"Often, we believe that it is our incompetence which causes the suffering of others."
~Tasmiya Shaik
SOUTHERN REGIONS OF ARANDUIL
City Of Eizgár
7:46 a.m
Rene's creature of beauty galloped across the stone bridge with her escort's close at her side. The sound of free-flowing water beneath spoke of nature's oneness with the land and orchestrated a peaceful melody with the light breeze that rustled the winter born trees that would soon be overtaken by spring's arrival. She reigned in the creature, and it halted before an enormous iron gate. It was built amidst two watchtowers that were designed into the boundary wall of the Elvish City. Along the top surface of the wall, asharren archers were positioned at strategic points.
She was approached by an asharren warrior clad in an elven battle garb with a wooden carved bow slung over his left shoulder and a sword at his hip. His face was devoid of expression, a hard willed warrior's appeal, such were the warriors of Aranduil cultivated with.
'Good day Milady,' He greeted politely. Nonetheless, they were well versed in mannerisms and etiquette regarding respect to their elders. 'Please provide your city pass and identification stone.' He requested.
René retrieved a document of golden brown paper that was concealed in leather covering from the confines of her coat and presented it to him. The asharren warrior returned to his companion stationed within the base of the watchtower on the right. He handed the document pass through the barred opening. His companion examined its contents and authenticated it with a stamp of the royal majesty's symbol before he returned it. The warrior handed it back to René, and she revealed a sapphire stone that displayed a holographic representation of her required identity. Her escort underwent the same procedures before he was clarified as harmless.
'Lady Sotiris, what is the purpose of your visit?'
'Sightseeing and a few herbal supplies from the apothecary.'
'The young male in your company?' The warrior referred to Zacharius.
'My son.' She said with a smile. 'It is his first time in Eizgár. I have yet to register him a city pass and identification stone.'
'He cannot pass unless he has undergone the proper procedures.'
Zacharius exchanged a look of understanding with René and eased when she offered a nod of approval. Their escort aided him as he dismounted the creature. The warrior extended his hand, and blue spiral waves of energy were vertically directed through Zacharius' body.
'You may proceed, young one.' The warrior smiled unexpectedly. 'What is your name?'
'Zacharius.'
'How old are you?'
'Half a cycle.'
' Just five years...you will be a strong warrior Zacharius, your mother will be proud.'
Zacharius' expression darkened with sorrow, and he lowered his gaze. 'I hope that she will be,' He mounted the creature and sat astride in front of René. She embraced him from behind and lightly caressed his hair.
'She most definitely will be my dear. You have to smile for her, don't you?' She comforted him, and Zacharius solemnly nodded.
The gate was raised with the approval of the warrior and granted them access. They rode into the city, and the marvelous scenery brightened Zacharius'expression. The aroma of food and melodies of town festivities were sceneries he only imagined by having his brothers read books of fantasy to him. He had never imagined a city in all its glory to be so intuned with nature.
The buildings were designed with an interior of hardened soil that was amalgamated with other magical substances, which gave it impregnable stability. The exteriors were designed with thick, light cream barks of wood that twisted and intertwined to reinforce the interior, which was not entirely visible. The houses were of a spherical shape and appealed with flowers of various colours and types. The shops and other buildings took on a much larger size and shape. The rooftops appealed with large green petals that settled over each pointed tip and maintained its durability due to the magic embedded in its design.
Carts filled with trade goods traversed along the cobblestone streets that showed visible signs of greenery that crept through the thin spaces. The last days of winter would soon wither, and spring would flourish into the city. Pureblood Elves , Asharra, and hume folk alike consorted with and mingled with each other, casting out all past grievances and enmity between the races.
René and her escort reigned in their durein beasts at the rental stables and resumed their journey.
'Zachari, is Eizgár to your tastes?' René questioned him as he stood beside her.
