Chapter 6 - The Witches Night
Milnadar, SL XXIII – 267 Odogan 20.
To my most dear and esteemed friend Ardulan.
Hello my friend, I hope you are very well, first I wanted to thank you enormously for the gifts you sent me, if I didn’t do it already, I do it again since they have really been very useful for me. I still don’t understand how the red ring works. I have tried many possible things but I can’t get it to do anything.
I want to tell you that my trip has been full of challenges and dangers, we were even stolen by a little guy, what pathetic sounds that, isn’t true? I am happy to tell you that I am much better with Kathrinna and several of the boys, she is always willing to help and she answers without doubting all my questions, she doesn’t mess around, I think you would love to meet her, she may know how to help in any of your studies, I hope that at the end of this mission our friendship will be strengthened because I know that she is a girl with a lot of potential, capable of doing what is necessary to accomplish her tasks and that’s something that I love.
I have compiled a lot of notes for my next book!, I share you a copy of the most interesting for you to review and help me decide the best as you always do, I hope to have more news soon, it may be difficult to communicate because there is no Many towns in these places, but have faith that I am always here.
With great appreciation
Egios
They have arrived at the town of Lightshore, so called to contrast the high presence of occultists in the surrounding forests. There operates a garrison of the Boreal Guard. And it's a big town. Egios is concerned with the increasingly distant attitude that Yovun has decided to undertake from the fight with the vampires, as if he felt that this job no longer interests him and he just wants to return home. Nom continues with his particular joy, it seems that nothing in the world could take away the courage of the boy and has established a great friendship with Victoria, whom he has decided to take as a pupil in combat. Fiona, on the other hand, has opened more, sometimes she sits with Egios to eat fruit, the girl makes gestures as if it were the biggest delicacy on earth, and Egios understands her, because he feels the same, she loves to play with Kathrinna's hair, although she always rejects how short it is ... "Just up to the shoulders?" Barleif continues with his passivity and calm gaze, it’s as if the man was only there, tries to do what is necessary to help, but feels that he is a man without goals, who only travels where the current takes him.
- It is a beautiful axe - Egios tells Barleif.
- Yes! ... I ... Yovun gave it to me, after a while working with him.
- Do you like to work with him?
- Of course! ... I owe a lot to him, if it weren’t for Yovun, maybe I would already be dead.
- Oh yes... can you tell me?
- I ... well ... is that ...
- Only if you want, I will not force you.
- Well... I lived with my family, we had a farm in Haukari... I was... in the southern plains, near Wukari, is it far from the territory of the vampires?... is that ... I don’t know how it happened, one night I was with my workers, organizing the working of the next day and... everything was so fast... the screams... the silence. We could only see the creature, with its bright red eyes fleeing through the trees and my dear Ana... my girls... only their bodies... spilled on the floor
Barleif pauses and dries some tears, puts his arms on his legs and looks intently at Egios.
- I... I lost myself... I only thought about drinking, while my mind was blank with alcohol, I could forget about reality, I left my farm, I abandoned my friends ... I only lived in the tavern and I begged in the streets to continue drinking . Then Yovun arrived, at that time he was traveling with 2 other people, they were mercenaries, he saw me and told me that I could become one of them, that I was a strong man... so he gave me the opportunity, I refused, but he always took the alcohol from my hands, broke my bottles... that made me angry, but in my heart I knew it was necessary, that I had to change, for my family... So I decided to move on, I have no way to pay Yovun for everything what he did for me, only with my loyalty and protection.
- Are you telling your story again, Barleif? - Nom says sitting near the floor.
- Yes again.
- Stop crying for the same thing... the dead are dead, you can’t do anything for them, the ones that matter are the living, brother.
- They were his wife and his daughters - adds Egios - it is normal for him to hurt.
- So much for a wife?... When I return to Acumunap I will be an alpha male and I will have many wives, and servants... and lands, ha!, You will see, I will be richer than all of you together - Says the boy while throwing a strong laugh of pride.
- Well at least you have high expectations - Egios says.
- Hey, Vicky!
- What's up, Nom? - she answers.
- Do you want to be one of my wives when I'm rich and famous?
- Are you crazy!
- You miss it... Hey Kathrinna!
- Do not even think about asking me that question.
- Hey... but you didn’t even know what I was going to ask you. - He says in a low voice and a little looking away.
Barleif smiles a little, seems to finally find some relaxation, says he will find something to eat and enters the building. Egios approaches Kathrinna who remains seated under a roof hiding from the sun's rays.
- Do you think we need a magician? - he asks.
- So far we have done quite well, the advice of the villagers helped us a lot ... You look worried or maybe you became the distrustful man from before.
- I never stopped being,... well, I shouldn’t, you saw what happened.
- But everything was solved.
- Incredibly easy, I would say... strangely easy... tell me about your dagger.
- The dagger... my father gave it to me.
- Did you have it before you became a vampire?
- Okay,... yes.
- How did you do it when you were transformed? You told me it was by force.
- Yes, that's right... I always hid the dagger when I was sleeping, it's just that... I was afraid of the darkness of the night, hid it in my clothes.
- I see…
- Don’t you think it happened like that?
- No, it's not that, it's that... it's a great stroke of luck that you didn’t lose that valuable dagger.
