Octopath Traveler 2: The Ninth Flame
Chapter 6: Uncertain Choices
Disclaimer: I do not own Octopath Traveler. All rights belong to Square Enix.
As Maolcholm went up to the guard outpost to speak with Captain Colborn and hopefully receive a reward of leaves for saving Anna from slavers, his mind kept thinking back to his sudden meeting with the Blacksnake, Throné. He didn't know much about the Blacksnakes other than the fact that they were a guild of thieves and assassins, one that had been hired by Patricia Richter to kill North Star members and informants. They had tried to kill him twice during his years in the North Star when he was traveling.
Could Throné be trusted? What would happen if he went to the Blue Mountain Inn as she suggested? Would he walk into a trap and be captured, tortured, murdered? If Throné did indeed seek to lure him into a trap and turn him over to the Julians or assassinate him, then the mission Ferdiad entrusted him with would be forsaken.
But on the other hand, what if Throné was indeed telling the truth? She had the perfect opportunity to kill him in the stables earlier and she didn't take it, though it could easily be a way to make him drop his guard...no. Leaving him alive would've meant being able to inform the guards that a Blacksnake assassin was within the city and they would hunt her down like a dog. If she was indeed telling the truth, then that would mean that the assassins who came after his comrades were also slaves.
As a member of the North Star, Maolcholm despised any form of slavery and from what Throné claimed, the Blacksnakes were no different except they were used as weapons of murder rather than harsh labor and tortured for fun. If Throné was indeed hunting down the leaders of the Blacksnakes, then this could give him the chance to help cripple a slave-based organization, provided it didn't interfere with his current mission to enlist the help of Breezeport, Lhan and Ironfell.
He didn't suspect Osvald would be interested, considering the Scholar's statement that their partnership was effectively over as soon as they reached the Harborlands. When he did indeed go off on his own, Maolcholm couldn't deny that things would easier with allies to aid him in his travels...trustworthy allies. Were Throné and her companion trustworthy allies?
He still had three days before the ship leaving for the Harborlands would depart, so he had time to consider Throné's offer. But first, he had a promise to keep to Osvald, so he made his way to the guard outpost to speak with Captain Colborn and hopefully collect a reward large enough for Osvald to secure his passage to the Harborlands.
The guard outpost eventually came into sight, where Maolcholm saw four guards clad in fur and leather protecting the entrance, holding spears and shields with the Icehaven symbol on them, a snarling wolf, and swords on their belts. A tall stone wall encircled the outpost with nine braziers placed on top to provide bright light nearby. The traditional blue flags of Icehaven flew in the cold icy winds near the gate and on the roof of the outpost.
"State your business," one of the guards questioned. "Unless you have urgent business with Captain Colborn, you may not enter."
"I'm here to collect a potential reward for helping bring back a missing person, Anna Dalgaard," Maolcholm answered. "One of the guards at the gate witnessed it and she told me Captain Colborn give rewards to those who help find missing people."
"I didn't hear about this," the guard responded.
"It was very recent," Maolcholm answered. "I just arrived in Icehaven about two hours ago."
"Regardless, I haven't heard," the guard repeated.
"Let him through," the voice of Captain Colborn ordered. "He's an ally of ours."
Captain Colborn stood several feet away from the gate, clad in the usual fur and leather armor all guards wore except he also had a deep blue cape on his shoulder. He had ash black hair, blue eyes, a thick beard and a strong built indicating his strength as a warrior and guard. On his belt was a sword with a silver-colored hilt and deep blue scabbard and a shield on his back with the same snarling wolf of Icehaven adorned on it.
"Yes, sir," the guard obeyed, allowing Maolcholm to walk into the outpost and up to the captain.
"We haven't met, but Ferdiad has told me about you," Colborn informed. "It's good to see you in good health, Maolcholm."
"Thank you, Captain Colborn," Maolcholm responded graciously. "I didn't know you were an ally of the North Star. I hadn't met you when I was here in Icehaven."
