‘It merely suggests that each man does what he thinks is the best possible solution to the current problem.’
‘That’s not a plan!’ hissed Vanapha.
‘It is if it works,’ said Alex, notching an arrow.
Vanapha was aghast and would have scorned the man if the situation allowed it.
‘So what are you going to do?’ said Vanapha in a harsh whisper.
‘Give Brunick a moment’s distraction so that he can lock onto Cid, I don’t know how though,’ Alex looked at Lidayel, his figure unmoving at one of the tunnel entrances. He could only imagine what had happened, but saw enough to know he wasn’t hurt too badly. No wounds, maybe just a hard blow to the head.
‘We’re going to need Lidayel, can you use your Insight to try and wake him? You know, like go inside his head and shake things up?’ asked Alex.
‘I’m on it,’ said Vanapha, creeping along the chamber wall toward Lidayel’s body. None of them wanted to give Cid any reason to go into a frenzy again.
Olexion merely sat on his haunches, studying the situation carefully, also content to remain motionless as the others appeared to have a plan. He would help if he got the chance, prioritizing getting Elmira out of the way.
Brunick was halfway toward Cid now and glanced nervously back at Alex. Alex nodded encouragingly even though he did not have any idea of what he was going to do yet. Alex tensed, realizing that within a few steps Cid would detect Brunick and attack again. Somehow Elmira’s touch was keeping him docile, but for how long?
Should I shoot to miss? No that won’t work…
Shoot him? It is for his own good… No, these arrows pierce, I’ll end up wounding Elmira.
Alex’s eyes drifted around the cavern, registering that Vanapha was already attending to Lidayel.
There!
The cavern boasted heavy oil lanterns. Alex knew then what he should do. Brunick had slowed his stalking, waiting for whatever Alex had in store. One of these lanterns was suspended by a small chain just five feet above Cid’s head.
It was hard to judge, yet Alex was sure the Lantern would not fall directly on either Cid or Elmira. Just a distraction.
Elmira watched with angst over Cid’s shoulder, her heartbeat racing and hoping Cid would not pick up on her arousal. She became rigid as she watched Alex aim at the roof and Brunick closing in on Cid.
Alex fired, the twang of the bow piercing the cavern silence and the arrow neatly clipping the chain.
At the last second Elmira slipped from her embrace with Cid and ran to Olexion. The lantern crashed, its oil reserves bursting into a surge of flame. It happened so near where Elmira had stood that her clothes would surely have caught fire.
Cid himself was almost caught by the blaze, rather his white eyes exploded with pain at the sudden light. Even Brunick had to quash the urge to shield his eyes for an instant as he rushed forward. The moment Cid shielded his eyes was all Brunick ever needed. From behind Brunick’s big arms slipped underneath Cid’s arms and locked his hands behind his neck. Cid screamed violently, dropping Mindevhier, twisting and struggling like a captured animal to escape Brunick’s grasp.
Brunick though demonstrated his strength as he subdued Cid even with a wounded arm and leg, countering every attempt the man made to escape. Elmira watched with apprehension, yet feeling for the first time that the cause was not lost.
Vanapha entered Lidayel’s mind. She almost lost consciousness as she encountered one of the strangest mazes of mental activity she had ever touched. Lidayel’s mind was immense, and very dark. Only in one spot did she find the small entity that compromised the Lidayel they knew. She tugged until she could see response.
‘Lidayel, wake up!’
It was a command, not a request.
Vanapha pulled back as Lidayel regained consciousness. Vanapha helped him sit upright and pointed feverishly at something. Lidayel started seeing coherently again and realized he was staring at Brunick; his lock on Cid had driven the exhausted and wounded Colonel to his knees. In his face Brunick himself looked ready to collapse.
‘You have to heal Cid, now!’ shouted Vanapha, unsure whether the Summoner was wholly with them yet.
Lidayel nodded, knowing what was at stake. He rose bravely, his feet barely aligning correctly. Olexion stood closer, walking by Lidayel’s side. They stopped in front of the kneeling Cid. Olexion kept his hand on his blade, ready for anything.
