Chapter VIII

Turn I

Dannar II

“How long are you going to sit there and wait? The enemy is not waiting. Evil grows and you sleep and you wait and waste precious time.”

Outside an iron carriage was a grey landscape filled with fog and mysterious lights. Inside was a table. On one side sat Dannar, on a simple wooden chair. On the other was a more regal chair. There was a figure sitting on it. It wore black and white robes that were otherwise featureless. The face was obscured. The hands that could be seen were pale and thin, bone was quite visible, as were veins that pulsed black.

“Answer me,” the figure spoke. Both man and woman, child and elder. A hundred voices. A thousand. “Why do you wait?”

“Forgive me, Great Archon. I… don’t know who the enemy is,” Dannar answered.

“You must ask who is not. You cannot trust them. I have not given you power to waste it. Destroy the enemy. Destroy the malformations of reality. Destroy those who lord over others. Destroy the false professors. Free them.”

“Aye, Great Archon. Your will… the will of humanity will be done.”

The figure raised its hand. An open palm staring at Dannar. It formed a fist and all slowly faded into a pale mist. The carriage became a blur. The figure became a blur. Like a haze that never was, everything was gone, and a bright light started to tickle Dannar’s eyes.

Dannar grunted as he sat up. He rubbed his forehead, pain protruded from behind his right eye. A dull aching. He wondered when it would pass.

“Ease up on the brandy next time. You probably won’t have a headache then,” Elynne said, sitting by the window.

“Oh, aye.” He gave a stifled chuckle. This was a different pain. A common one for him. “What’re you doing in my room?”

“Waiting for you to wake up. It’s noon, you know?”

“So it is.” He stood up. “Did… did the bright-eyed fellow give me my money?”

“I wouldn’t know, left for a walk after you two downed a sixth shot. He was unconscious when I came back, contrary to yourself. You were quite… lively, to say the least.” She gestured at a downed chair next to the bed. “I recommend you take that back downstairs.”

Dannar stared at the chair. Why was there a chair here? It was an eyesore. This chair was an eyesore. He grabbed it.

“…Are you alright?”

Dan shook his head. “Aye, aye… Let’s just take this back and leave.”

“As we should. And then we should go to the market, some fruit should do us good.” She jumped to the floor and walked by Dannar.

“…Aye,” he said, still pained and without a smile.

“Unless you plan on growing your own apples, this price is cheapest, take it or leave it,” a moustached old man behind a counter said for a second time.

“I might as well. An orchard is cheaper than your shit! Good day!” she shouted out and walked off. “The nerve of that man. Just because there wasn’t a shipment for some time now doesn’t mean he can swindle his customers.”

“There might be some fresh fruit in the Inquisition keep. We could check,” Dan said.

“A brilliant idea. To the west, right?” She started walking away without even finishing her sentence.

Dannar sped up towards her. “I, uh, I guess.”

“What does I guess mean?” she said, walking in front of him. “Were you not there yesterday after our failed castle excursion? Though I still wonder if Julius caught wind of what was happening in the city…” she muttered to herself.

“Well, he isn’t in the city, so he might have. The keep still is in the city, though. And aye, it probably is west, with the other army stuff.”

“I am glad you are confident in your knowledge.”

They continued westwards towards an archway that connected the citadel district of the city with the rest of Dammrias. The keep was just past the fortress and the training grounds, situated cosily between the Dammrian cliffside and three trimmed trees.

It was a peaceful place. Too peaceful. There were no guards and no soldiers practicing, besides the odd few who patrolled around. They were from Kyrione, most likely. And many others must have hid somewhere. Did the actual Dammrian Guard get sent to the frontlines with the rest of the army? That might have been so.

Regardless of what the situation was, the occupation did not start yet, at least not officially. There was no need to worry for now.

The two entered the keep. The interior was not too large, but still spacious enough. A number of inquisitors were situated in the main hall, most of them wearing casual clothing and were gambling, playing cards, or simply conversing. A number of furs and flags were hung on the walls. The flag of the Kingdom of Dammrias, the flag of the Fatherlands, and the Inquisition flag. A different blue for each. There was a strange tapestry there, as well. A rather unfitting one depicting a half-bear half-man surrounded by bare women. What was that doing there?

