Chapter 9: Deal with a Demon
A Small Castle Estate on the Border of Nagarea and Southwestern Falena, 337 Solar Year
"The Souleater!?" bellowed the dark voice with a tone of both surprise and intrigue while addressing the man in the room as thunder crackled in the background outside the castle walls. A storm was starting. "Yes, Lady Windy, still seeks its' awesome power for her own!" replied the other man with the sound of displeasure in his voice as he stood up from the chair, he had been resting in to move toward the fireplace with its roaring blaze and dazzling lights. His sinister eyes watched the flames dancing harmoniously.
The third and final man in the room was about medium built, very athletic, and was very keen with both the sword as well as the spell. Always confident and full of himself, Razi was great and he knew it. He had done what no other man his age in his country had done before. By the mere age of 20 he had achieved the rank of a Nagarean Priest in the Order of the Tessares, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Nagarean Theocracy. Only 66 men can be a part of this Order at any given time and appointments are typically for life. So, the only way to join is when one member of the Order dies or is forced out by the 4 Grand High Priests who govern over the other 62 men and the thousands of other acolytes who follow the Order of Tessares.
Men wait for decades, some even wait their whole lives for a spot to open, but Razi did the improbable by defeating his fellow applicants. Men with years more experience. He overcame them all; test after test. All fell until only he was left. He became the youngest member of the Order of Tessares in its entire history.
And now only after 2 years in service as a priest he was handpicked by one of the 4 Grand High Priests, Nyoka, to be his personal attendant. Indeed, in Razi's mind he saw himself destined for greatness. And one day he believed he'd be in his master's place.
However, at this moment, all of his prodigious skills in his own mind were meaningless. As he felt for the first time in his life fear, danger, and uncertainty. This man, if he could even be called a man, gave off such an unworldly aura that it sent chills down Razi's spine. As he stood in the light of the fireplace, the young priest finally got a better view at this visitor, who had come at such a late hour to speak to his master.
His master was, of course, still dressed in his white Nagarean robes with their gold trim; the sign of his ranking. By contrast, the other man was dressed nearly all in black of a very fine fabric with some white trim along some of the edges; a gentlemen's garb no doubt.
His shadowy attire was completed by the large cape he wore. It was black on the outside, but crimson blood red on the inside. The cape also had a red collar at the neck line, which instead of the ends of the collars being bent down as one would normally expect, they were bent up instead, which hid the sides of his face. That made him appear even creepier to the young clergyman.
The skin on his face and hands was very pale, almost gray. The fingers on his hands looked more like talons as each finger seemed to come to a point with a very long and sharp nail, like a woman's on each fingertip. His face was a bit sunken in, and his dark hair was all slicked back on his head. Perhaps, his most unusual features were his eyes that would glow a pale red and the 2 fangs that protruded out of his mouth. Razi had no doubt about it now. This man was a vampire!
Moreover, their conversation was hard to follow at times, but from what Razi had been able to infer up until now it had to deal with True Runes. This was a topic he was familiar with, but the rest of their conversation seemed impossible to grasp without the proper background context. Since, he doubted he would ever be told that context, he just stood there silently attempting to glean what he could from the two nefarious men's conversation.
"Neclord," said Nyoka in a very cold voice, "if she be so determined to hath a True Rune, why not merely reclaimith the other half from her wretched sister and bringeth her kin to naught? Ye knoweth with her magical skills and a completed Gate Rune, she'd be over many in the shortest passage of time."
The vampire turned back from the fire and with a now bemused grin on his face, retorted, "If all she wanted was true runic power then I'd imagine she would have dealt with her sister by now and taken it. But no, she wants the Souleater. That Rune which governs Life and Death. She is obsessed with it. Not, that I blame her. After all, all those who desire true power, fall under the spell of one of the True Runes at some time or another while we walk this Earth (he looked down gesturing at his own right hand). After all, their power is great and only great menlike ourselves should be allowed to possess them alone. And not share that power with others as that little white-haired girl would have us do."
