Chapter II: The Search

Meven had crossed the wildlands, avoiding contact with the people from there and advancing to the bridge that would take him to the mountains, where the Havec Temple was. According to the map, the structure would be located at the top. Meven continued to climb while he chewed a piece of bread that was left from his provisions. He would be out of food and without anything to drink by the time he reached the temple.

            - The distance that I've been walking is insane. It doesn't make sense for Havec to decide to live so far away.

            After going through some trees, he saw a flight of stairs engraved in stone. There was a sign by its side that warned that those who climbed with the intent to cause trouble must know beforehand that they wouldn't get out of there alive.

            - Havec must be an angry man by nature. Damn.

            The stairs took Meven through a path that went through the mountain and after another flight of stairs at the mountain's side, that had steep parts. He learned to walk close to the wall because when he noticed the strong gust hit against the rocks, he took that as a warning. He climbed and the more he climbed, the more difficult it was to breathe. He stopped, took a breath of fresh air, and then he climbed the rest of the stair. The temple was huge and contained two towers at the entrance. He saw a boy in one of them run and go through a door.

            - At least I won't have to call him.

            Some time after a man appeared at the Temple's entrance. He rubbed his beard while he observed him.

            - Come closer. – He said while examined him.

            Meven walked until he was inches away from him.

            - What do you do here, sir? What's your name?

            - I come directly from the Sect's Headquarters by Akhenahi's orders. I'm Meven, a ritualist deacon

            As he heard about the Headquarters the man reacted with a less stern voice:

            - I see. However, you must prove to me that you're really from there. Only then you'll have permission to enter the Temple.

            Meven mentioned the old texts that Raldrak used in one of his Master Rituals:

            - "The flesh succeeds the sword's edge, accepting it and becoming resources for the sacrifice that allow us to rekindle our power and consume the weaknesses of our enemies". Voice of Acclamation. Session Three. First Versicle.

            As he finished speaking, he revealed his dagger made in the mystic arts of the Headquarters. Admired and convinced, the man did an inviting gesture to the temple's entrance:

            - Come, deacon. Here, among yours, you're more than welcome.

            After the arc at the corridor's entrance. After going through this corridor, Meven entered a hall with a high ceiling. Some people came to see him through the path under the arc structures on the left.

            The older man told them he was from the Headquarters and that he was on a mission. He told them to prepare a commemorative meal. As he spoke, Meven saw a woman that caught his attention. She looked at him with curiosity. Not in his eyes, but at his marks on the neck and arm. Verik noticed the gaze between the two of them and smiled. He ordered that everyone got out, except for Larren.

            - Meven, ritualist deacon, this is Larren Arkisia, a graduated from our temple.

            Meven anticipated himself to hold her hand in a gentle gesture. She yielded in respect and he was admired:

            - Larren, to me, it's a great pleasure to meet you.

            With a gentle but firm grip, Larren returned:

            - It's always a pleasure to speak with a deacon, mister Meven, even though you're the second one I've ever seen in my life.

            Verik smiled, satisfied with the due attention that Larren gave to the deacon. She was the best of the apprentices, both in power and respect. She was the pride of Havec and his most attentive apprentice.

            Verik took the newcomer to meet the temple and its training grounds. He explained the reason why that temple was so distant and when Meven wanted to know where Havec was, he found out he had passed away a year ago. Verik explained that the cause of death was when a group of beaters from the Unpronounceable attacked the temple:

            - The attack ended up killing many of our apprentices and, unfortunately, master Havec didn't resist the wounds that he received while trying to save them. Before nightfall of that same day, he had left us.

             Now Meven was hearing things that didn't even exist as rumors at the Headquarters.

            - I didn't hear any rumors. Nobody went to the Headquarters or sent a message. I'm so sorry.

            - That was thanks to the master's will. It's been a long time since we don't agree with the Council, even though we never stopped belonging to the Sect. My master said that the council was weakened when new members were promoted. I shared with the master about the great achievements from the days of the Great Mage. She brought significant changes. She was fascinating and my master was proud to say that he was one of the last ones of Kiranara's Council lineage. We all share this same feeling here. Hence why the master stopped sending messages about us.

            Meven was on his side and was appreciating the view of the mountains. When Verik finished talking, he decided to tell why he came here:

            - Master Verik, it's time to tell you the reason why I'm here.

            - Okay. – He made a gesture with his head. – Proceed.

            - I came straight from the Headquarters with a mission designated by a person that isn't between the Council's members. As I said before, I come at the request of Akhenahi, sister of Galm, that was killed during combat for the title of Sect's new leader.

            While Verik listened with interest, Meven continued:

            - Since you've been out of touch with the Headquarters for years, as I said before, I'll explain what happened: Akhenahi was Galm's only sister and both won the Headquarters tests and they had to go to the Arena. Neither had seen each other since the tests of the day had begun. When they appeared in the Arena, they knew that their fight was to decide the right to become the Sect's new leader and that only one would come out alive of the combat. The Council was on Galm's behalf, besides that, in fact, he had more experience and power than Akhenahi and with that, I had to agree. There was, however, the fact that everybody, including Galm, underestimated his sister's abilities. A mistake that we saw to be his biggest flaw. Akhenahi killed him without hesitation, putting above of her sanguine bonds, the importance that the Sect had to her and her will to govern it. She won, but there was no Graduation Ceremony. The Council used Kiranara as an excuse for the Sect to not have a female leader in command again, that in Raldrak's words, was another disgrace bound to happen. So, Akhenahi killed her only brother and got the exile for her success as a reward that Raldrak insisted to deliver with satisfaction. After Galm's burial, Akhenahi decided to search for Kiranara's Forbidden Scrolls. Hence why I'm here.

            Verik caressed his beard lost in thoughts. Meven enjoyed the view of the clouds this time. The temple's master processed all the information that was said. In the end, he said it more to himself than to the man next to him:

            - Fascinating, a new female Mage on the power… A hierarchy re-established and a sect recreated with its power restored. My master would have liked to see this and would have called it a blasphemy what they did to Kiranara's name.

            - Akhenahi won't measure efforts to conquer her ambitions, because I know her from back when we were young and I know that if she wants something, well, she'll try to obtain it. She proved herself to be worthy of being the Sect's new Leader. I fear that she may even be more worthy than her appearance may reveal. I noticed, as well, that she has a determination stronger than Galm had, after all, she was the one to show that power doesn't choose weak receptacles.

            Verik rubbed his hands in happiness. This woman could be the key to the restoration of the Sect's true personification.

            - Here, master Verik, a message straight from her.

            Verik grabbed it carefully. The seal was intact. He removed it and opened the scroll:

            "I've sent to you a man very close to my deceased brother so that he could obtain, from you, considerable reinforcements so that he could go to Aracnus, the kingdom of Nagstt, to retrieve one of Kiranara's Forbidden Scrolls. According to the texts I found about Havec, he doesn't share the same ideas as the Council, the reason why I decided to get in touch, just like him, I don't condone anything that the Council can offer us. Although we never met or that you have never heard about me, I can guarantee that the Sect will change soon and it'll be a Sect that lives up to Kiranara's legacy. A sect to bring the true representation of Power, an even bigger and more powerful Sect".

Akhenahi

            Verik closed the message carefully. He took a deep breath and turned his attention to Meven.

            - A long time ago my master said that Kiranara was one in a million. She was dedicated and loyal to the Sect and the Sect was loyal to her in all aspects. A person like this can't be found that easily, although I believe that once that person is found all the support must be sent. In the name of my master and his legacy, we'll do as he wished. We'll support this cause transforming it into our cause. We shall make our preparations, deacon before the winds calm down and the Unpronounceable sends more enemies. That has been happening frequently lately.

            Meven couldn't help but feel curious:

            - Who's this Unpronounceable and why does it ravage the Temple?

