“Stop!” Viola’s voice halted the group. She stuck her nose out of the window and tasted the air.
They were currently a distance away from the entry point they had been forced to take. Mila had just entered the lavishly decorated room after making sure no one was following. From what she could tell, Oscar had found his way to the streets but encountered one of the deserting guards and had found himself in a fight.
The boy had been too loud for his own good. While Mila doubted he would be done in by the rabble choosing to flee, he would be slowed down.
“What is it?” Agata entered the room as well. The scout stepped over a fallen chair. It appeared the owners of the place had left in a hurry, judging by the mess that was on the floor and tables.
It was unknown if it had been of their own volition. Mila couldn’t tell either way. At least there were no signs of fighting, just rush.
Viola took another whiff before giving them a sign to follow. “My comrades.” She gave a short description. “Come.”
The Iron Swords were taken aback - apart from Laura and Verte. They looked at Viola with apprehension but chose not to voice their worries.
It took a lot of caution to cross the street. Only when Agata and Mila gave a sign did the group run to another shelter - one after another. The sun was rapidly setting, making their manoeuvre easier but still risky.
Mila also thought she saw Mr Crow circling above the district centre. Which was worrying if true. Was Andrew jumping right into a dragon's den? He better not be…
Two ruined walls later, they crossed a spacious yard and entered another luxurious building. The mansion was empty as well but left in pristine condition. No signs of panic or rushing were there.
That was until Viola led them into a pantry of sorts, where they found a handful of people resting and tending their wounds.
At first, they reacted with hostility and desperation. They raised their unsheathed weapons, ready to fight, but upon noticing Viola, they fell down where they stood.
Mila didn’t recognise any of them. She settled to wait on the side while Viola clarified the situation. Her eyes fell on a couple of the spies that had suffered the most. They were trying to bandage nasty cuts, and another one had a stab wound in his stomach. Without prompting, Ugum began to treat them.
“What?”
Viola’s surprised voice made everyone turn their heads. She was speaking to a man who was a personification of a butler. He was also the leader of the five people who were taking the shelter here.
“Please, Pepper…” The man looked around, spooked.
“Are there enemies nearby?” The man’s actions caught Mila’s attention. She did another scan and still found nothing.
“Not enemies.” Viola, too, looked uncomfortable but also relieved. “...better and worse…” She mumbled, apparently hoping Mila would hear.
“I didn’t quite catch it. What was that you said?” Mila asked Viola to repeat.
Viola looked around before mouthing something.
“Just speak!” Isabel was done with the theatrics.
“I said-”
“My pleasure to meet you.”
The sudden voice startled Mila. In fright, she launched one of her throwing knives at the new figure standing in the room while falling back.
There had been none! Mila still couldn’t feel anyone! But from how the cloaked figure caught the knife, the body was clearly there and material.
Before the room could devolve into chaos, Viola shouted. “He is my superior!” Her words brought some clarity.
“Here.” The figure threw back Mila’s knife. “You can call me ‘Messenger’.” The male voice informed before turning towards Viola. “Can you feel it, Pepper?”
After catching her knife, Mila studied the man. He was a man, right? The voice was male, but she couldn’t be sure. The figure felt like nothing to her. No matter how she tried, Mila couldn’t catch a glance of what was beneath the hood that covered the figure’s head.
“Feel what?” Viola finally asked. She craned her neck, trying to catch what the ‘Messenger’ had expected her to feel.
“The coldness…” The figure whispered. “So it has no smell…”
Mila felt a chill run down her spine. She had noticed the feeling. The whole day had not brought her any warmth.
“But you have.” The Messenger noticed Mila’s reaction. “Tell me… When did it start? What can you tell?”
“It wasn’t there yesterday.” Mila tried to recall. The Messenger’s presence unnerved her. It had never happened before that she couldn’t read someone. “It’s mostly the sun. It’s… Cold… No warmth.”
“It did bring warmth.” Viola countered. “It wasn’t cold today.” But upon receiving a glance from the cloaked figure, she quieted down.
“Today…” The Messenger pondered Mila’s words. “Anything else?”
“No.” Mila couldn’t shake off the feeling that she was in the presence of a predator. Everyone else was apprehensive of the mysterious figure as well. “Not about the feeling, but…” She glanced at Viola.
