by C S Harrop
“Is it not dangerous just to leave Asha wandering the world on her own? If Onyxia finds her along with a legion of orc trailing behind, I dread to think what could happen,” Asked Willow.
“I agree. Both myself and Willow should travel with her down this path you talk of Elder Fallon,” advised Riven not accepting Elder Fallon’s reasoning.
“Where Asha has gone you cannot follow not in this lifetime anyway,” answered Elder Fallon stopping short of the courtyard to catch his breath from the possession he experienced earlier. Taking a seat on a nearby low wall that partitioned the grassy area covered with flowerbeds from the main buildings. His drained demeanour slowly faded after a short period with his strength and posture soon returning. “That’s better I just needed to take the weight off my feet. I can clearly see you both are not going to stopping asking after your friend so I will explain what I know but afterwards I have a task I must place upon both of you that of the utmost importance, which also involves Asha.
“We will accept any task for the order Elder Fallon,” replied Willow proudly speaking for them both.
“I know you both would,” Elder Fallon said with a warming smile. “I remember when you both came here, a little girl grasping a child's bow and a kitten with barely grown fangs. You were stuck together then just as you are now. I knew back then you two had a bond that was unbreakable. As for Asha she also has a different kind of bond one between a father and daughter even though they have not yet met they are connected much like an invisible cord that stretches to infinity. Asha’s markings tell us she is of Angar.”
“I knew it, her pale skin and dark hair are an Angarian trait and her mental stamina and her never give up attitude explains a lot,” said Riven.
“Her marking also tell us something that corresponds with the prophecy. Only a select number of people have actually read the seers scroll, muddled up as it is the seers foresaw the future but not any particular order, a line states ‘a lost soul trapped in a shade’s blight’ ,” explained Elder Fallon.
“The lost soul is what Onyxia calls Asha,” recalled Willow.
“That’s correct Willow we can’t be certain from only rumours but we believe she uses an object of some kind from within the Temple of Da’Karr to drain the energy of the gifted like yourselves to make herself more powerful. However, the effects are not permanent, she apparently has grown accustomed or should I addicted and Asha would be a powerful euphoria for her.
“It not an object that transfers the power it’s the Dark Priests of Mordrath,” added Relg appearing from the shadows of a nearby building in his shabby clothing and patched up eye.
“Goblin filth how have you got in here,” shouted Riven readying to pounce along with Willow bow already drawn.
“Wait!” bellowed Elder Fallon. “Let it speak.”
“Onyxia transfers what you called euphoria from the Dark Priests, I am unsure what it actually does to her but it seems she is reliant on them.”
“Why should we believe you goblin? Why shouldn’t I just put an arrow in your skull?” asked Willow holding back the urge.
“I was there at Witherbark when you two Guardians and the one in the mask turned up and took the human away. I was also with the group ordered along with the Goblin King sent to hunt you down, none us wanted to go not even the Goblin King but Onyxia insisted. We tracked you to the Noose and the rest you know. I managed to escape back into the forest after seeing the Goblin King fall. I made my way back to Witherbark in hope Onyxia was gone to find many of my pack slaughtered, goblins lying dead everywhere. I did not get along with most of them but it was still home and they were still my kin. To my horror Onyxia was still there, she questioned me and I told her of the Goblin King demise that clearly did not bother her. When I explained, the Lost Soul crossed the Noose to Everlong that made her angry. Then Snitch her psychotic goblin knocked me cold and I woke in Draknar as food for two beasts chained to a post.”
“Then how did you come to be here?” Asked Elder Fallon.
“I managed to sneak through the Temple of Da’Karr through the unused passageways which then brought me out the other side of the Draknar mountain range. I travelled across Mordrath until I reached the boarder, then I made my way here. Your guards are looking for hordes of orc or packs of goblins, one little goblin was easy to sneak past,” answered Relg.
“My final question goblin and answer truthfully, what brings you here? Elder Fallon said watching Riven slowly making his way around the back of Relg.
