ã€ŠThe Armor of Kingsã€‹


 Prologue

    Before we begin, you ought to know that the world you are about to enter into is so very far removed from the world your are familiar with, that it would be impossible to give every fantastic detail all at once. It would take altogether too long to explain the wingspan of a jynx, or the top speed of a talard, or the terror of running into a grimis of phelgan, before our great tale had even begun. It would be likewise difficult attempting to detail the founding of the five kingdoms and their peculiar traditions. The same would be true recounting the history of the great weavers and the role their magics played in the formation of this great and wild country. In the stead of these introductions, I shall endeavor to explain as the need arises. This is in the hope that you would not become so immediately overwhelmed by this wonderful and dangerous place. With all this is mind, shall we begin?

    Many years ago, the last of the great weaver¡¯s of the land, Eeshak, crafted the very greatest work of his long life. In thanks to king Eton of Eldaren for saving his life, Eeshak used his gifts as a magic weaver and made for the king, the Ariochmar: the armor of kings. With this mighty gift the king went from powerful to unbeatable. The armor¡¯s famed prowess was unrivaled. Each piece was imbued with special magics which only Eeshak could have formed. With this mighty gift, the king was finally able to subdue the five kingdoms under one rule, including the dark island of Meremoth where the dread king Daegan ruled. He even held outposts in Phelgan, where no one claimed rulership, save for the horrid beasts that dwelled in that awful place.

    Eeshak was proud of his work and of his friend Eton, for with his gift, the king was able to usher in an era of peace. However, the old weaver was about to learn a hard lesson: peace his hard to win and easy to lose.

    The great hall in the land of Eldaren was a filled with the clamor and chorus of celebration. Great Lords and Ladies feasted at tables and danced to the traditional musics of Eldaren, all in honor of king Eton and his wife, Fara. In a space between songs, the people had quieted as the king stood and took his chance to address the crowd.

    ¡°My people!¡±

    The king¡¯s voice was warm and commanding and everyone quieted and turned when they heard the sound, like sheep to a shepherd.

    ¡°My dear people. My brave and cunning warriors. My devoted and loyal subjects. Long have we sought for a day such as this. Through your courage and bravery, we have finally ushered in a time free of bloodshed, free of fear, and full of peace and wealth!¡±

    A chorus of cheers rushed through the hall. Eton¡¯s words filled the people with pride and joy.

    ¡°It is not lost upon me that a great price was paid to bring us here and we remember our fallen brothers and sisters this night¡±

    At this the king took out a knife and spilled a little wine on it¡¯s edge, a symbol of respectful mourning to great warriors. In doing this, the king was showing his respect for the warriors that did not come home and their families. The people were somber as he did so.

    ¡°I am also not left unawares as to the great responsibility it is to maintain such peace. I am here to serve you as best as I know how. On my life, I will see to it that this era is prolonged as I live and breathe and ever after!¡±

    A great and heavy cheer rang out a second time. The king was not finished and raised his hands to quiet his people. He motioned for his wife to join him as he stood. She looked up at him and smiled. The two were as close as could be as king and queen and that was evident even in how they looked at each other. The people loved their queen as much as their king. With the queen now standing by his side, the king looked back to his people, beaming with joy.

    ¡°Now Queen Fara and I wish to-¡°

    Before the King could finish his statement, he was interrupted by the slamming open of the doors to the hall, followed by the fearful cries of a young servant boy.

    ¡°they¡¯ve taken it! It¡¯s gone!¡±

    The hall began to stir at the commotion and guards rushed at the lad to halt him. The king raised his hands to stop the soldiers. The boy rushed to the king, still crying out.

    ¡°Be still boy¡±, the king said firmly, trying to calm the frantic servant, ¡°Who took what?¡±

    ¡°Bandits! They¡¯ve taken the Ariochmar!¡±

    The king was stunned. At first he did not believe it, but this boy was frantic and the fear in his eyes was enough to convince Eton that something grave had truly taken place. He had peace treaties with the five kingdoms. Who would dare break it? How had they entered the kingdom unnoticed? Were the bandits under orders or acting alone? How could it be possible when the armor was so tightly guarded? More questions than these racked Eton¡¯s brain as he rushed through his keep, toward the armor¡¯s secure vault. He turned a corner and to his horror he saw his armor guard, or rather what was left of them. The dozen bodies lay in pools of blood, many stab wounds in their backs. This had not been an honorable battle. These men had been caught unawares, but how could they have been so surprised and overwhelmed if not by a large group? Behind the brutal sight of his slain guards was the three foot thick vault door, opened wide. Inside, an empty chamber. The Ariochmar had indeed be taken.

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    The King rallied his men and set off for the bandits immediately. He tracked them on horseback to the border of the desert kingdom of Tunaan. The theives came in view after the passed the border to their sister country. They were close on the heels of the thieves when the bandits headed into a rocky canyon that was more maze than landscape. The high walls of the canyon constantly twisted and split into various forks. The king thought the bandits were simply trying to evade him, but too late did he realize the truth, he was headed straight for an ambush. As they rounded a corner, they encountered the honor guard of Tunaan, elite fighters of the kingdom. A small army was stationed inside a wide opening in the maze of rock, archers perched on the canyon ridge.

    Surprisingly enough the thieves looked as shocked as the kings men that the Tunaan soldiers were waiting for them.

    A battle soon commenced. Swords clashed. Shields bent. The sounds of pain rang forth as man after man was was brought to a swift end. When the dust settled and the clamor stopped, bodies lay in heaps. Only a few of the king¡¯s guard remained in the canyon. As they searched the bodies, they halted and their hearts dropped. There, in the piles of bodies and pools of blood, was their king. The great king Eton of Eldaren was dead and the Ariochmar had been spirited away by men of Tunaan.

    The men mourned their king as they shouldered his body and set forth to bring it back to Eldaren. Their mourning turned to despair when they arrived and heard that not only their king had died, but in the space of time when then king had gone, the castle in Eldaren had been invaded. A small group of well concealed men had stolen into the kingdom with a single minded goal. The people, beyond despairing, soon learned that their beloved queen had been kidnapped and was lost to them.

    Intermingled with great tragedy was uproarious confusion. It was all too fast. One day a victorious and steadfast kingdom. The next, a land on the brink of collapse.

    In an attempt to rally the people¡¯s hopes and preserve stability a group of honored men, along with Eeshak, banded together and formed a council. After some little deliberation, the lost king¡¯s closest advisor, Cyrus, was quickly named king in place of Eton.

    Cyrus, setting forth for revenge concerning the king¡¯s death, soon discovered that the bandits of the armor were not of Tunaan, but the far ocean kingdom of Marien. It was discovered when a traitor in the castle named Torich was found and confessed that he let in the band of men and lead them to the armor. He was beaten for information and then executed the next day. The land of Marien then was the first offender. However, it was clear that Tunaan now held the Ariochmar and there was not a moment to lose. Cyrus sent a great detachment of men against Tunaan to retrieve the lost armor, hopefully before anyone could dawn it. Eldaren steadied themselves and prepared for war with Tunaan. What they were not prepared for was the forces of the Dark island of meremoth, nor were they expecting to encounter a great host of Marien. It would seem that word of the stolen armor had spread across the lands with greater speed than should have been possible. It seemed that only Onterrin and the unruled lands of Phelgan did not join the conflict.

    Thus began the Arochm, the great war of the kings. Each kingdom striving against the other for territory and for the legendary armor that would bring about ultimate victory for any who owned it. Years passed and as they did, the armor was separated as pieces were stolen and recovered and stolen once again, all by different men of different kingdoms. It began to spread further and further apart.

    All seemed to be chaos and darkness. For the most part the kingdoms were equal in numbers. However, they were not equal in power. It was not long into the conflict when the dreaded king Daegan of Meremoth swept through the kingdoms with a fury. He seemed as unbeatable as the Ariochmar itself. It seemed as though he would be the victor of the war, with or without the armor. That is, until the great weaver Eeshak intervened.

    In a desperate attempt to stop Daegan, Eldaren and Tunaan took arms together to stand against him with a temporary truce. The three armies met in a desert plane in Tunaan. The two countries against the one should have at the least leveled the balance of power. Oh, how wrong they were. Daegan¡¯s armies hardly needed to do anything. Daegan was an army all on his own, he tore through man after man with swift and brutal cunning. Just as it seemed the battle would be decided, Eeshak appeared amid the fray in a great flash of light. He directly confronted Daegan.

    Hope was stirred in the warriors of Eldaren and Tunaan as Eeshak began a flurry of attacks, both material and magical. However, for reasons inexplicable, Daegan was able to fend off even Eeshak¡¯s great power. After a long series of interchanged blows, Eeshak managed to gain the upper hand. Seeing an opportunity, Eeshak used his power to put an end to Daegan once and for all. With his mighty skill he bound Daegan to the lowest dungeon in the core of the earth. It was a magic that had never been used before or since. After Eeshak wove reality to fit his design, a great unearthly cry came from Daegan, and he began to dissolve into a purple ash that glowed and seemed to be sucked into cracks in the earth.

    The battle stopped as all turned to watch the event. Daegan was defeated, imprisoned in the lowest pit, never to return.

    After Daegan was sealed, the joined forces of Eldaren and Tunaan put Meremoth to the sword. Without Daegan, the dark island forces stood no chances and they all fell. When the battle was won, the cheers lasted for some time. However, Eldaren and Tunaan broke their truce, neither holding any fondness for the other. Though they did not fight. It seemed that after so many battles and losses, the armies of the war torn lands were too tired to continue fighting. Each retreated back to their homelands.

    The war yielded only pain as its result. The beloved King and Queen of Eldaren were gone. Each kingdom suffered great losses. Eeshak, having suffered great wounds within and without, died not long after his fight with Daegan. Though not before using his weaver¡¯s power one last time. He wove a destiny to the Ariochmar and tied it too the words of a prophesy that he bound to the armor he had made. What the prophesy was is now lost to history. It was a final hope he bestowed to the five countries as his dying gift. Though the prophesy was lost, rumors say that the words were written down on the pages of one of his books in his watchtower. Also lost to history.

    Though the fighting had stopped. The blood was worse than bad between the kingdoms. Everyone embittered against the other for wrongs and insults committed during the war of kings.

    Many years have passed since the Arochm. Things have settled between the kingdoms. It is not the peace that the great king Eton dreamed of, but it is a type of peace. However, as we have already seen in history¡­peace is so easily broken.

 Chapter 1

    A beachfront on the rim of the dark island of Meremoth was lit only by the dull light of the blood moon. The moon always shone red in this desolate land for reasons that were impossible to explain. There was no day in this place, only darkness and night. Many say that in the time of the great weavers, the land was cursed in retribution for the vile acts accomplished by the occupants of the kingdom. This left the land and its occupants cursed, and it was well deserved. This land was home to the most vile and cruel.

    After the fall of Daegan, the land was abandoned by those who still lived there, or they died off quickly in the harsh, unforgiving environment. This left the already desolate landscape to become a true wasteland. Nothing remained of these lands but dry ground, ashes, and strange and wild creatures. Or so it would seem. The truth was far more ominous. Hidden underneath the earth lurked what would soon become one of the greatest horrors of the five kingdom¡¯s histories.

    This beach sat at the base of a great wall of cliffs on the edge of Meremoth, not far from the only port on this great island. At the base of this particular cliff was a cave. This cave was peculiar. When the tides would rise, the water would be repelled from its mouth, as if blocked by some unseen force. A tide rolled in with a fury, as it always did in Meremoth, beginning with a great wave that washed toward the island, raising the water level by many tens of feet. Yet the cave remained unfilled, even though it rested below the surface of the water. The waters stilled, with a few large waves still crashing against the sheer hundred foot wall of rock and stone that protected the rest of the land from the devastation of the tides. After a short while, the water began to recede, cutting through the sand and rock as it did so.

    A figure, draped in a dark red cloak and dawning thick black plated armor, stood on a precipice of the great cliffs. He looked down at the oddity that was the cave repelling the torrent. His face was concealed by a mask, made of a strange material. It was wooden, with it¡¯s grain having equal parts hard wood and metal.

    The slits for the eyes betrayed nothing but utter darkness. The figure waited until the tide was just right and then he jumped. A one hundred foot fall ought to mean the demise of any person, but this man landed with a thump as if the fall meant nothing to him. He then strode forward to the cave. He passed through the entrance and darkness enveloped him. No light entered from the mouth of the cave. It was as if he had stepped through the veil of reality, into a space between worlds. There was but one light in the distance.

    In what seemed to be the center of the cave, there stood a glowing object. What the object happened to be was obscured by the glow it created. The figure was about to step forward, but hesitated. He looked around and seemed to recognize something. He took his sword out of it¡¯s sheath and pressed it forward slowly. As he did so a wall of metal closed in on it from both sides with a speed that would be impossible if not for magic. Anyone would have yelled out or at least flinched at the startling sight, but this man remained perfectly still. He seemed unfazed, even as he pulled back and examined his sword which had been cut in two. The metal doors slid back open. The place was well guarded, which is to be expected with so great a treasure concealed within.

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    The man threw the hilt of his sword aside. After all, if he was right, he would no longer need it anyway. He readied himself and rushed forward. He jumped through the threshold of the metal wall with inhuman speed and heard a great crashing sound behind him. If he had been any slower he would have been ripped in two, like his sword. His momentum carried him and his reflexes took over, which was vital. Just as he landed, arrows without archers were shot from all directions. He pressed forward and crouched and jumped as arrows flew past, missing their target. Once or twice an arrow glanced off of his armor, but the man was unharmed. As he ran past the arrows, two great hammers appeared out of nowhere, swinging toward each other, seeking to crush the man between them. He quickly dove and rushed past the mighty instruments of death, landed with a roll and shot up, continuing to run without missing a beat. As he neared the object, a great chasm opened up before him. By the light of the object, he could see that there were spikes at the bottom. These spikes had points so narrow that no amount of armor would protect him from being impaled. The chasm, still breaking open, got closer and closer to his feet, He was still a number of yards away from the object, which was now resting on a stone platform in the cave¡¯s center. The man did not hesitate. He jumped. The length was nothing to him. He landed but five feet from the glowing object.

    As he stepped closer the object came into view. It was a bar of metal, floating on nothing. What kind of metal is impossible to say. The man hesitated. Had he been wrong? This was not what he was expecting to find. The metal bar was giving off an intense energy that seemed to be both pushing him away and tempting him closer. He stepped forward and as he did the metal bar began shifting, melting and changing. The glowing golden light shimmered with it, turning from gold to a sickly gray and then to an aura of darkness. The metal flattened into a black blade with a silvery edge that was dreadfully sharp. At its base, the bar elongated into a cross guard of gnarly obsidian. Below that, it rounded to a hilt which wrapped itself in a dark red leather and golden wire. The very bottom grew into a pointed black obsidian stone whose point looked razor sharp. The metal bar had fashioned itself into a vicious sword.

    The dark figure looked on as all this happened, seeming taken aback for the first time. He stepped forward and gripped the sword. A surge of power rushed through him and he knew that this was indeed the object he had been looking for. The great sword of the Ariochmar.

    ¡°Finally¡±, came the dark and harsh voice.

    He slashed the sword and as he did, a dark and black fire protruded from it. The flame encircled the figure and he laughed a deep and cruel laugh, which echoed through the dark cave

 Chapter 2

    Diago sat perched on the edge of a cliff, playing with his ring. He was a young boy about fifteen, on the cusp of manhood. He had brown messy hair which obscured his sky blue eyes. His pale skin was tan from the harsh sun of Tunaan. He had an agile build, leaving him not scrawny, but not particularly muscular either. As he sat patiently on the cliff¡¯s edge, undisturbed by the height, he examined the knots on his kurigan again. He was proud of the weapon. The kurigan is a unique instrument used only by the specially trained honor guard of Tunaan. As to it¡¯s description, it is a cord of rope that is surprisingly sturdy, due to how it is made. At its end there is a knot that, once folded on itself, can tighten around the user''s weapon of choice. Think of it as a long whip with a weighted and often deadly end. The Kurigan has three weapons that attach to it: the knife, the hook, and the bludgeoner. All of its weapons are fashioned with small hooks at their base so that the cord of rope may hitch to it securely. If none of that will do to help you see in your mind''s eye what the kurigan is, then think of it as a whip with weapons that are interchangeable on its end. Diago was gifted his kurigan by his adopted father. His father, Sulien, was once a member of the honor guard, but when his wife Hyra died, he quit the core. He was, after all, the only one left to tend to the well-being of Diago as well the others that they brought in. Sulien gave his Kurigan to Diago for his birthday three years ago and taught him to use it. Though it is famed as one of the most challenging weapons to master, Diago had a special knack for the instrument and had mastered it in a matter of months.

    Diago had finished his examination and was satisfied that the knots were well tied. They would have to be for what he was about to attempt. He looked out at the landscape below and the sight took his breath away, as it always did. Tunaan was known for its deserts and harsh sun, but this was not the truth for the whole of Tunaan. Yes, there are many dry and scorched parts of the kingdom, especially on its outskirts, but interwoven through the landscape in many places were desert canyon and dense forest living together in harmony. Tunaan used to be all forest, but ages ago when tarrin stone was discovered, the kingdom mined it vigorously, and doing so changed the landscape dramatically. Tarrin stone is an incredibly soft mineral that perpetually retains an almost frozen temperature for incredibly long periods of time, even under the harshest sunlight. This of course became a great commodity throughout the five kingdoms. However, when the tarrin stone was taken from its place, it was not long before the land began to die and wither and become desert. The people realized this too late, and much of the land became desert. The people have been seeking to restore it ever since. The stone is still mined, but now only in particular places when the kingdom gives leave to do so, and only after the stone has had time to replenish itself. This was all long before the good king Eton and the war, which, by the by, did little to help in the salvaging of Tunaan as a once great oasis.

    Now, Tunaan¡¯s forests, though still very scarce, are slowly growing again, after years and years of careful cultivation and strategic mining. This gives the land a unique and magical look. Off in the distance Diago could spot the red spires of Tunaan. Blow them, a dune lake, surrounded by small trees which then led to bigger and bigger trees. The trees circumvented various canyons only to dwindle again into dry flat ground. Then he saw the road not terribly far from where he was perched. This is what he needed to keep his eye on. This was one of the main roads to Eldaren, their sister kingdom. Diago rolled his eyes at the thought of it. He had no love for Eldaren. No one did. After all, even after their conquest of the kingdoms and the Arochm which succeeded it, they still remained the richest and most snobby of all the kingdoms. Diago felt some sympathy for them when he considered the upheaval of their great losses during the war, but that sympathy was quickly drowned whenever he ran into an Eldarien. Oh, he would slap them all silly if they¡¯d but descend from their high horses.

    Diago was roused from his thoughts by a dust cloud stirred up in the distance. Following the road below was an ornate carriage. He stood on the edge of the cliff, taking out his hook and tying it on the kurigan. He then whistled a particular tune, which echoed loudly down into the forest below. He waited a moment until the tune echoed back to him, from a source somewhere far away, underneath the forest canopy. He flipped his ring and then put it back on his finger. He took a deep breath and steeled himself. He loved testing his capacity.  He always did, even when he was young, or so he was told. His father called him the luckiest boy in the five kingdoms. Apparently he had a knack for getting in the most impossible scenarios only to walk out unscathed, but only just.

    Today, he was ready again to test himself. He looked down at the carriage once more and knew it was time. He closed his eyes and breathed in deep. After but a moment, his eyes shot open with a fierce and wild intention. He ran forward and jumped.

    It was exhilarating. He crowed at the feeling of weightlessness. He loved to feel the wind on his face. It felt like flying. He couldn¡¯t revel for long though, as he was indeed falling to his death if things did not change soon. As planned, after sixty or so feet he grabbed at his kurigan and took aim for a branch in the rapidly approaching forest. In midair he swung the cord around, as he had been taught, and released his grip on one hand, still clutching the cord with the other. The hook sailed through the air. This was it, this was the test, either the hook grappled the branch, or it wouldn¡¯t and he would become more pancake than human.

    Time slowed for Diago as he watched the hook flying toward it¡¯s target in anticipation. The hook made it¡¯s way to the branch and grappled to the limb, more than secure. Diago cried out in joy as he swung, feeling gravity pull at his stomach and arms as he swung down at a speed that would cause you to miss him if you blinked. His shoulders burned as he reached the bottom of the pendulum. He feared his grip wouldn¡¯t hold. Somehow, it did. As he began to swing upward, he whipped at the kurigan sending a ripple through it which reached all the way to the hook and dislodged it from the branch. As he flew, untethered, Diago yanked at the rope with another whip, sending the hook right back into his hand. He then threw the hook again at another branch as he started to descend. A perfect shot. He swung again, slowing down this time. He repeated the process until finally he was able to whip the hook loose and free fall only a few feet onto the thick branch of an oak tree. He looked down and the road was just below. He smiled. He then looked back at the cliff which was now hundreds of feet away, and smiled wider. He knew it was rash to try such a thing and he could have very well been killed doing something so reckless, but he didn¡¯t mind. He enjoyed it.

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    He whistled again, softly this time, to the forest below. The whistle was returned, only this time it was much closer and on the other side of the road. Diago knew the stage was set and that now it was show time. The Eldarien carriage approached quickly. Diago waited for the right moment and then dropped down about fifteen feet just as the carriage was passing. He landed on it¡¯s roof with a thud. His impact rocked the carriage. He seemed to be attempting to make the landing as loud and clamorous as possible.

    He heard the driver call out to his horses, ¡°Woah there, woah!¡± as he pulled the rains.

    However, Diago had already jumped off the carriage to the ground. He landed and had a few moments to grab some dirt and smear it on his face and arms just as the driver looked around the front of the carriage to see what had happened. Diago lay on the ground moaning. The driver¡¯s face went from confused frustration, to shock, and thence to fear. He jumped off of his seat and rushed to Diago.

    ¡°Oh no no no, are you okay boy?¡± He said, holding back panic.

    Diago moaned again and flittered his eye lids. He got a look at the man. He had a somewhat shrewd look about him. He may not be entirely easy to convince.

    ¡°Best give it my all¡± Diago thought as he moaned and turned over.

    ¡°It hurts¡± Diago audibly whimpered, pitifully.

    The man suddenly had a look on his face, like was teetering on belief and skepticism. He looked as if he was about to say something, when he was interrupted by a shrill voice.

    ¡°Gringer! What is it?¡± Cried a voice from the carriage. Gringer, the driver, stiffened, looking both annoyed and afraid.

    ¡°It was nothing ma¡¯am!¡± He replied.

    Nevertheless, the door to the carriage swung open. From it came a portly woman with rosy cheeks, dressed in a finery that made Diago want to roll his eyes. He almost did, but caught himself, not wanting to give himself away. This was exactly what he had hoped would happen. He groaned again, only this time a little louder.

    ¡°Is that a boy?!¡± Cried the woman as she hastened to her driver¡¯s side.

    She looked down at Diago and wore a grimace. To Diago, it seemed that she would have looked at road kill much the same way, repulsed, with only a slight amount of guilt. The thought made Diago annoyed and all the more willing to continue his ruse. He shuddered as he spoke.

    ¡°W-Where am I?¡±

    ¡°In the middle of the road for reasons unknown to mankind¡± Said the skeptical driver, still undecided about Diago.

    ¡°Oh¡­the pain, the pain! Am¡­Am I- oh no, I¡¯m not ready¡± Diago faked a whimper and sob.

    Gringer the driver may have been on the fence, but the portly noblewoman ignored the fence entirely and jumped clean over it.

    ¡°Oh you poor, poor dear! GRINGER! You sorry excuse for a driver!¡± She said with tears in her eyes, smacking Gringer between sobs.

    Just then, two small heads poked around the front of the carriage, behind the two Eldariens. The heads belonged to the identical twins that had accompanied Diago today. They had a mischievous look to them at present, though keeping a good distance, clearly not wanting to be seen. They laughed quietly at the show Diago was putting on. Diago felt some pride in that. They gave Diago a questioning look. Diago, more subtly than most would catch, nodded his head, giving them the signal. They twins moved forward quietly. Gringer seemed to hear something behind him. Diago kicked into high gear before the driver could inspect the carriage.

    ¡°Oh! I see- I see a bright light!¡­It¡¯s beautiful, please¡± He said, looking directly at the noblewoman, ¡°take my hand, I don¡¯t want to be alone as I- As I go¡±

    The woman could barely contain herself.

    ¡°Oh Gringer, do something!¡± She bellowed as she gripped Diago¡¯s outstretched hand.

    ¡°But ma¡¯am, I¡¯m sure the boy will be fine! He looks relatively unharmed!¡± Replied Gringer, seeming shaken by his mistress'' frantic behavior.

    A subtle rattling could be heard from the carriage. Diago hoped that only he could hear it, but the driver seemed to twitch at the sound. Before Gringer could react, Diago shot his eyes wide open and looked intently at the woman.

    ¡°Please ma¡¯am a blanket¡± He said, gripping her hand and pulling her closer. He then looked her directly in the eye and whispered pathetically ¡°It¡¯s so cold.¡±

    Diago rolled his eyes back and sank to the ground, going limp.

    ¡°Oh Gringer! You¡¯ve gone and killed someone!¡± Said the noblewoman, reaching new heights of shrill cries with every passing second.

    Diago lay there, risking a very thin slit in his eye so as to see the progress of his plan. While one pair quarreled over Diago, frantic that they may have to pay for funeral expenses, the other pair snuck out of the carriage with money sacks in hand. The twins were jubilant as they ran off and Diago chanced a smile. Now was the time to exit the stage.

    ¡°But ma¡¯am¡± Cried Gringer, so as to halt his mistress¡¯ ramblings, ¡°He doesn¡¯t even look to be injured. The worst seems to be a scratch on his leg¡±

    Diago opened his eyes calmly.

    ¡°Really?¡± He said, getting to his feet, ¡°Well I suppose I must be exaggerating then. Terrible habit! Though I think you will forgive me, as I was quite startled.¡±

    The travelers stood gaping at him, too startled to know what to say. Finally the noblewoman managed the elegant reply,

    ¡°Um¡­but¡­you were. I thought you-¡±

    ¡°Yes me too¡± Diago interrupted, ¡°but it appears that I am healed. Praise the maker. I thank you both for your care of me.¡±

    Diago bowed extravagantly at the two, still quite taken aback by the present events.

    ¡°Fare thee well¡± Diago said with true Eldarien solemnity, just before he bounded away into the trees, leaving the two gaping travelers to themselves. He hoped to make as much distance between them, before they discovered their losses.

 Chapter 3

    The money bags were deposited onto a table surrounded by a bunch of boys, all clamoring to see the lavish sight before them. About six boys were at the table, while two girls stood off to the side, not wholly disengaged from the excitement, but keeping to their own. The room was a small area, even so it was one of the biggest the house had to offer. All the other rooms were full of sleeping spots for the various groups of castaways that had been brought in. Amid the chorus of voices, two rose above the rest. It was the twins that came with Diago on his escapade, Sun and Lon, both only thirteen years old. They were, at present, recounting the tale of the day.

    ¡°-and then Diago said ¡®Oh, I see a light¡¯¡± Said Sun, laughing.

    He was about to continue when he was interrupted by Lon,

    ¡°NO, you Talard brain! That¡¯s when the lady came out of the carriage!¡± He said, indignant.

    ¡°I was getting there jynx breath!¡±

    The two argued more than recounted. As the two bellowed at one another, Diago sat by, proud of his handiwork. However, his good feeling was quickly drowned out by an angered roar from the doorway.

    ¡°DIAGO!¡±

    Everyone quieted and turned, abashed. Sulien stood on the threshold with a pack shouldered, looking like he had just come back from being out all day. Sulien was a tall and muscular man that commanded respect on the basis of his demeanor alone. Like most who are true natives to Tunaan, he had dark skin. Something quite unique to the man was his eyes. He had a startling set of grey eyes that had a firm and knowing gaze. In this moment, those eyes were set on the first of the many castaways he had taken in over the years, the boy whose named he¡¯d just announced. Diago was the last to turn and meet his adopted father¡¯s gaze. When he did turn, he saw a little girl sheepishly standing behind him, Silana. He knew he had been ratted out.

    ¡°Everyone out!¡± Sulien said forcefully, not taking his eyes off of Diago.

    The response was immediate. It was mere moments before the lot of them had retreated to their respective rooms.

    Sun turned to Diago as he left and somberly whispered in a forced formality, ¡°It was an honor serving with you. Fare thee well.¡± He laughed as he strode on. Lon likewise said, ¡°Can I have your kurigan after you are dead?¡± but he didn¡¯t dare linger with Sulien watching.

    After all of them had departed, a quiet befell the room. Sulien simmered for a longer period than Diago found comfortable. In an attempt to placate his anger he said with shoulders raised,

    ¡°No one got hurt?¡±

    ¡°The noblewoman you stole from would say otherwise¡± Sulien replied, quite unplacated.

    ¡°She is a noble from Eldaren! She isn¡¯t going to miss the money and we need it, I¡¯d say it¡¯s a win all around.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s wrong.¡±

    ¡°Define that for me?¡±

    Sulien shook his head and sighed deeply. His shoulders loosed in tension and he walked over to sit down in front of Diago.

    ¡°I understand that you were trying to help¡­I¡¯m thankful for that much, but I will not accept it if this is how you do it. Money may be hard to come by, but not hard enough to sacrifice character.¡±

    Diago made no answer. He didn¡¯t like being at odds with Sulien, but within him lived a strong and arrogant rebellion and pride, such that he really didn¡¯t want to admit he was wrong. Sulien seemed to look through it all. His own piercing gaze seemed to soften a little as he looked at Diago.

    Softened, though unrelenting, Sulien said, ¡°take the money back to the woman¡±

    Diago anticipated the request and said with some insincerity, ¡°I would love too, but I am afraid I have no idea where she is¡±

    Sulien darkened again, ¡°That¡¯s the problem Diago! You don¡¯t know anything about that woman.¡±

    ¡°I know her driver¡¯s name is Gringer¡±

    Sulien rolled his eyes, ¡°What if she really needed the money!?¡±

    ¡°Sul, everyone needs the money. Name one person that doesn¡¯t need the money.¡±

    Sulien hardened, ¡°Take it back, now¡± he said, punctuating every word.

    ¡°She might have me arrested. Is that what you want?¡±

    Sulien scoffed, ¡°With your luck she would probably let you keep the money. In any case, I know the guard and could work it out one way or another.¡±

    A silent struggle of wills passed between them. In the end, Diago, who truly loved Sulien as a father, relented and sighed

    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll take it back.. I was just trying to help.¡±

    Sulien, satisfied, relaxed. Having no more cause for anger, he walked over and placed his hand on Diago¡¯s head and smiled warmly.

    ¡°I know you want to help,¡± he said, ¡°but there are other ways of getting money.¡±

    Diago brightened as though about to share a brilliant idea, but was interrupted,

    ¡°In an honest way.¡±

    Diago deflated, ¡°Kill-joy!¡±

    Sulien smiled again and ruffled Diago¡¯s hair as he stood to unpack his bag.

    ¡°You should find them in town. Try the Merchant¡¯s Lot, Hult might know where to start.¡±

    Diago stood and grabbed the money bags.

    ¡°If you need me, I will be strung up in the middle of town, at the request of my dear father,¡± Diago declared glumly as he turned toward the door.

    Sulien only smiled.

    Diago was about to leave when Sulien said, ¡°I was told you jumped from Djorn¡¯s cliff to get to the road. Why? There are about a thousand safer ways of getting there.¡±

    Diago shrugged, ¡°I had a good vantage point and could see the carriage coming from farther away¡­plus it was more fun.¡±

    Sulien stared at him in wonder, shaking his head.

    ¡°Did I ever tell you that I regret teaching you how to use a Kurigan?¡±

    ¡°Everyday since you gave it¡±

    ¡°Well I do,¡± Sulien said as he walked over to Diago. He stood there a moment and then hugged his adopted son, saying ¡°I¡¯m glad you are okay. Now go. I want you back before it gets too dark.¡±

    Diago nodded and departed with money bags in hand, leaving Sulien to watch from the doorway, shaking his head.

