THESE NEXT COUPLE OF CHAPTERS ARE SMALL TIMESKIPS
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THE PAST
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They didn't know how many moons passed as they crossed the great lands, following the traces of grace across the lands. Through mountains that stretched to the heavens, across swamp laden lands filled with wailing creatures unseen to the eyes.
They spent many days crossing deep gouges in the earth with rushing rivers and gaping maws of water as far as the eye could see, boats carved over weeks serving them as they approached the farthest coast of the lands of numen, the continent they had travelled for pver half a year reaching back, it's mountainous regions cresting the clouds.
" It's beautiful " Arvernus uttered as they trot up to the cliffs rising high above the shoreline, the waves belong crashing against crag and stone, sending sea foam up the cliffs and into their noses.
Grace pointed farther across this sea of churning water, the sun sinking to the south west, it's light sprinkling light between the clouds.
" It is ... but how the fuck are supposed to cross that... I don't think our little made boats are going to cut it " Vyke hissed, grumbling as he contemplated the dread of having to possibly strip himself of his armor and swim the across the ocean.
" Don't be daft, grace wouldn't guide us without a path, there must be a village nearby... " As if to pronounce his point, the last vestiges of the sun's light began to fade, and over the cliffs and mountains, the glow of life illuminated their path along a portion of the coast that had a small alcove, a beach settlement carved into the mountains.
" Shut it ... " Grabbing their reigns to his horse, whose mane was well kept and fur treated well, it grunted as it turned and loyally followed its masters command as they began to cut a path down the cliffs towards the village tucked away.
" Pfff you didn't... HAHAHAHA Ye old fool... think more Vyke "Arvernus snickered much to Vyke's ire, the clop of the horses hooves echoed as they descended the cliffs.
" Whatever, I hope your undergarments are smiled by your stupidity " Vyke hissed, and spotted the coastal village as they rounded the descending cliffs.
" Ah there's the path " They spotted a bunch of lanterns running up the cliffs, a carved path in the distabce that lead to the village entrance where several silhouettes shifted in the wind.
" Lets go ... " Leaning forward, Vyke urged his horse to carve its way across the uneven stone, it's heavy grunts accentuated by his own breathing as he steadied himself with its movements, before they finally arrived on a beaten dirt path that lead to the glowing torches of the coastal village. And at his side, Arvernus arrived a moment later, having followed Vykes path until now they trod the proper path down. ' It's so much easier '
" Oh I know that look " Beneath his helm, the ever juvenile Arvernus chortled as Vyke turned his silver helm to face him, as if to ask what he could possibly be going on about.
" Already thinking of finding your one true love in this town... I mean how many times have you been rejected now, what's it ... five ... six " Arvernus smirked as he watched Vyke visibly convulse. ' Ye old perv '
" Four ... it is of no worries, the lady destined unto me will come when grace deigns " Vyke retorted , truly, they were simply nothing more than testing if they were his destined maiden, it had nothing to do with their looks.
" Keep that in mind... and in your briefs " Arvernus's chortle made Vyke hiss and throw a rock at the side of his helm which clinked off. Only for the two of them to immediately break into fits of laughter as the village gates neared.
" Hahaha ohhh " Whatever humor they had died as soon as the villages gates became clear to their gaze, with three figures hanging limply from the towering frame, nooses tied around their necks. Garbed in simply white gowns. Two men and one woman, whose faces and skin were palid, their blackened veins shon beneath their skin as purple lips remained parted. Wet hair, soaked by floating sea foam cascaded down their heads, as bits of flesh were slowly decaying over the time they had spent suspended from the gates frame.
' Wander what that's about ' Arvernus looked upon the female, whose gaze remained fixed to the road, palod murky eyes unseeing as her mouth remained agape with a silent plea for release. Blackened fingers semeed to convulse, as features across her skin seemed to shift despite the fact she was infact dead. From under her garments, a trail of long dried blood ran between her legs, just as it had for the men as well. ' They've been castrated ... '
And realisation struck him before his eyes knew what they were looking at, his stomach churned as bile rose into his throat, forcing himself to look away from the woman. It wasn't that she was twitching, it was the maggots eating at her flesh and body that made it seem as though she was moving. And the stench, of the stench was a gut wrenching as the sight of her lips being moved by the maggots moving in and put of her mouth.
' I think I'm going to be sick ' He didn't have the heart to look up as they passed beneath the gates frame, fearful of what he might see under the three hung figures gowns. At his side, Vyke was equally silent, head hung as his helm moved accusing throigh the darkening streets.
