An autumn sunset trickled across the rooftops of the cityscape, sending dappled streaks of a brilliant orange glow along the soft, muted underbellies of uniform lilac clouds on the evening sky.
"Oh Novgorad, how times have changed… "
Azira was back home in the League capital, ready to refocus, recoup and gather her strength, finally taking the rest of the year off from her duties to the Army. Soon, other more personal ventures would begin. It had been another long eight months of sailing, time hopping, teleporting, fighting, negotiating, looting, wins, losses, and traveling both alone and with comrades across the astral and the broken world of Sarnaut. She had been serving the League formally for almost ten years. Now, a great moment of reflection was thrust upon her as her first opportunity to choose retirement was looming; a crossroad.
Through her multitude of adventures she had gained many new allies and made new enemies. She had buried some of her dearest loved ones, almost crossed the brink of consciousness into complete madness many a time, looked into the crazed eyes of an omnivorous, voracious dark God again and again as well as other beings under his influence or with similar agendas; She had slashed, torn, bound, banished, dissolved and broken down their many forms in the heat of battle.
There were lovers, friends, tricksters and swindlers, great mages, crazed sorcerers and demigod antagonists, guild mates, guiding lights, demons and angels that had dragged her to the voided depths of the astral and pulled her back from the clutches of certain death... She'd had many a moment to relive the euphoric highs of child-like innocence and also had it torn from under her feet each time, letting herself crash down into the abyss again. She had faced obliteration and had escaped it multiple times while also helping others to do the same. She had been faced with utter annihilation at soul and spark level– and yet each time had chosen sovereignty and to fight even with all odds against her and Sarnaut, ultimately allowing her to dodge that fate…
And now after all of this, it was time for self-care. The time had finally come for reflection, and the return to normal life– if there ever were such a thing.
She took a deep sigh, sliding herself off of a low brick wall that lined the foundation of the city construction council building and elegantly drifted between all the busy passers by.
"...And how you've changed."
She looked around and upwards at the auburn and lilac sky, breathing in new, crisp and slightly smoky air.
"Novograd city is expanding, growing. There are renovations, new homes, new faces, new businesses..."
She cheerfully smiled from under her dark red, jeweled wide-brimmed hat and silken hood at a spiced wine merchant, handing him some gold coins in exchange for a hot cup of the drink. With one sip, a deep warmth with notes of cloves, oranges, cinnamon, and spiceberry melted through her whole body, it smelled and tasted like the holidays.
Her wings fluttered delicately through her thick bear fur cloak with excitement as she clutched it close to her chest, closed her eyes and smiled. The winter holidays were always her favorite, and she was especially looking forward to them this year.
"And things seem to be more progressive– the infrastructures seem to be improving now, and it looks like everybody in Novograd is getting along. Kanians, Elves, Gibberlings... Even outsider guests. The rest of the world may still be falling apart, but at least here, I know there is refuge and some semblance of normalcy."
She took another sip, and headed through the archway of the trade district towards the City central and the tower. Things were busier than ever and she was almost surprised as she came to the realization that she didn't recognise anybody that she saw. Workers, other adventurers and citizens headed in and out in great droves, the tower portal in a constant humming and spinning as the masses poured in and out. She quietly reminisced of a far less busier time, a time when not everybody could even use the tower portal. She remembered it being smaller and less powerful. It had now expanded, with a larger, more advanced astrolabe mechanism, more mana power and runes built into extra rings of floor tiling, and even another portal keeper– a young, fit and seemingly keen apprentice of Hugues de Delice.
She and old Hugues caught a glance. A fellow elf, they were both still very youthful in appearance, though little lines of aging another decade were tucked neatly around their eyes, appearing only as they grinned at one another.
She watched from the edge of the tower staircase as a lone, white-haired elderly gibberling with a mahogany cane and a well fitted purple silk suit presented a holographic seniors pass. It was written in an ancient June language oft used and associated with old teleportation networks across Sarnaut, and projected a floating hologram from a small chip in his pocket watch as he flipped it open. He had taken his time to walk through the bustling crowd that towered over him, and while people were in a hurry and focused on their own errands, they all still politely dodged around him as he took his time, squinting through thick glasses.
