The family did not have anywhere to stay in Ascalon but for the tent that they pitched like everyone else. Siuil stared out of the tent and to the tar pit to the East that could be seen from what had used to be the Eastern wall of the castle. Terryann watched in concern. "When is Xiyra due back?" he asked.
Terryann shrugged. "She comes and goes. Barradin sent her on a mission to find a trace of Althea. But I fear the worst…" she saw the dark look. "For Althea. Have you heard?"
A shake of the head was the response. With a sigh, Terryann continued, "Althea went missing somewhere North of here. No one knows what happened to her, although rumor has it that some trace was found in the Diessa Lowlands. But no one knows for sure."
A head poked itself in the tent, and Siuil looked up at Tydus, "Warmaster, it's nice to see you alive."
"And you as well, Siuil," Tydus allowed a rare smile to show as he had little to smile about after the Searing. "I came to see if the rumors were correct. I'm glad… very glad… to see that they are. When I heard you still walked Tyria's surface, I had to come to pay my respects. I'm sorry I failed you this time again…"
"Failed? How?" asked Siuil, looking up at Tydus.
"It was me who sent Selena into those catacombs… had I but known that the very earth would betray us!… and now you have not only your brother to mourn and avenge, but also your daughter," Tydus took a breath. "I have told the Prince."
For a moment, Siuil was about to say, So what? But then he, Terryann and Kristal bowed low as Prince Rurik entered the open tent. "Heroes of Ascalon, you have no need to bow before me. Your sacrifices for our kingdom has reached the ears of the King himself, but since my father could not be here to say this, allow me to do so instead," when they stood, Rurik motioned them to sit down as Siuil gave up his seat to the Prince and crouched on the dirt floor. "Thank you, firstly, for your hospitality in these trying times. Now, for what I sent here for. My father, the King, sends his eternal gratitude as well as his deep condolences for your double loss. So many have died, but perhaps none so heroically as those who died to save all of us. Like young Selena La Rune… and Ranger Terrence La Rune. Selena, I am told, died saving those from the firestorms, protecting them and healing them as well she could. It is to her we have decided to award the medal of Ascalon Heart posthumously. Siuil, I would like you to accept it on her behalf in a small ceremony in the upper courtyard overlooking the Ascalon arena."
"I would be honored," Siuil whispered. "Thank you your Highness."
"Aidan also has a medal of sorts to give your brother posthumously," said Rurik. "But I'll be frank. I don't understand the Ranger's method, but in the same ceremony your brother will also be honored. Unfortunately, this leads to a request of sorts."
"Anything, your Highness," said Siuil, bowing his head slightly. "Anything for Ascalon."
"I need you to go see Simon the Scribe," said Rurik. "He'll tell you what he needs you to do to complete this task."
"I will do so immediately," Siuil stood up, but stopped when Rurik motioned him to sit back down. "Your Highness?"
The Prince sighed. "Siuil, may I call you Siuil?"
Siuil nodded, "Of course you may, and these is my daughter Terryann La Rune and my sister in law Kristal…" he stopped, realizing that now the Prince was gazing on the Krytan born Kristal with an appraising eye. "Aye, I am aware of the Royal Edict… I am sorry your Highness but family is family."
"You don't see me raising a fuss, do you, Siuil?" asked the Prince, a strange tone in his voice.
"Your Highness… Rurik… your father said that no Krytan…" Tydus stammered, but immediately fell silent upon Rurik's cold gaze.
"Welcome back to Ascalon City, or what is left of it, Lady Kristal La Rune. I am deeply sorry for the loss of your husband," said Rurik. "Please accept my personal hospitality as my personal guest during your stay."
"Rurik!" Tydus hissed. "If your father finds out…"
"And who will tell him, Warmaster?" said Rurik quietly. "Have some respect, this lady is also a hero of Ascalon… and so was her late husband!"
"All due respect, your Highness," murmured Kristal. "My daughter, Xiyra, is also a member of your Vanguard."
