Talj has been running without taking a moment to take his breath, the same thought rushing over and over him.
'Please let them be okay! Please let them be okay!'
Running North through the fields of Enyo, these recurring words gave breath to his lungs and speed to his legs, preventing him from slowing his pace. His worry was fueled even more by his questions, which also gave him distress to weigh on his heart.
'Why are they here? What do they want? Did I do something? Are they using Xara to reach me? For what end?'
While still rushing to get home, Talj recalled vividly the conversation he had at Seltah's port.
He had gone off to gather materials and ores in Seltah for his craft. He had his dark blue hood on despite the heat was trying to avoid attention, and his short white hair stood out like snow in summer. However, his disguise didn't fool Krylla, an old fisher and a good friend of his. Just as he was about to set sail, he had stopped in his motion as he'd been setting the boat free from its anchor and called to him.
"Ah Talj my boy, ye've come all this way to wish this ol' tad of bones a good catch, ey? Come aboard! Let me eyes see yer hidden face better."
Krylla's boat was far from being a massive one. In fact, calling it a boat would be a large overstatement. It was a modest barque he took to the sea, bringing him enough food for his trade to give his family a fair share of bread to live, and it was the joy of the old sailor's life.
Talj had climbed aboard the still-anchored ship and raised his arm for a handshake but the moment his palm met the old man's, he had been suddenly pulled towards him. Krylla may be an elder, but the grip of a sailor was still very strong. He had drawn the young man close enough to hear his whispers.
"Listen son, I don't know what sorts of troubles did yer last voyage bring ye, but y'brought a nest of troubles on yer back with it." He had said solemnly.
Talj's eyes had frowned in confusion. He was known all across The Five Lands under an alias: The Hammer. Being the most famous; and according to rumors also the best; blacksmith in Ylbunish. He was used to traveling from Enyo, his home (although not his hometown), to other places either to run errands, gather materials you cannot find in the Enyo archipelagos, and answer his occasional call for adventure. During these trips, he'd also take on all sorts of evil. Being an experienced and capable mage despite his young age, he'd easily get rid of beasts, monsters, brigands... And, although reluctantly, the Darkness's camps and troops he'd find stationed in hiding then and there. A way for him to remember his past... Remember The Spear, and honor it.
Despite the fear and pain that it sometimes bring him.
"What happened?" He had asked in a hushed tone to Krylla.
"I overheard some guards talking earlier. Apparently ye're getting visitors today."
"Visitors?" Confusion had clearly been visible in Talj's voice.
"The nasty kind I tell ye."
"Get to the point Krylla please."
Krylla's mouth had twisted slightly, as if weighing the consequences of his following words.
"Look boy, I don't know what ye did to anger The Dali, that is if ye actually poked their noses, but they're after yer future bride and her dad."
Talj's eyes had widened in shock, color leaving his face while, doubting if his ears picked the sailor's claims right. A stream of questions had hustled in his tongue.
"What? How? Why?"
Taking a deep breath he had asked slowly.
"Are you sure of what you're saying?"
"I ain't gon' lie to ye, the circumstances in which I heard the news were odd. The soldiers kept mutterin' on about how it's some super confidential stuff and how no one knows of it. And that they wonder why would The Dali brew trouble with some craftsmen family loved by all."
Staring pensively at the ocean, Talj had thought aloud:
"But if it is a confidential mission of The Dali..."
"...Then why would some guards of Enyo know about it." Had continued Krylla. "Even gossips can't reach their ears if some higher up at them Dali's headquarters labeled their task as top secret."
The Dali, a military guild formed 400 years prior, when The Spear had faked its extinction. Unlike The Spear however, this one was under the command of The Five lands and their sovereigns. They were an elite organization made by them to ensure peace to Ylbunish and take on the battles none can. A goal quite similar to The Spear's; nonetheless, while still being independent and above all authorities (except the kings and queens' ones of course), the five Generals who were each affiliated with one of the protection of one nation of Ylbunish took direct orders from the rulers of the Five. Their reports and missions were no secret to their leaders, and they were not allowed to keep any.
Naturally, a considerable sum of soldiers enlisted in this peace keeping guild fell into the grasp of arrogance, thinking they were superior over the people they were tasked to preserve, giving them an execrable reputation with the general population.
However, Talj's worries didn't lie in that reputation they held; especially since he already had come across some of its members during their missions and even offered his help (They didn't always accept, but even when they did they never told him much of their goals clearly as outsiders weren't allowed to be included in their schemes.), but rather in the fact that a Dalus is considered an elite soldier. While they were overall weaker than an average member of The Spear, their strength is not to be underestimated in battle, lest death ensues shortly after; and so they would often be solicited solely for dangerous or over-confidential missions... And arresting the Higgar's family, his own fiancé and her dad was nowhere near dangerous nor did they hide anything that would make it over-confidential.