“Oh, Dan, you’re back!” Alyon, the youngest of the Inquisitors, ran in front of him. He was not even fifteen. Custom armour had been made for him and he always wore it with pride. He had hair and eyes as brown as Dannar’s. The same nose, too. He sometimes wondered if they were related.

“Hey, Aly. Where’s Joeseph?” Dannar asked.

“Uhm, up the stairs, in his office. Think he’s a bit tired.”

“Alright. Were you practicing yesterday? Couldn’t find you anywhere.”

“Yea, Edward sparred with me. Think I’m getting better.”

“Good.” Dannar patted his head. “Run along now, training doesn’t wait.”

“Yessir!” He saluted and ran outside.

Dannar and Elynne went up the stairs. There was a collection of rooms there, mostly doorless. There was an Inquisitor here and there, though the upper floor was mostly empty. One room had a door. Joeseph’s office, no doubt.

Dan knocked on the door thrice. From inside came a voice that invited them in. The voice came from Joeseph, the only person that was actually working out of the twenty-three Inquisitors in the keep. He wore his captain’s uniform, a buttoned up coat of white and blue, and sat behind his oak desk, writing in a large ledger of some kind.

“Dannar. Witch.” He nodded at the both of them. He had a tired voice and visible bags underneath his eyes. “Just a friendly visit?”

“Do you have any fresh fruit?” Dannar immediately asked with a voice and stare implying seriousness.

“D-do I… Did you come all the way here to my office just to ask if I have fresh fruit?” He dropped his pen and covered his face with his palms. “By the seventy-two devils and all their hells, who comes into a building filled with monster-hunting soldiers just to ask for fresh fruit!?”

“I, uh… Elynne wanted some fresh-“

“I see!” He slammed his hands into the desk and stood up. “Witchcraft it is! But why? Just to order him to ask for fresh fruit? This is beyond absurd, using magic for that. You are absurd. Couldn’t you just make it yourself? Make it fresher than fresh? Abuse the God-given world? What the hell is wrong with you!?” He breathed out and stopped for a moment, then plopped back into his chair.

“Is everything alright?” Elynne asked after a brief period of silence.

“Yes, sorry, I am simply exhausted. But thank you, as well. Your… silliness woke me. As for the fruit, all I have with me are these dried grapes.” He placed a bowl of them on the desk. “As for fresh fruit… I believe we have some oranges in the storage room. In the basement. Should be unlocked,” he sighed.

“Before we leave, I think you should know that there are soldiers from Kyrione in the city,” Dannar said.

“I know that. We were already told that. But strict neutrality and all that... Well, as long as they don’t come to the keep and try anything, we’ll leave them be. Blame any unforeseen casualties on the King, that usually works well.”

“Ah, well, uh, thanks for the grapes. We’ll leave you to it now.” Dannar grabbed the bowl of grapes and the two went down the stairs and then into the basement. There were oranges in the storage, some odd twenty. Elynne grabbed two and they left the keep.

“I wanted apples,” she said.

“Tough luck,” he said whilst munching on the grapes. “Grapes?”

“No.” She peeled the orange’s skin. “Hm?” She suddenly stopped

“Something wrong?”

“That boy in the black coat, I saw him yesterday.” She pointed at the person walking up the stairs towards the castle. “Why is he going to the castle?”

“Might not be. He might be going to the docks.”

“Still… Why don’t we go to the castle ourselves? Might be that Julius came back.”

“Aye, might be. Let’s try.” The two went towards Terwall.

Halfway up the dam stairs came a hail from behind, the sound of quick steps on stone followed along with it. “Ruirui-Kyran wishes to see you at haste,” said a hooded woman from yesterday. A companion of the man Dannar made a bet with.

“Is it about my money?” he asked.