    <hr>

    The walk from the house into the town of Rant is rather a pleasant one, or at least Diago thought so. His house was placed in one of the few forests near Rant and he liked going to town when he was able. It was the only town for some distance in any direction, but this didn¡¯t make it desolate. Rather, it made it a little metropolis in the midst of unforgiving surroundings. Merchants and gamblers and tradesman and travelers and locals all gathered in the place. For its part, it was not the most dangerous or formidable an environment¡­for those who were regulars, though even those who frequent the town would advise you watch your step. Outsiders often called it a den of thieves and wretches, a barbaric and vile place with cut throats on every corner.

    ¡°That is ridiculous. Clearly a rumor started by Eldaren¡± thought Diago as he sidestepped a man that had just been thrown out of a window, who lay in the street moaning. ¡°Sure it has it¡¯s faults, but there are many good things about it too. If you are one of the people, it is a very welcoming place.¡± This thought was hardly interrupted by the clamor of a group of men mugging each other in the alley Diago had just passed.

    Diago kept meandering around the clay buildings. He waved at one of the men strung up by his wrists and waist as he passed by. The man waved back, recognizing Diago.

    ¡°Up again Rafa?¡± Asked Diago

    ¡°Unfortunately.¡±

    This was a common punishment. The support on the waist kept the arms from being too badly injured in the time spent hanging. Depending on the severity of the crime there would be more or less support from the waist, or more or less time spent dangling for all to see.

    ¡°How many times is that? Don¡¯t they start taking fingers and toes next?¡±

    Rafa raised a foot to display a missing pinky toe. Diago grimaced.

    ¡°What can I say, I wasn¡¯t bred for an honest life,¡± said Rafa.

    Diago had no real reply for that, so instead he said, ¡°Hult at the inn?¡±

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    ¡°Should be¡±, came the reply

    ¡°I should be off then, be seeing you.¡±

    ¡°Be seeing you.¡±

    Diago went on toward the Merchant¡¯s Lot. It was the inn he always came to whenever he was in town. As he made his way, his mind was still racked with annoyances at the poor reputation of his beloved town. For his own experience, Diago had very kind and welcoming friends here.

    ¡°AND STAY OUT!¡± Came a bellow from behind the door to the inn, just as a man was thrown out. The large man that gave the below soon followed and looked at Diago in happy surprise, ¡°Oh hello Diago¡± he said in a slightly nicer tone.

    ¡°Hello Hult. Hello Trig¡±

    ¡°Hello¡± came the voice from the ground.

    ¡°What was it this time Trig? Over drank and under spent?¡± Asked Diago

    ¡°Something like that¡±

    Hult spoke up, ¡°he still owes me my winnings from the last jynx race, yet he has the nerve to come looking for service in my inn¡±

    ¡°The nerve¡± Consoled Diago.

    ¡°I told you I will get it after the next race!¡± Trig pleaded

    ¡°I look forward to it¡± answered Hult, shutting the door definitively. Then halt called out from behind the door, clearly walking away, ¡°or else I¡¯ll call the honor guard and have you take your place next to Rafa¡±

    Diago, still outside, helped Trig up and said ¡°what happened to your money? I though you still had some left over from your last mining expedition¡±

    Trig shrugged, ¡°that was a while ago and no expeditions are allowed for another few months. Tarrin stone is officially out of season¡±

    Trig was a weasel looking fellow. He was skinny and with an air of mischief. His hair was black and thin and his skin abnormally pale, as was somewhat usual for tarrin miners. He had a reputation in this town, one wholly unbecoming of gentlemen. If one ever needed to find him, he was a frequent at the gambling booth near the jynx races that happened on the outskirts of town. Diago had known Trig a while, but he was keen on keeping the relationship at arms length. They were not unfriendly toward one another, though.

    ¡°Well, sorry about this¡± Diago said, referencing getting thrown out

    Trig shrugged again, ¡°isn¡¯t the first time, won¡¯t be the last¡­whelp, be seein¡¯ ya¡±

    Trig sauntered off massaging a bruise on his lower back. Diago turned toward the inn. It was a taller building than most. Some few buildings in the town had more than one floor, but for the most part they had just the one. This one had three floors and a small annexed building connected to it that served as a tavern. This is where all the business was conducted, while the bigger building was all rooms. Diago went into the tavern portion of the inn.

    He was immediately assaulted with the usual noise and smells that usually accompany places like this. Burly men flirting with the waitresses. Body odors dancing beneath his nose, demanding their presence to be recognized. The usual burps and wheezes of a crowd enjoying a bar. Diago took it all in with a smile.

    ¡°My people¡± he proudly said to himself, though not without some very real sense of ironic mockery at the general silliness of each patron.

    His observations went from patron to owner. Hult had reclaimed his usual spot behind the bar. Hult was burly man, with a bald head and a bushy beard. He had that kind of look one has when they are clearly strong, but have more mass in the gut than most could claim for themselves. He had a perpetually furrowed brow and Diago guessed it was from the daily torment of the people he served. Hult wiped down a newly emptied spot at the bar and when he looked up to see Diago standing near the door, he motioned him to come sit.

    Diago obliged.

    ¡°A cold cream cider for you Diago?¡± He said warmly, ¡°just got a fresh supply of tarrin stone¡±

    Diago suddenly craved it the moment he mentioned it. Cold cream cider is a famed beverage. It is made of a type of cream and an orange cider that has been lightly spiced. It is a particularly refreshing drink, especially in such dry and hot country. What makes the drink utterly unique is the presence of tarrin stone. Tarrin stone dissolves in liquid rather quickly. This is one of the reasons why Tarrin stone is so well growing in Tunaan, a naturally dry place, and subsequently why the land suffered so greatly without it. When tarrin stone dissolves into a liquid it makes it perfectly cold. It also gives the drink strange properties. It is not like stronger drinks, but it does have a way of lifting the spirit in a unique way. It makes the brain feel lighter without loss of faculties. However, if too much is consumed, the lightness of brain can have odd effects on the drinker. If too much is had, the drinker will become quite over stimulated and will likely need go to a quiet place, without much distraction around, until it passes. In short, it is a good mood drink. Have it, and whatever mood you are in, it will only make it better. A good mood becomes a great mood and what sour feelings you may have been having are likely to fade away. Thus, Diago¡¯s temptation.

    ¡°No thank you Hult. Actually, I was hoping you could help me¡±

    Hult only grunted, distracted by a possible skirmish that might be brewing between two men near the exit.

    ¡°I was wondering if-¡±

    ¡°One moment Diago. HEY!¡± Hult yelled out.

    The two men, who seemed to be on the brink of blows, turned and looked at Hult.

    ¡°Either you two take it outside or I¡¯ll make you clean the talard stalls!¡±

    The two men looked at each other and walked in separate directions. Hult sighed.

    ¡°Sorry about that. You were saying?¡±

    Diago continued, ¡°I was wondering if you have had any Eldarien travelers today and where they might have gone¡±

    ¡°As a matter of fact, I have two over there that just took a room. They seemed pretty out of order though¡±

    Diago asked and Hult pointed to the corner of the room where sat. There they were, The very same portly noblewoman from earlier that day, as well her shrewd driver, Gringer. The woman was completely losing it. Tears flowed worse than a waterfall and oh how she yammered on. Gringer took it well enough with the consoling comment here and there, but for the most part was at a loss as to how to help. The sight would have been humorous if Diago didn¡¯t soon have to approach them in that frantic state.

    ¡°Perfect¡± said Diago, exasperated.

    He was bracing himself for all the many uncomfortabilities of talking with them, when he had a better idea.

    ¡°Hult, do you know where their room is?¡±

    Hult looked up confused, then shrugged.

    ¡°Through the door, up the first set of stairs, last door on the right¡±

    Diago grabbed the money bags and walked toward the door. Hult went back to tending by yelling at one of his more annoying patrons. Diago did a good job of sneaking by the Eldarien travelers and went by unnoticed.

    He found their room where Hult had told him. He made quick work of placing the money bags where they belonged and left quickly. He was walking down the hall while playing with his ring, as he had been in the habit of doing forever, when he heard steps and froze. Gringer and his matron stepped out from the corner. Diago thought he was finished, he¡¯d be strung up as a thief for sure. At least until Sulien could retrieve him when the time came. However, for reasons inexplicable, they did not turn toward their room, but continued on toward the third floor, seemingly by mistake. It was a close call and Diago felt his luck near him like an old companion. The last thing he needed was to have a run in with the honor guard. Diago didn¡¯t waste time in getting as much distance between himself and Eldaren as he could.

    He made his way back to the tavern and said his goodbyes to Hult.

    ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want a cider? It¡¯s on the house¡±

    ¡°Really? Why?¡± Said Diago, surprised.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t a leech like most here and your not an urchin like most your age. You seem as good a person as any to give a drink to¡±

    Diago smiled, ¡°just one, I have to be back before dark or Sul will kill me¡±

    ¡°One cold cream cider coming right up¡±

    Just as he was turning to prepare the drink, the tavern door swung open. All heads turned to see who was coming in and everyone quieted as a stranger crossed the threshold. Who this stranger was is impossible to tell. He surveyed the room with a commanding demeanor, though his whole face and head was concealed by a hood and mask. It was peculiarly short and thine figure to command such an air. He wore a dark green fitted outer covering with sleeves and gloves, a rather odd thing in a place like tunaan. There was pieces of leather armor on his chest and forearms and shoulders. A quiver of arrows was slung on his back and a strange bow rested inside. The bow looked as if it were folded in half. The sight alone was odd enough, but what he did after was even stranger than the¡­well¡­stranger.

    The newcomer met Hult¡¯s eyes and flailed his hands around in strange gestures which Diago found ridiculous, but to his astonishment, Hult did the same thing in reply. The sign conversation, wholly lost on Diago, went as follows

    ¡°Sign?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I sign¡±

    ¡°Room?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I have rooms ready¡±

    ¡°Food?¡±

    ¡°The best¡± Hult signed with pride.

    `The stranger threw a bag of coins toward Hult and then sat at a table. The regular bustle seemed to continue after that, the novelty of the stranger worn off. Diago, however, was entirely confused the whole time. He gave a questioning glance at

    Hult. Hult saw it and shrugged

    ¡°Me mum went def when I was 12¡±

    Diago couldn¡¯t help but steal some glances at the stranger as he sat there with his cider. They get travelers and strangers relatively often, but never any so mysterious. As he drank the cider though, any anxiety about it leveled out into calm consideration. After a while he left the tavern. When he did, he quickly found that it was much darker than he realized. He had spent way too much time there and it was now a dwindling twilight.

    ¡°Jynx droppings. Sul is going to kill me¡±

    Diago raced as fast as he could home. There was one small forest and a dune lake between him and his home and he did not carry much hope that he could make it back before night would completely overcome the fading light. He made is was quickly through the forest. Just as he was about to leave it and enter the dune lake, he heard a noise behind him. He was justifiably shaken. He thought he was entirely alone. He examined the forest and didn¡¯t see anything peculiar. That is until he saw a lone figure racing through the trees abnormally quick. It looked like that stranger from earlier. If he saw Diago, he gave no notion of it and continued down the way at breakneck pace. The way he took led only to a dry flat that led up to a small forest at the base of one of the great red spires of Tunaan. A strange direction to go. Diago had other things to worry about though. Whatever the stranger was doing was none of his concern. He pressed on into the dune lake.

    The stars were just appearing in the dim light of a setting sun. Though there was still some sun, the constellations were nonetheless ready to show their brilliance. The stars commanded such attention on nights like this, even in the midst of the now purple and gold twilight. The sand was cool to Diago¡¯s feet even through his boots.

    Just then, the stars seemed to shimmer all at once, causing Diago to stop in his tracks. Something in the air gave Diago a weighty feeling, even with the cream cider in him. He heard a deep and airy sigh that seemed to come from everywhere and it sent a chill down his spine. The sand suddenly grew warm and a dim light began to grow in the air just in front of him. The dim light gave way to brighter and brighter light and began taking the form of a beautiful woman. She glowed and seemed to be made of a hazy blue green mist that was constantly falling from her. She stared at him and smiled.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Diago asked shaking.

    The misty woman made no reply.

    ¡°What do you want?¡±

    The woman stared and slowly lifted a pointed finger at Diago. Diago was officially terrified.

    ¡°Look I¡¯m not one to turn down a beautiful lady, but I think in this case I am going to make an exception. Thank you bye!¡±

    Diago turned on a dime to get away, but as he did he found the same woman right behind him, still pointing. When he looked back to where she was before, there was nothing. He turned again at the woman.

    ¡°What do you want from me?¡±

    The woman smiled again and shook her head.

    ¡°Not from me?¡­what do you want me to do?¡±

    The woman nodded and finally spoke. As she did, it was as if his entire being was hinged on her every syllable. When she spoke, the amount of weight and gravity was so immense that Diago felt that if he rejected it or spurned it or failed to listen, he would be tearing away at a part of himself. This and more Diago felt, but the woman only spoke one word.

    ¡°Ariochmar¡±

    Diago stood breathless and then replied with sincere eloquence, ¡°huh?¡±

    The woman, for the first time, furrowed her brow and repeated, ¡°Ariochmar¡± ¡°Intelar?¡±

    The woman¡¯s smile dropped and she looked perturbed

    ¡°Look, don¡¯t blame me if you are going to mumble everything¡±

    She gave a blank stare of annoyance. She repeated again, ¡°Ariochmar¡± only this time with more voice.

    ¡°Ariochmar?¡± Diago replied

    The woman nodded seeming satisfied.

    ¡°Ariochmar¡­ very nice¡­what is that?¡±

    The woman¡¯s smile returned, only this time there was mixed into it an aura of anticipation and excitement.

    ¡°Seek¡­it¡­out¡­¡±

    She faded away and disappeared. The sand became cool again. The stars didn¡¯t shine as brightly and Diago was left alone, engrossed in thought for some time. He came to his senses when he saw how dark it was getting and rushed home as fast as he could. However nothing could shake him from what had just happened. His thoughts were racked with questions.

    ¡°What is the Ariochmar? Why do I have to look for it? What¡¯s going on?¡±

 Chapter 4

    Diago burst into the door with a clamor most unfitting to the time of night. Sulien was just shutting the door to one of the rooms and he quickly shot a look at Diago and shushed him. Diago, however, was too distracted to notice much and rushed forward.

    ¡°I have to tell you what I just saw!¡±

    Sulien calmly looked down at Diago, ¡°I hope what you are about to say is, ¡®a very grateful noblewoman who is glad to have her money back¡¯¡±

    Diago was all confusion for a moment, ¡°What?!¡­oh right. Yes, I gave the money back, but-¡°

    ¡°Good, I¡¯m glad you did that. Making wrongs is a constant in life, so making up for them and righting them must also be a constant practice. I¡¯m proud of you Diago¡±

    Diago was surprised by the compliment, ¡°but I-¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t go very willingly, yes I know, but you went and did what I asked. I trust you¡¯ll get better at doing whats right with a better attitude in time, but for now I¡¯m thankful for the baby steps¡± Sulien said, patting Diago on the head.

    Diago blushed, uncertain as to wether he had just been jabbed at or complimented...or both. Then he then remembered why he had rushed in.

    ¡°Sul, I just saw something on my way home! It was crazy. I was on the dune lake and the sand got warm and there was this misty woman that appeared out of nowhere! She was floating right in front of me and then she looked at me and smiled!¡±

    A pause followed, where both participants in the conversation were quite unsure as to how to follow up after that confusing declaration.

    Sulien looked at him with an odd glance. Then he said, ¡°Hult gave you cold cream cider didn¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°What? NO! Well..yes, but that¡¯s not-¡°

    ¡°You know how you get with that stuff, Diago¡±

    ¡°Yes I know, but that¡¯s not what happened. I really saw something!¡±

    Sulien examined his urgency again and said, ¡°did this something say anything to you?¡±

    Diago thought that was an odd question and it was his turn to look curious, he replied, ¡°it said only one word and it was a really weird word too¡±

    Sulien looked at him blankly, ¡°¡­and?¡±

    ¡°It was¡­umm¡­how did she say it¡­Ariochmar¡­or something like that¡±

    Sulien¡¯s knowing grey eye took on a whole new appearance. He quickly transitioned from amused curiosity to concern and worry. His gaze of iron gripped Diago entirely as if searching through him to see if there was any joke at all in what he just said.

    ¡°You¡¯re sure that it said ¡®Ariochmar¡¯¡±

    Diago raised an eyebrow, ¡°absolutely¡­what is it?¡±

    Sulien¡¯s gaze drifted and wandered out of focus.

    ¡°Sul? Tunaan to Sulien?! Hello? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Sulien did not immediately reply, but when he did he fixed his eyes on Diago firmly.

    ¡°Did it say anything else?¡±

    Diago was unsure if he should reply, but at last he did, ¡°she said ¡®seek it out¡¯¡±

    Diago immediately regretted that he had said it as Sulien¡¯s gaze became one of dismay, but then quickly hardened into resolution.

    ¡°Diago, I need you to listen to me. You are not to listen to this imaginary woman. You were just seeing things is all. This is the last I want to hear about this, do you understand?¡±

    Diago was unsatisfied and knew he could not comply, ¡°Sul, you should have felt the words¡­I can¡¯t ignore them!¡±

    ¡°You can and you will! You must!¡±

    ¡°But I-¡±

    ¡°Enough. Get to bed¡±

    ¡°But-¡±

    ¡°Now Diago¡± Sulien sounded forceful and earnest, but was much harsher than he meant to be, so at the very last he added in a nicer tone, ¡°please trust me and act like this is just tricks of the night and cider. Thank you again for going to return the money. I hope you sleep well.¡±

    Sulien added a touch of finality to the end of his words, even though he made them kinder. Diago was left with no other option then to go to his bed and lay awake wondering what on earth had rattled his father so much. He determined that he would find out about the Ariochmar. How can he not? That misty woman seemed to shape his will with her charge. As she said it, it became his own all consuming desire. He would find out more tomorrow.

    <hr>

    ¡°Hey Hult how¡¯s business?¡±

    Diago had just walked into the Merchant¡¯s Lot, carrying with a him a single goal. Hult knew more than most, being so well acquainted with just about everyone in Rant. This, along with his trust of the innkeeper, convinced Diago that he was the best place to start on his quest for information.

    Hult looked up with a smile, ¡°a good pace if I do say so myself. I see Sulien didn¡¯t kill you for being late yesterday, that¡¯s good. Your death would weigh on my conscience for¡­I¡¯d say about an hour at least.¡±

    Hult motioned for Diago to come sit at a stool in front of the bar.

    ¡°Hult!¡± Yelled a man at the far end of the tavern, ¡°more cider over here!¡±

    ¡°Pay for the last bit and I¡¯ll think about it!¡± Hult turned around to wipe a mug when a few coins hit him in the head and landed on the counter in front of Diago. Hult slowly turned around and looked from the coins to the rowdy man who threw them. The man was currently distracted by his many friends and the waitresses surrounding him.

    ¡°I hate it when he shows up¡± Hult said to Diago

    ¡°Who is he?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s Wrayden, a jynx racer and a cocky one to boot¡±

    Diago turned to see the man, just as the crowd split enough for him to get a good look. He was a short man with a short style haircut. He had the dark skin of a native and the usual dark eyes that were common to the people of tunaan. He was clean shaven and had a look like he thought himself to be taller than he was. Diago could guess why he thought so much of himself. Jynx are among the most dangerous animals in tunaan. They live in the great red spires primarily and this is because the prefer to hunt from above. Jynx are not very large animals, being about half the size of a horse, and they have four arms and two legs. One set of arms are equal match to the legs, while the other arms are twice the length. The longer set of arms rest higher on the animals torso and have a webbing that connects to the legs which allow the predator to glide through the air when hunting. The shorter arms are used for ground running and for grabbing pray while the jynx is airborne. All of the limbs are equipped with sharp talons that work to grab prey as well as rock and stone when climbing. Jynx can run up a wall about as fast as they run on land. It¡¯s maw, placed on a short head on a short neck, is covered in sharp fangs made for ripping and tearing at a meal. For safety, the jynx that are used in the races are always defanged. Even so, they are formidable creatures. Tunaan learned to tame jynx ages ago, but the process is incredibly difficult and can only work if you manage to find an unguarded jynx egg before it hatches, otherwise you are not likely to live through the encounter. Racing a jynx is probably the most dangerous past time anyone could have, hence Wrayden¡¯s peacock-like attitude.

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    ¡°Where is my cider, Hult!?¡± Cried Wrayden, looking annoyed

    Hult rolled his eyes, ¡°I¡¯ll be right back Diago¡±

    ¡°Hult!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m coming!¡± Then in a softer tone, ¡°You loud mouthed pipsqueak¡±

    ¡°What was that?!¡±

    ¡°I said, hope you enjoy the cold cream¡±

    Wrayden grunted, annoyed. Hult went to work on the beverages. This left Diago to examine the crowd in the tavern. All was as it should be. Nothing particularly special about today, save for one exception. The stranger from the night before was lurking in the corner, speaking to no one, still and quiet as pond water on a windless day. The stranger was still covered from head to toe, clearly wanting to conceal himself as much as possible, though he wasn¡¯t wearing the leather armor over his outer covering today. There was something wrong about him, something that left Diago feeling jittery. It didn¡¯t make the jitters better when the stranger looked up and a pair of clear sky blue eyes seemed to tear into his whole being. Diago looked away quickly, heart beating.

    He chanced a look back, but the stranger was no longer looking at him. Diago breathed out in relief, not sure why he felt so anxious.

    ¡°You alright there Diago?¡±

    Diago looked up, realizing that he hadn¡¯t even noticed Hult, who had returned from delivering drinks and was standing right in front of him. Diago shook himself.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, thanks¡±, he shook himself and then continued, ¡°Hey Hult I was wondering if you¡¯d help me with something¡±

    Hult sighed deep, picked up a mug that he began cleaning with a rag and said,

    ¡°How much do you need?¡±

    ¡°Huh? No, no, it¡¯s not money. I just have a question is all¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­that¡¯s refreshing, usually people want money. Well in that case, ask away¡±

    Diago shifted in his seat in anticipation and said in a low tone so that only hult could hear, ¡°I wanted to know about something called the Ariochmar¡±

    Hult stopped cleaning the mug and stood motionless before slowly looking up at Diago.

    ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    Diago was nervous to answer, but he did.

    ¡°I said I want to know about the Ariochmar¡±

    Hult shook his head, ¡°ask for money instead¡±

    ¡°Why!?¡±

    Hult leaned in, very nervous and serious, ¡°because-¡±

    Hult didn¡¯t finish. Instead, he looked up with a concerned expression. Diago turned around and his gut sank. The stranger was close behind him, looking at him with intensity. Diago, although startled, got the chance to see the stranger up close. It surprised Diago just how small the intimidating figure was. He seemed to be about Diago¡¯s height. Maybe it was the outfit, or the fear of the unknown, or they way he carried himself, or whatever it was, Diago couldn¡¯t imagine anyone happy to fight a guy like this, even if he seemed almost¡­petite. The stranger motioned with his

    hands the same way he had before. Hult took up the role of translator.

    ¡°He says ¡®come with me¡¯¡± Hult said, nervously

    Diago, not taking his eyes off of the stranger, said, ¡°why should I?¡±

    Faster than a breath, a knife point was suddenly directed at Diago.

    ¡°HEY NOW!¡± Hult said defensively, but he stopped when the stranger shot him a fiery look. The stranger signed again.

    Hult, still on edge, seemed only a little relieved when the stranger finished. He translated, ¡°He says that he doesn¡¯t want to hurt you and won¡¯t if you follow him. He says it is a matter of upmost importance¡±

    Diago looked from Hult back to the stranger and a spark of realization became the flame of curiosity, ¡°is-..is this about the Ariochmar?¡± He said in a whisper.

    The stranger nodded and then turned to walk out the door. Clearly certain that now Diago would follow. He was right, there was no way Diago would pass up the opportunity to learn more. He rose from his chair to follow behind the stranger when Hult stopped him by grabbing at his wrist.

    ¡°Diago, listen to me, the Ariochmar is not a something you want to be messing with. There is a ban on the subject. If the honor guard catch you talking about it, there¡¯ll be trouble. Believe me, poking around it can only bring hurt, okay? Promise me you¡¯ll drop it.¡±

    Diago was surprised at Hult¡¯s earnestness. Why was this thing such a hot topic? Why hadn¡¯t he heard of it before? Diago didn¡¯t get the chance to reply. The stranger, now waiting at the door, clapped his hands to get Diago¡¯s attention and started running. Diago chased after him.

    ¡°Thanks again Hult¡±

    ¡°Diago! Promise!¡±

    Diago kept running, knowing he couldn¡¯t make that promise. He had to know what has going on and he knew he had to search for the Ariochmar, whatever it was.

    <hr>

    Diago had been running for what seemed like forever. He had already passed by two dune lakes and was about to head into another forest. The constant drum of his feet and the heaviness of his breathing made him dizzy. He wasn¡¯t in terrible shape, but he was an absolute slug compared to the stranger. The guy didn¡¯t seem to have a breaking point. Not only was he fast, but he also seemed to never need to stop for a breath. The only times he slowed was so that Diago could catch up. It was infuriating. Diago would chase after him and lose him, only to find him waiting for Diago. Diago thought he might get a rest too, but as he¡¯d get closer, the stranger would pick up again. He was starting to hate the guy.

    They cleared another forest line and one of the great red spires of Tunaan came into view. It was by no means the tallest of these rock bastions, but it still stood a couple hundred feet high. It was an intimidating sight, but what made it more daunting was that the stranger was headed straight for it.

    ¡°You have got to be kidding me¡± said Diago, guessing at the strangers intention, hoping he was wrong.

    He wasn¡¯t.

    As soon as the stranger got to the base of the spire, he started climbing.

    ¡°Oh come on!¡±, cried Diago, racing after him.

    Though Diago was annoyed with the stranger, he couldn¡¯t help but have some enjoyment at all the excitement. After all, he loved to test what he could do. He planned to climb the spires one day, but he figured he should build up to something like that. It was a dangerous feat and as many that have tried to climb them, only a few were ever able to actually do it. Some who tried had to come down. Others fell. Thus Diago¡¯s inherent desire to try. Only he thought it would be later.

    After some time climbing, the ground began to shrink and trees started to look more like grass. He was enjoying the view, having never had a fear of heights, but the height started to seem less enjoyable when his hands began shaking. His forearms twitched and his legs shook and he felt like his calve was one over stretch away from a bad cramp. He looked up and the stranger seemed just the same as always. It was maddening.

    ¡°DO YOU EVER GET TIRED?¡± Diago yelled, annoyed and legitimately curious.

    The stranger continued on and Diago had to follow suit. On one occasion during the climb, his grip gave and he began to fall. As he did, his mind seemed to flip into autopilot. He grabbed at his kurigan and blindly threw it at the cliff, grateful that he had left the hook on it¡¯s end. The hook grabbed at a small tree that was growing out the rock. Though his grip was weak, he managed to hold onto the rope. He climbed the rope and was relieved to find that the tree was sturdy enough to sit on. He took a break to let his grip recover, before he continued on.

    After too long a time, he managed to reach the top. He rolled on to the edge, panting. He was astounded that he had done it, as well he should be. This put him in a group of only and handful of people who had the guts and capacity to reach the top of one of these spires. The air felt a lot thinner up here and his breaths were short and labored. He felt a little dizzy as he got to his feet. He was tense from the climb, but when he turned around and saw the view of the landscape, he forgot about the soreness entirely. He could see for miles. He could see the great canyons and dune lakes. He could see how the regrowing forests wove their way through the harsh, dry land. He could see how the trees started to get fewer and fewer the farther out they went. He could see more of the red spires that were littered through Tunaan. He could even see giant¡¯s garden, a famed place where the red spires reach so high that you can only just see the top. He was enthralled by the view, but remembered that he has on business and turned to the stranger.

    When he turned, the stranger seemed to be sizing Diago up. Diago had all the experience of the last few hours rush through his mind and he became annoyed all over again. He took the sizing up as a challenge and stood up straighter. He might be on the verge of coughing up blood, but this stranger was going to think that Diago was just as ready to go as he was, if Diago had any say in the matter.

    ¡°Lovely place you got here¡±

    Diago meant to say, but instead he simply coughed and wheezed. He almost threw up. In fact, he did a little. The stranger took a step forward to help, but Diago raised a hand to stop him. He swallowed.

    ¡°I¡¯m good¡± he managed to say.

    The stranger looked at him and stepped forward. The silence was a little uncomfortable. They were pretty close together. Those eyes peaking through the hood and clothed covered head and face were even more striking in the sunlight. The stranger then moved his hand to his mask and hood and took them off. As he did, Diago tensed, unsure what to expect. When the hood and mask were removed, Diago became entirely confused. Underneath the hood and mask was not a man at all. If he could have imagined a beautiful girl, she would have been made insecure by the one that now stood before Diago. This girl had a striking features. She stood up straight with poise. She looked to be about sixteen or so. Her sky blue eyes were well matched with her wavy rich auburn hair. Her skin was an oddity as it seemed to be two toned. It seemed that the base of her skin was quite well tanned, much like Diago¡¯s but there were markings on her that seemed to be made of a different, lighter shade of skin. The markings almost looked like tattoos without ink. They did nothing to detract from her beauty though, in fact, they made her seem even more beautiful. She looked like a princess.

    ¡°Hello Diago, my name is Aylah¡±

 Chapter 5

    The eerie dew of a damp ground swirled as the red cloaked man in the mask strode forward into a decrepit, abandoned town in the land of Meremoth. He had waded through the terrors of the country with ease, as if he knew them by heart. As he approached the town he spotted a small band of creatures. Mynhas. Small though they were, they were ferocious in their own right. They were hideous little things and the smell they carried with them was enough to make a man lose his supper. They were almost completely still, heads barely poking above the dissipating mist. They had pale, hairless, bodies with short legs and long arms. On the tips of their slender fingers were long talons that were often stained red from a recent hunt. Their heads were altogether too big for their bodies. The whole creature was no taller than two feet, but the head made up one third of that height. It¡¯s head was an oblong shape and was all mouth. No ears, no eyes, and no nose. No other distinguishing feature. It¡¯s mouth took up the whole of it¡¯s face, if you could call it that. It constantly hung its gaping mouth opened wide, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth. They stood still with only a slight swaying of the head back and forth, tasting the air for any sign of prey. The strength of this creature was not in its size or even its mouth, but in it¡¯s numbers. They were the piranhas of the land. When they swarmed, there was little hope for the creature they hunted.

    As the man stepped forward, the creatures turned and faced him in unison. He knew the mynhas to be formidable, but with the strength of his newly procured sword in hand, he felt sure of his victory over them should they approach. He stepped closer again. The creatures did not stir more than merely following his motion with their mouths. It frustrated him that they would not try to attack, for he wanted to test his blade against these formidable opponents. He stood a moment, waiting for their typical call for a hunt to signify the fight he was looking for. He grew impatient. He stepped again closer, till he was right in front of one of them. He glanced down in disgust. As he gazed down at the pale, sickly looking, pungent rodent, he wondered if this hideous creature had a sense of honor and loyalty. To test his theory, he slew the one at his feet. Whether it was honor, or something else, is impossible to tell, but the action did not pass by without response.

    The other mynhas went deadly still. They all of them turned slowly toward the intruder and started shaking. A deep rumbling became audible, deeper than would be assumed possible from a creature that size. They all shook in unison, whether it was to communicate or because they were angry was uncertain. The rumble grew louder under until finally a shriek split through the resonant noise and every mynha in unison rushed at the cloaked man.

    They were on the hunt.

    They seemed to come from everywhere. There were certainly more than the man previously assumed. It seemed that near a hundered of them were scattered throughout the rundown village. The man laughed. A new challenge for his blade. This was not why he was in this village, but killing all of these wretched things would give him joy.

    The first wave of mynhas jumped up to attack from above, while the second wave rushed from below. This was their usual tactic. All this for the purpose of overcoming the man like a wave of ravenous destruction. They did not last. With rapid strokes, the sword cut through the mynhas in droves. When the sword slashed through one creature, it¡¯s dark flame would rush through several, burning them and leaving them nothing but ash. So this process continued. At one moment, the mynhas attempted to surround the man and rush again from above and below, but this time from all around. The man only laughed again at the attempt. As his senses and reflexes kicked in, everything slowed around the man as he took the sword and circled it around himself once. As he did, that¡¯s same dark flame erupted from the blade, only this time the flame held it¡¯s place, suspended in the air. Once the circle was complete, he then stabbed the tip of the sword into the ground. From the point where ground met metal there came a wave of dark fiery energy that blasted through the mynhas and brought them all down.