- Well, that's the idea of daggers ... that they can’t be seen at first glance or not?
- Yes, you're right, but hey... how did it get into your father's hands?
- Through my grandfather, he worked in Abezzel's army, there he was a guard of an important magician of the court, it was he who gave it to him.
- How interesting,... what's your grandfather's name or calling?
- Marco Guillé.
- It's funny, I've never seen a dagger like that, or described in any book.
- Is it great, isn’t it?
- It's very interesting, would you allow me to ask my friend to look for the dagger?
- Yes of course, I would love to know more.
- Great.
Egios takes out his notebook and writes down some things.
- I don’t want to forget.
At that moment a flock of birds crosses the sky in a southerly direction, Fiona gets up and marvels at the sight of the birds. Egios looks up at the sky and sees that the clouds are particularly dark.
- Look! They are a lot of birds! - Fiona tells her sister.
- Yes, beautiful!
- Why do they move like this?
- They may be migrating, or something shocked them.
- Egios, do you know why birds move like this?
- Egios look at the sky again, they still cross a lot of birds, it really is not normal.
- They must... be migrating. At this time of the year the birds migrate.
- How nice!
Victoria turns to see Egios and smiles a little. The girl gets up and with her hands she pretends to indicate to the birds in which direction to go. Egios turns to look at Kathrinna and tells her.
- It will be better to stay in the town tonight.
- Do you know what happens? - Kathrinna asks.
- Nothing good for sure.
Egios gets up and enters the house, Yovun and Barleif seem to speak but they abruptly cut off their dialogue on the arrival of Egios.
- I'm looking for the landlady.
- She's in the kitchen - Yovun replies.
Egios continues on his way and decides to hide a bit to see if he can hear their conversation, however, Yovun and Barleif leave the building at that moment. He continues towards the kitchen where he finds the landlady with his eldest son who helps her in the tasks, both are with a statue of the Guardian of sky, Fareigno, making some prayers. The lady at seeing him enter greets him.
- Mr. Egios
- We have seen birds pass by... many birds.
- Yes Mr. Egios,... there will be a coven tonight.
- Are you sure?
- It’s better that you don’t leave, it will be safe here.
- Is it normal for these things to happen?
- It has always happened - the son intervenes, who is already an older man - but in recent years, it has increased.
- I assumed that it was not a good sign, I came to warn that we will stay.
- Do you pray to a guardian? - asks the lady.
- Not really…
- You should do it, Mr. Egios, very unpleasant things can happen tonight.
- Yes, I will be careful.
- You need protection. Mr. Fareigno always protects us.
- The guardians don’t... - At that moment Egios sees Kathrinna watching him from the hallway. - They don’t ... they can’t always protect us.
- They always do it - says the lady - you only need to should trust them.
Egios apologizes and retreats to where Kathrinna is. Both withdraw to the room. Nom, Vicky and Fiona are still outside and they watch them through the windows.
- It's a coven, - he says - what's going to happen tonight.
- We have to hide the box.
- Hide it?... why?
- The priest told me to be careful with Yconav's witches.
- Valnyr?
- Yes,... he told me that the power of witches look for strange treasures and possibly sources of dark power, so they might try to steal the box.
- First they should know that we are here.
- I think we made enough fuss with what happened with Gal, other than that he escaped.
- I could get help if you wish. - he says in a low voice.
- I don’t think they will arrive on time.
- Well ... this ...
- Hey, the other time you told me you knew people who wanted to change the world.
- Yes... well, it's not that I know them, to know them ... I've heard of them.
- And what will they do to improve it?
- They will end the war, no more deaths in the name of the guardians,... they seek our liberation.
- And who are they?
Egios shuts down a moment, turns to look at the window and sees Fiona playing with Nom, the clouds have begun to take on a greenish color as the night begins to arrive.
- Can’t you tell me?
- Is that... I tell you that I don’t know them directly,... I have friends... acquaintances that maybe they know them. It's a dangerous world, what do you think they would do to those people if they knew what they were looking for... what do you think the guards would do? - Egios pauses while Kathrinna stares at him without saying a word. Finally it continues - But you know it, you know that war must stop, it is only pain, it limits us, it doesn’t allow us to advance... people only live to prepare for war, if it ends... we could finally advance to new horizons, but the war it is dominated by the guardians, they are its creators... and while they continue here, they will continue with their game, they will continue with their domain.
- They can change.
- They haven’t done it in thousands of years,... you know they will not.
Kathrinna looks away, they are silent for a moment, then she gets up and goes to the bedroom. Egios stays there, through the window he sees Vicky who beckons Nom and Fiona to enter, there is still no sign of Yovun and Barleif.
- Ahhh! I feel renewed! - says Nom energetically - Hey Egios, we have to train someday too!
- Of course my friend. - he replies.
- Vicky has improved a lot! It's not that I'm training her or anything - says Nom laughing loudly.
- I don’t know how much, but I think it has worked for me. - she answers.
- My sister will be a great warrior! - says Fiona with encouragement.
- Vicky smiles - being able to take care of yourself will be enough.
- Thank you sister! - says the girl and throws to hug her, Nom sits next to Egios.
- What's wrong Egios, I notice you something thoughtful... a little more than normal.
