Chapter 11: Journey II

The Toark river flowed strong. It tumbled past them in a westward heading, feeding directly into the ocean. It presented a problem, as the Urgal tracks - which had been growing sparser every day - disappeared by the water's edge. There were two directions in which the Shade could have traveled; Teirm or the centre of the empire.

"The empire would be suicide for the Shade," Edmont stated.

"What if the king doesn't care?" Tellesa challenged.

The sailor hesitated. "But the armies wouldn't stand by!"

"Maybe not. But there's enough room for the Shade to circumvent them," Ikharos interjected. "That said, Teirm is an easy target. It's smaller than Kuasta, and we know that the city's defenses won't fare well against magic."

Tellesa crossed her arms. "And if he isn't there?"

"We still need to stock up on supplies," the Warlock reminded her. "We've made do with the rations we had, but we're running out. There wasn't enough for crossing the mountains anyways. How many nights did I have to go hunting?"

It was a necessity, but only for them. It only furthered the rising notion that Risen and mortal humans were entirely different creatures. Ikharos didn't need to eat or rest often; they did. He had spent many evenings tracking down rabbits, squirrels or the rare doe to feed his hungry companions. All his other weapons were designed to completely eradicate his enemies so he had to rely on tossing stones. It surprised him how unusually devastating a pebble could be in the hands of a Guardian.

"And blankets," Edmont added. "We would have frozen if not for yer fires burning all night."

"We are agreed?" Ikharos asked. His companions nodded, though Tellesa was hesitant. "We will have to enter from the west gate, under disguise. No weapons."

"Ah, wait," the sailor said. "Ye were here 'fore, weren't ye?"

"Yes. Soldiers attempted to arrest me. I didn't appreciate it, so I left."

"Let's hope they don't do it again, aye?" Edmont rubbed the back of his head. "Besides, we might be able to talk with some friends."

"Oh?"

"There's a merchant in the city, used to work with Rendan and me, back when we were out of home. He's part of the Varden too. He might be able to help us with getting some things."

"What's his name?"

"Jeod Longshanks. Good man."

"Can we trust him?"

"I do, with my life. Ye'll like him. He has a library."

That settled it. Nothing could have dissuaded him, not with the prospect of books on the horizon. Ikharos held out his hand and summoned his Ghost. His companions recoiled at the sight of the bright blinking eye set in the yellow-and-green shell, but Xiān took it in stride. "Hi!"

"Rifle, please." The Warlock held out his hand. Tellesa kept the Ghost in her line of sight, barely edging close enough to toss the weapon to the Risen. The Ghost put it away immediately, eliciting surprised yells. "She's harmless."

"Well..." His Ghost spun around to face him. "I wouldn't go that far."

"She's mostly harmless," he corrected with a sigh. "Just... you know what? Ask away."

"What is that?!" Edmont cried out.

"A Ghost. My..."

"Say it!" Xiān demanded.

"... most irritating of partners. She is the link I have to my Light. And the only way I have of accessing my armoury."

"That's it? All you have to say about me?"

"Yes."

"You know there's more."

"Then feel free to tell them. And quickly. Shade's still moving."

If Xiān was aware that the two rebels were regarding her as one would a rabid animal, she did a great impression of remaining blissfully ignorant. "My name is Xiān - remember that - and I'm a Ghost. Not a spirit or anything silly like that, just me. I..."

Teirm hadn't changed in the slightest. Security had ramped up, but not in a manner that impeded their progress. Ikharos could feel the eyes of the guards on him for his unusual clothing, but he knew it would be enough to escape detection. He, like most Guardians, looked utterly harlmess without his equipment. It did, however, go both ways, and he felt helpless without his weapons - unarmed save for his hidden knife.

He tried to mirror the way Edmont acted, completely at ease, but he couldn't help feeling for the Void whenever they ventured too close to an Imperial soldier for his liking. If they ran into any mages...

Best he didn't think of that.

"Find out if Jeod still lives here." Ikharos handed Edmont a small, faintly-beeping device. "If there's any trouble, press the big button and we'll be on our way."

