Voyage

Lord Colm nodded. "Suffice it to say, if Y'trix was an Elder Thing, we'd already be dead, and perhaps the entirety of the Krodian Empire would be within its grasp."

"Do we know what rank Y'trix is?" Goleil asked.

"No, it's hard to know how much land a creature can control on its own. All scouts we've sent out have not returned."

"How do you even know it's on its way here?" Goleil asked.

"Yes, father. How do you know?" William asked.

Lord Colm rubbed his chin and glanced out the window. He poured himself a glass of water and took a sip.

"Let's just say a man of great reputation showed it to me. You don't have to worry about authenticity, and it is coming. It will be here in four months, as previously stated." Lord Colm said, placing the glass down on the desk.

William and Tyria nodded.

Lord Colm stood up. "We must be ready to counter this threat to our lives. Goleil, we will rely heavily on you."

The man began to walk over to his window but stopped as he inspected Goleil.

The sun knight had no equipment, not even a gambeson. He wielded no weapon; all he had to defend himself was his fists. His ragged golden cloak did him no favors.

"Tyria, once we've explained his mission, I want you to take him down to the armory and properly outfit him; I will not have this city's savior walking around in rags. Make sure he has a proper weapon." He said, looking the knight up and down.

"Yes, my lord." She said and stood up.

"Now, before we get any more sidetracked. We need a food source that we can make ourselves without worrying about the weather or the Empire. We finally have a lead on where we might get it." Lord Colm said, turning towards the window and surveying the city.

'Seems the old lord gravitates towards windows,' Goleil thought as he watched Ty'Bral lean against the window, right next to Lord Colm.

"It is rather commanding," Ty'Bral replied.

"According to a man who survived the Outerlands for far longer than he should've, there is a tribe of people who live in the mountains to the south. They are self-sufficient, despite the harsh weather. We want to make an expedition to them."

Goleil nodded. "The Graven Mountains? That's a ways away from here, Lord Commander."

"That's the place. We will be taking a retinue with us, but not many. We depart in a month, and we'll be back in a month. The journey will take us four days by horse. I trust you know how to ride, Goleil?"

"Of course, Lord Commander," Goleil said.

Ty'Bral snorted. "Neglecting to ask him about such a short travel time? What if it takes longer as you fear it will?"

'Not my place to ask.' Goleil thought.

Lord Colm nodded. "Good. Then you will have a month to prepare whatever you need. A few days ago, I feared that you might be too weak to join us, but yesterday was told me all I needed. Although Gwen is no knight, her father was. She's the best swordsman in the guard, and you bested her in less than ten seconds. You are ready now; who knows how strong you'll be in a month!" He said, laughing.

Goleil chuckled as well. "She was a good combatant. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see much of her swordsmanship."

Lord Colm chuckled at his quip. He nodded to Tyria and said, "You may go. Get yourself equipped, Goleil. We will need you at your best when the time comes."

Tyria bowed. "Yes, my lord."

Goleil gave the Lord Commander a military salute and followed Tyria out the door.

...

As Goleil and Tyria walked out of the keep, they were joined by Mord and Gwen.

Goleil nodded to Gwen, who smiled back.

As they walked down the frozen streets, Gwen said, "I'm sorry for upsetting you so much in our last exchange; it was uncalled for. It was just training, and I didn't need to insult you or your people. Please forgive me, Goleil."

Goleil chuckled as he heard her apology. "I know, you don't need to worry. I roughed you up pretty good anyway, so you don't need to feel bad."

Gwen chuckled as well, remembering the spider web of cracks in her ribs. It had been so bad that she had needed Murdoc to heal her.

"What's so important that you had to pull me from the Blood Crypt, Goleil?" Mord asked, seemingly a bit bored.

"I am taking him down to the armory to be outfitted. That's what is so important." Tyria answered for him.

Mord sighed. "The armory? That's boring! I thought I might get to see him beat someone up. I hear the knights want a crack at him."

Tyria scoffed. "As if the knights would fare any better against Goleil than a city guard."

Mord shrugged and pulled his cloak around him tighter as a cold wind blew. "Who knows, they seem to think rather highly of themselves."

Tyria rolled her eyes. "I'm sure they do."

As they walked, Goleil noticed that no matter who it was, the people of Redvale looked at him with either curiosity or suspicion. Some even looked at him with downright hatred in their eyes.

Goleil got close to Tyria, who stiffened as he approached. "Why do the townspeople seem to hate me?" He whispered.

She took a deep breath and whispered back, "What happened in the training grounds is common knowledge by now. If it weren't for the city being closed, the Krodians would know about you. The people of Redvale are distrustful of outsiders. Some may even hate you for potentially putting us in danger."

Goleil nodded. It made sense to him. He was a soldier from a distant land who, so far, had brought them nothing but trouble.

He shook the worry from his mind. As soon as he remembered his purpose, he would leave this strange city. He prayed he would remember soon.