I was worried I wouldn't have time to submit this cause of school, glad I can!

Chapter Eleven

Grand Grove: Part One

Once again aboard the carriages, the troop now including Orgoth and Leena, crossed over the Wood Path that linked Euto to what is known as the Grand Grove.

According to Fistivus and Lune, the Grand Grove is the highest form of physical peace. The land used to be ravaged for its resources and was the sight of the great mining city, Opal and a deep tunnel into the land. Following the end of the warring ages, the forest reclaimed its land and the mine collapsed. Opal was largely torn down and very few houses stand, now welcoming travelers into the brilliant green is the Grove Rest, this small village in the trees the only fraction of the mining city that is left. The few forms of houses and buildings that have rusted over and now filled with overgrowth are known as the Opal Ruins, an old reminder of what once was.

In addition, the Viridian River which flows in from the great ocean gathers high on the cliffs and pours over into a large pool. The Emerald Falls are a beautiful sight to behold and from them, what is probably Ymarkteg's longest river runs through the Grand Grove and disappears into the nation of Numengate.

This path to Sarhara is the easiest and most visually appealing compared to taking the north fork on the Wood Path and then cutting through Numengate, ending by marching westward from there, or even going back Castle Anondye to join one of the regular traveling caravans that go between nations..

As they continued across the path surrounded by countless trees, Lune whistled to get their attention and pointed to the left.

"Soon we will pass through a short clearing, an old path that led to Opal. You will be able to see the Opal Ruins from here."

Sure enough, the trees gave way to an old path that was being overtaken by the forest along with everything else. It led to a large plot of remains of buildings. Many frameworks stood like skeletons, covered in vines and rust while several were collapsed houses, having fallen into extreme disrepair long ago.

As they passed Soren heard Leena sigh, the mercenary rubbed her eyes and turned to him "So far this trip has been a snore…I thought you guys were being targeted by crazy non-dead guys…or re-dead guys…fuck it, I don't even know."

"Who's not to say they won't spring up? They've done it multiple times so far…to tell you the truth, I'm glad they aren't attacking us right now." Soren replied.

Mia smiled and nodded "Definitely…it's great that we have more people now but I'd rather not have to deal with them every step of the way."

Leena sighed and place a fist beneath her chin before closing her eyes. Mikel then pointed to Soren's bag "As long as we have the research Eminse gave us they'll probably come back to get us."

Soren looked down at the bag then back at the other three in the carriage with him "Surely they know better than anyone what they are dealing with…chances are they know our goal is to get to Sarhara…they'll set something up along the way to get this back and wipe us all out."

"But it won't happen." Mia said in a serious tone, the other two agreed as Leena shrugged halfheartedly as the carriages drew closer to the Grove Rest.

In Fistivus' cart, Wyre continued to stare at the trees saying nothing. Since they entered the grove he has been like this and Wayu gave him a questioning look "I'm guessing there aren't huge forests like this in Hitenticul."

He turned to her and shook his head "We have our own fair collections of trees here and there but…nothing like this."

Orgoth turned to Lyle "You travel through these parts?"

The swordmaster glanced over quickly, unknown to him; Orgoth had been examining the green haired man. Ever since they entered the forest he seemed to anticipating something.

"Once or twice…didn't really hang around or explore anything much…hasn't changed…well, I wouldn't know, it's all trees."

Lyle continued to look at Orgoth oddly until the man turned away.

"How about you, Orgoth? Born in Euto and naturally became a knight for the Research Center?"

Orgoth shook his head "My family lives in the capital city of Amaryllis…my relatives work in the three border cities…however, as opposed to knights they are craftsmen and women of sorts. Within the age of peace our family has long since stopped being defenders…I decided to be a defender of the knowledge this nation develops. I may not have the most astonishing ideas but I recognize the importance of imagination…and I've been told frequently I'm pretty intelligent for being a guard…Krayvon and the researchers even allow me to take part in some experiments that are going on."

Wyre whistled "That is some statement…but I do applaud the sincerity."