"I agree that it's all a bit fishy but..."
"But you're not ready to take risks yer damsel's in distress."
'No... I cannot afford to lose another family... Not again.' Talj had thought. 'I'll get to the bottom of this, I have to!'
"Thank you sir Krylla for your warning, have a good sail."
Without waiting for an answer, he had jumped out of the boat and began to run as fast as his strength allowed.
And there he was, a couple hours later, still running from Seltah to Folden. A journey that should normally take 2 days on foot, but Talj's control over his lightning magic was near-perfect, and his physique and endurance were on athletic levels. He clad himself in electrical energy and gave his body additional speed, changing the amount of time needed to cross the distance needed into less than half a day. Although, for him, every second seemed to stretch forever.
After what had seemed like an eternity, Talj finally found himself in front of the Higgar's house. Without knocking, he rammed through the door screaming:
"Xara!? Sir Naydas!? Is everyone alright!?"
"Talj!" Xara's voice reached him from the guest room. "We're here, don't worry. Come over, there are guests who wish to... Talk to you."
Her voice was calm, without any hint of harm of urgency.
Puzzled, Talj made his way to the guest room. Its door was guarded by two Dali guards. They didn't give him even a glare as entered the room. There, his gaze met Xara, her dad Naydas, and...
"Queen Lin!?"
The literal queen of Enyo, the most powerful figure of his home nation, was sitting there, inside his fiancé's guestroom, alongside the two Dali generals of Enyo and Akhdar: Kinfol and Salzeka. All of them sitting on matresses oppositely from Xara and Naydas.
"I told you spreading word that his family-to-be might be in danger will bring him here." Kinfol said calmly to Salzeka, her expression remaining neutral and emotionless, as it usually is.
"Sir Horsh, pleasure to see you again, and without aliases that is."
"Sir Salzeka." Talj greeted back.
"Talj Horsh, please take a seat." The queen's voice was gentle but firm.
Talj took place next to Xara, smiling briefly at her.
"Hey."
"Hey, I hope you didn't exhaust yourself running all the way here."
"You know me, I never get tired."
"Mhm, of course. Next time you pass out at the forge I'll leave you be then."
"Hey! That was one time... Or a dozen..."
A small smile drew on their faces at this moment of complicity.
Driving his attention back to his guests, his expression became serious once more.
"Sir Horsh, firstly I would like to apologize for the anguish our maneuver caused you." Began queen Lin. "However when we arrived here and we were told you had gone for a three days trip to Seltah, Kinfol insisted that the best way to get you here without attracting unwanted attention would be by spreading a fake rumor for your sailor friend to pick."
'So it was all a setup... That sure explains the inconsistency of it.'
"You couldn't have the word being sent to me directly?"
"Unfortunately, no." Kinfol answered. "We didn't want our own soldiers to know we were after you specifically, so we actually made them believe that our actual targets were your loved ones."
"You didn't want your own troop to know your own intentions? Well that's a surprise, especially given how three strong political figures converged in one place without drawing attention."
"Oh trust me, we have our means, and they're quite effective. Or at least we thought they did." Salzeka said.
"Speak for yourself, The Dalus House of Enyo stayed clean of snakes."
Talj raised an eyebrow at the Generals' exchange but he spoke no words.
"I think this meeting would actually go faster if we got straight to the point." Queen Lin said with a sigh. "Talj, what do you know of The Darkness."
'They know!' Talj's instincts screamed at him, but he remained poised and answered nonchalantly.
"Uhm... Continent made from Dark Magic, out of reach from us but they can infiltrate somewhat, but not to the point of sending armies, its leader wants to take over The Light... And that's it I believe. I'm not really into history."
"You seemed quite knowing from our hangouts mission together tho." Kinfol replied.
'Kin, who's side are you on?'
Kinfol and Talj had been friends for some time; ever since he made her a brand new sword. And seeing his strength, she would often accept his help whenever their paths crossed to clear Enyo from monsters or bandits. However, he couldn't perceive what weighed more on the balance: Their friendship, or whatever secret mission they have to include him in.
"General Kinfol, please refrain from bringing unnecessary uneasiness to this meeting."
"My apologies my queen, I just assumed it to be in our benefit if everyone dropped the masks."
"Excuse me?" Talj's eyes narrowed, his mind flooding with questions.
"All in due time General... As for you Talj, yes you're right in the overall. The Darkness, referring to both the place and its people, is a magical realm that has attempted to invade The Light through our own continent: Ylbunish."
"And what does The Darkness have to do with your majesty gracing us with her presence? You don't mean to tell me my weapon-crafting skills are so grand you all marched here to personally ask me to make weapons to help in the fight against them."
While his tone was provocatively sarcastic on purpose, he didn't expect the queen to chuckle and say.
