Chapter 4 - Caverns, City and Shadows
The group moves inland with some caution, soon the road begins to become wider, an excavation area opens before their eyes, a huge chamber supported by powerful columns, a mixture of ancient architecture and mining elements, some men work in the distance in a small camp.
They arrive at some stairs and begin to ascend, there they find an abandoned shelter where they decide to take a rest. Kathrinna cleanses Egios' wound while Yovun speaks with Barleif and Nom far enough away to not hear them.
- See, I told you they were reliable. - Kathrinna says.
- They let this thing fall on me, I would not tell that reliable
Kathrinna smiles at him as she finishes adjusting the bandage.
- Did you steal... that box, Kathrinna ?
- What?... Of course I didn't steal it... I told you, the priest gave it to me.
- That's what you told me, but those men...
- Do you trust them more than me? - She says interrupting him - I told you that they murdered my friends.
- I, well, really tell me, tell me what you know about the box.
- I don't know much, I've told you - she says as she sits beside him. - I don't know where the priest came from, maybe his subjects stole it for him, I have no idea how he got it.
- Yes,... it's all very strange, I guess things will be solved when we deliver it.
- I hope so!
Egios looks away, but her eyes show some confusion, as if she did not understand why those men called her by her name, did they know her before? Perhaps she herself belonged to that group and fled with her most precious treasure, but he looked at her and her face in a certain way did not reflect that of a woman who had been part of that sect. Despite being a vampire, he saw a certain warmth in her eyes.
- Do I look pretty to you?
- What? - says Egios looking away and pulling out his comb to adjust the hair. - Why you ask?
- You've been staring at me for a long time.
- It was like 2 seconds.
- Kathrinna laughs at him - who would say you would blush over something like that.
- Who is blushing?
- Come, have a little fun, you can't go as bitter all the trip.
- Leave me alone.
- By the way, I wanted to ask you ... How is it that someone like you knows so many alternate ways?
- I worked in my youth with a smuggler, well, in fact, it was my father. I traveled a lot with him, but I started to detest work after a while, the things that happen in that world were horrible.
- What happened to him?
- I don't know, when my uncle died, his vineyards needed someone to take care of them, it was my chance to get away from that world. That's why I tell you that I have many acquaintances of bad reputation. They still look for me.
- Maybe it's time for you to make friends of another kind.
- Yeah, If possible.
- Hey! - they listen to Yovun screaming, then they see Nom jumping too - come here !, we discover something!
Kathrinna helps Egios to his feet and they walk towards the group, Nom has found what seems to be a village inside the caverns.
Something incredulous Egios claims to go first, Nom guides them through the passages until they reach a place, the roof is high and a section has fallen allowing some sunlight to reach the place, the rest is lit with torches. Many people stay there, they have built their houses with stone, furs and woods, some only have a small hut where they sleep next to a bonfire, while others have erected larger structures. It seems like a small and poorly lit market, numerous objects are displayed everywhere, cars full of ores, geodes, coal and stone. They cross the place, people seem to not even notice, it is normal for all kinds of people to enter and leave the place, each one comes for a different type of treasure.
They arrive at a bonfire where a man and a woman cook and sell to those who arrive there, the diners sit on logs and old chairs. The group takes place and then ask for something to eat.
- What a place! don't you believe? - says Nom - so many people, living underground.
- It is normal, while the mines and the ruins have resources they will continue here, when they run out, they will move to another place - adds Egios.
- I say they will be here a good time - says Nom
- And I say we look for a guide to get us out of this hole soon - says Yovun - I don't know about you, but I thought you were in a hurry.
- I can go find one - says Barleif
- No! - all respond in unison.
- You already did it with that dwarf - says Kathrinna
- Yes, better go another - adds Egios.
- But ... - says Barleif looking down - if you say so.
- It's okay to go with me - says Kathrinna.
- Yes, I help you, - Barleif says.
- Oh no, none of that, I'll go - says Egios.
- But your leg - adds Kathrinna - you must not force yourself.
- Yes, you better take care of your leg - says Yovun.
- No... I don't want to stay here, I'll go and see what can I find, get me something that serves as a crutch and that's it.
- Yes, you're a masochist, you know? - Yovun says
- Only, get me what I need.
- This can be useful - says Nom, passing him a piece of wood.
- Oh yes, perfect - says Egios.
- I go with you - Yovun says - I know how to mix better with these people and I have more charisma than this one here - he says referring to Barleif.
