Chapter 9: The Silent Forest

First Words

Location: Gloria's Temple/Serina's Chamber

Time: Y1502 - 31st day of the Fire Moon

"Mother" (Serina)

"Mower!" (Liara)

"Mother" (Serina)

"Mowder!" (Liara)

"You really grow fast, don't you, Liara? You are starting to talk, already!" (Serina)

*hug* "Ghe ghe!! Laiara!" (Liara.)

"Liara! That's your name! You are really smart, you know?" (Serina)

I'm about one year and four months old by Earth standard. I'm almost two years old in this world since one year on Arcania is 250 days.

It's a bit early, but I decided to start speaking. I would have eventually slipped one day if I didn't. And it was boring to hold back.

[It's early, but not to the point of being unbelievable. On Earth, children starts speaking from two to four years of age.] (Doctor me)

Thanks for the info, Doc. Things are going well. Here is peaceful. I can grow and relax. Just like a young girl should.

Then why do I have this bad feeling? The feeling that this will not last.

--------------------------------

Liara. I thank Gloria every day for giving me this child.

It's been barely two years, and she can already speak.

At the rate she is growing, it won't be long before she doesn't need me anymore.

I fear the day we will be forced to part ways.

"Laiaara!" *smile* (Liara)

*hug tightly* (Serina)

I don't care. I will enjoy whatever time I can spend with my sweet Liara.

I'll rise her to be a good Sister. Even if her destiny will take her away from me.

*sniff* (Serina)

--------------------------------

Mother is crying... I hate it.

I wish I knew what's troubling her.

I know, I'll be adorable to cheer you up!

You are the only mother that ever cared for me.

Don't cry, Serina.

News

Location: Gloria's Temple/Courtyard

Time: Y1502 - 20th day of the Harvest Moon

Today mother took me for a stroll in the courtyard of the temple. It's my favourite place since there are trees and I can see the sky and the two moons. I try to walk by myself as much as possible to train this young body of mine. But my stamina is poor. Mother will carry me on the way back.

I'm a precocious child, and the Sisters call me Gifted One. I attract lots of attention when I walk with Serina. I got used to it. Shying away from them meant fewer occasions to learn about this world. Right now my life is blissful, but I'm always afraid this could end any moment. I must be ready.

The trees are neatly lined at the sides of the courtyard. It's probably not a species we could find on Earth, but to me it doesn't look all that different to an Earth tree. We had so many species of them. Now, I wonder how can there be humans in another world...

"You are curious about this, Liara? It's a tree." (Serina)

"Twee!" (Liara)

"Yes. They grow, and nourish Gloria's creations." (Serina)

"Twee awe nais!" (Liara)

*giggle* "Yes, Liara. Trees are nice. They are one of the many gifts Gloria gave us." (Serina)

"Sister Serina, I see you are taking Liara out for a walk. How are things going?" (Amigarde)

"Blessed One! Greetings. And respectfully, you can ask that question to Liara herself." (Serina)

"... Liara? How are you?" (Amigarde)

"Aim happi! Moder is nais!" (Liara)

"You can speak! You are full of surprises, Liara. You overflow with gifts from Gloria." (Amigarde)

*smile* (Liara)

"Sister Serina, We should make preparations for her to attend the classes along with the older children. In a few moon, when she speaks better." (Amigarde)

"Isn't that early, Blessed One?" (Serina)

"Liara's gifts are to be nurtured, Serina. Gloria gave her a quick mind. It's a gift that mustn't be squandered." (Amigarde)

"As you will, Blessed One." (Serina)

Uhm... That sister seems in a hurry. She is runing toward us.

*pant* "Blessed One! We received a communication from the Fourth Unit. They have been ambushed!" (Sister)

"... Carry on, Sister Serina. I must take my leave." (Amigarde)

"Of course. May Gloria's blessing be upon you." (Serina)

*wave hand* (Liara)

[Damn it! Our enemies grow bolder every day! This time they attacked directly one of our units!!! They are fully exploiting Meridia's fall. If only we had another powerful enchantress in our ranks to deter them!] (Amigarde)

An attack... It seems my fears were founded. My peaceful days might be counted.

I don't care much for the church, they clearly only want to indoctrinate me and make use of my gift.

But Serina is different. She loves me, and she is my first real mother.

