Chapter 17: Meeting

Tahir huffed; escorting a trade caravan wasn't what he had in mind for himself, especially since it was what he despised about the Aurora. But the declaration from that sect twelve years ago only steeled him. He had to do it now; everyone had to protect themselves since that sect wasn't doing so anymore. The worst part about it was the sect simply disappearing off the face of the world when it needed them most, especially with the steady rise in creatures shrouded in shadows.

"What does that even mean? 'Ultimate Light can only be found in Ultimate Darkness?' What nonsense." His thoughts usually kept him occupied during the long trips where he acted as an escort for merchants and transports bringing in food from the Holy City of Orion. The famine from years ago seemed to slow down its intensity but was still getting worse. The only places able to grow enough food were Orion and a faraway continent known as the Edeal States.

"Those cowards disappearing didn't help matters at all." Tahir thought, looking over to the cart heavily laden with grain, potatoes, and fresh water. Though Arentia was known for its natural spring of water around the palace, there wasn't enough water to sustain the city's people. Thus, merchants would bring fresh water to supplement what the spring was lacking. Wells dotting the city had either begun to run dangerously low or had begun to foul.

"My friend, are you doing alright? You seem lost in thought." The transport driver asked, scooting over in the seat to better hear Tahir speak.

"It's nothing important. My mind tends to wander during the long journeys." He answered, pulling up his scarf as a gust of wind passed, carrying stinging grains of sand with it. Tahir tied it around his face in hopes that the driver would leave him be, but was sadly disappointed.

"Ah yes, my mind too wanders at times like this. I often think of my son and his family on the Isle of Maples. He has made a good home for himself there…" Tahir absently tuned out the driver, concentrating on his steps in the sand so as not to think about his own wife and daughter.

Yes, time had helped to heal the pain of their loss, but not the ire. His hand reached to his belt where his former friend's dagger hung, reminding him of the vow he took to protect the people and kill the clerics of that cult. His thoughts were interrupted when the foot of the driver punted his shoulder, nearly knocking him into the sand.

"What are you do-"

"Don't get so lost in your thoughts that you forego what I paid you for!" the driver shouted, pointing to something ahead of them. Tahir reached for his dagger and narrowed his eyes to better see the swarm of creatures coming toward them over the dunes. But the more Tahir looked, the more he realized the creatures were approaching them from all sides. The first scorpion-like creature burst from under the sand near the wagon, spooking the horse.

Tahir clambered over the cart, drawing his dagger and plunging it into where he thought the heart would be. The creature reared and squealed in pain, swinging massive claws and a stinger-armed tail, trying to hit Tahir before slumping to the ground. Tahir pulled his dagger out just as a group of impossibly large desert wasps came buzzing down. He swung his dagger left and right, drawing a small sword from his hip and cutting through the wasps with ease.

"GET THIS CART MOVING!" Tahir screamed, jamming his dagger through the chest of another scorpion.

"I can't! There are too many ahead of us!" The driver called back, struggling to keep the horse under his control. Tahir growled as he jumped in front of the horse, stabbing and cutting through the creatures that came at them. As he killed the last insect, he slapped the horse's flank, instantly lurching the cart into motion, making it bolt for the gate of Arentia. Tahir took up a position on the cart, standing haphazardly on a sack of wheat and potatoes, cutting through the wasps and scorpions that came near enough. The cart hit a rock in the path, jolting Tahir off into a waiting scorpion's tail that pierced into his bicep, swelling as poison flooded it. Tahir shouted in pain and anger, slicing through the stinger to cut it off. He began running for the cart as a dozen wasps gave chase. The scorpion's claws snapped at him as he ran but only missed him as he ran until a second scorpion tried to tackle him. The scorpions collided and began to fight as Tahir made it back to the cart, cutting through the wasps that were giving chase.

As they neared the threshold of Arentia, the creatures suddenly stopped pursuing, acting as if they were in pain. Tahir looked back with curiosity at their behavior when he noticed movement on a dune some distance away. It almost looked as if a person dressed in a dark cloak turned and left. Was someone watching them?

The throbbing in his arm brought him back to his current situation. With one quick motion, Tahir pulled out what remained of the stinger and then cut through the skin on his bicep. Thick black goop oozed from it like pus, making him gag as it poured onto the sand. The smell made it even worse; rotting flesh mixed with burning hair. With pure force of will, Tahir squeezed out what remained, sucking out the last bit. Unfortunately, doing so made him vomit.