“First may name is Relg not goblin, goblins are not as bad as you think we just want to be left alone but goblins in general are easily manipulated and frightened especially when someone like Onyxia comes along. Goblins are happy in their hovels avoiding the likes of humans. I have seen first-hand what Onyxia is capable of, and I do not want to be part of that. I no longer have a pack to go back to because of her, so I offer my service to the Guardians if they should except to stop Onyxia.”
“What service is that you can offer - goblin? Asked Riven clearly wanting to antagonise Relg for and excuse to end his life.
“As I said my name is Relg and I am a trapper, I’m quite on my feet and good with spear and a net,” replied Relg calmly not rising to Riven’s remarks.
“You are an exceptional case indeed, a goblin with a conscience is unheard of – quite remarkable,” highlighted Elder Fallon.
“Like I said before I never got along with the other goblin I always felt out of place but it was my home the same as theirs,” replied Relg.
“I can see even in you goblin that you speak the truth. We may have use for you Relg but your presence around here would not favour well with the populace of Myst,” Elder Fallon stated with a jaw dropped reaction from Willow and Riven.
“You can’t be serious Elder Fallon he is not to be trusted,” Willow argued angrily.
“He has a part to play in this whole war I’m sure of it, he is not here by chance or by force he came he willingly with risk to his own life. I am willing to give Relg here the opportunity of a personal redemption he clearly bears and I hope you two will do the same,” Elder Fallon said looking down upon his small frame. Elder Fallon knew Relg was not telling him everything and Relg was not announcing he was the goblin that caught Asha in the first place which led to the goblin slaughter in Witherbark.
“I assume Relg you heard the start of our conversation regarding the line of the prophecy,” asked Elder Fallon with a nod from Relg. “Carrying on, what stood out when I analysed the scroll and possibly the most important word stood out from the rest of the writings is from one line and the word is ‘Shade’
Willow and Riven took a step back and looked at each other in silent shock checking they both heard the same thing whilst not taking their eye off Relg for one moment. It took a few seconds for the realisation to sink in and acknowledge Elder Fallon was being very serious.
“There has not been a known Shade for such a long time the very name itself has turned into a myth,” stated Riven taken aback.
“Are you suggesting Asha has the mark?” Asked Willow.
“Yes Willow not only does she have the mark she has taken her first step along that path hence the reason you two can’t follow.”
“I can’t believe it, Asha a Shade. She can walk the lands of Darkshore and could possibly talk to the very founders of the Guardians and all who have gone before, can you imagine the knowledge she could learn it’s beyond my imagination,” Willow said lowering her bow aimed at Relg’s forehead.
“When I was making my way through the Temple of Da’Karr I overheard Onyxia mention the Dark Isle,” interrupted Relg. “She sounded troubled in search for a relic of some kind with two coiled serpents wrapped around a scroll. I also overheard her saying it can open a doorway and release an army of the dead, Onyxia then ordered her Dark Priests to go hunt for the relic themselves.”
“That must the reason why we are seeing the Dark Priests with legions of orc outside of Mordrath ransacking and des
troying every village they come across,” stated Riven.
“If this is true then we must prepare for a great war. It seems Asha’s role is becoming clearer, yes much clearer that makes sense in the prophecy,” Elder Fallon thinking allowed to with a realisation hitting him full in the face. “She is the only person who could possibly stop Onyxia opening the portal from the other side which also make the mission I spoke of earlier of the up most importance. I must speak with Elder Jorik on this matter.”
“How do you know they will ever find this relic if it even exists and secondly if this goblin worm is telling the truth,” asked Willow pointing towards Relg who was trying hard not to take the insults personally.
“You can see yourself Willow he has no reason to lie and no gain can be made by giving us this information. The prophecy states - Light against dark will be equally torn, from the ashes of a great war will bring a new age of a new dawn. A great war is inevitable that’s how I know the Dark Priests will find the relic and we must be prepared for that day, this is why you must sail to Angar and find Asha’s father,” explained Elder Fallon stretching his legs once more and set off towards the Spire.