Neclord was tangenting off more to himself, but quickly regained his composure, "I have my Moon Rune. Lady Windy has hers in the Souleater, and you my old friend have yours in the Sun Rune. That bright and wretched rune is your obsession." These words did little to stir Nyoka's facial expressions as he neither felt compelled to deny or admit the old vampire's words, or he just didn't care.
His sinister red eyes made contact with Nyoka's cold expression, and he continued speaking in a more hushed tone as though he thought the next words, he was about to speak were taboo. "Sierra that blasted Coven Mistress, she's still searches for my Rune." Now speaking in a plainer voice, "But I have evaded her for centuries now by always being careful when and where I use its' awesome power. However, what you are now asking from me, may draw more attention than you realize. So be warned! Yet, I don't think she'll show up here. She's still wondering aimlessly around the Northern Continent. Apparently, her dear aged heart is still all broken up over her old lover, Rean Penenberg, according to my spies." he concluded with a dark laugh.
Now starting to monologue, Neclord spoke in a single low cadence: "That suited me just fine. Lady Windy sent me down here decades ago upon hearing rumors that the bearer of the Souleater had been active during the Island Liberation War, but when I arrived it was too late. The war was over and the blasted boy was gone. But, why let a good opportunity go to waste? I secretly started gaining forces here and focused on gaining complete mastery over the Moon Rune (raising his right arm as he said this) and now I have done it. All its secrets are now mine to command as they were once hers. No mortal weapon or common rune can harm me; true immortality. Hahaha!"
Suddenly, Nyoka's cold voice again spoke up, "No, merest weapon shall pierce thou's flesh, tis true. Yet, I sayest this, there is one weapon not forged by mortal hands, but by the very night itself, and it shalt slay thee if wielded against thou..."
"Your words ring true enough," admitted Neclord with a begrudging tone in his voice, "I will have to find a way to deal with that sword, should the need arise." At this Nyoka smiled his cold grin. Neclord realizing what this meant replied, "So, you do have payment then? Excellent!"
Neclord continued: "When I received your message and you explained what you wanted to do but I thought it may be impossible with your condition. However, now I see it may work after all. Did you really steal one of Hikusaak's vessels?"
At this the High Priest turned his gaze toward his servant and gestured him forward. Razi slowly came forth from the shadowy corner he had been standing in and then laid 2 objects on the stand next to Neclord. His hands were shaking a bit as he got near the glowing red-eyed vampire. The first object was an empty orb used by rune sages to place common runes in for storage when not being used by a host and the second was an old page from a book. It was rolled up like a scroll and tied off with a seal.
Neclord's gaze was first drawn to the empty orb, but upon closer inspection he saw small things floating inside it, but it wasn't a rune. After a few more moments of silence, Neclord's puzzled expression abated and one of comprehension dawned upon his face. "Simple, but effective!" he said mesmerized by the small objects floating inside it.
Razi now spoke up addressing Neclord's first question. "We stole nothing. When the great Lord Nagarea and his followers escaped from Holy Harmonia all those years ago, it was they who managed to take some of Hikusaak's darkest secrets." said Razi as his normal cocky swagger was returning to him.
Continuing he added, "This orb version is one of the old fool's earlier prototypes that he made when he was just learning the Sindarian technique of containing a rune within a living vessel. However, this earlier model of vessels from Hikusaak's experiments, also, have very dull senses and feelings. The rumors are now that Hikusaak has found a way to make his vessels more human… with a full range of senses and emotions. Thus, it is now more desirable for a True Rune to inhabit. As for the scroll it is a spell that has the power to teach its reader how to..." he was cut off now mid-sentence by his older master.
"Hearken unto me, herald. Tis enough! Leave us and return to thy other duties." spoke Nyoka his eyes gesturing from his attendant to the door. With that Razi gave a brief bow to the old sinister clergyman and departed leaving the two alone to discuss, what Razi, assumed to be the reason why his master had truly summoned the accursed vampire. Nyoka wanted a very unique rune. One that would give Nyoka more power, and if Razi's hunch was right, perhaps even the ability to control the dead, rather: the undead.
