The Severaine

Chapter Three The Oneiroi's Mistake-3

“That is your responsibility,” she scolded. In response Eryx shook his head and sighed. How could he hope to face her knowing what his actions had wrought?

“You're right, I…” He paused, suddenly aware Lady Elaineor had already made her request. The realisation snapped him from his sombre mood. “The Forest of the Epiales?” His voice held alarm. “Sorry, that's not what you call it here. You want to go to the Perpetual Forest?”

“Want has nothing to do with it. It is the only way.”

“There was a portal down Commerce Avenue.” He left her once more to approach one of his many shelves. His fingers searched through the contents of a small wooden box. “You can use this to temporarily open the barrier. It's the last gateway pod I have from Darrienia. Few know of them, and less possess the skill needed to farm them.” He reached out to take her arm. Finding her hand, he pressed the small object to her palm. It resembled a very old, dehydrated pea pod. “I used them to visit this world many times. They are crafted for travel between barriers. They are all but extinct, perhaps that is even the last of its kind. But I will gladly part with it for Zo.” He smiled sadly; this was the least he could do. He had taken so much from her. He owed her a debt that could never be paid, but he could at least try. He could not be responsible for her death as well.

“Thank you.” She squeezed his hand gently, her voice harbouring relief.

“Once planted the gateway this side will only stand for ten seconds, but the exit shall remain visible for one day plus half. Should you fail to return before then you will be trapped, unless you find a way off the island for yourself. The Forest of the Epiales is a dangerous place. I do not give you that lightly. In earnest I doubt I would have considered your request had it not been for Zo. So please, be careful.”

“Thank you,” she repeated, shaking his hand. “You have given me something no one else could have. You do not know what this means.” There was no reason for him to believe her motives were any but those presented, but the truth was she would have woven any tale. Without his aid, the Grimoire residing there would have remained forever out of reach…

…Eryx gave another sigh as the silence stretched on. He looked in turn at the three figures who stood before him, each clearly damaged by the loss of their friend. Finally, he spoke again.

“It was never my wish to cause her harm. I had only the best intentions at heart.”

“The road to Tartarus is paved with good intentions,” Daniel spat, he felt Eiji's hand move from the back of the chair to once more rest upon his shoulder, almost as if in light restraint, fearing his actions as the rising anger once more became apparent.

“Eryx.” Acha addressed him seizing the chance to alter the conversation. “We came across a book of ballads in our search for a means to restrain the Severaine. Are you familiar with this ditty?” She presented the small book, seeing it he gave an audible sigh.

“Amelia sent you, didn't she?” It was a question there had been no need to ask. Aside from Lady Elaineor, who had come in order to save Zo all those years ago, she was the only other mortal who knew of his origin. Of the two, Amelia was the only one who knew of his secret passion, the Severaine. “I composed this as I watched those responsible for safeguarding the key fragments meet their ends. It has been a long time, but let me see if I can recall the words.” He took the book from her, his eyes narrowing in concentration as he tried to discern the faded verse.

He thought for a moment, scratching his chin before retrieving his lute, playing in hope the verses would return to him. Acha recognised the tune as one she had heard at the castle in her own youth, but she doubted Eryx's ditty would hold the same lyrics, for it had spoken of love and rejection. Eryx began to hum, and soon the lyrics followed.

“Oh yonder mountains shake and shook,

All pith reduced to nought yet soot.

Whe'er nary for these heroes three.

Their journey eyeless to all yet me.

These saviours, and heroes came.

They saved us from the Severaine.

The journeys made were done solus.

And nary would'st they weet solace.

Leash ways dissevered and paths they walked.

Their journeys' choices oft forked.

The clime grew bleak and all didst freeze.

Reducing the first to his knees.

These saviours, and heroes came.

They saved us from the Severaine.

The journeys made were done solus.

And nary would'st they weet solace.

The second he fought valiantly,

But within the end lost to banditry.

But stole they too the metal's beshrew.

Yet by and by would'st reap their due.

