Remnant Pages Spearhead

by J.B. Kleynhans

  ‘Damn it Elmira, here I was imagining you at home,’ said Cid, chastising her without much conviction.

  ‘I wasn’t going to leave everything up to you,’ said Elmira slyly.

  Cid laughed, running his hand behind the beast's ears.

  ‘Volje! You rode on one! Haha, I can’t turn my back for a second without missing something.’

  ‘You’re the one who told me to do whatever it takes to escape Fredrere,’ said Elmira.

  Cid looked fondly at her, ‘and you did, you did it. When this is over we’ll go to the country, to Pathra. We’ll go live with Brunick and his brethren for a while. I’ve already discussed it with him. It won’t be a lavish wedding, but it’ll be among the Masons’ memorials and in a chapel. Brunick has even agreed to marry us himself.’

  ‘I would love that,’ said Elmira, smiling, ‘but what of Fredrere?’

  Cid looked hopefully over to the fire where Brunick and Olexion were now talking.

  ‘Give it time, the right people are now involved. I won’t give up on you Elmira, we will have our life together.’

  She hugged him tightly.

  As though Olexion knew that Cid had been looking at him, he turned and marched toward the couple. Elmira broke away.

  ‘Colonel Cid, I do not wish to spoil the evening, but it is imperative that we speak at length on our state of affairs and how they became so… converging,’ said Olexion.

  Cid nodded. ‘I am sincerely sorry our first meeting had to be at sword point. Your presence and that of your men is truly a boon, and I am personally grateful for bringing my Elmira along, it means much more than you can know,’ said Cid.

  Olexion gave a rare chuckle. ‘She did not give us much of a choice.’

  Cid smiled, imagining how Elmira’s obstinacy put a rare-felt discomfort on the Rangers

  ‘Right then, how much do you know?’ asked Cid

  ‘Not enough I’m afraid. I assume Elmira has told you about our investigation?’

  ‘Yes, she did,’ said Cid.

  ‘Brunick and myself talked at length as well. Stelinger seems like a traitor no doubt, but I struggle to piece his motives. Do you have an inkling on what he’s trying to accomplish?’ asked Olexion

  ‘This,’ said Cid, holding out Mindevhier’s spearhead.

  Olexion looked on the weapon with confusion.

  Cid explained. ‘The blade is crafted from Hethellean. A unique-’

  ‘I know what Hethellean is Colonel. What has this got to do with Stelinger?’

  ‘I received a redirected letter while at Taverka, explaining a successful bonding process done by the Destinian Blacksmithies in Morshiph. It was enough for me to lead us to investigate the mines in area, which have also been recently excavated for Hethellean. We also know that Stelinger was well familiar with the Alparack area even before the operation and so we suspected that by his instruction the weapons Lanston were outfitted with contain Hethellean, if only in part.’

  ‘If Stelinger stands in league with the Fallen why would he arm Lanston with specialized weapons?’ asked Olexion.

  ‘The weapons were never made to benefit Lanston, rather using his power as Commander, Stelinger shaped his plan so that he could march Lanston right into a fight of insurmountable odds. He has been controlling the military intelligence even before Bennam stepped down, mitigating the reports on the size of the Fallen assembly.’

  ‘And when they’ve killed off every last soldier the Fallen claim the weapons for themselves,’ finished Olexion in understanding.

  ‘It’s brilliant I’d admit, if successful they’ll have bypassed years of unsuccessful smuggling by using the army as one massive escort of weapons,’ said Cid.

  ‘What they hope to gain with the weapons is another question raised though. A few Hethellean weapons aren’t going to do them any good against the Kingdom,’ said Olexion.

  Cid nodded. ‘We have discussed the issue as well, but to no avail. My chief suspicion is knowing that Stelinger is carrying a weapon of Ruin, and he might be the first of many to be corrupted in this way should the Fallen craft more of its kind.’

  ‘Champions of the Fallen, eh? It is a dark prospect. I would think there is more to it though, for men like Stelinger are much too dangerous to enlist without merit. I'll have to assume we’ll only discover their true intentions in the future,’ said Olexion.

  ‘Above all else I just wish I knew what Bennam was thinking, knew what he knew,’ said Cid.