- Have you talked to Yovun? ... I have seen him a little distant lately
- He, oh yeah, don’t worry about that... when he spends a lot of time outside the taverns, he starts to get impatient, in fact he doesn’t like long jobs or bad pay, because it means he will have less time to have fun.
- And you don’t accompany him to the tavern?
- No, I don’t like the smell of alcohol... or drunks, they look like idiots ... I don’t like to feel dizzy either.
- What do you spend your part of the work on then?
- I buy souvenirs, little things... I accumulate them, I have a lot in my trunk there in Old Hill. When I return to my land, I will take all those things to show my people how much I traveled, how much I knew... it will be spectacular!
- Yovun and Barleif seem not to have much esteem for vampires, however they decided to take Kathrinna's work, why did they do it?
- The pay was very good... and there was no more work, the money depletes but it’s always necessary, you know.
- Surely they would have get paid very well for fighting the Valfnar.
- The guard doesn’t pay ... What does Mr. Egios want to know?
- It worries me, it's my instinct... something tells me that things are not right.
- Do you trust Miss Kathrinna?
- ... - Egios hesitates a moment, he doesn’t know what the reaction will be when he replies - she risked her life and her mission to save me, yes... I trust her, I can’t say that blindly, I am not that kind of person, and I know that maybe there are things she hasn’t told me... but, we all have our secrets.
- I trust her!... she's very strong! You would have seen how destro... how ... avoided ...You know, how... - Nom laughs confusedly - ... about the giant apes that... - he continues trying to hide a nervous laugh, finally ends - ... she runs very fast.
- Yes, I've seen her... did she fight against the Valfnars?
- Do you trust Yovun, Mr. Egios? - Nom asks softly and getting closer.
- I don’t know, I feel I don’t know him very much ...
- Don’t do it - Nom responds in a low voice and with a serious look, which he had never seen in him. - even, if he doesn’t give you a reason, don’t do it ... people like Yovun are only true to themselves.
- Why are you with him then?
- The pay is good!... and I have fun!, you just need to know how to take it!
The landlady arrives at the place at that moment.
- I'm going to lock the door now, are you all here?
- There are still two companions outside - says Vicky.
- Call them, I cannot wait much longer.
- Why? What's up? - Fiona asks Vicky.
Egios beckons her to take the girl to the room, what she does. Nom looks out the window and takes out a small whistle, after blowing it a couple of times he smiles at the others.
- they will not take long, it's our call sign, everyone has one. - he explains.
- I hope they are not far away - says Egios.
- The town is not so big - says the landlady, - we will wait for you a moment.
As they had predicted, Yovun and Barleif arrive a moment later, the landlady barricades the door and everyone retires to their rooms, each room has 2 bunk beds, so in one sleeps all the women and in the other the men. Egios lies down, his room is facing the street, underneath Barleif rests. Through the window, he sees clouds illuminated by a strange greenish color that reflects on the environment itself, bathing the trees, buildings and streets. The others soon decide to sleep, Nom and Barleif are the first, Yovun remains lying down but Egios can see that he’s still awake, playing a little with a small sculpture, thoughtful.
Egios focuses a bit, visualizing the details of the ceiling boards as figures that dance and fight in front of him, he remembers the fight with the vampire, feel as if he recalls the moment, but around him several blurry figures observe him, he fights against the vampire alone before the attentive look of those silhouettes, the creature hits him but doesn’t hurt him, then he hits his face that cracks appearing Kathrinna's face, she falls and merges into the world, Egios tries to reach her but his fingers never approaching, scratching the air grabs his solar dagger without knowing the place of which it has appeared, remembers to have lost it, but not to have found it, then an intense light blindes it, in his mind there are only those vials of Yovun, he waves with force his dagger that shines cutting the intense light, leaving behind a luminous trace, finally manages to see, Yovun attacks him in the middle of the town, in a courtyard, the others observe and Egios defends himself, he knows that it’s only a training... but Yovun takes it very seriously, turns to look again and in the shadows Ardagius always walks with his smile, suddenly loses his weapon, it is Gal who runs with it, tries to follow him, and in every corner the image of Ardagius, as if chasing him, as if he were stalking him. Gal disappears, finds himself in the middle of a cold street, Ardagius is approaching and around the silhouettes again, when looking at the sky, the clouds are swirling forming a huge eye, that eye of Kathrinna's dagger, his gaze becomes intense... then Egios wakes up from his sleep, can see among the wood the swirls that resemble an eye. Smile a little and calm down.
He turn to look at others and they sleep soundly, even Yovun. Then he moves the curtain a little and can see that the whole town is covered in a thick fog, the front buildings are barely noticeable, and the greenish color still shines on the surfaces. He looks at the street and sees 3 figures looking at the inn, they wear black robes and they seem to float in the air. Egios looks around to see if he is still dreaming, looks again and the men continue there, one of them starts to move his hands positioning them towards the front, then stops and the figures turn all to look in the same direction and quickly move in the opposite direction disappearing in the fog, Egios continues expectantly, moving slowly to get off the bed then he sees some humanoid creatures approaching, they are the shadows, quickly he moves towards his luggage and take his sword and dagger, then goes to the other room and Kathrinna opens the door, Fiona has her blue eyes again, Vicky tries to help her but the girl seems absorbed.
