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I woke up staring at the ceiling. Despite the dreams that claimed me, my mind was too locked in on the sensations to forget them, or forget who gave them to me, so easily.
I opened my mouth to speak but no words came to me. Even now, I still felt the womanly warmth that surrounded me in a moment of unnatural bliss. I remembered the touches and kisses of my partner, each one was filling the air inexperience and passion long-thought to be gone.
Attempting to ease my rattled mind, I surveyed my surroundings. In my haste, I suddenly realized that there was no more pain in my eyes. I saw clearly in the dark without much issue, the bright glow of the sun piercing through the curtains in my room.
I also noticed my mother, Naala, and Ellen sleeping with me quietly. It seemed Aesteal was still out with Maeloson. Not only that, but it seemed that I’d slept almost the entirety of yesterday away. Through the sleepy haze, I briefly recalled meeting with Aldwyn and sharing what information I could with him in regard to Alġnoth. The meeting had been long and I wondered if my body could even stand against the exhaustion I felt. It seemed I was able to as I crawled into bed.
Which led me to right now.
“An’raie, explain yourself,” I said quickly, the pleasure that I’d experienced from last night still lingering within me.
I sought no games nor subtleties. With that inexperience, I knew it could only be An’raie, especially with the way her voice moaned into the air when I caught it. I’d gotten one more moan out of her before our business was finished. No lass, not even Liara, moaned like that.
I waited but I received no answer. “An’raie!” I called again, yet still received no words from her.
I called and called, hoping that if I annoyed her enough she might at least flare her mana in irritation, but she didn’t even do that. I was just left in my bed with only the silence to greet me. Had it not been for our link as soulbound partners, I would have thought she’d left me entirely. I still felt her presence around me as always, yet never had I felt so distant from her than now.
After a few more minutes of trying, I finally respected her wishes and left her alone. However, I made sure to warn her that we would revisit this conversation at a later point. I received no response, but I knew she heard me.
Seeing as how An’raie saw fit to ignore me, I decided to look over my body. Not only had my eyes finally ceased aching, but the unpleasant feeling in my arms had gone away as well. In fact, I never felt better. It was like I’d been dumped into a pond of eighth-tier healing magic.
Slowly, I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake any of my lovers. My feet touched the cold, wooden floor and I walked over to one of the tables. I grabbed the lone pitcher that lay there and quenched my hoarse throat with water.
I turned my head, spotting Nei and her sisters sleeping in their barrel. They seemed content to sleep without much concern for anything around them while I stepped outside my room, closing the door behind me.
Being up so early, I ventured to the top of the building that served as the quarters for Lorentia’s male soldiers. When I made it, I was graced with a wondrous view of the Naalin Valley while the sun started to rise over the horizon. On days like this, I might have enjoyed a cup of coffee to liven up my day, especially after the night that I’d endured under An’raie’s care cause I’d never deny that Hæňgaram had pleasant scenery. It certainly looked much different from what it would become in my future.
As I stood on the roof, my eyes drifted to watching at least six patrols of Lorentia’s men marching off into the distance with a commander leading them. From this height, I got a good look at the rest of Ynro. The palace of the emperor was very far away, but I made out its mighty silhouette from where I stood. It seemed like every part of the army was needed somewhere with the city still in lockdown following the event that broke my fucking arms more than a dozen times.
Apart from that, the war hadn’t entirely died down from Zevmar’s little onslaught. Of course, at this point, it would end in the empire’s victory. The lot that stuck their cocks in with Lightfeather had already expressed hesitance to continue due to my interference. I had no doubts that Zevmar might have thought that Seraphina and I might kill ourselves trying to stop each other. Well, either that or he thought Alġnoth might bring about my demise. Thankfully, I counted my fortunes that the bastard seemed keen to express amusement rather than anger.
I wasn’t so sure I could have stopped him at that moment had he taken it seriously. Yet, there were too many supplies that I needed in order to continue to survive someone like him. Hell, I’d barely cracked through all of the alchemist’s notes that I’d gathered from Delverhold. And yet, I’d still left more than a grand library’s worth of them there after the dreadful circumstances had befallen my crew çeşme escort and I.