Aged women seemed to shift about, their greying skin still yet taunt as though despite marred by age, they retained a great deal of their beauty, as golden hair cascaded down their bodies and their large eyes turned to them momentarily before turning away, continuing on with what they were doing.
' They look like the shamen from that village ' He spotted a particularly old woman sitting at the base of a hovels stairs, gesturing for vyke to follow. The whole atmosphere seemed almost bleak, as the women about ignored them with far more suspicion, a sharp contrast to the shamen village they had stumbled upon at the beginning of their journey.
" Do not look so weary young ones... one's such as yourselves are welcome in this village " The aged crone extended her hands and gestured for them to unhorse themselves. Knowing when things were less of a suggestion and more of a command, Vyke and Arvernus stepped down from their horses, which were quickly spirited away by a pair of shamen whom appeared and guided them to a pair of stalls nearby.
" Not to be suspicious... but ... I have to ask of the ... what is that about " Arvernus was the one to speak up, gesturing to the three hanging corpses near the village gates. Earning a rumbling of the crones chest as she cast a finger deeper into the village, where they finally noticed there seemed to be a split on the village. Split in the way groups segregated themselves.
For the shamen occupied the half of the village that lead into the continent of Numen, whilst the other half ... foreigners. Foreigners that didn't leave or mingle with the shamen, where they set up, docked their ships and lived, all overseen by the shamen whom watched their every movements.
" These people come in and think they can pillage our lands... stealing, murdering ... raping ... all to get their hands on one of us " The crone cackled as she gestured to the right most corpse.
" Murderer and pillager whom came into the town to dominate ... " She moved her finger to the next. " Rapist whom thought to spill his seed into the wound of a numen so he may breed a long lived child... it didn't survive gestation "
" And she " The crone turned to the woman hanging. " Sought to steal our very identity unto herself, the sin of covet, the sin jealousy, she performed a great dark ritual to attempt to gain our ... benefits "
Her lips spread to reveal a may of gnarled and missing teeth, a twinkle in her eyes as she studied them. " But you my sweet children, recognised of the numen, shall fear not. Welcome ... you may go wherever ye wish on our little community, yet I believe ye would deign to seek the pub the cursed travellers frequent... travel beyond numen is usually brokered in such a place " As unsettling as this aged numen crone was, she was being genuinely helpful to them.
' And yet ... I think it would be best if we make merry way shortly... ' Arvernus cast his hidden gaze subtly towards Vyke, whom was already gazing into the village past these demented numen. ' I just hope it's not as ... odd ... down there '
" We thank you" Arvernus bowed deeply, only to freeze as the crone gnarled fingers grasped at his helm, his instincts flared and yet he ruthlessly crushed them as the crone gnashed her gums together with her few teeth, deep cerulean energies pooling around her hands, flowing along her arms and into him.
It was as if a door within was being forcefully pried open. A door of the soul and a door of the mind as knowledge previously unknown to him suddenly became known... the basics of magic manipulation... how to conjure and manipulate mana.
" An odd one you are, hmm " His raised his helm, the slit revealing his eyes to the crone as she held her head far to close to his helm for comfort.
" Hmm ... " She seemed to shift, the smiling features on her face slacking as am ucharacteristic sterness overcame her, and as he stared Into her eyes. He saw her face shift, her eyes began to bubble and ripple, darkening as they began to suck in on themselves. Pupils swallowing the eye as darkness consumed them. And yet she showed no pain as her empty sockets, blacked by the sudden self consumption of her eyes, glistened with the vessels held behind her eyes as they bled profusely.
" You ... have an odd fate ... my child... remember ... I'll be watching " Layered and shifting, she seemed almost possessed. Her cracked and pale lips parting in a smile that could have come off as warm had she not been so demented.
' What the fuuuuuck ' It felt as though these eyeless holes were staring deep within his very being, only to be interrupted by Vyke grabbing the crones arms and physically pulling her off of him, her fingers cracking as her gnarled grip loosened fron his hood.
" Let him .... " As soon as her fingers left the grip of his hood, she went slack as though her very life had been sapped, simply hanging in his grip as she sagged like a puppet with its strings cut. Her eyeless unseeing head rolling to the side as drool began to spill from her loose lips. " Go ... "
" You ... " Arvernus remained frozen in place, even as the numen about passed by, casual glances seeing the now abruptly deceased crone, and simply passed on like the oldest of the village hadn't just died a rather gruesom death. " No ... "
" Lets get the fuck out of here " Vyke dropped the crones arm, dodging out of the way of her falling body which simply splat on the ground like a wet fruit.
