Chapter 8 — Clear River Crossing and the House of Flowers

“Now!”

Syrlieh and Illenari dove to either side as Arienos announced the large spell’s completion. The structured magic shot forward leaving the roar of fire in its wake, burning a path through the swamp spawn and aggressive flora ahead.

Normally, such a large casting would drain the area of energy, but with the abnormal density of nature energy present, enough was filling the void that maintaining the protective wall of fire around the company of rangers was still sustainable.

The rangers had done well holding back the onslaught as they followed the new growth toward where another Remnant was suspected to be located.

“Leilyi and Rhealie, take the lead,” Telryn directed.

Leilyi loosed an arrow, causing gusts and clearing the scalding steam from the evaporated swamp water, and the pair pressed forward into the newly cleared path. As they advanced, the thigh-deep murky water was quickly filling back in. Arienos followed behind, his wall of fire keeping pace.

That whatever had claimed the previous Remnant had traversed this far and seemed to be traveling directly from Remnant to Remnant was extremely worrisome.

“Aieeee-!” With a ‘glup’ sound, Rhealie’s cry cut off when the tentacle suddenly wrapping around her pulled her under the water.

“Rhealie!” Illenari cried out, but Syrlieh’s glowing arrow was quicker, piercing through the dark water and illuminating the target.

“Leilyi, watch the boundary and hold the line! We’ll save her,” Telryn ordered as he rushed forward sword flashing to cut the arrow-marked tentacle and continuing to the horror that lay beyond, maw gapping open under the water to receive its meal.

Illenari was right behind and pulled a sputtering Rhealie from the water, knife making quick work of the still writhing tentacle.

As Illenari began her healing prayer while dragging her wounded companion back, Arienos completed another spell, launching a spear of ice into the horror, assisting Telryn, who was forced to retreat from the onslaught of additional tentacles from the now enraged plant.

Another glowing arrow from Syrlieh struck, this time accompanied by a wailing screech from the plant as beams of light exploded outward from the horror to light the water, revealing two more shadowy shapes swimming closer under the surface.

Telryn was already moving to intercept one, his sword glowing with Elven magic as he unleashed one of his more powerful attacks.

Arienos targeted the second, freezing the water around it.

“Incoming!” Leilyi warned as she loosed arrows at new threats probing the wall of fire.

Syrlieh readied another glowing arrow, loosing it at one of the new gathering threats. “We need to get out of the water before we’re overrun!”

“We’ll head there!” Telryn pointed to a defensible but still plant infested mass of land located past his convincingly defeated foe and barely visible in the light from the flames. “Arienos!”

“I’ll take care of it,” Arienos agreed, understanding what was required of him and gathering the energy needed for the large-scale fire spell.

By the time the spell was turning the island into a flaming hellscape, Rhealie had recovered enough for Illenari to help her walk. With Leilyi busy covering their escape, Illenari handled cooling the island by making the water swell over it and recede.

“I think this is as close as we can get to the Remnant,” Arienos advised.

Telryn nodded. “I’ll call a bird.”

Thankfully, there was currently moonlight that should be sufficient for a bird to see by.

The other rangers took up guarding the perimeter without being asked as Telryn moved to the center of the island and closed his eyes.

Arienos focused on intensifying his ring of fire but was soon surprised by the feeling of a familiar magic approaching. Had his apprentice uncovered something important already? Curious, he watched as the bird made of magic dropped down from the sky and faded away upon delivering its payload to his outstretched hand.

The rangers continued to fend off threats and seemed to have the situation well enough in hand for the moment, allowing him to turn his attention to the folded paper he had freed from the vial it was wrapped around.

He groaned when his eyes caught sight of the paper’s contents. A quick scan of Yillian’s summary on the back side did nothing to dispel his worries about a situation rapidly spiraling out of control.

“This one is gone too,” Telryn reported and opened his eyes.

Arienos rubbed his aging brow. “I think we need to send for a crisis intervention team.”

His ranger friend slowly nodded his agreement.

A magic bird had arrived with a note from Master Arienos in the morning, approving of Yillian’s proposed plan to get Xyn properly inducted into the Society and to continue investigating the cultists in Clear River Crossing.

And now, as the sun’s position was indicating mid-afternoon, Xyn was getting his first view of the human town that was their destination.

