《The Waygate》


 Prologue

    In the warm breeze of Spring that was nearly transitioned into Summer, brown dry leaves fell to the ground below ¨C gently descending upon the form of Delris who repeatedly traced the fresh inscription of a gravestone. Through his dark, sunken eyes, only a distant gaze remained as his slender fingers continued to follow the path that they had for so long that even the withered man had forgotten.


    ¡°I tried.¡± He murmured through pursed lips which stretched the skin of his hollow cheeks thin. The man¡¯s voice softly fell in a shaky rasp, as if his voice were the true rustling of leaves, ¡°But nothing seemed to work.¡± Reflexively, his brow furrowed as his hand flinched away from the revered slab. He tried to lick his lips, but the dry surface of his tongue caught itself upon the man¡¯s chapped edges before he gave up on the gesture, ¡°Nothing I did could save them.¡±


    A chill swept through the fragile man as he pressed his wrinkled forehead against the freshly carved headstone, attempting to say things with spoken words that could only be expressed through anguish of the soul, ¡°Nothing I did could save you as you fell, like white autumn leaves as your pale, expressionless faces gazed at me.¡±


    He sat in silence for several moments ¨C an eternity in his mind ¨C before rising to protesting joints. Slowly, he shambled from the cemetery as the two gravestones remained as the sun set against the trees ¨C the entirety of the gravestone which he had traced feverishly was blank except for the simple epitaph of, Lady Illyana: We never deserved her. Frostfall 104 ¨C Shade¡¯s Rest 134, 4<sup>th</sup> Era. The remaining space was left to the ravaging fingers of time, for Delris had none to spare to carve a memorial that would¡¯ve been fit for his late wife.


    Beside her gravestone, would be a smaller one which had yet to been carved. The earth surrounding the child¡¯s grave was scattered as if a madman had fell upon it with bare hands.


    The man wove his way mindlessly through the dead landscape, feeling the stinging of branches he had been too self-absorbed to avoid scraping against the exposed skin of his arms and face, ¡°It has to work.¡± The raspy tone fell from his lips once again as he reached the once elegant wooden door of his estate. All that remained was a splintered barrier, with once decorative glass that had since become covered in a thick grime obscuring what lied within from the outside world.


    ¡°It must work.¡± He said, the voice of the man that laid within the wretched husk rising from within, ¡°It will work.¡± Gently he pressed his hand against the worn door, shoving past it without so much as testing the knob. Within the derelict manor, the only light that illuminated what laid within was from the door that slowly moved along its hinges, moving to and froe against the howling persistence of the twilight¡¯s breeze.


    Through the darkness, his form shifted unnaturally ¨C as if being pulled along by strings, but recoiling as one withered hand brushed against the wall of the stairwell.


    We NEED to help them! The distant voice of his Illyana called out to him from the depths of his memories.


    ¡°There is NO helping them!¡± He shouted in response, forcing his foot to the next step, a scowl of yellowed teeth glistening through what little light fluttered through the windows above.


    Why won¡¯t you try, Delris? They trust you ¨C we trust you.


    ¡°I can-¡° Delris paused, his eyes falling to the dust riddled stairs, ¡°I couldn¡¯t save them ¨C or you.¡± Through gritted teeth, he clawed his way with fetid nails up the bannister.


    You couldn¡¯t stand and watch while people suffered. That wasn¡¯t you.


    ¡°Now look at where we-¡± He shouted, his voice echoing through the empty house in a haunting chorus as it bounced from wall to wall, ¡°I.¡± He corrected, his gaze darkening as reality cascaded around him for a brief moment, ¡°Look at where I am.¡± He was alone, he was always alone ¨C subject to the judge, jury, and executioner of his mind ¨C forever on trial attempting to find peace through the justice of his conscience. All he¡¯d ever find were the demons that had grown within himself ¨C warping him, his soul, and what shred of humanity he had left.


    ¡°N-nobody is here.¡± Delris mumbled to himself softly as he ascended the remainder of the stairs, rising from his thoughts, before disappearing into the dark sanctum of his personal chambers, ¡°Nobody¡¯s ever here.¡±


    If there had ever been the stench of decay within the spacious room, Delris had long since become accustomed to the grotesque, stomach churning scent. It came with the territory ¨C living in the Shrouded Forest there was always a wayward corpse that had been left to rot for fear of contracting the disease if they got too close.


    Save him. Illyana¡¯s voice said softly within his diseased subconscious.


    ¡°I will, my love. I have to ¨C for you.¡± The man said, stepping closer to the table at the center of the room. Upon the worn surface was a soil stained sheet which obscured rhythmic, arcane pulsing from the small, bloated form beneath the sheet. Pinning the cloth upon each corner were four partially melted candles ¨C each burning with a low, blue spectral flame which illuminated the markings.


    Delris approached, cautiously before lifting his hands to the ceiling ¨C an occult wisp of blue trailing from each individual finger as his aura flared ¨C enveloping the room in a spectral shroud of blue Arcana, ¡°I would like to make a deal!¡± The proclamation came off in a short, hasty plea which chilled the air around him ¨C snuffing out the flame of the candles individually before cloaking Delris in total darkness.


    So, you¡¯d like to make a deal. With me? Answered an intangible force that tugged on the fringes of his mind, Why so, Delris? Have you forgotten the last time we met?


    Delris stood his ground ¨C a feral gleam snuffing out the desperate humanity that had begun to surface, ¡°I need more power.¡±


    More power? He was answered, a sick mocking tone filled the room, You already have some semblance of my power. The haunting chuckle returned, gradually escalating to erratic laughter, You can¡¯t do anything about the dead ¨C the dearly departed. Am I correct, Delris? The voice mused ¨C as a thick cloud of smoke formed across the table. Within moments ¨C a man leaned upon the other side ¨C his black eyes staring stoically at Delris.


    The Arcanist furrowed his brow, peering at the man, recognizing it as himself, ¡°I¡¯ve never known you to take physical forms before.¡±Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    That¡¯s because I don¡¯t.


    ¡°Then what are you doing now?¡± Delris stated boldly, arms crossed.


    I am displaying a mirror yourself ¨C of your soul. When last we met, you held a white soul. A soul of integrity. A soul that wanted nothing more than to do what was just. The creature paused, appraising the Arcanist beneath his scrutinizing gaze, now your soul is black, warped and twisted by the humanity you failed to save.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Delris shouted, slamming his fists against the table, ¡°I summoned you to the Material Plane to make a deal ¨C not to be criticized by an abomination like yourself.¡±


    Oh no, that¡¯s not how this works, Delris the Mender. No, no. Not at all. Silence filled the room for several moments before the haunting chorus of the doppelganger resumed as his slender digits traced the outline of the boy¡¯s form from above the thin sheet, A badly decomposed corpse. It died an unnatural death ¨C twisted by disease. Much like most of those who used to live here in the region of Midland, yes? It paused, giving Delris a toothy, fetid grin of yellowed teeth, You¡¯re asking me to elevate this corpse above all others who perished in the same way ¨C you know that, right? What of your wife? I know you loved her dearly.


    ¡°This deal isn¡¯t about her ¨C keep her out of your wretched mind ¨C I just want the boy back.¡±


    Boy? The creature said curiously, peering at the filth-stained sheet, I didn¡¯t know you had son, Delris. Through squinted eyes, it gently drummed its fingers across the corpse¡¯s torso where the glowing, Arcana saturated markings were etched into the stiff, hardened flesh, What would I find if were to just¡­ It trailed off, peeling back the sheet, ¡­peel this back. The doppelganger was stunned ¨C gazing upon the symbol, Six seals, and a circular formation dictated by the various elemental runes. It grinned at the silent Arcanist, A black soul, indeed. I¡¯ve met others wanting to make this exact deal with me before, but always for themselves ¨C always for power. You? It cackled, a disgusting, unholy sound, You¡¯re wishing to subject your son to the Waygate ¨C and it¡¯s not for power. It¡¯s for life.


    ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing.¡± Delris finally said through gritted teeth ¨C his nails splintering from how deeply they dug into the worn wood of the table, ¡°I understand exactly what I¡¯m doing.¡±


    You don¡¯t know what he¡¯ll come out as, Delris.


    ¡°I do if I make a deal with you.¡±


    What would you have to offer me in exchange then? I can¡¯t accept a black soul as payment. Though, perhaps we can come to some form of agreement. It nodded, rubbing its hands together slowly, Yes ¨C an agreement ¨C an agreement that no sane man would make when undergoing a deal of this magnitude.


    ¡°What do I have to do?¡± Delris growled, ¡°Do I have to serve you? To unleash a magnitude of chaos that would dwarf any prior war?¡±


    No, Delris. I said I can¡¯t accept black souls as payment ¨C even as servants. As for chaos, you¡¯ve done more than enough of that in this region. Dealing with souls has a price, and sometimes it¡¯s paid with blood so that the wheel can finally stop turning. Gently, the doppelganger tapped the boy¡¯s indistinguishable corpse, Your son has a white soul ¨C I can sense it floating aimlessly within the Soul Stream.


    ¡°I am NOT giving you my son¡¯s soul in exchange for his life.¡±


    What if I were to say that it wouldn¡¯t be immediate. Perhaps it would be a transaction that accrued interest over the years? The creature clicked its tongue against the roof of its mouth, Or perhaps he lives a long life, dies happy, and I extract my toll ¨C no extra fees. It shrugged, shaking its head, I¡¯m not sure, and you won¡¯t be either. It grinned ¨C its black eyes darting gleefully around, I will honor this bargain, though. You¡¯ve already done so much in my service without even knowing it, Delris. It extended its hand outward ¨C a hand that mirrored Delris¡¯ perfectly, Let¡¯s make a deal.


    The Arcanist stared at the hand ¨C lost in the inner trappings of his mind. How could he subject his son to the Waygate ¨C and bargain his soul to bring him back to a life that he had already been ripped from? What if he wasn¡¯t the same boy as he had been in life? Questions bounded across the horizon of his consciousness until, finally, he reached forward and clasped the hand firmly.


    Excellent.


    The melding happened in an instant ¨C the distinction between Delris and the occult being faded completely as his body was no longer his own. Regardless of how much willpower the man had mustered, he felt himself fade away ¨C melting into something more. His vision was gone ¨C and all he could manage to see was an ethereal stream of blue stretching off towards the distant horizon of never-ending darkness. His mouth opened to scream ¨C to hear anything to acknowledge that he still existed ¨C but through the perceived silence he found that he could not hear his own, disembodied voice. In its wake, what he mistook as silence were the screams of thousands of lost souls crying out as they were ushered towards their oblivion.


    Enjoying yourself, Delris? The being taunted ¨C its voice as clear as the jovial chirps of Autumn Finches in Kur during an evening stroll, Does this shatter any notion of afterlife that your people may have indoctrinated you with? His life¡¯s energy recoiled as the ghastly cackle penetrated his mind once more, Don¡¯t worry, Delris. This isn¡¯t the end ¨C at least ¨C not yet. There¡¯s many things that I¡¯ve yet to show you. After all. It paused, For what I¡¯m getting out of this bargain, I¡¯d rather not leave you feeling slighted.