            - When the master was still alive, he used to visit king Izes's lands frequently, because there was a font of materials which fame called the master's attention, that did his research based on countless hours of study and he used to buy a great quantity of material with each visit. Master Havec brought many scrolls and magic items from the Redraerkanis kingdom and the Unpronounceable would like to grab them back. A long time ago he was one of King's servers. He learned many things with him and Izes taught him the way of witchcraft. Of course, Izes wasn't a descendant of any lineage from the royalty, managing to rise to the throne due to a curse that requires targets to be concluded. It had to be renewed yearly. There was a man, known as Valekish, son of Ravir of the East, which was one of those targets. Valekish became a famine creature and undesired due to the curse. A certain night, he killed the King and took his throne. His true name appears in some books that belong to the kingdom, but even he doesn't know which they are anymore. If anyone pronounces his true name in a curse reversion ritual, he'll become a man once again, and even though this doesn't kill him it'll weaken him because in his original form, he'll be old and unable to cast sorceries. This is the reason why we've been attacked. He desires to retrieve all the items so that he can keep his true name and his biggest weakness in secret.

            Suddenly they heard screams of invocations and a flash coming from the sky hit a pillar nearby:

            - Damn it! – Verik said while he pointed at some bats that were flying above the Temple. – He sent more winged knights to desolate us. We must prepare to leave.

            Verik indicated the place where there was a staircase that would take them to the stable and said that soon the others would be there. Meven went down the stairs and found under there a place filled with winged creatures. He had never seen them before, except in books. An apprentice called Elz went down the stairs telling others to prepare the mounts. While he explained to Meven how the procedure was, on the upper floor, Verik gave instructions to the others.

            Rekdra adjusted the course of her mount to pass by the Temple once again. Her voice emitted a sorcery and another flash emerged from the clouds, it went down and hit its target. She then announced.

            - The master demanded that we take the Temple and kill them all.

            Her knights pulled their swords and lunged to the air:

            - For Redraerkanis! – They shouted in unison.

            Rekdra lowered the arm that wielded the sword with a gesture:

            - Attack!

            The knights went down in a spiral, even lower they divided themselves into two columns and attacked the Temple from the right and the left.

            The magical flashes kept ravaging the building. When Meven and Elz have finished equipping the mounts, he saw that the others were dressed for combat. Larren came between them and brought with her a very beautiful spear.

            - Master Meven, we must go. Master Verik is casting a distraction spell. Soon, he'll be with us.

            - Understood! I'd like to know if any of you grabbed a map, just to be sure!

            - I have one with me. – Elz opened the bag and showed it.

            - Me too. – Said Lanad. One of the apprentices that were by Larren's side.

            Meanwhile, Verik had done a ritual and he launched it all over the structure. Plants with black vines started to grow and wrap around the pillars. Their thorns were thin as a needle and tough as steel. Within a couple of minutes, the plants were wrapping around even more, preventing the knights and their mounts to enter the lobby.

            Rekdra didn't like that kind of sorcery and while she planned a way to deal with it, she saw one of her knights coming to her:

            - Some griffins are flying towards Nagstt, my lady.

            - Nagstt? – Rekdra asked while she stared at the knight, she thought for a while and ordered:

            - Order that some of the knights stay on the temple in vigilance. Tell Halstred that he and his squad are coming with me. The others must return to the kingdom and keep the master abreast of the events. Tell him that the Temple has an alliance with Nagstt. The Master will know what to do.

            - Immediately, my lady.

*****

            The sensation of flying was pleasant and insane, according to Meven's first impressions. The height didn't intimidate him. What intimidated him was what he could do in case he needed to get out of some situation, in the case of a fall. Larren wasn't in any of the mounts. Meven asked Elz if she had gone another way. Elz pointed towards him, but not to him, which made him turn and see Larren by his side saying:

            - I don't need a mount. I learned how to fly during my training back when I had Elz's age.

            - What the hell! – Meven was surprised. – This is crazy!

            Larren laughed and the others followed her laugh. Even Verik couldn't help but laugh at Meven's stupid face:

            - With all due respect deacon, your expression is that of an idiot.

            And more laughter came.

            For some time, they flew without being bothered until, at a certain moment, Verik looked up above his shoulder and saw the enemy:

            - We're being followed by Rekdra's knights.

            - Who? – Meven wanted to know while he looked behind and saw mounted bats approaching.

            - Rekdra, Master Minion of the Unpronounceable. Her knights are hunters and will chase us until they complete their mission.

            - Or maybe until we get rid of them.

            He changed his expression to a more serious one when he noticed that it wouldn't be a peaceful trip. He didn't have time for that. Akhenahi wouldn't like delays. However, the griffins would help to search quicker, which left him happy enough for not having to walk insanely long distances.

            - We're ready to fight, master Verik. – Meven heard Lanad say as he prepared his sword and shield.

            Each of the mounts contained two people, except for Meven and Verik's griffins. Larren was the only one who knew how to fly. With Elz, there was a girl named Erisia and with Lanad there was Kedria, his younger sister. Both Erisia and Kedria were specialists in healing magic, while the third woman on the party, Larren, was the complete opposite. When the deacon looked over his shoulder a second time, the knights had reached them.

            A masked man threatened him:

            - I'll crush you like a bug, ritualist.

            Meven dodged the sledgehammer blow. Then another one. The bat assaulted the griffin with its sharp teeth trying to hit its neck. The ritualist noticed the assaults and although the griffin hit back ferociously, the bat didn't give up. Meven delivered a kick to the lateral part of the bat's face, strong and accurate, making it twitch in pain. The knight felt its mount fail for an instant, destabilizing the flight, while Meven tried to back off.

            - At least you're courageous. – The knight snubbed. – I don't like weak prey.

            Behind him, Larren hit the mount, piercing through the mount and the knight. Rekdra saw the blow being delivered and laughed with disdain:

            - What do we have here? How interesting! By being able to call my attention, I'll be obliged to kill you with more emotion.

            She put the sword away and grabbed a spear with a serrated tip in both extremities. The wielded weapon uplifted the knights. One shouted:

            - Ganasha has been wielded!

            The others made an ovation of approval. Whenever Ganasha was in the hands of its master, blood would be drawn.

            The griffins flew over part of the forest with many pine columns and sometimes, some dodging maneuvers were difficult. The apprentices were good at conducting, but not Meven. His persecutor used that to cause him even more problems. He leveled his mount with the ritualist's mount. With a straight hit, he killed the griffin.

            The griffin wavered after the strike and it fell towards the ground, ungoverned. At the end of its trajectory, the griffin and Meven hit a rock, but Meven used the griffin's body to cushion the fall, although the force of the strike had thrown him onto a mud puddle next to a lagoon. The knight made a turn, pulled the halter of his mount so that it would standstill on the air, and laughed at Meven, who was still laying on the puddle:

            - One shouldn't try to fly if they don't know the rules of the sky.

            Meven was stunned from the blow and tried to lift himself:

            - Don't try to get up. Don't do it. The mud is your place. It's on the mud that you must die.

            Meven closed the fist that belonged to the profaned arm.

            "Finally, someone I can treat as I wish". He thought, with satisfaction.

            The knight threw the sledgehammer at his head in a swift motion, but Meven rolled to the side, he got up and ran towards the back of the rock where the griffin had collided.

            - Run is valid, however, hiding is not. The knight scoffed again.

            Meven saw strands of blood drain from his mount next to his feet:

            - Hide? I'm just taking advantage of the terrain while I analyze your abilities.

            Interested, Kalln drew his spear:

            - In fact, you deserve to be impaled, notched, and have a place in my collection.

            Meven spoke while he made the symbols with blood on the ground for the ritual:

            - I have no interest in participating in anyone's collection.

            When there was no answer, he looked to his side and saw the shadow of the bat go around the rock and come in his direction. In the shadow he didn't see the knight, which gave him a quick idea of what had happened, he drew his sword, and turned in time to defend the strike.

            - I'm impressed. I thought you'd fall for that trick. – Kalln smiled maliciously.

            - I'm disappointed. – Meven smiled back and mocked him. – I thought you'd notice the ritual before stepping on the pentagram.

            When the knight looked down, he saw the pentagram drawn on the rock start to shine:

            - A small courtesy is never enough. – Meven mocked him once again.

            The effect of the magic was quick, when he saw that the last column of the pentagram was about to shine, he jumped in time to avoid being hit by the lightning, while another lightning hit the knight, hitting his back. A scream of pain echoed through the trees and Kalln fell on his knees. A dark smoke came out of his wound, just like a bonfire in its last moments. The bat lunged towards the enemy, moving him away from its master's body and Meven noticed the mask being removed, the skin fragmenting and falling like dry bark.