He let out a raspy cough and grunted up at Hugues, as the portal keeper nodded back down at him and delicately pressed some symbols into the interactive holo-pass. It glowed green, and then several citizens paused to let him hobble into the portal and disappear.
Hugues resumed his hawk-eyed gaze upon the crowd as they moved again before briefly glancing back at her.
"Dearest Azira!"
He called out, his voice booming yet tired hoarseness grazing it just a little. The cheerful pitch echoed in the tower hall and a few people quietly paused and turned around to look in her direction for a couple of seconds.
She quickly looked down with a smile, slightly abashed, and then headed closer to him, swiftly drifting by his side and stepping out of the foot traffic.
"Hugues… you recognised me?!"
They both chuckled, a warm and exciting glint in both their eyes.
"Just barely. Many of our old friends are still around, yet few have changed as much as you..."
He raised his eyebrows at her dark red velvet, silk and jeweled regalia and noted her jewelry and makeup.
"...And what a refined woman you have become, though even more deadly, I've heard."
They shared a laugh.
"I'm still the same Zira from all those years back. Well.. just about."
"Mmmhm!" Hugues nodded, a slight sarcastic smirk forming on his face.
"I'm back home for good now, I think. At least quitting the Army. I may still work on some smaller missions here and there, you know? And how are you, Hugues? Have you settled down yet? Pray tell, is the rumor about you and that ex-fugitive girl true? Will you finally retire from standing here all day and have someone mysterious and exciting on your arm to adventure with?"
Azira giggled and teased, and the portal keeper shook his head.
"Alas, I've no time for such affairs. Besides, I haven't found an adequate replacement yet should I leave– though I'd love to take some time off. One of the reasons I am portal keeping in the capital is because I am the best for the job. This is a high security and high magic endeavor, as you know– and I'm the closest portal keeper to Aidenus. I can't just abandon such an important position without having someone fitting to take my place while I'm on leave, and eventually permanently."
Azira nodded understandingly, and glanced over at the second trainee portal keeper. He appeared to be a young half-elf and his green eyes glittered with excitement and gratitude as he quietly worked the astrolabe and recalibrated runes.
"And is this someone who would be a worthy candidate?"
She asked, curiously.
"Oh Xero over here? It would seem so. He is very keen to learn and that is quite a promising quality, especially these days. I have been opening up positions for training, providing that the candidate can show dedication, care and the high levels of discipline needed to fit the role. I also need an extra pair of eyes, ears, hands, and a spellbook for when times call for it anyway. Things are expanding, as you can see. The simpler ways of the past are no more– we are entering a new era!"
She glanced down, furrowing her brow and delicately holding her hand up to her chin in quiet thought.
"Hm. And how exactly are you finding the right people for the job? Do you find them in smaller schools across Kania? Do you look at the Elven allods and their schools, or the Gibberlings? Or are they recommended through family connections?"
"Well, I'd say a mix of everything. We do consider things like age and upbringing. We need younger, well trained people who are also interested in all of the newer tech. This is something I've had to really take into account, and after discussing with both Aidenus and Zayan, we have formally opened applications from pretty much anybody who is fit, competent and a League citizen. At this point, we are still in the process of vetting people."
"I see! Well, that does sound very exciting, Hugues, and I wish you all the best of luck with training your proteges. I'm sure they will all do excellently– then you'll acquire some time off to find a nice girl and do some more traveling for yourself!"
They both chuckled and he shook his head as Azira winked at him and headed up the grand staircase inside the tower towards Aidenus' quarters.
As she reached the top of the stairway and approached the arching doorway to his chamber, finely dressed League Sergeants stood on either side, draped in floor-length blood red cossack coats and tall black bear fur hats. They were clad in gold pauldrons and breast guards with embossing of roaring lions that had emerald inlays for eyes; they saluted her silently, already familiar with who she was. She noted the blades of their weapons, gleaming white-hot, powered by runes that not even the greatest league heroes had access to. She gently courtseyed without speaking, and floated into the round candlelit chamber.