- I also want to go! - Nom adds enthusiastically
- You keep with the lady, we don't want that box to go around giving suspicion, and they will take care of it if something happens.
- Yes, I will take care of it with my life - says Barleif.
- We will be back soon - says Egios.
- Be careful - Kathrinna tells them.
Egios and Yovun start the march leaving the rest of the group with their luggage, they start asking in several stalls for a guide, but most seek to take advantage of their ignorance and offer help at exorbitant prices.
- Where did you meet her? - Yovun asks Egios.
- Well, she came to my house, somehow she got my address.
- Was her directly for you?
- So is.
- That's weird.
- Yeah, you can say that.
- Did you never suspect that she might be up to something?
- Of course.
- She's a vampire after all, they aren't very reliable.
- If vampires bother you so much, why did you accept the job?
- Well, - says Yovun grabbing a fruit from a basket and giving some coins to the merchant - The pay is not bad.
- You are a good mercenary then.
- I suppose you get paid too, I don't understand another way why you joined her.
- Yes something like that...
- Or is it that box? What's in there?
- I don't know.
- You never asked her?
- Of course, but she doesn't know either.
- Doesn't she know what's in the box? ... I hope she gave you a lot of money for it.
- Well you also come or not?
- No, no ... we're only going to Sagaddya, I don't want to get into dark elf lands.
- Old debts?
- They are not my type - says Yovun looking away - and yes, old debts, that I don't want to pay now - he responds with a laugh with his voice something hoarse.
They continue walking a little more, Egios takes some notes in his notebook, in one of the market stalls a man directs them towards a kind of tavern and assures them that they will find what they are looking for there.
- That girl ... has a lot of strength.
- Yes she does.
- I mean, she really has a lot.
- Get to the point.
- Vampires only get that kind of strength if they take blood, with those potions they are only slightly stronger than us. Did you see how she smashed the door?
- What do you have against it?
- Why do you trust so blindly?
- I don't trust blindly, but clearly you have something against her.
- Of course I have it, She's a vampire, they're not reliable... later... you'll give me the reason, I just hope it's not too late by then. - Yovun stops and lifts his shirt showing the full shoulder, there a tattoo runs to the other shoulder. - It's a spell, anti-vampire, very effective - ends with a slight laugh.
- Did some vampire persecute you before?
- Why the fuck do you think I did it?
Both arrive at the place they were told, some tables under an improvised wooden and fur roof. A rustic bar where a huge ogre serves and around it, several small tables where men gather to play and drink. They approach the bar.
- What are you drinking? - says the ogre in a choked voice.
- We are looking for a guide...
- Give me a dwarf beer, cold and in the largest glass - adds Yovun.
- We didn't come to drink - Egios says in a low voice.
- You say, you didn't come,... come on, it's a tavern, what matters if we drink a glass or two, ask for something, I invite.
- Well, give me a rum cocktail, anyone you have.
- Two drinks come out - says the Ogre, serving both liquors in huge dwarf glasses.
- Recommend me to some guide - Yovun tells the ogre.
- Faust... is the fastest,... clever and... expensive. Dan, it's very good,... but take care of your luggage, Yasmuth, very good too, but only work with whoever she wants. If you get along, that adramus over there, Ardagius, will take you where you want. Those are your options, choose well.
Yovun turns and looks at Egios, as he takes a big puff of beer.
- There you go, I would choose Dan.
- We go for the Adramus.
- Seriously?
- They are nocturnal creatures and from caverns, I'm sure none of the others will be as good as he is.
- Ok... you take care of the negotiation.
They walk to a remote table, where an adramus man is with a human woman. Adramus are reptilian men of grayish skin, the sclera of their eyes has darkened almost in their totality and in their black color only their pupils highlight, smaller than in other races, these eyes provide a perfect vision in the dark, they are slightly higher than an average human. They come from the lands of Westerbak and are known to be a very proud race, perhaps as much as dragons and highly challenging. In their land there are mines of the strange metal Nihilium, which has the ability to reflect magical spells, so their armor and weapons are very much desired.
Egios approaches the man.
- The first customers of the day - says the man - what can I do for you?
- We are looking for a guide to the village of Hamuleif.
- Adramus smells a little air, are known to have excellent smell.
- Only that? - asks the man.
- Yes, just that - answers Egios.
- It will be 30 coins.
- Yovun opens his eyes and looks at Egios.
- Are you crazy? - Yovun says - for that price we will get 3 boys who will do the same work.
- Well, good luck with your boys- says the man while making fun of them.