" Agreed" Arvernus rose, turning about only to freeze as another Shamen m, this one far younger and more pleasant on the eye staring at them both.
" Um... " Vyke gulped as the blonde uncanny looming woman stared at the dead crone for a second, her impassive stare somehow more distrusting rather than anything else they could have suspected.
" I have been tasked with guiding the through the village, would ye like a tour " She spoke quietly, yet eagerly.
" I think we'll just head to the pub now " Now more than ever, Arvernus and Vyke were in agreement, whatever shit was going on in this place, they wanted nothing to do with it.
....THE PRESENT ...
Rumours of the Queens new favoured guest spread quickly through Cintra, a man of foreign Lordship taking residence under the queens roof. Tales spoke he was a dragonslayer, others spoke bow he was a merciless killer capable of slaying many a man. Most believed he was some kind of monster given form, sent unto the earth to strip man of flesh and carve bloody paths across the battlefield. Some hushed whispers said he was a ravernus beast that made his way with the queen whenever he so wished , which was why he had been given residence so that the Lioness of cintra could spend her days being ravaged.
None of these rumours had any sort of basis, spoken by a fuming lord offended, or by a maid irked, neither Arvernus nor Calanthe particularly cared for them as they moved through their days of politicking and running a nation.
In a dark corner of Cintra's harbour. Eight men moved about the dimly lit warehouse ignored by Cintra's guards. Crates of prohibited product being lifted and moved about as a middle aged man headed the operation. Toying with the satchel at his waist, he ran his grubby greasy fingers across his tunic as he spied the movements of his underlings. " Be more careful, that is worth more than you are "
" We need to move quickly " He grunted, musing as he stroked his finely kept beard. Selvyd was his name, a new drug smuggler taking purchase in Cintra's black market. Selling a particularly strong strain of Fisstech, a white powder called the white death that caused extreme reactions to the people that partook. Often causing hallucinations and highs. " Were on a tight schedule "
" Yare Yare on it " One of the eight moved, sliding a crate across the hey covered ground, moving the Crates onto a cart they would the hiding the contraband on.
' Not long now and then we'll be leaving this shit hole ' Selvyd rolled his shoulder as hea leant against an unsure crate, flicking his fingers about as he rubbed his chin. ' I'll have to inform that bastard of our status before we depart ... urgh I suppose I should do so now '
" I'll be returning shortly, I swear to the heavens if anything happens while I'm gone ... " Selvyd hissed as he slowly made his way through the warehouse, moving towards the set of wide doors that were chained shut.
" Stay insi...." Selvyd paused just as the others were interrupted by a violent rattling of the doors. The chains shook and several curtains of dust fell at the disturbance.
" What the fuck ... " Drawing his dagger, Selvyd took several paces back so as to create space. " Don't just stand around ye fools ... we get caught we're all rotting in the dungeons "
Compelled by his words, the men seemed to gain their senses, grabbing nearby objects like rods of iron or wooden planks, they all made an arc formation around the door, waiting for whoever was on the otherside to be brave enough to open it and step through
But before they could so much as swing their weapons, the warehouse doors were simply ripped from their hinges by a colossal force, the hinges screaming as a pair of silhouettes drastic in size stood in the dark alley that hosted the warehouse entrance.
" Greetings ... " An oh so mocking voice called from just beyond the candles light, the towering silhouettes slowly striding forward as the men under selvyd physically recoiled at the towering stature." I bid ye welcome to Cintra. I'd advice to ye to lay ye arms down ... "
Arvernus strode in, garbed in silver and blues, arms simply hanging at his side as Tyr entered behind his rather abrupt entrance.
" I...It's the dragonslayer ... WE HAVE TO RUN" One man, younger than the rest, cried out before turning about amd fleeing deeper into the warehouse, only for a pair of throwing daggers to snap, whiz and stab into the back of his calves where he collapsed with a cry.
' His aims improving ' Arvernus glanced at Tyr, whose hands were extended after having thrown the blades in rapid succession.
" it be best to surrender " Arvernus growled, simply crossing his arms as he placed his trust in his squire to handle anyone that thought to escape. " I be not as lenient as the Queens law "
Whether it was the sheer might he had displayed by ripping the warehouse doors off, or the way he stared them down, the cowering drug smugglers seemed to have a switch flicked in their brains. Most scattered like cockroaches under light, some simply fell to floor in surrender, but one didn't.