“What’s so special about Asha’s father surely we need to warn the kingdoms of the west and gather their armies?” asked Riven.
“You needs to go there because Kailan Bourn is Asha’s father.” Both Riven and Willow’s jaws dropped once again hearing such an unexpected twist and the thought of meeting Kailan would be an honour but going to the land of the dragons is not high on their places to visit.
They continued across the courtyard attracting attention from the patrolling guards and fellow Guardians all clenching their weapons wandering what a goblin is doing in Myst making Relg step a little closer to Elder Fallon.
“Why is this Kailan so important, is it not just a human? Asked Relg keeping his eye on the patrolling guards.
“When you three explain to him our current situation regarding Onyxia and the relic and the fact his daughter has already travelled to Darkshore his rage and love for Asha will be felt throughout the lands sending shivers up Onyxia’s spine. He must prepare for a battle that will be fought on both fronts the living and the dead,” Elder Fallon said his thoughts suddenly drifting towards Asha, with the hope she will be prepared for what is yet to come.
“Three of us?” Questioned both Riven and Willow simultaneously.
“Yes. Relg cannot stay here in Myst he would cause unrest if word got out we have a goblin lodging here. I believe he has a part to play in all of this and I would ask you two to take him with you and let no harm come to him. He is small and has clearly proved he can get access into places unseen which makes of a useful companion,” insisted Elder Fallon.
“As you wish Elder Fallon but one wrong move from you goblin I won’t hesitate to kill you,” warned Riven towering his huge head over Relg’s small frame.
“I will send word to the harbour master to prepare a ship for your arrival,” Elder Fallon eyeing Relg. “You better take Relg here to the armoury get him some decent clothes with a hood to hide his face and a weapon, best you check out the child section.”
“I will not forget your generosity,” Relg responded pleased with the risk he took coming to Myst has work out.
“Remember Relg trust goes both ways,” advised Elder Fallon with a nod of acceptance from the one eyed goblin.
The streets of Myst steadily grow busier as the traders prepared for their first catch of the morning. Mainly bewildered travellers who had no idea they needed an exotic fruit of Nissyn or an elegant piece of replica Tudorian clothing either way they walked away with their pouch of coins less empty.
Around the Core, Myst guards were being relieved with a sign of relief from Lambert and Doyle whose shift had been hectic from the moment they went on duty holding back the slowly enraging mob protesting against the protection their lands have not received from Onyxia’s onslaught.
Servants opened the shutters of the Spire outwards. Going from floor to floor letting in the natural light and a fresh morning breeze that gently blew sheets of stained parchments and pages of open books that lay abandoned on wooden tables. Elder Jorik stood on the top most floor looking down at the silver engraved map of the large oaken table placing markers where attacks by the Dark Priests have been confirmed.
Pushing his small rounded glasses back along his nose he started to ponder by stroking his short dark greying beard to see if some kind of a pattern would emerge. Elder Fallon emerged through the doorway and threw himself down into the closest chair with the aid of his staff looking gaunt and tired.
“Those stairs will kill me one day,” moaned Elder Fallon sinking into the patterned cushions.
“By the look of you it seems to of happened again, when will Aldor leave you alone?” Signed Elder Jorik.
“He just uses me as a vessel who am I to argue with a god, hopefully when the war is over I might get some peace,” replied Elder Fallon to his bald headed friend. “You look like you have been thinking too long Jorik your hair is actually starting to grow back.”
“Your actually starting to get a sense of humour old man maybe Aldor has blessed you with a gift,” smiled Elder Jorik with a laugh from Elder Fallon. “On a more serious note I’m trying to see the logic in the Dark Priests madness, their attacks just seems so random.”