    From deep within the dreamscape, Delris felt his entire being plucked forth from the endless stream of departed souls begging for release. As he was forcibly removed, he felt other lost souls attempt to hold on ¨C begging to be brought with him ¨C but without the strength to hold on, they faded away into the darkness until nothing more than an ethereal blue speck remained against the endless oblivion that awaited them.


    In the wake of his escape, images flickered through his mind. Each individual memory flickered through his mind in the blink of an eye, but in that moment he felt as if he were the center of everything. In one single moment, the secrets of his forbidden art had opened to him ¨C almost as if a veil that had been covering his mind had been uncovered. Though, in that same moment he saw the rise and fall of countless civilizations each filled with language and architecture he had never experienced before. Civilizations that had left no ruins, or had fallen so long ago that the chances of them ever being uncovered were slim to none. At the center of it all, a single individual stood ¨C each time holding a different face - but always marked with the same eldritch symbol.


    In unison, a thousand voices cried out deep within his mind, Beware the Waygate!


    Then, as quickly as it had begun, it had stopped. His vision returned to reality ¨C and the leering eldritch orbs which had stared at him mere moments before had faded away ¨C the only thought on his mind was the cryptic warning that was rapidly fading, Beware the Waygate.


    Reaching for the table, he used it to support himself as he shakily rose from the floor. He felt the same ¨C or at least he thought that he did ¨C but he also felt worlds apart. He was human still, yes, but he felt like he had become something more within the span of a mere second. In parting, the distant wisps of smoke from across the table faded away into nothingness as the haunting voice echoed one last time through the room, A pleasure, Delris. As always.


    ¡°At what cost does this come?¡± Delris softly whispered, barely loud enough for only himself to hear, as his hands rubbed wearily at his face ¨C pausing momentarily as he noticed the intact form of his child upon the worn, splintered table.


    ¡°Son?¡± He said ¨C astonished as he saw his son on top of the aged surface. His skepticism faded as he went to his side aside, gripping his only child by the shoulders before shaking wildly, ¡°Wake up! Wake up, my son! It¡¯s me, it¡¯s your father!¡± Delris stammered, choking on his words as tears began to stream down his face, ¡°Please. Wake up.¡± He said, weeping softly as he stroked his son''s face. It was soft and warm, and although he could feel the faint pulse of blood through the boy''s skin, he was met with the same silence that he had found when he screamed, begging at the empty darkness, "Wake up." Delris softly said, his hands tenderly rubbing his child''s face, "Don''t leave me alone."

 Chapter 1

    Please wake up. The words tugged upon the man¡¯s subconscious as he forced himself awake, a cold sweat beaded his forehead a tightness clutched his chest. Tentatively, he glanced around the darkened room ¨C its familiar aspects washing away the nightmare that he had just endured.


    ¡°Caldrice?¡± said Delarin, his muffled voice reverberating against the closed door. Slowly, he¡¯d turn the brass knob, allowing himself into the room, the soft glow of a waning candle lighting the aged features of his kind, smiling face, ¡°What¡¯s with all of the noise? Is something amiss?¡±


    Caldrice sat up, his eyes struggling to focus on the light of the candle, ¡°Huh, what?¡± He said, furrowing his brow as his senses sluggishly crawled back to him, ¡°Oh, the noise.¡± The man murmured heavily under his breath, ¡°It¡¯s just the dreams again, that¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Well.¡± Master Delarin frowned, sending phlegm rattling through his throat, ¡°Do you remember anything from it tonight? While it¡¯s fresh, I mean. Anything that possibly stood out to you?¡±


    Caldrice closed his eyes and tried to grasp onto the voices, the images ¨C anything ¨C but as he tried to draw forth any detail it all slipped away grains of sand between his fingers. The more he tried to fill in the gaps ¨C with what little he had ¨C the more abstract it all became.


    Glancing at Master Delarin, Caldrice shook his head solemnly, ¡°I can¡¯t seem to focus on any one aspect for any period of time. It slips away from me. The details of the dream become more blurred, and it¡¯s impossible to make them out.¡± Chuckling softly, he shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s like something¡¯s scrambling my thoughts ¨C my memories ¨C in an attempt to make me forget.¡± He laughed, shaking his head, ¡°That just makes me seem insane, though.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s the sign of an exhausted mind, and not one of insanity, hm?¡± He said, a stern expression creeping through the tangle of grey that hung down his face, ¡°The moon is at its peak, Caldrice. The light of day won¡¯t be piercing your window panes for another several hours.¡± Clearing his throat, Delarin gave a kind smile, ¡°Go back to sleep. We¡¯ll talk more in the morning.¡±


    Caldrice smiled in return, running his fingers through his ebony hair before nodding, ¡°Thank you, Master.¡± He paused, resting his head upon his pillow, ¡°For talking with me. It helps.¡±


    Master Delarin looked over his shoulder as he passed through the threshold, frowning, ¡°I hope that it genuinely does. Truth be told, I¡¯m worried about you.¡±


    Then, he was gone ¨C the only trace that he had ever been there was the lingering scent of incense that had infiltrated every fiber of the older man¡¯s clothing. In a way, it unnerved him ¨C made Caldrice feel suspicious as to how Master Delarin always seemed to stroll by his room during the worst of his night terrors. Did he truly cry out in the night, or was that an embellishment of details? These questions paled before the moments before he awoke from the dream with the withered man hovering over him with the occult gleam in his eyes, he couldn¡¯t shake the intense, hollow, feeling that crept through him like the Winter¡¯s chill through a vast, empty house. It was the same dream that he had been subjected to randomly over the course of the past thirteen years, but every time it came to him some details were clear, while others that he had previously been privy too slipped away from him. The man¡¯s face ¨C his withered, wrinkled face ¨C like a corpse that had been left out in the sun for days, turning its skin to leather. His haunting eyes ¨C through that ephemeral glow ¨C so dark and sunken as if all that was human about him had been the vague appearance of one.


    This was not the only dream that he had which may have been connected to the distant past of his early life. At times, he wasn¡¯t even aware that he was having the other dream ¨C mistaking the darkness for a dreamless sleep ¨C but unlike the other with the withered man, he remembers what he saw during this peculiar dream. Through the darkness, if he concentrated enough, he could feel his legs shifting through an endless void of nothing. He felt nothing, saw nothing, smelled nothing, and experienced nothing. He could feel things shifting in the darkness ¨C things which kept him up at night ¨C the distinct shape of something brushing against him in that place where senses should not exist.


    Enough. Caldrice whispered to himself ¨C the hairs of his neck and arms standing end as he quickly tossed aside his thick, Erastian blanket before scrambling from his bed. I need to go outside. He thought, rubbing calloused hands across his pale face.


    Walking through the threshold into the darkened hall, he shouted towards the far end, ¡°Master, I¡¯m going into the courtyard to walk.¡±


    ¡°At this time of night?¡± The echoing voice replied.


    ¡°I need to get things off of my mind.¡±


    With an audible sigh the aged man stepped out of his room ¨C his brows furrowed in a displeased manner. ¡°Fine, fine,¡± He said, his hands waving Caldrice off dismissively, ¡°I remember sneaking out and being scolded whenever I needed to distract myself at night, but I respect that you¡¯re honest enough to tell me directly unlike Adelia. Just let the guards know on the way down and they shouldn¡¯t bother you.¡± Rolling his eyes, he chuckled softly, ¡°See if one of them will spar with you. It¡¯s been a while since you¡¯ve seen Kanreth, so you¡¯d rather not fall behind.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll certainly keep that in mind.¡± Caldrice said offhandedly, giving a low bow before moving down the winding stairwell. Surrounding him were decorative armaments hanging from the wall ¨C with the occasional painting of people he had never met. Perhaps they were ghosts of a distant past ¨C or former apprentices. He never thought to ask. Often, he pondered if they were family that Master Delarin had lost during the plague two decades prior. Either way, he spoke little of them, and Caldrice thought that he should do the same. The lives of many were lost during the spread of rampant disease ¨C and despite the efforts of all healers available in Kur, no effort was successful in curing, or containing it. Staring at the static, lifeless faces forever doomed to give pleasant expressions from within bronze frames sent the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end.


    Quickly, he moved past their painted gaze, before pushing himself against the heavy oaken doors that freed him from the confusing claustrophobia that his master¡¯s spacious house had imposed upon him. Through the door, the walled courtyard was a mixture of dark green and white as the snow of Winter lightly dusted the decorative shrubbery and trees. Perhaps it was the frigid air he inhaled that helped him calm his nerves, or maybe it was the idyllic view that one could only hope to see in a painting held prisoner in a distant art gallery that only few would ever see.


    Shivering lightly, he sighed. Then he heard a cheerful, familiar feminine voice, ¡°Well, well, well.¡± Adelia said as she ascended the stairs from the house¡¯s Western wing with a light spring to her step. Her face beaming with a grin through the furred clothing that lined her lithe form. She stopped in front of him, naturally standing barely below his eye-level. ¡°I heard you and Father talking, Mister Caldrice.¡± Playfully, she scolded him, ¡°So much noise, almost enough to wake the dead!¡±


    ¡°Of course, Adelia.¡± He snorted, nose wrinkled, ¡°You¡¯re never asleep when the rest of the world is.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m never awake when they are either.¡± She giggled softly, ¡°I¡¯m a night owl. What can I say? Father says it¡¯s got something to do with me being born on the full moon, but.¡± Adelia shrugged, pulling a long strand of auburn hair back behind her ear. ¡°Here.¡± She sighed, holding out an Irnul fur coat, ¡°I figured you¡¯d be too self-absorbed in your thoughts, as usual, to bundle up. It¡¯s snowing for the Maker¡¯s sake, Caldrice. You can¡¯t be out here in your bedroom garb.¡±


    ¡°Yet again, you¡¯re right.¡± He remarked dully, before taking the coat. Caldrice¡¯s expression softened as his gaze returned to his friend, ¡°I appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Cal. I wouldn¡¯t want to be stumbling over your stiff, frozen corpse in the morning.¡±


    ¡°That would be absolutely unfortunate.¡±


    ¡°So,¡± Adelia said, sitting down upon the door¡¯s threshold, patting beside her for Caldrice to join, as he slid into the warm, dense fur of the coat, ¡°I thought you were going for a nice, lovely midnight stroll?¡±


    He shook his head, clearing his throat ¨C mesmerized by the steam of his breath, ¡°No.¡± Blinking, he freed himself from the trance he had put himself in. ¡°No. I thought about it, but no. I just needed to get some air ¨C to get a grasp on some things.¡±


    ¡°I did mention hearing you two talking earlier. Again.¡±


    ¡°Again?¡± He parroted, confused.