  ‘What we’ve seen leads me to believe that Bennam started the operation and made Stelinger Commander knowingly, a ploy no doubt of his own.’

  ‘And now the entire Lanston army might pay the price for his risk taking. Why would he have allowed us to continue this operation, knowing it would amass to nothing?’ asked Cid bitterly.

  ‘I’ve wondered on the matter myself. My conclusions are vague but I think that I can explain some of it: you might or might not know this, but Bennam was well informed on the Kingdom’s most guarded secrets, a right he earned as the Commander of Lanston and the bane of the Fallen.’

  ‘It is unsurprising, yet I never thought of him that way,’ said Cid.

  ‘That he knew something within the Kingdom was terribly wrong is undisputable, and the fact that he did not surface with the information means that his secrecy would serve the Sovereignty at the end of it. I can only surmise that his knowledge of the implications of this Hethellean gambit far outweighs our own. My view on this is that he used all his influence without rousing suspicion, piecing together a counter measure; bringing me here, assigning the Summoners and calling upon the Valkyrie, everything to push us to this point and maybe even see us victorious.’

  ‘If you are right I shudder to think what lies ahead of us after this,’ said Cid, looking to the north, ‘it is likely that the Fallen host will attack Lanston by tomorrow and there won’t be any chance for the army to escape. It’s fight or die now.’

  Olexion grunted, ‘we haven’t lost yet. The reports that I’ve read suggests that you are something of a tide-turner, and right now I’m rather sure Bennam was counting on your talents.’

  ‘For me to have any effect on the battle I’ll need to have direct command of Lanston. Right now I can’t even get to close to the soldiers without being arrowed down as a traitor,’ said Cid.

  ‘We will help with that,’ said Olexion.

  ‘How?’

  ‘Stelinger will inevitably have to abandon the Lanston army at some time before he gets caught up in the fight himself. We will watch from here and keep an eye on the Basin. The moment he detaches himself from the army we can fly you right into the Lanston camp itself. Without definite authority the soldiers wouldn’t dare attack the Rangers. Then you can explain yourself and garner the approval of the other Colonels.’

  ‘And I am then to take charge?’ asked Cid.

  ‘You must. Men trust you Cid. I predict that they will follow you readily when they realize what they are facing and that they are altogether betrayed,’ said Olexion.

  ‘I guess it’s the only play we have,’ said Cid ‘we will, without a doubt, need you and your men in the sky. It will be crucial to cut down the catapults and Priests.’

  ‘It is what I had in mind as well,’ said Olexion.

  ‘One more thing,’ said Cid, looking at Elmira, who handed him the Alder stone.

  ‘Ah, yes. It was intended to revive a Summoner’s memories, a clue left by Bennam to help us out. I’m afraid even if Lidayel had not died his mind was too fragile to be restored to its former self.’

  ‘He has a wife you know… or at least that’s what he thought… it’s complicated,’ said Cid.

  ‘Yes, Yarea. She is married to Lidayel’s brother, Luthren.’

  ‘Luthren? You know about all this? Where is he then?’ asked Cid.

  ‘The Rangers work closely with the conclave of Summoners. As far as I know Luthren is still in suspension in the conclave of Asheva, strangely he remained unassigned through all of th
is. What of Yarea, what happened to her?’ asked Olexion.

  ‘We concluded that she was kidnapped by a group of bandits from Durandal, there was no chance for us to catch up before they reached the Drimdyar pass, she is likely to be sold into slavery there,’ said Cid.

  Olexion shook his head in disgust; the idea of losing two Summoners was a loss felt both personally and professionally by the Ranger.

  ‘We might, when this is over, send a detachment to Durandal to see if we cannot extricate Yarea. I am not hopeful though, even the Rangers’ influence is meagre within that city-state of thugs and mercenaries,’ said Olexion.

  ‘If you decide so, speak with Vanapha on taking her along, she also wishes to go to Durandal and she is worth ten good men,’ said Cid.

  ‘I’ll suggest it to her then if it comes to it,’ said Olexion, and feeling nothing was left to be said bade them a good night. ‘I’ll give you your privacy back then.’

  The two of them alone again, Elmira looked up at Cid, her mouth stretched.

