Note: Hello all! Sorry for the delay! I'll admit that I'm super into one of my other projects right now and want to get to a particular spot before I take a bit of a break. But in the meantime, I thought I could at least get this chapter typed out. It may be a bit shorter, but it does serve a purpose.
Laying out Strategies
"So, it seems we agree that Altena should be our first destination," Riesz said, the other five youths nodding. "Then first thing's first: we need a general idea of the environment." she then turned to Angela.
"I've spent my entire life living in what was an eternal Spring. The only time I've been outside of the castle's grounds was when I first escaped." the Altenan Princess admitted. Angela thought that perhaps the little snowfall that occurred before she was forced to flee was the first time she had ever seen snow for herself.
"The terrain is not forgiving if you aren't prepared." King Richard suddenly spoke up. "Altena is a country not known for its warm temperatures, yet up until recently, it was still subject to the cycle of seasons."
"It was?" both Angela and Victor asked in unison, baffled to hear this.
"Around the time after Valda had become queen, but I assume before you were supposedly born," Alma interjected, noticing Richard's eyes fall on the violet-haired magician. He knew she had seen it, but the former amazon captain said nothing. "The terrain outside of the kingdom's borders was slowly plunged into a neverending Winter. True, the people there have adapted and found ways to survive, given the already harsh Winters Altena is notorious for, but they cannot rely on shipments from other countries forever. Especially now that they are considered an enemy."
Angela was quiet, Duran noticing she kept her eyes down. Her long bangs concealed her face from the angle he was looking at her. "So that's why they needed someone so soon…" she muttered to herself. Neither Duran nor anyone else could hear her, yet Faerie and the Elementals heard the Princess. "Out of convenience…" her gloved hands formed into fists, her knuckles turning white from underneath the indigo fabric. "Somebody's life for…that?"
Though Riesz didn't hear the fellow royalty either, she could sense that such information wasn't exactly pleasing to hear. Nevertheless, any loss was a weight on the soul; the young Queen could empathize very well.
"Well, then the first thing to do is get some disguises." the violet-haired Princess suddenly spoke up. "And they'll have to be fitting for the weather because I doubt it's gotten any warmer since I've been gone."
"Lucky for you, we came prepared." Alma then said. "We suspected that you would have to infiltrate that land eventually, so," Alma then snapped her fingers, and two amazonian soldiers came in carrying two sets of thick, heavy robes and cloaks, along with hats. The two women set the clothing on the table and then left the room.
Angela looked the garments over, noting how they looked like the thick, heavy coats the citizens of Alrant wore. One set was pure white with red, teeth-like lining on the hood, sleeves, and lower section, while the other was dark blue. The other set bore no hoods but instead had bright, yellow, wide-brimmed hats that greatly contrasted with the dark fabric of the cloaks. "Yes, these are perfect," she said, running a gloved hand over one of the darker-colored garments. She then turned her gaze to Alma. "Thank you." she then turned to Riesz. "You have a good handmaiden." she smiled. And I'm sure you appreciate her more than I did mine. Even if he was my… She collected herself. There was no time to lose self-control. There was work to do.
The young Queen was baffled by what she had just seen. Perhaps it was a baseless assumption, but Riesz had always viewed Angela as being in this quest for herself. True, the amazon had gone to Wendel and subsequently join Duran for her own interests, yet her people and Elliot were always at the forefront of her mind. Furthermore, Angela had outright admitted she joined to become stronger in her abilities, yet now, Riesz was unsure if such a goal mattered at the moment.
Perhaps I've misjudged you. She thought. Perhaps we all have.
"Jose had given me the directions to the cavern," Victor spoke. "Well, in a manner of speaking."
"It'll have to do," Riesz responded. "Please, go on."
He then held a digit down to the map laid out on the table. He then closed his eyes and concentrated, remembering what he had memorized from Jose's words. A small, glowing trail was created wherever he dragged his digit across the paper. It started from the shoreline by Alrant, then past the castle and to a distant, far-off portion of the country. Finally, Victor stopped at the base of a large mountain. "After the Peddan War, the Water Stone was moved here," he explained. "Yet when the kingdom began draining Mana from the rest of the country to maintain an ongoing Spring, this area became engulfed in ice. Mysteriously enough, though, there is just enough space for one to walk into the cavern." It was almost like it was prepared for when the time came for it to be "fed."
