“Carradorian troops, from what I've observed are much more defensive in nature. A doctrine of fortifying and holding ground before ever committing to a push is what allowed for the rapid encirclement and defeat of various companies during the Carradorian - Minoran incident due to a lack of flexible tactics. However, it can also be said that after the surprise attacks, their troops turned into little bulwarks that were self sufficient and capable of holding for weeks before the royal army rallied their remaining forces and routed the Minorans back across the Mistveil." - Marshal Jan Bathloy, Treatise on Warfare: Analysis of Carradorian Military Doctrine.

By the time Sophie finished babbling and Riza shared her own experience of the day they had finally returned to The Last Hunter after a long day out. Though Wilfred still somewhat distrusted her, he and Maud had prepared a light snack before the duo retired for the night after a quick but relaxing bath.

Calmed yet energised, it was in this state that Sophie found herself unable to sleep. Though she fought to keep her eyes closed, it was an ultimately fruitless endeavour as her thoughts continued to race throughout her head, going through every aspect of the day. She turned to face Riza and spent a moment admiring the sleeping cat’s face before she dragged herself over to the windows, bare feet touching the cold oaken floorboards, each step another part of a long journey.

I’m getting old, she grumbled internally as a small pain shot up her back. Ignoring it she pushed open the window to take in the view from the inn. A faint breeze danced its way across her face as her nightgown fluttered ever so slightly under the twinkle of moonlight. Looking out into the distance the top half of her view contained the star-lit skies shimmering in all its astral glory; the bottom half, lively people of Eichafen still roaming the streets and celebrating well into the night. Off in the distance, the Highwall mountains stoically maintained the geographical peace between the nations of Carrador and Melton. Peaks sharp against the dark clouds, protruding wistfully towards the moonlit sky. Whilst beyond the boundaries of civilisation in the mist laden woods, dark clouds gather overhead, a storm in the making.

She closed her eyes and embraced the night wind as the soft melody from the streets below echoed up the slope. It was a refreshing feeling, a sense of freedom mixed in with a dash of jovial cheer that lifted her spirits from the gloomy sanctum of her mind. Goddess Stellesia, please guide me on my journey and grant me the luck of wanderers in the days ahead, she mumbled quietly as she clasped her hands together and bowed towards the moon.

A yawn suddenly overtook her and the spritz of energy vaporised as quickly as it had arrived and her eyes drooped down slightly. Out of the corner of her eye she glimpsed into the desk-side mirror and stared at the lonely abomination staring back quizzically. She gripped the mirror and stared down the creature hoping it would go away. It was an ugly half-blood, a diminutive sharp face, smaller than a human but wider than an elfin. Irregular knife-like ears that drew the ire of those who remembered the past, a sign of the sins that taint the land. Certainly, it was a strange sight to Sophie, for this creature also shared the bleak black hair of peoples from further east but curiously jewelled sapphire eyes not human nor elven.

Yet time and time again to many she was merely an elf, to the prisoners back in the cart a half breed monster. She wondered what would be different had she been one or the other. Certainly the household and ducal staff would’ve treated her with more respect, but simply being human would do nothing to change that her background held no noble blood comparable to that of Evaline. Nor did she host the divine powers that flowed deep within the veins of the outlanders. All she had was some stupid nightmare creature, that had admittedly grown a little too real as of late. Her attention was quickly stolen as a small drip of water splashed onto her face and as she turned around she found the clear night sky had dimmed as the storm clouds finally caught up, a bright flash of light in the distant woods the last before the darkness descended.

Frustrated by the thought, she quietly shut the window and snuck back into bed. Hoping that the small creaks and groaning of wood would not alert the cat. With a less than satisfying pomf she found herself staring up at the inn’s ceiling. Soft snores from the cat and the growing pitter patter of rain on the roof and window echoed like a gentle rhythmic melody. It took only a few moments after she crawled under the sheets for her eyes to close and the warm embrace of sleep to take her.

