A soft, green light shone from her eyes as she spun gracefully around herself. She extended her left hand as she spun, leaving a trail of light behind. Her motions quickly turned into a beautiful dance.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Laura said with a smile. I nodded; I couldn't take my eyes off her. She spun and spun and the plants all around us blood. As colourful flowers spouted from the ground all around us, I noticed that I had been holding my breath.
I couldn't help but feel sowhat guilty as I watched the cheerful druid dance. She gave life to the earth, while all I could do was reduce everything around to ashes. I brought death while she gave life.
"Keeper." A soft, bewitching voice whispered into my right ear. "A word." I flinched. I knew that voice all too well – it was Matriarch Aelith's voice.
I coughed, then glanced down the small hill. "I should get so water."
Laura nodded. "Sure,"
I rushed off towards the river. Once I arrived at the sandy shore, I knelt down and with a low voice, spoke. "I'm listening." This wasn't as convenient as telepathy, but it allowed to keep my mind safe, so to speak.
"There is sothing we must discuss. Return to Baile Chailce imdiately." Her cold voice made it very clear this was an order. One I shouldn't even think to disobey. While I wanted nothing less than telling her 'No', her threats were still fresh in my mind, as was her power.
"I will return as fast as I can." I replied, forcing myself to keep my voice calm. "But it will take a few days – I can't speed that up." I waited anxiously for her answer. Monts passed, then she finally replied. "Very well. Make sure you imdiately seek when you arrive."
"Of course." I said through my gritted teeth. I despised the very idea of eting her, but for now, I couldn't afford to defy her. Not yet.
The tingle of magic I felt from the crescent moon shaped earring slowly faded. Only once it was completely gone did I breathe a sigh of relief. I quickly washed my face, then got up and returned to the others.
"Hey!" Mona shouted as soon as I entered their view. "You said you wanted to see the ritual, but then you up and left!"
"Leave him be, Mona." Laura said, lightly tapping her shoulder. "He's clearly a bit sensitive to magic – he probably couldn't handle the ritual." She glanced at as she spoke. "You did turn pale halfway through."
I nodded. "I felt a little dizzy, yeah." I glanced at Mona. "Sorry, Mona. I'll watch the whole thing next ti."
Her frown left its place to a bright smile. "That's a promise!"
"Kai," Lucius' voice sounded. "Mona, Laura. Co, ti for breakfast."
I only then noticed how damn hungry I was. For these last couple of days – well, ever since we left Baile Chailce, really – we had eaten nothing but fruit, dried at and a couple of sandwiches. I yearned for so nice, tasty food.
We sat around the spot where the campfire was, and Theresa served us food.
My eyes widened as I stared at the large plate she gave . There were eggs, at, fruit, even so warm tea to go with all this.
"This is amazing." I said, glancing at Theresa. "Thank you,"
"Seriously, are you absolutely sure you aren't a cook in the real world?" Asher asked as he took a bite out of his breakfast. "Because this is top quality breakfast."
"No, I'm a librarian." She smiled. "I just cook a lot for my nieces."
"Oh, that's so sweet." Lucius said with a smile.
We conversed for a while before setting off. As we made our way back to the city, even Asher seed to be enjoying the ti spent with Mona's group. Despite my worries of Vixia finding out where we were, the journey passed nearly eventless. The few tis we saw wild creatures, they chose to run away instead of attempting to attack us.
The next day at dusk, the tall walls surrounding Baile Chailce entered our view.
"We made it!" Mona said with a grin. "So, are you going to check up on your other friends?" I could see the curiosity in her eyes.
"I have an errand to run, afterwards, yes." I glanced at Asher and Lucius – I had gotten the chance to tell them about Matriarch Aelith's order. They were just as anxious as , if not more. "Thanks for everything you've done for us Mona, Laura, Theresa." I said, looking at each of them. "We're in your debt."
