Forsaken (Part 2)

[Kaisar]

Chapter 21

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Crouching in the tall yellowed grass of the Sayavian plains a youth, clad in tight fitting black stained hide watched as a hear of plains elk. The night was pitch black with only starlight to see by, yet this lack of light didn’t dissuade the youth who moved like a cat through the grass. Motioning once with a gloved hand the youth signaled to others dressed similarly. All of them were armed with short swords and bows as they crept closer. The Elk sensing the stalkers moved quickly out of the way, but they were not the intended targets. The targets of this hunt were a group of three camped near by. Their fire could be seen at a distance and ever since being sighted they had been tracked the group to try and discover their destination. It seemed they were moving towards the ruins of a once great city and that could not be allowed.
“Captian,” one of the black clad fighters whispered to the youth. “The boy and the large man are asleep but the dark haired one stands watch.”
“Good, prepare to take them while their down, I want none of them killed and leave the guard to me.” The fighter saluted and melted back into the shadows, all of them crept closed to the camp like wraiths. The camping group wouldn’t know what hit them until it was too late.

Standing guard the black haired man stared out into the darkness, his back to the soft flames of the campfire while he kept watch. At his side a long sword was strapped. His hand out of what had become habit rested upon the hilt of his sword. Turning his gaze skyward he examined the heavens picking out the constellations he knew well and smiled faintly recalling the message received not a month ago from Ashen. ‘Come to the ruins of the ancient City.’ That’s all it said and having waited for almost a year, a year with not a word from their wayward companions after leaving them.

A soft breeze stirred the grasses and the elk herd that had wandered near by as the sun was setting and grazed. It was odd that they were moving on this moonless night unless there was a predator nearby. At the thought of a predator Neros drew his sword and listened. The grass stirred on the breeze, so faintly it was like listening to the breeze as it passed through trees. Then he heard it, something out of sequence with the breeze, it didn’t whisper like the breeze.

Edging back towards the fire Neros stopped beside the large man and knelt sword held firmly and shook him. “Harthorn…”
The big man stirred, grunted and then sat up slowly rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “What is it?”
“We have company…” Neros whispered moving away from Harthorn once more. Ears straining to hear what lurked beneath the sound of the night. Grass whispered again and shadows shifted. All was still and Neros waited, Harthorn was up and wielding his own sword back to back gazing into the night.
“What do you reckon is it?” Harthorn asked.
“We’re about to find out…” The sword in his hands hummed with magic. Over the year he, Harthorn and Matthews had traveled Neros had become accustomed to the sword. It was, was a weapon but at the same time possessed a personality like fire. It could feel an oncoming battle and was eager to fight.

Watching the two men standing back the Capitan smiled and signaled to the men. They encircled the camp and awaited the signal. Standing up the youth made sure the black scarf the covered the lower part of the face and the bandanna that covered the top so it left naught but the eyes uncovered and then slid the deep black hood up to covered the black locks tied back and out of the youths face.

Drawing the sword attached to the hide belt the Captain strolled forwards into the camp. “Hail to you travelers” the youth called amused as the pair spun to face the talker. The shortest of the pair held his blade at the ready eyes narrowed at the intruder.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
“Your captor… though my friends out in the shadows call me Capitan,” the youth replied bowing extravagantly yet every movement was mocking. I t was then twelve men detached themselves form the shadows and stood about camp. The boy who had been sleeping was now awake too and jumped with a start when he saw all the black clad warriors.
“Surrender now and no harm will come to you and your companions Neros,” The Capitan remarked smiling with amusement at the shock on the mans face, but he soon recovered
“No I think not…” Neros replied.
“I was hoping you’d say that…” The youth moved in sword at the ready and watched Neros as he too came forward. The black soldiers kept their distance staying just inside the campfire light and watched as Neros and their leader circled one another. They watched one another carefully; both waiting for the other to attack the tips of their swords touched sending a light ting through the night.

It was Neros who broke attacked first. He lunged in bringing his sword in for a close ranged attack, the Captain stepped to the side avoiding being impaled by the blade and match weapon to weapon. They strained against one another blades locking at the hilt.
“What are you really called Capitan?” Neros grunted, his opponent was only an inch or so shorter then he and slight of build but the fighter was stronger then appeared.
“Beat me and I’ll tell you,” the youth laughed shoving Neros back and followed him as he staggered back dealing a high blow. Neros brought up his own sword, the sound sounding out across the night, the long sword glowed dimly with an amber light as the Capitan’s blade pressed against it, heat radiating from the sword spreading to the youths own sword.

