After arriving back from the woods, the companions each took a hot bath at the Angry Bull and changed into cleaner clothing. After their baths, they sat at one of the large tables in the center of the inn.
“I’m sorry for cutting you off earlier, Alivia,” Dawyn said. “It’s just that time was critical at that moment and I couldn’t waste it worrying about the future.”
Alivia looked at Dawyn. “Oh, don’t worry about that, Dawyn. I took no offense. But will you let me continue my story about the prophecies now?”
“Of course. Please continue.”
Alivia nodded her head. “Where was I? Oh right, the part where the Founders laid down a prophecy in the archives that said when the Krai’kesh returned it would usher in the Age of the Saviors. It is said that the saviors will be forever young and possessed of tremendous strength of mind. It is also said they will unite the world under a single banner, for only united can our world stand against the threat the Krai’kesh pose.”
“And the prophecies do not speak of when this Age might begin?” Dawyn asked.
“They say when the Krai’kesh appear in the land, the Saviors should be expected. Let me try to recall one of the passages. ‘When the ancient enemy rises from the north, look to the east, for down from the mountains shall come the champions of mankind to lead the world to victory.’”
“The east? That could mean anywhere. The world is round, you know. East could mean Imperial lands for all we know. Did the prophecy mention getting Imperial support? They’d be more likely to conquer us than help us.”
“That prophecy was made in Tar Ebon many centuries ago. It is believed by most who study them that ‘east’ in this passage refers to east of Tar Ebon and the mountains being spoken of are the White Mountains.”
Dawyn found his mind wandering to the leather satchel that, at this moment sat upstairs in the room he had been given. Within the satchel lay a letter. Could the letter have spoken the truth? He shook his head. He had other things to worry about first before he could address the letter.
“That is interesting information,” Dawyn said at last. “Do any scholars believe these prophecies to speak the truth?”
Alivia shrugged. “Scholars are divided in opinions regarding the prophecies. Some scholars believe the prophecy speaks truth, while others believe it can be interpreted in a different way, while still others deny such prophecies exist and claim there is no way the Founders could predict such things, as they were not omnipotent. As for me, I admit I was skeptical until I saw this creature tonight.”
“But now you believe the prophecies?”
“I still don’t quite know. I would need to perform more research on the prophecies in order to better interpret them. In any event, the appearance of this creature must be reported to the Tower.”
“I agree. The king should find out as well, of course. A threat from the north sounds ominous.”
“The royal family has known about the prophecies since their creation over a thousand years ago. After the Founding, the Haguesfort was built as a safeguard to protect Tar Ebon from such a threat from the north.”
The Haguesfort was a massive fortress located to the far north of Tar Ebon, where the Tar River met the Hagues River. The Hagues River was known for its extreme rapids and frigid waters, making it difficult to cross in boats or by swimming. The river ran between the White Mountains and the Windy Mountains and was fed by melt-water from both. At the crossing where the Hagues fed the Tar River, a massive bridge more than a hundred spans wide arched over the raging waters below. The bridge was created by powerful earth mages, so the stone would never crack, chip or crumble. The bridge looked very similar to how it had a thousand years earlier. The Haguesfort had not had its walls enhanced like the great cities such as Tar Ebon. It was deemed too large of a project in a time when the mage population was dwindling.
“That is something I did not know,” Dawyn said. “I knew of the Haguesfort, of course, but not of its true purpose. It makes more sense now.”
“I’m glad I could help,” Alivia replied with a smile.
Anwyn cleared her throat. “So what is the next step? Are we to free Horace’s wife, Eugenie?”
“Yes, we are, Anwyn,” Dawyn said. “But first, I suggest we get some rest. We have had an exciting evening, but we will require our rest if we are to go up against the lord and lady and their manor.” The others agreed.
“Good night everyone,” Horace said. “We have accomplished a great thing and I suspect we will continue tomorrow. I’ll make sure to cook up a hearty breakfast for us in the morning.”
“That would be most appreciated, Horace,” Anwyn said. “I’m famished.”
“So famished you could eat a horse?” Dawyn said, winking at her.
Anwyn stared at him for a moment, not understanding the joke.
“Never mind,” Dawyn said. “Must be a local thing where I come from.” Idiot, Dawyn thought to himself.
“If I were in one of my carnivorous animal forms then, yes, I would be hungry enough to eat a horse.”
“Well, I’m off to bed also,” Dawyn announced. “Good night,” he said before going upstairs to his bedroom.
Chapter 18: Justice
Blood and Shadows Page 18