Stevar, at the border to Galghant
-Denizion-
Denizion looked around once more. He took a deep breath and smiled in satisfaction. Now it would be the first time that he would turn his back on Stevar. It felt good. It was what he had always wished for.
He gently stroked his mare Tari along her mane. The group was discussing the individual missions once more before they would split up.
Duke Marg stood in the center of them all. Denizion had always looked up to him and the royal family, and it was a great honor for him that he had now been chosen by Duke Marg for this mission.
It confirmed everything he had imagined. When he had joined the Lightkeepers back then, as a small boy, even his parents had initially been against it. Many in Stevar clung far too much to the old order and did not recognize how much good the Lightkeepers had brought to the land. But slowly, it was getting better.
Since the Lightkeepers had ruled in Stevar, everything had only improved. They suddenly had new vegetables, some of which were even frost-resistant, and fewer and fewer people became ill. He would also never forget when he had seen the Sages for the first time; they were advisors to the Lightkeepers. Back then, Denizion had had the opportunity to see King Wiktal with his companion. Her name was Ava, and she had a special aura. But what had impressed him the most was that she had suddenly been able to emit light from her hands in the middle of the night. He did not know where she had gotten that power from. But he would never forget it.
They had met at night in a dark forest, and Ava had asked the assembled crowd to extinguish the torches. It had been pitch black. And suddenly Ava had raised her hands, and from them a light seemed to shine that appeared brighter than any fire. The crowd had gone silent. And Denizion could still remember the sound as everyone had gasped in astonishment. Slowly, a murmur had spread through the entire crowd. One could not even look at it without being blinded. And what was even more interesting, she seemed to control the light. She could make it shine and darken again as she wished. He would never be able to forget that. From that moment on, it had finally been clear to him that he wanted to be part of the Lightkeepers.
"Les, Denizion," Duke Marg suddenly addressed them and pulled Denizion out of his thoughts. "You will follow this route and carry out the census in the villages in the center," Marg said, pointing to a marked spot on the map.
Denizion nodded. His companion Les and he were allowed to visit the small villages in the center and carry out a census there. In addition, they would of course greet the people and encourage them, telling them that their lives would now become better.
When the men had finished discussing everything, they spurred their horses and trotted off toward Galghant.
It was still early morning. Denizion enjoyed the gentle wind while riding. He kept looking at his clothes. Such a bright, shining white and only the finest fabrics. Yes, as a Lightkeeper one had a good life.
It would take a while, a few days even, before they would reach the first villages assigned to them. Once the mission was completed, they would meet Duke Marg in the capital. He had been appointed as the new ruler of Galghant after King Galan had been forced to give up the throne.
On the way, they occasionally met individual people or travelers who looked at them in astonishment. Denizion had to smile every time. Finally, he was being seen. Finally, people were looking up to him. He was no longer the poor farmer's son, but now a Lightkeeper whom people admired.
"And, excited?" Les asked him. He could easily have been his father in terms of age. Les was not originally from Stevar, but had his roots in Wikdiz.
Denizion laughed and shook his head dismissively. "Excited, why? I can hardly wait to complete my first major mission."
"Just annoying that we first have to reach the center. Do you have anything you'd like to see or experience until then?"
Denizion thought about it. But there was actually nothing that interested him apart from the mission.
"No need. We ride the fastest route and only stop in towns and villages as necessary."
Les looked at him. Then he laughed. "You live up to your reputation as someone who takes his duties and tasks seriously."
Denizion nodded in agreement. It had not been easy to obtain his current position. And he would not relent until he had made a good name for himself and gained more power.
-----
Forest near Genat, east of Galghant.
-Atheloun-
Atheloun had already been on the road for several days. He was relieved that he had been able to depart from Achschab unseen. Achschab was little more than a small settlement in the mountains. The Lightkeepers seemed to consider it too insignificant and too insecure to give it much attention.
On his way through Stevar, he sometimes saw Lightkeepers patrolling, but he had learned to be cautious and knew the best hiding places. He was less familiar with Galghant. He tried to travel mostly at night. Again and again, he sought out forests and sparsely populated areas in order to reach his destination as undisturbed as possible.It would still take a few more days before he would arrive in Rasten. Constantly he wondered whether he should not just travel to Erana instead.
On his journey he had not yet seen any Lightkeepers. So far, normal life in Galghant seemed to be continuing. At least in this region. Had he managed to avoid the main routes so well? He assumed that the north and the center would show more traces of war. He had also not seen any warriors or soldiers yet. But he had heard that King Galan had not conscripted all young men for the war. He had left a large part behind so that families would still be provided for. As he had heard, each village and town had only had to send a certain number of men to war.
Some had also told him that many men from Galghant had, after some time, joined the Lightkeepers.
Atheloun dismounted and walked a little through the forest. He still had some bread left and broke off a few pieces.
Suddenly he heard a noise like snapping branches behind him. He turned cautiously, placing his hand on his sword at his side, ready to defend himself. Then he only saw an older woman. He exhaled in relief and his posture relaxed immediately. The woman had a basket in her hand. When she saw him, she was startled at first. Then she came closer and suddenly asked eagerly: "Are the men already coming back? Young man, were you also in the war? Where are you going? Do you know anything about the men from Genat?"
So many questions at once, and he did not know what to tell her. She seemed so full of hope.
He shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't know. I am on my way to Rasten, good woman."
"To Rasten? I don't know that place. That must be far. Well, your family will be happy. Do you have a wife and children waiting for you?"
At that, Atheloun had to laugh slightly. At the same time, he became sad, because he actually had no family left. "I only have an aunt."
The woman nodded knowingly. "Hunger, war, and disease have taken much from us. Here, take some bread." She held out her basket, and he gratefully took a fresh piece of flatbread.
"Thank you, good woman. Tell me, have you seen any Lightkeepers yet?" He wanted to assess how far they had already advanced.
Then the woman laughed bitterly. "They can keep away from me. Because of them our men are gone."
Oh, he had expected the Lightkeepers to be much more popular. "Don't you think they bring good?" he asked further.
The woman shrugged. "If my husband does not return, what use is it to us?"
Atheloun nodded.
Then the woman added very quietly, after looking around several times: "I am only telling you this, young man. King Galan was not always good, but he was also not a bad king. I am not like the others who are so eager for the new rulers. First we will see whether they really improve our lives."
Atheloun was surprised that she spoke so openly. He almost had to laugh. It was not actually funny. Not in the slightest. But he had heard similar stories from Stevar. People first spoke well of the king until he gradually became worse in their eyes.
"Go quickly, boy, so your aunt does not have to wait as anxiously as I do," the woman suddenly said.
He hoped for her that her husband would return soon as well.
He thanked her once more, then mounted his horse and rode off after waving again. Slowly evening twilight was setting in, and he would try again to ride as far as possible. The forests in Galghant looked slightly different from those in Stevar. The trees had a somewhat lighter bark. He resolved that one day, when all this was over, he would explore the world without any distractions. But whether that would ever be possible depended on the success of their cause. He nodded. They had to succeed in at least stopping the Lightkeepers. At first they had only thought it concerned Stevar. But now they saw they were much greedier and would conquer one realm after another.
They suspected that they would first secure their position in Galghant before invading Dregana. And eventually they would become far too strong for anything to be saved. So they had to make sure that they did not become too strong in Galghant. If there were still people like the woman in the forest, there was definitely still hope.
Atheloun shook his head and laughed. He had been born to one day serve the Stevar people. But now it was the people of Galghant he would help.
-----
Village of Rasten, Galghant.
-Nari-
In the evening, Nari sat at her favorite place in the forest. It was the small forest lake in which the moonlight reflected. She picked up a few stones and threw them into the lake. She was discouraged. And impatient. Since the news that the war was over, a few days had passed, and nothing had changed. Nothing. Life simply continued as before. Marnia and she did their work. They sold their embroidery and went into the village to buy necessities from the farmers. Sometimes she could meet Talisa, and if she had time, they could walk a little. But that was not enough for Nari. That could not be all.
She pulled her legs up and poked at the ground with a stick. Then she wrote a few words.
She sighed. Why had Marnia taught her to read and write? And so much about the world? Most people in Rasten could neither read nor write. But this knowledge had only strengthened Nari's desire to see more. The world seemed so vast. She was tired of living in a small village at the edge of everything. She so much wished that someone would see her as she truly was. Not just that she could embroider or bake well. But someone who would listen to her ideas. She sighed.
Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her.
"There you are," she heard Marnia say.
Nari did not respond.
Marnia sat down next to her. "You should not be out here in the forest alone at night."
Nari rolled her eyes. Her mother's fears again. She sighed. "Nothing has ever happened here. Rasten is safe. There are no robbers or looters here. Why would there be? Rasten is far too insignificant."
Marnia laughed lightly. "You are dissatisfied with everything again, aren't you."
Nari picked up another stone and threw it into the lake. "I am slowly losing hope that the Lightkeepers will even come to our insignificant village."
"Then at least we have a calm, stable life," Marnia replied.
Nari shook her head. "I don't think I will ever understand you."
Marnia stood up again. "Come, Nari, I made a delicious stew."
Only then did Nari realize she was actually hungry and stood up.
As they walked toward their hut, Marnia said again: "Promise me not to go into the forest alone after dark."
Nari sighed loudly. "Alright. I promise."
Marnia put her arm around her. "The war has only just ended, Nari. Maybe the real chaos is only beginning now. There are still people who do not want to be ruled by strangers. In Stevar, the first years were not easy either. We never know who is out there. Even in our forest. That is why we should be careful."
Nari gently patted Marnia's hand. "It's fine. I will be more careful. I promise." Even though she herself thought it unnecessary.
When they arrived at their hut, a pleasant smell immediately reached Nari's nose. She turned and looked at her mother. "You should have said right away that it's root stew!" Galghant was known for its roots and even more for its spicy stews. Root stew contained various roots, mushrooms, and vegetables with slightly spicy seasoning. If one could afford it, there was also meat in it. But that was extremely rare. Nari immediately took two bowls and filled some of the stew for Marnia and herself. They sat together in their hut and enjoyed the wonderful taste.
Nari briefly thought back to the forest and her thoughts. She knew that life was simply like this for many. Maybe it was also just unreasonable that she wanted more from life. But then she thought again of the Lightkeepers. She nodded quietly. That remained her hope. She firmly trusted that they would change her life. In whatever direction.
"Please, please come to Rasten," she thought to herself.