Chapter Eight The Voyage Home
Over the next few days, the two travel the fringe of the desert in a northern direction. Ever since making contact with Oguran, Haga has been able to piece together more passages in his ancient book. Elemental magic was somehow created as a weapon, though he is unsure why. These elemental beings hold great power but are locked in some sort of battle.
Visions of the past make it clear that this book only records Cindersurge’s studies of the elementals. The magic itself is much older, however. Dozens of monstrous creatures were documented within the old journal.
“What was the connection with Laline?” Haga wondered. Left with only more questions the continue onward. Stories given to them by Karei for reference didn’t seem to make any sense. The story book, “Heart of the Lake” referred to an adventure on an island in the middle of Malamore Lake, but to their knowledge, there has never been an island in the lake.
It begins with a group of adventurers attempting to learn the mysteries of a temple located within the island. They end up disturbing a vengeful Atronoch of water. That elemental being eventually raises the island into the sky. The group then manages to find some ancient ship that flies them off the island as it crashes into the lake. Apparently, just one story of a series, but nothing directly helpful.
Eventually, the two arrived at the Southern Port of Malamore. Mostly a dry storage for merchants and goods on their way to Aeris. It is barely an outpost, and the majority of the population are sailors or military. The sort of people who would wonder why a young mage had not been conscripted.
“If we keep a low profile, we can probably find someone willing to answer some questions.” Haga suggests to Laline. “Going to be best if we don’t bring any attention to my powers.” he states.
That’s when he realizes she has already disappeared into the shadows. Making his way towards the docks, Haga notices it is clearly separated into a military and merchant district. Going from stall to stall, he questions merchants and workers about the lake.
“I haven’t heard that fairy tale since I was a young boy.” chuckles a dock laborer that was recently questioned. “Sounds like your master has you on a fool’s errand lad. If I were you, I’d just see if someone here is hiring!” he laughed as he carries some cargo towards the docks.
Haga suspected the notion of an island in the middle of Malamore Lake seemed like fiction. Only tales of a Lady of the Lake shrouded in a mist who lures sailors to their doom. Simple superstition he could only assume. After visiting most of the shop stalls in the port, Haga starts to ask if anyone has seen Laline.
Suddenly a heavily armored man on horseback begins trotting towards Haga.
“You there!” the knight shouts while pointing at him. “We must speak.” Attempting to keep his composure, Haga grabs his pack and complies. The man is dressed in Aeris Armor of a prominent nature. Likely a ranking officer of the forces on the docks, but Haga doesn’t believe he gave any reason to suspect his abilities.
“I am going to give you one chance to explain.” the man warns as his war horse snarls at him. “We apprehended this thief earlier, and now you are here searching for her by name.” he continues.
Haga takes some time to detail how the Seer from Ianralei sent them to retrieve three artifacts but are careful not to admit their abilities.
“I should have known Elves would be involved. These Enclave women are not your friend, boy.” claims the rider as they turn their horse. “Very well, come with me. We will send you both to Sothan where she can post bail, and you can think about enlisting.”
Haga figures that interaction could have gone worse but is surprised by the knight’s remarks. Work on the docks continue as usual while they both travel towards the Military District. When they arrive at a makeshift barracks, Haga can see Laline is detained but otherwise unharmed. Taking a seat next to Laline, they now sit before the Aeris Knight.
“Look, I don’t like when my port is disturbed.” the man says calmly placing his hand on a desk. “She was caught trespassing. I have to send the accused to Sothan for her crime.” he admits.
“Since you were so kind as to provide the same wild story as your friend here, you can travel along as well.” the man states as he taps his fingers. “Now why would an apostate like yourself be willing to risk his freedom for this thief?” he asks.
Laline appears to be slumped in anger, but Haga is just happy to have found a passage over the lake. Later that afternoon, they are escorted onto a military ship headed to Sothan. The ringing of a bell signaling departure can be heard below deck. Though they were both stripped of their weapons, the two huddle together to form a plan.
“At least we are finally moving over the lake.” Haga tells Laline. “I have a feeling I will be able to sense what we are looking for when we get close.” he says.
“So, we might have better luck in a town like Sothan. That’s your plan?” Laline says while crossing her arms. “If you had just made a distraction, I could have gotten us a boat.” she responds angrily. Then the ship jerks as if to be hit by a large wave.
