A/N: I have pretty good ideas for the next chapters of Trust No One and Not Mages, Heroes!, but I have even better ideas for this story (and I love writing this one!), that's why I update this one. I hope you liked the last one, a little angsty, a possessive Adelram...I liked it, but I wrote it. Beta was done by Devlin Dracul, as usual. He's a great help. Enjoy!
Angelica and I woke up maybe half an hour ago. We had washed our faces and I was shaving – using a spell – when Limbo stormed towards us. "Where is he?", he yelled.
"Who is he?", I asked.
"He!", yelled Limbo.
"Yeah, who?", I asked again.
"My driver!", said Limbo enraged.
"Which one? You have three.", asked Angelica.
"The one that drove the first cart...", said Limbo, calming down a little.
"Ah, the guy with the scars on his chin! I don't know, wasn't he sleeping in the inn?", I said innocently.
"He was, but he isn't here anymore.", said Limbo with a frown.
"Well we haven't seen him after last night.", said Angelica; it wasn't even a lie.
"If you see him, tell him to come to me. We're leaving around noon, with or without him."
‑
Obviously, he didn't show up. Limbo's mood was rather...stale. In other words, he was furious. Surely he thought that defeating us with only two men would be more difficult – that fool had no idea of our power.
As we said yesterday, I sat in the last cart and Angelica in the first, Limbo steered the one in the middle. Angelica and I sat with our backs to the wall, protecting ourselves from a literal stab in the back. In my opinion leaving around noon was stupid, we wouldn't make it far that way, but for them the journey would end more quickly – and they thought most likely vice versa. After a few hours, in the afternoon, we could see a green mass of trees and plants, with only a single entry, a dirt road leading through it.
"We're here: Silvamagna, the border between the Elven Kingdom and the Human Kingdom. It is incredibly dense and filled to the brim with monsters and other dangers lurking in the treacherous shadows. We better have our guard up now.", explained Limbo in a rather grotesque manner. Angelica and I nodded. We two would have to keep our guard up.
"When do you think they will attack?", I asked Angelica telepathically.
"I guess in about one or two miles. Be ready.", she said. "We'll take the initiative."
‑
We had rode for another twenty minutes, and the entry of the forest was out of sight. From now on they could attack us every moment. I decided to take action. "Did you hear the news? Apparently people are smuggling drugs into the Elven Kingdom and making a fortune with it.", I said rather loud.
"Really? Those guys are criminals! I bet they are disgusting.", said Angelica.
"Yeah, and they have a bounty on their heads. I have a description.", I said and pulled out a wanted poster. "Huh, that face looks familiar...my God, isn't this Limbo?", I said with mock surprise.
"Definitely not.", said Limbo, trying to be menacing.
"We already figured it out, Limbo. We knew the moment you hired us.", said Angelica calmly. Limbo looked shocked.
"Smuggling drugs is punished with a death sentence.", I said. The moment I finished my sentence, the drivers turned around, daggers drawn. "Sangromancy: Harden!", I chanted, using the difficult magic to control blood. Hardening the blood in my hand, I blocked the blade effortlessly. "Drilling Strike!" Engulfing my other hand in winds, I sent an uppercut to the drivers jaw, obliterating his face. He fell from the cart, dead. As I looked towards Angelica, I found her – unsurprisingly – unscathed and her driver engulfed in flames, thrashing around in pain. Angelica kicked him off the cart and we both jumped beside Limbo before he could escape.
"Divine Shackles!", casted Angelica. Similar to Divine Law, this spell summoned shackles of light, cuffing the target. All apprentices could use Hieromancy, the magic art of the law. Now that we had secured him, we wanted to interrogate him.
‑
"What you are doing is illegal!", yelled Limbo. We had stopped the carts and chained to a tree.
"Oh please, you are a wanted man. We found Angel Dust on your carts. We are legally required to capture you. We might as well ask you a few questions.", said Angelica. "Do you produce Angel Dust?"
"No comment."
"Do you ship it to the east and different dealers on the way?"
"No comment." Angelica and I both sighed. He was way too defiant; but his life depended on it. I pulled out a dagger. A few quick slashes, and his shirt fell down in pieces, leaving him bare. Then I lit my fingertip on fire and slowly pressed it against his nipple. After a few seconds of screaming, I took it away.
"Once again: do you produce Angel Dust?", I asked.
"No comment.", hissed Limbo through clenched teeth. I sighed and pressed my lit fingertip against his other nipple.
"Aaargh! Yes! Yes! I produce it!", he screamed in pain, a few tears running down his cheeks. His chest was glistening with sweat.
"Good. Whom do you sell it to in the Elven Kingdom?", inquired Angelica.