Orgoth acknowledged him before facing Lyle again who grinned "Some statement, indeed…"

The caravan began moving upwards along a hill, Fistivus called out to them all "We can't really see the Grove Mine because of the dense forest but this upcoming path leads to the entrance. That place is some sight, even if it is completely in shambles."

As the day dragged on, Leena sat on the edge of the back of Lune's carriage looking at the road. Soren and Mia decided to take a short nap, the swordswoman laying her head on the sage's shoulder.

Mikel moved over to her "You don't really wish you didn't come with us eh?"

Leena shook her head "No…I haven't seen as much of Anondye as you'd think. I am a mercenary but not a lot of work comes in these days…the farthest I've gone was to the border city between Anondye and Pozem. Not at all along the west end of the nation…"

"It doesn't have to be for work…you could just take a trip to relax." Mikel commented.

"I suppose…no amount of relaxation would be enough for me though." The mercenary stated as she moved back into the carriage and lay down on a discarded pillow.

"Why not?" Mikel asked.

"Jobs I've done still weigh heavily on me…not that I regret what I've done but it's hard to enjoy yourselves with those annoying thoughts buzzing around in your head."

Mikel laughed "Things I do…I hardly think on…I prefer to forget most of the shit…so I just do."

Laughing Leena shook her head at him "You are a peculiar man…when you aren't being so-"

"Hey, all those were drunken comments!"

"Really?"

Letting out a chuckled Mikel shook his head "No you're right, I'm forward, that isn't a bad thing."

The carriage finally entered the village with several people near the entrance waving to them and welcoming them to Grove Rest.

Lune and Fistivus dismounted, followed by the troop "Alright you lot, we are going to find a place to put the gear for the night, in the meantime, enjoy the sights, we'll hit the road again in the morning, this time it will be a longer stretch before we reach the Walled City of Treige."

Wyre turned to the rest of the group as Fistivus and Lune moved away "Personally, I want to see these Emerald Falls…anyone else in?"

Wyre led the way, followed by Soren, Mia and Wayu. Orgoth turned to the remaining three "I've never been here, so I'm taking a short stroll."

Lyle nodded "I think I'll take a look around as well."

Leena and Mikel stood in place and glanced at each other "Would you like to spend another night beating me in physical tests at a tavern?"

Leena smiled "I don't know…do I?"

Mikel laughed "Of course you do!"

Wyre's group climbed up several steep hills behind the rest to get to a key spot that looked out to the Emerald Falls.

On the way up Mia turned to Wayu "I wonder how this compares to the falls near the Corelis Bay."

"I see the High Falls every day…but hearing of the majesty of these…I'm not sure."

As the group continued, Soren turned slowly, peering into the trees. He remembered what Eminse said of a strange man that lives around the Grove Rest and the sage felt like he was being watched.

As Lyle rounded a house, Orgoth appeared on the other side; even in his large armor he could be as silent as he wanted to. As he trailed the man he thought back to a conversation he had with Soren on the side of the path during the night.

"If you don't mind me saying, that Lyle character is…odd" Orgoth stated as he approached Soren.

The archsage turned to the knight and sighed "He is…but Mia vouched for him, she teaches alongside him at a dojo in Corelis. He is skilled and very dependable in battle…"

"But as a person you aren't too confident?" Orgoth added quickly.

"Not complimenting myself but stating a fact, I am a very skilled judge of character and something about the way Lyle carries himself suggests to me that it's a mask…the man we see isn't the real Lyle…but if that is just his personality, I don't care if he is masking a murderer or a psychopath, as long as he stays in line."

Orgoth acknowledged Soren's statement "If you'd like, I can keep an eye on him."

Soren glanced over to the campfire where Lyle, Mia and Leena were swapping stories then back to Orgoth's stern face "If you see it as something necessary…whenever you have the time, go ahead and do it."

As the group looked at the magnificent Emerald Falls, they couldn't believe how widespread and high up the water travelled from. As they talked about it and moved to get closer, Soren came to a stop and spun about to see a man sitting in a small nook with a campfire.