"Are you alright, my friend? Did one of those creatures get you?" the driver called.

"It's nothing, just a scratch," Tahir answered, wiping his lip and rinsing his mouth with a drink from his water skin.

"That is no scratch. I can smell it from here, and we have a headwind." The driver pressed. Tahir ignored him, taking a cloth from his knapsack and wrapping his arm.

"I'm fine. I'll see a healer once we deliver the food." He barked, noting that his arm was beginning to itch. Maybe it was just the effects of the poison in his arm.

"A healer should be able to give me an antidote, and I'll be fine." He thought. But the sight of that thick black goo pouring from his arm worried him. He'd been stung before, bitten even, but none of the creatures had anything like this. Thinking back over the creatures he had killed, something seemed different about them.

"Now that I think about it, the creatures on the last few escorts I have encountered have also changed." The thought stuck with him until they arrived at the marketplace, where people from all over the city came to purchase the goods within the cart. Within an hour, the cart was empty.

"Well, that didn't last long," Tahir grumbled, absently scratching his arm, taking note that not only was it itching more, but it was beginning to feel warm.

"It never does, my friend. Here is the remainder of your payment." The driver said, holding out a small pouch with coins in it. Tahir grabbed it away, pouring its contents into the pouch on his belt.

"Aren't you going to count it?" the driver asked. Tahir only tied the empty bag up and gave it back to the driver.

"When are you leaving next?" he asked bluntly. The driver waved his hand.

"I won't be leaving for another couple of days. But there is a merchant friend of mine named Halsar. I received a message from him asking if I knew of any mercenaries that would do him a favor."

"What's he paying?"

"He didn't say, but knowing him, he's paying well. I received the message while I was in Orion, and he said that by the time we returned, he would be renegotiating a trade deal with the king for transporting food from the Edeal States. He might even still be in the palace." Tahir nodded with an agitated sigh. He didn't like merchants to begin with; they were all greedy, fat men. But the work would keep his mind busy, which Tahir wanted.

Once he had signed his contract with the driver, signifying the job was complete, he headed straight to the healer's. His sting wound was beginning to ache, and the itching was so bad that he had scratched his skin raw. It was a deep internal itch, unreachable from the surface of his skin.

"Something worse is going on here." He thought. The healer gave Tahir an antidote and put ointment on the wound, calming the itching and burning. Additionally, the healer gave him a small jar of salve to apply until the wound had healed over. With that taken care of, he went to the palace, searching for the driver's merchant friend. He was allowed in, escorted by the captain of the guard, Tigun, to the conference room, where two more guards stood on either side of the finely carved door.

"He should be in here. The conference is still in progress, but you can be allowed in. Should you need anything, please tell the guards," Tigun instructed before returning to the main gate. Tahir nodded his thanks and entered, taking a seat in the back and scanning the room of those present. There was the king and queen, the prince, what appeared to be an advisor or two, and a chubby, wealthy-looking man sitting across from the king and queen.

Tahir drowned out the conversation with his thoughts, which turned to the creatures he had faced. There was something ghoulish about them, almost as if they weren't alive. And the smell they exuded if you got too close: the pang of rotting meat and old wood. What would cause such a thing to happen to live creatures? His thoughts were interrupted when the meeting ended, and the wealthy man began walking toward the door.

"Excuse me, would you happen to be Halsar?" The man stopped, and half nodded, half bowed to him.

"I am he. What can I do for you, good sir?"

"I was sent here by a friend of yours. He tells me that you are having some trouble with your trade route and are looking for some way to alleviate that problem." Halsar smacked his lips as he began speaking once more.

"Ah, yes. Walk with me to my office, I will explain on the way." Halsar smiled, holding his hand forward for Tahir to walk through the door before him.

"As my friend has said, I am having trouble with my trade route to Arentia. And while I do need help with it, it does not solve the larger problem."

"I don't like riddles. What is it that you need?" Tahir asked, already regretting taking up the offer for the job. Halsar looked to him for a moment, then let out a hearty laugh.

"I like your fire. What is your name?"

"I am Tahir."

