《Slogern Rise of the Harbinger》


 (Prelude) Chapter 1: Tragedy of Darkingstone

    Fight over Darkingstone 648 In the Orcish Backline


    ¡°Dammit!¡±, Donovan exclaims as they strid down one of the secret tunnels deeper into the abandoned mines of Skull Mountain.


    ¡°I think we got rid of them.¡±, Arkevh explains and looks up, the Tunnel they went down to escape the orcs that tried to catch them. His legs still hurt, instead of Donovan''s well crafted steel armor, decorated with the golden Cross on his chest he just wore an old black dyed wool robe with a torn cape. Nothing that could hold off an orc weapon by any chance.


    However he never needed to be on the Frontline, his Magic worked better when he was behind Donovan, who could tank a lot more hits thanks to his Armor, Holy Magic and his sturdy body.


    ¡°That''s the problem, we are behind enemy lines and should find the Shaman and now they are already allerted.¡±, Donovan says annoyed and kicks some rocks further down the old mineshaft, who echo as they fall deeper down in the dark.


    ¡°Bloody Hell, we should have just killed the orcs, and move on.¡±,


    ¡°That would have been a stupid idea.¡±, Arkevh interrupts his companion, and cleans some dust off his robe.


    ¡°Think about it. The other two were caught in the crossfire, if you would take the time to kill them even more orcs would have come to replace them. We are deep in the orc territory. I know you don¡¯t like them but blind rage won¡¯t help us, people died for us, to hold off the ritual, I won''t waste more lives in this war.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°I hate them but I guess you¡¯re right, you are our strongest weapon, we need to hurry up now, otherwise the orcs may warn their leader and this operation is doomed.¡±, Donovan reminds himself and takes the lead again.


    Together they continued their way through the deep Mines of Skull Mountain, with the help of Donovan''s magical light he quickly created. They walk past the old wooden planks that support the weight of the ceiling, covered in moss, symbolizing their age.


    Donovan and Arkevh were in the mines, located in the highest Mountain in middle Ljus and in the Darkingstone Mountain Range, marking the border between the orcs and Human Lands.


    However 200 Days ago the Orcs started their siege on the border fort of Darkingstone prompting a lot of drafting into the Kings army, like Arkevh and Donovan who got drafted with the Age of 19 and 21. Donovan was an adversary of the Church of Ljus who had a lot of control over the King''s court and Helgria as a whole, Arkevh however was just a student in the University of Helgria who was lucky enough to be blessed with the gift of being someone with extraordinary amounts of Mana, and a type of Magic no one really saw before.


    Thanks to Donovan he was able to leave the Orphanage and learn in the University, strengthening him, however the only thing he wasn¡¯t thankful about were Donovan''s other ideas, like drafting him into the war as a secret weapon.


    Reinhard, the General over Darkingstone was interested in Arkevhs magic like Donovan, so they promptly created a squad tasked with eliminating an orcish ritual that gave their enemies more strength. Indicated by the red glow all over the orcs body. One Strong Magic burst from a skilled magician and the orcs triumph card was eliminated.


    This wasn¡¯t Arkevhs war however but Donovans, and he hated it.


    Everytime he returned from the Church of Ljus from the north he seemed more keen on the idea that Arkevh was the one that could make Helgria to the most powerful nation in Ljus, getting rid of the orcs who murdered for their amusement and once burned down Donovan''s Home. Maybe even Arkevhs, he didn¡¯t know who his parents were. He grew up in the Orphanage after all.


    Revising what led them to be here, Arkevh almost misses the natural light coming through the Tunnels, resulting in Donovan shoving his arm in front of Arkevh to stop him. He falls to the ground and looks back, they¡¯ve walked upwards again, soon they would leave the Mining Tunnels the Humans and Dwarfs left as the war broke out. Returning to the hollow halls in the middle of the Mountains the orcs seemed to occupy, stealing the golden Statues that the Dwarfs once placed here before they migrated to the Western Mountains.


    ¡°Peak out real quick, you are shorter than me, I raise you up a little bit¡±, Donovan explains and points to a small air shaft that was carved into the tunnels, a few feet away from the air shaft seemed to be a gate connecting the Tunnels with the Hall in the middle of the Mountain.


    Arkevh nods and looks at his companion for a while, even with Donovan''s light extinguished the Holy Knight still had a weak glow around him, coming from his blind eye, whose pupilles looked like a white fog was roaming inside of it. His other eye was dark blue while his hair was brown, cut shorter for now like his beard which got freshly trimmed alongside his mouth and cheeks.


    Arkevh however kept his long hair that sometimes blocked one of his eyes, hiding his unusual violet Eyes, that reminded Donovan about his teacher Helland. He never saw before , even though Donovan wanted to introduce him to Arkevh one day.


    Arkevh stops his consideration and moves up to Donovan who lifts him up to the Airshaft. That also functioned as the Mouth of a Golden Statue who depicted Alexander I, a famous Emperor who stood Against the Orc invasion. It was one of the few remaining Statues, Arkevh was able to see a Statue depicting a Dwarf, being already dismantled in its parts, the orcs really seemed to want this gold for something, even though they normally don¡¯t hunt treasures, maybe they sell it somewhere, maybe for Echsanos Technology? No matter what their plan was he was happy that the orks have not seemed to find the secret entrances to the mine shafts yet.


    Donovan and Arkevh just escaped into them barely one blinding light from Arkevh was enough time for him and Donovan to quickly press against the wall and vanish into the mineshafts, thanks to Reinhard''s explanation of the Tunnel system they survived, he however couldn¡¯t say that to Warin and Rivh, a Human Warrior and another Mage who sadly made it. Arkevh was still shocked about the orcish brutality and tries to forget the pictures of the orcs brutally murdering their companions. Donovan did not seem to show any grief however Arkevh knew that this probably continued to fuel his hate.


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    He just wanted to end this war, there was no reason for him to fight till death, even though he didn¡¯t knew Warin and Rivh for long, he wanted to end it in their name and for all that died in this battle over a stupid mountain.


    He looks further down the giant Hallways that were built before his time, gigantic Pillars holding the ceiling that got painted with pictures of the creation and heaven while the ground was covered in blood. He looks further to the right and sees another orc that peaks his interest. An orc covered in Bones and red painting that sat on a wooden throne that seemed to be meditating. Like a lot of orcs he possessed green skin, other than the other orcs however he was way more skinny and had a different head, it was unusually laid forward and covered with a vulture''s skull. In his left hand he held a poorly crafted wooden staff that held a red crystal on the top, that radiated in its colour. Definitely that was a Shaman and the one they searched for, however he seemed to be guarded by other fierce looking orc warriors.


    ¡°Let me down.¡±, Arkevh explains to Donovan who listens and lifts him down again.


    ¡°What did you see?¡±, he asks, intrigued about whatever happened on the other side.


    ¡°We are lucky, the Shaman is right around the corner if we take the next exit outside of the secret tunnels, but let''s be careful he is surrounded by guards.¡±, Arkevh answers and looks toward the Magical wall, which was marked with a red X from the Inside of the Tunnels. Arkevh remembers once again what Reinhard had told them in the Camp.


    ¡°Listen up Soldiers, you have an important tasks, get behind the orcish line with the help of the secret tunnels and eliminate their Shaman, after that we will start our burst through the Hallway and the tunnels as well, they think our main Army hasn¡¯t arrived yet but it''s just hiding for now. So hurry up, remember every 10th Golden Statue has an Air Shaft in it and an Entrance to the right, some of my men will help distract them. I believe in your success.¡±, Arkevh remembers the General''s voice echoing through his head.


    And now it was time to finish that operation with the hope he could finally leave this place, he just needed to get rid of that one Orcish shaman and nobody would want him again for this kind of battle, maybe he could keep the casualty''s to a minimum.


    Together Arkevh and Donovan press against the Wall one last time and get transported through the magical getaway, a way feet away from the Shaman and his guards.


    Quickly the Shaman notices them, probably because the thick layer of Stones didn¡¯t block his sense to detect Mana anymore. Quickly he and the guards turn around, realizing the Magic Missile consisting out of Light magic, flying towards the Shaman. Right before it was able to hit its target the Attack puffs away as the Shaman stomps on the ground with his staff, creating a red bubble like shield around him and also lets his guards glow in a red light.


    ¡°You dare to attack me Human?¡±, the Shaman says in a creaking Human language.


    ¡°What else, beast?¡±, Donovan provokes him and draws his great sword.


    ¡°That one is on to you, Arkevh I can''t penetrate that shield fast enough.¡±, his companion explains and covers him.


    ¡°I will cover you as long as you need, don¡¯t let me down now!¡±, Donovan says once again and faces the two orc guards that started to attack him. He dodges and parries the Swings of the orcs axes and is able to find a hole in one orcs defense and rams his sword in the orcs chest. To Donovan''s surprise the Sword gets stuck in the orc¡¯s body, and did not seem to cause any harm to his foe.


    Quickly he jumps back as another blade of an axe, misses him by a small distance, strapping his left cheek, causing it to bleed.


    The Effect off the Shamans spell seemed to be stronger closer to him, if that wasn¡¯t enough more orcs started to swarm in from the sides, equipped with all sorts of weapons especially bows that were targeted on the two Humans.


    To taunt Donovan the orcish Guard, rips out the bloody sword from his chest and throws it in front of Donovan''s feet.


    ¡°You die with Weapon, not like coward¡±, the Orc explains smiling, revealing his rotten teeth.


    Not sure what to do, Donovan stretches out his Hand and creates a dome out of Light Magic around him and Arkevh, with the Aura of Defense. The orc archers loosen their arrows and Donovan sights relieved as his defensive spell seemed to work. At Least for now, he could feel that his Mana was rapidly depleting with every arrow and every Weapon that hammered against the dome.


    The two Guards of the Shaman however seemed to do nothing, both of the grey skinned orcs with their rusty iron armor and Sabertooths just stood there, not approaching the dome while the red light still surrounded them.


    Intrigued, Donovan looks back at Arkevh.


    ¡°Arkevh, that is indeed a demonic ritual but I believe you can do it.¡±, Donovan motivates his comrade, who could not hear him anymore. It already had begun.


    While Donovan held off the Orc guards Arkevh already had raised his staff into the direction of the Shaman, who now slowly seemed to retreat behind his line of Soldiers.


    ¡°What are you standing here like idiots, attack them, make that boy stop!¡±The Shaman exclaims furiously and points towards Arkevh, while he flees further into the Frontline, while Arkevh starts to change.


    He starts to shine in a violet glow that fills the dome until a third eye with violet pupils suddenly appears on his forehead, and something formed from his wooden staff, a similar eye like sing carves itself in the wood as it begins to glow brightly and a giant ball of energy emits from the top. Faster than Donovan could realize, the ball of energy shatters through his magic barrier, with rapid speed and continues its way towards the hallway and the Shaman. An ear ringing sound appears as it continues its way down the hallway, vaporizing every orc in its path until it hits the Shaman and blows off in a gigantic explosion that erupts the whole hallway. Before Arkevh himself can realize what happened, he collapses to the ground, his staff broken in half by the force of the attack he just unleashed and by all the souls who just entered the Maelstr?m.

 Chapter 2: A New Path

    He was dreaming about the same event once again. Even two years later, what he did in Darkingstone comes back in his sleep time after time. But why was he so unsure? He helped his people to win the war, and he was finally free from the draft in the Army. The orcs fleet back into the Northern Territories as Arkevhs attack killed their Shaman and the Demon that was part of the orcs body. They needed to retreat either way, Arkevhs attack caused the whole Place to collapse after the explosion hit its target Donovan grabbed the unconscious body of his friend and ran through the tunnels back to Reinhard, a miracle that they both survived.


    Now he remembered why he felt so bad about all of that, he did not even kill his initial target with the attack but so many else, the orcs that instantly got vaporized into ashes as they stepped into the reach of the attack, the Shaman that seemed terrified about what happened and the others, including Humans that died as the Halls of Skull Mountain collapsed.


    Arkevh knew that he could not control his secret powers, the eye that appeared when he wanted and caused immense destruction and changed him every time he used it.


    He stands up from his bead, yawns and looks out the window. From the Houses in the Outer Walls, he was not able to look at the forest, but at other houses and little stores and listens to the carriages that make sounds at the paving stones for a while, before his ears pick up the sounds of the mass of Humanons that got through the gate in the morning.


    What day was it again, Fjirt¡­ Dammit! He probably was already too late to hand over his final Study about Pure Magic. So he hurries and tries to get out of his way to comfortable bed, padded with Jarlsheep wool, stretches one more time, puts on his tunic, dresses in the rest of his clothes, and washes himself, hoping that he still makes it on time. His preceptor was strict enough with him, being too late to hand over the final study he sat down for ages, would not be a good impression. He owned that one to Donovan, thanks to him he was even able to get into the University of Helgria, they normally do not take people from the outer Ring, especially people that were not born into a noble family, that also was literate and well known around the city or Ljus.


    Before stepping outside he looks at the mirror once again. Since the Darkingstone incident Arkevh possessed a kind of tiny crack on his right cheek. He first thought this was a kind of scar but as soon as he used Magic on the next day, the scar suddenly started to glow in a violet light once again. He touches the mirror and sighs, who even was he? All he could remember was growing up in the orphanage, as a foundling, everytime he asked the overseers of the orphanage about his origins they just explained that one day, he stood in front the door crying and so they picked him up. Even back then he had those violet eyes.


    But that did not matter now, he needed to hand over his studies, so he quickly picked up the book from the chaotically sorted desk, grabbed his mantle and stepped outside, into the streets of Helgria.


    It was a typical Fjirt in Helgria, alot of Merchants either went into the city or left it to travel into different parts of Ljus, especially blocking the streets off the outer and second ring. He looks at his studies again, hoping that they were readable and sets off to the inner circle, trying to get past all the merchants and Ox yokes that littered the street. On the way he thinks about the outer circle and his study again.


    After the battle of Darkingstone the General but also the King commended Donovan and Arkevh, granting them a wish. For Arkevh it was a little house in the outer ring of the city, close to the forest and the Adventures guild. He often ventured to that forest after being done for the day and considered what he would do after he submitted his study.


    He looks at the book containing his study once again, Pure Magic. A Type of Magic that seemed pretty rare amongst most Humanon, the collective term for all Human like species.


    Pure Magic is a specific type of Magic that seems to be everywhere, but only a few people can sense it, let alone use it. Arkevh was one of the few. He was able to concentrate and gather Pure Magic from the surroundings and was therefore able to change his own magic type. No one seemed to have documented it yet, Arkevh was the first. That was probably the reason why the Eldest preceptor wanted him to write about that.


    He could understand it, Magic types also called Auras were very interesting, every being in Ur was born with one Element. The Ur Elements being, fire, water, earth and air, from those four Elements other magic descends, like plant magic, thunder magic and many more. There are also two special elements being dark and light magic, used by servants of the gods or learned through Angel teachings. What makes Elements so special is that everyone can learn as many as they want. Auras however are limited to people, mostly one to three, but never all.


    There are six auras. Creation, Controle, Defense, Summoning, Enhancing/Merging and Offering. The Last one being a forbidden Aura, that specializes in offering something for another, unleashing devastating attacks or effects with offering the living for example. For that it needs a bond between offered objects, a ritual drawn into an area or an artifact like the Orc Shaman in Darkingstone. Arkevh possessed all these Auras thanks to pure Magic but also somehow did not get affected by the Aura of offering, that usually also wanted something from the user, being it a limb or even the casters life. It''s said that it was regulated by the gods themselve, but nobody was really sure, there wasn¡¯t much about it in the Holy scriptures.


    After some time, Arkevh passes to the inner gate, slowly regretting putting on the Mantle, especially in the Late summer. The street was way less cramped now, and better plastered. The Houses were bigger and the district seemed overall more silent, however there were still a lot of carriages driving around, bringing the nobles to the castle, or out of the city. Arkevh looks up to the Sun again. It already was at the Zenith, he looked at his study again and then to the street leading to the University. He really needed to hurry now, so he started a full on sprint in hopes that he still makes it on time, not caring about the civilians who look at him confused.


    Exhausted he makes it to the university, rushing through the hallway making it to his preceptors room gasping for air. The preceptor looked at Arkevh for a while, he wasn¡¯t able to see his students, face it was covered by his hair, as he always kneeled head over before him. Then he probably saw the book in Arkevhs hands and finally spoke up again.


    ¡°You are the last Arkevh, as always just hand over the study, I hope you did not disappoint me and Sir Dhalin with what you wrote.¡±, the middle aged man in his grey robe stretches out his hand and marks off Arkevhs name in a list. Arkevh looks up again, gulps and gives his preceptor the book.


    ¡°I am deeply sorry Sir Frederick.¡±, Arkevh explains and stands up straight again, before he bows his head.


    ¡°Do not waste my time Arkevh, you are lacking and you can be happy that you are still graduating from this university. Even a hero of war needs to be on time. Now put your head up again, i am not a king.¡±, Sir Frederick explains annoyed, and looks back on his list, all studies were delivered on time, mostly.


    Arkevh listens and looks at his preceptor real quick, he seemed more laid back than usual, maybe because he never needed to see his students again. His wrinkles on his bald forehead seemed smaller than ever, and he symbolized Arkevh to leave once again, pointing his brown eyes on him.


    ¡°Get some rest, you do not want to oversleep your graduation ceremony, I suppose?¡±, he jokes and stands up from his Chair, leaving his office after picking up his belongings.


    Arkevh sights after his preceptor, leaves the room, he had done it even if he was exhausted from the walk and probably almost make his teacher even more annoyed about him, he still had done it, he only needed to wait for the letter approving his studie and he was done, finally free from this boring studies, he finally was able to see the world. He kept his promise to Donovan, the Holy Knight was the reason he was able to study after all, and now he was able to pay him back with having a good result in the end, he hopes at least.


    As Arkevh stepped outside he was not all too surprised to see Donovan waiting in front of the University. He was clothed in his usual armor that he wore since the fight over Darkingstone. The dream appears in Arkevhs head again but he shakes it off, walking towards Donovan who waved to him.


    ¡°Good to see you, I''ve been on a patrol but I decided to look after you, what do you think about your study?¡±, he asks and smiles warmly.


    ¡°I think so.¡±, Arkevh answers and looks back at the University for a while.


    ¡°What are you planning to do now?¡±, Donovan says and gives Arkevh that demanding look, saying it in such a natural way Arkevh was not sure what he wanted to hear.


    ¡°I may join the Adventurers Guild.¡±, Arkevh answers.


    Donovan looks at him for a while but then bursts out in laughter and claps Arkevh on the right shoulder.


    ¡°Good joke comrade but honestly tell me what your heart really desires, the king would be open to take you.¡±, he answers for him.


    ¡°I was not joking Donovan, deal with it.¡±, Arkevh explains annoyed, staying with his decision.


    Donovans just lets out a big sight.


    ¡°You will get it one day.¡±, he says annoyed.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±, Arkevh asks unsure.


    ¡°That you can¡¯t flee from the fact that the world needs your powers.¡±, Donovan finishes.


    ¡°I will use my powers to help people how i think it''s right, don¡¯t worry about me.¡±, Arkevh answers.


    ¡°Then let''s make a deal, I will join you in your first task in the adventurous guild. If I see that you can help the people with something like that, I will accept your decision.¡±, Donovan suggests smiling.


    Arkevh takes a while to consider, did he plan everything, even if he did, this deal sounded so basic that he could not see something off with it.


    In addition Donovan would not lie, he was a part of the Church Lying was seen as a sin.


    So Arkevh nods.


    ¡°Agreed, let''s go then.¡±,


    ¡°After you.¡±, Donovan explains and follows his comrade down the streets to the outer circle.


    Donovan knew he could not force him, yet. He needed to stay on terms with Arkevh to complete the mission he got from Helland. The mysterious adversary of the church who showed Donovan the truth, the truth in his blind eye. Helland had a plan, Donovan just needed to trust him.


    Donovan was an Adversary of the Church of Ljus as well. The Church was a powerful organisation all over the Light continent.


    Back in 400 ZE1 they called upon Heaven to aid the other Humanon, winning the war against the orcs. Since then they had a lot of power over Helgria and the Order of Ljus as well.


    This included a Royal Guard, consisting of adversaries of the church like Donovan and the power to select a new king. The King of Helgria was someone chosen by Yasoma of course.


    The Church itself was led by Arandil, an old Man who was a friend of the current King Alexander IV. Donovan however was an adversary of his Opposition, led by Helland. The Opposition however wanted the Noble Leopold off Carwitz as the new King, especially because Alexander was old and had no kids or living family Members.


    The marsh through the street was easier than before, now with Donovan at his side, many people cleared the way for them, they did not want to get into trouble with a Royal Guard.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.¡°Isn¡¯t Helgria beautiful.¡±Donovan asks his friend as they pass by some Statues, resembling past Kings.


    ¡°I would say so, I do like the Elven architecture a bit more.¡±, Arkevh says.


    ¡°Understandably, they build marvelous structures in harmony with the forest, such a perfect species of Humanon.¡±, Donovan daydreams.


    ¡°You see and this is why I want to join the Adventurers guild, with it I can also see this places myself.¡±, Arkevh tries to convince Donovan.


    He just laughs again.


    ¡°Well, let''s hope we can protect those wonders from destruction, lately an elven village got destroyed by orcs.¡±, Donovan mentions and gives Arkevh that face again, waiting for an answer.


    Arkevh just sighs and carries on.


    A few Minutes later they finally arrive at the Adventurers guild. The Guild itself was located right at the northern gate, and surrounded by old wooden fences, that on further expectation needed a repair. They enter the property and follow the plastered stone way, towards the main door, past some Dummies that were occupied by two people in leather armor, training their sword skills.


    The two warriors turn around, and look more than confused after seeing Donovan and Arkevh entering. It was a woman and a man, the woman had short cut brown hair and a scar that went across her right eye. The Man had a similar cut for his black hair and played with his goatee as he saw the two entering the training area and sizes them up.


    The Woman speaks, first after putting her sword in the scabbard.


    ¡°Hey Holy Knight, the Royale Training grounds are two walls, further away.¡±, she laughs and spits on the ground.


    ¡°What do you even want here?¡±,the man asks with his high pitched voice and spits on the ground.


    ¡°Nolan has paid his taxes yesterday, he even paid more after my sister told your guards what she thinks of them.¡±


    Donovan just looked at Arkevh.


    ¡°And you really want to join this place?¡±, he asks disappointed.


    Arkevh just shrugs it off and answers for him.


    ¡°We are not sent by anyone, he just wants to join me on my first mission, a kind of deal.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    The Woman bursts out in laughter once again.


    ¡°Can¡¯t wait till Nolan sees jokes like you. Are you sure you took the right turn?¡±, she provokes them.


    Arkevh just nods.


    ¡°Then beat it and make yourself useful.¡±, the Man says and goes back facing the Dummy, hitting some more sword slashes on it.


    ¡°As you wish.¡±, Arkevh says and continues towards the main entrance.


    Donovan looks back at the two training warriors and bows towards Arkevh.


    ¡°If you want to annoy them just look at their sword technique, there is none, they just puns as hard as they can, I will give you some training and you can beat them easily.¡±, he laughs.


    ¡°Thanks for the offer but there is no need for that¡±, Arkevh smiles and opens the old wooden door, which was decorated with a Raptors Skull carefully.


    The Inner Room of the Tavern, looked more cozy then both of them thought, it looked more like a tavern, but looking at all the taverns that were located in the outer walls it was pretty likely that this place was built on the foundation of one some time ago.


    Multiple wooden Tables stood around the Guild''s Main room, paired with chairs from the same material, probably oakwood because these kinds of trees grew around Helgrias forest. On the right side of the Guild there was a large chimney, with some bars in front of the fireplace, thanks to Yasoma it was not running, Arkevh still regretted putting on his mantle with this weather. The left side of the Guildhouse possessed some stairs leading up to sleeping rooms, probably something you could pay for at the counter, that was right in front of them. A passage leading straight through it was created thanks to the symmetric placement of the tables.


    Arkevh and Donovan looked towards the counter, above it there was wooden plank, plastered with stuffed Heads of Hunted Monsters, like Raptors, Bugasors, Mundos, Rocs and many more. In Front of the counter however were two people, one of them seemed to be a kind of smith. He was bald and wore a leather apron in which a toolbelt was tailored. He seemed to be done talking with the guy on the counter and turned around, revealing his brown beard he bounded into a braid and his blue eyes.


    ¡°I see you later Nolan, you know where to find me.¡±, He explains and looks towards Donovan and Arkevh.


    ¡°Also you seem to have some new people, good luck with them.¡±, he smiles and walks past the two newlings, back to his Forge.


    Now they had a clear view on the counter, behind there seemed to be an old man, with an eyepatch only having one green eye left. He also wore a grey full beard complemented by his long white hair. His arms were placed on the counter, revealing his countless scars and muscular body, hidden under a white tunic. As Donovan and Arkevh approached them he gave them a warm smile, revealing his many golden teeth.


    Next to the counter there was a swing door, leading to a kitchen and multiple barrels filled with alcoholic beverages.


    ¡°Nice to see a new face, what can I do for you.¡±, he only smiles at Arkevh and seems to ignore Donavon.


    ¡°I want to join the Adventurers Guild.¡±, Arkevh answers and replies with a smile as well.


    ¡°Permanent, as a full on as a member or for a certain time.¡±, he asks.


    ¡°I want to join the Guild as a member, and my friend here.¡±, Arkevh points at Donovan.


    ¡°Only for a day, it''s some kind of deal, don¡¯t ask about it.¡±,


    The Leader of the guild laughs.