"I was always busy," Colborn chuckled. "Being Captain of the Guard isn't an easy job, you know. And it's unfortunately only gotten harder ever since Viggo suggested turning the city into a democracy."
Colborn explained that ever since Viggo Ulfgangur proposed turning Icehaven into a democracy, Icehaven had been in major unrest. The city was divided between those who supported Prince Baldur's claim to kingship and those who agreed with turning the city into a democratic government headed by Viggo Ulfgangur. Protests often flooded the streets now, demanding that Prince Baldur step down from the throne while others protested that the monarchy was a traditional part of Icehaven and must stay that way.
"Some protests have even turned violent," Colborn brought up.
"If this were Jul, Patricia would've slaughtered everyone who opposed her rule," Maolcholm commented. "It really shows Prince Baldur's character that he allows these protests."
"Prince Baldur is a good man and can understand why Viggo would want to turn Icehaven into a democracy, but he feels it's too radical a change, considering how suddenly Viggo suggested it," Colborn informed. "Viggo has long served Icehaven faithfully; I don't doubt his intentions, but I cannot help but question why he'd do this."
If he had time to worry about this, Maolcholm would personally choose to support Viggo, provided he had genuine intentions. In a monarchy, power laid only with the ruler and those the ruler appointed; everyone else had no such power in their hands. What could stop corrupt rulers from exploiting their people just as Patricia and Armand had exploited innocents they sent into slavery? But perhaps this was his own personal bias since Prince Baldur had taken no violent actions against those who supported Viggo's idea.
But then again, in New Delsta, the government there was a democracy, comprised of a council of aristocrats and yet the metropolis had become a crime-infested pit. The council members were either too caught up in their own petty affairs to care for the common folk, actively endorsed the crime in the city or were too scared to protest the corruption within the city.
"So you said you came here for a reward?" Colborn asked Maolcholm.
"Yes, sir," the Warwolf confirmed. "My companion and I brought back a dancer, Anna Dalgaard. She had been abducted by slavers and smuggled out of Icehaven. One of the guards at the gate witnessed her coming back."
"I see," Colborn responded. "Unfortunately, I can't give you a large amount; dealing with the protests and unrest in the city has been costly on us. The most I can give you is five hundred leaves."
Maolcholm's earnest smile hid his disappointment at the reward being lower than expected. Without a thousand leaves, Osvald would have to stay behind and gather more funds before the ship to the Harborlands left. Even though Osvald stated that their partnership was over, Maolcholm didn't wish to leave him behind and wanted to help him reach Western Solistia.
"But besides the reward, you'll be departing for Breezeport, correct?" Colborn questioned.
"Anywhere in the Harborlands as long as I can get to Breezeport," Maolcholm answered. "Though I need to secure enough for my companion as well; I only have enough for myself. Do you know of any way I can raise enough funds for him?"
"I'm unsure," Colborn informed. "I'll be back. Wait here a moment." The Icehaven Captain went into the back of the outpost for several minutes while Maolcholm waited out in the main area. The Warwolf messed with his pelt, looked through Ferdiad's book, or examined Winterfang before the Captain came out with a bag of leaves in his hand.
"Thank you," Maolcholm answered as he took the bag and attached it to his belt.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do more," Colborn spoke remorsefully. "Though...when I think about it, there may be a way for you to secure more funds."
"What is it?" the Warwolf asked. Colborn went back once more for several minutes before coming back with a paper, signed with the Royal Seal. Maolcholm proceeded to read the letter, which explained how a nest of Snowworms had been built close to Icehaven, endangering travelers and merchants on the icy roads at night, just like Maolcholm and his companions were. Prince Baldur and his father, King Havardur, promised a great reward to anyone who could rid Icehaven of the Snowworm nest, though its exact location was unknown.
"A generous reward, huh?" Maolcholm asked.
"It was originally given as an order to my guards and I a while back, but with the unrest in Icehaven, I've been unable to do so," Colborn informed. "They've instead offered a reward to anyone to rid Icehaven of the Snowworm nest, though all who have gone have not returned."