Eyes widening at the sensation of the heat as it spread, backing away quickly he black clad Capitan narrowed eyes at him as the man charged forwards, the blade blades with magic as he struck cleaving the normal sword of the Capitan’s sword in two just missing cloth and skin. Neros moved in again and knocked the fighter to the ground lowering the tip of the sword to his opponents throat.
“Name?”
“Avari... but you’re still coming with us I’m afraid,” the Capitan replied pushing the hot tip of the sword away and stood.

Neros frowned, Avari sounded like… “You’re a woman?”
Avari laughed and nodded, “Last time I checked, though if you want I’ll strip off and show you. I’m not shy…” her eyes crinkled with laughter behind her mask. “Though judging by the way your blushing I’d say you might be…” She signaled to the other fighters who closed in some had swords while others held their bows at the ready.

Neros moved closer his sword held up and pointed at her, “Call off your dog’s Avari or I swear by the Old God’s I’ll run you through.”
Shaking her head Avari watched him, “Then go ahead but know this my warriors will still take you all into custody. “
“Custody?” Neros repeated lowering his sword.
“Yes, you are trespassing on the lands of Alchamia and must be taken forthwith to the city or be terminated here and now.”
Sheathing his blade Neros signaled to Harthorn who reluctantly put away his own weapon, there was no point in shedding blood. If Avari and her gang were thieves then they would have been dead long before she allowed them to be seen, these people were something else however.
“Surrender your weapon’s Neros, I’d hate for you to get any ideas for escape.” Avari instructed holding out her hand.

Reluctantly Neros unstrapped the sword, feeling the weapon protest at being removed, when he placed it in her hands however the blade quieted down. It was an odd sensation; last time someone who wasn’t him it had protested by becoming extremely hot. This time however the blade almost seemed to purr as it went to Avari’s hands. Perplexed but resigned Neros stood back and watched as the Capitan strapped the sword across her back.
“Let’s move out we have ground to cover if we want to get home gentlemen.” She called receiving a few cheers from some of her younger soldiers as they gathered up their prisoner’s equipment and headed out across the plains in the moonlight.

They traveled for what remained of the night and stopped only at Dawn to rest, Neros, Harthorn and Mat were allowed to sleep for an hour or two under watch before they were woken up and set off once more. Surrounded by the black clad warriors Neros had expected they would be led up and led not allowed to walk freely among the others when He put this towards Avari she laughed.

“Tying you up would only slow us down and trust me, we’re eager to get home, in truth we’re a good three days overdue for a patrol change. I’m sure Master Ekath will allow for our tardy return when we show him why we were so late. The people of Sayavah stay away from our home to protect our secret no doubt you noticed this when you enquired with the nomadic tribes.” She stepped lightly. “In truth we’ve been waiting for you to show up for a few weeks we figured you’d get here sooner when Ashen sent the message. Oh well…”

Neros almost faltered in his steps and sped up his pace to recover the ground lost. “You knew we were coming?”
“Yep, we just weren’t sure when until our spies reported your crew asking questions for the ruins, so I decided it would be better to pick you up now rather then let the other patrol get you as they’d be les gentle and I’m sure Ashen would appreciate seeing you in one piece and preferably unharmed… Oh and you can have this back I suppose. I was just having a little fun when I took it off you.” Avari removed the sword from her back and returned it to Neros without so much as a second thought. “Though my offer still stands to prove to you I am a woman.” She winked slyly at him and then moved off ahead before Neros could reply. The woman was impossible. Having spent no more then an hour at the most with her she kept confounding him all the more. Sassy was the best way he could describe her.
“Why do you get all the luck with the women?” Harthorn asked as he came up beside his friend. “Not an hour and you already have quite the enticing offer given not once but twice man!” he laughed and clapped Neros on the back.
“She’s a strange one Harthorn and I know for a fact she was playing, the woman is I don’t know. There’s something not quite right about her I suppose and call me crazy but… I get the feeling I’ve met her before. I only wish I could see her face.”
The big man shrugged glancing over his shoulder to where Matt trotted along behind them, a sullen expression on his face. “Well while you fathom the dame I’m still puzzled as to why your friends in Spry insisted the lad come along with us…”
“He came because he was in danger anywhere else, the authorities in Spry know his face and anyway he might just come in handy.” He replied glancing back at the boy as well. Over the year he’d gotten taller fast reaching a little above Neros’ shoulder. His clothing also had to be replaced with larger cuts not that Matt seemed to complain. It was the traveling that got the complaint out of the boy.

Shaking his head Neros looked ahead once more and met the gaze of Capitan Avari as she looked over her shoulder in their direction. Her eyes glinted with mirth before looking ahead once more. At the pace they were going Neros knew they would be reaching the ruins within another day’s walk, as to what would happen from there he couldn’t be sure.