    ¡°I was wondering what a Holy Knight does here, but if it''s only that i¡¯m fine with it, i need your names first, before we can start.¡±, he explains and pulls out a paper, feather and an inkpot, to complete a list.


    ¡°Arkevh.¡±


    ¡°Donovan¡±


    ¡°The Donovan and Arkevh?¡±, he asks unsure.


    Both nod and the Leader of the Tavern nods still surprised and writes down their names.


    ¡°Then let''s start with a quick explanation on how the guild works.¡±, the old man starts and puts some hairs out of his face.


    ¡°This guild was build 30 years ago and takes and creates their own tasks. Those are the two kinds of missions you will take here. Either you''re gonna do some stuff for me, or you choose some tasks at the bulletin board. I will have re stacked with letters tomorrow. All these letters are from people that need your help with monsters or need some exotic wares they can¡¯t get in the city. Stuff the Army and the Guards won¡¯t work on.¡±, he explains and gives Donovan another judging face. Donovan just replies with growl


    ¡°Sounds plausible.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°Also there are some Ranks to it.¡±, the old Man explains.


    ¡°As soon as you do your first task, you will be handed your first rank. There are five in total. Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Sapphire. I will give you harder tasks depending on the rank which also means more payment for you.¡±, he explains.


    ¡°Thanks for the opportunity to work here Sir.¡±, Arkevh answers thankful.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry but please, just call me Nolan.¡±


    ¡°Could I ask something?¡±, Donovan joins the talk.


    ¡°What is it?¡±, Nolan asks.


    ¡°How do you finance yourself?¡±, Donovan asks skeptically.


    ¡°Well first of all, I get money running this as a Tavern that opens in the night, the forge that Bark the Smith uses belongs to me so he pays rent. The Payment you get is also mostly from the people giving the tasks, i take almost every task so you will also find tasks from poor people that won¡¯t give you any money, so you should learn to save your money.¡±, he starts.


    ¡°My main money comes from selling wares by myself, I know alot about Mining, and Herbalism so the gathering tasks have a shared payment between me and my workers. All thanks to year long experiences and growing up as a noble myself, using the Money for good deeds.¡±, Nolan finishes and lets out another big smile.


    ¡°Any more questions?¡±, he adds


    ¡°No that should be all, thank you, I¡¯ll see you tomorrow I suppose.¡±, Arkevh answers.


    ¡°Good to hear, I''m happy to see some new faces and then so prominent ones as well, i should have known you are Arkevh by the eyes and the scar.¡±, he laughs.


    ¡°You need to tell me more about you when we have the time for that.¡±, he suggests.


    Arkevh nods unsure.


    After saying his Goodbyes to Nolan, Donovan and Arkevh stand outside of the Arena for a while. A sigh from Donovan breaks the Silence.


    ¡°Good, if this is what you want to do then do it. But please Remember one thing.¡±, Donovan starts.


    ¡°If you believe me or not, the world will need your powers once again one day, and then I won''t be able to guide you. And this is soon. In a week I''m off to the Church of Ljus for a longer time.¡±, he explains.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get it now, but you are stuck in those world conflicts forever until there is war, your powers are now known by everyone and feared as well. You can be happy that the guild seems to be like you, full of people not caring about anything. All outsiders. But no one of them has the potential like you. That differentiates you from them, if you are unlucky you probably are a bastard but you still carried on and now look at you, you are a hero of war. Use that to help people when that is what you want but don¡¯t forget you are a part of the war that is still going on.¡±, he ends his monologue.


    ¡°But what if the war ends¡±, Arkevh asks unsure.


    ¡°It won¡¯t and if there isn¡¯t an end to the Order of M?rks Terror. The Orcs are still attacking other people, just not the Humans. In these times it needs a strong king, and without it the war is in front of our gates sooner or later. That''s why I''m gone soon, the Church will change something and I hope it turns for the better, for both of us. I trust in you and what let me here.¡±, Donovan explains to Arkevh and walks towards the inner circle again.


    ¡°I need to go now, still having duty, I¡¯ll see you tomorrow take care.¡±, then he vanishes in the group of people, running all around Helgria, leaving Arkevh with his thoughts.


    He was right, no matter which path he took, sooner or later the War would come back, and then he needed to decide if he would run away from it or face it, trying to save as many lives as possible.

 Chapter 3: The first Mission

    As soon as the first rays of Sunlight hit Ljus, Arkevh and Donovan already stood in front of the counter. Geared up for their first mission. Arkevh felt a weird connection with his staff once again, he could not point out what it was though. After the Darkingstone incident his wooden staff broke into two, so after the war Donovan bought him a new one, consisting out of metal and with an amethyst at the top, to make it more durable and channel magic more efficiently.


    Waiting for Nolan to come back to the counter with the Bulletin board, Arkevh lets his view ponder through the Tavern once more. He was able to see the two Warriors from yesterday. They sat at one of the tables and drank some beer and sometimes seemed to glance towards them. If Arkevh wasn¡¯t mistaken the man seemed to have a hint of interest in his face, maybe he had realized who Arkevh and Donovan were. Even if not, that made Arkevh more happy.


    Arkevh also eyed Donovan again, he still thought about what he told him yesterday.


    Was there really no way to escape his fate? Could he just leave somehow. At Least the guild could be a good way to get a clear mind from this for the time being, he hopes at least.


    He gets thrown out of his considerations as soon as he feels a heavy clap on his neck, caused by an iron glove.


    ¡°This is still your Idea, you chose something?¡± Donovan asks, slightly annoyed.


    Arkevh needs a while to figure out what happens and looks up again, Nolan already stood in front of them and prepared the bulletin board. It was a typical wooden board, in which multiple Nails and Ankylspike stingers held various pieces of paper.


    ¡°You can pick everything with normal nails, it marks Tasks for the Iron and Bronze ranks so you should be good to go.¡±, Nolan explains with a smile and goes through his beard.


    Arkevh things for a while and goes through the letters, that all had a short description on them. The tasks ranged from delivering crystals or plants, ore for a smith or helping hunters at their work: everything seemed to be pinned on this wall.


    One task however especially peaked Arkevhs interest. One of them seemed to be about a goblin problem that haunted a local village. This seemed to be the most urgent task and he probably could get Donovan''s approval as well. After that he could still do the other tasks but for now this seemed the most interesting. The Tasks also seemed to be located in the Forest of Yor. The Forest close to Helgria he always wanted to venture deeper in.


    ¡°I pick the Goblin one.¡±, Arkevh explains and points towards the bulletin board.


    ¡°The Goblin one?¡±, Nolans questions but then seems to remember as he snipped and picked off the letter from the board.


    ¡°I remember. I always consider marking it harder a lot of it has changed since the first letter. I got even more letters since this incident first occurred. Guards are positioned there but it seems like they can¡¯t find the Source of the attacks on Farsen. So your task would be to stop the attacks that have been happening for a month already¡±, Nolan explains and gives Arkevh the Letter with more detailed information.


    Donovan glanced over the magician''s shoulder, which wasn¡¯t really hard looking at their one feet difference.


    ¡°500 Silver Coins in pay is a lot. That means the people need our help immediately.¡±, Donovan explains.


    ¡°If you say so we should Hurry.¡±, Arkevh replies to Donovan who nods in agreement.


    Nolan considers once again scratching his beard.


    ¡°Well i first thought that may be a Silver task by now, but looking that its you two who pick this task i trust you, just so you know most of the pay is from me Knight¡±, Nolan smiles.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter.¡±, Donovan answers and turns around, making his way past some armored man that looks puzzled by the view of a Holy Knight in an adventurous guild.


    Before Donovan could say anything Arkevh follows as fast as possible leaving the Tavern on the way to aid the people in Farsen.


    Leaving the gate towards the northern roads Arkevh looks at the letter once again.


    ¡°The Attacks seem to come from the north of Farsen.¡±, Arkevh reads.


    ¡°The Northern parts of the forest? That is a long way.¡±, Donovan considers.


    ¡°Should we go straight through the forest?¡±Arkevh asks.


    ¡°No we shouldn¡¯t, there is more than Goblin in that forest i know it, you will have enough time exploring it as soon as we arrive in Farsen.¡±, Donovan explains and leads the way following the road to the north.


    ¡°Are you going to the Banquet and the ball next week? It''s one day before I return to the church. I would like to see you there.¡±, Donovan explains.


    ¡°I know you are not the biggest friend of those masses of people but maybe you want to try it once, they are surely some attractive ladies as well.¡±, he continues and claps Arkevhs shoulder.


    Arkevh turns red for a moment and tries to shrug it of immediately,


    ¡°I think i can join.¡±, Arkevh answers and gives Donovan a light smile.


    ¡°Great, looking forward to it.¡±, Donovan exclaims while Arkevh lets his view ponder over the plains once again.


    From time to time more and more farms popped up next to the roads and often enough they came across some carriages bringing fresh wheat and flour towards Helgria.


    Donovan seemed to realize Arkevhs interest.


    ¡°First time seeing Caravans from Helgrias granary?¡±, he asks


    ¡°No not the first time, I just realized how many farms are needed to feed all those people.¡±, Arkevh answers, pointing at a multitude of fields and windmills in the distance.


    ¡°Indeed that is why a lot of Guards and sometimes Holy Knights look over those fields.¡±, he explains and looks back towards the road, seeing something approach in the distance.


    ¡°Someone please help us.¡±, a farmer yells out with the remains of his breath as he almost collapses before the two. He breathes heavily and tries to calm his body, without much success. He trembles and falls into Donovan''s arms who helps him to stand up again.


    Still in shock he wipes away his sweat and brown greasy hair from his face and starts to apologize.


    ¡°I-I apologize sir but-¡±, he starts but gets interrupted instantly


    ¡°Come to the point, I see you need help, don''t waste the time of all of us. .¡± Donovan replies cold.


    The farmer gulps and looks at Donovan and Arkevh for a while. He was covered in a brown ripped up tunic and by closer inspection Arkevh realized the wound on his fur trousers, still bleeding and caused by a kind of blade. The farmer hobbled towards them after all.


    ¡°Goblins! They came out of nowhere and attacked our farm close to the forest.¡±, he explains and points further north, his arm shaking. Whatever it was overwhelmed the farmers and left them in shock.


    ¡°I was able to flee in hopes to find help, they need someone to assist them.¡±, he says, still ringing for air.


    Donovan eyed the farmer for a while, his eyes narrowed to slits as he heard the term Goblins but after some time he nodded looking at the farmer''s wounds.


    He looks over to Arkevh for approval who nods as well. He was here to help the people of course so he approached the farmer and Donovan.


    ¡°Can you show me the wound, i can try to treat it.¡±, Arkevh explains and points towards the cut.


    ¡°S-Sure.¡±, the farmer says, sits down slowly and starts to roll up his trousers.


    The cut indeed seemed to be caused by a blade, probably a shortsword like Goblins often carried it, something Arkevh was able to heal before the wound infected itself. Slowly he puts his palm on the cut and closes his eyes. As the palm reaches the wound it glows in a yellowish colour and slowly starts closing the wound, as Arkevh opened his eyes the job was down and multiple beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. This was one of his most useful magics, healing for smaller wounds created with light magic, an opposite to his fire and dark magic abilities.


    The farmer looks at his wound incredulously and touches his leg to be sure, after that he smiles at Arkevh in gratitude.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how I can thank you.¡±, the Farmer says.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to thank us, he helped you already. Hurry up and get more help from the guards for the rebuilding. When they arrive we have already saved your farm from the Goblin attacks.¡±, Donovan explains and looks down the path. There was some smoke coming from close to the forest, this should be the farm, the farmer described.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±, the Farmer says, salutes and stands up again, surprised about the effects of the healing magic, he trembles a bit but then catches his ground. Continuing his way towards Helgria, while Arkevh and Donovan made their way to aid the farmers in danger.


    An awful stench of burned wood and blood entered Donovan and Arkevhs noses as they arrived at said farm. The farmer was right, an awful attack occurred close to the forest. The Windmill and two of the tree farmers'' houses were set on fire, the fields vandalized and burned. The well in the middle of the property transformed in a scene of horror. Multiple Bodies of the Helgrian Guards were stacked around it, ripped from their armor and weapons, cut throats and stabs in the head, ripped away their life in gruesome ways. A few feet away however lay a bit of hope, not everyone was dead. Blindfolded workers, handcuffed, where leaned towards a carriage and carried on to it by an ogre.


    After loading the carriage with a human woman he turns around and looks at Donovan and Arkevh in surprise.


    ¡°Still more of them?¡±, he asks and glances towards the guards he and his men have killed, those two fools will end up like them.


    ¡°Boys there is more blood to spill for you.¡±, the ogre laughs and like a summon his goblin companions reveal their ugly frights.


    Goblins were known to be chaotic in nature but also unbelievably smart, those once however seemed only barbaric and far from an intelligent species like most Humanon. The green face of the only four to five feet high creatures was complemented by their long pointed ears that all possessed black earrings. In general Goblins liked to decorate themselves with gems or other trophies of their professions. These Goblins however decorated themselves with bones, little skulls, scalps and pieces of skin all on their ripped leather armor. One of them was one feet bigger than the others, he was covered in a dented iron armor and revealed his sharp and rotten teeth that were placed on his bleeding teeth ridge.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    The ogre was the complete opposite to the goblins. He was double the size and his gray skin was decorated with multiple tattoos showing axes and clubs. He wore nothing besides a loincloth out of fur and demonstrated his love for weapons by grabbing his giant wooden club that was placed next to the carriage.


    The armored goblin looked at the ogre, even though he controlled the goblins the ogre seemed to be the culprit behind this whole operation.


    ¡°Dorkon, cor firos levak hesan.¡±, the goblin explains to his leader, who laughs again.


    ¡°That means your soldiers and I can have better training, those farmers and guards did not fight well.¡±, the ogre replies in the human language, other than the Goblin.


    ¡°H-Holyknight¡±, the Goblin general answers in human language this time, but gets grabbed by the ogre and thrown towards the front, right into a sphere of light Donovan shot towards the ogre, killing the goblin general instantly.


    ¡°Ya wimps attack now.¡±, he yells to the other goblins.


    ¡°Instead of plundering the few coins those farmers had, you should have guarded the entrance, the workers and women are worth more on the orc market.¡±, the ogre continues in anger and steps towards the two.


    Arkevh looks at the scene in disgust, there were people on Ljus that were able to cause gruesome crimes. But why, why were they in need of enslaving others? He heard about the orcish mines that lived by their slave workers, but he never imagined that something like that would happen so close to the capital.


    ¡°Arkevh, get your stuff together.¡±, Donovan wakes him up as another sphere of light hits the ogre, with no effect.


    ¡°I take care of the goblins, you need to look for the ogre, my attacks can¡¯t really penetrate his magic armor¡±, he explains and leaves him alone facing the Goblins and blocking their arrows with his shield he quickly draws from his back. Leaving Arkevh to face the ogre.


    Donovan was right, after Arkevh fired a little fireball as a test it just disappeared in a ball of smoke as soon it hit the ogres body. However he was able to feel it, this magic was nothing in comparison to the orc shaman they faced in Darkingstone. It was an amateur shield created with the Aura of protection easily overheated with enough attacks. Before he could do anything however the club of the ogre tried to crush him. The weapon rushed towards his face with murderous intent but missed its target as it ducked down. Another hit missed as Arkevh jumped at the side, now the ogre was in the perfect position.


    Arkevh points his staff at the ogre and it starts to glow red, releasing a surge of little fireballs flying towards the target. They all hit the target creating a sound reminiscent of a hammer hitting on a piece of metal, resulting in an angry growl released by the ogre as the smoke of the projectiles faded away.


    ¡°Ya wimp! Forgot how to fight up close, have you?¡±, the ogre exclaims in anger and looks at Arkevh who takes more steps towards the road.


    ¡°Have you forgotten how to make a decent magic shield?¡±, he counters with a smile.


    The ogre lets out another scream and raises his club which starts to glow in an orange colour, as it hammers to the ground it suddenly creates more and more stone spikes on the ground that make their way towards Arkevh at rapid speeds.


    Arkevh jumps to the side once again, however this time the spikes seem to follow him and pierce his left feet ripping through his boots. Not being able to hide his pain Arkevh lets out a scream and grabs his staff tighter. He looked at his boot, the rocky spike did not entirely penetrate through his feet but still cut deep enough to immobilize Arkevh.


    Arkevhs looked up once again, Donovan seemed to still fight against the goblins, around ten of them tried their best to hit the Holy knight, even if something hit him, it just got blocked by the armor. Arkevh however did not have that protection and the ogre knew that. His three types of magic were not really good to create shields like the earth magic the ogre possessed. So he needed to overwhelm him with attacks instead of focusing on defense.


    Again the ogre hammered on the ground and another wave of spike made their way towards Arkevh. Arkevh tried to get away from the hit but he failed. Under the pain in his feet, he tried to hobble away past a burned wooden plank. That was not enough, the spike would also pierce through the wooden plank and then hit him instead.


    However Arkevh was wrong as soon as the Spikes hit the wooden plank they indeed pierced through it but the spikes just disappeared. He looks at the ogre again, his face still in anger, something happened. And Arkevh found out, as soon as he raised his hurt leg and looked where the spikes pierced his feet. There wasn¡¯t anything stuck in it. The spikes disappear as soon as they hit their target!


    ¡°Ya Bastard.¡±, the ogre yells and hits the ground three more times and follows the spikes that race towards Arkevh to finish this encounter.


    Arkevh knew what he had to do, he stepped on the ground with his feet again, which still hurted like hell and raised his staff up front. Releasing another three fireballs that all hit the spikes making them disappear. Arkevh continues with his counter attack by throwing his staff towards the ogre, who just grabs it midair and throws it to the ground continuing his stampede and raising his club to crush the magician.


    To Darkons surprised however, he was not able to swing the club, his hands hand did not react anymore, they got weaker and weaker and suddenly he dropped his club next to the small and barren human, why could he not crush such a fly, he asks to himself not realising the hole in his head and the stretched out hand of Arkevh. Then he collapses, dispersing dust as he falls to the ground.


    Arkevh takes a big sight as he sits down and takes his boots off, looking at his wound.


    He was lucky, even though the blood stains were visible on the ground where he stood before the wound itself did not damage his bones. He puts his palm on the wound, stopping the bleeding and begins to heal it slowly, closing his eyes once again, healing needed a lot of concentration and the focus of mana, the live source that runned through everything. His healing stops abruptly as he feels a blade on his throat. Panic fills his body, was there a Goblin he and Donovan missed? He opens his eyes ready to die by the hand of a Goblin but just curses as he sees who held the sword at him.


    It was Donovan.


    ¡°Have you learned nothing, I know your healing needs focus but you let your guard down way too much?¡±, Donovan explains like a teacher and looks at the body of the dead ogre.


    ¡°I trust you way too much then I suppose.¡±, Arkevh replies, resulting in Donovan shaking his head.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter now, how did you kill the ogre?¡±, he asks as Arkevh finishes the healing process, his feet still covered in blood.


    ¡°The Amethyst holds part of my Mana like every crystal, this connection allows me to cast some magic from it without needing to touch the staff.¡±, Arkevh explains and stands up still a bit unsure on his feet and looks towards the Humans, still blindfolded and handcuffed.


    None of them was harmed, however he wished he was earlier, he could also save the life of the guards.


    Donovan claps him on the shoulder once again.


    ¡°That isn¡¯t your fault, it''s because of the Goblins and the ogre, we did what we could do. Now let''s free the hostages.¡±, he smiles at Arkevh, goes past him, cuts away the ropes and takes off the blindfolds of the survivors.


    Arkevh takes care of the woman that was loaded onto the carriage and frees her as well, her brown eyes crossing his as her blindfold got removed. The middle aged woman stands up and looks down the carriage to the other five people Donovan saved. Without saying much she jumps down the carriage and hugs her daughters, sons and her husband. Happy to see them all well, then she turns to Donovan and Arkevh.


    ¡°We are in your deepest debt, how can we repay you.¡±, the Woman asks and looks around the farm. Almost everything was destroyed, the guards were killed and a big part of their crops were burned down as well, one house still being set on fire.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to repay us.¡±, Arkevh answers, resulting in the husband walking up to him and giving him a hug, his beard itching on Arkevhs face.


    ¡°So humble of you.¡±, he replies and looks at his farm, the joy in his voice suddenly dies out.


    ¡°But how can we rebuild that?¡±, he asks, devastated and looks at the damage the goblins caused.


    ¡°We can help you Martin.¡±, a voice appears from the road. As they turned around multiple farmers from the neighboring farmers appeared holding buckets in their hands.


    ¡°Lets save what is to save.¡±


    In the evening Arkevh sits on the carriage, looking at his new set of boots a farmer gifted them. He was exhausted.


    They helped the farmers control the damage on the farm until the man they saved on the street came to aid them further with more guards. Even a magician capable of Water magic was there to control the fire. Now however after everything was under control they needed to continue their way towards Farsen.


    ¡°You saw that, that is what makes us Human so special. Instead of Goblins, we hold together to save others.¡±, Donovan explains as he walks up to Arkevh.


    Arkevh nodes and looked towards the forest, there were tracks leading deeper into it. He analyzed  the carriage once again, it seemed to never possessed an animal pulling it, the ogre probably carried it around, easy for his massive strength.


    ¡°I think we change our Plan.¡±, Donovan sights. We can maybe follow the tracks of the carriage through the forest, there is maybe a kind of outpost there, I don''t believe they directly bring them to skull mountain, especially looking at how far this is away.¡±, Donovan explains.


    ¡°I agree, let¡¯s start tomorrow morning, so we can go as far as possible with enough sleep. Levin the man on the street offered us a place to sleep at his brother''s farm.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°Understood and tomorrow we will probably reach the Goblin outpost near Farsen so we can save them from those Terror, they waited long enough for help.¡±, Donovan nods in agreement. Not investigating the Goblins further, under their helmets there was a symbol of an eye, sent by someone who knows the knowledge of the Watcher.

 Chapter 4: Mendax

    With the first Birds singing their songs in the trees, Arkevh and Donovan sat out towards the Forest of Yor, following the tracks the carriage left as far as they could. Their Backpacks stacked with some extra food, they were given for their help yesterday.


    At the beginning of their journey through the forest they were able to see multiple piles of wood, stacked together for the various sawmills further down the south. The Deeper they went however the more of the Forest''s nature greeted them.


    Mossy tree stumps fallen over, drowned by a brook running through the ever green grass and the occasional sightings of bunnies and deers who instantly disappeared as soon as they saw Humans.


    The Forest was the complete Opposite of the loud and crowded City and Arkevh enjoyed every moment of walking through it.


    They walked for a pretty long time already and it slowly became night again, so they decided to create a little camp for the night.


    A perfect opportunity for such a place to rest showed itself in the form of a clearing. Close to a stream and a huge boulder whose tip loomed over the clearing a bit.


    In Response to that sight Donovan had already planned something for their temporary camp, he made his finger wet on the stream and held it into the air. The Wind came from the east, from the direction of the stream.


    He nodded to himself and put his backpack on the ground and looked towards Arkevh who did the same, leaning it onto the boulder.


    ¡°Listen up Arkevh, it''s getting too dark to venture deeper into the forest, so we''re gonna set up a camp for the night. Gather solid firewood, from the western or northern side. But no green stuff.¡±, Donovan explained and grabbed the spade that was attached to his backpack.


    ¡°I¡¯m digging a hole.¡±, he kneels down and begins to dig below the boulder.


    ¡°For what?.¡±, Arkevh asks unsure and glances over to what all seemed to be attached to Donovan''s backpack, Pots, Lids, even a spare dagger, while he just carried a water canteen and the food from the farmer.


    ¡°I''m making that hole a few feet deeper if you don¡¯t hurry up.¡±, Donovan answers, annoyed and continues with his survival tricks.


    Arkevh sighed and went to the western sight of the forest, looking for the hard and barren wood that was perfect for whatever fire Donovan wanted to start.


    While picking up what Donovan wanted, he did not lose the feeling of being watched. They were probably still a day''s marsh away from Farsen and a possible Goblin Camp as well.


    But still, the Goblins came that far out, they saw that yesterday, so the possibilities of scouts watching them could be a risk.


    However he returns without noticing anything, he did not even feel any auras or Mana near by, other than Donovan and the one from his staff.


    Looking over the clearing again he discovers Donovan''s Hole, dug a bit deeper than one foot and his sleeping back already rolled out.


    Impatient, he grabs the Firewood off Arkevhs hands and places them into the Hole.


    Only now he sees the second smaller hole, connecting it to the main cavity in which the firewood was placed.


    Donovan smiles at Arkevh proudly.


    ¡°You see what I''ve done here?¡±he asks, sounding like one of his preceptors.


    ¡°You dug a hole for something I could also use my magic for.¡±, he says and rolls out his sleeping bag from the backpack.


    Donovan just shakes his head.


    ¡°Arkevh, listen I''m gonna teach you something you will find handy one day, it''s about making concealed fires, perfectly for warming yourself in enemy territory.¡±, he explains.


    ¡°Just dig a foot deep and look where the wind comes from, the dry and hard wood causes less smoke and the smoke that gets created does not rise to high, isn¡¯t too big and gets redirected by the boulder.¡±, Donovan continues, still proud of his achievement.


    ¡°Its summer, if you want it warm i can just use my magic and give you a fire till we switch sleeping shifts.¡±, Arkevh explains and yawns.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.¡°That''s not it, Arkevh, it''s for the light source, yes your fire magic may be better, but only for this situation. I''m trying to teach you something before we part away for a while.¡±, he starts to explain.


