Chapter Seven: "Whispers in the Bazaar

Kael sat on the sharp steps of the temple's entrance, gazing out at the dim sliver

of sunrise in the distance, his mind racing, burdened by the choice he had made

the night before, his hands clenched into fists, feeling the faint hum of the

Sovereign Core within him—a power that felt as alien as it was immense.

Behind him, Aelira and Varik conversed in low voices, punctuated at times by Aelira's

sardonic, doubtful tone; she didn't trust Varik, and Kael didn't entirely blame her. The man was a mystery, his words cryptic, his motives unclear.

However, Kael was forced to believe Varik because, for the time being, his expertise was their best hope of surviving. Kael's musings were interrupted by Aelira's

voice. "Kael, we don't have time to squander. We will be discovered by the Shadowborn if we remain in one spot for too long".

"I understand," Kael muttered. He got up and brushed the dust off his clothing. "But I have to do something first."

Aelira's eyebrow went up. "What is more

vital than surviving?"

Kael paused, his eyes dropping to the floor. "Joren. I have to say farewell before I go. I should let him know why I'm doing this".

Although Aelira's tone stayed realistic, her face softened a little. "You think you'll get that

much time from the Shadowborn?" Kael's voice was harsher than she had anticipated when he said, "I'm not asking for permission."

"That's how much I owe him." Varik, leaning against a nearby pillar, eventually said something. "The boy's right," he stated in a cool but direct tone. "You should accept what you're leaving behind if you're going

to bear this burden.Don't linger, though. The danger increases with the length of stay."

Aelira sighed in frustration but remained silent. "All right. However, we will accompany

you. You won't have to face the Shadowborn or anyone else by yourself". With a tiny glimmer of appreciation in his chest, Kael nodded.

In the brief period that Kael had been gone, Ryndor had not changed much. The

streets were still congested and small, with youngsters running through the

crowds and vendors shouting out their wares.

However, it all seemed far away to Kael now, as though he were traversing the remains of a life he was no longer able to lead. Joren was in the tiny workshop where the two of them had spent many hours fixing tools and making little souvenirs for the locals, just where Kael had anticipated finding him. As Kael walked in, the elder boy's face

brightened with relief and he glanced up.

"Kael!" Joren let go of the hammer he was holding and exclaimed. "You've returned!

Where have you been, I wonder? Everyone had the thought— He stopped when he saw

Varik and Aelira standing behind Kael.

"Who are they?"

Kael's voice was thick as he said, "It's a long story." He took a step forward and looked directly into Joren's eyes. "I also don't have much time to elaborate."

Joren scowled, his expression filled with worry. "What's happening? You look... different, Kael.

"I am," Kael acknowledged. He

paused, trying to think of the proper thing to say. "I have to tell you something. Something significant".

Kael described everything over the course of the following few minutes, including the Shadowborn and the Sovereign Core.

Joren's expression alternated between incredulity and concern as he listened in startled silence. Joren shook his head when Kael was done.

"This is... crazy. You're only a child, Kael. How are you meant to handle such a situation?

"I have no other option," Kael said. "People

will perish if I don't. And it will be everywhere, not just here."

Joren sighed after staring at him for a while. "You mean this seriously, don't you?"

Kael gave a nod.

Joren moved forward and touched Kael's shoulder. Then swear to me that you will return. Make sure you return, no matter what.

Kael nodded once more as his throat constricted. "I swear."

_ _

Kael had never seen anything like the sorcerer's bazaar. It was a vast bazaar of

wonders and perils, tucked away deep in the winding valleys outside of Ryndor, and crowded with traders selling goods of odd and mysterious origin. The smell of magic and incense filled the air, and the sounds of laughter and haggling filled the winding streets.

Kael whispered, "This place is incredible," his eyes wide as he absorbed the sight of a stand selling glistening stones that looked to be humming with vitality.

"Remain near," Varik cautioned. "Despite its welcoming appearance, the market is a deadly place. Everyone in this room is searching for something, and not

everyone will be fair in their pursuit of it."

Aelira's posture was tense as she

looked around the crowd, her hand resting on the hilt of one of her daggers.

"What exactly what are we searching for?"

Varik guided them to a modest, unassuming

booth on the bazaar's periphery. An elderly woman with keen eyes and a gentle

authority was the merchant behind the counter.

With a courteous tone, Varik stated, "We're looking for a conduit." After examining him for a while, the woman nodded. She extracted a little, finely carved amulet from beneath the counter. It appeared to pulse subtly in rhythm with Kael's Sovereign Core and was composed of a dark, metallic stone.

In a hushed voice, the merchant

remarked, "This will help him channel his power." "But be advised—there is

always a price for such things."

Kael paused and gazed at the amulet. "How much does it cost?"

The woman responded in a mysterious tone, "That depends on you." "The load is lessened the greater your will is. But if you make a mistake… She left the rest unsaid and trailed off. The woman gave Kael the

amulet, and Varik set a bunch of money on the counter. The moment it touched

his skin, he had an odd sensation, a weight and warmth, as if the amulet were simultaneously testing him and soothing the Sovereign Core.

"Come on," Varik said.

"They've been watching us since we

left the merchant's stall." Kael's heart raced. "Who are they?" "Trouble," Aelira muttered. As they turned a corner, they discovered their path blocked by a group of armed men.

Their leader stepped forward, a tall, wiry man with a cruel smile and a gleam of greed in his eyes. As they left the bazaar, the lively sounds of the market seemed to fade into an unsettling silence. Aelira's hand tightened on her dagger

The man looked at Kael and remarked, "You

have something valuable." "If you turn it in, we might let you live."

Kael's chest constricted as he automatically gripped the amulet. "I don't want to buy

it."

The man chuckled. "I didn't ask." The men struck before anyone could respond. With deadly, accurate blows, Aelira dispatched two of the attackers, moving like a shadow and flashing her daggers. With unexpected speed and ability, Varik used his staff to deflect strikes and send enemies tumbling with energy bursts. Still fighting to keep the Sovereign Core under control, Kael

concentrated on avoiding contact when one of the warriors lunged at him with his sword.

Use the amulet, Kael! Varik yelled.

The power of the amulet surged through Kael as he clasped it. In response, the

Sovereign Core's energy became precise and concentrated rather than chaotic. A

wave of force drove his assailant hurtling into the wall as he raised his hand. The other men paused, their self-assurance wavering. The leader's face was a mixture of dread and rage as he gazed at Kael. He growled, "This isn't over," and then he and his soldiers started to back off.

Varik nodded. "We need to be more careful." Kael, whose breathing was labored as the dust cleared,gazed down at the amulet and whispered, "It worked," with a touch of wonder in his voice.