"U-uh..." The sailor lifted the small beacon for a closer look. "Is this..."

"Not magic. I made it last night out of spare parts. It'll send me a signal."

"Oh." The lack of anything arcane-related seemed to reassure Edmont - somewhat. "I'll be off."

The sailor left them by the markets, which had begun to crowd with merchants and prospective customers. Ikharos and Tellesa melded in and moved from stall to stall. She picked out what they needed and he paid for it, but to their dissatisfaction there was a noticeable absence of winter clothing. Which wasn't entirely unexpected, as summer still reigned and entering the Spine was just beyond reason to the average civilian.

"We have enough food to last for months now," Tellesa said after a time. "How did you come by so much wealth?"

Ikharos shrugged. "Traded something shiny."

She looked around, checking for guards, then asked. "How will we find Edmont?"

"The beacon's a tracking device too. It won't be a problem."

Tellesa gave him a funny look. "So it is magic?"

"No. It just uses radio waves." Seeing as she didn't follow, he elaborated. "It sends invisible waves of... let's say it's similar to sound, but you can't hear it. My tracker-" he held up a duplicate of Edmont's machine. "-will pick up on those waves and follow it to the source. That's not the most accurate of analogies..."

She peered closer at the device. "How did your people come up with it?"

"We're... a very science-orientated people. Advancing our tech is something we've been doing for a very long time." He started walking in the direction indicated by the device. "And I've had ample time to learn a few tricks."

Though they blended in well with the civilians and farmers from beyond the walls in the markets, the tracker led them to a wealthier area where they drew a couple suspicious looks. There was little guard presence, but what soldiers were there watched them like hawks.

They found themselves in front of a small shop that seemed very out of place among these rich dwellings, what with the overgrown plants blocking the windows and the cheery sign. It looked far more welcoming than any other building. Still, it didn't look like a place a merchant or traderwould live in, and yet Edmont's tracker led them here.

Tellesa and Ikharos shared a look, then approached the shop simultaneously. The door was already open. The inside was filled with all sorts of knickknacks, as well as the very man they were searching for. Edmont sat on a stool opposite a grinning woman with dark curly hair and an abnormally large red-eyed cat curled up beside her. The shopkeeper (for that was what he assumed she was) looked up as they entered and grinned. "Here's your friends now!"

"Aye, here they are." Edmont waved them over.

"I'm assuming this isn't Jeod," Tellesa remarked.

The shopkeeper laughed. "Nonono, not me! I'm-"

"Angela."

Ikharos froze. It came from inside his head, but it wasn't Xiān's voice. His defenses raised, Ikharos swept the room over with a mental probe, checking for anomalies.

The cat hissed. "No need for that."

He found it. "Ahamkara?"

"I'm afraid not, dragon-slayer. You may call my kind werecats."

"Am I supposed to believe that?"

"You are far from home. Did you think this would be the same as the lands you knew?"

His Ghost dropped the Lumina in his hand and he aimed it directly at the beast. "No. But then again, some things don't change."

The cat blinked lazily and put its head on the wooden floorboards. "Paranoia like that may kill you. Or worse."

"Am I wrong?"

"Oi!" The shopkeeper, Angela, scowled. "There aren't many that Solembum will speak to, but you have to be the rudest of them all! Do you threaten everyone you meet?!"

"Only the special ones." The cannon's aim didn't waver in the slightest. "Is there a reason I shouldn't shoot?"

She looked at the hand cannon suspiciously. If he didn't know better, she almost looked like she understood how guns worked. Or at least the part where the bullets came from. "Yes. He's my friend and I would prefer you don't kill him."

"Don't we all wish the same thing? That's ot a very good reason."

Angela rolled her eyes. "Oh, you're one of those types. He knew you would come, and he has asked me to tell your future. All of you. That's a rare treat coming from him."

"There's a mirror in the corner. Check for yourself."

"Works for me. Tellesa," Ikharos glanced at his companions, who were staring at him and the cat in equal measure, and snapped his fingers. "That mirror, see there? Bring it over."