            Kalln got up. On his skin, there were ritualistic symbols. On his face there were writings marked on his exposed skull:

            - We're just starting ritualist. Now not only I'm going to kill you but I'm also going to make you suffer.

              Meven was never the kind of guy to admit, but there had always been a part of his personality of sadistic mockery. It wasn't very difficult to awaken this side of his personality, the problem was the consequences that it always brought.

            - It's better that you know that I'm not going to forgive you.

            Up ahead, Larren was hitting Rekdra's mount, until that a spear strike pierced it. The bat screamed in pain, it flounced trying to get rid of the spear, but Larren sank it even deeper in its flesh.

            - No! – Rekdra screamed. – You'll pay a very steep price for this!

            But Larren had a hidden power. A power that she didn't utilize for a long time. Since she tried to help her master. As she remembered that day, images came into her mind, of which her master was slain in cowardice. She also had fury, a fury that craved for victims.

            She removed the spear as she spoke:

            - Pay? For a long time, I've wanted that cowards with dirty strategies like you could answer for Havec's death, my master. – She grabbed an earring on the bat's ear in a ruthless act. She stuck the spear in its neck, removing it with a twisting motion, and used it as a bat to hit Rekdra's face. The blow made her drop blood and her face turned in an expression of pain. – And you'll be only the first one.

            Larren didn't expect her to turn her face once more to face her, she delivered a second blow that hit her on her back, making her fall from the mount. However, the warrior was decided to not giving her a quick death. At least, not without her knowing a third of her strength. She got down after her, in a swift dive, at full speed. She held her by the arm and in a brutal scream, she made a throw towards the ground.

            Meven saw Larren's opponent hit a rock down ahead, causing a strong blowing sound and he also saw Larren hold the bat by its leg, spin it in the air twice and throw it towards its master. Impressed, both by the move and the brutality, he decided that she would be a very important piece of the puzzle that Akhenahi was building.

            He turned his attention to its fight but was still very impressed with that woman.

            Rekdra put the dead bat away. She got up, outraged:

            - Ritualists had always been a problem. Always meddling in other people's affairs. I ordered them to kill Havec and I'll order them to kill Verik!

            With her right hand stained by bat blood, she touched the ground and summoned a name:

            - Tradius!

            Soon, a masked man appeared little by little from the portal on the ground and when the process was over, he bowed to her:

            - How can I serve you, my lady?

            - Kill Verik. – Her face turned to a dark expression. – Painfully.

            - Yes. I'll kill him in your name, master.

            When Larren had mention intervening in his escape, Tradius was gone.

            Rekdra faced her:

            - Painfully for Tradius is but a compliment. He'll kill Verik and you won't be there to stop him.

            Larren eyes started to shine, her armor shined and she delivered a blow with her spear, throwing it towards Rekdra. The spear came like a lightning and impaled her on the rock.

            Without wasting any time Larren began her search for Verik, while down ahead, Meven saw her disappear between the pines. He knew that Verik was in danger. And Larren would do her best to save him. She would get hurt, for sure. That made Meven serious. His face became dark:

            - Your time's over.

            The symbols marked on his arm started to shine and when the glove touched Kalln's neck, the knight felt his skin start to tingle and burn. Without delay, Meven let his sword aside, he pulled his dagger and struck his target's forehead.

            - You can be sure that this ritual won't be like the ones that you're used to. This sorcery that you use to keep you alive won't help you.

            The dagger started the release of the Cursed Marks. Starting on the forehead, the markings started to spread through the body until the body had markings on his arms, legs, and abdomen. Meven saw him start to squirm, because said sorcery attacked the mind directly, distorting it, and breaking it. Meven started a rite:

            - "Oh Kiranara, of the Initial Rituals, of exemplary initialization, I deliver to you, this victim. I did for you, said sacrifice. Now he's all yours. Claim it to yourself".

            Kalln's body ignited, his screams could be heard by Rekdra and the others. When he fell on his side, the ritualist was already running towards the others, while he put his dagger aside. The bat tried to attack Meven on his back, but it was stopped by an arrow that made it back off. Between the trees Elz called him:

            - Come, master Meven. Mister Verik and the others are surrounded!

            Elz shot some more arrows to cover up Meven's escape.

            - Come Elz. We need to hurry! – Meven called him as soon as he passed by him.

            Larren's arm bleed due to an attack by one of the knights. Erisia and Kedria protected Verik so that his conjuring would be performed with success. Lanad was always lunging against anyone that stood in his way. The knights played around, while once in a while, a careless one received a violent blow by one of the apprentices.

            Halstred got down from his mount, drew his sword, and walked towards Larren:

            - Tradius, what was Rekdra's situation when you saw her?

            - She was, without a doubt, bleeding a lot. – He pointed towards Larren. – She's guilty of the blows.

            Larren stared at Halstred:

            - You have no idea of what's going to happen to you, as soon as the time comes for each one of you to die by my hands.

            - Really? I imagine that you have enough power to win against one or two more. However, it'll be different.

            The sword strike zoomed in the air. Larren barely dodged it. It was a quick and heavy strike. On the second strike, she felt the wind on her hair.

            The ritualist and the archer had reached the place before the first strike had been delivered. With that number of enemies, it wasn't wise to play around.

            - I want you to help the others by my signal. The time for games is over.

            - Okay.

            Meven went down a trail without making a sound, he reached the nearest knight. The others looked in his direction as soon as he screamed. The attack, much like a claw, knocked him down. Meven didn't waste any time and decapitated him with a sword strike. When the blade hit the rock, sparks appeared. Larren didn't have time to look. Her eyes were on Tradius, who appeared sneakily behind Verik. When she tried to fly, Halstred grabbed her by the arm and threw her towards a tree:

            - Don't you dare ignore me.

            Unable to stop Tradius advancing against Verik, she tried to warn Verik, but she saw the low blow coming snakily when the blade went through the flesh. Verik had been murdered by his back.

            - No! – She screamed once again. – No!

            She rose and advanced against Tradius. So fast that Halstred didn't have time to strike another time. Tradius was going out sneakily when he noticed the onslaught, too late to dodge. The punch hit him directly on his face, breaking his facial bones in the process. The snap of the attack was a mix of metal, flesh, and bones. Tradius finished his trajectory as he hit a rock. His mask was stuck on his face in a way that the flesh was horribly exposed. But Larren didn't stop, moved toward another knight and attacked, and then another one. While Meven did the same. The gritting of teeth, the sound of bones breaking, and the blood staining the ground, made Meven give the signal:

            - Elz, now!

            The archer hit the eye of a bat, making it flounce and drop its knight, another eyeball was hit and another bat became mad due to the pain. This gave Larren the chance to attack another knight off guard, while Lanad did the same thing with another one.

            Only Halstred remained. He stared at them and prepared his sword.

            Meven stared him back. His sword was ready for combat.

            - You can try, but I won't allow you to kill any of them.

            - Then I have no choice but to use brute force.

            - No. You can go away. It doesn't matter to me that you go. If you stop to analyze the situation, you'll die. Have respect for Rekdra. Give her a proper burial. All we want is to do a burial for Verik.

            Halstred laughed:

            - You're afraid, great, just know that you'll die here. My sword will be the executioner of all of you.

            He moved forward with a swift attack. Meven dodged it. He used his magic and became a shadow, which impressed the apprentices. Halstred wasn't impressed, he was just more cautious. Meven hit him with a sure strike on his thorax. Halstred felt his armor crack, the breastplate broke and the attack hit his flesh. The pressure of the blow made him stagger back and the sound of bones cracking was heard. His vision failed for an instant. Then, everything turned black and he fell heavily on the ground.

            - I can't believe that I had to use all my leftover power to bring him down. If I had missed the attack, I would be the one on the ground right now. We need to get out of here. Elz, kill any mount that you see. We can't allow another chase.

            - Yes sir.

            While Elz handled the remaining bats, the others made a pyre. Meven tried to console Larren. He didn't find any good words to do so. And when he tried to move away she was the one to speak:

            - Thank you for giving us some time to say farewell to Verik.