"Wondered how long it would take you to notice me…" he stated, Soren jumped down to the man, before he could ask anything the old hermit stood slowly.

"I am what you may call…a Reader…I know many things about the people I see without even speaking to them."

"Why are you here? Did you-"

"Know someone like you was coming? No…see, the thoughts I read just pass through me whether I want them or not, so I try to stay away from people…I felt you all approaching and rather than avoid you, I wanted to meet you…"

"Why? Wait…you're that man that-" the sage asked.

"Yes…the peculiar hermit who has quite a lot of knowledge…as such…I believe I can help you with your problem…you see…the information you are seeking is indeed in Sarhara…but you can get an immediate second opinion and possibly more detailed information from an apothecary who lives near here."

"An apothecary?" Soren stated with a confused look.

"Yes…it is rumored that he is a practitioner of True Elder Magic…and like me he has separated himself from the rest of mankind for that reason."

"I suppose it couldn't hurt…how do we reach him?"

The old man stomped out his fire and turned to Soren "Through the collapsed Grove Mine…the farthest exit lets out past the Ocean Crevasse and on the edge of the continent is his keep."

"Soren?"

The sage turned to see Mia on the path above staring at him, he looked back and the old man was gone. He jumped back up to Mia as she stared at him oddly "Why were you down there?"

"It's an odd story…in short, I may have found out about someone who knows more about True Elder Magic here in Anondye."

Mia scratched her head "But Eminse said there was no one like that in this nation…"

"Exactly…because while he lives in the nation, he lives separate from it…I'll explain it all tomorrow, but we're going on a small trip before we head for Sarhara."

Back in the Grove Rest, Orgoth stared as Lyle met with someone, concealed by the shadows the knight couldn't quite make the person out. The only thing he could see was a hand reach into a shirt pocket and pull out a golden watch.

Shortly afterwards the man put it away and disappeared into the shadows as Lyle turned and left.

Orgoth rounded the corner but there was no one in sight, cursing he decided to return to the town center and call it a night.

The next day the group gathered in the town center and Soren got their attention.

"You all remember Eminse told us rumors of a secluded man living around here who may be able to help us? I actually spoke to him a bit yesterday…according to him there is someone who can use True Elder Magic and likely knows others of his kind. I feel this is something we should pursue…it could turn out to be lengthy and dangerous as the Korgans and Dune Guard might catch wind of it but, I strongly feel that we should do this."

There were a few murmurs but ultimately they all decided it was a good idea, though Leena was just excited to face some kind of danger.

"How do we get there?" Lyle asked.

"Through the collapsed mine." The sage answered quickly.

Returning to the fork in the road, the caravan took the path towards the mine entrance with Fistivus continuing to rant.

"I can't believe you lot are going to do this! You will all end up dead if you go in there! That mine has absolutely no structural integrity! If there are any routes that haven't fallen in yet, by the time you get in there, get to the apothecary and turn around, they could fall in and trap you within! FOREVER!"

Lune sighed "I believe you all can make it through…but I'd recommend going around the outside of the mine when coming back…it is a much longer trip no doubt but there is no risk that the mine will fall…going through it once is crazy but coming back for a second turn…"

Soren acknowledged their comments and Mia thanked them for their concern. Ultimately, the group was going through the mine at least once, no matter what they decided on the other side.

Standing next to each other the eight took deep breathes and started moving in with Fistivus and Lune staying behind and wishing them luck.

"To keep the groups even we'll need a mage and lancer on each…" Soren stated and then turned to Mia "…we should split up as well…"

Mia's eyes widened "We're much more effective together though." She whispered, Soren answered by snapping his fingers, causing a small black flame to appear over his index finger before snapping again.

Mia sighed, he had a point.

The four in front were Soren, Orgoth, Mikel and Lyle with Mia, Wayu, Leena and Wyre following behind.