    ¡°Well, yeah. The dreams have become more and more frequent now. This is the third time this week, is it not?¡±


    ¡°Fourth.¡± Caldrice corrected, rubbing his face lethargically.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°The same dream with the same old man that looks like something that Kur¡¯s excavation team would dig out of an archaeological site?¡±


    ¡°This time it was different ¨C like I was experiencing the dream rather than simply observing it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good! Right?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s still all so cryptic ¨C as if someone had taken my memories, and scrambled them like a Yetru egg.¡± He leaned back against the door ¨C the aged wood creaking against his weight, ¡°I can remember the man¡¯s sunken, demented face ¨C his warped, depraved features ¨C but nothing else.¡±


    ¡°You said this time it was different, though.¡± Adelia murmured, resting her elbows against her knees, ¡°That all sounds the same.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. There was something that I do remember ¨C something different. Something fresh.¡±


    ¡°Why are you being so cryptic then? It¡¯s obvious that you want to talk about it.¡±


    Frowning deeply, Caldrice shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s complicated because I¡¯m not even sure what I¡¯m supposed to get from it. It felt like I was in the center of the world ¨C at the precipice of a vast vortex which spun ceaselessly into some abstract oblivion.¡± His gaze shifted to the ground, transfixed by the cobblestones as his voice became distant, ¡°I felt like everything and nothing all at once.¡± He looked up at the cloudy sky, pursing his lips, ¡°Then before everything melted away, and I saw that awful, pallid face once again I heard, in a unison of voices whose faces I could not see, one phrase repeated over and over again until I finally freed myself from my sleeping prison.¡± He recalled slowly, ¡°Beware the Waygate.¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± Adelia said, resting a hand on his shoulder, ¡°Look at me, Caldrice.¡± She¡¯d smile, clearing her throat, ¡°Look, it¡¯s just a bad dream, right?¡± Her arms gestured out to the light snow falling into the courtyard, just out of reach of the lit lamps that dotted the cobblestone walkways, ¡°You¡¯re with a friend on this beautiful night.¡± Adelia snorted, bobbing her head appreciatively, ¡°Just think how boring tonight would¡¯ve been for both of us if you didn¡¯t get startled by that dream?¡± She rolled her eyes, ¡°Just think about it! Your eyes would close, then they¡¯d open, and then it would be the morning! Ridiculous, right?¡±


    ¡°You never seem to take anything seriously, but it¡¯s almost endearing.¡± He finally said, chuckling softly placing his hand over hers to take it from his shoulder, ¡°Do you think we could keep this from Master Delarin?¡±


    ¡°A very peculiar request, Mister Caldrice. May I inquire why?¡± She uttered in a mock, haughty tone.


    ¡°I told him once ¨C about the Waygate that is.¡±


    ¡°And? What did he say?¡±


    ¡°He acted very strange about it.¡± Caldrice said softly, ¡°It was as if he wasn¡¯t himself ¨C it was subtle ¨C and if I hadn¡¯t grown accustomed to him over the years, I would¡¯ve missed it.¡±


    ¡°My father? Not himself?¡± Adelia snorted lightly, ¡°He wasn¡¯t acting extremely stoic and all-knowing?¡±


    ¡°No. He wouldn¡¯t let the topic go.¡± Caldrice said, furrowing his brow, ¡°He asked for every detail I could remember ¨C as if there was something of value buried deep within.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    Caldrice shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know. He kept prying, obsessively, but I couldn¡¯t tell him anything else ¨C and even then he tried to get more information. I just found it to be suspicious.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± She said, rubbing his shoulder reassuringly, ¡°Just take a deep breath, or two, maybe three? There¡¯s nothing to think about except for the moment you¡¯re living in right now. If it makes you feel better though, I won¡¯t mention it to him.¡± Quickly, she sprung to her feet, rocking back and forth on her heels, ¡°So, I¡¯ve been working on something ¨C you might like it.¡±


    Quirking a brow, Caldrice glanced up at the woman, confused at the sudden shift in tone, ¡°Again, I admire how you can never seem to take anything seriously.¡± He admitted, ¡°But I¡¯ll need a bit more to go on than that.¡±


    ¡°My Arcana, Caldrice!¡±


    ¡°Adelia, don¡¯t.¡± He implored. ¡°Do you remember what happened last time?¡±


    Rolling her eyes, she sprung into the courtyard, shouting towards him, ¡°That was years ago, Cal! We were children!¡± She grinned, twirling around, the bottom of her loose-fitting coat dragging against the floor, ¡°Plus what would you know about Arcana?¡±


    He snorted, leaning back against his palms before shaking his head, ¡°Not a thing.¡± Caldrice shouted back, his mind drifting back to the now-distant dream as his voice echoed across the empty yard, ¡°Though, I also don¡¯t have scars from being flash frozen by a spell that backfired!¡±


    ¡°Whatever you say, Instructor. Sit back and be amazed!¡± She retorted, ¡°Adelia Frostfall never admits defeat in the wake of an embarrassing defeat!¡±


    Skepticism. It was always his driving force ¨C the force that kept him grounded in the reality he knew, only due to an uncertain past. His brow furrowed as he watched his only friend¡¯s Arcana flare around her in a shroud of eldritch blue ¨C bending the falling snow to orbit slowly around her form.


    Are we honestly going to go through this again? He thought to himself. ¡°You know what happened last time!¡±


    ¡°And it will happen again if you don¡¯t stop distracting me.¡± She said calmly, ¡°I¡¯m not the same little girl that you first met when my father brought you to live with us, and neither are you the same traumatized little boy who had survived the Ebonshroud.¡± Her words clung to him like the heavy chill clung to his form. Heat formed in his cheeks as his mind flew around in his skull like an angry swarm of wasps. There wasn¡¯t much that could irritate him, but the dismissiveness about the gravity of what she had just said instinctively made him clench his teeth together. He crossed his arms, eyes narrowed as he hid his balled fists in the crook of his elbows.


    The snow drifted across her form ¨C vague shapes of both man and tree were slowly becoming visible before their silhouettes came to life against the canvas she had created. As the details became more defined, her delicate fingers, heavily laced with Arcana, began to weave the scene into place. The trees were bald and sagging ¨C devoid of the life they might¡¯ve once had ¨C and the men¡¯s heads were held high ¨C a defiant gleam in their beady eyes. They marched onward, away from the landscape of death and decay ¨C not knowing what they¡¯d face next ¨C though, Caldrice had hoped that what they found next would be better than what they had left behind.


    She bowed lowly, dismissing her control over the falling snow ¨C the frigid powder falling to the ground around her ¨C the only evidence that it had been tampered with was the quickly fading glow of Arcana from each individual flake. As it faded from the snow, so too did it fade from Adelia as she looked towards Caldrice. She grinned, jumping once into the air before sprinting over to him.


    As she came over to him, all the thoughts that were attempting to overwhelm his judgement slipped away, much like her control of the frigid element had. He closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply before exhaling all the worldly woes which bound him, at least for a time.


    ¡°How was it?!¡± She asked, ¡°It¡¯s something I¡¯ve been putting together for the Remembrance this year. It¡¯s being held in Kur.¡± Clearing her throat, she squatted lowly, softly whispering as if others were listening, ¡°The High Lord will be there, and Father¡¯s already said that I¡¯m going to be leading the performance. It¡¯s rough ¨C a bit too rough for something that should¡¯ve been polished a few months ago, but I still have several months to go.¡±


    ¡°It was fine, Adelia.¡± He said, opening his eyes.


    ¡°You think so?¡±


    Smiling, Caldrice nodded, ¡°I think you embodied the defiant spirit of our land that the High Lord will love. Afterall he once said that tragedies do happen, but they¡¯re to help us carve a path for a stronger tomorrow, hm?¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Caldrice, and see! I didn¡¯t freeze myself with a barrier spell this time!¡±


    ¡°Impressive.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± She sighed, shaking her head, ¡°Rumor has it that the High Lord has been alive for a long time ¨C at least since the first era. A little fluffy snow won¡¯t impress an ancient warrior like him.¡± She threw her arms over her head, groaning, ¡°Not to mention that there won¡¯t be natural snowfall in Kur! Turning the water vapor in the room into a light flurry will tax my Arcana heavily.¡±


    ¡°If they had someone better in mind to perform, then you probably wouldn¡¯t be their choice.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not without my connections.¡± Adelia said sarcastically. ¡°Father is a Guardian, you know that, and as such he has a close connection to the High Lord.¡± Snorting lightly, Adelia shrugged, ¡°I¡¯m sure Father managed to talk him into letting me perform.¡±


    ¡°Well.¡± Caldrice smiled, ¡°Or, maybe he simply wishes to see if the daughter of one of his chosen advisors has the same natural talent for manipulating Arcana that they do?¡±


    Pursing her lips, she laughed vacantly, her eyes looking thoughtfully to the ground before clapping her hands together, ¡°Maybe. The natural order of things mean that I¡¯ll succeed him whenever I grow strong enough.¡± She rubbed her face, ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about this anymore.¡± She bluntly stated, ¡°You might not be gifted with Arcana, but one could argue about the necessity for being able to weave together the spoken word. It¡¯s not a talent that many people actually have.¡± She straightened her arms out in front of her before they fell limp by her side, ¡°Thanks, but I think it¡¯s time for me to finally go to bed. Maybe you should try to do the same?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± He remarked, the irritation he had felt towards her slowly bubbled back to the surface. A mouthful of words formed, but he flinched, unable to bring himself to speak them aloud.


    Adelia gave another smile, furrowing her brow before opening her mouth. No words came, though, for the only that was shared between them was the distant howl of the early morning wind. Deep in her mind, she knew that any words she could offer him would fall on deaf ears, because no matter how reassuring the words he¡¯d speak to her would sound, she understood that he was miles away from her ¨C buried deep within the turmoil of his troubled mind; A troubled mind where fragmented ghosts of the past lived. Ghosts that only he could know, which manifested themselves through cryptic, nightmarish dreams that often kept him as far from the comforting embrace of his bed and blanket. As he watched her go, a wave of dread overwhelmed him at the thought of seeing that hideous, warped man glide through his mind yet again.


    No matter how hard he tried to evade him, Caldrice couldn¡¯t shake the inevitable feeling of dread reminding him that their meeting was inevitable.

 Chapter 2

    After the recurrence of the dream, Caldrice¡¯s mind eventually settled back into the monotony of everyday life around Delarin¡¯s keep. It wasn¡¯t that it was simple to forget what was on his mind ¨C at least shortly after reliving the nightmarish scene ¨C it¡¯s that the details would slowly fade away into obscurity, no matter how tightly the young man tried to grip them.


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s an explanation for why your Arcana was never able to flow through your body?¡± Master Delarin told Caldrice. It was a theory ¨C not a very popular one ¨C that suggested that Arcana, memories, and the human soul are interconnected in a trinity that initiates life, but it¡¯s not a theory that ever-made sense to Caldrice.