"Thank you," Maolcholm responded. "I'll inform my companion of this."
The Warwolf left the guard outpost with some sense of hope, believing that if they could find the Snowworm nest before the ships left, Osvald could secure his way to the Harborlands. However, the question of who he was and his goal remained unclear to Maolcholm; was Osvald who he claimed he was or had it all been a ploy?
-0-
"Thank you," Osvald spoke to Anna after she provided him with food and coffee to drink. He felt such relief at eating satisfactory food again, having eaten scraps and tiny crumbs when he was at the Frozen Hell. Being forced to wear a muzzle certainly didn't help; he felt such immense relief after being free of it for so long and enjoying a decent meal for once.
"Why are you going to the Harborlands?" Anna asked the Scholar as she poured some eggnog for herself and prepared her own meal. "Are you going after those who framed you?"
"Indeed," Osvald answered. "Though understand I don't wish to share all the details with you. I'm still a wanted man; it's better that you not know much about me."
Which brought back to mind the choice of his wardrobe. Thanks to the fur cloak Maolcholm provided, Osvald had hidden his prisoner's rags from the guards, who focused more on Anna's safe return rather than inspecting her companions. But if he didn't change his wardrobe soon, he'd be easily identified as an escaped inmate from Frigit Isle and be sent right back. His clothes were an easy fix, but his shackle and chain would remain a problem as he had no way of removing it.
"I have a scarf you can use to hide that chain," Anna offered. "I'll go get it."
"Thank you very kindly," Osvald spoke as he kept eating while his mind went over his plan of action.
Once he arrived in Conning Creek, he'd head to his old study located behind his house; with any luck, it was left intact after the fire. He knew Harvey was a careful man and wouldn't leave an obvious trail, so he'd have to check everything in his study. But if it didn't bear fruit, the guards led by their captain, Stenvar, would be his next best lead. He knew Stenvar had been in on Harvey's schemes, considering that at his trial, the captain kept insisting Osvald was the only scholar at the scene of the house fire.
"Rita...Elena..."
Along with the great fire in his breast, the once renowned scholar also felt immense guilt. In his eyes, it was all his fault that his family was dead, burned alive because he had made the terrible mistake of trusting Harvey. In all the time he knew the ambitious yet cultured scholar, not once did Osvald ever suspect Harvey wished malice upon him and his family. Not once did he ever suspect that Harvey's desire to surpass him would push him to frame him for murder. He had failed to see his 'friend's' malice and jealousy and his family paid the price.
"Who're they?" Anna asked. "You said 'Rita and Elena'."
"That's none of your concern," Osvald responded. "As I said, the less you know about me, the better for you." Just then, there was a knock at the door. The dancer walked over and opened it, allowing Maolcholm to walk inside holding the small bag of leaves and a paper.
"I have good news and bad news," Maolcholm informed.
"Tell me the bad first," Osvald insisted. "Telling the good news second leaves things on a better note."
"Okay," the Warwolf answered as he put the leaves on the table. "The bad news is that Captain Colborn only gave me 500 leaves, not enough for you to sail to the Harborlands."
"And the good news?" Maolcholm handed Osvald the paper Colborn had given him. The Scholar quietly read the paper, his stoic expression leaving the Warwolf unable to tell if he was interested or not. After going over it carefully, Osvald placed the paper down.
"As promising as this sounds, I don't know if we could locate the Snowworms' nest within the next three days," Osvald bluntly answered. "I'm a Scholar, not a tracker. We don't have the faintest idea of where to look for the nest."
There went the good news out the window. He only had managed to get 500 leaves for Osvald, only half of what he needed to secure passage to the Harborlands and as the Scholar pointed out, even if they took the job to clear out the next, they didn't have the faintest idea of where to start as Snowworms were nocturnal. They only had three days before the ship for the Harborlands left and if they failed to find the nest before then...