Pressing his ear against the old thick oak door, he tried to listen in on what he felt he deserved to know after all it was, he who had done all the work of tracking down and delivering the letter to Neclord in the first place.
Listening closely, Razi could tell his master had just finished speaking. Now Neclord was speaking in a more animated cadence than he had before, "So, your little acolytes and assassins won't be enough for your plans to obtain the Sun Rune? You want a bigger army, an undead army, one that won't feel pain, hunger, or even fatigue? Plus, most important of all. You want an army that is hundred percent obedient to their master's command. But that can't be the only reason you want this!?"
The old priest replied, "The hour doest draw nigh for myself. Every day the great pull of the Void tugs myself closer into oblivion. No mortal, living or dead, has been able to substainith my soul very longeth. Not even these vessels canst handle my darkened and powerful ghost. Henceforth, I kneweth thee wist the only answer. The Sun Rune alone has the power to maketh myself reborn and whole forever more." "Fitting," returned the red-eyed vampire, "fitting, indeed. Because, if I am not mistaken it was because of that foolish old king and his solar runes that you're even stuck in this limbo now anyhow. Am I right?"
Nyoka turned his eyes and sighed a deep breath acknowledging the truth of these words. Then he told Neclord if he could not get revenge on the Sun Rune and its ancient bearer. Then, he would use the True Rune's power to get revenge on his living descendants. But before he could obtain this ultimate power, he would need something else, powerful.
Power more than just what a few average elemental runes could give him. He knew he needed something exceptional and potent. Not a True Rune, but something close to it like the Dawn Rune, Star Rune, or even the Black Sword Rune. A Rune whose power was deadly and unique, like himself.
Pulling back from the door quietly and quickly, Razi couldn't hear everything they had discussed, but now he knew enough. Nyoka wanted some kind of a unique rune from Neclord that would be powerful enough to command legions of undead zombies as well as give him the magical energy needed to feed off of and help, if only temporary, to prolong his existence.
Just until he could gain enough power and forces to acquire the Sun Rune, which was a True Rune. Which as Razi knew, the 27 True Runes granted whoever wields one of them unbridled magical powers as well as immortality. All the things his master (and he too, of course) yearned for.
Razi in the deep recesses of his mind began entertaining ideas of himself with the Sun Rune. He thought with his amazing skills and the power of the 27 True Runes at his command. He just smiled to himself. He knew he would have to keep these thoughts and ideas to himself until the right time came along. Until then he shall just have to play the man, he figured.
As he was walking away, he quickly stopped, turned around, and saw a dark deep blue light shining through the bottom of the door and through all the small holes in the wood. Along with a noise that sounded like a gust of wind. But how? He knew all the windows in this place were barred shut.
Running quickly and quietly back to the door he tried to peer in through the keyhole, but it was no good as the light was still too bright and the wind-like noise was too loud. It was impossible to see or hear anything else happening inside.
On the other side of the door, Neclord handed the small orb to the old priest. However, now it was no longer half empty. It had turned a faint purple and a crest that look something like a half-moon was now embedded upon its surface.
The vampire declared, "Prior to coming here tonight, I sacrificed 100 souls in order to invoke the full power of the Moon Rune to create this. I call it the Half Moon Rune; it is the most powerful of all this True Rune's children. It is probably on the same level perhaps as the Star Rune is in its relationship with that stupid Sword of Night. However, the deal is done and the pact has been made."
Neclord concluded by grabbing the scroll Razi had placed beside him earlier. Turning to leave and heading toward the door, he stopped before he reached for the doorknob. He turned back around and looked at the other man. Neclord spoke as if offering an old ally, or maybe an enemy, a piece of wisdom, "Our deal is done! The Half Moon Rune for this (gesturing to the scroll) the secret art of creating magical doppelgangers."