Several gigantic, finely adorned pillars lined the central circle of the room, painstakingly tiled in terracotta and limestone, and embellished with thousands of gold disks. In front of each one, tall gold and ruby candle holders that each held three lit pillar candles stood, scenting the entire room with vanilla and frankincense. The floors were tiled similarly to the pillars, done with expert precision and creating a floral pattern with hundreds of deep green hexagonal Tekyan jade slabs. Each slab was worth hundreds of thousands of gold and not a single chip or imperfection was found, yet these very tiles had been laid centuries ago. Massive, heavy red and gold velvet curtains draped all of the stained glass windows surrounding the entire room. Each one took at least five people to carry, and the intricately detailed gold embroidery that lined each of them would have taken months to complete.
The great mage turned around as she came in, slowly smiling as his pale face flushed with a rosy glow. He had been standing beside his tall solid gold throne, the centerpiece of the entire room and one of the oldest and most expensive items. It was said to be one of the earliest works of the realgar and mana forging system around the time it was first introduced to Kania. The exact technique for creating a solid gold throne with such precise and intricate ornate details –and one that had stood the test of time– was a mystery to even the most knowledgeable of historians across Sarnaut, though anyone's best guess would have been involvement of the magic of great mages.
Aidenus gleamed in pink and cream coloured silks with flashes of more green jade and blue chrysocolla gems on his robes, and atop his neatly combed back-length silver hair sat a magnificent gold crown with hundreds of other precious gems that could be found across Kania and further beyond. The multi-coloured silken embroidering on his sleeves, coat, and cape told a story of the royal bloodline and the magic that was weaved into it, magic that held Kania together. He gently outstretched his arms to her, much to the surprise of his advisors, and with the gentle clanging of gold cuffs and rings they shared a short embrace.
He stood and held her at arms length, a soft warmth in his intense glowing blue eyes.
"Welcome home, Azira, one of the League's most prized heroes!"
He filled the room with his deep, hearty laugh.
She politely brushed the praise off.
"Sire… it is nothing but my absolute pleasure, delight and honor to serve my country. Why, if it were not for the league army, I wouldn't have found my core sense of purpose in who I am– in my duty… I would have no real sense of self. For this, my liege, all I can do is thank you, ad infinitum."
She kneeled theatrically as Aidenus fussed over her and the Keeper of Secrets Lovewise Catfish quietly huffed and rolled his eyes.
"If it weren't for that hideous thing she's wearing on her head, I'd just about be able to see her shoving it up his ass!"
He leaned over and whispered to one of the Sergeants standing next to him, causing them to crack a slight smile.
A young maid nearby clasped her hands over her face, trying not to laugh, but letting out an uncontrollable spluttering giggle. Aidenus turned toward them.
"Is there an issue, Lovewise?"
Lovewise cleared his throat and quickly regained composure
"O- oh absolutely not, your excellency-"
"And tell me, how are those Suslanger documents coming along?"
"Very well, sire– I'm glad you've asked! We've uncovered some more information about what could be a secret location entrance to an ancient underground cave treasury of some sort. We are yet to discover who or what currently occupies it, but we suspect that the ever pervasive presence of Uro-Boros in the desert has some connection to what may be safeguarded down there. We are piecing together more information by the day– with the help of our wonderful heroes of course! What would we be without them?"
He coldly looked over at Azira and then smiled in a sickeningly sweet way. She immediately felt uneasy.
Aidenus stroked his long beard pensively before turning to her.
"Azira, dearest. Understand that you have every right to retire, permanently if you wish, from army duties henceforth…"
Her shoulders tensed up, her face lowered from his gaze, and she began a slow nod. Lovewise rolled his eyes again.
"...But –and no pressure– we could always use your connections, intelligence, and strength in these matters. Do not be a stranger, and whenever the time comes to take up arms once again, there will be an honorary position waiting for you– if you want, that is. The fates of our people, our country and Sarnaut itself depend on our beloved heroes like you."
Azira nervously smiled and chuckled before looking at the floor as Aidenus paced his quarters, heading towards a window.
"And if it were not for you all, where would we be, hm? Look at how bustling and thriving Novograd is. It is growing, it is progressing, it is safe. and so is the rest of Kania. All of this is kept in check at all times, thanks to you."
