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  ‘I was looking at the moons myself. Our teachings also talk a lot about the skies. I don’t read much into it though, it’s better to sometimes just look at it. The sky is beautiful out here in the middle of nowhere, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, the landscape here is much like our sisterhood’s desert.’

  ‘I have been meaning to ask you for some time now; do you ever allow men to your home? To Rade’Remar? Cause last I heard you guys were warring against some pirates and their stories always claim that no one man ever sets foot in your stronghold,’ said Brunick.

  Vanapha grinned in amusement. ‘No, there are exceptions and a little more than you might think. If we ever get out of this forsaken land I would welcome a visit from yourself, Cid and Alex anytime.’

  ‘Good to know,’ smiled Brunick, ‘where is Alex by the way?’

  ‘He’s taking a lying down. He didn’t show it much but I think he was as worried as you were. I guess everyone is tired though,’ said Vanapha.

  Brunick grunted. ‘Lidayel was here earlier on, sitting here with me. He seemed occupied – and distant. I was busy speaking with him when he just took off down the mountain trail, haven’t seen him since.’

  Vanapha seemed thoughtful.

  ‘When I looked into his mind I saw a lot of troubled thoughts tied up. We should give him space, his memories are returning rapidly now and I would think that even the slightest bad recollection could be daunting if remembered out of context,’ said Vanapha.

  ‘He’s been great though, he saved us a few times now with his magic, and with Cid he was the only person I know of who could save a fallen,’ said Brunick, ‘things have been rough, but we have a lot to be grateful for.’

  ‘Do you think it’s… I mean, all of us, is an accident?’ asked Vanapha

  Brunick laughed, waving his little book. ‘I’m a Mason, we rarely believe in accidents, and neither does your kind, right?’

  ‘Well, we Valkyrie believe in leniency, that the world can always go in one direction or the other, but what I do see right now is a unique group of warriors gathered on the precipice of war, a group that can determine its outcome.

  Brunick nodded. ‘I’ve had my talk with Olexion and I’ve followed Cid and Lidayel’s stories enough to know that Bennam had a hand in how we all came together. I can’t say I’m not mad, I don’t like being used, not by anyone.

  ‘That’s maybe why I follow Cid without a second thought; I know the man carries the soldiers’ best interests always. But then I guess I trusted the old Commander like that as well. I can only assume he had put us n this path for a reason. We have to follow it through to the end.’

  ‘I’ve met Bennam before; he didn’t strike me as reckless,’ said Vanapha.

  ‘We knew him in that way as well, but I think we were ignorant of what Bennam was involved in, especially at the end - Vanapha we’ve got trouble!’ said Brunick, jumping up.

  The peak of Hashur had been a shadowy statue till now, as it suddenly lit up with scattered lights, moving rapidly, dimming and brightening as though whoever was carrying it was trying at a stealthy descent.

  ‘Hold on Mason,’ said Vanapha, already sure of what she was looking at as she sent out her Sight to confirm. Her vision was nothing but a dark blur until she focused on the lights.

  Vanapha laughed lightly, ‘sit down Brunick, those are Tsuraugi , sun lizards.’

  It seemed to take Brunick a while to shake his tension, ambling back to his seat.

  ‘Oh, right. I’ve heard of them,’ he said as he sat back down. He scratched his beard, smiling as he looked at the lights moving around the very peak of the mountain. ‘Have you seen them before then?’ he asked.

  ‘We have them on Rade’Remar, and we often use their scales in our potions. They are curious creatures and rather docile. They have a nasty bite though, not venomous, but nasty.’

  ‘How do those scales of them work?’ asked Brunick, ‘do they really catch the sun?’

  ‘Yes, their scales are developed to absorb and store sunlight. They live in large communities which is unusual for reptiles. During the day they keep high out in the sun for a few hours and then hide away in holes or caves to avoid the eagles. Their scales keep them warm in the dark and they also use the light during the night to lure insects to eat. I would guess that the scales serve as a mating attraction as well. They are a very successful species because of it all.’