As the eight entered, Fistivus sighed heavily and shook his head "I really do hope we see them again…"

Lune smacked him over the head "You are far too negative…besides it was you who told me to put my faith in these kids when we started out of Corelis! Don't give up on them now!"

Fistivus nodded but still looked into the open maw of the mine warily.

The eight entered and glanced around, the entry was covered in strewn about rubble and old pieces of the structures that held the mine in place. Definitely a foreboding warning that the place was not sound, just as the merchants warned them, but the group was going through with it either way.

They moved along the path, all silent hearing only their breathing, footsteps and the rustle of sand and pebbles falling around them.

As they entered the first wide room, they saw buried tracks and several overturned carts cover by a mound of rocks and dented rusty metal.

Two paths opened up, upon further inspection, the path to the left that led further in was completely blocked. There was a small opening near the ceiling but if the group were to split up, no four could go through together. Relenting they all turned and headed towards the longer path.

As they walked along, the more alert members of the group constantly turned quickly as a few rocks rolled down the walls or when one of the members of the troop accidentally tripped over an old beam.

"I can see why they didn't want us coming in here…" Wyre commented as his eyes darted around, he was set on being the first to catch any sign of collapse.

As they completed their walk through the narrow path, they arrived at another large chamber with more old gear probably forgotten long ago. A large crash startled the gang causing them all to form a circle to have eyes on all sides, they stood still, armed with their weapons and waiting for anything to spring out at them.

"See anything?" Orgoth asked, the others responded negatively just as Lyle cried "Look out!"

From in the middle of their circle an Earth Sage burst out of the ground and with a quick wave of his arms caused the chamber to begin to crumble.

Soren, Mia and Lyle leapt up and cut through him with four blades, killing him instantly and ending the shake.

As the man fell to the ground the rumbling started again, standing still for a few minutes it eventually ceased.

Leena stared at the fallen body and then at the ceiling "Earth sages in a place like this…the Dune Guard isn't going to let us get out of here in one piece."

Soren looked left and right before he could speak the rumbling resumed as another sage tore out of the earth and raised his hand to the ceiling, destroying a large section of it.

As the room began to collapse, the troop split apart with Leena dashing by the sage and striking him down.

Upon turning around Mikel cursed, the entry to the room they were in was sealed and he looked around seeing only Orgoth, Lyle and Soren. "Looks like we got split up…"

The knight sighed "We'll make it out…we can only hope the others do as well."

Soren nodded "It's going to be quite the trip with the Dune Guard here…though I'm not entirely sure how they even knew we'd be here."

Lyle shrugged "Maybe they were following us and saw us double back…it isn't the first time they've gotten in our way…far from it."

Mikel kicked a pebble "Regardless, the Dune Guard is here and we need to get through the mine."

The sage nodded and signaled the others to follow him. The group took the route going further south, definitely heading towards the main exit according to the position of the mine

With Orgoth, Mikel and Lyle at his back he knew they would be alright, and he greatly trusted Wyre with taking care of Mia.

As they approached another open room, without even being subtle pieces of the ground lifted up, formed into boulders and flew at the group. Soren was about to use an Arcwind when Orgoth stepped in front and took one of the blows, clenching his teeth he turned to Soren "Don't knock those rocks into the wall!"

Soren nodded and pulled out his sword, running past Orgoth as Mikel and Lyle destroyed the others, with a wind enhanced jumped he dodged several shards of earth and cut through one of the sages as the other two ran past him.

The pair leapt and upon hitting the ground released a wave into the earth that caused the cave to groan. The end of Orgoth's spear shot into one of the sages, Mikel followed up by cleaving the man's head off as Lyle cut the other one to bits.

A large beam groaned and the metal shrieked as it tore and plowed through the ceiling, crashing between Soren and the rest of his group.

The three quickly ran past before the ceiling began to fill the chamber and took off further into the mine.

Mia's group passed through a room with a large descent into a round chamber. Mia peered down there but saw nothing, she wondered why they dug that hole, and decided whatever the case, it was irrelevant now.