“Right!” The spy regained some spirit. “We discovered something new.” She quickly explained the theory of the possible ritual.
Meanwhile, Mila kept most of her attention on the figure while still trying to hear if Oscar had found his way towards them. That or any stray patrols that might be coursing around.
“We must stop them.” The messenger suddenly announced and brought the full extent of Mila’s attention back on him. “The ritual cannot be finished. It will consume the whole town. Us included.”
“What kind of ritual is it?” Mila asked. The Messenger clearly knew more than they did. But she was left disappointed.
“I cannot tell. It is something new. Otherwise, the Inquisitors would not have let it fester for so long. The district is empty. Forces are gathering at the centre. I couldn’t get close. They noticed me.”
That was quite a feat. Mila wanted to know how, but the man was continuing.
“Then a new group arrived. Seven people. Then, two more came. Then you all. Now, there is a small breach in the carefully crafted defences. The City guard will not hold long. The Nobles will grow desperate. They are not ready yet, but soon. Probably with the”
“Sunfall.” Mila realised, and the man nodded. “It’s too dangerous.” She didn’t hesitate to add. Mila and Isabel had no duty to uphold as Viola did.
“I have been looking around.” The Messenger shuffled his feet and walked closer to the window, then looked at the centre of the district. “They have most civilians gathered there. They claimed it was to protect them. Every exit is covered. We cannot get out of Stilag. I fear they plan to use every soul in it to fuel their madness.”
Ugum returned to Laura’s group. He was done with helping the injured. Laura and Verte were frowning, clearly displeased with how the situation was unfolding. “Who are you?” Laura finally asked - not just to the Messenger but also to Viola.
“Who do you think?” Viola shot back. “And is it important?”
Laura paused, exchanged glances with Verte, then shook her head. “It is, but I can live without knowing. Can that ritual do that? Wipe out the city?”
It was a reasonable question. With the information about this branch of magic so scarce, it was no wonder Laura had her doubts.
When the Messenger didn’t reply, Laura looked at Mila.
“Yes. It is possible. Depending on how long the Noble’s have gathered blood, they can kickstart almost anything.” Mila wasn’t happy to explain. She felt like this was a test by the Messenger, but they needed ‘The Iron Swords’ help. And they trusted her words.
Mila furrowed her brows and turned her head towards a distant sound.
“We must move.” The Messanger judged the sound to be notable. “Will you help?”
“Mila?” Isabel touched her girl’s shoulder. “Is what he said true.”
“It… Is…” Mila didn’t deny it.
“We cannot let it repeat…” Isabel whispered. “Not again…”
“Ah,” Mila pulled Isabel in her arms. It was a little awkward, but soon Isabel’s face was buried in Mila’s hair again. “It is a possibility but not a definite one. There is still…”
‘Still’ what? There was no time. They had no strength. They had no information. What could they do?
“They are coming. The Military and Inquisitors. They are gaining ground fast.” The Messanger informed before instructing his people to prepare to leave. The spies would not join them. They would be a liability.
Mila disentangled herself from within Isabel’s arms before meeting her love’s eyes. “We will try. We will fight. We will go and see what can be done, okay?”
It didn’t escape Mila how heavy these words were. But the helpless sadness and fear in her love’s eyes had to be pushed away. And she had succeeded. Isabel’s face regained strength, even if the memories of Ocheon were still hanging above their heads.
Some scars needed time to heal. A luxury they both lacked. Mila gave Isabel another quick hug, then turned around. “What about the seven people you noticed?” She asked the Messenger as he led them out of the building towards another one.
There was a long pause. Mila thought the man would ignore her, but he had taken it to gather his thoughts.
“They are…” The messenger stopped, apparently struggling to put them into words. “These are disciples - apart from one. The organisation is led by ‘Sages’, and that’s what people in the known call them. They gather knowledge. And they…” He looked at Mila. His mouth under the hood became visible. Then, the Messenger mouthed a single sentence.
And it shook Mila’s mind. ‘They seek to discover, learn and create.’ She didn’t miss how the world reacted. The unmistakable feeling of the presence of something higher than her permeated the world. But only shortly, and it soon vanished.
