The Severaine

Chapter Two Vices-2

He had learnt very quickly not to voice these thoughts. Whenever he had tried in the past to use this wisdom as a means of comfort, to tell people they were being selfish and should be happy their friend or loved one was dead, for some reason people appeared to take offence. It seemed he failed to impress the inspiration and understanding he had felt from this wise man's words on anyone else. He could not understand why his words would bring no comfort, especially when the one who had first spoken them had provided such ease to so many others. He learnt a long time ago that avoidance seemed to be the best path. The less he said on the matter, the easier people seemed to grieve. To this end he had determined that the best source of comfort was complete avoidance of the topic.

“Sorry, I was just tryin' t'make things easier.” He placed his hand on Daniel's arm comfortingly. “Perhaps we should leave now?” His voice still held his soft apologetic tones.

“Yes, let's.” Acha rose to her feet at Eiji's words and led them through the tavern. Although everyone had gone about their business again, they seemed to have done so in quieter tones than before.

* * *

The main problem for any seeking to use Collateral as a means to travel was its sheer size. The City was divided into multiple districts, and there was no shortage of portals throughout. The militia had regular patrols, and it was only thanks to their aid that the three of them were finally able to navigate their way to the farming district and towards the portal.

From this distance, as they stood upon the seemingly endless plains of farmland, the tiered formation of the great city became more apparent. The rise that separated class in not only the residential district, but the trade districts too, was clearly evident. The entire city was built on a gradual incline.

Small wooden farmsteads periodically rose amidst the terrain. The only passage between them a network of rutted, muddy roads worn by labour and trade. There was no one person responsible for the harvest or livestock, nor was any individual charged with the sole responsibility of preparing the herbs to be delivered for the apothecary shops. The land, like the city, was extensive, as were the hands required to tend it.

Dry-stone walls segregated areas, separating the land where different crops took root, protecting them from the grazing animals. As Daniel's hesitant steps led them down the path, a farmer called out to them in a warm greeting as he deposited a small stack of carefully packed boxes onto the back of his horse-drawn wagon. Near the field he had been tending many such containers awaited transport. Daniel paused, wondering if they should help him. He was just about to offer their services when Acha, having responded to the greeting, placed her hand on the small of his back as she stepped past him, the gentle pressure spurring him onward.

For Daniel the journey to the portal had been all too short. He stood beholding the silver shimmer with foreboding, his hands fastening around the strap of the satchel as he calmed his breathing. Perhaps this was not the best day to do this. It was already the afternoon. Besides, he did not know where he intended to go. He knew nothing of Drevera, save for the location of the town. Perhaps it would be better if he did more research first.

Sensing his hesitation Eiji approached. He would have asked if Daniel was certain he was ready or if he wanted to postpone their journey longer; but this morning had shown how desperate he was becoming, reinforcing the importance of this task. Eiji feared for his friend. They had not spoken of his indiscretion, but they had taken precautions. The fact he had still found, or perhaps even made, something was surely a sign he was returning to his former ways. It was a regression they could not afford. If going to Drevera, and facing the truth, meant he could finally release her ghost then he could not offer him distraction.

Instead of speaking, Eiji cast one final look to his friend and led the way through the portal. Leaving Acha to once more encourage his steps.

“Daniel?” Acha prompted as he stood staring at the place Eiji had vanished. She could see the rapid rise and fall of his chest as he took a slight step away from the exit.

“I… it's just… it's so late already.” He felt the tightness in his chest increase as he struggled to draw breath.

“You can do this.” She stepped closer, preventing further retreat, continuing talking as she used her gloved hands to first smarten his hair, then his bed-wrinkled clothes. “Daniel, you have faced greater obstacles than whatever awaits you there. Can the other side of this portal be any worse than what you've already overcome?”

“I'm not ready.” His voice caught in his throat, his gaze firmly fixed on the earth at his feet.

“You don't have to be.” Acha placed her hand gently on his shoulder, the pressure encouraging him forwards. “All you need to focus on for now is putting one foot before the other. What comes next is up to you. You don't have to do anything you're not ready for.” When Daniel raised his gaze from the beaten track, he saw he already stood before the portal. With controlled breaths, he took the final step.

Drevera was an isolated island. Far enough from both Albeth and Therascia that the only vessels which made the journey were those requested from the Trader's Plexus. Drevera's main source of export was medicinal herbs, a product highly prized by physicians, mainly because things which grew on Drevera were more potent than those farmed anywhere else in the world.