A storm smashed against the walls of the fortress, tearing stone and rubble asunder as the winds ploughed through what remains of the town. The buildings scattering away like unwelcome pests, fleeing at the first sign of danger. Behemoths emerged in the distance, towering over the puny walls as mighty fists ripped what little was left apart. The cries of terror and fear indistinguishable to the wailing of the winds.

Howls of hunger and delight ripped through the air behind her and she turned back to see monstrous hounds itching to be unleashed. Six legged beasts the size of a small house, limbs sharp with protruding bony spikes and teeth almost as large as her arms growled hungrily at the town beneath. She could do nothing but watch as she felt herself lifting a gauntlet hand and motioning for the advance, and with roars of frenzy the mutant beast surged forward like firebolt, hopping on their perch and down onto people below.

Pale blue light flashed from behind her and for a moment she was blinded by its radiance. There it was, the ever present tower, its recognizably blue glow and the shadowy monster that curled itself around the precipice. A loud clanking quickly tore her gaze downwards as she found herself staring at an approaching figure. Blackened armour polished and pristine, adorned with strange sigils and heretical symbols. A winged helmet showing nothing but the gleeful and excited eyes as the figure raised a dark sigil covered shield in acknowledgement.

Fool!

The inhuman voice of the entity boomed inside her mind sending her staggering to the floor in shock.

Awaken and seek the dawn, flee the cursed winds or perish

It roared to the heavens as the blue crystal bloomed with light once more, igniting the stormy skies into a kaleidoscope of colours

Seek ye the truth lest thou are devoured by lies for the huntmaster cometh for thee

Its eyes peered down at her from above, not with malice but with almost a panicked exasperation.

Awaken and find the stolen dawn, hallowed halls hidden by the arden of yore.

From an impossibly far distance she watched in horror as its tendrils shot through the air around the white marble tower, cracks in the stonework forming as it too began to crumble. With one last burst of rage, the encroaching darkness covered the land and she found herself standing on nothingness as the tendrils pierced through her once more. A lance of pain shot through her heart as she took one last gasp of air.

Awaken!

Sophie awakened in a panic, everything felt even more visceral and real than before. She swore the armoured figure smiled at her behind its helmet and the entity felt almost…angry? She grumpily looked around the room and found Riza sound asleep, snoozing away as the rain continued to pound against the roof. Huh? Pounding?

Groggily she jumped out of bed and inched her way towards the window, the oaken floorboards an uncomfortable level of damp, not quite wet but not dry. Her bare feet recoiling ever so slightly from the disquieting feeling. She gently scratched her eye to alleviate the sleepy itch as she reached the window, a sense of dread building within her heart.

She pushed open the windows to reveal the world once again and found herself looking at the sight of Eichafen blanketed in a sea of dense misty whiteness. What the saints damned hells? The rainstorm continued to batter the town and increasing flecks of water splashed against her cheeks as she moved to close the window again. A sudden thunderclap startled her and she tripped on her own feet and slammed her arm against the wardrobe, the wound and pain flaring up in equal measurements.

“Argh!” She yelped, the sudden noises causing the cat to stir in her sleep.

“Nyehmeh?” Riza mumbled.

Sophie paused for a moment, feeling somewhat guilty from disturbing Riza’s pleasant slumber but she quickly ignored that thought and pulled herself back up, wincing from the lingering pain. She clambered over to Riza’s bedside and started shaking the cat, a growing feeling of desperation and worry coiling itself around her heart.

“Wake up Riza, something’s really really wrong.” Sophie whispered next to the cat’s fuzzy ears, “Please wake up.”

“Nyeheheh…” Riza chuckled in her sleep as she unconsciously lifted her head and gave Sophie’s face a lick before settling back on the pillow.

The half elf jumped backwards in shock and Sophie touched her moist cheek in confusion as her concerns were momentarily forgotten. Another thunderclap brought her focus back to the room and she gave Riza a few more pokes.

“Nuurrrr whesh is early…is up…up”

Sophie avoided a few annoyed swats and prodded at the cat a few more times.

“Riza, wake up please.”

“Huh, nyeh? Geh! I’m up ahh…AH! Sophie what the fuck?!” Riza’s eyes widened in surprise and quickly pushed Sophie off.