            - Sure. Don't worry about that. Listen. – He turned to her to face her. – As a deacon and older one, I decided to take care of you and the others, for Verik. I never did that before, never took care of anyone, because I never had anyone to take care of. But now it`s different. A deacon must fulfill his duty with his people and their sect. I only ask that you have a little bit of patience with how I handle this if you accept me as responsible for all of you.

            Putting her hand over her wound she knew that she wouldn't be able to decide that for the others, just for herself:

            - To me it's acceptable. Please, talk to the others about this. I can't answer that for them for all that happens to us.

            Meven looked at her wound worried:

            - I'll talk to them. Now go take care of your wound before it gets worse.

            - I will, deacon.

            She was truly a well-mannered woman. She wasn't frail. She was human and was subject to wounds just like any other person. However, something in her was different. Meven didn't give it a second thought, he simply said:

            - Larren?

            She turned towards him completely.

            - Yes?

            - You fought impressively. I'm glad that you had survived.

            She looked towards Verik's body on the pyre:

            - But all the effort wasn't enough to stop master Verik's assassination. First, I couldn't save master Havec from death. Now, it was master Verik's turn. I have to hone my abilities. I can no longer allow any of us to die.

            - I'll help you to protect them. You have my word. With you, I'll go until the end of the world.

            Larren placed her hand over his shoulder and stared at him with affection:

            - Then guide us. Without a direction, we'll be drifting. We can't live without an objective.

            - Excellent words, Larren Arkisia. There's someone who you'll follow. She is the reason why I'm here. Through her, you'll know the way. Through me, you'll know how to pass through it and you'll have an objective to dedicate yourselves.

            - Then be it. I'm surprised that you remember my surname, master Meven.

            - I heard it the first time and it made it become branded in my memory forever.

            She didn't smile, nor she said anything. Their silence was interrupted by Elz, who called Meven:

            - Now go take care of your wound. – Said Meven.

            When she got up and walked towards the pyre, Meven called her.

            - Just call me Meven. That's enough.

            - If you so desire, I'll call you just as Meven from now on.

            When everybody gathered around the pyre, the ritualist saw them cry in silence. The pyre had launched too much smoke in the air. It was time to go to not have even more problems. Only Meven's mount had been killed. Elz offered his' for the trip:

            - If you prefer, you can come with me.

            - Okay. We must go, without further ado. We'll travel in silence and we'll find a safe place to camp. I must say, however, that Verik's death will not be in vain. Sadly, we must go without him. We must remember him and I confess that I may not be as good as him when it comes to guiding you from now on. I ask patience of you all because we'll be learning together on this new path. You are free to accept it or refuse it.

            - We'll follow you, Meven. – Larren decided last minute to speak for everybody. – We're descendants of sons of priests and followers of Kiranara's Council last lineage. We belong to the Sect and we'll have no regrets that this is the way it is and we don't want it to be different. We'll guard with ourselves the teachings and the memories of our old masters and we'll carry your legacy so that your teachings and time with us won't be in vain.

            Those words made Meven's heart remember his home. It was such a welcoming truth that he felt encouraged:

            - Our duty with the Sect is eternal. We must be as master Verik said. We must be faithful in all aspects towards it, live through it and if necessary, die for it over its necessities.

            With the following silence that appeared, the ritualist noticed that it was time to go.

            When they reached the skies, the sun was setting. While they were flying away from that place, Meven agreed on a plan with the others. They camped on a high part of a mountain. They shared supper with a lot of meat and bread. When the others slept, Meven decided to stay awake, even though he was tired. Some hours after, Larren came to him:

            - You must rest. I'll stay on guard duty for the rest of the night.

            - It's okay.

            - Meven, your tiredness is very much noticeable, to a point beyond what would be called "okay".

            - You want to stay on guard duty but your arm needs to rest.

            She pointed towards a rock

            - You can go to sleep. I'll stay by your side. If something suspicious happens, I'll call you.

            She was innocent, the ritualist noticed, surprised. Maybe she had never gone too far from that Temple. Maybe she had no idea of what malice was. Meven preferred that things were like this because he had never met a woman that didn't already have a notion when it came to love and related topics. Except for Akhenahi. As he remembered her, he remembered his promise. He must keep his word. He would protect her, but he also promised that he would protect Larren and the other apprentices. He would do it. Meven had a very different life-code, that he never revealed to anyone. The fact that he would carry a promise and would fulfill it was what made him stand out from other deacons of the Sect.

            - When I said that I would protect you, I was being sincere. I must say that I have another person who I must protect. I have a code that says that when I promise something, I do what's needed to accomplish it. Akhenahi wouldn't care about this. It doesn't matter. After all, I didn't promise her anything, but to her brother.

            - When we resume flying, I'd like that you tell me more about Akhenahi and the Sect. Master Havec read many historical texts to me when I was younger.

            - Before that, I need to guarantee that you'll help me protect everyone here and her as well.

            - I'll do what's possible to help you.

            - At the right moment I'll tell you about the Sect. When we return, I'll show you the places and people there.

            - Is that a promise?

            - Yes. I'll do my best to accomplish it.

            Meven laid next to the rock and slept almost instantly. Larren watched around the camp, when the silence allowed, she thought about what kind of people lived at the Headquarters.

            The night was cold around the knight's bodies. Rekdra opened her eyes suddenly. Her breathing came back, she struggled to hold the spear with both hands and removed it from her thorax. She rose and looked around. Some knights started to get up slowly. Halstred was nearby. She could feel it. Kalln wasn't. Maybe he was dead.

            - Find Kalln and bring him back to me. – She ordered two knights nearby.

            - Yes ma'am!

            After the knights had started their search, Halstred brought Tradius with him.

            - He's alive, although his face's completely destroyed.

            - We must return. It seems like they have killed all the mounts.

            Rekdra threw her enemy's spear towards a rock.

            - She killed Zashc. She insulted me with severe dishonor.

            Halstred corrected her:

            - In fact, all of them had a part in that insult.

            For the knights of the Unpronounceable, lose their mount, was one of the worst humiliations. It was one of the biggest sins towards their honor.

            - This hunt became personal. I want them in my hands.

             The knight's morale was shattered, precisely because that was one of the first times that they lost during a hunt. Even worse, their mounts were found dead and left to the worms' care.

            That, above all else, had infuriated the knights. Their bats trained with them ever since they were young. They were more than mascots. They were an extension of their existence. Now, they were mere decaying carcasses.

            Rekdra gathered all the knights:

            - Never forget this insult. This humiliation. The ritualists will pay for this. We'll hunt them until the end and they'll know about our arrival in the anticipation of chaos.

            They all raised their fists in a shout in unison:

            - On the night of fear, we'll be the nightmares!

            The portal had been open after a slow ritual. They returned to their master's lair. Halstred took with him the spear that belonged to Larren.

*****

            On the next morning, they had a reinforced meal. They fed the griffins and reached for the skies in a hurry. Meven had reviewed the map while Larren helped the others to prepare the saddles. He had never stepped foot on Nagstt. His only interest in that place was when he studied poison potions. Yes, there are many types of venoms, as well as the most unusual kinds of creatures. Arcanus, however, was a kingdom removed from the rest of the world. Except for small negotiations or the hiring of some sort of service from the mercenaries. Their assassination techniques were what always made Meven study them, it was almost fascinating. The material was scarce, back then, but he took from those scrolls a notion that the worst mistake was trying to handle those people. Fanatics for their abilities, almost nearing perfection. They were very straightforward as if they didn't like to waste their time on pointless conversations. They were relentless, whenever they had the opportunity to massacre their target or enemy. They were merciless, whenever they were threatened, they would fight until their death. Meven took a deep breath. Of all the places he could go, Nagstt was never an option that he would choose willingly. While he flew with the others, he gave some instructions on how to handle those people. Lastly, he told them:

            - Don't you dare, not even as a joke, to do anything inappropriate. That people's distrust can become a reason for the assassination of all of us. Don't speak too much, because they're not very fond of chatty people. Lastly, never provoke an aracnus. Its temper is silent, but be sure that a strike will always come. This is their greatest saying.

            As expected, Larren learned with Meven and made sure to touch that subject until everybody was on par. That wasn't a game. Nor it was training.

