The Elderkin Prophet

Chapter 13

Uul returns back to his quarters. He has seated himself besides Ophinia in a dimly lit room. She was half asleep. Uul lets her rest while he began to remove some of the whistle-dew seeds Glunarg had handed to him for Ophinia. He used a small dagger to begin peeling of the skin from the seeds and crushed them into pieces using his palm. The seed was toxic in nature and would harm most things that consumed it. Gulls were one of the only few species of beings that boasted a commendable resistance to most poisons. This trait evolved from a long ancestry where the early gull would consume null worms as their primary diet since most of them lived deep underground in dark caves.

After crushing a few of the seeds, he grounded them to a fine paste with some water. He mixed the paste in a cup of water along with some sugar. Uul slowly wakes Ophinia up. He hands her the cup and as she drinks through it he begins to explain his plan.

“Thank you.” Ophinia spoke, still half asleep.

Uul nods. “I want you to continue resting; I will be leaving for the council assembly with Mulnac now.”

Ophinia finishes her tonic and rests against the wall of her bed. Uul prepares to leave as soon as he heard a knock on his door. Mulnac awaited him outside.

Uul gets up and heads towards the door and puts on a long leather coat; he hides a dagger under his belt. As soon as he steps outside, he is greeted by Mulnac who had retired out of his uniform and into much simpler clothing. His breath reeked of alcohol but he seemed to remain sober.

“Ready? Let’s go.” Mulnac spoke.

Mulnac leads his hand towards a direction allowing Uul to go ahead first. As they exit the quarters and hit the streets, Mulnac begins to talk to Uul about the festival.

“So… I see that you did not make it to the celebration?”

“No, I was rather occupied. What was it for anyways?”

“Uuh… I think it was for some kind of accomlishments one of the scholars from the academy achieved.” Mulnac struggled to remember.

Uul chuckles. “My friend, I think you’ve had one too many drinks.”

“Oh! No, no don’t worry about me. I ain’t drunk; I like to drink just a lil before the council meetings because they are really really painfully boring to attend. I don’t get to speak much anyways since its always elder Fuoeb talking all the damn time.”

“I think you meant elder Fout right?”

“Yea…yea my bad. I’m sorry for getting a little tipsy; it’s just hard to maintain this new position as captain… So many unfamiliar things to deal with. Life was so much, much better as a soldier.”

Uul agrees to Mulnac. “Yea, those good old days… A cup of Ginny’s plum berry ale was like… Ahhhhh! Especially after a tough day of training...”

Both Uul and Mulnac laugh away as they began to remember their old days as soldiers in the Onxy legion. They talk about their adventures as they made their climb to the council tower. An unforgiving set of stairs later…

Mulnac complains to Uul. “I hate these stairs. Every time there is an assembly, I have to climb almost a thousand steps just to reach while all the council members get to live lavishly up there. Sometimes they are just so oblivious. Oblivious to the actual conditions down here in the city, it is unfathomably infuriating.”

“Weren’t they elected to look after the city?”

Mulnac laughs. “Yeah yeah, that’s what everyone is told. They are so corrupt and powerful that they play around with all that power. The last honest council that existed was I guess, maybe three or four decades ago.”

Uul seemed to be very disturbed after hearing this.

“So, what is the plan now?”

Mulnac shakes off the effects of his drinks. “Well, I’ve already informed them in detail about what you told me. I even suggested them a plan of action but I wonder if they will go through with it. Let’s see what happens, sometimes these guys surprise me with their decisions.”

Uul lets out a sigh.

“Right, let’s go inside and take a seat.”

They finally reached the top of the tower and made their way to the council. The air was chilly so high up. A few glass panes were built skilfully along the curved walls of the tower. The chamber was in the centre of the tower along with a few rooms built on either side. Uul could see the entire city from so high up. The night sky was so dark that only the city lights were seen as they shined brightly like a pearl.

Both of them open the tall doors and enter the council room. There was a large circle in the centre which was surrounded by a long circular stone table that merged with the flooring. Little wooden stools were placed at intervals, forming an entire circle. The ceiling was tall and dome shaped. Several inscriptions and figures of deities and the war of the three ancient gods were carved into the stone above. The room was empty, only a pair of guards protected the entrance to the room.

Uul and Mulnac sit beside each other and begin to wait patiently for the council to assemble. Soon they are joined by the Ravenhold magistrate and a few other gulls that they couldn’t recognize. A brief chatter and then an awkward silence followed. A few more moments later, the council presented themselves. They were old ugly and sluggish. The council of eight sat themselves opposite to everyone else in the room. They were discussing something amongst themselves as they commented on everyone present in the room.

Fout, the speaker for the council began to address everyone present in the room. He discussed a few events before looking towards Mulnac and Uul.

“Your soldier brought tidings about some sort of key I believe? A key to finding the Nightwell?”

Mulnac answers. “Yes, there was a discovery of a map that revealed the location to a fragment piece that when combined with another piece would unveil the location of the Nightwell.”