  ‘Incredible, what do you use their scales for?’ asked Brunick.

  ‘Many things, we often draw on them to create Trisera, fire potion, which we harness as a weapon against marauding pirate ships. The effect is quite dramatic as you can imagine.’

  ‘Ha, I would like to see that,’ said Brunick laughingly.

  ‘You know, you’ve given me an interesting idea, I might just see if I can get some of those scales by tomorrow,’ said Vanapha, looking at the lights.

  ‘To do what?’ asked Brunick.

  ‘I found a small laboratory workshop in the building’s basement, with a few scales I can create a weapon, one we might need before we’re done.’

  ‘Yeah… we’re going to need a lot of good things,’ said Brunick, thoughtfully touching his axe at his feet.

  Chapter 44

  Madness

  Lidayel wandered aimlessly all around the Basin’s rim, his thoughts caught up in a circle much like the path his feet followed. He was alone then, a ways from Oldeloft, and right now he had no stomach for company.

  How could I have been such a fool?

  None of his surroundings registered, the sounds of the day lost on him as well. He was introspecting, fitting memories together that had been part of a long and disturbing life. Years of terrible pain descended on him. The worst of it all was the ignorance; having falsely believed that Yarea could be his. He felt betrayed from all sides:

  The Kingdom, for making him forget.

  His brother, for being the man Yarea loved.

  And his own mind, broken and defeated, beyond repair.

  Only the idea of Yarea remained untainted, and even as he considered it he realized he failed her; he failed to keep safe the only person he still cared for.

  He had powers any King would be jealous off, yet he did not command the affections from the one he loved. Even if he did free her from her capture it would change little, he would still be better off in the solace of forgetting.

  He found his hands shaking, smoke and vapour churning from them as though his magic had a mind of its own. He felt his body growing warm, everything around him starting to shimmer.

  Lidayel looked down at the Basin. He was beyond anguish, beyond rational thought, every day of failure coming back to haunt him on this day. There was no respite, no slow process of working through it. Just everything re-emerging at a single moment.

  I will have none of it anymore; this day will end with me. I will tear this land asunder!

  Chapter 45

  Recovery

  Olexion watched the land below with Oel Dannel at his side, from the shoulder of the mountain where Oldeloft stood. Time and again the Rangers found themselves in the most dangerous of situations and it was one way or another the stuff would-be adventurers boasted about in taverns, often borrowing upon tales of the Rangers to supplement their own accomplishments.

  It was inevitable these expeditions, as the nature of their calling required them to often face world-crisis, both overt and subtle in approach. Olexion had to admit that the circumstances he found himself in currently were rather unprecedented.

  He looked down at the Basin and its newly acquired appearance, a lake with no name. The land seemed much softer, and surprisingly, greener, as confounded wild grasses and moss made a resurgence after being dormant for who knew how long. It wasn’t that long ago that Olexion had been here at Oldeloft on another mission, and back then the land had been its usual dry self. To be sure it all looked alien to him now and from it he recounted the magnitude of Lidayel’s magic and what it meant for Lansto
n.

  The water however wasn’t holding well and would clear up soon enough. There was good reason why the Basin wasn’t a regular lake, as it had too many leaks like the pass trails or some of the old mine holes, and no sated soil to start off with in the first place. It simply stalled the horror that laid beyond it at Jacanta point, it wouldn't prevent it. Somewhere, just on the other side of those northern hills, lurked one of the greatest Fallen forces ever assembled, on a collision course with a Lanston army not prepared for its prowess.

  For the moment though Olexion was more intrigued by the company he found himself with, not one to linger on things he couldn't change. He turned away from his spot on the edge of the cliff, leading his Volje back to the nook of Oldeloft. Olexion had assigned the Rangers to keep watch over the valley and rightly so, for the rest of the party was resting heartily, compensating for recent events.

  Elmira, even though she had endured much more than she was conditioned for and deserved rest herself, was attending to Cid day and night. Cid was in the worst shape, the process of alleviating the corruption not helping his already exhausted body and mind. Lidayel wasn’t much better off. He had spent much of the last two days healing the party, using the reserves of his power to patch up Brunick and Cid who both suffered numerous wounds that would kill if left unattended. Alex and Vanapha at least were unscathed.