"Maolcholm," Osvald addressed. "I appreciate what you've done for me. You saved my life on the road and helped me secure some money. But you owe me no loyalty; our partnership was meant to get us here to Icehaven and we made it. I'll figure out a solution on my own, especially since I suspect you have your own issues to worry about."
That was true. Maolcholm has his own mission to worry about: getting to Breezeport and Lhan to secure reinforcements for the North Star so they could assault Jul. He believed Osvald when he said he had been wrongfully imprisoned on Frigit Isle and wished he could help him, but he couldn't afford to sacrifice his mission for the scholar's sake. If he couldn't secure the funds for Osvald by the time the ship left, he'd have no choice but to leave him behind.
"You're right," Maolcholm answered. "We still have three days, so maybe I can be of some help to you. But if we don't have the money for you by then-"
"I understand," Osvald responded. "The ship leaving for the Harborlands is called the 'Windstrider'. It's front of a business called the Cold Lobster Tavern."
"Thanks for the information," Maolcholm replied. "I'll be back." With Osvald's information, Maolcholm exited the house and made his way to the port to find the Windstrider.
Ferdiad stood outside Ft. Whitewind, his mind thinking of Maolcholm and Philippe's party that was sent to Jul. So much rode on the success of their missions, Maolcholm recruiting allies for the assault on Jul and Philippe's party being sent to the city to gather information and discover weaknesses within. He prayed to Dohter the Charitable that both would be successful in their missions of vital importance.
But at the same time, Ferdiad worried for the Warwolf, fearing the toll that the North Star's war on slavery had taken on Maolcholm's mental and emotional state. He feared that Maolcholm couldn't tell the difference between killing slavers to protect the innocent and killing slavers for indulgence and revenge. He couldn't leave any slaver alive whenever he went on mission, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake, especially an incident in Merry Hills three years ago.
"Are you feeling alright, Ferdiad?" Maric asked the North Star leader, walking out to check on him after noting his absence.
"Was I right to let Maolcholm join?" Ferdiad asked. "Ever since he's joined the North Star, he's been an inspiration of hope for many. But on the other hand..."
"You fear he's going too far," Maric guessed. "Especially after what happened in Merry Hills three years ago."
At first glance, the Merry Hills incident revealed the true depths of Maolcholm's violence and painted him as a bloodthirsty animal. It solidified him as someone who sought not the freedom of slaves, but the slaughter of slavers. However, both Ferdiad and Maric knew it was much more complicated than that, thus making it a hard issue for either of them to approach Maolcholm about.
"I know in his heart, he genuinely wants to prevent others from suffering as he and many others did," Ferdiad acknowledged. "He's never taken advantage of the gratitude anyone's shown him, never taken beyond what he was owed and the North Star admire him. But I fear he's no longer able to understand the difference between killing slavers to protect others and killing them out of hatred."
"Can you blame him or anyone else here?" Maric questioned. "Most of the North Star suffered because of slavery, either directly themselves or...or their loved ones suffering from it."
Maric was left quiet after saying that statement, thinking of his own time as a slave before gaining his freedom. He thought of what slavery had cost him: his beautiful wife, Amelia, and his three sons, Elric, Gawain and Lance. His wife was sold as a sex slave and his sons worked to death helping to expand Jul's walls as many slaves did now. Their faces forever haunted Maric, knowing that he had failed to save them and fueled his hatred towards the abomination of slavery.
"If it were up to me, if there were no consequences for our actions, I would say slaughter every last slaver there is," Ferdiad admitted. "But that's only wishful thinking. We must kill, yes, but we do it to protect others, not for indulgence. It's a very slippery slope for any of us."
"What can you expect, Ferdiad?" Maric responded. "There are times when I agree with Maolcholm because of slavery has cost us. Jul's cruelty has caused so much pain to countless innocent people for the sake of their greed."
Every person in the North Star burned with immense hatred for Patricia Richter, the wretched queen of Jul who carried on her family's 'tradition' of slavery and sat atop a pile of slave corpses while calling herself a giant. Her greed, arrogance, cruelty and lack of scruples of any kind had led to death, torture, rape, slaughter, and inhumane suffering throughout Solistia.
