The Severaine

Chapter Fifteen Feodor-1

Chapter Fifteen

FeodorThe threat of snow rode upon the bitter wind, unforgiving in its assault of any who had not yet sought shelter on the moonless night. The sky was clear, a deep brilliant blue nursing the bright stars. Even the dullest was a visible contrast against the velvet blanket. Out here there was little light, little to be found upon the north-western marshland of Therascia. Should a sole traveller journey far enough through the boggy waters, they would find a single settlement, almost forgotten in its isolation. The only thing marking its presence was the small circle of white stones, seemingly luminescent in the darkness.

Blowing in his hands, Blackwood pushed open the door to the tavern. The light was blackened from the outside, obscured by the heavy drapes, but the haunting sounds of laughter over the marsh had kept his course true. Some would account these eerie cackles to beasts. But he knew better. He stomped his feet upon the mat, both to force blood into the throbbing limbs and to shake free the clinging mud. His arrival saw him met with stares, but a flagon of mead was deposited on the bar as the stout man bid him welcome.

“Well met stranger, what brings you to our doors at this ungodly hour?” Blackwood placed a coin on the bar pulling the drink towards him, his gaze straying longingly in the direction of the fire.

“Terrance.” Blackwood extended his hand which was clasped without delay. An old-fashioned hand-to-hand shake confirming his suspicions of the town's isolation. “No great adventure, I'm afraid, my horse was lamed and I ended up lost. The Gods' graces saw me here, I veered from course somewhere.” He rubbed his hands down his arms, dispelling the cold. “Do you see much in the way of travellers?”

“Out here? You jest, I'd think us lucky if we even showed up on a map.” He was right, the village of Moriss Mire was unheard of by most.

“No trade?”

“Only that we deliver ourselves.”

“Hmm, sounds troublesome.” Blackwood took a long sip from his mead before excusing himself to stand before the fire. He stamped his feet, extending his free hand towards the warmth. He turned to face a young man and raised his glass in a friendly gesture. The man's broad shoulders almost filled the chair, which creaked and groaned in protest against his movements. “This is a quaint little village you've got here.” Blackwood smiled.

“Terrance was it?” the man questioned, having heard the conversation at the bar. “Strangers are unusual, do you hail from nearby?”

“Albeth, I was heading to Castlefort.”

“You don't look like a trader.” The dark-haired man eyed Blackwood's scruffy appearance; he possessed no packs, nothing of worth but his coin pouch.

“A trader? No, I have a message to deliver.” He patted his pocket as if indicating its location. “It's a custom request from the Blacksmith, my Elder doesn't favour the Plexuses. Do you have one here?”

“No, it's not worth it, there's only a hundred or so of us here, and as you know, we're not exactly on-route. Are you bunking here for the night? We don't have an inn, but we could rustle up a bed by the fire.”

“No, I just need some bearings and warmth. My Elder is not above lashings if he thought I was dawdling.” Blackwood forced a pained expression and turned his focus back towards the fire.

“You should stay, we're pretty relaxed here, as long as the work gets done.”

“Tempting, but I don't think my children would thank me, a town your size won't offer many friends.” He glanced around. The small tavern probably doubled as their town hall, it could probably shelter the entire population, and would no doubt, given the reinforcing of the building, be the place they took refuge in times of danger. They did not seem well equipped, but given their size, some of the men would be sure to know something about defending their boundaries.

“That's true, we've only a handful.” The man scratched his bearded chin briefly in thought. “Best way to Castlefort from here is to head straight towards it. Even in the dark you should see our tracks, we've bridged the deeper waters with footholds. Finishing his drink Blackwood once more bundled himself up ready to face the elements. As he reached the door, he pulled the battered cowl over his head, saying his goodbyes. Hidden by the shadows was a smile which would have unnerved any man.

* * *

Since their arrival on this strange land days ago, the egg had grown considerably in size, manipulated by the life within. A life which was becoming increasingly more active. Their rests had been short and fatigue walked amongst them like an old friend, ever present and biding for their attention. Whenever possible they refilled their water, but most of their hydration came from the plant life, young coconuts and fruits.

Daniel had once more returned to his battle against the encroaching exhaustion and the more they exerted themselves the more obvious it became. He was watching the shadows again, his vision following invisible movements. He was certain they were being followed, watched from the darkness. He felt the tugs of sleep pull at his heavy eyelids as his steps grew less coordinated. He was certain now his last dream had been real. He shared his supply of coffee beans with Acha and Eiji, allowing them to push aside some of their own weariness, and in companionable silence they continued walking.

The air was hot, humid. Within the folds of the trees' canopies all water remained trapped, amplifying the warmth from the sun which beat down hotter and longer than was comfortable, and night brought little relief.

They carefully worked their way through, the gentle gradient becoming steeper the closer they came to their destination. It had been a long time since they had seen anything but forest and shrubbery, but they knew they were close now. The trees were less dense and the once distant giant now loomed overhead, the pressure of its enormity striking fear and awe.