Soon they begin to hear knocks on the windows and on the roof. Egios approaches the girl and hugs her but nothing happens. Shouts and sounds of struggle are heard outside and soon enter Yovun, Nom and Barleif.
- The Boreal Guard has arrived, they are fighting with the shadows. - says Yovun.
- We must make her to calm down soon - says Egios - if they see her in this state, they will surely take her away.
Victoria tries any possible ways to try to calm the girl, but she doesn’t respond, it is as if she were dreaming, unable to react to the outside world. They hear a window break in the men's room, Nom and Yovun run to fight the invaders, Barleif stays to take care of the corridor next to Kathrinna, they soon listen to the landlady climbing the stairs.
- They attack us! - says the lady - I have a basement! Come all!
Egios rushes out and tells her.
- We're coming! Just let us collect our things, we will not be late
- Those things don’t matter! - says the lady - you have to get safe.
- It's just a moment!
- I'm going to let the guards enter, they're going to help us.
- That…
The lady quickly descends before Egios can say anything, he returns to the room and Victoria holds the girl in her arms with her blue eyes open and illuminated, she begins to recite something in strange languages. Egios approaches and lifts the sleeve of his shirt, then he can see a black and greenish corruption that raises his fingers all over his arm.
- It’s a hag... she is spellbound. - he says.
- How do we stop it? We need to do something soon! - Vicky says with some desperation.
The girl starts talking faster and stronger, and soon, they hear the guards enter the house. Without thinking about it, Kathrinna approaches the girl and sticks her fangs over her shoulder, Egios and Victoria look without knowing what to do, the corruption begins to be absorbed by Kathrinna and her eyes turn greenish, when all has gone, Fiona falls in a faint on the floor, while Kathrinna gets up, her eyes have turned green and a blackish veins cover her face expanding to the rest of her body, Egios tightens his solar dagger, it’s the same aspect that had that vampire who attacked them. Victoria approaches and takes Fiona, while Kathrinna remains standing, trembles, it’s as if within her body she fought a battle against the magic of the witch, she struggles to avoid that her hands are thrown against her friends, she tries to avoid her steps to move forward.
The shadows retreat and then Yovun, Barleif and Nom return to the room, When Yovun sees Kathrinna with that aspect he immediately launches to attack her, Egios intervenes and stops him.
- We have to destroy her! She has been touched by black magic!
- No! ... she is struggling to avoid it. - says Egios
- You want all of us to get killed!
At that moment two Boreal Guards enter, covered with light armor and helmets that cover his entire face, on metal, numerous magical runes, used to avoid enemy spells. One of them removes the helmet revealing to be a woman.
- What's going on here?
- Our friend, was touched by a witch - hurries to say Egios.
The woman sees her, then approaches a magic scroll on her forehead and executes a magical spell, Kathrinna falls unconscious but her body returns to normal.
- This is very common to occur when there are rituals - says the woman. - It especially affects those with magical affinity but who have not been trained enough.
- Ah! That's why Fiona ... - says Nom but quickly Barleif covers his mouth.
- Who is Fiona? - asks the woman.
- Our friend!... the... the vampire! - Egios hurries to say.
- Have these protective parchments - the woman hands him over - in case it happens again, and if there are problems use this - she hands him a small sealed box - It will send a signal to the guard and we will come to your aid.
- Thank you very much - answers Egios.
- If you ever need anything, I'm Captain Esther Gunter,... be careful, the night is not over yet, we'll keep on guard.
The guards retire, along with the landlady who is going to say goodbye to them. Egios lifts Kathrinna and puts her on a bed.
- What happens if she wakes up and continues to be cursed? - says Yovun.
- It‘ll not happen - Egios answers - and if it happens, we have these scrolls.
- You're too attached to that vampire.
- It's my partner, our partner, I'm not going to abandon her after saving Fiona.
Yovun retires angrily followed by Barleif, Nom stays with them.
- Is the girl okay? - Nom asks Vicky.
- Apparently, we will wait for her to wake up.
- Hey Nom - Egios says - Did the infection start with her right hand, did you see Fiona pick up something weird?
- The son of the landlady gave her an old doll they had, it's the only thing I remember.
- Come with me... bring the doll.
- Ahh no! I'm not going to touch that thing, brother.
- Wrap it in a rag or something.
Nom grabs the doll, Vicky stays to take care of Kathrinna and Fiona, not knowing if Kathrinna will wake up being the same as always or if she will have changed. Egios and Nom go down to the landlady's room and ask her about the doll.
- Mr. Egios, that doll belonged to my daughter.
- Your daughter is a witch.
- And your friend is a vampire... Mr. Egios, do you think I don’t know? In what country do you think you are?
- You should save these objects.
- How is it that you have it?
- Your son gave it to our friend - adds Nom.
- That man... I'm so sorry, this should not have happened, he... maybe he didn’t think anything bad could happen.
- Don’t worry, accidents happen - says Egios. - Do you know anything about your daughter?
- Nothing... she left when she was a teenager, about 10 years ago... since then, I have never known anything, like many... in this place it’s normal that hags take girls at that age.
