All the while at the edge of Dreissen territory, near the border with Umayad. Iris and Corvin, and the ever-diminishing brigade had begun their journey lumbering across the soggy marshlands. Some limped, and some were being pulled on a cart, whilst others were carried on the back of those who were strong enough to lug someone else on their backs.
Dawn-like light seeped through the thick dark clouds that had covered the skies for quite some time now, easing their passage through the wetlands.
With Corvin at her side, and under Malachi's scrutinizing gaze who seemed doubtful and questioned her motives, it seemed to have aggravated since Nobos had shown himself on the campgrounds earlier. Malachi's suspicious behaviour had been exacerbated by the greyish man who appeared out of nowhere, and it looked like he harboured some sort of resentment towards her.
" Who was he?" Corvin broke the silence " It looked a lot like a Shaddow Lord, but different somehow" he pertinently summed up the earlier events, giving her sideways peeks.
" He is a servant of Hollow, one of my husband's underlings to be more precise. The Guardian of the Hollow," Iris answered as briefly as possible still very much holding on to the letter Ian had sent through Nobos.
Corvin's eyebrows quirked up, surprised " Husband?" Corvin croaked, and cleared his throat narrowing his eyes at her, suspicious maybe a little confused.
" Well, yes " Iris replied, a little unsure why Corvin had, had such a strong reaction to her earlier words.
" I see. I wasn't aware that the servants of the darkness have" Corvin drawled " you know the proper gear" he waved his hand in the air trying to find his words " to satisfy a woman's needs " he somehow seemed to have found the inspiration he was looking to get his point across.
Iris snickered, amused at Corvin's choice of words " You can say it, no need to be prudish about it. You have it, I most certainly have seen it and... " Iris replied still very much amused, while Corvin nervously chuckled, and turned to look ahead.
" So what happened?" Corvin pressed for more answers, and it seemed that Nobos had sparked everyone's curiosity.
Iris sighed " Long story short, we followed Dakran to the north in an attempt to stop the shikari from plaguing this realm, and amidst all that, my husband had become the Hollow Guardian, and my only son is most likely dead." Iris's voice faltered and quietened at the end, letting out a sorrowful sigh.
" So, it's you then?" a young boy asked from behind her, a little too ardent, and it appeared that all ears were on her and Corvin " the Mytrhrian Queen. The White Wolf of Fiahthyr who can summon the elements, and builds bridges out of thin air, and can cross from one realm to another" the young boy added as he walked alongside her " There have been rumours that you came, and since then the shikari had been quiet, and thanks to you we can now return home" he continued to ramble proud of himself that he had guessed who she was, and the wisdom he held.
" You'll have to forgive Bivy here, he likes folktales, fables and myths about the old gods that roamed these lands in the olden days." Corvin cut the boy off while Iris remained silent. She once was all of that, but now she was no different from them. She could still summon fire, but her power had diminished. She wasn't sure if she could even light a candle let alone anything else.
" It's alright " Iris looked at the young boy who kept giving her a once over to confirm his suspicions.
" I don't care what you say, Corvin. It's her " Bivy boldly added tipping his chin, unmovable in his belief.
Corvin chuckled " Have it your way Bivy. I hope your fables keep you warm at night." Corvin mocked and turned to look ahead while Bivy slowed his pace, and joined the others behind them, undoubtedly to spread the news.
" So, are you?" Corvin asked as soon as they were out of Bivy's earshot.
Iris inhaled trying to gain some time to sort through her thoughts unsure whether she should tell them or not. Did it matter? She wasn't anymore.
" No. I just happen to look a lot like her or so it seems." Iris lied, unwilling to go over old and buried history. Hunted down by the witch for as long as she remembered. She wasn't interested in gaining any more unwanted attention. The witch had more than satisfied her appetite for it.
" Hmm. If you say so" Corvin was doubtful of her words, and now she'd hoped that she could skulk past everyone who knew her, unnoticed.
Not many people in the north knew who she was, and with all the wounded passing through Ironstone gates she was nothing more than one of them.
" What are you planning to do after you've spoken to Lord Vamadar or that is your last stop?" Corvin changed the subject as they finally stepped out of the marshlands.
" Going home. Southern lands." Iris replied in a pensive tone and heavily sighed.
" I see. Not long ago we had a missive from Umayad saying that their villages had been destroyed and they are seeking an alliance with anyone willing to aid" Corvin sighed, trilling his lips.
" Shikari?" Iris asked even though she already knew the answer.
" The missive didn't say, but if I have to guess, yes. Umayad has never welcomed outsiders in their territory so this is a strange request, coming from them anyway. " Corvin reasoned ruminatively with his eyes forth as he was leading the way.
" Would the king agree after all this or any of it?" Iris curiously raised a question making Corvin chuckle and sigh.
" Karrisse?" Corvin quirked a brow at her both in surprise, and disbelief. It seemed that the question had touched a sensitive cord.
" No, never. His interest lies only with the northern lands, and this war has brought our people to our knees. Even if we could, King Ruvy would betray and decimate us the first chance he gets. He is a cunning bastard just like his father." Corvin spat " His cohorts are ruthless criminals and pillagers nothing good would come out of an alliance with them" Corvin continued his political tirade, and it appeared that he had a lot of thoughts on the matter.
Iris listened to Corvin unburden his mind and there seemed to be more than plenty on it. On any other day, she would have believed that he'd lost a marble but after her short stay in Zandar, she had deduced that matters of the state were important to some.
" We have done our part " Corvin broke her thoughts adding " And it is enough. Now it's time for us to rebuild, and grow again" Corvin finished with a heavy sigh and pulled on the sack he was carrying on his back.
" I can help with that" Iris put forward and Corvin chuckled amused.
" You look worse than I do. Focus on walking, I don't want to carry you as well" Corvin glanced at her up and down as his amusement dissipated rather quickly.
At the sudden coldness in Corvin's tone, Iris turned her attention ahead of herself. It seemed that she'd brushed him the wrong way with what she said, and the man had become brash once more. Silence settled in and all it could be heard was the quiet hum of voices behind them. It was unexpected how fast Corvin's mood had soured.