She moved slowly, hesitation showing, but in the end the mirror was planted before the cat. It's image was just a reflection. Ikharos couldn't feel any force asserting paracausal control over the image. He lowered the gun, but refused put it away entirely. "Then what are you?"

"I've told you. Werecat."

"That doesn't explain anything."

"Not everything has to. I thought you were supposed to know this."

"I-Ikharos?" Edmont asked quietly. "Did the cat just talk?"

"It did."

"Oh my days..."

"Yeah, that's what I'm thinking."

"Werecats!" Tellesa exclaimed, far more gleeful than what the natural reaction to a sapient and telepathic feline should have been. It threw him off-kilter. "I've heard of your kind in the grandest of tales! The Masters of the Arcaena used to consult your people for advice and answers."

"At least someone has some respect." The cat yawned, revealing fangs larger than any house pet should have had. It was like a wildcat than the domestic kind.

"Ikharos," Tellesa said, turning on him, "the werecats are not our enemies. They don't take sides in the conflicts of the other races."

The Risen wasn't convinced. "In your war, maybe, not mine. Everything and everyone stands on one side or the other."

"I'm not your enemy. I swear this."

The Warlock met the cat's gaze and held it. "I don't care what you swear."

Wise for most. Foolish for you.

"Our fortunes?" Tellesa asked Angela. Ikharos begrudgingly tore his attention away from the supposed werecat. Nothing about it made any sort of sense.

Angela, by then glaring daggers at him, huffed and retreated into the back of the shop.

"Edmont," Ikharos turned to the sailor. "Why are we here?"

The rebel was a pitiful sight. He was once more struck with fear of the unknown, overwhelmed by all the supposed magic. His shoulders were tensed, hands rubbing together, and eyes darting all over the place. "I... wanted to ask for directions. She offered to tell our fortunes. I thought it... it would be alright..."

"Does Jeod live nearby?" The Risen tested.

"Next house over."

"I'd like to know my future," Tellesa firmly told them.

Ikharos blinked. "I doubt it will work. It is not a skill easily learned, especially for a human," he indicated to where Angela had disappeared. "I have only ever known the Awoken Tech Witches to manage it with any degree of success, and even then..."

"W-witches?" Edmont stuttered. Ikharos sighed.

Angela returned moments later with a leather pouch and set it on the floor. She laid a cloth down and then poured out the pouch's contents: all smooth bones with a variety if foreign symbols etched upon them. Nothing quite like Fallen runes or Hive glyphs; it was something more elegant, though no less alien. "These are dragon knucklebones-"

The Lumina now pointed at the bones, while its owner attempted to decipher and hopefully pierce the illusion the bones were conveying. Or rather, he attempted to. Angela slapped his gun aside. "STOP IT!"

"They're..." He grabbed the mirror and held it over them. Again, nothing out of place. He put it aside and grimaced. There was something odd about how the remains chafed against his Light, but nothing about it was truly identifiable as Ahamkara. "Not dragon bones."

"WILL YOU STOP IT?!" The shopkeeper shrieked. Ikharos bit his cheek to stifle his the scathing retort. Angela took a few seconds to steady her breathing, but her furious glare never left him. "As I was about to say, these are dragon knucklebones. They have true power and they do not lie. If you want, I will cast and attempt to decipher them for you. But only if you truly want to know."

"All of us?" Tellesa pressed.

"Yes. Even this one, as awful as he is."

"I'm trying to keep us alive..." Ikharos grumbled.

"Did you see a sign outside that said we want safety in here? No?"

"No one does-"

"It's because I purposefully avoided putting one up."

"That doesn't... nevermind."

Angela turned to the others. "Who first?"

Edmont raised his hand slowly. "This is... for all of us?"

"Of course."

"Why?"

"Because Solembum asked me to. And he likes you all. Even you, for some reason," she sent the Warlock a pointed look.

Ikharos tasted blood. Any more of this and there wouldn't be any cheek left to bite.

"I'll go for it," Tellesa announced.

Angela grasped the bones in both hands and closed her eyes, then said, "Manin! Wyrda! Huginn!"