"I don't want this to end in senseless bloodshed, Maric," Ferdiad answered. "I fear that if we kill slavers simply for indulgence and hatred, then we risk trading one evil for another."
"Yeah...yeah," Maric agreed. "As much as we hate slavers, we need to keep our principles intact. But I don't think you need to worry about Maolcholm in that regard; he's never tossed aside his principles. It's the unnecessary killing that worries you."
That was precisely it. Ferdiad had brought it up to Maolcholm's attention several times ever since he joined the North Star, at times considering sending him back to Stormhail with Bhailis and Airmed. But at the same time, what could he say to him? To simply stay at home while people like him were trapped in slavery and subjected to the same cruelty he was? Maolcholm would never be at rest until he had seen the North Star's victory over Patricia Richter and her allies. The incident at Merry Hills three years ago proved how terribly his time in slavery had affected the Warwolf.
"I don't want Maolcholm to lose himself to this war," Ferdiad stated. "I want him and the rest of our companions to have a life beyond this terrible conflict."
"Those of us who survive, anyway," Maric responded. "Some of us have no life to go back to."
"Sadly true," Ferdiad acknowledged. "But I still want that for our comrades all the same."
"Then let us hope Philippe and the others can find a weakness in Jul and Maoc can secure our allies," Maric responded, to which Ferdiad nodded.
Victory for the North Star hinged on the success of their missions. But Ferdiad's worries for Maoc remained in his mind. Would the Warwolf find peace with himself after the conflict was over? Or would he lose himself to his hatred?
"Thank you," Maolcholm replied to the captain of the Windstrider after purchasing a spot on the ship when it departed in three days' time. The Warwolf began on his way back to Anna's house where she had generously offered him and Osvald shelter, but as he walked the stone streets of Icehaven, he came upon an establishment that rung a bell in his head: the Blue Mountain Inn, the place where the Blacksnake, Throné, was staying.
Maolcholm remained uncertain about meeting the assassin, fearing that he could easily be walking into an ambush. It could result in anything: capture, torture, or death. Any of those could lead to his enemies learning of Ferdiad's plan to gather allies and thus endanger Lhan, Breezeport and Ironfell.
But on the other hand, if Throné was speaking the truth and that she was a slave seeking her freedom, then he felt he should help her. Not only that, but by cutting off the heads of the Blacksnakes, he'd cripple a guild of assassins and thieves comprised of slaves while also earning the thief her own freedom. But all that depended on whether she was telling the truth or not, though as Throné had stated before back in the stables, she could've killed him when she had the chance and chose not to.
"Good to see you made it," Throné spoke, having stepped outside and seen the Warwolf approach. This time, Maolcholm kept his left hand on the hilt of Winterfang, not wanting to be taken by surprise a second time. Throné noticed this, though her stoic expression left the Warwolf unsure of her reaction to this gesture.
"You wanted to speak with me," Maolcholm brought up. "You wish for you and I to travel together?"
"Let's go inside first," Throné insisted, leading the Warwolf into the inn's dining area.
Though it was crowded, it was rather quiet as the patrons either drank, spoke among themselves or played gambling games of cards and dice. The bar was full of Icehaven soldiers, drinking the best ale and eggnog the Blue Mountain Inn had to offer while the more common patrons sat at the tables. In one of the tables close to the corner sat Temenos Mistral, Throné's traveling companion since the two met in Winterbloom, who caught sight of his thieving companion and who he presumed to be the Warwolf.
"Throné," Temenos greeted his companion as she and Maolcholm approached the table, Throné sitting beside Temenos and Maolcholm sitting across from them.
"So you're her traveling companion?" the Warwolf questioned.
"Yes, I am Temenos," Temenos stated. "So, you're the Warwolf Throné spoke of? Pardon me, but I thought you'd be...older." Maolcholm looked at the Cleric with a blank expression.
"I'm twenty-seven," he spoke. "Throné said she feels we can be of use to each other and I've decided to hear you two out."
