by Robe
“What happened?” Dalk asked quietly as he stepped up beside Auric.
“The black raiders were determined to get to him,” Auric said, watching Hazzul’s discomfort as Healer Whencetos finished inspecting the wound and began properly binding it. “I tried to protect him, but I was too slow.”
“Is he going to live?” Dalk asked as the healer stood up from Hazzul.
“I think so, seeing that his condition does not worsen,” Whencetos said. “Keep him in bed. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a great many patients to see to in much worse condition.”
“My thanks to you, Healer, for coming here first,” Ysseri said, but Whencetos simply gave her a resentful look before leaving.
“Where are the others?” Auric asked.
“Reon and Thraun were helping the wounded when I left them,” Dalk replied. “I have not seen Joan, Veese, or Kandon since the fighting started. What about you, Ziem? Did you get any excitement here?”
“No,” Ziem said, a grim look about him with his arm hanging in its sling. “I got no excitement as I watched innocents cut down from my safe hiding place.”
“It wasn’t worth risking you in your current state,” Auric said. “When the raiders started to charge you, and they would have, there wouldn’t have been anything you could have done to protect yourself.”
“And why should others die while I hole up?” Ziem bristled, and then he sulked off back to his quarters.
Dalk gave Auric a sympathetic look before following Ziem to the common room.
“Will you explain to me now why this man is so important?” Ysseri asked. “It was a difficult favor to ask Whencetos away from dying Martins to ensure the survival of a stranger.”
“Thank you for that, by the way,” Auric said. “This man is perhaps our only chance at finding Argain. He can… detect the presence of power in others. We met him on the voyage here. First, he confirmed that Argain was in Martin, and then he led us to him, allowing us to rescue your two followers.”
Ysseri nodded, accepting Auric’s reasoning for wanting to save the man. “I understand.”
“He came to us, actually,” Auric said, watching Hazzul’s nearly unconscious form. “He sensed that my allies were powerful, that they were ‘Touched.’”
“And what of you?” Ysseri asked.
“He told me that I too was Touched, though if I am, my abilities have not shown themselves.”
“Then perhaps we should focus on persuading them to show themselves,” Ysseri suggested.
Auric looked at her thoughtfully. “And how would you recommend we do that?”
Ysseri smiled and beckoned for him to follow her. She led him to a small, thin door at the back corner of the room and slid a key into the lock. Twisting the knob, she entered the room. Auric joined her, closing the door behind him, and he marveled when he turned to see his surroundings.
Each window in the room was comprised of stained glass, every panel making up a scene of imagery. One window displayed a monstrous creature, not unlike a Raugen, rearing up at a warrior as she defended herself. A second contained a fortress, and the one next to it depicted an army of beastly soldiers, some wearing masks and others showing their ugly faces. Another pane portrayed what looked like a battle between several people and one terrible being that Auric felt was very familiar. The final frame showed only a vessel, an urn, mildly decorated with little, unusual markings.
“What is this place?” Auric queried as he peered around at the windows, the multicolored light shining through them giving the room a somewhat gloomy, yet undeniably mystical atmosphere.
“It is my personal room of meditation,” Ysseri responded. “I come here when I am tired, or when I need solitude to think something through.”
“Amazing,” Auric said.
“Sit,” Ysseri commanded, and Auric walked to a luxurious chair opposite another. He did as he was told, taking the seat across from Ysseri.
“So,” Auric said awkwardly as Ysseri stared at him, “you think you can… awaken powers within me in some way?”
“I do,” Ysseri said without breaking her gaze on his face.
“And…” Auric continued nervously, “how do you intend to do that?”
Ysseri finally looked away from Auric, rose, and walked to a small stove behind her. Hanging over the heat was a kettle, and she poured its contents into two mugs before returning to Auric. She handed him a mug and sat again. “Tea,” she explained. “I find it puts me in a restful state, blocking out the world so that focusing on oneself is possible.”