Altena
When he saw a ship steadily making its way into the harbor, the harbormaster immediately suspected that there was something afoot. Since the Queen's decision to invade the other countries, no shipments were coming in, and the old, bearded man of the sea was growing worried. There was a time when the seasons occurred naturally in this land; he remembered that time when he was a child. Yet if things continued the way things were, Alrant and several other lands would be left without basic necessities to survive.
"Hello?" the Harbor Master called out, the ship now right in front of him. "Hey, who's there? I want to speak to the captain!"
Suddenly, muscular, tan-skinned humanoids leaped off the vessel and landed on the dock. The Harbor Master tried to run but was quickly apprehended, more and more of the feral-looking men making themselves known. The whole ship had essentially transported enemy forces right at Altena's doorstep! Finally, the ship docked, and the rest of the troops disembarked, Ludgar dragging the ship's captain out and throwing him to the ground beside the Harbor Master.
"So," Ludgar began, predatory eyes scanning the small settlement that was Alrant. "This is the home of the Queen of Reason," he said aloud. "Well then," he then presented a toothy grin. "Well, unfortunately for her, I have no interest in reasoning anything!" the beastman then turned to the others of his kind. "Go search everywhere! Find the Mayor or whoever is in charge!"
The other beastmen scattered, running towards the small number of warm homes to combat the ever-increasing cold. Ludgar looked down at the two humans beneath him, both men still and silent, as if they were a pair of rabites staring into the face of their killer before they were ripped to shreds. The harbormaster and captain had expected that they would receive the same treatment, yet the blonde beastman passed them by.
"W-Wait." the captain, the human that the beastmen had taken hostage, called after Ludgar. "Is...is that it?"
Ludgar turned to the puzzled human. "The meat of man isn't exactly appealing," he told the two. "Though we shall partake in re-energizing ourselves with what this town shall provide us, as well as gathering garments better suited for this weather. If you WISH to have me or one of my men split your stomachs open, then-"
Both men immediately clammed up. Seizing the opportunity, they ran away, though there was nowhere to go. The icy tundra resting outside of the village would indeed claim them after a short amount of time, so they had to endure whatever the soldiers of Ferolia planned to unleash on all of Alrant. Ludgar made his way towards the settlement, grimacing when his bare feet met the dense white power covering the ground. Yes, he would need some warmer clothing, if not just to keep his toes from falling off. Still, the two humans he had just set free were on his mind, only to be quickly replaced by that damned jester. His words STILL stuck with Ludgar, no matter how much he debated with himself on their validity.
I AM capable of leading King Gauser's troops! he mentally roared. And unlike that twig-limbed mad clown, I have no NEED to devour the souls of others! I can rely on my own strength! Yes, he told himself. He was put in charge by His Majesty Himself, and the beastman also seized Jadd before those blasted youths, and the little princeling came in with those miserable little cretins and took it back! Princeling. Heh, I wonder what's become of you. Where are you now? Are you even still alive? Even if it was likely, Kevin wasn't, given his general nature, though the thought of it didn't sit well with Ludgar. Yes, he hated that pathetic little welp, but he wasn't too confident if he could say he wanted the weakling dead.
Not yet anyway. For should Ludgar and his Prince cross paths again, then there would be no hesitation or mercy. Only one of them would emerge the victor.
Valsena Castle
"So you don't even know where the Fire Stone is?" Hawkeye asked; King Richard shook his head in response.
"Roget and his allies were in Nevarl when he found the Stone buried in the desert." the bearded monarch explained. "Where it was taken to after the war, neither Alma nor I know."
"Hey, that Mawocchio cweep was on that iswand," Charlotte interjected, standing atop of a stool so she could be at eye level with everyone else. "But the iswand...weww, you know," no one needed to ask what she was talking about. "So it has to be somewhewe ewse. And that pwace wouwd pwobabwy be Nevaww." despite her speech impediment, her words spoke true.