If there was any doubt that Ahamkara were involved in this world, it just jumped out the window. The shopkeeper had recited the name of at least one Ahamkara. One he had slain. The other words were unfamiliar, but there was a fair chance they were the Wish-Dragons too. Ikharos tensed. He didn't understand what was happening and he hated it.

Angela tossed the bones back onto the cloth and she reopened her eyes to study them. She took her time to look them over, leaned back and sighed. "Difficult."

"My future?"

"No, the reading."

"Oh."

The shopkeeper pointed to one bone in particular. "The spear. You will be a warrior. That is the clearest I can see. The rest are jumbled... but their meanings are not impossible. The lightning bolt, the arrow, the half-arrow and the knot. A stranger combination I've never seen. The lightning bolt is a terrible omen. It is doom and death, one that is approaching, to haunt your later journey. See how it touches this bone? The knot is hope, but it will be affected by your loss. You will feel it keenly, even as you heal. The arrow is odd. It means justice. For a past wrong or future, I do not know, but those who act against you will have their actions judged. And the half-arrow. Chaos, for its flight is never predictable. It lies in the centre of it all. Your understanding of all you know will be thrown into question as forces beyond comprehension pull on your life."

Tellesa nodded numbly, but a dark smile broke across her face. Ikharos knew she was thinking of the justice element.

"Next?" Angela asked innocently. She turned to Edmont. "You?"

"Alright." The sailor rolled his shoulders, as if he were about to march off to battle.

Angela repeated the process and once more Ikharos flinched. That damn name.

A long serpent coiled about the mountain, head as large as a Skiff and feathered wings longer than a Ketch was wide. The Vex below simultaneously worshipped and shot at the dragon. It was mayhem. Total, inexplicable chaos.

The serpent brought its head closer to the river banks where he stood. "Shall I grant you a vision, o visitor mine? Do you wish to understand why they all fight?"

Even then he could still hear the rapid popping of gunfire as Eris, Shaxx, Wei Ning and many others fought for all they had.

"No," the Warlock said, his mind blank. "I do not desire that."

He raised his rifle, one of the many supplied by the Reef for this venture, and opened fire. Huginn laughed.

"This is much simpler." Angela wiped her brow. "The spear again. You will be a warrior of renown. The arrow too, which leads me to think you were both dealt a past crime, for which you will have justice. The tree... ah, it touches the spear! You will have those you think of as family amongst your comrades, brothers-in-arms. The diamond indicates potential and the ship means travel, so I imagine you will find grand adventures on your journey across land and sea"

Edmont nodded and gave a relieved sigh. "I'll be thanking ye."

"And you," the fortune-teller's voice grew bitter. There was no question as to whom she was addressing.

"Why not?" Ikharos kept his eyes on those bones. He couldn't place it, but there was a force exerting itself on them. He didn't know if it was Light or Dark or something other and that worried him.

The fortune-teller tossed the bones and reiterated her incantation for the third time. She took in the sight before her and her features expressed stark puzzlement. "This... oh."

"Bad?" Ikharos raised an eyebrow.

"Not necessarily. It's very, very complicated. This is... I've never seen anything like it. Here, the lightning bolt, spear and hawthorn root. You've survived a great catastrophe that is not over. It will come back for you. A war unlike any other."

The Warlock shifted. "Any catastrophe in particular?"

"I cannot tell. If there is more than one, it may mean all of them. And these two... the dagger and the half-arrow. Those you see as foes may not be so."

Ikharos didn't know what to make of that. The only example of that he could imagine was the fledgling Fallen House of Light, but they had remained on Earth. Or perhaps it meant the Reef? He couldn't imagine that. There were times when tensions were high, but there had never any true enmity between the Guardians and the Reefborn as a whole. When Uldren broke out of the Prison of Elders with the Scorn, he had betrayed his own people too. In the Dreaming City the Guardians and Corsairs had worked together, as one. "I don't understand."

"Neither do I, but that's not my problem. Get out."

"With pleasure," Ikharos growled. He stalked out without sparing either the shopkeeper or werecat a second glance. His companions remained to say their goodbyes and then followed him back onto the street.

Tellesa regarded him balefully. "What was that?"