Auric nodded and sipped the drink, tinted red in color.
“I have helped numerous Touched to better understand their talents. Emule and Marima are examples. Through my experiences, I can, with certainty, tell you that separating yourself from the troubles of the day will help you. Much can be learned from the exchanges between others, but it is so that the deepest understanding comes from within.”
“So, you want me to meditate?” Auric asked, unsure if he had the patience for such an activity.
Ysseri nodded. “But before that, let us examine your allies and the powers they possess. Each one of them can conjure and manipulate the existence of the materials that make up our world. It would not be difficult to believe that you have been gifted similarly.”
“You think I’ll be able to actually make something appear, like the others?” Auric asked.
“Yes,” Ysseri said. “Now, close your eyes.”
Auric placed his mug down on a miniature table between them and shut his eyes. What little light managed to pass through the tinted glass of the windows was blocked out by Auric’s eyelids, and he sat in complete darkness, only able to smell the tea before him and hear Ysseri’s voice.
“Outstretch your hand, and think of your past…” Ysseri’s voice spoke. “Happy thoughts or sad, whichever you feel most strongly about. Remember loved ones lost, and those that lost you.”
“I feel ridiculous,” Auric said.
“It is alright. There is no one to feel ridiculous before,” Ysseri replied. “Concentrate. Forget your goals and pride. Relieve yourself of judgment and feel without restraint. Accept your mistakes and flaws, and be one with yourself.”
Ysseri fell silent, and Auric obeyed her commands, letting go of his anger toward Argain and transporting himself back to his childhood. It was the nostalgia that got him, and the pain of remembering what once was. A sudden wave of emotion crashed into his mind, not just of the past, but of the present, and he saw the faces of people he’d known. His breathing grew shaky as he remembered his errors, his disrespect toward Joan, and less recent misjudgments, those longer ago that were too unbearable to linger on. Suddenly, he realized he didn’t know who he was at all. A fear struck him that he wouldn’t be able to lead his friends well, and his decisions were no wiser than any of theirs. Who was he? He was not proud. He was not brave. Why did he pursue Argain at all? What did he gain from trying to save the innocent?
He could not tell how long his mind had been scambling about trying to make sense of his past, and he almost jumped when Ysseri spoke again. “Open your eyes, Auric.”
Auric shook his mind of the troubling thoughts that had consumed him so completely. His eyelids lifted and he couldn’t believe what he saw: a pile of dirt had appeared within his hand. It was not a pretty thing. The soil was coarse and grimy, but it was beautiful to Auric.
“Earth!” he exclaimed.
“It seems to fit, does it not?” Ysseri said, smiling, “Air, water, fire, cold, and lightning… earth is the only thing missing.”
“Hah!” Auric laughed. “I never would have known.”
“It certainly is impressive,” Ysseri said. “We never know what’s in ourselves until we take a look.”
“But how could you have known just how to make me understand?” Auric asked, making the dirt shift slightly in his palm using nothing but his mind.
“Whether you choose to believe me or not,” Ysseri said, “I too am
Touched.”
-
“You would think they would at least tell us where they were going,” Joan said, stroking Kandon’s hair as he lay beside her, his head in her lap. “None of us would have run off without asking his permission first.”
“I don’t know,” Dalk said, eyeing Kandon disapprovingly. “They were standing in the main hall when I left, and five minutes later, they had gone.”
“Is it entirely impossible that they were captured just as the fighting was ending?” Kandon asked.
“The raiders had long retreated, and Ziem and I would have heard something had there been a scuffle,” Dalk replied.
“Besides,” Reon spoke. “Thraun and I were walking up the street. We’d have seen someone leaving the Long House.”
“Maybe we should have a look around just in case,” Thraun said. “We can’t afford to lose Auric. Not now.”
Just as the words were leaving Thraun’s mouth, Auric entered the common room, his face bright and cheery.
“Where have you been?” Joan scolded, her face sour as she glared at Auric. “We were about ready to organize a search party for you!”