"There now, you see?" said Rurik. "Now, Tydus, perhaps you should take care of those who are not citizens. But take care of whom you turn away for some of those could be like our guest."
Tydus had the grace to look apologetic, "Forgive me, Madam. Not only for your loss, but also for my mistake for assuming you were with the Ambassador."
"What is this about an Ambassador?" asked Siuil.
Tydus sighed, "He showed up a few weeks ago wanting to address the citizens of Ascalon. The King forbade him to even enter. He has sent three requests already, and, now, I have to find someone to take him the answer to the third request."
"I will do it," said Terryann. "Illaesa and I can be back in mere hours without the enemy spotting us."
"Very well, I'll send you when I have an answer from the King," said Tydus, and then with a bow to the Prince, he left.
Again, the Prince sighed. "Damn them for not understanding," he muttered under his breath. "My friends, please, do not feel you have to be so formal in my presence. There is little left to Ascalon to be a Prince of anymore. We are all on the same footing here. I am Rurik, no more, no less. I would be honored if you thought of me as your friend, not as your Prince."
Siuil inclined his head, "Then you also are our friend. And as friends, I can tell something is the matter. May I ask what?"
"Blast, only everything," chuckled Rurik. "My father turns away the Krytans who only wish to help us in our time of need. The Ambassador asks for nothing in return, and even if he were I am sorry to say that we have little to offer anymore. Where is Xiyra?"
For a moment, everyone was silent. Rurik leaned back, "She isn't… is she?"
"Oh no, Rurik," said Terryann, the name sounding odd coming from her. "She was sent by Barradin to find Althea."
Rurik raised his brows. "One woman alone?"
"Well, others in the Vanguard went with her," answered Siuil. "We were told to stay close, and, of course, no one until now has known Kristal is even here."
"I am glad you are all here," Rurik said. "It does my heart good to know that we have enough to spare that some can be given a measure of rest. For a while I was worried we were too shorted handed."
"If you need us for anything, just ask," said Siuil.
"Well, there is this one thing for now," said Rurik. "And, of course, your friendship. It will be nice to have a place to hide and have peace and blessed quiet once and awhile."
He stood and Siuil stood, the two women almost stood, but Rurik waved for them to stay seated. "Don't get up on my account, friends," he turned to Siuil. "You didn't have to either."
"Honestly, my knees were cramping," Siuil smiled. "I'm not as young as I used to be."
Rurik leaned back and laughed heartily. "Grief, it's been too long since I did that," he smiled. "I shall have to return again, and this time I'm bringing good Ascalon wine."
"I look forward to it, Rurik," said Siuil as he followed him out.
With a darkening glance, "I do hope that your niece, Xiyra, finds Althea. Seeing your daughter reminded me of how much I miss her. I hope that someday that Althea gives me a beautiful daughter. You're a lucky man, Siuil."
"Not so lucky," the light mood broke as well in Siuil.
"Aye, lucky," said Rurik. "If Althea is… well… at least you knew love. Saw your children grow. If I have lost Althea I will not have known that."
Siuil smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Sometimes I think I would be more jealous of you."
"Don't you ever say that, Siuil," Rurik was then again very much the Prince. "Until next time, friend."
More than any other, Lynn Matheri knew that Ascalon could with time recover from the Searing if given the chance. The fires that had burned away all the growth had also reseeded the parched soil, burning away the weeds but activating tree seeds that depended on fire to germinate. Rains fell daily and always gave the lands a dismal, overcast look to them.
Lynn knew it would recover. It would take perhaps two or more generations, but it would indeed recover. Even now the wilderness encroached on what used to be human cities. The tar was slowly receding in places as water again came to the surface to reclaim the lakes and make new ones. In some places he had wandered he had even see grass growing again. Yes, it would recover, but the humans that had claimed it for so long would now have to move and give nature that time for right now it would not sustain life.
