The Archipelago of Claws was simply a beautiful place. Its vivid nature was covering every inch of land untouched by humans. The trees, bushes and even animals were different from those that Ehrir was accustomed to. Even the grasses were taller and had brighter colors.

The climate was slowly getting hotter as they went southwards in the last weeks and the vague hints of winter couldn’t fend off the unnatural hotness that reigned over the sea. Now it felt like they had reached the warmest place in the world. Ehrir wasn’t used to this kind of heat outside of the middle of the summer.

The target of the galley, as he quickly learned, was the biggest port in the archipelago. Its name was Nalevas, but it was also known as Ale Bay. The second name was held in a particularly high regard by Nalia.

“They do serve some damned good drinks there”, she explained as the galley was going around the first island of the archipelago. The young woman had come out of the lower deck just a few minutes ago. “The ale is the best, of course, but they also have some pretty good grog there.”

“Are you always thinking about alcohol?” murmured Ehrir with a grin on his face.

“Well, not always. Just most of the time. But I’m cripple, ya’ know. I have to drown the sorrow about my missing limbs… just not in water, that is.” Nalia laughed wholeheartedly.

Ehrir shook his head and placed his straw hat on his head. How could this girl be so cheerful in such a state? He couldn’t find an answer. But he could laugh with her.

The hours flew by as the ship advanced through the archipelago and the temperatures grew. Still, Ehrir didn’t leave his place on the deckhouse. He watched every small island or rock that the galley swept by with focus and utmost attention. The new sights looked both slightly familiar, but unique. They took his interest, in any case.

The Undone One saw a lot of ships passing by and a couple of small ports, too. He asked the sailors about them and quickly learned that all the cities on these islands were independent from one another and didn’t have one ruler. They also weren’t part of any larger structure, be it kingdom, dukedom or anything else. That too felt new and strange to Ehrir.

But once the galley reached port Nalevas itself… Well, that was definitely a sight to behold.

The city’s harbor was located at the so-called Ale Bay and it was stacked with ships of all sizes. Countless sounds pierced the air and were brought to the ear by the salty winds. The settlement itself covered the whole hill above the harbor and although Ehrir had seen a lot of cities that were far bigger, this one felt… different. Maybe it was the buildings, painted in all kinds of vibrant colors. Maybe it was the fact that there were no walls or fortifications in the city and the biggest construction in the whole port wasn’t a dark-looking castle but a small mansion surrounded by gardens and located atop the cliff. Maybe it was that he didn’t have the despair and the feeling of hatred towards everyone that he harbored inside himself for the past eight years and could finally look at things with optimism. But the reason didn’t really matter. He took a liking in the place.

The ship navigated through the dozens of vessels filling the bay’s waters. The other seafarers gazed with respect and even fear at the strange sign on the galley’s sails. Ehrir knew the reason why. The symbol inspired such awe because it belonged to Ostrias, the old man’s master who was currently holding the highest authority in the archipelago. Ehrir learned that just recently.

The galley docked on one amongst dozens of piers in the harbor. By the time the anchor was lowered Sevrian and the other disciples had already come out. Soon the sailors started to unload the ship’s goods which turned out to be far more than Ehrir had expected. The process took quite some time and when it was finally finished boredom was written all over the faces of the old man and his subordinates.

“Don’t bother asking me to pay up right now, captain”, said Sevrian as he was approached by the crew’s boss. “My master will send one of his men to give you what you deserve until the end of the day. Be sure that you’ll receive compensation for the damage the ship received… and for the death of your comrades too, although the loss of lives can’t be repaid with money.”

The man – he was older than Ehrir, but still looked too uncomfortable and inexperienced in the clothes of a captain – just nodded and didn’t say anything.

Afterwards the four sorcerers left the ship. To feel the land under your feet was a pleasant feeling for Ehrir. He took off his sea jerkin and added it to his baggage. It was too hot for the damned thing to be worn right now. He ran his hand through his beard. He had trimmed it back in Borhael, but it wasn’t enough, obviously. It was time for it to be completely shaven, just not now. But he had to get it done as soon as possible. The lower half of his face felt like it was in a furnace.

Luckily, the trip of Nalevas’ streets was quick. The luggage of the old man and his disciples was transported towards the port’s manor by the sailors, but the mages themselves stopped by a good looking pub.

“What’s happening? I thought we were going to see master Ostrias first?” asked Ehrir as he saw the old man entering the tavern.

“We’ll go see him eventually. Believe me, we aren’t his biggest concern right now. And given all the hardships we went through on this voyage, I believe we all deserve a little feast. Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it”, said Sevrian while smirking.

Ehrir shrugged his shoulders. He couldn’t resist such an offer.

***

The pub’s main hall was well-lit and with high roof. It looked stylish with its giant fireplace (who would need indoor fire when it was this hot in the middle of the autumn?), rich and vibrant tapestries and burning braziers from which rose different sweet aromas. The cooking matched the tavern’s appearance in quality – Ehrir couldn’t guess what meat he ate, but it sure was good. He also tasted the drink that Nalia called “grog”. It was good, although a little bit too strong for his tastes. The young girl chugged down at least four goblets of it, though.

