Jaan entered first, his expression stiff. The other five Crux—Morva, Yagani, Kaian, Lotrug, and Creaves—followed after looking as if they were prepared for another fight. They all wore little, a few strips of leather to cover their intimate parts, and none of the large creatures carried a weapon. After witnessing how the Crux had torn about the Abominations with their bare hands, Ean now knew how little they needed anything besides their formidable strength. Kaian was the only one carrying anything, a long bundle of cloth wrapped around something twice as long as he was wide. Ean was curious if it had any significance to the Crux, but it was too late to ask either of his advisors now.
Even more curious was that Qo entered right behind the Crux. A new, black robe covered most of him, the long fabric hiding the twisting array of vines that made up his body. Qo glanced at Ean as he entered, but then his skeletal head remained fixed on whatever Kaian held in his arms. It made the item even more mysterious.
But one thing at a time. The Crux were due their praise. Ean rose up out of his throne, much to the complaint of his body, and addressed those assembled before him.
"I welcome our returning warriors. Your bravery last night saved countless people and protected not only your home but those of our neighbors and allies, the people of Rottwealth. You have given me great pride as your leader and much honor upon each of your names. May each of your victories in the future be as decisive and uncontested as the battle last night."
The Crux stared at him. Ean stared back. Breaking eye contact was considered an insult, and that was the last thing Ean wanted to do in this moment. The silence was deafening.
As nervous sweat began to build on Ean's brow, he caught the slightest movement from Jaan's lips, the corners turned up slightly in a smile. It was as much as Ean could expect from the stoic species and the small feeling of measurement he felt through his bond with Zin was enough conformation that he could continue.
"I would hear a report of last night's battle and this mornings efforts to secure the village."
Jaan took a step forward before speaking.
"The village has been cleared of those you call Abominations. We have counted thirty-four creatures brought down although some were seen escaping to the north towards the passage out of the valley. With the aid of some of the villagers, we were able to search all of the houses and the surrounding area for any remaining monsters but found none. The leader, the one you call Bran, was also not found among those we killed."
So I have another enemy somewhere out in the world, now, Ean thought. It was a problem he moved to the back of his mind to think about later.
"As for Bran's family, his parents and brother are missing. Their personal residence at the back of the inn appears to have been cleared out completely of personal possessions. We did not find them among the Abominations or the dead, so it is not clear if they were changed by Bran or escaped on their own."
This was both good and bad news. Good because it meant a family that had twisted the town against Ean even before he had gained his power no longer would influence Rottwealth against him. Bad because as horrible as the mayor had been towards him, the man had run the village well. His absence created a vacuum of power that might be a problem to fill.
"Finally, we recovered this." Jaan gave a small gesture with one of his hands. Kaian moved forward with the cloth bundle held out in two of his four hands. Jaan reached over and unwrapped it, revealing Bran's stone sword. "I thought you would want it as a trophy."
Ean took a step down towards the Crux but Qo swooped in and swiped the weapon out of the Crux's hand with his vine-like appendages. The Crux all looked about to swarm the creature, but Ean raised a halting hand.
"What are you doing, Qo?"
"Mmmm..." Qo's attention remained on the long blade in his tendrils. "Ah I see..."
Ean let a little of his irritation slip into his tone. "Explain yourself, Qo."
"It all makes sense now," the Eish'amalga Aren mumbled, the teeth of his skull chattering together. "Whatever this is made of is remarkable."
"Jaan," Ean said, turning his attention back to the Crux. "If Qo does not answer me in three seconds, remove his arms."
The Crux put each pair of hands together and cracked his knuckles. That got Qo's attention.
"No need to rush me." Qo slid a few feet away from Jaan before continuing. "This sword is made of a material that seems to disrupt or nullify magic. I believe it is the cause of your sphere's silence."
And it explains my disrupted connection to the Abyss, Ean thought. No need to mention that to Qo.
"If that's the case, how do we stop whatever it is doing to Auz?"
"Simple," Qo replied, the glow of his eyes intensifying. "We break it."
"How?"
Qo moved over to Jaan and lifted the blade towards the Crux. "We have the Crux smash it against the wall until it cracks."
Jaan looked to him for confirmation.
"Go ahead."
The Crux took the blade in all four hands and moved towards the entrance to the room. Taking a woodcutter's stance, Jaan leaned back and positioned the blade as if he were using it to chop down a tree. With one last glance at Ean, the Crux swung the sword towards the corner created by the room’s entrance. A loud crunch echoed in the room as stone struck stone. A crack appeared in the wall from the blow but the sword seem unaffected, which only seemed to annoy the Crux.