With wide panicked eyes, he opened his mouth and rushed them, arms raised overhead with an iron rod in hand.
" Ahhhhh " Tyr acted before Arvernus need even draw his blade, His longsword already in hand as he cut down the smuggler with a singular long slash from shoulder to hip , savage enough to tear through cloth and stomach, as guts spilled out and pooled at his feet, whilst Tyr simply held his blade at his side.
' He's coming into his strength quite well ' Arvernus cast an appreciative gaze at his squire. Having grown over thirty centimetres over the past months, he was no far taller than any other twelve year old, having just passed his nameday. His hair was swept back into a neatly kept pony tale. His cheeks was shallow and void of fat and his face was held in a harsh but not so threatening stare. ' A fine Carian knight in the making if I don't say so myself '
With the grafting of runes, the boys strength had steadily risen, not by obviously supernatural bounds, but enough to make it a noticeable improvement.
" Good job " Arvernus didn't so much as look down at the corpse at Tyr's feet, stepping over it as he drew the longer of Rellana's blades and pointed it at the lead drug smuggler.
Tyr didn't reply outwardly, rather lifted his chin as hemis eyes seemed to shine, the silent giddiness of joy running through his eyes missed by many accept for his lord. ' Still a boy seeking praise ... though it's not so bad to keep those tendencies '
Yes, even though Tyr was quickly growing, becoming skilled with the blade enough to fell any regular man, he was still a boy, and a boy needed acknowledgement from the man he saw as a father, and that was something Arvernus wasn't shy on. He was afterall his teacher, and a successful teacher wa snot one that neglected his student.
" The Queen has been looking for you" Arvernus, face as stern as he was tall, glared down at the smuggler, whom shook like a leaf and appeared to have soiled himself. ' Jesus... how pathetic can one be '
This was a regular occurance as of late. After several weeks of hearing reports about city Informants about Cintra's drug trade, Arvenus had taken the chance to teach Tyr about the truths of the world. One being that a city couldn't simply route out a drug problem... no ... it needed to be controlled.
And so. Here they were, in a warehouse of a drug smuggler not under the secret control of Cintra, one that had been churning the black market with highly addictive and prohibited product.
" Round them up " Arvernus growled as he reached down and plucked up the balding Selvyd, simply plucking him as one would a stone and dragging them out into the nights light outside of the warehouse.
' How did I not notice ' Selvyd felt any chance of escape flatline as they stepped into the moons light, spotting several guards each holding torches of light to illuminate the warehouse and the surrounding area.
" Guard the doors, ensure none escape in the chaos " Arvernus growled, his hand planted squarely on Selvyd's shoulder, the man quaking under the grip of the hand that dwarfed his shoulder. The guards simply nodded, the reaching shadows constricting as the moved in formation to block the doors of the warehouse.
" I pitty ye , out of everything thoust could have chosen, ye chose pain and suffering... " Arvernus turned, his gaze glowering with a harsh snear, brow pressed firmly as his glowing eyes stared down I to the quaking man's. " No I need to know something, and you're going to tell me ... I need to know, who was ye contact in the city "
" I...I... I don't know " Selvyd froze as Arvernus's hand simply clasped down upon the top of his head.
" Either ye tell me willingly. Or I rip the information from your head throigh sorceries... I can tell which one I'd prefer " Already, cold glintstones were beginning to crystallise along the tips of his fingers, the man wincing as the jagged tips of the glintsone began to cut into his head, letting small trails of blood begin to leak from where he clasped the man's head.
Behind them, they could hear the cries of fright and flashes of blue, with one of the men suddenly lurching from the shadows, screaming as he leapt into the arms of the waiting soldiers.
" Ye have about ten seconds before I make the decision for you " Arvernus's face wasn't wicked, rather it was set in a small knowing smile, they both knew what he was to choose, it wasn't even a choice ... not really.
" Okay ... okay I'll tell you... "
....
" You did well " Arvernus spoke as they returned to the castle, walking through the doors that were closed behind them, the youngster sighing at the praise with a small smile on his face. " Hence I will be changing your training from now on, you've picked up the basics, it's time to turn up the difficulty "
" Thank you milord " Tyr accepted whole heartedly, wanting nothing more than to make the man teaching him proud, and to become a formidable knight of caria. ' Everyone believes in me ... I wont let them down '
" Good ... now get ready to turn in for the night, I'm sure Eyvind wishes to regail you with one of his war stories " Tyr groaned at Arvernus's words, causing the two of them to chuckle soon after.