He overheard voices and moved closer to the edge to peer down at the men below. One woman caught his eye, although she looked far different than when he last saw her. She looked up, but did not appear to recognize him as she again turned her attention to those she attended. The other Necromancer, Kasha Blackblood, he recognized.
But it was the girl who held his rapt attention.
"Move out of my way, Rurik," ordered the older man.
"No, father, I will not," responded Prince Rurik.
Lynn frowned. Time and again the arrogance of the royal family simply surprised him. He watched the girl. She appeared no older than twenty, but for the dark circles under her eyes and her hair was long and swept back in the typical style of Ascalonian women. She wore a dress, and judging by the color and weave, it was of good quality. He knew he recognized her but could not recall where.
Deciding she could not be that important, his gaze moved to the Necromancer.
Kasha Blackblood was typical of Necromancers. Her hair was white, perhaps bleached even whiter, her skin sallow. In many ways she looked almost the same as the undead she dabbled with. As usual with the Necromancers, the armor she wore did not look as if it could guard against anything as she wore a skintight black leather outfit that was open in some very interesting places. She was taller than the girl that stood beside her.
The argument finished and as the King and his retinue returned to the castle, she bowed as he passed then Rurik approached them. "Blast, Kasha, civilians should not be out here. It is too dangerous!"
Her response was too quiet to be heard, but Rurik seemed to calm down a bit more and he looked at the young woman. With a silence borne from years of practice, Lynn moved closer to be able to hear. His black clothing lent him a certain amount of stealth as well. Finally, when he was close enough to overhear the soft-spoken Necromancer, he stopped and crouched down.
"… I found her within the catacombs with the others I pulled out," explained Kasha. "I figure the others were her family, but only half of them survived. The others were all dead. As it was, she was almost dead."
Rurik turned to the girl and said, "What is your name?"
No answer was forthcoming, and so Kasha answered, "She doesn't know and she doesn't speak. I can only guess that the shock did it. I tried to take her to places that would be familiar, but if she was from Ashford… well… the only place is now Sardelac."
"She appears sane," said Rurik in surprise. "Why an Asylum?"
"Oh, she'd be fine anywhere else, but I feel responsible for her, your Highness," answered Kasha. "And since I work from Sardelac, she would come with me."
"I see," for a moment Rurik was silent. "Well, Sardelac has enough people too shaken from the Searing. She is sane, yes?"
"Quite."
"But no memory…" Rurik shook his head in regret. "Well, the palace needs more attendants since the Searing killed most of them. The work would be hard, but rewarding. And perhaps given the proximity of those who survived Ashford, someone could recognize her while she is running errands. She has a far better chance of finding her family here."
"I could not leave her here!" Kasha objected. "Especially in the care of someone else."
"She is no burden, is she?"
"Well, no, but…"
"Then it's settled," said Rurik as he held out his arm to the girl. "Here, child, take my arm. I will guide you to your new home."
The girl looked from Kasha to the Prince uncertainly, but Kasha said, "Don't worry, I'm here every few days. I'll come check in on you. And I can tell you've been bored to tears at Sardelac… not to mention frightened of the less stable patients we have there. You'd have nothing to fear here and plenty to do. The Prince is a gentleman and will take care of you, isn't that right, Rurik?"
"Yes, of course," said Rurik. "I am but a servant to the people of Ascalon. It would be my honor, my lady."
Finally, the girl took his arm and he guided her back to Ascalon. "If anything happens to Rosa I hold you personally responsible!" shouted Kasha as she began her short, but dangerous, trek back to Sardelac.
The Prince winced, but turned to the girl, "I swear that no matter where I am, you will be under my protection."
The girl said nothing, but, with a sigh, the Prince took that as her consent as he walked her back to Ascalon City. It felt strange. She was half his size as well. "I swear that no one else in this war shall have to suffer the same from what the Charr have done," he said.
He was surprised as she stopped dead in the middle of the path. Looking at her gaze, he saw the devourer as it clicked as if seeking what it smelled. He moved her behind him and drew his sword. "Stay behind me, my lady, and it will not harm you," he whispered.