"Lastly, take this advice as my free gift. My True Rune and its' child runes tend to turn their human bearers into the undead themselves (gesturing now to himself). But I am not sure that will be the case for you. As that vessel you in-dwell really isn't all that much human and I doubt there is much humanity left in that twisted soul of yours either. So, what you may or may not become I don't know nor care much. What I do know is that the Moon Rune and its family of runes require a strong will to master them fully. It normally takes many years to get complete control. I wander if you have that much time left until, how did you put it? The Void takes your soul forever." laughing aloud to himself the old vampire disappeared from the room, teleporting away to whence he had come.
This last warning did not concern the aged priest. He picked up the now glowing orb and watched his reflection in its clear glass case as he pulled it closer to his face and it started to pulse and emanate with power. He had once commanded the power and mighty will of the Twilight Rune. This would be no different he told himself side effects or not; he would not be denied. This rune, this Half Moon, would become his first step to obtaining all three of the great Solar Runes.
Nyoka knew that no living force in the world, no vampirism's warnings, and soon not even the growing and continuous pull of death, itself, would be enough to stop him from getting what he wanted. His thoughts and desires were now solidified as never before. He was going to make the whole Queendom of Falena burn once more, and from its ashes a new god would arise.
Not finding his daughter in bed that morning was a little alarming to Alen, but not too surprising to him. He knew it was her custom to wake up early and walk around the local gardens to watch the Morning Glory flowers bloom with the rising of the Sun, whenever they would visit Stormfist.
And seeing as how her bed looked as if it had not been slept in, he didn't give it much more thought. Instead, he made his way down to breakfast to prepare for the next stage of their journey which was to go to the West Palace in order for Princess Cyrah to receive the blessings of the Twilight Rune. This would finalize the ceremony of her upcoming marriage to Godwin. Alen was nearly done with his bacon and eggs when Cyrah made her way into the dining hall at last.
The old author gestured to the chair next to him, at which she sat down to a plate of food that the serving staff had laid out for her when they had brought Alen his breakfast. She began eating rather quickly. This was unusual for her, as though she had burned up a lot of energy and now was quite hungry.
After he had finished washing down his toast and jam with a glass of his favorite tea, he asked her a bit quizzically, "My, my, someone seems to have worked herself up quite an appetite. That must have been some long walk you had in the courtyard this morning?"
Cyrah a bit confused for a moment, quickly understood, and recovered herself pretending as though she had been daydreaming and hadn't fully understood the question. "Yes, the courtyard. The flowers...were just divine, Father. We really should try to have some brought to the Sol-Falena Gardens. I know Olinda just loves their smell and their so beautiful too."
At that moment, Godwin walked in to join the two nobles at the table, giving Cyrah the excuse she needed to drop the subject of her previous whereabouts. Alen pouring himself another cup of tea offered Marcus some to which he politely denied. "I don't care for tea." he lied. Not wanting to reveal anything about himself to the commander.
Alen attempting to interject a bit of humor into the now quiet room said, "Not a tea drinker, eh? Well, my boy, I can tell you this secret, when you become Commander of the Queen's Knights and finally feel the full weight of the Queendom on your shoulders, nothing calms the nerves like a glass of tea. Heck, during the last war, I would have about 5 cups a day." "Father, you and your stories." added Cyrah. "It's true." he said smiling. "That and some wine from the grape fields of Rainwall can do wonders for the soul in times of war or peace." he retorted with a jovial expression. Even Godwin couldn't help but smile and agree with his soon-to-be father-in-law.
Later that morning, the three made their way to the carriage that would take them to West Palace accompanied by fifty heavy cavalry soldiers. "Are all these men really necessary, Father?" asked the princess a bit annoyed by the particular smell coming from some of the horses as well as how long it was taking them to organize and fall into riding formation.
However, it was Marcus who spoke up first to answer, much to both of their surprise, "My lady we cannot put a price or number on the precautions for your safety. You are the future Queen of Falena after all! May the Sun forbid if anything should ever happen to you. Or if some nefarious fiends tried to abduct you. You must be protected at all cost. Thus, as the next Commander of the Queen's Knights it was I who ordered these extra men for your protection. So, if you have any feelings of ill will, credit them to me and not to your father."