I'll protect you, Serina!

But I'll need magic for that.

The Silent Forest

Location: Gloria's Temple/Silent Forest

Time: Y1502 - 17th day of the Harvest Moon

"The bandits that raided Secularia's temple must be around here. Keep your eyes open!" (Steffen)

""Yes, Leader!"" (Knights of Gloria)

The Silent Forest. A dangerous place to hide in due to the beasts that hunts here. Only outlaws would ever make camp in such a place.

"Feldris! Send out your scouting falcon!" (Steffen)

"At once, leader!" (Feldris)

Feldris is the youngest amongst us. A Fair Skin like me. I envy his ability to befriend animals. It's almost like they can understand each others. Garlic, the falcon he trained, is really helpful usually, but the canopy of the forest is too thick even for Garlic.

We ride slowly. We keep our eyes open, searching for clues about the bandit's hideout. That, and the Royal Road is in shambles here. The Silent Forest is dangerous, it's hard to maintain it properly.

...

Another three hours passed. nothing happened. No signs of the bandits. No beasts.

"Sir, the post stone!" (Feldris)

This mean we are halfway through the forest. The sun is still high in the sky, we can search for a few more hours. Than we'll have to decide if camping or leaving the forest. For now we march on.

I really don't want to camp here.

...

The air feels different here...

Bloodlust!

"Leader Steffen! I can sense bloodlust! There must be outlaws nearby!" (Stella)

Magic is the result of thoughts manipulating the aether. Even an untrained leave traces that can be sensed by a mage. If only I had greater aptitude I could have felt them sooner!

"Leader! There are too many of them! They are closing from behind as well, we are surrounded!" (Stella)

"Knights! Defensive formation! Mage Knight, make preparation for <Gloria's Domain>!" (Steffen)

The Royal Road is only about three meters wide here. Tall trees and thick vegetation all around us hide the bandits and give them cover to the bandits. We in turn are fully exposed.

This is a bad position.

The knights climb down from their horses and make a circle around me. If I fall, my comrades won't last long. I mustn't fail them!

I pull out a small wooden sphere from my pouch. It's an artifact about five centimetres in diameter. The High Pri. ... Sister Meridia made it for me, when she was still High Priestess. A reward for a special mission. It's enchantment will make up for our strategic disadvantage.

I close my eyes and focus.

I carefully refine magic threads from the aether and prepare to activate the artifact.

Please. Make it in time!

Ambush

We are in the open, our enemies hide behind trees and thick vegetation. Our horses are useless in this situation. We are surrounded. We are at a severe tactical disadvantage.

To catch us like this! I wonder if we are really dealing with mere bandits... The Cult Of Fertility bight be behind those attacks.

It's not time to think about who is behind this. We must survive first!

"Knights! Defensive formation! Mage Knight, make preparation for <Gloria's Domain>!" (Steffen)

First, to level the field. I'll assume the bandits have no mage. Because if they do, we are dead anyway. Then we need to use our horses as shields. Finally, our Mage Knight will weave a spell to turn the table.

Our objective is to buy time for her to weave that spell.

The enemy leader might be willing to talk, even if just to taunt us. Every second matters.

"I am Steffen! Leader of the Fourth Unit of the Knights of Gloria! We know you are there, bandits! Come out! Let's negotiate!" (Steffen)

A man comes out of the trees, about fifty meters ahead.

*whisper* "Do not shot him until I give the order." (Steffen)

*nod* (Knights)

Two knights beside me readied their crossbows. This is a golden opportunity to kill the enemy leader, but we must wait. They are no doubt aiming at us from the flanks with arrows. I need that spell! Hurry it up, Stella!

"If it isn't the fearsome Steffen. Gloria's protection must be waning for you to be caught in such a simple trap. I'm Burton, Leader of this warband." (Burton)

The enemy leader is a large man, a Fair Skin. He must be at least two meters tall. His body is bear like, with bulging muscles, a long red beard and full of hairs. He is wearing a fur coat and is carrying a large warhammer on his back.