    The fight lasted mere moments. At its conclusion, the ground was littered with creatures either burned or cut, and the man laughing a self satisfied, wicked laughter. He held up the sword again, admiring its cruel beauty. This sword was made to create peace, yet what despair it could bring.

    What an enjoyable distraction. Now, to move on to the task he came here for.

    The man took the sword and stabbed at the ground once again, burying its blade half way into the soil. He then knelt before it. He was still, until the ground began to rumble as if understanding his intention. A dull hum began to reverberate through the air. This ruble, quite different from the one just created by the mynhas, seemed to come from much deeper in the ground. The man stood and stretched out his hands and a pale sickly green light sprung from his fingers. He then crossed his hands, the light following, leaving green burns in the air. He uncrossed and then raised his hands. He then moved his hands in a series of sharp motions, until there was a sickly green burned image left in the air. It was a symbol. A perfect representation of the symbol of Meremoth etched into the air. The significance of this is unclear, but the man certainly knew. The motions he made were performed like they were practiced constantly.

    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    With his final move, he jerked his hands outward as if to accept what evils he was inviting. He stumbled backward as a similar light seemed to rush from the depths of the earth and reach his feet. The light touched his feet and then took a track up to his chest, where it swelled. The light then seeped into his skin and was now burning inside him. The sickly glow expanded and then two branches of light spread out from his heart, reaching his hands which were then encompassed in it¡¯s sickly glow. He was reeling from the intensity of the power rushing through him, but he stepped forward and grabbed the hilt of the sword. The light transferred into the sword and seeped back into the ground. The ground pulsed as webs of power stretched out from the sword. The burned symbol in the air glowed brighter and then moved to the ground until it rested upon it. The ground met the symbol with a malicious joy and it shook.

    ¡°Rise¡±, resounded the dark voice of the masked man.

    He then stabbed the sword deeper into the ground. The power erupted and the rumbling grew louder. The earth shook again and then split along the lines of the symbol until a great hole in the earth was formed. A sickly pale mist poured from the mouth of the hole. The release of force upon it¡¯s opening was so great that it sent out a shockwave, knocking over several buildings. The man held his grip.

    From the chasm came a hand. The hand was large and was attached to a muscular arm that hefted out an enormous body. The strong, broad shoulder of a massive beast could now be seen. The beast was hairy and large. It¡¯s head then rose from the ground. It had six horns. Two very large ones coming from just above the temples that curled around it¡¯s head like a rams and two smaller ones just above those that likewise curled but these around the back of the head. Two more horns were placed on the forehead and these were thick but shorter than the others and jutted out about a foot with only a slight bend upward. It had holes where the eyes should be, but in place of eyes, there was only a dark mist that slowly poured from each socket. It lacked a nose and mouth and only had small holes where the ears ought to have been. As for the rest of its body, It was hairy all over. The color of the hair was black everywhere, save for the face where it was a

    pale grey. It¡¯s proportions were much like a gorillas, only with longer legs. It seemed just as capable of running on four legs as two.

    The man in the mask laughed triumphantly at the sight of the creature. He rejoiced greater still when two more came forth. More seemed to be on the way, but the hole in the ground shook violently and suddenly slammed closed. The man cried out and was thrown many feet away from his place by an unseen force. He got up and steadied himself. A burned shape of the symbol was left on the ground before the three beasts he had summoned forth. He looked at it in confused anger. He steadied himself and began to contemplate what had just happened.

    ¡°Looks like I will have to take the long way around after all¡± he said in an almost whisper. He then looked up at the ten foot tall, muscular creatures before him, ¡°welcome, my Slain of meremoth¡±

    The creatures beat their chests.

    ¡°It appears this ritual cannot be complete until my strength is equal to it. Ah well, one way or another, this has been a profitable experiment¡±

    The creatures bowed.

    ¡°The rest of the armor must be mine if I am to succeed, or else¡­¡± His voice trailed off in contemplation. It was clear that whatever ¡°or else¡± meant was going to be very unpleasant.

    The wind picked up and, as if in response to it, the man inclined his ear. He was silent, until,

    ¡°You!¡± Cried the man, pointing at the central beast.

    The creature rumbled deep within itself in response to the command.

    ¡°Can you speak?¡±

    The creatures head tilted to the side. Then the mist that was slowly pouring from its eyes lit up green. A voice entered into the man¡¯s thoughts.

    ¡°I can whisper¡±

    The voice was soft and chilling. It did not match it¡¯s owner in the least.

    ¡°Good, and for the others?¡±

    ¡°They will learn in time. I am the firstborn¡±

    ¡°Interesting. I have a task for you¡±

    ¡°Speak and be obeyed¡±

    The masked man was well satisfied thus far. He spoke his command.

    ¡°The trail of the armor is cold. Find it, piece by piece. Start with the helm. Do not reveal yourself unless you must. Should anyone find you, or obstruct you¡­dispose of them¡±

    The firstborn bowed and rumbled. Directly succeeding this action, the beast ran off at an alarming speed.

    ¡°You two!¡±

    The other Slain bowed.

    ¡°You will come with me¡±

    The man turned to walk in the direction of the beach head from whence he came. The Slain followed.

    ¡°We must bide our time it seems¡±

    The wind picked up again. The man stopped, waiting for it to stop. When it did the man looked back at the symbol burned into the ground and gazed at it.

    ¡°Patience¡­patience¡±

    He walked on, followed by his new servants.

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6

    ¡°Please don¡¯t be alarmed, I heard Hult say your name many times¡± said Aylah.

    Diago wasn¡¯t just alarmed by the fact that she knew his name, he was confused about the whole scenario he was currently experiencing. The last few days had felt like a fever dream to him.

    First he robs an Eldaren, something he still felt both justified and guilty for doing. Then, after returning the money, he was stopped by what almost looked like a ghost lady and she sent him on a mission. Then he essentially gets abducted, albeit quite willingly, only to find his captor takes him to one of the red spires nearest Rant, which they proceed to climb. An incredibly dangerous feet. Then his abductor turns out to be a girl whose knows who he is, at least by name.

    The circumstances were incredibly strange and the girl¡­ stranger. Why she took him up there was a question soon answered by a quick glance behind her. At the base of one of the few trees that grew on the top of this spire was a little canvas tent. The little camp site was all the indication Diago needed. For whatever reason, however unbelievable it may seem, this was where she had been staying. It was rare that anyone would make it to the top of one of these spires. That she had been making the climb every day was a ridiculous thought, but then again, no more ridiculous than the events of the last few days.

    ¡°Lovely place you got here¡± said Diago, albeit rather hoarsely. He was still recovering from the climb.

    Aylah nodded and then looked keenly at Diago

    ¡°Ariochmar¡± she said, determined to get to the point.

    ¡°What about it?¡± Came the reply, with a more of an air of knowledge than was warranted. Diago was hoping that if he came across like he knew more than he did, she would give up information that would help him understand what was going on.

    ¡°What do you know about it?¡±

    ¡°What do you- WAIT¡­¡± Diago had interrupted himself, realizing something, ¡°you dragged me all the way up here to ask about that?! Why couldn¡¯t you have just asked at the dunes?!¡±

    ¡°I-¡±

    ¡°Or the forest¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not-¡±

    ¡°Or at the base of the cliff?¡±

    ¡°IT¡¯S NOT SAFE!¡±

    Diago had no reply for that and waited for her to continue.

    ¡°Understand, Tunaan has a strict rule against talking about the armor after the war. After all your blabber-mouthing for everyone to hear in the tavern, I had to be truly certain that we were alone. I don¡¯t fully know why, but your own people would be harshly dealt with if they were found talking about it, how do you think they¡¯d deal with an outsider?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d loose at least two toes¡± Diago said out loud, but internally he was taking note of the new information. The Ariochmar is armor.

    ¡°Which I¡¯d like to keep if possible¡±

    Diago was still a little unsatisfied with her reasoning and, wanting to switch conversational tactics, decided to reply ¡°that doesn¡¯t explain why we had to come all the way up here¡­unless¡­¡±

    Aylah¡¯s head tilted curiously, ¡°unless what?¡±

    ¡°You wanted to show me around your place¡± He said wryly, this was his tactical switch. He wondered if annoying her would help in trying to get her to divulge information.

    ¡°¡­what?¡±

    ¡°You should know that if you want a guy to be interested you, you shouldn¡¯t threaten him at knife point. That kind of desperation is a bit of a turn off¡±

    The look in Aylah¡¯s eyes traveled from confusion to angered frustration remarkably fast

    ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°You are excused¡± Diago said with a bow in his most formal voice. Before Aylah could say anymore, Diago figured now would be a good time to change topics before he was thrown from the edge.

    ¡°Why do you want to know about the Ariochmar?¡±

    ¡°Not want, I need to know. I wouldn¡¯t go looking for it on a whim, it would be the stupidest thing I could do. I was¡­commissioned to find it¡­in a way, and that¡¯s why I must find it¡±

    Diago found it curious that she would seem so cautious on that topic.

    ¡°Commissioned?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Yes¡±

    Aylah did not seem to want to share more than that, but Diago was determined and decided to press,

    ¡°Commissioned by who?¡±

    No reply, she just looked off to the side.

    ¡°Look you threatened me and dragged me all the way up here, I feel like we should have some clarity right about now¡±

    Aylah looked back at him. Her looks made it clear that she was trying to determine how much she should trust this boy she only recently happened upon. In the end, her want of Intel convinced her to make her cave. She sighed and said,

    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    ¡°Alright. I was spoken to¡­ by a fade¡±

    Diago¡¯s head tilted, confused. He had no idea what a fade was, but a sinking suspicion had entered his head.

    ¡°a fade? What is that?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡±

    Diago rolled his eyes impatiently, ¡°I feel like my question should have been enough to answer yours, but if you need to hear it miss priss: no, I don¡¯t know¡±

    Aylah soured at the name calling, but decided to let it slide.

    ¡°I suppose they would be considered a type of guide. During the time of the great weavers they acted almost as a police for the land. The great weavers back then are not like the lesser weavers we have now. Now, our weavers rarely ever control more than a slight power over one faction of the art of weaving. The great weavers had such mastery over the art that legends say they were responsible for the formation of much of the land as we know it today. With that much power a single person could bring about terrible catastrophe. This is where the fades come in.

    Their origin is unknown, but they acted as a sort of conscience to the weavers. Their words had the power to reach into the will and desires of a person. So if someone went the wrong way, or started down the wrong path, they would appear to intervene¡±

    ¡°You mean to tell me that during the entire era of the great weavers, not one bad choice was made?¡± Asked Diago, disbelieving.

    Aylah shook her head, ¡°A conscience can be ignored and seared, but the consequences are terrible either for you or for others. As time past and more order was established, the fades began to disappear from recorded history; only showing up for major events. In the moments in history of great significance or change, fades are often found, still stepping in to steer the world in the right direction. Their role remained the same, only they started appearing before anyone and everyone that would have a significant role in said key events, not only to the weavers¡±

    Diago felt almost certain that his question of ¡°what appeared before me last night?¡± was answered, but he wanted to know for sure. He asked,

    ¡°what did they look like?¡±

    He must have had a very telling look in his eye as the words left him, because Aylah took particular note of it. She was fixated on him with her striking blue eyes and suddenly she concluded,

    ¡°You have seen one haven¡¯t you?¡±

    Diago was annoyed, ¡°I would be able to tell you that for sure if you would answer the question¡±

    ¡°There is no need, you already know¡±

    Diago sighed, giving up. She was right, he did know.

    ¡°Last night I was stopped on my way home. I had no idea what it was, but it was like a ghost, but when it spoke, I felt like every part of me what echoing the words. She said¡­¡¯Ariochmar¡¯¡±

    Aylah was staring at him and then said, ¡°..and then she said, ¡®seek it out¡¯¡±

    Aylah continued, ¡°so, you as well¡±

    ¡°But I don¡¯t understand why I would be asked to find it¡± Diago said with hands raised

    Aylah shrugged her shoulders, ¡°there are many things fades see and understand that may never be fully grasped by a human¡±

    Diago sighed, ¡°that is a very unsatisfying answer¡±

    Aylah smiled at him for the first time. He wasn¡¯t sure what to make of it, she was kind of a pain and talking to her was annoying, but that smile¡­ Coarser men than Diago would warm to a sight like that. However, Diago was more stubborn than coarse. Not that she would want it or anything, but Diago decided, then and there, that he was going to reject the idea of being attracted to her. She was pretty, but as far as Diago was concerned, that was it.

    Whatever thoughts were going through Aylah on the subject were interrupted. Her smile faded as she stared off into the distance.

    ¡°Bandits¡± she said sternly.

    Diago turned around quickly and paused. All he saw was landscape, mostly because that¡¯s all there was to see, at least for Diago.

    ¡°Ah yes..there they are¡± Said Diago sarcastically.

    ¡°You see them?¡±

    ¡°No¡±

    Aylah rolled her eyes, annoyed and said, ¡°believe me, they are there¡±

    Diago tried to look again, but to no avail. Finally, he shrugged, ¡°well, we have been low on raids recently. I¡¯d say we are overdue for one¡±

    ¡°Do raid parties set up camp?¡± She asked looking at Diago almost sincerely.

    ¡°How would I know? It¡¯s not like I spend my weekends raiding towns!¡±

    ¡°No, you are content as a highway robber¡±

    This definitely took Diago to a whole new level of confusion and surprise and annoyance. How did she know that?! He was definitely feeling resolute in his lack of attraction to this incredibly odd girl.

    ¡°Look-¡±

    Aylah stopped him, ¡°save it, I know you returned the money. That doesn¡¯t change that you did it in the first place. You should have heard Beatrice rattle on, it gave me a headache. A real man would have apologized¡±

    ¡°¡­whose Beatrice?¡±

    ¡°The woman you robbed from! And Gringer her driver¡±

    ¡°I knew Gringer¡¯s name¡±

    Aylah shook her head, ¡°if you hadn¡¯t been called by a fade¡­¡±

    ¡°That makes two of us¡±

    Though Diago was annoyed and confused, a part of him thought that this was going great. The less they liked each other, the more annoying she was, the easier it would be to keep her at arms length.

    Finally, Aylah took out her bow. A strange devise. The bow was folded in half just above the handle. It had a metallic hinge and clasp that allowed it stay firm when unfolded. She picked her hood and mask back up and went to take the bow from her quiver, muttering complaints about armor, fades, and stupid boys to herself all the while. At first, Diago thought she was going to shoot him, but she mostly ignored him. Finally, having unfolded her bow and after tying a rope to a tree and tying the other end of said rope to an arrow, she took aim. The arrow she was using had a strange tip. It was serrated down the side, but on its flats there were barbs that looked perfect for piercing, but once in its place would be terribly difficult to remove. She shot down to the forest below. The shot was incredible. How she was able to see where she was aiming was a mystery to Diago. The arrow found its mark in a tree down below. She tested the line after the rope went taught and was satisfied that it would hold.

    Having gathered the rest of what she needed, she went to the rope, ignoring Diago as he watched the whole process. She looked like she was about to jump, but she hesitated and turned around to look at Diago and say,

    ¡°Look, one way or another we have to work together. Can you handle that sunburn?¡±

    ¡°Can you tantoos?¡± said Diago referring to her two toned skin.

    Aylah let out an angry growl and leaped for the rope. She used a leather strap to catch the line and ride down it. Soon she was out of sight, having disappeared into a low hanging cloud about a hundred feet down.

    ¡°Clearly not well¡± Diago muttered to himself.

    Diago watched her descent. This was one of the many moments that would come when Diago was alone looking at the path before him. Turning back was an option. For most heroes of stories, this might be a good time for a long soliloquy about their sense of morality and a need that they alone can meet, but for Diago it was different. He loved the thrill of putting himself to the test and trying hard things and doing things no one else would. Right now, he is wondering if he had tested himself enough for a while. Now would be a good time to call it a day and go

    home¡­

    No. Not after the fade¡¯s call. If he were to pass it up, he knew he would never get a chance like this again.

    Besides, apparently there¡¯ll be consequences if he didn¡¯t answer it.

    ¡°My gut tells me there¡¯ll be consequences if I do¡± Diago said, morbidly aware that this was likely going to be a dangerous task.

    He turned around and closed his eyes, breathing deep. He flipped his ring in the air and caught it and put it back on. Then rushed to the edge of the cliff and jumped. He caught the line with the hook of his Kurigan and rode it to the bottom, following after Aylah.

 Chapter 7

    How Aylah was able to see this supposed bandit camp was an absolute mystery to Diago. They had been running so long, morning had long past given way to afternoon. Afternoon would pass into early evening before they would stop. Diago was sure he was never going to feel anything in his lungs or feet again. They repeated much of the same process as before when getting to the spire, only this time Diago did get to take a break every now and again. One way or another he was able to keep going. In fact his own endurance, though nothing compared to Aylah¡¯s, was surprising. He had never really tried to test this part of himself, the cardio I mean. Usually preferring the more daring and dangerous momentary events that required quick thinking and reflexive activity, Diago found it incredibly boring when it came to running or anything that required patience and steady action.

    He would have been happier with his abilities, if not for Aylah. She was annoyingly impressive. Not once did she ever seem tired, winded, overheated, or anything of the sort. Diago knew some of the honor guard personally. He knew their training regimen and how it would take them years to get their endurance to acceptable levels. A new recruit to the Honor Guard would start at the rank of Kin¨¦ and would rise through the ranks based on merit or after completing certain levels of training. Aylah would have reached Raan-Kin¨¦, the next level up, within the first few hours of training. In fact, in Diago¡¯s opinion, she would likely have been able to outrun even the Raan-Saris, the highest rank in the Honor Guard.

    Her vision, her strength, her endurance, all were at startling levels for someone her age and size.

    Ruminating on this was Diago¡¯s way of distracting himself from the constant drum of running. Unfortunately, he was so distracted that he did not see that Aylah was stopped behind a large dune in the dune lake the entered a few moments ago.

    Diago tripped over her and landed face first in the sand.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Said Aylah, picking herself up and dusting the sand off her shoulders

    All that Diago could respond with was his muffled voice from under the sand. He had run straight into the steep dune and, after flying at it in a perfectly horizontal fashion, a sand slide covered his whole body to the heels, leaving him quite immobile.

    When Aylah saw it, she burst out laughing. She was trying to keep quiet, but wasn¡¯t doing very well. Hard to blame her. If there was a boy annoying you as much as Diago was annoying Aylah, you¡¯d probably laugh too if you saw him run head first into the sand and get stuck. Justice.

    A muffled noise came from the sand, ¡°A little help?¡±

    Aylah smiled, ¡°in a moment, I want to remember this¡±

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    A muffled response came, a sound that should have been impossible to hear, but Aylah heard it loud and clear. She yanked him out of the sand and smacked him on the head.

    ¡°Ow!¡­you heard that did you?¡±

    Aylah raised an eyebrow at him disapprovingly.

    What Diago said, only Aylah knows, but it did little to help in furthering any friendship, that¡¯s for sure.

    Diago, now a little embarrassed, decided to change the subject.

    ¡°So..we taking a break?¡±

    ¡°No. We are here¡±

    Diago looked around, seeing nothing.

    ¡°Well no one can be right all the time. Don¡¯t beat yourself up¡±

    Diago had started walking away, but another smack on the head and an annoyed look from his companion brought Diago¡¯s attention back. He turned to see Aylah pointing up over the dune he had sunk himself into. The two proceeded to climb the dune. They came near the top and slowed down, peaking over as quietly as stealthily as they could.

    Sure enough, there was a camp full of about thirty or so rough looking men. Diago was thankful that the sand masked noise so well, otherwise, he was sure they would have found them by now. Finding a camp of bandits is surprising enough, but what was surprising Diago most in that moment was the fact that Aylah saw them first place. He looked from the camp to Aylah and from Aylah to the spires behind them, which were so far away that they barely poked over the tree line in the distance.

    ¡°How on earth did you see-¡±

    ¡°Shh¡±

    Aylah¡¯s eyes were closed and she looked quite focused.

    ¡°What are you-¡±

    ¡°SHH!¡±

    Diago shook his head and waited. After a minute or so, Aylah opened her eyes.

    ¡°With so many voices it was hard to tell, but I don¡¯t think they are here to raid the town. They are looking for something. There was a name they kept saying. Trick, or Trig, or something like that. They mentioned something about a race and one burly sounding voice mentioned that their master was impatient. I¡¯m not sure what all that means, but this could be promising. I say we come back early tomorrow and follow them.¡±

    When Aylah had finished, all Diago could do was stare back at her blankly. Aylah noticed his look. Annoyed, she asked, ¡°what?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re telling me that you heard all that¡­from over here?¡±

    ¡°Of course¡±

    ¡°Ahh yes of course, silly me. How could I assume otherwise¡±

    ¡°You mean you can¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°Oh no, of course I can. Tolbert was telling Brant all about how the roast chicken needed more seasoning.¡± Said Diago, sarcastically. ¡°No, I can¡¯t hear them!¡±

    Aylah, gave a questioning look, ¡°really? Strange, I figured this would be close enough for anyone to hear¡±

    Aylah began descending the dune and Diago, still incredulous, followed.

    ¡°Okay, timeout, I¡¯m not going any farther until you tell me how you are¡­ well you¡± Asked Diago.

    A confused glance was all that He received in return.

    Diago continued, ¡°you know¡­the skin thing¡­and why can you¡­see and run and¡­all that you do?¡±

    Aylah smiled, amused at his feeble attempts to ask the simple question.

    ¡°As to seeing and running, that would be due to my having eyes and legs¡± she replied.

    ¡°You know what I mean!¡±

    Aylah nodded, ¡°The better question to ask, that might satisfy you, is ¡®where are you from?¡¯¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡­where ARE you from?¡±

    Aylah¡¯s smile faded, ¡°I will answer, but only because you and I are stuck together and need to trust one another¡­ no matter how difficult and insurmountable a task that may seem at the moment. You will tell no one unless I say you can?¡±

    Diago nodded

    Aylah seemed satisfied and said with some solemnity, ¡°I am from Onterrin¡±

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8

    At this point, for you to understand the previous chapter and to understand some future events to come, some time must be spent in explanation.

    The kingdoms of this land are all quite distinct from one another, but none are so unique as Onterrin. To understand this fully, you must know the legend of its origin and the odd ways of it¡¯s people. I must also explain the current state of its population and how the other countries view them. This must be done for the full weight of Aylah¡¯s confession to be clear.

    Let¡¯s begin with the origin of Onterrin.

    <hr>

    Long ago there was a wondering people known as the Antroke. These people claimed no place as their home, content to wander and keep to their own. All of the kingdoms can claim that one or more great weavers had come from their lands, but legend says that none could claim as many as the Antroke. It is said that their vast experience with many places, peoples, and creatures gave the Antroke an upper hand, as it were, in the skill of magical weaving.

    During the earliest period of the time of the great weavers, the Antroke had an argument that left the already small people group divided. One side claimed that to wander and never settle would be the best means to preserve safety and anonymity from the other groups of people. The other side claimed that solidarity would be needed if the people were to get stronger and that a place to dwell would be necessary. For a wandering people to suddenly wander no more was a thought most could not bear and thus they divided.

    One half of the Antroke disappeared almost in an instant, over night. The other half were going to make their presence known and seek a place to dwell.

    Unbeknownst to the Antroke, the people of the land that would one day become

    Eldaren pronounced any and all weavers to be a scourge and that they should be hunted and removed for the safety of all. As it was believed that the Antroke were there original weavers, they were targeted the most.

    While this was a treacherous time, it also caused the numbers of the Antroke to grow tremendously, for they were seen as the only safe place for the weavers to flee. However, there did not seem to be a place where they could dwell. So, in desperation, they fled to the wild lands of Phelgan, believing that with the aid of so many weavers, they would be able to withstand the wild country. For a while, they were right. This was largely because the leader of the Antroke. Inoka was a weaver who possessed great skill with animals. His power was vast, but he excelled particularly in communicating with, taming, and teaching animals and creatures. This was one of the reasons they chose to name him leader as they entered Phelgan.

    The lands of Phelgan rest at the base of what was once called The Skolrich mountains, or Heaven¡¯s bridge mountains. These mountains make the Giant¡¯s Garden in Tunaan look scrawny. The land below, Phelgan, is almost entirely uncharted. Very few who enter into these lands are ever seen or heard from again. Those who do return are either stark raving mad, or are honestly giving an account of their experience in these wild lands. If they are being honest, no one, brave or foolish, should go there. To do so would be a truly desperate last resort.

    With that in mind, a good picture can be painted of the mindset of the Antroke as they took their first step into this treacherous territory.

    The Antroke¡¯s plan to use their new leader, Inoka, as the key defense against the wild creatures, was effective for many days¡­ but Phelgan is a most unforgiving place.

    After wandering through the incredible and deadly landscape, a day came when it seemed that every sort of dangerous creature came upon the Antroke people all at once. The people were forced to flee to the mountains.

    Now, I don¡¯t want you to think that these look anything like the red spires of Tunaan, being much wider and much taller, but these mountains certainly do have a somewhat similar shape. A typical mountain will have a wide base that slopes upward to a point. These mountains certainly have wide bases, but their slope is incredibly steep. For a short while one may be able to walk up the base, but said person would quickly discover that the path was now a sheer rock face that would need to be climbed.

    Surrounded, the people had no choice but to climb. They lost many during this time, either through falling, deserting, or animals that would catch up to them.

    Finally, they reached a plateau a good ways up one of the rock faces (not to the top) where they thought they would be safe. However, the creatures of Phelgan are persistent and hunt relentlessly. Cornered and afraid, the people had no choice but to fight for their lives. All seemed to be coming to an end for the Antroke people, but that was when it all changed.

    From above came an imposing force of winged animals and creatures of all sorts. The Antroke lost hope when they saw them descending, believing this to be a type of reinforcement to the creatures below, but their fears were unfounded. These mountain dwelling creatures saw the Antroke as weak and defenseless and came to their aid. They drove away the horrors of Phelgan. The people were amazed.

    It amazed them still farther when the creatures turn to face the Antroke with a fierce intelligence. Odd gestures and flapping wings were quick to follow. It appeared that these airborne saviors desired to communicate somehow.

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    Inoka stepped forward and spoke to the beasts and learned that they were called Ontera from Onterrin. Inoka thanked them for the great service they rendered his people. He shared with Ontera his people¡¯s plight. The Ontera spoke with one another and came to a decision, They invited the Antroke to live with them on the mountains.

    After going through so much, the people were distrusting and were reluctant to let the beasts take them. Eventually, Inoka and the lead winged beast who called himself Freyor convinced the Antroke that to accept this dwelling place was the only course of action to take. Take it they did.

    This is the legend of the origin of the kingdom Onterrin. Though the rest of the watching world would not acknowledge them until after a great conflict with the very people who had forced them into Phelgan in the first place; the people who now called themselves Eldaren. But that is a story for another time.

    <hr>

    Now to explain a little more about the people themselves as they are now.

    At the very top of these incredible mountains there exists great plateaus with plenty of space for many homes, villages, and farms. The biggest of these flats is where the capital city resides. Most of the buildings are made of Wood from the various species of tree that grow on the top of the mountains, but the capital is Hewn from one of the raised sections of plateau on the greatest of these mountain tops.

    Some of the mountain tops that are closer together are connected by vast bridges, but most travel done between these great mountains Is done on the backs of their longtime allies and friends, the Ontera. Every family it seems has a particular guardian Ontera, one that watches over them and helps them reach neighboring peaks.

    Further information about their dwellings and ways is quite hard to come by as very few people are ever allowed or willing to visit. When an Onterrin would descend to the lower world, they were incredibly unforthcoming about their homeland, maintaining a serious distrust of all things below the almost ever present cloud line that separated the people.

    How they even managed to live at the heights they do is a mystery to all but them. What is known about the country came mostly from king Eton, one of the few people ever able to be allowed up to Onterrin. What the king did write down and share was all that he was allowed to.

    One of the most notable things about the Onterrins is their vast capacity in senses and physical abilities.

    This is yet another mystery, but the people of that land have an incredible prowess. In some very old writings a battle is described between the recently established people of Eldaren and the peoples of the mountain country (the had yet to declare themselves Onterrins at this time). What is described was a vicious battle that the early Eldarens were not prepared for. Who won the battle is lost to history, but what was not lost was a gained general respect among all kingdoms for Onterrin and a knowledge that they ought not be messed with lightly. The strength of a single Onterrin easily outmatched that of three in any other kingdom. This was true of their endurance and sight.

    Thus Aylah¡¯s answer for her abilities.

    That is a general understanding of the people, but there is another element that needs to be explained: how the Onterrins are viewed by the rest of the world currently.

    In the Eldaren conquest that preceded the war, Onterrin was the only county that Eldaren ¡°conquered¡± peacefully. Eton won a political victory that won him the Onterrin¡¯s loyalty. He knew outright combat with these great mountains would be foolish and thus created a peace treaty that bound the lands together. He married Fara, the daughter of their chief.

    The marriage was not his original plan. He was planning on negotiating for peace, but the one with whom he was to have these negotiations was his soon to be wife. They were quite instantly taken with each other. Over some time, Eton also had the good fortune to gain the respect of the other delegates and was given an incredibly rare honor. He was allowed to visit the upper lands and meet the chief. His visit was short as their weavers had to work constantly to keep Eton from dying due to the elevation change. In this meeting, Eton spoke to the chief about his love for Fara and they created the first peace treaty Eldaren and Onterrin ever had.

    This was the first country that Eldaren had to ¡°win¡± before continuing on to the others. However, when the war broke out and Eton and Fara died, Onterrin was stubbornly inactive. In a turn of events, the Onterrin¡¯s closed their doors to Eldaren. Word got around that Onterrin would not their would be allies and the other kingdoms made note of that and sought them out as companions, but they were disappointed to find a startlingly violent opposition to aiding anyone in the lower world. Some still sought them out regardless and pleaded with them to help in their respective causes. The Onterrins would have been instrumental on any side they joined, as they are still home to the most weavers (though they no longer are home to any great weavers¡­no one is). All the pleading was to no avail.

    This soured every kingdom against Onterrin. Onterrins had been long viewed as a strange and dangerous people and this affronting behavior, along with the general emotional uproar and political strife of war, created lots of hatred for the people who could have ended it all sooner.

    In short, no one liked Onterrins.

    <hr>

    This brings us back to Diago. His mind on the matter of Onterrin is unfixed. His supreme distrust and distaste for Eldaren far outweighs that of any other kingdom. Having had no personal interaction with other kingdoms, while having many with the ever annoying Eldarens, he felt this perspective reasonable.

    To him, Eldaren is the one who was the most to blame for the war and everything else gets murky after that. However, in that murkiness dwells many words and warnings against the traitorous Onterrins and their diabolical ways. Hence his current ¡°open-mouthed¡± state. Not in absolute shock, mind you, but in complete ignorance as to how to respond. Whether Aylah being an Onterrin was a good thing or a bad thing was not something he was able to decide in that moment. He was kicking himself for not deducing that Aylah was an Onterrin sooner. Her general beauty threw him off, which he vehemently opposed admitting.

    How on earth is he supposed to deal with this one? Yet another challenge he was completely unpracticed in taking on. Unfortunately for Diago¡­that would not be the last challenge he faced that day.

    Diago and Aylah agreed to meet back at the same spot tomorrow. After that, Aylah sprinted off for the spire and Diago went home. Their separation was quick and uneventful after Aylah¡¯s confession, she seemed unwilling to talk further on the subject. This was on his mind till he got home and opened the door to find his adopted father waiting for him.

    Sullien looked up, looking ragged and worn. The look in his grey eyes was unlike anything Diago had seen before. Diago, having the gut feeling that something was off, was quite unsettled. When Sullien finally found his voice, it was low and serious and it sent a chill down Diago¡¯s spine. Whatever Sul was about to say¡­ wasn¡¯t going to be easy to hear. What¡¯s worse is that his opening line was the very one that every person knows to be a sure doom to the pleasantness of any conversation and ensures that it is going to be heavy and difficult.

    ¡°Diago¡­we need to talk¡±

 Chapter 9

    ¡°Sit please¡±

    Uh oh¡­first a ¡®we need to talk¡¯ and now a ¡®sit down¡¯. The ultimate ¡®you are in for it¡¯ verbal power couple.