    ¡°Your fire magic costs more to keep going as long as you don¡¯t use your third eye thing, in addition you need more and more energy the greater the fire and how many people you try to warm. And hiding the fire source is always the best method, when you are in unknown territory. So it''s useful no matter if you hold the flame or ignite a campfire.¡±


    "Its about adapting, one day you will find out that sometimes your powers don''t work like you want them to. Then you need to find another way to succeed.", Donovan finishes, symbolizing Arkevh with a snap that he should turn on the fire.


    Arkevh sighs once again, hovers his right hand over the campfire and ignites it.


    "Its about adapting, one day you will find out that sometimes your powers don''t work like you want them to. Then you need to find another way to succeed."


    ¡°Start resting now. I wake you up in a few hours, you wake me at the first sunlight, understand? If you see or feel anything fishy, wake me up.¡±, he says and gives Arkevh a light smile.


    Arkevh just nods and lays down on his sleeping back, whatever the next day would bring it sure be eventful.


    The candles in the throne room were weakly lit, and only a tiny amount of moonlight entered the halls through the stained glass.


    Leopold looked at the door that slowly opened, revealing his trusty companion and advisor, who looked the same as in Darkingstone, a Full beard complemented by his brown eyes. clothed in a fine blue garb, his braided hair lying on the back side, hiding the burn mark.


    ¡°Garwin, what are you doing here.¡±, Leopold starts and relaxes his back on the padded throne.


    ¡°It''s almost Midnight.¡±, he says and looks out of the window.


    ¡°I could ask you the same.¡±, Garwin counters in his usual sarcastic tone.


    ¡°I have wine and I look at the moon before going to bed, it calms me.¡±, Leopold says and takes a big sip from his wine Glass. Southern Ljus Wine was an acquired taste.


    ¡°You almost sound like Franz.¡±, Garwin laughs, dodging the Wine glass of his master that crashes next to him, spelling the expensive drop.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention his name here!¡±, Leopold spits out enraged, and falls back to his throne.


    He looked years older when someone mentioned him, his half bald hair even whiter than before, his hands wrinkled in rage.


    ¡°I should have killed that son of a whore, when I had the chance.¡±,


    ¡°He endangers the Karwitz family. I raised him. Ten years for nothing!¡±, he yells and punches on his backrest.


    ¡°I surely can send someone else to take care of Franz but you don¡¯t want to send two assassins at the same time right?¡±, Garwin smiles, improving the mood of Leopold slightly.


    ¡°So you found someone?¡±, Leopold continues eagerly?


    ¡°Four.¡± Garwin smiles


    ¡°That many, don¡¯t you make it too obvious?¡±, Leopold asks and mourns towards his wine glass.


    ¡°Well my lord they are all magic users, especially that one woman who seems to be of extraordinary strength she can kill Alexander quickly. And one of the others has a type of rock magic, it will allow him to pass through the Castle walls, where no guard is looking.¡±, Garwin explains and lets out a satisfied smile.


    ¡°So be it, I trust you Garwin. We worked together for 20 years. I saved you from the House of Norv cause I saw the warrior in you. King Alexander trusts us since Darkingstone.¡±, he stands up in glory


    ¡°Brave men died for the new owners of the crown, the Carwitz Legacy! However.¡±, he stops and falls down the chair again, not sure why he had forgotten such an important detail.


    ¡°What is with Arkevh and Donovan?¡± Leopold asks, unsure, this assassination needed to work perfectly, if the king survived they would raise their security and then they needed to wait for his death to strike.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry my lord, I have a plan, only three of the four will attack. The other one will take on Arkevh and Donovan and distract them, Arkevh will probably be far away from the King, if he even joins this celebration. In addition he won''t use his ability to save the King''s life, he would sacrifice almost everyone in the dancing hall for someone he doesn¡¯t care about. Donovan is strong, yes but he is still an inexperienced youth.¡± Garwin smiles, knowing they had the upper hand.


    Leopold trusted him, the trickster of the demons, Mendax.

 Chapter 5: The Shadowhound

    At the rise of the next night Arkevh and Donovan reached the Goblin camp that terrorized Farsen for months by now. The Moon shone directly inside of the camp that was surrounded by wooden palisades, revealing the green and brown tents and a giant campfire in the middle of the camp which was guarded by some Goblins. Most of the Goblins however seemed to have fallen asleep in this late hour, they were only loosely related to gnomes after all, so they wouldn¡¯t find any night active Goblins.


    Donovan and Arkevh still lay on a boulder and scouted the camp. Donovan seemed to be prepared for almost everything as he pulled a telescope out of his backpack and looked down at the goblin schemes.


    ¡°There is one yellow colored giant tent.¡±, Donovan leans a bit further to the side.


    ¡°I think this is where they store their weapons, if we attack them, try to destroy them or separate them from them, the people of Farsen may need it.¡±, Donovan explains and continues to look in his telescope.


    ¡°Behind the giant Campfire, is a red tent, it seems to be the biggest, do you think we find a Shaman here?¡±, Donovan asks and gives Arkevh the Telescope to look through it.


    ¡°Could be, that means we should be careful, the Shaman will surely be better with magic then the ogre. However Goblins lose their sense for fighting as soon as their Shaman dies or gets taken away right?¡±, Arkevh looks over to Donovan after he looks through the lens for himself.


    ¡°What is your plan?¡±, Donovan asks unsure.


    ¡°If we focus on the Shaman, we get out there as fast as possible and do the most for Farsen.¡±, Arkevh explains and stands up, looking towards the path in the forest Donovan and he made out for a perfect ambush.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just use your ability, you know the third eye powers?¡±, Donovan asks and points towards the camp.


    ¡°One second and it all would be over.¡±


    ¡°I still can¡¯t control them. Also what is when there are captured people in there. I don¡¯t want to kill innocent people like I did in Darkingstone, when the halls collapsed.¡±, Arkevh explains and looks away.


    Donovan stands up as well and claps on his shoulder.


    ¡°I guess you''re right, we should not waste Humanon lives that can assist us against the order of M?rk.¡±, Donovan explains and takes the lead towards the forest path, Arkevh sighs and follows.


    The Goblin camp had only one entrance, however that would not hold them off, Donovan had a plan involving Arkevhs dark magic. Even though he hated demons as much as Goblins and Orcs, Arkevhs magic seemed to not originate from the demons, he wasn¡¯t consumed by it like many users were.


    As they sneaked behind the Camps palisades everything seems to be ready for their operation, next to the Shamans tent there seemed to be a lot of storage boxes, if Arkevh was fest enough he could transport themselves over the palisades into a hiding spot, from there they could see how to deal with the guards.


    ¡°You ready Arkevh?¡±, Donovan asks and looks towards his companion. Arkevh just nods, kneels down and plunges his Hands inside the dirt. After some time something crystalized with the help of the aura of creation. A tall hand formed out of dark magic towered over Donovan grabbing him and slowly raising him up. However Donovan, to Arkevhs surprise, shakes and twists himself in the Hand symbolizing him to stop.


    Then Arkevh hears the sound of a breaking stick next to him and turns around letting Donovan fall to the ground, rather quickly.


    As Arkevh turns around he sees someone he would not have thought to see. A Goblin Tinkerer who held some test tubes in front of his old leather jacket, ragged and plastered with loose buttons, revealing his white tunic. He looked at both of them in shock and raised his hands up in the air.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want any trouble please don¡¯t kill me!¡±, he says and falls to the ground, laying his hands over his head, cowering and shaking on the ground.


    ¡°He can speak the Human language?¡± Arkevh questions, surprised.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter.¡±, Donovan explains and walks towards him, raising his broadsword to end his life.


    Arkevh however steps in his way, pointing his staff at Donovan.


    ¡°Are you deaf?¡±, he says furious


    ¡°He just said he doesn¡¯t want any trouble.¡±, Arkevh reminds his companion, who grabs his shoulder and stairs directly in his face. The clouds in his blind eye started to swirl around more intensely


    ¡°What, are you doing!¡±,Donovan asks enraged and tightens the grip on Arkevhs shoulder.


    ¡°Have you forgotten what they have done to the farm, and what they did to my home village, Those Monsters don¡¯t deserve to be spared, even if they speak our language, he is probably way more dangerous because of it!¡±, Donovan finishes and pushes Arkevh out of his way ready to plunge his sword in the Goblins flesh.


    Towering over the Goblin he raises his sword, eying him one last time. He looked weak and pathetic, he was even smaller than most Goblins, maybe not even three feet. No wonder he just gave up an easy cleansing from this plane. Donovan was about to crash the sword down at the Goblin decapitating the head from his owner. However as he raised his sword over the head he stopped.


    He was controlled by his own hate, he wasn¡¯t ready to unleash it especially because of Arkevh who fired a magic projectile right next to him, throwing him out his trance.


    As he turned around, he started to shake, tears coming from his eyes as he saw Arkevh.


    He shone in a violet glow and his third eye peaked out from his forehead, the violet pupil staring directly in his soul, while Arkevh looked at him in anger his staff raised at him. It was just like Helland showed him. Beautiful. This Aura of Chaos.


    Then he stops and drops his sword, right when Arkevh goes back to normal.


    ¡°I still accepted this Mission and I''m gonna finish it like I think it''s right. He gave up so we spare him, the Goblin can help us get into the camp in an easier way.¡±, Arkevh says and lowers his weapon.


    Donovan gulps and nods, then he slowly stands up again. Bowing his head down immediately.


    ¡°I apologize.¡±, he says and looks towards the Goblin, giving him a hand helping him stand up. Even if his inner self was not sure.


    The Goblin looks up with his big brown eyes, slowly takes the help and stands up.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to kill me anymore?¡±, he asks unsure


    ¡°No, not anymore as long as you don¡¯t do anything stupid.¡±, Donovan explains and goes back next to Arkevh, apologizing once again, Arkevh just shaking his head.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±, Arkevh asks, ignoring Donovan further.


    ¡°Searching ingredients for my experiment, as you can see on my golden earrings I''m a Goblin Tinkerer.¡±, the Goblin says proudly and adjusts his green chaotic hair.


    ¡°Where did you learn the Human language?¡±, Arkevh asks curiously.


    ¡°From the old Shaman, he was from a time where Goblins still worked with the order of Ljus, like the Kobolds today, some southern lands still work with Goblin engineers.¡±, he explains.


    ¡°Could I ask you something too sir?¡±, the Goblin inquires unsure after both of them said nothing for a while.


    Arkevh nods.


    ¡°Are you the Arkevh? I heard from the one with the three eyes.¡±, he continues.


    ¡°Indeed, that''s me, and who are you? I think you don¡¯t belong here right?¡±, Arkevh replies, not really surprised that even the Goblins knew of him.


    ¡°My name is Craftol, as you said I don''t belong here.¡±, the Goblin begins.


    ¡°As you know the Goblins war between themselves, I once lived in this camp with other forest goblins. However, one day we got attacked by a Goblin tribe located in Skull Mountain. They killed all of us besides the Tinkerers and set a new Shaman as the leader. Now I''m forced to build Weapons for him.¡±, Craftol says, devastated and looks to the ground.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just flee if you are already outside of the camp?¡±, Donovan asks unsure.


    ¡°One doesn¡¯t flee from the Shadowhound.¡±, he says panicked and looks around the forest. Like he saw something in the wind that went through the trees leaves as they spoke.


    ¡°The Shadowhound?¡±,Donovan repeats unimpressed.


    ¡°Yes, he follows you if you don¡¯t come back the next day. Killing you instantly.


    ¡°And you sure it''s true?¡±,Donovan continued his questioning.


    ¡°Absolutely¡±,Craftol nods


    ¡°Four other Tinkerers tried to flee in the night, in the next morning their heads were put on pikes, no traces of their body.¡±, Craftol says serious.


    ¡°You sure the guards didn¡¯t catch them?¡±, Donovan replies once again, this time however Arkevh said something as well.


    ¡°While you two were discussing, I tried to focus my Mana, trying to find other Auras and I think Craftol is right.¡±, Arkevh answers.


    ¡°Are you kidding me, I never heard about anything called the Shadowhound or anything similar.¡±, Donovan explains.


    ¡°There are two strong Auras in that camp, one from the Shaman and the other one from something that seems to be similar to mine.¡±, Arkevh continues coldly.


    Donovan takes a while but then just shakes his head.


    ¡°You sure?¡±


    Arkevh nods.


    ¡°Craftol, how do we get to the Shaman quickly.¡±, Donovan asks.


    ¡°Let me consider, tomorrow I will show the Shaman one of my newest technologies on the clearing further north, a new kind of healing trinket.¡±Maybe you can attack them from there, you have Arkevh on your side, Knight.¡±, he explains.


    ¡°I guess we have a plan.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°Please trust me, i also want to leave this place, i would be eternally grateful if you get rid of the Shaman.¡±, Craftol promises and bows down again.


    ¡°Then we have a plan, we will meet at the clearing tomorrow morning, act like normal and don¡¯t worry we will be there, now get back to your camp before that Shadowhound gets you.¡±, Arkevh smiles.


    Craftol replies the same and vanishes inside of the camp quickly, having everything gathered for tomorrow. Craftol seemed to trust him, he did not have any other options if he wanted to leave to be fair.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Donovan however seemed to be unsure.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t know our hideout at least. What if he lies though.¡±, Donovan reminds Arkevh.


    ¡°If he does, we probably need to get another plan, we find something, a Goblin camp is nothing in comparison to Darkingstone.¡±, Arkevh explains and goes back to their hideout to get more sleep before the next big day.


    Donovan nods and follows, hoping that Helland would be proud of him, controlling his hatred.


    On the next Morning Arkevh and Donovan waited as promised on the clearing, hidden behind some bushes, close to a stream that burbled over their whispering.


    After some time where Donovan questioned Craftols promise he finally appeared on the clearing. However, not alone, four Goblin guards and the shaman followed him towards their trap. One of the guards carried a little cage in which a bunny was trapped and puts it on the ground.


    Another Goblin carries a bag and gives it to Craftol, who rummages around it and finds what he was looking for, a glass tube filled with a purple liquid.


    ¡°Did he work on animal experiments?¡±, Donovan whispers incredulously and watches Craftol approach the bunny, seemingly stressed out.


    ¡°Seems like it, he said he is trying some kind of healing potion.¡±, Arkevh answers.


    ¡°Do you feel that Shadowhound close by?¡±, Donovan whispers.


    ¡°I Do, it''s close to the Shaman¡±, Arkevh explains and looks further down the clearing.


    The Shaman seemed to be deeply focused on the cage and what Craftol had created for them, his orange eyes keyed on the bunny that opened his mouth as the tube got closer to the mouth, slowly drinking it. But even after a minute nothing happened.


    The Goblins spoke something in their language, Craftol however urged them to wait with a gesture off his hand, saying something in the goblin tongue, however there was one sentence Donovan and Arkevh could understand, giving his creation a human name.


    ¡°Now.¡±, as the Goblins were completely focused on the bunny, that just got a normal fruit extract.


    Before the Shaman could react a ray of dark magic pierced his head collapsing on the ground coloring the grass around his head red. His staff, decorated with a goblin skull falling down next to him.


    In Panic the Goblins yell something in their language and flee back to their camp.


    ¡°Cor Sham el mork, Cor saramhoun levas¡±,


    Quickly, Craftol opens the cage and lets the Bunny outside who flees towards the forest, saving him from the experiments.


    As Arkevh and Donovan decide to step out of their hiding spot Craftol turns around symbolizing with a gesture to be aware.


    ¡°Be prepared the Shadowhound is coming¡±, he says panicking and looks at the Shamans dead body in shock.


    Something was off.


    A black cloud emerged from the shamans blood that slowly started to circle around the clearing, growing in size with every lap it made around them.


    A deep growl rang through the clearing as the cloud rose to the sky and crashed down immediately, covering a part of the clearing in front of them in black mist. Quickly Craftol hides behind the two humans as something starts to reveal itself inside of the black mist.


    A slim and long arm was the first thing that emerged from the clouds, the pale and skinny hide transforming in sharp black claws at the end. After some time the monster revealed his head. The head of a grey furred Wolf that was attached to a Humanon like body. As the mist fully faded away it revealed its true length.


    The arms and legs of the creature were as long as a grown man, the back was triple the size of a wolf, covered in fur on the top row, leaving his stomach exposed. The mouth of the creature was opened and revealed multiple rows of sharp teeth.


    ¡°Besides the head that Monster looks nothing like a hound¡±, Donovan explained and grabbed his sword more tightly.


    ¡°Cause it isn¡¯t a normal Wolf, it''s some kind of aberration of what we would normally call a monster.¡±, Arkevh explains, feeling a strong Aura that reminds him about himself, whatever this was it was similar to the magician. Especially after a third eye started to manifest on his forehead letting out another deep growl in the process.


    After some time the creature started its stampede towards the three, using its long arms, trying to grab one of them. As Donovan tried to parry one of the Shadow Hounds arms with a swing of his sword it suddenly bounced off, dragging the arm to the side but causing no damage at all.


    ¡°This is impossible. He is so skinny, why can he block the sword like it''s nothing?¡±, Donovan explains in stress and tries to dodge another hit of his claws that strap his cheek, cutting through his flesh.


    ¡°Hold it off from me I have a plan.¡±, Craftol explains, while Arkevh tried to block as many hits with a magical shield created from light magic as possible. Tacking a lot of his powers, while the Shadowhound hit it over and over again, without needing to take a break from attacking.


    While Arkevh and Donovan did their best holding the creature''s attack off, which came at them with inhuman speeds. Craftol rushed outside of the creature''s attack range, sneaking towards his bag the Goblin guard dropped.


    There were multiple trinkets that could be helpful. One that enhanced strength, healing potions but also something that explodes, perfect for the constantly opened mouth of the creature. A Trinket made from Magma slug slime that exploded in contact with other liquids.


    As Craftol rummaged through his bag, the creature heard the sound of glass tubes, letting out another deep roar and rotating his head by 180 degrees.


    As the creature sees Craftol it turns around in its entirety and rushes towards the tiny Goblin. Letting out its canine madness. Trying his best Arkevh tries to hold off the creature with some light magic, he stretches his left hand out and a spear of light forms rushing towards the creature''s leg. Finally doing some kind of damage as black blood drips from the wound and it starts to slow down. Another deep growl fills the clearing as the creature cried out in pain.


    Now it was Craftols time, he grabs the Trinket filled with brown to yellow liquid and throws it towards the creature''s mouth. It tried to get towards Craftol before he could throw with a mighty leap to the front, but it came too late. The glass shatters inside of the creature''s mouth, plunging its shards inside of the creature''s tongue, emptying the trinket''s content out in the whole mouth.


    Before the Creature could let out another growl the liquid started blowing up in the creature''s mouth dissolving the creature''s head in a burst of flames, before it¡¯s lifeless body fell to the ground.


    ¡°We did it!¡±, Craftol jumps in the air.


    ¡°We killed the Shadowhound!¡±, he continues in joy.


    Arkevh replies with a smile, maybe after some time he could have found a weakness in his attacks, hitting his mouth as well but maybe not. So he was happy that Craftol acted so fast, getting rid of the creature. They worked together well as a team. This was undeniable.


    ¡°What now?¡±. Donovan asks, turning around the dead Goblin Shaman with his feet, seeing the eye tattoo on his forehead. He looks at it for a while in trance before he turns him around again.


    ¡°The Shaman is dead right? Will the Goblins really flee to the next camp though?¡±, Donovan asks unsure.


    ¡°They will as soon as i will be their leader, i will send them to a camp further in Skull Mountain.¡±, Craftol explains.


    ¡°How are you going to do this?¡±, Donovan laughs, thinking he made a joke.


    ¡°The Shaman is dead and the Shadowhound as well, whoever kills the Shaman will be the next leader, especially if he also killed the Shadowhound.¡±, Craftol starts to explain.


    ¡°So you are trying to say.¡±, Donovan starts.


    ¡°Exactly. The Goblins have not seen you two and could think I have killed the Shaman, if I then also get the head of the Shadowhound?¡±, he starts with a big smile.


    Donovan groaned, goes towards the dead Shadowhound and cuts off his head with the help of Arkevh, who infuses his sword with light magic. As the head got separated from the creature the rest of the body slowly disappeared into dust, like it was common for multiple Monsters.


    ¡°And how are you going to carry that head you ankle biter?¡±, Donovan asks annoyedly,


    carrying the head in both hands, it was as tall as Craftol, if not even taller than him.


    Craftol just smiles and empties a glass tube from his bag, growing by around a foot and having an orange glow around him.


    ¡°This is a trinket I made from earth roots that grow around Trechna herds, it has strengthening powers like the Trechnas magic itself. It doesn¡¯t hold for long but it lets me carry the head back to the camp.¡±, he explains and opens his hands.


    ¡°Arkevh, I still don¡¯t trust him.¡±, Donovan explains.


    ¡°I can see why but I have a compromise.¡±, Arkevh explains. Resulting in Donovan crossing his arms eying him unsure.


    ¡°Tomorrow Morning you will go to Farsen, alone then we want to see an emptied Goblin camp, that is on its way to the mountains.¡±, if that isn¡¯t the case and you don¡¯t show up we know our deal is done.¡±, Arkevh explains and looks towards Donovan for approval.


    He groans once again,


    ¡°Fine, but you will be looking out for him to hold his promise, while i go back to Farsen. I offered some sleep for your safety, so now it''s your turn.¡±, Donovan says annoyed yaws and bows down as Arkevh heals his wound that was still bleeding.


    ¡°Okay fine.¡±, Arkevh agrees afterwards and follows Craftol back to the Goblin Camp, delivering the Shadowhounds head.


    Donovan however thinks about the eyes on the Goblins again, the Goblin attacks, the Shadowhound, Arkevh and the one eye of Yasoma seemed to be connected with everything.


    Arkevhs first Mission was done however, they saved the Lives of multiple people in Farsen and met some new faces along the way.


    But one day, as Donovan foretold there would be more in danger then a village, entire civilizations wouldn¡¯t be safe from what hungered for more souls.

 Chapter 6: The Village named Farsen.

    Arkevh watched Craftol from the same position he scouted the Camp out with Donovan a few hours before.


    And Craftol kept his Promise.


    Him delivering the Shadowhounds head but also the Shamans staff was the sign that he was the new Leader of this Goblin camp. Normally the Goblins could reject the new Leader with a fight to the death but the Goblins seemed to be too shocked and surprised to see the Shaman and the Shadowhound dead at the same time.


    So they listened to their new leader, the Goblin tinkerer Craftol, the first time a Goblin Tinkerer ever overpowered a Magical Creature and a Shaman at the same time, prompting obedience by the Goblins. Leading them to the Mountain Camps without much preparation was an instant command.


    Being too focused on the marsh of Goblins leaving their camp, Arkevh doesn¡¯t notice who sneaks up to him. To its relief and surprise it was Craftol who rummaged through the Bushes to reach him. How did he even found him up here?


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be down there?¡±, Arkevh asks, confused and looks back to the Goblin camp that slowly empties itself.


    ¡°Not if I gave the lead to another Goblin Tinkerer I trust, in being a better leader then me.¡±, Craftol explains and leans back.


    ¡°Fine with me as long as I don''t need to use my powers to get them to leave.¡± , Arkevh explains and stands up.


    ¡°They just let you leave?¡±, Arkevh ads and cleans his robe.


    ¡°Indeed I told them a story that I obtained the power of the Shadowhound and haunt them if they resist their leader. Even without that i know he is a pretty good fighter for a Tinker he should do fine,¡±, Craftol chuckles and turns back to Arkevh.


    ¡°I¡¯m grateful to you Arkevh. There may be people like the Shaman you can¡¯t change but in this camp there are a lot of Goblins whose lives you have possibly changed with getting rid of the old Leader. They will find their own way like me.¡±, Craftol explains


    ¡°And now, what is your Way?¡±, Arkevh questions the green goblin that got smaller by now, his potion effect didn¡¯t seem to hold for that long.


    Hearing this Question Craftol begins to get nervous not being able to say something that made sense for a while.


    ¡°I maybe wanted to ask if I, you know, could join you. But I''m not sure because of that Knight.¡±, Craftol explains.


    ¡°I''m sure we find a compromise, he is bound to me for a few days for now then he is gone for a while.¡±, Arkevh explains


    ¡°You can join the Adventurers Guild like me, pretty sure Nolan takes everyone that behaves.¡±


    ¡°I would love to.¡±, Craftols eyes lit up.


    ¡°Fine then let''s return.¡±, Arkevh starts and faces to the direction of Farsen.


    ¡°Wait a moment.¡±, Craftol interrupts him.


    ¡°What is it?¡±, Arkevh asks, turning his head around.


    ¡°You don¡¯t really seem to be best friends with that Knight right.¡±, Craftol asks carefully.


    Arkevh sights and turns around fully.


    ¡°Maybe, I don''t really have anyone else and he was the first one who really talked with me after they discovered my Talents. However he seems to focus on his goals trying to follow his Codex every time it gets difficult after a while.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°You really don¡¯t have anyone else?¡±, Craftol asked


    ¡°No not really, i don¡¯t know anything about my Parents and i wasn¡¯t really playing with the other children in the orphanage. That all changed as soon as my magic got discovered, I suddenly was famous but only for that thing.¡±, Arkevh responded.


    ¡°I understand but what is an orphanage?¡±, Craftol asks, confused.


    Arkevh just laughs.


    ¡°I''ll tell you later but now it''s my turn to ask, how did you find me up here?¡±


    ¡°It''s hard to explain but I felt your presence somehow?¡±, Craftol explains unsure.


    Arkevh closed his eyes.


    The power to locate other peoples Magic energy was one of the basics of being a mage, hiding it as well. Every being excretes Mana. The more controlled the flow and the less powerful the easier it was to conceal it


    With this deep meditation he was able to feel that something changed about Craftols Aura. It reminded Arkevh of himself.