Auric’s smile left instantly and his palm flew to his forehead. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “You’re absolutely right to be mad. How foolish could I have been not to tell someone, especially now. Ysseri took me to her private chambers to meditate.”
Joan scoffed. “And it was important enough to leave your friends guessing your whereabouts for the better part of an hour.”
“You’re here now, and that’s what’s important,” Dalk said, and then he frowned. “You seemed happy enough when you entered. Is there something we should know about?”
“Yes,” Auric said, his grin returning. He outstretched his hands and positioned one above the other. Slowly, small granuals of dirt fell from the fingertips of his elevated hand into the lower palm.
Each of his allies exclaimed in joy, including Joan, whose anger melted away instantly.
“So you are gifted after all,” Dalk said. “Congratulations.”
“Royal!” Reon said, using youthful slang to announce his support for Auric.
“Great,” Kandon glowered. “Now I’m the only one who’s not special.” His exaggerated annoyance quickly turned into a sly grin. “Well done, Boss.”
-
With Hazzul unconscious, put to sleep by the medication administered by Healer Whencetos, the companions could not seek out Argain and Balanch wherever they had retreated to. Zanesh organized a group of Martins to travel to the house hidden in the hills where Argain had been last, herself at the lead, but they found no signs of anyone having been there since the previous night. The people of Oluld were struggling to stay strong; even their Martin blood was wearing after two assaults from the black raiders. With the help of Morris’ influence, Zanesh rallied enough people to take turns in constant monitoring at all of the entrances of the village, ensuring no one could enter or exit without notice.
Their options slimmed, the heroes could do nothing but bolster themselves for what was yet to come. Veese stalked the streets of Oluld, inspecting the wellness of the people. So many were badly wounded, unable to walk, let alone defend themselves from a possibly-strengthening threat. Dalk and Reon guarded one of the entrances of Oluld with the other able-bodied members of the village, insisting that those who were in much worse shape than they were finding the strength to help. Joan, too, decided to aid in the labor of battle times and volunteered to deliver fresh food to those who were injured.
Evening had fallen, and with the setting sun, Kandon and Thraun decided to play a few hands of Chakzat in the common room to pass the time. Auric sat beside Ziem, the two of them practicing their abilities. Auric would conjure a mass of dirt in his hand and carefully shape it into tiny pillars while Ziem jutted the fingers of his uninjured arm forward, making small sparks dance between the columns of soil.
“I don’t understand how they have energy to be out there working,” Thraun said. “I’m still numb from earlier. I raise one barrier and I’m ready for a nap.”
“They’re quite remarkable,” Auric said as he focused on holding his small dirt creation steady.
“Joan will probably be upset with me when she comes back,” Kandon said, working a toothpick through his teeth. “As much as I admire the Martins, I’m not going to break my back for strangers.”
“What about the people in The Fouled Mare back in Rathelstat?” Auric reminded him. “You didn’t have any problem risking your life for them.”
Kandon was quiet for a moment before saying, “That’s different,” and laying down a Chakzat card to end the game.
“Aw!” Thraun exclaimed. “I was so close to winning!” He laid down what was left of his hand before gathering the cards up to shuffle them for another round. “Strange that the two of us should be sitting here in Martin, playing cards.”
“Why is that?” Kandon asked through his toothpick.
“We both came from Abelenst, you a mercenary, I a cook for the High House, and now we’re a sea away, fighting a battle against who knows what. Strange, how far we’ve come,” Thraun clarified.
“I guess, if you want to look at it that way,” Kandon muttered.
“You’re a cook, Thraun?” Auric asked.
“I was,” Thraun said. “Second cook to the Dean of Abelenst and his family. I had to establish my resignation once it was set that we were leaving Rathelstat.”
“I’m sorry,” Auric said. “I didn’t realize you were leaving your whole career behind. That must have been very difficult.”