[Kaisar]

Chapter 22

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As Neros had suspected they came upon the ruins of a once great city before it fell to the wrath of the Triad three hundred years ago. The battle then had been fierce as the city of Alchamia was home to some of the greatest magic workers of their time but eventually the Triad triumphed and the city fell. Defeated the people were enslaved into service or slaughtered by the Triad down to the very last child.

Silently the group traveled through the skeletons o the city with only the mournful whimpering of the wind as it passed through the once grand streets. Sorrow seeped deeply into the bones of all who walked the dead paths not even grass would dare to break apart the stone paths; the city felt desolate and on occasion one could hear the pitiful weeping of a child.
“Heed not the weeping of ghosts passed, all malicious spirits were cast from this place long ago. Now only their memory remains…” the guard closest to Neros whispered and then became silent once more.

Through the grey maze they walked until finally they reached what could have once been the great heart of the city, a vast circular opening with a shattered fountain at the center. It was here Avari called a halt and walked to the fountain, standing before it she slipped a small set of reed pipes from the pouch she carried at her waist and blew four sharp notes. That done the Capitan backed away and returned to the group facing the ruined fountain.
The ground quaked suddenly as if something moved beneath them and all watched as the stone before the fountain sank and then rolled backwards revealing a vast blackened space before them.

Without orders the soldiers who had guarded the three since being captured moved down into the opening until only Avari, Neros, Matthew and Harthorn remained.
“Follow me and I will take you to our most humble leader Ekath,” she turned and followed her comrades into the bowls of the cold earth with her three prisoners close behind none wanting to be left behind in that dreary city.


Darkness enveloped them all as they followed the black clad Avari to the point where she almost disappeared but just as they were about to lose her completely she raised her hand and a soft globe of yellow light appeared in her open hand.
“Magic,” Matthew whispered softly, but in the passage he might as well as just talked normally. Sound traveled well in this dark place.
“Sorry I forget how dark it gets down here,” she remarked glancing over her shoulder at the trio. Continuing on they were shown through the maze like corridors to the heart of Alchamia by their captor-guide. Avari stopped suddenly as they came to a crossroads and turned to the group; her globe of light disappeared and was replaced by the soft glow of torches that were used to light the passages. She smiled at them all and gave the captured group a mock salute before melting into the shadows leaving Neros, Matthew and Harthorn in the care of three youths who had appeared much like Avari had disappeared. All of them wore what looked like thick heavy grey robes trimmed with a different colour; one was red, another blue and the third green that puzzled Neros but he didn’t ask as the red trimmed apprentice motioned for them to follow.
“She could have at least said goodbye,” Harthorn grumbled.

Traversing the maze that was Alchamia they turned down many passages that assaulted their sense of direction until finally they came to a stop outside a pair of large stone doors. They were intricately carved with the images of the four gods surrounded by their elements. Neros looked up at the door with wonder at such work and then down at the three boys, the red trimmed boy smirked at him from beneath his hood and then nodded once motioning to his fellow apprentices. The Boys stood aside and the door slid open, despite its heavy look with ease.

When the door were opened Neros looked at all three boys who stood waiting, taking the hint Neros motioned to his friends and they stepped inside walking into a vast hall, listening to the way their foot fall echoed. It was darker in the hall then it had been in the passages making Neros travel slowly towards the illuminated dais before them.

Standing in the pooled light of the torches mounted upon the columns Neros could see the white robed figure of a beast like man. He was tall standing a good head taller then the dark clad figure before him head bowed as he listened then shook his head. Neros saw in that briefest of shake that his ears were not human but instead were wide and pointed. The figure speaking with him Neros realized was the slight figure of Avari, still dressed in her fitted black garb and deep hood. They appeared to be arguing about something but no sound carried from the pair perhaps another aspect of the magic this strange woman possessed. When his band reached the base of the stairs the pair stopped their discussion and turned to face the trio.
“We will continue this conversation later I think Ekath,” her tone was cold as she addressed the man in white bowed curtly and left, disappearing into the shadows again before the man could respond. He sighed and stared after her his feline face unreadable in the torch light before looking to Neros and his group as they ascended the steps.

“Welcome to you companions of Ashen. Your friend would have greeted you personally but,” he paused as if searching for the right words. ”he is distracted with other business of late.”
“Ashen told us to come here but he wouldn’t say why…” Neros replied thoughtfully watching the white robed figure before him. Ekath, Avari had called him was clearly a demi-beast of Sayavah half-man half-wild cat standing at least six feet tall. Ekath, Neros noted held himself with a kind of air that while not pompous was dignified and gentle.
“What of our other companions, Ryker and Forsaken?” Neros enquired watching Ekath closely.
“Ryker awaits you in the dining hall if you would like to follow your guides once again,” he clapped his hands and the three youngsters appeared again out of the shadows.
“What of Forsaken?” Neros asked again watching as the beast-mans face disappeared into the shadows cast by the flames.
“Forsaken… I will leave that to your companions to explain as it is asked that naught be told on the creature you knew…” Ekath turned and moved across the dais vanishing from sight in a way that could only be described as magic.