Uul was sitting next to Mulnac and was anxious. He hated that the council was being dumb enough to reveal such information so readily to everyone present in the room. The meeting continued on.

“If this information holds true, I hereby sanction the hunt for this fragment you speak of. Bring it back to Froli. How you do it is up to you, captain.” Fout bickers on.

“The fragment shall be retrieved elder.”

Mulnac takes his seat. Fout begins to address other issues but Mulnac and Uul didn’t seem to pay any attention. Uul tapped Mulnac and whisphered.

“Was that it?”

“Yea, I guess so. Why?”

“I was expecting a bit more… you know?”

“Umm…Yea, welcome to Froli.”

Uul looked surprised.

“So… Can we leave?”

“Are you mad?”

“Don’t tell me that we have to sit through this whole thing.”

“I’m afraid so...”

“Can’t you just ask him to leave? Say that you have something to do.”

“You are going to cost me my job but I’ll try.”

“AHEM” Fout clears his throat while eyeing Mulnac.

Mulnac gets up and speaks.

“Elder council, I apologise for the interruption but there is an urgent matter that needs to be dealt with at this instant.”

The council looked at him with anger and confusion. They felt offended by Mulnac as they wore their expressions on their faces. Fout is taken aback by Mulnac. He takes a minute to react.

“What could possibly be more important than this? You should be honoured to be in our presence, captain.”

Uul is disgusted after hearing this. He tries his best to hide his emotion.

“Elder, it is a situation of life and death. It is urgent as time is running out.”

Fout frowns. He felt insulted.

“Take your leave… Quickly now.” He shakes his head in disapproval.

Mulnac and Uul take their leave while avoiding eye contact with the elder.

Once outside, Mulnac looked worried.

“Thanks. It wasn’t that hard now was it?” Uul remarks.

“You made me lie but It was worth it.”

“I can’t believe how ridiculous the council is.”

Mulnac sighs. Uul continues to speak.

“I cannot believe their stupidity. Didn’t you inform them in detail about the fragment?”

“Yes I did. I spent a good couple of hours trying to piece everything together while explaining it to them.”

“Then why did they just act so clueless about it? Are they not wise enough to keep such delicate information secret?”

Mulnac agreed. “I agree, but what worries you about it?”

“Well, to begin with. If that magistrate gets his hands on this information, I’m convinced that he will do everything he can to get to this fragment. I’m not so bothered about the rest but they could be a threat too.”

“Hmm… You’re right. You should head out tomorrow itself to reach there quickly.”

Uul groans slightly.

“We only just got here… But I know that we need to act quickly.”

Mulnac tries to console Uul.

“Don’t worry; take a good rest for tonight… I shall have a ship stocked and ready for your travel as well as one entire unit of soldiers under your command. Would you like a ship captain? Or would you like to commandeer the ship yourself?”

Uul chuckles. “You know my answer old friend.”

Both laugh lightly as they descend the stairwell.

“So…Did you find out where the map leads to?”

“Yes. Our researchers mapped out that the passageway is connected to some caves near a waterfall. This waterfall is located near Brigna, not too far away from a set of islets known as Baylon Isles.”

“I’ve never heard of this place before.”

“It’s outside gull territory. It’s a human settlement.”

“You’re kidding me.”

Mulnac scratches his ears and makes a face.

“I’m afraid so.”

Uul lets out a deep and frustrating groan.

“Hey don’t worry, you won’t have to deal with any pesky humans. I will instruct one of my soldiers to do all the talking when you dock there.”

“Alright, fine. I’ll leave shortly after dawn.”

“Sure.”

Mulnac suddenly remembers something. He pulls out a pouch from under his belt and hands it to Uul.

“Ah! I almost forgot. Here, payment for your help with the scouts.”

Uul grabs the pouch and thanks Mulnac.

The two continue to walk on. Soon they make it back out onto the streets. Before they depart, Mulnac asks Uul something.

“Hey, you up for a game of dice before you hit the bed?”

Uul takes a moment to think. He knew that Ophinia was probably sleeping so he had some time to spare.

“Yeah! Sure why not.”

The two sat down for a few games of dice and a few drinks later they departed ways.

Uul made his way back to his quarters. He was quite exhausted as he made his way to his room. He pushed open the door and was surprised to see Ophinia wide awake. She was readiing a book while Moogi was sleeping on her lap. She was so ingrossed into reading that she did not realise Uul had entered.

“What are you reading? I figured you were asleep.”

“Oh! Your back… Yea I couldn’t sleep. I saw this big bookshelf behind you.”

She pointed towards an old decorated piece of furniture with several books inside it’s shelves.

“I see.”

“I was reading about some of Froli’s history. What about you? How did the council meet go?”

Uul nods. “Ugh, where do I even begin.”

Uul informed Ophinia about all of the incidents that occurred.

“By the way. We set sail at dawn.”