The hill they had crested sloped down to a sinuous river that divided the landscape, and adjacent to a grand white bridge straddling the river was the largest town Xyn had ever seen. Uncountable buildings were crammed into the space between the outer wall and the tall white castle that rose up on a hill near its center. Less permanent accommodations spilled out from the city walls in a chaotic warren of squalid tents and ramshackle structures in dingy colors.

The road became more crowded as they approached the town’s outer gate, and having already been warned, Xyn preemptively wrapped himself in aura to ward against the sunbaked smell of people and beasts of burden.

Though dirty, the humans working the makeshift stalls lining the road were in much better shape than the undernourished rag-wearing children peeking out from the backways and running around. Xyn didn’t know what to feel when he caught sight of elderly humans sitting next to or holding up empty plates or bowls and wearing clothing worn to the extent that it was not much better than what the children were wearing.

“Nothing you can do for them,” Yillian advised when he noticed the direction of Xyn’s gaze.

Xyn nodded. He was currently living off his sister’s hard-earned savings as it was. But shouldn’t the humans feed and clothe their own?

It wasn’t until they had passed through the gate that Xyn began to understand the scope and reality of the situation. He had never seen so many people in one place before… hundreds, thousands, maybe tens of thousands or more crammed inside the walls of stone, milling about as they traversed the roads and alleyways, coming in and out of shops, gathering around stalls and exchanging goods and coin, talking with neighbors, yelling at strangers. The droning mass of humanity was intimidating in the sheer weight of its numbers and the individual purpose of its people.

This was how humans held back the forces of the Beastlands’ tribes. What the Beastlands had in quality the humans matched with numbers and industriousness. The sight was sobering and Xyn felt overwhelmed.

“Xyn?”

At Yillian’s concerned query, Xyn shook off his shock and hurried to catch up.

Yillian chuckled. “If you’re that impressed by a large town like this, you should see the city of Torce where I’m from. It’s at least ten times larger with way more people.”

Xyn was stunned. He had been naïve and greatly underestimated the humans. Even if his tribe’s warriors were greatly superior in strength, what could a thousand warriors do against such a multitude. Even the greatest warrior would eventually tire.

Lost in his thoughts, Xyn barely noticed that they had turned down a side road, but the voices of females calling out from a balcony nearby managed to draw his attention.

Oddly, the females, who were surprisingly clean with their hair in complicated arrangements and wearing clothing featuring their mammaries, were apparently calling out to Yillian and him. Ah! Xyn had read about these kinds of places! Places where human females would mate for money.

One of them loudly offered to do something for him and kissed at the air. Did humans really do that?! Xyn couldn’t help feeling terribly embarrassed at the idea. That aside, maybe this was an opportunity for him to easily complete part of his secret mission or, at least, learn about what human females like and expect different from Kyrren females. Especially, when considering the negative reaction he had received from expressing his interest to the noble female.

“Yillian, let’s…” Xyn lamely motioned to the place with the females. “…go over there.”

Yillian rolled his eyes. “You paying?”

“Sure?”

“That red-head aside, I thought you were an Elf-lover, Xyn?” Yillian’s eyes drifted over the females only to return to Xyn accompanied by a knowing smirk before the half-elf smugly led the way across the street, chuckling.

Xyn could only groan as he noticed that one of the females on the balcony had pointy ears and slightly greenish-blond hair—that Yillian was prettier than the female, he wasn’t sure what to think… “Hey, you promised not to mention that anymore!”

“Ah, right.” Yillian nodded, considering, then added, “But your eyes were wandering my way just now, weren’t they?”

Not wanting to admit it, Xyn pretended that he hadn’t heard and didn’t meet his fellow initiate’s laughing gaze.

The interior of the building was even fancier than the exterior. Past the reception area were small well-lit tables near the windows and comfy booths in the shade. A raised stage at the far side had its curtains drawn closed, and there were several human females similar to him in age or maybe a bit older sitting at a bar chatting, wearing a variety of clothing, from dresses to ornate outfits that showed almost all of their furless skin.

Upon their entering, two of the younger females skipped over from the bar to greet them. Both were pretty and smelled of flowers, mint, and a hint of sweat.

