Devol’s response was almost nonexistent. He had no idea what this trial was, only that it seemed to rattle almost everyone in the room. Vaust seemed fine, although not either of his usual reticent or snarky selves. The boy raised his hand and stepped forward.
“Um…I don't know what those are, madame,” he admitted. “But if it’s another mission or something, can I request that we go alone this time?”
Jazai caught him by the shoulder and pulled him back a couple of steps. “You might want to hold off on that for a minute, Dev,” the apprentice warned in a hushed tone. Devol noted this was the second time the diviner seemed hesitant to take on a challenge. He was no coward and was usually as interested in having more freedom as he and Asla were, but he also seemed more aware of the lines they shouldn’t cross quite yet. Things had certainly become far grimmer since they returned to the order, he thought and focused on the grand mistress.
Nauru seemed to understand the confusion and placed the sigil on her desk. “I suppose it was a silly question to begin with,” she reasoned and walked closer to the three friends. “Even if you did know of the trials, it would probably be through rumors and such, which can provide quite a skewed perception of the event.”
Jazai relaxed slightly, folded his arms, and nodded. “Ah, okay. I was worried these were the same trials that I heard ended fairly gruesomely.”
She nodded at him. “Indeed, that would be downplaying it.”
Jazai’s face fell and he stared at her in stupefaction. “Pardon?”
“The Oblivion Trials are rather gruesome throughout,” she explained with an unnatural calm given the topic. “Not only in the finale. But that is part of the reason why I wished to discuss it with you.” She wandered to the foot of her bed, sat, and beckoned them closer. “You are all still young and your path in life can still take many directions. With that in mind, I decided that while you are here, you should have an opportunity for an option that would let you expand outside the order if you wished to do so.”
“By participating in an event that you acknowledge is typically a bloodbath?” the apprentice questioned. He looked at Devol, who remained silent and merely listened to the conversation to see where it went. His gaze drifted to Asla, who was looking away, lost in her thoughts. “I guess I can appreciate the idea behind the thought, but I’m beginning to think this was dreamed up by Zier trying to get rid of me.”
“Nonsense, Jazaiah,” the dryad claimed, his head held high. “How would that benefit me in the long run?” The boy frowned at his mentor, not quite sure what to make of his reaction.
“Yes, the Oblivion Trials can be rather harrowing,” Nauru acknowledged. “However, do you know the reason why people seek out the trials?”
This time, it was Devol who answered. “I assume there is some great reward to be won?” He pointed to the badge on the desk. “That object looks valuable.”
“It is indeed,” she confirmed. “That is known as the oblivion marker. It is given to those who pass the trials. Typically, only a small number are given out each year—ten at most—and they are prized among adventurers for what they can do for them.”
“Are they some kind of rune or trinket?” Asla asked, now focused on the conversation again.
“It is a badge, one that grants access to many things for the owner,” Nauru explained. “You see, the trials were established an exceptionally long time ago. They were devised by three royals from the kingdoms of Renaissance, Britana, and Osira when the other realms were first discovered. The purpose of the trials was to find adventurers, soldiers, and magi who were willing to brave the realms to discover what lay inside.”
“Oh, I know about that!” Devol exclaimed when he recalled a little history his mother had taught him. “The Grand Arkadia Tournament was named after the world as a whole to signify unity. They still hold that to this day with all other kingdoms as well.”
“Correct,” the grand mistress said with a nod and a bemused smile. “Although these days, it is a tournament to strengthen bonds between the kingdoms as well as build personal kingdom pride. The first was established as a secret test for the three great kingdoms to find those strong and brave enough to venture into the unknown. It became a separate event afterward.”
“So these Oblivion Trials are run by the kingdoms?” Asla asked and scratched her neck, her face scrunched in thought.
“Not quite,” Wulfsun interjected. “They are run by a separate council now, which is made up of members from all kingdoms and even several realms.”
“Have you ever made the attempt, Wulfsun?” Devol asked.
The Templar captain nodded, slid his hand into his jacket, and produced a badge that he held out for the trio to see. “A handful of us here in the order have. In fact, a few of that number are in this room.”
Freki retrieved his marker from the front pocket of his jacket. Vaust whipped his cloak over his shoulder and pointed to his marker that was attached to his tunic and almost blended into the dark fabric. The three young magi looked at Zier, who simply shrugged. “I had no use for one.”
Jazai rolled his eyes. “Well, it makes you stand out at this moment.”
The dryad nodded. “Perhaps, but it is something to consider as Madame Nauru continues her explanation. You may know the trials by reputation—one that is rather grim. Do consider the possibilities she is about to tell you about but also consider if they are worth it to you.”
Devol looked at the grand mistress. “What does one of these markers do?”
“They allow a freedom most cannot find in not only the kingdoms but several of the realms,” she stated. “The reputation from the trials is well earned and as such, great weight is carried by those markers. If you have one, I am sure any guild in the kingdom would be willing for you to join them at your request. They act as passports for travel to any kingdom and several of the realms. You will be given access to numerous special storehouses and inns for supplies and shelter and have the opportunity to take on secret missions—ones that bring rewards of great riches that can only be taken by those with oblivion markers.”