    ¡°Since I touched the Shadowhounds head I had a connection to you in some way, but it slowly starts to get weaker ¡±, Craftol continues.


    ¡°Last night you mentioned that the Shadowhound has a similar Aura to yours. I don¡¯t have much knowledge about magic, but do you know what causes this?¡±, Craftol asks interested.


    ¡°Not entirely sure but I assume it''s because of our shared magic, the third eye seems to connect beings.¡±, Arkevh explains and looks back into the forest.


    ¡°So you coming with us now?¡±, Arkevh asks one more time.


    ¡°Yes I am.¡±, Craftol ensures and follows Arkevh back to Farsen.


    Donovan''s Sword swung through green and branches as he made his way towards Farsen.


    He still didn¡¯t trust the Goblin, however he admired Arkevh for his decisions.


    He tried to find the best solution without spilling much blood, but how long would that go well?


    He looked down at his hands, The Head of the Shaman dangled in Donovan''s left arm. To his surprise the eye symbol had already fade away.


    Out of nowhere Donovan hears a soft voice.


    ¡°Donovan, you seem unsure?¡±, Helland explains and touches his shoulder. The mist from his eye created a foggy silhouette in front of him, resembling his Master.


    ¡°I am, will the Plan to save Ljus from the order of M?rk work?¡±, Donovan asked.


    ¡°Of course it will, I worked for this since my birth and you and Arkevh are the base for that.¡±, Helland explains


    Donovan takes a while and remembers the symbol on the Goblins, the Shadowhound but also on Arkevh. There was a relation to it Helland never revealed to his trusted student, so he decided to ask.


    ¡°What is going on with the third eye, I see it everywhere by now.¡±, Donovan asks unsure.


    ¡°The Presence of Yasoma is getting stronger, don''t worry about it, I will explain everything as soon as you return to the church. You are tainted with Arkevh''s magic thanks to your contact but also the Gods, it''s time for your last step when you return to me.¡±, Helland explains.


    "How open your hand."


    ¡°I am Honored to help you.¡±, Donovan explains and opens his hand. After some time something crystallized in his hand, a purple Gem in which mist circled around.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have enough power to communicate with you further, if you are committed to the cause you need to give Arkevh the gem in the right moment, when he least expects it.¡±, with those words he fades away.


    Arkevh could not decide his fate.


    Donovan stands still for a while, however he turns around and raises his sword as he hears steps coming from his back. Something rummaged through the bushes. Ready to plunge his sword into the enemies he focuses on the sounds.


    To his surprise it was Arkevh.


    ¡°How did you catch up so fast?¡±, Donovan asks confused.


    ¡°Thanks to Craftol.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    Like someone summoned him the Goblin appears in a Bush next to Arkevh getting hit by some thorns on the bushes, acting like nothing happened.


    ¡°We Goblins know some shortcuts, through the Woods. We are close to Farsen we got you on the last stretch.¡±, Craftol smiles.


    Donovan looks at Arkevh annoyed, did he want to bring him back to Helgria? In addition, why did he dare to carry the Goblins belongings with him.


    ¡°What are you up to Arkevh, do you want to take him back to the Adventures Guild?¡±, Donovan speaks up again.


    ¡°I will talk with Nolan about it.¡±, Arkevh answers convinced.


    Donovan growls again.


    ¡°If he steps out of the Line once I''m gonna kill him, understand?¡± Donovan explains and continues up north.


    ¡°Farsen is further east.¡±, Craftol says after him.


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    After a few minutes of walking they finally reach Farsen, a small Village north of Helgria, close to the main road.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.The Main entrance was guarded by two guards who looked rather damaged. Protecting a little Palisade that gave the Village some protection.


    The Guards themselves were covered in bruises and scratches. The Armor they wore was damaged and covered in dirt, their pants were poorly repaired with some quick stitches.


    As the three stepped outside of the forest the Guards raised their lances at them until they realized that a Holy Knight was with them.


    They lowered the Weapons a bit but still looked at Craftol in hostility, who got grabbed on the Neck by Arkevh and risen into the air.


    ¡°We got a hostage and took care of your Goblin problem.¡±, Arkevh explains and looks at Donovan demanding, who growls and raises the Head of the Shaman for everyone to see.


    The guards freeze in surprise, until the one on the left starts to speak up.


    ¡°You really got rid of them?¡±, the guard asks unsure at first.


    Arkevh just nods and puts Craftol down.


    ¡°How and who are you?¡±, the other guard joined.


    ¡°With some tricks we were able to get rid of them, you can take the Weapons they left off.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°Give me the head and the Goblin you left alive. I will take care of them after I lead you to our mayor.¡±, the guard on the right explains.


    Arkevh nods but only gives him the head.


    ¡°The Goblin is under my lead for now, he won¡¯t cause any harm.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°Who do you think you are?¡±, the Guard yells at him.


    ¡°Do you know how many people they have killed?¡±, he exclaims further.


    ¡°They did it, not this Goblin though, he is under my protection.", Arkevh explains.


    ¡°Are you insane kid, do they teach you to forget our history? The Followers of M?rk also include Goblin tribes now. Did you forgot what happened in Darkingstone? After the Orc Shaman was defeated the Orcs collapsed the Tunnels on purpose!¡±, the Guard tells Arkevh enraged and grabs him by the shoulder.


    ¡°That is false, Arkevh''s Magic collapsed the Tunnels.¡±, He answers.


    ¡°How are you so sure boy?¡±, the Guard questions enraged.


    ¡°Cause he is Arkevh.¡±, Donovan answers annoyed and goes closer towards his companion, slowly drawing the gem from his pocket, Craftol was too focused on the left guard, who still pointed the lance towards him.


    ¡°And I am the Son of Yasoma.¡±, The Guard jokes.


    ¡°I know you don¡¯t like your magic but show it to them this one time. The people in Farsen need to trust you.¡±, Donovan explains.


    Arkevh just nods and reveals his third eye, as he gets engulfed in a violet Aura, the guards turn back in shock. Before Craftol could look back, Donovan inserts the Gem in Arkevh''s shoulder and keeps his hand onto it. The Gem combines with his body instantly, creating the Connection. Arkevh would not feel the gem in this form, he was too focused to not unleash an attack.


    After a while the glow dies out and Donovan lifts the hand from his companion.


    Arkevh takes a while to speak up again and washes away the blood from his nose.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry what happened in Darkingstone but please trust me.¡±, Arkevh asks.


    The guard gulps but nods, afterwards.


    ¡°I understand Arkevh, please follow me.¡±, The Guard goes ahead and leads them inside of Farsen. He only heard about this power. Feeling it was something else, the eye of Yasoma that saved them in Darkingstone was real, holding immense powers that collapsed the halls of Skull Mountain.


    Wandering through the Village Arkevh realized why the inhabitants hated the Goblins. On the wet dirt paths sat multiple injured and burned down houses that did not seem to be a rarity in the western side littered the surroundings.


    The more they looked around the village the more destruction seemed to show itself until they reached the almost unharmed northern side, which had paved stone streets again, leading out further to the northwestern road.


    Craftol looked down the entire way, even though he wasn¡¯t responsible for it he knew that his kind caused so much suffering to the people of a small village. He wanted to redeem himself with the Help of Arkevh. He could feel the same emotions in him.


    As they entered the market square right in front of the mayor''s houses they saw a crowd of people gathering around a pedestal on which a man stood. Covered in a garb revealing the Carwitz blazon.


    Three crows that all rose up to the sky. Each of them carried a different object, a sword, a feather and a coin, symbolizing strength, innovation and wealth.


    ¡°People of Farsen! King Alexander abandoned you, look at what happened to the Village. He can¡¯t even Protect his people from the Goblins, he won''t protect you from the Orcs either. After he dies without a follower it is the time for Carwitz, we will protect you and continue to send food supplies!¡±, the Man on the pedestal screams out.


    ¡°The Followers of M?rk must pay for this. It can¡¯t be that the King lets them inside Helgria, like Echsanos or even heretics like the Dragonborn that worship the Dragons more than Yasoma, Ljus is in danger!¡±, He yells out once again.


    ¡°Should we give him the Goblin''s Head so he stops screaming. Carwitz did nothing for the people over here for years¡±, Arkevh asks.


    ¡°Let him be, the Mayor will take care of him after we are done here.¡±, Donovan answers and looks back at the man on the pedestal, who yelled out once again.


    ¡°As soon as we get to power we punish the orcs, the Goblins, the ogres and all the other scum for their sins towards Yasoma!¡±.


    Escaping from the market square they entered the mayor''s house, a pretty sizable wooden hut, which was reached by climbing some stone stairs towards it, that also directly led to a well in the middle of the market square. The guard from the entrance brought them to two of his companions who guarded the house''s entrance.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to bring those people towards the mayor, they are Arkevh and Donovan, they got a Goblin hostage and killed the Goblin Shaman.¡±, he explains and points at the Goblin head in his hand.


    ¡°Good work, we take over from here.¡±, the Guards explain and look towards Craftol.


    ¡°Either we kill the Goblin or someone takes care of them, while we visit the mayor.¡±, one of the guards explains and grabs the scabbard of his sword.


    To Arkevh''s surprise Donovan speaks up, waving to the guards that they should lower the hands from their weapons.


    ¡°Let me do it Arkevh, you accepted this task and you will speak with the mayor.¡±, Donovan explains, giving Arkevh an assuring smile.


    ¡°You can also talk with-¡±, Arkevh starts to explain but gets cut off by the guards.


    ¡°Then it''s settled, follow us inside, you are the Arkevh right?¡±, One of the guards asks and opens the door.


    Arkevh just sighs


    ¡°Yes that''s me.¡±, he explains and follows them inside.


    As they vanished Donovan looked at Craftol once again.


    ¡°You listened in the forest right, i will be gone soon, you behave understood?¡±, he says menacingly resulting in Craftol nodding dejected.


    ¡°You are really the Arkevh.¡±, the Mayor asks, eying Arkevh who set across the desk on a padded stool.


    Arkevh just nodded.


    ¡°I thank you, you saved the people of Farsen i don¡¯t know how i can show myself grateful. What animated you to help us.¡±, The Mayor asks and eyes Arkevh once again with his brown eyes.


    ¡°Thanks to Nolan, he had the letters put on display in the Adventurers Guild in Helgria.¡±, Arkevh answers.


    ¡°I understand.¡±, the mayor explains and rummages through the Drawers on his desk.


    The mayor of Farsen was more nondescript than Arkevh thought. He was two heads smaller than Arkevh and wore a basic tunic, the only thing that stuck out was his braided brown hair and the golden Necklace he wore around his chest.


    After some time the mayor finds what he was looking for, a sealed envelope Containing Silver Coins. He puts it on the desk and shoves it to Arkevh who just declines.


    ¡°Use it for the rebuilding of the village now that the Goblins are gone.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°Nolan will pay us the rest.¡±, he ensures.


    ¡°You really want nothing from us?¡±, the Mayor asks unsure.


    Arkevh considers for a while.


    ¡°There is maybe one thing, is there space on the next carriage to Helgria. I forgot to take horses, and I don''t want to take the way on foot again.¡±, Arkevh explains shy.


    The Mayor just smiles.


    ¡°I see what I can do for you. How many people do you need to transport?¡±


    ¡°two Humans and a Goblin. ¡±, Arkevh answers.

 Chapter 7: Return to Helgria

    The Wheels of the carriage rolled over the northern road, back to Helgria. However it wasn¡¯t a carriage designed for people transport but rather for Wheat and other Groceries.


    Cramped together the three sat on the back of the carriage, surrounded by labeled crates, filled with Apples, Cheese but also Salt from Skarv, looking over to the fields on the side of the path.


    ¡°We will reach Helgria in the Evening.¡±, Hannes explained but suddenly stopped to speak as he looked towards his passengers more closely.


    ¡°You two?¡±, he asks, surprised, resulting in Arkevh and Donovan looking at each other for a while unsure.


    ¡°My Name is Hannes, i was one of the farmers near Martins burned down Farm who helped to repair it for a while, nice to see you still alive.¡±, he explains.


    ¡°Glad we could help.¡±, Donovan announced and looked at Craftol, who sat next to Arkevh. He looked down and said nothing.


    ¡°You took care of the Goblin Problem?¡±, Hannes asked


    ¡°I see you got a Hostage there, why isn¡¯t he blindfolded?¡±


    Donovan looked over to Arkevh urging him to reply, justifying his actions at the Goblin camp.


    Arkevh takes a while to respond, he was unsure what to say, would they understand? The Guards and also Donovan did not seem keen on the idea to spare the Goblin, but how would the farmers react?


    Hannes saw what the Goblins did to their friends, burning down what they worked for their entire life, the ogre wanting to sell them as slaves, could they forgive Craftol if he showed them he was different. Arkevh needed to be honest.


    ¡°I think Craftol is different.¡±, Arkevh starts to explain, resulting in Hannes turning around. Readjusting his blond curly hair on the way.


    ¡°And you are sure about that?¡±, Hannes asks, impressed.


    Arkevh couldn¡¯t tell which impressive feeling it was. Was he Impressed by Arkevh''s stupidity or how naive he was.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe that every Goblin is a bad being, we have Kobold''s working for us right? Goblins did that too once, he can even speak the Human language.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°But those times are long over. Since the Orc Invasion many Goblin tribes sided with the Order of M?rk.¡±, Donovan interrupts the conversation.


    ¡°But not all.¡±, Arkevh tries.


    Hannes just laughs as he turns back to his horses, commanding them to go further west, staying on the road.


    ¡°I do not care if I¡¯m being honest. I saw that you can act appropriately as Martin told me. How you defeated the Ogres and the Goblin together for example. I don¡¯t need to trust them, I don''t even trust most Nobles and they are all Humans.¡±, Hannes laughs.


    ¡°I thank you Hannes.¡±, Arkevh''s explains and smiles.


    Donovan just rolled his eyes.


    ¡°How did you even get rid of the Goblin camp, did you use your Magic like in Darkingstone Arkevh?¡±, Hannes asks.


    ¡°Not really, Craftol did it.¡±, Arkevh answers and points to their new Companion, who turns red.


    ¡°I could have not done it without you, you killed the Shaman.¡±, Craftol reminds him and looks in the direction of the farms that started to appear at the Horizon once again.


    ¡°And you beat the Shadowhound and found a peaceful solution as well. I believe that we can continue working together.¡±, Arkevh counters and looks over to Donovan as Craftol takes his time to answer and just smiles.


    He just sat there, supporting his head with his right arm looking west. Further down West was the Sea, one of the most dangerous places in the known World. The only notable Harbors were in the South and even then boats were not really used often. Why should they?


    The only boats that existed were trading vessels used in the Rivers all across Ljus. Giant Boats for Exploration were not a thing. Every Expedition far out to the great Ocean failed. Besides one. Before the Orc Invasion, shortly after there were believable records of time there was said to be one expedition that reached the Dark continent of M?rk. The ship returned with a traumatized crew, telling tales of demon-like creatures that cursed them.


    Not even one year after the expedition all of them died of a mysterious disease.


    However Arkevh would be lying if he did not want to see M?rk for himself, even though an expedition to this place would mean instant death.


    ¡°Then I will trust that you teach that Goblin how to behave.¡±, Hannes rips Arkevh out of his considerations about the far off world.


    ¡°Someone with your god given magic will surely be able to do that.¡±, Hannes laughs.


    ¡°Indeed.¡±, Donovan ensures without looking at Arkevh and Craftol.


    In the Evening they arrived back in Helgria, it was late and Arkevh decided to meet up with Nolan before he closed his tavern.


    He joined Hannes after he stored his and Craftols Backpacks in his house, it was close to the Warehouse Hannes drove to.


    ¡°Good night you two, I will probably visit the tavern close by now.¡±, Hannes explains.


    ¡°You can come with us two if you want.¡±, Arkevh offers.


    Hannes nods happy


    ¡°I sure will.¡±


    ¡°T-Tavern, with me?¡±, Craftol asks unsure.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the place where all the Humans go at night to drink?¡±


    ¡°Not all but many. That is not the thing however, I know someone who I can borrow too, so you have a place to sleep.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    Donovan answers with a growl.


    ¡°Do what you want. I''m going to bed. I don¡¯t need the pay.¡±, Donovan says and starts to leave towards the inner circle.


    ¡°What is up with him?¡±, Hannes asks worried.


    ¡°He is probably way too tired.¡±, Arkevh answers and opens his mantle, revealing a large side pocket.


    ¡°We can be happy there aren¡¯t many people outside right now, hop in you are small enough so i can hide you for now.¡±, Arkevh explains


    ¡°Aren¡¯t Goblins technically allowed to walk outside like Kobold''s with a Human caretaker?¡±, Hannes asks


    ¡°They are, but I am not authorized to do so and I also don¡¯t want to make everyone alert.¡±, Arkevh explains and goes towards the Tavern, away from the Warehouse Hannes delivered his supplies too.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.He just shrugs and follows.


    ¡°If someone asks, I don''t know who you are.¡±


    The Tavern at night was surprisingly filled with a lot of different people. Arkevh could recognize a few armored knights from earlier but also the two Warriors that he met on the first day. There was some music playing by a little band of musicians that were located on the right side of the Tavern. Letting their relaxing Tunes fill the room. Nolan was assisted by the Guilds smith they saw on the first day, who gave the customers their ordered beverages.


    He looked rather clumsy balancing all these drinks but Nolan seemed to be fine with that.


    The old Man laughed and smiled, probably thanks to the fact that the Tavern was visited by a lot of people once again. As he saw Arkevh approach the counter, Nolan''s Smile got even brighter.


    ¡°Good to meet you here, did you get rid of the Goblins?¡±, Nolan asks, smiles and taps another beer to offer it to Arkevh instantly. He declines and shoves it towards Hannes who takes it gratefully and sits down at a free seat.


    ¡°Why are there suddenly so many people?¡±, Arkevh asks and lets his view ponder through the Tavern, almost every seat was occupied by someone.


    ¡°Bryan that Devil, told people that Arkevh and Donovan joined the Guild.¡±, he laughs.


    ¡°And now people come here in hopes to see them, look, the first people are looking at you, a bit more time and they know who you are.¡±, Nolan smiles.


    Nolan was right, as Arkevh turned around once again, a good chunk of people close to the Counter turned around seemingly listening to their conversion. It wasn¡¯t a good place to talk with Nolan about Craftol.


    ¡°I will do it later. Nolan we need to talk about something important.¡±, Arkevh tries to lead the conversation onto a more important topic.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±, he asks and stacks the next couple of beer mugs on to a plate that Bork delivers towards the next table.


    ¡°Not here, can we go into a side room.¡±,


    ¡°Sure if that is what you want.¡±, Nolan replies and opens the swing gate for him.


    Arkevh enters and follows him to a side room he was not able to see before, it was built next to the Kitchen.


    Nolan opened an old looking thick spruce door and led him into a small inconspicuous dining room.


    Inside the room there was a small bronze chandelier hanging from the ceiling, packed with fire spirit lamps. On both the Southern and the Northern wall were multiple Bookshelves that were filled with various tomes that looked older than Helgria itself.


    ¡°This is the room I often go into when I need a pause from all the customer interactions.¡±, Nolan explains and points towards a table inside the middle of the room.


    Four wooden chairs were placed around the oval shaped spruce table on which glasses and a bottle of wine was located. The Glasses were decorated with extraordinary forms reminding Arkevh of repeating arrow heads. Arkevh remembered what Nolan told them on their first visit. The expensive Wine from the South of Ljus and the carefully crafted glasses were a sign of Nolan''s past as a rich noble.


    ¡°Sit down and take a seat my friend.¡±, Nolan offers to Arkevh and begins to pour some drinks.


    Before sitting down Arkevh opens his Mantle and grabs Craftol, holding him towards Nolan before setting him back to the Ground.


    ¡°If you grab me on the neck to carry me one more time I will bite you.¡±, Craftol explains and shows his sharp teeth.


    ¡°Also that Mantle smells weird.¡±


    ¡°It smells different because of you now¡±, Arkevh answers annoyed and smells on his mantle, a stench he will never forget.


    ¡°You should thank me.¡±, Craftol smiles and looks towards Nolan who seemed Rather surprised then angry.


    ¡°A Goblin able to speak the Human Language?¡±, he asks incredulously.


    ¡°I haven''t¡¯ seen someone like him for over 30 years.¡±, Nolan explains, sits down and shoves one of the glasses towards Arkevh, filled with Wine. Craftol climbs up one of the other chairs as well.


    ¡°Have you seen some of them?¡±, Arkevh asks and takes a sip from the glass, warming his throat.


    ¡°I did, some Dwarf Clans in the north still work with Goblins like him.¡±, Nolan says and points to Craftol.


    ¡°Did you find him on your mission?¡±, Nolan asks.


    Arkevh nods.


    ¡°Yes we did and we helped him to become the new Leader of the Camp for a while.¡±


    ¡°For a while?¡±Nolan asks, surprised and empties his glass.


    ¡°I gave the lead to a Tinkerer I trust. He led the Goblins away from the village.¡±, Craftol explains for Arkevh.


    Nolan starts to chuckle before he switches to a hearty laugh.


    ¡°I need to admit, you are different then I thought Arkevh, you are not a weapon of the King''s army, like some people say. So do you and your Goblin friend want to stay?¡±, he asks both of them and leans back, almost falling.


    ¡°You really want to take me in?¡± Craftol asks and looks around like something was off.


    ¡°Right now yes, so I would apply before I change my opinion. The alcohol doesn¡¯t hold forever.¡±, he chuckles.


    Craftol nods hasty


    ¡°Understood i will join.¡±, he speaks out rapidly.


    ¡°Good you stay here I''m getting something.¡±, Nolan explains and leaves the room, returning with an envelope and to Bronze Badges, resembling a bronze spear a bit later.


    ¡°That is your payment and the Badges, I guess Donovan won¡¯t join?¡±, He asks and gives Arkevh the envelope.


    ¡°How much is a room at the Tavern.¡±, Arkevh asks.


    ¡°One Silver why?¡±


    ¡°I want to buy a room so Craftol can stay, 100 Nights to sleep. We share the other 400¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°Understood.¡± Nolan explains and cuts the paycheck, while Arkevh and Craftol put their badges on.


    Now they were part of the Adventurer''s Guild. Tasks with helping those in need and discovering the vast world of Ljus.


    Kalliope wished for the same.

 Chapter 8: The Lunar Flower

    ¡°So we are ready. Kalliope repeat the Plan!¡±, Karsa animates her adoptive daughter.


    ¡°In four days we will meet at the ball. Trisor will take the face of Lady Fira and get us in as her Butlers. Nash takes care of the real Lady Fira in Enshire. Fade will assassinate the King. This will be easy because Veleno is a known cook who got invited to the ball beforehand, he will drug some of the guards and people in there. I will be the one infiltrating Arkevh that is said to be part of the Adventurers Guild, if he even goes to the ball, he could be the only problem.¡±, Kalliope repeats the plan.


    ¡°It seems like you are not as useless as I thought.¡±, Veleno explains laughing, rummaging through his goat beard. Kalliope hated him, not even him, she hated everyone in this ¡°family¡±.


    They all were criminals recruited by that Garwin to assassinate the King, putting Carwitz into power. Of course the others agreed to that plan, every concern was washed away as soon as huge sums of money were given. Kalliope was always with them as the second Plan if the first one was doomed.


    Now however she had more freedom. With four days left she awoke in a mansion Karsa bought in Helgria. She was the only real noble and the leader of the assassin family. She was not invited towards the King''s Chamber but Lady Fira was. In addition she was the only one Kalliope feared, Kalliope could beat anyone in a duel but not the Mother. Even if she tried to flee she would always find her.


    She tried to make the best out of her time, those four days without the others were her times to rest. In addition she really wanted to know if the stories of Arkevh were true. Even if he was not part of the Adventurers Guild, her Mission was to find him. He could be a problem to their Plan, but also the one that could help her escape.


    She wandered across the streets, the more she neared the outer walls the more she looked out of place. Karsa gave her an expensive dark blue mantle, covered with Golden flower patterns. The warm weather did not annoy her in any way, she was used to worse thanks to her magic.


    After some time she finally reached said Guild, from the outside there was not much going on, only the sound of someone hammering against a piece of metal was to be heard in the distance. The Dummies in the mud seemed ragged but currently not in use. From outside the place looked like your average drinking hole, usual for the outskirts of a large City. Was that really the place she was looking for? Only one way to find out. She grabs the doorknob and opens the door, barging into another person.


    Nolan bursted out in laughter as he saw Arkevh falling down. Arkevh was just talking with Nolan as someone opened the door while Arkevh grabbed into nothingness, losing his balance.


    ¡°Come on, you didn¡¯t drink that much yesterday.¡±, Nolan continues to chuckle.


    ¡°Very funny.¡±, Arkevh answers, annoyed and stands up looking at who caused him to fall down.


    It was a young woman probably his age, she was covered in an expensive looking mantle and wore her red long hair freely. He stares into her light brown eyes as she comes to word.


    ¡°I am terribly sorry.¡±, she exclaims quickly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±, Arkevh answers and touches his nose it hurt.


    ¡°I should have been more careful.¡±, he continues to stand up and makes space for the woman to enter.


    She waits for a while till she enters the Tavern and looks at Arkevh for a while, those purple eyes, was he the one she was searching for.


    ¡°What can I do for you.¡±, Kalliope hears the Man from the counter sound across the room.


    ¡°I-¡±, she considers for a while.


    ¡°I wanted to know if I can join the Guild for a while, I heard that the Adventurers Guild here has some tasks.¡± Kalliope then explains with confidence.