There were many theories between scholars and physicians as to why this was the case. Although Drevera was a small island, they still held true to the rituals of the Gods. Each festival celebrated and each offering presented. This small island gave thanks to all, and thus it was believed they received a greater blessing than those paying homage to their town's home deity. Any on their approach could feel the overwhelming aura from the small town. It was somehow both oppressive and rejuvenating, alluring and repellent.

The people of Drevera were unaccommodating to others. They valued their solitude. It had taken many years for the island's Elder to agree to a Plexus master on their soils. In the end he only agreed to this outsider because doing so limited his own exposure to those who sought their wares. Now the Traders' Plexus handled everything on their behalf, from the initial request of the orders, to having the wares stamped and loaded onto the trade ship. The only thing required of him now was to ensure the orders requested were fulfilled, accepting or rejecting the ones that arrived based on their supply and anticipated harvest.

Throughout the island were littered no less than fifteen tributes to the Gods, consisting of shrines, altars, or sacred saplings. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Dionysus, Hephaestus, Hera, Hermes, Hestia, and Persephone, all were welcomed. They were worshipped and their festivals celebrated, thus all were thought to give their boons to this land. However, the goddesses responsible for bestowing magic, Gaea and Hecate, were paid no homage. For magic in their eyes, belonged solely to the Gods and should not be wielded by humans. Those born with such boons or gifts were shunned in the same manner as these deities.

The homes of Drevera reflected the nature of its people. They were no more or less than they had need for. There was no schoolhouse, no temple. Those born here were taught all they had need for by their community. Their main skills lay in harvest and worship. Despite their dislike of magic their village Hectarian—who no longer possessed any gifts since such power had been sealed—worked alongside the chosen physicians to heal any who fell sick. Visiting her was always a last resort. She may live amongst them but she would never truly be one of them. Their life was simple, and they excelled at all they did. They had no need for books and tales, and those gifted in music sang only of the Gods.

Eiji stood at the crest of the hill looking down over the modest town. The plains surrounding them had been fashioned into farmland, growing crops and herbs. Livestock appeared to graze the island unsupervised as those of the town went about their work.

Daniel held his arms crossed before him, hugging his body tightly as he looked down, swallowing with difficulty, his throat swollen, his breathing restricted. Now he was here there was no turning back.

“Daniel, we're gonna have a look around while y' do what y' need t'.” Placing his hand on the small of Acha's back, Eiji led her away. Both casting a backwards glance as they left their friend to look out over the town. They knew this was something he needed to do alone, acting only when he was ready, without the added pressure of their presence. Of course that did not make leaving him any easier.

“Thanks.” Daniel's voice came out as nothing more than a broken whisper. His hand once more finding something within the satchel to ease his burden. His eyes passed over the blurred writing on the label, his brain piecing together the letters as best it could. He was here now, surely some support to see him through the next steps would be justified. He was alone, but he could not do this on his own. He needed support and sought it from the only place he dared ask.

It was some time before his feet began to move. His surroundings nothing more than a blur of passing movement. Trees, animals, people, houses, had any of them spoken to him their voices were unheard. One foot in front of the other, again and again until his legs burnt. The sun dipped low in the sky, the coming cold unrecognised as his body began to tremble, and still, he put one foot in front of the other. The trees snagged at him, the bramble clung to him, yet still he walked, perhaps even in circles, his destination unclear as he staggered, his limbs growing heavy.

To him there was nothing, no island, no wind, just the prison of his mind where he was once more trapped. Time had passed in the blink of an eye, lost in unknown ramblings. Each unfelt step bringing further exhaustion, his breath barely a gasp until he could take no more. Even then, he was not aware of falling, the ground rising to meet him, or the warmth of the tears that streaked his cheeks.

* * *

“I just dunno what t'say t'him,” Eiji admitted shamefully. He shifted his position slightly to make himself more comfortable as he sat at the water's edge beside Acha. The place they had chosen to wait was magnificent. The torches used during the fire ritual of Hephaestus were certainly a sight to behold. Their markers now barely visible as they traced the gentle gradient. Once lit, to anyone from their perspective, it would appear as if a serpent of fire coiled its way to the mountain's peak until it reached the enormous forge. This final fire, once lit, would burn for three days and nights, and each day the people of the town would make offerings at the serpent's jaws. Those wishing to have blessed weapons or armour, used the time before this festival to petition the blacksmiths, via the Plexus, for it was believed anything forged in the flame carried from the fire ritual was blessed by Hephaestus himself.

“I don't think either of us do.” Acha sighed.