Where Ashes and Oaths Collide

Chapter 67: Past Ruins

“You are not a toy,” Mestre Escuro said. “You never were.” Luz’s amber eyes narrowed at his words, his expression shifting from raw emotion to sharp calculation. The declaration that he was never just a pawn resonated with the deep-seated belief that his sacrifice six years ago had meant something beyond mere tactical advantage. “Never a toy,” he repeated slowly, his voice carrying the weight of years spent fighting against being used. “The prove it. Show me what this life looks like– this world where Santo’s knights and Corrompido do not have to kill each other.” His black gauntleted hand moved to rest on the hilt of his sword, fingers brushing against the hidden white ribbon. “Tell me exactly what this fountain does,” Luz demanded, his amber gaze fixed on the vial in Mestre Escuro’s hand. “The fountain and the ruins… they were found before the Santo’s order began. I was a young man, studying history. The site was found and called an ancient site. We students flooded to it wanting to learn the secrets of ancient religions.” Mestre Escuro explained with a distant look, memories of the past resurfacing.

Escuro Ceo was sixteen years old, with tousled brown hair. When he boarded the ship, he had nothing but a small bag with clothes and the clothes on his back, which included a heavy brown hooded mantle draped over his shoulders. Thick ropes and rigging stretched upward beside him, attached to a large cream-coloured sail, with a faded emblem of a red lion. Several round wooden shields painted in worn red and dark tones hung along the skip’s railing and the deck and railing were made of dark, weather-beaten timber. For hours it was only the vast expanse of deep blue water with gentle waves reflecting the muted daylight, surrounding the ship. When the island came up on the horizon, excitement boiled up inside Escuro Ceo. The island looked steep and mountainous, rising dramatically from the ocean. Rocky cliffs and green slopes lead upward toward an imposing stone fortress perched at the highest point. At the peak of the mountains there was a ruined structure, with towers and walls silhouetted against the sky. The sky overhead was filled with large, billowing clouds that cast shifting shadows across the landscape. Breaks in the cloud cover allowed sunlight to illuminate parts of the island, creating striking contrasts between light and shadow.

It took twenty more minutes before the ship reached the shore. Escuro ran down to his compartment to grab his bag and when he returned the shoreline was bustling with the practical work of unloading cargo. the sea met a pebbled beach on the secluded rocky cove, beneath steep, green hillsides dotted with shrubs, grass and a few windswept trees. Numerous wooden crates, barrels, sacks and bundles are scattered across the rocky shore. The cargo appears heavy and well-used, suggesting gods transported over long distances. Thick ropes coil around some containers, while weathered wooden barrels and large burlap sacks add to the sense of an active trading or supply operation. Several workers dressed in simple clothing were spread throughout the scene. Their garments were practical and plain– dark tunics, trousers, boots and sleeveless leather vests suited for manual labour. Escuro disembarked from the skip and passed two men strained together as they lifted and carried a large wooden crate. Their bent knees and tense posture as they lifted the heavy crate. Further up the beach, there were other labourers, busy moving supplies. Some were bend over crate and sacks while others walked along the shoreline transporting goods. Their activity created a sense of constant movement.

Along the water’s edge there were a few small wooden rowboats that appeared to have been used to ferry cargo from somewhere else. The boats were rested partially on stones, their dark hulls worn by years of exposure to salt water and rough landings. Along the coastline, jagged grey rock formations rose from the shore, framing the cove. Behind them, rolling green slopes climb toward a dense cluster of pine trees. Escuro’s attention was drawn by one of the workers who approached him. “Salvaxe,” the man introduced himself shortly. “I will be your tour guide.” He said already walking further in land. “It is going to be quiet the hike,” Salvaxe said quickly. And it was, it took more than fourth minutes of hiking up the steep mountainous terrain, before they reached the stone ruin standing atop the rocky hill. The structure appeared to be the remains of a once-imposing castle or fortified manor. Its weathered grey stone walls rose from the crest of the hill, with numerous towers and sections of wall still standing despite centuries of decay. The walls that were not collapse had large empty window openings and broken upper sections. Many of the windows and archways are open to the elements, their wooden frames and roofs long gone. Several large Gothic-styled arches could be seen in the lower sections. The stonework was highly detailed, showing individual blocks, cracks, erosion and patched of moss or vegetation growing in crevices.

The hillside around the ruin was covered in green grass, low shrubs and scattered rocks. Large pale boulders protrude from the slope. The walked up along the faint winding path that led up toward the ruins. Inside the ruined fortress there was a temporary campsite. In the centre of the courtyard a small campfire burned, contained within a ring of stones. The orange flames flicker above the pile of lips while a thin column of pale smoke rises into the open air. The fire served as the focal point of the camp. On opposite sides of the fire there were two canvas tents. The tent on the left was partially open, revealing simple bedding and supplies inside. The tent of the right was larger and similarly open, showing blankets and equipment arranged within. Both tents were made from dark, weathered fabric stretched over wooden poles. Wooden crates, barrels, stools and small tables were scattered around the campsite and metal pots, mugs, and other camp utensils rested on the furniture. A faded dark banner hung near the left wall, bearing the image of a lion. The ground was uneven and covered with dirt, stone, patches of grass and rubble fallen from ruined walls. Sunlight filtered across the courtyard floor, casting long shadows from the tents and the surviving arches.