    ¡°Sure, while I prepare the Task board you can help Arkevh at Bork.¡±, The old Man explains.


    ¡°I think he isn¡¯t able to do it alone if he already falls.¡±, Nolan laughs.


    With a betrayed look Arkevh turns to Nolan and nods.


    ¡°You could also help me, not my problem if everyone drank so much they are still sleeping.¡±, Arkevh counters.


    ¡°Where is Craftol by the way, he didn¡¯t drink anything yesterday?¡±, Nolan asks.


    ¡°Probably sleeping too, not gonna wake him up now.¡±, Arkevh explains and looks towards Kalliope.


    ¡°Follow me, let¡¯s help Bork.¡±, He explains, resulting in a nod from Kalliope. Leaving the Tavern together.


    ¡°You probably get that question often but are you really that Arkevh?¡±, Kalliope asks as they walk towards the Forge.


    ¡°Indeed.¡±, Arkevh explains and finishes and readjust the part of his hair that covered one of his eyes.


    ¡°And who are you?¡±, Arkevh asks afterwards.


    ¡°My name is Kalliope.¡±, she explains.


    ¡°Nice to meet you.¡±, Arkevh replies and looks towards the Forge, the noise of ringing metal grew.


    ¡°Can I ask you something else?¡±, Kalliope questions.


    ¡°If you insist.¡±


    ¡°What brought you to the Guild?¡±, Kalliope asks


    ¡°That sounds like an interesting choice.¡±, she continues


    ¡°I wanted to see the world and help others without being a Weapon for Helgria. Why are you here?¡±, Arkevh answers and smiles.


    ¡°For the same reasons-besides the Weapon thing of course.¡±, Kalliope saves her identity and laughs it off.


    To her surprise Arkevh continues to smile.


    ¡°Hey you two.¡±, Bork greets them and washes the sweat from his forehead, in front of him laid an unfinished steel sword he was working on since the morning. Probably for Bryan the person that told everyone about Arkevh. He hasn¡¯t talked with him, he only knew from Nolan how he looked. He was the one Donovan and Arkevh met on the first day of the Guild.


    ¡°I see you brought another new face to the Guild Arkevh, first Donovan and then this fine looking woman. Are you here to help me out?¡± Bork asks and smiles, revealing his unusual shiny teeth.


    Arkevh nods.


    ¡°What can we do for you? Should we bring you more Iron?¡±


    ¡°No not now, I have enough Material. I need a present, a kind of flower that grows in the southern parts of the Forest of Yor. It''s for my Wife our marriage day is soon. I have every flower I need besides this one.¡±, Bork explains, smiling.


    ¡°We can get it for you, can you describe it?¡±, he asks.


    ¡°Nolan told me about it, that''s why i wanted it so badly, it''s a Luna flower, they shine in the moon and are normally light blue with an invisible centerpiece that reflects the moonlight.¡±, Bork explains


    ¡°They are said to be found in a clearing full of flowers in the south.¡±, Bork adds.


    ¡°Understood we can get it for you.¡±, Arkevh explains and looks behind him there was a familiar Aura, as he turned around he saw Craftol. His hair was even more chaotic than yesterday and he had some bad grommets and looked rather sleepy.


    To everyone, Surprise Kalliope''s Hands light up in fire as she sees the Goblin. Pointing towards him ready to unleash flames.


    To deescalate the Situation Arkevh grabs Kalliope''s Shoulder.


    ¡°Hey don¡¯t worry this is Craftol he is one of us.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    Kalliope''s fires die down as she looks at him confused.


    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ve never seen something like that¡±, she explains.


    ¡°Next time you could just talk with me before you threaten my life.¡±, Craftol explains and climbs up Arkevhs mantle. He wore a little leather jacket like the day Arkevh met him at the Camp. His tiredness seemed to have faded away.


    ¡°You can speak?¡±, Kalliope asks, even more surprised than before.


    ¡°I can. Arkevh is she coming with us?¡±, Craftol asks


    ¡°Yes she is, also can you stop using me as a way of transportation.¡±, Arkevh explains annoyed.


    ¡°No I¡¯m too shocked to walk that far right now.¡±, Craftol smiles


    Arkevh just shakes his head and goes towards the gates, followed by Kalliope who was unsure what she had stumbled upon.


    ¡°I wanted to ask you something else.¡±, Kalliope breaks the silence as they walk through the Forest, the big stream that went through all of the forest pattering in the distance.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you flee from Helgria if you did not want to be used as a weapon, you had every chance to do so haven¡¯t you?¡±, Kalliope asks unsure and reminds herself of Karsa. She would have run away a long time ago if she did not hold her captive.


    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure either, I think it was because of not being sure how I could survive without Helgria. I lived in an Orphanage my entire life, even though I wanted to leave the city walls, I feared that it would destroy the balance I had established. The balance someone helped me to achieve made life in it feel bearable.¡±, Arkevh recalls his opportunity to study in the University, learning more about the Magic he possessed.


    While Thinking about it he reminds himself of his Pure Magic study, hoping that he didn¡¯t miss any letter sent to him, he should ask his Preceptor when he had the time.


    ¡°I understand, why are you willing to tell me all of this?¡±, Kalliope asks, confused about Arkevh''s honesty. He was more different then he thought, similar to her even.


    ¡°I don¡¯t hide myself anymore.¡±


    ¡°What about you? You are always asking but never told anything about you.¡±, Craftol Interrupts the conversation.


    Arkevh wanted to say something but Kalliope stood up for herself.


    ¡°I¡¯m just a Traveler,  I didn¡¯t beg for Arkevh''s help but I still take what he gives me so openly.¡±, Kalliope counters, slightly annoyed.


    ¡°That implies you are still hoping for something right, you could have just asked him about his Powers, come on tell us the truth nobody is listening.¡±, Craftol explains unknowingly.


    Kalliope could not tell the truth otherwise Karsa would use her strings to deform her, she needed to lie.


    ¡°Same goes for you Goblin. Everyone has their reason only because you seemed to have revealed them to Arkevh. I don''t need to be as naive as you.¡±, Kalliope explains.


    Before Craftol says something Arkevh interrupts both of them.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care Craftol let''s go on.¡±, He quickly exclaims and ends the conversation with that. Craftol just lets out a big sight but keeps silent.


    ¡°By the way how do we find the flower, any plans?¡±, Craftol speaks up after a while and looks around, not seeing anything like it was described to them.


    ¡°I was actually searching for a good place to rest, we reached the Southern part of the forest and we probably find it easier when the moon shines. If I remember correctly Bork mentioned a clearing somewhere further south that is full of flowers. So I heard, so let''s hope it''s true.¡±, Arkevh explains and continues throughout the Forest.


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    ¡°Let us continue until the night, then we search for the flower and return in the Morning. Maybe we reach the clearing sooner than we think.¡±, Arkevh suggests, resulting in a nod from both.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any better suggestions so lets make what we can out of it.¡±, Craftol replies in agreement.


    Bork recalled everything correctly, after one more hour of walking they reached a clearing filled with flowers of different colors. Surrounded by the mild looking Oak trees the Flowers were an unusual spot in the Forest of Yor who was known to be rather balanced. Repeating similar structures in Nature, like it followed a sense of balance that became its rule. Legends tell that once there was an elven Civilization in the Forest of Yor long forgotten, only supported by old Pillars that loosely popped up if you wandered this place for long enough.


    With the view of the colorful flower field in the distance the three set up a camp. Arkevh tried to follow Donovan¡¯s suggestions as best as possible, even though he did not consider dangerous animals or perhaps Goblins to be near here. He still wanted their mission to be hidden. Maybe there weren¡¯t too many Lunar Flowers here and people were on the hunt for them as well.


    The logs in the small fireplace crinkled as they waited for the moon to rise, over the clearing Kalliope had fallen asleep for the time being. Her arrival at Helgria and her Crew had not given her enough time to rest.


    In the meantime Arkevh and Craftol sat around the Campfire and ate some of their rations, some dry bread and raisins where not really delicious but enough to fill the stomach.


    Craftol glanced over to their sleeping companion until he turned towards Arkevh and shook his head.


    ¡°Be honest, don''t you think she is a bit suspicious?¡±, Craftol asks and eats some of the raisins.


    ¡°Maybe.¡±, Arkevh just answers and drinks some water from his canteen, it was almost empty, he forgot to fill it.


    ¡°Just Maybe?¡±, Craftol repeats in disbelief.


    ¡°It''s obvious that she is trying something, I don¡¯t know what but it feels like she is trying to gather information about you for a purpose.¡±, Craftol continued his thought.


    ¡°I sense nothing suspicious so far though only her magic Aura nothing else.¡±, Arkevh explains and glances over to Kalliope as well.


    ¡°I have a plan, we ask her the same questions when we are alone with her, if she answers differently we know she is faking a character.¡±, Craftol says sure of himself.


    Arkevh just nods once again.


    ¡°We can try it.¡±, Arkevh agrees on the idea.


    ¡°Can you explain to me what an Orphanage is now? You mentioned it before.¡± Craftol asks, still curious.


    Arkevh can¡¯t help himself to not laugh, so he starts to explain it to his friend. Craftol seems to be surprisingly intrigued by such a concept and before they can count how many time has passed, they see a distant glow coming from the clearing.


    As both of them stand up Kalliope wakes from her sleep as well, without the need of waking her up. Not sure if Kalliope had slept in doze the whole time, destroying their plan, they try to ignore it and move towards the strange light that emitted from the clearing.


    Like Bork described it, the moon stood straight above the clearing, activating the glow from the Lunar flower. There was only one light amidst the sea of marigold.


    This lone light however shone like nothing they saw before, perfect for a unique gift.


    Arkevh slowly approaches the light blue glow, trying not to crush too many marigolds on the way. He hovers his hand over the flower for a while, grabbing it by the stem who reflects the surrounding in a magical way. As he uproots the plant as soft as possible, he realizes how deep in the earth this one seems to be. Resulting in him, holding a flower taller than he thought, most of it was the almost transparent stem that reflected himself. Seeing his own body in the stem Arkevh feels a strange feeling, almost as if something would consume his mana slowly. Arkevh stands still for a while and says nothing, only sensing the strange feeling the flower emitted when he held it.


    ¡°Arkevh is something wrong?¡±, Kalliope asks unsure on why Arkevh stood still for so long.


    ¡°Nothing is really wrong, this flower just has a weird feeling when you touch it.¡±, Arkevh explains and gives Kalliope the flower. She takes it and starts to shake within. This feeling, how was this flower able to achieve that. This feeling like something looked right in her soul and towards Karsa. Who communicated with her in this instance?


    ¡°Get that flower away from me child!¡±, she yells in her mind and gives it towards Craftol, who was only a bit taller than the flower.


    He just shrugs as he holds the flower in his hand and gives it back towards Arkevh.


    ¡°I feel nothing must be a magician thing or so.¡±, He theorizes unimpressed.


    Arkevh looks towards Kalliope


    ¡°Makes sense, I assume you also felt something thanks to your fire magic, where did you learn it?¡±, Arkevh asks


    ¡°My Mother, she is also dead.¡±, Kalliope explains.


    ¡°You were just born with them?¡± Kalliope asks, confused, Arkevh nods as a reply.


    ¡°So we got the flower, I think we take that well deserved pause and rest.¡±, Arkevh explains as an arrow flies by him crashing into a flower.


    Turning around hastily they see three orcs approaching from the thicket. They seem to come from the south, visible by their grayish skin, which was common for the southern orc clans. Five of those fearless Warriors stepped up to them, one of them carried a bow which was still held in a shooting position, another arrow already on the bowstring.


    Their leader was covered in iron armor and equipped with a battle axe. He was the tallest of the group, his axe already covered in blood symbolizing all the poor souls that fell to him.


    He held his hand into the air, symbolizing his archer not to shoot until he was done talking, something rare for the orcs.


    ¡°Is that who i think it is?¡±, the orc asks in the human language, surprisingly well spoken as well.


    ¡°Who are you searching for?¡±, Arkevh replied coldly.


    ¡°Not for you, but that does not matter now, it seems like it''s my lucky day. Tell me what is that Goblin doing here?¡±


    ¡°He is our Guild member.¡±, Arkevh explains, resulting in the orc leader laughing in response.


    ¡°Very Funny.¡±


    ¡°Schitz Dummar.¡±, he tells his archer who loosens his arrow flying directly towards Arkevh, who blocks it with a quick sphere of dark magic,


    ¡°Seems like you didn¡¯t rust since Darkingstone.¡±, The orc comments and rushes towards the three, his companions follow with drawn axes. Their Blood lust was visible in their eyes, even if he tried he would not be able to spare them in any way.


    Kalliope steps next to Arkevh.


    ¡°Fire magic now.¡±, She says, resulting in Arkevh immediately understanding.


    At the same time both of them stretch out their hands and unravel a roll of fire with their combined magic that rushes towards the orcs. Craftol in the meantime searches for a trinket in his bag and goes undercover in the flower field. Resulting in the archer missing another shot.


    As the fire dies down the orcs reveal themselves, one of them got caught, however the leader and two other orcs still stood their ground. Another orc took the lead and had activated some kind of protection rune that was built in his armor, blocking the attack as best as the rune could.


    The orcs leap forward and swing their weapons after the two, doing their best to doge the incoming attacks. Both of them weren¡¯t made for dueling, that was Donovan''s thing.


    In the meantime Craftol rummages through the flowers towards the orc archer. As he comes close enough to him he throws the trinket at the orc. The orc archer tries his best to defend the potion with the dagger he drew and stabs into the glass, destroying the container of the blue liquid. However as his hands touch the liquid they suddenly freeze and turn into ice, before the orc can realize what happened his arms and legs turn into ice, stunning him in position.


    ¡°Have fun with some ice slime Liquid. It was really expensive.¡±, Craftol smiles and looks towards his companions.


    Another axe swing was about to hit Kalliope as the orc suddenly stopped swinging his axe and started to bleed uncontrollably. It was hard to see but dozens of strings burst out close to Kalliope protecting her and piercing into the attackers flesh. The blood drips along the strings as the orc collapses towards the flowers, his face deformed by the many holes.


    The orc but also Kalliope freeze as they see the strings disappearing back into Kalliope''s body. The Orc leader rushes towards Kalliope and grabs her with his right arm slamming her to the ground.


    ¡°How did you do that!¡±, he yells at her, as Arkevh defeats the other orc with a spear he formed out of dark magic, plunging it in the attackers body.


    ¡°Give up.¡±, Arkevh replies cold


    ¡°Why should I.¡±, The orc yells back and looks at his fellow Warriors. They all got defeated even his archer got immobilized by a Goblin. In a last act of desperation he raises Kalliope up from the ground and points his axe at her throat.


    ¡°Do you really want to trade her life for yours?¡±, Arkevh asks and raises his hand.


    ¡°You are still scared about what happened aren¡¯t you?¡±, Arkevh continues the questioning.


    Resulting in the orc slowly hardening the position of the axe on Kalliope''s throat.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a naive boy.¡±, The orc replies in anger.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to take risks with her now, after she killed one of my warriors so fast and beautiful.¡±, The orc compliments Kalliope in the orcish manner.


    ¡°You still seem to hang on to your life though.¡± Arkevh explains. Resulting into the orc getting more angry.


    ¡°You get on my nerves human, I will just-¡±, The orc leader starts but can¡¯t finish his sentence as a little sphere of fire pierces through the orcs throat. Kalliope used the time in which Arkevh distracted the orc to focus her Mana into a precise and fast attack. It took her way longer than normally thanks to the orc blocking her breathing with his grab, something important for most elemental magics.


    Kalliope looks at Arkevh for a while before she lets her view ponder across the flower field. It looked way less soothing now.


    ¡°What are we gonna do with the other orc?¡±, Craftol breaks the silence as he points towards the frozen archer.


    ¡°We will bring him away from the flower field, with the bodies. The flowers will recover until we clean the mess up.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    Kalliope just nods and raises her head.


    ¡°Kalliope was it your magic?¡±, Arkevh asks


    ¡°No. I have a question."


    ¡°That is?¡±,


    ¡°Please help me get rid of Karsa.¡±, Kalliope explains.


    Karsa in the meantime touched her hurting neck. The mark of the orcs grip was still on there and her throat had a tiny cut from the orcish axe. She could not kill Kalliope yet, she still needed her powers.

 Chapter 9: Preparations

    The Flower field had gone silent once again, the three people still standing in it had stopped talking entirely. The dead bodies were removed from the clearing and buried in the distance. The frozen orc stood still and watched them.


    ¡°You want to tell us where your scoundrels are coming from?¡±, Kalliope asks him with an evil smile.


    ¡°I''d rather die than tell you something.¡±, The orc says.


    ¡°Okay good luck.¡±, Kalliope explains and kicks him down a slope close to the flower field and the graves. He vanishes into the treetops, shortly after the sound of freezing ice is to be heard.


    ¡°Are we following him?¡±, Craftol asks and looks towards the slope the orc fell down. Orcs were stubborn against physical pain, most of the damage probably was blocked by the ice around the orc. The only damage that was really done to the orc, was the last impact and the imprint of a heel from Kalliope''s boots on his back. As Arkevh answered the orc had already vanished behind the treetops.


    ¡°No, let him be for now, the orcs from the south have nothing to do with the orc¡¯s in the north as far as I know. I also won¡¯t follow him now, we would waste our time if he does not comply.¡±


    ¡°And you also would miss the ball.¡±, Craftol reminds Arkevh.


    ¡°The Ball, they will be there.¡±, Kalliope says thoughtfully. Her laddish attitude had vanished but her anger was understandable, the orcs tried to kill them after all.


    ¡°That Karsa and who else?¡± Arkevh asks, confused.


    ¡°My whole Family, four people here, another one of them is in Enshire. He is guarding Lady Fira.¡±, Kalliope explains sad.


    ¡°Wait, you took Lady Fira Hostage?¡±, Arkevh asks confused, he heard from the lady of ice, she was a strong magician. Kalliope''s family seemed to be strong if they could capture her.


    ¡°Yes, Nash that bastard holds her captive the rest is also not to be underestimated. Trisor is a shapeshifter that will lead them closer to the king if Shade fails. Shade can face through solid material. Veleno will drug some at the ball including you if you drink or eat something Arkevh.¡±, Kalliope explains.


    ¡°So we should warn the King, I know who can easily reach him.¡±, Arkevh explains and thinks about Donovan.


    ¡°Even if we warn them, Karsa listens to us all the time. Through me she will already have changed her plan as we were done with the orcs.¡± Kalliope explains


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry it¡¯s my fault.¡±, Kalliope explains and looks at the ground.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, without you we would not know about the assassination attempt at all. We will take care from here.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    Kalliope rubs away a tear and nods.


    ¡°T-Thank you.¡± She just says.


    ¡°I want to help you and I need your help as well¡±


    ¡°I know Karsa seems to have a magical connection with you somehow. Do you her?¡±, Arkevh asks her


    ¡°Yes, even though she probably won¡¯t kill me.¡±, Arkevh explains


    ¡°Why that?¡±, Arkevh asks interested.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure she needs me for something?¡±, Kalliope explains.


    ¡°Can she appear next to you?¡±, Arkevh asks further.


    Kalliope nods.


    ¡°Do you feel when she approaches?


    Kalliope nods again and starts to shake; it seems like it happens once or multiple times.


    ¡°Fine we will help you.¡±, Arkevh explains


    ¡°We?¡±, Craftol asks, baffled.


    ¡°You are Part of the Guild and our Group now so you''re gonna help us as well.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    Craftol just sights.


    ¡°Fine I will help you but don¡¯t think I would fight against someone who could appear anytime.¡±, Craftol gives in, even if reluctant.


    ¡°Thank you Craftol.¡±, Kalliope says.


    ¡°You are Donovan, am I right?¡±, Karsa asks the man in front of his door, who rummages through the beard and gives her a polite smile.


    ¡°Indeed, Helland sent me, where do you know him from?¡±, Donovan asks skeptically.


    ¡°As a noble you also know the church to some extent, especially if you are working towards the same goal. Alexander needs to leave the Throne, everyone is doing it for the money besides us, am I right?¡±, Karsa asks Donovan and smiles.


    For being around 40 Years old her appearance looked rather young. But that is what Karsa was known for; she somehow preserved herself very efficiently. Donovan knew how this was achievable. Her Magic Aura was not to be underestimated if she revealed it freely. In addition her Magic skills showed with her hiding the Aura she normally emitted, she only revealed it towards Donovan for a short period of time.


    ¡°I agree he either needs to die or be taken care of politically. He abandoned the church and retreated from Darkingstone even though Arkevh was able to kill a big part of the orcish army. With the elves and the dwarfs he could use the forces of Ljus to end the Order of M?rk.


    Karsa chuckled as she heard Donovan''s simple thought process, he still was a child after all playing after Helland''s rules the one he admired so much.


    ¡°Good let us talk more freely, there is a garden close isn¡¯t it?¡±, Karsa asks.


    Donovan nods, resulting in Karsa stepping out in the sun, the large hat and the black dress protecting her pale skin as best as possible. Together they would get rid of Alexander''s reign, after that however their goals would go part ways.


    A bit later Arkevh, Kalliope and Craftol would arrive back in Helgria. They were able to catch some sleep. Karsa did not seem to be interested in attacking them at this exact time.


    So they entered the Guilds grounds well rested.


    ¡°Look who''s back.¡± Bryan exclaimed and rummaged through his beard, he had a sly smile on his face.


    ¡°What is your problem Bryan? Why did you tell everyone I joined the Guild?¡±, Arkevh reminds himself, since the first day he seemed weirdly interested in Arkevh''s arrival even though he had not talked with him since their first encounter.


    ¡°Well-¡±, he takes a while to answer.


    ¡°None of your business okay? Piss off.¡±, Bryan answered annoyed.


    ¡°Do you need help or something.¡±, Kalliope speaks up, confused by his abrupt change of mood.


    As Bryan hears those words he seems weirdly silent, and stomps on to the ground.


    ¡°I hate you!¡±, Bryan yells and throws his sword towards the dummy, he misses.


    As the sword falls towards the dirt he starts to breathe heavily for a while.


    ¡°Okay I do you need your help!¡±, he yells again and looks at Arkevh.


    ¡°I tried to get your attention in some way, I thought you like that like every famous person does.¡±, Bryan exclaims and waits a while.


    ¡°And I felt sorry for the first meeting.¡±, Bryan says slowly and picks up the sword, his face only loosely reflecting itself on the rusty blade.


    ¡°Why were you so angry back then?¡±, Arkevh asks, confused?


    ¡°Well you seems like a noble nowadays in some way, they are the reason why my Sister and Mother had it so hard, she can¡¯t finance a house cause they are all greedy and i assumed you are like them, the Holy Knights are said to be part of the church but behave nothing like in the holy scriptures.¡±, Bryan explains.


    ¡°So your family has Money problems because of greedy feudal lords, we can help you to get some money.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°You would do that?¡±, Bryan''s Eyes light up as he finishes his question.


    ¡°I will and I have a plan to do so. Wait here I will come back later when we got everything we need from Bork.¡±, Arkevh explains and continues towards the Forge.


    Bryan nods in agreement while Kalliope and Craftol follow him.


    ¡°What are you planning to help him with?¡±, Craftol asks unknowingly.


    ¡°Just let me do, I have a plan.¡±, Arkevh explains and knocks on the forge''s door.


    They hear footsteps and soon enough Bork steps outside.


    He looked rather sleepy, however his eye started to shine in wakefulness again, as soon as he saw the Lunar flower in Arkevh''s hands.


    ¡°You really found it?¡± Bork asks, surprised and joyful at the same time, grabbing the flower instantly and rushing back into the forge.


    ¡°Follow me.¡±, he explained and vanished behind a wall. Surprised by his sudden energy they follow him inside.


    They go past the very small main corridor of the wooden hut into an adjoining room. Only dimly lit by a small window on the right side, which directly shone towards an old crafting bench on the opposite side.


    On top of it there was a vase containing a mix of colorful flowers, the Vase itself was decorated in wave like patterns, this probably was the gift Bork was talking about.


    ¡°Thanks. I probably would never have found this flower without you.¡±, Bork shows his gratitude.


    He cuts a bit of the stem and puts it into the vase, then he gives Arkevh the rest of the flower.


    ¡°Is that a gift for your Wife?¡±, Kalliope asks Bork, he nods.


    ¡°Yes that¡¯s it, the Lunar flower has a lot of Mana in it, so it will keep the other flowers blooming for years on end. I only need a part of it, it does not shine right now but it still contains some Mana I can feel it. Maybe the Mana comes from the moons when it shines.¡±, Bork theorizes.


    ¡°That could be true we never really studied Lunar and Lunnon how could we?¡±, Arkevh explains and looks at the flower in his hands, he had an idea, a stupid Idea not sure if he should do it.


    ¡°That''s all for now, thanks for your help once again, keep the flower as a little Gift Nolan has the payment as always.¡±, Bork smiles and looks over to the Vase again. Never dying Flowers from all across Ljus as well, a nice Gift. His Wife was probably someone who loved nature.


    On their way inside the Tavern Arkevh speaks up about his plan. Not sure if she would like it.


    ¡°Kalliope i thought about something. The Lunar flower could sense Karsa as well right, you shoved it away so quickly and you told us that she can sense you maybe we can do it too with that flower somehow.¡±,


    ¡°You can do more than that Arkevh.¡±, Kalliope explains


    ¡°There is a kind of compass in me, you can sense it and destroy it maybe.¡±, Kalliope continues.


    ¡°It could be dangerous I assume?¡±, Arkevh asked her.


