Chapter 15: hearts of warmth and stone

Out at sea

Callum had finally broken the seal with Rigran looking at the letter over Callums shoulder while Bait rested on his lap, and this is what the letter said.

"Dear callum

Over the years, there have been moments when I let there be a distance between us. Because I am your stepfather I wanted to give you the space to love your birth father even though he passed away. Now however I wonder if I should have held you closer, I wonder if showing you how much I loved you would have been okay and would not have disrespected the relationship that you had with him.

Callum I know I am not your birth father but in my eyes and in my heart, you are my son. I see myself in you. And I'm proud of you and I love you unconditionally."

Callum had to put the letter down to wipe away the tears in his eyes, "oh this isn't easy" Callum said, "take your time" Rigran said placing a reassuring hand on the elder Prince's shoulder as Bait croaked at the letter, "don't tell us you can read as well?" Rigran asked bait, who merely snorted in return as Callum returned to the letter.

"As i write this, the sun is setting while elven assassins are preparing to end my life" the Letter said, "a few months ago. I took my revenge on Xadia. Tonight it is time for them. I do not have long so i am forced to ask myself… What can I pass on to my sons in the short time I have left? And in this letter there is a lie, a wish and a secret to be told".


Meeting place of the kings

Inside the place where Viren was telling his story, well the story had to be put on pause, as they were waiting for one of the kings to come back, at last he did, "sorry sorry" stuttered Ahling as he reentered the room, "just not used to hearing so much story all at once, i just needed a little trip to the little kings room".

"You're mother must have had a lovely time telling you bedtime stories then" Hainn drawled sarcastically, "may i continue?" Viren asked rather irritatedly, "just speak before i die of boredom" Hainn said back, "though i know how this story goes" said Aanya "but it warms my heart to hear about my parents from someone who was there.

"Yes" Viren greed, "you must know as well as anyone that while this appears to be a story of epic battles and legendary creatures…", "someone always dies in the end" Hainn said slowly, Viren caught a little of guard said, "um yes i'm afraid so"


Many years ago

The soldiers charged at the magma titan but all were sent flying by the creatures mighty large hands, Dravaan took a swig of the Witcher potion Petri's philter his eyes going completely black and his skin going slightly pale, once it was down he shot a blast of Aard at the creature making it stumble and he charged at it stabbing his steel sword into the cracks of the creatures legs.

It roared in pain as it tried to adjust itself to hit Dravaan but he was too fast, while it was distracted soldiers threw spears at it, it turned to them for a second before Dravaan slashed again at the legs and made it focus once again on him. "Fire" said a soldier as his partner fired a ballista but the titan blocked it and slammed its fists down on the ground making Dravaan stagger.

The Witcher barely avoided a fist coming down on where he was, "aim for the cracks" shouted Neha to the soldiers, "between the rocky plates then we can chain it down"

The soldiers obeyed aimed carefully while Dravaan continued to distract the creature and fired, the harpoons sinking into the lava like skin, but the titan simple tore the chains apart, he used one chain as a whip and lashed it at Amaya striking her in the face and off her horse, she landed with a hard crash to the ground and lay their unconscious.

Harrow then jumped in and ran over to the queens of Duren, "take aim at the centre" he told the queens, "fire right where we cracked it", the queens nodded and luckily Dravaan was in earshot so he focused on getting it to face the ballista while it was lashing the chain about as a weapon. You had to give it to the beast; it certainly was intelligent in a sense.

He once again used Aard to make the creature stagger and that was when the queens fired, the harpoon hit its mark burying deeply into the titan, the creature roared in pain and began to advance "now what?" Neha asked, "push it over the edge" Harrow said they all got the idea.

Together they all pushed as the titan advanced, finally they managed to push the ballista over the edge and the rock was wrenched out of the creature's now exposed chest and went over the edge with the rest of the ballista.

Now hoping the titan roared in absolute outrage, Amaya meanwhile had recovered and drew out her shield, Sarai spear drawn raced towards the creature, Amaya positioned herself and used her shield as a springboard for her sister to launch into the air.