    Running his fingers through his hair, Caldrice shook his head, ¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense. Shouldn¡¯t the former come after the formation of the soul?¡±


    The Guardian chuckled, wagging a finger at the youth¡¯s face, ¡°I¡¯m not so sure.¡± From behind his salt and pepper bearded face, Delarin grinned, ¡°Before his disappearance during the height of the plague, High Arcanist Delris proposed that very theory. Now, he wasn¡¯t a conventional arcanist like Adelia or myself.¡± Delarin explained, ¡°He could not manipulate the arcane forces of fire, nature, earth, water, or air.¡±


    ¡°You expect me to believe that a High Arcanist couldn¡¯t manipulate any of the basic elements?¡± Caldrice laughed, an ugly rude tone, ¡°Master, do you mean to tell me that the High Lord was so incompetent to appoint someone who put on a convincing fa?ade to the highest arcane office of the land?¡±


    Delarin rolled his eyes, ¡°If you¡¯d allow me to continue, my omnipotent student.¡±


    Caldrice wrinkled his nose, his cheeks turning red, ¡°My apologies.¡±


    ¡°Noted.¡± The Guardian said simply, a pleasant smile creeping infectiously across his lips, ¡°Now as I was saying, he couldn¡¯t manipulate any of those innate elemental attributes, but what he could bend to his will is objectively stronger than all five of them combined. What he manipulated was the inherent power stored within the human soul.¡±


    ¡°So, he was a necromancer? Those who manipulate souls to bring the dead back to life, correct?¡±


    ¡°The last great attempt at necromancy was the Ebonshroud Plague nearly two decades ago ¨C and that failed.¡± Delarin explained, ¡°No, the High Arcanist was not a necromancer ¨C nor did he ever dabble in attempting to bring the dead back to life.¡± His gaze shifted to Caldrice for an uncomfortable moment ¨C a stern look overtaking his eyes before it dissolved back into his usual, cheery demeanor, ¡°No, what he did was far more noble than any of the basic five could accomplish on their own. Delaris was a healer ¨C a man of miracles ¨C one that was unmatched in all lands of our world ¨C not just the realm of Kur where the High Lord rules.¡±


    ¡°Would people from, say, Erast or Genova come to seek him out?¡±


    Delarin rubbed the bridge of his nose, nodding, ¡°His gift gave him ties to most of the nobility within neighboring realms which has been a rather large boon as far as our neighbors across the seas are concerned.¡± Delarin paused, looking down at his oaken desk for a few moments before sighing, ¡°A good man, indeed, one who served not only those who were above all others, but served the people as well.¡±


    ¡°How did he manipulate souls for mending purposes? Wouldn¡¯t he need to use the soul in order to enact some transaction like any conventional arcanist would with Arcana?¡±


    ¡°You would think so, yes, but I¡¯m not sure. Frankly, I doubt anyone else across the land or sea would know either. He was a kind man, but he also held his secrets ¨C as all arcanists do.¡±


    ¡°Why do you mention him right now?¡± Caldrice said, lifting a brow, ¡°A man who is presumably lost to time wouldn¡¯t be of any use now, no?¡±


    ¡°I was planning on letting Adelia know before I sent her off to Kur for the Remembrance, but I¡¯ve already sent word to the High Lord that you¡¯ll be accompanying her and have preemptively asked for audience with him after the celebration has reached its conclusion.¡± Delarin clasped his hands together, leaning into his desk, ¡°He¡¯s already accepted.¡±


    ¡°So, what do I refer to him as, Master?¡± Caldrice leaned back into the soft cushioned chair, ¡°The High Lord, although formal, is a bit of a mouthful. Wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±


    ¡°Caldrice.¡±


    ¡°Hear me out. If I¡¯m going to have an audience with this man, I¡¯d rather not have to say High Lord every time I open my mouth. Is it truly that much of a crime?¡±


    Delarin shook his head, sighing, ¡°No, I suppose not. He prefers to go by neither ¨C if I¡¯m to be perfectly honest.¡±


    ¡°Neither title, nor name?¡±


    The Guardian nodded, ¡°Correct. Though, in an informal setting like what you two would be experiencing, I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t mind if you called him Photia.¡±


    ¡°Such a regal name ¨C though, not as taxing on the tongue as ¡®The High Lord¡¯.¡± Caldrice mocked, clasping his hands gently together with a sly grin creeping across his face.


    ¡°I¡¯ve let you get away with quite a lot, Caldrice. I¡¯m fairly lax compared to those in Kur that have a similar station to myself. This isn¡¯t a bit of friendly banter, boy, what I¡¯m telling you now is an order.¡± A chill slowly drifted through the room as Delarin¡¯s aura slowly began to envelop them, ¡°You¡¯re not a free agent during this audience. Everything you do will reflect on me, and if it reflects poorly then there will be consequences. Am I understood?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Master.¡± Caldrice said, his voice coming out sheepishly against the sudden shift in temperature, ¡°I just thought, well, since he was eager to circumvent the normal procedure for an immediate audience that it would be suitable to know his name.¡± He shook his head, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean anything by it, truly.¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    The chill relented ¨C the warmth permeating from the fireplace at the far corner of the room soothed the bumps that had begun to form along Caldrice¡¯s arms, ¡°Excellent.¡± Delarin cleared his throat, smiling pleasantly once more, ¡°So, I believe we should talk about the route you two will be taking, but first how your training has come along. You¡¯re quite good with a blade ¨C for having absolutely no Arcana in your body. That¡¯s why I¡¯d like you to go with my daughter.¡±


    ¡°If I don¡¯t have Arcana, then I¡¯m at a natural disadvantage though, am I not?¡±


    ¡°Yes and no.¡± The Guardian said simply, clearing his throat, ¡°You won¡¯t be able to be detected by any Arcanists with ill-intent along the way ¨C if any ¨C which would make you the perfect bodyguard. A blade tends to swing faster than an incantation can be completed ¨C something to keep in mind.¡±


    Caldrice rubbed his face slowly, looking blankly at Master Delarin for several moments. Finally, his blue irises relented, clearing the silence with a light drumming of the office table with his fingers, ¡°Can¡¯t we just use a rune to send us to the Kur¡¯s leyline?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not, Caldrice. You should know by now that teleportation magic becomes more unstable the closer you are to a Nexus.¡± He frowned, ¡°It¡¯s why all obelisks are a fair distance away from points of high arcane energy.¡±


    ¡°So, I assume the reason you¡¯re sending the two of us alone is because we wouldn¡¯t go too far before reaching the obelisk?¡±


    ¡°In a sense, yes.¡±


    ¡°Master Delarin.¡± Caldrice sighed, his head tilted. ¡°Tell me what¡¯s on your mind.¡±


    The canyons above the elder¡¯s brow dug deeper as his thoughts darkened, ¡°You can¡¯t stay here anymore, Caldrice.¡± His glance shifted to a portrait of a young woman above the fireplace, ¡°Neither can Adelia.¡± Delarin shook his head, ¡°There¡¯s a lot to explain, and not too much time for me to do it in, but there¡¯s been abnormal Arcana detected in the Ruins of Midland, and in the surrounding Shrouded Forest.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s that possible? I heard that that region was devoid of life.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s supposed to be, yes. Nothing with Arcana can go through the region without quickly becoming afflicted with the Ebonshroud.¡± Master Delarin clasped his hands together ¨C rubbing the weathered surface of them slowly, ¡°I want you to escort Adelia to the obelisk and ensure that she¡¯s sent to Kur safely. You will follow her on foot-¡±


    ¡°Through Midland.¡± Caldrice interjected, ¡°You want me to go through Midland? Are you insane, Master? Alone?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t send anyone with you, Caldrice! Midland is a forsaken region, filled with horrors that dwarf whatever may terrify you in your darkest dreams. If I send someone with you, they¡¯ll become afflicted with Ebonshroud, and they¡¯ll be met with a similar fate to those who perished so long ago.¡± Delarin rubbed at his face slowly, ¡°You have NO Arcana, Caldrice.¡±


    ¡°How do we even know that the Ebonshroud only infects those with Arcana?¡±


    ¡°Because young children were spared, most of the survivors of that region had yet to undergo adolescence.¡±


    ¡°Will there be someone waiting for me on the border?¡±


    Delarin shook his head, ¡°No, not at the border, Caldrice. The roads of Midland have long since become overgrown ¨C so it¡¯s nearly indistinguishable aside from vague landmarks.¡± He cleared his throat, ¡°There¡¯s a small inn a fair distance South of Kur, Captain Trethos will meet you there to hear your report, as well as acting as your escort to Kur.¡± He leaned into the table, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be sending you if I didn¡¯t think you could do it, do you understand that?¡±


    ¡°What will you do?¡± Caldrice asked, ignoring the previous question, ¡°If we can¡¯t stay here anymore, then that means what¡¯s in the Shrouded Forest could be coming here, right?¡±


    ¡°All signs are pointing to that possibility, yes.¡±


    ¡°Then what exactly will I be watching out for?¡±


    Master Delarin leaned back into his chair, sinking slightly, ¡°It¡¯s hard to say, Caldrice. Truly, it is.¡± He shrugged, ¡°We know that there¡¯s been a string of disappearances in the area without any signs of struggle or human remains. One caravan moving along the outskirts described seeing a lone figure, robed figure moving with them just beyond the tree-line.¡± He gestured to his eyes, ¡°They said their eyes were black around the iris, and white where the pupil is.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like that.¡± Caldrice remarked slowly, his lips pursing thoughtfully.


    ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯ve never ventured beyond the safety of the keep.¡±


    ¡°So, what does it supposed to mean? It¡¯s significant in some way, right?¡±


    ¡°A black soul.¡± The elder said slowly, ¡°It¡¯s unknown how it occurs in humans, but some speculate it¡¯s reserved for a particularly malicious soul ¨C one beyond redemption.¡± He shrugged, ¡°Others believe it¡¯s what happens when one transcends mortality and becomes something more ¨C undead, or otherwise.¡±


    ¡°What do you believe?¡± Caldrice asked, glancing around the room uneasily.


    ¡°High Arcanist Delris ¨C before his disappearance ¨C was sighted in Midland just after it had been decimated. The accounts of what had happened there were conflicted ¨C some said that he had saved them, while others called him the herald of their doom.¡± Delarin rubbed his temples slowly, ¡°The last time I saw my friend, though? His eyes.¡± The man gestured towards his, ¡°As black as pitch ¨C and he was the most righteous man I knew.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you tell me once that zealotry is just as bad as evil due to how extreme it is?¡±


    ¡°Righteousness isn¡¯t the same as zealotry, Caldrice.¡± Delarin corrected, ¡°He was a good man ¨C always willing to help people ¨C no matter who they were.¡± His lips curled up slightly, although no expression showed in his eyes, ¡°He saved Adelia once when she was really young. A ravaging fever had its claws so deep inside her that we thought she would die due to how it threatened to burn her alive.¡± Delarin shook his head, ¡°He came immediately and within a mere hour she was better ¨C it was a miracle.¡± The man slumped back in his chair once more, sighing, ¡°You¡¯d think someone like that would have nothing but good things happen to them, hm?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all a part of the wheel.¡± Caldrice recanted.


    ¡°The wheel makes exceptions.¡± Delarin stoically murmured, ¡°He lost his wife and son to the Ebonshroud ¨C it was quick ¨C nothing he could do to save them.¡± He slowly erected his posture, leaning into the table, ¡°So, you¡¯d like you know what I believe triggers a black soul within a human? I believe a black soul is triggered whenever someone is completely broken with no hope of ever recovering as they are.¡±


    ¡°What of the concept of good and evil then? Isn¡¯t black supposed to symbolize bad while white is good? That¡¯s what most of the books in your library say.¡±


    ¡°A scholar shouldn¡¯t obsess over the concept of good or evil.¡±


    ¡°Do you think the person in the Shrouded Forest is the High Arcanist?¡±


    Delarin snorted, shaking his head, ¡°No. Delris disappeared after our last confrontation over a decade ago. I don¡¯t believe he¡¯s still on Paelmun, and to be frank I¡¯m not sure where he set sail to.¡±


    ¡°How can you be so sure that he¡¯s not here anymore?¡± Caldrice asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not, I have a hunch that there¡¯s other things that have caught his attention now.¡± Delarin cleared his throat, ¡°Though, that¡¯s not something we really need to talk about.¡± He turned his gaze to the window, shaking his head, ¡°I don¡¯t think we really have much time to discuss anything else, honestly.¡±


    ¡°Am I dismissed then?¡± Caldrice inquired, moving to rise from his chair.