"What business do you have with us?" (Steffen)

"I was paid a great deal of gold to take you out." (Burton)

"Who paid you, bandit?" (Steffen)

"My client is none of your business. And my warband is fifty man strong. You'll die the moment I give the order. There are two arrows for each one of you, you know? He he he." (Burton)

"Than why are we still alive?" (Steffen)

"Because I have an offer for you, Steffen. Join my warband!" (Burton)

"And my men?" (Steffen)

"I can't take in them. I just want you. Your exploit are well known, Steffen. The most powerful knight of Gloria! I can use a man of your talents." (Burton)

"Can you give me a minute to consider your offer?" (Steffen)

"And let your mage cast a great spell? I think not! Decide now." (Burton)

"I served Gloria all of my life. I would never betray my faith." (Steffen)

"You'll die! If you join me, I'll let you rampage to your heart content. You'll have as much gold and as many women as you like!" (Burton)

"I care not for women or gold. And your ways are against Gloria's teachings. I refuse." (Steffen)

"Wake up, Steffen! The Church of Gloria is finished! And do you think your knights are any better than my warband? After everything you did?" (Burton)

"All I did, I did in the name of Gloria. It was justice! You are nothing but a murderer, Burton." (Steffen)

"So be it. Die, Steffen" *wave hand* (Burton)

This is it. I hope that was enough time, Stella.

"Now!!!" (Steffen)

Gloria's Domain

Steffen is negotiating with the enemy leader. Empty words.

He is buying time for me.

The enemy might have realized that, but he is so confident in his superiority that he is giving us the time we need. He'll regret that!

I weave as quickly as I can.

If I do it too quickly, the result would be sloppy, and the spell would be too weak to be of help. If I take too long, we would die before my spell can be of use.

You can't weave the perfect spell in a battle. You must weave a spell that is actually of use.

Focus...

...

"Now!!!" (Steffen)

<Gloria's Domain!!!> (Stella)

*ngggg* (Stella)

The weaving wasn't perfect and it's not at full power. The channels in my body must bear the load of the spell trying to forcefully activate. And it hurts.

But I can take it!

Arrows.

As the enemy leader said, there are two dozens arrows heading for us. I can feel them trying to make their way through the air thanks to my spell. They aim for our tight defensive formation. They aim for our lives.

**arrows deflected**

But they won't hit! <Gloria's Domain> is active! A spell bestow upon me by Meridia herself, when she was still at the height of her powers. The spell manipulate the air, hindering those I see as enemy and aiding friendly.

The enemy's arrows unnaturally change trajectory as they travel inside my spell.

All of them miss their marks.

Actually, some of our horses got hit. It's a pity, but it's us or them. The enchantment on their harness will forcefully keep them calm even when hit by arrows.

My stead and I shared tough times together. I'm sorry!

"Aarrgghhh!!!" (Burton)

The enemy leader was hit by two bolts. He is down. I hope he won't raise again.

""Kill them all!!!"" (Bandits)

We survived the opening salvo without causalities.

About thirty bandits comes out of the woods screaming. They have ill fitting armour, and cheap looking weapons. Quantity over quality. It seem Burton was the strongest of them.

*heavy breath* (Stella)

The burden on my body is great.

The artifact is getting hot.

Deflecting all those arrows used up lots of magic. And this is just the beginning of the battle.

But I must hold the spell! For my comrades!

"For Gloria!!!" (Stella)

Battle

That fool Burton got himself shot. Now is my chance to take over the warband! Nobody liked him anyway, he ruled with fear and strength.

"Kill them all!!!" (Bandit)

I rush out of the forest, from behind the tree that was covering me. In front of me I see the enemy. They made a circle using their horses and are hiding behind them. I can see a girl kneeling in prayer in the centre of the formation. Maybe I'll take her for myself after this. He he he.

*tumble down* "What???" (Bandit)

I don't understand! It's like I'm running in water! I even fell because of that, and I'm not the only one! Other raiders are kissing the ground!

Magic!

"That girl is a mage!" (Bandit)

"Archers, take her out!!!" (Bandit B)

I try to get up, but it's hard! It's like the air itself wants to keep me down! I'm only ten meters away from them, but I can't reach them! In the meantime their crossbowman are shooting at...

*shot* (Knight)

*bolt hit* *collapse* (Bandit)

--------------------------------

Our raiders are falling like flies, and our arrows aren't reaching them!

They are taking free shots at us! At least ten raiders are down. Eleven. Twelve.

But our raiders are getting used to the enemy spell. They are closing in. And that girl look in like she is in pain. She can't keep this spell up forever.