    Diago tentatively took a seat opposite Sullien in the empty room. If you haven¡¯t guessed by now, Sullien is not overly quick with his words, preferring to think before speaking; a trait Diago always found both respectable and impossible to mimic. Usually, this silence would be short lived, as Diago would impatiently break it, but this time felt different. There was a weight to the air that shut Diago up and forced him to wait.

    Sullien wasn¡¯t looking at him¡­he almost looked¡­guilty. This was a first for Diago.

    Sullien finally stirred, giving a pleading look upward and a deep breath.

    ¡°Diago¡­do you remember the story about how we found you?¡±

    This is definitely not where Diago thought this was going.

    ¡°You said you found me lost on the side of the road, crying. You said the sight was so sad that you and Hyra decided then and there to take me with you¡­that¡¯s the story isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Sullien finally met Diago¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°¡­isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Sullien still did not respond. That was all Diago needed. That wasn¡¯t the story.

    Diago spoke again, ¡°Sul¡­what are you not saying? Why did you lie about how you found me?¡±

    ¡°I had no choice! Hyra and I promised not to say anything until the time was right¡± From here, Sullien seemed to open the flood gates of what he was bottling up. ¡°Of course we had no idea what the right time was. When you started talking? no, that was far too early. For your birthday? No, that didn¡¯t seem like the right moment. When a thrice cursed fade shows up!? No, no, it can¡¯t be now, it¡¯s too soon. That can¡¯t be right¡±

    ¡°Wait!¡± cried Diago, trying to stop Sulien, but Sulien was already headed where Diago wanted him to go.

    ¡°Yes Diago¡­I know what a fade is¡­¡± Sulien took a shuttering breath before continuing, ¡°I know what a fade is¡­because one spoke to me¡­about fifteen years ago¡±

    Diago, once again speechless, was left gaping¡­fifteen years ago¡­right around the time he was born.

    ¡°I am not originally from Tunaan. I know I look like I am, but that is because of my grandad. He was from Tunaan, but early in life he journeyed to Marien to make a living as a sea trader and land correspondent. That¡¯s where I am from. I grew up on the sea. My familiarity with ropes is actually what helped me master that Kurigan I gave you, which is what gave me such a quick rise in the Honor Guard¡±

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    ¡°Sul, you aren¡¯t¡­why didn¡¯t you?¡­I don¡¯t understand¡± said Diago.

    ¡°Hyra and I were happy in Marien¡± Sulien continued, ¡°but one day during an evening stroll on a pier, we stopped in our tracks. All the stars started to shimmer in unison and the air grew warm and seemed to penetrate our very souls. Suddenly a figure clouded in mist appeared before us. We tried to run, but it was in front of us no matter which way we turned. It was terrifying¡±

    Diago was so on the edge of his seat that he ought to have fallen off of it, but he managed to stay on. He stopped trying to comment and let Sulien go on.

    ¡°When it spoke¡­my life, Hyra¡¯s life, both our lives felt bound to what it said in such a way that we could have never broken from its course. Though unlike you, we were given instructions. We were told to travel to Tunaan and live there. We were also warned that we would be interrupted on our journey and that when we were, kindness would need to be shown. So we left¡­how could we not? We both knew we had to. We were on edge the entire journey, until we finally had the interruption we were warned about¡±

    Sulien paused. Diago desperately wanted Sul to continue, so he hazarded a question.

    ¡°That¡¯s when you found me?¡± Diago guessed, but was surprised when Sulien shook his head.

    ¡°No Diago, that¡¯s when we found your mother¡±

    Diago felt like he¡¯d just been kicked,

    ¡°¡­you knew my mother?!¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­she was a strong woman. She was being held captive outside a village. I can¡¯t remember which village, that part is blurry, but what is clear in memory was how angry I felt when I saw her chained to a post in a very worn out dress. What made me livid however, was when I saw that she was very pregnant¡±

    ¡°Why was she strung up?¡± Asked Diago, incredulous. Part of him morbidly thought it curious that even before he was born he had a knack for being in trouble.

    ¡°She was a captive to a group from of men. What she did to earn her a spot in the post? I have no idea. We had to act fast though, so we came up with a quick plan. Hyra quickly undid her hair while I grabbed some of the wine we had for the journey. I poured some into the tankards that we had brought and gave them to Hyra who knew a whole lot more about herbs than myself. It was a desperate thing to try and finding the right herbs was a unlikely, but your mom must have had luck on her side, just like you. Hyra found the right herbs that would cause a deep sleep to fall over the men watching your mom. Hyra played the part of one of the village tavern waitresses and gave the men the wine, while I unshackled your mother. The men fell asleep immediately and we managed to get away without raising any alarms¡±

    ¡°woah¡­you guys thought that out quickly¡±, hearing of such harrowing behavior on behalf of a total stranger gave Diago a new found respect for his adopted parents,

    Sulien smirked, ¡°really it was mostly Hyra¡¯s idea, otherwise I probably would have tried force. Hyra was smarter than that and knew the quiet and stealthy way would be more effective and she was right. We got away unscathed¡±

    ¡°What happened next?¡±

    ¡°We took your mother with us. Kindness was necessary after all. Once we were far enough away from the men, we made camp. We spoke then. Your mother was incredibly polite and regal even in her worn out and pregnant state. We told her who we were and that we were essentially sent to find her by a fade. She seemed amazed, but she thanked us heartily with all the gentility and elegance that you would normally find only in the highest classes. That¡¯s when she told us who she was¡­¡±

    Sulien took another deep and shuttering breath. Diago danced on the razors edge between unwillingness to breath in suspense and barking at Sul to spit it out already. Thankfully he didn¡¯t have to wait long.

    ¡°Diago¡­your mother¡­was Queen Fara of Eldaren¡±

 Chapter 10

    ¡°¡­WHAT?!¡±

    ¡°Calm down, Diago¡±

    ¡°CALM DOWN?!¡±

    Sulien shot a glare of ice toward Diago, ¡°you will wake everyone up¡±

    The glare was completely ignored, ¡°I don¡¯t get it¡­this is some kind of joke right?¡±

    ¡°I am afraid not¡± Replied a somber Sulien.

    Diago had already begun pacing the floor. At the rate he was going, it would be nothing but dirt by morning. This is why Sulien came over and stopped him by putting his hands on Diago¡¯s shoulders, forcing him to stay put.

    ¡°Diago please, Silana only just fell asleep and its incredibly hard to-¡±

    ¡°Daddy?¡±

    The voice came from the door to the girls room. It was Silana. A petit figure in a night gown, sharing her father¡¯s skin and eyes. Truly, she was one of Diago¡¯s favorites, even though she was an enormous tattletale. At the moment, she looked groggy and half asleep. Her eyelids were half closed and her shoulders drooped quite harshly.

    ¡°Daddy, the Jynx I trained to be my friend made lots of loud noises when I tried to put flowers in it¡¯s hair and ran off¡±

    Sulien looked at Diago with an annoyance that spoke loudly. Then he turned to his daughter. He walked over to her and tired to corral her back into her room, speaking softly at the same time,

    ¡°Just call her back and I¡¯m sure she will hear you¡±

    Silana slowly shuffled her tiny body back to her bed. As she was leaving, Diago could hear her saying,

    ¡°Here Jynxy pie, the flowers will match your eye color¡±

    Must be quite the dream. Diago on the other had, wished he were dreaming.

    ¡°Sulien, are you absolutely sure?¡± Asked Diago, referring to the news about his mother.

    Before he turned to face Diago, Sulien breathed in deeply and exhaled the same way.

    ¡°Yes, Diago. You are the son of Queen Fara and King Eton of Eldaren¡±

    No. It wasn¡¯t possible. He was just a simple boy from Tunaan. His mother and father were just travelers that died somehow, leaving him in the care of Sulien and Hyra. That¡¯s what he had thought for his whole life. He had accepted it. He had moved on. In fact, he purposefully forced himself not to think too much about his parents. To have this put in front of him was too ridiculous. He couldn¡¯t grasp hold of it. It just couldn¡¯t be true. That¡¯s when he looked at Sulien again with a searching intention. He wanted to see if there was something, ANYTHING, that would tell Diago he was lying, joking, or mistaken somehow. His searching came to nothing though. The more he thought about his parents, the more it confused him, the worse he felt. Diago started to breath at awkward intervals and his hands started shaking. Sulien must have seen the desperation in Diago, because compassion seemed to emanate from him.

    ¡°Diago, listen to me. Now is not the time to panic. Everything is going to be okay.

    When you think about it, this has always been true. You are still the same person.

    You just know a little more about yourself¡±

    True, but that ¡°little more¡± really really felt like ¡°a whole lot more¡±¡­or ¡°too much more¡±. Sulien saw that his tactic for calming him down were not succeeding, so he switched it.

    ¡°Hey hey Diago, its alright. Breath. Breath¡­there you go, in and out¡­ very good.

    Let me make you some tea¡±

    That¡¯s when Sulien walked over to grab a kettle and then he put it on the spit over the fire. While he was doing this, Diago was still breathing at a regular pace.

    ¡°I think¡­¡± Diago began, after a number of breaths, ¡°I think I¡¯m good. I mean when you think about it, this really doesn¡¯t change anything. Who cares right?¡±

    Sulien smirked to himself and then said out loud, ¡°well, I¡¯d imagine that the Eldaren¡¯s care. I mean you do technically have a right to the throne¡±

    Wrong choice of words. Unbeknownst to Sulien, that fact had gone entirely over Diago¡¯s head, a head that now felt startlingly light and heavy at the same time. Wow, Diago¡¯s head really felt odd. Are those pixies? Why are the walls spinning? Ahh floor my old friend, it¡¯s been too long. Come, let us meet each other in a swift embrace.

    Darkness.

    <hr>

    Diago woke up on his bed.

    ¡°Oh thank the Great One¡­ it was all a dream¡±

    Diago sat up and rubbed his face. He hadn¡¯t had a dream that vivid in a really long time. He started to laugh to himself a little. It¡¯s always the same with dreams, they feel so real and convincing, but the moment you wake up you think, ¡®man how could I have fallen for something so insane?¡¯

    ¡°I mean really; an Onterrin? Being a prince? And of Eldaren of all places. Dreams can be so weird¡±

    Diago shook himself and made his way to the door. He was still a little shaken from his dream, but thankfully it would all be forgotten eventually. He reached for the door and pushed it open, while simultaneously rubbing his head. Why did it hurt? Is that a lump? He finished opening the door and walked down the hall. Where is everyone? He turned the corner to see Sulien in conversation with a strange girl. What¡¯s with her skin?

    ¡­

    ¡°Ah there you are, I hope you are feeling better. Your friend here was just introducing herself¡± Said Sulien with a cheery grin.

    Ahh floor, we meet again.

    <hr>

    Diago was out for a lot less time with this faint, mostly because he didn¡¯t face plant like he did before. Thankfully, Sulien caught him before he could reach the ground.

    When Diago came too, the look on his face was full of consternation and irritation. Sulien sat him on the couch and set to work making him some tea. He missed out on it last night. While Sulien was busy about his work, Aylah turned to Diago

    ¡°What¡¯s with the fainting? This isn¡¯t a normal thing for you is it?¡±

    Diago looked up at her, ¡°I don¡¯t know what is normal right now¡±

    Aylah just looked at him for a second or so, but then decided to leave the topic.

    She glanced over her shoulder at Sulien who was making the tea.

    ¡°He seems nice¡±

    Diago grunted in the affirmative

    ¡°And he is your¡­?¡± Aylah trailed off while posing her question. Diago guessed that she and Sul hadn¡¯t gotten to that part of the introductions.

    ¡°he is my adopted father¡±

    ¡°Ahh¡­¡± Aylah left that there. Those kinds of conversations can be awkward and neither of the two were sure they were at that kind of level of acquaintance yet. The next few moments were taken up only with Sulien¡¯s humming. What in Tunaan was going on? All of this was really happening? These kinds of thoughts were going through Diago¡¯s head when finally Sulien turned with three cups of tea on a tray and offered it. Diago took his and gulped it down, kind of wishing it was cold cream cider and rather disappointed that the wish wouldn¡¯t come true. Aylah took her¡¯s and sipped it.

    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Thank you¡± she said to Sulien, who nodded in reply.

    Sulien¡¯s smile then faded a bit as he started on a new topic, ¡°so how do you two know each other? Those markings on your skin¡­ they are quite unique¡±

    ¡°I am from Onterrin¡± Said Aylah, clearly unafraid to tell Sulien. Diago supposed that she didn¡¯t see the point in lying or anything because of the closeness of Sulien¡¯s relation to himself. Sulien raised his eyebrows, but by the looks of it, he had already supposed that Aylah was from that wild country.

    ¡°And to how you know each other?¡±

    ¡°She threatened me with a knife and we have been best buds ever since¡± Said a very sarcastic Diago.

    Aylah rolled her eyes, ¡°You really need to get over that, its not like I was actually going to hurt you!¡±

    Sulien raised his hand to stop the two of them, ¡°While it is completely understandable that someone might want to threaten Diago-¡±

    ¡°Hey¡±

    ¡°-I would still like to know the reason¡±

    ¡°I¡­wanted to talk¡± replied Aylah

    ¡°¡­about?¡± Sulien prodded

    Aylah wasn¡¯t responsive, clearly reluctant to proceed. Diago was the one to roll his eyes this time,

    ¡°She was called by a fade too¡± he said, trying to cut to the chase, ¡°She wanted to know about the armor¡±

    ¡°How did she know you knew about the armor?¡±

    Uh oh

    ¡°I heard him mention it to Hult¡± said, Aylah

    Jynx droppings

    Sulien shot an angry glare at Diago, ¡°I told you not to talk about it again!¡±

    Diago raised his hands in defense, ¡°technically you only said that you didn¡¯t want to hear about it again¡±

    ¡°I feel like you should be able to figure that I don¡¯t want you talking about it period!¡± Exclaimed Sulien

    ¡°I only talked to Hult and he is no snitch¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Rant Diago! Everyone is a snitch!¡± Was the angry reply from Sulien, just before he threw his hands up, ¡°The Honor Guard will probably be at our door in the next few days!¡±

    ¡°In my defense, you never told me that the topic of the armor was under a ban¡±

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have had too if you were any better at obeying!¡±

    Soured by the conversation both Diago and Sulien turned away from each other, through neither walked away. Meanwhile, Aylah, seated between them, decided maybe it was time to change the subject to keep the two arguers from getting any worse. Besides, time was running out.

    Aylah cleared her throat, ¡°Anyway, Diago we probably should get going, the bandits-¡±

    ¡°Bandits? What bandits?¡± Said Sulien tuning quickly to Aylah

    Diago turned and glared at Aylah, who had realized she chose the wrong topic to switch to. Diago then said to Sulien,

    ¡°Aylah and I found a camp of bandits yesterday, they were looking for Trig for some reason¡±

    Aylah then chimed in, ¡°I thinks very possible that their presence and the appearance of the fade are linked and that following them might be our next step in finding the armor¡±

    ¡°You mean to tell me¡± began a still somewhat heated Sulien, ¡°That the two of you are planning on following and spying on a group of bandits? That¡¯s a terrible idea! What if you get found out?¡±

    ¡°Diago might, but I know I wouldn¡¯t¡± noted Aylah, confidently

    ¡°Oh step off it Tantoos!¡± Came the exasperated voice of Diago

    ¡°You first Sunburn!¡±

    ¡°Quiet you two!¡± Intervened Sulien, ¡°Good Great One, You two are barely old enough to ride a Talard and you are the only ones the fades called?¡±

    Sulien shook his head annoyed. Thankfully, Aylah and Diago¡¯s argument seemed to level out Sulien¡¯s mood. Maybe it was witnessing another argument that reminded him how useless it is to get riled up at the moment. Cooler heads are clearer heads after all. Aylah and Diago were still staring daggers at one another, but otherwise obeyed Sulilen¡¯s command to be quiet. Sulien continued,

    ¡°Now, back to the whole bandit thing. I still say that is a horrible place to start looking¡±

    ¡°But sir-¡± Aylah began to say

    ¡°However¡­¡± In the pause that followed, Sulien seemed to have a shift in his thoughts, ¡°however, I know where you should start looking.¡± Diago and Aylah looked at each other, both noting the difference in the tone of Sulien¡¯s voice. They looked back at Sulien as he continued, ¡°yesterday, a pair of Honor Guard came to the house asking if I had seen a man named Trig anytime recently. They should have known that everyone knows Trig by now with how often he¡¯s been strung up. They said he was last spotted at the Jynx race tents and that no one had seen him since. I told them I hadn¡¯t seen him either. I asked them why they were looking for him and they wouldn¡¯t respond. They started to walk away, but something seemed off, so I asked them what their rank was. They didn¡¯t seem to know how to respond. Then one of them said that they were both rank Ward. They wished me good day and walked off¡±

    ¡°Ward? That¡¯s Eldaren military rank¡± said Diago

    ¡°I know¡­that is not a mistake and Honor Guard would make¡±

    Aylah was the next to speak, ¡°then those two must have been bandits in stolen armor¡±

    ¡°That is what I am thinking, yes¡± replied Sulien

    Aylah looked over at Diago, who returned the glance, and said ¡°I guess we need to start at the Jynx racing tents then¡±

    ¡°I know¡±

    ¡°Well there is no use wasting time, let¡¯s go¡±

    The pair of them began to walk toward the door, but the commanding voice of Sulien stopped them.

    ¡°Hold on a moment! Diago¡­I need a word¡±

    Diago knew he didn¡¯t have a choice. Though, even if he did, he would have gone.

    Argument or no, Sulien was still his father, whether it was by blood or not. They left Aylah by the door and retreated to Diago¡¯s room. The space was not very big, containing only his bed and a small dresser and those two things took up most of the room. Sulien closed the door and Diago prepared himself for whatever was about to come.

    ¡°Diago¡­I don¡¯t want you to go¡± Sulien began.

    ¡°Sul, listen-¡±

    ¡°Let me finish please¡± interrupted Sulien, ¡°I don¡¯t want you to go because I have a bad feeling about it. Be that as it may, I know you have to do this. I know a fade¡¯s call and there is nothing I can do to stop you that won¡¯t end horribly. With that in mind, I have some things I want you to hear. Firstly, know that I care about you like you are my own. The only reason I got so upset just now was because I truly care about your safety and I can¡¯t rest well if I am not sure that you are actively being safe yourself. I can¡¯t be there to make you that way all the time. So I need to you to promise me that you will be safe¡±

    ¡°¡­Define that for me?¡±

    ¡°Diago¡± Sulien said the name in a warning tone

    ¡°Alright, alright¡­I will do my best¡±

    Sulien nodded and then continued, ¡°Secondly, we didn¡¯t get any time to talk about your parents¡±

    Oh right, that thing he was trying not to think about. The thing that was likely going to be a huge pain in his mental backside. The thing that marked him. The thing that made him a little sick at they very mention of it. That thing.

    ¡°I can¡¯t pretend to know how you feel about it, so I won¡¯t even try. This is something you are going to have to face¡±

    Not if he had anything to say about it. As far as Diago was concerned that little factoid about himself was going to pass into the realm of forgotten nothingness as soon as he could manage the feat.

    ¡°I want to caution you. Don¡¯t tell anyone about your parents. It¡¯s not wise and it¡¯s not safe. As long as you can, try to forget it entirely¡±

    Done.

    But then a thought occurred to Diago, ¡°if you wanted me to do that, why would you tell me the truth then? I could have gone a whole lot longer before having that particular bolder dropped on my head¡±

    ¡°Because of what I said last night. A fade showed up¡­that¡¯s as much a ¡®right time¡¯ moment as I can think of. Which leads me to the third thing I want to say. Your mother left you a note. She likely wrote it after she found out she was sick. She must have known she wasn¡¯t going to live long after giving birth to you. I have kept it safe these last fifteen years and I think the time has come to give it to you¡±

    Diago thought about that¡­a note from his mother? Did he even want to read it? No, of course not right? He wanted to forget about all that. Push it to the side and all that. That was is mindset as he said, ¡°not now, but I will take it later on¡±

    Sulien looked at him, he considered for a moment and then nodded. Then he continued, ¡°lastly¡­about Aylah¡±

    Diago¡¯s head turned a little sidewise at the turn of topic.

    Sulien¡¯s pause was a little annoying, mostly because his mouth began to grow an annoying grin. Then he said, ¡°she¡¯s pretty¡±

    Oh, you have got to be kidding me.

    ¡°Sul, don¡¯t even start with me right now¡±

    ¡°Hey, hey, I¡¯m just saying what I see. It seems you both are going to be spending a lot of time together. Lots can happen¡±

    ¡°Sul I swear-¡±

    ¡°Hold on, there is a serious note to this. Look after each other, okay? I get that she annoys you, but you are in this together and you need to trust her as much as she needs to trust you. So..behave¡±

    Diago couldn¡¯t argue with that. ¡°I¡¯ll try¡­But she needs to behave too¡±

    ¡°I am not her parent¡±

    Diago rolled his eyes, ¡°I know¡­anything else?¡±

    ¡°Nope, that about does it. I guess you have to be off to the racing tents. Like I asked, be safe¡±

    ¡°Not always in my control¡±

    ¡°I know¡±

    Sulien pulled Diago in for a hug which he returned. Then the two of them made their way back to Aylah. When the found her she was closing her ears and humming quite loudly. At first, Diago though it was ridiculous, but then he remembered her insane sense of hearing and was grateful that she decided to give them the privacy. If the rolls were reversed, he probably wouldn¡¯t have been too curious to restrain himself.

    Aylah notice them coming and stopped her silencing act. She got up and readied herself. Diago walked up to her and they both turned to Sulien. He looked them over, alternating between Aylah and Diago and then said, ¡°listen, I do not like this at all, but I can¡¯t stop the fact that you both were put on this task. Come back here when you are finished at the race tents. I don¡¯t like that you are doing this by yourselves, but at least you have each other, so watch each other¡¯s backs.

    ¡°We will¡± said Aylah, though she cast a sideways glance and Diago, which he admitted was probably called for.

    ¡°Now go, I don¡¯t want you back late!¡±

    They left after that. What none of them knew however, that Diago and Aylah weren¡¯t going to be making it back that night. In fact, that was the last time they would be seeing Sulien for quite some time.

    One of the last things Sulien thought as they were parting was how much he cared for Diago and how he wished that they would have more than just him and Aylah on this mission together.

    <hr>

    Around a gruff looking man, who was standing alone in the forest in the early morning, fireflies lit up everywhere in response to the sudden change in temperature. It was suddenly growing very warm. While the warmth may have been a pleasant temperature, it still set the man on edge. He wasn¡¯t very old, but he had enough years behind him to make him cautious. All of the sudden a mist bellowed from the ground and swirled until it formed the shape of a woman. The man was too stunned to move. His hand drifted toward his knife slowly, but something inside him made him stop.

    That¡¯s when it spoke. It¡¯s words were chilling and warming at the same time and filled his mind and heart. It was as if his entire existence hinged on the words it was said.

    ¡°Thatch¡­there is something you must do¡±

 Chapter 11

    ¡°Ugh, it smells horrible¡± said Aylah again as they were walking down the road. She kept saying that and it was getting annoying.

    Diago would have defended himself, if his mouth was not so full of raaglin fruit. It was a relatively common fruit to find in the forests of Tunaan. Wild raaglin fruit was very nutritious, but many have said that it¡¯s strong flavor and smell was not worth the reward of the nutrients. However, that¡¯s not the case for everyone. It was one of those divisive things, either you loved it for its juicy strong flavor, or you hated it for the exact same reason. For the most part, it tastes like a mixture of raspberry, lemon, and ginger, but to a strong degree. This is not how it smells though. It was a deceptive little bugger of a fruit, because if it smelled rotten, than it was ripe. If the fruit smelled ripe, than it was either not ready yet, or it was rotten. Most people could not get over the smell as they ate the fruit and thus their sense of taste was thrown off. Diago was not one of those people. Sure he could smell it, but the way it tasted was unmatched in his eyes¡­or mouth I guess. Aylah strongly disagreed. She had refused it, but Diago convinced her to try anyway. She did, but her sense of smell was too strong and to her, it tasted horrible. She spat it out immediately. Needless to say, this did not do much to build trust in Diago.

    ¡°How much farther to the tents?¡± asked an irritable Aylah

    Diago had only just finished swallowing, ¡°you mean you don¡¯t know?¡±

    Aylah rolled her eyes (which seemed to becoming habitual since meeting Diago), ¡°I don¡¯t live here sunburn, of course I don¡¯t know¡±

    ¡°Huh, I just kind of assumed..with the whole seeing everything thing¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t see everything. I just can see at long distances. So if something is covered¡­¡± they way she trailed off was clearly designed to be answered by the one being spoken too. However, no answer came. Instead Diago pretended like he hadn¡¯t been listening

    ¡°Huh? Oh sorry, I got board after ¡®I can¡¯t see¡¯¡±

    With the snide remarks and the horrible smells, Aylah was walking the razor¡¯s edge of sanity. She decided it was better to keep a level head, but man was he making her unbalanced. Either she was on the side of ¡°don¡¯t talk at all. It¡¯s safer that way¡± or she was on the side of ¡°if I hide the body in the woods, the animals will probably eat him before anybody can find him¡±.

    This had been their general mood as they were walking the road toward the Jynx race tents. They were walking along the edge of one of the forests. Diago mentioned that, beyond this forest, it was a straight shot to their destination. The site was marked by a particularly small spire that was blocked from view by the trees. The journey to get there wasn¡¯t a terribly long one. One could make it there and back on foot in a single day. However, if someone were to go by foot they wouldn¡¯t be able to spend a lot of time at the races, which is why most people preferred to get there by-

    ¡°OUT OF THE WAY!¡±

    ¡°GET OFF THE ROAD¡±

    Two men riding Talards passed by, going on a full sprint. The Talard was another one of the unique animals in Tunaan. It has three pairs of legs, two very powerful ones toward the back for momentum and four in the front meant for control and stability. At the ends of each of it¡¯s strong legs are two claws that faced forward only. Talard¡¯s were excellent at running forward, but were incredibly clumsy and awkward when moving backwards. It has four ears, two sets are near the lower middle part of it¡¯s jaw and two slightly bigger ones above that. It has a pelt of short fur everywhere save for one long goatee under its chin and one tuft at the end of its tail. Talards are a lot like horses, but they are much bigger and stronger and faster. However, they are not nearly as difficult to break. Unlike many of the animals in Tunaan, if you find a wild Talard, approaching and befriending it would be both safe and relatively effortless. Thus they are used much more than horses in Tunaan.

    This is what Diago was explaining to Aylah as they continued on the road. She was not startled by the approach of the animals, having heard their coming long before they reached them, but she was curious about the animal and hazarded a question to her irritating companion. Diago actually chose to explain this time instead of making some sort of joke. He also explained that the two that passed by were likely being ridden by either racers or betters that were pretty late leaving to get to the tents. That¡¯s most likely why they were in such a hurry. Aylah listened and had a few more questions about jynx and the races and why it seemed like such a big deal, but her questions were cut short as they walked around a bend. In front of them was a wide expanse of rough looking plane, interrupted by two landmarks: a deep cavernous depression in the land that laced its way through the landscape and a small red spire (small, meaning only about one hundred and fifty feet high).

    They continued toward the spire. They came within a couple hundred yards of it when more Talards came racing up toward them. However, this time, the group slowed as they came closer, mostly because Diago waved them down.

    ¡°What do you want boy?¡± Asked a gruff man at the head of the group. In all it looked to be about six or seven of them, all looking like they were anxious to complete their journey. That is, all but the front runner. He was clearly different from the rest. Not only did he carry himself like he expected to be obeyed, but he looked like he should be. He wasn¡¯t a native of Tunaan, but, like many of the dry country¡¯s immigrants, he had the skin tone of someone who had been there for many years. Taller than most, shorter than some. Muscular and capable looking. He was also carrying a rather large looking sword. He was ornately dressed, at least in comparison to his compatriots. Aylah was uncertain about them, but she let Diago take the lead on this one.

    ¡°One may reach for a rope¡± said Diago

    ¡°And pray its not a snake¡± replied the man, then he continued ¡°position?¡±

    This was clearly some kind of coded exchange judging by the way things were spoken, but the man¡¯s reply looked to give Diago pause, like that wasn¡¯t part of the normal way of things. Aylah eyed Diago in the moments before he replied, he was clearly planning to fake something or lie, though she supposed not everyone would be preceptive enough to realize that.

    ¡°Stand in¡± Diago finally said.

    The man lit up as he said this and said ¡°well, if that is the case, allow me to bring you down myself¡± the look on his face made Aylah nervous, but all Diago could see was a way to get in and thus took the offer immediately. Judging by the look of their new friends, Aylah was glad that she¡¯s put her long sleeve linen shirt on to hide her markings. All but the face, but she figured that those markings were subtle enough to go relatively unnoticed, especially if she wore her hair down. She leaned over to Diago,

    ¡°I hope you know what you are doing, sunburn¡± she whispered

    ¡°Relax tantoos. This is a way in, count your blessings¡± Diago whispered back confidently, before the two of them were taken up on two different Talards.

    They approached the canyon¡¯s edge and as they did, more of it could be seen. The canyon itself was not terribly wide, being an average of roughly one hundred feet across. What was unique to it was it¡¯s depth. There didn¡¯t seem to be a bottom. The sun was almost directly above them by now and still it would not illuminate the full depth of the canyon.

    They came to a trail that descended downward along the side of the sheer drop into unknowable depths. To Diago, this was all as it always had been, but to Aylah the sight was something quite new. About ten feet below the canyon edge there was a net that spread across its expanse and for an unseeable length. As they continued on the trail, that was clearly chiseled out of the canyon side, they came to the level of the net. At that level there was a doorway that was guarded, but not by Honor Guards. On instinct, Aylah took stock of her weaponry, as well Diago¡¯s. She had her bow, but it was currently collapsed, though she still had a quiver full of arrows. She had her knife on her as well, concealed in her boot. Diago had his Kurigan, which currently had a knife attached to the end of it. She was glad that at least Diago had the sense enough to have an actual weapon on him.

    They came up to the guards, but instead of being stopped, as she expected they would be, the guards quickly moved to the door and opened it for the group. Diago made a face of confusion.

    That¡¯s when Aylah heard Diago whisper, ¡°hey, if I whisper this low can you hear me?¡±

    To Aylah, he was loud and clear, but by the way the other riders responded, which was not at all, she guessed that it was too low for them. She looked over at him and nodded, thankful and happily surprised that Diago had the sense enough to at least communicate what was going on on.

    ¡°Ha, that means you can¡¯t reply. So much opportunity¡±

    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    She took the mental compliment back immediately. However, Diago decided not to abuse the situation at present, though she suspected he would try in the future.

    ¡°It¡¯s unusual that we would be let through that quickly. That could be either really good for us, or really bad¡±

    She looked at him with a questioning stare.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know which, but I¡¯ll let you know when I do¡±

    They passed through the door and found themselves in a large, boxy, man made cave. The cave was full of shady looking people gathered around various booths. The booths were clearly set up as areas to place bets, given the amount of coins that were passing between people there. Aylah figured that these must be the ¡°tents¡± people kept mentioning. At the mouth of the cave there was a wooden platform that jutted out about thirty feet into the canyon proper. It¡¯s width was quite considerable, looking to be about a half mile. On this platform were several large awnings and more tents and underneath those were more booths. Some of these booths looked like they were places where bets were made, others looked like they were where drinks were served. Closer to the edge of the platform, there was only long benches with lots of people on them.

    As they continued onward through the cave, it was clear that the party they were accepted into must be very important. Every vendor, gambler, and general passers by, at one point or other, looked toward the group they were attending and made a face of either fear or awe. Diago noticed as well and decided that he really needed to figure out what was going on. He ventured to ask the man he was riding the talard with whose group they were a part of.

    ¡°Saarsken¡± the man seemed to think that the one word reply was enough.

    To Aylah it meant nothing, but it was clear from the look on Diago¡¯s face that it was not okay.

    ¡°Really bad¡± Diago whispered, and began nervously twiddling the ring on his finger.

