Ceyhun spent the night in a stone-walled, single-story guesthouse. The roof of the house was covered with wood and reeds. A mattress made from bear fur was prepared for Ceyhun. The mattress looked soft and comfortable. A few layers of blankets on top would be enough to keep him warm. Next to the bed, there was a small wooden table and a few simple items. An old lantern illuminated the room with a dim light. Ceyhun dimmed the light of the lantern even more. He laid down on the mattress with exhaustion. In the night, which was enveloped in silence except for the slight rustling of the wind and the hooting of owls, he fell asleep, hoping that all of this was just a dream.
---
The first light of dawn filtered through the skylights under the roof. Ceyhun opened his eyes and, for a moment, forgot where he was. The cheerful chirping of birds could be heard from outside. He slowly got out of bed, tossing aside the warm bear fur, and stepped onto the cold floor of the room. When he looked out the window, he noticed the activity in the village. People were preparing to start the day. Among the conversations coming from outside, Ceyhun could pick out his own name. When he cracked open the door, he filled his lungs with the fresh and cool morning air.
He had just opened the outer door of the house when a hurried villager burst in. "Sir, Haldor wants to see you. It seems there's something important," he said, breathless. Ceyhun quickly turned to his belongings to get ready. As he prepared his sword, he thought about how he had never really paid attention to it before. The scabbard of his steel sword was made of reinforced leather, and its hilt was ivory and silver. The engravings on it were elegant and simple. As he took the sword in his hand, he sensed the villager shifting nervously. The villager said anxiously, "Sir, we're among friends, we're not setting out for a campaign just yet. There's no need to take it." Growing more suspicious, Ceyhun strapped the belt holding the sword hilt around his waist. He stared intently at the villager's face to gauge his reaction. Without a word, he began to follow the villager, who was supposed to guide him.
Thus, with the villager leading and Ceyhun following, they walked along the dusty paths of the village. The villagers, who had awakened with the first light of dawn, were already absorbed in the hustle and bustle of their daily chores. Some were preparing food, others were tending to the fields. A few children were playing around a well, while an old man was sweeping his yard. As Ceyhun made his way through these villagers, an elderly woman called out to the villager, "Where are you taking our esteemed guest so early in the morning, Thorin?"
The villager, whose name we now learn is Thorin, hesitated briefly before responding with a sly smile, "Just a small matter, I've been assigned to guide Haldor's guest," and continued walking. After this evasive response, Ceyhun grew even more suspicious. "If we're going to see Haldor, why did we turn this way? Wasn't the great house right next to the square?" he asked, frowning. "We're not going there; the place we're headed to is on the outskirts of the village," said Thorin.
Ceyhun was either knowingly walking into a trap or being led to a secret meeting place of a different faction with ulterior motives. He gripped the hilt of his sword with his right hand and continued to follow Thorin. He wouldn't hesitate to use his sword the moment he detected betrayal.
Finally, they stopped in front of the ruins of an old temple outside the village. There, a stranger waited for them, his face hidden in the shadow of a hood. Ceyhun felt that this figure lurking in the shadows was a dark and sinister presence.
When the stranger's gaze fell upon Thorin, a momentary flicker of fear and unease appeared on the poor villager's face. Coughing slightly, he managed to say, "I have fulfilled my duty, my lord."
The stranger ignored Thorin and turned to Ceyhun. In a deep and chilling voice, he said, "Welcome, Ceyhun. I have been expecting you." These words were not only heard by Ceyhun's ears but also felt like a cold breath that touched every corner of his soul. Unconsciously, Ceyhun took a step back, but he did not take his eyes off the stranger. "I have been expecting you," the stranger repeated, the dark echoes in his voice sending shivers down Ceyhun's spine.
Trying to understand who this mysterious figure was, Ceyhun asked, "Who are you?" He attempted to mask his anxiety with a determined tone.
The stranger slightly pulled back his hood and finally revealed his face. It was pale and gaunt; his eyes resembled deep, dark voids. From his thin, colorless lips came a single word: "My name is Lorthar," the stranger said.