"Though that leaves the question as to WHERE in Nevarl," Riesz said. "If the Stone was taken elsewhere, then where? If it's settled in a place where there's an abundant source of heat, then we may have a problem." she then looked at Faerie, who had situated herself on her host's shoulder. "For the country is already a place notorious for its heat as Altena is for its cold. Being buried underneath the sands somewhere else would be a perfect resting place for it. Even if you can sense the Elemental guarding the Stone, treading a desert is just as hazardous as treading through a tundra. Perhaps even more so." she then turned to Hawkeye as if to receive some confirmation.
"Yeah, there are a LOT of nasty things that live where I live." the thief answered. "True, I know how to avoid and deal with them; everyone in Nevarl has to learn how to survive by the time you're ten," he continued. "But what I'm worried about is that a certain witch is surely keeping a close eye on the country's borders."
"And those of your guild in Nevarl are surely still under Belladonna's control," Riesz added. She said nothing more, but she saw Hawkeye's lips tighten with anger, though he kept it to himself. Though Riesz still had no positive feelings towards them, she could at least empathize with the "loss" of the thief's own people in a sense. "Although," she then said. "I trust that we can rely on you, right?" Hawkeye looked surprised, honey-colored eyes gazing into the amazon's deep blues. "After all, the best thief in all of Nevarl," she leaned closer to the thief. "And charmer of a certain someone's Aunt," she whispered, getting satisfaction in how she managed to make this self-proclaimed "ladies/ man's" cheeks turn red. Wait, what? What was she thinking? There was no time for that! "Ahem! What I mean is," Riesz began again, clearing her throat. "Given your title, I would assume that you know a plethora of secret paths we can take, right?"
Now it was his turn. "You just read my mind," Hawkeye told her. "Though I wouldn't expect anything less from Laurent's Queen." the young woman's reaction was not what he expected. Instead of breaking out into a blush, she seemed to be taken off guard by what she had just heard. She didn't appear angry or distressed, yet the comment still rendered her speechless for a few moments.
"Yes, well," Riesz finally broke the silence after she regained her composure. "Given we will surely be heading there, we'll need a way in." she then pointed to the map on the table. "Once we reach the shoreline away from the shipping yard, I shall leave the navigating to you."
Seeing that it was his turn to speak, Hawkeye composed himself as well, though he would have to address the amazon's reaction later.
Nevarl
Search in the heart of the Mountain of Fire. that was what Flamekhan had told Belladonna, yet it was the only bit of information she got out of him. She lived up to her word, and Jessica would be spared of Malocchio's advances. For now. However, Belladonna had no intention of not making some sort of use out of the girl. So far, aside from serving as leverage against Hawkeye, Jessica was useless. And since the other "children" were still with the little bird, they surely knew the truth by now. Damn wench. She hissed to herself, the little amazon Queen coming to mind. If not for her word, the others probably wouldn't have been swayed, so Belladonna saw fit to thrust most of the blame on her. Oh, I will have to plan something very, VERY special for you.
Suddenly, she became aware that she wasn't alone. A dark shadow traveled along the stone floor before it "stood", her vampiric ally's shape steadily forming until he resembled the pale-skinned Malvole Belladonna was familiar with. "Enjoying your throne, my Queen?" Malocchio questioned mockingly, the disguised netherworld dweller sitting upon a throne that was ironically made for Flamekhan to present better the image of establishing a kingdom.
And a kingdom would indeed be made—the kingdom of her dear Majesty. "You're back." she greeted her comrade. "I would've thought it'd take you a week to come crawling around here again."
"I had to shield myself in the shadow of this aquatic beast and wait," Malocchio explained. Those six were so damn close to him, and he could do nothing about it as that web-footed oaf was his only protection from the sun! Belladonna then saw his pale face grow calmer and satisfied after a few more moments. "Nevertheless, perhaps the trip to that accursed island was worth it."
The red-haired woman raised her brow, unsure of what he meant at first. Then she saw a familiar glimmer in his eye, though it didn't speak of pleasantness or hope. Oh yes, he looked delighted, but it was the darkest of delights. And Belladonna knew well what it meant. "Your lust knows no bounds, does it?" she then sighed. "Which one do you want now? I already have the little Princess locked away for you."
"She is a beauty, yes," Malocchio replied. "And so is the violet-haired magician is a lovely specimen," his eyes then glowed red. "But the golden-haired one...I haven't seen one such as herself in a century or two."
