Rakhail arrived at Padvor’s with Alia strapped to his back.

“Do not do this Alia, I promised your husband I would take care of you and I will.” Rakhail was desperate to try and convince her otherwise.

“Rakhail, you always treated the both of us like family. I never knew my real father but… Thank you.” She paused a moment to hold Rakhail. He was almost in tears but somehow she knew he would never cry, at least not in front of anyone. “I have made my decision. Padvor needed a volunteer and I refuse to be a burden. I would only slow down the village’s escape.”

“It will not, I made this to carry you and I will. Alia, do not be fooled these old bones were forged in the Ghost core and I will challenge anyone to keep up with me, even carrying you. Bringing you will not slow us down.”

Alia and her husband had deeply cared about the village. She had lost her both of her legs while desperately trying to save her husband during the attack. The Spine-backs had taken it all away from her and she’d be dammed if she let them have more. “Those of us that are unable to keep up have decided to stay behind. Even if there isn’t a chance for any of us to last the next attack, this is our home and we will defend it; Jungle Mother take us. We should at least be able to slow the pack down long enough so you and the rest can get enough of a start.”

“None of you are staying behind! I do not care if I have to tie all of you together and drag you to Quarter Point kicking and screaming by myself. I said none of you are staying behind.” Rakhail’s voice sounded furious.

Looking at him, delicate gentleness was reflected in her eyes. “That would be a site to see”, she chuckled. “I know you would do it to.” Her voice now taking on a firm yet soft tone, “We love the village and have made our choice, all of us. I am the first volunteer and should things fail, another one of us will be the next. This is our home and you are all family. We will do what has to be done to make sure that our family survives.”

For a long moment Rakhail just held her hand tenderly as any real loving father would. Finally he stood up and moved beside Kaden as Padvor went over to the seat she was placed on and kneeled.

“You can still change your mind. You don’t have to do this.” Padvor asking her one final time.

“You’re almost as bad as he is.” She laughed pointing to Rakhail. “Shall we begin?”

Padvor nodded, “If it goes according to plan you won’t feel a thing. As long as you don’t count being sore and tired as your body re-forges its own structure. I used a diluted version of the nutrient substance Kaden brought me to create a strengthening serum.” He hesitated a moment, “If it doesn’t go according to plan… I…”

“It’s ok Padvor, I know and understand. I need to do this.” She interrupted him.

Padvor handed her a small vial with a clear liquid and asked her to drink. “I’m still alive, that is a good start. I don’t feel any different”, Alia had to stifle a yawn.

“You shouldn’t, that was a sedative after all.” Padvor smiled as he took the vial from Alia hand. She was out cold in a matter of seconds.

“I have never seen a sedative work that fast.” Kaden had to ask while Rakhail bent over and gave Alia a kiss on the forehead.

“Concentrated Coil tree vodka, from the smell of it. I have not had any of it since the first night we joined the Legion.” Rakhail answered as Padvor smiled. “Ah… all you milk drinkers. Coil tree vodka is how the Jungle Mother separates the true warriors from the weak. She is going to be out for the rest of the day which is well and good. When she wakes it will feel like a smith has been using her head for an anvil.

Once he was sure she was asleep. Padvor poured a vial with a clear green liquid into Alia’s mouth as he explained the formula to Rakhail and Kaden. “We should know by tomorrow, I will keep watch over her tonight.”

Rakhail pulling out a deck of cards from his coat pocket, “Have any more vodka?”

“We just had breakfast, isn’t it a little early to be drinking?” Kaden knew that was the wrong question to ask as the both of them just turned to look at him. “… I mean deal me in.”

They taught Kaden the basics as they played and Padvor would go check up on Alia every so often.

“So tell me about these Old Kingdom Weapons, exactly why are they so strong?” Kaden leaned over to pick up another card.

Padvor responded after throwing away two cards. “Imagine having the command of a spell without having to pay the cost or chanting for that matter. The smiths of old were somehow able to embed one or multiple spells into their creations and negate a lot of the basic rules of magic. Or perhaps our understanding of it is just very limited.”

Rakhail placed a card on the table while picking up another that Padvor had thrown down. “Imagine a kingdom with so much magic that even the most common of soldiers had enchanted weapons.

Piecing together little bits of history, battles against the tribes and solid information gathering by us in the Ghost Core here is what we know.

There were at least three classes of weapons. All of them are also made so they do not break or we have never recorded one ever breaking.

The first most common class of weapon was issued to their infantry and is what the majority of the tribes use. As far as we can tell they usually have a single enchanted spell on them. These can vary from simple Strength and Speed to Fire and other elements. The deadliest of these usually are the ones with Transfer Health on them as a single cut is all it takes. ”

Kaden took another card from the deck as Rakhail continued, “The Legion has only ever managed to find two of these common class of weapon against the thousands that the Tribes possess. The best weapons in Rakan are all based off them. The most we can make after years of study is a slightly stronger and more durable weapon, we still do not know how to forge ones with spell enchants.

And Padvor my friend, everything has a cost. We simply do not know what price needs to be paid for such power.”

Padvor stroked his chin, “Wise words my friend. It is true we simply do not know enough about the Old Kingdom. If only we knew the reason for a Kingdom that powerful to be taken by the Jungle Mother.” Padvor picking up card while discarding another.

“What about the other two classes of weapons?” Kaden asked.

“We do not know. I have never seen any and we only have the report of a battle from over three thousand years ago. A survivor from Rakan’s attempt to conquer a portion of Tribal lands witnessed the loss of over fifteen hundred Legionaries to a single Tribal hunter. Her report was focused on a bow that engulfed an area in flames.” Rakhail placed all his cards on the table, “I win this round.”

Padvor dealt the next round, “They were all incinerated.” Rakhail continued while closely examining his cards.

“If they are so strong why don’t they just invade or destroy Rakan?” Kaden discarded three cards.

“They have no reason to. The tribes usually fight amongst themselves over Old Kingdom ruins and forgotten treasures in their own lands. Rakan has a few ruins around but none of them have anything of value. They like to keep us around for the occasional hunt to train their young.” Padvor maintained a neutral expression during his response.

“You going to play or just keep staring at those cards?” Rakhail interrupted. Padvor smiled placing down his entire hand on the table. “The Jungle Mother favored you this round.”

Kaden looked at Alia, “is there nothing we can do for her?”

“Only a High-born with knowledge of more powerful spells can heal her. It is beyond my abilities.” Padvor responded.

Lost in thought for a moment, “How does one track a Phinsis?”