Resigned to wait Neros turned and followed his companions and their guides once more through the numerous passages until they came into another open space. This was not as large as the hall but it was more lightly lit by glow lanterns and there standing in a dark corner was Ryker with another and again Neros realized it was Avari. The pair spoke in low voices, the lizard grinning in his own way revealing row upon row of needle like teeth before she turned and melted into the shadows for a third time.
“That woman gets around,” Matt remarked as they ventured over to Ryker. His reptilian eyes already locked upon the group, cold and so alien.
“Hail to you friendsss of Ashen,” Ryker greeted them.
“Greetings Ryker, it’s been almost a year since we last set eyes on your scaly hide, though last time we only had the benefit of meeting for a few days,” Neros replied.

The lizard-man nodded and motioned for them to sit at one of the tables, “No doubt you are all hungry and I trust Avari wassn’t too rough with you. She’sss been known to be a little rough with othersss from time to time,” a mild cough issued from Ryker at first Neros thought he might be sick but then he realized the lizard was laughing.
“No she wasn’t though she’s,” he paused searching for the right word to describe the woman but couldn’t find one. “Well she’s different I suppose I’ve also noticed she seems to get around this place fast. First she was talking to the white robed Ekath and just now you.”
“Avari is a woman of meansss,” Ryker replied as four plates of a meaty gruel were set before them by more of the robed youths. “You’ll find her poking about almossst everywhere when she’sss here, though watch out for her temper.”
Neros picked at the food before him and swallowed a mouthful as he looked at Ryker.
“What is the purpose of this place Ryker?” Neros enquired.
“A place of learning, where all who are willing form any land are taught how to control the well of magic within.”
“A magic school…” Matt replied with awe gazing about the food hall in wonder.
“Yess, they are quite hospitable and reward hard work. Avari hass only been working with the patrols for a half a year and she already holdsss the rank of Capitan strong in both magic and archery though her sword fighting needsss work…” he grew quiet and set about consuming the food in the bowl before it cooled.

The group ate in companionable silence until their bowls were empty; the youths returned and collected their dirty dishes leaving without so much as a sound. Neros watched them with interest and then looked at Ryker once again. “What is the purpose of the coloured edging on their robes?”
“It defines their massstery, red isss fire, blue iss water and green iss earth but come Ashen awaits us in our roomsss,” he stood and headed down another of the maze like passages. Reluctantly Neros and his friends stood up and followed. They didn’t have to go far, the lizard stopped after ten minutes of walking and touched the door to his right. It slid open with scarcely a noise and silently Ryker stepped through the threshold followed by the trio.

Entering the room Neros looked about with interest at the two bunks on one side of the room and the table on the others with a bright glow lantern hanging above them to illuminate the room. Ryker moved over to an empty wall and leaned against it while Harthorn, Neros and Matt entered after him.
“Are al the rooms like this?” Matt enquired as he took a seat on the bottom bunk.
“Yess,” Ryker replied and said no more. Instead he closed his eyes and waited.

Neros and Harthorn took a seat at the table and wanted as well, where Ashen was they didn’t know this place was immense from what they had discovered and could be several layers deep with passages and tunnels.
“How big is this place?’ Harthorn wondered allowed,”
“In truth nobody knows, “ a voice replied form the door. All but Ryker turned their eyes to the speaker. It was a woman she stood in the doorway watching them all in turn, she was dressed in soft tan colored breeches and a light cotton tunic her hair black as Neros’ own was tied back tightly in a waist long plait. While about her neck hung a crystal Gods star pendant the glowing dimly like the colour of the sky.
“Where’sss Ashen?” Ryker asked as the woman as she walked in leaning on the wall beside the lizard-man.
“Coming, you know how he is,” she replied rolling her eyes skyward and then looked at Neros grinning slyly at him.
“Feeling better Neros?” she enquired casually examining the nails on her left hand.

Neros blinked slowly and looked the woman over again before her smiled faintly, “So that’s what you look like without that mask Avari. I was wondering if I’d get to see the face of my captor.”
She laughed lightly and looked to the door as a cat-like man walked in, his orange –red eyes looking to each of them in turn. “I’m glad to see we’re all here, it’s been almost a year since we were all last gathered… well almost.” Ashen remarked noting the absence of the healer Shuric.
“Shuric wanted to follow a few more leads in trying to locate the Twin stones.” Harthorn replied.
“Where’s Forsaken?” Neros asked watching as the Werecat’s gaze flickered so fleetingly to Ryker that he could almost swear it hadn’t happen.
“Forsaken…” Ashen began slowly, “Is no more….”