            In an assassin's home, death can come even from the best of intentions.

            Meven noticed that not only she explained what could happen. She explained the advantages and disadvantages of their actions. Nobody questioned her orders.

            A little bit of rain made them reach closer to the ground. Under some trees, they stopped for a while. When Meven looked at the map, he noticed that they already were on Nagstt.

            - Be careful, we arrived on Nagstt.

            Around them, there were some ruins. Maybe from an old city or a place for prayer. The reality was that that place gave the impression that it once was more harmonic and that now it was a silent place. The wind blew through their clothes. It was a wind that took the rain away. The ritualist noticed the dispersion of the clouds.

            - This isn't natural. – He thought.

            Someone must have noticed the invaders. Then, the silence remained. Meven whispered:

            - We're being watched. Do it as I said.

            They disassembled the tents and continued the path walking, watching their backs and alert and attentive to any kind of noise. They walked through the ruins without noticing anything special, except that there was a totem with scratches on the way. Then, they noticed that the ruins were surrounded by tall trees. Once again, Meven consulted the map. There, was a description of a civilization called Izekest, A nation known for its ideas ahead of the time, but now all that remained were mere memories of the olden times. Lost in his thoughts, he almost didn't notice when a silhouette appeared from a hole on a tree's trunk.

            - I know that you are observing us. – He said it out loud. Meven continued once there was no response. – We came with no intentions of causing you harm.

            From behind a tree, an aracnus appeared. It had a human silhouette but, in its face, there was a mask that was like the face of a spider.

            - We'll see about that. – It threatened.

            Some other ones appeared, ready to use magic or deliver a blow.

            - We're from the Sect. We came on a mission to retrieve an item that's under your people's care.

            - We won't decide how you must proceed on our lands. We must protect them. Our queen will decide that for us. Eryhin, go ahead and warn the queen about what happened here. – Turning itself towards the prisoners it said. – Follow us.

            - I'm going immediately. – Said Eryhin.

            With a swift motion, a web was conjured and she threw herself through the trees and disappeared.

            In a welcoming, and at the same time threatening, gesture she invited them to follow her.

            - You'll be under constant surveillance. Don't do anything that may cost your lives.

            That's how Meven had read about how they communicate with other nations. Threats were the best way that aracnus had to communicate. Up ahead there was a cavern with webs around it. A quick alert that this is where the aracnus reigned. Getting inside, right after the entrance, there were two rows with crystals for illumination. The crystals shined vividly, smoothly. The griffins were left behind until they return. That's it if they don't fail their mission, of course.

            Syrh paid attention to them. Without unnecessary words, not bearing weapons, without resistance.

            "You seem to know about our people. You're not behaving carelessly."

            And that was one of the reasons that made her feel even more suspicious.

            The corridor took them to a bridge. On it, there were rows of columns with webs that formed a net indicating that that was the only path to go through. It was sturdy.

            - Don't worry. We'll take you to the other side.

            When it was Larren's turn she refused to be carried. When she flew from one side to the other the aracnus had understood the reason why.

            - Impressive. An uncommon ability.

            The voice came from a corridor. Appearing from among the webs, with grace and looking skillfully threatening, Queen Nagstt came, in person, to see the visitors.

            - Welcome.

            Meven bowed, together with the newcomers:

            - Our majesty. My name is Meven. I'm from the Sect and I came here on a mission.

            The Queen didn't get near them. She rose one of her hands, in an inviting gesture.

            - Come to me.

            Meven made sure to leave his arms in plain sight. The Queen, then, noticed the symbols. This gesture was to indicate that he wasn't intending to do anything suspicious, but it was also a warning that he would defend himself if necessary. The Queen smiled with such audacity.

            - A mission, you say? And what mission would that be, human?

            - I come in peace to retrieve Kiranara's Forbidden Scroll, that everybody knows that this artifact is rightfully ours.

            - So, the sect that you belong to were Kiranara's? Fascinating, because we thought that it was disbanded once she had died.

            Meven stayed at a safe distance. Both in respect as well as to give himself enough time to react and defend himself. Nagstt resumed talking to him, with interest:

            - Who ordered you to come here?

            - I'm here under Akhenahi's order, the Sect's new Leader.

            Her smile widened a little bit, maliciously:

            - A new leader? If what you say is true, then why the Sect still follows Raldrak and the council?

            It was expected that she'd know something that important, but Meven didn't think about that and that was his first mistake. He had to say the truth or at least tell it partially:

            - As everybody knows, we, from the Sect, elect our leaders through a championship that happens whenever it's necessary. Less than a week ago, we did the championship according to our traditions' necessities. Akhenahi won and the Council ordered her banishment, instead of giving her the role of Leader that she acquired through hard work. The current leader is Raldrak, who was willing to pass his role to Galm, Akhenahi's opponent in the final fight. However, as Akhenahi rose victorious, Raldrak used the "flaws" that Kiranara committed in the Sect as excuses and decided to leave the position of Leader to himself. Akhenahi always took the idea of becoming a Leader seriously. As proof of that, in the final fight against Galm, she won, by killing, without hesitation, her only brother.

            Everybody, including Larren, heard Meven in attentive silence. He was excellent when it came to speaking about the facts because he had always been very attentive to details. The Queen processed that information, while the others did the same thing. The silence reigned. Nagstt placed one hand over her lips, in a thinking gesture, lost in her thoughts. Meven had said such things carefully. What impressed him was the silence that, apparently, no one was able to break through. So, he decided to risk it:

            - Within two days. – The Queen suddenly looked at him, as if she were removed from her thoughts. He proceeded. – Akhenahi went to search for the other Scrolls. She intends to transform the Sect into something that not even Kiranara, of the Initial Rituals, was able to. But Kiranara is, without a shadow of a doubt, the inspiration for Akhenahi. What Kiranara had started, Akhenahi will finish.

            The Queen had understood many things. One of them was that Meven said that if Akhenahi managed to get a hold of all the scrolls, she would have the same power that once belonged to Kiranara, in other words, this could turn her into a big threat to her people.

            - My duty as a Queen is to protect my people no matter what. If what you say is true, then what's the guarantee that she won't be a threat to us?

            - You must know a lot about Kiranara, even more than what I can describe. So, you must know, as well, that Kiranara never threatened to take control over other nations. It was quite the opposite. She was chased by people that she never had the chance to meet and by people that feared her without her even noticing them. She got power, a power that everyone who knows about it, becomes greedy. During Kiranara's days, there are no registers that she ever used her power against other nations, at least when it comes to oppression. She created this power to protect the Sect. Sadly, the effect was quite the opposite.

            He had a point.

            - As you should know, we're a recluse nation, except for our negotiations, besides that, nothing else makes us want to communicate. Because of this Scroll, the Unpronounceable has been plaguing us for years. We were always under attack and we kept resisting as much as possible, however, I must admit that our forces have been weaker by the day. The truth is, my people, want peace. I, as their Queen and their representative, want to bring them that. Not only peace. We want assurances that we'll be supported when necessary.

            She shortened the distance between them. She turned around him, evaluating him and watching his reactions. He wasn't scared, nor he reacted suspiciously. He was, in fact, an experienced man when it came to dealing with fear, and that impressed Nagstt. On the other hand, Meven was impressed by her silent movements. Her grace made it look like that she glided over the Black Granite floor without any effort. Once again she stayed in his field of vision:

            - Tell me about Kiranara's "flaws", traveler.

            - First. – He spoke politely and then proceeded. – To demonstrate the truth, I must grab the book that I brought with me. Could you, your Highness, permit me to do so?

            - Wise human, your respect is fascinating. Grab it, please.

            Meven grabbed the book with a black cover from the purse that was strapped on his leg. It was a book with golden notches and he decided to read it out loud:

            - "I, Kiranara, will tell you: The truth lies in the commitment to your people, those who share the same blood as you. Those must have total and absolute support of our efforts." – Voice of Truth, Third Versicle.

            The ritualist skipped some pages and resumed reading:

            - "I created the Crescent Power so that we could have the power not to oppress, but to defend ourselves from our enemies. Such power, however, has a cost. If the price is bigger than ourselves, then we'll fight so that one takes it from us and we must guarantee that it must extinguish itself together with us. If we're threatened, then we'll make threats back, on a level never seen before by those who dare to test us." – Voice of Truth, Single Versicle.