Steeling himself Lidayel reached out and touched Cid’s forehead. He screamed and a gush of bloody foam seeped from the corners of his mouth. Lidayel worked his magicks, tentatively forcing himself into Cid’s mind almost like Vanapha did with him just moments ago.
It wasn’t difficult to discover the corruption; it was everywhere, like a mirror image of the Colonel in a great struggle with the real Cid. It told of what Lidayel had explained; the procedure could prove fatal to the victim, as the taint proved almost inseparable from Cid’s faculties. There was hope however; he was a fresh victim, and what’s more he was fighting his way through the madness because of Elmira’s presence.
In any case Lidayel struggled with the corruption as it rooted itself deeply, its obstinacy weakening the Summoner.
Olexion realized that Lidayel was losing and beckoned Elmira. Lidayel drew his hand back, breathing heavily as rounded sweat drops trickled down his face. Unhesitant she walked up and then slowly she continued to sit down on her legs, her knees almost touching Cid’s. She reached out to caress his face.
Again he seemed to calm, his resistance against Brunick withering and his head coming to rest as though he cherished Elmira’s touch.
‘I’m here Cid, I’ve come for you. I’ve waited for you. We meet each other in the middle, right Cid? Come on, I need you…’
Olexion watched intently.
‘Now Lidayel, give it everything you got!’ said Olexion as Cid came to an impasse. Elmira drew back again as Lidayel slammed his palm across Cid’s forehead. Cid made indications of struggling again but this time Lidayel’s onslaught rendered the corruption helpless, accepting as much help from the Colonel’s intact mind as he could.
The rest looked on muted as Lidayel’s face was the only indication of what was happening. Finally Lidayel let go, a look of clear relief evident as Cid’s head slumped. Brunick laid him down gently.
Olexion hunched and lifted Cid’s eyelid, the hazel of his iris returned.
‘It’s done,’ panted Lidayel, ‘he is healed,’ he continued, the Summoner looking ready to faint again.
Elmira wanted to sit by Cid’s side but Olexion interrupted her.
‘Let’s first get out of here, if someone else catches us in here then we’ll be sitting ducks. We are clearly not the only ones who know of this place.’
Brunick flung Cid over his shoulder like he was a sleeping child and the party made a slow ascension to the surface. Lidayel brought the rear and the Summoner did not speak as a growing horror was returning to his thoughts, estranged memories catching up with reality.
Chapter 43
Lights on the Mountain
Brunick found some well-deserved peace nurturing the fire in the pit behind Oldeloft. He was patched up and healed, much thanks to Lidayel, his muscles tender and sore. All the while he read from his booklet, finding solace in his brethren’s teachings. He knew it was far from over, that Lanston was still in danger, but somehow with Cid back it all seemed alright.
Brunick was not a man who doubted himself, but years fighting next to Cid had made him understand that the Colonel gave him much needed direction, a voice of reason in battle that Brunick valued as much as his own instincts.
It wasn’t just him either. Brunick knew whatever chance Lanston could hope to have would come from Cid. Both himself and Alex were good loyal soldiers, but even if they did had the means to warn Lanston they simply did not possess the acumen to guide them to survival.
No, Cid was needed, and Brunick was, as he knew Elmira would be, selfishly grateful that their best fri
end was alive and well above all else. Brunick quashed then the urge to check up on the man, knowing he was sleeping and that Elmira was at his side - and would be until he woke up.
‘Mind if I sit?’ asked Vanapha, coming from nowhere.
‘’Course not’ said Brunick, shifting his weight and putting his book aside, ‘what does your stars say, are things making a turn for the better?’
Vanapha smiled. ‘The heavens has changed much this last month, it’s been awhile since I’ve seen so many moons surface at one time. You might not see it right now, but soon Loikana will appear as well. To answer your question I cannot glean favour or hardship from the moons, only the onset; the truth of change is revealed in the heavens, the truth of outcome is decided by man.