"The golden-haired? What are you..." Belladonna paused. "Ah," she realized. "Laurent's new Queen." she held her chin, tapping a long-nailed finger on her lips. "A more dangerous choice than your others, isn't it?"
"Exactly," Malocchio responded.
How he chose his targets, Belladonna didn't understand. There were a plethora of beautiful women that Malocchio had taken, but how he detected which one he "liked" was unknown. She theorized that perhaps it was a scent or pheromone that he could detect that was pleasant to him, or carnal urges could've just influenced him. Or maybe it was something more, for she couldn't understand why Malocchio would have any interest in the blonde young Queen. "Well, that's tough luck because I can't afford to go and get you another woman. If you want her that badly, then you'll have to seek her out yourself." Belladonna responded. "Besides, there are far more pressing matters at hand. Specifically on the location of the Fire Stone, as well as its sacrifice."
"Why does that need to be a hard decision? All that matters is that the Benevodon gets to taste blood! It doesn't matter whose!" Malocchio argued back. "If anything, I'm surprised that you won't use that old fossil that leads these desert rat wretches." the vampiric being scoffed. "He has little left of his life, so there's never been a better time. And it'd certainly establish you as the real head of this little kingdom."
Belladonna shook her head. "True as that may be, it still leaves a problem."
"What sort of problem could there be? The solution is simple! Just pick one of these urchins and bring them to the Stone!"
Yes, the solution was indeed simple, but Malocchio's answer didn't satisfy his feminine ally. No, she wished to send a message. Not just to Hawkeye but to the rest of those children and anyone else that would dare try to rise against Nevarl. And in turn, against her Dark Majesty. But Malocchio was right about one thing: she had to make a decision soon. While she had yet to speak with her Majesty recently, the disguised Malvole knew that his condition was growing worse. They would need the boy soon. But simply sacrificing Flamekhan wasn't good enough! And if those other five with Hawkeye knew the truth, then holding Jessica meant nothing! Nothing was stopping her from using the little Princess as a sacrifice, yet she knew that Malocchio would never agree to that.
Not unless she brought him what he wanted.
"I'm glad you've mentioned your newest little object of desire," Belladonna spoke. "Because I believe I can set you two up."
Malocchio raised a brow. "How so?"
The red-haired woman rose from the throne. "Surely you've realized that she'll come here, right? Along with the rest of those she and Hawkeye are with. We both have the same goal." she explained. "Of course, that leaves the issue of just how this is going to work out." she would have to concoct a plan soon, but she already had an idea forming in her mind, and so far, she liked what she was thinking.
"What about the sacrifice?" Malocchio questioned. "If you can bring the golden-haired girl to me, then you can do whatever you wish with Flamekhan's daughter."
"No, I have a better candidate," Belladonna said, a smile forming on her features. "In fact, they'll be perfect."
Valsena
"The biggest obstacle is not how to get in, but how to avoid the beasts that lurk in these woods," Riesz said, her finger resting on the Duskmoon Forest on the map. "I would assume that a place where the sun never shines means that there's no restriction on when beastmen can transform."
Kevin nodded. "It's the one place in the world where they," he paused. "Well, I can do that willingly. Luna's light is gentle there; we can keep our minds from devolving into a more...animalistic state, I guess you could say."
"Well, that's one thing in our favor," Riesz remarked. "Though your father-" she stopped herself. "Oh, if I may be so bold," Kevin nodded, showing he had no problem with what she had to say. "Your father will surely make sure his land is protected while he invades others. And given the...shall we say, unsavory history beastmen have had with the other races of the world, especially humans, we'd be spotted easily, even with a disguise."
Kevin couldn't deny that. Even if they were not in their werewolf forms, beastmen still had heightened senses that would indeed identify those that didn't share any of their blood. But they needed a way in! Where to go? It was then that the young Prince thought of something, or rather, someone. "But I know somebody who could maybe help us!"
"Then who is that?" Riesz asked.
"She let me use her boat until I got close enough to swim to Jadd so I could get to Wendel," Kevin explained. "Then again, she is just ONE person." he mused, doubting whether or not he should've even spoken up at all. "But she lives in Mintas, which is a farming village in a particular section of the forest. The beastmen there aren't involved in the invasion, so even Ludgar's forces leave them alone."
"Plus, I'd imagine that, war or not, you wouldn't want anyone to take out where most of your food comes from," Angela added.
