Forest Lurker

It was just a few hours before sunrise when Lyrus woke up from his dream. While what he dreamt was a bit pleasant, waking up from it was not. The fact that today will be the day they will be leaving Noir only made it worse. It reminded him of his powerlessness. Had he been a bit stronger, had he been more proficient either in combat or using the spell then maybe he could have prevented the fate that befell Auria.

He looked at his palms and studied them for awhile, hoping that sleep will once again take hold of him. It didn't. He only ended up noticing the scars on his hands. These ones, however, were from the blisters he popped as he trained his swordplay, blisters that weren't put into good use the night his beloved was cursed.

"Etrunr." Lyrus chanted as raised his right palm towards the space before him. He was suddenly thrown off the bed and hit the wall behind him. The familiar light then followed but this time not as bright during the other times he casted it. He felt his strength waned a little but not as bad as the first time he used it. In fact, it seemed like that being flung and hitting a wall caused the softness his feeling all over his body.

After regaining the air knocked out of him, Lyrus stood up and took a stance similar to the ones he saw being used by mages in casting a spell, with both of his feet planted firmly on the ground, arms raised a bit and elbows sticking out to the sides. He then recalled what Bram taught him a few days back when he asked the young mage some pointers in performing magic.

Intention and condition of the mind. Two things that play an equally important role in performing magic. While the use of Language was the most important aspect, the two follows next in line. Think of what you want to achieve as you keep in mind what the spell can do. Next, try to keep a focused mind as you start chanting. It need not be a calm mind, but rather a focused mind. Such state of mind can entertain emotions and direct those emotions to accomplish a desired result. Then as you speak out loud or in your mind the last few words of the incantation, you project your intention together with the mana and strength needed for the spell while keeping your focus.

Lyrus breathed slowly and deeply as he prepared himself. He doesn't have to be calm, he just needed to be focused. He then tried to recall what he knows about the spell. Etrunr can reflect any attack. Incorrect. He missed something. Etrunr can reflect an attack when there is one, if there's none, a sort of 'push' was instead produced to be followed by a flash of light. Maybe he can vary the results?

"Etrunr." Lyrus spoke softly with the intention of simply recreating the 'push' from earlier albeit in a more controlled scale. To his surprise, his raised palm seemed to have generated a small gust of wind, making the inside of his quarters rattle a bit. Moreover, the light produced by the spell was soft and small, like the light of a lamp. What's most surprising was he almost felt no change in his strength at all except for a short bout of nausea.

Lyrus took his time as he waited for the nausea to disappear. He breathed deeply once more, taking in air seemed to do the trick as he felt a bit of his strength coming back as the air entered his chest. Looking around his room, he saw a vase on top of the cabinet where his clothes were stored and got an idea. He raised his arms once more and faced the direction of the cabinet.

"Etrunr." He spoke louder and with greater emphasis on the words. This time, his intention was to use the 'push' to break the vase on top. However, a split second after the last syllable escaped his lips Lyrus was thrown back by the force of the spell. The vase blew up into tiny pieces while splinters from the now broken cabinet flew all over the place. He was barely able to stand up after that. It appeared that he overdid the casting. He slowly got up on his bed and closed his eyes, a satisfactory smile on his face, he just learned the first step in mastering Etrunr.

Loud knocks woke up Lyrus once more. Sunlight had been streaming inside his room. How long was he out? He hurriedly opened the door and was greeted by a worried Freid. "Lyrus, I was knocking for minutes already. You're late. We're gonna leave soon. Grab some breakfast then meet us at the throne room." Lyrus quickly dressed up.

Today's the day they would leave the capital. He had only been away from the capital a few times and only for a short period, the longest one being the time they went to Fehl to slay the dragon terrorizing the province. The thought of being away from Noir for who knows how long terrified him. If he had learned anything for the past three years, it was that a lot could happen within a year.

Lyrus, Freid, Leane, and Roswell stood before Thenan, Silvia, Erne, Castel, and Karos. The Midnight Council had requested an audience with them before they depart. They would be going to Wendlin, the last place where Heronicus' tower was then if their luck ran out, to Ybrali's library.

"Take care of each other. We wish you all the best. The Midnight Council gives you its blessing to do whatever is needed to get the Sky Marigold." Thenan then presented to Freid an ornate dagger, its handle made of bronze with a fine leather scabbard. Inspecting it closely, its steel blade gleamed brightly under the sun, revealing runic writing.

