Chapter Four Catching a Break
Before the age of war, the elements were not at odds with our people. These Humes brought this devastation upon themselves.
Enclave of the Shattered Moon
Laline simply knows her sisters won’t stand for this mage. Especially one with such reckless judgement. However, she senses that this being will have some value in her future.
“He can not be allowed to stay here. Not for the death and decay he has brought to our land.” the enclave whispers. “Other Humes will naturally seek this power. He will bring the war directly to our doors. You must take him to his people.”
Haga doesn’t remember much of the past couple of days, but his companion reminds him that they must be on their way out.
“Lay lee Nay? Am I pronouncing that correctly?” he asked. “Just don’t even try.” Laline mutters as she stares at the table while reviewing a map and using some tools to scribble down a path.
His thoughts are still hazy and whole body is sore. However, he can sense the urgency in her tone. So much has happened since Haga decided to study his magic powers, but it is starting to feel like a curse.
“Haga, look at this map, what do you think?” Laline interrupts.
The two have been working well lately but, the young elf seems visibly disturbed. “Isn’t there a village not far from here? You can just leave me there, and I’ll find an inn to rest for a few days.” Haga states.
“Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple. We need to find someone who can help you with your…” Laline stops to think. “Condition.” she says while making a passive hand gesture. “My people were once a single nation. Now we are scattered and in hiding. I know a few tribes who might be willing to help. This elemental magic seems more like the specialty of the Order of Ianralei to the west though but, we would have to go through the desert…”
“I suppose we might as well see the ones that can help the most.” Haga decides.
“I was afraid you would say that.” Laline says as she starts to pack. “There aren’t any places to supply on the way there so, we’ll have to forage what we can.”
She begins to complain under her breath about the situation, but Haga’s mind tunes it out. The plan must be to follow the shore of Malamore Lake until they reach the Siverus Dunes. He had never been this far beyond the great lake but was always told the southern side was mostly uninhabitable.
Esteliers Hallow was just east of Sothan. The school kept travelling east and were going to completely past Castle Town by keeping to the mountains. The orcs must have chased them to the outskirts of Mael Therin. No merchants or militants go through the dunes as they could just travel over the lake.
Trying to recall the journey, Haga was too focused on the map to hear Laline. “Haga, they’re here!” Laline must have been trying to get his attention this whole time. Familiar orcish faces were marching in from the distance.
Stepping outside to confront them, the young mage could suddenly sense the moisture in the ground. Almost as if the elements themselves were calling to him directly. Frost begins to surround the makeshift camp. Many of the Orcs hesitate briefly, but one of them steps forward.
“Come no closer or face my wrath!” Haga exclaims. It is met with only light chuckling and grunts.
“Hume mage STUPID, but brave.” says a uniquely larger Orc that was clearly their leader. “We come for the girl.”
Laline’s bow is ready, and she appears eager to let loose a volley of arrows.
“Whatever reason you seek this woman, it can’t possibly be worth your lives.” the mage replies.
Some of the group begin to grunt amongst themselves. Their chieftain pondering and scratching his chin as he examines Haga.
“Very well Hume. Take this wretched Elf away from our lands, and NEVER return!” Zuzzath exclaims. Slowly the group begins to return to the forest. They both let out a sigh of relief as the last orc leaves their sight.
“Perhaps we should just keep moving and pack up.” Laline suggests.
They journey to the shore of Malamore Lake and set up camp. Fishing is good, and for the first time in a while, they both have a decent meal.
“I think there is a small ferryman post not far from here.” Haga explain to Laline.
“We don’t have any money.” she replies while stirring the flames of the campfire. “Going by land would be about the same distance, but we wouldn’t have to walk half the way by boat.”
It was the first time Laline did not feel the need to be on alert in a while. Perhaps, they could finally relax and simply think about their next move. The opportunity to finally rest was too tempting to pass up.
Laline and her clan are scavengers of ancient relics. They believe, that one day, their people will find some power that they have been searching to uncover for ages. Religion and myths were never really any of Haga’s concern though. After a couple of days fishing and foraging, they both decide it was time to continue. Eventually they came across an arid valley with dunes of sands.
They both continue through the valley despite the heat on their skin as they entered the dunes at midday.
“I knew we should have waited until nightfall.” Haga says as he shrouds his head in a cloth. It was the only respite from the sand blowing in the wind.
“You haven’t seen the creatures that roam the dunes at night. It would have been torture either way.” Laline responds. In the distance, what appears to be a large tower could be seen.
“We can use our water as a mist to protect ourselves from the heat.” you suggest. Laline stares at him with an annoyed look. “I think I can make us a salve to help. Maybe not as effective, but we won’t be wasting our water.” she replies.
Both take a moment to apply the salve that Laline has prepared. It didn’t protect their eyes but allowed the skin respite from the burning heat. Making their way towards the tower in the center of the dunes quickly. Haga could tell that they are more ruins than civilization.
“Could this be where the Order of Ianralei live?” he wondered. Sand hides the weathering of what appears to be years of neglect. Since acquiring the book, Haga always had some feeling in the back of his mind that the elements could sense him. Upon reaching the structure, he sensed the elements around grow stagnant. Something was severing his connection to them.
“I think someone is here.” Haga whispers while preparing. “Maybe we should be on guard first.” and Laline simply nods.
Preparing mentally for what may lay ahead, Haga calls upon the wind to hear far in the distance. Whispers echo from within the tower. Footsteps from two individuals were also heard. One heavy, while the other swift, Elves perhaps?
Then the ground beneath them began to shift. The floor turns to liquid as they suddenly sink waist deep into the sand. Losing his concentration on the situation, Haga find himself trapped.
“Clever trick Hume.” a voice speaks accompanied by a slow clapping noise. “You have impressed me with your connection to the elements. Why have you two come here?” It was a tall, blonde Elvish man. His robes and attire suggest that he was skilled with magic like the young mage.
Laline begins to recall their journey and explains how Haga came into possession of the tome. For a brief moment, the elf mage scratches their chin in disbelief. Then, with a wave of their hand, Laline and Haga are raised from the sands.
“You would bring an Atronoch to this holy site sister?” the elf states sternly. “Very well, we must speak with the Order at once.”
Chapter Five Something Approaches