    ¡°You are. I¡¯ll send for you in a few days to discuss which armaments you¡¯ll be taking.¡±


    Caldrice gave a low, wordless bow before moving to push himself through the heavy oaken door ¨C rubbing his face warily as he was finally left alone to his ravaging thoughts ¨C left alone to dissect all he had learned today.

 Chapter 3

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Caldrice asked, pursing his lips.


    She¡¯s right. Was all that resounded through the void of his mind.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°How did you know my parents?¡± Caldrice asked, his brow quirking.


    ¡°She was bound to the Midland line, claiming stewardship over the natural forests and heartland of Paelmun.¡±


    ¡°Well, as I said, he is a bit eccentric.¡± The Guardian sighed, ¡°A bit too eccentric for his own good.¡±


    Delarin shook his head, ¡°That was one thing he specifically told me not to tell you.¡±

 Chapter 4

    Snow gently fell upon Caldrice as he steadily made his way into Frostfall, his longing gaze shifted towards the billowing columns of smoke that were nearly indistinguishable from the clouds that cloaked the sky. Slowly, his gloved hand rubbed his cheek, the cold having removed most sensation from it, but as he was about to continue walking, the rushed laughter of children stopped him in his tracks. Tilting his head, he¡¯d smile and wave at them, but they stood there stoically, murmuring amongst themselves before scampering off in the other direction. His lips curled downward as he walked along the right side of the cobbled pathway, glancing between the similar snow-covered houses and shops before hearing a hearty voice boom from an upper story window to his left, ¡°Well, look who¡¯s finally been let out of their cage!¡±


    Caldrice smirked, relieved, as he turned to face the aged, leathery man in the window, ¡°Ah, yes, Kanreth! It¡¯s been quite a while.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, it has! Several months, I was afraid that Guardian Delarin would never let you come visit.¡± Kanreth shouted through a stained toothy grin. Swiftly, he beckoned Caldrice, ¡°Come on, that coat won¡¯t keep you warm forever, boy. It¡¯ll be a lot warmer here, especially against this sudden snowfall that¡¯s recently begun.¡±


    Caldrice sighed, nodding, ¡°Yeah, it might be a good idea!¡± He shouted in return, rolling his eyes, ¡°I have an idea as to what could¡¯ve caused this.¡± He ran his gloved fingers through his hair, frowning at the snow that had begun to settle between.


    ¡°I¡¯ll meet you down below! The deadbolt may be a bit stuck.¡± Kanreth grunted, slamming the window shut ¨C a warm orange light showing from beyond the pane.


    Smiling, Caldrice shook the snow off of his worn, leather boots and moved over to his teacher¡¯s threshold, leaning against the door frame with crossed arms. He tilted his head, looking across the snow-covered path to see the quickly fading trail of where the children had gone. He frowned, remembering the odd behavior. His thoughts faded as he heard the muffled grumbling of Kanreth from beyond the door, and the dull thud of the deadbolt being pushed back. He squinted as the light of the house hit his eyes at once, smiling at the burly, yet wrinkly, old man who towered just slightly above him.


    Kanreth extended his arms out, ¡°I¡¯ve missed you, boy.¡±


    Laughing, Caldrice shook his head, ¡°Certainly you¡¯ve missed beating me up with wooden sticks and training swords.¡± He quipped as he moved forward to embrace the man.


    Kanreth pulled away, placing his hands on his shoulders, before pulling him away from the open door, ¡°Enough of that now.¡± He said, pulling the door shut, but leaving the deadbolt unsecure, ¡°What¡¯s that Guardian got you up to lately?¡±


    Caldrice rubbed the back of his neck, ¡°Well, he¡¯s got me learning more about geography, especially around the City of Kur.¡±


    ¡°Just a bunch of rocks!¡± Kanreth proclaimed, moving over to his cooking cauldron hanging over the fire, ¡°Rocks, rocks, and more rocks!¡± Tapping his chin lightly, he glanced back over to Caldrice, ¡°Which reminds me, Lady Frostfall stopped by earlier.¡±


    ¡°Adelia?¡±


    ¡°Aye, Adelia.¡±


    Caldrice shrugged himself out of his coat, draping it over the back of the closest facing chair to the fire before sitting in it, ¡°What all did she have to say?¡±


    ¡°Well, she seemed pretty upset, boy.¡± Kanreth remarked, bringing a ladle to his lips, ¡°Hmm, nice, very nice.¡± He snapped his fingers before placing the ladle back down, ¡°Ah, yes, Lady Frostfall. She came by and invited me to the Remembrance ceremony happening in Kur soon.¡± He said, grimacing as he said the name of the city, ¡°She said you were planning on attending to, but due to your, ah, uniqueness,¡± he said gingerly, ¡°you can¡¯t use the obelisk to get there.¡±


    ¡°So, she came by to ask you to take me then?¡±


    ¡°It was implied, yes.¡±


    Caldrice ran his fingers through his hair, pursing his lips, ¡°Did she tell you why she was upset, or explain why she came to speak with you?¡±


    Kanreth shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m afraid not. I didn¡¯t really want to press the issue further than what she had started with our conversation. Her eyes had quite the unsettling blue glow to them.¡±


    Caldrice sat up in his chair, alert, his brows furrowed thoughtfully, ¡°Her eyes only get like that when she isn¡¯t in control of her Arcana.¡± He stood up, grabbing his coat, ¡°Teacher, as much as I¡¯d like to stay and visit, I need to go find her.¡±This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Do you think she¡¯s responsible for the sudden change in weather?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a very real possibility.¡±


    ¡°Then I can¡¯t let you go alone.¡± Kanreth said, turning to face him, ¡°Temperatures are dropping, and if she keeps it up then she¡¯ll ruin our harvest for the season.¡± He grumbled to himself softly, moving over to retrieve his coat from the rack, ¡°I don¡¯t necessarily have strong Arcana myself, but if she¡¯s not stable, then it would be a good thing to have me with you just in case.¡±


    ¡°Do you think she¡¯ll try to hurt me?¡±


    Kanreth pursed his lips, ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be the first time she¡¯s lashed out at someone who didn¡¯t deserve it because she let her emotions interfere with her ability as an arcanist.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯d never hurt me though, right?¡± Caldrice said, his voice stoic.


    Kanreth shrugged his heavy shoulders, ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t say, boy, but I don¡¯t think it would be safe for you to go after her alone, at least not with people around right now.¡±


    Caldrice thought back to the encounter earlier, his lips pursed, yet frowning, ¡°I don¡¯t really understand why people avoid me, Kanreth.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re different.¡± He said softly, gently patting his head, the snow melting against his strong fingers, ¡°Different people are always looked at differently, and sometimes those differences don¡¯t always end well.¡±


    ¡°Are they afraid of me?¡± Caldrice asked, solemnly.


    Kanreth shook his head, ¡°No, it¡¯s difficult for people to fear someone who can¡¯t harm them, at least in the way that they harm each other.¡± He frowned, ¡°Truth be told, I¡¯m not sure why. Maybe they think you¡¯re an ill omen, your arrival coming shortly after the desolation of Midland.¡±


    ¡°So, they think I¡¯m somehow related to that thing, that abomination?¡± Caldrice said, appalled.


    Kanreth patted him on the shoulder, moving to open the door, ¡°No, I don¡¯t think anyone does, boy.¡± Moving through the door, he pulled it shut behind them, fumbling with his keys until the correct one fit into the lock, ¡°I just think people are afraid of what they don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you afraid of me?¡± Caldrice asked, looking back at him as he descended the snow-covered stairs.


    ¡°You and I are pretty similar, although you may not believe it yourself.¡± Kanreth explained, ¡°I mentioned once, years ago when Guardian Delarin brought you to me that I was from Erast where there is no Nexus, and where the connection to Arcana and the leylines are exceptionally weak.¡± He looked up to the dark grey sky, swiping the snow from his face as he drew up his hood, his heavy feet crushing the snow effortlessly with each step, ¡°The land of steam, automation, and frequent civil war. I came here many decades ago whenever the draft was happening.¡± He smiled, melancholy, ¡°It¡¯s hard to fight in a war you don¡¯t believe in, especially when the blood is tied to the land you were born on.¡±


    ¡°Then why did they fight?¡± Caldrice asked, drawing his hood up as he struggled to keep pace with the larger man.


    Kanreth smiled, ¡°They fought because they didn¡¯t believe they were free. They thought the Grand Mechanist was keeping all of Erast in chains while he, or she, or whatever it originally was, reaped all of the benefits of the population¡¯s efforts.¡± He rubbed his nose, frowning, ¡°The Grand Mechanist, while originally human like you and I, feared death like everyone else, or so the story goes. Nobody really remembers what they were originally, nor can remember a time from before they had shed their human origins and ascended to immortality through the power of automation.¡±


    Caldrice¡¯s face twisted, confused, ¡°So, the leader of Erast is a machine?¡±


    Kanreth nodded, ¡°Aye, it is, but one with a soul.¡± He cleared his throat, ¡°Many people in Erast undergo the process of limb removal in favor of more versatile prosthetics, which would normally be an issue for a place of proficient arcanists, since it would hinder their abilities for incantation, but to a relatively weak nation like Erast? It¡¯s a normal part of everyday life.¡±


    ¡°A machine with a soul.¡± Caldrice parroted, ¡°How is that possible?¡±


    ¡°Well, surely that stuffy old Guardian¡¯s had you read about liches, yes?¡±


    ¡°He has.¡± Caldrice nodded, ¡°So, what you¡¯re telling me is that the automaton is a big phylactery?¡±


    ¡°Kind of.¡± Kanreth said, ¡°Only the core is, which powers the entire thing through the arcana that is drawn into it by the soul.¡± He laughed, ¡°The entire process is considered taboo in many parts of the world, and outlawed entirely in Genova and Paelmun, which is why you¡¯d be very hard pressed to find someone who isn¡¯t an outlaw, or in high aristocracy running around with a prosthesis.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s outlawed in those places, then why aren¡¯t there wars fought over it?¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s more of a political move than anything else, boy.¡± Kanreth said, ¡°Erast and Genova are important naval allies to Paelmun due to how inaccessible and landlocked it normally is. It would be foolish to start a war against either of them when it would most certainly end in defeat.¡± He frowned, ¡°Though, Genova and Erast exclusively are a different story entirely. Genova detests Erast for its use of automation, and Erast detests Genova for its rampant use of slavery. Paelmun supplies weapons and arcanists to the highest bidder but doesn¡¯t get involved either way.¡±


    ¡°That makes us just as guilty as them though, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    Kanreth grinned, tapping his own forehead, ¡°Welcome to the very tip of the vile political arena, my boy. Pray to the Maker that you never get involved in it.¡± His grin quickly turned to a frown as a series of small stone spires appeared over the hillside, each lined up equidistance apart, and nearly indistinguishable from one another from afar, ¡°Well, boy, you wanted to know where she was, and this is pretty much the most likely place she¡¯d be ¨C the Frostfall Speaking Stones.¡±

 Chapter 5

    Caldrice stood in awe for several moments as the two drew closer to each individual spire, seeing the carving of the individual they were dedicated to. Pursing his lips, he looked to Kanreth, ¡°You said these are called speaking stones, yes?¡±


    ¡°Aye, they are.¡± Kanreth said gruffly.


