Chapter 905: Last Stretch


    “How is it a wise move?”


    “Look at it from their perspective. The fake king’s already caused more harm than good,” she assumed from the gathered information, “-with the king disappeared, it’ll give Hidros some breathing space. Yes, Alphia and the opposition will gain influence; don’t matter, long as we have time and space to breathe. When was the ne crash?”


    “A year ago,” he returned, “dy Yui, I also came to the same conclusion. Sadly, the results weren’t much different. Instead, Alrosia got high on power and decreed the Trader’s act, which I spoke of earlier.”


    “Emperor and Empress?”


    “No idea, they are preupied with their child.”


    “Pathetic,” she snarled, “-anyway, I should check on Yenth and Hallow.”


    “We’ll arrange shelter and sustenance,” he gestured in a polite and well-informed manner.


    .....


    Next, the courtyard, Yui glided over a few stairs andnded at the stone and gravel path shaped in a cross, connecting the four sides of the square castle wall. Hallow and Yenth charismatically lured the younger pce flowers into purchasing their wares; perfume and extravagant essories built from dwarven knowhow. She shuffled to the shadow of a stable and peered, Yenth’s showmanship and Hallow’s contagious smile, they could sell dirt to the wealthy, or just about anything to make a profit. Thedies of the castle looked at the wares with passion and affection.


    “Thank you for your business,” said Yenth packing the unsold items.


    Hallow’s tired cheeks reddened on turning towards the stable, “-there you are!” she hailed, “-I was worried,” she skipped with the vigor of a teenager, “-what happened, I thought the lord of the castle got angry.”


    Yenth but kept a solemn look, he ghosted the well-dressed Yui, turned towards the wagon, and threw the items inside with a stronger thud. “Don’t worry about him,” said Hallow holding both palms at Yui’s visage, “-he’s mad because he’s worried. You sprang from the wagon and spoke to the nightwalkers like it was nothing. I shuddered when they returned, not to mention the lord, he arrived with a zed frown.”


    “Nothing to worry about,” she exined, “-the castle’s under the authority of the Sabbath n, who’ve sworn allegiance to the council of Nightwalkers, presided by the Blood king’s faction, one founded by none other than Igna Haggard’s uncle, Staxius Haggard, a hero in Hidrosian Culture.” Yenth’s silent treatment faded during the night, a warm dinner, a good ce to rest, and more importantly, a very heated conversation between Yui and Kyoin.


    Next day couldn’t have arrived any faster – the booze-filled study unleashed a gust of sweat and torment onto an innocent corridor. Passing maids held their noses and scurried – Yui ambled from the somber room with impression to newly born undead. She held her arms to the closed window and imprinted her palm onto the cold ss, mist traced the outline, vision focused below onto the courtyard where an energetic Hallow waved.


    “Lady Yui,” gasped an exhausted Kyoin, “-I swear, there’s nopeting a chosen one from the Haggard dynasty. Honestly, how can one be so adept at political discussion; I dare say tis an unbing advantage.”


    She returned the wave, turned on her back, andid against the edge, “-such are the words of a sore loser. Advantages are granted to all, one shall but take the cards and turn them in their favor. As teachings from the founder say, he who adapts is he who prevails.”


    “Easy to say and hard to apply,” he leaned against the opposing wall, “-for one of his intellect, there’s no question the saying works for him. What about us, the lesser intelligent bunch?”


    “Experience,” she added – ady of the castle strode in hervish dress, leaned beside Yui, and unlocked the window, “-breakfast is ready,” she side-nced and left.


    “What was that?” blinked Yui.


    “Jealousy,” heughed, “-I feel for them,dies who don’t know the grandness of the outworld. Political pawns awaiting for their fathers to decide who shall go where and what family shall control what assets.”


    “Such is the way of the higher realm,” she pushed against the edge, tipped her head at the lord, and made way to the dining area. Yenth opted for silence, Hallow’s energetic persona didn’t take long to enchant the guards and retainers. A lovely and nice change of pace, breakfast finished ndly.


    Back on the trail, Yenth fastened the reins and pulled, the wagon rose. Hallow mbered in and soon, Yui followed after thanking Lord Kyoin. Same old background noise, the casual breeze, a careful descent, a sharp turn right and off they were to Urg. Head on a bundle of clothes, Hallow rested her eyes whilst Yui sat with feet dangling down the wagon’s back.


    “Yenth,” something caught the sleeping mother’s attention, “-we havepany,” she said. He simply pulled close as he could to the trail’s edge – loud tremors rushed at them. Blood-soaked adventurers riding six-legged beasts mored past, “-Hallow, Yenth and Yui,” they hailed, “-see you at Urg!” they rushed.


    “Told you,” murmured Yenth, “-the veterans are strong.”


    Rear of the party crossed eyes with Yui, a simr wagon to theirs held bodies, ‘Astic Ottle,’ time slowed as he went past. Vibrations drowned into quietness, the forest’s chatter resumed, Yui who had stood to check on theing threat, lowered to the previous pose, ‘-people die.’


    Vige of Urg; a supply depot and training grounds for courageous locals. A tall mountain range to the right sheltered from the harsh eastern breeze, the peak rose beyond the clouds – asional frigid gusts slipped onto the foot of the mountain. The temperature dropped asionally, dependent on the peak’s mood. Yenth’s wagon climbed to a clearing, *boooom* an echo rattled the ground, Yui peaked at the noise and fell back. The short trip took a few hours. Procedure asked traders to have their inventory checked.


    Hallow simply climbed off the wagon, threw an impatient look at Yui. “-Not enough sleep?”