  Olexion in the meanwhile had grown worried about Lidayel, as the mage had taken to an increasingly brooding mood since healing Cid, not speaking more than a few words at a time. Olexion had his suspicions, mainly wondering whether fighting the corruption in Cid’s mind had influenced Lidayel somehow.

  Cid woke…

  …and twitched as he struggled to sit upright. He wanted to reach out and kill unseen enemies, phantoms who had no face or origin. But something has changed, his clearing consciousness confused at the urge of impulses.

  ‘Easy now,’ he heard a female voice, as delicate hands pressed down on his chest. Thereafter came a host of other sensations, convincing him he was lying on a soft bed. Cid thought himself delusional, figuring his mind was trying to protect him by dreaming of a place he would like to be more than anywhere else in the world.

  ‘Cid…?’ queried Elmira.

  It can’t be…

  ‘Cid, are you awake?’

  He pried his eyes open, the fog lifting. Hovering above him was Elmira, her face a mask of concern. They seemed to be in a stone house, which made no sense and made Cid wonder again if he was dreaming.

  ‘You’re here…’ breathed Cid, reaching up to touch her face.

  ‘I am,’ said Elmira her countenance lightening up as the man she loved woke up from a fate worse than death.

  ‘Help me sit upright,’ he urged.

  Elmira did so, but Cid soon felt himself go limp, his body cramping, and took to laying down again. Elmira ran her fingers down his chest where his muscles used to be strong.

  ‘You got so thin,’ said Elmira worryingly, ‘the moment I get you home I’m going to prepare meals for you non-stop for a week.’

  Cid struggled to laugh, chuckling hoarsely. ‘I would like that very much, we’ve been on the run for days on end and I haven’t had a proper sit down meal since Taverka.’

  Despite the pain and discomfort Cid found a feverish happiness at Elmira’s presence. He did not know how she got here, or even where they were, but as always his moments with her transcended the worries of war.

  ‘Then I’m dragging you to a barber, you look ridiculous with this,’ said Elmira pointing to his beard.

  ‘And I don’t think I’ve ever seen you as dirty as you are now,’ retorted Cid with a smile.

  It was a truth not worth debating about, but even so Elmira was taken aback.

  ‘I came here for you, and save you, and you tell me I’m… I’m filthy,’ scorned Elmira.

  ‘You’re still very pretty,’ said Cid, smoothing over.

  Elmira narrowed her eyes.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ she asked.

  ‘Smile for me,’ interjected Cid.

  ‘Cid I-’

  ‘Just smile.’

  She couldn’t help it, the corners of her mouth curling into a smile, but there was a weariness to her face otherwise.

  ‘There, now I’m much better,’ said Cid

  Elmira wasn’t all that interested in Cid’s antics; she couldn’t pretend that nothing happened and that they were just supposed to forget about it all. She laid her head down on his chest.

  ‘I was so afraid I’d lost you,’ she said softly, pinching back a well of emotion that had haunted her.

  ‘Do you want to cry a little?’ asked Cid softly, almost feeling her distress.

  Elmira nodded, soon sobbing. Weakly Cid raised his arm, cradling the woman. ‘I am sorry… so sorry you had to go through this. I’m sorry that me being a soldier is dragging you into this mess.’

  ‘Fool, I dragged myself into this,’ said Elmira

  Cid watched her face, lazy tears coming from her closed eyes.

  ‘Are you still determined to marry me?’ he asked.

  Elmira sat bolt upright again, ‘look,’ she said, showing Cid the ring on her finger. Elmira knew she had to tell Cid about her arrangement with Fredrere at some stage or another, right now however she could not find the courage.

  Cid formed a lingering smile, taking her hand. ‘If you have any doubt on the matter then I’m saying this; I’m in this war for you, I’m out here to win your hand, nothing else,’ he said.

  Elmira laughed weakly.

  ‘What is it?’ asked Cid.