- The price is right - says Egios taking out a bag and putting 10 coins on the table - I'll give you the rest when we get to town.
- I'm starting to liking you more.
The adramus takes the money, says goodbye to the woman and gets up, throws a smile at Yovun and starts walking out of the bar.
- This idiot ... Does he know where we came from? - Ask Yovun.
- You underestimate the sensory capacity of an adramus. - Egios answers.
Both start and follow the man.
- Ah! By the way, my name is Ardagius.
- Glad to meet you, I am Egios and he's Yovun.
- I've heard many stories about you adramus - adds Yovun, - but it's the first time I've dealt with anyone so closely.
- Yes, it is logical, otherwise you would not be alive.
Yovun laughs and looks away for a moment.
- It's nice there, that hole you call home? Maybe there is something worth going to see?
- That depends - says Ardagius - I have heard that rats prefer filth.
- Ok! ok! - says Egios - calm down both of you, especially Yovun.
- Yeah,... I was just trying to create a pleasant conversation.
They walk again through the place, Ardagius remains silent and with a slight smile on his mouth, Yovun avoids looking at him most of the time. Egios makes a small stop and buys some fruit, then continues until he arrives at the restaurant, there next to the group there are two girls eating something. One of them is in the flower of her youth, the other is still a kid but she is already getting older, they are wearing some rags and her hair is tangled, only the older one has a small backpack besides her clothes, her shoes look worn although the youngest seems to have received some recently, apart from this they do not seem to have much.
- What is this? - asks Egios - new friends?
- Yes! - Kathrinna answers - They are Vicky and Fiona, they live here in the village and they work to pay for the food, they will please you! - The girls greet Egios, Kathrinna turns to look at the adramus and immediately her face changes, between something of astonishment and suspicion.
- Oh! But what is this beauty - says Ardagius walking quickly to Kathrinna and takes her hand. - What a beautiful vampiress.
- And he is...? - Kathrinna asks.
- Our guide - adds Egios - Hey, leave her alone.
- Don't worry - says Ardagius - I don't mean to bother you, Ah! ... it's been so long since I saw a high-class vampire around here.
- Me?! ... what are you talking about ... I'm not from high house.
- Oh, you certainly look like it, so much perfection ... your skin feels so soft.
- Hey gallant - repeat Egios - let her go, that's not why we hired you.
- I told you it was a bad idea - Yovun says to Egios in a low voice - Adramus and vampires have always taken her very well.
- It's been a long time since I was flattered - Kathrinna laughs a little - it's good for a change.
- Ha! ... Kathrinna likes the weird guy - says Nom out loud and mockingly.
Ardagius stares into Kathrinna's eyes, then bows and stands up.
- Certainly, I love having company with another creature of darkness. And much more one as beautiful as you.
- I think we'll get along well. - Kathrinna says.
- One more thing - says Yovun approaching Ardagius - You talk a lot about your talent, but I think you're just a talker.
- You want to fight?
- Oh! no, stop this ... not now. - says Egios.
- No, no ... Let him show, why it is so expensive to be an adramus. - says Yovun
- If Kathrinna authorizes me, I will gladly fight with you.
- Oh, yes... - says Kathrinna - go and have fun.
Yovun beckons Barleif and Nom to follow him, soon the whole group goes behind the place to a somewhat broad space, including Vicky and Fiona. Yovun begins to warm up a bit, while the adramus does the same.
- Who did you tell me were the girls? - Egios asks Kathrinna
- They are orphans, they live here in the town, we felt sorry and we bought them some food.
- Hello! - Salutes Vicky, the eldest. - Excuse me, if we bother you just tell us.
- Don't! Don't! - Egios and Kathrinna answer almost in unison.
- We don't have much because, being young women, they hardly give us jobs in mines or excavations. Only in restaurants and bars, but the pay isn't much. - says Vicky.
- Yovun prepares to fight, takes his sword and puts himself in position. The adramus is put in front without any weapon.
- No weapons? you're really confident.
- Well, you're going to come or not.
- Yovun laughs a little at the arrogance of the man - ... let's see what you have.
Yovun attacks Ardagius, who at a great speed easily knocks him down.
- That is all?
- I'm just warming up.
Yovun rejoins and launches his attack again, this time dodging the attempts of the adramus to knock him down, but none of his blows connect either. You can see that Ardagius clearly does not put much effort into the fight.
- Barleif!, come here!
- Hey ... hey ... you never said you'd have company.
- Are you afraid?