Cyrah stood there a bit speechless. Alen said nothing as well. He merely grinned at Godwin, who now opened the door for them. He got in the carriage. Cyrah followed closely behind him making eye contact with her betrothed, suggesting to the magician that she was going to have more to say to him later when they were alone again. Lastly, Godwin got in the carriage and soon they were off for West Palace.
The Queen had a brief meeting with the Islanders the next day. She, also, gave them new information about the upcoming talks. Sadly, she had to cut the meeting short, because something suddenly urgent in the Senate now required her attention immediately according to the official who had interrupted their meeting.
Later, it was revealed that the three Island Nation Ambassadors would be negotiating the upcoming trade agreements terms with Commander Alen, Sir Graess, and this new man they had just heard of named Marcus Godwin at the East Palace in the next few days. Thus, they along with Olinda and the three Queen's Knights traveled to the quiet countryside mansion away from the nosey ears of snooping senators, blustering bureaucrats, and the gossip of the local townsfolk in Sol-Falena.
However, as Alen had not yet returned from his quest with Cyrah and Marcus. The trio found themselves with three free whole days with which to enjoy the beauty of the estate. Which they took full advantage of. As she had done in Sol-Falena, Olinda also gave them a tour of the magnificent mansion and the smaller houses that were on the grounds.
Tanya asked what the one shrine like structure was behind the main manor, itself, with all the guards posted in front of it. Olinda was about to speak, but Graess had interrupted her saying, "Forgive me, milady, but please allow me. You see Lady Tanya, just as the Sun Palace houses the Sun Rune. The East Palace houses the Dawn Rune. Another one of the Queendom's three national treasures. In addition, the Twilight Rune, which is stored at another similar palace to this in the Western lands of our country. So, together these are known as the Three Runes of Falena; our most treasured possessions. The information I am sharing with you is no secret. Every school child in our country knows of these things. However, I can give you no further answers than this."
"In addition, I must also ask that while you are here that you not try to see the rune or enter that house. It is forbidden you see. As only members of the royal family may enter the room. Not even I have ever seen what's inside as it is a sacred place to us. Why it is almost as sacred as Holy Lunas."
"Holy Lunas?" asked Desmond, "What is that?" Olinda now spoke up again. "It is a place not too far north from here. It has beautiful waterfalls that shimmer like gold they say and it is the home of the Oracle. Also, it is said that the First Queen armed with the Sun Rune, Dawn Rune, and Twilight Rune entered this land from there and established the Queendom of Falena. She brought peace and prosperity to the land. Or so, the legend goes." concluded the younger princess. It was now Lazlo's turn to speak up, "That sounds like a really fascinating place. I would like to visit there some time."
However, before anyone could add their agreement to this statement. Graess spoke up adding that since so many people in the past had tried to steal the gold dust that gathers there, Sacred Place or not, it was now illegal for any Falenan citizen to go in, let alone foreigners.
Even if they were ambassadors. "Only people who are escorted by a member of the Royal Family or a Queen's Knight may enter the Holy Land of Lunas." he finished. Feeling that that matter was now settled, the sword warrior proceeded to finish showing them the rest of the estate.
Once Graess turned the other way Lazlo and Olinda made eye contact and he could have sworn he saw her lips silently mouth the words, "I can take you there tomorrow, if you wish." Not sure how to respond Lazlo simply nodded his head hoping that would suffice for now, still not fully certain if that was what she had whispered.
Later the three were shown to their guest rooms and their escorts departed for the evening. However, the three came back together once more. Meeting in a lounge area next to Lazlo's room. "Well, finally we can discuss things without fear of eavesdroppers." began Desmond. The other two nodded in agreement.
"I think things are going pretty well so far," continued the seasoned politician, "I've had worse starts, I guess. Why when the Islands re-establish trade relations with the Dukedom of Gaien. Well, let's just say thank the stars for Kanakan wine that's for sure. Smoothed things right over in no time it did."
On that side tangent, Tanya redirected them back to the topic, "Lazlo's little dual with one of their chief knights aside. I'd say everything they've shown and told us about is nothing we didn't already know or expect coming into all this."