    Aylah threw a questioning glance at him, but Diago didn¡¯t seem to notice. The nerves of both built as they passed through the cave unhindered and onward to another opening at the far side. This opening was much grander than the other one, being made of hand carved wood with a gold and blue filigree. Again, they passed through without question. On the other side was another trail, but this one ascended upward toward the spire. The continued on this trail until they were actually elevated above the ground by about fifty feet. From here, one would be able to see a great portion of the canyon below. That¡¯s when they reached yet another platform. This one was not as big, but it was better built and much fancier. The awning was died various colors and there were chairs of fine workmanship, rather than poorly made benches. There were servers clearly in wait for the group, as well a man sitting in the corner with a chalice in hand who seemed quite lost in thought. When the whole party entered the room, the man did a double take and stiffened. He swigged the last of his drink and sat upright at full attention.

    Then the voice everyone seemed to be waiting to hear from spoke up, ¡°Sit those two over there¡± said the man Aylah assumed to be this so called Saarsken person.

    Two servers immediately helped move them off their respective talards and into chairs placed beside another chair that looked much more like a small throne. They sat there and watched as Saarsken dismounted and servers tended to both him and his steed. Aylah watched curiously, while Diago watched nervously. After he had removed a pair of riding gloves and taken a cup from a tray placed in front of him the moment he dismounted, the imposing figure spoke,

    ¡°They say that this was once the tallest spire in all of Tunaan¡± Saarsken began, ¡°legend tells of it¡¯s greatness being too much for the land to hold. The land gave way under it¡¯s weight and opened a deep canyon, big enough to engulf the entirety of the spire. Well, almost it¡¯s entirety.¡±

    The man paused to sip his drink. No one moved. He then looked Diago over and said,

    ¡°Mostly, people use the story as a moral lesson. ¡®Don¡¯t become to big and proud that the ground can no longer hold you, because if it can¡¯t everything will come crashing down¡¯. I have also heard it said this way, ¡®do not lie, as lies tend to breed more lies and one day the spire will be too big for the ground to hold it¡¯ and so on¡±

    At this, Diago and Aylah shot each other a nervous look.

    Saarsken continued, ¡°Now, its true that lies build up and become problematic, but I have also found that one bad lie said at the wrong time or to the wrong person can be enough to have your whole world come crashing down¡±

    At this point Diago was pretty sure they were going to die. Aylah was aware of the danger as well, but no one wanted to even breath. Saarsken continued to eye the two of them. Then he continued.

    ¡°No use beating around the bush. You don¡¯t look like a stand in¡±

    ¡°I-¡± Diago began, but was silenced by a raised hand.

    Saarsken shook his head, ¡°it is better for you if you don¡¯t speak¡±

    After that he looked over to the man in the corner and motioned him to come near. The man rose slowly and walked closer. He looked to be in his mid thirties. He wasn¡¯t terribly tall, but he had a muscular physique that made him look taller. He had quite the unkempt look to him, having a scruffy face and also a bushy mustache. The expression on his mustachioed face was quite blank the whole time he had been walking up to the group. Blank until the very last when his expression shifted almost unnoticeably, from nothing to¡­was that concern? Nervousness? Curiosity? All of the above? It was hard to tell, especially because the expression lasted no longer than the blink of an eye.

    He settled himself next to Saarsken, who looked at him with something that looked almost victorious.

    ¡°My slave here is a weaver¡­Your expressions are gratifying, yes he possess a rare gift. Nothing like the great weavers of old, but then again, no living weavers are quite like they used to be. It is a shame. Anyway, you see, my slave also grew too big and his whole world broke because of it, isn¡¯t that right?¡±

    The last of this sentence was directed at the man. In his eyes there flashed a look of utmost hatred, but otherwise he remained completely still. Saarsken must have noticed the look, but instead of punishing it, he laughed.

    ¡°Oh, I am sure he would love to kill me if he could, but alas he knows better. Ahh I have strayed too far from the point. My slave is not the most powerful of weavers, but with his skill, he doesn¡¯t need to be. He can sense the threads of consciousness and interpret them. In other words, he is a mind weaver¡±

    This situation was bad enough already without this bombshell. With it, the situation went from bad to doomed.

    ¡°Now, he is going to confirm a suspicion of mine. You!¡± Said Saarsken with force to Diago, who started on instinct ¡°tell my man here what you told me¡±

    The man stared at Diago, still stony as ever. Diago knew he had no choice, but that didn¡¯t stop him from trying to think of anything that could get him out of this. Aylah on the other hand was trying not to think at all and praying that Diago was doing the same, as they were sitting in front of a mind reader. In the few seconds that passed before Diago spoke, many thoughts passed through Diago¡¯s head, but the last one was ¡®guess my luck took the day off¡¯. Finally, Diago sighed and spoke,

    ¡°I am a jynx rider stand in¡±

    The expectation was for there to be an instantaneous response of ¡®he is lying!¡¯ and for swords to fly and limbs to be lost. Instead, there was a silence. The weaver looked blank, but his eyes went from looking in the distance to looking directly into Diago¡¯s. Diago felt his gaze differently than he had any other¡¯s. There was something a little invasive about it, not like that usual ¡®eyes are windows to the soul¡¯ stuff, but different¡­like his gaze took a detour on there way to his soul and were perusing in various other places (specifically, in his head).

    The feeling was quite unique, it felt like there thin wire threading its way through his mind and it kind of hurt. Diago was stubborn enough to resist the urge to recoil at the feeling. Then something happened, Diago¡¯s own mind shifted toward the man, but not of his own accord. His feeling of fear of the mind weaver became one of almost trust, but a very reluctant one. The shift was quite sudden, like someone closed the book of his head and opened a different one entirely. Then it became clearer that what he was feeling were not HIS thoughts of the man, but the MAN¡¯s thoughts of Diago. The feelings of trust ebbed and flowed, turning from hopefulness to doubting, from trust to fear, and so on. Ever so faintly, after a moment had passed and the man¡¯s thoughts came to a place of resolution, Diago then heard a voice whisper in his head,

    ¡°You better not disappoint¡±

    Then out loud, the man said, ¡°he is telling the truth¡±

    Diago was stunned. Aylah was confused. The weaver was still. The servants were frozen in suspense. Saarsken flashed in anger and confusion and spoke after the weaver¡¯s proclamation had properly set in,

    ¡°I am rarely ever wrong about these things¡­You better not be toying with me¡± he said to the weaver, ¡°you know what happens if you do not obey me¡±

    ¡°I know very well¡± Said the weaver coldly looking directly into Saarsken¡¯s eyes

    Saarsken seemed to relent, having shared a conflict of gazes for a moment with his man, ¡°very well, I suppose I was wrong about you¡± he said to Diago and Aylah, after waving his weaver away in dismissal.

    ¡°It¡¯s quite alright, it happens to us all from time to time¡± Diago said condescendingly

    Aylah was burning on the inside wishing to high heaven that Diago would stop pressing his luck. Saarsken eyes flashed threateningly, but he didn¡¯t agitate the issue any further. Instead, he moved on to another topic,

    ¡°Well then, my young brash stand in, did you come today to watch or to ride?¡±

    This time it was Aylah who spoke, seeing a way to possibly turn a risky situation into a good payout, ¡°Actually we came looking for a friend of ours¡±

    ¡°Oh? And who might that be?¡±

    ¡°We are looking for Trig¡± said Diago

    ¡°Is that so¡± Said Saarsken with an arched eyebrow, ¡°you and many others¡­He was here yesterday morning. Didn¡¯t talk to many people, but left in quite a hurry. He was followed by some men. The men came back, but Trig didn¡¯t. I was told where he was last seen¡±

    Aylah and Diago exchanged glances, Aylah then spoke ¡°would you tell us where that was? It is quite urgent¡±

    Saarsken¡¯s posture shifted curiously, ¡°is it now? How coincidental. You see, I also have a rather pressing need. I see we can be of service to one another¡± the smile that twisted on his face, reeked of opportunism. ¡°One of my riders has regrettably been discharged from my service. It was his own fault for loosing so often. Ahh well¡­ that leaves me with an empty saddle and a race in less than an hour. Here¡¯s what I propose. You ride for me, make a good show of it, and I will personally help you find Trig¡±

    Even the servants sat open mouthed at the proposal, and they weren¡¯t even the ones offered the position. Aylah was trying to keep an air of cool that would continue to prove their story. It was easier for her to do so in light of the fact that she had very little understanding of jynx races. Diago on the other hand was well aware and was currently in a mental fit over it all. Saarsken seemed quite smug,

    ¡°This way I will know for certain that you are who you say you are. Otherwise, you will die and I won¡¯t have to worry over punishing you¡±

    No one spoke. Then Aylah nudged Diago, who then coughed, ¡°Of co-¡± his voice broke so he decided to start again ¡°of course I will ride for you, my liege¡±.

    ¡°Very good¡± Saarsken smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll have some of my men escort you to your mount. How very fortunate that we met today¡±

    Yeah, fortunate. Diago was really hating his luck right now.

 Chapter 12

    Aylah and Diago were separated. Aylah was kept close to Saarsken as insurance, just in case Diago felt like he wanted to run off. Diago was concerned for her at first, but he then figured she would likely be able to fend for herself if the worst happened. Diago had other things to worry about anyway. He was currently being escorted by talard to the jynx stalls, where he would meet his mount and ready himself for the race. With him were a few armed guards and along with them was the mind weaver.

    He had mixed feelings about the man, but the overwhelming emotion was that of gratitude. The man was currently riding beside him with one guard upfront and the other trailing behind. Diago wished to say something to the man, but knew that it would be too risky to mention anything at present.

    He couldn¡¯t help remembering the phrase the man spoke into his mind: ¡°you better not disappoint¡±

    What did it mean? What would this absolute stranger expect of him? That he would win? It was hard to tell what he¡¯d want from Diago. He hoped there would come a time when he could ask some questions or at least talk.

    That time came sooner than he¡¯d expected it would.

    When they reached the stalls, the two unnamed guards posted themselves by the door and left Diago and the weaver to themselves. When they entered the the stall marked for the jynx Diago was to ride, the man wordlessly approached a wall of riding instruments. Diago, on the other hand, was immediately struck with the animal that was behind the stall¡¯s barrier. As mentioned before, jynx are not incredibly large creatures, but this one was smal, even by the normal standard. Currently, it was pacing to and fro in it¡¯s sectioned off area, looking fidgety and ready to run. As Diago approached, the animal noticed him and froze. It stalked up to him and looked into his eyes. Diago looked into the Jynx eyes and they held that for a moment.

    ¡°Interesting¡±

    Diago shook himself loose of the stare of the animal to look at the man who spoke. The weaver was apparently watching the short interaction while cradling a saddle in his arms. He then went to the stall and opened the door that was keeping the jynx out. It immediately jumped into the room and rushed toward Diago. Diago was startled, but knew he was going to have to deal with this creature one way or another, so he stood his ground. The jynx came close and stood on its hind legs, arched it¡¯s back and then unfurled its wing-like limbs and flapped them toward Diago a few times. Then in returned to standing on fours and folding in its webbed limbs. Then it¡¯s whole demeanor changed to one far more playful and it circled around behind Diago and sat down, tail still twitching.

    ¡°Have you dealt with jynx before?¡±

    The man asked, while leaning against the stall. Diago wasn¡¯t sure what to feel about what just happened, but he at least knew how to answer

    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t¡±

    The man made a face of curiosity and then grunted, ¡°she likes you¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t made my mind up about her yet¡± Diago said, though he ventured to pet the creature¡¯s head. He did and the response was a high pitched wheeze, that seemed to be a good thing, based on the fact that it hadn¡¯t bit his arm off yet.

    For the first time, the man let out a laugh, ¡°that is probably why she didn¡¯t try to eat you¡±

    Diago tilted his head in questioningly. The weaver continued,

    ¡°Jynx are very sensitive creatures. You don¡¯t seem to be afraid of her at all.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    Cautious, but not afraid. Jynx respect a certain level of confidence¡±

    Diago nodded having received the information. The jynx snuggled her head against Diago¡¯s side. Diago responded by continuing to pet her head. There was a short silence. Diago was unsure how to broach¡­well any topic right now. Thankfully he wasn¡¯t the one who started.

    The man¡¯s shoulders slumped as he began talking, ¡°look kid, this is going to sound crazy, but I need you to trust me¡±

    Diago paused, then said ¡°Well, not ratting me out was a good place to start If you want my trust¡­Thanks for that by the way¡±

    The man only nodded as his reply to the thanks, but he continued, ¡°there¡¯s more¡­ a lot more. We have to work together if we are all going to survive this¡±

    ¡°Work together?¡± Diago scoffed, ¡°You aren¡¯t the one who has to ride this big old-¡±

    A perturbed warning hiss came from the head of the jynx behind Diago.

    ¡°This¡­beautiful and majestic creature¡±

    The jynx emitted that same contented wheeze as before and looked quite satisfied with herself.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mean the race¡± said the man

    ¡°Then what do you mean?¡±

    The man shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t want to get into it until after the race is over, but¡­don¡¯t go anywhere without me¡­Promise¡±

    The man¡¯s tone of voice was hard to interpret. He looked caught up in a lot of emotions regarding that last statement. He was definitely urgent though. Diago wasn¡¯t one to break his word, so a promise was no small thing to him. He thought for a moment. He came to the conclusion that this guy was likely his best chance of getting Aylah and himself out of here.

    It was a big risk, but what choice did he have?

    ¡°I promise¡±

    The man visible relaxed when Diago replied, ¡°thank you¡­ I¡¯m sorry for all of this. I can¡¯t imagine what you must be thinking¡±

    What a strange situation. Who was this guy? Why does he care so much about coming with-? wait,

    ¡°You can¡¯t imagine what I¡¯m thinking?¡±

    The man looked up and shook his head, ¡°no. Mind weaving is not as simple as people think it is. It¡¯s not something you can just do¡± He said as he traded places with Diago and started strapping the saddle on the jynx.

    ¡°But-¡­you.. just do it¡±

    The man¡¯s cold, blank stare from before returned, but this time it looked quite exasperated, ¡°It takes time to make it work and it¡¯s not always accurate¡± Diago chuckled a little, ¡°Better hope Saarsken doesn¡¯t hear that¡±

    The man¡¯s expression changed to a poignant expectancy, ¡°if today goes as promised, then he never will¡±

    Diago look confused, ¡°what do you mean?¡±

    The man, still fitting the jynx up with it¡¯s saddle, shook his head, ¡°there is not enough time to explain it all, the race will start soon. All you need to know right now, is that I need to come with you. Oh, and that under no circumstances should you trust Saarsken. He is not as forgiving as he makes himself seem. If you don¡¯t win this race for him¡­¡±

    Diago was already fearing that as a possibility, but hearing it confirmed by someone made it that much worse. Win the race, or die¡­.great.

    Before the man could say any more, a horn blew throughout the stalls. The jynx stood up fast and rushed toward a door on the opposite side of the one they came in from. Apparently, this, while being a stall, was also a waiting room of sorts. When the door in front of the jynx opened, it opened to what looked like a tunnel that led, presumably, to the starting line of the race. The jynx looked back at Diago and then looked at the saddle and grunted excitedly. What a clever animal. The weaver noticed this and shot a curious glance from the jynx to Diago, but whatever he was thinking he clearly decided it was not important at the moment. Diago rushed over and mounted the jynx. The man followed, finishing slapping the saddle down. While doing this he said,

    ¡°One more thing I¡¯m supposed to tell you. It¡¯s you that needs to cross the finish line¡±

    The man said that like it was supposed to be profound, but Diago just stared at him for a second before sarcastically saying,

    ¡°Any other magically obvious words of wisdom?¡±

    The man smirked, ¡°Yeah, use your hook¡±

    Diago looked down at his kurigan and saw that the knife was still attached. He looked back to the man who nodded, indicating that it was a good idea for some reason.

    ¡°Ooookay¡± said Diago. At that point the jynx began moving forward, but Diago stopped it ¡°wait!¡±

    The man turned to him. Diago had a feeling. This moment, when this man¡¯s path and his converged, was important somehow. He wanted to know more, but he knew there wasn¡¯t time right now¡­ so instead he settled for an introduction

    ¡°My name is Diago. Nice to meet you¡±

    Diago extended his hand, the man seemed a little surprised by the introduction, but then he smiled a little and took Diago¡¯s hand. ¡°Nice to meet you Diago. My name is Thatch¡±

 Chapter 13

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I cannot provide a better view of the race my dear, but it is the best you will find¡±

    Aylah really hated the sound of this guys voice. They way he spoke was best described as slimy. Saarsken was the very essence of ¡°don¡¯t trust this guy¡±. However, she smiled anyway. She only played along for Diago¡¯s sake, as she was sure that this guy would likely turn on them the very second he caught wind of any treachery.

    ¡°Where does the race start?¡± She asked respectfully

    Saarsken replied with a smile and a gesture of his hand as he said, ¡°It begins down there beyond that bend and finishes just past the spire. This is the only place in the whole canyon where you can see almost the entire course. Those below must settle for only the latter half of the race¡±

    She examined the canyon. Diago had explained about the animals that were going to be ridden in the race. Aylah thought that even with the jynx superior ability to climb, there wasn¡¯t much ¡°track¡± to this racetrack. She assumed it would make sense when the race started.

    At the thought of Diago, her mind¡¯s eye rolled itself when she thought of the predicament that they were currently in. She thought that this whole situation could have been avoided somehow¡­she didn¡¯t know exactly how, but she was still sure of it. Now, her only companion to her quest was in some serious trouble. The kind of trouble that he may not be able to walk away from.

    ¡°This better not be a normal thing with him¡± Aylah thought to herself, ¡°otherwise neither of us are gonna make it through all this¡±

    <hr>

    Thatch had only a little time to think of a plan. He knew the general idea from what the misty woman told him, but nothing terribly specific.

    ¡°Just wonderful¡± he thought to himself.

    He couldn¡¯t say anything out loud because he was being escorted by the very same guards that took him and Diago to the stalls.

    He couldn¡¯t believe that this kid was his way out. He seemed young, brash, and stubborn. He also seemed like a good kid too¡­ Ah well, no turning back now. Thatch shook himself. Now was not the time to be ruminating on that, he needed a plan and he had an idea. He just hoped and prayed to the Great One that the girl that was with Diago knew how to throw a good punch.

    They made their way to Saarsken¡¯s platform. They opened the door and stepped in. Thatch got to work as soon as he could. He concentrated on Aylah, who merely glanced at him with an expression of curiosity before turning away. Makes sense. She would also know that Thatch lied to protect Diago, he would be curious too if the same thing happened to him.

    However, that¡¯s not what Thatch was concentrating on. He was concentrating so that he could see her threads of thought. It was not always easy. Everyone thinks differently. Some prefer images, others words. Some people over think, some don¡¯t seem to think at all. Thus making every mind a different challenge.

    Mind weaving was incredibly difficult. There have been very few mind weavers in history, but some say that once it is perfected, the weaver can weave a person¡¯s perceptions and even make them see and do things.

    This would take years of learning and practice, however. Right now, the skills that Thatch had, more than suited his purposes. Finally, he saw it, Aylah¡¯s thread of thought. Or threads, as it were. He used to have to do all sorts of ridiculous motions and gestures to weave his and another¡¯s mind together, but thankfully he had enough skill to do this without such ceremony.

    The invisible thread of his mind reached out to Aylah¡¯s and began to weave it¡¯s way through hers. The difficulty here was that the mind¡¯s threads are not stagnant, they flow and shift and change. So, if you mistakenly tried to latch onto a passing thought or an abstract idea or concept, you would lose the thread. Knowing which were the right threads to weave together without having the target¡¯s mind go all screwy, was the most difficult element of mind weaving. Doing it wrong can have strange consequences, like breaking the threads and having the target lose their mind entirely.

    Thankfully, Thatch had not had that happen in a very long time. He continued working for a few moments until he had found what he believed were the right threads and began to weave them with his own. This mental interaction lasted mere seconds, but it felt longer to Thatch because of the delicacy with which he had to work. Finally, he was about to establish contact when a loud horn rang throughout the canyon. It startled Aylah and shook her thoughts. Thatch slouched, frustrated, as he watched his work completely collapse. He had to start all over.

    Oh the joys of mind weaving¡­hopefully this didn¡¯t happen as the race went on, it was about to start and he really needed to work out a plan before it ended.

    <hr>

    The Jynx beneath Diago ran its way through a tunnel. It turned through a number of corridors until finally they reached an opening that was closed off by a wooden gate. Another horn sounded. Diago knew it to be the call for riders to get ready.

    Diago was nervous and scared when he first heard he was going to race, but now that he was faced with it, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a little giddy with this situation. His regular kick was testing himself anyway, why should his enjoyment stop, just because now it someone else testing him. He was grinning, ready to get going. It seems he and his mount were on the same page. The jynx was shaking all over, its fast twitch muscles seemed to be in overdrive. It was ready to run.

    Diago leaned forward and pet the jynx on the neck. As he did the jynx turned back to him and made that same wheezing sound it was making before. They waited until the three blasts of the horn that marked the beginning of the race.

    After but a moment, two short blasts sounded and one long one. As soon as the last blast finished, the gates flew open.

    The race had begun.

    <hr>

    Out they flew, by the dozens. Jynx after jynx jumped through their respective tunnels and out into the canyon expanse. As Diago jumped from his tunnel the jynx He was riding unfurled it¡¯s two longer sets of arms with the webbing that connected to it¡¯s torso. They flew toward the side of the canyon. Mid air, Diago heard a loud scream coming from his left. He looked over to see one jynx grapple with another mid air, it¡¯s rider having been thrown off into the canyon depths below. Just behind them, another rider fell, but he made no sounds as he was already lifeless with a very short javelin sticking out of him.

    Diago knew this was what the race was like, but being in the race was definitely a different experience than watching. He tracked the fall of the man who had been struck with the javelin.

    It was good that he looked back, because as he did he saw another javelin heading straight for him. In a flash of movement, Diago tilted to the side, causing the javelin to miss by inches. This tilting motion caused his jynx to divert her course and she got scraped up by one of the gnarly desert trees that grew out of the sides of the canyon walls.

    ¡°Sorry!¡± Diago shouted to the jynx

    The jynx, while thrown off balance, was clearly quite agile and made her way to the cliff side. She folded her longer arms as she gripped the wall with her claws and began running along the side. She was almost horizontal, making it incredibly difficult for Diago to stay on. He was off balance.

    Apparently, one of the other riders saw Diago¡¯s predicament and tired to take advantage. A jynx swerved it¡¯s glide to come nearer to Diago. Diago happened to look up at the right moment. Out of sheer instinct, he grabbed at the kurigan on his waist.

    There are plenty of techniques one must learn if they are going to use a kurigan effectively. Some offensive moves require very specific whipping motions designed to propel the weapon at the end of the cord various distances and with varying degrees of power. The technique Diago was about to use was the ¡®holy great one, I''m about to die, for the love of all that is good in Tunaan, I hope this works¡¯ method.

    He grabbed hold of the hook that he had recently attached to the end of the cord and threw in the general direction of the other rider¡¯s saddle. He did this before his foe had the chance to reach for a javelin. The hook at the end of the kurigan, by sheer dumb luck, managed to catch on the rider¡¯s shirt. Just as it did, Diago¡¯s jynx ducked underneath a canyon tree. The cord of the kurigan snagged on one of the branches and pulled tight. As you can imagine, there was a lot of yelling after this. The rider was yanked off of his mount and furiously pulled toward the tree that was now behind Diago. The man met the tree with some force and as he did, the hook went slack. Diago pulled the hook back to himself and found a shirt connected to the end. He looked back to see a very disgruntled, shirtless, man hanging from the canyon tree. Diago couldn¡¯t help but laugh a little as he threw the shirt into the canyon depths.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Diago¡¯s jynx ran up the side of the canyon, coming near the net that roofed the canyon, before thrusting herself forward and jumping into open air and spreading her webbed arms once more. Now that he was upright, Diago was far more comfortable and was able to take a view of the race.

    This area they were in is called the kill zone. The rough one hundred, or more, yards right after the tunnels. The track takes a bend after this, leading to a bottle neck in the canyon, those who make it through are soon after thrust into the long straight. It¡¯s not very well named, as the canyon still curves and shifts. The idea remains, however, that after the bottle neck, it¡¯s a relatively direct shot to the finish line. Diago was currently about halfway through the kill zone. Though his circumstances at first seemed wildly dangerous and unfortunate, he now saw it as a blessing. He had been thrown off course, yes, but now he was able to fly above the mayhem down below.

    Jynx tussled on the canyon wall. They grappled in the air, loosing altitude rapidly, until they parted for having gone so deep into the canyon. Riders threw javelins blindly into the masses. It looked more like a brawl than a race.

    ¡°As thrilling as that looks, let¡¯s make a break for the long straight¡± Said Diago to his ride

    The jynx wheezed below him and leaned back a little, gaining some altitude, before folding its limbs into a dive. They shot down, gaining speed. Diago loved the feeling. Something about the wind in his face made him feel absolutely alive. It always did. Without needing much warning or prompting, it seemed the jynx and Diago both agreed that the speed they had was enough. Almost simultaneously, Diago pulled up and the jynx spread its webbed arms and they shot straight for the bottle neck at a startling speed. They were now only a few feet above the brawling crowd.

    A few riders saw them and disengaged from their respective tussles so that they could catch up to Diago, but they did not have the speed advantage in the least.

    Some threw javelins, but it was a waste of ammo, as they ever came close. One javelin was thrown at them from a rider in front of Diago who saw him approaching and knew he was going to quickly shoot past him. The javelin came close, but it sailed just over Diago¡¯s head as he ducked. Diago looked back as the javelin sailed past him. As he did he caught sight of another rider. It seemed only one other person had been able to pull of a similar stunt as Diago.

    Trailing not far behind, at almost the same speed, was a familiar face. He remembered it from Hult¡¯s place.

    Diago rolled his eyes, ¡°great¡±

    It was Wrayden.

    <hr>

    Aylah could tell that the weaver was looking at her.

    She wasn¡¯t quite sure what to think about him. She was thankful that he had not divulged anything to Saarsken, but from what she could tell of the rest of this town, he was probably working an angle and now both she and Diago owed him. She supposed that it was probably better to be in debt to him than at war Saarsken, but she still didn¡¯t love the idea.

    Suddenly, a faint voice could be heard in her head.

    ¡°Finally¡±

    Aylah shot into high alert, trying everything she could to rid her mind of this foreign presence.

    ¡°Nice to meet you too¡±, he sounded quite exasperated

    Aylah was still trying to force him out¡­but she actually had no idea how to. She was about to try to do something physical, rather than mental, when the voice said the last thing she expected it would.

    ¡°Ariochmar¡±

    Aylah froze. Her mind was racing. She didn¡¯t understand. How was this possible? Her mind jumped to a million different things. She thought about the short series of circumstances connected to this man. It wasn¡¯t much to go off of. Finally, she had no choice but to conclude¡­for some reason, this man was also called by a fade.

    ¡°Sorry to barge in unannounced, but this is vitally important¡±

    Aylah still didn¡¯t trust the man¡­but she trusted the fades, so she decided to stop any efforts to get this guy out of her head.

    ¡°Thank you, I almost lost the connection¡± came the voice in her head

    Aylah wasn¡¯t sure how to respond.. I mean that literally. She¡¯d never had a mental conversation before, so the idea was quite foreign.

    ¡°First things first. My name is Thatch. And you are?¡±

    Aylah gave an ever so subtle shrug of her shoulders. Thatch seemed to understand, as his next words were,

    ¡°If you think your response, I can hear you¡±

    ¡°Hello?¡± Aylah thought

    ¡°There she is¡±

    ¡°Hello,¡± Aylah repeated, ¡°my name is Aylah¡±

    She hazarded a look over her shoulder. She saw Thatch nod and give a subtle smile.

    ¡°Nice to meet you¡± he said, ¡°these connections can be very difficult to manage so I will try to be quick. If you can, try to keep your thoughts steady, it makes things much easier¡±

    Aylah nodded

    ¡°Right, we need to get you and your boyfriend out of here¡±

    Aylah shot a thought back at him, ¡°not my boyfriend¡±

    Thatch paused, taking in the information, then said,

    ¡°Noted. Either way we need to get you out of here and quickly. You seem to have a pretty clear grasp on your circumstances based on some of your threads of thought, but to clarify. Saarsken believes that Diago will die in this race. After that, he plans to try wring any information out of you. If Diago wins, he might be a little more lenient, but honestly, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea to trust that¡±

    Aylah guessed that whatever deal Saarsken was making was empty, having it confirmed was good. She could plan better what to do with this information. She gave the shady man a side eye. Saarsken was pleasantly looking down the canyon awaiting the arrival of the racers. His eyes were keen on something he called the bottle neck.

    ¡°Alright then¡± Aylah began ¡°what are you thinking?¡±

    <hr>

    Diago ducked quickly and just in time too as right at that moment, Wrayden had thrown a small spear, instead of the usual javelins, with impressive precision. Diago managed to avoid it by laying flat down on his jynx, but it still managed to graze him. Diago could feel a slash from his mid back up to his right shoulder. It hurt, but the intensity of the moment made it possible for him to push the pain to the side.

    Wrayden was much closer than before. His jynx had been able to used various trees and cliffs to gain on Diago. It would land for a moment and propel itself forward by running along said cliffs, or jumping from said trees.

    Diago on the other hand had simply stayed his course. He still had speed, but he was slowing down little by little. Finally, he saw his target. At the end of his vision the canyon came to a narrow point where the two sides of the canyon met. The sides came together almost completely, with one exception. At the end of this narrow point was a sliver of empty space where it looked like just enough of an opening for a single jynx and rider to pass through.

    The bottle neck¡­this one was appropriately named.

    Diago continued on, and was getting ever closer. That is, until he felt a heavy object below his mount slam underneath them and rocked them off course.

    The world spun as Diago and his ride tried to correct themselves. When they finally did, they saw Wrayden and his mount also correcting themselves. Apparently he had managed to catch up. He had used his jynx to slam into Diago¡¯s. Thankfully, doing so also threw Wrayden off as well. Each respective rider and jynx hit into the wall of the canyon, righted themselves and latched onto the canyon walls. Now, both Diago and Wrayden and their mounts were running along the cliff side as it continually narrowed. They were both neck and neck and heading for the incredibly narrow pass at a rapid pace. Wrayden from below and Diago from above. The two eyed each other disdainfully as they approached the opening, neither willing to let the other through first.

    They were getting closer and closer. The narrow pass was now only a few yards away. Diago let out a yell as his mount jumped for the opening. Wrayden did the same at the same moment.

    In a flash of Movement, untraceable by either party, they colided in the air. Diago had the strong inclination to keep his stomach pressed against his saddle. The world was spinning yet again. Trying not to lift his head too much, he looked up and everything seemed to slow down.

    The entangled racers came to the bottle neck much faster than would be advisable. They narrowly passed through. They were so entangled and were compact enough to make it through the bottle neck, but only just and not without a cost. Diago earned himself yet another gash on his back from the jagged rock as he passed through. This injury was a lot harder to ignore than the wound from the spear. Thankfully, his jynx was unharmed.

    Wrayden didn¡¯t get harmed, but his jynx smacked its webbed arm against the narrow pass. The limb was still usable, but this was going to seriously slow it down.

    Naturally the two disengaged after they made it through. Once they were stable enough to do so, Diago urged his ride forward. Wrayden and Diago had a solid lead on just about everyone for the most part, but it was only a matter of time before others started pouring through that pass.

    Thankfully, with Wrayden¡¯s jynx so injured, this win was in the bag. Diago allowed a smile to creep onto his face.

    That¡¯s when things took a turn for the worst.

    <hr>

    The plan Aylah and Thatch had come up with was simple. Once Thatch discovered that Aylah was a very capable fighter, or at least believed her when she said she was, he began to explain what he needed from her.

    A mind fully conscious can be a hassle to mess with and if one knows how, one could keep a mind weaver out entirely. Saarsken had a knack for knowing when his mind was being meddled with and figured out that if, at the moment you feel someone messing around in your head, you shift your thoughts to something else entirely, the connection is almost assuredly bound to fall apart. Thus Thatch never had the chance much to get any information from him.

    An active mind is difficult, but an unconscious one was quite simple. Once unconscious the mind¡¯s threads slow down considerably and become much easier to weave.