'It's beautiful and mesmerizing. I have never seen a city so grand in Ethuaria,' His gaze wandered over the endless scenery in excitement.
'I am glad you enjoy it. Do you know where the Asharra hail from?'
'Mama used to tell me the story a lot. The Asharra are children of the pureblood Elves and the faélon humes who were born with elemental attributes. She also told me that when the Warcan tribes faced war, they turned to the Asharra. The warcan spirits inhabited the Asharra warriors, and together they were then called 'Aldari' like papa and uncle Andreas. 'Aldari' means 'spirit wielders' in the Asharra language.'
'You are certainly well versed in our ancestry, Zachari. I am quite impressed.'
'Mama used to tell us many tales; she said that she would never want us to forget who we truly are and that if papa should forget, then I should be the one to remind him.'
René's thoughts centered around Sebastian. He was certainly a man who loved his sons, but his ability to portray his affection was not as excellent as his sword skills. She did not blame him. He never knew a father's love; how could he display it? Nonetheless, it was not an excuse enough to distance himself from his sons. She wanted to show him how simple it was to love and to be loved.
'Brother Callix?' Zacharius said in the question, having sighted his older brother. He rushed to the older male and embraced him; he barely the height of his brother's waist.
'Zac, what are you doing here?' Callix lifted the younger boy into his arms.
'Miss René offered me to accompany her,' He smiled, and Callix sighed before he laid him down. He bowed upon René's presence and placed a hand over his heart in greeting to the male escort.
'My lady, I apologize if my brother has caused you any trouble.'
René noted that for a male many cycles younger than herself, Callix was awfully tall and mature. He exuded the persona and capabilities of a warrior's aura. Of course, he was a son of the Reinhardt bloodline, and he would eventually come into power to reign along with the Aldari clans.
'He is a sweetheart; there is no need to apologize. Are you unaccompanied?'
'My brother Lithanius has wandered off on his lonesome; he will return soon. I was about to register a city pass and identification stone; I shall have it done for Zachari as well.'
'Brother Lithanius prefers to be called Lance.' Zachari grinned
'Is that so?' René chuckled. 'Do be careful, even in a well-guarded city like Eizgár; trouble can brew. Zachari, I'm afraid this is where I must part with you. I require a few things from the apothecary, and I must then travel to the forests of the realm of Mythgar. I will have my escort accompany you back.'
'Mythgar? Do you seek the Elsarion fruit, my lady?'Callix questioned with interest.
'Indeed, I do. I should return by night.'
'Do not be concerned for my brothers; Lithanius is capable and responsible if the situation calls for it. The Reinhardt estate is not a far distance; they will make it back safely.'
'They? What of yourself?'
'I will be accompanying you, my lady. It is my first time in Alvgard; however, I have been to the realm of Mythgar with my father before. It was our training ground; the creatures are not to be trifled with.'
' You have been there before? Of course ,you are the son of a Reinhardt, after all. I will not forgive myself if something should happen to sons of the Reinhardt bloodline.' René frowned with concern.
'My lady, I am a warrior of two and a half cycles already. Lithanius and I have always been responsible for Zachari in the absence of our father; they will be well. Mythgar is not a land to be taken lightly; I am certain you understand that more than anyone.'
René nodded hesitantly but complied. 'Very well, I will await you at the armaments shop; we will require supplies. Find your brother and inform him to return before noon to the castle.'
'I will, my lady.' Callix assured her, took Zachari by the hand, and departed.
Reinhardt Estate
Council's strategy chambers
9:28 a.m
Sebastian studied the magical samples that Archid retrieved in Ethuaria. He required the healer's aid to have the samples tested; however, it appeared she had departed for the city of Eizgár. The information he received from Archid's investigations was adequate; however, he was missing a link.
'Isaac Cavendish, what was Atticus' reason for travelling to Ethuaria?'