As they continued walking Leena spun her sword a few times "These guys are way too cowardly for my taste…why don't they just come out and try to best us like real men?"

Wyre shrugged "Maybe the countless allies of theirs we've cut down have deterred them."

"Great." The mercenary muttered as they approached another room Wyre turned around and he almost alerted them as a shadow darted into the depths of the mine. He turned back as they walked through another rubble filled room, it was a smaller chamber filled with overturned carts and more rusted beams, there was also a hole in the ground that led one level down.

Wayu turned, hearing someone kick a pebble and screamed as she brought her shield up to stop a Korgan blade.

Two sages came up through the ground as another Korgan ran past them towards Mia's group.

"We have to be-" Mia was cut off by Leena's battle cry as the mercenary dashed past her and leapt over the Korgan axe, upon landing she spun on her heel and buried her blade into the man's back, ripping it out and adding another spin she cut him from side to shoulder blade and the man fell.

As Wayu deflected another sword strike, Wyre shot a bolt into the bandit's face causing him to stumble back. Wayu took the opening to jam her spear into his gut.

Mia ran towards the Earth Sages, one constantly brought up walls of earth to try to trip her or just slow her down as the other leapt into the air and yelled as his fists hit the ground.

Mia cut through the first as the room began rumbling, somewhere a piece of the mine crumbled and more rocks dropped from the ceiling.

Leena ran up to the man who raised another rock wall, the brash mercenary barreled through it and rammed her blade into the man's throat. As he gagged, Leena tore the blade out and Wyre called out pointing to the hole in the ground. Without hesitation the group dropped in as the room collapsed.

Soren's group reached a fork and after a short discussion continued heading straight in the same direction. This part of the mine seemed mostly intact, whereas the rest was covered in rubble and collapsed with parts of the structure visibly worn; the beams here were high, in place and looked like they were well kept.

As they continued down Soren quietly told the group to look ahead. The center of the path was open to a level below, crowding against the edge they made their way around the rim to continue.

As they did Orgoth tapped Soren and pointed down. The sage looked just in time to see shadows dash across the opening.

Noting Lyle, the swordmaster nodded and pulled one sword out and kept his eyes on the path they left behind as Mikel stood at Soren's side with his axe ready.

Reaching another fork that split three ways, Orgoth was about to suggest something when two bandits charged them from two of the forks, followed by two lance Dune Guards from directly in front. To round it out two sages sprung up only for one to be cut down by Lyle at the ready.

With no commands given, Mikel spun and countered two opposing axes while Orgoth used himself as a shield against several sword wielding bandits. Soren extended his hands and two blasts of Arcwind rounded around Orgoth and struck the bandits who had their blades against the knight's armor, the two men's heads slammed against each other and they stumbled around, dazed..

With a decisive step, Orgoth impaled one of them and extended his other hand as Lyle called to him. Throwing the short knife on his leg, Orgoth grabbed it and jammed it into the other bandit's throat.

Mikel continued to clash with the two axe bandits until the Dune Guard lancers joined in, one striking Mikel in the shoulder and the other in his leg. As the warrior was pushed back Soren charged in and cut through one of the axe men.

Lyle in the meantime continued to run his blades through rocks as the Earth Sage dodged his attacks "You will all be buried here!"

Laughing Lyle jumped away as a stone shot out from under him.

"Not likely!" the swordmaster ran forward and seemed to split into the three. Panicking the sage shot a storm of earth spears but they passed through all three.

Before he could shout two blades forced their way through the man's chest.

Orgoth joined Soren and protected him from a lance strike with his own. Quickly tossing the knife in the air, as soon as it landed back in his hand he chucked it into the Dune Guard's eye.

As one fell, Mikel roared and embedded his axe into one of the Korgan's chest.

With only a lancer and an axeman left, the foes began to retreat through one of the paths.

Soren stopped his allies before they could give chase "I don't think that is the right way…come on."

"You alright?" Mia asked as she helped Wayu to her feet. The trueblade glanced over at Leena who wiped her blade then at Wyre who was surveying the darker chamber they were in.