    Thus the plan: Aylah would pick the right moment and would take a shot at Saarsken with the aim of knocking him out. At that moment she would have to spring at the other guards in the room while Thatch went to work on the unconscious head honcho. The goal would be to learn whatever information they could to find Trig. Though, Thatch had more that he was going to be looking for.

    They were in the middle of finalizing the plan when Diago made it through the bottle neck.

    The connection between Aylah and Thatch wavered considerably when that happened. At that moment, Aylah was entirely engaged in the race. Thatch was shocked as well. No doubt, he thought Diago would be near the back of the racers. Saarsken only leaned forward saying under his breath,

    ¡°A stand in indeed¡± he sounded impressed

    He then leaned toward Aylah and smirked. Aylah was about to make that the moment she went for the knock out blow, but that¡¯s when she saw an event that she would remember for the rest of her life.

    Diago had recovered faster than the other rider he came through the pass with and was making some good headway. That¡¯s when the other rider took out a small javelin and threw it at Diago.

    It hit it¡¯s target.

    Diago fell off of his jynx and down into the canyon below. That¡¯s when Aylah lost sight of him.

 Chapter 14

    The feeling of wind against his face was something Diago loved, it made him feel more alive. However, ¡°alive¡± was not the word Diago would have used at present. He wasn¡¯t dead by a long shot, but he definitely didn¡¯t feel like living either. He was pretty dazed at the moment. There was the faint sound of a frustrated growl from above him, but he really wasn¡¯t paying attention to it. There was also a sharp pain in his shoulder. Actually, there were pains everywhere, but the most prominent one was on his shoulder. Which would make sense, as there was currently a javelin sticking out of it.

    ¡°¡­great¡± thought Diago, with some potent exasperation.

    All he could see at the moment was the never ending abyss of the canyon rushing toward him.

    ¡°Guess I¡¯ll be able to find out if there is a bottom after all¡±

    That¡¯s when his fall and fatalistic thoughts was suddenly interrupted. A serious pressure against his stomach and the feeling of incredibly strong limbs around his waist and torso became his most prominent sensation.

    His ride had come after him. The jynx wasted no time diving after him after he fell off, keeping him from falling too far past the point when he couldn¡¯t be seen anymore. Now, they were slowly gliding toward the canyon wall.

    Diago was stunned. This is really was a rare creature. Jynx really aren¡¯t the type to care if their riders are in trouble. If it hadn¡¯t been¡­well, Diago really didn¡¯t want to think where he¡¯d be if it hadn¡¯t been.

    ¡°Good girl¡± Diago said as he climbed back into her saddle. That motion caused a fair amount of pain, but not as much as he thought it would.

    Once he had reestablished his spot on the saddle, he looked up to see that he had fallen quite a ways. The motion of looking up had sent some pains through his back and shoulder. That¡¯s when he took a moment to examine his injuries.

    Thankfully, the javelin missed anything important. It also didn¡¯t sink very far into his skin. Just enough to cut through a few layers of muscle.

    Wrayden must have thrown the weapon while trying to regain balance, drastically diminishing the force of the throw, otherwise there surely would have been a more serious result.

    ¡°I can manage¡± Diago said to himself as he ripped the javelin out of his shoulder. He knew it wasn¡¯t deep enough to bleed to badly. He was very thankful for all the things Sulien had taught him about wounds at the moment, otherwise he¡¯d probably be in a panic.

    He looked up again and he saw Wrayden a fair distance away about to make a turn further down the canyon. He also saw multiple jynx racers passing through the bottle neck. Diago shook his head, unsure if he¡¯d be able to catch up now.

    Then his jynx shot for the canyon side.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Diago yelled to it.

    Obviously, there was no reply.

    The moment the jynx made contact with the wall of the canyon, it shot upward. Clearly, she had not given up on this race. She ran at a blistering pace up the canyon side. Diago thought that she might be trying to regain lost ground by heading back to the other racers. Instead, she made her way to what looked to be a cave in the mountain side.

    Diago was not necessarily a regular at these race, but he had seen a good a few and he had never seen this cave before, but he trusted his ride.

    She shot into the cave running at full speed.

    <hr>

    Aylah was completely staggered by what she had seen. Her connection with Thatcher was completely broken. She was so shocked that she had forgotten about her and Thatch¡¯s plan. She was still staring at the spot where Diago last was, with a pit in her stomach.

    Sure, Diago was a pain, but she didn¡¯t want him dead. It felt wrong. Why would the fades call him if this was going to be the result? Did they know what would happen? Or did she and Diago screw it all up somehow? Her grieved thoughts were interrupted.

    ¡°A pity¡± came the slimy voice from beside her.

    Saarsken sat shaking his head reproachfully. She looked over at him and was met with a smug stare. This was enough for Aylah to remember that she really wanted to punch this guy.

    ¡°It seems our deal will have to be altered¡± Said Saarsken as he looked away.

    Aylah shot up, remembering very little of the plan, but knowing that giving this guy an black eye was probably part of it. Unfortunately for her, Saarsken¡¯s men were quicker than her desire see this guy decked out. Two pairs of firm hands clasped around her arms and shoulders, keeping her firmly in place. She probably could have thrown them off, but that¡¯s when a knife point came against her throat.

    ¡°No need to be in a rush to die my dear, the race is still on¡±

    Without looking, Saarsken motioned for his guards to sit her back down in her chair.

    ¡°Lucky for you, not all of my coin was bet on your friend. Otherwise, I¡¯m sure I would be in a rage¡± he said in a dementedly cheerful way.

    During this interaction, Thatch had been trying to reestablish a connection with Aylah, but whenever he caught a glimpse of her mental threads, they were swirling too much to get anywhere. That, or his own mind was too shaken to see them correctly. He was less startled by Diago¡¯s fall than Aylah was, but he was still shaken. Diago was supposed to be a key element in the answer to his problem¡­or at least he thought he was. The fades must have been wrong, or he just didn¡¯t understand what they meant.

    Thatch heard a sigh escape Aylah before she said, ¡°what now then?¡±

    Saarsken looked over to her and smiled, ¡°now the earth splits below you to knock you down to size¡±

    The knife point pressed a little harder against her skin, drawing some blood. The blood was a bright red. A far brighter red then normal, it was almost pink. Saarsken noticed and squinted at it. He got up from his chair to get a better look. After doing so he reappraised Aylah and as he did a glint came into his eye. He leaned in close and whispered,

    ¡°You are quite far from home aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Aylah didn¡¯t reply. Instead, she fearlessly met his gaze, hoping that she could see her hatred of him in her look. He smiled again and leaned back.

    ¡°Your fate is still being mulled over if you must know. As is yours¡±

    The last part of this statement was directed to Thatch.

    ¡°You told me he was a stand in¡± Saarsken explained in a threatening tone.

    Thatch blinked in surprise, ¡°Sir, he was able to make it through the pass before anyone. Wouldn¡¯t that be-¡±

    ¡°Enough for you to be satisfied I was telling the truth?¡± Saarsken finished for him in a mocking tone. Then he continued, shaking his head, ¡°Thatch¡­a stand in worth my time wins me gold. You should know that¡±

    ¡°You only asked me to tell you if he was being honest. How am I supposed to know that you-¡±

    ¡°Enough! Why should you be so worried? You aren¡¯t the one who pays the price for your insubordination¡± Saarsken¡¯s face twisted into an evil smile.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Thatch¡¯s eyes widened. His demeanor, normally still and calm, became one of fear.

    He looked down and Aylah watched as a tear fell from his eye.

    ¡°Please¡± Thatch whispered

    Saarsken laughed, ¡°what was that? I couldn¡¯t quite hear you¡±

    Another tear fell from the angry face of Thatch and he repeated his plea with greater volume, ¡°please¡±

    Saarsken sighed, ¡°oh, I love to hear you beg¡±

    Aylah could only sit back and watch these things unfold, trying to make sense of it all. As she understood it, Saarsken was a very powerful man. She didn¡¯t know how powerful, or how he came by it, but he was powerful. He also loved his power, or rather the money that funds it. The more she watched him and heard him speak, noting various inconsistencies in the man, the more she could see that the way he presents himself is merely a thin layer of control masking his true, vicious nature. When Diago came to him and he felt that the boy had lied to him, she assumed that Saarsken had already decided on ruining him. When he was told by Thatch that he wasn¡¯t lying about being a stand in, his mind so bent on money and power had produced a reality where he would come out of this day richer than when he entered. Aylah assumed it must be that if the rider you sponsor wins, your winnings multiply. She also supposed that stand ins must play a factor somehow, seeing as the odds would inherently be against them. So, should Diago win, Saarsken¡¯s winnings would be significant. So when Diago¡­when he didn¡¯t win, Saarsken began losing his cool rapidly. It¡¯s also likely that the loss of a rider reflects poorly on the sponsor. Of course then the question would be, why would he send in someone he still believed was lying about being a racer? The answer was unclear, but in all likelihood, it was that this man was only slightly sane.

    When Saarsken managed to figure out that she was from Onterrin he gained more control over himself again. This must mean that he thinks he can gain from her. So its either being kept for ransom, or being sold to slavers for Aylah.

    As to his interaction with Thatch, she couldn¡¯t quite make sense of it.

    Whatever was going on, she needed to find a way out of this. She gauged where the knife was on her throat and began thinking through a strategy. The chair she was in is well made, but she could break it if she pushed on the back with enough force. That would be away from the knife anyway. After she was out the knifes reach, it would be a fight for escape. She did not like taking such risks, but she really didn¡¯t have any other options.

    She took a deep breath ready to follow through with her reckless plan. Then she stopped suddenly. The guards that were holding her got distracted too.

    ¡°Sir¡± one of them said.

    Saarsken whipped around, ¡°Don¡¯t interrupt me! I-¡±

    Saarsken¡¯s cut himself off when he turned to his guard, because he also caught a view of the race below. For the most part, everything was as it should be. Riders fighting for their place. Jynx running at full speed. Some people falling off their rides. Wrayden, still leading with a good amount of distance separating the next runner up. Or at least that WAS true, before a rider and jynx seemed to appear out of nowhere where.

    The duo shot from the wall of the canyon and on to the track just before Saarsken had turned around and now they were only just behind Wrayden.

    Aylah could see it clear as day, but she wasn¡¯t sure how well she believed it. The rider was hurt, but was now only a few feet behind the leader of the race,

    ¡°Diago¡±

    <hr>

    Diago was blinded by the sunlight after essentially getting slapped in the face by it after the jynx he was riding shot from the cave they were in.

    It was pitch black in there. Diago could only feel and hear it as the jynx quickly make it¡¯s way through the path in the rock. He sat flat against her, just in case there were any places where rock jutted out. Thankfully, nothing hit him like it did going through the bottle neck.

    Diago could feel a few more things, like the fact that they weren¡¯t making many turns and that they were on a gradual incline. The portion of the race called the long straight, was afore stated to be a bit of a misnomer. On the actual race track itself there are many turns and shifts and places where you have to slow down keep yourself from colliding headfirst into a wall.

    The cave Diago had been in was a straight shot and landed him just behind Wrayden. Diago let out a premature victory cry as he exited the cave and was actually able to see where he was.

    He actually had a shot now.

    Wrayden heard the cry and looked back to see Diago¡¯s jynx flying toward him at a quick pace.

    ¡°I though I killed you¡± Wrayden cried out angrily.

    ¡°Only a little¡± Diago responded with a smile on his face.

    The smile faded a little and was replaced with determination when he saw he was not gaining on Wrayden anymore. They were at an even pace with him, neck and neck. The place in the canyon they were in was narrow. Not nearly as narrow as the bottle neck, but still only wide enough for a handful of racers.

    They continued to wind through the pass with the jynx alternating between running on the wall to gain momentum and gliding past various obstacles that jutted out from canyon side, like trees and loose rock.

    Diago was actually beginning to enjoy the thrill of this race. Yes, he was in a lot of pain and things had definitively not gone as he had expected, but he was doing a whole lot better than he feared he might. On several occasions he had come close to falling off, due to a jolting shift in direction, or a shot of pain through his shoulder or back. He stayed on, determined to win this thing.

    Thatch made it clear, the best end for this race would be to win. There is no telling what would happen otherwise. Diago had worked it out earlier, before the race began, the payout for a sponsor whose racer wins is a substantial sum.

    Substantial enough to placate whatever fiendish plots Saarsken was hatching¡­or at least he hoped so.

    At first Diago wasn¡¯t sure how¡¯d be able to scrape a win out of this tremendously risky sport, but now that he was among the leaders of the pack, he was not just optimistic, he was confident.

    That is until Wrayden decided to make life difficult again.

    The path they were on gets significantly wider before the final push to the finish line. Before that, the path narrows just a hair more. It was there that Wrayden used his last spear to hit a tree branch that was in Diago¡¯s way. It wasn¡¯t enormous, but it was big enough that when Diago ran into it, it almost caused Diago to fall from his saddle. The thick part of the branch hit Diago on the stomach, knocking the wind out of him and causing him to lose balance on the jynx that had also lost some balance. It was all he could do to squeeze hard enough with his legs to stay on his mount. As he regained his place on the saddle and his breath, they passed into the wider space and saw that Wrayden had shot passed them and was traveling at a greater speed than Diago was.

    What made things much worse was the few riders that had caught up and were now passing Diago. It also didn¡¯t help the pressure build up when he saw that the finish line was now clearly in view, in the form of long cord of rope painted white that stretched across the canyon roughly a quarter of a mile away.

    ¡°Gotta think of something and fast¡± Thought Diago as his jynx veered toward the canyon side to run along the wall to gain back much needed speed, like all the others.

    He racked his brain, trying to think of any way to pull a win out of all this. He felt certain that if he didn¡¯t win it, there was going to be heavy repercussions. Not just for him, but for Aylah and¡­Thatch

    The moment he remembered the weaver, he remembered what he said before the race began.

    ¡°It¡¯s you that has to cross the finish line¡±

    And

    ¡°Use your hook¡±

    At first he thought those were just one stupidly obvious thing to say and one kinda dumpy piece of advice in retrospect, but now these words were the catalyst for a plan as he eyed the net that spanned the topmost part of the canyon.

    ¡°I must be out of my mind¡± he said to himself.

    The distance between the main body of racers and the finish line had halved since he had started formulating his plan and now was the time to put it to action, for better or for worse.

    Most, if not all, the racers had started on their final run toward finish line by running up the wall toward the net and then leaping off to gather speed before their jynx would spread their wings to shoot forward, gliding on the air. Diago had a modified version of that plan. The timing of this would have to be perfect for it to work.

    He followed the other riders up and as they jumped off the canyon wall, Diago guided his ride toward another pair of jynx and rider. Diago¡¯s jynx leaped onto them and shoved off of them as they leaped from the canyon side, propelling herself just a little farther and higher than the others. While that happened Diago had a split second to see the lay of the land.

    There were four racers roughly thirty feet below that were ahead of him already speeding toward the finish line. The leader of that pack was Wrayden, who was now dangerously narrowing the space between himself and the finish line.

    He had to act now or it would be too late.

    They were so close to the net that Diago could have reached up and grabbed it. This was high enough. He grabbed his kurigan and whipped its full length outward toward the net above. The instant he threw it, Diago guided his jynx into a sheer dive.

    They accumulated a lot of speed almost instantly.

    ¡°Please come catch me like you did before¡± Diago yelled at the jynx, more as a hope thrown than as words expected to be understood.

    About half way through the dive, The kurigan found its mark and hooked to the net above. It was then pulled tight and yanked Diago into a harder swing than he had ever experienced, or hoped to experience again. The speed he accumulated on this swing dwarfed the already staggering pace he was going on the jynx. The wind pulled tightly against his face and clothes and¡­well everything. The worst of all was the searing pain in his shoulder and back. Nothing but a pure force of will was what kept him on the rope. He focused all his energy on keeping hold until just the right time. He yelled out and didn¡¯t stop yelling until he let go.

    He let go right as he began to swing upward and shot forward like a human bullet.

    He would have continued to yell, but the wind took the breath right out of him.

    He blasted past the three nameless racers and in an instant caught up to Wrayden. Diago¡¯s look of absolute contented glee as he passed Wrayden, probably sent a number emotions through the seasoned racer. Like shock, awe, panic, incredulity, helplessness, rage¡­all of the above. Whatever was going on in his mind, the look on his face, was a priceless memory. It was only a quick glance for Diago, however, because he shot past him with tremendous speed, and crossed the finish

    line.

    It was over and Diago had won.

 Chapter 15

    Neither Aylah, Thatch, Saarsken, or any of the servants could believe their eyes. They all sat dumbfounded at what had just happened. From the moment Diago appeared from the cave in the cliff side to his daring and crazy stunt, their eyes were glued to the events below. No one uttered a word until the end and even then there was silence as they watched Diago swing from then net, shoot forward, win the race, and begin to plummet down into the abyss for a second time. Only this time they got a clear view of what happened next.

    The jynx he had swung off of continued her dive until she hit terminal velocity, only then did she spread her webbing and shoot forward after Diago. She was behind Diago be a little ways. If Diago had stayed on her, he clearly would have lost the race.

    She caught up quickly though and passed the finish line just after Wrayden did. Wrayden, who was still incredulously silent as he crossed. The jynx stayed her course until she dove after her now rapidly descending, mount-less, rider. She caught him like she did before and grabbed him, keeping him from a long plummet and a gruesome death. Once recovered, Diago scrambled to her saddle as she banked in a large loop to turn back toward where the tents were.

    Diago raised a fist in the air and let out a victory yell and the crowds went absolutely ballistic. Their thunderous roar echoed through the canyon.

    ¡°Well now¡­this is¡­unexpected¡±

    Aylah looked at Saarsken who had a surprised, but pleased, look on his face.

    Saarsken stayed his gaze on Diago for a moment more, grunted, then turned to Aylah.

    ¡°It seems our deal is not so closed as I thought¡­¡±

    Aylah shot a quick glance at Thatch, who had gone back to maintaining his ever present stony stare, showing little emotion. Though Aylah knew these events were just as surprising to him as they were to everyone else. He hadn¡¯t reestablished any mental conversation yet, so she had no idea what he was thinking. Before, he seemed fearful that even if Diago did well in the race, Saarsken would still seek some sort of punishment for the two of them. However, Aylah was pretty sure that Thatch had no thoughts of Diago actually winning the race, especially not in the way he did.

    Her thoughts were interrupted by the sole person who could manage to find words to say at the moment.

    ¡°Clean him up and bring him here,¡± Saarsken said to a servant motioning toward

    Diago. He then looked at Aylah and sighed, ¡°you have held up your end, I suppose I will have to uphold mine¡±

    Aylah relaxed internally and even let out a little sigh of relief. It seems Thatch¡¯s fears were not warranted.

    Aylah hoped that whatever Saarsken had to say about Trig would be worth all this effort. She would have to wait till Diago came back to the platform to know for sure.

    Diago¡­

    As she thought about him, she had a feeling of genuine relief at his being okay.

    She thought about his win and would be lying to say she was not very impressed.

    It was risky move after risky move, but it worked in the end. It took guts.

    Of course she wasn¡¯t going to tell him any of this, or else she would never hear the end of it.

    As for Thatch, he was managing keeping his composure. However, on the inside he was reeling with lots of feelings and emotions. He was taking an enormous risk trusting the fade and this kid. When he thought Diago had fallen to his death, he had to acknowledge that he had some hopes built up. Losing hope again was a tough pill to swallow. However, when Diago reappeared and subsequently won the race in such a fantastic way. That same hope was rekindled.

    The hope grew even farther when Saarsken had seemed to truly be satisfied with the outcome. No doubt the money he just gained, or stood to gain in the future, had much to do with his newfound benevolence.

    Maybe this really was the moment he had been waiting for¡­ for a long time.

    Saarsken now sat in his chair contemplating while sipping from his goblet. He had the guards stand down and they were no longer holding a knife to Aylah¡¯s throat. They were all of them waiting for the return of the person who had not only created the tides of the day¡¯s circumstances, but had turned them rather dizzyingly.

    <hr>

    Diago was laying face down on a table, wincing as the final thread in his back was pulled through and tied off. He had never been stitched up before, but apparently it was a necessary measure for the large gash on his back. The servants had taken him the moment he returned to the stalls. The jynx whimpered as they dragged him away, but there was nothing either she or Diago could do. Diago was sad to part with the animal that had saved his life twice, but he wasn¡¯t given a choice.

    They immediately took him to be washed, which stung his various injuries. They had administered various medicinal pastes to some of his wounds, but decided that the gash on his back needed to be closed. Apparently, the injury on his back was worse than the one in his shoulder, even though it felt the opposite. Go figure. When they finished stitching up his back, they washed him a final time and then put another paste on the wound before covering that in some sort of wrap. Then they gave him a new tan linen shirt to put on.

    They then passed him off to a pair of guards that escorted him back to the platform where Saarsken and his friends were waiting for him. On the way, Diago kept replaying the race over and over in his mind. It was a surreal feeling¡­not only had he just participated in and survived a jynx race, but he had won it. Sure, he only managed to win due to some crazy unlikely things occurring that were not going to be repeated anytime soon.. but hey, a win is a win.

    Diago smiled to himself while recollecting the moment when he saw Wrayden¡¯s stupefied face as he shot past him, stealing his victory from right under his nose. They passed Wrayden while on their way to the platform, but he refused to even look at Diago.

    ¡°Sore loser,¡± Diago whispered to himself with a wry smile.

    The track back to the platform was a lot slower on foot than by talard, but Diago was alright with that. He was too taken up with thoughts of the race. A pleasant distraction from the storm of emotions deep in his subconscious. Deep inside, he was still wrestling with the truth of his lineage¡­who he was¡­ he didn¡¯t know how to think or feel about it, but the general emotions were discomfort and displeasure and dread.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    But this was something Diago was doing a fine job of ignoring and covering up with the joys of victory. These thoughts sustained him even as he passed through the door to Saarsken¡¯s private platform.

    When he passed through the door he saw pretty much what expected to. Aylah sitting near their host with two guards posted nearby. Thatch in his stool by the corner, trying to keep up the appearance of the good, obedient slave. There was also Saarsken who was just dismissing a servant. There was a tension in the room that was not quite there before. However, the mood of the room shifted the

    moment Diago had walked through the door.

    ¡°There he is! There is my champion!¡± Said Saarsken with a mock look of fatherly approval. Diago smiled, though he was uncomfortable with the new mode of his quasi captor.

    ¡°This is Masha¡± he indicated to the woman near by, ¡°she is one of my servants and she was just giving me a report of the responses from your audience¡±

    Saarsken stood with arms outstretched, ¡°¡®who is that young rider?¡¯, ¡®Where did he come from?¡¯, ¡®What a fantastic race!¡¯, and my personal favorite, ¡®will he race again?¡¯¡±

    Diago did not like the look in Saarsken¡¯s eye as he spoke that final phrase. It was the same look he had just before Diago was ¡°forcefully¡± conscripted into that race. Opportunism. He looked on the verge of mania.

    ¡°As I thought to answer those questions, I realized that I myself didn¡¯t know your name¡± he said this with a laugh, ¡°silly me, I suppose it slipped my mind to ask¡±

    ¡°Yeah right, its not at all because you thought I would die in that race and that it wouldn¡¯t matter¡± thought Diago as he looked back at the smiling face before him.

    ¡°So then, my young friend, what is your name?¡± Saarsken asked.

    Diago was about to simply share his name, but he caught a look in someone¡¯s eyes. A look of dread, fear, worry, and warning, from a face usually so emotionless. It was Thatch. Diago had only so much information to work off of regarding the situation they were all in, but he understood enough to recognize that to share his name with this man was a very bad idea. He thought quickly and came up with an alternative.

    ¡°Have them call me The Flying Kurigan.¡±

    Saarsken¡¯s face transitioned from pleasant to confused in an instant. Diago could see Aylah¡¯s head tilt to the side. The predominant thoughts in her mind were ¡°what on earth are you playing at?¡­and what a dumb name.¡±

    Thatch on the other hand, nodded in relief, realizing before anyone else what Diago was doing.

    Saarsken was the next to speak and in a rather ill-humored way, ¡°The Flying Kurigan?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Diago said smiling wide, ¡°think about it, if a mysterious racer comes in, out of nowhere, and wins a race on his first go and then tells everyone who he is, then eventually he will become just another racer. If he stays a mystery, it will keep people interested for much longer¡±

    Diago was just making all this up as he went a long, hoping and praying to the Great One that this strange and dangerous man would buy it. Aylah understood now what he was doing, but still shook her head. Needless to say, she did not think this would work. Diago didn¡¯t care what she thought, all he really needed was to get out of here with whatever information this guy had, leave quickly, and hopefully not come back for a very long time.

    Saarsken took in all the information and began to steadily pace where he was. He did this for a moment and then slowly began to smirk,

    ¡°I like it¡±

    Aylah sat open mouthed, Thatch smirked ever so slightly, and Diago smiled wide in

    Aylah¡¯s direction, before faintly whispering at a level she alone could hear,

    ¡°It behooves you to never doubt me¡±

    Aylah eyed him and stuck out here tongue, causing Diago to smile wider at her expense.

    ¡°Very mature.¡± he whispered.

    While this short interaction took place Saarsken had continued to craft this marketing scheme in his head. He was still pacing with a smile on his face. He spoke again,

    ¡°We can build on a legend. People will talk about it and then, as word spreads,-¡±

    ¡°More people will come and will bring their coins with them¡± said Diago, finishing the line of thought.

    Saarsken smiled even bigger, imagining the income, ¡°I like it¡­but I hate the name¡±

    Diago¡¯s face fell, ¡°what? Why?¡±

    ¡°¡­The Flying Kurigan?¡± Said Saarsken flatly

    Diago saw Aylah begin to laugh, but she restrained herself.

    ¡°The goal is to keep people interested, not make them laugh,¡± Saarsken remarked, he then turned to think.

    Aylah was still holding it in, but not well. Diago shot her a glare, but that only succeeded in making it harder for her to keep from laughing at him.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got it!¡± Said Saarsken wheeling around quickly, ¡°we¡¯ll call you The Shadow of Tunaan.¡±

    It was then Diago that returned with a flat stare, ¡°how is that any better than The

    Flying Kurigan?¡±

    A loud scoff was heard from behind Saarsken, ¡°It¡¯s so much better!¡±¡­it was Aylah.

    ¡°It¡­really is,¡± said the normally silent Thatch.

    Even some of the servants nodded in a conciliatory way.

    Saarsken smiled condescendingly at Diago.

    ¡°¡­fine,¡± Diago bitterly conceded, ¡°we can talk names another time. We are forgetting the whole reason I raced in the first place. I believe you still have to settle up your side of the deal. Where is Trig?¡±

    Saarsken¡¯s demeanor remained pleasant, ¡°ahh yes, I had forgotten in all the excitement. Well, first of all, I never said I knew where he was, only that I knew where he last was. Secondly, if I remember correctly, I do believe I said that I would personally help you find him, yes?¡±

    Diago nodded slowly and Saarsken continued while walking back to his chair to recline.

    ¡°Then by all rights of the deal, I don¡¯t have to tell you where he is or was, I merely have to help you find him. A very vague idea, I¡¯d say. Why, say I was to give you a small inkling of information, such as, ¡®When he came to the tents he paid off his debts and hurried off soon after and the men that followed lost track of him heading west.¡¯ There I have settled my end.¡±

    Saarsken sat back quite pleased with himself. Diago shook his head angrily, ¡°but that¡¯s exactly what you said before!¡±

    Saarsken raised his hand warningly, while also smiling, ¡°with more detail. I helped and that¡¯s that. Now, back to our new deal.¡±

    ¡°What new deal?¡± Diago said, still quite upset

    A wicked smile crossed Saarsken¡¯s face as a guard grabbed Diago from behind and put a knife to his neck. The two guards by Aylah did the same. Saarsken then stood and straightened his garments while saying, ¡°the deal where you race for me as the Shadow of Tunaan and in return, I won¡¯t kill you.¡±

    Diago struggled against the guard, but the knife against his throat pressed in a little harder and he was forced to stop lest he injure himself. Saarsken walked forward to Diago till he was right in front of him. He spoke again,

    ¡°Yes, yes, the defiant type. As expected. Naturally, I don¡¯t expect you to like this deal and to fight against it every chance you get. This is why I am going to sweeten the deal.¡±

    Diago glared at the menacing figure before him, ¡°how?¡±

    Saarsken¡¯s smile remained as he turned to look at Aylah then back to Diago, ¡°if you comply, I won¡¯t sell your companion here into slavery.¡±

    Aylah looked furious, but couldn¡¯t act on the emotion. Saarsken walked over to her and brushed back her hair, showing the markings on her face more prominently. He smiled and continued, ¡°Onterrin is a place of legend I hear. Home to many incredible wonders and people. I have no doubt that, once talked up appropriately, any number of buyers would spend a fortune for a servant like your friend here¡±

    Aylah spat at Saarsken. The man retracted his hand quickly and laughed. As his laugh subsided. He looked down at Aylah with a smile and backhanded her hard across the face. Diago tugged against the guard angrily, ¡°leave her alone!¡±

    Saarsken whipped around and yelled, ¡°WHAT¡¯LL IT BE BOY?!¡±

    Diago¡¯s furious glare rested on Saarsken. The man was a power crazed, greedy pile of Jynx droppings. Diago wanted to spit at him too, but his furious glare changed when he saw Aylah look up at him. Her expression was angry, but it was clear that the slap hurt. That was made obvious by a trickle of bright red blood falling from a spot on her brow where one of Saarsken¡¯s rings hade made its mark. Diago couldn¡¯t quantify what he felt at the sight. All he knew was that in that moment, he wanted to keep her from more pain. He then noticed the silent weaver.

    Thatch looked at Diago with knowing eyes. The man looked pained and worried, but as he made eye contact with Diago, he shot a quick glance at Saarsken then looked back to Diago. That same sensation from before resurged in Diago¡¯s head. Thatch was trying to get into Diago¡¯s head, only this time he was rushing through the process. Clearly, Thatch wanted to get a message to Diago as quickly as he could. After a moment, Diago got the message, ¡°agree to the deal¡±. The feeling in his head immediately withdrew. Diago wanted nothing more than to stop everything and ask a million angry questions of the weaver¡­but as it stood,

    ¡°Fine¡­I¡¯ll race for you,¡± Diago said, deciding to trust weaver.

    A flush of relief was felt through Thatch when he heard the words. Aylah looked worried. Saarsken clapped his hands together victoriously, ¡°wonderful! I¡¯ll have a servant take you to your quarters where you can get ready for tomorrows races. I have some work to do. We have to make the Shadow of Tunaan into a legend.¡±

 Chapter 16

    ¡°Diago?¡±

    Diago stirred a little but didn¡¯t wake.

    ¡°Diago, this is important.¡±

    Diago was sound asleep. It was only natural that Saarsken would split him and

    Aylah up and confine them to sealed rooms, but the lack of freedom still annoyed Diago. They also lacked the ability to plan their next move. Also annoying. Evening came and then passed into night. Diago was exhausted, so he fell asleep straight away, still sore from the race. Hours later, Thatch was now using the mental connection he made earlier with Diago to reach him.

    ¡°Diago?¡± Repeated the voice.

    ¡°Let me try,¡± came a second voice to the mental conversation, ¡°WAKE UP

    SUNBURN!¡±

    Diago shot up, now wide awake.

    ¡°Easy! It¡¯s hard enough to maintain a three-way link without all the mental clamor!

    If I lose it I can¡¯t remake it until I see you both again.¡±

    ¡°It worked didn¡¯t it?¡±

    A mental scoff then followed, ¡°Diago, it''s Thatch. Think your replies and we will be able-¡±

    ¡°So, the loudmouth is Aylah then? Unsurprising,¡± Diago cut him off, annoyed and groggy.

    ¡°Watch it, Sunburn!¡± Aylah sounded just as annoyed.

    ¡°Enough you too, we have bigger problems to deal with right now. We need a way out of here.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± replied Diago

    A pause followed before Aylah spoke up, ¡°What do you mean ¡®no¡¯?¡±

    Diago wasn¡¯t sure how to mentally sigh, but he assumed if he did it physically it would probably carry over, ¡°not without more information out of you.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Replied Aylah

    Diago then looked down and realized he was pointing in the vague direction he assumed that Thatch was in. He shook his head and put down his finger, ¡°No, not you. Him.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Replied Thatch

    ¡°YES, YOU! Who are you? Why are you helping us?! What¡¯s in it for you?¡± Diago hadn¡¯t quite let go of his frustration from earlier and now he had the space to vent it, so vent he did.