Barleif takes his axe and joins the fight, only spend a few moments until Ardagius takes something serious, at a great speed disarms his opponents and then knocks them down.
- If you continue like this, you will get hurt from so much falling and that would delay us.
Yovun and Barleif look at each other and then they stand up and restart the attack, Yovun tries a trick to shoot down Ardagius but it doesn't turn out and again both men end up on the floor.
Egios makes fun of them, Barleif takes it well and shakes hands with Ardagius, Yovun just gets up and leaves.
- Hey, you are very strong sir! - Nom shouts
- Thanks boy, do you want to practice too?
- Sure!
Nom stays to train with Ardagius while the others begin to prepare the luggage. Victoria approaches Kathrinna, with a look of anxiety and confusion.
- Something happens? - Kathrinna asks.
- I... well... can we go with you?
- I thought you lived here - Egios says.
- Not because we want to, life here is hard and I would like to try somewhere else.
- Why haven't you left before here? - Kathrinna asks.
- We don't have... I don't have enough strength, but... with you, I will have more courage ... only to the town, we will not be a burden, please.
- What do you say? - Kathrinna asks Egios.
- Me?... well... I guess there's no problem, if it's up to the town, I don't see why they cannot come.
- There, is, welcome to the group!
- Thank you! Truly! We will not bother and as soon as I can I will repay you.
- It isn't necessary - adds Kathrinna. - Prepare your things, we'll leave soon.
- Yes!
After receiving some recommendations from Ardagius, the group gets going. They return to the main road of the caverns and begin a path of ascent. Time before, that place was a city of an ancient civilization of dwarves, according to the stories, they had to leave their underground cities during the dark wars, a time when some creatures appeared made of darkness that lashed the world and that perhaps, for the first time in its history , all the mortal races had to unite to face them. Nobody knows its origin, but they spread like a disease, a plague that in a matter of months was reached to all corners of the world, and still, there are remnants of those creatures, wandering at night and attacking the defenseless, even more so, they love taking caverns and dark places like their home.
After what they spoke in that town, Egios begins to take some precaution with Yovun, feels that something bad can happen if he neglects him. At what point did he stop trusting him, or did he never do it? He looks at Kathrinna and she seems so relaxed as ignorant of what might happen, maybe he should tell her about what Yovun told him, but why didn't he? In a certain way the presence of Ardagius made him more cautious, he gets along so well with her, as if they were lifelong friends, was this a facade of Ardagius or could there really be so much trust between two people who had just met, it was something that confused him and in a way annoyed him, and what if Yovun was right and Kathrinna was not trustworthy? Ardagius would be another enemy against him, however, Yovun's rough and aggressive attitude made his words lose value. How could he trust someone so impulsive that he clearly had something against vampires? not only vampires, apparently with other races as well.
Egios takes an apple and begins to nibble it, Fiona looks at it with some attention. After a moment, he takes out another apple and hands it to her, but she rejects it.
- Take it - says Vicky - is only an apple.
The girl extends her hands and receives the apple, then begins to eat it with enthusiasm.
- Is something wrong? - Egios asks Vicky
- It's just ... that she's shy, very much I'd believe.
- Mmm... I see, and what about you?
- Me?... I don't think I'm shy... just a coward.
- You are brave! - Kathrinna approaches with encouragement - you shouldn't even think about it.
- I would love to, but it isn't reality.
- What does reality matter?, what does destiny matter?, what should matter is what you want from yourself, don't stop believing, that was taught to me by a friend.
- Maybe I don't believe much in myself, and I think that... it's also hurting my sister.
- Well, then you must think about what makes you weak - Egios says. - Do you know what bothers you?
- I'm a coward, ... I don't know, I don't have many capabilities.
- Well, - continues Egios - and what are you doing to fix that?
Vicky looks down and just smiles a little.
- I have to be stronger, right?
- You will be - says Kathrinna.
- I don't know how to start?
- Start by changing your way of thinking - Egios says.
- Yes, I will do that!
Vicky goes with her sister, full of courage and energy. Egios turns to look at Kathrinna and she smiles at him.
- What is your goal Egios? - she asks him.
- My goal?
- Are you just looking to take care of your vineyards?
- And my books, don't forget my books.
- Kathrinna laughs - yes, that too... and what do you want to achieve?
- I want a quiet life, dedicate myself to my wines... and well, with my books, be an advocate of the truth!
- Oh! And what is the truth?!
- Well, the guardians have subdued us, they have become our rulers and the people of this world have lost our freedom.