"Of course, the village may be heavily guarded for that reason." Riesz theorized. "And we would surely be spotted upon Gustav. What to do...?" she pondered aloud. Everyone else contemplated this question as well, knowing that sneaking into Ferolia would most likely be the most difficult to pull off.
Nevertheless, there was no other option but to find a way in.
Ferolia
Duskmoon Forest
Far across the world, however, a select few individuals found a way.
Walking through the dense woods forever trapped in eternal night and the pale light of the moon were two beastwomen, one's hair long and pink, tied in a bun while the other had a purple bob cut. Their attire was similar to that of the other Beastmen with striped cloth and small portions of animal hides sewn together. However, once they had both made it a decent enough way into the forest, their bodies began to change.
"Ugh," the pink-haired beastwoman said, her form steadily fading into that of a very human woman. An Altenan mage to be exact. Compared to what the potion had made her appear as, she had dark-brown hair tied up in a bun, which rested under her hat. Ironically enough, the potion the two had consumed before coming here changed everything but the length of their hair. "Finally, that horrendous glamour's worn off."
The other "beastwoman" had fully transformed as well, her short hair having brightened into a vibrant red. "I don't know if I could stand another moment in the skin of one of those disgusting animals." the red-headed mage said in disgust. "What did Koren put in those glamours anyway?"
"He wouldn't say." the other mage told her partner. "But some are saying that he's used the parts of dragons to make the potion's effects last longer." she then thought for a moment. "That certainly would explain how we were able to change so quickly, as well as the transformation being so convincing."
"What are you talking about?" the red-haired woman questioned.
"Don't you know?" the blonde answered. "No one in their right mind would take on a live dragon, so those in more ancient times had to search for one that had recently died. But even those that had been found dead and already decomposing were stripped of their flesh, meat, claws, teeth, and whatever else more primitive people could tear or cut off."
"Yeah, they're already born with magical properties, aren't they?" the redhead asked.
"Indeed." the blonde said. "Regeneration and transformation are the defining traits of the winged beasts, and their flesh is no different. But, only now, we have found methods for using those qualities more efficiently." the glamours the two mages had taken were a prime example of that.
The two women continued to make their way through the dense, dark woods, their wands illuminating the path before them. "Hey," the redhead began, voice softer to not potentially alert the dangerous beasts that made this place their home. The two women had been sent to Ferolia to locate the Lunar Tower, and in turn, the Mana Stone. The only problem was tracking where the Tower was, as its location was never in one place for too long.
"Do you think maybe that's why Koren was able to become so advanced in magic so soon? After all, Jose-"
"Don't."
The redhead shut her mouth. "But...Koren DID have the same problem our Princess did," she said. "And if the pieces of dragons are coveted for their uses in spells and potions, then who's to say that it couldn't provide someone with a little magic?"
"That's not possible." the blonde told her partner. "The parts of dragons can heal you quickly from grave injury, and in our case, be used as ingredients for a variety of potions, but they cannot just grant someone the ability to use magic," she explained.
"So, are we to assume that Lord Koren just gained such extraordinary powers?" the redhead asked.
"No." the blonde said. "But I would stop asking questions if I were you. Lord Koren has been on edge as of late."
She was still feeling like talking, especially seeing that their search was getting nowhere. "You said something about regeneration, right?" she said. "Wasn't that also how dragons, even if many of their eggs were stolen, stayed alive for so long? Even if they managed to get a few good hits on them?"
"Assuming anyone would be foolish enough." the blonde said. "But yes, a dragon needs only to consume flesh to heal its wounds. There's even a supposed account where a man reported of a dragon that had been heavily wounded. It was also heavily emaciated, bone showing through its skin. It was near death, but it managed to catch and eat one of his cows by chance. Then it retreated into a nearby mountain. Three days later, the man's entire village was burnt to the ground, and he, ironically enough, was the only one left to tell the tale." the redhead was about to reply, but the blonde continued. "That's not all, though. The man also reported that, while it was faint, black spots had somehow appeared on the dragon's scales. Spots very similar to that of the cow it had consumed."
Unknown to them, a slim figure lay hidden in the dense foliage, high up in a tree and watching the two mages as they went along.