    ¡°Yes and you need to use a lot of Mana, I think you are the only one that can do it, but I understand when you don¡¯t want to use your powers for me, you know me since a few hours at most.¡±


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    ¡°Well you warned us from the attack, i can try it, so we are even.¡±, Arkevh smiles


    ¡°I can give you a trinket that increases your amount of Mana for a while, I can surely fabricate it with some spare ingredients left, Maybe we don¡¯t need to use your hidden powers if you need to use a lot of Mana¡±, Craftol suggests with a grin.


    ¡°We can try, what do you think?¡± Arkevh looks over at Kalliope.


    ¡°Only an outside force can remove it. I found the perfect one for that. Let''s do it.¡±, Kalliope says determined.


    ¡°Ah you are back, you are done with the task?¡±, Nolan greets them and hobbles from the counter towards them, he had 3 badges and a letter with him.


    ¡°Bork was so nice and made some named Badges for new Guild Members, Arkevh and Craftol yours hold your name.¡±, Nolan smiles and gives them the letter and the two badges, he also had a bronze badge for Kalliope, without name however.


    ¡°Welcome to the Guild.¡±, Nolan smiles


    ¡°You actually made them smaller for me, thank you.¡±, Craftol explains and takes off his old badge, he feels lighter once again.


    ¡°No Problem did everything go well.¡±, Nolan asks?


    ¡°It did.¡±, Arkevh answers.


    ¡°Good, so you can help me with the Guild tonight, there are probably a lot of guests coming.¡±, Nolan chuckles.


    ¡°We can talk about that later Nolan. Okay you two let''s go to Craftol¡¯s room and prepare everything.¡±, He explains and goes up the stairs with them.


    ¡°Why are you going so fast?¡±, Nolan asks confused


    ¡°I¡¯ll explain it later.¡±


    Kalliope sat cross legged in Craftols room and tried to meditate, she needed clear focus, Arkevh as well. Both of them focused their Mana as best as they could, while Craftol prepared a mixture in the meantime


    After a while he gave Arkevh the bluish trinket.


    ¡°Normal Blue Herbs?¡±, Arkevh asks and realizes the hints of green color in it


    ¡°You don¡¯t wanna know.¡±, Craftol smiles and watches Arkevh chuck the liquid down, on his face he could tell that he did not like the bitter after taste.


    Even though the mixture tasted awful Arkevh could feel his Mana circulating in a pulsating way, he was ready to undertake the magical treatment and looked towards Kalliope for approval. She didn¡¯t open her eyes, she just nodded slowly.


    Arkevh stretched his hands out up front and concentrated on the auras he could sense close by. Holding the Lunar flower in his left hand.


    He senses his own, the relatively weak one from Craftol but also Kalliope''s immense Aura, most of it was actually from her only a small part seemed to be hidden somewhere in between this mass of Mana. He takes a while but with sending some of his Mana towards Kalliope he is able to dig a path into the aura, revealing Karsa''s compass within. As his Mana reaches the Compass it starts to pulsate aggressively, and before he can really realize what happened he hears Craftol yelling.


    ¡°Arkevh look out.¡±, he yells as the strings once again burst out of Kalliope, they directly focus on Arkevh and pierce through his left hand, with what he tries to block as many as he can. Even enchanted with light magic some of them pass through, even reaching his body causing the strings to cause wounds on his stomach, gladly not that deep.


    Arkevh lets out a sound of pain, as two of his fingers fall to the ground. Before the others can do something Arkevh speaks up.


    ¡°Stay concentrated, both of you. I got this.¡±, Arkevh eases his friends and directs both hands forward. The blood tripping to the ground, his hand felt like it was placed in a fireplace. But he carried on he could heal himself later.


    Kalliope did not see what was going on but she was able to hear it, especially the sound of something falling to the ground and that the strings hit something. As the strings loosened from their target they return with a hint of Mana while the blood burns on them in an instant. She hated Karsa, what was her plan now? Did she know that the connection was about to be cut and she tried to resist?


    Kalliope does not have enough time to think, she senses a strong Aura next to her then suddenly a sharp pain overcomes her as something falls out of her neck closing the wound instantly, as something slams to the ground. She looks up again. He did it!


    Opening her eyes reveals Arkevh who cowers on the ground, Craftol standing next to him touching his shoulder carefully. The eye on Arkevh''s forehead vanishes as another stream of blood flows from his nose onto the wooden tilling. He looks towards Kalliope who gives him a smile of relief, then looks at the two fingers on the ground and then back at Arkevh''s hand. He lost his ring and little finger, his face still covered in pain, he leans back and sights.


    ¡°I understand why you hate her now.¡±, he laughs but immediately goes silent again now that his stomach burns as the bottom part of his tunic slowly turns red.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Arkevh.¡±, Kalliope explains, holding back tears in her eyes, she felt closer to being free.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to I¡­ I applied to this idea, just promise me that you take care of Karsa at the ball. I have a plan.¡±, he chuckles again and holds his undamaged hand in front of his stomach trying to heal the small wounds with his light magic.


    ¡°Come on Arkevh I make you a healing potion.¡±, Craftol explains while Kalliope picks up the Compass.


    ¡°Thanks Craftol.¡± Arkevh looks towards his Companion who has started to prepare something on his desk. He had an Alchemy set built up. Nolan had a spare one left. He looks back at Kalliope who held the Compass in her Hand. She washed away her tears with a mantel and looked towards Arkevh.


    ¡°I¡¯m in your debt.¡±, She smiles and gets a reply.


    ¡°I will make Karsa pay, I promise!¡±, Kalliope explains.


    Arkevh nods and stands up, changing his expression because of the pain again.


    ¡°Before you rightfully destroy that¡­ Compass stone we can maybe use it for my Plan.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°How exactly and what are you planning?¡± Kalliope asked intrigued.


    ¡°I will warn the King, and study the Crystal. I do my best in the time we have left to study those compass stones. I heard about them and from it I can maybe create some more. They could help us establish a connection without needing to implement them in your body¡±, Arkevh explains


    ¡°Sounds like a plan.¡±, Craftol agrees and comes back with a healing potion and a bandage, trying to stop the bleeding on Arkevh''s hand.


    ¡°Thank you Craftol.¡±, Arkevh explains and looks at his left hand for a while, he sees both of his friend¡¯s concerned views.


    ¡°Can you heal that?¡±, Craftol asks unsure


    ¡°Maybe but I need time that we don¡¯t have right now. Craftol asks Bork or Nolan for some gems or crystals, I will explain everything to them tonight.¡±, Arkevh looks at his small companion.


    ¡°I will need your help with creating the compasses, they seem to be infused gems.¡±


    ¡°I do my best.¡±, Craftol explains


    ¡°Kalliope take the time you need to train or to rest. Since the Compass got removed I feel an even stronger Aura. It was strong at the clearing but now you seem to be even stronger. Surpassing mine currently, I know that you can beat Karsa.¡±, Arkevh smiles and drinks the potion.


    He loved the sweet taste of the mixture and he felt something easing his pain. He was ready to warn Donovan and the King. Even though Donovan did not like the King, the Codex of the church he followed would force him to help.


    ¡°Kalliope another Question, which house are Karsa in the rest residing in?¡±, Arkevh asks


    ¡°Park Path, the biggest House.¡±, She answers by describing a house in the northwest of Helgria.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Karsa won¡¯t have a chance I promise!¡±


    ¡°And you are really sure there is an assassination of the King planned?¡±, Donovan asks Arkevh, he needs to play the unknowing one for a while.


    ¡°I can get Craftol and Kalliope too if you don¡¯t believe me, second of all why should i lie, you know i don¡¯t care about the King you should.¡±, Arkevh explains and hides his wounded hand in his pocket.


    Donovan Sights.


    ¡°Well you are right, it is my duty as an adversary of the church to protect the King and I may have a plan to catch those intruders.¡±, Donovan Smiles.


    ¡°If we cancel the Ball, we will never catch the Assassins, this Kalliope tells us about right, but we can set a decoy. There are three rooms that are important. The kitchen, the ball hall and the King''s room. We can catch Lady Fira, the Shapeshifter Kalliope told you about, Karsa if Kalliope described her right and also Veleno pretty easily. Then we open a fourth room where we place the king and shade will fall into a trap in the Throne room where the king was supposed to be before. Sounds like a plan?¡±, Donovan asks his companion.


    Arkevh nods.


    ¡°I had a similar Idea but I have another question. How many people can I invite to the Ball?¡±, Arkevh asks


    ¡°Probably ten like most nobles, why do you ask?¡±, Donovan questions.


    ¡°I Plan on creating a connection with my Guild Members with self made compass stones, so we can communicate and take multiple Positions.¡±, Arkevh explains the plan.


    ¡°I will inform the King, I promise. If you are able to create those stones, give one to me as well.¡±


    ¡°Park Path. The biggest house right?¡±, Donovan asks once again


    Arkevh nods.


    "I probably won''t find anything there but i try my best.", Donovan explains and parts away.


    Unknowingly that both of them worked against each other, Arkevh returns to the guild. And tries his best in motivating his Guild Members.


    ¡°I know that sounds weird but we really need your help protecting the King from the assassins, I know you all probably don¡¯t like the King and don¡¯t care for him like me. But our leader can¡¯t be decided by acts of terror.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°In addition the Assassins are sent from Enshire through Garwin, i don¡¯t think you want to be reigned by that old Carwitz either?¡±, Kalliope asks in the crowd. The Guild Members nodded to each other in response.


    ¡°You can show the King your worth but also the nobles that they should not underestimate you.¡±, she continues


    Bryan and his sister stand up.


    ¡°If what you say it''s true, I''m gonna help you, I don¡¯t like the King but I don¡¯t want to get controlled by Carwitz either and there is surely a payment that we can use for our mother, right Bianca?¡± Bryan asks and turns to her sister. She nods


    ¡°Indeed.¡±


    Other guild Members sight and stand up.


    ¡°As an ex-Guard I can show the others that my skills still hold up.¡±, an older man smiles.


    ¡°And I can show my skills as a soldier. Maybe I can enter guard training again.¡±, a man in Iron armor stands up.


    ¡°Well then it''s settled, we ''re gonna protect the King and show that the Helgria guild has its place in this world.¡±, Arkevh explains with a smile.


    In the meantime Donovan sat in a darkened room, meditating until something touched his shoulder. As he opened his eyes he stared in his own face. It was an exact copy. Every beard hair, every wrinkle, every scar on his arm even his aura was an exact copy.


    That was Trisors ability. A scary one indeed, but it will help shape the way for Helland, the one that knows the truth. Even if Karsa took parts of Arkevh''s powers Donovan was the true tainted one, like Helland always prophesied. In his blind eye he could see the Father.

 Chapter 10: The Ball

    Like every Year the Kings Ball was set on the Last Lunnon of Summer, This Year 650 Was a special one. It wasn¡¯t only the 151 Year Anniversary of the Festival but it was also a very good year for Farmers in the middle and South of Ljus. Even though people have an ever growing fear of possible orc invasions, this day was meant to think about different times, happier times.


    Together the Guild of Helgria stood in front of the gates, waiting to be let inside. Arkevh''s companions consisted of Craftol, Kalliope, the two Siblings, Bianca and Bryan, an ex guard Corin, the armored Warrior Fest and Nolan who wasn¡¯t part of the operation but wanted to set foot in the Kings Halls again.


    After the guards eyed the Group and let them through, even on the side of Corin and Nolan, they made their way towards the Dining hall. Where a rich buffet was served.


    Arkevh turned around to his Companions.


    ¡°Good I will meet up with Donovan in the supposed location. Kalliope will go outside with Fest. Corin and the Siblings take the Inside and look for suspicious people. Keep your Weapons under your Mantles for now and don''t get drunk.¡±, Arkevh explains and points to Nolan specifically.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry i won¡¯t lose 2 fingers while drunk¡±, he chuckles.


    Even Arkevh needed to smile and looked at his left hand again. Karsa''s strings were stronger than he thought and cut off of his fingers with ease. Bork made a temporary wooden prosthesis Arkevh focused some Mana into to move it. It was clunky but it worked as intended for now.


    ¡°I trust in you, Craftol you know what you need to do.¡±, he smiles at his friend who salutes.


    ¡°Kitchen Duty, and watching that no one puts something suspicious in the food.¡±, Craftol explains and instantly walks off in the Royal Kitchen that was close to the right side.


    ¡°Okay that''s our sign, Let''s keep the King safe and foil Karsa''s Plans!¡±


    As the group split up and moved into the beforehand defined positions Arkevh arrived at the room where the King was hidden. Close to the Dinning hall there was a separate Hallway that was usually guarded because it led towards the treasury. However in that Hallway on the right side, there was one room leading towards a guard room. This was the room where they relocated the King in. Arkevh steps towards the guards in front of the room and tells them the password.


    ¡°Discover.¡±,


    The Guards nod and open the door by as many as needed to let Arkevh through, which wasn¡¯t really hard looking at his slim statue.


    Entering the door he sees some familiar faces. Donovan but also King Alexander. He hasn¡¯t really seen him since the victory ceremony of Darkingstone. Guards stood around all across the room. The windows'' brown Curtains were closed as well, like it was done at every ceremony in the castle. Therefore the room was dimly lit to not cast as many shadows but still bright enough to see if anything emerged from the walls.


    ¡°Arkevh nice to see you once again.¡±, Alexander greets his trusted magician with a light smile and coughs.


    He looked bad. Worse than two years ago. His skin was wrinkly and dry, his blue eyes were heavy and tainted by his eye rings. His thin grey hair leaned thin on his face wet by sweat, seemingly sticking to his skin.


    ¡°Are you not well my king?¡±, Arkevh asks the old Alexander and watches a hooded court magician coming over to the King, he watches him closely as he lays his hands on the king and starts to cast a cooling spell on him, symbolized by a Blue light.


    The King coughs once again and nods in gratitude.


    ¡°As good as I can feel at this time. This disease is draining my life slowly. I don¡¯t have much time. In a way, I''m thankful that I don''t need to show myself currently. However I will announce something when the threat is dealt with.¡±, Alexander explains and takes a sip from a wine glass, close to his chair. As Arkevh looked at his king he realized how much lighter he had become, even more slender than him.


    ¡°What announcement my King.¡±, Donovan asks, covered in his great helmet, something Arkevh has not seen for a long time.


    ¡°I do not know how much time i have left, that is why i started the search for a successor, in my ranks.¡±, The King explains


    ¡°What is with Carwitz?¡±, Donovan asks the King who turns at him and shakes his head.


    ¡°We still don¡¯t know if Garwin took this deal with Carwitz knowing but still.¡±, the King starts.


    ¡°I''m scared of losing more people, we could make a full on war sure, but at what cost, is it better to find a diplomatic way with the orcs. Yasoma created them after all but they are bound to Amosay "nd the demon''s manipulations. Why don¡¯t we stand together as mortals and free ourselves from Demon Terror?¡±, the King asks and looks over to Donovan.


    ¡°The orcs will only change their ways if their species depends on that, even then we can¡¯t be sure, they kill each other too.¡±, Donovan explains annoyed.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t we done that since our creation as well?¡±, Alexander asks his knight.


    ¡°But we don¡¯t see it as a sport and do it when we are bored.¡±, Donovan counters.


    The King coughs but then goes into a chuckle.


    ¡°I Understand that the church wants to punish the orcs by picking the wrong path, but we are similar to them in every way. We too fight ourselves out of Fun and boredom in Arenas we even pay for someone being killed. The Orcs are more social in this regard and make it for free.¡±, the King laughs.


    ¡°Carwitz will lead us into an age of war, after we, as you said it killed a big portion of the orcs, they will hate us like we do and then we will kill ourselves for the next 1000 years to come, we need to find a better solution to that problem.¡± The King explains surprisingly furiously. However Arkevh knew that he was right.


    Carwitz would start another full on war, that may or not cause even greater casualties than the war 250 years ago and Arkevh would be used as a weapon again. It would hit the innocent and the once forced onto a side.


    ¡°Then we exterminate all orcs so the problem will never arise again.¡±, Donovan explains and looks at the King in anger.


    ¡°My child do you know that this would start a war all across Ljus, it would not be a war to save our borders but a war to establish our position as a tyrant!¡±, the King yells at his adversary and starts coughing again.


    ¡°Millions would die!¡±


    Arkevh takes a while to respond, he knew that Donovan hated the orcs but would he indeed offer so much to get his revenge.


    ¡°Donovan, think about Craftol, not every orc needs to be evil, you would kill innocent people!¡±, Arkevh tries to calm the Knight.


    ¡°Tell that to the orcs that killed so many innocent villagers and my family!¡±, Donovan yells and raises his sword.


    Everything happened so fast, in that exact Moment as Donovan''s sword flew down on King Alexander, Arkevh raised his hand to shoot an orb of dark magic. It hit the sword right before it plunged itself into the king and launched it across the room. Where it fell to the ground and turned into dust.


    The Guards started to circle Donovan as his skin suddenly peeled off revealing a young looking man.


    He had short cut blond hair which suddenly transformed into a long and blond one just like Arkevh. Suddenly all his body parts started to rearrange, poorly representing Arkevh. Indeed this magic was able to copy people with enough time.


    As Arkevh''s Copy stretched his arms out the same attack he fired to counter Donovan''s sword was launched back at him, only able to dodge it in the last moment, the right side of his mantle needed to suffer as the orb burned through the door behind him.


    As the mage tried to attack the copy he got impaled by a spike formed out of dark magic from behind. Not to Arkevh''s surprise he was able to see a young girl in a black mantle with even as dark hair emerging from the wall. Accompanied by an older man covered in a dirty apron and with a strange black potion in his hand, Veleno and Fade had arrived as well.


    Quickly Arkevh runs towards the King and shoots another orb at his copy, as he evaded this attack Arkevh took the opportunity and hit his opponent with the best uppercut he could. Then he grabs the King and assists him outside of the guards room. The guards still standing close by understood what he was trying to do and formed a line in front of Arkevh and the King, escorting them further outside.


    Trisor touched his chin and spit out some blood.


    Veleno just laughed.


    ¡°Seems like you were not prepared for that.¡±, he explains and drinks from the black potion growing him and his muscles.


    ¡°Shut up old man, without me you would have stepped right into a trap.¡±, Trisor tells his father, annoyed.


    ¡°Both of you be quiet, we have someone to assassinate and we won¡¯t be held back by some guards and Arkevh.¡±, she reminds them, resulting in a nod for both of them.


    Karsa''s Operation just had begun.


    ¡°And why are you here? You implied that you failed and that you want a new chance at it right?¡±, Kalliope asks at the rather small but muscular Fest.


    He looked back at her, his face covered by the Burgonet helmet.


    ¡°Since then I have trained a lot. I''m doing that for my little brother. We need the money and the guards are rather well paid. I also want to protect him from Monsters he yearns for the outside world and if he ever wants to venture out there he needs some training.¡±, Fest chuckles.


    ¡°What about you?¡±, Fest asks then


    ¡°I also saw you training a lot. You really seem to hate this Karsa, so why are you here?¡±


    ¡°I was forced to commit crimes all across Ljus because of my adoptive Family. Everyone did it for money but I also think they were scared by Karsa. Like she planned something greater, probably because of the magic I possessed. She shortly adopted me after my parents supposedly died.¡±, Kalliope explains and looks over to the expanses of the royal Garden.


    Here they sat, waiting for something to arrive. The gardens were close to the main throne hall but also the Guard room the king was located. Generally speaking there where the castle ended started a giant well polished garden. Alexander''s Pride.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that, but I saw that you trained a lot. I know some magic by now but I''m leagues away from you. I think you can beat this Karsa.¡±, Fest smiles under his Helmet.


    ¡°Then show it to me.¡±, a female voice rings out from the gardens as a roll of thread bounced on the terrace. As it stopped rolling on the stones the roll¡¯s threads shot up in the air and started to manifest a figure.


    Karsa.


    She was covered in a white tight dress that was the opposite to her looks. Her face was even more wrinkly as Kalliope remembered and her suddenly gray hair almost lay in her face. She seemed to have aged by 40 years in just a few days.


    ¡°Show me that you are useful for something, if you mean that you can get rid of me prove it. You are just a confused child not knowing about the powers within it. You need my guidance!¡±, Karsa exclaims.


    ¡°Seems like you aged, you took parts of my Mana to look younger, haven¡¯t you old hag. You need me not the other way around.¡±, Kalliope smiles at Karsa.


    ¡°I will teach you brat manners like a good mother!¡±, Karsa explains and stretches out her arms, releasing multiple threads that fly towards Kalliope and Fest.


    Kalliope tries to counter with a wave of fireballs that all hit their targets and burn as many strings as they can. However the sheer mass on strings makes it possible to pass the waves of fire. As Kalliope was about to prepare another wave of Fireballs, Fest steps in front of Kalliope and holds his sword in front of his chest. Before the strings could hit him he started to radiate in a brown glow. Blocking as many strings as possible with the Aura of Protection.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    As the Strings push against his armor they change their form, normally they would pierce through objects but now they turn sticky clinging on to Fests armor. Before Fest could do something Karsa moved her hands in a pulling gesture. Resulting in Fest flying through the air and being pushed headfirst into a wall. That started to crack by the impact.


    ¡°Idiot, everyone that touches my strings will die.¡±, Karsa explains and starts another attack of strings that were about to hit the unconscious Fest.


    Not sure why Kalliope was doing that, she runs towards Fest, throwing herself in front of him and creating a wall out of Fire to block the incoming strings. While the strings burn down as they hit the wall, Kalliope turns towards Fest and tries to shake him awake. As that doesn¡¯t help she takes off his helmet. Revealing the giant laceration on the young warrior''s head. She could do a bit of water magic, but she never learned to use it for healing. She was too focused on learning fire magic to let Karsa pay. So she ripped off parts of her mantle trying to close Fests wound.


    While she treated the young warrior, who thanks to Yasoma still had a pulse, Kalliope¡¯s wall of fire died down. As she is done treating Fest, washing away the blood with the amount of water magic she could use, she looks back on the terrace. Karsa was gone, in her place where dozens of thread rolls.


    In Anger Kalliope starts to fire orbs of fire onto them burning them in an instant.


    ¡°Where are you now!.¡±, she yells


    ¡°Why are you always fighting so dir¡­¡±, Kalliope wants to continue but can¡¯t as a striking pain emits from her back as strings pierce through her flesh. Karsa had thrown a thread roll up a window sill behind Kalliope as she was looking after Fest. She wasn¡¯t aware of this and now got the punishment for it. She felt the strings going deeper in her flesh and yelled out as the pain got stronger. Karsa let the strings pierce down the whole back covering her clothes red and letting Kalliope go down in the pain. As she fell down she pressed her hand into a role of thread and tried to not scream out in pain. She listens to Karsa who appeared from a close by piece of thread as she tried holding back her tears.


    ¡°Child, how foolish. You protected someone who you only know for three days and now look at you. The wonderful mantle I bought you is ruined.¡±, Karsa taunts her daughter.


    ¡°Those three days were better than the 21 years with you.¡±, Kalliope explains and starts to raise her head in anger as she looks at Karsa. She looked younger once again and had a sadistic smile on her face.


    ¡°Call yourself lucky that I did not break your bones tot¡±, Karsa dispraises Kalliope.


    ¡°How old are you?¡±, Kalliope asks and slowly starts trying to stand up again. She tries to forget the pain and direct all her anger towards Karsa. And it worked. She was able to stand on two legs again if shaky, still losing blood from her back.


    ¡°Around 200 Years.¡±, Karsa smiles.


    ¡°I knew it, keep your Bullshit.¡± Kalliope yells and throws the piece of thread towards Karsa that she catches.


    ¡°You know how to use the Aura off Offering from somewhere. And you use it to keep yourself alive.¡±, Kalliope explains with the last power remaining


    ¡°Seems like you learned something, Child! I learned the Aura of offering and combined it with the Aura of control and creation. I knew you were not stupid.¡±, Karsa compliments her daughter.


    ¡°I''m ready to spare you know if you see that your efforts are useless, look how good you learn with me. If you continue to resist you will die of blood loss.¡± Karsa explains


    ¡°Never i won¡¯t learn from someone that is more stupid than me, you talked so nicely about your powers and how you used your Auras but forgot that most magicians have two, like me!¡±, Kalliope explains as Karsa stares in shock onto the piece of thread.


    The thread exploded in a burst of fire burning and tearing the skin off her face, blowing the fingers from her left hand like she did to Arkevh. In Pain Karsa yelled as she tried to regenerate herself and extinguishes the fire.


    ¡°I use the Aura of creation primarily but I also know how to work with the aura of Merging, and creation just like you. I can beat you with your own weapons, Karsa.


    Kalliope shoves another fireball in her face, burning her freshly generated face once again. Then she steps towards Karsa, hobbling she approaches her. Igniting her hand punching towards her face. For the first time Karsa could feel Kalliope''s parents as she used her strings to defend herself from the demon. However it kept pushing.


    Even though her strings pierced through the flesh even getting rid of some of her fingers. The Fist continued to approach her and hit her directly in the face. Obliterating her Nose and pushing her against the wall under the guard room. Karsa started to lose control over herself as she felt an ever growing pain tearing through her face, revealing her old age. She wouldn¡¯t survive another punch. Before another attack would strike her she disappeared into a distant thread, she planted outside the garden for emergencies. As Kalliope''s Punch tears down the wall it struck, Karsa knew that she revealed the child''s Powers. The Powers she wanted to control granting her unlimited youth.


    The walls of the Hallway in which Arkevh stood in shacked as the assassins left the Guard room. Hopefully the rest would hear Arkevh''s call through the compass as soon as possible.


    The Guards did their best holding them off, trying to impale them as they stepped out the door. However Veleno had other plans.