"I...", he began, but then fear filled his eyes. "No comment."
I sighed again. I forcefully pulled out his tongue and with a spell stopped his facial muscles from moving. Now he could neither swallow his tongue nor bite it off; both ways he would've killed himself or at least couldn't talk. "Should we search his mind?", asked Angelica me.
"No, we don't have the time for that.", I said. Searching one's mind was very effective, but took a lot of time. "I think torture is much more effective."
"...I don't like that.", said Angelica.
"Me neither.", I admitted. "But it's easier this way. What should we try next? More burn scars? Suffocation? Piercing his joints?"
"I don't know, something that hurts.", smiled Angelica. Limbo shook his head violently. I undid the spell.
"Fine, I'll talk!", he whimpered. Our threats seemed to have worked. "I produce it and ship it to a guy in the capital; he lives in a rundown house in the east; you can't miss it, the door's painted black. His name is Bic. He is an elf."
"Bic? Never heard of him.", I said. Limbo nodded.
"He isn't famous or anything. I just know he distributes the Angel Dust. He isn't very rich, so he is just another puppet, a pawn in this game."
"So someone else is behind all this? A noble maybe?", I asked. Limbo shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know.", he said.
"Anything else to say?", asked Angelica. He shook his head. Angelica and I walked away a few feet to have a private conversation.
"What now? Take him with us?", she asked.
"No. If we hand him over to someone, they might investigate and we'll be their target. We can't hand him in for a bounty, at least not in the Elven Kingdom. But we can't take him with us, he'll talk."
"We have to get rid of him.", she said and I nodded. "I don't like what he told us. Most likely at least one noble is involved.", said Angelica.
"You forget something way more important: the Three Ministers can't see everything, but they should have at least a clue on who is involved in this scheme. The plague of Angel Dust has been going on for years, yet no one did anything.", I said concerned.
"Do you think they are involved?", asked Angelica shocked.
"At least one.", I said and nodded. "Power corrupts, you know that the best." Angelica nodded sadly. When we were still at the academy the class rep – a beautiful noble – envied Angelica, for her looks and her abilities. She tried to bully her, although she soon stopped after she had an unpleasant visit.
"We have to be careful.", said Angelica.
"I think we are fine until we arrive in the capitol. Now, let's take care of Limbo." We walked back to Limbo. "Thank you for your cooperation.", I said with a smile.
"Can I go now?", he asked hopefully.
"Yes, you can go.", I confirmed and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Forever." A second later, he was engulfed in flames.
‑
"Horses are much better than walking."; smiled Angelica gleefully. We had burned the carts down to prevent people from looting, but took two of the horses.
"I have to admit that you are right.", I smiled.
"It was a good idea to do this job.", said Angelica. "Although we didn't get paid, we now have two horses and a valuable piece of information."
"And we gained some good experience. You were right about this, Angelica.", I said. Angelica giggled happily.
"If we can keep this speed up, we'll have to sleep one night outside and can exit the forest tomorrow.", she said.
"Sleeping outdoors? I have no problem with that, but we should probably not sleep next to the road.", I agreed. "We can go a few steps into the forest and set up a camp there."
‑
We rode next to each other in silence until dusk; maybe not dusk, but the setting sun was not high enough to cast rays through the thick ceiling of vegetation. "It's a bit like a dome...a great, dangerous dome...", said Angelica amazed. I nodded.
We jumped off the horses, grabbed them by the rein and went into the forest, until we found a clearing. Before we left the path, I had cast a spell. It was a useful spell, setting a magic marker. This way we could find our way out. "I've read that the forest itself is living and changes every second. Only the path remains untouched for some reason.", I said.
"You can feel it. The wind breezing through the trees is like its breath...and the magic flows inside trees, animals and soil...it is an eerie feeling, though.", said Angelica. "Let's hurry before it is dark."
We grabbed a tent from the storage dimension and quickly set it up. Soon we had put in blankets and sleeping bags. We sat down outside of the tent on a log. Using a tripod, Angelica made a fire under a kettle and started to cook a hotpot. Soon a delicious scent filled the clearing. "Better hurry before the scent and light attract unwanted visitors.", I said. Angelica smiled and gave me a bowl. I took a spoonful and ate it. It was a combination of spiciness and a hint of sweetness. "Delicious!", I exclaimed happily.
Angelica blushed a little. "I prepared it at home. It has a lot of bell pepper, meat and potatoes. It's goulash, but a very old recipe from the eastern regions."
"Really? It's perfect.", I smiled and grabbed two bottles of beer from the storage dimension. Passing one to Angelica, we quickly finished our meal and put out the fire and went to sleep.
