The night was placid to the ears, to the senses. The clouds which shaded the stars and the three sisters moon… now faded for one to see their night beauty. The rain had stopped, but one cannot tell, for it might return for tomorrow morning, or the day after.
Silence may be, but in the absence of light, many things are sprawling from the corners of the shadows. Thieves are on the run, as chests of lavish desires are emptied by the hands of greed and the thrill of larceny. Whereas some do not survive the adventure of the night, as various of them are paid in blood, a room in the dungeon, or worse, a subject to the most inhuman thing you can think of.
Not only do raids provide entertainment amid the vastness of the city, but darker things are also happening.
In the city of Ravalind, we can see gryphon riders circling through the night and seeking any unwanted mortals hopping through the roofs of the buildings. When weariness tolls the creatures and their riders, they lie back on the tall watchtowers positioned in a strategic pattern across the city. As another rider quickly takes their place.
At the centre of many things, we enter where the traveller from earth is.
Drifting down to the edge of the bed, Natalak silently hears Chifya's explanation. He doesn't look straight at the half-elf for confidence; he merely looks down as his ears catch all the words she said.
"In the end, I spent more than half of my life hunting those despicable men. Only to find out they are nothing more than a Veilmage themselves."
Veilmage— a word that intrudes his mind, his curiosity… often heard it by commanding people, conversely, he never caught a common folk utter or mock that word. He wanted to question, but given what he understood of the circumstances, he decided not to ask. He thought of Sheila, except… Natalak was more conscious of that word. Perhaps, he assumed it was not something one could run their mouth on in public.
Though after all that explanation, she told— his mind was onto something—a challenge to her emotions, a more intrusive thought of approach.
"I see…" He paused, hesitating to spill his own words of return. "So why did you try to kill me back then? What if I am a Veilmage, and I had no part in your past? Will you still kill me?" He resumes, answering calmly whilst looking to her for answers.
And when there was no answer coming from her, Natalak pushed another word.
"If time comes, say you have a child of your own. And it turns out your child is a Veilmage, what will you do?" Natalak looks at Chifya, not frowning, but he was waiting for an answer.
Out of the blue, the lady elf didn't give a frown or an abhorrence towards the man in question. Her eyes show hesitation, her breathing is uneven, as her humanity is being tested.
"My emotions got the better of me." Chifya reasons, wavering her sight at the man.
She was older than anyone younger than her. Perhaps wisdom doesn't choose age or race.
Natalak didn't follow up with another question, for even if Chifya answered with restraint—something kinder, something human—it would not change the weight behind it. And he knew better to stop when the cup is full.
In the moments that followed, silence invades. Despite that, Natalak quickly broke the hushed atmosphere.
He looks up at the celestial sky through the open window. "I'm hungry, we should go down to eat," Natalak said, uprooting himself from the bed.
Through and all, Natalak descended only to find that Sheila's whole family was present for dinner. Merely a minute did Chifya follow, hiding her past emotion from the group. Only Sheila knew about the two of them. And thus, the group continues through dinner, leaving the past for another day.
In another place, there across the city of Ravalind. Inside the Estate of the Shilvia family, a butler was on his way to deliver a message towards the Estate office.
"Good evening, Lady Ashalain, Lady Ashena." Mr Hill knocks through the open door of the office. "I have brought you a coffee and tea. And a letter from Ravalind was delivered."
"Ah, thank you, Mr Hill…" Ashalain replied as she removed her glasses. "Are there any more letters for today?" She continues, fixing the documents for the butler to place the necessities.
"There aren't any for today…" The butler replied, placing the coffee and tea. "I believe the letter might be related to the visit of the high priestess of Endregar." Mr Hill finally placed the letter on her desk.
"Hmm… sister, your tea is here," Ashalain calls.
"Coming!" Ashena exclaimed.
"Did the investigators find any traces of the father's disappearance?"
"Still none, I'm afraid."
"I see, then would you deliver these letters to the port?" Ashalain then extended seven letters to the butler.
"As you wish, my lady." The butler nods before heading out. "Then I shall take my leave."
Ashena came out from behind the shelves, carrying some documents. And seems that the night will need more coffee.
Prying opens the letter; the butler's words were indeed on the point.
"What does the letter say?" Comes Ashena.
Ashalain huffs. "That my service requires additional protection of her lady Ferish. The high priestess of Endregar."
"So, what is gonna be? You going?"
