Heart of Aspira

Chapter 3 Pt. 1

“Why are you hunting the Veiled Ones anyway? I mean, I get the money thing, we can all use it here, but for you it seems like it’s more than that.” The Dark Elf asked, noticing how her eyes went slightly darker for a moment.

“My family, hell my people, have fought against the darkness for eons. Monsters, Demons, and everything in between. If there is something out there killing and slaughtering for no reason other than the sake of spilling blood, then I will find it and end it. However, there is something more going on here, I just do not have the full picture yet. I know there is a great power moving the Veiled Ones, I know that there is a plan behind their movements, I just have not figured out what that is yet.” The hunter confessed, hating that someone was outsmarting her.

“I see. I am sure you will figure it out, and until then we will keep doing what we have been doing. I mean, eventually we will have to find a lead, right? Now from the rumors I picked up in the tavern, more sightings have been coming from the mountain range, but that they have also been a lot stronger as well. I say we work our way around the smaller areas first and then head inland. If we can get an estimate of their strength, then we would be better prepared.” Sirress offered, smiling when she agreed with him. She had lent him some books on strategy and runes, allowing him to feel even more confident in his abilities.

The following morning, they began investigating the surrounding area. The forest was muggy and dense, with thick trees and foliage. The weather was also against them, having rained almost nonstop since they began looking into the other sightings. Some rumors proved true, as the more they headed north the stronger the Veiled Ones seemed to be, though not by enough of a gap to make them a different rank.

Deciding that they need a safe house away from the tavern, the duo made a base camp in a large cave. Using runes and a number of spells, they made a small home for themselves that allowed them to continue searching for any real information about the Veiled Ones. They even managed to save a band of traders and secure enough food to avoid going into the town.

They had built stalls and gathered hay from the old man at the Trapp Inn for Urio and Eriss, who had bonded closely to each other. It made the woman happy to know that her steed had a lovely lady friend, though she had already told Sirress that if the pair had a baby, she got to keep it. The Dark Elf had only laughed and told her that they were living together anyway, so they would both get to keep the foal.

The cave itself was near old ruins that had once been a great castle. Sirress had told her the current Royal family had destroyed all of the old rulers during what had been named the “Burning Night”. He told her of how they came from nowhere, appearing suddenly and with violence. No one knew who they really were, or if they even had real royal blood, only that the old kings and queens had been slaughtered, their homes burned and destroyed, and come dawn only they remained.

“So, there is absolutely no proof that the Royal family of Kazimieras has any right to the throne at all? Why weren’t they overthrown?” The woman demanded, her eyes flashing dangerously.

“Anyone who tried was killed. They crushed the people’s hope and,over the course of time, as they hold the throne, they have destroyed any rebellious spirit that may have been left.” The Dark Elf whispered.

“The original rulers were five families. Each ruled over one of the capitals, and once a year would hold a summit to discuss any issues that had taken place over the year, including drought, flooding, bad crops, and the like. They would work together to ensure the people were taken care of, but the Kazimieras do not care about anyone but themselves. There is even a rumor that they broke the seal on the mountain, and that is why evil returned to the land.” Sirress admitted.

“I have never heard of a seal on the mountains.” The woman pressed, curious as to why no one thought to mention it.

“Not the mountains, the mountain, single. There is a mountain in the dead center of Aspira. Legend says that it was once home to a demon who consumed all the evil in the land to make itself the strongest there ever was. Its magic was so dark and corrosive that it killed all the life in the mountain range. To stop it from spilling over and poisoning the land and its people, a great mage came and used their life force to seal the mountain and lock the demon away.” The Dark Elf told the story with wide eyes and child-like energy.

“The mage had to call on the life of the forest as well, and the land around the mountains was permanently scarred. The elderly who survived the Burning Night say that the five families had a magical connection that kept the seal intact, but when the Kazimieras family slaughtered them, the seal was weakened and eventually broke. The five families kept peace between the land and darkness to a minimum to prevent the demon from having anything to feed on, but the Kazimieras family have spread nothing but darkness, thus leading the seal to break and hell to be unleashed.” He finished, looking off into the distance where he could make out the mountain range.

“This might be something worth looking into. We will have to go that way eventually. The more prepared we are for whatever hellish beings lurk in the dark the better.” Heart whispered, though she would not lie, she was not in a rush to go there after the story she had just heard.

As the weeks blended into months, Heart and Sirress came to realize that the Trapp Inn was practically smack dab in the middle of the Forest Region. This made it a regular stop for the hunters even though they tried to avoid it, not liking the way people stared at them. However, at least once a month they ended up staying in the barn. The only positive was they got to see the Orc group again.

They learned their names; Xnath was Xutag’s younger brother, Azuk was the group cook and self-taught medic, while Kogan specialized in tracking. Every time the group met at the tavern they would sit close together and share tales of what they had fought and the villages they visited. Sirress would then spend the night teasing his partner about Xutag until she threatened him into silence. This evening was no different, the two groups sitting next to each other, eating, drinking and swapping tales.

“So, then the Elder’s grandson insists on marrying Heart to ensure strong heirs for the village! The look on her face was priceless.” The Dark Elf exclaimed, the three Orcs laughing while Xutag stayed quiet and the woman downed her drink.

“It wasn’t the question that made me uncomfortable, it was his assumption that I would say yes. I hate egotistical men, expecting me to drop everything so that I can push out a child and play wife. Honestly, it’s insulting.” The raven-haired beauty bit out.

“Well, what do you expect? You’re stunning, strong and single. As far as the population in a whole is concerned, you are fair game, my dear.” Sirress stated with a shrug.

“How stupid. The only way to avoid harassment is to give into it? I would rather just move to a mountain and become a hermit.” Heartfilia hissed.

“Or you could simply put on one of those beads you keep in your bag and wear it in a courtship braid. Seriously, why is your first plan always to become a hermit?” The Dark Elf asked, eyeing her in concern.

“You have beads? Why don’t you wear them?” Xnath asked before his brother could.

“First off, there is nothing wrong with hermits. I happen to know quite a few and they all seem very happy. Second, I used to wear them all the time, Xnath. I loved braiding my hair with my beads and charms, but then I lost one in a battle. It was very precious to me and I never forgave myself for losing it. So, I decided to keep them all in my bag where they would be safe and sound.” The woman explained, playing with a front lock of hair subconsciously.

“Wait a minute, were you engaged?!” Kogan asked, instantly recognizing the placement of the hair she was playing with. Her startled expression was not missed by the group and Xutag clenched his fist silently.