“Please follow.” She walked right past them. Elynne looked at him and shrugged her shoulders and they went after her.

Three of her people stood in front of the castle. Kyran, the one from yesterday, stood against the wall. “A good day to you, my dear Reinran and accompanying magus. I believe I owe you a great deal of debt.” He grabbed a small satchel from his hip and threw it towards Dannar. “You may count it if you will, but you shall find that it is the correct amount. Now, would the two of you allow me to offer you a preposition?”

Dannar looked at Elynne and then they both looked back at Kyran. “What is this preposition?” she asked.

“I require assistance in opening a large and very locked gate. The gate, as you may have imagined, requires a number of keys – four of them – to be exact. As you are an Inquisitor and she is a magus, I have found you two to be worthy candidates. Now, the key I need you two to find is in Lordem, owned by the Emperor himself. You merely need to acquire the key, which is shaped like a sword most likely, and come to the town of High Alattras. Are the two of you interested?”

“You want us to steal a sword from the Emperor?” she repeated.

“That is correct.”

“Are you an idiot?”

“You will be paid well, I assure you. And I also guarantee your safety… and this little task will also provide you with some answers. You are bound to someone, magus. I believe that someone is within the pale city of Lordem.”

Elynne clicked with her tongue. “How do you-“

“I, the great Kyran Uzaire, am a Gala. I see the otherworldly strings that bind people, and I am willing to help. Provided you assist me in turn.”

“If you’re being honest with us, then… Hmm. I am not quite sure.”

“We’ve no other leads, aye? Might as well go along with it,” Dannar said.

“That is true. However…” She sighed. “Alright. But I would prefer you gave us the money upfront due to travel expenses and the like.”

“Why of course! I will give you half now. Ayyleacht, half the bounty, if you would.” The hooded woman opened a bag hidden underneath her cloak and started moving coins around. It took a short while, but when she was done she handed over a small satchel. “Seven hundred and fifty marks. You may count it, if you will.”

“S-seven hundred and fifty? That is, er…” Elynne was dumbfounded.

“It is of utmost importance that I open that gate. Now, I believe that we have ourselves an agreement. Should you choose to not complete your part, I will understand. That shall not prevent your deaths, but at least you have my understanding.” He reached out his arm and shook hands with both Dannar and Elynne.

“Well, I suppose we oughta get… Hm?” Dannar started to speak but was surprised by the sound of orderly steel stepping. He turned around and saw, in the distance, a large amount of soldiers in white plate and teal capes. “Amazing timing on their part.”

The sound of a scuffle came from within the castle. “Now then.” Kyran leaned off the wall. “We should proceed inside. In case any greater issue arises, yes?” He went in alongside his group. Dannar and Elynne followed.

The Gala closed the gates shut once the two went in. Then, when they reached the throne room, they were met with the sight of bodies littered about. Men in plate, some covered in blood and others clean. Polearms, sabres and daggers were strewn about besides them.

And near the throne, by the blue tendrils, stood first the boy in the black coat, calm and unarmed. Besides him were a ginger-haired man, a knightess in armour, and…

“Julius!” Elynne shouted out and ran ahead.

“Elynne? What are you doing here?” the Prince spoke and walked up.

“We came to warn you about the attack, but…”

“Well, I am quite aware we are under attack. A bit of a mess we have caught ourselves up in, huh?” Julius chuckled, but his face was pained and filled with worry. “But never mind helloes and all that right now, we have to… leave.”

“The tunnels are infiltrated, my lord. There is no other place these soldiers could’ve come from,” the blonde knight said.

“That is our safest option regardless. Just pay close attention in case of any ambush.”

Together they all walked through an entranceway near the throne. Stairs led downwards, and there was a small inconspicuous room with four pillars. There was another set of stairs there that should have most likely been hidden but were now in plain sight. Down there was a wide and damp tunnel. The knightess led first.

There were two people down there. Watching if anyone would come back, most likely. Neither stood a single chance against the entire group. After that, everything was clear. Too clear.

A crack. A loud rumbling crack.