These saviours, and heroes came.

They saved us from the Severaine.

The journeys made were done solus.

And nary would'st they weet solace.

The last she met a fell expire.

The hour late, the plight turned dire.

The mountain troll showed not a care,

As it stole the pith of our maiden fair.

These saviours, and heroes came.

They saved us from the Sever—”

“Are you quite finished?” Daniel interrupted, the notes stilling at his outburst. “We've not come to be serenaded; we've come for answers.” As Eryx placed down the lute, he saw Acha's shoulders sag in mild disappointment. She, like him, had been enjoying the ballad of old.

“Yes, as I recall the first succumbed to the cold. He sought shelter in the ruins of a city, falling asleep never to wake. As the ice melted later in the cycle, the whole area became ocean.”

“Where?” Daniel prompted forcefully, his voice still harbouring his clear resentment.

“Do you know Semiazá port?” he questioned, pointing to its location on a large map secured to the table beneath a sheet of glass. Eiji and Acha joined him while Daniel struggled to his feet. “It's located nearby, beneath the untameable waters,” he explained, pointing to a specific stretch of water upon the map. Its cartographer had marked the area with various symbols warning of its dangers. Had he been more interested Daniel would have noticed the countless unknown landmasses upon its faded surface, but instead he simply turned to leave as Eryx marked the location on their own map.

“How about the one stolen?” Acha questioned.

“I lost track of it. The rouges feared it cursed as ill-fortune met their every turn after obtaining it. It passed through too many hands to count.”

“Maybe you should have tried,” Daniel growled through gritted teeth as he reached the door.

“I assume the troll ate the third, so what became of it?” Acha questioned again, the ditty now committed to her memory.

“The troll was eventually slain by a heroine of old. She claimed it as a prize. I think, given your last adventure, you have met her.”

“How's that even possible?” Eiji questioned in surprise. They were talking about an event which occurred near the start of this cycle, no one lived that long.

“Lain Exerevnitis.”

“Elaineor?” Acha and Eiji queried in surprised unison, remembering the name by which Night had addressed her.

“Yes, and I can tell you this much. It was a long time ago now, but she left it in the safeguard of that inn she frequents. It's been there for longer than I've been human. You can't mistake the aura from something so old and powerful.” He passed the small book back to Acha, having inked over the faded words and numbered the parts of the sketch in relation to their verse. The one he spoke about was the third, and from what they imagined, made up the cuts of the key which would be inserted into the lock. The metal would make the shoulder, and the unusual figurine shape, the bow, or so it seemed.

“Thanks.” She took the book back from him, the warm memories stirred by the song had now faded. Slipping it into her backpack she turned to leave. Venrent stepped before them.

“I am sorry for what happened. You won't understand what that girl meant to me.”

“Redemption?” Acha questioned coldly as her eyes met his. “Longevity? Why not ask Daniel what she meant to him? Or even to us?” Acha paused lowering her head as her cheeks became flushed. Who was she to criticise? After all, she too had been expertly led into deceiving and betraying her, and what she had done was far worse than the potion he had given her to restore the assassin and her memories. “I'm sorry… it's not your fault. You only did what you thought was right. If you had known the consequences, I'm sure you would have taken different actions.” Acha hurried past him, shame hastening her pace as she recalled her own role in the events that led to the tragic conclusion. Once she had left Eryx spoke once again.

“I'll see you again soon.”

“Y' know somethin' else, don't y'?” Eiji questioned cautiously. He had the strangest feeling Eryx had been keeping something from them.

“Not yet no, but I will try to discover something that can aid you… it's the least I can do.”

“Whaddya mean?” Eiji thought over their conversation. Eryx's tone implied that he would already know what he spoke of, but he could think of nothing.

“Well, as I said, part of the key is at the ocean's bottom. No one could hope to hold their breath for that long.” Eiji instantly felt foolish. The problems of reaching it had not yet even crossed his mind. That said, if he focused hard enough, perhaps he could retrieve it alone.