Their burning muscles protested every haggard step, the pants of their laboured breaths a synchronised chorus to their footfall. Each crunch of debris drove them on like a drum major counting each beat.

“I'm sorry, I need to stop,” Acha panted.

“Do y' think y' can make it t'there?” Eiji motioned towards the mountain's base where a small crevice could be seen. “It'll provide some shelter. It's gonna rain.” Acha answered him with an exhausted nod. “Hey.” Eiji smiled, slowing his pace to match hers as Daniel continued ahead. “Do y' think there's people here?” Acha gave him a smile, knowing he was trying to distract her from her exhaustion.

“Wouldn't the dragons eat them?”

“Dunno, I'm sure my master said they fed on sunlight.”

“Like plants?” Eiji nodded. “Is that why they're green?”

“They're green?”

“I don't know, I just assu—” Acha saw Daniel's posture before them stiffen, his reaction alone was enough to still her words and replenish some energy as they hurried to reach him.

“Acha?” Daniel whispered as she approached to join him.

“I see him too,” she confirmed to his relief. Just inside the crevice stood a man. His short hair was the colour of silver, his eyes a cold grey. He eyed them warily, shifting a golden dragon scale, which was nearly as tall as any of them, behind himself as if to protect it.

“If it is your intention to visit the wyrms, I wish you luck,” he stated, his tone clearly displaying his own frustration. His vision passed over them briefly, before returning to Acha. As he studied her, he seemed to relax slightly, his eyes holding what could only be explained as recognition.

“Really, and why is that?” Daniel questioned suspiciously. He looked to the scale in his possession remembering a tale Acha had told them. A memory she had lived, taken from Fenris, implied the person who stood before them would be an enemy.

“The wyrms are on guard. They will only allow entrance to those who know the name of their Grand Master. I know many of their names, but not his.” The stranger looked to the egg, which Daniel had just passed to Acha. She was in no condition to fight. He, on the other hand, would gladly engage this person, if need be. “Even if you do carry an item of importance it will buy you no favour.” He gestured towards the egg before glancing to the scale meaningfully. Eiji and Acha exchanged a disappointed glance, it appeared things were not going to be as easy as they hoped. Honestly, they had hoped never to see the Albeth college library again for some time, but it seemed they needed to do more research.

“Not a problem,” Daniel announced to their surprise. “Tell me, where did you come across that scale.”

“I did not take it from a wyrm, if that is what you imply.” He paused for a moment as he looked over them once again. “No, that is not your implication.” He frowned slightly. “You know how I obtained this, so why do you ask?”

“I want to hear it,” Daniel insisted.

“A waste of words and time, but if you truly know the Grand Master's name you have me at a disadvantage.” He studied Daniel for a moment, satisfied the figure before him was not in any way deceiving him, and so, he freely presented the information. “I obtained this, as well as some other items, from Lain Exerevnitis and Marise Shi.” Acha and Eiji's posture stiffened as he spoke their names. Daniel felt his nails digging into his palm, he relaxed his fist. “I requested these in exchange for the Grimoire of Earth. But no, to answer your next question, they are neither my friends, nor my allies. Since you have little cause to trust my word, how about I show you the events as they unfolded?” The stranger pulled a shard of crystal from the small pouch which hung around his neck. Daniel gave a nod. Eiji and Acha, seeing this, began to build a small fire with the twigs they had gathered before the forest had given way to this rocky mountain terrain. They were going to rest anyway.

The shapes within the crystal moved and changed, lines of faults morphing to images of history. A history unaltered, unmanipulated by those who had passed on such tales by song and verse…

…“Feodor?” Elly's voice reverberated through the stone walls of the temple. No one but the one who resided here had stepped foot in this sacred place for countless years.

“Who is Theodore?” Marise questioned quietly as she took in every detail of her surroundings. Their journey here had been a troublesome one, who knew that an ancient temple of Gaea had been long buried beneath Castlefort? It was a temple of unparalleled heights but bare in regards to the fixtures and fittings normally associated with a place of worship. The most striking feature, the one which drew attention from the intricate carvings of Gaea's history, was the enormous tree, where normally a deity's image would stand. Yet Gaea, lacking vanity and pleasure in such representations, requested her followers to plant and nurture a tree in her honour. Now thousands upon thousands of years later, the tree still thrived. Gaea had created the seed with great care and tenderness, ensuring it would thrive in the darkness, and produce countless varieties of fruit.

The temple had now long been forgotten, lost to mankind as the Severaine—released as Kronos fell—sealed the entrance. The structure was ancient, filled with lost walkways, some of which even reached as far and high as Castlefort that stood majestically above it.

“Feodor,” Elly corrected, “is the second child of Zeus to be conceived by Metis. When the gods rule was young Hades released Metis' essence into the body of mortal Night's daughter.”

“Night was mortal?” Marise questioned uncertainly as they neared the tree. She was so focused on Elly she had failed to notice the movement above them.

“It is a complex tale. Night is merely part of a greater being, he is an aspect of the goddess Nyx. She was a being so powerful even Zeus stood in awe of her. When she refused to align herself with him during the Titanomachy this awe evolved into something more.