"The Knight Commander of Noir." Freid read the engraved writing on the dagger.

"Show that to any knight in Threanas if you need help and they surely will assist you."

"Can we sell it though if we don't have anymore money?"

"Sell it and I'll make sure that you'll be looking after horses the rest of your life." Freid sheepishly grinned at Thenan's grim remark. Lyrus chuckled at the banter. He will surely miss Thenan and the others.

"You better get going. Goodluck." Thenan forced himself to smile. While it felt like he's sending Lyrus and Freid to an unwinnable battle, he believed that he was in no position to break the two's morale.

"Goodluck Lyrus. Don't worry. Edrana and I will take good care of Auria." Silvia wiped some tears from the corner of her eyes.

"Do your best. I won't give up in asking aid from the other kingdoms." Castel, Meiro's father proclaimed as he addressed the group.

"Leane was it? Be careful of Freid. That man is dangerous to have around women." Erne said, making Leane chuckle while Freid made faces at the shopkeeper.

"Roswell, I know it's the first time we met but be strong brother. Make the north proud." Karos offered a handshake to the mercenary and to everyone's surprise, Roswell shook the blacksmith's hand. It looks like the two were both from the northern nations of Norus.

Edrana was waiting for the group outside the throne room. Freid and the others excused themselves as they still need to finish their own preparations, leaving Lyrus and the apothecary together. "Take care dear. Don't worry, I'll do my best to look after Auria. You just focus on getting the Sky Marigold, ok?" Edrana hugged Lyrus.

"Thanks. I'll do my best." Lyrus replied as he returned the gesture.

It took the group another hour or so before they set off. Leane and Roswell sat infront of the wagon and oversaw the horses while Freid and Lyrus were at the back. It was agreed that the two, being more experienced in their own craft, would be best suited as lookout and bodyguards to Freid and Lyrus. As the wagon made its way towards the edge of Nieblahim Forest, Lyrus saw his old hut, now worn down by the elements. The sight brought a bitter taste to his mouth, reminding him just how much had changed in his life and bringing back memories of Auria and the masked man. Deciding not to dwell on such dark thoughts, Lyrus slept. It would take them three days to navigate the forest and he intend to use those to train in using the spell and rest.

It was a few hours after noon when he woke up. He was greeted by Freid who was busy polishing a spear. The spear had a mahogany colored body while having a long-bladed leaf-shaped iron head with wings at its base. What made the weapon peculiar-looking was the two sets of olive-green runes engraved on it that ran from its base to its head twisting and interlocking at each other in certain points. This was different from Freid's usual spear.

"Oh this? This was my family's heirloom, they call it the Valkeif. It was given to my great great grandfather by an elf or so they say." Freid answered as he saw Lyrus' questioning expression.

"Sadly, this one's just enchanted, not woven. They say it contains a powerful spell. That's why most of us in the family were trained in the use of the spear so that we may wield the Valkeif when needed. Problem is they never trained us on using the spell enchanted on it." Freid grinned impishly as the knight continued to rub a piece of cloth over and over the weapon's body.

"Well, that's okay. What matters is that your parents allowed you to bring it since we might need it later on." Lyrus replied. Freid's family never ceased to amaze him. The Leif house is one of the oldest royal bloodlines in Threanas. In fact, Freid is a very distant cousin of Auria.

"About that…they didn't allow me to bring it. I nicked it from our treasury."

"You stole a family heirloom from your family's treasury?"

"Yes." Lyrus groaned at his bestfriend's answer. Ever since they were little Freid had been the mischievous but dependable one while he was the shy and unsure one. The two laughed at each other's reaction. The two bantered for a few more minutes before their wagon stopped and Leane's head peered inside.

"We're inside Nieblahim. Roswell said we should eat lunch first before we continue. Oooh, is that an enchanted spear?" Leane exclaimed upon seeing the Valkeif in Freid's hands. Freid grinned and nodded in return, making Lyrus groan once more.

Their first lunch as a group was a mix of small talk and grunts, the small talk coming from Freid and the grunts from Roswell. While it was obvious that Freid wants to get to know more Leane, Lyrus' bestfriend also tried to coax some information from Roswell but to no avail. All they learned through the mercenary's grunts and uh-huhs was that Roswell was indeed from one of the tribes in the northern continent, Norus, similar to Karos.