Rurik moved quietly, pulling her with him until they were in sight of the town guard. At first he didn't think the guards man saw him, but was soon relieved when the guard raised the alarm. The devourer moved its tails and he knew instantly that it was no ordinary devourer. "Dwayna protect this young woman from harm," he whispered.
Strangely she did not cling to him, seeming to know when not to and what side to avoid. "Was your father or husband… perhaps brother… a hero of Ascalon? Is that why you don't speak?" he wondered. "Is that some part of your distant memory?"
Finally he managed to guide her to the entrance, and he yelled to the young guard at the gate, "Get her to the Palace! She is my ward!"
In a fraction of a second, the guard had a solid grip on her as he pulled her into the city and into safety. Rurik blocked the pincer from the devourer as it tried to reach for her and saw his blood spray slightly. He reeled from the pain, but was surprised mildly when the healing touch of Dwayna embraced him as the pain faded, the wound healed.
The guards dispatched the creature quickly, and he turned to them, "Thank you for healing me."
They only looked at him in confusion, and one said, "Your Highness… none of us can heal."
"Then let us thank Dwayna," he said, puzzled as he walked away.
Upon reaching the Palace and finding an attendant, he asked, "There was a girl brought here, my ward, where is she?"
"Rurik!" came his father's voice. "Who is this girl that she is your ward?"
He turned to see the young girl in the company of his mother and his father. "That's just it, we don't know," answered Rurik. "Kasha saved her from the catacombs where she became Kasha's personal ward, but I felt that the Asylum was not the proper place for her."
Adelburn harrumphed. "She has not spoken since she got here, we don't even know…"
"That is because she does not speak at all," said Rurik wearily. "Evidently she has not since Kasha pulled her out. Kasha calls her Rosa, but as to what her real name, no one knows."
His mother pulled the girl close and pushed her chin up to look her in the face, "Poor dear. She has striking eyes… such a vivid green. Like the trees were before the Searing."
Rurik felt something nagging his memory, but the stresses allowed it to slip byhis sometimes slippery memory. Rurik already had too much on his mind already to add one more. "I have to head to the North Wall," he said. "The Charr invasion force was pushed back and away from here, now we seek to free prisoners. I will return shortly, Mother, could you please care for her in my absence?"
"Of course," said the Queen.
Xiyra climbed the last of the paths that she could think of when a shimmer caught her eye. She turned to Stefan, "Did you see that?"
Stefan looked at her funny then turned to Orion Elek, "Methinks our friend is seeing things…"
Orion chortled and Xiyra looked at them both sourly, "Very funny. I'm serious."
She pointed and Orion, with a sigh, looked over in the direction she pointed. "I'm sorry, Xi, I don't see anything."
Exasperated, she threw up her hands in resignation. "I see something," came Terryann's voice from the back and up on the hilltop. "It's definitely a shimmer, it's to the East."
"There, you see, I wasn't imagining it," Xiyra pointed out. "Can you lead us to it, Terry?"
"Of course!"
The four had been out in the Diessa lowlands searching for any sign of Althea. So far, they had found very little except for clues that led them to believe that she could have been there at one point, but was not anymore. In her pack, Terryann had the focus item that they had found that she could distinctly remember Althea having.
But other than that, no trace had been found. "Anything?" asked Xiyra.
"I can see it…" Terryann trailed off. "I don't believe it."
Terryann slid down the embankment to the rest of them, her face white. "I think we can go back now," she said quietly. "I found Althea."
Xiyra, ignoring her cousin's warnings, scrambled up the embankment with Stefan close behind her and Orion attempting to keep up. Finally, the four stood in front of a ghost. Orion took two steps back in fear borne of the cold that pervaded the area. Terryann caught him by grabbing a handful of his robe before he fell back down the hill and brought him back to an even keel. He gasped, "I'm sorry, Terry. It's just that it's like the touch of Grenth himself."