‘I was looking at the moons myself. Our teachings also talk a lot about the skies. I don’t read much into it though, it’s better to sometimes just look at it. The sky is beautiful out here in the middle of nowhere, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, the landscape here is much like our sisterhood’s desert.’
‘I have been meaning to ask you for some time now; do you ever allow men to your home? To Rade’Remar? Cause last I heard you guys were warring against some pirates and their stories always claim that no one man ever sets foot in your stronghold,’ said Brunick.
Vanapha grinned in amusement. ‘No, there are exceptions and a little more than you might think. If we ever get out of this forsaken land I would welcome a visit from yourself, Cid and Alex anytime.’
‘Good to know,’ smiled Brunick, ‘where is Alex by the way?’
‘He’s taking a lying down. He didn’t show it much but I think he was as worried as you were. I guess everyone is tired though,’ said Vanapha.
Brunick grunted. ‘Lidayel was here earlier on, sitting here with me. He seemed occupied – and distant. I was busy speaking with him when he just took off down the mountain trail, haven’t seen him since.’
Vanapha seemed thoughtful.
‘When I looked into his mind I saw a lot of troubled thoughts tied up. We should give him space, his memories are returning rapidly now and I would think that even the slightest bad recollection could be daunting if remembered out of context,’ said Vanapha.
‘He’s been great though, he saved us a few times now with his magic, and with Cid he was the only person I know of who could save a fallen,’ said Brunick, ‘things have been rough, but we have a lot to be grateful for.’
‘Do you think it’s… I mean, all of us, is an accident?’ asked Vanapha
Brunick laughed, waving his little book. ‘I’m a Mason, we rarely believe in accidents, and neither does your kind, right?’
‘Well, we Valkyrie believe in leniency, that the world can always go in one direction or the other, but what I do see right now is a unique group of warriors gathered on the precipice of war, a group that can determine its outcome.
Brunick nodded. ‘I’ve had my talk with Olexion and I’ve followed Cid and Lidayel’s stories enough to know that Bennam had a hand in how we all came together. I can’t say I’m not mad, I don’t like being used, not by anyone.
‘That’s maybe why I follow Cid without a second thought; I know the man carries the soldiers’ best interests always. But then I guess I trusted the old Commander like that as well. I can only assume he had put us n this path for a reason. We have to follow it through to the end.’
‘I’ve met Bennam before; he didn’t strike me as reckless,’ said Vanapha.
‘We knew him in that way as well, but I think we were ignorant of what Bennam was involved in, especially at the end - Vanapha we’ve got trouble!’ said Brunick, jumping up.
The peak of Hashur had been a shadowy statue till now, as it suddenly lit up with scattered lights, moving rapidly, dimming and brightening as though whoever was carrying it was trying at a stealthy descent.
‘Hold on Mason,’ said Vanapha, already sure of what she was looking at as she sent out her Sight to confirm. Her vision was nothing but a dark blur until she focused on the lights.
Vanapha laughed lightly, ‘sit down Brunick, those are Tsuraugi , sun lizards.’
It seemed to take Brunick a while to shake his tension, ambling back to his seat.
‘Oh, right. I’ve heard of them,’ he said as he sat back down. He scratched his beard, smiling as he looked at the lights moving around the very peak of the mountain. ‘Have you seen them before then?’ he asked.
‘We have them on Rade’Remar, and we often use their scales in our potions. They are curious creatures and rather docile. They have a nasty bite though, not venomous, but nasty.’
‘How do those scales of them work?’ asked Brunick, ‘do they really catch the sun?’
‘Yes, their scales are developed to absorb and store sunlight. They live in large communities which is unusual for reptiles. During the day they keep high out in the sun for a few hours and then hide away in holes or caves to avoid the eagles. Their scales keep them warm in the dark and they also use the light during the night to lure insects to eat. I would guess that the scales serve as a mating attraction as well. They are a very successful species because of it all.’
‘Incredible, what do you use their scales for?’ asked Brunick.