    Caldrice smiled, ¡°So, how do you get them to talk?¡±


    Kanreth grinned a toothy grin, ¡°With wine, of course.¡± Snorting, he¡¯d wave a dismissive hand, ¡°Nobody really can aside from those of the Frostfall lineage. Adelia and Delarin are the only ones who are left of it after the Ebonshroud.¡±


    Caldrice tilted his head, brow furrowed, ¡°What do you mean after the Ebonshroud?¡±


    Kanreth shrugged his heavy shoulders, muscular finger tracing over the near flawless masonry, ¡°When it happened, before we knew the extent of the Shroud and what could cause it to be contracted, they had everyone who was incredibly gifted with Arcana come out to the point in which the Midland Nexus was ripped apart in an effort to repair it, but it was a case of too little too late.¡±


    ¡°Too little too late? What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Well.¡± Kanreth sighed, rubbing his stubbled face, ¡°Lady Illyana, the Guardian of the Midland Nexus had been afflicted with the disease, and it eventually claimed her life. When a Guardian dies, and it has happened before, there¡¯s a short span of time that can pass before another is appointed, but it must always be someone of the same bloodline and Arcana signature.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t anyone claim the seat of Guardian of a Nexus?¡±


    ¡°The way it was explained to me is how their bloodline has become resilient against the powerful energy that congregates at the nexus, and as such their souls are much more tolerant against Arcana than someone who wasn¡¯t born to a Guardian¡¯s lineage.¡± Kanreth let out a gravelly hum, ¡°Lady Illyanna had one son, but after she had died to the Shroud, it didn¡¯t matter. Her death impacted the entire region by infecting the Nexus and causing that horrible disease to course through the leylines that stemmed through the region.¡±


    ¡°So, her son was doomed from the start?¡±


    ¡°He survived the ascension ritual, but the Nexus, having become a font for decay, infected him as well.¡± Kanreth frowned, ¡°He was young, not even a teen whenever it happened.¡±


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t, or wasn¡¯t, the rest of Paelmun infected then?¡± Caldrice asked, arms crossed as they continued to walk through the static, expressionless faces of years gone by.


    ¡°They cut off the leylines to the region, like staunching a wound.¡± Kanreth said solemnly, ¡°All of the brightest arcanists redirected the leylines that led into Midland away from it.¡± He rubbed the back of his neck, looking around, ¡°The result? It wasn¡¯t allowed to spread, but it¡¯s something that¡¯s festered.¡±


    ¡°And with a disease, if it¡¯s allowed to continue without treatment, there¡¯s bound to be a mutation.¡± Caldrice said, as if quoting something.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Kanreth said distantly, ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s true.¡± He looked over to Caldrice, his brow furrowed, as a soft voice was carried along the whipping, howling winds. He beckoned him over, a finger over his own lips as he shoved his legs through the dense snow in the direction of it.


    Caldrice gazed up at the stony faces, marveling at how faded some of them were, but how others appeared to be the person cast into frigid blue stone. He blinked, looking around as Kanreth was gone against the blinding white sheet of snow that continued to fall. His sense of sight may be gone, but along the howling of the wind he could still hear the voice, although he was unsure which way it came from as it trailed from around each pillar.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Caldrice gritted his teeth against the insatiable cold, the bitterness cutting through his heavy coat as he got closer to the source of what was causing it. Slowly, he brought his hands to his mouth, blowing into them to bring some sensation back to his face before rubbing his arms for warmth. He looked around, tilting his head to the wind, no longer hearing the voice along the whipping wind.


    Quickly, panic seized him as the storm continued to intensify, and without sight of either Adelia or Kanreth, Caldrice took a deep breath ¨C the air stinging his lungs ¨C and shouted, ¡°Adelia, stop this!¡±


    His voice echoed along the wind, bounding between pillar to pillar, and at first he was greeted with nothing more than the panicked echo of his own voice before the storm began to fade away until only a light flurry remained. At the furthest speaking stone, overseeing the town of Frostfall was Adelia, hunched over, her head resting against a stone of a woman that looked much like her, but far too old to be made in her honor. Caldrice looked around, and with Kanreth not in sight of any direction, he slowly waded through the snow over to his friend.


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Adelia said, not moving or acknowledging he was there otherwise.


    ¡°Your fath-¡± He began.


    ¡°My father sent you?!¡± She shouted, finally rising, ¡°Of course he did. Of course he sent someone else to check on his daughter instead of coming out from his sheltered walls to be a father.¡± She gritted her teeth, the fierce eldritch glow to her eyes intensifying, ¡°Sending you of all people. That¡¯s the biggest-¡± She shuddered, flinging her arm sidelong, a shard of ice flying from the center of her palm into a nearby speaking stone. The sound of a distant voice filled the air but was otherwise indistinguishable, ¡°Insult!¡± Adelia finished, her intense arcane aura saturating, and activating, the speaking stones in the immediate area.


    Caldrice¡¯s eyes darted between the various stones, and what they were saying, as Adelia continued to approach, ¡°I¡¯m just trying to help, Adelia. I care!¡±


    ¡°Why do you care?!¡± She screeched, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t care! Everyone he sent there ¨C my mother, brother, and sister never came back.¡± She stared him down, her steps becoming more labored as he backed away from her, ¡°And now he wants to do the same to you!¡± Her body shook as she cackled, ¡°My only friend, a reject without Arcana. Haven¡¯t you ever found it strange as to why he¡¯s always had this interest in you?¡±


    ¡°He was supposed to be my caretaker.¡± Caldrice said, looking around as his feet continued to step away from her, his peripheral vision struggling to find a way to escape.


    ¡°But who brought you to him? Where did you even come from?¡± She snarled, ¡°For all I know you could be nothing more than an illusion, but I know that¡¯s not true because I¡¯d at least be able to sense an illusion.¡±


    He felt the cold stone press against his back as his feet had nowhere left to go. His eyes darted around frantically as she approached him.


    ¡°No one knows where you came from, or what you are!¡± She shouted, stopping completely in her tracks, turning her head to the side at the sound of metal sliding from a sheath.


    ¡°Not one more step, Frostfall Witch.¡± Kanreth said slowly, his cold gaze boring holes into her, ¡°I swear, by the Maker, I will run you through if you take another step towards him.¡±


    Adelia¡¯s face scrunched up, ¡°You¡¯re threatening me? The Erastian outcast? Don¡¯t make me laugh.¡± She growled, her aura intensified as the eldritch blue completely enveloped her eyes, ¡°I will make you regret that.¡±


    ¡°Adelia, don¡¯t-¡° Caldrice began, reaching out towards her, before his arm fell limply at his side. There was only a glint as her wrist flicked a thick shard of ice towards him. His eyes locked on hers as the eldritch glow faded away, his mind racing before collapsing to the ground, his breathing coming in ragged gasps, ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± He wheezed repeatedly as his vision began to flicker and distort. He looked up, seeing the hazy form of Kanreth charging Adelia as her futile apologies fell upon deaf ears.

 Chapter 6

    Caldrice sputtered and coughed as the sound of a roaring crowd stirred him from his slumber. He winced, as he flung off the blanket which covered him, and struggled to leave the bed he was in. Gritting his teeth, he flung an arm to support his chest, feeling the tightly bound bandage that embraced him, ¡°What?¡± He said in a hushed tone, looking around through the dark, cluttered room filled with discarded clothes and books. It was not his room, for it was much too small for that.


    He rose slowly, keeping pace with the pain that resonated from his chest, knowing that what was beneath the bandage to be far more serious than a superficial graze. Caldrice brought his hand to the wall, leaning on it for support as he looked to the only window in the room. Peeling back the dust-stained curtains, he glanced outside to the sight of an angry mob with torches raised high shouting things that were indistinguishable through the stone of the second story window. In the center of the crowd was Kanreth, facing them alone, blade drawn, looking between each face with a ferocity to his gaze.


    Caldrice pulled himself away, the frantic beating of his heart sending a pulse of pain which was mitigated by the sudden surge of adrenaline. In an awkward shuffle, he moved for the stairs, attempting to descend them swiftly, but tripping himself over his feet in his haste and falling down them. He gritted his teeth, using the rail to lift himself up again, before carefully descending the remaining way. To his surprise, the door was wide-open, the cool breeze washing over him like a distant memory against the warmth that clung to his skin. He looked around, frantically, for anything he could use to help his mentor, and noticed an old, worn blade leaning against the wall. It was suited to a man of Kanreth¡¯s hulking frame, and not to one as lithe as Caldrice, but he reached for it regardless, and drug it across the floor onto the cobble streets outside.


    The jarring sound of metal on stone brought the bloodthirsty shouts of, ¡°Death to the Erastian!¡± to a halt as Caldrice braced himself with the massive blade with both hands ¨C steadying himself against the burning in his chest.


    ¡°Leave him alone!¡± He shouted into the crowd of several dozen, their gaze shifted to him in a similar, frenzied appearance, ¡°Leave him alone, or I swear to the Maker that I will make you regret it.¡±


    The closest person to him, a middle-aged man scoffed at him, approaching with his torch, a cold, calculating look in his eyes, ¡°How will you do that, huh?¡± He said, taunting, ¡°That blade¡¯s awfully big for you, maybe a bit too large to handle.¡±


    ¡°Get back!¡± He shouted, slashing out at the air before the man, sending himself off-balance.


    ¡°Ha, of course! He can¡¯t even properly swing a sword!¡± The man said, his face twisting cruelly, ¡°I¡¯ll teach you never to swing a blade at me, boy.¡± He said, taking one step forward, only to find his other foot unable to move upon the second, ¡°What?¡± He said, astonished, as a root had slithered from the ground, wrapping itself around his foot.


    ¡°You can threaten me.¡± Kanreth said, his aura parting the crowd as he approached the man from behind, ¡°You can even hurt me.¡± His voice slowly chilled, as the root slithered across the man¡¯s form, constricting him, ¡°But never threaten my pupil.¡± Without breaking pace, he went to Caldrice ¨C the roots that held the man in place slowly beginning to drag him down into the ground as his bloodcurdling pleas for help fell upon fearful ears, ¡°Help him if you want!¡± He shouted from over his shoulder, ¡°I certainly won¡¯t stop you, but if I see so much as what looks like a flicker of flame coming towards my windows, I won¡¯t stop with just him this time.¡± Gently, Kanreth took the blade from Caldrice, sheathing his own before placing a hand upon his shoulder, ¡°Come on, boy, let¡¯s get you back inside. This excitement isn¡¯t good for your health.¡±


    ¡°Why were those people out there?¡± Caldrice asked, clutching his chest.