Only Xiyra dared step any closer as the ghost took form and became Althea of Barradin. Stefan gasped and knelt on the ground, as did Terryann and Orion. Xiyra bowed, but stood up a moment later, "My lady… what has happened to you?"
Siuil leaned on the edge of the wall as he keenly watched the horizon. Kristal walked up beside him, a cup of steaming tea in her hand. "Terrence used to watch the horizon. We had so many talks over tea…" she stopped, taking a moment to use one hand to wipe a tear out of her eye.
Her brown eyes looked up at Siuil. By all rights, Kristal was a taller woman than Siuil, but since she was below him on the steps he could look down to her. Seeing her in the light, he could see why Terrence had been taken with her. Her coffee colored skin complemented her dark brown hair. Everything about her was exotic compared to the women of Ascalon. She sighed and looked out over the horizon. "I wonder if everywhere was so affected by the Charr?"
"I'd hope not," said Siuil. "I rather hope that somewhere it is still green."
She smiled, "I'm sorry. I'm just worried for my kin. I have not spoken with anyone in Kryta for years. I am always worried that given our troubles that they have died as well… plagued by other issues."
"The Charr are…" Siuil stopped as he heard his name being yelled.
Both he and Kristal turned to see Alesia running up to him, "Xiyra and Terryann are back."
"And?"
"You haven't heard?" Alesia kneeled to catch her breath. "It's terrible… they were sent out to find Althea… but… but… oh, what will we ever do?"
"What has happened?" asked Kristal.
"They found only her ghost. She was already dead and gone," said Alesia. "She was burned alive as part of a Charr ritual."
Siuil leaned back and closed his eyes as the world seemed to spin. It was almost as if history had just repeated itself. He found himself gasping for air… A moment later he opened his eyes to find himself lying in his cot. Xiyra and Alesia sat across from him. Never in the two years since the Searing was he so painfully aware of those who should be there… but were not. He sighed and asked in a low voice, "How long?"
"Two hours," said Xiyra as she motioned for Alesia to leave. "She said you fainted when you found out that Lady Althea died."
Her tone was flat, wearied. He felt sick. "If it were not cowardly I would leave Ascalon and the death it is full of now and never look back," another sigh and he looked over at her. "Where is Terryann?"
"Sleeping. It was a hard trek," answered Xiyra. "I hear you pushed back the Charr past the North Wall to save Ranik and Ascalon City."
"Not by myself," he said, sitting up, rubbing his face. "But… a few of those did not make it back to the wall. I hear the Prince plans on mobilizing a force to free those he has learned were captured."
Xiyra stood up and looked out into the city of tents in the shadow of the palace. Turning to him, "I know. He has asked me to accompany him. I have a bad feeling about how this is turning out."
"I will come with you," said Siuil, already getting up and donning his armor. "If Terryann is awake, get her and your mother. I'll find your Uncle Ryniel. Today the La Runes take back what was taken… even if in equal amounts out of the very hide of the Charr."
They started from the Wall and began to slowly work their North. When they reached Frontier Gate, Rurik told them to stop and they came in to talk to the officers there. Siuil sighed as he heard Meerak start his tirade over again. If anyone needed to be sent to Sardelac, there was such a man. Xiyra smirked, "Yeah, I know. He gets to me after awhile too. He doesn't really see anyone on this world. But, then again, given what he was like before the Searing, I'm not entirely surprised."
"But his visions came true, then," said Siuil. "Who knows…"
"Come on, 'follow the Prince though he be doomed for his is the only way to salvation'?" asked Terryann. "What's that supposed to mean? Since when is the will of Adelburn not echoed in Rurik? It'll never happen."
Siuil inclined his head in agreement. But still, even he could see the increasing recklessness in Rurik. It concerned him. Finally, Siuil pulled the prince aside. Rurik looked at him in bemusement at his temerity, but also a bit of concern. "Yes, Siuil?" asked Rurik in surprise.
"I'm concerned for you," said Siuil. "I want to know that whatever happens you won't find yourself separated from us in your zeal. I can't protect you if I can't reach you."
