Remedy

Chapter One The Treasure Hunter-3

He let his head fall back onto the muddy riverbank, savouring each painful breath as his gaze lingered upon the softening shades of the sky. The sounds of the dawn chorus sang in harmony to the water's own music as it returned to its natural rhythm. Relishing the morning's cold touch upon his damp and shivering skin he placed his right hand on the pocket of his battered tan jerkin. Feeling the weight of the bounty within, he let out a deep, throaty chuckle.

* * *

It had been many years since Rob had last stepped foot in Elpída. There were as many reasons to avoid this temple as there were that drew him to its door. Yet here he stood, overlooking its grand design and marvelling at the gardens and out-buildings, all of which had thrived in his absence.

Elpída was now the size of a small town. Once nothing more than a broken down temple had stood here. Now it had been revived, expanded, and its purpose adapted to give a home to the lost and orphaned, as well as becoming a respected schoolhouse.

The silence was unnerving, but it was not the first thing he became aware of as he stood, arm outstretched, at the temple's main doors. There was a reason he had not returned, why he sent his donations, or left them without crossing the threshold. Why had he thought today should be any different? Lowering his arm he pushed his hand deep into his jacket's pocket, removing a small coin pouch. He gauged its weight, nodding to himself, before lifting the lid of the metal donation box and placing it inside. The lid closed smoothly without the betraying groaning sound of metal he had come to expect.

Rob's hand moved down the door, feeling the smooth grain beneath his touch. Part of him had hoped the box would betray his presence and see him welcomed within the walls. He wasn't sure he had the strength to enter alone. Reminded of the strange silence, he moved closer to the door, straining to hear the telltale signs of life as a sense of foreboding washed over him.

At this hour the temple should be busy. The morning prayers should have recently concluded, and the temple was normally filled with the unmistakable bustle of life. It was a schedule rarely deviated from. Yet it stood shrouded in silence. As he listened, he could hear but a single sound. The rhythmic scraping of a blade being sharpened on leather. Its never faltering pace warning of a well-practised hand. His stomach tightened as his deft fingers instinctively loaded a bolt into his crossbow before quietly placing it back on his belt. Whoever was inside would have realised someone had approached from the initial noise, but he hoped his silence assured them they had been left undisturbed. He closed his eyes, listening for the children, for any sound except for the one he heard.

Slowly he moved to the windows, attempting to peer through the plain glass. The drapes were drawn, obstructing his view of within. Surprise would be his only ally. With a prolonged exhale he braced himself before forcing his weight against the door, surprised when it gave with ease. The resounding impact of the wooden doors against the walls forced more adrenaline to race through his system as he prepared himself for the image he feared he would behold.

The echo of metal clattering across the floor immediately drew his attention to the rapid movement of the figure before him as she dropped to her knees. His fingers quickly slipped from his lever trigger as he beheld the scene before him. The metal pail, sent tumbling from her fearful reaction, rolled, soaking the wooden floor with its dirty contents. Kneeling in the spilt water, with her gaze fixed upon the floor, was a woman. Everything about her posture signalled submission. Her body was rigid with fear with startled breaths being drawn in quick succession. Despite her alarm she did not raise her head to look at the figure who had entered the temple so violently.

Rob allowed himself a moment to regain his composure. His own breathing calmed as he realised the danger had been imagined. He took these moments to study the figure before him. She was unfamiliar. Her white dress—now turning partially transparent around her knees as the water absorbed through the thin cloth—revealed her to be a novice. Dark stains and dirt blemishes told tales of her tireless labour.

Her fear of him was understandable. People like her were often the focal point of aggression, and his entrance would have done little to put her at ease. She sat in silence not daring to move, barely daring to breathe, as she awaited his approach. Rob saw her cringe as he slowly began to advance. Realising she flinched at the sound of each step he paused to study her further, aware that her reaction was the result of many years of conditioning.

Her long black hair had been carefully braided into a single plait. This once tidy presentation had become slightly unravelled by her labours, freeing small wisps from their bindings. Her hair was a dark contrast to her ivory complexion, an enchanting combination, especially when paired with her strong feminine jawline. Even Rob, who had travelled extensively, was unable to place her origins. But, aside from making her mysteriously beautiful, these traits were not the cause of her fear. It was unlikely, given her more obvious heritage, any would look on to see the beauty before them. This young girl was Méros-Génos. But never had Rob seen one with a feature as prominent as hers.

Most Méros-Génos—often referred to as Demi-humans or Demies by those trapped in archaic beliefs of superiority—possessed a trait of the creature their essence was bound to. This was normally a subtle quality. The pure, those thought to belong to bloodlines preceding the Titanomachy, could walk amongst humans unseen. Whilst the others were once dubbed Demi-human, and thought of as lesser beings by Méros-Génos and humans alike.