“You could also simply sell them,” Wulfsun admitted, flipped his in the air, and caught it. “Many collectors would pay more than their weight in cobalt to have one of these. I’m not sure why but the jewel in the middle of the marker is diament. It is another one of the few materials that can harness mana.” He held the badge again out and let a trickle of his mana flow into it. The jewel created silver lines around the darkness of the black material and formed into a rose-shaped pattern. “It only reacts to the owner’s mana, even if it is stolen or traded, so it’s not like they can get any use out of them. But some people simply like having rare things, I suppose.”
“And on top of that, they give you a fair amount of leeway with the law,” Vaust continued as he tucked his cloak into its usual folds. “Those secret missions can also include political ones or even sanctioned killing. As such, there are certain things those who have a marker can get away with without recourse, thanks to special sanctions given to those who succeed in the trials.”
“Which is part of the danger,” Nauru admitted. “The trials today include more than only adventurers and soldiers. Thieves, assassins, dark magi, and many more often enter, looking to gain a badge for sinister reasons. You will compete against them for one of the markers should you choose to pursue this course.”
Devol nodded and considered everything he’d heard before he asked, “What would we have to do? You said we were only nearly there, right?” Asla and Jazai seemed similarly interested if more uneasy about the prospect.
Nauru looked at Wulfsun, who nodded as he put his marker away. “That is correct. Although it was not intended, your first mission together became what is known as a red-marked mission due to the circumstances. This was also true for the one you completed now.”
“I see,” Asla said. She glanced at Freki, then Vaust. “Is that why you sent observers?”
“Indeed, although in th
e case of the mission in Rouxwoods, that was simply because of the contents of the package. We did not know about the thieves who wanted to acquire it.” The grand mistress spoke with a hint of sorrow in her tone. “But we want one more test to confirm your preparation and…well, for assistance.” She turned to them and rested a hand on Wulfsun’s shoulder. “And this time, you will not be shadowed. Instead, you will be under the command of the good captain.”
Wulfsun looked at the three friends with a massive grin.
Jazai ran a hand through his hair and sighed in frustration. “Well, I suppose that is one way to make me prefer being watched. Being babysat.”
Chapter Nine
“So Wulfsun will be leading us?” Asla asked and looked at her mentor, whose eyes narrowed at the Templar captain. “Are we his soldiers then?”
“You are my comrades, as always!” Wulfsun declared. When they regarded him dubiously, he shrugged and opened his hands expansively and somewhat apologetically. “It is only that…well, the current circumstances are peculiar and I have the most experience in our little troop.”
Devol folded his arms and fixed the man with a look that bordered on contempt. “When I asked to be your apprentice, you gave me the run around when I thought you would be on board. What changed now?”
The older Templar grumbled and shook his head. “This isn’t about that, lad! This is about the mission and assessing your skills in the field.” He smiled encouragingly and nudged Nauru. “And remember what one of my conditions was?”
“You gave me several,” Devol recalled.
Wulfsun rolled an eye, “The big one, lad. The one I said I couldn’t overlook.”
“Oh, right. Permission from my parents.” The boy sighed and recalled the rather in-depth conversation the two had on the topic when he brought it up. He thought that since they had sent him to the Templars in the first place and he was only a year away from being able to enlist in the guard without permission, he should have the authority to make large decisions like joining the Templar Order on his own. Wulfsun, however, was adamant about that particular point and it was one he had yet to take care of between the training, quests, and missions.
“Right you are!” the large man declared. “But should you join me on this mission, you may have a chance to zap two critters with one spell, as it happens.”
“What do you mean?” Devol asked and glanced at Nauru for an explanation.
She beckoned to Zier, who retrieved a small box. He opened it and a large map appeared in mid-air to display the land of Renaissance. It shifted to focus on the city of Levirei. “This is where we got the mission request from,” she explained as the map changed to a massive ethereal depiction of the city. The large, spiraling tower in the center known as the Star Seeker Tower stood prominently in the image. “A lord from the town requested our aid in a matter that would be most shocking under normal circumstances, although we have become quite used to it over the last few days.”
“Which might be an issue in and of itself,” Zier noted.
“There has been some mystical disturbance in a valley not far from the city’s borders. They have not been able to discover what caused it or even what it is.”
“Is it the same thing Acha and the others are investigating?” Freki asked.
“I cannot say for sure but similar descriptions were given by completely different sources.” She extended a hand and moved the map to a large black patch. “It is some kind of dark magic and has either killed or incapacitated any who have attempted to dispel it or enter. In all areas, the best they have been able to do is contain it in a variety of ways but no one has managed to snuff it out.”
“So…do you think it is malefic-related?” Jazai asked and when a few gazes settled on him, he raised his hands cautiously. “I’m not trying to spook anyone. All I’m saying is that seems to be one of the more logical theories. If this was simply basic dark magic or ritual gone wrong, there are many specialists who could take care of it. Outside of perhaps a few cities that like us, there would be no reason for anyone to call on us for this.”