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘I don’t know, Cid… I can’t stomach this. I made peace with you being in danger all the time, but now it's different. Everyone is talking about how strong the Fallen are and that Lanston is betrayed and leaderless… I don’t want you to go tomorrow,’ finished Elmira.

  ‘Elmira…’

  ‘I know what you’re going to do. I know you have to go out. I love for you for being the way you are… and I know it’s important, fighting for our home, it’s just…’

  He stood closer, holding her. ‘I still have to fight for you remember? And it’s even bigger than that, thousands of Lanston lives have a stake in tomorrow. Not to sound vain, but they will need me.’

  ‘I know,’ she said softly.

  ‘Hey, I’ve even got Brunick praying for me these days, it’ll be all over soon and then we’ll never have to look back on anything. We’ll be happy together.’

  She smiled. ‘Yes, you’re right.’

  Later on they joined everyone by the fire, their talk trying to be careless, but somehow always led back to the impending battle. When it did, everyone grew quiet for a while to shake off the topic, and when that happened all of them recalled a dying Summoner, his last moments the most dramatic this valley had ever seen.

 

  Oldeloft was dimly lit on the inside, an array of lanterns and candles in each room. By midnight Cid was up for the third time. He found himself wandering through the house back to the storage where they kept their packs, gear and weapons. Along the way he picked up an extra lantern. Inside the tightly crammed room he quickly made his way to Mindevhier, laid down on a table.

  As ever it was a prideful sight by firelight, but tonight it inspired a chill into Cid.

  Each time he had tried to sleep a dream came to him. It was dreams of voices of strangers and images that meant nothing to Cid, yet called to him. He ran his hand along the spear’s shaft, again feeling as though something was stirring within the weapon. Cid had the sudden urge to reacquaint himself with the spear - to tame it, picking it up and taking the lantern with him. He left the house.

 

  Alex tip-toed, prowling the house. He couldn’t find her. He had woken up seeing Vanapha leaving her room and then got up when he didn’t see her come back. He thought she had gone into the storage room but did not find her there. He exited the house, searching for a sign of her in the darkness of the mountain. He was surprised to see Cid at the house front, practicing in the light of a lantern he hung from the dead tree. Not wanting to bother the man, Alex decided to retreat to his bed again.

  Then he saw the chimney, the smaller one, puffing light hints of vapour into the air, the smoke and moist only just revealed by the moonlight. Confused, Alex went back into the house. Even though knowing better his sleepiness made him check the fireplace in the lounge, which he found untouched as he knew it would be connected with the bigger chimney.

  Calling on something he had seen earlier he returned to the storeroom. There it was, a solid iron pipeline extending from the ceiling and not stopping as it ran right into the floor. Curious now Alex stamped his feet as quietly as he could. He moved three paces before the thump of his foot hit a hollow space. Only then did he notice the trapdoor, its outline barely visible against the backdrop. Carefully he lifted the trapdoor.

  She’s in here?

  He knew the basement would be a hiding spot for the Rangers, but the chimney already gave Alex an indication of what Vanapha would be doing here.

  Alert now he walked buck-kneed down the uncomfortably narrow steps. The enclosure welcomed him with a haze of vapours, most of it mercifully using the ventilation shaft to escape the house.

  He immediately saw Vanapha, her back turned on him, her hands tweaking and prodding at an elaborate setup of vials, beakers, burners, drips, distillers and clamps holding everything in place. Alex had seen similar instruments in alchemist shops, but it was a strange change to seeing a woman working with the instruments rather than a sweaty old man with a singed beard.

  He walked closer and before saying something he watched her intently. She was wearing goggles and a thick apron with matching gloves. She seemed to work mainly out of a big cauldron, feeding everything else with its bubbling substance, like she was actually busy cooking. The strong smell and small belch of fire that came from the pot however was instantly enough for anyone to know she wasn’t busy preparing a soup.

  ‘How did you find me?’ asked Vanapha, without turning.

  ‘I heard you going into the storeroom and you didn’t come back. I got curious.’

  ‘Couldn’t sleep?’ asked Alex, rounding the table to stand opposite of Vanapha and watch her work.