- Hey, ma'am, you should hire us, we're experts hunting witches! - says Nom
- That isn’t true - Egios adds - but when things start to get worse is when a big change approaches, you just have to trust.
- I do that, I always trust that the guardian Fareigno will protect us with his angels.
Egios makes a slight gesture and then says goodbye, along with Nom they return to the girls' room, they decide to stay there to take care of them for the rest of the night. Egios stays awake until dawn, he still remembers those figures that were near the house and he knows that they cannot stay long there.
Kathrinna wakes up, she only drinks one of her potions and already feels fully recovered, Fiona in turn wakes up tired, very hungry and somewhat frightened. Egios goes to his room for his luggage, Yovun, Barleif and Nom have already left, looking out through the window you can see a beautiful day, as if nothing of the previous night had happened.
- We have to leave the village soon - says Egios to Kathrinna
- Yes, we have lost a lot of time here.
- Not only that ... last night, I think some people came from that cult, I saw them before the shadows came.
- At this building?
- Yes.
- But then, they already know where we are.
- I know an alternate path... but it is not advisable to travel without the company of a sorcerer.
- But the cult knows that we travel to Dwaralav. They are probably waiting for us on the road.
- Do you prefer to risk the other way?
- How visible is it?
- Not much,... few know it, I used it in my times as a smuggler when I really needed to go unnoticed... but we will have to cross through a deep area of the forest.
- That ring you have... helps you hide, isn’t it?.
- That's right ... and everyone who touches.
- Well... we will go holding hands - she says with a slight smile.
Again they start the way, the detour takes them to a dreary forest where the trees wither but never die, the earth is like a mud where the small plants drown, Egios leads the group wearing his ring, and one by one taken from the hands cross in that way, the pace is slow and they can already feel that they are not welcome in that place.
- I don’t want to be here - says Fiona.
- Easy - says her sister - it will only be a moment.
- I don’t like ... this is bad.
Egios subtly watches Yovun, who in turn demonstrates his concentration on Kathrinna, watching her, as if he knew he would lose control, has bought some kind of candy that he eats every so often, but he doesn’t share it with anyone else and sometimes he notices that Egios sees it, he only responds with a slight smile.
- Is there a town here? - Question Nom.
- If things have not changed much, there must be a hidden shelter - says Egios. - I got to use it, maybe more times than I wanted.
- And there is still a long way to go?
- I'm afraid so, we walk slow.
- We can lift the girl ... - says Yovun - she’s the slowest one to walk.
- Nom, can you do it? - Egios asks, since he is the closest to her.
- Sure!
- Do it carefully, do not lose touch with others.
Showing off his agility, Nom carries on his back Fiona who is glad not to have to walk on that muddy ground. Again they continue the walk, even though the afternoon is just beginning, it seems that it will start to get dark. They intersect with pixies that ignore them completely, usually these creatures bother travelers spilling their luggage and throwing stones and rotten fruit, but apparently the magic of the ring prevents them from noticing.
After walking a couple of hours, they arrive at a statue erected on the side of the road, it has the shape of a huge bird with its wings spread out, although one of them has fallen and the rest of the figure is in poor condition, the remaining wing points towards another path that goes deep into the forest and in its plumage have carved Oasis.
- I remember this statue, it points to a trap, it was put here by the hags.
- Is there a hag nearby? - Kathrinna asks
- One hour down that road, more or less, they catch the unsuspecting travelers who believe that this statue indicates some town.
Yovun pulls out another of his candy and carelessly drops its wrap on the floor.
- Don’t do that! If you leave traces, someone could follow us.
- Ya, I'm sorry - says Yovun hiding the paper between the mud with his foot - that's it,... nobody will see it.
- Be very careful, we are in an enemy area.
The group continues its path, the environment, instead of improving seems to get worse, you can hear whispers among the trees and occasionally strange sounds that would be difficult to identify their origin. The trees sometimes vibrate or turn abruptly, as if they wanted to tear off the ground and flee from such a place. Egios carefully inspects each tree in search of a signal, one by one it passes, hour by hour without finding any trace until it finally finds it.
- It's around here. - Egios says - I remember the brand, ... it's a symbol used in the underworld, but it's not enough to find the lair ... let's see, I must remember the steps.
Following Egios, they get out of the way and go a little deeper into the forest, they walk slowly while Egios reviews and analyzes the road.
- I think we should go back - says Kathrinna.
- No ... no ... - Egios says - it must be around here, I'm almost sure ... look! Another brand!
As he says it with his hand he points to a small notch in the wood and almost at the same time an arrow crosses the wind and sticks very close to his fingers.
- Who are you? - they hear a thick and hoarse voice, when turning to see, a man wearing a leather armor, something old but vigorous, points them with his bow and his only eye makes it difficult to know who he is aiming at, he wears a black patch that blends between his white hair.
- We are not enemies, we are not witches - Egios hurries to say.
- Yes, that's obvious ... I ask who you are, not who you are not.
- We travel to Dwaralav, we are only travelers.
- If you were only travelers you wouldn’t be walking this way... for the last time Who are you?
- We are delivery people - says Kathrinna - we move smugglers to Sagaddya, we are avoiding the guard.
- That's another thing.
- We seek refuge - says Egios - we know the brand.
- And do you know the password?