'The seven Aldari clans have been in disarray. House Rossi has severed ties to the clan alliance for forty-four cycles and refuses to acknowledge any other than the rightful heir as 'Lord' of the Aldari Clans. Lord Atticus maintained the peace among the clans and managed them well; however, he was not the one that the warcan's commander spirit had chosen; thus, he would never truly rise as the 'Lord.' Lahn has chosen you, and it is your responsibility to lead the Aldari. Lord Atticus hoped to persuade you despite knowing that the Narrak clans lurked in the shadows once more.'
Sebastian frowned at the word 'persuade.' Would his brother and sister-in-law be alive had he returned to Alvgard after his exile period? Without a doubt, they would have. They would not have reason to risk their lives against the ancient enemy. He could not help but feel responsible for their deaths, and he well knew that regret was pointless. It would change nothing. He glanced at Avery across the table briefly and averted his gaze. Sooner or later, she would realize the root of her parent's death, and he was willing to bear the consequences. She was silent, observed, and simply absorbed the conversation. She was like a doll devoid of emotion. She did not deserve to have her smile taken away, and he would ensure that it returned.
'I have no intention of returning to Ethuaria. My actions have labelled me a criminal in their lands; I have forsaken them.'
'Forsaken? I am not surprised. That is what you do best.' Isaac glared at him, and Sebastian exercised a great deal of patience to control his brewing rage.
'You speak as though he were given a choice except for exile, Isarcrius.' Andreas stated.
'He was to return after ten cycles, but he had forsaken his duty. No matter, it is past. Our focus is on what we are dealing with at hand.'
'You may express your disappointment at a later time, Isaac Cavendish. I do not care for it. Have we any leads on the Narrak?' Sebastian enquired.
'Lord Sinclaire has been tracking their trail for the past week; they are supposedly operating to the Northern Empire of Drakensheim. Their resources are of excellent quality, and their security is nearly impregnable. The young asharren warriors have not faced the Narrak in battle before; they do not understand their techniques and magical warfare. We are disadvantaged.' Isaac informed.
'Disadvantaged? I do not quite remember our warriors being incapable and incompetent, Isaac Cavendish.'
'It is not incompetence, my Lord. They require the correct guidance of their 'Lord' and commander.'
'Amico, they will respond to the commander's spirit.' Andreas smirked but frowned a second later.'There is something I must inform you of.'
'What is it?'
'Soran is missing.'
'He has not returned? What of Kai?'
'She has returned to Izavia. She is weak without Soran. He has separated from her for much too long.'
'We will need to trace his magical energy from Ethuaria. There is no doubt the Narrak bastards have taken him.'
Sebastian flexed out his arm, the tattoo ignited, and Lahn emerged into his spiritual form.
~I can track his magical aura from the villa in Ethuaria.~ Lahn offered.
'Amico, we are on Galrik's wanted list. We cannot waltz into Ethuaria and back.'
'I did not say that either of us will have to go. Isaac Cavendish, can I entrust this task to you? They will have no records of your arrival and nor your identity.'
Isaac loosened the collar of his coat and revealed a tattoo along his neck with a different design in comparison to Sebastian's. It was a dark brown in colour and curved similarly to blades. It ignited with a glow, and the beast within him emerged into its spiritual form. It was massive but smaller than Lahn in size. It's hide was a mix of a tawny yellow and golden brown. The dark spots on its hide were in shapes that resembled roses. Its eyes were a light green colour and regarded Lahn with a bow of its head.
~Lahn.~ He greeted.
~Araun. You are missing a fragment of your soul.~
~I will discuss it another time with you. I shall accompany Isaac to Ethuaria and trace Soran's magical aura.~ The beast stated.
'You have not given your answer, Isaac Cavendish. Can I entrust this task to you?'
'My compliance, acceptance, and allegiance go without saying or me having to confirm it, my Lord. I shall depart for Ethuaria before the burial ceremony. Spring will soon be upon us in nine days.'
'Very well, it is settled then.'