“Welcome to Lianne’s House of Flowers. I’m Lillia, and this is Ruby,” the blond female in a simple white dress said with a cheery voice, motioning to the dark-haired female next to her in a red dress that showed more skin. “Would you two like to join us for tea?”

“We’d love to,” Yillian replied and offered in turn, “I’m Yillian, by the way. The tall guy here is Xyn.”

“Wow, Xyn, you sure have some strong muscles,” Ruby complimented, leaning close and running a finger down his bare arms as she peeked upward to see his face better under the hood. Xyn really liked how her voice was deeper than the other female’s and was feeling confident he had made the right choice.

While he was distracted, the blond briefly pressed her mouth against Yillian’s for some reason before grabbing the half-elf’s hand and leading him off toward the tables with a giggle.

“Young master, could you come over to the counter for a moment?” the voice came from a middle-aged female attired in an impressive puffy purple dress and sitting behind a counter in front of an elegant board with numbered plaques hung. “Ruby, you can go entertain the young master’s friend while I talk with him, okay?”

“Sorry, Xyn.” Ruby leaned close, standing on her toes, and pressed her mouth against his cheek before hurrying off toward the tables. The scent of mint lingered on his cheek.

Confused by the difference in treatment, Xyn drew near the counter to find out what the older female wanted to discuss with him, and he noticed her tilting a bit as if trying to see something as he approached—ah-! His tail!

Xyn brought his tail around so it was clearly visible, and the older female grimaced slightly before making an apologetic expression. He couldn’t help raising an eyebrow and asking, “Is my tail a problem?”

“Ah, it’s not your tail that’s the problem, young master,” the older female said with an odd emphasis then added in an apologetic voice, “If it’s just tea with the girls or watching the performances, that’s fine, but none of our girls will service cat-kin. I’m sorry.”

Oh, so that’s what it was. Xyn nodded in understanding. Naturally, what girl would want to mate with a spineless male? His shoulders couldn't help slumping at the thought.

The matron motioned for him to lean in and whispered, "I could ask around for you… but just between you and me, the kind of girl that would service a cat-kin would probably necessitate a visit to the temple, if you get what I mean…"

It was true that some Kyrren females would become violent during the Howling or so he’d heard, but Xyn didn’t see how a clawless and fangless human girl could seriously harm him… a certain crimson-maned female aside. Not having a clue and not wanting to suffer further embarrassment by asking, Xyn thanked the matron, who apologized again and thanked him for his understanding.

Xyn moved toward the tables. Even if it was no longer as good a use of his sister’s money, this still might be a good opportunity to learn what human females liked… but the scene at the table stopped him in his tracks.

Annoyingly, Yillian was happily sharing tea with not only the two females from before but two more that had come over to join their table, all giggling at something the half-elf said. There was something infuriating about the sight—knowing that the females were competing for the half-elf in a way they wouldn’t compete for him as a cat-kin.

Unable to contain the jealousy and disgruntlement that welled up at the unfairness of the situation, Xyn motioned that they were leaving, and when his fellow initiate signaled that he would be out soon, Xyn left to stew in his frustration.

When Yillian met him outside, the half-elf patted him on the shoulder with a wry smile. “Don't worry about it, Xyn.”

Xyn restrained the urge to punch the smug-faced girly female-magnet and settled for grumbling to himself. Would he have to take off the Human Ring to find a mate? Besides the molting mess, going through that excruciating transformation again… was less than appealing.

“How about we go shopping and get you some clothes that don’t stand out so much?” Yillian suggested. “We should probably get a cloth cover or wrap to hide your ridiculous sword while we’re at it.”

Letting out a depressed sigh, Xyn motioned for the half-elf to lead on.

Ayla let out a sigh at her current situation and refocused her attention to the faded and dingy buildings slowly passing by as her carriage made its way down the side road.

Her guards had been exasperated when she told them she wanted to visit a bookstore in the bad part of town. But she had her reasons. What she told them was that the bookstore might have a rare book about minor gods and powerful beings which could give her a clue on what this cult that had her cousin was about since whatever it was they were worshiping would likely have to be somewhat local. And with luck, maybe she’d find a rare book that she could offer to Count Arden as a gift and pretense for her visit.