The Messanger nodded. He looked somewhat smug before his mouth once more was obscured by the hood.
“The ritual is something new.” Mila couldn’t help but whisper. “They are here because of that.”
“Possibly.” The Messanger agreed.
The rest of the group looked at them with suspicion, not understanding what had happened. Only Isabel had an inkling of what had transpired. Perhaps Viola, too, as she was wrinkling her nose in displeasure.
“But that is…” Mila tried to wrap her head around it. Silinth had stated with no mistaking - never create something new.
“Dangerous, right?” The Messanger sounded tired. “It is. Knowing of it is as well.” Viola huffed in displeasure and moved further away, still trying to eavesdrop.
The group entered the new building and moved through it. It was another sad display of luxury. The portrays on the wall judged their passing in silence. Mila tried to process the information. If it was something unknown and new, there was also a danger of invoking the wrath of the world.
It was another variable Mila didn’t want to deal with. “What is your plan?” She finally asked, knowing the figure had scouted the path ahead.
“Interfere. Delay. Pick off who we can. Wait for the Military to arrive, then get away.”
“Too many uncertainties.” Mila frowned. “What about those disciples? You said there was a ‘Sage’ with them, yes? How strong are they?”
The Messenger led them through a hidden passage that ended in another yard. They were now close to the ritual place.
“I have not seen a ‘Sage’ fight. Only their disciples. I have heard rumours…” Another pause. The Messanger led them to another empty house. “I wager, if the Sage wanted to stop this ritual, no one could resist.”
Those were dire news. “But they don’t. They want it to happen.”
“They want to learn how.” The Messanger spoke, but there was no certainty in his voice. “They are not an enemy. Not now.”
Mila didn’t believe him. With her luck, this ‘Sage’ would make her life harder. She was sure of it.
Enkiari
Sigh.
Another co-worker (my dad) is down for the count. This time, with back problems. Which means even less time for writing.
Keep yourselves safe, okay? Don’t lift more than you are capable of. Don’t overestimate your strength!
Stay safe,
Tired Enkiari
P.S. SH shows the story is now 1000 pages long. That's a lot of text.
“Stop!” Viola’s voice halted the group. She stuck her nose out of the window and tasted the air.
They were currently a distance away from the entry point they had been forced to take. Mila had just entered the lavishly decorated room after making sure no one was following. From what she could tell, Oscar had found his way to the streets but encountered one of the deserting guards and had found himself in a fight.
The boy had been too loud for his own good. While Mila doubted he would be done in by the rabble choosing to flee, he would be slowed down.
“What is it?” Agata entered the room as well. The scout stepped over a fallen chair. It appeared the owners of the place had left in a hurry, judging by the mess that was on the floor and tables.
It was unknown if it had been of their own volition. Mila couldn’t tell either way. At least there were no signs of fighting, just rush.
Viola took another whiff before giving them a sign to follow. “My comrades.” She gave a short description. “Come.”
The Iron Swords were taken aback - apart from Laura and Verte. They looked at Viola with apprehension but chose not to voice their worries.
It took a lot of caution to cross the street. Only when Agata and Mila gave a sign did the group run to another shelter - one after another. The sun was rapidly setting, making their manoeuvre easier but still risky.
Mila also thought she saw Mr Crow circling above the district centre. Which was worrying if true. Was Andrew jumping right into a dragon's den? He better not be…
Two ruined walls later, they crossed a spacious yard and entered another luxurious building. The mansion was empty as well but left in pristine condition. No signs of panic or rushing were there.
That was until Viola led them into a pantry of sorts, where they found a handful of people resting and tending their wounds.
At first, they reacted with hostility and desperation. They raised their unsheathed weapons, ready to fight, but upon noticing Viola, they fell down where they stood.
Mila didn’t recognise any of them. She settled to wait on the side while Viola clarified the situation. Her eyes fell on a couple of the spies that had suffered the most. They were trying to bandage nasty cuts, and another one had a stab wound in his stomach. Without prompting, Ugum began to treat them.
“What?”
Viola’s surprised voice made everyone turn their heads. She was speaking to a man who was a personification of a butler. He was also the leader of the five people who were taking the shelter here.
“Please, Pepper…” The man looked around, spooked.