"Thanks," Throné responded. "Let's cut to the chase."
Throné proceeded to explain their situation to the Warwolf, how she was hunting down the heads of the Blacksnakes which took her to Winterbloom where she attempted to kill Father. However, she had failed in the attempt and he told her not to look for him until he felt she was ready. Temenos found her outside and used his Clerical light magic to heal her non-fatal injury inflicted by Father's dagger. She was now searching for Mother, heading to the town of Oresrush in the Wildlands as she often sought new recruits for the Blacksnakes there.
As for Temenos, he was investigating the murder of Pontiff Jörg of Flamechurch. He had only one lead: a theologian named Lucian, who had met with the Pontiff before his untimely and violent demise at the hands of a Felvarg. He had found out that Lucian resided in Canalbrine, located in the Harborlands north of Breezeport and was heading there as he was the only clue Temenos had to discovering more behind the Pontiff's death.
"So right now, you two are heading in the same direction I am," Maolcholm stated. "I'm heading to Breezeport."
"No doubt on a mission for the North Star," Temenos deduced. "Throné was kind enough to inform me about how she knew you."
"Then I trust you understand why I'm rather cautious," Maolcholm brought up.
"That's understandable," Temenos acknowledged. "The Blacksnakes were hired to kill you and your comrades within the organization. To be honest, I didn't think you'd come at all, especially after Throné told me you recognized her as a Blacksnake." Temenos then smirked deviously.
"Or perhaps you were charmed by her beauty~?" Maolcholm glared at the Cleric with annoyance at the insinuation.
"I keep my brain above the belt, thank you."
Throné felt a bit of relief at that statement. She knew she was very beautiful, a fact she had used in the past during her heists and assassinations; one wink from her and any young man would be smitten by her. If the Warwolf had come merely because he was smitten by Throné's beauty, then she would've thought less of him after hearing so much about him. But with that in her mind, she became more convinced that he would make a trustworthy ally.
"If we did travel together, it'd only be as far as Canalbrine or Breezeport," Maolcholm stated. "I have no business in the Wildlands; once I'm done in Breezeport, I'm going to Lhan."
"Lhan?" Temenos questioned.
"A clan in Hinoeuma," Maolcholm informed. "So our traveling together would be very temporary."
"Though that shouldn't stop us from being allies," Throné brought up. "We can still help each other out when possible."
Throné and Temenos brought up valuable points to the Warwolf. Even they weren't always traveling together, they could still find allies with each other in their journeys and, depending on Osvald being able to secure passage to the Harborlands, Maolcholm would need allies he can trust. But the question remained: were Throné and Temenos allies he could trust? Perhaps they were, but he needed to be sure.
"Okay...let's say I agree to this," Maolcholm started. "I want both of you to understand that if I travel with you, I'm not compromising nor ignoring my mission for either of you. I won't go into detail, but my mission for the North Star is a very important one."
"You're misconstruing our intentions," Temenos replied. "We don't wish for you to remain on our hip the whole journey, though based on what Throné said of you, it would undoubtedly be helpful...but I digress. We merely wish for the three of us to be allies to each other when needed."
That wasn't exactly what Throné had in mind. She thought that perhaps Maolcholm could be convinced to be their constant traveling companion as having a warrior by their side would be of great help to them. However, that clearly wasn't the case as he made it clear that he had his own mission to accomplish and wouldn't compromise it for either of them. Luckily, instead of annoying her, she respected Maolcholm's firm stance on what he was doing.
"We help each other when needed," Throné stated. "For now, we travel together to the Harborlands and from there, we help each other when we're needed."
Maolcholm remained quiet after hearing out both Throné and Temenos, considering their points of helping each other out in their journeys. Odds are, he wouldn't run into any North Star members during his journey to Breezeport and Lhan as he knew their primary hideouts were in the southern Wildlands and the Leaflands near a town called Greenvale. He couldn't deny that allies would be of a great benefit to him, even if he wasn't always with Temenos and Throné and especially since Osvald intended to strike off on his own.