- It is that - says Kathrinna approaching the man and looking at him with his brilliant crimson eyes - we are new in these lands,... but surely there is, some way of compensating our stay.
- Eh... yes - says the man lowering his weapon - well, follow me.
Kathrinna turns to look at Egios and winks at him.
- I hope it's a good place - says Yovun - or at least that they have beer.
They arrive at a cabin, their outer walls are covered by vines and several trees around them make it more difficult to see. Inside, it’s much bigger than it seems, there are not many people, but the ones in there, don’t look like good people. The man takes them to a bar where another man, with huge muscles but also with a big belly, serves them something to eat.
- How are things around here? - Ask Egios.
- Terrible - says the man - as always, although I can assure you that in the last days, well... it has been worse.
- The coven.
- It took several days, last night was the worst... they attacked us for almost 4 hours,... 2 boys died, most left this morning... but if you ask me, I don’t think they can achieve it.
- Where did they travel?
- To the west, but apparently the route is blocked.
- Are you sure? Why do you believe it?
- It has been a couple of months that nobody come from that direction.
- That's not good, has there been any news?
- I don’t know... some comment that there is a strange cult that took the area almost reaching the great river... and some have seen black robed subjects go to that area... these lands have always attracted all kinds of madmen and occultists... you know why?
- No... tell us - says Kathrinna.
- It is said that in these lands there is a fissure towards hell,... the dark energies are filtered by the fissure and that is why it attracts witches.
- And that's true?
- Nah... they are pure stories - says the man while he laughs - ... that’s a way for the villagers to explain why there are so many occultists, but simply this is no man's land and was a great source of natural energy, to make dark magic , you need to sacrifice life, nature, dark magic is nourished by death and corruption, and these great forests, magnificent as the books of yesteryear describe them, were the perfect resource... Isn’t that so, Xelos?
Egios turns to look at the time a man responds by raising his hand, wears a completely black suit, his long ears, his long straight hair that falls on his pale skin show that he is a dark Elf.
- Xelos is a powerful sorcerer, he is the one who protects this place, - the man continues - while he is here, there is nothing to fear.
- What does a dark elf do here? - Egios question
- Didn’t you hear what I told you?... It's obvious... Xelos is a dark magician, he studies hidden arts and rites... but he's our friend, we give him where to sleep and good food and he protects us from hags, Isn’t it a damn good deal?
- Yes, a very good one.
More than a good deal, Egios saw Xelos as a danger, if the elf found out about the box, or even the girl, it was very possible that their alliance would end suddenly.
- How much for a room?
- 25 coins the night
Egios pays the man and upon entering he notes that there are only two beds. Then he gives Yovun coins to pay for another room for him and his men. Fiona and Vicky are organized in one of the beds.
- Do you expect me to sleep with you? - Kathrinna asks.
- What? ... the bed is for me ... you don’t even sleep.
Egios places her luggage on the bed and then sits down, leaning against the wall, Kathrinna approaches and sits down next to him.
- Lugina. - says Kathrinna
- Eh?
- It's the name of the witch who attacked Fiona, I knew when she entered inside of me.
- Do you think it's the lady's daughter?
- I don’t know... but I can still feel her... she has followed us all the way and knows that we are here.
- Is it still there?... inside you?
- It's strange,... the spell they put on me created a kind of wall, but she's out there and she still wants to go inside.
- Can you fight her?
- I will do it.
- Yovun... He wanted me to attack you.
- I know, he's afraid... he's afraid of death.
- If so, he would have left.
- He is more afraid of failure... he is a man who has his honor, if only for himself.
- Do you trust him?
- How could I trust someone so fearful. An insecure person... is not reliable even for himself.
- Why did you hire him then?
- Hey... you don’t know a person in 5 minutes - she says releasing a small laugh - ... I'm not that good.
- What do you think we should do?
- It has become a necessary evil, without its strength and that of Barleif and Nom, it will be much more difficult to complete this journey, ... but don’t let your guard down.
- No, I will never do it again.
- Wait... do you hear that?
Egios concentrates a little and listens to a kind of murmur.
- Wait here, I'll see what happens. - he says.
He goes out into the living room and everything is in complete darkness, except for Xelos who remains on the center of a reddish magic circle.
- There is a witch in this place - says Xelos, as if he already knew that Egios is there. - She has arrived with your group.
- We have not brought witches, we are only smugglers.
- No ... I'm sure there's a witch.
Xelos raises his hand and in it appears a magical butterfly of crimson color that flies towards Egios, it turns around and then continues towards Yovun's room, the door opens with a hand movement of Xelos that continues sitting on the lounge watching the world through the butterfly, the noise alerts Yovun who quickly stands up, followed by Barleif and Nom.
- What the hell is going on here? - says Yovun.
The butterfly turns around and then goes to Kathrinna's room.
- Yes it's here. - says Xelos.
- She’s only a girl! - Egios says.
- Is what they always say.
The butterfly functions as a portkey for Xelos that soon appears in the position of it.
- No wait! - Vicky shouts while Xelos points her hand towards Fiona.
- No... - says the Elf. - This is not. - Turns to look at Kathrinna that seems ready to attack him. - All leave the room.
Paying attention, Vicky and Fiona leave quickly... Kathrinna remains there.