“Are there enemies nearby?” The man’s actions caught Mila’s attention. She did another scan and still found nothing.
“Not enemies.” Viola, too, looked uncomfortable but also relieved. “...better and worse…” She mumbled, apparently hoping Mila would hear.
“I didn’t quite catch it. What was that you said?” Mila asked Viola to repeat.
Viola looked around before mouthing something.
“Just speak!” Isabel was done with the theatrics.
“I said-”
“My pleasure to meet you.”
The sudden voice startled Mila. In fright, she launched one of her throwing knives at the new figure standing in the room while falling back.
There had been none! Mila still couldn’t feel anyone! But from how the cloaked figure caught the knife, the body was clearly there and material.
Before the room could devolve into chaos, Viola shouted. “He is my superior!” Her words brought some clarity.
“Here.” The figure threw back Mila’s knife. “You can call me ‘Messenger’.” The male voice informed before turning towards Viola. “Can you feel it, Pepper?”
After catching her knife, Mila studied the man. He was a man, right? The voice was male, but she couldn’t be sure. The figure felt like nothing to her. No matter how she tried, Mila couldn’t catch a glance of what was beneath the hood that covered the figure’s head.
“Feel what?” Viola finally asked. She craned her neck, trying to catch what the ‘Messenger’ had expected her to feel.
“The coldness…” The figure whispered. “So it has no smell…”
Mila felt a chill run down her spine. She had noticed the feeling. The whole day had not brought her any warmth.
“But you have.” The Messenger noticed Mila’s reaction. “Tell me… When did it start? What can you tell?”
“It wasn’t there yesterday.” Mila tried to recall. The Messenger’s presence unnerved her. It had never happened before that she couldn’t read someone. “It’s mostly the sun. It’s… Cold… No warmth.”
“It did bring warmth.” Viola countered. “It wasn’t cold today.” But upon receiving a glance from the cloaked figure, she quieted down.
“Today…” The Messenger pondered Mila’s words. “Anything else?”
“No.” Mila couldn’t shake off the feeling that she was in the presence of a predator. Everyone else was apprehensive of the mysterious figure as well. “Not about the feeling, but…” She glanced at Viola.
“Right!” The spy regained some spirit. “We discovered something new.” She quickly explained the theory of the possible ritual.
Meanwhile, Mila kept most of her attention on the figure while still trying to hear if Oscar had found his way towards them. That or any stray patrols that might be coursing around.
“We must stop them.” The messenger suddenly announced and brought the full extent of Mila’s attention back on him. “The ritual cannot be finished. It will consume the whole town. Us included.”
“What kind of ritual is it?” Mila asked. The Messenger clearly knew more than they did. But she was left disappointed.
“I cannot tell. It is something new. Otherwise, the Inquisitors would not have let it fester for so long. The district is empty. Forces are gathering at the centre. I couldn’t get close. They noticed me.”
That was quite a feat. Mila wanted to know how, but the man was continuing.
“Then a new group arrived. Seven people. Then, two more came. Then you all. Now, there is a small breach in the carefully crafted defences. The City guard will not hold long. The Nobles will grow desperate. They are not ready yet, but soon. Probably with the”
“Sunfall.” Mila realised, and the man nodded. “It’s too dangerous.” She didn’t hesitate to add. Mila and Isabel had no duty to uphold as Viola did.
“I have been looking around.” The Messenger shuffled his feet and walked closer to the window, then looked at the centre of the district. “They have most civilians gathered there. They claimed it was to protect them. Every exit is covered. We cannot get out of Stilag. I fear they plan to use every soul in it to fuel their madness.”
Ugum returned to Laura’s group. He was done with helping the injured. Laura and Verte were frowning, clearly displeased with how the situation was unfolding. “Who are you?” Laura finally asked - not just to the Messenger but also to Viola.
“Who do you think?” Viola shot back. “And is it important?”
Laura paused, exchanged glances with Verte, then shook her head. “It is, but I can live without knowing. Can that ritual do that? Wipe out the city?”
It was a reasonable question. With the information about this branch of magic so scarce, it was no wonder Laura had her doubts.
When the Messenger didn’t reply, Laura looked at Mila.