I sucked my teeth in annoyance. “And yet I’ve got no fucking clue what the fucker needs me for. Clearly, it ain’t something soon since he kept Seraphina alive.”
Back in my old life, I hadn’t been the quietest pirate. Most pirates tried to keep their profiles low as to not attract attention from the likes of Hæňgaram and other kingdoms. Many weren’t so quick as to let a pirate sail through their waters. Thus, most struck small ships or small towns, fleeing off when the storms got too rough.
I, on the other hand, was almost always in the fucking mix of the storm wherever my ship sailed. Nary a day would go back without some form of cannon fire coming upon my old crew and I. My face was infamous throughout nearly the whole realm of D’orn.
Being the bastard that I was, I reveled in the chaos. I sniffed it through my nostrils and fired my brain from its addicting touch. In other words, it wasn’t hard to find me usually. Much as I hate to admit it, the fucking arrogance of my youth would have made me an easy target out of the four of us. I was ready to accept any challenge so long as I had the seas by my side. It was only through numerous defeats that tempered my steel as a captain, and recent failures that made me aware of that glaring issue.
I touched my chest, the single lung still pumping air through the rest of my body. In the end, I imagined this would be matters that I’d have to solve in my own time. I’d make sure that the fate which befell me would not come about a second time. And the next step in making sure that didn’t happen was right in front of me, waiting for me just like all the others.
Anderen Dagnos.
I’d not forgotten him nor his treachery. He lay to the northeast, trapped in the lands of the empire since they’d closed down their borders. Before I sailed away from the empire, I’d make sure his soul sailed away into the lands of Haganthar. I’d let him make peace with his gods long enough.
I watched the sun continue to rise before I headed back inside. Despite my thoughts of my history with Anderen, I tried not to let my mood sour too much lest a storm come upon the empire again. While I enjoyed the rain, I wished for nothing to impede my steps to the northeast.
Returning to my room, I grabbed the door handle. When I opened it, I noticed my mother was already awake. She had the curtains drawn only a little to give her light on the desk. In front of her was a stack of papers. I noticed it was a list of all the supplies we’d need back on Draegnar.
She turned around to face me. “And where the hell did you run off to?” she asked.
I rolled my neck, still feeling the stiffness from the night moving through me. “If there be anything good about the empire, then it be their land. It’s a sight for the eyes in the morning,” I said, my tone not quite selling the shit I was spewing.
Let me tell you that a fucking mother’s intuition was some of the scariest magic of all. The jovial smirk on my mother’s face slowly faded away once she took a prolonged look at me. She stood up and walked over to me and jabbed my arm.
“You got that damn look on your face again. Who do you plan on gutting this time?” she asked as I looked at her. I couldn’t resist the smile that came upon my face when she asked me that. It was honestly surprising to me just how much control my mother unknowingly had over me. Just one question and she had me smiling like a damned young brat. Which, I supposed I was at this point.
“I have personal business to the northeast. Business that I’ve put off for far too long while I’ve dealt with Hæňgaram’s shit. Now that we’re done, this’ll be the last thing I do before we sail off,” I answered, making the frown on my mother’s face deepen.
Raising her hand, she caressed my shoulder. “…should I wake the others?” she questioned.
“No,” I answered. “As I said back on the ship, I’ll be doing this alone.”
My answer didn’t seem to please my mother. Skeptically, she eyed me for a moment. “Yeah, you do mention some shit like that back on the ship. Alright, if you’re so dead set on it, who am I to try and beat some sense into you? Just… make sure you return dammit. I warned you, Eric. I cannot bear it a second time. I mean it…” she said, gripping the chair with her trembling hands.
I watched the anxiousness sail its way over my mother’s face. Despite her pleasant youth, her eyes showed the number of her years and the toll within them. Were I to suddenly disappear, I dreaded wondering what might become of her again.
I approached my mother and pulled her face to me. “You don’t even know what I be going there for,” I chuckled before she punched my arm.
“Throw shit on the ground, Eric. Not in my face. I’m not gonna…”
I ceased my mother’s rising ramble with a kiss. She gasped in shock before I kissed her again, her hands pounding my başakşehir escort chest with my fingers swimming through her hair. When we ceased, she panted breathlessly. I pushed my forehead to hers.