- Oh I see...
- It's my way of thinking, I know that you have another opinion, or what do you think?.
- I believe that the guardians take care of us, they're here to protect us.
- Through the Red Moon Wars? With so much death every 500 years, it is as if they forced us to control ourselves, to purge, or what do you think about the war?
- It's certainly something terrible, but I suppose there must be a reason for it.
- And is there no other solution?
- You will not see war, maybe I will.
- Will you fight?
- I would.
- Why?
- Because I must defend my guardian, I know there is a reason for everything, even for war.
- Everything changes, and I believe that soon, there will be a great change in the world, everything will be much better.
- How optimistic you are, - she says as a faint smile shows on her face.
- It's like a feeling, - Egios smiles - there are people fighting for a change, for a different world and I believe that fortune will smile on them and we will have a better world.
- And who are those peo...
- We will camp here - says Ardagius out loud from the front. Kathrinna stops her question and with Egios they approach the group since they had been staying a little behind.
They set up a small camp in a grotto on the side of the road. Egios is the first to lie down, his wound has healed a bit but the effort he must make when walking is greater, Barleif and Nom sit close and share some food, Yovun retires to explore the surroundings, Vicky and Fiona sit in his own place near the group and Ardagius doesn't waste time sitting near Kathrinna.
- Where did you meet Yovun? - Egios asks them.
- He offered me a job - says Barleif - and well, I was out of work, I was going through a difficult time and I thought it would be a good opportunity, at least I have something to do.
- I thought it was fun! - Nom responds with his characteristic enthusiasm - I worked as a sailor from Acumunap to Abezzel, I was in many different boats ... well like 5, because I got tired of the sea, it's nice to hang on the moorings of the boats, but the landscape is the same most of the time, water and water and water and I got bored. I worked in the port and moved merchandise occasionally, and then, the mercenary job, uff, I thought it was incredible, to travel, to fight, to know, I don't have a long time with Yovun, but I have traveled like crazy! I would never have imagined fighting not with one but several giant apes and coming out victorious! ... with some help of course - Says the boy ending with a great laugh.
- Fighting?
- Yes ... Ah! ... well, ... - Nom responds something uncomfortable - you know, that slide is quite a struggle! You really feel that your life is at stake, and it's that it was ... or not? ... - Nom makes a somewhat forced and choked laugh - .... But next time, I will be stronger and destroy them all! And myself alone!
Egios turns to look at Kathrinna, who seems to have fun with the stories of Ardagius.
- Adramus and vampires have always gotten along well - says Barleif - both are creatures of darkness, protected by a dark guardian and inhabitants of nocturnal worlds.
- Yes, I know that.
- Does the adramus bother you?
- It's not that it bothers me.
- Ha! Egios is jealous! - Nom says in a loud voice, while everyone in the place turns to look at them.
- Shut up Nom!, lower your voice - Egios says - is it that you cannot control yourself?
- I'm sorry... but brother, it's not good to shut things up, that's the way I am, I always say what I think! And look how good it is!
- Yeah,... sure.
- The adramus is strong - continues Barleif - I have seen several adramus, but this is really strong.
- Or maybe you are very weak. - says Egios.
- No! - says Nom - Yovun and Barleif are very strong, they know how to fight very well,... that guy is very strong, when I fought him, although I was faster he knew how to always attack me, crazy! Surely he has fought in many wars.
- Well, it's nice to have someone strong, if a threat appears we will have more chance to win. - adds Egios.
- Yes, that's good - says Barleif as he lies on his makeshift bed. - Excuse me, I'm very tired.
- Don't worry.
Soon, everyone goes to bed to rest. Egios remains on his mattress without closing his eyes, thinks about everything that happened, takes out his notebook and makes several notes taking advantage of the light of a torch, turns to see Yovun who rests peacefully sprawled on his mattress like a drunk who was just taken from the tavern, Nom sleeps curled up as if hiding from the cold, looks at Kathrinna's bed but finds it empty, like that of Ardagius, then gets up, adjusts the amethyst ring and decides to take a look. A few steps behind some rocks he sees a hole that rises to the surface leaving the light of the moon to gather between the stones to the ground, there is Kathrinna with her gaze towards the stars, breathing deeply as if trying to relax, there are no signs of Ardagius anywhere. Kathrinna takes out one of her potions and drinks it, then looks around and then prepares to get something out of her clothes but at that moment Ardagius appears, she stops, Egios adjusts to be able to hear better.
- Tasting the moonlight my queen?