"Heh, heh, heh." Goremand chuckled darkly. "Oh, that's not all they can do." once the two women had gone a reasonable distance away, the jester leaped down from the tree. If they're looking for the Tower too, then maybe I should stay on their trail for a little while. The jester, despite the short time he had to get a layout of the land, knew the Duskmoon Forest better than the two Altenans. And while he knew he had to make use of his stealth, Goremand couldn't help but giggle at what the two humans were discussing. "Dragons can indeed do all of those things, but you forget, dearies," the clown muttered. "The flesh of man can have the same effects on them."
Valsena
"And once Luna has been found and recruited, that just leaves Dryad," Faerie said, her eyes on the area labeled The Lampbloom Woods.
"Lampbloom..." Angela muttered, thinking back to the days she had kept herself in Jose's library for hours, reading every bit of text she could. Jose. No, she told herself. She needed to focus. "Wait a moment," she then said at normal volume. "That's where elves live, isn't it?"
"Indeed." King Richard answered. "But their dwelling will not be easy to find. Dior is hidden in the vast forest, and only they know the way in."
"But I've made my way through the Lampbloom Woods before traveling with Roget," Alma spoke up. "And while none of us was able to find the settlement of elves, we did hear a particular piece of information," she explained. "When pure white becomes consumed with fire."
"Consumed with fire?" Kevin asked. "You mean we have to burn down the forest?" it was clear he didn't like that idea at all.
"No, nothing like that," Alma explained. "It's said to be a natural phenomenon that occurs there. What it means, I don't know. But it does have something to do with the natural flora there."
Something with the natural flora. Riesz would keep that information for later. She was about to suggest, but she noticed Faerie appeared concerned. More so than usual. "What's wrong?"
The fluttering woman put her hand on her chest. "I'm worried about Dryad," she confessed. "True, Undine needs us more right now, but still..." she bit her lip hard, the Elemental's safety being in question.
"Well, it's not as if they'll just kill him-" Duran began, but Faerie stopped him.
"Her." Faerie corrected.
"Ok, her. But they won't kill her right away, so that gives us some time."
"No, they'll just drain every drop of Mana there is out of her," she said. "And, while I hate to say it, of all of the Mana Spirits, Dryad cannot be allowed to perish."
"Why?" her host asked.
Faerie turned to him, her face grim. "Because it is from her seed that this world even sprouted." the winged woman explained. "The sun, moon, skies, ocean, animals, plants, all of those things would have no meaning or use without a world to nourish and dwell on. The last of the Spirits to be born, but the one that connects them all, and in turn, connects the world to the Goddess. Without her," Faerie concluded. "There wouldn't be a world TO save."
Lampbloom Woods
She had rooted herself in the ground, a short, tiny tree with full, long, green leaves, living among towering, gorgeous white flowers. She wasn't trapped per se, having the authority to go wherever she wished in this very forest, as it did belong to her. But she found that much of her natural dwelling had become unsafe. The Spirit was beginning to feel quite insecure in her own home, and while she was perhaps jumping to conclusions, she felt that she wasn't alone. She could just be out enjoying the surrounding plant life and natural creatures, reveling in feeling the very Earth she was a part of, giving and receiving nourishment, but then she would feel a cold chill on her back. There was the sensation that there were a pair of unseen eyes staring back at her, watching her, waiting for her.
But if that was the case, then why play this game? Why cause her to have to look over her shoulder for the past few days? Why not just come out and let her see it?!
On second thought, perhaps not. If there was such a beast stalking her, then she wished to be as far as possible away from it. But why now? What was going on in the outside world? Yes, she had sensed that Mana, the very world itself, was growing weaker and more drained of life, but why did it bring such a foreboding presence with it? Was the world in danger? Was the Tree in danger?
Was her Mother in danger?
Before the small tree could ponder anything further, she heard something rustling in the bushes nearby. "H-Hello?" the rustling continued. "Hey, come on out! Do you know who I am?!" she then covered her mouth. Shoot! I probably shouldn't have said that! Now they'll want to eat me for sure!
Before she could even think to call out or try to escape, she felt a large form jump atop of her, followed by others around the same size. Yet instead of her world being engulfed with black, she saw nothing but white.
White...and furry.
Note: No, it is NOT Flammie. Flammie comes later. Thank you all for reading!