The dual sword master interjected at this point, "I didn't ask for the duel, but I surely wasn't about to back down from his challenge. I may not be as politically savvy as you two, but I know warriors. I've met many men like Graess and Robert many times on and off the battlefield. They respect and respond best to strength. If I had backed down then, they would have thought us weak. Besides, it's not like I hurt him or anything. I held back a lot, so as not to make it seem unfair or to offend the guy. Trust me. Besides, you've seen how much friendlier Robert has been towards us. He respects strength. Simple as that."
Tanya really couldn't find anything wrong with his argument in the technical sense. "It still dangerous and we don't want any surprises. Promise me you won't duel any more of them." She asked with a tone of concern in her voice. At this, Lazlo acquiesced to her request and promised he wouldn't to which Desmond just let out a small chuckle. Turning her eyes toward Desmond, she gave him the look, which all females have and use when their annoyed by something or someone.
Upon seeing this, Desmond stopped laughing and put on a more serious expression, "Umm. Well, do you suppose they, the Queen's Knights, might have any knowledge about the agents that Lady Flare sent here to gather intelligence about them? Do you think they're playing dumb? Or do you think they have no knowledge of our men or them disappearing at Nirva?
"Hmm," pondered Tanya, "there is not enough evidence at the moment to say for sure, but I would think not. Otherwise, I think Robert would have said something by now. His brother might be a master at mind games, but he is not. I think he would have let something out of the bag by now. Plus, I'd doubt they would have sent their princess to have greeted us or even now allow us to lodge a few hundred feet from one of their national treasures. Especially after they've seen a little of what Lazlo is capable of."
The old swordsman smiled again, but remained silent as Tanya finished her theory, "No, I suspect if they knew what the Council had done. Then, we would probably still be in the Sol-Falena Palace under close watch and have interactions with the knights alone."
Lazlo then retorted, "Who then do you think knew about Flare's agents? Someone powerful and well-connected in this country had to have been involved. If not the royal family, then who?" "Well, we will have to keep our eyes peeled, won't we? Least we become like those poor blokes in Nirva." concluded Desmond. With that sobering thought the three left the common room and returned to their respective bedrooms to consider these things alone.
Lazlo's thoughts were still on that strange old cleric from Nagarea whom they had met a few days before. Every night this week Lazlo had thought about the way his eyes had glared at him. He had not mentioned this to anyone because he wasn't really sure. Was it his imagination? Or had he really felt something strange about him?
He knew he had sensed something odd about the priest. As though he weren't quite human. It was hard to put into words. He knew the man wasn't a True Rune bearer, of that he was certain. Because he knew what his own True Rune felt like and over the decades, he had felt that same kind of power whenever he encountered other bearers, like Leknaat or Ted.
No, he told himself, this was different. However, it was not totally unfamiliar to him. But, where had he sensed this feeling before? The truth seemed to be so close, yet so far away from him. He figured he wasn't going to recall it this night either. Thus, figured it was just best if he got some sleep.
The next day was warm and sunny. About mid-morning as Lazlo had just gotten out the bath and had nearly finished dressing when there was a soft knock on his door. He pulled on his ambassador's robes and went to answer it. There was Olinda smiling at him and asked "Are you ready?" "Ready?! Ready, for what?" he asked quizzically.
"For our secret little trip up to Lunas. You said you go with me, right? Now, I have to take Rose with us to as she's my bodyguard, but don't worry she is really good at being sneaky too. We're pros. We have gone on a few trips like this before."
Lazlo recollecting the events of yesterday recalled he nodded yes to this question. So, she did want to take him to Lunas but why, he thought to himself. "Are you allowed to go? Am I allowed in, not being from this country?"
The princess a bit sheepishly answered, "Well… No, not technically. I suppose. But, if anyone asks, we can just say you're a senator's son or something. Besides, I don't think it will be an issue. Once they see you're with me, we should be fine." She said this last part trailing off a bit as her gazed had turned toward Lazlo. He had been putting on his boots as she had been talking, but he was listening to her.