The muscles in Jaan's arms flexed as he brought the blade back again; this time, the Crux twisted his whole body as he prepared to strike. A sword seemed to cut the air with a great whoosh as Jaan swung it again. With a massive crash, stone struck stone, this time the hard bedrock of the mine proving too much for the weapon. The stone blade broke, its tip toppling to the ground.
The effects of breaking the blade were noticeable immediately.
The first thing Ean noticed as the blade broke was a pop where it had cut his arm. He drew on a small amount of Abysmal energy and let it flow to the wound. As soon as he did, he could feel skin and muscle begin to knit itself together. In a matter of moments, the wound was gone and only a tiny soreness remained. He unwound the bandages around his arm to find the injury finally healed.
A gasp from Azalea caught his attention and he looked up. Life seemed to be returning to the giant stone sphere that sat off to the side of the room. The surface, previously rough and dark, now had swirls of light moving beneath the surface. As the lights increased in intensity and speed, the sphere's surface became translucent, until it appeared to be a perfectly spherical floating cloud. The light flashing just below the surface intensified, increasing in brilliance and speed until a giant burst of light filled the room.
Ean had to shield his eyes from the flash. When the spots in his vision receded, the lights beneath Auz's surface calmed.
What did I miss?
Auz's voice echoed in Ean's mind. He was surprised to realize he had missed it being there.
A lot, Ean thought. I'll fill you in--
No need. I have read your memories. I have missed a great deal but you survived it all. Well done.
Thanks, Ean replied. At least that was one problem solved. Now Ean just had to figure out how Bran had gotten into the cave in the first place and used the sword on--
"I need to talk to you, Ean Sangrave!"
Esmerelda Ciantar stormed into the Heart, right into the middle of the gathered Crux. To her credit, the woman kept the same fierce expression even as Lotrug grabbed her with all four of his hands, pinning her arms to her side as he lifted her into the air. Lotrug gave Ean a questioning look. He motioned for the Crux to put her down. Despite her brash entrance, she had also played a huge role in keeping the people of Rottwealth safe. He could tolerate her demanding to speak with him.
"Yes, Miss Ciantar? How can I help you?"
"I haven't been able to find my friend, Nolan, since last night. Shayua is still out trying to find any hint of where he could have gone, but the only place she hasn't looked yet is in your lit
tle lair. Is he here?"
"Not that I've been told." Ean directed his next question towards the Crux. "Is there anyone still in the mines besides the refugees from Rensen? Or did you--"
"I might know," Zin interrupted. "Azalea, perhaps now would be a good time to let Ean see the note."
"Note?" Ean looked back and forth between the two. "What note?"
Zin continued to speak as Azalea pulled out a small rolled up piece of paper. "It was delivered this morning by a terrified villager not long after the villagers were told it was safe to go back to their homes. He had been told to deliver it if you survived the night."
Azalea had it partially unrolled as she handed it over. The small piece of parchment tried to roll back up on itself as he took it. Stretching it out with both hands, Ean read the few sentences written out with small, precise lettering. He read it twice to make sure he didn't miss anything before crumpling it up and tossing it to the ground.
"Why didn't you tell me about this right a way?"
Zin scowled as he spoke. "We both agreed it could wait until you spoke with the Crux and we had more time to discuss it. In private."
Always trying to chose what is best for me. The thought boiled in Ean's head but instead of letting himself get angry, he took a calming breath before addressing the Crux.
"Lotrug, you can let her down."
Lotrug did as he was told. Once Esmerelda was back on the ground, she rubbed her arms and shot the much taller Crux a dirty look before stomping towards Ean. She stopped at the bottom of the small dais where his throne sat.
"What did that note say? What does it have to do with Nolan?"
"It's a letter from EliZane, the Seeker. He's taken your friend Nolan and is daring us to come to Lurthalan to come get him."
"And what are you going to do?"
Everyone in the room stared at him. Azalea. Zin. Esmerelda. Qo. All the Crux. They waited to see what he would do next. And Ean knew it wasn't just those in the room who were looking to him for leadership. With the mayor gone, Rottwealth would need someone to direct the reconstruction and protection of the village. The refugees from Rensen needed new homes and to join in the growth of Rottwealth as well. He had to do what was best for all of them as well as for all the creatures from the Abyss that were under his leadership.
Auz's voice cut through the silence as it echoed in his mind. Do not do something foolish.
Ean wished it was that simple. He sat there on his throne, contemplating what to do for what felt like an eternity as everyone gathered continue to stare.
When he finally spoke, Ean somehow managed to send everyone in the room into a frenzy of shouting. It was amazing how good he was at making everyone angry all at the same time.
The End
Shadows of Home Page 30