"In my dreams, I roamed. A vast city disowned. Lost to time. With no reason nor rhyme."— A poem of the North folk
***
I woke up in darkness with a Godsforsaken headache. It's something that's not uncommon in my line of work, but typically it involves a few fermented beverages. I exhaled sharply as I snapped my fingers together. A small orange and red flame ignited on my index finger. The dim glow revealed that the room we were in had collapsed. We seemed to be deeper in the old ruined temple of Wyverl. The kid was lying stiff on the ground next to Professor Durance. The dastard was still breathing. It was shallow breaths, but what could one expect from somebody with a puncture wound the size of a fist through their chest. I walked over to him and looked down at his pale, sweat-drenched face. He clutched at the gushing wound with both hands. I kneeled down next to him. "You've got less than five minutes tops. Might as well stop struggling and come to terms with your fate. Oh, while you're at it. It would be nice if you could spare me a breath and tell me where the metal bloke went or how to get out of here."
He coughed up blood. "Always. . . looking after your own pocket." It started to trickle down the sides of his cheeks. "Promise me one thing."
I raised my hand over my chest. "Since it seems I'm resided to become an artifact here. I'm all ears."
They looked over to the boy. "Ashton. . ."
I looked down at Ashton. My Rowan would be about four years older than them. I took a deep breath. "You have my word that as long as I draw breath no harm will come to them."
"Good, good. One of the research assistants spoke of a tunnel they had discovered that led to the old Republican storm drain."
I went over and roused Ashton. "Hey, kid."
***
I blinked awake to a dark room with the scoundrel standing over me. I sat up and looked at his grey eyes. "Gods, just my luck."
"You are with me, Ashton."
Professor Durance looked over at me. "Ashton, come closer." I dragged myself over to him. He placed a hand on my shoulder. "If you are to get out of here you'll need to follow this man."
I gripped him close. "You're a stoic fool. Stop dealing in these ultimatums."
The professor reached into his coat and handed me a blood-stained journal. "I'm sorry Ash. My journey ends here, but yours has just begun."
"What's this?"
"Read it, and take it to Professor Uthgar in the city of Dragon's Knee. With any luck, they will still be preparing for their expedition to the mountains. You can't let that demon get whatever they find there. Do you understand?"
I frowned. "Will you do me one final kindness, professor?"
"I'm fairly limited at the moment."
I thought of her face and I knew I was soon to be the last person alive to bear that memory. "Tell her I love her."
The professor frowned. "I will, on behalf of both of us."
I looked away from his pained eyes. I stood up and faced the thief. "Follow me."
He raised his eyebrows. "Do you even know where we are going?"
The professor smiled. "My ward here was the one who found the path. They are quite bright under that rocky exterior."
The thief nodded to the professor. "Sorry, we had to meet on business. I hope the coins of fate look upon you more kindly during the next toss."
I darted down the hallway into darkness. I heard the thief follow. The marble stone winded its way left and right like a snaking river. I passed the many ritual chambers and storage spaces. Until we reached a large crack in the marble. Just big enough for me to squeeze through. I gestured to it and sidled through. He followed in kind. As we crossed to the other side we found ourselves standing upon a large grey stone above what looked like rushing sewage. The stench was foul and I immediately tucked my nose into my palm. To our left bright blinding light peered out. I ran towards it. The exit to the storm drain led us to a large field of green country dotted with rundown stone houses and marble white ruins.
"Ah, the Blood Pact! The land of former glory, it's almost as delightful as the sewage."
I turned to the man. "I guess you'll be leaving now?"
He rested his cane on his shoulders. "Kid, there's no going back to where I'm from empty-handed."
"Where would that be?" He pressed my finger to the wound he left on my neck earlier and snapped. "Hey!"
The flame cauterized the small cut. It stung as I clenched it in my hand. He licked his thumb. "Logard." He then smiled. "No need to thank me." He pointed his cane towards the Imperial Highway. "Ashton right? Onward towards Dragon's Knee."
I marched behind him. "You have my name. What's yours, thief?"
***
I pondered their request for a second. Who was I today? A spy sent by the Doge? No. A bit too dramatic. Maybe a cunning pirate seeking rumors of treasure beyond imagining. Now that's a story the folks of the Merchant Alliance would just rave for. Then an even more dangerous idea entered my mind. Why not tell them the truth? Then the words left my mouth, "My name is Colden. Colden Amarant."
"Well, Colden, I would say it's a pleasure to meet ya, but that would be a lie."
"You wound me."
"It'll heal."
We trudged our way through the backcountry just outside of the Capital just far enough so we could take a look back at the city. Its high stone walls concealed the worst of the damage, but there was no hiding the blooming cloud of smoke rising from the Academy. "Coins be lost."
"Well, what's the plan?"
"You thirsty?"
"What?"
I clasped my hands together "There's this wonderful tavern on the Imperial Highway that we have to stop by. Don't worry, it'll be my treat."