            Once again, Meven skipped some pages:

            - "Kiranara did justice to her words. She, master of our people, the Leader of our Sect, follower of our traditions, spoke to us one last time and said: Only the strong have the right to my legacy. Only then, the Crescent Power will be reestablished and controlled. And I, even dead, will be within the one who'll possess it because a creation always has traits from their creator, as well as traces of their will." – Voice of the Last Words. Single Versicle.

            As he closed the book, he noticed that the Queen stared at him, lost in those words. The ritualist resumed speaking:

            - This is the truth. This was Kiranara's will. That's why I follow Akhenahi because besides promising her brother that I'd protect her, I follow her because of what she chose to be. My mission is intertwined with my people and I'd die for them, if necessary. All Raldrak did was adulteration. He wanted to corrupt Galm so that he'd follow his orders so that, even while not being in control, he'd be the one who'd give the orders.

            Nagstt thought about those precious pieces of information. She noticed that there was a necessity to think more calmly and for longer. Right now, she decided to start a test:

            - Akhenahi must come to me. Only she will have my answer if she'll be allowed or not to have the Scroll. I'll wait for her, and you must send her a message saying that she must come as soon as possible. She will be tested.

            Meven bowed for a longer period now:

            - I can leave my protegees under your care and go, myself, to deliver the message if you wish.

            - No. You must stay and talk more about your people. I'm also very curious about you, who knows us so well. I have many questions that demand answers. It's not very common that I receive such fascinating visits.

            She looked at Larren:

            - Maybe she should be the messenger. Since she can fly.

            Meven turned towards her, agreeing that she was, in fact, the best one to do this. However, he was apprehensive about it:

            - Will you accept this mission?

            - Yes. – Her voice sounded calm. – I'll do my best to complete it.

            Satisfied, Nagstt finished that reunion and took them to the hall where they could discuss how they'd proceed with their conversation. Later, Meven and the others stayed in an ample room localized in a wing far away from the Queen's room. While the others slept, he went to talk with Larren:

            - I'm sorry for giving you this mission. I believed you could be the best person for it and I still believe it.

            - I'm not prepared enough for this. I don't experience with diplomatic situations.

            - Keep in mind that from now on until the end of your life, you must know that involving the Sect with anything has a very cautious procedure that, you like it or not, requires respect and attention. I'm proud that you made the others understand how dangerous is the situation. They followed your orders perfectly. That was crucial and I'm convinced that you're an excellent leader.

            As she heard that compliment, Larren blushed as she looked away and stayed in silence.

            - Larren… - He called her with affection.

            When their eyes crossed paths, Meven spoke:

            - Be careful tomorrow. It won't be easy. And just so that you know, Akhenahi isn't an easy person to handle. She never was and I never that she'll never be.

            As she heard that name, Larren wanted to know:

            - I still have some hours before I go to sleep. Could you tell me more about Akhenahi? Preferably, everything.

            - First, you must pay attention to some warnings to understand her better. Said warnings are a guarantee that she won't kill you.

            Larren widened her eyes in surprise and, now, a little bit of fear. She took a deep breath and asked Meven to tell her about her and the warnings.

            Some hours after they decided to end the conversation:

            - And lastly, but not least important: Akhenahi never forgives. Don't do anything that may give her a reason to end your life. She'll do it if she sees fit.

            Meven let her rest and, worried about what could happen, he gently held her hand as he said:

            - Rest now. Tomorrow you'll have a very difficult day.

*****

            Ryarx stretched while he observed the sunrise. Sleeping while using a drake's tail as a pillow made him realize that that was a terrible idea. The mount he had bought for himself was a quick transporter, however, it was also quite stubborn.

            But the drake he had bought for Akhenahi learned how to obey because not only she tamed him but she also forced it to understand its place. Initially, as soon as he saw it, he thought that it was imperative since it posed no threat. On its first mistake, Akhenahi chained it to a rock and left it trapped there for a whole night without water or food. On the other day, she removed the magic chains, she then held it by its horn and stared at it:

            - Disobey me one more time and it'll be your last mistake.

            He felt anger, but he also felt fear. He felt his pride grow, but he also felt discouraged to show his discontent the moment he was its eyes face him. He looked away. Ryarx saw him lower its head to the ground and he knew, there, that it would be an obedient mount while alive, or discontent while dead.

            Now the drake was ready for any orders coming from its master. It observed Akhenahi, watchful for her orders, while she observed the city and made some calculations to take the scroll from Saelle.

            Ryarx was learning many things about her, as well as her methods, without the need to ask questions. He noticed, surprised, that the method she used was short, direct, assertive, and very revealing. "No questions". It came in his thoughts. "A question will never surpass deduction". Now, it came in his thoughts as if it was her who was talking. Without noticing, he started to say out loud to himself:

            - "Questions bring uncertainty. Uncertainty leads to mistakes and making a mistake with me, Ryarx, is understanding that your utility has come to an end." She told me once. I feel as if I'm learning how to live a second time. I must create a method to show her some sort of utility. Once I'm not useful anymore…

            - You'll be eradicated. – She completed.

            As he turned, he let the saddle fall:

            - Yes. This came to me in my mind this morning. It always comes. It's inevitable.

            - I don't see doubts in your facial features. I see fear.

            - I fear death just like any other mortal being. I fear death like a victim who waits for the attack, that they know that it's coming, that they can't see being delivered. I leave my old habits behind that fast, I must confess. I've been getting better at it, of course. I have been thinking more in a way of serving you more efficiently than in the fear of the lethal blow.

            - When you became my follower I have been noticing, for quite a while already, that you were better than what you seemed to be. Being alive under my presence is proof of that. You're like a diamond in the rough, that needs to be cut to fit perfectly in your place. Your fear can be removed and, yet, you'll be careful about me and my judgment. That'll never change. With or without fear, you already understood the consequences of the conditions that I impose. This fear is not to be used against yourself. This fear must be used as my greatest gift to you, so that you can raise your standards and your results in a way that not only keeps you alive but also aware that for your well-being it's necessary to fear me. Don't fear failing when seeking your salvation. Fear not being able to count on it anymore. If that happens, you'll meet your end. Before that happens, you'll learn that it was the fear of failing that lead you to this conclusion and it'll be too late to repair said situation. However, never fear, because you'll not fail. Renew yourself and become reborn. Find yourself again and raise. I don't desire to be followed by the flawed and weak, you know it well. You were the first follower that I accepted and this is enough reason for you to become an example for all the other followers that are still to come. You'll be the best one among them and they'll follow your results in respect to your success and I'll have you as my first and best faithful follower. You'll lead them while reporting the results solely to me. In the end, you'll be forever grateful for that and they, priests who'll follow your example, will understand that I allowed such an enormous amount of glory and then they'll become, just like you, forever grateful.

            Ryarx was delighted with such words. The fear had left his thoughts. He had comprehended the truth, finally. He had noticed, for the first time, the inevitable destiny. He was going to be her best follower. It wasn't just to prove a point. It was to demonstrate that she wouldn't be disappointed in selecting him as her First Follower:

            - Yes. I finally understood it. Without you, I'm nothing. Without me, you'll keep going. I thank you miss Akhenahi, for your words and your trust. It's not that I'll become grateful for your generosity, because I already am and this is what separates the ones who'll be saved from the ones who'll be condemned. I'll be the example that you order me to be. I'll teach them about the blessing that is serving you.

            She approached him. Placed her hand over his shoulder in a firm gesture:

            - In fact, you understood it. I don't regret having made you into my First Follower. For the first time in my life, I'm proud to say that I found someone who deserves to be in my company.       

            She removed her hand while staring at him, deeply. After that, she walked away without saying another word.

            Ryarx knew, then, that she was speaking the truth:

            - I'll be faithful in all aspects, master Akhenahi. – She stopped, but she didn't turn in his direction. She only listened to him. He resumed his speech. – And I'll follow you wherever you'll go or whatever you'll face. You honored me with these words. I'm proud of saying that, for the first time in my whole life, I found the right person to follow. A person which sought for too long. My life will be based on your objectives and I'll always be forever grateful for having chosen this path.