"Anything to report Wyre?"

The sage turned to her "Not much…we can see that a path up there fell; most likely along with the room we were in…there are two roads out of here. One in that direction…"

Wyre turned to face the left and then completely around and extended one of his fingers "…and one over there…"

Leena stood and sheathed her blade "Whichever leads to more combat is fine with me."

"Maybe…but we shouldn't stay in here longer than we need to…" Wayu said, catching Leena's glare she turned away "…we don't want to be buried…right?"

Mia signaled them all to follow her through the closer exit.

As they walked through a hall, they heard what sounded like footsteps and even a faint shout.

Crowding against the wall as the path opened into another room with a gap in the ceiling to the above level, the group noticed how dark it got.

Wyre held his hand out to form a constant surge which lit most of the chamber; enough to reveal an assortment of six Dune Guard soldiers with their weapons ready.

Wyre turned and yelled "Going dark!"

Mia, Wayu and Leena shot past him as he stopped the glow, drowning the room in darkness.

A man cried out as Leena's blade found his lower stomach. With a large heave she tore it back out and spun for another strike to put him down.

The other five began to swing their weapons in the darkness; Mia found it strange that a group of Dune Guard would be deployed in a cave considering their native nation is home to wide, open deserts.

Focusing she spun around to cut into a man's side as his lance went wide, missing her. As she stabbed him, Wayu's spear flew overhead and struck another. Bringing the lights back on in several flashes, Wyre used his Brave Bolt, the four shots circled the room, giving it a strange feel as the three woman battled with the three Dune Guard.

As Wayu dove aside and grabbed her spear the four lights shot into one of the men. As he fell dead Mia and Leena's blades found their targets' necks.

With Wyre casting another surge, he took lead through the room. It was vast with the only help coming from Wyre's light bouncing off of exposed metal.

Eventually they reached another short hall and came face to face with a very narrow path.

Turning Wayu pointed to a wider route and Leena scratched her head "If my compass directions haven't been thrown off yet…this small path might lead to the opening over the Ocean Crevasse…that must be quite the sight."

Mia nodded as she turned down the other route "Maybe…but we aren't on a sightseeing trip."

Rolling her eyes Leena turned to follow the trueblade "I know that!"

Soren, Mikel, Orgoth and Lyle came to a stop in a very large room. There was a huge opening in the floor with a downward slope that led to the second level.

What caught their immediate attention was the large man standing on the opposite side of the wall.

Impaled on the ground next to him was his large and heavily scarred axe.

The Korgan leader grabbed it out pulled it out of the ground "I knew you would all come this way…"

As Lyle pulled out his two blades, Orgoth and Mikel took a few steps to get in front of Soren before readying their weapons as well.

The Archsage glared at Murawk "Why do you continue to hunt us? How did you know we would be here?"

Murawk grinned "It's only me this time…Meloi thought this would be a pointless expenditure of effort…but I knew that you would be drawn here…I could care less for your reasons."

Soren took out his tome "That doesn't really answer my questions."

"It doesn't? What a surprise…it's always questions with you people…why am I not dead? Who do I work for? Why do I stand with someone who follows orders to a T like Meloi? Why? Who? What? When? Where and all that other bullshit…why can't we just enjoy the moment for once? Do we need reasons to fight? If that is the case, I will give you one. Fighting is the only way a man truly lives!"

With a roar, Murawk leapt towards the four, unlike the night at Emerald Hold, or the small war at the Research Center nothing was holding him back this time.

Soren and Mia's Troop VS Murawk the Korgan Clan Leader!

Part Two will be up tomorrow, I really think it makes more sense as opposed to waiting a week and there are enough cliffhangers planned for the weekly chapters anyway XD

With the Korgan and Dune Guard grunts revealed (well they've been revealed for a bit) I'll now be submitting an "OC Sheet" with the designs of the Dune Guard Earth Sages, Swordmasters, Warriors and Halberdiers and the designs of the Korgan Clan's Swordmasters and Warriors