    ¡°Hey calm down Sunburn! Don¡¯t forget it¡¯s your fault we are in this mess in the first place!¡± Aylah had also not let go of her frustrations and was in a similar position as Diago. So, vent she did.

    ¡°MY FAULT?!¡±

    ¡°ENOUGH!¡± Yelled Thatch, who had managed to amplify his mental voice above the two bickering young ones. The two quieted as Thatch continued, ¡°You two are worse than two jynx fighting over a carcass. Both of you quiet down. Diago makes a good point. You can¡¯t fully trust me until you know who I am.¡±

    ¡°See? I was right.¡± Diago¡¯s smugness was short-lived. As soon as he had finished the words it felt like someone had pinched his brain

    ¡°OW!¡±

    ¡°Not another word,¡± Thatch warned. ¡°I will share with you the necessary details, but we don¡¯t have time for the whole story. Then, after, we will make a plan to get out of here. Deal?¡±

    Diago nodded.

    ¡­

    ¡°Oh, right. Yes¡­Deal.¡± Agreed Diago, who assumed Aylah had just rolled her eyes.

    He was right.

    ¡°Alright then. My name is Thatch and I am one of the few mind weavers. This ability has allowed me to help a lot of people, but it has also landed me in lots of trouble. A year ago I was enslaved by Saarsken. One day, I was approached by the men at his command and they offered me a place to work for him. I refused, but while doing so I managed to glean some important information from the mind of the man who approached me. Where they were hiding out, for one, and their next raid, for another. After I refused they left and I went to one of the sentinels of my town to give them the information. I should have gone to the Honor Guard¡­the sentinels were all being paid by Saarsken and they captured me.¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Thatch paused a moment. He did not like recounting this story.

    ¡°Under his service, I have done some things I regret, but I cannot change. I felt hopeless and frustrated¡­mostly at myself. That¡¯s how I was until a fade appeared before me.¡±

    He sounded awed by the fact. It meant more to him than either Aylah or Diago that he would be spoken to by a fade.

    ¡°It told me that two young travelers would come and that I needed to go with them for their sake and mine. She told me that I needed to tell Diago that he needed to cross the finish line and use his hook. Which made no sense at the time, but now I understand.¡±

    ¡°That makes two of us,¡± Diago said

    ¡°She also told me that finding the man named Trig was necessary and that we needed to at all costs.¡±

    At this, Aylah felt a tangible weight release from her shoulders. After all, she had been wondering if they had been getting this all wrong. It was a shot in the dark to come to the racing tents, but it seemed to have been the exact thing they needed to do. This meant that Diago was brash in what he did, but right in doing it. If he hadn¡¯t, they wouldn¡¯t have found Thatch. She decided she would mention that to him and maybe apologize¡­but later.

    She was taking in the story, but something was not adding up to her, ¡°I don¡¯t get it.

    You are a mind weaver, couldn¡¯t you have just escaped?¡±

    Diago was also curious, ¡°And why did you say ¡®you better not disappoint¡¯ when you were in my head earlier? I thought it was about your freedom at first, but you said it like there was more to it than that.¡±

    ¡°There is¡­and as for escaping, I wanted to. I wanted to every second. Every passing day, I looked for anything that would give me hope to leave, but whenever something came up, it seemed impossible. Because-¡­because I wouldn¡¯t be the one who suffered if something happened¡±

    Aylah remembered that Saarsken had said as much earlier. She didn¡¯t have time to think about it then, but now it seemed clear.

    ¡°He¡­has Rayna, my daughter.¡±

    Diago remembered the look Thatch gave him when Saarsken used Aylah to ensure his service. He understood now why he looked so sympathetic. Whatever frustration he had still been holding against Thatch dissipated in that moment. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡±

    ¡°There is no one to blame but myself. However, the condolence is appreciated¡±

    The weaver sounded tired and broken. Aylah felt for him, it was clear that the thought of escape for Thatch necessitates that his daughter escapes as well. She could only imagine what he must have been feeling all this while. Forced to be someone he despised, but doing it because it meant protecting his daughter. She felt a growing respect for Thatch.

    ¡°Well then, we¡¯ll get her free too¡± Aylah reassured, though she had no clue as to how to accomplish said feat.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sure together we can find a way out of this armpit of a canyon!¡± Agreed Diago.

    The weaver was silent for a moment, then, ¡°Thank you¡±

    ¡°Thank us when we do something cool, until then just admire my intense bravery¡± Diago replied.

    ¡°Pipe down, sunburn! You are gonna give me a headache¡± Said an annoyed Aylah, but the last part of her sentence was broken up by the weaver¡¯s voice over the two of them, but this time in the form of a laugh. The warm sound halted the bickering pair and caused the argument to subside. When the laugh stopped, Thatch spoke,

    ¡°You two are not at all what I expected, but I am not one to doubt the Great One¡¯s plan. So then, shall we?¡±

    The next few hours were spent discussing various strategies concerning the recovery of Thatch¡¯s daughter and their subsequent escape. Thatch had discovered long ago that Rayna was being held close by, he had managed to weed the information from an unsuspecting guard only recently. Thatch had been in the practice of trying to gather any information he could for some time. This particular guard was coming to report to Saarsken and Thatch was not permitted to be present. This tipped him off that this guard would be a prime target to get as much as he could out of him. Thatch tailed him, waited till he fell asleep, and the rest is history.

    As for why she was kept close, Thatch assumed that she was nearby so that, should Saarsken need to abuse or manipulate his weaver by hurting his loved one, he could do so in short order. His cruelty would turn into their strategic advantage. Their biggest foe would be time. If they were discovered in their escape, Saarsken would be quick to move or harm Rayna. That is, only if he found out their subterfuge. Should they manage to succeed in their escape without his knowledge, they would have plenty of time to get Rayna and high tail it before he discovered anything.

    By the time they had finished, it was moments before dawn. There was little time and they would have to hurry.

    <hr>

    Saarsken woke with a start. He was sweating and breathing heavily. He could feel it, as he always did, someone was here. They tried to get into his mind. It was lucky he wasn¡¯t entirely asleep, otherwise he might have been at the whims of the perpetrator. At first, he felt rage at Thatch for attempting something and was about to order a guard to find his brat and punish her harshly, but something wasn¡¯t right. The pressure wasn¡¯t the same¡­it was bigger and darker.

    Saarsken fell back and cried in pain as his mind felt like a dagger was digging into it with both precision and malice. He was writhing in wordless pain, choked up by the grip of this mental claw. When the pain subsided, the man sat back up and whinced.

    ¡°Who-¡­who are you? What do you want?¡± He asked with his mind

    The voice that came back was haunting and vile. It sounded like an intense whisper. Like the trickle from a dam holding back a torrent of cruel waves. It sent chills all through Saarsken. It¡¯s reply more ominous than the voice,

    ¡°I am the firstborn and I want you.¡±

 Chapter 17

    Diago banged on the door and shouted.

    ¡°hey, lousy! Did your mother teach you to ride? I could beat you holding on with my pinky!¡±

    Diago was in the hall of the racer¡¯s quarters. Favorites and those who have sponsors with deep pockets have rooms set aside for their prized money-makers. These rooms, like the stables were carved into the side of the canyon. The more luxurious rooms, like the one Diago was currently in front of, were directly on the side of the canyon and had windows facing the canyon proper. Diago¡¯s room, at the end of the hall, was not like that. It was one of the unhappy rooms left to mere candlelight. Which was better fitting, because, to Diago, it was more a prison than a living space.

    He had a rough night¡­ he was tired. The events from the day before left him spent. Also, not being able to get a good long sleep after that was rough. He knew it was important, but that didn¡¯t change the state it left him in. After the planning had stopped, Diago couldn¡¯t sleep anymore, even though there was a little time left to do so. Without warning, thoughts of Suilien were brought forward in his mind.

    They didn¡¯t make it to dinner.

    ¡°He must be worried,¡± Diago thought to himself.

    A reality that couldn¡¯t be helped, but still left Diago frustrated. What made matters worse was the inevitable reaction of his thoughts to move from Sulien to his family. He really did love Sulien and his ¡°siblings¡±, but deep down, Diago always hoped that he¡¯d one day be able to meet his real parents. He hoped that they would take him in, and¡­it didn¡¯t matter. They were gone. End of story.

    Diago didn¡¯t like showing emotion, they were too complicated and, for him, usually painful. He preferred to goof off. It was easier. But there, in his room alone with no one to watch or hear him, he cried.

    He couldn¡¯t help it. It was too much to bear. Every emotion was taking its turn in inflicting damage inside him and he ached. It wasn¡¯t just the emotional part of it, it was the mental part also. HE was the rightful prince of Eldaren, with a claim to its throne?! How was he supposed to deal with that? He¡¯d always hated Eldaren and he hadn¡¯t quite given that hatred up. If he was honest, right now, he was tempted to hate it even more.

    His tears subsided again to his ever-present frustration. Deciding, it was time to release said frustrations and do something productive with them, he had moved from his bed to the hall and was now outside the door of a fellow rider.

    ¡°Bet you couldn¡¯t beat me if I gave you a half league head start! After all, I am the Shadow of Tunaan.¡±

    ¡°SHUT UP!¡±

    The door swung open so hard that part of the hinges broke. For a guy of such short stature, he sure packed a lot of angst. Wrayden stood there, only a little taller than Diago, the early morning sun illuminating his furrowed brow and his heavy breath. His eyes glared at the object of his firey hatred, but also darted to the two guards accompanying him. Now, they were there because Diago was basically a prisoner, but to Wrayden, who didn¡¯t know that, it just looked like Diago was getting special treatment and that he was being passed over for a whelp. He continued his scowl as he said,

    ¡°We¡¯ll see whose talk is bigger after the race tomorrow.¡±

    Diago cocked his eyebrow, ¡°I didn¡¯t think ¡®bigger¡¯ was a concept you¡¯d be able to grasp. You know, considering¡­¡± he gestured toward Wrayden.

    That firey glare blazed even hotter. Wrayden yanked at Diago¡¯s collar and pulled him up close while cocking his fist back for a blow.

    ¡°YOU LITTLE-¡±

    The guards rushed in and detached Diago from Wrayden¡¯s grasp, pushing him back. Diago smirked again,

    ¡°Little. That¡¯s one I figured you knew.¡±

    Wrayden yelled out and tried to break free of the guard holding him back, but it was no use. With a final shove from the guard, Wrayden backed off and turned around, breathing heavy. He looked back over his shoulder,

    ¡°These guards can¡¯t protect you in the race.¡±

    He then turned and faced Diago full on. The look in his eye was now crazed. He grabbed at the door, before saying,

    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure this one is your last¡±

    He slammed the door shut.

    Diago sighed with satisfaction and smiled, ¡°ahh one arrow, two kills. Feels good¡­ productive. You can take me back now Reggy¡±

    The guard behind him sighed in exasperation, ¡°I told you, it¡¯s Regnin¡±

    ¡°Whatever¡± Diago shrugged and walked back toward his room.

    <hr>

    Aylah¡¯s task was relatively simple. It just needed to be timed right.

    The day had progressed with a calm while she rehearsed the details of the plan with herself ad nauseum. Though for her, that was the norm. Thatch had told her where to go and when to be there, but getting there would be up to her.

    It was hard to tell time in her windowless room, but she assumed that the races were eminently approaching, based on the bustle that was heard outside her door. There was a single window of time she was waiting on, before she would be brought to Saarsken and after the race had started its final preparations. That was when she would be able to execute her part of the plan. She waited until the clamor outside died down a little, assuming that this meant people were settling themselves and their respective tasks before the race started. It was go time.

    ¡°Guards, I don¡¯t feel good. I need some fresh air.¡±

    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    There was a loud rap on the door, ¡°you¡¯ll get it when Saarsken calls for you.¡±

    Aylah scowled, but spoke with a weak voice, ¡°please, I¡¯m afraid I will cause quite a mess. You wouldn¡¯t want to clean up bile, believe me.¡±

    There was silence. Then she could hear the guards muttering to each other,

    ¡°Saarsken said bring her to him before the race, if we take our time it won¡¯t make a difference.¡±

    One guard scoffed, ¡°I knew you¡¯d say that. You always-¡±

    ¡°I will not be on clean up duty again!¡± Said one guard with force, ¡°you know how I get with-¡­with-¡± the guard made a gagging sound

    ¡°I know, I know.¡± There was the sound of a hand patting a back, ¡°its quite the awful loop you find yourself in with clean up¡­Alright, fine.¡±

    Aylah smiled, but changed her expression as the door swung open to one quite sickly. They motioned for her to walk forward, an invitation she took readily. Maybe too readily, one of the guards began eying her with suspicion. This was expected, after all, she looked to be in perfect health. However, If the plan went right, what doubts they had would be dispelled.

    Putting on her best guise of someone rushing for air she took a brisk pace toward a hall with lots of windows, all barred with steel caging. She passed three of them until she found the one she was looking for. Masking her movements in the guise of sickness she stumbled over toward the window with a loose stone on its edge. She leaned against the bars, trying to hide her hands as she tilted the rock and groped for what she needed. Her hands made contact with a little leather flask.

    Thatch had pulled through. Now it was her turn. While leaning over she took a second to steel herself and gulped down the contents of the flask before dropping it into the canyon below. She felt the effects building straight away.

    She turned to her guards, looking as ill as she could fake it, ¡°Please, where is the nearest restroom? I- I-¡± Aylah genuinely gagged.

    One guard smirked in disbelief, ¡°I don¡¯t think so, you-¡±

    ¡°OH NO YOU DON¡¯T! Waarin! We have to-¡±

    ¡°Calm down Brant! She¡¯s faking it. Aren¡¯t you?¡± The guard leaned in, in a confident

    ¡°gotcha¡± kind of way¡­big mistake.

    The drought did its work and the contents of Aylah¡¯s stomach were emptied on the guard in front of her. What made matters worse was that some got on the guard behind. He immediately gagged.

    ¡°R- r- restroom-¡± he steadied himself, ¡°this way!¡± He rushed forward, not waiting for a reply of any kind. Aylah followed close behind.

    The other guard was too shocked to move for a solid ten seconds. Aylah glanced behind to see him begin to clean himself off while also brimming with rage. The guard leading the way shot for a pair of doors at the other end off the hall and rushed into the nearest one. Aylah followed suit with the next door over and latched it shut.

    So far so good. The guise of sickness should buy her plenty of time to-

    Her thoughts were cut off when she turned inward toward the restroom. It was exactly how Thatch described them. A small ten by ten foot unadorned, carved, stone room with a lone hole on the farthest end for doing business with nature. The only other feature was a window carved high on the wall, facing the fresh canyon air, for ventilation. Only there was a problem¡­ the window. Where the window ought to have been there was drawn rectangle and chisel markings that looked to be only half of the way through to the canyon outside.

    ¡°You have got to be kidding me¡±

    This window was incomplete.

    ¡°Not good¡± Aylah said to herself while, she weighed her options. She even considered trying to break through the unfinished window, in the hopes that maybe it was thin enough. She decided that she couldn¡¯t risk being wrong about that. She thought about just making a break for it, but that would ruin the plan entirely. Besides, when she glanced at the door there was now the shadow of a guard standing post in front of it. Apparently, one of them had recovered.

    She was trapped.

    Or rather, she would have been, if she wasn¡¯t the kind of person that was willing to do whatever it took to complete a task, especially when people are counting on her.

    Still¡­this was going to be one heck of a test of will.

    She untied a leather strip from her wrist and wrapped it around her hair, tying it into a ponytail. She took a deep breath and steeled herself while she walked toward the hole in the back of the room that lead to the canyon outside.

    <hr>

    Thatch closed the door to the stable as he left it. He was messy with straw clinging to various areas of his clothing. He brushed it off with a satisfied grin. So long as Diago did his part, he didn¡¯t think anybody would able to know what they were up to. Or if they did, it would be too late.

    Finishing up here and getting the drought to Aylah were simple tasks. The difficult one for him was going to be getting out from Saarsken¡¯s nose without arousing suspicion. He was debating how he was going to attempt that one. He figured his best option would be to attempt something he had never accomplished before.

    He was going to try to weave a thought into the mind of a guard. He was going to try and manipulate the mind¡­an incredibly difficult skill. The end goal would be to have a guard say that Thatch was needed for a mind reading or something.

    This was more than risky. If he failed, there was little hope that he would be able to make it out of here. If Saarsken found out he¡¯d- no, there was no space to be thinking like that. This would work¡­it has too. For Rayna. Besides, the fades were with them. It would work.

    He was on his way to the deck where Saarsken normally perches to watch the race, but a guard interrupted his stride.

    ¡°Thatch!¡±

    Thatch turned around to see a guard walking up to him. Thankfully, the guard didn¡¯t seem to notice the last bits of straw on Thatch, or care that he was near the stables.

    ¡°Saarsken will have you meet him at the look out in the bottle neck.¡±

    The guard did not wait for a reply. He turned and left. His message delivered and mission complete. Thatch shrugged and changed his direction, but something about it bugged him. Why? Saarsken always watched the latter portion of the race. The winner determined his winnings, which was always more important. The decision to watch the beginning instead was abnormal and it confused the weaver. The sound of the first horn blew, which interrupted his thinking. Diago should be ready about now. Thatch picked up his pace. He couldn¡¯t spare to fall behind.

    He walked up the incline until he reached a room that had been carved into the canyon wall above the bottle neck. The room was narrow and had a window on each side. One facing the kill zone, the other facing the long straight. This was a place for people who were less wealthy to come and watch the race. Another reason why the choice to be here bothered Thatch.

    When he entered the room, it was devoid of people. Inside were only Saarsken and two guards. The air was thick with tension. Thatch was uneasy, but he pressed onward, assuming it had to do with Saarsken¡¯s desire to turn Diago into a legend. Which would only be accomplished if he won a second time. If Diago lost, that would bode ill.

    ¡°Closer please¡±

    Thatch tensed at the voice of his master. It was not normal. It seemed strained. He obeyed.

    ¡°Watch with me¡±

    Thatch kept his emotionless face steady, but this whole situation was wrong. The location. The lack of people. The voice¡­

    The sound of the final race horn brought Thatch back to himself. He watched as racers began pouring out of tunnel after tunnel. They were some distance away, which worked in his favor. It was almost impossible to make out distinct features of racers.

    One racer lagged behind the rest, staying near the tunnels. The racer waited. Then from Diago¡¯s tunnel came what looked to be Diago and his jynx. The rider in waiting yelled a battle cry. It was Wrayden for sure. Before Diago and the jynx had made it a foot past their tunnel, Wrayden threw a spear.

    It struck Diago in the chest and knocked him clean off the jynx and into the canyon below.

    Distant groans could be heard from various spectators in other parts of the canyon. The two guards shook their heads reproachfully at the sight. Saarsken was calm. Far too calm. Something was very wrong with him¡­with this whole situation. However, Thatch had no time to spend on what happened. He threw all thoughts aside so he could focus on attempting to weave a thought into one of the two guard¡¯s minds. It took a moment to focus, but he could clearly see the four minds around him and-

    ¡­wait-

 Chapter 18

    After the first readying horn blew Diago was escorted into the room where the jynx was waiting for him. He was compliant and gave no resistance. Hopefully, this would keep the guards from being¡­well, on guard. Once the door was shut behind him, Diago was left alone and he got to work immediately. He went to one of the barrels in the corner and opened it.

    ¡°Oh man, I hope no one actually gets a good look at this thing¡­it looks nothing like me!¡± Diago thought to himself as he pulled out the contents of the barrel. It was a dummy made of straw. It was his height almost exactly, but Thatch had added too much around the belly. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough to make it seem intentional. That jerk.

    Diago continued to bemoan the lack of similarity while he undressed and put his clothing on the dummy. At the bottom of the barrel, there was another set of clothes for Diago to put on, as well as a tan cloak to help mask himself.

    Underneath those was Diago¡¯s kurigan. Saarsken had it retrieved after Diago¡¯s last race and it looks like Thatch must have found it after all. Diago smiled. He felt weird without it.

    After dawning his new clothes and securing his weapon, he went over to the jynx that had already been saddled by Thatch earlier. The jynx perked up as Diago got closer. It was rearing to race.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry girl, I can¡¯t ride you today,¡± Diago said, stroking the animal''s forehead. It made that wheezing sound and Diago could tell it was unhappy.

    ¡°I know, I liked riding with you too. We¡¯ll do it again someday, I hope.¡± He hugged the jynx. This thing saved his life twice and he felt a tangible bond with it because of that. He hated to leave it, but he had no choice.

    This is what he was telling the jynx as he strapped the dummy to her back and guided her to the tunnel. Hoping that she could understand, he told her to run the race with this thing on her back. She must have understood at least a little, because when the last readying horn blew, she shot forward, out of sight.

    Diago felt a little pang as she ran off. Then he heard the latch on the door begin to wiggle. He rushed to the stack of hay in the stall and jumped in, using the cloak to cover what the hay couldn¡¯t. The guards walked in and did a lazy inspection of the room to make sure Diago had left. They were satisfied with a few quick glances and left.

    Diago sighed in relief and went to the door. He turned back as the final race horn blew. Two short and one long. He spared a thought for the jynx. He also hoped and prayed to the Great One that he had made Wrayden angry enough. That little menace probably wanted to target Diago already, but Diago¡¯s part was to push him over the edge. A task Aylah thought he would be able to accomplish with flying colors. Diago rolled his eyes, remembering her many snide remarks. He turned and left the room.

    <hr>

    The main focus for Diago now was to not get noticed. He had no trouble there. Too many people make for easy disguises. His tan cloak was more than enough. He was picking up bits and pieces of conversations from the crowd. He was only half listening, but he was listening. While his main focus was leaving this rotten place finally, he also wanted to know if the rouse had worked. From what he could tell, it had.

    ¡°Did you hear? The so-called ¡®Shadow of Tunaan¡¯ was skewered the second he left his tunnel¡±

    ¡°Figures..and I bet on him too¡±

    ¡°So did I, his last race was incredible. Shame.¡±

    Diago couldn¡¯t help but smile, not only were they not even questioning if he was dead, but they were still speaking highly of him. It was a boost to his pride. He was also able to pick up some other interesting pieces of information. Wrayden was his would-be killer. No surprises there. He also was the first out of the bottleneck, with no one even close behind. Apparently, Wrayden was the man to beat in this canyon. This is another reason why Diago¡¯s victory was such a big deal to everyone. He also learned that a fight among jynx caused the net to rip open. Some of the more vicious creatures were able to break through and out of the canyon. The guards managed to get that under control, but corraling the dangerous animals and fixing the net was going to have to wait until the race was over. Diago overheard a few guards talking about Saarsken and how he had decided to watch the race from a lookout above the bottleneck. Diago wondered about that, but he didn¡¯t linger over it. He just needed to get out. Time was of the essence.

    His last main hurdle to exiting the canyon was the main gate. This proved to be eventless, however, as many people were leaving the arena after losing money on the Shadow of Tunaan. No one seemed bothered that he died, just that they lost the possible winnings. Diago was annoyed by that at first, especially after the praise from earlier, but that changed when those who were saying those things also became his way out.

    He passed the guards with the crowd, walked out into the open air, and breathed a sigh of relief.

    The plan worked, or at least Diago¡¯s part seemed to. He had no idea how the other two were faring. The main goal of the plan was to provide as much of a time buffer as possible so that they could retrieve Rayna before Saarsken could become aware of it. Diago¡¯s part was the most certain, he would be dead, so no one would be looking for him. Aylah¡¯s was next up, faking sickness with a drought that made you throw up was enough to buy a good amount of time. The one Diago was most concerned about was Thatch¡¯s part of the plan. He would have to find a way to leave right out from under Saarsken¡¯s nose.

    Thatch himself didn¡¯t seem to be confident about his chances. Plan B would be to leave without him and rescue Rayna then come back for Thatch afterwards. Thatch was against this for a lot of reasons, but the reason that both he and Aylah latched onto the most was that the fade that spoke to Thatch said that he needed to go too. Thatch and Aylah had this way of talking about the Fades with a lot of reverence. He understood, but the way they talked about them made him wonder if he was missing something. He decided he¡¯d ask about that sometime.

    Diago made his way through the dune lake just behind the forest near the canyon, trying his best to follow the directions Thatch relayed to him. The dune he was in was his least favorite kind. These dunes were in a part of the land where the wind would randomly pick up with ferocity. It wasn¡¯t unusual to find pieces of trees and other random debris buried in the sand. This was why Diago hated it so much, he would trip on the debris constantly. Still, he persisted and made his way. He got turned around a few times, but after climbing to the top of a particularly tall dune, he saw it.

    Below, there was a small peninsula of forest jutting into a dry flat that was past the dunes. There was a singular spire that the tip of the peninsula came up to. The spire itself was a respectable size, though it was not particularly thick at the base. What Diago was looking at was on the edge of the forest. It was a small house. It was hard to see in the distance, but it looked pretty rundown. It was out of the way of main roads, which made it a perfect hideout.

    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Diago took in the scene, while also scanning it for his companions. The wind wafted up toward him, ripping at his cloak and causing him to brace his eyes. Then the wind shifted. He turned his head from side to side to keep the sand out. When he did he spotted two figures crouched behind a small dune below. He smiled,

    ¡°There you are,¡± he thought.

    However, his smile faded when he saw a patrol of two guards approaching the pair below.

    ¡°Uh oh.¡±

    Diago considered his options, but the dune he was on was quite tall and his friends were far enough away that there didn¡¯t seem to be any time to make it to them before something happened. That¡¯s when he spotted a piece of wood sticking out of the dune to his left. He pulled it out. It was a portion of bark that must have been stripped off a tree in a wind storm. It was as tall as Diago and half as wide and It looked to have been smoothed by the constant shifting of the sand.

    ¡°My luck strikes again,¡± said Diago smiling.

    He looked down at the slope before him. He closed his eyes and stepped back a few feet. He took a deep breath. His eyes shot open quickly and he smiled. He ran toward the topmost edge of the dune as quick as the sand would allow and jumped with bark in hand. He placed the bark under his feet as he fell toward the steep slope.

    He landed with speed and that speed only multiplied as he continued his descent.

    He swerved toward the angle of his friends, feeling the sand shift below his feet. Diago refused the urge to yell out with joy, even though he was loving every second of the ride. His goal was serious, but what¡¯s the harm in enjoying the process of accomplishing said goal?

    In the closing distance, he saw the two guards inch ever closer. The wind was blowing against Diago so he bent down, giving him a little less air resistance and a little more speed. In short order, he approached the dune his friends were ducked behind. He had accumulated a lot of speed and was not slowing as he approached, but that was part of the plan.

    <hr>

    ¡°Where is he? He should be here by now¡± Aylah tried to say over the sound of the wind. It had been blowing hard for the last few minutes and it was difficult to hear much, even for her.

    Thatch did not respond, merely shrugging and shaking his head. He continued to look over the dune and toward the hideout they were stalking with a concentrated stare.

    Whatever else would have transpired in conversation was interrupted by the very person they were waiting for. It happened in a flash. In one moment Aylah was looking at Thatch about to ask another question. The next, for a single second, Diago passed between her and Thatch and up the shallow embankment. In that singular moment when Diago was between the two of them she could have sworn she caught a look at his face. She would have expected to see a smug look, or a gleeful one, or something childish like that. Instead, what she thought she saw was the look of grim determination.

    Diago shot off the dune like a ramp. She and Thatch both had to turn to watch where he would end up. They were both surprised to watch as, in mid-air, Diago kicked what looked to be a sliver of bark away from himself and toward one of the two armed guards who were walking in their direction. Simultaneously, Diago and the piece of bark hit the two men. The bark hit the one guard in the head, knocking him out, while Diago collided with the other guard in the torso and they both fell to the ground. They both looked dazed, as did Thatch and Aylah. Diago recovered faster than the guard. He grabbed at his kurigan which had a fist-sized steel ball connected to it, the blugeoner, and threw it hard. It collided with the guard¡¯s helmet. The dazed man was now out cold.

    Aylah watched with continued surprise while Diago paced over to the guard he hit with the bark. How could she have missed them? She guessed that the wind and shifting sand were more obstructive to her hearing than she thought. Neither she nor Thatch were ready for an ambush. Aylah looked again at Diago as he examined the guard. How is it that she had to be protected by this brash, annoying pest? ¡°Hey,¡± said Diago with his back turned to them. Both Thatch and Aylah perked up in curiosity at the sound, but Aylah soon soured when he turned to face them with a smug look on his face and said, ¡°Looks like you guys owe me big time¡±

    Aylah rolled her eyes and looked away, unwilling to acknowledge the favor. Thatch smiled and said,

    ¡°I guess we do¡±

    Diago sauntered over to them, ¡°Sorry I am late. Got turned around a bunch. How did your portions of the plan go?¡±

    Aylah had a flash of memories pass by in her mind. The smells. The feeling of worming her way through a hole that was only just big enough for her to fit through. The climb up the Canyon side. Finding a small pond on her way here and cleaning herself off as best as she could, but still unable to forget the cacophony of scents that her mind just couldn¡¯t release from memory.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it,¡± she said after coming to herself again, mood freshly soured yet again.

    Diago¡¯s eyebrow rose in curiosity, but he didn¡¯t pursue it.

    ¡°Okay then. How about you Thatch?¡± asked Diago

    Thatch removed his eyes from being fixated on the hideout and looked at Diago, ¡°Well, after I retrieved you and Aylah¡¯s gear and set everything up I was called to the bottleneck lookout where Saarsken had positioned himself¡±

    ¡°I heard some guards talking about that. They thought it was strange¡± Diago interjected

    ¡°It is. Everything about him seemed strange today, but I couldn¡¯t tell you precisely how. Anyway, after your dummy was taken out by Wrayden I-¡­I-¡­that¡¯s funny. I-¡±

    Diago and Aylah looked at one another and then back to Thatch. ¡°Are you okay? You look pale,¡± asked Aylah.

    Thatch shook himself, ¡°Yes, I am fine, I just lost my train of thought for a moment. I managed to weave a thought into one of the guards and had him explain that he needed me to interrogate a man who had been swiping money from the tents in the main hall. We walked out and then I knocked out the guard when no one was looking and hid him somewhere out of sight¡±

    ¡°So it worked!¡± Diago exclaimed, ¡°But didn¡¯t you say that it was near impossible?¡±

    ¡°Puppeteering is near impossible. In the essentials, what I did was make my mental voice mimic the guard¡¯s as closely as I could and then told him what to think.¡±

    ¡°That still sounds very difficult,¡± Aylah said eyeing Thatch closely.

    Thatch shrugged and then resumed his position of staring at the hideout, ¡°It-..it was nothing. What we need to worry about now is getting Rayna.¡±

    Aylah continued to eye Thatch but repositioned herself to make ready for whatever came next. Diago crouched next to Aylah. Aylah scooted an inch further away the moment he came close.

    ¡°There is no need to be petty,¡± whispered Diago. It was a low whisper that Diago knew only Aylah could hear, ¡°Listen, something seems off with Thatch. I don¡¯t know him that well, but he seems to be acting strange¡±

    Aylah nodded, thankful that it wasn¡¯t just her who thought so.

    Diago continued, ¡°Keep an eye on him. Yours are better than mine.¡±

    Aylah looked back with a surprised and self-satisfied expression. Diago rolled his eyes,

    ¡°Don¡¯t get a big head tantoos, that¡¯s just a fact¡±

    ¡°There!¡± Thatch said, interrupting the near-silent conversation. Aylah and Diago looked to where Thatch was pointing. It was another patrol, but this pair was loaded with a pack of supplies.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I was waiting for. They change the guards every six hours. Once the old guard leaves, that''s when we will go. There should only be two of them. The three of us should manage¡±

    It didn¡¯t take long. After a few minutes, a few guards left the hideout and started in the direction of the canyon. Diago was jittery and wanted to rush forward, but decided to wait for Thatch to make the call. After all, more was on the line for him. After the guards were well out of sight, Thatch finally motioned for them to move forward.

