Exhaustion hung heavy on the group upon reaching the home of the town mayor. They were ushered inside the home with welcome arms and given good foods to eat. The home itself was large but quaint. Each window had a shutter, and the inside was decorated with middle class décor and furnishings. The carpets and floors were clean, and the inside smelt of burning wood from a large fireplace in the main living area. Nimer, Jex, and Ray sat near it, the flames thawing their chilly bodies.
The mayor made sure all wounds were attended to by a town nurse. Nimer's arm was looked at and he was given medicine to help the burning and numbness. They dabbed Canin's face with a rag, wrapping his muzzle with bandages and cleaning up the blood that seeped from the wound. They lay Rin in a bed in one of the back guest rooms and the nurse dabbed his feverish head with a damp cloth.
After all had been attended to, Nimer, Ray, and Jex gathered near the fire while Canin kept guard in Rin's room. The three held mugs in their hands, staring tiredly into their drinks.
Ray rested her head on Jex's shoulder with a sigh. "I think that we've had enough adventure for a few days," she uttered, barely audible.
"Perhaps even a lifetime," Jex commented.
Nimer shook his head, "I fear that might only be the beginning of our worries. If Zinlar is behind this, they plan to awaken Ravathor sooner than I thought. We need to stop him and more so, we need to find the rest of the key to Zaniah."
Ray pouted a bit. "I'm not sure I want to think about it right now," she said and fell backward onto her back with a thump. She stared up at the ceiling.
Large logs ran parallel to each other along the ceiling forming the structure of the house and holding up the roof. Wooden planks she assumed to be the attic floor ran in the opposite direction were nailed into the wood with large nails that kept them stable. It was interesting architecture she had never seen before. All she could really think about at that moment was how warm the fire was. Closing her eyes, she started to think about home and the cold winter nights she spent indoors with Jex near the fire sipping herbal teas till their eyelids hung heavy.
Jex moved his glass back and forth, sloshing the liquid about in his mug. "What will we do now that we know the cult is after us again?" he asked.
Nimer shrugged. "Be on the lookout. It's really all we can do at this point," he answered, taking a long sip of his drink. "We couldn't avoid them forever and nowhere is safe. They know we are looking for the shards and we know they are doing the same. The more they get to touch them, the more awakenings will happen."
Jex scratched his chin. "What I don't understand is why the shards are so powerful. You've explained the awakenings, but where did the keys come from and why were they shattered?"
"The gods created the keys to the kingdoms, specifically Mykatha and Albranis as it took magic and the ability to weave life into them using their prana," Nimer answered truthfully. "Each god contributed as well as the others who sit on the light council; Talorak, Cynthar, Faelira, Zarothar, Lucine, and Thalbera. They react to the prana host's have in their souls and cause them to grow and cause those chosen to evolve to great power. The same reaction happens to those meant to awaken from their mortal forms Albranis and Mykatha sealed everyone into centuries ago."
"Serane had said something similar," Jex admitted. "She spoke with us about awakenings and how they are different for everyone. I'm curious at this point. What is the calling for our souls?"
"She told us that you think we are the king and queen of Zaniah," Ray said, looking at Nimer. "Isn't that right?"
"She told you too much, then," Nimer said bitterly. "I haven't even seen your powers emerge to know if it is true. I'm acting on a hunch."
"I was able to use fire the other day," Ray said tiredly. "But it was a fluke in my opinion."
"You were?" Jex asked curiously, his eyes widening in surprise.
She nodded, her hair rubbing against the soft carpet. "It formed around my bow when I shot it at a bandit. It surprised me greatly."
Jex smiled and commented, "Well, I think that fire is very appropriate for you in my opinion. You've always been a bit feisty."
Ray playfully hit his arm as she rolled forward and sat up. "Stop. It's only natural." She tapped her lip. "And you have discovered a bit of illusion magic if I recall. I bet you made that woman mad playing her like that."
"Perhaps, and I may have taken her wear from her as well," Jex laughed, earning shaking heads from both Ray and Nimer.