"Very well," he agreed. "If we need help from each other, we'll do so. But first, which ship are you going on? Are you going on the Windstrider?"
"We will...once we have enough money," Temenos brought up. "But we're glad you're willing to travel with us, Maolcholm. I already feel much safer knowing you're our ally."
"Then we'll depart on the Windstrider together," Maolcholm stated before rising from his seat. "Both of you take care." He then left the Blue Mountain Inn, leaving Throné and Temenos by themselves.
"I honestly doubted he'd agree," the Cleric spoke. "But doubt is what I do, after all."
"I didn't think he'd come when he identified me as a Blacksnake," Throné admitted. "But at least we were able to convince him."
"You're awfully trusting for a thief," Temenos remarked. "I would've thought you'd be suspicious of everyone."
"I'm only cautious enough to know what risks aren't worth taking," Throné spoke. "And speaking to him was worth the risk."
"Thank you," Osvald spoke graciously to Anna after she handed him a large scarf to cover his shackle and chain. "You've been very kind to me, Anna."
"I wouldn't have made it back without you and Maolcholm," Anna replied. "But what will you do if you don't raise the money to get to the Harborlands?"
That was the question Osvald needed to answer. He'd have to buy new clothes to replace his prison rags; even though there were no wanted posters of him, he couldn't afford to take the risk and be identified as an escaped convict from Frigit Isle. That would undoubtedly cost him quite a bit of money and he'd need to raise more to cover his price to the Harborlands. Who knows when the next ship to depart to the Harborlands would arrive, especially since the trip between the two Solistian continents was a week at the shortest.
Mugging was out of the question as it'd draw the attention of the Icehaven guards...but then again, there was unrest in the city due to the opposing ideals of Icehaven's government. Perhaps if he could find an opening, he could find someone and mug their money. As long as he got the leaves he needed for the Harborlands, he couldn't care less of how he got it; all that mattered was finding Harvey and avenging the deaths of his family.
"All I ask is that you lead an honorable life from here on out."
Those were the last words an elderly scholar told Osvald after giving him a trench coat to keep him warm in Cape Cold. But what honor was left in the scholar who had spent five years in the Frozen Hell? Everything he had was gone, taken by Harvey. His family was burned alive while Harvey laugh with great malice. His research was undoubtedly stolen. He had been framed for the heinous murder of his wife and daughter and openly branded as a criminal. Honor was no longer a luxury he could afford, not when all he had left was the burning fire in his breast demanding Harvey's death.
"I'll think of something," Osvald responded. "Now please pardon me; I must go get new clothes. Where is the market?"
"At the central square," Anna informed. "It's about five blocks from where I live." Before she could give specific directions, Osvald left the house and began walking towards the market to search for clothes.
He didn't require fancy clothes and shoes, only those that would serve the purpose of covering his body and keeping his status as an escaped criminal unseen. It was clear by the lack of wanted posters that he was assumed to have died aboard the inspector's ship that his former accomplice, Emerald, burned down. But there was still the chance he could be identified and if he were, then his five years of planning to escape Frigit Isle would be for nothing.
"I made the mistake of underestimating Warden Davids," Osvald whispered. "If it weren't Emerald...but why did he do it?"
Osvald didn't understand why Emerald set fire to the inspector's ship he wanted to commandeer. While he understood his accomplice's questions about using ice boats to cross a four day journey across the sea to the Winterlands, Emerald should've known that attempting to take control of the ship with all of the prison's guards looking for them would be a terrible idea. What was Emerald's goal? Did he burn the ship to avoid being locked up again?
"Osvald?"
The Scholar suddenly stopped, tightening his grip on his staff at the sound of a male voice calling his name. He turned around, preparing to attack if needed to keep his identity a secret...but instead, his eyes widened in surprise. Before him was someone he recognized, a man around his age with dark red hair, a thick beard, green eyes and clad in a rather elegant scholar's robe.
"Armogastes?" Osvald questioned.
