Kai had abandoned.
Only one goblin remained standing. Wildly charging towards Vivian. Bloodlust in those pale, yellow eyes. Reflexively, Kai launched his dagger: it sailed through the air. Sinking into the neck of the last goblin standing. Choking on its own blood, the thing continued its charge. Determined to take her down with it.
Delivering a fierce kick, Vivian sent the beast flying back. Its chest collapsed inward under the pressure. Either it would drown, or its heart had ruptured on impact. Either way, its life was over. With the fight over, Kai collected his bow.
“That bow of yours isn’t very useful, is it?” Torrik leaned on his hammer. “Least, not in a real fight.”
“Useful enough,” Kai wasn’t in the mood to play along. “There are bound to be more goblins nearby. Unless Jorn’s men wiped most of them out.” Holstering his bow; Kai went to retrieve his second dagger. There was some resistance as he ripped it free. Wiping the blood from his daggers on the felled goblin. With an unnecessary flourish, he sheathed them. Attention turned to his sister, Kai smiled, “Are you hurt?”
“No, but you are,” she came to his side. Running a finger across the open wound. Vivian’s touch stung more than the actual cut. “It’s not deep. And it doesn’t seem like the blade was poisoned.”
“Then we’re good to keep going?” Torrik slung his hammer over his shoulder. “Then let’s get going.” The dwarf started off without the others. Leaving the twins to themselves for the first time in a while.
Vivian had Kai remove his shirt. She was no healer, but she had some supplies on her. Kai’s injuries were too minor to waste a potion on. Instead, she rubbed the last of their healing ointment over the cut. Cold to the touch, it caused Kai to wince; reactively pulling away on contact. After rubbing it into his skin, she wrapped bandages tightly around his torso. They would protect the wound from infection while not being restrictive. Pleased with her work, Vivian scowled, “We should follow, I’d rather not be down another member. Besides, I still have the map.” She took off after the dwarf while Kai clothed himself. Vowing to keep this part of the mission a secret. It would be embarrassing to admit a goblin managed to sneak up on him.
Out of the corner of his eye, Kai noticed one of the goblins trying to get away. It seemed Vivian had failed to finish one of them off. It weakly crawled across the forest floor. Unsteady hand reaching for a horn carried by the goblin whose neck Kai split. “Not today.” Kai walked over and pressed his boot to its neck. It was easy enough to snap its neck with enough force. Not his favorite way to kill, but at times it had to be done. “May the Weaver have mercy.”
“Are you coming or not?” Vivian called back to him. His companions had moved far enough that he couldn’t see them.
“Coming,” he answered back. Hoping now they would let him take the lead. With there being known dangers, perhaps they’d appreciate his ability to read a map.