- We have been very agitated for some time, I haven't been able to sit down and enjoy the night a bit.
- Do you trust your people?... because I can certainly smell it... the lies, the weakness, the betrayal, your group, is full of them.
- Don't you think... someone could be listening to us?
- I don't care if they listen to us, I'm sure none of those mortals could touch you my queen, but if it's your will, I'll take care of my words.
Kathrinna hugs herself as if a chill ran down her body.
- What do you worry about? - asks Ardagius.
- The mission.
- Where is your group going?
- I must make a delivery in Ergaddya.
Ardagius smells the air and then smiles.
- Your delivery is very valuable, I feel the energies of danger stalking you, I know you will be fine, but you have doubts if you can deliver your mission.
- Can I trust you Ardagius?
The adramus kneels before Kathrinna and takes her hand.
- My lady, there is only one thing that the Adramus value, and it is the strength and will.
Kathrinna gets him up and then says something in his ear that Egios cannot hear. Ardagius nods and then smiles at her.
At that moment, Egios feels a presence behind him, when turning a totally dark creature, with bright blue eyes and humanoid form is there on the rocks looking at him fixedly, it's a shadow. He turns to look around and sees other shadows walking toward the camp, when he returns to look at the first shadow, it pounces on him and only manages to protect himself with his arms, but before the blow made contact Ardagius appears and with agility he knocks down the shadow, Kathrinna also arrives and after seeing Egios helps him stand.
- What are you doing here? - she asks.
- You were not in the camp... so... I worried.
Kathrinna looks at him strangely, then turns to look at Ardagius.
- They go to the camp, we have to stop them.
Kathrinna raises Egios in her back and with Ardagius they run at high speed towards the camp. A group of about 20 shadows is directed running through the walls and ceilings to the place. When they arrive, they see Fiona sitting and curled up on the floor, squeezing her eyes tight and very scared, while Yovun, Barleif and Nom manage to keep the shadows at bay.
- Where the hell were you? - Yovun asks them.
- There was a moonlight clearing - Kathrinna replies.
- Did you wake up to these things?
- Of course not!
The creatures begin to flood the place, from each corner more and more of them appear, the normal weapons only turn them into a kind of vapor that takes shape again and continue attacking, however, the magical weapons, such as those that warn Kathrinna, Egios and Ardagius, they hurt them real, Egios lends his solar dagger to Yovun who with it begins to withdraw more creatures.
- Let's go! We will make it! - Egios shouts
Fiona continues terrified, squeezing her eyes tightly as if trying to escape reality, Victoria tries her best to calm her down, but her efforts become increasingly useless as more and more shadows arrive.
Yovun yells at Barleif and gives him some instructions, he goes quickly to his suitcases, looks for a moment between the pockets until he takes two jars and then returns, gives one to Yovun.
- At the count of three!, all of you, close your eyes!
Yovun does the countdown and then they shoot the jars towards the floor, from each one an intense light emanates, the shadows burn before its presence and they start to move away, Ardagius and Nom run to protect Kathrinna since they know that that light is also harmful to her.
Fiona opens her eyes still quite agitated and breathing in puffs, Vicky hugs her and asks her to calm down. Egios notes that his eyes have turned blue and now they begin to return to their usual color.
Yovun congratulates Barleif and with a smile hugs him and then Nom.
- What a good team, friends! - Yovun says greeting everyone, including Ardagius.
Egios approaches Fiona who starts crying, then looks at Victoria.
- What was that?
- I'm sorry, it's not her fault, I'm really sorry, please.
- What happened? ... What happened? - asks Egios a little bit upset.
Kathrinna approaches and places her hand on Egios who turns her to look and calms down a bit, then she approaches Vicky and Fiona.
- I know it's not your fault, but we'd really like you to tell us the truth - says Kathrinna.
- No! Don't tell them! - Fiona says between her cries.
- Excuse me, just give us a moment - says Vicky.
Yovun looks at the scene and quickly approaches, Egios sees in his eyes something of anger and immediately gets in his way, Yovun sees it and then Barleif also looks at him as if asking him to calm down, he then turns around and retires to his mattress.
Victoria gets up and faces them.