On the other hand, the two learned a great deal about Leane. She was a former castle mage in Adrana and was even one of Althas' apprentices. However, a spell gone wrong resulted to her being kicked out of the palace and into the streets. She became a mage for hire in Adrana for a good year or so. She then decided to try her luck in Noir, hoping that her skills would be recognized. However, Leane was reluctant to share any detail of what exactly happened with the spell that went awry when pressed on by Freid. With the atmosphere getting a bit heavier with Leane's hesitation to talk anymore, Lyrus suggested that they be on their way once more.

The next two days were uneventful to the group as they trudged through Nieblahim. Lyrus was thankful that the Council provided them with a wagon because the trek would have taken a lot longer. In fact, the whole journey became a lot quicker with Leane and Roswell doing shifts at the reins of the wagon. Leane would drive most of the day while the mercenary would be the one in control during the night until daylight. Lyrus can't help but be amazed at the two. They really seemed to be used to such kind of travel.

"We're almost at Wendlin." Leane exclaimed upon seeing the tops of houses of the town visible on the horizon. They were just a few meters from the edge of Nieblahim Forest when they settled down for lunch. With their pace, they should be arriving at the province late in the afternoon. Lyrus studied the golden ring on his left hand as they ate, hoping for something to happen, to give him even a hint that the tower was still there.

However, by the time they reached the town, the ring didn't glow or even flicker. "Let's split up. Leane come with me to the forest near Wendlin. Freid and Roswell, you two take care of the wagon and ask around town." Lyrus ordered. He was getting impatient. The more they dawdle, the greater chance that the tower might have moved somewhere already. Sensing the urgency in his friend's voice Freid agreed to the plan despite wanting to spend some more time with Leane.

Lyrus and Leane quickly made their way out of Wendlin and to the forest nearby. It was a good few minutes from the town. "Leane, do you know any spell that might help us locate the tower?" Lyrus asked, having given up on the useless ring he was wearing. There was no reaction from the jewelry at all. Maybe it was broken?

"I know one. But why do you keep on looking at your ring?" Leane asked.

"Deanor…the former king gave it to me. It's supposed to glow and point the location of the tower if it was near." Lyrus replied. The mage then asked to examine the jewelry as they entered the forest, the trees casting dark shadows as the sun began to set. Leane then closed her eyes and started muttering while holding the ring in one hand and her staff on the other. This went on for a few minutes before the mage opened here eyes with an exasperated look.

"Sorry. I've tried using every locating spell I know, even used the ring as a medium but there was nothing. Don't worry though. I've checked the ring and it's working, the spell enchanted on it was whole." Leane apologized.

"I know this maybe a lot to ask. But can you try again while we're navigating the forest? We might find something deeper inside." The mage agreed to Lyrus' plan. Lyrus, on the other hand, had unsheathed his two swords. Leane needed to concentrate and it will be his job not just to protect her but to ensure she doesn't get distracted.

Night had already fallen but the two still hadn't found the tower or any trace of it. Seeing the exhaustion on Leane's face, Lyrus decided that they head back and meet with Roswell and Freid. However, as they reach the center of the forest, they saw a mysterious figure standing on a clearing with an abundance of rush plants. The figure was wearing a hooded robe and seemed to have his head bowed. The two immediately hid themselves behind a bush and observed the person.

Straining his ears, Lyrus heard faint whispers coming from the figure before them, as if casting a spell. This went on for about an hour so. The dread started eating up Lyrus. Instinct told him that the person was definitely not Heronicus but rather someone dangerous.

He was about to ask Leane to start preparing a spell too when the person suddenly looked up from what the latter was doing then left. Lyrus breathed a sigh of relief. The two waited for a few minutes before going to the same spot where the hooded figure was. Finding nothing peculiar about the spot and not wanting to spend time any longer in the forest the two went back to the town.

The two met up with Freid and Roswell at one of the inns inside the town. Freid and Roswell also didn't have any luck in finding anything about the tower or Heronicus. Leane then recounted their encounter with the hooded figure they saw in the forest. "Looks like someone is searching for the tower as well." Freid remarked.

"Crusdea? Or another group? But how would they know the last whereabouts of the tower?" Leane wondered. Lyrus bit his lip. He was about to say something about having a spy in their party but decided against it. While he did not trust Roswell, Thenan did, and the knight commander was seldom wrong with his intuition.