He turned back to her and she gulped uncomfortably, not knowing what to say. Aidenus was more than just a jolly and aloof round nobleman and king. Behind the jewels, the silver hair and the colorful garments was a warmonger, a politician, a mastermind- and one who was fantastic at the art of emotional blackmail. She quietly stepped back, finally looking up at him, and cleared her throat.
He sighed wistfully, still gazing at her with an even bigger smile. It radiated more of the uncomfortable warmth that almost seemed to completely smother her and pull painfully hard at her heartstrings. She inhaled silently as her shoulders stiffened, and held her breath as he spoke.
"I know what you're going to say, young one. There is no pressure for you to continue at this time. You are absolutely free to and in fact encouraged to return to a more peaceful life, and some time to think about your next steps. Now, go and get some rest, you of all people deserve it."
He gracefully turned back to the window, chin raised slightly and quietly concentrating his gaze on the view of the buzzing city below. The subtle tension in the air seemed almost passive aggressive. She paused for a moment, then finally spoke.
"...Your excellency– everything that I said, it was genuine and truthful. I am never far away, and If there is anything you need, just… let me know."
She briefly kneeled before Aidenus again, bowed shortly to Lovewise and the other advisors, and hurried down the stairs, quickly passing Hugues again, who barely noticed as she floated out of the tower with the bustling crowds, the weight of the anxiety that was crushing her chest slowly lifting.
Every year when the holidays came around, these were her meetings with the Leader of her country, and with each year closer to her freedom to retire from the army, she had felt more pressure and guilt to stay. Sure, there were other heroes, but according to Aidenus, She was special. She was unique. They needed her.
She paused on the sidewalk by the noticeboard, surveying the plastered faces of many like her, some being her comrades over the years who had also garnered much fame, riches and high honors from the state. She took a moment to wonder if he spoke like this to all the league heroes, and then she banished the thought altogether. Aidenus couldn't possibly. He was kind, honest, benevolent, caring, noble… manipulative?
"Zira! Over here!"
She quickly looked up, and across the main road that circled Aidenus' Tower. There stood an old friend and guildmate who beckoned to her, disrupting her train of troubled thought. A young Kanian ranger known by most of those who knew him as Fuzz. He and Azira had adventured many years prior with other guildmates and spent much time together in the Holy Lands, afterwards sporadically adventuring across many other allods, side by side. Eventually, Fuzz stepped away from the League Army altogether, much earlier than she had.
She piped up and zipped across the crowds towards him. He was standing beside the mailman, counting coins and sorting through items, and as she stepped in front of him he handed her a fancy looking dark vial of mysterious indigo-coloured liquid. She herself was an alchemist, but she couldn't quite figure out what it was, and she hadn't seen such a bottle before. It was globe shaped with a narrow neck, and decorated with gold rope and small metal ornaments. One such notable trinket was an ornate golden eye with a bright shimmering turquoise inlay, and another was a beautiful flower that looked much like a daisy, but with a tiny garnet chip neatly set in the center.
"What's this?" She enquired, taken aback.
"Ah, it's a surprise. Don't open it until you really really need a pick-me-up or some good luck."
She raised her eyebrows inquisitively, then squinted suspiciously, and looked back down at the bottle.
"Okay… may I at least know where it's from?"
He smiled at her mischievously.
"It's a secret! But I promise you'll love it, Zira, you just gotta save it for a really special moment."
She glared at him some more– an intense, penetrating stare.
"This better not be some kind of prank!"
"Really, Zira? It's been literal years and this is the greeting I get after having a gift ready for you right off the bat?"
She looked down at the bottle, looking back up at him, and squinted again, pursing her lips a little. She finally relaxed her expression and then nodded.
"Alright. I take it that this is something quite rare and special. I'll hold on to it for as long as I can."
She carefully wrapped the bottle in a deep purple velvet cloth, and placed it in her bag before looking back up at him with a warm smile. He looked away, shyly. They began to walk to the trade district together, a brief but heavy awkward pause hanging between them.
"So… how are you these days, Fuzz? It's been so long since you stopped adventuring and I'll admit– things haven't been the same without you."
"Oh, same old same old. Traveling, collecting and re-selling junk, sometimes going undercover in Nezebgrad–"
"–Wait what? You never told me about that? You're an undercover spy?!"