‑
We had slept for maybe three hours as we felt a strange presence. We had set up a barrier in order to protect us, and we felt someone or something had entered it. We immediately stood up and exited the tent. "Light!", said Angelica and summoned a light. "Lithomancy: Claws!", I said and created claws of metal from stones lying around. They magically attached themselves to my hands, and I took a fighting stance, while Angelica drew her katana. Standing back to back, we eyed the clearing suspiciously.
"Ram, do you see anything?", she whispered.
"No.", I whispered back. Suddenly we heard a rustle. Turning towards a bush, we saw someone coming out of the forest. It was a man, his age most likely in the fifties. He looked a bit ragged, messy brown hair and a worn robe. He was a human, at least at first glance.
"Hey hey, don't be so hostile, I do not mean any harm!", he said with a high pitched voice, raising his hands. Angelica and I looked at each other, then we relaxed a little.
"And you are...?", asked Angelica.
"Ah, right. My name is Astra.", said the man in his girlish voice. I snickered a little. "I didn't choose this name.", said Astra a little sour. He seemed to get this reaction quite often.
"So, Astra, what do you want?", I asked a little confused. "Nobody wakes me in a dangerous forest in the dead of night. I can be quite nervous then, and when I'm nervous, bad things happen to people."
Astra seemed a little scared. "W-well, I had to talk to you..."
"Couldn't you do this tomorrow?", asked Angelica sleepy.
"No! It is important! Like, really important!", said Astra. "It's just...something is going on. I'm a druid, and I lived in this forest for decades. But now the magic is becoming corrupted. I bet you also feel it."
We nodded in agreement. This guy was serious. He continued his speech "All this began a few years ago...I don't know what it is, but this forest is even more dangerous now. And the corruption spreads through the world, effecting everyone in a different way. Magical flows get corrupted, people act strange, mysterious phenomena happening all around the plains..."
"But if something this dangerous happens, wouldn't the Ministers...wait.", said Angelica. Astra nodded with a sad expression.
"Something is happening, and they are involved, and I think all three. It is impossible for one single Minister to stage this. I don't know what's going on, but it's dangerous.", he said.
"So...why are you telling us that? Do you tell it to every wanderer in this forest?", I asked.
Astra just chuckled. "Go to the Elven capital. You'll find out soon enough." That said, he disappeared.
‑
"You'll find out soon enough.", I grumbled. "First he comes all mysteriously and wakes me up, then he vanishes and blabbers some bullshit."
"Now now, Ram, he warned us, and this definitely was helpful.", said Angelica, trying to calm me down.
"Well, he could have done it less suspiciously.", I huffed. Angelica smiled, seeing how I was calming down. There really is no other person that can effect my mood as easy as she did. Maybe it was because we were childhood friends? Although...we had done some things that weren't exactly on a friendship level anymore. Once, I had kissed her, and damn, it felt good! And sometimes I would overhear people saying we were acting like a married couple, although I highly doubted that.
We rode off. Knowing we would arrive the first village around afternoon if we'd hurry, we raced the horses. For maybe an hour it was all nice and good, but then we heard a roar. An earth-shattering, ear-piercing roar. The one you don't want to hear in a bewitched forest.
"Ram, what is that?", yelled Angelica.
"I don't know, but let's get out of here!", I yelled back. We rode as fast as we could, when suddenly something crashed through the treeline and landed on the path. "Oh God, no...", I said in horror. In front of us was a Hornbeast, a giant creature resembling a boar, only with a big, murderous horn on it's forehead. Red glowing lines were shining on his fur; someone had put a spell on it.
Our horses bucked in fear, and the motion threw Angelica out of her saddle. "Fuck!", I yelled and jumped down, running towards her. I stood in front of Angelica, readying a spell. Angelica struggled to get up, but fell down.
"I think I sprained my ankle.", she hissed. Nothing she couldn't heal in a few seconds, but a few seconds would decide our fate now.
"Heal it! I'll keep it at bay!", I yelled. Calculating, I thought of what to do. The beast would attack every second, but Angelica needed at least half a minute to recover. I first thought of creating a wall, but a – magical strengthened – Hornbeast would tear down the wall effortlessly.
"Stone Wall!", I yelled. Instead of creating a wall in front of it, I made several walls, creating a cage. I had to stop its movement, defeating it was not important right now. I readied several other spells. "Blindness! Curse of fear!"
I hoped that blinding it and attacking its mind, the Hornbeast would be less aggressive; instead, the red lines began to glow bright and the Hornbeast let out a roar. I knew, it would attack now, so I chanted one of my strongest spells: "Beyond the veil: Four elements of destruction!"