"Very well then, Tahir. The larger problem is the creatures that have been attacking not only my wagons but also fellow merchants and friends of mine. It has steadily been getting worse. What I need you to do is find someone for me." Tahir raised an eyebrow as they neared Halsar's merchant office, standing at the door as he reached into his coat and pulled a finely crafted brass key from it.

"I'll have you know that while I do, on occasion, kill, I am not an assassin." Halsar opened the door, looking back at him with a horrified look.

"Good heavens! No! I am asking you to search for someone who could stop this whole thing." Halsar exclaimed, lighting a lamp and quickly lighting others around the main room where they had entered. Tahir narrowed his eyes; there had been a group that promised that very thing nine years ago. Was there another man besides them?

"Have you heard of one called 'The White Mage'?" Halsar asked. Tahir searched his memory for mention of the name, but nothing came to mind.

"That name doesn't sound familiar."

"He was said to have been a great mage, helping people whenever possible. He was a mage who could use light as his power; it was said he could even touch the sun and not burn. He could stop these creatures from making trouble for all of us merchants. But no one knows where to find him or even if he exists. Some say they've met him, a few even living here in Arentia, but so much time has passed that many consider him a mere folk tale." The mention of light made Tahir sneer to himself, still holding on to the rage he harbored towards that sect.

"And you want me to go and find him. If this man is as great as you say he is, why would he want to work for you? Why would he even consider it?"

"For something as sweet as the clink of money, anyone would do anything. Wealth is a weakness shared by all, even myself, ha ha ha!" Halsar laughed. But Tahir kept a straight face.

"If you find him, bring him back here, and I will pay you three times your weight in gold. Here is a down payment for supplies and traveling expenses." Halsar chortled, holding out a large bag of coins and dropping it in Tahir's hand. It was at least twice what Hilda had paid him, and he still had most of that on him. But searching for someone like this White Mage without any leads could be a difficult and long journey.

"Very well, I accept. Payment will only come if and when I find him and bring him back here to you."

"Then let it be." Halsar bellowed, holding out his hand as Tahir shook it firmly, then signed a contract the merchant drew up. Tahir then took a day to gather supplies, ensuring he had food and water to last at least a week's worth. However, it came at quite a cost since the foodstuffs were carefully rationed. As he gathered supplies, he made small talk with the townspeople, finding out who it was that had supposedly met this illusive "White Mage" and where he might be found.

Some of the stories he heard said he was a lover of the last fairy in Usoria, living near a massive tree in the continent's center. Others said that he had traveled to the forests of Elinda, west of that central tree. Still others said that he had disappeared into a wooded area near the East Dragon Forest. It may take him the whole year to search that much ground alone.

"Then again, this is for the greater good." He muttered, just as the sun was coming up the next day. He put on his backpack, locked the door to his house, and set out for the rumored central tree. The food he had purchased would be enough to see him to a trading post to the north, but it would be a lonely journey. Luckily, there were other merchants or travelers at the post who were heading in the direction Tahir was going. While traveling with them, he asked about their knowledge of the White Mage. Some offered information directing him towards the East Dragon Forest. Most only repeated legends or told new ones that he hadn't yet heard.

The central tree left him speechless at its size, learning it was said to be the home of the Deity of Life, Haim. With some careful wording and a little bit of luck, he found Haim himself. After some conversation, Tahir found that Haim personally knew The White Mage, confirming many of the leads he had heard; it was to the East Dragon Forest that he would need to go.

"The White Mage has quite the lofty ambition in healing the world. If he succeeds, it will be a better life for us all." the deity grinned.

"So the rumors are true," Tahir muttered, holding his chin in thought.

"That they are."

"Then this "white mage" really does exist in the East Dragon Forest?"

"Oh, yes, very much so. The last I've seen, he made his home within a section of it called The Forest of Peace." Haim smiled, seeing that Tahir looked to want something more. It only took a glance to know what was on Tahir's mind.

"I can see you're holding on to something; please, don't-"

"If you are the deity of life, then I have a request to make of you." Haim sighed heavily; he could see the brokenness this man carried, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"I'm sorry, Tahir, but I can't."

"You don't even know what I'm going to ask you!"

"You want me to bring your wife and daughter back to life, right? I am sorry, but that is something I cannot do."