- For some reason, some years ago my sister suffers from a strange magical effect, when she gets scared, her eyes turn blue and then those creatures begin to approach, that's why we couldn't leave the town, there she was relatively calm, but when we go out, she's afraid of the outside, she's terrified of harming others and that causes her magical effect to shoot, attracting those beings. The first time it happened on our farm in Abezzel, she was 6 years old, the creatures attacked the farm, they killed the animals, our mother and our brother. Our father, took us and wanted to take us to the Oracle of the North, because he heard that there would find the cure for my sister, however when we were traveling to Vanatuf, again there was another attack, my father died there, as well as several people from the caravan , they took us away, only a man, an archeologist wanted to help us, brought us to the city between the mountains and since then we were there, apparently being away from the rest of the world my sister felt more secure and then the attacks stopped.
- I had never heard of such a thing - says Egios, who stares at Fiona with some interest and curiosity.
- Well, it looks like we'll have to give your sister a lot of confidence.
- I've tried, by all means, really, don't know how much I've tried.
- You are doing it wrong - Ardagius intervenes - because you, yourself, are full of fear.
Victoria looks back at the floor, Kathrinna comes over and hugs her.
- Don't worry, we will help you.
- Thank you.
Milnadar, SL XXIII – 267 Odogan 15.
To my most dear and esteemed friend Ardulan.
It has been an exciting journey, I have met a lot of interesting people and hadn't felt death so close for a long time. Kathrinna has proven to be a girl of many facets, she gives me some confidence but in turn, I feel that there is something she don't want to tell me, maybe she doesn't trust me completely, and I must say that I may have interfered with it myself at the same time by not trusting her completely, is a difficult decision.
I have loved your gifts and certainly the book you gave me has been very useful and as promised, right here I return them. We have met some people who call themselves the Cult of Q, if you have information about them, I would love to know more, in all your books and knowledge of history there will be something.
I can't wait to finish the trip so we can meet and be able to personally tell you all the adventures, but first I must finish it, I will be writing to you.
With great appreciation
Egios
Hamuleif is a village in the mountains, stone streets and buildings that cling to the cliffs while they look towards the north, visualizing the great plains of the country of Yconav. It is not a very large town and its people work mainly as farmers, miners and ranchers. It's a temperate climate and in times of winter the temperature is considerably reduced. There are also a lot of dwarves here and they are the ones who especially work in the mines, looking for precious stones that this region is rich in them. In the highest part of the town there is a small fortress that now serves as a garrison despite being somewhat worn out by time.
The group has stayed in an inn in the center of the village, Egios, Ardagius, Yovun and Barleif have left for the tavern to distract themselves a bit, the rest have stayed to rest, have been about 2 days of travel since the departure of the caverns.
- What will you do now? - Yovun tells Ardagius - you have already finished your contract.
- I see you with a lot of desire to get rid of me.
- I'm just curious, I don't like that my contracts extend, unless they pay more... maybe you're the same.
- They have paid me enough to stay a few more days.
- You have been very helpful Ardagius - Egios says. - thank you.
- It's just a job, you don't have to thank anything.
- It is rare to see an adramus alone - Egios says - Has something happened?
- Many things have happened, my friend, not to everyone has life smiled at them. I belonged to a powerful clan of my land, I was young then and didn't know my own strength, I was left for being weak and since then I decided to become the strongest, I have made my life a constant training for a day to return, challenge Khertez and show him that of a that weak boy, there is only one memory left... and I hope that is soon, that's why I gather good money, the trip is long and I need to buy a good suit of armor if I want to have a chance.
- He ... so you do everything just to please a guy? - Yovun says.
- For an adramus force is everything, we honor the strong and there is no room for the weak, so to return to my land, I must do it as someone strong.
- How pathetic.
- I suppose your goals will be immense and your motivations even more, or not Yovun?
- I don't need that nonsense, we're here because... yes, although I have to admit that the strongest is the one who survives. - Yovun says taking a big puff of beer. - The world is cruel, but being strong means that you are by yourself, you don't need a boss or your country or your race, only you, only that you need.
- And what about your companions? - adds Egios.
- Barleif is strong, and Nom will be, I'm just his guide, they must find their way too.
Barleif looks away while drinking from his drink, Yovun gets up and signs that he will go to the bathroom.
- Yovun grew up in the streets - Barleif tells them - his parents abandoned him when he was a child, since then he grew up among gangs and street fights, he has had a difficult life.
- Ah good - adds Ardagius - that explains many things. Well... I think it's time to go and say goodbye.
- I accompany you - Egios says. - Are you coming, Barleif?
- I'll wait for Yovun.
Ardagius and Egios leave the tavern after paying for their drinks and head towards the inn where the others rest.
- Will you go back to the cave village? - Egios asks.
- I go to Teren'Ghor
- The capital eh?