“Fret not, mother. You bastard of a son won’t allow misery to become his coat a second time so easily. When the others awaken, wait for Maeloson and Aesteal to return. Once they do, head back to the ship, I’ll be there before long,” I said while my mother cleared her throat.
“Well, what about Diane? We haven’t seen her in fucking days,” she answered.
“Diane knows how to get back to the ship. Liara has numerous agents throughout D’orn. They will get her back into the root. She’ll know what to do,” I answered.
My mother slowly nodded. “Fine. Well, off with you then, and make sure whoever you’re planning on fucking up doesn’t get away this time. Whatever business you got with the asshole, don’t bring it back to the ship,” my mother pleaded.
I stifle any laughter in my throat for fear of waking Naala and Ellen. Instead, I swore that I would not bring trouble back to the ship. I then turned around and walked out the door. “Be safe, you fucking bastard,” my mother whispered, perhaps thinking that I was too far to hear her. I chose not to embarrass her, closing the door behind me.
I stepped outside the building, glancing back at the room my lovers were sleeping in. “There shall not be a second time!” I said, suddenly feeling an uncomfortable tingling sensation in the depths of my chest. All of a sudden, my inner core felt tight.
I moved on, descending the slope of the hill until I made my way to the main training grounds for Lorentia’s men. Surprisingly, there was no one here to give me the usual scathing look. It was a shame. I sort of missed the attention.
Luckily, I didn’t have to go without it for too long as I came up to the gates of the valley. The guards barely gave me anything more than a glance before the doors were opened for me. I walked out and swiftly disguised myself.
It was at this point that I truly found myself alone for the first time in a while. The last time I’d remembered something like it, it was back on the ship before I was set to meet The Lonely Wail. There was nothing but my thoughts to keep me together as I entered the city of Ynro, passing the various soldiers of the empire. They seemed to pay me no mind, working constant patrols throughout the city.
When I came into the city, I saw hundreds of stonemasons working together while mages continued to move away rubble and debris. Various commanders shouted instructions while soldiers marched through the city.
Taking a turn, ducked into an alleyway and pulsed my mana for but a moment. In that alleyway, I stayed for about ten minutes before what looked like a young worker joined me. A towel wrapped around his shoulder, he sighed as he rubbed his face. There was a large, cheerful smile on his face before he spotted me.
“Yes, sir?” he asked, his gaze sharp and focused, ready to take my orders at a moment’s notice. The more I looked at him, the more I was pleased that I’d taken a chance on Aesteal’s mercy of the men and women of Hilvir. I’d not thought that they’d become so a value to me in matters like this. I suppose that spoke to the measure of either her intuition or her wisdom.
“Anderen Dagnos. He still lays to the northeast islands?” I asked.
The man nodded. “Yes, sir. As you wished, we’ve not let him out of our sight. Based on your description, we believe him to be the right target. Given the closing of the borders, he’s moved from the islands and into another part of the mainland. He currently lives in the furthest reaches of the north beyond the City of Hashkin. There is a coastal town called Fakleer. He made his selling fishing boats to the locals. He also runs a rather famous ale house. Apparently, he’s a well-known cook in those parts, especially since the spread of refugees moved there.
Aye, of course the fucker is. The more this lad in front of me spoke, the more I believed this was indeed the man I was looking for.
“He hasn’t tried to leave during the war?” I asked.
There hasn’t been a need to as the town hasn’t become ravaged by the war. In fact, many of the Hæňgaramians have been reported of sending refugees to this town. Strong illusion magic keeps the town hidden, run by a talented group of Hæňgaram mages. Of course, it’s easy to pierce the veil when those with higher mana can sense the magic,” he reported.
I glanced to the side for a moment. I found this only a little surprising since the empire wasn’t known for housing illusion mages. Then again, I supposed every kingdom or empire had its little special divisions that no one else knew about. “Good. Anything happened to him?” I asked.
The man shook his head. “If there has been, it hasn’t reached my ears. Of the things I’ve read in my report, he’s notably on edge. He constantly looks küçükçekmece escort over his shoulder enough that even the townsfolk laugh at him. Many joke that he fears someone stealing his fried fish recipe. However, at night, on four separate occasions, he’s met with a group of four individuals each time. They hand him a type of golden trinket and he lets them inside. We thought maybe they were just friends, but we investigated his house when he left. Beneath his basement, touching the third wall to the left, there was a hidden meeting room. There were lots of blood marks on the walls,” he reported.
