Ch 94: History Lesson

The morning sun peeked through the dissipating ash clouds, casting a dim orange glow over the rugged terrain. Kalem, Vornar, and Tharic made their way through the valleys, the crunch of gravel underfoot blending with the occasional distant rumble of the still-active mountains.

Kalem broke the silence. "So, tell me—what is it about the Augury that makes everyone trust him so blindly?"

Tharic raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Giving up already, boy?"

Kalem shook his head. "No. Just seems odd for one person to hold this much influence without anyone questioning it."

Tharic leaned closer and whispered mockingly, "You really need a new sense of humor."

Kalem shrugged, unfazed, as Vornar chuckled. "Well," Vornar began, "since you're curious, I'll give you the short version. The Augury's reputation isn't something that appeared overnight."

Kalem perked up, genuinely interested. "I'm listening."

Vornar cleared his throat. "Decades ago, when Ironworks was just a fledgling settlement, this place wasn't the bustling hub you see now. Back then, the region was chaotic, plagued by unpredictable lava flows and aggressive beasts. Survival was a daily struggle."

Tharic interjected, "And the Galgameths? They weren't just eating ores back then. They were territorial and vicious, wiping out entire caravans that dared to cross their paths."

Vornar nodded. "Exactly. Then the Augury appeared. No one knows where he came from, and no one questioned it too much. What mattered was that he seemed to understand the land better than anyone else. He predicted eruptions, guided the settlement to safer grounds, and even helped subdue the more dangerous creatures using magic that none of us had ever seen before."

Kalem frowned. "So, he saved everyone?"

"In a way," Vornar replied. "He didn't just save lives; he gave the people a future. Thanks to his guidance, the settlement grew into the Ironworks you know today. The people here owe him everything. He became a symbol of stability in a place where chaos reigned."

Tharic snorted. "Stability, sure. But let's not forget, his predictions weren't always perfect. There were... incidents."

Kalem's eyes narrowed. "What kind of incidents?"

Vornar sighed. "There were times when his warnings came too late, or his guidance led to losses. But the thing is, his successes far outweighed his failures. People were willing to forgive the occasional misstep because, without him, the settlement wouldn't have survived at all."

Tharic added, "He also has this way of talking—calm, confident, like he knows exactly what he's doing. Makes people feel safe, even when things are falling apart."

Kalem nodded slowly, processing the information. "And no one ever questioned where he came from? Or why he knows so much about the land?"

Vornar shrugged. "Some might have, but they were drowned out by the overwhelming gratitude people felt. When you're starving and scared, you don't care much about where the food or guidance comes from, as long as it saves you."

Tharic smirked. "Besides, who would dare? The man's practically a legend. Challenging him is like spitting in the face of the gods."

Kalem fell silent, his mind racing with thoughts. The Augury's influence suddenly made sense, but it also raised more questions. If he was so trusted, why did his recent actions feel so... wrong?

As they continued walking, the landscape grew more desolate. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur, and the ground beneath their feet was warm, a reminder of the molten chaos beneath.

Vornar broke the silence. "I'll say this, Kalem. If you're planning to go against the Augury, you'd better be absolutely sure of what you're doing. Convincing others to even consider doubting him won't be easy."

Kalem met his gaze. "I don't want to go against him. I just want the truth."

Tharic chuckled. "Careful, boy. The truth has a nasty habit of getting people into trouble."

Vornar gave Tharic a warning look before turning back to Kalem. "We'll find out soon enough. If your suspicions are right, then the truth will reveal itself. And if you're wrong... well, you'll owe us both an apology and a round of drinks."

Kalem smirked faintly. "Deal."

The trio reached the edge of the region Kalem had been investigating. The air here felt different—heavier, almost oppressive. The ground was littered with strange markings, faintly glowing in the dim light. Kalem knelt to examine one of them, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns.

"This is it," he said quietly. "This is the same energy I felt in the ruins. It's the same as the dormant zones."

Vornar and Tharic exchanged a glance before stepping closer.

"Well," Tharic said, folding his arms, "looks like we've got some digging to do."

"Carefully," Vornar added, his tone serious. "We don't know what we're dealing with yet."

Kalem nodded, his resolve strengthening. Whatever the truth was, they were one step closer to uncovering it.