            - Excellent. – Said Akhenahi, without looking at him. – I expect no less from my First Follower.

*****

            The drakes reached the sky well after the Sun had risen. Ryarx felt the sensation of finally having met the reason why he would aspire to be a real ritualist. He was truly happy that Akhenahi had noticed it. However, much like her ways, small talk wasn't interesting to her. Instead, he brought up something more important:

            - This time they won't try to make deals with us. – Ryarx turned to her, snapping back from his thoughts. She resumed speaking. Her voice was a little bit high in volume due to the drakes' wings flapping, which difficult to understand.

            - We won't attract any of them outside. This time, we'll enter and take what's ours by right. We'll be quick. As soon as we grab the Scroll, we'll go meet Meven. If Rennec, the thief you hired, fails, you'll teach him a lesson about my tutoring.

            - You shouldn't worry about Rennec, my lady. He won't fail. Hence why I made sure to hire him. I can guarantee that he'll fulfill his part. According to what he told me he's been visiting that calm city for a couple of years already. He received your mission. I suppose that by the time we arrive there, everything will be over.

            Akhenahi pulled the drake's reins to the side with a firm gesture as soon as they reached a high enough height to get enough speed to dive in. It was a sign for him to go down. Without thinking twice, his mount dove in towards a lower location, the King's Castle. Saelle, at that exact moment, was inside the Decision Hall, to which Akhenahi was unaware. The plan was to just focus attention on other places so that Rennec could gain some time to steal the Scroll:

            - He better be stealing it right now. If he wants to remain alive, he better be successful.

            Ryarhx smiled in admiration. She had no lack of answers. There was one thing she didn't show to him since they met, piety.

            They both dove in at the limit speed that the drakes could reach. The plan was that while Akhenahi created a distraction, Ryarhx would assist Rennec in his escape.

*****

            The people from Filderan always believed that Saelle was the best monarch to ever take the crown. She was kind to the people. She would listen to their needs and during the winter season, she would let them take shelter inside an enormous structure built beside the castle. There was no hunger or thirst. There was no tyranny, there was only generosity. Some people from the Council insisted that Saelle's decisions could cost her the throne. But even then, she insisted on helping her people. Now, they were in a reunion to discuss a possible upgrade to the servers' laws:

            - What good is a queen without her people? – She asked the Council. When no one answered she formulated another question. – What good are the noble without their subjects?

            After the two questions being met with silence. It was clear that they knew how to answer it, but not a single one of them wanted to expose themselves. She resumed speaking once again:

            - Here in Filderan we have laws based on our antecessors' past experiences. Many of our noble leaders reigned without mercy. Few of us have had even been accepted by the people. The minority, so small that's almost irrelevant in our registers, treated the people as equals.

            Rising from her chair, in an unexpected gesture and highlighting her discontent with her audience, she grabbed a book that she had brought and resumed speaking:

            - I studied with many different masters that knew about our antecessors. The more I read books like this one, the more I could understand their mistakes in governing. Resrsnen, the first of its name, left the Kingdom in deplorable conditions by trying to use all the resources available, including his army, in a suicide attack on the Kingdom of Rallevec, the Necromancer, because of a lack of long-term planning, since his intention has always been to destroy his worst enemy at all costs. The necromancer, however, was the loser. Although the victory had come at a very high cost, it was Rersnen who obtained the best results when it comes to that war's impact. Rallevec, the Necromancer, always had in mind the idea to take from us the Forbidden Scroll, once it was essential to his plans because once he obtained the two missing ones, they would reveal the way how to obtain Kiranara's power, that she created and developed. I must say that the Scroll is in our hands thanks to that war. That I won't deny. However, our people need peace and safety, they need to preserve their lives and keep living them without further torments.

            Akhenahi's drake was getting closer by the instant.

            Saelle resumed speaking:

            - The people from Filderan have enough power to face Rallevec, the Necromancer, and his cursed beings, but we can't live in war forever. It's been well over fifty years since we had at least heard about him and that made me start to get worried. Not only him, but others will come. The Iradrius guild lost their leader, according to the messages brought to us by messenger falcons. Ercdrul was killed, his scroll was taken, his city is no longer controlled by a single governor. And the most impressive of all was that the whole action wasn't performed by an army or an enemy guild. But by two mercenaries.

            A lot of buzz started to fill the room. The Decision Hall had awakened from its contemplative silence. While that happened guards, outside, on their respective towers ringed the alarm as they saw a pair of drakes diving towards the Decision Hall. As they heard the alarm, the guards wielded their weapons, barons rose, ready, for that dangerous situation, but all of them froze when they saw the drake lunge through the window. Akhenahi saw her target. She wasn't counting on meeting the princess, she only thought that by being the most elevated place someone, obviously, would be well informed enough to tell her where was the vault where the Scroll was being kept, in case she would have to go and grab it herself. That was much better than expected.

            The drake entered the room. Some of them had left the room as they saw it start to approach, others tried to flee amidst the chaos. Shattered glass fell over them. The drake attacked a trio of guards near a pillar. Akhenahi jumped from the saddle and attacked a few others.

            - Protect the princess! – Levdrask screamed while he dashed towards Akhenahi. – Your Highness needs her guardians!

            From a moment of peace, the ritualist dragged them to chaos. She killed with quickly, always trying to reach Saelle. Levdrask faced her like she was a drake. When their blades met, sparks were created.

            Akhenahi's first strike was to test him. The second one was to remove him from her way.

            - We're on our way, sir! – Aderact, one of his soldiers, announced. – I ask of you to hang in there. This drake won't allow us to pass through it that easily!

            Impatient, the ritualist concentrated her power in her hands and launched it towards the guardian. Purple light and magic in the shape of a sphere hit him directly, specifically because he tried to dodge the attack. It was guided to hit him. The armor bent as if it were hit by a war hammer, the moment the magic hit him, throwing him in the air. When he landed, his back hit a pillar and his fall met its end by him hitting his face, with force, on the ground. Levdrask tried not to faint, but it was all in vain.

            The drake jumped over the seats to get a better view of the exit. It pulled air to its lungs and spit off acid spew. The liquid hit those who tried to flee and some of the guards.

            Screams of pain were heard through the corridor that connected to the exit. From outside, Ryarx gave a last gaze at the inferno that that room had become and went to look for Renec.

            - The fun started chaotically. I confess that I was surprised by it. One moment she's in, and on the other everyone knew why she came.

            Up ahead, Ryarx saw the signal he was waiting for, the hired thief that he had sent to find the vault, waved a standard, indicating that he had found it. He went down immediately in his direction. The guards prepared their weapons, and one of the captains, sent a troop to neutralize the knights. Rennec noticed the movement on the guard's corridor and warned:

            - Ryarx, let's go! Vault security is being reinforced in instants.

            The ritualist extended his hand to him and pulled him so that he could get up:

            - Then we must be quick! Hold on!

            With an order, the drake dove with its wings closed towards the entrance corridor that would take to the vault, while Ryarx told him what they would do next and ordered him to get ready to open the vault as fast as possible once they arrive. Rennec smiled as if he were being mistaken by some sort of novice thief:

            - Actually, I left it looking like it was closed, but since there are a guard routine and door checking, if I tried to take the Scroll with me, it wouldn't be long until I was found. And we wouldn't want that, right?

            - That would be a grave mistake, Rennec. I don't worry about working twice as hard to get the Scroll. What I fear most is disappointing my master.

            Rennec noticed that she wasn't there, he looked around and didn't see her. His sarcasm then flared up:

            - She's just waiting for us to go back, right? Not that I'm doubting her usefulness, but you know very well that…

            At this moment an explosion shattered the stained-glass window of the Decision Hall and a drake threw itself in the air to take flight. Up ahead, still inside the Decision Hall, Akhenahi fought various guards.

            - Don't fool yourself. You don't know her enough like me and I can guarantee that she's not a normal human.

            - They're controlling her, it seems.

            - Look closer. She ordered the drake to go out for a reason. What comes next is so that she guarantees it won't die in the process. After all, she was listening closely when you said that the only way we could escape was with the Scroll through the sky.