Sarai launched her spear just as the monster turned to face her and once again it hit it's mark right bang, splat wallop in the exposed chest of the titan, it howled in pain and it's veins of lava began to bubble and spurt its body began crumpling as it began dying, everyone got clear not wanting to be hit by a flying rock or melted by magma.

Finally the creature collapsed into nothing more than a pile of rock and a pool of lava and at the top was its heart a gorgeous yellow gem as big as 3 human heads. "The legend was true" Viren said, unable to believe it as he looked at the stone and reached to touch it despite it being so hot the air was becoming distorted.

"So that means?" Harrow asked, "yes we can save them all" Viren confirmed, the soldier cheered, the two queens of Duren kissed each other passionately in that moment of triumph, "are people are safe" said Neha, Dravaan sat down on a rock exhausted, i'm getting to old for this" he chuckled as he sheathed his sword his eyes still black from the effects of the potion.

Sarai retrieved her spear and signed to her sister, "you did it Amaya" was what she signed, Amaya held half of her face with one hand and looked like she was about to collapse, "Amaya!" Saria exclaimed as she caught her sister when she collapsed, she had a slight cut on her face but nothing major thank god.

Viren looked at the sky worried, "only an hour until sunset" he told Harrow and Dravaan, "we can't risk the wrath of Thunder, we must hurry back with the heart", "yes we will move as fast as we can" Harrow said, "not going to work" Dravaan said gesturing around at all the troops most of them badly injured, Viren sighed, "the wounded must be left behind" Viren said grimmly, "he might be right we cannot afford to slow down" Dravaan said.

Amaya signed something which Sarai translated, "you don't need to whisper you two. I am deaf" Sarai translated, the two looked a little sheepish, "it will be okay" Sarai continued, "once i rest a bit i can make it back by myself", "regardless i'm staying you'll need a witcher to get through this with everyone" Dravaan said, "no we will not leave you to Thunders wrath" Harrow said.

"I can help too" Sarai said, "everyone else should take the heart back", "they agree" Viren said, "lets go", "no" Harrow said firmly, "but-" Viren began, "no one gets left behind. We shall not and will not leave the wounded" Harrow interrupted.

"You wouldn't do it if it wasn't your wife's sister" Viren snapped, losing his patients, but he had crossed a line, "we leave no one behind" Harrow said slowly "and that is final".


Back at sea present

"When i am gone Ezran, your brother, will become king" the letter Callum and Rigran was reading said, "and you and Rigran will be his partners, his defenders and his closest advisors. Soon you three all face a lie. The great lie of history.

Scholars will say that history is a narrative of strength. Advisors will recount stories of the rise of nations and the fall of empire, there will be stories of armies, battles and decisive victories. But this isn't true strength. It's merely power. I now believe true strength is found in vulnerability…In forgiveness, in love.

There is a trust, a beautiful upside down truth which is that moment of truest strength, which appears as weakness to those who don't know better. For a long time I myself didn't know better. So I ask you and your brothers to reject history as a narrative of strength, and instead have faith that it is a narrative of love.

Above deck

Rayla climbed the railing of the boat in order to stand up straight, "so Rayla.." Villads then chuckled, "that's an unusual name isn't it?", "oh" Rayla said nervously, "my human parents had an unusual taste in names… Villads with a silent D". "Fair enough," Villads chuckled, "so if Kaja is a blacksmith for a living then what do you do?".

"I'm an assassin" Rayla said casually twirling her weapon Villads laughed heartily, "oh oh you're not joking" he said after stopping laughing, "well i'm supposed to be anyway but i haven't killed anyone before" Rayla admitted, "oh well maybe someday. Don't give up on what you dream for" Villads said encouragingly.

"Actually" Rayla began "the truth is that i'm not sure being an Assassin is my dream after all", "i know what you mean" said Kaja as she appeared on deck, she cold now walk normally by herself which was good news and her wound had almost completely healed "i never wanted my magic just happened overnight, huh and the best i can do at the moment are small sparks" she said.