    Kanreth let out a soft growl, ¡°It appears as if someone has misconstrued what happened at the Speaking Stones.¡±


    The door shut with a heavy thud, the deadbolt sharply clicking into place, ¡°Adelia?¡± Caldrice tentatively asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. There¡¯s a lot we need to talk about since you¡¯ve been out.¡±


    ¡°How long was I unconscious?¡±


    Kanreth sighed, patting his shoulder, ¡°A couple of days.¡± He frowned, clearing his throat, ¡°It was a hit that should¡¯ve killed you.¡± He admitted, ¡°A shard that sharp? It¡¯s a miracle that I carried you back here without so much as a scratch or graze.¡±


    ¡°Where is this pain coming from then?¡± Caldrice asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have much triage experience, but it felt like the impact left you with a few damaged ribs.¡± Kanreth helped him into a chair, walking away to replace his blades against the wall. Over his shoulder, he lifted a brow, ¡°How much do you remember?¡±


    ¡°From the Speaking Stones?¡± Caldrice asked, humming softly, ¡°The last thing I remember is you running towards her with a crazed look about you.¡± Caldrice frowned, ¡°You didn¡¯t hurt her, did you?¡± He sat up, shaking his head, ¡°No, no, Kanreth, you didn¡¯t, did you?¡± He asked again, his eyes wide.


    ¡°If shoving her into the snow while I grabbed you hurt her, then she¡¯s made of very thin parchment.¡± Kanreth admitted, ¡°I¡¯m kind of surprised though, Guardian Delarin hasn¡¯t paid me a visit, but I can only assume his judgement towards it all based on how he¡¯s yet to come out of his dingy cave to dismiss these hordes of angry mobs.¡±


    ¡°Has Adelia come by?¡±


    ¡°Once, to see how you were going.¡± Kanreth smirked, amused, ¡°I turned her away.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Kanreth, come on.¡± Caldrice said, frustrated.


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in talking to some unstable, arrogant Arcanist.¡± Kanreth growled, ¡°Especially not one who could¡¯ve killed you.¡± Kanreth sighed, turning to face him from across the room, ¡°Caldrice, you can¡¯t blame me. What if that frail Guardian had split me in half with one of his spells? I doubt you¡¯d be pleased.¡±


    ¡°No, but it¡¯s not helping the situation. You¡¯re speaking in hypotheticals, Teacher, and I¡¯m perfectly fine all things considered.¡±


    ¡°You could¡¯ve died.¡± Kanreth repeated.


    ¡°How didn¡¯t I die?¡± Caldrice asked.


    Kanreth stopped, gritting his teeth before letting out a puff of air through flared nostrils, ¡°I can¡¯t talk about that.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you?¡± Caldrice struggled to stand.


    ¡°Caldrice do-¡° Kanreth started.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you tell me? What¡¯s so important about me not knowing?!¡± He shouted, holding his chest, coughing heavily, ¡°Why?¡± He wheezed, wiping saliva from the corner of his mouth.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°It has to do with that thing beneath the bandage.¡± Kanreth said stoically.


    ¡°What about my mark?¡± Caldrice said bitterly, struggling to regain his composure.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably the reason why you¡¯re still alive.¡± He said softly.


    ¡°What else?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, boy, I really don¡¯t.¡± Kanreth said earnestly, rubbing the back of his neck, ¡°Your father didn¡¯t tell me much of anything. The only one who does, for all I know, is Delarin Frostfall.¡±


    Caldrice¡¯s legs shook as he fell back into the chair, ¡°My father?¡± He weakly parroted, ¡°Who?¡± He said, breathlessly, ¡°Who is he?¡±


    ¡°Boy, don¡¯t make me tell you.¡± Kanreth implored.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Caldrice asked, confused, ¡°Why can¡¯t I know?¡±


    ¡°Because you have my ill-temper, and my fiery spirit. You¡¯d hunt him to the Veiled Sea and beyond if you had to, which is why I can¡¯t.¡± He said lowly, crossing his arms solidly.


    ¡°Wh-¡° Caldrice began, cut off by the heavy thud of the door¡¯s knocker hitting the wood.


    Kanreth pressed his finger to his lips, moving towards the door, reaching for his broadsword, before opening the door with the blade hidden behind it.


    ¡°Ah, the hot headed Erastian that hurt my daughter.¡± Said an expressionless Delarin, a gathering of people looking at the interaction, ¡°I believe this meeting is overdue.¡±


    ¡°Delarin Frostfall, to what do I owe this baseless accusation and overall displeasure?¡± Kanreth replied in turn, his face twisted into a scowl.


    ¡°Baseless? You assaulted my daughter! How can that be baseless?¡± He shouted.


    ¡°Because there¡¯s no proof, and if she says otherwise then she¡¯s a liar.¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t have to say anything. You obviously assaulted her and Caldrice.¡± Delarin said slowly, a low growl to his voice.


    Kanreth laughed at the Guardian, arms crossed, ¡°Caldrice? I hurt Caldrice? My student who has known me for the better part of a decade? That Caldrice? The one standing right behind me?¡±


    Delarin peered behind the man¡¯s burly frame, to the bandaged youth, ¡°Yes.¡± Delarin said stoically, ¡°That Caldrice.¡± A smile formed on his lips, as it had many times in the past, but this time it unnerved him, ¡°Caldrice?¡± He said softly, ¡°Would you mind recanting the events as they happened? If you¡¯d like, we can do so away from this barbarian.¡±


    Caldrice looked between Kanreth and Delarin, the two prominent figures of his life for most of his recollected life, his lips pursed downward in an unsteady frown, ¡°I¡¯d rather not.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have anything to be afraid of, Caldrice.¡± Delarin continued, staring intensely at Caldrice. ¡°Just tell the truth.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Just tell the truth, boy.¡± Kanreth said calmly, nodding at him.


    Caldrice closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before looking at Delarin again, ¡°I went to find her like you asked me to ¨C to try to calm her down.¡± Caldrice said slowly, pacing his breathing, ¡°Kanreth stopped me, and we caught up for a bit, but then he told me that Adelia had come to invite him to the Remembrance, and offered for me to go with him.¡± He moved forward, leaning against Kanreth for support, ¡°He said he might know where she would be, and he took me to the Speaking Stones.¡± His tone became flat, ¡°She was unstable, Master, she was causing a storm that was affecting Frostfall.¡±


    ¡°And then?¡± Delarin pressed in an inquisitive tone.


    ¡°She started to lash out at me.¡± He looked to Kanreth, ¡°Kanreth intervened, and when it looked like the two were going to get out of control, I tried to step in.¡±


    ¡°And that¡¯s when Kanreth assaulted Adelia, yes?¡± Delarin prodded.


    ¡°Let the boy speak.¡± Kanreth growled.


    "It¡¯s when Adelia assaulted me.¡±


    Delarin lifted his brows, ¡°Pardon me?¡±


    ¡°Adelia assaulted me.¡± Caldrice parroted.


    ¡°She could¡¯ve killed him.¡± Kanreth added.


    Delarin pointed to Caldrice, ¡°Beneath that bandage, I presume?¡±


    Caldrice nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to see it.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Kanreth interjected.


    ¡°I will see it, or I¡¯ll maintain my conclusion that you assaulted both of them, and have conditioned Caldrice to respond.¡±


    ¡°He woke up to a rioting crowd outside of my house not even an hour ago!¡± Kanreth shouted, his fists clenched.


    ¡°Kanreth!¡± Caldrice said sharply, ¡°That¡¯s enough, I¡¯ll show him. It¡¯s okay.¡± His fingers traced the boundaries of the bandage, finding where Kanreth had tied it off at before slowly working it free. He gritted his teeth, quickly becoming frustrated at how stubborn the knot was being before tugging at it, ¡°Oh, come on!¡± He shouted, the tension in his chest causing him to latch onto Kanreth for support again.


    ¡°Here.¡± Kanreth softly said, shifting Caldrice to the wall as he took a knee and began to unravel the bandage, ¡°You don¡¯t need to do it all on your own. You¡¯re not alone right now, even though it may seem like it.¡±


    ¡°I can take it from here, Kanreth.¡± Caldrice said distantly. ¡°Thank you.¡± Leaning against the wall, he pulled the bandage away from himself before dropping it to the floor. The black, eldritch brand that had covered his chest from what would seem like his second birth was no longer dark and dormant. Beneath the bandage, the black marking had taken on an Arcana infused blue hue surrounded by a chain of sickly discolored bruises.


    Kanreth looked away, frowning.


    Delarin straightened his posture, and his robes, as he looked at the marking with an air of fear, ¡°Kanreth.¡± He thoughtfully said, ¡°What have you done?¡±


    ¡°What have I done?¡± Kanreth parroted, ¡°Look at what your daughter did!¡± He shouted, ¡°I didn¡¯t do this, your abomination did!¡±


    ¡°She cares for him, she¡¯d never do something as awful!¡±


    ¡°You can feel her Arcana in it!¡± Kanreth rhythmically shouted. ¡°It radiates the same vile, cold Arcana that you do.¡±


    ¡°Why is it important?¡± Caldrice asked, shifting his weight uneasily. ¡°What is this thing?¡± He asked, looking at Delarin.


    Delarin looked at Caldrice, his eyes closing for a few moments before sighing, ¡°It¡¯s something your father told me never to explain.¡± He frowned, looking away. ¡°It¡¯s why I can¡¯t keep you safe anymore.¡±


    Kanreth opened his mouth to speak, but bites his tongue, listening to him.


    ¡°Then what am I? Who am I?¡± Caldrice cautiously asked, ¡°Is that too much to ask?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that is.¡± Delarin said, a distant pain swelling in his voice, ¡°You are Caldrice.¡± He smiled sadly, ¡°Nothing more, and nothing less.¡±


    Caldrice gritted his teeth, a rage rising in his eyes as he looked at his master. The two were only a few steps apart, but to him it felt like worlds. Thoughts raced violently through his mind. Had he always been this callous and disregarding? Why was he hiding something as simple as where he came from? Who was he?


    ¡°I think you should go.¡± Kanreth said, breaking the tension, ¡°Let the boy rest.¡±


    ¡°May I come by in the morning to see how you¡¯re doing, Caldrice?¡± Delarin asked, his expression shifting from pained to pleasant.


    ¡°No.¡± Caldrice said simply.


    Kanreth looked at Delarin analytically, burly arms crossed against his chest, ¡°I hope you¡¯re safe on your walk back, Guardian.¡± He said, moving to get the door as Delarin slipped past.


    ¡°Ah, yes.¡± He said stoically, ¡°There¡¯s quite a bit of things that I¡¯d like to talk to Adelia about.¡± He smiled, bowing, ¡°Family stuff, but I do appreciate you telling me what happened.¡±


    Clearing his throat, Kanreth nodded, the heavy door slowly shutting before he could get another word in edgewise, ¡°Goodnight, Delarin Frostfall.¡± The door fell into place with a heavy thud, and the deadbolt hit the stone with a sharp click. As Kanreth turned around, he found Caldrice struggling to ascend the stairs, ¡°A bit easier to go down, but not up?¡± Kanreth said gently as he went to help.