    Thanks to the mysterious trinket the Cook had drunk, his defensive capabilities seemed to have increased. Breaking the tip of the spears as they were launched at the now slightly dark blue turned skin.


    ¡°Karsa finds the best stuff!¡±, Veleno laughs and grabs a scared guard, crushing his skull with his bare hands and throwing the body in front of Arkevh.


    ¡°Just hand us over the King. You really want to waste lives for that old man?¡±, Veleno laughs at Arkevh as a third eye grows from his forehead.


    Arkevh takes a few steps back while the guards close in around the King, who still needed to be supported by two of them.


    ¡°Where did you get this power?¡± Arkevh asks, enraged seeing the third eye pop up again.


    ¡°Countering a question with a question.¡±, Veleno points out and chuckles.


    ¡°Well you can be happy that Karsa''s trinket did not activate fully right away. No matter what it is, it gives me strength. So on to you why are you throwing lives away?¡±, Veleno asks and steps closer to Arkevh.


    ¡°You are alone right now, don''t do something stupid.¡±, Veleno tries to intimidate Arkevh as a throwing knife bounces off his skin. As he turns around a glass bottle shatters in his face burning a bit in his flesh.


    ¡°Guess he isn¡¯t alone anymore.¡±, The old guard Corin explains and rummages through his beard. The Siblings and Craftol were with him.


    ¡°A Goblin, an old man and two brats.¡±, Veleno asks, ignoring the small burned parts in his face. Before he could laugh at the group he feels a sharp pain and flies back towards the direction of the guard room, crashing in the king''s chair.


    ¡°I take care of Veleno, he is immune to most of your attacks. Kalliope doesn¡¯t answer right now. I hope she is doing fine. Craftol I trust you with the king''s protection, how many trinkets do you have left?¡±


    ¡°Five, one freeze, two acids, one strength and one healing potion¡±, Craftol answers.


    Arkevh just nods and vanishes in the guard room


    Fade and Trisor did not waste much time. Trisor took the form of fade and together they shot multiple orbs of dark magic towards the defenders. The guard did their best to evade and led the king into another side room, giving the other four enough space to fight in.


    Corin steps upfront, enhancing his spear with earth magic, he starts to spin his spear in front of him in circles. Even with one eye he was still a skillful Warrior that  had fought with his spear for countless years. None of those young lings could penetrate his defense and they knew it.


    Seeing that their magic attacks did not have a chance against the experienced Warrior, they faded inside the hallway.


    ¡°Keep your guards up, they could come from anywhere.¡±, Craftol explains.


    As Bryan focuses on the room where the King was located he doesn¡¯t realize the hand that grabs him at first trying to drag him through the ground. However Craftol is fast enough and throws a freezing potion on the hand. Freezing it in position. Bryan takes his chance, grabs the hand and drags one of the Fades out of the ground with the help of his sister. Instantly placing the knife on Trisor''s throat who leaves his disguise at this moment.


    ¡°Come out of your hiding spot, I won''t hesitate to kill.¡± Bryan explained.


    In desperation the real Fade came out from the ceiling above him and fired multiple orbs of dark magic towards them. Corin did his best to step in front of Bryan, blocking as many attacks as he could. But it was not enough he still got hit and lost heavy amounts of blood as the dark magic pierced through his shoulder letting him go to the ground breathing heavily.


    ¡°Corin!¡±, Craftol explains and tries to find Fade as she goes back into the ceiling preparing her next attack.


    ¡°Give it up Craftol.¡±, Bryan explains and starts to cut deeper into Trisor''s throat, as the first drops blood touched his knife Fade suddenly appeared in front of them.


    ¡°Stop, please.¡±, she insists. Bryan however keeps the knife on Trisor''s throat making it hard for him to breath.


    ¡°Why should I believe you? That is just one of your tricks right?¡±, Bryan asks.


    ¡°No it''s not.¡±, Fade explains and raises her arms.


    ¡°Trisor, don''t you feel Karsa''s power fading?¡±, she asks his brother.


    Bianca looks over to his brother.


    ¡°He can¡¯t answer, let him go.¡±, she insisted to him.


    ¡°Look at Corin, she almost killed him. Why should she change so fast?¡± Bryan asks confused.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me Bryan.¡±, Corin explains as Craftol walks over to him and gives him a healing potion.


    ¡°They are both young and confused.¡±, Corin explains further and sights as his pain got relieved thanks to the potion.


    Bryan lifts the knife of Trisor''s throat and shakes his head as Trisor goes to the ground gasping for air.


    ¡°Yes I can feel it, what do you want?¡± Trisor asks.


    ¡°Have you forgotten that we are not Karsa¡¯s real children? Karsa killed Veleno''s wife, our mother and we just lived with that for years. Scared that she would punish us, we acted like Veleno. That bastard sold us to her crimes, she just wanted our magic powers for keeping her young. Kalliope was the only one that dared to stand up to her, and now look at it she defeated her. The Compasses are broken now she can¡¯t keep them running anymore. We can be free!¡±


    Veleno felt another magic orb exploding towards his stomach. He tried his best to counter Attack without any success. As soon as Arkevh had the third eye on him as well, he learned why it was so known. It was Veleno¡¯s Mistake to break Arkevh''s arm with a skillful punch turning him into the monster that attacked him at this moment.


    Arkevh used his staff pointing towards Veleno. Before Veleno could react a giant ray of dark magic hit him making him tremble towards the wall. Another few orbs gave him the rest. Arkevh was able to catch up with Veleno, getting in his reach. The Last thing that Veleno saw before going unconscious was Arkevh himself ripping out his third eye, turning into dust instantly as it left the cook''s body.


    Arkevh used one more punch enhanced with dark magic, punching him through the wall. With a hole in his stomach he falls down the terrace.


    As Arkevh¡¯s third eye vanished as well, he had a hard time staying awake. He looked down the terrace and saw three people, Veleno the unconscious fest and Kalliope who seemed to have no damage dealt to her. However he knew that she was the one beating Karsa. He knew that she was strong and the one deciding her own fate.


    He reminds himself about what Veleno said, as he spit out blood. Arkevh still was not in a stable condition when using his third eye.


    That was the reason he was scared about the reign of Carwitz. With Carwitz on the Throne he would need to use those powers every time, every time he would lose control as soon as he got hurt. Seeing dead People in front of him. With the realization that his arm was broken he blacked out as well.

 Chapter 11: The End of the Festival

    The joyful atmosphere had died down. Bodies lied inside of the castle. Some from the guards or trusted magicians of the court, some others from the attackers that failed on assassinating King Alexander, if it extended his life for much longer is something that the history books will tell us soon.


    ¡°My King, the people want to speak to you, they saw what happened.¡±, Leonnatos explained to his King. The rather short, middle aged advisor of the king played with his mustache a tic that revealed his nervousness towards the King.


    ¡°Well it seems like it''s over when time comes we will thank our saviors.¡±, The King explains and looks towards the guild Members that all smiled at him. Nolan¡¯s smile was extra bright as he was allowed to keep the expensive whine he had hard times of obtaining by himself.


    However his smile vanished as he looked towards Arkevh, who came back from being unconscious. As he raised his head he saw the King and his Guild Members looking at him, he saw Craftol and Kalliope next to the bed they placed Arkevh in. Craftol climbed on Kalliope''s shoulder and looked at him rather unwell.


    ¡°Hey, are you feeling better?¡±, he asks and gives him a light smile.


    ¡°I think so it¡¯s, Dammit .¡±, Arkevh interrupts himself as he touches his arm, it was still broken and before he could do something his nose started to bleed again, tainting the white bed with red dots as his sense for pain came to him again.


    ¡°Your arm seems to be broken.¡±, Nolan explains he held himself back from making a joke as he saw Arkevh''s face and the blood coming from his nose.


    ¡°Your condition is unstable.¡±, Kalliope says coldly and eyes her companion, who looks at her with an unsure face and sighs.


    ¡°I-I will be fine.¡±, Arkevh says and starts to stand up again.


    ¡°Just give me time and I will get it healed.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°Arkevh how did you feel after Darkingstone?¡±, Kalliope asks him not losing the cold attitude in her voice.


    ¡°Just fatigued¡± Arkevh explains and looks away from her.


    ¡°And now you cough out blood at something way lighter than what you did in Darkingstone.¡±, She reminds him.


    Arkevh looks down at himself, eying his tunic, soaked in his own blood. As he raises his head again he saw his own reflection in the mirror, placed on a closet in front of him. The ornate crafted glass surface gave the magician a view on himself. He was even paler than before and looked awful, his hair was chaotic and his eyes lost in color in addition. In addition he was plagued by a headache that now started to reveal itself, annoyed he turned towards Kalliope.


    She answered before he could.


    ¡°You can¡¯t control it, am I right, every time you use these powers you lose life energy rapidly.¡±, she explains seriously.


    ¡°And what am I supposed to do?¡±, Arkevh asks her, not realizing how he raised his voice in an angry tone. Regretting it as he turned around.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure but I maybe can teach you how to control your anger. It may have something to do with that.¡±, she explains and smiles at him even though he could not see it.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±, Arkevh explains and looks at his reflection once again.


    Did his own powers the only thing he could really do kill him over time, was he able to gain control over them to counteract that?


    ¡°Arkevh, where is Donovan?¡±, Craftol asks, resulting in Arkevh to let his view Ponder towards Trisor. He and his sister were tied up by two guards and looked rather annoyed about the fact they were still handled like Criminals.


    ¡°Gone, already somewhere else.¡±, Trisor just explains.


    ¡°He played with you all this time.¡±, Fade continued and looked over to Arkevh, he took a sigh once again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about this right now, I care more about what you said back then. Was that your opinion?¡±, Arkevh asks seriously.


    ¡°Let''s just say I spent some hours replicating Donovan one by one, so I also was able to see what was going on in his mind. You feared it didn¡¯t you, you are quite the opposite.¡±, Trisor explains.


    Arkevh says nothing for a while and looks towards his Guild Members.


    ¡°Where is Corin?¡±, he inquired, not being able to see the old guard, trying to change the topic.


    ¡°He is in the sick bay currently.¡±, The King eases him.


    ¡°My sign to participate in my duty, the guests have probably seen him, getting taken into safety. I need to ease their worries as well.¡±, Alexander explains and turns back into the hallway. However Leonnatos goes in his way.


    ¡°My Lord, let me help you.¡±, Leonnatos offers his aid.


    ¡°I pass the Guards will assist me into the main hall, you take care of the Guild they will get their reward when I''m done. You know what is more important now.¡±, Alexander assures his trusted advisor who nods and looks after the King for a while as he parts away from the side room.


    Then he turns around and looks directly upon Arkevh, Kalliope and Craftol who positioned themself next to each other.


    ¡°Well now that we are here and we have some of those Criminals at bay I wanted to task some of you with something important.?¡±, Leonnatos starts.


    ¡°As soon as possible we need to send some of you into Carwitz Territory and try to meet up with Garwin to find out if he and Carwitz are really working together. However we need to have a force that won¡¯t provoke the Noble, a Guild like yours will be perfect.¡± Leonnatos ensures.


    ¡°After my arm is healed I will be available.¡±, Arkevh explains and looks towards Nolan who just shakes his head.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be so sure if your arm will heal so fast, even with healing magic it takes some time to fully heal a bone if you are not skilled enough.¡±, he explains to his Arkevh.


    ¡°Let that be my concern.¡±, Kalliope explains.


    ¡°I have a plan.¡±


    Slowly Karsa dragged herself across the grass, past the perfectly shaped boxwood bushes she wasn¡¯t able to admire. The right side of her head was completely unrecognizable, full with burn marks and an eye that dangled from her left eye hole. Parts of her body were still covered in blood, her fine dress covered in dirt and ripped on some parts. She lost it for more than just regenerating her wounds so she survived. She also needed to protect her vital points from Kalliope''s blow that almost crushed her whole brain.


    Now she had almost nothing left, under painful movements she crawled across the floor and hoped to find a victim.


    This world showed her mercy as she encountered multiple workers of the royal garden at another terrace on which a hut was located. It seemed to be their residence, filled with working tools but also beds. The Terrace itself was decorated with flowers on the side, while the Workers sat around a table with fresh food from the Kitchen. A Dog lying next to them.


    ¡°Help me.¡±, Karsa lures her prey,


    ¡°Who is there?¡±, A Gardener asks and stands up, drawing a scythe.


    ¡°The Gardens are off limits to this time.¡± he continues and drops his scythe as he sees Karsa on the ground.


    The other guards look at her deformed appearance in shock and rush towards her, trying to help her up.


    ¡°What happened to you my lady?¡±, one of the gardeners asks as he approaches the noble. Then he turns towards one of his coworkers.


    ¡°Flora get some bandages from the hut quickly.¡±, he explains and turns to Karsa who smiles at him.


    ¡°You will surely help an old lady feeling younger again, will you?¡±, She asks the three Gardeners who stood by her. Smiling unsure at what they thought was a joke at first. However as they approached her to carry her into the more clean hut, two of the workers got impaled by the strings by an instant. Sucked out by their life force they collapse on the terrace. The third gardener looks at Karsa in shock and is not able to defend himself, as the strings surround his head, cutting it in even slices.


    With them Karsa is able to generate parts of her face but does not look any younger.


    To her luck in that moment the young woman returns, dropping the bandages instantly as she sees her dead coworkers. Karsa however eases her with strings impaling her body, transporting her Mana in Karsa''s body. She was young and full of energy, exactly what Karsa needed. She felt young again and would enjoy this moment if this annoying dog would shut up. Silencing him she can finally enjoy this moment of being young again. However she would not return to finish her job with Kalliope another time. S9he needed to regroup with Nash and later on Donovan. Her lust for unlimited youth will not be able to be held with Carwitz or even Kalliope. There was more to gain with Donovan and Helland, Helland the one that carved her path giving her this power. With someone so young like Donovan she could find what she searched for.


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    Seeing Karsa''s Mantle burn in the fireplace of the Guild, Kalliope shows a relieved smile towards Arkevh and takes the new Mantle Nolan gave her afterwards. Kalliope did not want any money so the king gifted her a new mantle, with purple color. Something that his tailors made with a purple clam delivery that they received a week prior. Craftol on the other hand was given a magic pocket. Something that could store even more trinkets. Arkevh however was given a pendant Kalliope recommended to him. Something that stored Mana when used.


    As the Karsa''s Mantle seemed to have burned into ashes for good this time Kalliope speaks up again.


    ¡°So are you ready for your training?¡±, Kalliope asks Arkevh.


    ¡°With the broken arm?¡±, Arkevh questions his own condition.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry if I''m right then your arm will be fixed soon.¡±, she explains and walks towards the training area.


    Craftol stays inside however.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to interrupt you two, with that much pocket space I can start preparing some trinkets again.¡±, Craftol smiles and leaves towards his room.


    The Fresh air of the second day of Fall blew through Helgria as Kalliope and Arkevh stepped outside. The Guild was able to recruit a lot of new members yesterday, and Nolan got a tip from the King to restore the old Guild Building further. Even though Arkevh needed to get used to curious people only coming to see the heroes that saved the King, Arkevh was happy for Nolan but especially for Bryan and his Sister that were able to afford their Mother a new house.


    As they let their view ponder across the training grounds they were able to see Fest and Corin training, Corin himself took Fest as a student for the royal Guards training and started to work again, not even two days after his wound. An old man who never seemed to give up.


    With a clap Kalliope got Arkevh''s attention again.


    ¡°Before we start I have a question for you, do you still have the Lunar flower?¡±, she asks, resulting in a nod from Arkevh, who grabbed it from his mantle.


    ¡°Back then, as I lifted the flower I was able to feel not only Karsa but also a connection to you in some way. I have something similar inside me, as I fought against Karsa I got overtaken by something, in the end it helped me to regenerate all my wounds. And I think it can help you.¡±, Kalliope explains.


    ¡°There is something that I can teach you, something that is similar to fire magic. Fire magic does not only need a controlled breath and avail to air. But also a clear mind so you don¡¯t burn yourself.¡±, Kalliope starts and punches Arkevh in the stomach out of the blue.


    The Punch proved useful as it revealed Arkevh''s third eye for a while, which looked at her as Arkevh groaned in pain.


    ¡°What was that for?¡±, he asks annoyed, his nose started to bleed as the eye vanished.


    Kalliope gave him a tissue and looked at him demanding.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry but that is what I was expecting.¡±, She starts.


    ¡°I have a bad feeling about this.¡±, Arkevh jokes in response but gets an annoyed expression from Kalliope as result.


    ¡°There is something strong in you, I could sense it as the eye appeared. You fought against Veleno didn¡¯t you?¡±, Kalliope inquires.


    ¡°I did and he was the one that broke my arm.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°So it¡¯s true.¡±, she whispers but then speaks up louder.


    ¡°Arkevh there is an immense power inside of you, revealing itself the angrier you get and the more pain you receive, it''s a defensive mechanism of sorts.¡±, Kalliope explains.


    ¡°I knew that already, however I can''t control it.¡±, Arkevh explains. Disappointed by himself.


    ¡°I know you can, you are one of the most known and probably skilled magicians out there. You believed in me so I believe in you as well. Let me explain something to you.¡±, Kalliope smiles.


    ¡°Magic has something to do with our soul, our soul controls our mood. If you feel happy your soul is pulsating, giving more Mana into your body. If you are satisfied it gives you a controlled mana flow. However if you are angry for example, you have a rapid Mana flow but you will be burned out or hurt yourself afterwards. Fire Magic for example is one of the most pulsating forms of magic, however to not burn yourself you need to have a clear mind. It''s the same thing with your magic. It''s probably the most pulsating kind of magic out there, but you let it freely rush through your body. Focus.¡±, Kalliope urges him.


    Now Arkevh Understood. Taking over by his magic, just wanting it to end, he completely forgot the basic rules of mana control. His feelings controlled his Mana and the wish for him not needing to use this magic caused his Mana to rapidly leave his body, weakening him afterwards. The whole Time he never thought of wanting to control it, just to get rid of it.


    Eagerly he takes the pendant from his neck and looks at it and then back at Kalliope.


    ¡°Punch me again.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    Kalliope nods, even though a bit surprised by his excitement she goes for another punch in his stomach.


    Kalliope''s punches were strong and hurt more than he thought as he had trouble keeping his food inside. However he focused his feelings fully on the pendant, grabbing it more and more intensively until the pain had started to go away. The whole time he had closed his eyes, however as he opened it he could see his pendant lighting up in a violet colour, an eye staring back at him. A part of his Power contained in the pendant. He touches his nose. No blood. He raised his head more and looked Kalliope in the eyes. She smiled satisfied.


    ¡°Now try to put the pendant on.¡±, Kalliope explains and watches excitedly as Arkevh put on the necklace with the amethyst that radiated in a purple light.


    Arkevh felt an intensive energy going through his body and before he could anything his broken arm started to weirdly move around. With a pain distorted face he looks at his arm that twisted in weird ways, before he could scream out however it was done and his arm looked like normal.


    ¡°D-Did it just heal itself?¡±Arkevh asks, confused as the light in the pendant died down.


    ¡°It seems like it, your controlled magic seems to have healing properties.¡±, Kalliope explains.


    Arkevh takes some time to respond as he felt something weird inside of his body, it felt like something was getting weaker. To test he opens his palm ready to shoot a sphere of dark magic in the distance, he looks surprised as he sees nothing at all coming out of it.


    ¡°What just happened?¡± Arkevh asks confused.


    ¡°I thought about that.¡±, Kalliope explains.


    ¡°A Few hours after I got fully healed my magic did not work out as I wanted.¡±, she lied.


    ¡°I think depending on your wounds it takes a while until you are able to use magic again. However i think it won''t work if your vital organs are damaged in some way. I¡¯m sorry I should have told you before¡±, Kalliope explains.


    ¡°Thank you, I owe you something and don¡¯t worry. I know how to use my powers more controlled thanks to you now, not killing myself and others in the process.¡±, Arkevh smiles


    Kalliope replies with a smile as well and gives him a hug.


    ¡°I wanted to say thank you as well, see this lesson as a payment for you helping me get rid of Karsa.¡±, Kalliope thanks him and steps back.


    ¡°But she is still alive isn¡¯t she?¡±, Arkevh asks Kalliope who loses her smile.


    ¡°Yes she probably is, but that Donovan as well isn¡¯t he? He seemed to work with Karsa and you know him right?¡±, Kalliope counters with another question.


    Arkevh nods.


    ¡°I did and he lied to me, after we are done with Garwin we will take care of them together, I have the feeling that they are still in contact.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°That sounds good, I decided that I want to be part of this Guild and join your group.¡±, Kalliope explains and smiles once again. Hiding the wound on her arm, it seemed unhealable and was in danger of expanding if she used her parents powers once again.


    The Trinity of this world, slowly came together.

 Chapter 12: Healing Waters

    It was time for the Guild to decide who was going to be sent towards the duchy of Carwitz, to find out if Garwin worked in the interest of Carwitz and if there was a bigger dispute going on between the two noble Families. A week into the Fall the King''s guards knocked onto the Guild''s door, informing themselves on who would represent their interests in a secret mission.


    ¡°They are here, do you really want to join me? Back then at the Flower field you told me that you don¡¯t want to be a weapon for the King.¡±, Kalliope asks Arkevh who looks towards the door and then to the counter.


    ¡°You are right about that, however I don¡¯t want to be controlled by Carwitz either, when we are able to solve this I can maybe be free. Also I never was in the Carwitz territory.¡±, Arkevh smiles nervous


    Kalliope nods.


    ¡°I understand.¡±, Kalliope exclaims and looks towards the guards who now entered the Guild building.


    Around five people entered the building, led by a man covered in golden Armor who had a pipe in his mouth. It was General Reinhard who looked rather surprised to see Arkevh again.


    ¡°Oh you Arkevh, i forgot you are here as well. You didn¡¯t change a bit, still slim as a worm.¡±, Reinhard laughs.


    ¡°10 Rounds around Helgria.¡±, He smiles, goes through his beard and reignites his pipe with a bit of fire magic, the only magic he used.


    ¡°I ain¡¯t in your division anymore.¡±, Arkevh reminds the old general who laughs.


    ¡°You are right, sadly. I need more people like you actually. However you are still a citizen in Helgria and therefore acting under his crown.¡±, Reinhard explains and makes space for the King himself.


    Alexander still looked fragile and was accompanied by more guards than initially thought, however to their surprise he had stopped to sweat and was able to stand on his own again. He had a warm smile on his face and looked at the three people that would work in his interest.


    ¡°I¡¯m grateful that you three are willing to work for the Crown even though you may not even intended to.¡±, Alexander smiled towards Arkevh before he directed his view towards Craftol.


    ¡°I¡¯m also happy to announce that Helgria works with a Goblin again, like in the Good old times of peace and fortune. I hope we can return to those happier eras as soon as possible. So your goal is simple. Kalliope told us that Karsa signed the contract in Enshire with Garwin, the advisor of Leopold from Carwitz. Your Goal is to somehow get to Garwin and get the information you need. We have a way to do that. Trisor step forward!¡±, The King demands and makes space for the young magician.


    ¡°Well as I explained before I''m able to look into people''s minds if you give me the time. An example of my special way of using the Aura of Control and creation, is what I did with Donovan. However we can also use it on Garwin. There is a special Theater presentation for the start of Fall in Enshire. All those nobles including Carwitz himself seem to go there, including Garwin we can easily capture because they may not suspect us.¡±, Trisor explains in detail.


    ¡°Why do you think that?¡±, Craftol starts


    ¡°We may be from a Guild that is only known around here but we ourselves are known. I¡¯m a Goblin and I won''t get into anything. Arkevh is Arkevh and Kalliope and you are known by Garwin aren¡¯t you?¡±, the Goblin reminds him.


    In response Trisor just changed his Appearance to Reinhard, who got offered a pipe by instant from the real one.


    ¡°One of four.¡±, Craftol says sarcastically until Trisor points at him.


    ¡°You go in Arkevh''s pockets, you are so small nobody would care.¡± Trisor explains and grabs a chaperone and a little tube with transparent liquid from some of the guards.


    ¡°Kalliope will put on this chaperone if it hides her better and Arkevh will drink this mixture made by some of the Kings spies, it is a poison that is made so harmless, it only changes the eye color.¡±, He explains bored.


    ¡°What would it normally do?¡±, Arkevh asks interested.


    ¡°Probably blind you.¡±, Craftol explains and gets a nod from Trisor who started to approach Kalliope and Arkevh to give them their items.


    ¡°I hope it''s well tested.¡±, Arkevh explains and gives a warily glance towards Trisor.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry son.¡±, they heard Reinhard, who pointed at his blue eyes.


    ¡°I tested it, my eye color is normally brown.¡±, He laughs, taking a bit of fear from Arkevh as he puts the tube in his pockets.


    As Kalliope puts on the chaperone she looks at Arkevh.


    ¡°How does it look?¡±, She asks him.


    ¡°Good.¡±, He just replies.


    ¡°Where is your Sister, isn¡¯t she coming with you?¡±, Craftol asked from Arkevh''s shoulder.


    ¡°No Fade is leaving towards the south where she was born, reuniting with one of her friends.¡±, Trisor explains.


    ¡°Well I think we would be ready to go then.¡±, Craftol gathers and gets a nod from his companions and from the King as well.


    ¡°Indeed. I bestow you with great Honor to work in the King''s interests, Yasoma shall be on your side and grant you the success. Now as you were able to gather, don¡¯t waste any time and set your foot out in this world.¡±, Alexander explains smiling.


