Sleeping in a random dwelling, of the many that there were to choose from in an abandoned city, was not as unpleasant an experience as one might imagine, since living inside a rock had its benefits. The sound of star-nosed moles digging and drilling, the five streams that fed the town in the distance, the nocturnal insects, the desert fireflies (with a pink light) and the rock cracking. With the first rays, the heat returned and the dangerous creatures that lurked during the night hid under the dunes and caves to rest. After drinking, getting wet and stretching with the stream water, they moved towards the desolate northeast.
The fortifications and walls of the abandoned castle resembled the spines of the various cacti that surrounded it, as they protruded from its structure, falling to the ground from time to time. Away from the main castle and next to a watchtower (or barbican) perfectly positioned in front of an inlet, a small quadrangular laboratory-house was built, with a low roof and few rooms and a simple design, but which ensured comfort and a work space. Idhunn exiled herself there of her own free will, remaining at the service of Sir Gerlofs, communal Hero of Férisa. Beyond the large rock formations, similar to giant fangs that protruded from the sandbanks, the beautiful Enidra Sea.
"There's nothing left here, " Larsel searched through chests and barrels, looking for valuable objects in that skeleton of brick and concrete, without a roof or healthy windows, demolished and looted.
"Entrances, secret rooms or false walls? A bunker, perhaps?"
"Nothing, although I found something that doesn't fit. Look at this "pointing to a tombstone behind the hut, with a couple of candles on it and what was once a noble epitaph turned into an incomplete poem."
"A grave."
"Not just anyone, but Idhunn."
"How do you know?"
"The design of the tombstone, the figure of the moth, the invasion of acacia, lavender and butterfly bush, as well as measures to prevent the dead from rising, such as the stake in the heart, which are typical of elves, " crouched on the ground.
"It is said that Idhunn brought the ancient and amazing Zweihänder sword to Férisa, where the old sorcerers' office is, " observing the Rastro, the foam and salt that the waters dragged to the coast from a window.
"The story goes that Gerlofs could throw a spear from his castle towards his hometown, across the sea " chewing on a plum that he took from his fanny pack."
"I don't give much credit to these popular sayings, but the importance that your weapon had for the sorcerers, in their private research on the Trail during the pre-mystical period, is well known."
"Private investigation? And that?"
"Every organization that is dedicated to the arcane arts has them, to a greater or lesser extent. This internal competition is what encourages investment and the collection of pieces. We will have to go to Férisa, perhaps there we will find more information."
There was no way for them to cross the Enidra, and there were no merchant ships or small fishing boats around at the time, so they had to take an alternate route, usually frequented by a small handful of tourists with nothing better to do and bandits. Bordering the cove was the entrance to Cat's Cave, where the community hero Helgi discovered the rare mineral aquinnitia or "cat's eye" (a type of Rastro chrysoberyl that granted night vision), used to capture the murderers Burk and Haré. The sounds that were frequently heard inside the mine fueled the belief that their ghosts still dwelt within, looking for new victims. Although the purpose of that mine was never known, it was stigmatized as a place of ill omen, where traffickers, outlaws, wild entities, pagans and practitioners of evil sorcery gathered.
"That's strange, my wristwatch says midnight, " tapping the screen.
"Didn't you know? In this cursed place, it's always nighttime. Skeptics believe it's due to an effect caused by some Rastro chamber too deep, but others say there's a curse imposed by the Mondato."
"What?"
"A minion of the underworld that Gerlofs imprisoned underground, " lighting a torch.
"It doesn't sound like the best place for a walk."
"Would you rather carry that staff for a hundred kilometers under the desert sun?"
"How much can it cost to get a buggy or a lousy camel! " the echo resounded throughout the place.
"Salt deposits damage chassis, so transporters and armored caravans have specific days and weeks. Plus, it's cooler here and we'll cut the distance in half through this mine."
"What a pity about the stench," she said, adjusting the cane behind his back and waving his hand to ward off the bad smell.
"Any response from Shine?"
"Nothing. I tried to inform him of our situation, but with the poor signal down here and the terrible telecommunications service, it would be a miracle to get through. How long have you known him?"
"For a couple of years now, two or three. We work for one or two seasons investigating, redeeming entities and solving mysteries throughout Rupestre, staying hidden from the public eye."
"I don't like to show that I'm a sorceress in front of other redeemers either, you know? Let's say that we're a relegated subgroup, impossible to imagine on the battlefield. And here I am, fighting like one of them, " tapping her heavy equipment.
"As one of the last citizens of Edom, being a deserter who steals and fights for his survival is considered a dishonor, but it is my only way to survive the desert."
"Trust me, Pérgamo isn't an oasis either. I moved there to settle down and ended up in a remote part of its grove, putting on palm-reading shows, selling and buying cheap amulets, despite my years of training to manipulate trace, " kicking pebbles.
"Rupestre is unfair to many, that's why I allied myself with Shine. At least, he cares about the little we have left. Can you imagine a mad tyrant taking over this guild? "scaring bats with the fire.
The rest of the journey was spent talking and laughing, reminiscing about the troubles and pranks they had gotten into, as well as news and peculiarities of the wizards' guild, the reservoir, towns and cities. That made the sweaty, gloomy and uncomfortable journey a little more pleasant, until they found the exit, almost on the other side of the Enidra Sea, in what had once been an underground tunnel that ended suddenly in a downward slope, in front of a small lake that Larsel recognized. The clock started working again, revealing that what seemed to have been a three-hour bed had inexplicably extended to more than six, although their bodies did not feel it.
However, that was not the strangest thing, not even close. As they left the cave, they saw a village in the distance, hidden among large hills, which was far from the flourishing commune of Férisa, with its buildings in perfect condition, glorious gymnasiums and picturesque private homes. That was a commune of old buildings, yellowish bricks, classic street lamps and the vestiges of a society built by the countless steps that had passed through it yesterday; behind them, particular rock formations, covered by a lush green forest. They were the unmistakable Arpestine Mountains, with their slopes full of purple lavender, vineyards on volcanic rock and gardens, different from the arid territory of Férisa, on the seashore.
"Larsel."
"Uhm?"
"Are we in Malbeno?" She fell to the ground on his tail, his arms stiff from the effort, dropping his staff and extinguishing the flickering of the runes on his clothes.
"Aha, " he put his hands on his waist, with a gaze fixed like a rock, while a small bird rested on his head and the grass caressed his boots.
"Good. Now, explain to me how on earth we crossed more than three hundred kilometers in such a short time."
"I haven't the slightest idea."
"This was supposed to take us to Férisa. Larsel? Are you there?"
"I think so," he said, taking in the freshness of the bucolic landscape.
"A magical passage, in a Rastro world. Now I understand why they closed the way: to prevent snoopers like us. Now how are we supposed to get there? What if we go back?"
"Not unless you're willing to travel all that way to end up on another part of Rupestre. Or worse, in some remote part of the continent."
"You're right. So what? "shaking off his sneakers, the bottom of his jeans and his cape."
"The bad news is that the tunnel worked well. Too well."
"I noticed. Who would have thought that your master plan would fail so successfully, " sarcastically.
"The good news is that we can stop by the "headquarters" and talk to Shine. If we behave, he'll even lend us his alchemy equipment."
"Are you serious? Is this where they meet?"
"Let's just hope he understands."