"Uh so then what exactly did you two want to be? What were your dreams?" Villads asked, "I don't think either of us know," Rayla admitted and Kaja nodded in agreement.


Back many years ago

Crows squawked as they scrambled and rummaged through the spears and shields looking for bodies or some meat to earth as the sun rose over the horizon. The humans carried the heart on a makeshift lift while the injured were either lying on horseback with the horses being guided, or on a medical bed.

"With the heavy heart of the titan and the burden of the wounded, progress was slowed dangerously so" Viren said, "dawn came. I could feel the heat on my neck as the sun rose. Dravaan was the most wary, always looking at the sun to see any warning of the coming storm and being worried myself I could not blame him. But we pushed forward hoping to escape the punishment of the crime of trespassing"

"There's the entrance" Harrows said, catching sight of the entrance, "we almost three" they began running to the entrance, "faster now all our strength" Sarai urged. Then the sun was blotted out.

"Suddenly the heat disappeared and the cold i felt was not cold relief but cold dread"

Thunder crashed as clouds covered the sky and the dragon king himself, Thunder swopped down towards them, "fly you idiots get to the cave" Dravaan yelled no one needed to be told twice they all began running as the living storm chased.

Thunder crashed above them as Thunder roared and was upon them in an instant, "we are not going to make it" Neha said, "we have to hold off the dragon as long as possible" Harrow said. "We'll do it" Annika said, "this is our day to sacrifice'', "get the titans heart to safety" Neha added, "save all our people'' Annika said quickly giving the king a ring for the daughter of Duren.

"Oh no don't let the professional handle it because it's too fucking dangerous" Dravaan yelled at them as they galloped towards the dragon, "idiots" Dravaan cursed as he himself got on his horse and galloped after.

Viren was about to follow but he turned and watched the dragon breath bursts of electric fire at the queens and Witcher who manoeuvred out of the way, Viren tried following the others but he just cou;dn't not with the fact that he could have helped and did nothing.

Cursing he ran into the battlefield, were thunder had landed, "if you have a plan..." Dravaan said as he scooped up the mage, "i do" he said, drawing out the sky primal stone, Thunder turned on them and smelt death. He roared and charged at the two while Viren formed a symbol in the air, "Aspiro Frigis" Viren said and caste the spell as Dravaan stopped the horse.

The entirety of the dragon king's head was soon trapped in a shell of ice surrounding every bit of him except his eyes, the dragon watched as the two queens then charged at him, he narrowed his eyes, then something came into his field of vision.

It was Dravaan plunging his silver sword into the eye of the dragon king, in absolute rage he burst out of the ice electricity shooting from his mouth and with his tail he lashed and it killed both Queens of Duren as they tried to retreat, their horses didn't survive either. The force had knocked Viren to the ground as the dragon continued to shake his head in pain.

Meanwhile Harrow and the others had made, "they have brought us enough time we've done it" he said but the victory was not won yet, "Viren.." Sarai suddenly realised, "what is it?" Harrow asked his wife, "without him the heart is worthless we cannot perform the spell" she said.

"Sarai what are you saying?" Harrow asked a bad feeling in his gut, "I'll see you on the other side" Sarai answered swinging onto Virens horse and galloping back to the battlefield.


Present back on the boat

"The last time I saw your mother she said,'' I'll see you on the other side," Callums letter continued, "I don't know what lies on the other side. But I do know I will be watching over you and your brother, always."


Many years ago

Viren looked up in terror as Dravaan was shaking off at last the now half blind dragon took to the skies, looking back Viren saw Sarai reaching a hand out towards him, Viren took the hand as the dragon circled, "thank you" Viren said as Sarai galloped the horse towards the exit of the border, "don't thank me yet" Sarai said as she urged the horse fast and faster avoiding one lightning bolt after another and jumping over rocks.

Then thunder saw his chance and shot a lightning bolt more powerful than the rest, it hit and the explosion sent the two flying, Viren woke up with Dust thrown up all around him, he looked around and saw sarais body prone not too far away.