Xiān took the Lumina from his grasp as he spoke. "None of that was natural. I've never even heard of werecats!"

"Now you have. And I would rather we don't make an enemy of them."

Ikharos gritted his teeth. "Then they should stay away from my mind. If anything that tries that again I'll destroy it."

Tellesa jabbed a finger onto his chest. "You might have power, but it does not make you any more a king of Alagaësia than Galbatorix. Killing those who serve the king or oppress the innocent people of this land is one thing, attacking others for merely having their own kind of power is another."

"It's not so simple."

"It should be."

He was angry but he forced himself to refrain from acting on it. Forcing down the Arc that bubbled up in response to his mood, Ikharos turned to Edmont. "Jeod?"

The sailor looked between them. "Uh... follow me."

Jeod's home was just to the right of the shop. Edmont knocked three times. A woman, who didn't appear to appreciate the visit if her irritated expression was any indication, answered the door. "Yes?"

"We're looking for Jeod," Edmont told her. "He and I used to work together."

"He is busy."

"Ah, well-"

"We come from Kuasta." Ikharos continued.

Her eyes darted to him. "Who are you?"

"I am Edmont," the sailor told her. "And these are my companions."

She looked at them thoughtfully. "Very well. I will ask him."

The door closed.

"Why did you tell her?" Tellesa hissed.

Ikharos shrugged. "Easiest way to deal with her. She's curious. We've piqued that curiosity."

"It could land us in trouble."

"We won't be here long enough for that."

The door opened once more, by a tall man garbed in fine clothes. He had an odd scar running from his scalp to his temple. His gaze instantly settled on Edmont and a wide smile broke across his face. "Edmont!"

"Jeod!" The two men clasped arms.

"It's been some time!"

"That it has."

"How's Rendan?"

"He's..." Edmont's features, which had once mirrored that of his friend, gave way to a pain that ever lurking below the surface. The sailor struggled for the words. "He's not with us."

"Oh..." Jeod's expression plummeted. "I think we should talk." He turned to the others. "Who are these?"

"Friends, I assure ye. This is Tellesa and Ikharos. They share our... ideals."

"I understand. Come in, come in!" Jeod waved them in and led them to a study, surrounded by bookshelves stocked full of knowledge. Their new acquaintance threw a handful of logs into a nearby hearth and lit it, then sat by an oval desk and gestured for them to join him. "Now, my friend, I've been hearing the strangest of rumours coming out of Kuasta. You must tell me, what has... wait."

He stood up, closed the door to the study and locked it. "There. We may speak freely."

Edmont waited for Jeod to return to his seat before beginning. "We... rebelled."

"And have been for some time. Don't forget poor Rendan and I sent letters to one another."

"Not like that. We rose up. Everyone. We fought the Imperials."

"Truly?"

"We even defeated them. Lord Madlin was killed, his garrisons defeated and both the city and the villages freed."

"A true uprising!" Jeod grinned. "This may be the spark needed to-"

"Kuasta is gone," Edmont reported. His voice was cold and empty.

"I... what?"

"Urgals came in force. They wiped out every village and... everything."

"Gods…"

"We prepared for a siege, but... they had a Shade with them."

"A Shade?!" Jeod exclaimed. "That can't be true."

"It is," Ikharos cut in. "We've seen it, all of us. It's why we're here."

"I don't understand… Gods..."

"We've tracked it north. We don't know where it is now, though I expect it won't leave the safety of the Spine. Edmont said that you might be able to aid us?"

"So many... " Jeod appeared numbed by the revelation, but he perked up a few moments later. " Apologies, but it... sounds as if you mean to hunt it."

"We are."

"That's insanity!" He gasped. "You can't... That... oh... Kuasta... Is it… all gone?"

"And everyone with it, bar a handful of survivors."

"This is terrible…" Jeod leaned back. "You have my sympathies, truly... but none can stand against a Shade. They cannot be defeated in battle - or anytime."

Edmont shook his head. "Not by I or Tellesa, but Ikharos can. The things he can do... Jeod, I do not jest when I say he is the greatest warrior I have ever seen. He has magic too!" The sailor made a face. "Scares the life out of me."