The ground started to collapse, opening up a hole into the sewers. The prince, his knight and the boy in black all fell in.

“God damn it!” Julius shouted out. “My clothes are going to reek of piss for who knows how long!”

“Does that mean you’re alright?” Elynne asked from above.

“We are fine. R-right?” He looked at the pair with him, both starting to stand up.

“I am alright, my lord,” the knight said.

“No,” bluntly said the boy in black, patting down his coat.

“Can you make it across the chasm?” Julius asked. “We will make it out of the sewers, but the exits are on opposite sides of the city. And I honestly doubt meeting up would be safe, therefore…”

“High Alattras, right?” Elynne asked.

“Oh? You heard about that? Yes, we could meet up there, if possible, then-“

“Please cease this conversation before we encounter more trouble,” Kyran interrupted them.

“He is not wrong!” Julius exclaimed. “Till we meet again!” And he started running off. The knight gave them a respectful nod, the boy gave them an acknowledging glance and walked away.

The rest of the group walked across the chasm, walking tightly beside the wall. Then, a lengthy while after, they left the tunnels. Out from a hole beneath a large tree they exited. Canopies hid the sunlight and few sounds echoed throughout the woods they were now in. A camp had been here, but was left abandoned. It seemed they were alone, for now. The group went a bit farther and rested next to a pond.

Elynne sat down by a tree. Dannar walked up to her and leaned against the tree.

“That was quick, aye?” he said.

“Too quick. I hadn’t seen Julius in ages and we didn’t even get a chance to talk.” She sighed. “But I am more motivated to see this through, considering we are all in this together.”

“And I’m just here to keep an eye on you. Just in case, you know.”

“Just in case I do what?”

“I don’t know. Blow up? Burn down an orphanage on accident? The possibilities are endless,” Dannar joked.

She sighed. “I’m hungry.”

“You’ve still got an orange, right?”

“Not a proper meal. Go ask our… employers, I guess, if they have food on them.”

“Can’t you ask them yourself?”

“No. Now go,” she ordered and then crossed her arms as she stared at the canopy above, deep in thought.

Dannar walked up to Kyran. His headache had become faint some time ago, so he was not bothered with talking too much. At least, it somewhat faded. It was still there around the corner, picking at him.

“Ah, our new companion. I trust you have not developed any second thoughts?” Kyran spoke.

"No, no. Just came to ask if you’ve any snacks on you.”

“Crackers. They have crackers,” the man with ginger hair said. “They are swimming in gold and all they have is a sea of crackers.”

“Excellent crackers, mind you! I will impart a large bag of them upon you, should you wish. Ayyleacht, crackers, please,” he told her, and she started stuffing a number of crackers in a bag from another bag. Kyran then handed the bag full of crackers to Dannar.

“Thanks,” he said.

“No need to thank me. Those are all benefits of the job. Now then, we were just discussing our trip. You and the magus will be headed to Lordem, as was ordained. Tuyle, Ayyleacht and I will head towards Belrod whilst Fyunach takes care our ship is safe. Now, as for Rheinald…”

“I’ll be coming with you.” He looked at Kyran. “I would like to see the capital of Konned with my own eyes.”

“Very well.” He nodded. “With that, all is settled. We should begin our departure immediately, due to both the threat of Kyrione and my personal rush.” Kyran then looked back at Dannar. “We will await you in High Alattras. Or you shall await us. We shall see how time flows and, until then, have a safe trip,” he said and started to walk away. Everyone else followed him.

Dannar went back to Elynne and handed her the bag of crackers. “Crackers?” she asked.

“Aye, it’s all they had. We should get going ourselves, will take us some four days to get there.”

She stood up. “Something tells me we should have packed bedrolls. Sleeping on the ground gets… tedious.”

“Could be worse, I suppose. Could be there is no ground.”

She stared at him with a flat face for a moment. Then, with crackers in hand, she began to walk away. Dannar slowly picked up the pace and started following her. He wondered what the marble city of Lordem looked like, and what Joeseph had done during the sudden occupation of Dammrias.