“Yes,” Thraun agreed, and then his face grew solemn, “but it would have been harder to sit idle knowing that Kassidy had given her life for me. We will not let her death be in vain.”
“We won’t,” Auric agreed.
“You’ll have to cook something for us some time when we’re all starving to death out in the woods,” Kandon said. “Can’t let all that talent and skill go to waste.”
Thraun grinned. “You’ve got it.”
The doors to the common room opened and Joan entered, her face dull and her blouse stained with grit. Her hair was a mess, and a smear of dirt even sat on her left cheek.
“What happened to you?” Kandon asked, leaving his game of Chakzat to walk Joan to the fireplace.
“A hard day of toil,” she said, expressionless.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“I’ve seen more blood today than I ever want to see again in my life,” she moaned and laid her head down on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her whilst giving Thraun a somewhat apologetic look before turning back to comfort Joan.
Thraun gathered the Chakzat cards with a nod and an introspective look upon his face.
-
“He’s conscious.”
Auric awoke to Dalk standing over him. “Hazzul is conscious,” he said and left the room briskly.
It was early morning, and the sun had only just risen. The importance of what Dalk had said hit Auric like a frying pan to the face, and he leapt out of bed and pulled his cloak on before following Dalk through the common room to another set of dormitories off a passageway.
He and Dalk entered the room to find everyone but Reon already surrounding the injured man. “Don’t crowd him,” Auric said. “There’s no need to suffocate the poor soul.”
The heroes backed out of the room to wait in the hallway, leaving just Auric, Hazzul, and a maiden tending to him beside the bed. Auric looked at the maid for a moment, nearly certain he’d seen her before, but he put it from his mind.
“How are you, Hazzul?” Auric asked him.
“Where am I?” the man inquired, looking about confusedly.
“You’re safe,” Auric said. “I took you to the Long House at the east side of Oluld. Allies surround you.”
“I cannot feel,” Hazzul said, and Auric recalled him saying similar words when he was wavering in and out of consciousness shortly after sustaining his wound.
“What do you mean?” Auric asked.
“I cannot feel you as I could,” Hazzul spoke. “I cannot sense the energy of others around me.” He looked anxiously at the woman to his right and then back to Auric.
Auric’s heart sank as he understood what Hazzul was saying. “But you are well,” Auric heard himself say, “and that is what’s important.”
“No,” Hazzul said, and he grabbed Auric’s arm. “What is important is that you find the monster we seek to destroy and remove it from this world.”
“Relax,” Auric said, putting a hand on Hazzul’s wrist. “You must focus on getting well. Do not despair. We are not out of options.”
“But how… how can you find him?” Hazzul muttered.
“Do not worry, Hazzul,” Auric comforted. “All is well. Rest now. When you are better, we will discuss this more.”
Hazzul seemed disoriented, but he nodded regardless, and Auric left him with the woman.
“How is he?” Joan asked as Auric walked into the narrow hallway. Auric shook his head. He led his allies to the privacy of his room and shut the door behind them. “He’s not well?” Joan pressed as Auric turned to look at them.
“His powers are gone,” Auric revealed. “He said he couldn’t sense anything.”
“What?” Dalk asked, his face shocked. “How is that even possible?”
“It must have something to do with Argain,” Auric said. “He must have found out Hazzul was helping us and sent that black raider specifically to wound him.”
“He couldn’t have known,”Thraun said. “Hazzul was more secretive than any of us.”
“Well somehow he-” Auric stopped mid-sentence and turned back to the door. He threw it open and rushed back through the common room and down the passageway to Hazzul’s room, his friends racing close behind him. Upon entering, he found that the room was empty except for Hazzul, who lay on the bed looking confusedly at them.
Auric spun on his heel and ushered his companions back down the hallways, pushing them out of the way so he could hurry back past the common room and out into the Long House’s main area. The others followed him, looking at one another in confusion. After a quick scan of the area, Auric threw open the front doors and ran into the streets.