Rurik raised his eyebrows in surprise, and then patted Siuil's hand that was holding his arm in reassurance. "You're worried for me, Siuil. It's not necessary!"
He caught Siuil's appraising glance, then he heard the spiel of Meerak. He saw Siuil's concern grow. "You can't believe him," this surprised Rurik, beyond all else. "Come now, Siuil. You and I both know that the Searing left many unbalanced. I have a ward that will not speak nor can she remember who she is because she saw her entire family die when the catacombs collapsed. She's more stable than Meerak. You can't believe that he's spouting off the truth…"
"Before the Searing it is said that he foresaw the Searing," pointed out Siuil. "Perhaps he is insane now, but what if his Sight is more acute than before? What if, now that the Gods again send their Avatars, his Sight is forever the Sight of the Gods? What if he sees the truth, Rurik?"
"Then nothing you or I can do will, or can, change what is to come," Rurik sighed. "Look, I swear to you that I will curb my enthusiasm enough for you to keep up with me, old man."
A sour look was his reward, and Siuil was quick to retort, "I'm not that much older than you, my Prince…"
Rurik's laugh was enough to cause those in the immediate vicinity stop what they were doing to regard him in shock. It was also a well-known fact that since Althea's body- and ghost- had been found and brought back to rest in Ascalon that Rurik had sunk into a deep depression. Hearing his laughter was like hearing that grass was growing in Ashford. He sighed then, and said, "I know. Ah, Siuil, you have no idea how much I value your friendship. I hope to carry that to our graves."
They walked together to the gate and Siuil asked, "Where are we headed next?"
"To what remains of Surmia. Our scouts tell me that prisoners were taken in that direction. Our mission… is to save them," said Rurik, suddenly quiet. "Siuil… how much can I trust Kristal?"
"I trust Kristal with my life," said Siuil. "I would stake my life on that if I can trust her, so can you."
"Good," said Rurik. "I have had an idea, as much as it pains me, and I need her to be my Ambassador to Shiverpeaks. I need her to go to the Dwarves of Deldrimor…"
Siuil turned quiet and serious, the gravity of what Rurik was suggesting. "Not only do you invite the Krytans here, but now the Dwarves? They may not come."
"Be that as that may, I'd like first contact to be made," Rurik sighed. "How fast do you think she and Terryann can get there… and back?"
Siuil blinked as he turned to regard Terryann where she haggled with the merchant. The journey to Yak's Bend, the only pass into the Shiverpeaks and the Deldrimor Dwarves, was dangerous and long. She would have to travel all the way back to Ascalon, then up to near Grendich… and then further North West into territory where it was said that Hydras walked. He had no doubt that she had the skill to avoid detection, but Kristal did not have the same scouting skills as the highly trained Terryann. He sighed, "Terryann by herself, quickly. With Kristal… I do not know. Rurik, that makes me uneasy. The journey is long… dangerous. It is also straight into Charr territory, and far worse. She is my youngest…"
"I understand," said Rurik, compassion in his voice. "If you do not wish me to ask her, I will not. But I felt that before I gave her that choice, I should consult you. But I now see how much you would worry and that if she did not make it, how much it would hurt you. I should have never asked."
"But you felt that only Terryann could do it," said Siuil with a heavy sigh. "Your trust in my daughter is incredible, Rurik, to be truthful, I do not doubt that she would not be able to do it, but that Kristal could not. Her skills as a scout are not as proficient as Terryann's."
"And Terryann's skills as a diplomat?" asked Rurik with a raised brow.
"I see the problem," snorted Siuil.
Terryann was no diplomat where Kristal was. "You may ask her, but it is her decision. I make no promises that she will accept."
"That was all I asked for, my friend," said Rurik. "I also wanted you to be aware of it."
Outside Surmia, they were surprised with the presence of a healer from Siuil's guild. For a moment, Siuil did not know who he was until he saw the crest of the guild around his neck on a pendant. He then stopped and stared at the Monk in surprise. "Greetings, Prince Rurik, Siuil La Rune, Terryann La Rune."