Thunder was retreating now, "come on we have to run" Viren said as he rushed over, Sarai didn't move, cautiously Viren rolled her over, she gasped weakly, dravaan rushed over and when he saw the queen he sheathed his sword with a already mournful look on his face.

"I was there" Viren said, "when queen Sarai took her last breath".

And Sarai finally exhaled for the last time.

"Xadia had stolen precious loved ones from us"

Harrow, Viren, Dravaan and the soldiers returned with the heart to the kingdom where the snow was beginning to fall and a crowd of people watched them walk to the castle mourning the loss.

"Their loss changed our lives forever. But their sacrifice changed the world. The heart of the titan yielded its incredible life force.."

Viren uttered a chant with his hand reaching out for the stone and the magic did it's work, a yellow energy wave converted the land and turned it from desolate to fertile it was as quick as that.

"The spell worked and it created fertility and abundance. A hundred thousand lives were saved that day. And both kingdoms knew who they owed their lives to for their happy and healthy lives. These incredible heroes. Three queens, three mothers, became legends"

In the castle of Katalois in the king's room the king stood looking at his crown, "it should have been me" Harrow said, "i'm sorry" Viren said with Dravaan next to him, oddly enough he was not wearing his sword, he hadn't for a week, "it shouldn't have been anyone my king, but we can't control these things" Dravaan said.

A guard walked in, "your highness, he is waiting for you" the guard said, the king sighed and went to the throne room where young Callum was waiting, he gave Callum a reassuring hug, "Callum" Harrow began as he broke the hug and looked his son in the eye, "i want to talk to you about life and growing up and how sometimes there are changes you don't expect"


Present on the boat

"I have tried to be selfless as a king. But as a father I have a selfish wish" the Letter said, "and that for you, Rigran and Ezran to be free. Reject the chains of history, do not let the past define the future as I did. Free yourself from the past, learn from it, understand it then let it go. Create a brighter future from your own hearts and imagination."

Callum put the letter down and massaged his temples trying to process all the emotions going through his head, Rirgan put a hand on his shoulder and Callum hugged him for reassurance and Rigran returned the hug in kind.


Meeting of the rulers

Aanya was holding the medallion around her neck while the story finished, "i'm sorry you were never able to know them" Viren said to the young queen, "your mothers", "thank you lord viren" Aanya said gratefully, "i feel lucky to have heard so many beautiful stories, it's how i have gotten to know them" "at your age i would call it a blessing" Hainn said in agreement, "they were both very brave and very strong and wise" Viren said, "it may not be my place to say, but j am sure they would have been very proud of you".

Aanya nodded then looked at her medallion which bloomed like a flower to reveal the ring of her mother which had been passed from her to Harrow and then to Aanya, "it may seem strange to miss someone i hardly know" she began tears in her eyes, "but i miss them so very much".

"Knowing what you know now, queen Aanya" Viren began softly, "can you see why i believe that your mothers if they were alive today. They would choose to join us and fight by our side".

Hainn then saw what Viren had done and it was very clever he had weakened her defencise by making emotion because of a story relevant to the subject, and his timing was well placed as the queen did look very emotional.

"I think you are right" Aanya said, Viren couldn't help but smile a little seeing that he might have won them over, "but i…will not" Aanya then added and the tone of the entire scene changed very drastically indeed.

"What?!" Viren exclaimed, the other rulers looked in surprise, "there's no doubt we do owe Katolis a great debt, we received so much, sacrifice, courage and kindness but i will not and cannot repay a debt of a hundred thousand whose lives were saved, by sending a million to die in violence"

Viren was looking like a thundercloud, "did you not listen?" he demanded, "did you not…" he turned to the other rulers, "king Ahling help me talk some sense into her'' he demanded, Ahling sighed, "Viren we sympathise with the plight Katalis has'' he said, "but i'm afraid we can no longer-" "coward!" Viren roared in rage, then desperately turned to Hainn, "Hainn do something" he said.