“Yes. It is possible. Depending on how long the Noble’s have gathered blood, they can kickstart almost anything.” Mila wasn’t happy to explain. She felt like this was a test by the Messenger, but they needed ‘The Iron Swords’ help. And they trusted her words.
Mila furrowed her brows and turned her head towards a distant sound.
“We must move.” The Messanger judged the sound to be notable. “Will you help?”
“Mila?” Isabel touched her girl’s shoulder. “Is what he said true.”
“It… Is…” Mila didn’t deny it.
“We cannot let it repeat…” Isabel whispered. “Not again…”
“Ah,” Mila pulled Isabel in her arms. It was a little awkward, but soon Isabel’s face was buried in Mila’s hair again. “It is a possibility but not a definite one. There is still…”
‘Still’ what? There was no time. They had no strength. They had no information. What could they do?
“They are coming. The Military and Inquisitors. They are gaining ground fast.” The Messanger informed before instructing his people to prepare to leave. The spies would not join them. They would be a liability.
Mila disentangled herself from within Isabel’s arms before meeting her love’s eyes. “We will try. We will fight. We will go and see what can be done, okay?”
It didn’t escape Mila how heavy these words were. But the helpless sadness and fear in her love’s eyes had to be pushed away. And she had succeeded. Isabel’s face regained strength, even if the memories of Ocheon were still hanging above their heads.
Some scars needed time to heal. A luxury they both lacked. Mila gave Isabel another quick hug, then turned around. “What about the seven people you noticed?” She asked the Messenger as he led them out of the building towards another one.
There was a long pause. Mila thought the man would ignore her, but he had taken it to gather his thoughts.
“They are…” The messenger stopped, apparently struggling to put them into words. “These are disciples - apart from one. The organisation is led by ‘Sages’, and that’s what people in the known call them. They gather knowledge. And they…” He looked at Mila. His mouth under the hood became visible. Then, the Messenger mouthed a single sentence.
And it shook Mila’s mind. ‘They seek to discover, learn and create.’ She didn’t miss how the world reacted. The unmistakable feeling of the presence of something higher than her permeated the world. But only shortly, and it soon vanished.
The Messanger nodded. He looked somewhat smug before his mouth once more was obscured by the hood.
“The ritual is something new.” Mila couldn’t help but whisper. “They are here because of that.”
“Possibly.” The Messanger agreed.
The rest of the group looked at them with suspicion, not understanding what had happened. Only Isabel had an inkling of what had transpired. Perhaps Viola, too, as she was wrinkling her nose in displeasure.
“But that is…” Mila tried to wrap her head around it. Silinth had stated with no mistaking - never create something new.
“Dangerous, right?” The Messanger sounded tired. “It is. Knowing of it is as well.” Viola huffed in displeasure and moved further away, still trying to eavesdrop.
The group entered the new building and moved through it. It was another sad display of luxury. The portrays on the wall judged their passing in silence. Mila tried to process the information. If it was something unknown and new, there was also a danger of invoking the wrath of the world.
It was another variable Mila didn’t want to deal with. “What is your plan?” She finally asked, knowing the figure had scouted the path ahead.
“Interfere. Delay. Pick off who we can. Wait for the Military to arrive, then get away.”
“Too many uncertainties.” Mila frowned. “What about those disciples? You said there was a ‘Sage’ with them, yes? How strong are they?”
The Messenger led them through a hidden passage that ended in another yard. They were now close to the ritual place.
“I have not seen a ‘Sage’ fight. Only their disciples. I have heard rumours…” Another pause. The Messanger led them to another empty house. “I wager, if the Sage wanted to stop this ritual, no one could resist.”
Those were dire news. “But they don’t. They want it to happen.”
“They want to learn how.” The Messanger spoke, but there was no certainty in his voice. “They are not an enemy. Not now.”
Mila didn’t believe him. With her luck, this ‘Sage’ would make her life harder. She was sure of it.
Enkiari
Sigh.
Another co-worker (my dad) is down for the count. This time, with back problems. Which means even less time for writing.
Keep yourselves safe, okay? Don’t lift more than you are capable of. Don’t overestimate your strength!
Stay safe,
Tired Enkiari
P.S. SH shows the story is now 1000 pages long. That's a lot of text.
