The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

QUEST

Souna was sobbing uncontrollably by the time Anam managed to get her inside the cave. The old woman let her sit down on a wooden rustic bench and bawl her eyes out until only soft whimpering persisted.

-Hush my child - The ancient lady finally spoke, handing her a cup of bitter, steaming liquid- I know it is hard, the suffering you're experiencing… But you are your people's only hope now. So, you need to be brave for what is yet to come.

-Hard?- Souna scoffed with a pained, sarcastic smirk - Those monsters just killed my husband! This is not hard, it's beyond unbearable!- She cried in anguish - Who are they? What do they want?

-They are the outsiders we once revered as gods, long before we learned the truth and long before the pact was made. But no truce can last forever, and now they have come back to collect.

Anam shook her head sadly, placing a hand over hers. Nodding at the cup and urging her to drink from it. Souna took a small sip, wincing at the taste in disgust and feeling instantly light-headed.

-I'm sorry child - The woman muttered as Souna fought to keep her sight focused on her face- There's no time for grief. This will have to do for now. My mushrooms will numb your heart enough for your mind to take over.

-What did you give me, Elder!- Souna asked in anger, trying to stand on her feet and failing at it.

-Just a little help - The woman shrugged, pacing slowly while holding tightly to her cane and taking a seat before her- I need your senses open for what I'm about to share with you. This quest you will be going on is the only hope we have left.

-Quest?- The girl mumbled, feeling suddenly dizzy - What quest? Are you out of your mind? There are people dying in the city as we speak! We have to do something to help them!

-And that is exactly what you will be doing, my child – Anam gestured at her with conviction- But first, you need to learn… So you can find him.

-Find who?- Souna yelled with exasperation – And I'm not your child, stop calling me that!

-Oh, but you are - The woman smiled, reaching for her neck and revealing a necklace with a green stone pendant attached - You're the child of my child, and therefore you are mine.

Souna´s eyes widened as she inadvertently reached for her own neck, her hand landing on the matching stone hanging from it.

-Who are you? – She hissed suspiciously- What do you want from me?

-I told you - The ancient lady calmly carried on- And you are still not listening. I am the one who was once known as Anam-Xe. I am your mother's mother and the bringer of your fate. I need you to listen carefully from this moment on. That is the only way I can offer you a small chance to succeed.

-You are a liar! I knew my mother's mother, and she died when I was only an infant - She replied defiantly, looking at her with contempt.

-Yes, the woman I gave my child to, a long time ago, did… And I will always be thankful for her sacrifice- Anam explained - My descendants needed to be protected. The blood running through your veins is as much a blessing as it is a curse. Now your time has come, and you must choose which it will turn out to be.

-I don't understand…- Souna trailed off, her head twirling with a series of confused thoughts.

-You will now. Open your senses and listen to your story- The elderly woman said, placing a warm dark stone in her hand.

-There is a place in Midland where the strongest and bravest warriors thrive, led by the Mother Guider and sworn to fight only in favor of peace. Yahur´s order has existed for eons, and it was once my honor to lead. When I discovered I was with child, I left the ruling in my sister's hands, as the Guider is never to bear a life of her own. Her only descendants, the Yahurians that she raises into formidable fighters.

-So, you came down to Lowland to give birth to mother in secrecy and then live as a hermit in these remote hills? – Souna deduced in quiet contemplation- Why would you decide to bring life into the world when you already knew the rules?

-That I did because it was my destiny, just as Yahur was my sister's. It all had to be in this manner, so we could sit here today. I stood in the shadows, watching you from a distance. Waiting and secretly hoping this time would never come. But all fates are to be met and yours is here at last.

Anam nodded firmly - You must know that the Yahurian code is strict, but it is also fair. Yahur´s order was founded to break with the riots and internal wars among the tribes. Its warriors are entrusted with the task of putting out the rising fire right before it spreads, and with that, they ensure peace is kept.

The old woman stood up with difficulty, rummaging through a small chest and extracting a piece of cured leather with ancient scripting etched on it, placing it carefully into Souna´s hands.

-Aig Yahurah Nahe… - The girl started reading with uncertainty in a trembling voice.

-Ahir Yahurah Kah- Anam finished saying- “When serving none, we serve them all”… That is the creed. Yahurians don't take allegiances, nor take parties or share any bonds. Their mission is the purest of them all: preserving peace at all costs.

-How can that ever be achieved?- Souna asked with intrigue, tugging at her hair and running a distracted finger through the fabric.

-Whenever a disturbance starts among tribes, they deploy their forces equally, smothering the conflict before it can evolve into an inevitable war. They neutralize the culprits and hand the ruling back to the people, on the condition that they maintain peace.

-That sounds like a beautiful utopia- Souna sighed deeply-But I am not sure such an ideal can really be brought to life.

-Oh, it is my child- Anam agreed, smiling at her - It is not an easy task. Yahurians are just human after all. Fallible and limited. They are not omnipresent. There have been mistakes… Tragic ones. Even the most righteous of fates can be tarnished. But trust me, those are the greatest, untainted soldiers the earth has birthed, and you will need their help to free this land.

Anam reached to her side and produced an old map, unrolling it before them and pointing at a traced route on it.

-Follow the river all the way up to Midland and when you find Yahur, tell Pahoka-Xe I sent you and ask for her help. She will show you the way. She is the Guider, after all.

-Wait, what about my own sister?- Souna suddenly exclaimed in panic- I can't leave her behind. She is all I have got left.

-Let me worry about Sehira- Anam smiled reassuringly at her - She has her own destiny to fulfill as well, it is my purpose that she achieves her fate.

The old hermit walked slowly towards the edge of the cabin and extracted a small bundle of folded clothes, then presented them to her... A woolly tunic and pants under a soft pair of leather boots.

-It is a cold place where you're heading, my sweet coastal child - She remarked, nodding at Souna´s bare feet - You need to shield yourself from the inclement weather and the dangers you will surely find. This is all I can provide you with for now - She whispered in a concerned tone, placing a sharp dagger and two more knives on top of the pile of garments- I hope that is enough. Now rest, you will be needing your strength, as you are leaving at dawn.