"The guild and the commander will find another to fill my place." Ashalain then pulls out an empty paper and an envelope. "Not while father is in danger. Perhaps Sir Garrick might." She continues, filling the paper with letters.
Once she had scribbled the paper, Ashalain herself sent the letter to a very peculiar machine. Below was a hovering eye-like design dangling through the air. It's made of golden metal, finely crafted. Above were plates of stones, and in the centre, lies a blue gem, a teleportation stone; no more than the size of a matchbox. The stone plates form a circle, and many of them don't even glue to one another, separated yet held by an invisible force.
The moment she placed the envelope, the golden eye opened steadily, revealing a glowing green stone-like vile. To which the stone then releases a green energy, racing towards the floating stone plates.
The invisible forces that separate and hold the stone plates, radiance in green, turning the blue gem into a glowing state. Two seconds were enough for the envelope to be teleported towards Ravalind's main mailing office.
"I should have come home early… forgive me, father." Ashalain ponders as she gazes at the teleportation machine.
By the time the morning approaches, passing the early dawn of sunlight, a royal carriage finally arrives at the borders of the city. A path was cleared for the royal envoys. Ordinary wagons and folks paused their activities. But while the royal diplomat makes their way into the gate of Ravalind. Natalak was preparing for another trip to the market. Equipping all the essentials, his bag, the gridle book. And when all set and done—
"Does anyone want to go with me? I'm going back to the market." He announced.
"I'll come with you," Riya replied.
Outside, they went… the people's rowdiness quickly met them.
"What are you going to look for today?" Riya initiates.
"Charcoal."
"Charcoal? Are you going to use that to make that Black powder?"
"Yes, but I think the softest one is what I am after. Know some place that might sell that kind of material?"
"None that I know of… but we should try looking for one. There might be one merchants that sell it."
As they ventured towards the market, they noticed more people gathering in one direction. Curious about the commotion, the two headed towards the city's main western road. Abandoning their priorities of seeking coal and sulfur. They then squirm through the stacks of people. The leading envoy holds three flags: to the right is Endregar's flag, Keshoval to the left, and the symbol of the high priestess, with the Adventurers' flag between the two.
"The people." The scholar paused as he peered through the glass veil of the carriage. "There's tension in their eyes, but no stone nor shouts from their mouths." He continues, watching as the crowds slowly turn their backs, leaving the royal envoy.
"It's restrained." Said the female paladin. "Rumours accused our kingdom of causing the abyssal crisis there at Aghraim. A prince to a prince as to an eye for an eye."
The young scholar did not take his eyes off the crowd.
"Restraint born of fear… or discipline?" He murmured.
"Neither sits well," the paladin replied. Her hand rested near the pommel of her blade, though she did not draw it.
The carriage rolled forward.
"Say, Lady Ferish… you once served lord Seth. What is it like accompanying one of the great heroes on his journey?"
"I can't say, sir Theron Ilveth." She paused whilst giving a smile. "It was a long time ago… though I do remember how Keshoval was made."
"Ah, if perhaps you could tell us something from the past." Theron implores. "I do know a little of Keshoval's history, but I'd like to know more coming from you."
Ferish smiled. "Two kingdoms once ruled Keshoval, or rather two families. The Kes family that ruled the northern borders, and the Hoval family on the southern border."
"Ah, so you were once an adventurer."
"I was… and truth to be told, I was the one who taught Lord Keshoval from his younger years. Quite the stubborn king he is, but he did rule this kingdom through great effort before passing away. Alas, I wasn't there to see his last breath." Ferish replied, her voice was calm and slow to the ears.
"Have you ever missed an adventure? My lady?"
"Sometimes—" Suddenly, there was a sensation coming from the crowd.
A presence of a more ancient essence, older than her. And the only one she can relate to the equal is none other than Azageis himself.
The voice coming from the young scholar now fades to her ears. But as they leave closer to the main centre of the city, the dreadful energy she senses fades.
"Lady Ferish, is there something the matter?" The paladin calls.
"Nothing, Lady Serin." Ferish quickly answered. "I'm just having nostalgia coming from this place."
"Well, if that's what's bothering you, perhaps we can disguise ourselves once we finish with diplomats and old men's tension. It would be fun."
"I think so too… but best we tend to what is first."
As for Natalak, when the Rearguard finally arrived, he saw the man from the adventurers' guild there. The noble face, the dazzling armour he wears. It was Galin.
"We are leaving, there's nothing more to see," Natalak said.
"Where to?"
"Library might be a good idea, any recommendations?"