"Sorry," he said, "running a little behind this morning." She looked at this presumably young man and giggled quietly to herself at his oddities. Her eyes then shifted to the right at the foot of the bed. There rested a fine leather belt and attached to it were two sheathed short swords, which she now recognized as the weapons at he had been wearing when he had first arrived in Falena.
She then moved toward the bed next to Lazlo and pointing towards one of the blades she asked, "May I?" Lazlo replied, "Yes, but be careful please. They are real and quite sharp. In fact, I just had them tempered by one of your blacksmiths in Sol-Falena right before we left for this place." Extending her hand carefully she withdrew the blade from its holster.
The blade was indeed very sharp on both sides. Plus, the tip was refined to a razor's edge. The outer lining on the weapon was a type of black steel. While the inner surface of the sword seemed to be a very well-polished metallic color, so much so, she could see her own reflection in it. A bit in awe she quietly inquired, "Remarkable, what do you call them? The name of your swords, I mean."
Lazlo a bit taken aback that a princess would be so interested in weaponry, replied, "Well, when they're this sharp, I like to call them 'Twin Destiny' because I like to..." Olinda interrupted, but spoke in a more hushed voice, "Twin Destiny?! That is a great name for them, I bet." Lazlo smiled this was the first time in a while since he talked about his blades. He seemed to recall a conversation on this matter with Axel, but that was over a decade ago. And Axel was no Olinda, reasoned the True Rune bearer, that's for sure.
She returned the sword to its sheath and handed the belt to Lazlo, who put it around his waist. "I still don't know if we should go. I don't want to get you in trouble or anything." he added with some reservation in his voice. Just then Rose walked in, "Are you two ready yet? I already told the staff the Princess and I are going off for a walk and wouldn't be back until the evening. So, they made us some lunch to go (holding up a basket). Now is the best time to depart. So, let's get going!"
Lazlo acquiesced and agreed to go. In truth, he wanted to see this place called Holy Lunas. Not just because of how beautiful it was described to him, but, also, because it seemed to have a connection to the 27 True Runes. And those matters interested the Islander greatly. If there was any truth to the legend that the First Queen had indeed came from this place with the Sun Rune in her possession, then he definitely wanted to check it out.
The trio made their way casually off the palace grounds and started down the main path that led north toward Lunas. A little bit after midday, they stopped under some old large spruce trees that provided them some much needed shade from the heat. Here they decided to have their basket lunch and rest up a bit.
As they resumed their journey, Olinda spoke up with a kind-of-moaning tiredness, "How much longer, Rose?" "Oh Princess, I told you that you spend way too much time in the palace. You should get out more and exercise." responded the nunchaku wielder.
The Falenan princess just glared at her, which caused Rose to laugh a bit. The Queen's Knight pointed at Lazlo, "See! Sir Lazlo's fine! He doesn't mind the long walk. Besides, we're almost there (she pointed to the hill up ahead). Just beyond that peak and we'll be there in like twenty minutes or so, if we keep going at this pace."
As they resumed their walking up the road, they came to a small where the path narrows and is surrounded by many thick and huge trees. Rose, immediately, grabbed Olinda's arm stopping her mid-stride. "Ouch! Stop! That hurts! What are you doing? Let go. Why are we stopping? You said were almost there..."declared Olinda.
"Princess, be quiet! There is someone up there!" whispered her bodyguard. She looked up but didn't see anything, but the trees moving in the wind. In the distance, she heard nothing, but the sound of rushing waters. "That sound is the waterfall in Lunas, from where the Feitas River comes down from the Ashtwal Mountains." asserted Olinda.
However, both Lazlo and Rose sensed the danger coming and had their respective weapons drawn and their gazes turned upwards. Both warriors had assumed a defensive posture and placed the princess between themselves. They had moved into this position without speaking a word to each other, but did it out of mere instinct and training.
Then, suddenly, a voice called out from among the trees. A man's voice bellowed and echoed all around them, "Nethergate Attack!" Suddenly, a dozen or more shadows came darting out of the trees on all sides of them. They were surrounded!