“WHAT! We only just got here!” Ophinia complains.

“I know, I felt the same too but we have no other choice. Did I tell you that it was a human settlement?”

Suddenly Ophinia cheers up completely.

“It is? Oooh! Forget I said anything. I’ll be ready.”

Uul chuckles. “Alright, don’t stay up too late. I am going to rest. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight Uul.”

Ophinia continues to read. Eventually she too drifts off into a peaceful sleep.

Time goes by and the sun began to shine once more. The chasm where Froli sat began to glow once more as the darkness of the dark moon began to lift.

Uul and Ophinia are awoken by loud crying sounds. Ophinia struggles to get on her feet. She stumbles across the dark room and unfurls the curtains. Her face is hit with bright light which fills up the entire room quickly. The crying noise still did not stop and it began to drive Uul insane. Ophinia waddled around the room towards the sound. It was Moogi.

He was crying loudly because he was starving, he wanted attention. Ophinia tried to calm him down but it only encouraged him to cry louder.

“Please shut him up or I will throw him out of the window.” Uul grunts while covering his ears.

Ophinia laughs. She picks up Moogi and tries her best to calm him down again. Uul and Ophinia spend the next few minutes trying to get up. Once they were up and awake they got dressed in their respective gear. Both of them packed their belongings and made their way out of the quarters. Ruuney greets the two.

“Mulnac asked me to give you this.”

Uul takes the package from Ruuney and looks inside.

“What’s in this?”

“Its some Meat pie and mushroom stew.”

“Oh wow! Just what I needed.” Ophinia remarked.

“Thanks.” Uul replied to Ruuney.

“The unit and the ship is waiting at the docks for you. It’s a little distance away from the city from the Northern gate. Is there anything you need?”

“We will resupply some of our equipment. I need to buy a new shield for myself, where would I find the smithy?”

“The smithy has his workshop set up behind the marketplace.”

Uul nods with appreciation.

“I will be waiting for you at the docks whenever you are ready to leave.”

Ruuney takes his leave while Uul and Ophinia head towards the smithy.

Froli seemed to be awake. The shops were open but very few people roamed the streets at this hour. Uul split up with Ophinia who went to the marketplace instead. He handed her a few coins to purchase whatever she needed. Uul walked into the smithy’s workshop who then greeted him.

“Hello, anything you need?”

“I’m looking for a new shield. Something that is tough and tall but not too bulky. If it has a spear gap it would be perfect.”

“You’re a lucky man.”

The smithy unhooks a freshly crafted steel shield of the wall. It was easy to hold and carry. The leather was comfortable to wear.

“Perfect.”

“That shall be fourteen Nual and twenty moon shillings.”

Uul raises his brow. “Twelve Nual.”

“Fine” The smithy grumbles.

The gull currency were divided into nual and moon shillings. Each nual was worth thirty moon shillings. A nual was considered to be tokens that were used by gull traders when they would barter with human settlements since the currencies were very different.

Uul grabs his new shield and waits by the fountain for Ophinia.

Meanwhile, Ophinia went to the market to buy some treats for Moogi as well as to restock on some groob berries for her lamp slugs. She even bought a new belt which had some pouches to store ingriedients. She returned quickly to Uul and they began a long walk towards the docks.

A little while later they reach the docks where several ships were harboured. They were mostly trade ships while only a few were built for combat. Uul sighted Mulnac sitting on a table along with some legion soldiers.

Mulnac got up and hugged Uul.

“I believe you met Ruuney.”

“Yes, he was helpful.”

“He will also be joining you on this. He is a skilled thrower with a deadeye aim.”

“I see why you like him so much.”

Mulnac smiles.

“Anyways, your unit is waiting for you. I would love to join you on this, I really do. But I cannot leave my role as captain. Sometimes I wish I did not take up this responsibility.”

“Don’t worry friend. You have an important job as captain and you are doing it well.”

Uul rests his hand on Mulnac’s shoulder.

“So, where is the ship im commandeering?”

“Right this way.”

Mulnac begins to escort Uul to his ship.

“Behold, Kalina. Isn’t she a beauty?”

Mulnac points his hands towards a medium sized battleship which was floating effortlessly in the distance. It had rugged features with a dark interior with its ropes dangling back and forth in the wind. Her large sails and dynamic shape suggested that it was a very quick ship in the waters. It had four cannons on either sides along with a swivel cannon near the rear.

“So, how long will it take us to reach this village?”

“I reckon maybe two or three days at least.”

“Right.” Uul looked excited for once.

“Let’s hope we find this fragment without any trouble.”

Mulnac hands him the map along with a notebook filled with coordinates. He shakes his hand and bids him farewell.

“May Pagull light your path and show you the way through the dark.”

Uul meets up with his unit and along with Ophinia they make their way to Kalina using a small dinghy. Once on board, the large red sails were unfurled. A large pattern of the onyx legion was woven into the sail. Uul captains the ship. The anchor is pulled up and their journey begins.