- The dwarves have exquisite armor, I want to go see them.
- It is a very beautiful city, the dwarves are very ostentatious and love to build big.
- The city of a thousand forges. Who would have thought for years that an adramus could walk around like a normal citizen?
- The times change.
- You see,... the enlightened and the dark are not so different, even though we worship different guardians.
- What guardian do you worship? ... Your race is like mine, there is not one that takes us under its cloak.
- Me? ... I have two, ... on the one hand I worship Hukzen, the guardian of the fight and the war, because it gives me strength, it makes me stronger and on the other hand to Dhasfalgor, the guardian of Death, because there is nothing more terrible than the end of existence, it is our truth and it is the only guardian that will come at last for everyone.
- Interesting, a guardian of Light and one of darkness, do you like balance is not true?
- No, I just chose them, because I like them... what about you? Who do you worship?
- None,... seriously, none.
- Oh yes? ... you humans are usually the most protective and usually prefer to worship the elemental guardians.
- I did it once too ... but then, I discovered that it did not make sense, the guardians rule us with tyranny forcing us to participate in their game, their war every 500 years, and we should thank them for that?
- War is the most valuable, it shows us our strengths and weaknesses, it helps us to push forward improving what makes us weak.
- Yes, that's what an adramus would say.
- It's the truth... without battles, we would stop struggling, we would stop being better fighters, we would lose strength and then... what would happen when an external threat arrives?, we wouldn't be ready... don't confuse Egios, being strong is not a privilege, it is a need.
Egios takes out his notebook, and writes down some things, then takes an apple out of his clothes and begins to eat it, both continue in silence the last steps until they reach the inn. There Nom and Victoria train in the courtyard, while Kathrinna and Fiona watch from some tables.
- How about the tavern? - Kathrinna asks
- Great, - answers Egios - The dwarf beer has an impressive quality, hadn't drank it in dwarf lands for a long time.
Egios looks at Fiona who observes with some curiosity her apple. Then he takes out another one and gives it to the girl, who takes it with energy.
- I will have to buy more fruits, I didn't expect to have so much competition - says Egios.
- Vicky has started to train with Nom - says Kathrinna - we have told her that it's the best thing for her to start taking confidence.
- Yes - adds Ardagius - That's the best way, if she's weak she must strengthen herself to be the best, only this way she will protect her sister.
- I've seen what her sister has before, - says Kathrinna - They are people sensitive to the energy of Blue Ryo. One of the many energies coming from the Guardian Ryokhen.
- A shadow magician. - Egios adds - I've seen it in legends.
- When she is frightened, it is not that the shadows come for her, but that she calls them to protect herself, but because she doesn't know how to control her power, the shadows attack everything around her.
- That's why they never hurt her or her sister.
- So is.
- Where did you learn about this?
- I like... well, in fact... Blue Ryo is an energy that very easily damages vampires, so there is a lot of talk about it among our people.
- That's very interesting - says Yovun who just arrived with Barleif. - Tell me more.
- They are called Shadow Magicians because this energy allows them to command the shadows, it is something very scarce and only a few are born with this gift. They are trained in Ozzowan by the great sorcerers.
Egios smiles and looks at Fiona who seems to understand nothing of what Kathrinna has been talking about. A girl so small and with such great potential, He was curious to know more but he didn't want to pressure her.
- Fiona - Egios says - what do you like to do?
- I like fruit!
- And what else?
- I love my hair, I love brush it and braiding my sister! When I grow up I'm going to brush everyone's hair in town!
- Let's see, do something to me - Kathrinna says bringing her head closer - Do you think you can do it?
- I'll try, but your hair is very short, why do you cut it so much?
- It is difficult to have long hair when you dedicate yourself to what I do.
- I'll try to do something, but I don't promise anything ... your hair, is difficult to work with.
- Humans are strange - says Ardagius - in my culture, since children, they only mentalize us to become stronger, no boy or girl has thought to brush hair, or take care of a farm or sing.
- What a boring culture - Yovun adds.
- What would you have liked to be Yovun? - Egios asks
- Me? ... I'm fine, I'm where I want to be.
- Surely not.
- I say yes.
- I wanted to have a farm, grow vegetables and fruit trees, and also ... raise rabbits - says Barleif, everyone turns to look at it - they are... a good business, and my children would like them... my... wife... - Barleif gets silent and then he retires from the place.
- Did something happened to him? - Egios asks.
- His wife and his 2 daughters were killed... - Yovun tells them - by a vampire.