- I tell you to go out - the elf repeats, to which she cautiously retreats to the door.
The elf approaches his luggage, Kathrinna fears that he can reach the box and tries to approach but at that moment the man throws a spell on the girl's suitcase to which something comes out of her and goes hidden in the shadows.
- Show your face - the elf challenges it.
As a shadow, it begins to climb quickly through the walls and between the wood of the ceiling, Egios observes and distinguishes the doll that had previously seen in that inn, it moves as if it had a life of its own.
- Exkhan Valur Ma'Zin - says the Elf as a magical wave comes out of his body.
The doll is trapped by energy and falls on one of the beds, soon begins to grow in size taking the form of a woman with wrinkled and bony skin, rotted hair and bent column, her eyes appear out of orbit and look at different sides.
- Her eyes ... I want her blue eyes ... let me rip them off! - says the witch.
- Now you are in my domain - says the elf.
At the time, he throws a spell that the witch avoids climbing the wall, the place of impact is frozen. The witch then opens her mouth and an enormous amount of flies start to come out of it, cover the place preventing them from seeing anything else, the elf creates a new spell that burns them all and when the sight returns, the witch no longer is.
- Take care of the circle of the room - says Xelos - It will prevent the witch from escaping and limit her power, so she will try to destroy it.
Egios and Yovun look at each other and run out to guard the circle, soon Nom and Barleif arrive, as well as Vicky and Fiona who do not want to be alone, others of the guests begin to appear as well, Xelos tells them to prepare, for what the men run for their weapons and swarm in the room around the spell circle. Larvae and worms begin to emerge from the walls while a nauseating smell takes over the place.
Xelos casts a spell towards the center of the room that unfolds like a great light shining over the whole building, the witch is hanging from the ceiling, soon they begin to shoot arrows and spells while she moves with superhuman speed and turning impossible turns unfolding over herself.
- Jack! ... Marcus! ... - Xelos calls them - You know what to do!
The two men, one of them, the old man from the patch that received them before, use their bows in a very fast way, closing the way to the witch and forcing her to follow a pattern that Xelos already knows, prepares his spell and with great precision hits her causing her to fall on one of the tables in the room, several of the men, except Barleif and Egios are rushing to attack but she repels them with great force, their weapons have little effect on her.
One by one they try to attack her but she throws them with great force and tries to scratch them. It soon becomes clear that this is not the first time that these men fight with a witch. Xelos jumps into the room and with his magic makes an arcane sword pouncing on the witch that tries to block the elf but he ends up cutting her arm.
- Ah! ... damn ... everyone will be cursed! - says the witch.
From his arm insects begin to leave again, soon the witch disappears in a cloud of bugs, this time huge wasps that men begin to fight. Kathrinna rushes to protect Vicky and Fiona. Xelos walks among the insects watching carefully, his powerful elven eyes allow him to see in detail even when the objects are quite far away. Soon identifies an insect whose color is different and quickly launches to catch it, with a spell paralyzes it in the air and after a jump grabs it, the other insects begin to arrive and give form to the witch who writhes on the floor , the elf places a rock on his chest, at the same time, chains emerge from the ground and tie the witch through the rock, try to scratch the floor with her nails and remove the chains, but nothing turns out.
- Let's see where you came from. - Xelos says.
The witch tries to spit on him but the elf dodges the slime. Then he shoots a spell that burns her mouth.
- Her name is Lugina - says Kathrinna.
- Oh yes... is that your name? - says the elf. - The truth is not a bad name.
- Fuck sorcerer... I'll kill you! - the witch shouts hoarsely as she shakes between the chains.
- It's a shame it's not your real name ... I'll give you one chance to tell me.
- The witch breaks into laughter -... I will never tell you sorcerer... as soon as I release,... I will give you more pain than you have ever endured before.
- What a pity for you.
The elf puts his hands on the witch, at the time his body is filled with a crimson aura, the skin of the witch begins to break and her body is disintegrating becoming energy that enters the hands of Xelos until there are only a lot of cracked bones wrapped in chains.
- Hehe... I love seeing that - the man at the bar tells Egios.
- Why did he ask her name?
- If you know the name of a witch, you can turn her back into a human if you know the ritual. Xelos thinks he knows him, but unfortunately ... no witch has told him her name.
The men begin to sit at the tables, one of them even takes his guitar and starts singing.
- They love to celebrate after a hunt - the man says.
- Lugina ... - Xelos tells Kathrinna - she told you?
- That’s right... how did you know it was not her real name?
- When a witch hears her real name... she becomes docile, they know that with it you can do many things, from releasing them to becoming slaves... you saw her aggressive attitude, that was not her real name.
- Did you know her?
- No,... there are many witches in these forests, I know several of this sector... this was not one of them ... How do you say is your name?
- Kathrinna.
- I have not seen a vampire in these parts for some time, would you mind sitting down to chat with me for a while?
- Yes, no problem!
- I would also like to ask you some things - Egios says.
- I haven’t invited you, - says the elf, changing his gaze drastically.
- I'm sorry - says Kathrinna as she retreats with the elf to his table.