They left after almost one and a half hours. It was already the late afternoon and the shadows on the city streets had elongated. The heat was now bearable and the walking to the manor, although long, was endurable. Nalevas’ streets were still packed with loads of people – sailors, travelers and craftsmen of all sorts. Most of them made way for Sevrian – his rich-looking clothing would be enough, but he was also wearing a cloak with his master’s symbol on it. This definitely helped to clear the way. Most of those who saw it whispered similar things in low voices.

“The sign… The Ashen Gaze! Step back, step back… He’s important, he sure is…”

Ehrir was surprised by the people’s reactions. He knew how influential this Ostrias was and yet he didn’t expect such reverence towards one of his subordinates. The people on the port’s streets were practically treating Sevrian like a city lord because of the sign on his cloak…

They got to the manor rather quickly. The gatekeepers on the front and seemingly only entrance in the high, vividly blue stone walls – let them in without hesitation after exchanging just a few words with Sevrian.

The mansion had two floors and looked warm and welcoming with its big windows and soft edges. The gardens around it were extravagant and dense with plants forming various shapes and alleys through the carefully trimmed grass. One main paved path led straight to the building’s entrance where another pair of guards – well-built middle-aged men in leather armor – were standing with spears in their hands. Sevrian approached them confidently. The two men clearly recognized him and bowed deeply.

“Welcome back, milord”, said one of them. “I’m glad that you returned so quickly. Any success with your mission?”

The old man shook his head regretfully.

“No, sadly. Did any of the other sorcerers had better luck?” There was some dissatisfaction in Sevrian’s voice.

“No, milord. Master Ostrias is worried that what you’re searching for isn’t in these lands anymore. Over the course of the last week a lot of your fellow wizards that he sent out returned without even a hint of success. Some of them suggest that the man wanted by the master has already moved to the south shores.”

Sevrian’s expression darkened a little bit after those words, for some reason.

“I see then… Still, although I don’t have any important news, I want to talk with my master privately. Is he busy?”

“Not as far as we know, milord. You can enter the manor. Your stuff arrived awhile back and you should’ve already received a room. There should be some servants in the entrance hall to guide you to the master’s chambers.”

“Yes, yes…” the old man waved his hand impatiently and gave the men a sign to open the door. He entered it quickly and his disciples followed suit.

The entrance hall was spacious and lit by a couple of big chandeliers. Its marble floors and stairwells, combined with the warm illumination, created a feeling of luxury. A couple of young girls in servant dresses were waiting near the door. They welcomed the old man with deep bows and asked him about his name.

“I’m Sevrian. Sevrian of the Maelics. These are my disciples.” He waved his hand towards Nalia, Varhel and Ehrir.

It took a few moments for the girls to recognize the old man’s name, but they bowed again upon finally doing so.

“Do you want us to lead the way to your chambers, milord? When would like your dinner served? We could…”

“Young women… Can you take me to see my master first? I want to talk with him”, Sevrian interrupted the two girls with soft, but serious tone.

“Oh… of course, of course. Will your disciples come with you? If not, one of us could show them their rooms.”

“Only this one shall follow me” Sevrian pointed at Ehrir.

The servant girls nodded and one of them went off to somewhere with Varhel and Nalia. The other one started going up one of the stairwells. Ehrir stayed close behind the old man.

“Why am I the only one to come see the master?” he asked.

“The other two had seen Ostrias already. They don’t need to meet with him again. And besides – I think you’d be far more interesting to him than Varhel or Nalia are. Because of your… nature, perhaps.”

Ehrir understood what the old man was hinting at and looked down at his arms clad in white gloves. When he thought about it the pain from the Brand grew bigger. Why would Ostrias be interested in an Undone One? Well, this question could be answered soon.

The room of the old man’s master was located on the second floor and from the side of the manor that faced the sea. Its door was of an enormous size and upon its wood was carved a picture of a sailing ship. The servant girl knocked at it more than dozen times before a voice rang from the inside.

“Wait a damn bit! I’ll let you in soon!”

The voice was deep and manly and obviously didn’t belong to an old man. What was going on here? Ehrir didn’t have the time to even think about it, because a female – and a stunning one at that – left through the door and headed to the end of the hall. She was drippling in sweat and her hair was messy. And she was undoubtedly beautiful.

“You can come in now!” the same voice as before sounded from the room.

Sevrian slowly went through the door and Ehrir followed. The chamber was indeed big and rich-looking. There was only one man in it. He was sitting on a big couch.

Sevrian approached him and bowed his head.

“Hello, master. I hope you would be pleased to meet my new disciple. He has very good potential. His name is Ehrir. Ehrir, this is my master, Ostrias Haelum…”

Upon hearing the name, the Undone One’s jaw dropped.