    They closed the distance to the hideout in short order. They were less than twenty feet from the door when,

    ¡°My my, what a mess you caused getting here¡±

    The three stopped in their tracks. Two spearmen rushed out from the side of the house and four swordsmen ran out of the woods to the trio¡¯s flank while Saarsken stood on the roof, looking down on them. Looking much altered. The way he stood and the way he spoke was very different in comparison to the last time they encountered him. However, Saarsken¡¯s change was not the thing that caused the most surprise in the three rescuers. No, what did that was the changed man¡¯s next words

    ¡°And to think, you likely would have gotten away with your plot, if Thatch hadn¡¯t betrayed you.¡±

 Chapter 19

    Aylah and Diago looked at one another with stern expressions, both feeling vindicated about their apprehensions concerning their new ally. They both took a step back from Thatch. However, their internal tracks of thought were interrupted when the man himself turned to face them. The look on his face was sad and startled.

    ¡°Just try to deny it,¡± Said Diago angrily

    ¡°I can¡¯t¡± said Thatch, but his tone was rich with remorse.

    ¡°so it¡¯s true! Then why help us at all?! What was the point!?¡± Aylah cried.

    Saarsken allowed the interchange to take place with a twisted smile. He was enjoying this disunity and was content to let it run its course.

    ¡°Please, listen to me,¡± Thatch pleaded, ¡°I was tricked. I don¡¯t know how to explain it, but please believe me. Only now do I remember what happened.¡±

    ¡°And what on earth could that possibly mean, you traitor?¡± Said the indignant Diago

    ¡°I crawled through a waste hole for this!¡± Aylah cried in frustration

    Diago started and then looked over at Aylah, ¡°¡­you did?¡­why?¡±

    ¡°Shut up sunburn! We are dealing with something right now.¡± She then turned back to Thatch, ¡°How can you possibly explain this?!¡± she cried again.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how! The best I can say is that, somehow, I was tricked. My memory was messed with and cloudy and a false image was put in my head. When that¡­ thing showed up I remembered that it ripped the truth from my head¡± This last phrase was directed at Saarsken

    ¡°What ¡®thing¡¯?¡­Saarsken?¡± Aylah asked, still disbelieving.

    All three of them turned to the smiling figure on the roof. His eyes flashed with a green hue that was not present before and he laughed.

    ¡°WHO ARE YOU?¡± Thatch called out with a touch of fear in his voice.

    Aylah and Diago were not sure what to think or who to trust. Saarsken continued to laugh. As he did, it grew steadily more disturbing until it slowed down to nothing. The man doubled over and shook violently. He grew still and then stood upright. His entire countenance had changed yet again. His face looked gaunt and his posture was stronger. His eyes were green. Not just the iris, but the entire eye was a deep sickly green, and from them came a steady flow of mist. When he spoke, his voice had changed as well. It was more like a pained, wheezing, whisper.

    ¡°Who am I? You will call me the Firstborn of the Slain¡±

    Shock riddled Thatch¡¯s face and he was unable to even blink. Diago was filled with fear at the sudden change in the man he had grown to despise. Aylah was the only one who was able to reply, though she too was shaken by the change,

    ¡°What do you want with us?¡± She demanded, though without the force she was trying to emit.

    The figure on the roof smirked, ¡°You three reek of Fade¡±

    The statement rocked the trio to their core. The malice in his voice could be felt even through the guards surrounding them. There was a pressure of intimidation that made everyone below feel heavy with dread. No one could breathe, let alone speak. Whatever this thing was, it was evil.

    ¡°How fortunate that we should meet.¡± Said the Firstborn using Saarsken¡¯s face to produce a wild-looking smile, ¡°saves me the trouble of having to deal with you later. As always, our existence crosses the Fades. As it should be. It was our design¡±

    As he said this last phrase, a wave of intense mental pain drifted through everyone, even the guards. Grunts and cries of pain were heard in cacophonous chorus while the figure above looked gleefully at the torment below. Hopelessness was the dominating feeling carried by every shoulder now pressed down by the weight produced by the Firstborn. It was as if a hand had reached into every head and began to rip at the brain and while that happened a thousand pounds were placed on each shoulder. Guards began to pass out and drop to the ground one by one. Both Aylah and Diago¡¯s visions were beginning to close and they were on the verge of dropping as well. Thatch was more able to resist the mental attack, but he too was succumbing to the dark heaviness that was placed over the area.

    The Firstborn continued to watch with glowing green eyes. He enjoyed every moment of pain he caused. Using Saarsken¡¯s face, he smiled ever wider and then softly said, ¡°Die now¡±

    Another wave of darkness pressed down. The feeling of weight doubled making it unbearable. Aylah and Diago dropped to their knees holding their heads and crying out in pain. Thatch continued to stand, putting every ounce of strength he had left into resisting, but was beginning to waver. After the moment of bold firmness passed, he too dropped to his knees clutching his temples in agony. By all rights, the pain should have caused all three to pass out like the guards did, but something about the force gripping them kept them conscious for every second of torment. Thatch felt certain that if this continued for too much longer permanent damage would be done to their minds. However, nothing could be done to stop it. All they could do was take it.

    Then a sudden flurry of motion caused everything to stop. The pressure lifted off and light was able to enter again into the minds of the three below who were still conscious. Thatch wavered where he stood, trying to steady himself and gain his bearings while also trying to see what had happened. Diago and Aylah both were very weak, but both had varying levels of intense relief now that the pressure was gone. All three looked up, searching for what had saved them.

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    There on the roof was the limp body of Saarsken, knocked out cold. Above him was a jynx.

    They were all stunned, unable to believe what they were seeing.

    ¡°No way,¡± said Diago while the other two still stood open-mouthed, ¡°it¡¯s you!¡±

    At the sound of Diago¡¯s voice, the jynx lept down and rushed to his side. It nuzzled up to him and wheezed. Diago was still stunned, but being overwhelmed by the feeling of relief, he gave the jynx a firm embrace. On either side of him, Aylah and Thatch just watched. They looked at each other, both wanting an explanation, neither able to give one.

    Aylah was able to muster up a singular inquisitive word, ¡°How?¡±

    Diago released his embrace, still looking at the creature with pride, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    He examined the animal and found some claw markings on its hide as well as something wrapped around its hind leg. He removed it, much to the relief of the animal. He looked it over and recognized it as part of the netting that roofed the race canyon. He remembered something he had overheard spectators talking about while he made his escape.

    ¡°So you are the one that got out,¡± Diago said, smiling.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Thatch asked, still almost breathless from The previous moment.

    ¡°I overheard people talking about a jynx fight during the race that ended in a few jynx breaking through the canyon net. I didn¡¯t know one got away, but apparently, she did.¡±

    The jynx nuzzled up to Diago again, wheezing again as she did when she was pleased.

    ¡°But how is this possible? From what I have heard, jynx just don¡¯t act like this¡± Aylah said while indicating toward the animal. As she did, the jynx shot an angry stare her way and gave a ferocious growl. Aylah stepped back, now wary of the beast before her, ¡°that is more what they are like¡±

    ¡°Easy girl,¡± Said Diago, coaxing his new friend. Then to Aylah, he said, ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I am not going to complain. She just saved us.¡±

    Aylah was about to say more but stopped when she noticed Thatch completely ignoring them and slowly approaching the hideout door. She remembered why they had come and what it meant to Thatch. She and Diago both followed after him, the jynx trailing behind Diago.

    No one spoke, preferring to let the weight of the moment carry itself. Thatch walked up to the latch on the door and pulled it. It would seem that the pressure created by the Firstborn was not placed on those within the cabin. Diago, Aylah, and Thatch only had a moment to take in the scene before them. There were three guards and one petit figure tied up near the back of the wooden shelter. There being three guards meant that Thatch¡¯s assumption that there would only be two was false. The guards watched them enter. They must have recognized Thatch, because the moment they understood who was entering, all three began to act with practiced intention. Two guards rushed for the intruders and one turned to the helpless figure with a short blade at the ready.

    The two guards in front did not waste time on threats or questions. They simply attacked. Aylah and Thatch, being in the front, were stopped short by the rushing pair just beyond the threshold of the hideout. Diago, trailing behind, was only hindered by the bodies that blocked his path forward. Diago¡¯s eyes widened as he saw the guard in the back raising his blade. Aylah and Thatch were too occupied to see how bad Rayna¡¯s plight had become. The guard was moments from bringing the point down on the helpless girl before him. DIago didn¡¯t have time to think, so, on instinct, he did what he was best at: diving in head first.

    ¡°Aylah crouch!¡± Diago cried as he rushed forward, hoping and praying she wouldn¡¯t waste time asking why or what he was planning. Thankfully she didn¡¯t. She glanced behind, timing her crouch with his approach. Diago lept forward and used her as a single step upward, propelling himself over the bustle. He sailed overhead and collided with the guard in front of Rayna as he was bringing the dagger down. They fell back in a confused mass toward the back wall, each wrestling the other for control.

    While that was happening, Aylah was able to quickly subdue the guard in front of her, dodging a downward strike and shooting back upright, using her elbow to land a hard strike on the guard¡¯s unshielded nose. He fell back in a crumbled heap. Thatch struggled a little more. The guard before him managed to land a cut on his right shoulder which made it hard for him to defend on that side, something the guard was doing well in exploiting. That is, until he was knocked off balance by a jynx rushing forward to get past him. The man lost his footing and Thatch managed to maneuver him into a choke hold that the guard was unable to break free from. He soon blacked out.

    Diago, who was still feeling weak from the wounds on his back and shoulder, was not faring well in his wrestling match. However, when his friendly jynx entered the fight, the match was decided. Diago was on his back with the man over him, making him a prime target for the pouncing beast. Pounce the jynx did and down the man went.

    The jynx tossed the limp figure of the guard to the side. Diago lay back breathing heavily from the struggle. Aylah stood by the door checking for any other foes. Thatch rushed forward to free his daughter from her bonds.

    ¡°Rayna!¡± He said as freed her.

    ¡°Father!¡± she cried in return, as the two closed around each other in a warm embrace.

    Thatch, holding his daughter close, did not notice that she had a knife in her hand that she must have managed to grab off one of the guards as she was tied up. She raised it high and brought it down toward Thatch. That would have been the end of him if Aylah was not so quick. She saw Rayna raise the blade just in time to rush forward and grab her hand to stop her motion. Aylah¡¯s action also forced Thatch to the side, who now had a full view of what had happened.

    ¡°¡­Rayna?¡± Said the pained father, looking incredulous.

    Rayna looked over and a twisted smile came across her face as her eyes flashed green, ¡°Father, it¡¯s me! Please help me!¡± said the Firstborn using Rayna¡¯s face to smile wide.

    The Firstborn and Aylah struggled for the knife while the Firstborn mocked Thatch.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t hurt me! I didn¡¯t mean it! Can¡¯t you recognize your own daughter-!¡±

    Suddenly, the girl was knocked out cold from behind by the pommel of a sword.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough of that,¡± said Diago, very matter-of-factly.

    ¡°Rayna!¡± Thatch rushed forward, to pick his daughter up. He closed his eyes and put his hand over her forehead. When he opened his eyes, the look in them was one of relief, ¡°she¡¯s alright. Just out cold¡± he looked up at Diago, ¡°thank you.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it¡± said Diago as he threw the sword to the side, ¡°I had had enough of that maniac Firstborn anyway¡±

    ¡°What was that thing?¡± Asked Aylah

    Thatch was about to respond, but thought better of it when he looked around at the unconscious bodies around him. ¡°Not here, we need to get somewhere safe,¡± Said Thatch as he gently lifted up his daughter.

    They all three exited the cabin, aiming for nowhere in particular. Their only goal at the moment was to find safety where they could regroup and talk.

 Chapter 20

    Somewhere deep in a Tunaan forest outside of Rant, stirred an ominous figure. Its great size would have made discretion difficult, but that posed no issue. This creature only moved under the cover of darkness and knew countless ways to work and operate in secret. It had come to Rant because it had sensed a lingering presence that he was created to despise. The presence of a Fade.

    As he recalled the day''s events, he grew ever agitated. If that contemptible jynx hadn¡¯t interrupted-¡­ ahh well, it did not do to dwell on it. Far better to deal with what is, rather than what is wished. At first, the encounter only served as a means of frustration and anger for the Firstborn. As he considered, however, he came to realize that this frustration could work in his favor.

    He sat alone and still in the dense forest, planning and plotting, thinking of how he would use the pieces at his disposal to win this cruel game he had in mind. His consideration was interrupted by an intrusive thought,

    ¡°He grows impatient¡±

    The voice was faint. It was almost identical to that of the Firstborn. Only, when this voice spoke, it seemed only to do so with great struggle.

    ¡°A uniquely human capacity¡±, scoffed the Firstborn

    ¡°What shall I tell him?¡± Asked the voice.

    ¡°There is a piece within my reach, but I must lie in wait. There are called ones here¡±

    A mental hiss entered into the mind of the Firstborn. It sounded like the angry whine of steam rushing from a crack in a pipe. It was fueled with disgust. The

    Firstborn allowed the noise to dissipate before continuing,

    ¡°They are called, therefore they are likely to reach their goal. I will lay in wait until the right moment comes when I can both accomplish my task and rid the world of that disgusting stench of Fade¡±

    The silence was all that came in reply, within that silence was the sense of approval of the previous statement. Then, a question was relayed, ¡°How long?¡±

    ¡°I do not know¡±

    ¡°He will not like that answer¡±, there was no hurry in the strained voice, it came only as a statement of fact.

    Rather than reply to the statement, the Firstborn had a question of his own,

    ¡°Have you found anything of use?¡±

    ¡°Whispers only. We have a trail¡±

    ¡°That is good. He will be pleased.¡±

    Then the mental connection was severed. The Firstborn finally moved from his place. He rose to his full height and as he did he heard a gasp from behind. The Firstborn slowly turned his horned head to see what had made the noise. It was a man. The pitiful-looking figure stood there, knees shaking, grasping tight to an old sword that had a chipped blade.

    The Firstborn fully turned around, allowing the man to have a full view of his enormous figure, just before he ripped into the man¡¯s mind. There was a cry of pain and the Firstborn stood motionless, drinking in the sweet sound. The man toppled over. The Firstborn drew close to the limp body and turned it over. The man was older, as indicated by his scraggly white beard and bald head. It must have been a local that happened to have wandered into the forest at the wrong time. He spared no thought of pity or remorse. He had none anyway.

    He laid a hand on the wanderer¡¯s back and concentrated. Suddenly, the old man stirred. He stood up straight. From the old man¡¯s eyes came a sickly green light in tandem with a slow trickle of smoke. After a moment, the smoke ceased and the light dimmed. The old man, whose mind was now entirely consumed by the Firstborn, looked up and smiled wide, before turning off into the forest and toward town.

    <hr>

    ¡°You need a good name,¡± Diago said as he rested against the ferocious jynx.

    Aylah scoffed, ¡°Well it''s a good thing you are so brilliant at naming things, oh great Flying Kurigan¡±

    Diago glared at her, but simply turned to the jynx and began to scratch behind her ear, ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her Brunhilda, she¡¯s not worth the argument¡±

    ¡°Brunhilda?! You can¡¯t be serious!¡± Laughed Aylah.

    ¡°OF COURSE I am not serious, Tantoos,¡± Diago shot back, though maybe not with the kind of confidence he thought he had. It sounded more like he had retracted something he legitimately thought was a good idea.

    ¡°Okay, good¡­Brunhilda,¡± Aylah shook her head.

    ¡°Okay! I get it. I¡¯ll think of something,¡± said Diago somberly.

    They had stopped nearby after leaving the hideout where Rayna was being held hostage. They were all very tired and could only make it so far. Soreness and fatigue were experienced by all, but what hit them all the hardest was the headache that had been steadily growing after the attack of the Firstborn. Now, they sat beneath an old oak tree just beyond the edge of a small forest, next to a salt flat that stretched for quite some distance. They were about a half-day journey from Rant.

    As they sat, nursing various wounds and headaches, Diago was feeling a tad insecure about the whole naming thing and decided a change of subject was in order. Thankfully, it was not hard to find what would turn the tide of conversation. He rubbed at a sore spot near the stitches on his back, which he was grateful had not broken open during yesterday¡¯s various struggles, then he looked toward Thatch,

    ¡°So¡­the Firstborn, what on earth is that thing¡­and was is ¡®the Slain¡¯?¡± Diago asked.

    Thatch did not look up, he had known this question was coming and was still mulling over how to explain it all.

    ¡°They are supposed to be an old war story,¡± said Thatch as he continued to stare into the fire.

    ¡°Seemed real enough to me!¡± Said Diago, still petting the jynx he was currently lying against.

    ¡°Yes they are¡­very much real,¡± said Thatch as he continued to gather his thoughts and recollect all he knew of the Slain.

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    Aylah was listening but was also taking note of the young girl sitting next to Thatch. Rayna. She was a little younger than herself and a little shorter. Her hair was a curly red. She was very pretty, but she looked unfit for any sort of fighting. She seemed frail. Aylah was concerned for her after all she had been through. The poor girl had been kept in that cramped shed for many months with very little food or water and under almost constant surveillance. Aylah was well trained to deal with many trials, but even she would have backlash from such an ordeal. Amid her considerate thoughts of their rescued friend, Diago piped in,

    ¡°What was it like for you? I mean with that Firstborn thing in your head making you try to kill your own dad and all?¡±

    There was a slight wince from Rayna at the mention of the Firstborn. Aylah, annoyed with his tactlessness, punched Diago in the arm.

    ¡°Ow!¡± He cried

    ¡°It''s alright,¡± said Rayna in Diago¡¯s defense, though she seemed agitated. She considered for a moment but then raised her head with a pained look in her eye, ¡°I don¡¯t remember much, only darkness and an intense amount of pressure. I felt like my head was going to explode¡±

    Thatch pulled Rayna in closer to comfort her. They were all sympathetic. To varying degrees, they all had felt the same thing with the Firstborn¡¯s mental onslaught.

    ¡°I am so sorry¡± Rayna quietly said to Thatch.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, I have you now. You are safe,¡± Thatch whispered in reply.

    Diago did not hear them, he had turned his attention back to the jynx he was lying against, still mulling over a good name for her. While Diago did not hear the father and daughter whisper, Aylah heard them loud and clear. She felt a pang at their words. She wondered if her father would have- no, she shouldn¡¯t think that way. She should just be happy for Thatch and Rayna¡¯s reunion¡­but- she shook herself and decided to force the subject someplace else.

    ¡°You say the Slain are supposed to not be real¡­what do you mean? No more dodging Thatch, what are they?¡±

    Thatch, looked up and heaved a sigh, ¡°I don¡¯t mean to dodge. It¡¯s just hard to explain¡­the simplest answer would be to say that they are evil-¡±

    ¡°Oh?! REALLY? How lucky we are to have you around to explain that!¡± Interrupted Diago, ¡°I was under the impression that the Firstborn¡¯s soul-crushing attack on our heads was an outreach of cordial friendship!¡±

    Next thing Diago knew, he was face first in the dirt, Aylah¡¯s hand against his head.

    ¡°Please continue,¡± said Aylah calmly.

    Thatch nodded, he had long since accepted that this was simply how Aylah and Diago related to one another. Rayna was not so accustomed was was quite scandalized. Thatch pressed on,

    ¡°It would be best to start with the Fades. What do you know about them?¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± said Diago, his voice partially muffled by the ground.

    Aylah rolled her eyes, released his head, and groaned in frustration, ¡°Sunburn, I told you about them the other day!¡±

    Diago raised his head and cocked his brow, ¡°You did? Then you really should learn to explain things in a more gripping way, Tantoos, ''cause I got nothing.¡±

    A fire lit behind Aylah¡¯s eyes. The headache that was felt by all was making irritability much more available to each of their tired minds. Thankfully, a calming and steady voice cut through the building tension,

    ¡°THAT¡¯S ENOUGH OUT OF THE TWO OF YOU OR I¡¯LL MAKE SURE YOU

    BELIEVE YOU ARE FROGS FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT!¡±

    Aylah and Diago both looked over. Thatch was also wide-eyed, staring at Rayna who was now standing, pointing at the two quarrelers, and looking quite fed up. Diago and Aylah looked to Thatch. He looked back and raised his shoulders, just as confused as them.

    ¡°Well¡­I¡¯ll make Dad make you believe you are frogs!¡± She looked back to her father.

    ¡°I- I don¡¯t know how to do that¡± Thatch muttered

    ¡°Oh.. well- SOMETHING will happen! So calm down!¡± Rayna then plopped down next to her father with crossed arms.

    Diago and Aylah kept their eyes on Rayna. Even the jynx looked stunned by her sudden outburst.

    Diago whispered to Aylah, ¡°Wow¡­short fuse¡±

    Aylah gently nodded.

    After an appropriate amount of silence had passed, Thatch attempted once again to explain, ¡°I will do my best to explain all I know, but you should try to understand that for me, the line between reality and fiction is only defined by our experience today.¡± They nodded in response to his statement, while he took one final moment to ready himself. Then he began,

    ¡°To start; the fades. Not much is known about them, but it is best to call them a type of manifested, mystical conscience that drives the forces of this world. The result of their meddling has always ended well for those who followed their direction. In contrast, for those who denied the call, everything ends in tragedy either for the one called or for those around them.¡±

    Diago couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Is it even possible to deny? Even now, I can still feel the drive to accomplish what it said.¡±

    Thatch nodded, ¡°Your will was never against the Fades in the first place.

    Furthermore, they came to direct you, not contradict what you were already doing. Long ago, during the final days of the Great Weavers, there was a weaver whose power rivaled even Eeshak¡¯s. His name was Daegan. Legend says that he was confronted by three Fades while he was in the land of Meremoth.¡±

    ¡°Three?¡± Asked Aylah.

    ¡°Yes, to be met with one is rare. One can only imagine how vile a man would have to be to be confronted by three. You¡¯d expect that anyone faced with such power would bend immediately, but Daegan was cunning and had anticipated being warned by a Fade. Somehow, he had devised a way to take hold of them and mutilate them. He did not merely ignore their call, he corrupted them beyond recognition. When he had finished, the Fade¡¯s that had come to warn and guide became the Slain, born to hate and wage war on any and every creature, save their master.¡±

    ¡°He changed the Fades¡­and turned them into his pets?¡± Aylah¡¯s incredulity was apparent.

    Thatch, understanding her surprise, nodded, it was also hard for him to believe it. ¡°No one knows how. It is said that during the Arochm he used the Slain to dismantle his enemies from the inside out. Rumors of glowing eyes and betrayals were all that lived of the Slain. One day the reports of Slain incidents stopped and they disappeared from the narrative. Leaving behind a cruel legacy.¡±

    They all sat in consideration for some time, trying to come to grips with what they were up against. Diago knew that certain dangers would exist within the journey he was commissioned to take on, but this was a lot to take in. A couple of questions began to rise up in his mind,

    ¡°So what did they look like, other than the glowing eyes? Also, you said three

    Fades confronted Daegan, does that mean there are only three or are there more?¡±

    Thatch shook his head, ¡°I wish I could give you a certain answer. I entered the war near its conclusion. All I can say about what they look like is that there was one story floating around from a survivor of an incident. He claimed he saw a massive creature with the same sickly green eyes. As the story goes, it has horns all over its head and no moth. As for how many there were, the story says that there were three Fades, but that¡¯s all it says. Which means, that¡¯s all I know.¡±

    That marked the end of any information that could be shared about the Slain. From here on, they all understood that they would have to be cautious concerning this mysterious enemy that had targeted them. After they had spent enough time digesting the information, the conversation shifted to what was to be done next.

    ¡°We have to find Trig,¡± said Thatch, ¡°The fade made that clear.¡±

    ¡°The problem there is that we have no idea where he could be.¡± Said Aylah as she pulled out her bow and began checking the folding mechanism for any issues, ¡°Saarsken had that information, or at least a place to start, but now we don¡¯t even know if he is still alive.¡±

    They all agreed on that point. Diago stirred in his spot¡­something was nagging at him. He felt certain that there was a piece to the puzzle at his disposal, but he didn¡¯t know what it was. He tried to recall memories of interactions with Saarsken for any clues. Suddenly, pieces began to fit into place in his mind. He remembered the bandits he and Aylah had come across outside of Rant. He realized now that they must have been Saarsken¡¯s men, looking for Trig. He then recalled Saarsken¡¯s words on that platform after Diago had won the race. In his attempt to taunt Diago, Saarsken had given him the clue he needed. It was like an echo in his head as he remembered the man¡¯s mocking voice:

    ¡°When he came to the tents, he paid off his debts and hurried off soon after, and the men that followed, lost track of him heading west.¡±

    He then recalled the last time he interacted with Trig himself.

    ¡°I think I know where to start,¡± Diago suddenly stated.

    Everyone looked at him. Diago, staring into the fire in thought, began to mutter, ¡°I could be wrong. It might be a long shot, but it''s our best bet right now.¡±

    ¡°Just say it, Sunburn¡± Aylah interjected.

    ¡°Yeah, we are all ears,¡± Thatch chimed in.

    Diago looked up from the fire and at his companions and said,

    ¡°We need to find Hult¡±

 Chapter 21

    After his declaration, Diago explained that he had remembered Saarsken¡¯s taunt about Trig paying off debts. He then told them about his interaction with Trig where Hult had thrown him out of the in because Trig had an unsettled account at the Merchant¡¯s Lot. He also mentioned the part about the bandits, though, by the time he did, the others were convinced well enough that it was the best starting point. When he did get to the part about the bandits, Aylah added,

    ¡°I don¡¯t remember any mention of the name Hult.¡±

    Thatch grunted, ¡°That¡¯s good. The best case scenario is that they knew the general direction he was headed, but didn¡¯t know exactly where to look.¡±

    All the information combined indicated that looking for Hult was the best course of action. It took no time before they all agreed that heading to town in the morning was the next step. With nothing left to discuss and the energy levels of all declining at a rapid pace, a silent agreement drove them all to find places to lie down for the night.

    Thatch had gathered some moss together to make a bed for Rayna near the fire, while he rasted against one of the roots of the tree. Aylah, always preferring to be up high, found a thick branch high up in the oak tree. After a little moss work, inspired by Thatch¡¯s creation for Rayna, the branch bed was quite comfortable. Almost as soon as her head rested against the makeshift bed, Aylah fell asleep.

    Since leaving her home, Aylah hadn¡¯t felt as much in need of sleep, her energy remained quite high. She had been warned when leaving Onterrin that life below would be different, she just didn¡¯t know how different. However, tonight, Aylah was drained. Various plots and plans, fights and difficulties¡­crawling through a waste hole. She was spent. Unfortunately for her, her sleep was not as deep as she felt it should have been and she was forced awake by the sound of whispers below. Rayna and Thatch were discussing something, both sounding agitated.

    ¡°Rayna please-¡± Thatch pleaded

    ¡°But Dad, I don¡¯t want to lose you again!¡± Was Rayna¡¯s reply. Though she was whispering there was clear intensity to it.

    ¡°Rayna, I need you to be safe and what I have to do is anything but safe. I don¡¯t know what I would do if-¡±

    ¡°But you can¡¯t keep me safe if you aren¡¯t there¡± Rayna interrupted.

    More was being said, but Aylah decided it would be best to try and tune them out as best she could. This was not a conversation that she was supposed to be privy to.

    ¡°All people should learn sign language,¡± Aylah thought to herself. It keeps from ever being overheard. She was sure that Thatch and Rayna were trying to be quiet, but she figured that even Diago would be able to hear them. Curious, she looked over to the spot Diago had chosen to sleep at, to see if he had heard them too, but she was surprised to see that neither he nor the jynx were there.

    ¡°That¡¯s strange,¡± thought Aylah, ¡°I didn¡¯t hear him move.¡±

    She figured that if the whispering was enough to stir her awake, moving from a sleeping spot would more than do it. Unless¡­unless he still hadn¡¯t come back from gathering moss and firewood, but that didn¡¯t make sense. He looked just as exhausted as she was. She scanned the ground and saw his tracks leading away from their camp, but none returning.

    ¡°I guess he hasn¡¯t come back yet,¡± Aylah thought, but she was sure that she had been asleep for a while. Why wouldn¡¯t he come back? Did something happen? Just in case, she decided to check it out.

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    She jumped down from branch to branch, attempting to be as quiet as possible.

    Neither Thatch nor Rayna seemed to hear her as she landed on the ground. She then started in the direction of the salt flat. It was a short walk to the forest edge. She stopped as she reached the end of the tree line.

    Before her was a long expanse of flat land. In the distance, there were three tall, red spires towering above a dune lake, filled with the rise and fall of mountains made of shifting sand. That alone was a view worthy of admiration, but what drew her attention was the night sky. It was riddled with countless stars that beautifully contrasted their dark backdrop. Faint hues of blue and green laced through the darkness, creating a marvelous picture that would take anyone¡¯s breath away and turn even the coldest heart to wonder.

    Underneath this night sky, a lone figure stood. The tan cloak he was wearing rippled slowly with the pressing wind, but Diago was still, taking in the view. Beside him sat a jynx. Both seemed content to enjoy the silence.

    ¡°What is he doing out here?¡± Aylah asked herself.

    She shrugged. Now that she had confirmed that all was well, she was a moment from turning and going back to her branch, but curiosity held her in place. Which only heightened when her ears picked up a heavy sigh. It came from Diago and carried a mix of emotions within it. She watched as he then looked at the jynx with a smile.

    ¡°you still need a name,¡± Diago said, resting a hand on its head as it wheezed. Sitting, the creature was only a little shorter than Diago. It leaned in and nuzzled his back and then made a different sound. The noise was more like a whimper.

    ¡°I¡¯m alright,¡± Diago said with a smile, ¡°that was some race, wasn¡¯t it? Thanks again for catching me...and saving us.¡± He pet her head again and then sized her up, looking thoughtful.

    Aylah still found it a marvel that this creature would treat Diago with such affection.

    However normal it was beginning to feel that a jynx could simply hang around

    them without someone¡¯s arm being ripped off, there would still have to be some adjustment of mind. But, hard though it was to grasp entirely, the jynx had saved their lives. There was the undeniable fact of experience to provide as a constant example that this thing was truly a friend. Her thoughts were cut off by Diago¡¯s voice in the distance.

    ¡°How about Shantee?¡± Diago asked.

    ¡°¡­Shantee? Give me a break Sunburn,¡± Aylah whispered to herself.

    From the jynx, Diago was met with a blank stare and a snort.

    ¡°Alright¡­¡± Diago scratched his hairless chin with a furrowed brow as he thought.

    Then he said, ¡°How about Patris? That¡¯s the old name of a great warrior from Tunaan.¡± Diago didn¡¯t even sound like he had convinced himself, much less did he convince the jynx. The beast snorted again.

    ¡°Hmm¡­let me think¡± Diago murmured as he paced back and forth, fiddling with the ring he always had on. Then he stopped. He had come up with an idea. He turned to the jynx,

    ¡°I never knew much about the older languages, they always kinda sounded like gibberish to me, but I do remember one word Sul taught me ages ago¡­Saama. It was one of the words for friend. Literally, it means ¡®saving hand¡¯, but it was used more to say, ¡®friend that helps¡¯. Sul scolded me good one day after I had purposely left one of the twins behind so I could get home first. After he made me go back and get him, Sul said that a true friend is a Saama. One that will look out for others and fight to help, no matter what. I always liked that¡­and it has always stuck with me, even when I tried to ignore it... What do you think, do you like Saama?¡± Diago asked the jynx with a smile.

    Aylah remembered the look of grim determination on Diago¡¯s face as he threw himself at the guards that were sneaking up on her and Thatch. She wondered if he had that word in mind while he risked himself for their sakes. She watched as the jynx made a wheezing sound and started flapping her webbed arms. She liked it and Aylah did too.

    Diago laughed, ¡°Saama it is then.¡±

    Diago and Saama resumed the posture they had when Aylah had first seen them. As for Aylah, she was left confused. The source of her confusion was Diago. She found him annoying and brash. It seemed with him, at every turn she was sure to find some snarky remark or a frustrating jab. He was inconsiderate. He was impatient. Overall, He was a maddening person¡­With that, though, there were glimpses of something more¡­something deeper. She wasn¡¯t sure what to make of it. Why him? Thatch was a mind weaver, that was a clear advantage. She-¡­she had her place in Onterrin. Diago¡­was just Diago. Annoying, frustrating, maddening Diago. Things had moved fast since they met but a few days ago. It felt like so much had happened in that short time. She still found him annoying, but for the first time, as she watched him gently pet Saama, she began to wonder,

    ¡°Who are you Diago?¡±