"And why not?! You're the Deity of Life! It's yours to command!"

"If it were within a short time after their deaths, I could. But many years have passed since then, and their life forces have been absorbed into the Erdas Flow. They are far beyond me now."

"Then give them a new life force! It can't be that hard for you to do!" Haim lowered his brow, a spark of something deep in his eyes igniting and a presence weighing on Tahir, making him step back slightly.

"Yes I could create a new life force, but they would no longer be your wife and daughter: in body, yes, but they would have no memory or love for you. Could you endure that? Could you survive watching your wife fall in love with another man? Could you endure your daughter never acknowledging your love for her?" Tahir's whole being slumped, imagining what it would be like to have them revived, but not returned to him.

"Then why did you let them die in the first place?" Tahir asked with a growl. It was Haim's turn for his being to slump, falling back into a chair made of branches.

"The power that took their lives is beyond my ability. There is a darkness in the world, and the White Mage is the one trying to heal it. I'm sorry, but it is true." he offered reaching out for his shoulder when Tahir shrugged him off, glaring to the east.

"The answers you seek lie with the White Mage in the Forest of Peace." Haim finally said, watching as Tahir stomped away, his fists tight as he returned to the merchant staging area, looking for someone traveling to the East Dragon Forest.

For the next three months, Tahir offered his blade in service to many merchants and travelers heading in the general direction he aimed for. Many times, his travels and contracts would bring him close to his goal, only to take him away again. At last, he stepped to the forest's edge in the abandoned city of Leafra. So many travels had brought him to this point, as well as many stories from many people about the White Mage helping them in their time of need.

"Perhaps there is more to this than mere legend." Tahir chuckled to himself. Regardless of his arrival, there was still a vast forest to search according to the maps that he brought with him. And that could take years, time he felt he didn't have. There was also the reminder of his arm as he reached up to absently massage it. Over time, he had been applying the salve to ease the itching, but the antidote he had received either wasn't working or there was more damage to his arm than he realized.

Every time he pulled away the bandage to apply more salve, he would notice there were wet flakes of something within the wound. Sometimes, he swore he could see tiny wisps of ash drifting up from the wound. It may not be good, but it wasn't slowing him down either.

"I should start by looking for that fairy that was his lover. She might know where to find him." He thought, trying to determine where a fairy like that would even be. Every fairy had been exterminated well before he was born; at least, that is what he thought. For three days, he searched for any sign to indicate where this fairy was, finally leaning against an old and split tree to catch his breath. No sooner had he begun to lean against it than it moved away. Light began to emanate from cracks in the wood, giving the whole place a chilling blue-green glow.

"What is your business in the forest, human?" A low, resonant voice asked. The tree turned around, revealing glowing eyes. Tahir backed away in a leap, drawing his dagger, ready to fight.

"I-I-I-I- come seeking the White Mage. I was told that I might find him here." The tree creature creaked as it turned to face him full on, its long arms swinging to the front, where carvings created a vest-like design on its body.

"It has been many moons since I have heard that name. But alas, you will not find him here."

"Then, can you tell me where I can find him?" Tahir asked, his hand still shaking, barely holding on to his dagger.

"The last I spoke to him, he had moved into the Forest of Peace. It is there that almost no light shines and where he said it was best to study Darkness. " The creature creaked, pointing east through the trees that had grown tightly together, even more so further in.

"Thank you. I shall be on my way then." Tahir answered, poking himself twice before finally being able to sheath his dagger. The creature said nothing, only watching as he moved through the trees. Three more days passed of him trekking through the forest, but his going was slow, and he began to see creatures shrouded in a black mist. They smelled the same as the creatures he had encountered in the desert, but these were made of inanimate objects: rocks, trees, mosses, and mushrooms.

"What could make something like this?" He thought, trying to avoid them. Some of the creatures found him, instantly becoming violent. After fighting them off, he began noticing the dull ache in his arm was becoming more and more of a throbbing pain.

Tearing off the bandage, Tahir was surprised to see the flesh around the wound had become black. The rest was cherry red, swollen, and beginning to ooze pus. From inside the wound, black flakes of ash began to float out. Taking a flint and steel out of his bag, Tahir lit a small branch and held it to his dagger, heating the blade to cut away the blackened flesh. He would also dig out pockets of wet ash and sear the bleeding flesh closed.