"Greetings, Monk," said Rurik in surprise. "Forgive me, I do not know your name but I see you and Siuil are of the same guild."
"We are, but we have not met yet. That is something I wish to rectify," said the Monk with a short bow. "My name is Akruan Soulblesser, and I was sent here by Lady Arya Bladedancer."
"Well met, Brother Soulblesser," said Siuil in surprise. "Arya told me to expect you. Since you already know the Prince and I, may I present my daughter, the Ranger Terryann La Rune?"
"Lady La Rune," greeted Akruan. "A pleasure. I won't beat around the bush, sirs; I am here because I am aware of that which you seek. I know you need a healer to go with you. I wish to be that healer. In fact, I will not have it any other way."
"And we would welcome the company," said Rurik in surprise. "Any skilled hands would be welcome in our journey."
"Then it is settled," Akruan followed them. "I left Akara just to the North by a shrine to Dwayna…"
"Akara is here?" asked Siuil in surprise.
"Who is this Akara?" The Grawl bodies that lay scattered around the ruins of a chapel where the Necromancer waited soon solved Rurik's puzzlement. "Would this… woman… be Akara?"
Siuil's face fell upon seeing the unfamiliar woman in gold Tormentor's armor, "I have no idea, but I assume so."
Akara Nikhiora was a woman he had never met, but heard plenty about. She was rumored to be attached by some sort of fashion to Lynn Matheri but so far no one had confirmed it. If it was true, then her presence in Ascalon meant only one thing—Lynn Matheri was near as well. Siuil's expression grew grim, as did Terryann's behind him. She looked up and bowed to the Prince, "Prince Rurik, and an honor."
She didn't give the impression that she was in the least honored, or thrilled to see any of them. Akruan chuckled, "Akara, as charming as ever."
"Yeah, right, whatever," Akara rolled her eyes. "So, I'm Akara Nikhiora. Akruan kind of told me I should go with you. So, what's so important?"
It was almost as if she was saying, What's the big deal that you dragged me away from whatever I was doing?
Siuil took an instant dislike to her. The Prince was using his more formal postures. "We are on a mission to save innocent prisoners from the Charr," Rurik pointed to the North and Akara looked that way. "They are rumored to be in the ruins of Surmia, used as slaves."
"Better to be slaves than food," Akara mused. "So I always say. What makes you think they're still alive?"
"Our spies tell me so," said Rurik.
"Well, great," she said shortly. "Then let's save them."
Rurik blinked in surprise and looked back at Siuil in surprise. To be truthful, Siuil had a hard time following her. It was as if she went from one extreme in not wanting to do the mission to being the most enthused about it. As if she was bored with just standing around. "Excuse me," said Terryann. "Ms. Nikhiora?"
"Yes?" Akara drawled it out.
"Do you know Lynn Matheri?" asked Terryann. "I need to know this."
"Depends on how you mean 'know him'," answered the Necromancer with a shrug.
"As in, are you associated with him?" asked Siuil.
For a long moment she stared at them, and in the first serious moment since meeting her, even dark, "No one knows Lynn Matheri. Not even his own family can say that much. He's not someone you 'know', he's just sort of out there."
Siuil and Terryann looked at each other, "So the man does have family."
A snort was the answer, and Akara pointed out, "Yeah, well, he's as fucked up as everyone else. His mother, from what I understand, went crazy and his father died when a tree fell on him. He started out normal but things slid downhill for him from there. Can I give you some advice? Drop the vendetta you have against him. There's no point. And even if you managed to catch-up with him to fight him, you'd lose. He's taken on Gods and won. A simple man who swings a sword could not hope to stand on the same level as he does."
The look on Rurik's face was contemplative, "A man can defeat Gods, you say?"
Akara, for the first time, noticed the Prince, "Yeah. He can. But… he no longer cares for that path of power anymore. I think he's seen enough, cared and had the trust broken, you know. At least that's my theory."
