Chapter 2 Finding Elara: What are you here for, Kael? 

The city of Jotham had districts that were connected by floating platforms and skybridges. One could see transparent conduits that pulsed with energy. These conduits helped to power virtually everything. This included levitating transport pods, holographic devices, and even robotic assistants. 

The art exhibition at the gallery had ended. The guests had already left and everything was settling down. A security guard with a burlap bag jumped down from a high wall and headed down the alley. At a corner, the guard dropped the bag and unzipped the uniform to reveal a head of distinct red hair and almond-shaped eyes. Her angular face with high cheekbones and slightly pointed chin coupled with a lean, athletic frame in a 5'7" body altogether made for an irresistible attraction. 

A mini-van drifted to the end of the alley and Elara got on. The meticulously planned mission was a success. Elara took out the artwork and chuckled at how easy the mission was. She used her disguise skills to replace the security guard who had been knocked out and laid in his bed. He would wake up 24 hours later with no memory of how he got to bed. Getting into the vault was therefore easy. 

She first scaled up to the vent to get the already placed fake version. Then she used her lockpicking skills to open the vault without setting off the alarms and exchanged the original artwork with the fake version. Her exit route was through the ceiling vents and roof.

The mini-van stopped at a suite of apartments and Elara got off. She bid her team driver good night and went into the building. She got into her apartment and started walking to her bedroom. Then she paused.

"Hello Elara. Long time no see." She immediately recognized Kael's voice and turned to look at him as he rose from the chair he was sitting on in the further corner of the sitting room.

"How did you find me?" The shock was apparent in her voice. "It wasn't difficult". Kael replied. "Once I knew you were in Jotham and with your picture, I simply relied on my network of contacts in the city."

"I can see you have grown even more beautiful." Kael said wryly, looking at Elara. Her agile frame exuded more confidence than he used to know and her emerald green eyes were a striking contrast to her flaming red hair. 

"What are you here for, Kael?" Elara questioned, arching an eyebrow as she walked close to him and took a seat. She could see that Kael looked different. He appeared more rugged with hardened features. The years of bounty hunting and regret had lent a steely resolve to his eyes that were once full of warmth. There was a faint scar running down his left cheek that told of battles won and lost. 

Her mind went back to the day when everything changed and she considered. She might have escaped with her life but she lost something far more valuable.

"I know you didn't come visiting for old times' sake." Elara added.

Kael leant forward with intense eyes. "We need your help. Take a look at this folder." "An evil archmage is set to put together the pattena disc fragments which will doom the planets. Unless something is done about it." "The Planon Alliance is setting up a mission and is putting together a team to retrieve the disc."

Elana softly snorted. "And what does this have to do with me? What's in it for me?"

"As you can see from the folder, Elanon might offer a significant reward." Kael replied in a sincere and urgent tone. "You can get a pardon for past crimes and you could start over, Elara. It's possible that we both could."

"A pardon?" Elara narrowed her eyes and gave Kael a sceptical look. "Why should I believe you given our past history that didn't end so well?"

"I know." Kael's voice dropped with regret. "Not a day goes by without my thinking about that day… and how Devon died because of my hesitation. Because of you."

Elara flinched slightly and quickly masked it with a defiant glare. "I didn't pull the trigger, Kael. I also lost some teammates and I have my own regrets and guilt too. I never planned to deceive you."

"We can hash out our differences at a later time. This is something that is bigger than both of us. The Alliance recognises that you have the skills we need. Besides, you have the reward and the pardon to consider. A chance to leave all this behind and start afresh."

A period of silence followed as Elara studied Kael and weighed her options. "Okay, I'm in Kale. But I'm doing this for personal reasons. Not for the pardon or any reward. 

Kael nodded with relief. "We cannot ask for more than that. Thank you Elara, and welcome to the team. We'll head on to Cantrus, get Zephyr, and join up with Elanon and the rest of the team in Cantrus."

Cantrus: I'm not a fighter

Interplanetary transport was a whole different experience as compared to transport between cities on a planet as Kael already knew. The gates of the teleportation hub shimmered brightly and the luminescent glyphs that cast an otherworldly glow were a reminder of the integration of advanced technology with ancient magic. The interplanetary transport service - the Starstream Nexus - allowed instant travel across vast distances which was ideal for their urgent mission.

As Kael and Elara stepped onto the loading platform, he glanced at Elara. She had an unreadable expression and her eyes stared straight ahead. Kael couldn't help but remember how close and passionate they had once been towards each other. 

The wizened old man who acted as the operator had glowing runes etched into his hand. "What's your destination?" he asked in a low rumble.

"Cantrus" Kael responded. 

With a nod, the operator inputted the coordinates. With a hum, the platform lifted up and the world around them faded in a cascade of lights. Within moments, they re-materialized in the bustling city and noise of Cantrus.

Elara sighed and took a deep breath as she scanned the crowded streets with sharp eyes. "Now where will this bard of yours be exactly?" she asked.

"Let's try the tavern close to the central plaza. That's one of his usual haunts according to the report.' Kael replied. "With our luck, Zephyr may just be performing there as usual." 

They found their way through winding streets to the tavern. The barely legible signboard "Whale 7" let them know that they were in the right place. A haunting but beautiful melody greeted all who went in and Kael and Elara saw a portly young lute player on stage. His nimble fingers danced mesmerizingly across the strings of the lute and the instrument gave off a soft glow as he played.

Zephyr had a thick and tall stature but it was obvious that he was not necessarily fat and could move fast if he wanted to even if he was thickset. A mop of silver hair sat atop his jowly face and his eyes gleamed with mischievous charm. The crowd paid rapt attention and it seemed that as his fingers directly plucked at their heartstrings. Kael could directly feel the wave of magic that flowed from Zephyr's fingers to the crowd in waves. Zephyr finished the song to a rapturous applause.

Kael nudged Elara and both of them approached the stage. He extended his hand to Zephyr and said: "Zephyr, right? I am Kael, and this is Elara. Can we discuss a mission of great importance with you?"

"Hmmn, A mission, you say? Sounds interesting" Zephyr said as he led them to a quiet table. "But I just play the lute. How much help could I possibly offer?"

"Don't give us that, Zephyr!" Elara smirked as she crossed her arms. "We know you're the best bard in Cantrus. You weave magic into your songs and you enthral the hearts of your listeners according to your whim."

Zephyr blushed and smiled. "Actually, I do my best, but what's the nature of the mission?" He asked sceptically. 

Kael leaned in and lowered his voice. "You will be joining our team to retrieve the fragments of the pattena disc. As a loremaster, I believe you know that the alignment of Platymus, Cantrus, and Glarion with the moon is taking place soon. We must stop Mordak and his agents from reassembling it and wreaking havoc."

Zephyr's eyes widened in shock. "I have read rare ancient manuscripts that referred to the pattena disc. I read that it's incredibly powerful." Zephyr nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "However, I don't know how much help I can be. I'm not a fighter and this seems way out of my league."

"We hope that you can use your musical talents to resonate with the fragments and help us locate it. Besides, your skills could come in handy in unexpected ways" Kael explained.