    Caldrice sharply looked over his shoulder, shouting, ¡°I can do this on my own, Kanreth! I don¡¯t need your help, or Delarin¡¯s.¡±


    Kanreth stood there, watching as his student struggled to do the simple task of pushing his weight beneath his feet from one stair to the next, pained by the labored grunts of what should¡¯ve been an easy task for any abled-body person. What was a labored effort eventually turned into a pained crawl, but even that effort failed as he laid motionless against the worn wood of Kanreth¡¯s staircase. Once he was sure that he had stopped moving for the night, Kanreth moved over, and gently picked Caldrice up, ascending the stairs before laying him onto the bed to rebind his bandages, ¡°You did good, boy.¡± Kanreth said, a forlorn tune to his voice, his eyes looking to the marking that banished beneath the bandages that branded Caldrice¡¯s chest. The glow, however, permeated through, something it hadn¡¯t done before. Melodically, he mumbled once more, ¡°You did good.¡± Before going off downstairs to find a way to a haunted sleep of his own.

 Chapter 7

    ¡°Caldrice?¡± The muffled voice of Kanreth said, his burly shoulder jostling him wake, ¡°Caldrice, by the Maker, wake up!¡±


    Caldrice¡¯s vision blurred and distorted, looking at the frantic form of Kanreth in the lowlight of the room, ¡°What?¡± He said sluggishly, propping himself up on his elbows, ¡°Kanreth? What time is it?¡± He grumbled, rubbing his eyes.


    ¡°We need to leave.¡± Kanreth said, ignoring the question, ¡°Get dressed. Fast.¡± He moved over to the window, peering through it cautiously, a fearful gleam to his eye.


    Caldrice grunted, shifting himself to look between his teacher and the window, ¡°Kanreth, it¡¯s still dark.¡± He sluggishly grumbled, ¡°And I don¡¯t see any torchlight.¡±


    ¡°By the Maker, boy, shut up!¡± Kanreth growled in a harsh whisper, ¡°Shut up and get dressed. Right now!¡± He pointed towards the window, shaking his head, ¡°There¡¯s something out there, something that I don¡¯t like, and if there¡¯s one then there¡¯s bound to be more.¡± His gaze continued to look out the window through the darkness, examining something just out of Caldrice¡¯s sight, ¡°I noticed it an hour ago, just the vague silhouette of it, but mainly I noticed how it¡¯s been circling my house exclusively.¡± He¡¯d close the curtains, ¡°Occasionally it comes to the door, raking against it with claws that sound like they¡¯re razor sharp.¡± He snorted, shrugging, ¡°Then nothing, then it goes back to scuttling in the shadows like a roach, only coming close when it sees movement if I had to guess.¡±


    ¡°Kanreth.¡± Caldrice sighed, waving dismissively, ¡°You¡¯re not making any sense, can¡¯t I just go back to sleep? What if it¡¯s just your exhausted mind playing tricks on you?¡±


    He waved Caldrice over, helping him out of bed before supporting him at the window, his finger trailing along the creature¡¯s path, ¡°I don¡¯t¡­¡± Caldrice softly whispered, confused, before seeing the vague outline of something walking in the shadows of the other buildings upon all four limbs. From the distance, and the distortion in his vision, the creature looked like it was an emaciated dog, or wolf. Perhaps a bear with mange. Though, as its path grew closer to Kanreth¡¯s home, the shape became more defined, more human ¨C but wrong. The proportions were elongated, and where the toes and fingers should¡¯ve been were fetid, warped claws of different lengths. As Caldrice gazed at the creature, its head tilted before rising to meet his gaze. Deep within the abomination¡¯s sunken sockets were two blue eldritch orbs that hung ominously within the dark pits.


    ¡°What¡­?¡± Kanreth gasped under his breath as he saw the creature¡¯s face for the first time.


    Wispy strands of greasy, unwashed hair hung down upon the creature¡¯s near-human face as its thin lips parted to reveal a set of thin, needlelike teeth, a ghastly shriek breaking the ominous silence as a surge of dark, eldritch energy illuminated within its veins, ¡°AGNA SEHT!¡± It shouted, staring at Caldrice, before bounding towards the door on all fours.


    ¡°Kanreth!¡± Caldrice shouted, ¡°It¡¯s going for the door!¡±


    ¡°The door will hold.¡± Kanreth said, hesitating, ¡°Not for long though.¡± He bent low, taking his student in his arms before swiftly moving the two down the stairs, before setting Caldrice down ¡°We need to stay calm, boy.¡± He said steadily against the violent thudding against the buckling door frame, ¡°I need you to do something very important for me.¡± He said, staring Caldrice in the eyes, ¡°I need you to open the door on my mark.¡±


    ¡°And do what?¡± Caldrice asked, astonished, ¡°That thing¡¯s ripping apart the sturdiest door I¡¯ve seen!¡±


    Kanreth pulled his buckler from the wall, and withdrew his gladius from his sword case, ¡°Get ready to pull the deadbolt, it won¡¯t hold for much longer.¡±


    On the other side, as Caldrice got into position, his clammy fingers wrapped around the deadbolt, he heard the ferocious muttering of the creature from the space between the door and the doorframe. Feverishly, the horrid, almost-human voice kept muttering that one phrase it had shouted repeatedly.


    ¡°Now!¡± Kanreth shouted, readying himself.


    Caldrice pulled the deadbolt. The door swung open as the one thing halting the creature¡¯s progress was eliminated. Its forward momentum sent it off-balance, splaying itself against the floor. Confused, it looked up at Kanreth with those inhumane eyes, still muttering the words, ¡°Agna Seht.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    With a look of disgust, Kanreth lifted his boot, kicking the abomination between the eyes, and shattering what semblance of a nose it had left into a blackish paste. It brought its limbs beneath it, before lunging at the Erastian, but felt the force of his buckler against the left side of its face in a brutal parry. The creature staggered, shaking its head to regain composure before swiping at Kanreth with its fetid claws. He swatted the creature¡¯s hand away, severing the other arm with one clean stroke. He leapt back, as it unleashed a shriek powerful enough to hurt Kanreth¡¯s ears, away from the abomination to lunge forward with his weapon, burying it deep within its throat, ¡°Just shut up already!¡± He shouted, pushing his blade further into the beast, grinning with satisfaction as he heard the deep, wet gurgle coming from it instead of the earsplitting scream.


    It brought its other hand up, gripping weakly at Kanreth¡¯s bracer, trying to dig into the worn metal, but as life fled the creature¡¯s eyes, so too did it from the abomination¡¯s hand, ¡°What a horrible creature.¡± Kanreth said, unsheathing his blade from the things throat, scowling as the corpse¡¯s blood began to pool on his floor, ¡°Great, now it¡¯s soiling my floor as well.¡±


    ¡°Kanreth, what was that-¡° Caldrice began to ask, but was cut off by a shriek from outside.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I think I was right.¡± He mumbled softly, moving towards the door, shielding Caldrice with his body as he blocked the doorframe.


    Beyond the door, more of the creatures stalked the streets of Frostfall, two had begun to prey upon someone who had strayed beyond the safety of their home to investigate the horrible sounds present just moments ago. They were hunched low, fangs buried within the young woman¡¯s flesh. The wet, suckling sound of their feast penetrated Caldrice¡¯s every thought, but even as he threw his hands to cover his ears, he could not escape it.


    ¡°Jula?!¡± Shouted a man, ¡°Get away from her!¡± He shouted, the glow of his enraged Arcana illuminating him, ¡°Get away!¡± He shouted once more, preparing an incantation as more creatures mauled him from the shadows, ¡°GET OFF OF ME!¡± He screamed as they buried their claws and fangs within him. With each passing second, his aura diminished until he, too, was cloaked in shadow.


    ¡°They use those fangs to drain the Arcana from their victims, leaving them helpless to defend themselves.¡± Kanreth remarked slowly, ¡°Fascinating.¡±


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t we helping them, Kanreth?!¡± Caldrice shouted, pulling his hands from his ears, ¡°Why are you just standing there?¡±


    ¡°A good warrior knows when not to engage an enemy.¡± Kanreth quipped. ¡°You saw how that man was overwhelmed in seconds.¡± He moved them back, slowly shutting the damaged door before replacing the deadbolt. He looked to the corpse, lips pursed, ¡°Which would make sense. These things obviously have some type of Arcana within them, but it¡¯s not an affinity I was able to recognize, nor even sense.¡±


    ¡°That thing,¡± Caldrice pointed at the fallen creature, ¡°could sense me, though.¡± He looked to Kanreth, shaking his head, ¡°It looked directly at me, when it shouldn¡¯t have been able to sense anything! No one has ever sensed anything, I¡¯m completely empty, but that wretched creature looked directly at me ¨C not you, but ME.¡±


    ¡°It could¡¯ve been coincidence, boy, and you know it.¡± Kanreth explained.


    ¡°If it was, then tell me why it shouted, ¡®Agna Seht¡¯ when string directly at me?¡± He pointed at Kanreth, ¡°What does that mean?!¡±


    Kanreth squat with his heels flat on the ground, before looking up, ¡°Agna Seht?¡± Kanreth softly hummed, ¡°I don¡¯t know, truthfully, but I am aware that it¡¯s Arcane in nature.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard each word used separately by Guardian and Arcanist alike.¡±


    ¡°So, these things, they¡¯re some type of Arcanist?¡± Caldrice mumbled, confused.


    Kanreth¡¯s brow furrowed deeply, against the intense screams and shouts outside as he processed what his student had made note of, ¡°If they are, then we most certainly need to leave.¡± Kanreth said, ¡°If your harmless observation is correct, which I suspect it is, then not only are they former Arcanists, but it might be fair to say that what transformed them into these hideous creatures could be transferred from one person to the next.¡±


    ¡°So, one bite, maybe even a scratch?¡± Caldrice said distantly, easing himself into a chair.


    ¡°It could be a number of things, but I don¡¯t know how many of those abominations are outside, nor do I want to be around if a good portion of Frostfall¡¯s population is twisted by their horrible Arcana.¡± Kanreth gruffly stated. ¡°We can¡¯t stay here though, the door¡¯s damaged, it¡¯ll barely hold against another one of those things, and I don¡¯t trust them not to swarm next time.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going out there then, are you?¡± Caldrice asked, his eyes wide.


    ¡°Well, one of us as to, and you¡¯re not in any condition to make any sudden movements, let alone a full sprint. I could carry you, for a time, but I¡¯m old, and even my strength will fail you.¡± He smiled somberly, ¡°No, it has to be me that goes outside. I¡¯ll go out back to the stable and saddle up Boris. The way I see it, that ornery yak can trample anything that tries to get in our way, and may be able to out run what pursues us.¡±


    ¡°Kanreth, that¡¯s suicide! You saw those things leap out of the shadows!¡± Caldrice interjected.


    Kanreth shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s the only way.¡± He moved towards the door, slowly opening it as he peeked through the widening gap.


    ¡°How does it look outside?¡± Caldrice whispered.


    Kanreth was silent for a long while before lowering his head and chuckling slowly, ¡°If I make it back, you¡¯ll see soon enough.¡±