" Of course milord ... " With that Tyr turned and swept through the halls towards the bedrooms, intent on changing from his Carian style robes and into more comfortable nightware before he would head to the halls for dinner.
' I should start teaching him the basics of Carian magicks soon, he is still lacking in that regard' As tyr went to change, Arvernus had another goal inmind, with their nights bust, Calanthe was nodoubt being informed of the success of the operation. No his goal was Mousesack, to perform their nightly ritual of him sending his mana to the stars so they may attempt to contact Ranni.
' You better have your runes ready old man '
....
Mousesacks chambers smelled of strange tonics. The smell of a grandmothers house, like a smothering mist that wasn't unpleasant per se but it made the nose crinkle on instinct. The walls were lined with herbs, roots or animal parts in jars. Everything Mousesack would ever need to perform his sorceries were lined neatly on shelves.
Several tabled lined the centre of the chamber, dusts, sands and minerals of all kinds were being ground into mortar and pestles, whilst a fine mist seemed float through the soft light that touched at the chamber.
" Hm ... ah ... yes " Mousesack himself leant almost entirely over a table, looking down upon a book he was reading as he flicked his hand, salt flying from his fingers into a flame that crackled and burst before turning green. " Ah ... "
" You know ... " Mousesack startled at Arvernus's words, arm flinging out on instinct as he knocked the chalice he had been using to control the flame to the ground. Scattering the burning ashes to the floor between them.
" By the gods Arvernus do you not make any noise when you walk " Mousesack cursed as Arvernus leisurely stepped the flames out, the hissing flames dying as soon as hit boot covered them.
" It's an acquired skill I'm afraid " The stone ground marred by char hissed even after the flames were stamped out, with the man responsible for the accident simply shrugging. " Are we ready "
" Oh ... it's that time ... I do suppose I may have gotten distracted " Rubbing the side of his head, Mousesack rumbled, turning and closing his book before making his way to an adjacent chamber he had recently modified.
It had been little more than a small storage room, with shelves lining the walls, collecting dust as he rather use the shelves nearby as he worked, thus left the storage room entirely barren.
Now it was an emptied chamber with runic scripture carved into the stone, several magic circles piled onto of eachother, each serving as to ward off the negative effects Arvernus's mana would have on the world around it. Other scriptures worked to mute its presence from the senses of those magically inclined in the world.
" Come on come on ... " Mousesack beckoned Arvernus to the centre of the glyphs, all but pushing him to the centre.
" What were you studying when I came in "
Arvernus asked, simply Clasping his ahdns together as he began to steel his mind and mana, preparing to project his powers to the world's beyond.
" Well before I was so rudely interrupted, I was keen attempting to change the attributes of fire... I was... inspired by a show of your own magic " Mousesakc produced and thrust the book he had been studying at Arvernus, whilst the both absent-mindedly began to activate the glyphs at Arvernus's feet, it was a book about the principles of fire magic the druids had to study.
" Oh I see, I apologise for interrupting your studies, it was not my intention, should you wish I could return later " Arvernus proposed only for Mousesack to decline.
" No no no I made a promise and I must keep it. I'm a druid of my word afterall, beside, perhaps I may glean some insight from your mana ... now ... shall we " Mousesack finally finished activating the glyphs structure, stepping back half a face as a wall of magic rose around Arvernus, a bubble of translucent light that swam around the air like a mirage.
" Yes yes ... if you need " Arvernus interlocked his fingers, closed his eyes and began to project his mana outside, thrusting it outward like the gates of dam opening.
' It's... holding ' Mousesack squinted at the glyph formationad Arvernus became obscured by a blue miasma that buckled and bashed at the barrier around him, rumbling for a moment before the glyphs worked to shift its presence, whislt the beacon that was Arvernus worked to break through to his dear wife.
' Hopefully this time '
....
CHAPTER COMPLETE
JUST A QUICK CHAPTER THIS TIME AS I OFTEN FIND MYSELF QUITE BUSY ON THE WEEKENDS, AS SUCH THE NEXT CHAPTER SHOULD BE RELEASED EITHIN THE NEXT 2 OR 3 DAYS DUE TO THE WEEKEND
I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED THIS CHAPTER SO FAR. THIS CHAPTER IS LIABLE TO CHANGE AND EDITING IN THE FUTURE AS THE RESY OF THE STORY IS FLESHED OUT.
IF ANYONE HAS ANY COMMENTS IDEAS OR QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK. ILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY AND ALL.
AS ALWAYS YOUR SUPPORT IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED.
UNTIL NEXT TIME FRIENDS.