"By the Sacred Flame...it is you..." Armogastes spoke with great shock as he looked upon his former classmate from the Montwise Academy of Scholars. "But...you were in Frigit Isle?"
"Not here," Osvald stated. "We must speak somewhere more privately."
"My house is down the road," Armogastes replied. "Let us go."
"What?" Armogastes gasped after hearing Osvald out. "Harvey framed you?"
"He stood in front of my home as it burned with my family inside," Osvald stated. "He bribed Captain Stenvar to arrest me and claim I was the one who started the fire."
Armogastes let out a quiet breath as he processed what Osvald explained. All this time, the red-headed scholar believed that Osvald had indeed murdered his family, only to realize it was all a lie. Harvey had committed the deed and then framed Osvald for his crime, landing him in Frigit Isle for five years. He shook his head remorsefully, ashamed of having believed the lies put up against Osvald.
"If I had known the truth, I would've testified for your innocence," Armogastes claimed.
"Knowing Harvey, he would've most likely killed you to prevent that from happening," Osvald stated. "He did the same to a man who saw me in the forest when the fire started to keep him from speaking out."
"But why would Harvey murder your family?" Armogastes questioned. "To covet your research is one thing; you were always the envy of many scholars in the academy, Osvald. But murdering your family...?"
During his glory days as a scholar, Osvald was one of the leaders in figuring out Gratton's Hypothesis, the belief in the existence of a seventh source of magic. He and Harvey bonded over their desires to seek the answers to this centuries-long question, with Osvald using mathematics and Harvey studying the blood of monsters. Many scholars would've easily coveted Osvald's immense intelligence and research on the One True Magic.
When Osvald thought back on it, there were times when Harvey spoke of surpassing him. At the time, Osvald believed that it was in good spirits and that they were pushing each other to better themselves as scholars. Only when it was too late did Osvald realize that Harvey's desire to surpass him was envy-driven malice, costing him his reputation, his research, his home, and worst of all, his family.
"Do you know where he is?" Osvald requested to know. "I've no idea where he went after the fire." Armogastes quietly sighed and shook his head.
"No, I don't. I didn't keep in contact with him after you were arrested nor did he reach out. It's possible he returned to Montwise; he did do lectures there at times, though he also did them in Timberain and Breezeport. From what I hear about him, he doesn't stay in one place for too long."
"Then I must get to Conning Creek," Osvald responded. "Captain Stenvar must know where he is."
"What's stopping you...besides those awful clothes?" Armogastes spoke with disgust at Osvald's attire. "Frigit Isle could've learned a thing or two about decent clothes." Osvald shook his head.
"Ever a man with an eye for fashion. Frigit Isle couldn't care less about taking care of its prisoners, regardless if we were guilty or not."
"No wonder they were shut down, then." Osvald's eyes widened in shock at the statement. Did he hear correctly? Was Frigit Isle truly shut down after his escape from the island?
Seeing the shock in his former classmate's eyes, Armogastes explained that after he escaped and the Warden was killed, the inspectors discovered how truly abominable the prison's conditions were as well as learning of the guards' corruption. The deeper they delved into the Frozen Hell's misdoings, the more they were convinced to shut the prison down and relocate the prisoners. By orders of King Zachary of Timberain and Governor Jonathan Churchman of Breezeport, an investigation into Frigit Isle's corruption had begun.
"You could speak out against them," Armogastes insisted. "You were a witness to- Oh, wait, you're technically an escaped-"
"That's not my concern," Osvald bluntly interrupted. "I must find Harvey. And to answer your previous question, I don't have the money for passage to the Harborlands."
"How much do you need?" Armogastes asked. "I'd be willing to lend you the money; consider it my way of saying sorry for believing you were a murderer."
"I need a thousand leaves," Osvald answered. "And you owe me no apology. Actually...what brings you to Icehaven? I thought you were settled in New Delsta." Armogastes's remorseful expression brightened into a great smile as he stood and prepared to show off, most likely his 'fashion choices' that Osvald knew him for.
"Never mind."