“Oof!”

“Gah, sorry, what the hells?”

“Sorry.”

“No, I mean yes, sorry. Nyeh! Don’t look!” Riza yelped as she wiped some drool from her face, “What’s going on?”

“Huh? Oh! Something’s really wrong right now.”

“Really wrong?”

“Yeah the entity, the nightmare creature was being really weird and tried to…”

“By the saints, the nightmare?” Riza stretched her arms with a slightly annoyed look on her face, “Come over here, I’ll give you a hug.”

Sophie smiled, touched at the thought but shelved the thought as the situation at hand gnawed at her mind even more. “No, I mean thanks but not now. It wasn’t just a nightmare, it felt like it was warning me and then…”

“Warning?”

“Uhm! It was warning me and then when I looked out the window something felt really wrong.”

“Eh? Are you scared of thunder?” Riza replied with a coy smile, a teasing tone in her voice.

“Only a little! But no! Eichafen is really misty and I have a really bad feeling about it!” She protested with a small stamp of her feet. “Look!” She scrambled over to open the window, flinching as the rain splattered into the room through the opening.

Riza stared forward in silence for a minute before she cautiously made her way to Sophie, her eyes examining the strange fog in front of her. “It’s like…” She whispered.

“The fog in the Mistveil.” Sophie finished with a shiver.

The two stared out into the mist-covered town and an eerie feeling ran down their backs as another crack of thunder crashed into the earth. They could recognise most of the taller buildings in town from their position, the cathedral, statues and the shadow of the second walls that loomed over them. Sophie saw the questions running through Riza’s head as the cat narrowed her eyes at the mist, sticking a nervous hand into the rain as the mist and water enveloped it.

“You’re right,” Riza muttered, “Something definitely doesn’t feel right.”

Sophie let loose a small breath of relief, somewhat happy that she wasn’t just going insane or crazy and that Riza too could see the fog that covered the city.

“Sophie.”

“Huh? Yeah?”

“Get dressed and pack everything up, something tells me we need to be ready to move.” Riza hissed and Sophie quietly moved to obey.

As she began getting dressed and wiped the water on her feet away she saw an almost melancholic look that scrunched itself onto Riza’s face and her claws scratched at the window sill in frustration.

“Riza.”

“Hmm?”

“You okay?”

Riza paused and looked back at Sophie, the melancholy still evident but now more hidden by a new expression of concern and contemplation.

“No, but your nightmare actually warned you about something? I actually believe it might be something bad.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Riza chuckled darkly, “No offence but you’re a little too stupid and naive to make up or lie about this kind of stuff.”

“I…” Sophie was both offended but relieved. I mean I appreciate the trust but that still hurts. She slipped on her shirt and pants and quickly found her eyes drawn to the desk-side mirror, the earlier thoughts swarming her mind once more.

“Sophie.”

“Huh!” She jumped in surprise.

“Hurry up, I want to meet up with the others as soon as we can. You can admire yourself later.”

“Right, sorry.” She dipped her head apologetically, unused to Riza being so commanding or domineering.

A sudden bell rang loudly throughout the town and in moments countless others joined the first in a chorus of ringing and Sophie watched as Riza hopped away from the window and dashed over to her equipment.

Riza met Sophie’s confused gaze and slid a small dagger her way.

“One bell means noon or midnight. All the bells mean danger or general gathering.” She spoke through gritted teeth and shared another look with Sophie, determination burning in her eyes, “I’m not losing anyone else.” She whispered.

Sophie gave Riza an acknowledging nod and tucked the dagger into a strap in her belt.

“Your spooky head friend tell you anything else?”

Spooky head friend? Sophie grumbled, “You mean the nightmare?”

“Mmhmm.”

Sophie furrowed her brow and pinched her nose trying to recall the memories.

“Umm, seek the stolen dawn, beware the cursed wind, the huntmaster and uhh something about an arden of yore?”

“What's an arden?”

“I dunno, it's what I remember.” She shrugged.

“Not as helpful as I would like.” Riza grunted and the two returned to stuff what supplies were left into their packs.