If she was honest with herself, she’d even be happy just to find a good work of fiction to alleviate the tedium of traveling by carriage! But, she wasn’t about to tell her guards that!

As it was, if she just showed up at the castle uninvited, the Ardens would surely think she was unseemingly desperate to find a marriage with one of their sons—not that either of their sons were as bad as the chubby baron her parents planned for her. Sadly, it might be less embarrassing to just admit to the count that she was looking for her cousin who disappeared while traveling in the lands under his control.

Interestingly, the bookstore was a recommendation from the hostess at the tea shop where she stopped for a pleasant lunch and to hear more recent rumors about House Arden. The woman had been quite helpful and happy to gossip.

Ah, that’s it—Jed Valence’s Rare Books, Maps, and Antiques.

“Driver, the shop with the glass windows.”

“Yes, milady.”

Glass windows really did make it stand out from the other buildings that had wood shutters. The only other place on this side-road that had windows was that unmentionable place she passed earlier.

Sir Devin helped her down as usual.

“Devin, if you and Liam can wait outside, please. The shop is probably cramped enough as it is,” Ayla suggested. When the knight looked like he might object, she added, “I’ll be fine. I doubt there’s anyone this side of town that’s a match for me, and I’ll call you if the shop owner gives me any trouble.”

Her father’s knight reluctantly nodded and took up a position in front of the store as Liam opened the door for her.

“Enjoy your shopping, milady,” Liam offered with a wink.

“Thanks, Liam. I will.”

Ayla was glad she was able to convince her guards to let her enter the shop alone. Having either of them peering over her shoulder while perusing steamy romance novels would be too embarrassing.

The interior of the shop was a bit different from what she had been expecting. Sure, there were shelves of old worn tomes and lovingly kept leather bound fictions, but also strange artifacts kept behind glass and racks of exploration gear, such as travel packs and mountaineering tools. How odd.

The more she looked at the artifacts, the more she suspected that some might even be enchanted. The prices!

“Milady, would you like to know more about these items or assistance finding what you are looking for?”

Ayla looked up with a start. She had been engrossed by a set of matched medallions. The spectacled man who had spoken was sitting on a stool next to the glass cases looking up from an open book in his hand.

“Um…”

“Jed Valence, mapmaker and explorer, milady. Much of the shop’s contents come from the expeditions of my youth.” The man gave her a wry smile that suggest his naïve youth might have been the driving factor to his life choices.

“Ayla of House Ravenhill. Perhaps I could use some assistance.” She did want to take her time browsing, but she was also worried for her cousin, and it wouldn’t be right to indulge herself in the joys of shopping while her cousin was likely suffering at the hands of cultists.

The man patiently waited for her to gather her thoughts. That he wasn’t over-eager to sell his wares certainly weighed in his favor as she was forming her opinion of him.

She took a deep breath. “I’m looking for a book on minor gods and powers in the local area.”

“Oh? An interesting request.” The man closed the book in his hand and placed it on the glass case next to him before leading her to a tall bookcase with expensive leather-bound books. “It’s always good to investigate the local land gods before undertaking an exploration, but you’d be surprised how many in the exploration and mapping profession never bother to ask if someone has already done the research.”

The man ran his finger along the spines before stopping and pulling out a book. “Here. I think this will meet your needs.”

Ayla received the book, noting a paper with the price tucked inside the cover when she paged to the list of contents. The price was a fair bit more than she was expecting.

“This particular copy includes a translation of material sourced from Elven priests and historians,” the man helpfully informed her.

He seemed proud of the work… and her suspicion was confirmed when she paged back to find the author’s name penned in graceful script. Just who was this man? And what was he doing running an ‘antiques’ shop in the poor section of House Arden’s provincial capital? Why weren’t the local thugs clearing this place out?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door opening.

“Master Valence, we’re done,” an unmistakably familiar voice called over, and Ayla froze.

“Oh, you boys work fast,” the shopkeeper responded as if nothing was amiss.

The elf chuckled. “Xyn got tired of waiting and used some cat-kin technique to speed the drying.”

“Well, congratulations on your membership, Xyn. Seeing that old Arienos is sponsoring two junior members now, maybe it’s time I also found someone to pass my own knowledge on to.”

It was about then that the pair of cultists involved in her cousin’s disappearance noticed her as well and also froze in place.