‘Many things, we often draw on them to create Trisera, fire potion, which we harness as a weapon against marauding pirate ships. The effect is quite dramatic as you can imagine.’
‘Ha, I would like to see that,’ said Brunick laughingly.
‘You know, you’ve given me an interesting idea, I might just see if I can get some of those scales by tomorrow,’ said Vanapha, looking at the lights.
‘To do what?’ asked Brunick.
‘I found a small laboratory workshop in the building’s basement, with a few scales I can create a weapon, one we might need before we’re done.’
‘Yeah… we’re going to need a lot of good things,’ said Brunick, thoughtfully touching his axe at his feet.
Chapter 44
Madness
Lidayel wandered aimlessly all around the Basin’s rim, his thoughts caught up in a circle much like the path his feet followed. He was alone then, a ways from Oldeloft, and right now he had no stomach for company.
How could I have been such a fool?
None of his surroundings registered, the sounds of the day lost on him as well. He was introspecting, fitting memories together that had been part of a long and disturbing life. Years of terrible pain descended on him. The worst of it all was the ignorance; having falsely believed that Yarea could be his. He felt betrayed from all sides:
The Kingdom, for making him forget.
His brother, for being the man Yarea loved.
And his own mind, broken and defeated, beyond repair.
Only the idea of Yarea remained untainted, and even as he considered it he realized he failed her; he failed to keep safe the only person he still cared for.
He had powers any King would be jealous off, yet he did not command the affections from the one he loved. Even if he did free her from her capture it would change little, he would still be better off in the solace of forgetting.
He found his hands shaking, smoke and vapour churning from them as though his magic had a mind of its own. He felt his body growing warm, everything around him starting to shimmer.
Lidayel looked down at the Basin. He was beyond anguish, beyond rational thought, every day of failure coming back to haunt him on this day. There was no respite, no slow process of working through it. Just everything re-emerging at a single moment.
I will have none of it anymore; this day will end with me. I will tear this land asunder!
Chapter 45
Recovery
Olexion watched the land below with Oel Dannel at his side, from the shoulder of the mountain where Oldeloft stood. Time and again the Rangers found themselves in the most dangerous of situations and it was one way or another the stuff would-be adventurers boasted about in taverns, often borrowing upon tales of the Rangers to s
upplement their own accomplishments.
It was inevitable these expeditions, as the nature of their calling required them to often face world-crisis, both overt and subtle in approach. Olexion had to admit that the circumstances he found himself in currently were rather unprecedented.
He looked down at the Basin and its newly acquired appearance, a lake with no name. The land seemed much softer, and surprisingly, greener, as confounded wild grasses and moss made a resurgence after being dormant for who knew how long. It wasn’t that long ago that Olexion had been here at Oldeloft on another mission, and back then the land had been its usual dry self. To be sure it all looked alien to him now and from it he recounted the magnitude of Lidayel’s magic and what it meant for Lanston.
The water however wasn’t holding well and would clear up soon enough. There was good reason why the Basin wasn’t a regular lake, as it had too many leaks like the pass trails or some of the old mine holes, and no sated soil to start off with in the first place. It simply stalled the horror that laid beyond it at Jacanta point, it wouldn't prevent it. Somewhere, just on the other side of those northern hills, lurked one of the greatest Fallen forces ever assembled, on a collision course with a Lanston army not prepared for its prowess.
For the moment though Olexion was more intrigued by the company he found himself with, not one to linger on things he couldn't change. He turned away from his spot on the edge of the cliff, leading his Volje back to the nook of Oldeloft. Olexion had assigned the Rangers to keep watch over the valley and rightly so, for the rest of the party was resting heartily, compensating for recent events.
Elmira, even though she had endured much more than she was conditioned for and deserved rest herself, was attending to Cid day and night. Cid was in the worst shape, the process of alleviating the corruption not helping his already exhausted body and mind. Lidayel wasn’t much better off. He had spent much of the last two days healing the party, using the reserves of his power to patch up Brunick and Cid who both suffered numerous wounds that would kill if left unattended. Alex and Vanapha at least were unscathed.
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