By the time she tightened the final knot on her boots of supplies there was already a small puddle of rainwater by the window. Avoiding the moisture she took one last glance over the town and shuddered at the oppressiveness of the mist that had settled over Eichafen. There was a certain wrongness in the air, almost as if some darkness had thrown a shadow over the city and for a brief moment she felt naked. A little too lightly protected if trouble was really afoot without the leather armour she had intended to get at the armourer with Annalise when she saw Riza strapping on her own set of armour and weapons.

“Riza…” She clutched the hilt of the dagger.

“Yeah?”

“Something feels really wrong, we should go, like now.” Sophie shivered.

“What? I mean…okay yeah, let’s check in with Wilfred and Maud first okay?”

“Okay…”

Something unspoken passed between the two in that moment, a growing paranoia and fear that tickled the back of their minds. A feeling of being back inside the Mistveil, a shared horror that both had witnessed before. But whereas fright held Sophie in its dark grip, she was somewhat relieved at how fierce Riza looked, how determined she seemed to be. Yet, a seed of doubt had already twisted itself around her and Sophie worried that whatever trial lay ahead might be too much for them to bear, but she dared not voice her concerns, already aware that the cat likely had much to worry about. But why do I feel so worried?

Her fears only grew in size as they arrived in the great room. Tables were flipped over and faced the doorway and windows in a defensive formation whilst the few bar patrons all carried their own weapons and the giant held a halberd that used to decorate the wall. A tense silence carried throughout the great hall as the last of their steps drew the attention from the crowd below and the duo traded glances with the patrons until Wilfred chuckled.

“Well, well! How can I help the two of you?” He beamed, and everyone around breathed a small size of relief.

“Uhh good morning?” Riza awkwardly broke the silence and Sophie was glad it wasn’t her.

“Aye aye, good morn and all. I take it judging by your outfit the alarm bells woke you too?”

“Something like that. Maud okay?”

Wilfred’s mood immediately darkened as Riza worded her question. “She was out getting supplies from the market, I assume she’ll be holding out at one of the guildhalls there. You’re not…”

“Planning to go out there? Yeah I am. I just don’t think I can…” Riza paused, the words stuck in her throat.

“No need, I get it. Though you know the guard wants everyone indoors when the bells are rung? If they catch you it’ll be treason almost.”

Riza mutely nodded and Sophie could see some of the other patrons scrutinising the duo, a few eyes lingering on the elf ears and she quickly threw up her hood hoping to avoid their gazes.

“Though I suppose if you’re heading to the Heldplatz and get to the guild…mind tell Maud that the band is holding here?”

“Sure.”

“Band?” Sophie couldn’t help herself and asked, clamping a hand over her mouth as she shook her head in apology for interrupting. To her surprise Wilfred and the patrons guffawed and chuckled slightly before the giant answered her.

“Used to me a mercenary captain. See this tattoo? He pulled his shirt down to show a sword and skull on her chest, “Represents my former company, Swords of the Damned. And these boys here?” He gestured to the patrons around, “Most of them from the same company.” Earning himself a few grunts from the crowd.

“Don’t worry Sophie, they know what they’re doing.” Riza reassured her, some grim chuckles from the crowd echoing her statement. “We’ll try to find Maud.” She turned back to Wilfred with a firm nod.

“Thank you I…elf. Come over here.” Wilfred ordered and Sophie found herself unable to disobey despite her hesitance.

From under the bar counter he pulled out what appeared to be a sabre of sorts and thrusted the hilt towards her. “You used to be fancy fancy with the nobles, yeah?” He asked and continued without waiting for a reply, “Should be familiar enough with this I reckon, would do better than that, no offence.” He cast a sly glance at the dagger.

The blade weighed lighter than she thought and as she figured out the strange handgrip Wilfred clasped his meaty hands on her shoulders and she could not escape.

“You keep Riza safe now you hear? Don’t let a strand of hair get harmed, treat her like those nobles of yours.” He whispered shockingly quiet for a man his size and she could do nothing but nod to protect her own health, not that she would have disagreed. I’ve still got a long road to make up for her friends, don’t you worry, she glumly thought to herself.