  ‘Do you think anyone is sleeping? With Lidayel gone and Lanston certain to die without us? It weighs heavily on everyone.’

  ‘I guess this mean you’re fighting with us tomorrow?’ asked Alex.

  I have my own reasons for helping, but… it wouldn’t feel right if you stayed to fight and I did nothing to help. It is not my fight, but I have taken it upon myself to play my part. The Kingdom will leave this land better off in victory and if it needs my skill then I can do nothing less than stand with Lanston.’

  Alex nodded, commending the woman in his thoughts. Rather he said, ‘What is all this then?’

  ‘I’m making Trisera, a fire potion,’ said Vanapha, returning to her work.

  ‘Do you want to be alone?’

  Vanapha looked up at Alex. ‘No, its fine. I can actually use some more clamps,’

  ‘Clamps?’ asked Alex in confusion, looking at the counters around him.

  Vanapha pointed at his hands.

  ‘Oh, right,’ said Alex, standing closer.

  ‘Goggles and gloves,’ advised Vanapha, pointing. Alex didn’t need to be asked twice.

  ‘There are some clamps but they are pretty rustic and I’d rather not take the chance with this mixture,’ said Vanapha,

  ‘Sure,’ said Alex holding up the small vials as Vanapha used a suction nozzle to incrementally fill them up with a lively orange liquid.

  As Vanapha worked she said, ‘now I know I probably don’t have to tell you this, but don’t drop or spill this, okay?’

  ‘I wouldn’t dare,’ said Alex, the liquid offering a fiery smell to his nostrils.

  Filling the vials halfway, Alex stood like a statue as Vanapha propped dividers into the vials. Next she filled them up all the way with a translucent substance she had been preparing on the side.

  ‘So I gather that when these two mix they ignite?’ asked Alex.

  ‘Actually no, the Trisera on its own will ignite on very high temperatures or with a moderate impact. It’s the latter quality that makes it both useful and dangerous to handle. The Panoli acts as a fuel and shortens the combustion rate, if you mix it with Trisera and give it a good impact it creates a sizable explosion.’

  ‘So no mixing followed by sudden movements, right?’

  ‘Yes, even i
f we do survive it I’d rather not burn down the house, it’s got a nice charm to it,’ said Vanapha.

  Alex chuckled, ‘then again, any place with a warm bed this far into the wilderness is charming.’

  ‘No arguments,’ agreed Vanapha, smiling as her eyes remained trained on her work.

  Done, Vanapha plugged the vials with corks, then took them from Alex, putting them in a small wooden casing. Five more times Alex took up a vial in each hand as Vanapha replicated the process. At the end of it Vanapha placed a dozen vials in the casing, shut it tight and slid it in her satchel. Smiling contently she took off her gloves and goggles, Alex doing the same.

  ‘Thank you, you are a steady lab hand and tolerable company,’ Vanapha mocked formally.

  Alex smirked, ‘what kind of man would I be if I didn’t made sure we have some fireworks for the showdown?’

  Vanapha laughed and Alex mirrored her smile.

  ‘Do you think some things, you know, don't happen by accident?’

  Vanapha raised an eyebrow. ‘This you ask of someone who studies the stars?’

  ‘Exactly! So I was thinking, do you think it was just coincidence that Cid ended up having me carrying the wings of the spear, and you know, you coming to look for them?’

  She looked really angry for a just a second.

  Alex backpedalled. ‘Cid told me about the letter. And how you were supposed to go looking for the Winged Serpent He thought it might be prudent that we know!’

  Vanapha sighed, dispelling her frustration.

  ‘Don't read into things that aren't really there Alex, sometimes things really are just coincidence. We just want them to be more,’ she said as gently as she could.

  Alex felt greatly embarrassed, angry at himself that he had even brought it up as clumsily as he did.

  ‘Of course,’ was all he managed to say.

  It was a bit awkward afterwards, so Alex had no choice than to crack a fake yawn.

  ‘Well, I won’t blame if you want to get back to bed,’ said Vanapha.

  Alex smothered the yawn, ‘hmm, how about yourself?’

  ‘Oh I will be crawling in soon, I have no intention of staying up all night. Though I will clean up first, you’ll only notice how much you stink when leave here,’ said Vanapha.