Hainn stood up very calm under the circumstance, "i guess this meeting is over'' he said to Virens shock, "you are a better ruler than i though and i respect that" Hainn said to Aanya and tossed her something, it was a dagger of some kind, "hunting dagger" he explained, "just in case you decide when it is time to pick one up. Who knows you all may find yourselves changing your minds. And if you do send crow mail it is actually better than it sounds".

And with that he made to leave, "Traitor" Viren said, accusingly "enough Viren" Hainn said, "you are standing here among them, every single person in this room today" "enough Viren" Hainn warned stopping dead, "you all betray humanity and you Hainn" Viren continued so angry was he that he rounded on the armoured worry.

"You are standing here making jokes while the enemies gather at the border" Hainn clenched his fist the anger rising, the temperature dropped a few degrees but not enough to be noticed, "you let a child decide this decision, you are just as weak minded as them!" "ENOUGH!" Hainn shouted rounding on and cutting off Viren mid rant and sending a shockwave of icy wind so powerful that the curtains were blown off their rafters and the building cracked alarmingly and frost covered the entire inside of the building.

The weather had changed from sunny to a snow and thunder storm and everyone there stood silent, the rulers backed against their thrones as far as they could be at the rage that Hainn held as he glared at Viren who was breathing heavily in fear. "I think this meeting has been concluded, '' he said slowly as he turned around and walked away.

Everyone stood still, Virens anger replaced completely by nothing but cold fear, a dread he hadn't felt since seeing the dragon king that day when Sarai died and if anything this was even worse.


Back on the boat

Bait had fallen asleep while the two boys leaned against the wall of the boat while Callum finished reading the letter, "and finally, you must be wondering about the secret i promised to share" the Letter said suddenly becoming a lot more jovial, "well good news. The secret is in the banther lodge, right where you are now. How's that for planning?".

"Oh just brilliant" Rigran said sarcastically, "yeah it's a good thing we're at the banther lodge huh?" Callum said, Bait gave a croak, as Callum continued the letter "right now, go upstairs to the game room. There I have hidden an unusual cube, with rune symbols on each side."

Callum gasped and drew out the cube in excitement, he knew there was something special about it, "this cube is an ancient relic that has been passed down through the ages. It belonged to an elven wizard in Xadia known as the archmage Aaravos. A master of all six primal sources, it is hidden in a box of keys for it itself is a key to a great power in Xadia. Perhaps it will be our Callum who discovers the key's secrets".

"Guess we didn't waste our time at the lodge for nothing after all" Rigran chuckled as they both looked at the cube in wonder, Rigran then picked up the letter and continued reading, "and one last bonus super secret bonus secret" it continued, "did you know that bait our most sour friend actually likes belly rubs?"

Callum then began scratching Bait under the chin who rolled over onto his back to have his belly rubbed which Callum did do while Rigra gave a chuckle.


Back on deck Rayla seemed to have gotten her bearings as she sat with her hands behind her head leaning against the mast while Villads spoke, he had given her some advice about life which was actually pretty helpful, "you probably thought i was just an old crazy sea captain. But I have got some good wisdom, '' Villads said.

"It was good wisdom" Rayla admitted, "have you ever thought of becoming a philosopher, you'll cause less heart attacks that way" Kaja quipped then got the wind knocked out of her when Zym ran over her stomach, Callum and Rigran then appeared above deck, Callum went over to Ezran and hugged him, "is he okay?" Kaja asked Rigran, "he just had a bit of an emotional ride" Rigran told her, "and you?" Kaja asked, "I'm not really sure," he admitted.

"Hey i smell land" Villads then said and they all made their way to the front of the boat while Berto made sure the ship didn't steer off course. And land was indeed in sight but then a shadow passed over them, "the hell was that?" Kaja asked, "a shadow passed over us?" Rayla answered, "you're asking the wrong pirate" Villads said as off course he was blind while the others looked up, "there's something up there" Rayla said as a shape was seen in the clouds.

"And I have a good guess what it is," Rigran said grimmly as they watched the outline of the shape head to land.