I take aim with my bow, charge the string, and shot another arrow.

*shot* (Bandit)

Deflected.

Again. I shot another arrow.

*shot* (Bandit)

Deflected.

I will take you out woman! Mark my words!

--------------------------------

*in pain* "Leader Steffen! I'm close to my limit!" (Stella)

"Four of you, into the forest! Try to take out the out the archers! The rest unsheathe your sword and cut them down!" (Steffen)

Fifteen raiders are still standing. If we let them inside our formation, we lose.

I follow Steffen's lead, jump over my horse, and rush toward a group of enemies.

I'm fast! It's like the air itself is helping me. The bandits are taken aback by my speed, and their own movements are sluggish.

I swing my sword from the side. The enemy tries to defend, but he doesn't make it in time. His head falls off.

*swish*

That must have been an arrow. But with Stella's protection I have nothing to fear! I charge the second enemy. I thrust my sword inside his belly. He is too surprised to even defend. He falls just like that.

"Is that all you have got?!?" (Knight)

I set my sight on a third bandit. He is terrified of me! He should be. I close the short distance in no time, and swing my sword upward.

*slash* (Knight)

Another one is down! There might only a few of us engaging fifteen of them, but one of us is worth dozens of them! Inside Gloria's Domain we can't lose!

*arrow hit* "Wha..." *collapse* (Knight)

--------------------------------

*heavy breath* (Stella)

One of our knight fell. My spell is losing power.

Is that smoke coming from my hands?

The artifact is burning.

I can't feel my hands.

I don't know how much longer I can hold this spell.

"Stella, move!!!" (Feldris)

*slash* (Bandit)

"Feldris! No!" (Stella)

A bandit climbed over an horse, and was about to take me out. Feldris protected me, and got wounded!

"That was nothing! Take this!" *slash* (Feldris)

The bandit is down.

"It's not deep, don't worry, Stella. Your spell weakened his blow." *bleed* (Feldris)

*smile* (Stella)

"Just, hold it together. We are cleaning them up." (Feldris)

*swish*

"Aaaahhh!" (Stella)

"Stella! You got hit!" (Feldris)

*in pain* "It's just my shoulder. Don't worry. My spell is still active. It was just a slip." *heavy breath* (Stella)

"Damn it! We need to take out those archers!"(Feldris)

"Stella's spell is waning! Into the woods! And take Stella with you!!!" (Steffen)

The raiders are all down. We took a few archers, but most of them are still alive and shooting.

Their line of sight will be obstructed by the trees. They will be forced to use blades. This will be bloody.

"Come on, Stella! Let go of that spell as soon as we enter the woods. I'm going to carry you there, so hold on!" (Feldris)

Victory!

I have my back turned, tending to Telron. A bandit slowly walk toward me with his knife out. I'm an easy target. That's what i want the bandit to think.

*stab* "This should be the last of them." (Feldris)

Well done Feldris. He hid behind a tree, and cut the bandit down. The bandit was focusing on me, he failed to notice my man. Bandits are simple minded.

"I counted seven more, but I think the remainder have fled." (Steffen)

Our losses were grave. Only four of us are left. Stella, was shot by an arrow and her hands are burned. She is resting now, but she won't weave magic anytime soon. Feldris was wounded, but it's not deep. I'm the only one still unharmed. Telron won't make it without healing.

We are exhausted, and it's almost night time. We have two horses, but we can't ride inside the Silent Forest at night.

The ones that escaped might warn others and bring reinforcements. We can't stay here either.

"Leader, what do we do now?" (Feldris)

I must make the decision now.

"We take our two horses, and go deeper into the forest. We must find a safe spot and wait the night out." (Steffen)

This is going to be a long night.

Oracle

Location: Forbidden City/Underground Council Chamber

Time: Y0000 - 28th day of the Fire Moon

The Underground Council Chamber was built deep inside the rocks. It was the place where the real Council of the Rat-Kin ruled. The room was semicircular in shape and had a four meter wide wall in the back. The floor was only about two meters high. More than enough for the short Rat-Kin to move comfortably. In front of the flat wall, there was an altar like stone table used by the Council members. On the floor, there was a wheel like device. The entrance was a circular tunnel about one meter in diameter.