    “Tell me about it,” she yawned, “-Urg’s always a pain. Just look around, young men volunteering to give their lives.” Motivation was high, younger fighters shouted. Hallow did as she always does, her route through convoluted passages and allies arrived at a grave beside whichid a field hospital. Earlier’s party stood respectfully over the deceased.


    ‘I was right,’ gulped Yui, ‘-Astic did die.’


    They took a small trip to an open field andid down on the cold grass. Sun wasn’t hot not was it cold, a perfect bnce for a nap. Thoughts went about Yui’s head – a question formted on where she turned towards Hallow, “-what’s the point-” she stopped, “-never mind,” back to cloud gazing, ‘-she’s asleep.’


    Hours passed, the mundaneness of the trips caught up. Travelling held many great things, and other times, many hearts tearing urrences. Near-death experiences, riding in pitch-darkness, exchanging stories with fellow travelers. She’d experienced it firsthand. Yenth muddled into the field, tapped Yui and Hallow’s shoulder, “-let’s go,” he said, “-We leave now and we’ll make it an hour after sunset.”


    A spot-on estimation, Orn Vige – the destination rose as sparks of mes lit the nearby path. ‘light orbs,’ she observed, ‘-magic, now this brings back memories of Glenda.’ A high stone barrier rose around the vige, on which a sign read, “-Town of Orn.”


    “Don’t look at me like that,” frowned Yenth, “-vige or town, Orn is still Orn.” Another sessful trip by the couple. They rode to a guild-house, exited the wooden carrier, and looked at the busy street.


    ‘There’s a lot of different races,’ she observed, “-Hallow, can you?”


    “Yes,” she smiled, “-let’s go,” she wrapped a shawl around the shoulder and left into the dead of the night. Destination, their home, a well-built two-story building dressed in stone and concrete.


    “I knew it,” smiled Yui, “-the trading expeditions are lucrative.”


    “Not really,” she sighed, “-our fortunees from my daughter’s allegiance to the council. Our youngest is,” she opened the lock and feet ran down the stairs, “-MOTHER!” it screamed and dived into a tight embrace, “-you’re here a few days early.”


    “I had to see my daughter.”


    “Who’s that?” she rose a suspicious brow.


    “My name’s Yui Haggard.”


    “A friend of my teacher?” she blinked, “-well, what a pleasant surprise,” the attitude bordered smugness, “-what brings such a finedy to our home,” she whispered to her mother, “-why bring a stranger?”


    “Such isn’t a way to speak to our friend,” thundered a manlier voice.


    “FATHER!”


    “Tania, long time no see, darling.”


    Before was a lovely family, an idyllic scene of joyful innocence. “-I suppose I shoulde backter,” she spun.


    “Wait a moment,” interjected Tania, “-let me grab my shoes; let’s go on a walk.”


    The beautiful maidens found themselves touring around town, “-Haggard, I presume you’re a member of teach’s family?”


    “I suppose,” she replied, “-I’m just the assistant of Igna’s butler. Tell me, Tania, how did youe to be my master’s student?”


    “Long story,” she said, “-family died and a deal was made to the devil.”


    “A deal with the devil?” she grinned.


    Tania looked the foreigner up and down, “-here to take master away?”


    “Correct,” she said, “-I spend three years searching for him, living in the harsh wilderness of Marinda’s whimsical weather. I know it’s much to ask, take me to him.”


    Stories about the Devil’s exploit were spoken along the way, Yui feasted a picture of Igna standing at the peak of castle Einheim, “-what’s Igna up too?”


    “We don’t know,” returned a pensive Tania, “-the devil simply abdicated our offer of making him the true patriarch of Marinda. He said, and I quote, ‘Marinda is best left to the people of Marinda’ I respect the thought, then again,” her tone lowered to doubt, “-I’m not longer his apprentice. A student graduates from her master’s care when they defeat said master. I challenged master in a duel thinking I’d lose, why would I win, he’s the devil. I used all he taught and struck fast, next thing I know, I defeated my master. Took on the title of Princess of Faes and was bestowed a new name of power. Afterward, we went to check on him, he left, leaving a simple letter addressed to the new rulers, “-to those who’ve been in in battle; grant them favor of a pious burial. The dead must be honored, their bravery recognized and their tenacity worshipped. Such is the way of war, some fall, many lose their lives, countries are divided, widespread malice and hate are left to fester. War remains steadfast – I’ve killed more than I remember, and to honor the families touched by said action, I’ll focus on helping the natives on achieving a greater sense of fulfillment. There wille a day when my country will need me, and until that dayes, I wish to stay far from politics and intrigue,” signed, I. Haggard. “-We knew what he meant, it was a goodbye dressed in nice clothing. We decided to allow the devil rest and focus on bettering Marinda,” they reached a viewpoint overlooking the town, “-and you’d look at it, the ces grow and the people prosper. Marinda’s ready to be revealed as a kingdom to the world – we’re ready to open our doors and brave the outsidend. We’ll do so under the Devil’s banner.”


    “The international world isn’t a ce for neers to spread their wings. You’d soon find individuals readied to invade and take what little thee have.”


    “Oh, I wouldn’t be worried. We have Cthulhu, the guardian deity of Marinda. We’ve gotten a taste of war; Celestials arecent to the new age – if ites to battle I guarantee we’ll endure.”


    A resolute gust whispered, “-I’ll conjure the portal to the town of Cthulhu, tis where my master resides. When you get there, please pass on this,” she handed a note, “-the Marindian council waits for when the Devil decides to take in his refugees. We’ll make sure the world knows how great a man Igna Haggard is.”