"I'd rather not get us in trouble here," Nimer said flatly and brought his cup to his mouth, taking a few sips.
"It was harmless," Jex said, waving it off as he took a deep drink, letting the liquid in his cup refresh him.
"If you two are coming to those powers, then my theory may be more true than I originally thought," Nimer said, drinking from his mug.
"What about you, Nimer? You've been awakening longer than we have. Do you know your soul's calling?" Ray asked, getting nosey with their guide.
Nimer began to choke on his drink, and he mumbled curses grumpily. "I don't think right now is the time to tell you."
Ray bunched her lips disapprovingly. "You're always so secretive. Serane said you'd tell us eventually."
"Yeah," Jex said, agreeing and joining in on ganging up on Nimer. "You tell us what to do every day but tell us nothing about what is happening to you. Why don't you spit it out already?"
Nimer gave them both an even stare, unamused as always. "Right now is not the time. Just know, I am a guide, a storyteller, and a gambler. Nothing more."
"Why won't you tell us?" Ray insisted then smiled. "Don't tell me you're awakening into a fairy," she giggled.
"That's a little harsh don't you think?" Nimer growled but his frustration was being drowned out by Jex and Ray's laughter. Nimer rolled his eyes. "Think what you want. But it's not a fairy," he said grumpily.
A quick knock at the doorway ceased the hoots and hollers Ray and Jex made and all three of them looked up to see Canin in his clothed human form standing there trying to get their attention.
"Nimer," he said hastily. "It's Rin. He's awake."
Nimer set down his drink and rose to his feet. He hurried down the hall with Jex and Ray following close behind. When they entered the room, Rin was sitting in his bed, blankets covering his legs. He had been given a night shirt to wear that appeared three sizes too big for him. His arms looked like twigs poking through the large arm holes.
"You're finally awake," Ray said, somewhat relieved, but knowing the truth about him, she remained weary.
Rin bunched up the covers in his hands as he made fists, his frame shaking slightly. "Yes, and I don't want to be," he muttered. Clenching his teeth, he could feel sharp pain in his mouth as a small trickle of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. His tongue parted his lips, and he licked the cut almost instinctively. Rin turned to the other four in the room searching their faces for some sort of blame. "I jeopardized an entire town and fell for something I shouldn't have," he admitted bitterly.
"You can blame yourself," Jex said. "But we won't blame you."
Rin fell silent, looking down at the threads of the blanket that kept him warm searching for words to say.
"What did the vampire tell you?" Nimer asked, getting straight to business.
Rin frowned. It wasn't a light question. "He told me I'm supposed to be the next host for Ravathor. I don't believe that one bit. I'm weak and pathetic. I can't hold my own against a vampire."
"You aren't supposed to be able to do that alone," Nimer said plainly. "Vampires are able to lure their prey into taking vials of blood to turn others because most have the power of influence, like subtle mind control. He may have used that power to get you to do so. It's not entirely your fault in that case."
Rin remained silent for a moment, then asked, "What will become of me then? Will I stay like this, A monster having to survive on blood? I don't want this life."
"No one wants changes they can't control or mistakingly bring upon themselves by making a wrong choice," Nimer said, making a point. "And we all make mistakes. I find it best to work with the hand that is dealt to you whether you like it or not. But we will do everything in our power to make sure you do not become Ravathor's host."
Rin visibly relaxed some, letting go of the sheets. "I've been traveling for a while. It just feels good to be surrounded by others who have not been home in a while, I suppose."
"That is better than looking at this negatively," Canin said, patting Rin on the back. "Tomorrow is a new day. So, let's keep moving forward." He turned to Nimer. "May I speak with you for a moment?"
"Yes," Nimer said then walked down the hall with the lycan out of earshot from the group. Jex and Ray watched them suspiciously and the frantic arm gestures they made while conversing.
"I don't like this," Ray said sourly, glaring with a hot gaze at Nimer.
"I don't either, but we have to trust him Ray," Jex said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "He'll tell us everything eventually."