    The Sun shined down on the Holy Knight that was on his way towards the North. His trusty Companion a loyal steed named Vet on his side. He just passed through Enshire and would continue the path towards the end of the middle continental road, towards the Dwarven Mountain range. Over the Hill passages he would continue towards the seat of the Search. He would climb the heavens crest to wash away his sins and enter the hall of the church again. His reunion with Helland would show the world the truth, the truth that what he did was to save the lawful Humanon.


    Lost in his thoughts he hears the role of String unraveling behind him too late for his liking. Revealing Karsa, she looked slightly older than before and had a satisfied smile on her face.


    Donovan just shook his head.


    ¡°What took you so long, you failed I suppose.¡±, He answers annoyed.


    ¡°I needed to regenerate, this distance took some energy, but well that does not matter now.¡±, Karsa explains and starts to hold onto Donovan''s back.


    ¡°It does, I''m able to see his crown fall with my own eyes.¡± Donovan answers and looks towards the distance. He was able to see the beginning of the mountain range far off in the distance.


    ¡°What is your plan after returning?¡±, Karsa explains.


    ¡°Well Helland will taint some of our Soldiers with the Gods Might, similar to Arkevh. Then we will call out the throne passing to the Church in emergency cases, Helland already has a plan.¡±, Donovan explains.


    ¡°Helland, Helland.¡±, Karsa echoes.


    ¡°You trust him so much.¡±


    ¡°Why should I. He is like a Father to me.¡±, Donovan explains and looks at Karsa.


    ¡°I''m happy you are able to trust them.¡±, Karsa just says.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you trust him, or what are you trying to say?¡± Donovan starts to raise his voice.


    ¡°Well I never trusted no one but he has my respect, he is way stronger than this Veleno a Shame he died.¡±


    ¡°I warn you Karsa, don¡¯t think I''m your playing figure the same goes for Helland. He will protect me and I will kill you if you do anything stupid.¡±, Donovan tries to intimidate her, resulting in a calming hand gesture from Karsa.


    ¡°As you wish, my child.¡±, Karsa gives in and just looks around the streets. Some Carriages came towards them from time to time, but otherwise the roads were clear. Clearer than Donovan''s mind at that time. Did this young man know with whom he got involved? Helland was not an ordinary church man, he was not an ordinary men either. Donovan would find out soon, however Karsa could not tell if he would regret it or not. Donovan seemed devoted. Devoted like nothing she saw in years.


    ¡°Karsa went with the people that gave her the most power, she wanted to be the forever existing being and she had a clear plan and how to achieve it. More power meant more life. More life meant more time to learn about the Plantarr.


    Another fire warmed the Companions of the guild as they rested close to the Forest of Yor. There was a pond nearby and two figures stood close to the shores, engulfing their feet into the fresh sweet water that came from an underground spring somewhere in the forest.


    A splash of cold water hit Arkevh in the face as a woman started to laugh. Arkevh counters with two splashes of water, hitting Kalliope by surprise.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°They act like two child''s. Kalliope is older than me. Tomorrow they will have a cold as well.¡± Trisor explains, annoyed, leaned back on his backpacks.


    ¡°Let them have their fun. Kalliope seems to be full of joy, since Karsa is gone what is with you?¡±, Craftol ask him,


    ¡°I won¡¯t until she dies.¡±, Trisor just explains.


    ¡°What did she do to you and Fade.¡±, Craftol asks


    ¡°Her name isn¡¯t even Fade its Lina, Karsa gave that name to her.¡±, Trisor starts.


    ¡°Back to your question. She did not do much to us, other than getting us to obey her will but I won¡¯t forgive what she did to Kalliope. The scars will last.¡±, he explains.


    ¡°Physical Scars?¡±, Craftol asked.


    ¡°More as well.¡±, Trisor says strictly.


    ¡°But you are right, I should give her that moment. I heard that Arkevh wanted to teach her water magic, she did one good concentrated shot already¡±, Trisor now smiles, returned by Craftol.


    ¡°How do I use my Water magic differently now?¡± Kalliope asks, staring at both of their now wet mantles. After Arkevh took off his mantle and threw it close to the quickly set up camp he turned back to Kalliope.


    ¡°Well you can use the Aura of control and be able to shoot water at me, so you are halfway there. Instead of Fire Magic, Water Magic needs to have an eased mind similar to what you told me a week ago. Try to focus the water in your hand.¡±, Arkevh starts his lesson.


    Kalliope nods and follows Arkevh''s instructions. She points her left hand towards the body of water and closes her eyes. Slowly a long string of water rises towards the hand until it floats in the air, between Kalliope''s Hands and the pond''s surface.


    ¡°Looks great.¡±, Arkevh gives a compliment towards Kalliope.


    ¡°Now continue to focus on your hand, it''s the anchor for your magic. There is a force in nature that lets water flow downwards in rivers, you will mimic this force and be able to freely control it.¡± Arkevh continues his teaching.


    Kalliope listened well and was able to mimic this force for a while. Stretching her arm out the water followed her hand for a while till the connection was broken and the water fell back into the pond.


    ¡°Good, now I will teach you how to heal. I will get a bit closer.¡±, Arkevh explains and steps a few feet in Kalliope''s direction. He creates a dagger out of Dark magic and cuts himself in the palm of his right hand and holds the wound towards Kalliope as the dagger dissolved into nothingness.


    ¡°Healing with water magic works similarly. You will gather water like I told you before. Now However you will also include some of your own Mana, putting it inside of the water. Then you slowly let it fly towards me. As it hits me you will infuse a little bit of Mana, a gentle amount, and think about something positive while doing it. It will help you find the right amount.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    Slowly Kalliope gathers the water. With her right hand as an anchor she lets the water fly towards Arkevh touching his hand. Nothing happens until she thinks about the Guild, the place that gave her a new home in which she felt welcome. Saving her from Karsa, motivating Kalliope to finally beat her. She loses herself in the thought and comes back to Karsa. That devil, she still was out there and she would cause Pain again. Maybe not to her but to others, to get her selfish goals done. She needed to put an end to her terror.


    Arkevh could feel an increase in Mana in the water that washed around his palm, too much. Quickly he puts his hand away from the water, in surprise Kalliope stops the Anchor and the water falls back to the Pond.


    ¡°What interrupted you?¡±, Arkevh asks and looks at his hand. Kalliope had stopped the bleeding but the regeneration was cancelled midway.


    ¡°I got carried away, I¡¯m sorry.¡±, Kalliope explains and looks down the pond.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry you made great progress, you know the basics now. A bit more training and you will do fine. Just focus on only one good memory¡±, Arkevh smiles at her.


    ¡°I appreciate that.¡±, She explains sad and starts to leave the water, followed by Arkevh who joins Craftol and Trisor at the fireplace a bit later.


    ¡°Since we are all together now and we have the time, how are we continuing?¡±, Craftol asks in the group.


    ¡°Well we are close to Helgria''s Border aren¡¯t we?¡±, Arkevh asks.


    ¡°Indeed we will come towards the border Patrol Wandilt soon¡±, Trisor explains.


    Arkevh considered for a while.


    ¡°Good we can maybe stop Donovan from there.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°How so?¡±, Craftol asks interested.


    ¡°On the Border patrol they have Griffons fast moving Kings of the skies. We can send a letter with them towards the King to close the Border on the Mountain pass. Maybe we do it fast enough and stop Donovan from reaching the Church.¡±, Arkevh explains.


    ¡°Are you sure he is going to the church though? He could have lied to you again?¡±, Craftol reminds his friend.


    ¡°You are right but it¡¯s better than doing nothing, maybe the Kings guard can capture him, maybe Karsa is with him too now?¡±, Arkevh theorizes.


    ¡°Whatever it is, we should focus on the task ahead. We will be arriving in Enshire three days before the theater, in which Carwitz and Garwin will probably be at. How we capture Garwin is something else entirely though.¡±, Trisor explains.


    Craftol takes out the four noble tickets for the theater, the King gave them before they departed. A carrier Pigeon arrived one day before they traveled from Helgria to the edge of the forest.


    ¡°Well that Carwitz will probably go towards the buffet afterwards, we would have the cover to do something. Maybe we can even poison their food with sleeping herbs.¡±, Craftol theorizes.


    ¡°That is actually not that far off a plan. There is a black market in Enshire, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if they have, what you are seeking.¡± Kalliope comments.


    ¡°And I can take the form of a cook.¡±, Trisor adds.


    ¡°So we have a rough plan of what we want to do?¡±, Arkevh asks


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be so sure for now, the circumstances could change but if not then we have a good basis to go by. Also the Black market brings me back to something.¡±, Trisor answers.


    ¡°Kalliope, I¡¯m here primarily to kick Garwin''s arse but also get rid of Nash, you know why.¡±, Trisor explains seriously.


    Kalliope waits for a while but then nods.


    ¡°I Understand, he still has Lady Fira hostage and should not be underestimated.¡±, Kalliope agrees.


    ¡°Indeed, that Bastard is crazy. And someone who followed Karsa before Veleno. He also might have left with Karsa to somewhere. However I fear for Lady Firas'' well-being. I want to know if she is still alive and that Nash has been taken out.¡±, Trisor explains himself.


    ¡°I remember that Kalliope talked about Nash shortly. What makes him so dangerous?¡±, Arkevh reminds himself.


    ¡°What doesn¡¯t?¡±, Trisor answers.


    ¡°That guy is crazy as I said. However god also decided to bestow him with a great potential of magic. His earth magic is destructive and could cause little Earthquakes and potentially more if he gets angry enough. Then he is also strong without magic, a mountain of muscles.¡± Trisor explains.


    ¡°Talking about God given powers. Where did Veleno get that trinket from, I assume Karsa but how does she have something like that?¡±, Arkevh starts to sound serious.


    ¡°I Understand that you don¡¯t like this form of magic but honestly, I can not tell you. Karsa has awful items, thanks to her age and that she has traveled over all of Ljus by now.¡± Trisor tells Arkevh and looks towards the Moon.


    ¡°Hey Kalliope i have an idea.¡±, Arkevh exclaims as he sees Trisor watching towards the Moon, pulling out the Lunar flower out of his mantle.


    It started to glow under the light of the Moon again.


    ¡°Maybe this Lunar flower can remind you of better times, the times where your compass got disconnected.¡±, Arkevh explains and gives her the flower.


    "Do you think this will work?", she asked unsure.


    "One way to find it out." Full of excitement he stands up and goes close to the Water followed by Kalliope.


    As both of them stood close she tried out her new learned magic once again and it worked.


    With the Lunar flower in her hands she created another line of water that slowly made its way towards Arkevh''s hand. Arkevh could feel a warm touch, even though the pond''s water was ice cold, a sign Kalliope used the right amount of Mana. Her Eyes closed and she focused her energy, healing Arkevh''s wound in the process.


    As she opened her eyes they smiled at each other. With that flower she successfully was able to use the Water magic for healing. She needed to. The Duchy of Carwitz held more dangers than the companions could think about.

 Chapter 13: Fernshire

    Walls showed up towards the Horizon. The view of the Border patrol Wandilt erected itself in front of them as they arrived at it with a steady speed thanks to their horses. The King had gifted them one of their best means of transportation for this journey. Arkevh however had some problems with riding, or controlling those horses from time to time, which he showed as he almost lost his balance, stepping down the majestic animal.


    The Guards on the Battlements looked down at the companions and sent some of their Colleagues down the Spiral Staircase of the tower.


    ¡°Morning, what can we do for you?¡±, one of the guards asks and looks at the three.


    ¡°We are on the journey towards Enshire for the next theater play.¡±, Arkevh explained and gave the guard their invitation cards.


    ¡°I Understand, however we still need to search through your belongings before we let you go further. Instructions from King of Alexander.¡±, the guard explained and went towards the companions with two others.


    All of them got searched through to avoid illegal items being transported towards Carwitz territory. One of the guards was a magician as well as analyzing magical artifacts. Everyone passed the control besides Arkevh.


    ¡°Do I really need to take off the mantle?¡±, Arkevh asked, looking towards the guard who nodded strictly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Arkevh, you find a way to let me pass through, hopefully.¡±, Craftol whispered under Arkevh''s mantle what the guard seemed to hear.


    ¡°What in the name of the King was that, off with the Mantle!¡±, he yelled at Arkevh who just grabs Craftol by the neck and holds him in front of the guards.


    ¡°I told you to not hold me like that!¡±, Craftol floundered around in Arkevh''s hand, while the Guard raises his short sword in tension. The Guards on the Battlements drew their bows as well. Directing them towards the companions. The blazon of Helgria was worn proudly on their armor and on the banners of the border wall, as they waited for Arkevh''s answer.


    ¡°I can explain.¡±, Arkevh starts nervous and sat Craftol down on the ground, he stopped fidgeting around and looked at Arkevh rather annoyed.


    ¡°He is one of the good ones, I know that sounds nonsensical but he speaks the Human language perfectly even with his accent. He is a guild Member just like us so he is an accepted citizen of Helgria.¡±, Arkevh explained and stared into the eyes of the guard.


    The guard looks towards his colleagues.


    ¡°What does the law say about Goblins?¡±, he asked one of the archers on the battlements who seemed to be their leader. Symbolized by the shiny silver armor that was decorated with the largest blazon of Helgria. A Lion who spit out fire.


    He took a big breath and eyed Arkevh once again.


    ¡°I heard about that. You are Arkevh right, you can be happy that the Carwitz guards are currently in the guard rooms. What really brings you towards here.¡±, The general asked curiously.


    ¡°I can explain everything to you general. I may need your help as well with something.¡±, Arkevh explained, resulting in a nod from the General who stepped away from the Battlements. Showing his longbow towards one of his soldiers.


    The Border Patrol resigned in a small border fort Close to the World Lake. A giant Lake that stretched from the Northern Mountains into the Middle ocean. The Bridge and the fort itself were on a small hill so supply ships could pass under the bridge. After they went through the Harbor patrol of course. The Harbor control itself was reachable from inside the Forts basement. After some time the General reached the gates and looked at Arkevh interested.


    ¡°So what is it Soldier?¡±, He asked and eyed the goblin that climbed up Arkevh''s Shoulder again.


    ¡°You heard about the Assassination attempt on the King?¡±, Arkevh asked.


    ¡°I did, one of my men was there as a guard.¡±, He explained and pointed towards one of the guards on the battlement.


    ¡°Then i want to inform you that we are on the journey to find out more, however we want to stay hidden, look.¡±, Arkevh described and drank some of the liquid in the tube. Changing his eye colour slowly to grey.


    ¡°I Understand is that all? Then I let you through.¡±, The guard smiles.


    ¡°One more thing, did a Holy Knight pass through her.¡±, Arkevh asked.


    ¡°A bit more than a week ago, he was on the way towards the north.¡±, The general explained


    ¡°Are you searching for him?¡±, he asked.


    ¡°I do, he is a fraud, he worked with the Assassins of the King and is on the way towards the church. Are you able to close the Border towards the north for him, if you still have the Griffons of course.¡±, Arkevh explained.


    ¡°Sure we have.¡±, the general explained and whistled in his hands. Shortly after they heard the clapping of wings as a griffon flew from the courtyard towards the gate, landing next to the general.


    The majestic creature with the body of a lion, the feet of an eagle and wings with a 2 meter spawn each erected his head and eyed the companions with great interest.


    ¡°I will see what we can do.¡±, The general smiled and scratched the neck of the griffon, who seemed to enjoy his master''s attention.


    ¡°But keep in mind we won¡¯t be able to close the Border for long, a few days, a week if we are lucky.¡±, The general reminded Arkevh.


    ¡°That will be enough. I''m Thankful for your help.¡±, Arkevh thanked the general who replied with a nod.


    ¡°Then I won''t slow your mission down.¡±, he agreed and turned back towards his soldiers.


    ¡°Open the gates for our adventurers.¡±, the general yelled to his soldier who followed their demands and slowly opened the wooden gate, being satisfied with his man''s work he turned back to Arkevh and focused his view on Craftol.


    ¡°Regarding that Goblin, he will count as a serf to you if you enter Carwitz territory, keep him close to you and he should survive.¡±, the general teached him and stepped towards the side of the road, opening the way for the companions towards the duchy of Carwitz.


    ¡°I appreciate your help.¡±, Arkevh expressed his gratitude and saddled his horse again.


    ¡°Not for that, I hope for your success.¡±, the general replied and saw the guild galloping towards the wilderness.


    After passing by some carriages and other adventurers they hear a rumbling from the distance as giant animals emerge from a southern forest on their way towards the north. Brachiosols.


    Peacefully the creatures vanished at the horizon after some time had passed, time in which no one of the group had spoken a word. They were completely focused on the large long necked mammals that were a rare sight to behold, especially in those large herds. consisting of two dozen.


    ¡°What was that?¡±, Kalliope asked confused.


    ¡°Brachiosols.¡±, Arkevh answered


    ¡°Gentle but rare giants, they eat plants and are almost extinct sadly. They are said to absorb the mana from nature or even the Sun thanks to their long necks, instantly regrowing the Nature around them.¡±, Arkevh continued.


    ¡°I read a lot about them as a kid as well.¡±, Trisor added.


    ¡°Ankylspikes, Brachiosols, Spinotors or what not are all giant creatures that are rumored to have lived with Dragons 1000s of years ago. History we have completely missed. Back then there were not a lot of Humanon and they lived primitively as well, not recording any history..¡±


    ¡°History is pretty interesting.¡±, Craftol comments, getting a nod from his companions.


    Arkevh had continued to look towards the north again. Seeing the last neck vanish at the Horizon. He also wished to see the lands in the north once and he may will sooner or later, if he wanted to stop Donovan.


    Late at night they finally reached Farsen. The Horses but also their riders felt tired as they stood in front of Fernshire''s Gates. The Journey had gone by without much of a hassle so far, a good sign, however they still needed to keep their guard up.


    After another guard patrol in which Arkevh presented Craftol to the guards, now in a position the Goblin was fine with, they were allowed to enter Fernshire by the main road.


    The night was silent and only a few houses had light in them, most of them were taverns. Some dogs barked in the distance and they were able to see something in the dark thanks to multiple well lit and decorated Lanterns across the main road.


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    ¡°Where are we going now?¡±, Craftol asked from Arkevh''s shoulder.


    ¡°Well we need a place where we can park our horses and to sleep as well. You will find this in the poorer regions combined.¡±, Trisor explained


    ¡°Then let¡¯s make this not harder than it needs to be and search for a tavern with a barn in the outer parts of the city.¡±, Arkevh answered.


    ¡°What does the rest think?¡±, Trisor asked the others who nodded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I will get into a richer Tavern at all. So let''s see how Nolan''s Tavern holds up against the one in Fernshire.¡±, Craftol theorized, getting a smile from Kalliope and Arkevh.


    Their horses now on leeches they wander around the city for a while. Craftol went back into the Arkevh''s mantle for the time being, the few people that they saw on the street looked rather curious to see new visitors that late at night, easing Arkevh who first thought the trinket had lost its effect.


    ¡°This one looks good.¡±, Trisor throwed Arkevh out of his considerations as he pointed towards a quite well looking tavern.


    The tavern stood right next to the western walls and seemed to be surprisingly filled in this late hour. The wooden planks were freshly painted in a brown color and the windows had ornate leaf symbols on them, letting the warm light shine towards the streets. Next to the tavern there was a little barn, connected with a wooden roof. Right now they could not make out how many horses, or other mounts resided in the barn at this instant.


    A wooden sign hung over the door.


    ¡°The Fireplace¡±


    A fitting name, on the dark green roof they were able to see a chimney, blowing smoke into the night sky.


    ¡°What do you think, should we step inside?¡±Arkevh asked and entered the Tavern as the first, after he received a nod from Kalliope.


    ¡°I will stay with the horses in the meantime.¡± Trisor answered and watched them vanish in the sound of the tavern.


    Lovely tunes of a lute rang across the tavern, soon overshadowed by the laughing and dancing of happy customers, who were all across the main room, drinking and chatting about their days. Similar to Nolan''s Tavern there was a Fireplace, However large and right behind the counter. The counter itself was decorated with shields and swords, lit up by some candles, like on every table in the tavern. Behind the counter and under a large chandelier stood two dwarfs and a human. Serving food or drinks for their customers.


    Slowly Arkevh approached the counter, for the first time nobody really cared for him walking in, something that felt surprisingly good.


    ¡°What can I do for ya?¡±, one of the Dwarfs asked, cleaning an empty mug.


    "I was wondering if you have space for 4 people, including a goblin serf and enough space in the barn for 3 Horses.¡±, Arkevh answered, resulting in a thoughtful face from the dwarf


    ¡°A Goblin serf?¡±, he repeated and considered for a while.


    ¡°That''s 2 Gold.¡± , he showed a dirty smile.


    ¡°That''s a fraud.¡±, Kalliope starts speaking up.


    ¡°Well should the Goblin be allowed to sleep here or not?¡± The Dwarf asked, annoyed and looked at Kalliope.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I paid for one night only and we have got enough coins.¡±, Arkevh explained and throwed the Coins on the table.


    With a greedy smile the dwarf snapped the coins back in his pocket and started to grin at Arkevh until the human behind the counter gave Arkevh 6 keys, 3 for the tavern and three for the barn. Afterwards the Dwarf started to speak up again, setting up a more natural smile.


    ¡°Aye. I¡¯m not a bad guy so the drinks and food will cost the same for everyone, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the offer but i think i will pass for now.¡±, Arkevh explained, gave Kalliope her key and went towards Trisor with the rest of their keys the musician seemed to have mad a pause for a while and stepped down the rostrum to fill their stomachs and throats.


    ¡°You don¡¯t look all too happy, did we get kicked out?¡±, Trisor analyzed Arkevh''s mood.


    ¡°No we did not but i paid 10 Gold for it.¡±, Arkevh answered and gave Trisor his room key and the ones for the barn''s enclosures.


    ¡°That''s 2000 Copper! It would be around three to four hundred. Are you crazy? Why did you apply?¡±, Trisor questioned Arkevh''s decision.


    ¡°I know it was stupid. However we may not have another option and hiding Craftol now that we got the information that he count¡¯s as a serf could lead us to more trouble.¡±, Arkevh answered.


    Trisor sighted.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right, I¡¯m more mad that they use those shameless prices cause they know people like us don¡¯t have another option than sleeping on the street.¡±, Trisor explained himself and led the horses towards the Barn.


    ¡°Indeed.¡±, Arkevh supported.


    ¡°Should I buy something to eat for you in the meantime?¡±, Arkevh then asked.


    ¡°The King gave us some money and the Dwarf said the food is normally priced.¡±, Arkevh added.


    ¡°Something small, sure.¡±, Trisor answered and led the horses into the barn.


    The music had started once again now however there was a single lute ringing throughout the tavern, accompanied by a lovely singing.


    ¡°We won''t change¡±


    ¡°As they are in our swords range¡±


    ¡°We have the chance to convert.¡±


    ¡°Yet we still die in dirt.¡±


    ¡°Why are we controlled by it?¡±


    ¡°Why are we still living with it?¡±


    The Bard sang with a seeming tear in his eyes. He had his eyes closed until he was done with the song. Arkevh stood there till the young bard had played the last note. He was covered in a fine red garb and wore a colorful hat with a theater in it and had a thin beard, covering parts of his pale skin. Next to him stood two large man who supported him with additional instruments but seemed more like bodyguards, looking throughout the tavern. As the music stopped Arkevh looked towards the bard again. To his surprise the music had stopped and the bard looked directly at him, shocked.


    Quickly Arkevh turned around as the people in the Tavern started to applaud the performance, seeing Kalliope sitting on a free table he quickly went towards her. She had taken off the chaperone and looked at Arkevh with concern, who quickly took a sip from the tube.


    ¡°Did they see it?¡±. Kalliope inquired and looked towards the customers who still seemed to be focused on the bard who now bowed down.


    ¡°What did they see?¡±, Trisor walked towards the table and sat down, throwing Craftol¡¯s magical pocket on the table.


    ¡°Only the bard seemed to have seen my eyes turning violet again.¡±, Arkevh explained and let his head sink on the table.


    ¡°Not the time to let ya head sink on my table.¡±, A dwarf came over to them.


    ¡°What can I offer you to eat? We got fresh soup and of course good Fernshire beer.¡±, The Dwarf offered.


    ¡°Sounds good. We take for soups and three beers i suppose.¡±, Kalliope asked her companions, getting no complaints. Arkevh raised his head again and set Craftol on a chair.


    ¡°You are a pretty interesting group huh?¡± a voice appeared behind them after a while.


    It was the Bard, with the two body guards that did not seem to leaf from his side.


    ¡°What do you want, piss off!¡±, Trisor said harshly, the body guards were about to raise their fists but the bard symbolized them to calm down with a gesture of his hand.


    ¡°Well a bard can always be helpful and it''s too late to hide it now, with your aggressive attitude you will only make the people more interested in us.¡±, the bard smiles.


    Trisor just sighed.


    ¡°What do you think Arkevh?¡±, Trisor asked afterwards.


    ¡°Just let him speak for now.¡±, Arkevh answered and looked into the bard''s brown eyes.


    ¡°My name is Fabian Ljus, i was wondering why Arkevh is here.¡±, he whispered, the guests looked at them for a short while but then returned back to their food.


    ¡°Not your Business sorry.¡±, Arkevh replies.


    ¡°Are you sure, you don¡¯t need a tour guide, I know a lot about Carwitz¡±, the bard continues


    ¡°Why are you so interested in it?¡±, Trisor asked anew.


    ¡°Well I heard about the King''s Assassination attempts failing. I knew about it beforehand and counted one and two together.¡±, Fabian explained.


    ¡°You want to take revenge aren''t you?¡±


    Arkevh looked towards Kalliope, her fist shacked as he heard Fabian speak. Why couldn¡¯t he resist?