"I am the humble guardian of these lands. I sent my loyal servants to save you from dark curses and welcome you to the capital of our empire. However, it seems that the rebellious barbarians who defy our prosperous nation reached you before them. Be cautious with them, Ceyhun. No matter what they tell you, do not believe them. Their only goal is to draw you into their senseless rebellion and use your power for their own gain, taking advantage of your confusion."
Ceyhun drew his sword from its sheath and, holding its tip close to Lorthar's throat, just below his chin, he hissed through gritted teeth: "You talk as if you care about me, you vile sorcerer. I don't know what the power in my blood is, but clearly, you want to use me for your own purposes. Or at the very least, you want to eliminate me because I pose a threat to you.
But in one thing, you were right, sorcerer: my mind is indeed clouded. The only thing I know for certain is that you are an evil being."
A thin smile appeared on Lorthar's pale face. "So be it," he said indifferently. "After all, you will come to me of your own accord."
Lorthar faded away like smoke dispersed by the wind. Ceyhun was left standing there, holding his sword in the air. A moment later, he noticed Elara and Aric running towards him.
"We've been searching for you everywhere!" Elara began, breathless. "A village woman saw you walking this way with Thorin."
Aric turned furiously to Thorin, "You treacherous scoundrel!" he roared. "Tell us what's going on, right now!"
Despite being free from Lorthar's influence, Thorin was still consumed with great fear and dread. His hands trembled, and he averted his frightened eyes from others. Trying to cover his face with his hands as if to shield himself from the sun, he attempted to speak, but his voice was shaky and whispered.
"Lorthar… he, he was here," Thorin stammered. "Darkness was everywhere. It was consuming everything in my mind like a black hole."
Elara's eyes narrowed, but she maintained her composure. "What did you see, Thorin? Tell us."
Thorin cleared his throat and continued, his voice still trembling and filled with fear. "My eyes became his… In my mind, dark whispers, vile words gnawing at my soul… I acted on his will, but I could see. He… he was everywhere. The shadows… the shadows passed over me, pierced my soul."
Aric stepped forward impatiently. "What are you saying? Where is Lorthar now?"
Thorin's face was as white as a sheet, as if he were reliving the horror he had experienced. "I don't know," he muttered. "But I can still sense him, even if faintly. That dreadful presence clouding my mind… He is watching us, waiting."
Ceyhun shuddered at Thorin's words. Elara, feeling both hatred towards the dark sorcerer and sympathy for the suffering Thorin had endured, took a step back.
"Shadows and whispers," Elara repeated. "Everything I know about Lorthar's dark magic confirms these words. We can't stay here any longer, Ceyhun. We must leave immediately."
Aric nodded, still angry but more composed. "Alright. Thorin, I forgive you this time. Come back with us to the village; if anyone can help you rid yourself of these nightmares, it's Elowen."
Thorin took a deep breath and, trying to steady himself, looked at Ceyhun. "Forgive me, One Who Comes from Iraq," he said sincerely. "I meant no harm."
The events had left a deep impact on everyone. It felt as though another threat lurked in every shadow. Together, they made their way back to the village.
When they arrived, they found the village leaders waiting for them. Elowen and Haldor were at the forefront of the group. Elowen moved directly toward Thorin, trying to calm him down.
Haldor, however, addressed Aric and Elara reproachfully, "How could you lose track of Ceyhun? Tell us what happened immediately."
Ceyhun intervened, "Aric and Elara are not to blame. It was my carelessness. Before they arrived, Thorin led me to the ruins of an old temple. There, we encountered someone... a being... someone who called himself Lorthar…"
Ceyhun noticed Haldor's eyes widen at the mention of this name.
"...Lorthar was controlling Thorin. I could sense that he was a dark and powerful entity. He tried to sway my mind, but he failed. Then, he just vanished. I'm not even sure if he was really there. All of this happened just before Elara and Aric arrived."
Elara took a deep breath and spoke, "Our defenses are weakening, and Lorthar's dark power is growing stronger by the day. Until now, our village and its surroundings have been protected from malignant magic and all kinds of malevolence by the rituals Elowen performs and the runes we have placed in specific locations. But this protection is no longer sufficient." She continued, "The ruins where you were are the remains of a temple once dedicated to Mina, the Lady of Night, Lorthar's deity. When we were in exile, we were searching for a home. We settled in these lands because they were well protected. However, before we could establish ourselves, we had to destroy that temple dedicated to Mina. Even so, Lorthar's power remains strong there."