*sigh* (High Chancellor Mal'Jar)

Mal'Jar was staring at painting on the flat wall. It was drawn long ago, when the Rat-Kin tribe had a name. Back then it was known as Ku'Alki tribe.

Before then the the Rat-Kin were divided in warring tribes. Always fighting each others. Than a great enemy, one strong enough to threat the very survival of the Rat-Kin race, emerged. The legendary hero of the Rat-Kin rose and united the tribes. To fight.

This very chamber was dug back then. It is said that the Hero himself helped digging.

[Perhaps The Hero always knew that the Ku'Alki stood no chance. Perhaps he built this chamber so that our history would survive Their rule.] (Mal'Jar)

Mal'Jar was the head of the Shadow Council of the Rat-Kin. And he was eagerly awaiting for someone to arrive.

*dong*

"Chancellor, the Warden has arrived" (Rat-Kin Shadow Guard)

"They made it! Good! Yes, that's good. Open the secret passageway at once!" (Mal'Jar)

At the order of the Chancellor, several guards pushed the wheel like device on the floor. A large slab of stone slowly slided away, revealing an opening on the wall. From that opening, came two small creatures. One was Mi'Kai'Ra, the warden of the Seer's prison. The other was Ze'Gart, one of the greatest warriors amongst the Rat-Kin.

"Members of the Shadow Council! I, Ze'Gart, bring here the Warden of the Seer's prison. As you requested." (Elite Rat-Kin Guard Ze'Gart)

"You did well, Ze'Gart. You can leave and return to your duties." (Mal'Jar)

The heavly armoured Rat-Kin saluted the Shadow Council, and left the chamber.

"Warden Mi'Kai'Ra, hand over the <Crystal Record>. The shaman will examine it immediately. I want you to stay here and bear witness." (Mal'Jar)

An old female Rat-Kin slowly approached Mi'Kai'Ra. She was about fifty years of age. Considering that the average lifespan of a Rat-Kin was thirty years, it was remarkable. She had a name, but forsake it long ago and was only known as The Shaman. Because of her old age, she was always accompanied by a young female Rat-Kin that helped in her everyday duties.

The Shaman was one of the few Rat-Kin born with the ability to weave magic and was invaluable to the Rat-Kin tribe.

"Here, Shaman. The <Crystal Record>." (Mi'Kai'Ra)

"Thank you, Warden." (Shaman)

The Shaman slowly walked to a small pillar in the centre of the chamber. She put the <Crystal Record> in a fitting slot on top of the pillar, opened her arms and started weaving. The chamber was deep enough underground, and the magic was small enough that They would not feel it. Or pherhaps They simply are not interested in the puny weaving a Rat-Kin can do. Either way the Rat-Kin will get their way.

After a few minutes, the Shaman was done weaving, and the magic activated.

<*********> (Shaman)

Inside the mind of the people present, the fearsome form of the Prisoner could be seen and his cryptic words could be heard. The prisoner spoke a strange language, but the spell took care of that as well. It wasn't translation. The very thought of the Prisoner were mirrored inside the minds of the people affected by the spell.

[/%"/$**(!"Y=**] (Prisoner)

Many thought were garbled and incomprehensible.

The seer was always kept drugged by a volcanic gas. Had he ever gained full consciousness, he would have easily broken free from his chains. But in that state his thought were that of madness.

After almost half an hour spent listening garbled thoughts, finally the Council heard something that made sense.

[** **** Gifted ******] (Prisoner)

[*** One **** Destiny ***] (Prisoner)

[!!!!!!!!!!!!!CATACLYSM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!] (Prisoner)

**screams of pain** (All presents)

*heavy breath* "What was that?" (Mal'Jar)

*weak voice* "Death." (Shaman)

*pant* "Such a clear vision." (Mi'Kai'Ra)

"We all saw it, warden. No wonder the backlash killed the snake." (Councilman A)

"Tomorrow... Tomorrow the Forbidden City will be no more." (Councilman B)

"Tomorrow we die. This whole region will be engulfed in flames. It will disappear from this world forever." (Councilman C)

"Members of the Shadow Council. Shaman. Warden. Take your seats. You all saw what will happen. We must decide." (Mal'Jar)

"Do we keep silent?" (Mal'Jar)

"Or do we... Tell the Dragons?" (Mal'Jar)