My eyes narrowed. When I heard this now, it sure as hell didn’t sound like Anderen. The bastard was the least twitchy shithead I’d ever met. He had a foul temper and a fouler mouth. One poor bastard talked shit about his food and Anderen dumped his head in a pot of boiling water, claiming the heat might fix his tastebuds. Then those blood marks, what was that supposed to mean?
After dealing with one damned god, I sure as hell wished to not have to deal with another so soon. “Any symbols on the walls?” I inquired. If I needed time before I gutted the bastard, then time was what I’d use.
“No, sir. However, I believe you’ll have a much better time with the team stationed in that area. Would you like me to journey with you?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Return to your work. You’ve done an old scourge proud tonight. I’ll make sure you and the others are properly rewarded for this,” I voiced, patting him on the shoulder. He nodded and wished me a safe journey. He then walked out of the alleyway. He laughed as he joined the other stonemasons, apologizing for the short break he took.
I watched him for a little while before I snuck away as well, my thoughts all but guiding me out of Ynro’s pristine city walls. For once, I noticed the lack of sellsword tents surrounding the plains of the outer lands of Ynro. The fields were lush and wide, the thundering hooves of horses dashing off gallantly with soldiers on the horizon. It seemed that Zevmar’s little funeral wasn’t gonna be a watch party for all the city to see. As much as it’d make me laugh to see the fucker burn, I figured there wasn’t much to enjoy when he was already dead.
I ventured a ways away from the city, out of view of anyone else. Once I was far enough past the lot, I kicked up my legs and started running in the direction of the northeast. My feet digging into the rough dirt, the wind in my hair, and the passing of foliage, I ran as hard as I could, making my way toward the town of Fakleer.
For hours I ran, nothing to slow me down this time. Well, almost nothing. Out of respect to the emperor and his agreement to not make shit difficult for me, I decided to quickly mop up any invaders still hanging around in the empire. While most had seen fit to retreat, others still tried to fight it out. I hardly needed to spare them more than a gaze before their heads popped with water. The stunned looks of the Hæňgaram soldiers were a good enough reward for my trouble.
I ran all day and all night for two days, burning through the stores of my mana that enhanced me to run so quickly. I blew past the City of Hashkin and further into the lands of the northern province that lay to the east.
I only stopped when I finally smelled the stench of the sea. I stopped by a tree and panted, resisting the urge to puke my guts out as my lung burned like it was set on fire. I took out a water pill and crunched on it, feeling a torrent of delicious water flowing into my throat.
Refreshed, I jumped to the top of the trees and peered at the town. Indeed, it was hard to find, especially when it was surrounded by so many trees. Yet, the sea was evident and so were the boats sailing out there.
As always, the Hæňgaramian architecture was a marvel to the eyes. While it was nothing as spectacular as the cities, the town had a rather interesting charm to it, especially in contrast to the walls of Mapik.
I noticed the sun beginning to set over the horizon. I wondered when the illusion magic would try to take its hold over me, but I wondered if perhaps maybe I’d already passed it some time ago. Illusion magic of this level wouldn’t hinder me like the stuff on Delverhold. Even without An’raie’s help, I was confident to not get suckered in so easily.
Jumping down, I discarded my pirate coat. Left in only a dirty, white-stained shirt and pants, I conjured up a backpack full of items and began marching toward the town. Had I a mirror, I imagined my face wouldn’t be one that any traveler would be too keen on getting to know. I tried to keep myself calm. Unfortunately, the closer I got to Fakleer, the cloudier it became. Thoughts of Dagnos filled my head as my plate crashed to the ground, my body steadily growing numb from the food I’d eaten.
Somehow, I hadn’t gotten so angry that rain would start to fall. Tales of the rain bringing the Water Mage of the Empire had started on the lips of citizens, and I wished for nothing to give me away.
I continued in my steps before I noticed a carriage of sorts riding in front of me. The mana coming from the carriage was definitely more potent than what any ordinary Hæňgaram could output. Of course, it didn’t take me too long to figure out why when I saw the pristine robes of the Mage Association.