"You must be the wizard!" Jeod looked at the Warlock with a new understanding. He chuckled drily when Ikharos jolted with surprise. "Don't think it has gone unnoticed. Talk of your flight in this city prevails to this day! I wondered where you had gone..."

"It was just gliding. And I'm not a wizard," Ikharos corrected. "I've seen what you people call wizards. I'm an entirely different creature."

"What do you mean?"

"A Guardian. We are... it's a long story, and all the time we waste here is time the Shade has to escape us. Can you help us or not?"

Jeod frowned. "I don't know what I can do but... Rendan, my friend... so many lives lost..." He sighed. "What do you need?"

Tellesa spoke up. "Clothing and equipment to survive the Spine. We have food to last some time, but not much else. We were forced to traverse the passes between the Spine to the south of here to keep out of the elements. It cost us too much time."

"On that I can assist." Jeod stood and walked over to the fire, grabbed a poker and prodded at the flames. "So much death... This is dark news. Worse than anything I feared. I am truly, truly sorry. All I can offer you, for now, is a comfortable bed and hot dinner while I fetch what you need. If you desire anything else, ask it."

Ikharos didn't even hesitate. "Might I have a look at your books?"

Jeod turned to him with a sad, pained smile. "A scholar too, eh? Of course, feel free to read to your heart's content. Might I ask a few questions, if only to sate my own need for understanding?"

"Go ahead."

"What are your Guardians?"

Ikharos paused. "We are a... type of soldier in short, capable of using Light to fight. I'm from a foreign land so many of the concepts will be difficult to explain."

Though he was absorbed in the many tomes he had picked at random - the workings of ships and the skills necessary to sail were of particular note - he still listened into the conversation of others.

"How did you both know each other?"

"Arcaena," Jeod said, the same time Edmont said "sailing."

The two laughed.

"I was in Kuasta, overseeing one of my ships, when I became curious about the Arcaena," the merchant elaborated. "I was sympathetic to the rebels at the time, and nothing was quite as moving as the tale of the Arcaena faith, eradicated by the Empire for no reason other than egotism. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it hadn't been entirely destroyed.."

"You know about...?"

"More than that. I met Rendan in Kuasta. He was still with the Imperial army at the time. He introduced me to the monks. Oh my, the Reliquary... there is no collection of books quite like theirs. Not in all the Empire."

Edmont laughed. "He nearly got himself killed. All he did was gush about them books in Arcaena libraries for weeks after. Any real Imperials heard that, they'd have strung him up. I had to make him shut up."

"That was when I realized that there was a rebel in my crew. It made me a little more than sympathetic. Rendan and Edmont were my introduction to the Varden. They helped me get in touch with the other elements of it."

"Ah," Tellesa trailed off. "Is... is it possible to get word to the Varden?"

"Perhaps."

"They need to know what's happened. To Kuasta."

"Oh, I know. I will send a message, don't you worry."

It felt nice to have an actual bed for once, but Ikharos knew it wasn't to last. Tellesa and Edmont were up early the next morning, both of them looking better and brighter than they had for weeks on end. Jeod joined them before long and directed them to a pile of furs and cloaks set in his office.

"Take what you want." He said. "I doubt I any use for it." Edmont and Tellesa picked out the coats, cloaks, boots and gloves they sorely needed. Jeod didn't miss that Ikharos passed up on the offer. "What of you?"

"I have armour designed for far less hospitable environments," Ikharos replied. "But thank you for the offer."

"Yes, thank you!" Tellesa called over her shoulder. She had picked out a fine dark green cloak complete with a hood - all very Hunter-esque.

"It is my pleasure. And... I wish you luck. Shades are monstrous things - a blight on our world. I hope you prevail."

Ikharos inclined his head and left. Tellesa followed him shortly after, leaving Edmont to make his goodbyes.

"Do you think you can manage it?"

"Hm?"

Tellesa fixed him with a serious look. "The Shade. Can you defeat it?"