With that, she dropped the subject and no amount of prodding later would get her to talk about it again. As it was, Siuil had a glimpse, however minute, of what the man he hunted truly was. Grimly he set himself to the task of hand like Akara had. This would require all of his sense in order to even survive, let alone succeed.
In the shadow of the shrine to Dwayna, they rested for the night.
"You said he could defeat Gods?" asked Rurik suddenly.
Akara looked up in surprise. "Yeah, but I also said he cared little for that kind of power anymore."
"I see," Rurik seemed to think for a moment. "If he can defeat Gods, what would it take for him to see the advantage of helping Ascalon defeat the Charr, once and for all?"
"Your highness?" asked Akruan in surprise, and the Prince looked at the monk. "I have met this Lynn Matheri she speaks of. If anyone were to save Ascalon, I would not depend on him to be that one."
"Hey, now wait a minute," said Akara. "If he says he'll help, he will. Matheri is strange that way too. He, once, fought in a few wars. He helped a good many—enough to be considered a hero in his own right. But he has done great evil as well, from what I understand."
They all looked at Akara, "'From what you understand'?" asked Rurik in confusion. "You seem to know this man, but yet you speak as if you know of him, as if you studied his history. But yet Akruan has clearly said that of anyone he knows, you spend the most time in direct contact. Now, which is it?"
"Neither," admitted Akara. "But then, you don't actually know me. I'm crazy, don't you know? Lynn is far saner, but far more… strange… than you can imagine. He's not from around here, your Gods are not his, and even if they were he would not be beholden to them, if you catch my drift. He challenged a Goddess, a Dark Queen, and won. Then… simply walked away from it and let her live in her old place. Mind you, She was not too happy with him after…"
Siuil was a bit confused by this. "Clearly there is far more to this Lynn Matheri than any of us can understand, or want to," he pointed out. "If we try, we won't get any rest and we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Leave him to Akara who seems to 'understand' him more than us. I don't care that much, really."
The subject was immediately dropped and they retired to their respective bedrolls except for those on watch.
The man in question was actually not all that far away from them, although he was farther south. His wanderings had brought him to the Serenity Temple. Completely oblivious to what the others thought of him, nor of what harrowing mission they were about to come up against, he simply wandered, trying to regain some of his lost power in changing worlds.
As it happened, Akara was very accurate about Lynn's desire of power. He didn't care anymore. His cynicism was of a man who had tasted his very limit, and saw that what he would have in that future did not appeal to him at all. Lynn had simply walked away but he knew what his future would have held if he had not. He had that as an advantage for those who still fought to find their limits.
In truth, he had heard rumors and felt, on the ever present pulse of his precious magic, something disturbing. Only coincidence had him doing various tasks for the Ascalons in that in helping them he helped himself find out what was so disturbing and strange on this world. With a sigh, he found that he was again doing the whim of the Gods.
Duty done, he stood back as the Priestess Rashenna looked at the Eldritch Sextant. She looked up at him, "Do you have any idea what this is?"
"Vaguely," he answered. "What I do know is clouded by something that is temporarily more powerful than me."
She lifted an eyebrow, "Indeed. I sense… something otherworldly about it but other that there is no threat."
He mused about this later. Otherworldly. Like him, really, but no one really connected that with him. What the Eldritch Sextant had in common with him only extended that far. So, just what was going on this world that 'otherworldly' artifacts and people both came to be upon its surface? What other faction or power had caused such a rip in time and space to pull him and Akara here?
More importantly, was there a way back?
He sighed as he mused on this, overlooking the blasted land. It was an interesting problem that he was not sure if he should fix, or if he even could. Lynn looked up at the sky and asked, "What is it you want from me? What do you think I can do for you and what deal did you make with the Gods of my world to bring me here if indeed I was sent here to aid you? What war looms on your horizon…"
As usual with Gods, no answer was forthcoming. As bloody usual, they expected him to figure it out on his own and pray he did so quickly enough…