Egios sits at one of the other tables where Vicky and Fiona are also, he can’t take his eyes off Kathrinna's table. Yovun, Barleif and Nom sit at the next table. Egios wonders what Kathrinna and Xelos might be talking about, both races, vampires and dark elves were very close allies during the conquests of Lord Vampire Razor. She seems particularly interested, with a look that denotes that she likes what is hearing, it’s more, they have never turned to look at Egios, that anyone would have already realized that he cannot look away. First Ardagius and now this elf, how it is possible that so much trust between two people suddenly arises just for the mere fact of belonging to a race, did she not distrust that elf? Or that adramus? Or... maybe she did, but was very good hiding it... and what if that same thing was she doing with him? She was a very charismatic vampire, within what can be said, he had never known a vampire like that ... maybe it did not really exist, but the truth was that she had been very open, was it so strange that there could be such a vampire?
Nom sits next to Egios and begins to interject his gaze between observing Kathrinna's table and Egios' gaze, without saying anything, several times.
- And what happens to you? - Egios asks.
- Ha!... Egios is jealous! - says Nom with his particular joy, while several nearby people turn to look.
- But please, Nom, can’t you speak in a low voice for a moment?
- Ah, but you are jealous - says Nom in a voice of half suspicion.
- Of course not! ... why do you always say those things?
- I think it's pretty... Miss Kathrinna is very pretty and very strong, she would be a good wife.
- One of many, huh?
- Yes,... she would be a principal ... Wait! ... do not tell me! - says Nom, resuming his usual energy.
- What thing?
- You do not see her beautiful because what you like is the...!
Egios quickly covers the boy's mouth, while retaining his desire to hang him, he can feel a little the low laughter of the people nearby.
- Can you speak softly Nom? ... Is it so difficult?
- Well - says Nom whispering - but to you...
- No - interrupts Egios - I don’t like men, or anything strange ... fuck! ... Kathrinna is my partner, ... yes, she's pretty, but not for that I want an affair with her.
- Oh right... you only have one wife... that’s boring, having to choose, in my land, you don’t need to choose! You can have many wives!
- Surely you need to do something to be able to have that status.
- You just have to be an alpha male, as I will be.
The talk with Nom has made him lose focus, Egios quickly turns his gaze to Kathrinna's table and finds empty chairs, quickly begins to search among the other corners of the place while Nom continues to talk non-stop, finally finds them on the balcony from the second floor that leads to the rooms, Xelos shows Kathrinna a book while explaining some things to her.
- Egios - Victoria calls him while she shows that Fiona has fallen asleep.
- Yes, come... it is better that we go to rest... tomorrow we must continue. - he says.
- Yes!... I think it's an excellent idea. - says Yovun, while he stretches a little and picks up his stuff.
What remains of the night passes calmly, unintentionally they sleep a little more than usual. Egios gets up as if he had not rested enough but knowing that he should continue. Vicky and Fiona still sleep on the other side, he leaves the room and see Yovun and Barleif at a table having breakfast, Kathrinna talks to the old man with the eyepatch, Marcus, sitting at the bar.
- Good day! - Greetings Egios.
- Hello Egios! Did you rest? - Kathrinna asks
- Yes something like that…
- I spoke with Marcus, he will take us to the town.
- The road is blocked, - says Marcus - two of the men who left yesterday returned this morning, they say that there is a tangle of thorny trees blocking the way. But there is a town to the north, from there it is possible to take a secondary road.
- Is that path free?
- We will not know until we go there.
- Well, where is the road?
- The statue of the bird, from there to the north.
- But... that's witch territory.
- Yes, but we have a deal with them... They let us go to get supplies and Xelos gives them magical items from time to time.
- But... what about the witch last night?
- Well, that was not from that coven boy - says the man while laughing -... you understand... there are like little towns, they are not necessarily friends among all.
- Are you sure we can cross?
- Yes ... yes, everything will be fine, don’t worry so much.
After awakening the others, they take their luggage and prepare to leave. Kathrinna takes special care to hide the box with some fabrics, Egios comes closer to help her.
- Did you tell the elf?... about the box?
- How do you think?
- Can you tell me what you talked about last night?
- Xelos studies the occult arts... the forces of the dark world, of the demon lords.
- Does he know about Qwrarles?
- A bit, he says that he is one of the most difficult lords to invoke, and that to do so requires powerful artifacts.
- Do you believe ... that in that box there is some object to invoke its power?
- It is very possible, there are only two ways to attract the powers of the Hidden and it’s through strong sacrifices or using ancient artifacts.
- Yes, I read that sometime.
- The artifacts are guarded in vaults and very protected chambers around the world, nobody knows with certainty where they are. But there have also been pieces left, and small treasures scattered around the world that are not yet protected.
- What you think? Will the one who receives the box protect it or use it?
- I hope he protects it...
- But all this work... would have been better to left it in Escyddar and it would not be so risky.
- But... you think... that they are using us? That our contact is an enemy?
- It's a posibility.
- But priest Valnyr...
- Hey, just think about it... If you think it's the right thing to do, I have friends... acquaintances... that, I know they can help us put whatever is in that box to safety.
- I must deliver it.
- Think about it... what is more important? Your mission or protect the world?
Kathrinna looks at him very focused for a moment, as with a slight doubt in her eyes, then Yovun approaches and announces that they are all ready to leave.