Ikharos nodded - after a moment's hesitation. "I almost did before, when my Light was almost out and it had an army at its side. I'm confident I can finish the job whenever I next encounter it."

"Justice will be served."

Ikharos turned sharply. "There is a fine line between justice and vengeance. One I know all too well. Watch that your desire to see the Shade dead doesn't overwhelm you."

"What of you?" Tellesa retorted. "You are as determined to see this through as I am."

"This is my duty."

"And my purpose."

"It is your choice. I'm not trying to dissuade you, just... keep control over yourself."

Edmont gave Jeod a final - manly - embrace and joined them out on the street. "Are we ready?"

Ikharos nodded. "We are."

"Did you believe a word of it?"

"Angela's readings?" Ikharos gave it some thought. "No, I don't. I think it just hit on enough coincidences to plant seeds of doubt."

"Probably for the best. Knowing about the future is an icky matter we don't want." Xiān shivered.

"Not all future-related topics are Vex."

"Oh, those freaky robot-wearing radiolaria critters have their spooky fingers in everything. I bet you there's something Vexxy 'round here."

Ikharo rolled his eyes. "We'll see."

The Shade evidently hadn't strolled through Teirm or anywhere near the port city. That meant it chose the inner empire, but Ikharos had a feeling it was sticking close to the Spine. Mountain ranges were a great place to lay low; that was their next heading. It was a long shot, but the only one they had.

They headed directly east, straight into the Spine, forgoing the roads that followed the Toark river and Woadark Lake. Neither Edmont or Tellesa complained. There were a few moments where Ikharos thought it would be the end for them. A narrow ridge with steep slopes on either side partially collapsed while they were walking on it, and Edmont almost plummeted to his death.

The worst was when they were set upon by hungry wolves.

The moment he heard them, Ikharos was up and with the Lumina in hand. "Watch out!"

When all the beasts were dead, he spared a glance for his companions. Edmont had two at his feet, his spear bloodied. Tellesa had a larger body count; the Tigerspite had erased the lives of four separate wolves with methodical efficiency.

Her aim had improved.

It was another week before they crossed over to the other side of the Spine. They turned north and breathed a sigh of relief. The going was easier from there on out, traveling in the shadows of the mountain range. There was little to nothing nearby in terms of civilization, but there were plenty of settlements to the north ripe for attack. If the Urgals were being split into smaller hosts, for whatever reason, then it was possible that they aimed to take advantage of the scattered state of the northern towns and villages.

Fläm Lake was without any permanent settlers, but it was a popular spot for travelers to refill water flasks and rest up for the journey ahead. They were no different.

They weren't alone in that. While Ikharos was content to stay back, his companions made the effort to reconnect with the world. He didn't mind. It was time he could spend further reflecting on the many puzzles of the planet he was now a denizen of, willing or not.

000

"Are you the Traders?" Tellesa asked.

The elderly man before her nodded and smiled. "That we are. Headed north to make our profits. What brings you so far from anywhere?"

She decided to keep it vague. Lies could be difficult, but half-truths worked wonders. It had worked with the Imperials in Kuasta. "My associates and I... we are hunters."

"Ah, pelts. I'm sure there's lots of game north." The old man nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, a fine trade, but hard. Still, the roads are getting dangerous. I don't know if the trips are worth it any longer."

"Why is that?"

"Urgals, blast them. They've been making themselves a nuisance. And I've heard tales that they're being riled up. I wouldn't want to get in the way of that. The sooner we are finished, the better." The merchant sighed wistfully.

"May I ask you something?"

"Go ahead, dear."

"I'll need to discuss this with my companions, but could we travel with you?"

The old man shook his head. "I don't see why not."

"Thank you!"

"This is good," Ikharos nodded. Tellesa was glad they could agree on something. "The Traders are an enticing target for any bandit worth their salt. The Urgals won't be able to resist.

"It'll be a welcome change." Edmont grinned. "Both of ye set a pace meant to kill most men."

She couldn't argue with that. Her desire to see the monster dead drove her to the brink of her ability, but she wasn't blinded to the exhaustion building up. Tellesa was reluctantly glad for the chance to breathe.