Mona giggled. "Oh, it's nothing. But if you really want to repay us, we'll be staying at The Huntsman."
"Please don't feel pressured," Laura said as she grabbed Mona's braid again. "And don't take her too seriously." She left, dragging Mona along with her. Theresa chuckled, bid us farewell and rushed after them.
I took a deep breath as I turned my gaze toward the massive palace. "I guess I should also go."
"Kai, I can't teleport you again." Asher warned . "I told you before, I need a certain number of materials to make that happen – I don't have any of them left." He hesitated. "So, try to not get yourself in too much trouble ok?"
I forced a laugh. "When did you see get into trouble?" I waved at them before they could respond and left for the palace.
Since the in we were staying at was on my way, I decided to stop by. As I pushed the door and stepped inside, an unfamiliar sight greeted . There were a few occupied tables inside, and one of them was our usual table – the one in the very back of the room. Yet, it was an old Ereth that sat there, alone.
"You're back." I heard the bartender's voice. She was carrying an empty plate as she approached . "Glad to see you're alive, Kai."
"Likewise," I said with a faint smile. "If you don't mind asking, where are Erik and the others?" I was sowhat worried about them. They always drank at this ti of the day.
She shrugged. "I don't have a clue." She tilted her head towards the door. "So guy ca with an offer. The paladin talked with the guy for a bit, then I guess accepted his offer. They checked out yesterday morning. Saying they'd 'go on an adventure' and all that." She sighed and shook her head. "I'm pretty sure the one guy who went solo wasn't happy about it."
I assud she was talking about Vincent. "I see," I said, shaking my head. "Thanks for letting know."
"Sure." She said, then rushed off to a custor calling her. I stood there a mont, then pushed my worries aside and left the inn. I couldn't keep Aelith waiting for long. Incurring her wrath was not a good idea. Not yet.
I rushed to the palace, ignoring the thoughts scratching the back of my mind. They demanded attention, but I refused. I needed my mind clear for this, besides, there was nothing I could do even if Erik and the others were in danger. I had no idea where they were or what they were doing.
The guards at the palace entrance let in and soon, a clearly higher ranked Ereth ca to lead through the maze-like hallways. Soon, I was lit into the now empty throne room.
"Stand in the glyph." He said before shutting the massive doors behind . I glanced at the glyph on the ground. It was identical to the one Matriarch Aelith had used to teleport the last ti I was here.
I stepped inside the glyph and soon enough, a bright light engulfed . I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, I was in that library. The sa place she had brought before.
She stood by the tall windows, watching the city stretching beneath her. "Welco back, Kai Friseal."
I avoided looking at her as she turned to face . I was well aware of her bewitching spells. I wasn't going to fall for them – and her. I waited, silently.
"I see you've fought demons." She said, slowly approaching . I nodded – there was no point in hiding that. "And killed so, perhaps?"
"Two of them." I replied. I glanced at her, specifically avoiding looking at her eyes. "Did you want sothing from ?"
She chuckled. "You could say that. There is sothing I want you to check." She raised her hand as an illusionary map appeared. "An old castle, to be precise."
On the map, I could see Baile Chailce and to the north west of the city, the castle she was talking about. "It's been infested with demonic magic. I want you to cleanse it."
The castle wasn't as close to the city as I'd have liked, but there wasn't much to be done. I could probably get there in two days or so by flight. "How do cleanse it?" I asked.
She chuckled. "There is a core, sowhere in that castle. That is what's causing the spread. Just break it or remove it. I don't care what happens to the core."
I nodded. "I can do that."
She chuckled again. A mont passed in silence. Was she going to send back or what? I glanced at her, intending to ask, but then I noticed her face. Was that an alard expression?
Before long, I discovered the source of her worries. A sigil appeared on the floor. Soon, another Ereth appeared. "Aelith!" She shouted. "A group is trapped on the Howling Hills! They're losing!" Her eyes widened as she noticed . "It's his group!"
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