“That’s because they are. I have recently found out from a new acquaintance who I shall explain later as it is a story in itself. Onyxia has been searching for a relic that can open a doorway to the Dark Isle and unleash an army of dead Dark Bloods. She is clearly putting all of her efforts into finding this relic that she has sent out her own priests in command of their own legion. Our Guardians have confirmed reports of this. The Dark Bloods have been searching and destroying every village they come across.”
“Then we must find it before they do for the sake of that is good in the world,” signed Elder Jorik with a haste in his fingers.
“We would fail Jorik. A great war has been foretold in the Seers prophecy which also makes a lot more sense now especially with Asha having the markings of a Shade,” replied Elder Fallon explaining each line of the first two sections of the prophecy.
“A lost soul trapped in a shade’s blight - Onyxia calls Asha the Lost Soul and Asha as we know is a Shade.
Travelling towards darkness - Asha travels across Darkshore but to what darkness I do not know.
A bringer of death and the first spark of light - Asha is the light, being a Shade she could quite possibly bring an army of the dead to do battle.
Light against dark will be equally torn - Possibly a doorway that is opened between the living and the dead.
From the ashes of a great war - A great war against Onyxia and her Dark Blood followers.
Will bring a new age of a new dawn. - The outcome of the war will bring a new age of either light or dark.”
“If you’re correct the whole war will be reliant on Asha mastering the Shade’s power and convincing the souls of Darkshore to aid us in this war,” signed Elder Jorik.
“She is already walking down that path,” smiled Elder Fallon with a hint of pride in his training. “When Onyxia finds the relic, she will gather all her forces and head straight for the west. We will need to be ready when the time comes and have an army larger than the world has never seen.”
“I will send messages to the Elders and the rulers of the kingdoms of the west to prepare for battle under an alliance,” Elder Jorik said his fingers waving around as if they had a mind of their own.
“I have already made arrangements for Willow and Riven; they are to sail to the Isle of Angar we are going to need Kailan Bourn’s assistance.”
“It will take them weeks to get there,” signed Elder Jorik. “It’s impossible to send one of Darwin’s Scouthawks as it will get eaten by the dragons and they can’t use dust to teleport because they could reappear in a nest of dragons and get eaten, and we can’t send a message orb because the dragons burn them u
p on sight. One day I will need to have a word with that man,” Elder Jorik shaking his head in annoyance.
“That would be interesting to see how that goes Angarians are protective of their dragons as the dragons are of them. Which makes Angarians just as volatile and dangerous as there dragons,” replied Elder Fallon.
“They will find it a difficult task to convince him, it could change the course of a battle if they could but a difficult task indeed,” signed Elder Jorik pushing his glasses back along the bridge of his nose.
“That why our new acquaintance will be going with them, for him to tell all he knows. That’s if the Angarians don’t kill him first a goblin has never set foot on Angar before,”
“A Goblin! Signed Elder Jorik in a very shocked but energetic way.
“Take a seat Jorik I will explain everything. His name is Relg….”
The smell of fish filled the air as barrel after barrel filled to the rim with a verity of species were unloaded from the many boats docked in the harbour. The harbour was the most important place in Myst delivering items from spices to cloth and timber to wine. The harbour master was the man in charge of overseeing the docking and shipment of every boat that sail in and out Myst. He was an unshaven stocky middle-aged man sat behind a desk in a little cabin resting on the cobbled harbour floor writing cargo manifests in a thick leather bound book. His deputies pass him the manifests through an open window along with coins for docking and storage charges that he kept locked away in a small chest.
Riven couldn’t resist the temptation with all the fish around him finished a whole barrel in no time at all with cost to Willow flicking a couple of gold coins to wide-eyed harbour deputy. Relg himself snuck a couple of loose fish that slid to the side as Riven tipped the barrel to the floor and ate them under hooded cape trying not to get juices down his new brown coloured human clothes which were a tight fit but flexible. However, wearing shoes was a step too far and blatantly refused any such idea as shoes to a goblin seemed a very silly human invention and he could never see the practicality in them.