At that moment, Elowen approached Thorin and placed her right hand on his head and her left hand on her own forehead, entering a trance. She closed her eyes and began the ritual with deep concentration. Thorin's eyes slowly closed, his body relaxed, and he fell into a deep sleep. As the villagers carried Thorin to his bed, Elowen said, "He will sleep peacefully now, and by morning, he will have forgotten much."
---
After breakfast, Haldor and Elowen explained the mission to Ceyhun and his team. "You must journey to the Cursed Lands," said Haldor. "We believe there is a way to stop the evil that resides there. When you reach the site where Lyra performed her vile ritual, you must give Elara the time she needs to break the dark magic. You will be her close protectors. I know this sounds straightforward on paper, but believe me, it is not. None of our people have ever succeeded in this task before. But now that you are with us, One Who Comes from Iraq, we have a chance. May the gods be with you. Be cautious on your journey and trust one another."
One of the village leaders approached with bags full of provisions. "We've prepared these supplies to meet your needs along the way," he said. Ceyhun, Aric, and Elara took the supply bags and thanked him.
After breakfast, Ceyhun, Aric, and Elara crossed the old village dock and boarded a wooden boat. Although small, the boat was sturdy and elegant. Its hull was made of thick oak timber, resistant to water and reassuringly solid.
The boat had a captain, a helmsman, and two rowers. In the middle of the boat, a white sail was attached to the mast. The main sheet under the sail kept it taut, while the halyard above allowed the captain to control its movement.
The Karna River flowed serenely by the village, its clear, cool waters gently streaming onward. Oak and willow trees lined the riverbanks, with reeds and thorny bushes scattered along the shores.
As the boat slowly pulled away from the dock, Elowen blessed the departing travelers with ancient words and prayers. The tranquility of the river's flow brought a sense of peace to their hearts, but as they thought about the direction they were heading, that peace was replaced by a growing unease. Ceyhun's mind still echoed with Lorthar's words.
During the journey, a conversation began among Ceyhun, Elara, and Aric. Ceyhun turned to Elara and asked, "Elara, what lies behind your strength as a mage? How did you gain this power?"
Elara responded with a slight smile, "That's a long story. Magic has always been within me, but I didn't know how to use it. The power within us is called 'nun.' To truly understand and wield this power, I had to become an apprentice to a master and pass a rigorous test. My master, Eldrin, trained me well. Thanks to his guidance, I am where I am today."
Aric looked at Ceyhun and asked, "Since you came to this land, you've been through a lot. What were you like in your own world? How are you adjusting to life here?"
Ceyhun answered thoughtfully, "In my world, I was an ordinary person, an office worker. But when I came here, both my mind and my strength grew. The burden I carry has also increased. I don't know if it's a sense of duty or a quest for adventure, but I feel good about embarking on this journey with you."
Aric asked curiously, "What is an office worker? Is it like a king's guard? We have the Red Cloaks, the king's special guard regiment. They're warriors with unbreakable strength, just like you."
Ceyhun smiled, "No, no. I had never even been in a fight before." Aric stared at Ceyhun in disbelief. Ceyhun continued sincerely, "I was more like a scribe in the king's court."
For a while, they continued their journey along the Karna River. They encountered breathtaking sights in the places they passed—forests of every shade of green, bubbling waterfalls at the foot of towering mountains, and a clear water surface shimmering under the sun. Yet, they also thought that all this beauty might be a veil hiding the danger behind them. They proceeded cautiously, not letting their guard down.
As they neared the Cursed Lands, the trees around them grew darker, the air colder and mistier. Birdsong ceased, replaced by an eerie, unnatural silence.
Elara snapped her fingers, casting a simple spell. Instantly, a bright beam of light appeared over her right shoulder, illuminating their path and sensing dangers ahead as they advanced. "We must be careful in these lands," she said. "Only the gods know what we might encounter."
Ceyhun, Elara, and Aric continued their journey into the heart of the Cursed Lands, where their courage and resolve would be tested.