            Akhenahi burned the guards with her magic, while Saelle watched her actions in horror. Every single one that stepped foot against her was burned until their armors melted. The fire spread quickly through the audience's seats and throughout the decorative curtains.

            Wordless, Saelle, a pacifist, watched in disbelief how someone could commit such an atrocity without hesitating:

            - Stop. Please. Don't kill anyone anymore…

            Akhenahi grabbed her by the neck in a pitiless grasp:

            - I don't care how many more I must kill. I want the Scroll that belongs to me by right. You'll take me to the vault. If you try to refuse, I'll make this whole kingdom burn to pieces, and besides watching it all happen, you'll be the last one executed.

            The grasp became stronger, to emphasize her words and to show her that this wasn't a bluff.

            - Please… - Saelle tried to speak.

            The smoke and the grasp on her neck made her breathe with difficulty. That was pleasureful for Akhenahi. To see her suffer by keeping the Scroll was just the beginning of her punishment.

            Saelle was dragged against her will to the balcony. Under there the people gathered to see what was happening. Some of them screamed to Akhenahi to release Saelle. Others begged for her to escape unscathed. However, Akhenahi didn't pay them attention.

            The drake got closer to them both. The crowd feared the worst, Akhenahi watched:

            - They like you, without a doubt.

            - Why are you doing this? Why did mercenaries come to desolate us as they did to Iradrius?

            The news had spread. Akhenahi had been compared to a mercenary. A mere mercenary.

            - It's worthless to ask any questions because I'll give you no answers. You still didn't say where's the vault. If you take too long, you'll die right here and right now.

            - The Scroll that you want can't be reunited with the others. If you do that, a war on a big scale will occur.

            - Come. – Akhenahi called the drake. When it approached, she resumed speaking. – I want you to make them suffer and don't let anyone escape.

            The drake threw itself on the balcony, ready to throw his acid blast. While under there people dispersed due to fear of death.

            Akheanhi made Saelle watch those people, her people, die. The last victim had been hit by the blast and died instantly. Saelle closed her eyes due to such terror.

            - Don't close your eyes to the truth, foolish girl. In this world, only the courageous and powerful enough can remain on it. Sooner or later your kingdom was bound to be attacked. Your pacifist ideology would have been immersed in the war's hatred for power and domain. The disgrace caused to your kingdom happened way before the war on a large scale due to the Scroll that you so keep inside your vault, the one that made me turn my attention to you. I've already shown too much generosity with this trivial conversation.

            Holding her by the back of the head, she hit her against the balustrade. The hit severely wounded her face:

            - The second time will be your last if I need to do this again.

            Saelle cried with the sudden pain. Her face was bleeding to the point that drops of her blood filled the ground. Her voice went out a little screechy:

            - I don't know who you are or why you made my people suffer. You are a monster! And just like any other monster, you'll pay for all the evil that you inflicted upon us and when that happens, you'll remember my words.

            Akhenahi turned towards her, impatiently:

            - Yes. I'm a monster and you'll be coming with me to the vault. I want the Scroll and I want it quick. If you do as I wish, I`ll spare you of certain death.

            - Okay. I have with me the key that opens the last door. If you don`t hurt anybody else I`ll take you to the vault.

            - Excellent.

            The drake grabbed her like prey and carried her with them.

            Ryarx and Rennec had managed to eliminate the guards, but more always came there. Rennec ran to the vault, while the drake and its master fought on the stairs in front of the entrance.

            - First, kill the drake! – The captain screamed to the archers – Shoot as much as you can!

            Ryarx reflected the arrows with his magical shield, although the practice may have been flawed.

            - Keep going until the arrow hits the target!

            - I need to improve this shield as soon as I`m able to practice. I have to unmake the shield and fight back. Come drake and give them some of your acid.

            - Raise the shields!

            Ryarx wouldn`t wait. At the same time that he unmade the shield, the drake attacked.

            The problem with that blast wasn`t just the level of acidity, but because it started as a liquid but ended up as a gas. Any breach was a valid target. Some of them felt their faces burn, others got rid of the shield. Another breath came, but now from up ahead and the back.

            - Run! – Saelle screamed. – You won`t be able to win!

            With all that chaos outside, Rennec had enough time to decode the penultimate puzzle. The last one was the problem. There were no words or levers. There was only an entrance for a piece. Connected to this entrance there was a line engraved on the wall that indicated that this was the last wall. He ran towards Ryarx to warn him about what was happening. When he arrived, he saw a crowd around the entrance. Mounted soldiers brought wagons filled with archers.

            Soon, Rennec understood that there would be no escape. To his surprise, he heard:

            - If you believe that numbers are a guarantee of victory, know that your highness had many around her, but only one was enough to bring her here. I want the scroll and you want your highness's safety.

            The ritualist held her by the neck and lifted her from the floor:

            - She'll need a doctor before she loses consciousness. Each minute that passes by, her life's in even more danger. I'll make the exigences.

            Rennec took the opportunity to go talk to Ryarx and explained the situation. The ritualist heard and then went to Akhenahi:

            - Master, Saelle must have the piece to open the last door.

            Akhenahi saw that Saelle carried a necklace with her:

            - Try this. – She said while removing it.

            Rennec grabbed the necklace and ran inside.

            Some minutes after he re-appeared with a scroll. Not a common scroll. That was the second piece that Akhenahi wanted, or at least, it looked like so.

            - To keep your princess alive the first thing you'll do is abandon your weapons. – She demanded with severity.

            Reluctantly, the soldiers dropped their weapons.

            - Ryarx, bring me the scroll. I want to check if it's one of the three.

            Her order was fulfilled immediately:

            - Open it carefully. – Akhenahi ordered.

            Her eyes went from the soldiers to the Scroll. Her voice intoned words created by Kiranara:

            - Irkesetren. Rrivir. Zarend.

            The Scroll started to shine as if it were awoken by those words. Ryarx saw satisfaction on his master's face. Akhenahi touched Saelle's face and conjured a spell.

            - You did as I wish. Your Highness won't die.

            Saelle had been healed.

            - This small incident was necessary because you'd refuse to hand me the Scroll. However, here we are. Each one with what they wanted.

            Akhenahi looked at Rennec:

            - Come.

            When he approached, she ordered him to grab his dagger and took care of Saelle. She called her drake and prepared to leave.

            Rennec understood it and without believing it he spoke to her:

            - You can't leave me here! I did everything according to what you told me. I worked tirelessly to discover a way to enter that damn vault!

            - You've been hired to do your job and now that you concluded it, you're useless to me. You owe then an explanation, not to me.

            - Before you escape, I'll hand over Saelle to them and once she's safe, you'll die!

            - If you allow her to get far from you, you won't be far enough to not be hit by a deadly blast. You choose if your life will be spared and judged by them or I end it right here and now. In the end, there's no chance for success for you.

            The anger boiled his head. Rennec closed his fists:

            - If I survive, damned woman, I'll move everything that I can against you! I'll find you no matter how much time I take and I'll kill you with my own hands!

            Ryarx watched surprised because what she was doing was not even part of the plan. Even weirder, was the fact that Akhenahi didn't kill Saelle, but she healed her and sent her back to her people. He would think about this later:

            - I'm waiting for your order to leave, master.

            - Very well. – Her drake jumped and started to fly. – Let's go.

            Rennec expressed a supplication gaze to Ryarx, who faced him with a severe expression. His tattoos were shining. Rennec allowed his anger to go away. Maybe because you can't order to be saved, once you don't have the authority to do so:

                - Please… help me Ryarx. If I'm severely judged, I'll get sentenced to death. When you came to me, I helped you. I did my best for you guys to succeed, and you did. You only got that artifact thanks to me. I… - The tears began to roll. – I deserve to be helped by you! You owe me!

                - I won't save you, Rennec. You threatened my master. I was willing to ask her to reconsider, that it would be better for you to come with us, that's true. But now that you did that, you deserve the worst death that this kingdom has to offer. If you survive, thanks to the pity of these people, and fulfill your search for Akhenahi, who I follow faithfully, I will kill you mercilessly. Never forget that.

                They left without looking back as the soldiers charged over Rennec. He wouldn't die that day, although he had been beaten to the point of unconsciousness by outraged soldiers. Maybe surviving was his worst option.