“If you two are done plotting I’d prefer to pick up the pace before anything bad actually happens.” Riza growled and a despondent air filled the great room as Wilfred backed off.

“Otto,” He suddenly barked, startling even Riza and Sophie suppressed a laugh as she watched her literally jump backwards. “Get these two to the adventuring hall, I know you’re curious about your girl as well.”

“Sir! Uhh yes sir!” A man who Sophie assumed was Otto jumped up and saluted. His fashionably trimmed beard and well kept hair indicated a level of sophistication that contrasted with the gruffness of his comrades.

As the man grabbed his shortsword and buckler from a nearby table and pushed open the door, a gust of fog and damp mist poured into the inn and Riza quickly dragged Sophie’s hand to follow him before giving Wilfred one last nod as the lights from the inn quickly disappeared.

Faint sounds of chatter and panicking civilians could be heard as the flurry of bells rang out once again and deafened the trio. Sophie physically winched from the reverberating noise that travelled down the street. Rain droplets pelted them as they briskly sprinted across the flowerbed courtyard, equipment clattering along as they navigated the misty streets.

“Should’ve lit a fucking torch.” Otto grumbled to himself and scouted the roads ahead before beckoning them to follow.

Little streams and puddles covered the cobbled roads as they splashed their way forward, narrowly ducking into an alley as a troop of guards with their lanterns marched on by, the fog keeping them just out of sight.

Ever so slowly they made their way down the slope, sticking to the walls of courtyards, buildings and generally under some level of protection from both the rain and prying eyes. Whispers and concerned words could be heard behind closed doors and often, their passage would lead to furniture being hurriedly moved around inside homes as people prepared for the worst.

A distant rumble of thunder disguised the sound of impact but all three could clearly see a dark purple projectile fly into another part of town, smashing one of the bells ringing out as its one less joined the chorus next time they rang out in alarm. The trio shared a concerned look amongst themselves and broke out into a light sprint, Riza and Sophie scrambling to follow Otto as he bobbed and weaved through countless alleyways in an effort to go faster.

What felt like an eternity of traversing through wet, soggy and hostile terrain later, Sophie could feel the stress temporarily lift from her shoulders as they finally arrived at a large opening between the buildings. Taking advantage of the moment she turned to her companions and looked to them for reassurance, getting herself an exhausted grin from Riza and a more grim expression from Otto.

“Who goes there!” A voice suddenly echoed from across the square.

“Mercenaries! Hold! Swords of the Damned! Graced by the stars!” Otto quickly yelled back.

“Graced by the stars!” Came the reply and he quickly beckoned the other two to follow.

Sophie felt a rising unease as she took stock of the empty stalls and half filled shelves around the square as people setting up for the upcoming festivities were likely caught unawares and abandoned their projects on the spot. Scattered bundles of lumber, furs and other odds and ends lay here and there on the ground, likely the tradesmen unable to finish their deliveries before the bells. Even here, the deep mist seeped into one’s very soul as they made their way to the guildhall, finding a small barricade hastily erected outside. An odd mixture of townsfolk, guardsmen and adventures standing on guard.

A well dressed soldier stepped forward and eyed the three before dropping a small bow in welcome.

“Any idea what’s happening lieutenant?” Otto asked with a small salute.

“Not really, most of us here are reservists or ex guards and volunteers, these are our pre assigned positions in emergencies and well…you probably know more than us. Anyways, are you the mercenary from across the square? What’s your purpose here? And those two? Don’t look much like reinforcements.”

“Dropping off these two at the guild and checking the premises.”

“Fair enough I suppose. Though I must reiterate for people to stay indoors and let the city watch handle these issues. Move along.” The Lieutenant ordered and the trio briskly moved past the checkpoint as shades of purple now stretched in the sky as well.

“Foul magicks are afoot.” Otto looked up fearfully at the sky, “Let’s pray that’s the end of it.” He turned to the others unconvincingly, receiving worried nods in return. They pushed on through the last stretch and Sophie swore the fog grew denser and heavier as they got closer to the guildhall and with one last effort they pushed open the doors to safety.