"Come brother, we must light the life fire so little Ellie may drift into the eternal dream."

With solemn eyes, Vichaarfeancof gently patted his younger brother Tolgaudhster's shoulder. Standing tall for all to see, he steeled his emotions for both him and his brother, a burden against his grief. Before her body's death, little Ellie was the spunky light of the Kitchroale caravan and the youngest of the children.

Dragging Tolgaudhster toward the wood pyre, Vichaarfeancof motioned gently for the rest to gather around, taking up his mantle as chief. He suddenly thrust his arms out with palms open and slowly raised them over his head, only to lower it back down after. A soothing, rhythmic hum started to reverberate throughout his throat, easing the dreary atmosphere. Others also started to meld in until every member of the caravan was joined together in a balanced wave of motion and sound.

0---0

Tolgaudhster sat there defeated. Actually, broken was more likely a better word, something to describe his state of mind. The pain subsided, but what was left was a husk of a man. He went through what happened a million times in his head before, during, and after the attack, reliving the moment with every detail he could remember.

Esried. White hair, black soulless eyes, and wearing filthy rags. After searching the entire area, the boy was gone and all that remained of the bandits surrounding Ellie were bits and pieces, an impossible feat Tolgaudhster couldn't fit together. He knew the caravan should never have picked up the odd child from the empty town, but his older brother insisted based on virtue.

"Brother, pick up the fire. It is time." Vichaarfeancof paused his humming to remind his brother the ritual was to be completed.

Remembering Ellie was not enough for Tolgaudhster, nor would finishing her ritual. He needed answers, however, the boy had fled without a trail.

Money. Growing up in a caravan all his life, Tolgaudhster was a merchant and he knew business, dealing in the art of trade was his weapon akin to a soldier's sword. It was about time he sharpened his blade instead of sitting back behind his older brother, a seat which stunted his growth.

With a passion budding and a goal to seek, he grabbed the nearest lit torch and approached the wood stack with deep heavy strides. He then lowered the flaring torch into the kindling and watched as the fire slowly expanded throughout the entire pyre. The scorching heat licked his face, but he dare not flinch: the heat was a passing for Ellie. Tradition was king, and the fire represented the strong and vibrant life the girl held. The roaring flame would not die anytime soon, but Tolgaudhster would wait until every ember faded. He would see it to the end so Ellie's chapter may fully close.

Afterwards, his would begin anew.

0---0

Stiggs kneeled down to move the dirt through his hands, a gesture his father used to do. The soft fine earth hugged his hands as he pushed his calloused fingers through it, grabbing a handful. How such a beautiful town could suffer such a tragic fate, the man would never know. While no destruction of any kind could be seen, food and drink left untouched and spoiled littered the homely dwellings, making for a haunting ghost town. Additionally, wooden lodges and businesses two stories high lined the main road which cut through the middle of the desolate town. Standing on that very road made it seem that much more haunting.

To the west spread open grasslands further than the eye can see. To the north stood tall a lush forest with enough game for a varied diet of meats and fancy fungi. To the south laid farmland yielding multiple vegetables and grains infused with natural mana. Last but not least, to the east came the road to higher civilization, The Empire's capital itself.

The Empire encompassed many kingdoms including the prosperous Sparrow Kingdom, a place known for its fertile boon. While smack dab in the middle of empire territory, the quaint little town of Poleman lay just between the Sparrow Kingdom and The Empire's capital. It was supposed to be a safe waypoint for weary travelers. A place with a cozy lodge, mug of dark beer, and a little gambling to pass the time.

With earth still spilling from his hands, Stiggs stood up to face the cranky aging man, focused on each dirt particle slipping through his grasp.

"What are we looking for Archmage?"

"A child, about sixteen cycles old from what I remember. He was the sole survivor of what took place here. We are to bring him back to the Emperor. So do your job and find him Stiggs."

Keeping distance, Mithros eyed him with caution, most likely believing himself, a Royal Guard, to be an extended hand of the Emperor no doubt.

"Are you sure the old pedophile doesn't just want a new fuck toy?" Kallie chimed in with a devilish grin.

Several imperial soldiers standing at attention in a group nearby winced at the remark, most likely imagining the seconds toward death if they were the ones to make such a statement. With rumors flying around all the time, it was quite well known that the Emperor collected young women for his personal entertainment, a hobby he never even tried to be subtle about.

Stiggs glared daggers at Kallie, his vixen of a colleague in the Royal Guard, one who he believed didn't deserve her post. She was a complete head shorter than himself with sharp eyes and a figure one can only describe as flexible. Black hair flowed down her back without a frizz in sight. Also, her skin tight black leggings accented her slim legs and a white crop top held her modest bust. How she fought in those garments confused him to no end.

His full silver adamantite suit of armor, a standard familial knight setup, and dirty brown hair was a complete one eighty from her visual image. Furthermore, he rocked named brand goods, gold trimmings, and blue etched floating runes for a superior quality, taking him down would cost any enemy dearly.

"Speak ill of the Emperor before me again and I'll cut out your tongue," Stiggs said with hand on hilt.

Mirthos stroked his long beard in amusement on the side as the two bickered, chuckling while knowing their status. Royal Guards were brought in because of their strength, not their loyalty. Half consist of overpowered individuals sent to do the Emperor's bidding for a life of luxury. On the flip side, the other half were soldiers who raised through the ranks on military exploits such as Stiggs himself.

"Enough. We must find the child or else all our heads will roll," Mithros interrupted.

As if assuming command, Stiggs created a simple plan of action.

"We came from the east so that leaves the north, west, and south. Mithros you take the north, Kallie you take the south, and I will go west. The imperial battalion is only going to slow us down. Leave them here for support while each of us takes twenty riders to search for the child. Report back here in two months."

Nodding in approval, Mithros moved in front of each of them, closed his eyes, and tapped both Stiggs and Kallie in the forehead. With little effort, a spark flashed from his finger to their minds painting a vivid picture of the child in question, a little trick Stiggs knew the old man was proud of.

"May I remind you that the Emperor wants the boy alive," Mithros added.

Kallie skipped away while giving a wicked eye smile and said to no one in particular, "He looks kind of cute..."

Immediately after, Stiggs saluted across his shiny breast plate and marched off to gather his squad of imperial soldiers, ready for the hunt.