"Give me Thenan's dagger." Roswell suddenly spoke as the group were in the middle of eating dinner.

"Why?" Freid asked warily. Knowing his friend, Freid would not easily give up the weapon without Roswell offering a plausible explanation.

"I need it if you want to catch your mysterious 'Forest Lurker'." replied Roswell, seemingly oblivious to Freid's stare. Catch the hooded figure? Lyrus thought the plan was good. The mysterious person might know something about the tower or Heronicus and if the man was also searching then they still might get a little bit of information from him.

"What do you say Lyrus? We can lure that 'forest lurker' into a specific place in the forest and trap him." Freid asked as he turned his attention to Lyrus.

"Let's do it then. Freid give the dagger to Roswell. We'll lure him to the spot where Leane and I saw him, the clearing filled with rush plants. Freid, Leane, and I will go there before daylight and wait. After you've finished what you needed to do, join us." It felt weird for Lyrus to order people, but he needed to show that he was a capable member of the group. Also, he did not want to be upstaged by Roswell.

"Good to know you actually planned to capture your 'forest lurker'. By the way, I would also need three gold coins." Roswell replied.

"What? Why?" Freid asked irritably.

"Look, do you want to capture him or not?"

"Lyrus?"

"Fine. Freid give him three gold coins. Roswell, make sure you use that wisely." Lyrus replied.

"See you tomorrow. Oh, and don't wait for my return." Roswell sarcastically said as he left the inn carrying Thenan's dagger and three gold coins. Lyrus sighed. It was barely a week, yet he already has to deal with the mercenary's attitude. Feeling the exhaustion from the day's events, Lyrus excused himself and left Freid and Leane by the bar to go to his room.

Sleep, however, did not come easy for Lyrus. The thought that the tower had already moved to a new location echoed in his mind. He tried to calm himself by running his fingers along the scars on his face, but it didn't work. He ended up practicing Etrunr until he tired himself out.

The four strained their ears and eyes as they sat in the dark. Lyrus at the south, Freid at the north, Leane at the east, and Roswell at the west, while infront of them was a clearing full of rush plants. Roswell claimed that he already did his part so now all they have to do is wait. They cannot risk arriving too late, so the group was up before dawn and had taken their respective positions. Leane was to bind the forest lurker while the latter was busy examining the area while the other three would rush to ensure that their mysterious prey does not escape.

It was already a few hours into the morning when the hooded figure returned to the clearing. Lyrus immediately unsheathed his blades. Looks like Roswell indeed did whatever he was going to use the dagger and coins for. The forest lurker bent down and seemed to be inspecting the ground. Any minute now and Leane would bind the mysterious person to the spot.

Glowing runes appeared from below the forest lurker's feet. Taking this as the cue, Lyrus and Freid ran towards the hooded figure. Their prey tried to run but his left leg stopped in midair as he tried to step. To their surprise, however, the runes burst into small sparks and disappeared, allowing the man to run at the last minute before Lyrus and Freid can reach him.

"Roswell!" Lyrus shouted as the figure ran to the west of the clearing. No mercenary showed up, however, prompting the two to continue after their prey. As the forest lurker made his way out of the clearing and into the trees though, the mercenary stepped out from behind of a tree and threw a clay jar at the oncoming man. Green smoke immediately filled the area near man. Luckily, Lyrus and Freid was able to stop and cover their faces in time.

The forest lurker stumbled out of the thick green smoke, clearly dazed. Upon seeing Roswell though, the man pulled out a dagger and lunged at the former. The mercenary easily dodged the attack, but his opponent managed to grab on his arm. Within seconds, Roswell fell on his knees seemingly in pain. "Never mind me. Go after the damn man. Leane should be coming this way any moment now. I'll ask her to heal me." the mercenary said to Lyrus and Freid as the two came over to him.

Looking around, Lyrus saw the hooded person just a few yards from them, running like a drunkard. Freid took this as a signal and drew the bow he brought with him. He was planning to use it earlier but with Lyrus running towards the bound forest lurker, it would be hard to aim. He took a deep breath as he aimed the arrow at the stumbling man. To their surprise, the arrow broke into two after coming into contact with the figure's hooded robe, as if a thin barrier was protecting the latter.

As if sensing that he was just shot at, the forest lurker stopped in his tracks, head bowed. Within a few seconds though the man was up and running normally again like he wasn't poisoned at all. Lyrus and Freid pursued the figure into Wendlin but lost sight of him, having blended into the crowd.