  ‘I just thought, well… seems you and Brunick are slipping, you know, me having to come and save you and all.’

  Cid chuckled, his body reacting with a fit of weakness and pain again.

  Elmira noticed. ‘Rest now soldier, I’ll be here when you wake up again.’

  She barely finished her sentence when Cid fell into slumber, the man still not sure whether he had just been dreaming or not.

  Later that day.

  Olexion and the men scouted the skies and came to land at Oldeloft’s hold again. They were grave to say the least. The water in the Basin did not hold long under an unperturbed sun, its heat already burning away the vain attempt of the moss to flourish in the wet. They were not alone in noticing this, as both of the armies were on the move again, drawing ever closer to each other.

  ‘Sir, should we not make contact with Lanston’s command? To try and stop them?’ asked Parvel.

  ‘I would like to, but Stelinger is fully aware of what he is doing. I don’t know how he will respond to us.’

  ‘Certainly he wouldn’t attack us Rangers?’ stated Troas.

  ‘I’m not sure on that, he’s already sealed his fate within the Kingdom, and remember; he wants Lanston to be crushed. If we try and interfere he’ll have his way with us.’

  ‘So do we leave Lanston to their fate?’ asked Valan.

  ‘No, we will not abandon these soldiers to Stelinger’s treachery. Tomorrow when the armies make contact, we will assist - by then Stelinger would have left the army proximity. And…’ Olexion’s voice trailed, looking over to Oldeloft.

  ‘What is it sir?’

  ‘I pray that Cid makes a full recovery by then. If he can take command and we can attack from the skies… and with the help of Vanapha… and the Summoner. We’ll have a chance then.’

  There was silence for a moment as each of the Rangers pondered, until one of them mumbled, his gaze fixed to something down in the Basin.

  ‘Sir, what do you suppose the Summoner is doing?’ asked Troas.

  Olexion took his eyes from the north and looked into the Basin again. This time a figure was slowly walking through the water, unhurried and in tune with the valley’s temporary peace, yet the act itself was greatly worrying. He was already halfway to what could be called the centre.

  ‘That’s Lidayel,’ said Olexion, as though he had to convince himself.

  Olexion could have
come off as paranoid, but he’d spent enough time with Summoners to know that being made to forget could result in dire consequences. And now, from what he’d suspected before, he had no doubt that Lidayel had slipped.

  Yet the First Ranger stood, staring at the Summoner, as though he was sure that this couldn’t be happening. Not something like this. Not now.

  Down below Lidayel raised his arms, spreading them. Olexion’s fear came to life.

  Cid and Elmira were talking in Oldeloft, sitting on the bed. Elmira had taken time to explain her situation with Fredrere. She came to realize that Cid was holding back, his face a taut mask hiding rage and shock.

  Elmira thought quickly and rather dived into another important topic; the entirety of that which she and Olexion had discussed in Lanston. Somehow Elmira was the last person Cid ever expected to share Bennam’s conspiracy with. It bothered him, and after some thought he realized that he wanted Elmira far away from these matters, completely separated from the life Cid would sometimes be occupied with. He nonetheless listened intently, unsurprised to find no flaw in her logic or understanding. He had always appreciated her of his world.

  The story itself was one surprise after the other, Cid somewhat in disbelieve that Bennam could have gone to such lengths. Afterwards Cid was turning the Alder stone over in his hands.

  ‘We’re supposed to give this to Lidayel?’

  Elmira nodded. ‘Olexion seems to think so.’

  ‘All his memories, in this jewel? Unbelievable. His entire life held in a stone…Bennam, what on earth were you up to?’ said Cid to the air. ‘Why did you keep me in the dark?’

  ‘He knows you like I do,’ suggested Elmira, ‘if he warned you prematurely you would not have been able to keep face in front of Stelinger. Besides, he was being watched by Piatil, I never trusted that little man.’

  Cid grunted.

  ‘Whatever it was, I would think Bennam had our best interests-’

  ‘How can you say that!?’ said Cid angrily, frustration finally surfacing.