Zier, although possibly a little annoyed at his apprentice’s frankness, could not exactly disagree. “Malefic, blood magic, or a wicked entity are the current guesses.”
“Wicked?” Devol asked and drew a curious look from Asla as well.
“Basically a cursed person or creature,” the young diviner explained. “Rather like the awoken but generally of an even worse disposition. Usually, blood, dark, or abyssal magic is involved.”
“Abyssal magic?” Wulfsun murmured and stroked his beard. “I hadn’t thought of that. It would make some sense. Does anyone want to bet on it?” This was met by groans and chuckles throughout the room.
Devol raised a hand. “I think you might have a problem, Wulfsun.”
The captain sighed and waved a hand to dismiss the suggestion. “In any case, it’s all hands on deck right now. All experienced Templar are heading out to check on these things. We’ve had about nine different mission requests to look into ‘dark happenings’ of some kind over the last few days all across Arkana. And since they are ‘undiscovered’ missions, that means they are black-marked.”
“Before you ask, Devol,” Vaust interjected and drew the boy’s attention, “I assume you have yet to have someone explain a mission’s ranking system?”
“I have not been told anything but I can guess that it is similar to the missions my father would post for the other guardsman.” The young swordsman counted off using his fingers. “Green, yellow, and orange. Green missions meant they were simple and quick and orange were difficult and dangerous. Guards could earn extra coin if they took those missions that were outside the city, generally joining military soldiers.”
Vaust nodded, a satisfied smirk on his face. “Very similar, yes. But for guilds, it is a little more expansive.” He held a hand up and spread his fingers. Five small dots appeared above them and all except the one over his pointer finger turned a different color. Devol guessed it was due to a transmutation cantrip. Starting from his pinky, it went green, yellow, orange, red, then black. “We have two extra colors as you can see—red and black. Red is the most difficult, typically, which is what the missions you have done so far have been classified as.”
“Okay…” Devol said, a little surprised that they had been able to complete the most difficult missions themselves now that he thought about it. After a moment, however, he shook his head. “Wait—you helped with the first one.”
“Correction, I saved you during the first one,” Vaust responded and closed his hand. The mana spots disappeared. “But you all did well and I can’t take that from you. And before you get too excited about your last mission”—he looked at the wolf wildkin—“Freki, even though it was a red-marked quest, how would you rate it?”
“Eh, orange at best, no stars,” Freki replied casually before his gaze snapped to Asla and he assumed a fretful expression. “Erm…maybe one star?”
“Stars?” Devol interjected. “Is that another marker?”
“Indeed Like I said, our system is more nuanced.” Vaust held three pale fingers up. “Missions have a color and either no star or up to three. This is to help with planning and building teams and all that. Also, it increases the price for the clients, so you want to make sure you know what you are asking.” He leaned back in his chair and swished his gourd. “I asked Freki his opinion because as a hunter and someone who has been on numerous missions, he has a much better grasp of the difficulty of certain tasks. Sometimes, you get lucky and are given a higher marked mission that is easier than expected.”
“It seems a little dishonest to take advantage of that,” Devol remarked and Jazai slapped a hand to his forehead.
“I will never haggle with you around,” he muttered.
“Same here.” Vaust chuckled, “You are a noble one, aren’t you, Devol?”
“I think it is an exemplary show of character,” Nauru stated calmly in an attempt to bolster the boy.
“Of course you would. You are the grand mistress of the Templar Order,” Vaust replied and took a sip. “It would be bad form for you to think otherwise.”
“And it is not the same for my men and women?” she retorted and her eyes narrowed at the mori, their blue depths smoldering.
“Of course it is,” he stated with an easy smile. “I’m merely the exception. My specialty is killing, after all, so what’s a little scheming on top of that?”
She sighed and brushed him off. “Please remember we have young ones with us and set a positive example,” she muttered and turned to address the three friends. “Black-marked quests can be the most difficult but if they have no stars, that typically means we have no confirmed details for them. In such cases, they are automatically marked black and are only able to be taken by the most experienced members of guilds and mercenaries. That is the reason why this will be an official mission for Wulfsun with you as his subordinates.”
“Young comrades,” he corrected, his gaze on Devol, “Although we may have to put that on paper for practical reasons.”
“Okay, I understand all that,” the swordsman acknowledged and held two fingers up. “I have two questions, though.”
“Go ahead,” Nauru told him.
He lowered one finger. “So if we complete this mission, we’ll be sent to the trials?”
She shook her head. “This is a final observation to see if you would qualify for the trials in our eyes. Technically, you could take part in them if you happened to stumble upon them.”
“Pardon?” Asla asked but the woman remained silent and merely gave her a small smile.
“Okay, then,” Devol said, shrugged, and lowered his hand, “Then can we get back to what Wulfsun said before?”
“What about?” the captain asked and frowned as he tried to recall what this might be.
Bloodflowers Bloom (The Astral Wanderer Book 2) Page 5