"You could have given us a warning before you threw that poison." Lyrus spoke as they sat inside the bar of the inn they were staying at. It was already noon. They've searched the town for hours but found no forest lurker or even a trace of him.

"And what? Risked the forest lurker dodging it? The man is a professional. He incapacitated me, deflected an arrow, and subdued the effects of the poison all within a few minutes." Roswell snapped back, clearly irritated that his prey escaped and even managed to hurt him.

"I hate to say this. But…I agree with Roswell." Freid spoke, Lyrus turned his head towards his friend, about to say something but decided against it.

"Roswell is right. The man certainly is skilled, a very skilled mage to be exact. I don't know how he does it, but his spells worked almost instantaneously with just a few words of incantation. He definitely used a spell to remove or reduce the poison's effects and to deflect the arrow." Leane felt frustrated. She had always considered herself well-versed in magic, having been brought up in Adrana and even being mentored personally by Althas and yet here was someone who can easily counter her spells.

"So what now, leader?" Roswell asked.

"Leader?" Lyrus retorted

"Yeah. You're the one who's supposed to get that Sky Marigold, right? And we were supposedly just here to help you get it, right? So that makes you the leader, then." Roswell stated in a mocking tone. Lyrus felt his blood boil at the mercernary's sarcastic remark, and was about to reach to his sword when he saw Freid shaking his head, discouraging him.

Lyrus sighed. He closed his eyes and ran his fingers over his face for a minute. "Roswell, try to scour the town to see if the forest lurker is still here and if not, which direction he went to. Leane and Freid, set up shop and start selling some of Erne's wares. We're supposed to be traveling merchants and I'm sure the ruckus from earlier had caught the attention of some people. We need to stick to our presumed identities."

"And you?" The mercenary asked.

"I'm going to the forest. Our forest lurker might have left some clues there as to his identity. Besides I can do whatever I want, I'm the leader after all." Lyrus stood up and walked out of the inn, he didn't feel like eating lunch with the group.

Lyrus spent most of the day scouring the woods for any clues but found none. He ended up training casting Etrunr until the evening, passing out thrice in the process. By the end, he was lurching as he made his way back to the inn. Freid and the others were about to finish their supper when he arrived.

"You okay? You look pale." Freid asked.

"I'm fine." Lyrus replied despite feeling he's going to throw up everything he ate for the past few days.

"Good. Then drink up and eat." Freid handed some stew and ale to his bestfriend. Lyrus muttered a quick thanks and ate.

"I've asked around. The knights didn't see anyone suspicious the whole day. The other folk didn't see anything unusual either even with me offering them some coin for information." Roswell spoke out of the blue. There's no sarcasm or irritation, and Lyrus was grateful for that. The knight nodded in recognition of what the mercenary said.

Finishing his meal, Lyrus looked at the others. They were waiting for him. While he wouldn't like to admit it, but he was indeed the leader of the group. What he says, they will follow. But what should he say? They lost the forest lurker. The man could be anywhere in Threanas by now. Unless…the thought struck Lyrus like lightning, making him stood up, to the surprised of others.

"Freid and Roswell, prepare the wagon. We're going to Ybrali." Lyrus drank the ale in one gulp. The warmth of the drink seemed to help him regain proper control of his legs and his body as a whole.

"Why?" Freid asked. Roswell, however, was already on his feet and out of the door. The mercenary understood what Lyrus realized.

"The Forest Lurker is also after the tower and Heronicus, right? Assuming he has the same information as us, the only logical thing to do after being discovered is—"

"Is to go to the place where Heronicus had been frequently visting, Ybrali. I'm going to get him this time." Leane stood up then went upstairs to her room to prepare.

"But how would he have the same information as us? The only ones in the room that time were Silvia, Thenan, me, you, and Deanor. Unless you're telling me—" Freid's expression turned serious. A spy. Someone is spying upon them or maybe there is a spy in a group. However, before he can even raise his suspicions to Lyrus, his bestfriend cut him off.

"Now is not the time for that. We'll talk when we get there. What's important is to leave this place immediately." Lyrus replied as he too left Freid in a hurry. While he had his suspicions about Roswell, Leane's character cannot be simply disregarded as well. However, he decided to save his doubts until they reach Ybrali, not just because he didn't want to offend Freid or Leane, but also because time is of the essence right now.