Fast movements and shouts echo through the cabin. Both Laline and Haga can tell the commotion is more than a simple delay. Again, they both are knocked off balance as another wave hits the ship. Whatever is causing the damage seems to be attacking.
Without a moment of hesitation, Haga closes his eyes and focuses on the elements. His mind feels like it was plunged into a deep, watery, abyss. The noise of the panic above deck fades away. A feeling of vast emptiness paralyzes him into a state of serenity.
Like a sparkle in the corner of Haga’s mind’s eye, he senses something now stirs at the bottom of the lake. Strange sounds echo through the cabin, and the sudden shock wave breaks his focus. Something massive is still out there, and it is not an elemental being.
Inhaling deeply as if finally able to breathe again, Haga leaves the trance. Debris is scattered about the cabin, and he notices he is alone. Sounds of all out panic can be heard from above deck.
“Of course, she would leave me here.” he whispered to yourself. Stumbling over trash and supplies, Haga makes his way to the cabin exit. The chaos above deck is made clear but he slowly opens the door.
“You there boy, abandon ship or make yourself useful!” a familiar voice shouts from some unknown direction. Then a massive tentacle appears heading toward him. Using his shield to deflect the creature’s arm, the knight now seems to have turned his focus on the monster.
Quickly snapping his fingers, Haga unleashes a force of intense cold in all directions. It was a sudden burst of magic that the mage didn’t realize he was capable of producing. Most tentacles slowly come to a halt as they become encased in ice. The knight shouts as he shatters a tentacle with a swing of his sword.
Waves violently toss the ship around as the creature seems to react from the strike. Haga is just one of the many bodies to fall from the surge of water that rushes up from the sides of the ship. Only the cries and commands of the survivors can be heard. Taking a moment to regain his balance, Haga notices the lake appears to be calm once again. The creature looks to have abandoned the assault.
Taking charge of the situation, the knight directs the rest of the sailors while staying on high alert. Pointing his sword at Haga, he begins to walk towards the mage in strife.
“What in the goddess’s bloody name was that?!” he shouts. “I knew you two were going to be trouble with all of this magic nonsense!” the knight sheaths his sword and begins to direct the others again. Regaining order of the ship is more of a priority than the argument.
Laline arrives at Haga’s side and hands his gear over. “They call him Andryr the Unbreakable.” she tells him. “That thing will be back, any ideas?” she asks. Andryr the knight, is commanding all hands to ready the cannons.
Ice seemed to leave the creature vulnerable Haga rationalizes. He decides to set a fairly large glyph of elemental power that will detonate if the beast returns. His staff becomes cold to the touch as a cold mist emanates from the tip.
Focusing his powers, he taps the bottom of his staff to the deck of the ship. At first, nothing appears to happen and Laline stares at him puzzled. Then the shouts of the sailors begin to dissipate.
A slight crackling noise causes many of the others to curiously look over the sides. The outer walls of the ship are becoming encased in a thin layer of frost. Chatter and fear quickly overtake the sailors as they get back to their tasks.
“Damn it all boy, what did you just do!?” Andryr is shouting from the crowd. Everyone cautiously readies their weapons for a battle to come. For a few moments there is nothing more than the commotion of the panicked crew. Then suddenly an explosion from below causes Haga to lose consciousness.
As if to instinctively enter a trance, his mind returns to the abyss. He can hear a solemn voice now though. It sings an ominous hymn of some sort. Like a sad melody that fills his heart with longing. Visions of the past then enter Haga’s thoughts. They are clearer and represent a world before magic. At least, they appear to be memories of someone who lived in a previous era.
Haga suddenly feels a burning in his lungs. Finally taking a breath, he realizes he is now stranded among the waves. “Laline!” he shouts desperately. Wooden debris and chunks are everywhere. The waves relentlessly toss his body around as Haga struggles to keep afloat.
A thick fog begins to roll over the sky above and all visibility becomes lost. Haga wonders if perhaps the workers at the port were superstitious about this mist now engulfing the water.
“Laline!” Haga can recall shouting before collapsing from exhaustion as he loses consciousness one last time.
Chapter Nine Heart of the Lake