A few heads turned towards them and he quickly hushed her through clenched teeth.
"Keep it down, Zira!...
Yeah, I thought I'd filled you in like a year ago? It's a common thing now. Maybe I'll bring you along sometime. You're like a real League hero now, how did you not know this?"
She felt caught out and stuttered a little, but contained herself and pondered the question.
"...Pff! It's not like I'd even care to know in the first place– but what's it like to actually be there? All the food must be so bland, all the marriages must be so loveless, and everyone must be so…so rigid! Ugh!– I can't imagine ever setting foot there!"
"It definitely takes some getting used to but it's interesting to observe their society. The politics, the inner workings, tensions between different groups of people and even their guilds, and that Yasker guy… I have a lot to say about him and all of that stuff but first I think we ought to get a drink or two to celebrate you finally leaving the Army."
His eyes lit up as he grinned at her but she suddenly looked a little pained and nervous.
They paused at the guild headquarters and he looked at her, concerned.
"What's wrong, Zira? Don't tell me you still wanna go back?"
"It's not that… Well, not exactly. I just… I feel out of sorts. Kind of lost, and like I don't know what I'd be doing if I'm not adventuring. I've been doing this for the last decade. Sure I could kind of continue doing it on my own, but I feel like I'm jumping into uncertain territory. I don't know what a 'normal' life would be for me anymore. I don't even know if I want to stay in Novograd for good. I feel like I'd just be bored and isolated and… awkward!"
"Aw come on Zira, don't talk like that. You're super talented and well traveled and you're good at so many things. You could run a stall over the winter and raise some gold to pass time. You could do small time policing type stuff for the city council, you could mentor or teach…"
She nodded her head, but the frustration in her eyes stayed.
"I don't know, Fuzz. I'm supposed to be so happy and feel accomplished and ready to fall straight into the arms of this bright, bustling city– my home. Except I don't feel like this is home anymore. I'm not sure if I ever did. I feel almost like my mind and memories are so foggy and hazy, but not in the way of being tired so much, more like I have a lot of unfinished business and emotions to unpack. It's like something isn't all the way right… something is missing."
She sighed, looking around at the busy surroundings and listening to the merchants and crowds of people making their way about their errands. Dusk was falling fast and multi-coloured lanterns were starting to light up along every building for the evening market. They could smell the wafting scents of roasted meats and potatoes slathered in oil and herbs, corn cobs with butter and spices, meat and vegetable filled dumplings steaming in water with a little oil to finish them to a crisp, more batches of the sweet spiced wine brewing, and boiling birch syrup for candy making.
"...I'm surrounded by all this richness, all these people, all this culture, but I feel so disconnected. Maybe I'm the one who really needs some guidance right now. Maybe I need a mentor or a counselor."
Fuzz nodded, taking a moment to think about it all.
"I'm here, Zira. I live in Novo too now, so you won't be alone. Whatever you need, and wherever you need to go, I'll help you get there. But first– what do you say we go for a drink?"
She chuckled and then shook her head up at him, and he began to smile again, encouraging a gentle laugh
"Eh?! Haha! That's the Zira I know!- So, remember the mead brewer by White Lake?"
She squinted up, pensively.
"Yeah… Bogdan, right? Beekeeper. Always wearing a red shirt."
"That's the guy! His place is basically a tavern now, and all the folks from back in the day are usually there. It's a popular rest stop and somewhere we can have a good time whenever we wanna reminisce. It'll help you relax. Tash cooks meals there sometimes, and She might be there tonight! Let's go?"
Azira's eyes lit up. Tashawren was an old guild mate from many years ago and a fun person to adventure with. It had been a long time since they had all been together, hacking down thick jungle vines and slaying empire heroes over and over in petty group fights that would last for hours in the holy lands.
"Tash is in town, too? I wonder if She'd even remember me."
"I'm sure she'd be shocked to see how much you've changed. You're all fancy and decked out now. A proper boss lady..."
His voice trailed off softly and they both looked down as another awkward pause held them still for a brief moment. Finally, they both looked up at each other again.
"Well, let's go?"
She nodded at him before they both summoned and hopped onto their mounts in unison, riding through the outskirts of the city into Lightwood.