It took a few rounds of heating, digging, and pressing, but eventually, he cut it all off. After tearing off a clean strip of cloth from one of his spare shirts, he wrapped the wound once again. The flesh was still tender, but at least now it didn't ache as badly. On through the forest, he trekked, miles upon miles behind him with unknown miles before him. More and more of the ghoulish creatures began to appear around him, and each time, he would fight them off. But the further Tahir traveled, the more he began to feel an anger burning within him.

Thoughts of his wife and daughter came to him as each swing of his dagger became harder and wilder against the underbrush and against the creatures he faced. Sweat ran from his brow, running into his eyes until he couldn't tell which was sweat and which were tears. Still, the miles passed; still, the creatures came, and still, the rage and sorrow welled within him. The burning in his arm eventually returned, this time even more intense than it had been before.

He was about to try and cut away the blackened flesh again, but as he worked, the flesh would just begin to darken as quickly as he cut it away. Ash started to constantly float up from the wound, slowly infesting the rest of his arm as he crawled through the underbrush. Eventually, he lost the ability even to lift his arm as whatever was eating away at his muscle burned away enough that he could see his bone. Blood began to leak from the surrounding skin as an aggressive infection spread up his arm.

As he walked, his steps became heavy, dragging along the ground, catching on vines and branches. With each step, his feet became heavier and his head lighter, swaying as he walked until he finally collapsed to the ground. He tried to sit himself upright, but all the strength in his body had since left him.

"Is this it? Am I going to die here? How pathetic." He thought, reaching up to his chest and holding up the locket, popping open the cover to see his wife and daughter again.

"Talea, Farah. I'll be seeing you soon." He whispered, as his blurring vision caught sight of another shadowy creature coming towards him, fangs dripping with thick black liquid. Closing his eyes, he waited for the creature's fangs to plunge into his skin. Instead, he heard a loud hum blow past him, annihilating the creature in a blaze of white light. Tahir was too weak to turn his head, but as his awareness faded, he saw what appeared to be a man in a black robe walk up to him.

"Please, sir, I need… to find… the White… mage." Tahir passed out, dropping his head to the ground. The man smirked, leaning down and pulling the black and silver cloak from around him to use as a blanket for the man on the ground.


Tahir stirred to awareness with a slow groan. His arm still had a dull ache in it, but he couldn't feel the hole that was in it before. Opening his eyes more, he found himself in what appeared to be an expensive-looking room. He was dressed in clean linens, and his clothes lay beside his bed, washed and folded neatly on the floor.

He was about to leave the soft bed when the door opened, and a man with long white hair stepped through carrying a tray laden with bottles of colored liquid, herbs, cloth, and a mortar and pestle.

"Oh, you are awake. That is a good sign. If I had not found you when I did, I doubt you would have survived the night. What's your name, and what were you doing so deep in the Dragon Forest?" the man asked. Tahir eyed him carefully, noting that his dagger was with his clothes. But the man seemed unarmed, so perhaps there was no real danger to be worried about.

"My name is Tahir, and I am searching for someone." He answered, looking more around the room.

"This is a rather lavish room for someone living alone," Tahir said with a snippet of disdain. The man smiled, taking a bottle and pouring a clear liquid into the mortar before adding a bit of crushed herbs to it and mixing the two.

"Oh, but I am not alone. There are many Clerics and Acolytes here with me as well. It is my home, yes, but it is far from being only that. Whom are you looking for, if I may ask?" the man asked as he ground the herbs more vigorously. Tahir looked around the room more thoroughly, noticing a symbol on the wall opposite the bed on which he rested.

"I've come here searching for someone called 'The White Mage.' Reliable sources tell me he lives in these woods." Looking more closely at the symbol, he recognized it as the crest of the sect that he so hated: the Aurora.

"You wouldn't happen to know where I could find him, would you? Cleric of the Aurora." Tahir asked with contempt. The man let a dull smile appear on his face as he approached Tahir, took the bandage from his arm, and replaced it with a mixture-soaked cloth. Tahir noticed that his wound was nearly healed, save for what appeared to be a small circular scar.

"I am Dane, Leader of the Order of Aurora, known also as The White Mage. Welcome, Tahir."