It was said the fusing of man and beast was a mistake in the release of souls ready to be reborn from the underworld. It was rumoured these souls, in life, had somehow tethered to another creature, drawing on its instincts and traits. When their souls were united at the Gate of Shades it caused the merging of the two.

Once this new soul was ready to be reborn it was different, no longer fully human. From the moment the life-force entered its intended vessel the fusing of it and the bestial essence altered the growth of the child, causing it to possess strange and unnatural characteristics which belonged to the animalistic aspect.

The joining of two Demi-humans, or Méros-Génos, often resulted in the birth of a child sharing the traits of both parents. There were, however, rare occasions when two human parents would give birth to one of these 'impure' souls. Some would love the child. Others sought to be free of the burden through abandonment or sacrifice, and hope that their next child would not be tainted in such a manner.

The Demi-humans possessed more pronounced features, such as scales, claws, a tail or even bestial ears. But often such things could be hidden to shield their nature from those who would persecute them. The Méros-Génos, seeing in them a partial likeness, came to understand the Demi-humans. They realised that while created initially by magic and mistake they were no different in essence to themselves. Eventually they welcomed them as kindred spirits, hoping to be rid of the derogatory term. But such was not to be. Hate is far harder to quell than acceptance is to give. Their label was shortened further by the uneducated and used as a term of degradation. A word uttered to describe the most worthless and detestable of Mankind.

The Méros-Génos, where possible, hid amongst the humans, concealing that which made them different. Some thought humans to be the lesser-species and created settlements of their own where they could live unburdened. But this young lady had no hope to walk amongst humans unseen. She had something Rob had never seen their kind possess before, wings. She would be an outcast to all. Destined to be labelled a harpy and shunned by both races. These large appendages mirrored the darkness of her hair, and whilst almost Moiraic in their feathered appearance, their shade would ensure no one would confuse her with the benevolent beings thought to watch over and guide the people of this world.

“Good morning.” Rob spoke softly, the deliberate gentleness of his tone causing the woman before him to raise her gaze to meet his. Her smoky grey eyes reflected the deep fear his presence caused; a fear still mirrored by her posture as she struggled to breathe. He offered her the warmest smile he could muster before continuing to speak. “I am Robert Raymond. By chance does Iereía Sunniva have a moment to spare on a weary traveller?”

Cautiously rising to her feet the young woman folded her arms across herself. Offering a slight nod she began to back away, never taking her eyes from him until she reached the door. Only when her hand firmly grasped the handle did she turn, quickly making her departure.

* * *

Rob had not been left waiting too long, but even a few seconds alone with the statue of this temple's patron deity, Artemis, was enough to see him question his presence. The Iereía was a busy lady. She had better things to do than waste her time with him. He was beyond redemption anyway. His pacing steps had halted briefly, before continuing with fresh purpose as he made his way towards the exit. He could leave a note perhaps. His business was not so important that he should request an audience with the person who had constructed this haven from nothing.

“I see you are still adventuring.” Rob cringed, his departure stilled as the familiar voice caught him in the act of retreating. He turned slowly, turning the corners of his mouth in a forced smile, but as soon as his sight fell upon her all falsities drained away. Sunniva, as always, carried herself with the grace of a queen. Her elegant steps created the illusion that she glided towards him, rather than walked. Without pause she approached, extending her slender arms around his torso to pull him into a warm embrace. The silk of her dress whispered against him as he raised his arms, returning her affection.

The welcome was brief. She pulled back wrinkling her nose, critically scrutinised his dishevelled appearance, and looked down upon her own once flawless attire. She shook her head slightly, picking the small pieces of debris from her own white dress, which had been transferred during their embrace. “I swear, Brother, it was not too long ago you announced the world was void of such escapades. 'Everything has been discovered and all that can be plundered has been.' Or words to that effect.” She recited mimicking his voice terribly.

“True,” he grinned, ruffling a hand through his brown hair. “But that was before the Severaine unsealed The Depths of Acheron. So much has happened in the last six years.” Everything had changed the day the Severaine had broken free of its seal. Until then few had even known of its existence. By the time the true danger was realised so much had already been lost. Lives had been destroyed, and cities had been razed to the ground under its unrelenting power. The world had lived in fear, and the Gods had all but abandoned them.

His gaze turned heavy as he shifted his vision to stare beyond her, into a place only he could see. His face grew shadowed by torment. The glaze of his eyes showing the distance his mind had travelled even with such simple words. Sunniva allowed him this moment. It had been so long since last she had seen him, yet the past still haunted him relentlessly. “Oh well.” He forced out the words with a heavy sigh, trying to dispel the regret. “Is it just the two of you today, you and—” Rob grasped for a name he now felt he should know. “Who was that Méros-Génos anyway?” he questioned. When he had first seen her there was nothing familiar, yet now he had the strangest feeling he should have recognised her.