This spell was a spell from the "Beyond the veil"-category. This spell was not only classified, it was one of the hardest to learn. Together with Dimensional Magic, Time Magic and several others, Beyond the Veil Magic was a magic based on a theory of the existence of other dimensions. But the difference to other dimensional based magics like Dimensional Magic and Time Magic, Beyond the Veil was based on the belief that a parallel universe existed – a world beyond a dimensional veil. Since it was a rather scientific and slightly heretical idea, it was classified. It was really strong, and the spell I just activated was the only one I had found in the archives. It took years to learn.
The spell summoned a four-layered attack from beyond the veil. Magic attacks, based on the four elements fire, earth, water and wind were fired from all directions at the target. Since the attacks were strong, not directly linked to the caster and had several different properties, it was almost impossible to deflect it.
‑
As I thought, the attack hit the Hornbeast. An explosion and a giant dust cloud filled the path. We could hear the beast roar in pain, and since we couldn't hear any steps, it was standing still. After several seconds of silence, Angelica stood up. "Ram, I'm ready!"
We backed away and Angelica summoned a light wind to clear the sight; I was panting heavily and did not want to waste any energy. As soon as we could see again, it was truly a sight. The Hornbeast was deadly wounded, in pain and raging. Only a few hits would be enough to kill it; still, it's fur was completely untouched. "My God...", whispered Angelica. "I want that fur!"
I smiled. "Well, I guess it's time to spoil you. I'm a real gentleman."
Angelica blushed. "Y-you don't need to...a-and you're not a gentleman!"
"That's sad, I always thought women loved gentlemen."
"Well, not every woman...", muttered Angelica with a bright red face.
I sighed and got ready to get Angelica that fur. I just can't stop spoiling her... "Sangromancy: Harden!" Stopping the blood flow in the Hornbeast, I waited for it to collapse dead.
‑
After ten minutes we were sure that the beast was dead. We walked towards it. "It's huge...", said Angelica in awe. I nodded.
"Hm, the lines are still there.", I said.
"So it wasn't enchanted. It's a sigil.", concluded Angelica and sighed. Sigil magic was very useful when imbuing items with magical properties, but fighting against someone using sigils was a pain in the ass. Traps everywhere, stronger resistances, basically everything that sucked.
"What now?", I asked. We had stripped it off it's fur, roasted it's flesh to fill up my energy and took the great horn.
"We'll take the horses – excuse me, horse – and exit the forest, riding to the first village. It's called Epona. We'll be in the Elven Kingdom once we exit the forest. I don't think we will experience any hostility, but you never know...", said Angelica in deep thought. I nodded and sat on the horse, taking the reins. Angelica sat down behind me and we rode off.
‑
The sun painted the rim of the horizon in a deep red, but behind us the dark night sky, adorned by a big, silvery moon, stood over Silvermagna. After hours of a boring ride we had finally left it and were just another half an hour away from the next village.
"I'm so happy to finally be in a village.", I sighed.
"You only slept one night in a tent.", said Angelica.
"But it is highly unlikely for strange men to appear in your room at night. And when they do, it's probably a burglar that is defeated in seconds.", I answered. I was still pissed off by this strange guy who woke us up. Angelica chuckled a little. "What's so funny?", I asked.
"Nothing..."; she said with a smile.
In the distance we could already see the lights of the village, and soon we arrived. Epona was maybe as big as Lyndon, but since the population was mainly elves, the design of the houses was different. Elves were a little taller than most humans, and their physique and understanding of beauty influenced their buildings. Personally, I didn't like the design, but Angelica smiled a content smile as she saw the houses.
‑
We quickly found the inn, called "Cauldron of Reminiscence". "What a strange name for an inn.", I said a little surprised.
"I'm sure there is some meaning behind it.", said Angelica. We entered. It was clean, and we saw a few elves, as well as two humans. The man at the counter was an elf, too.
"Welcome.", he said friendly, although his voice sounded rather rude. I had already met elves, and they always had a cold voice; I knew, this man had no ill intentions. "May I help you?"
"We'd like a place to sleep and dinner and breakfast.", I said.
"Two rooms?", asked the elf. I nodded. "Alright. The rooms are on the third floor at the end of the hallway. Dinner will be served in a few minutes, just sit where ever you like. Breakfast is from 7 to 10 o'clock."
"Well, we probably will leave rather early.", said Angelica. We went to a table and sat down. "I like this place.", said Angelica.
"Well, yeah, it's all nice and clean.", I said. "Let's hope the food is good."
‑
Unsurprisingly, it was. It was a hotpot again, but we didn't complain. It had a lot less meat, though. But it still was delicious and was served with some light wine. After a little chat Angelica and I went to bed, excited for the days to come.