"That wouldn't be anywhere short of a praise unworthy of your skills. The lances you gifted my personal guards and the sword you had made for my husband never failed them. And if I'm dropping formalities a little, I might even add I'm a little envious I had no gift during the Annual Rod Festival."
"And how about me? I'm the only one who didn't get no weapons from the famous Hammer in here, yet I keep seeing his products being flaunted everywhere on these islands! If anyone should be envious it's me!"
'His voice carried mirth but he sure has a lot guts to joke like that to a queen of the Six Lands.' Talj thought to himself.
"Alright alright." he said with a chuckle. "You honor me your majesty, but that doesn't answer my prior question."
"Ah yes. The Darkness..."
The three guests looked at each other solemnly.
"Mister and Miss Higgar, would you please be so kind to forgive this transgression towards hospitality and leave the room for some time."
Naydas, who has been silently following the conversation, gave Talj a supportive, although not empty of concern, smile; before getting up and leaving the room.
Xara however took her fiancé's arm firmly and, tho Talj could feel her shaking, she had a defiant expression.
"I'm sorry your majesty but staying, but while I do not know what is your business with Talj but it clearly seems grave; and it's not foolish to think he might even be in trouble, so I'm staying or else worry will kill me."
Talj looked at her in surprise, and she looked back with a confident smile, although her eyebrows trembled slightly. That was something he loved in Xara. Her strength and blazing will to stand with those she held close.
Salzeka waved his hand in a forward motion as if he was dismissing a child.
"Look girl, I admire you for having guts to disobey orders of your own queen, but do not meddle with things that are way beyond yo-"
"You can stay." Lin cut him.
"Heard that? Sorry young one but- Excuse me she can what!?"
Salzeka gave the queen a dumbfounded look but her gaze remained calmly fixed on Xara.
"I suppose it is within your right to know, considering you two are engaged. However, it is of utmost importance that you disclose nothing of what happens during this meeting."
Salzeka looked outraged.
"Your majesty, you can't possibly-"
At Talj's surprise, Salzeka was interrupted by Kinfol's usual calm and monotonous tone.
"Salzeka, please. The queen has spoken and time isn't in our favor to bicker over her decision. Throughout my interactions with Talj, I met with miss Higgar regularly. I vouch for her, she has a responsible head on her shoulders. She knows when to open on her mouth and about what."
Kinfol gave Talj a small nod, which he returned, before she added.
"Now, your majesty, I believe it is time we move on to the touchy subject."
"Ah yes... I suppose... It is why we came here after all."
The queen looked very uneasy. She let a deep breath give her strength before facing Talj and saying.
"Talj Horsh, we may have only briefly met twice during festivals and national events, but your reputation as both a blacksmith and a person. And I personally thank you for every service, great or small, you have done to Enyo and its people. So I would also like you to know whatever will follow holds no weight on the personal scale."
Talj felt his breathing get heavier but he didn't flinch, eager to hear the queen's following words.
"Talj, we know that you were part of The Spear."
Talj's heart stopped for what felt like ages to him. His vision blurred. Sweat began to cascade down his neck. His knees shook very slightly. He barely felt Xara's fingers pressing harder against his arm. A torrent of questions raced through his brain; the most obvious ones being:
'How do they know? How do they even know The Spear still existed!?'
A very loud silence ensued, broken by Xara who tried futilely to adopt an apalled tone:
"What? What do you even mean? That's ridiculous! The Spear was vanquished a bit more than four centuries ago!"
Lin ignored her completely. So did the two generals. All eyes on the opposite mattress were aimed at Talj.
Taking a few seconds to organize his thoughts, before saying to Xara.
"It's okay sunshine... They know. We can't do anything about it."
"But..."
"It's okay, if they meant harm they'd have revealed it by now. Right?"
In all truthfulness, Talj had no idea if the guests did mean harm, but his priority was to appease Xara's heart, and he hoped the reassuring smile he gave her was enough to do so.
Turning his gaze back to his interlocutors, he was surprised to meet sorry expressions from queen Lin and Kinfol, especially since this last never let her emotions show on her face. Only Salzeka stood out as he looked up to the ceiling with puzzled eyes, as if trying to figure out an imaginary puzzle.
"Wait a minute. So the girl knew he was in The Spear?" He asked.
"I couldn't have proposed to her without her knowing the full truth. She deserved to know. And speaking of knowing, how did you get your hands on that information?"
"The Dali found out that The Spear merely faked its own extinction 400 years ago." Began Kinfol. "We had had solid proof of it for over fifty years actually. We simply didn't let it be known. However, we never could dig far enough to get the identity of its members. I must say, you really are good at keeping to yourself. Almost makes me envious."
"We were good at keeping to ourselves. The Spear is no more... Whatever you need from it, it can't be of any help to you. The Darkness found our lair seven years ago. It attacked unexpectedly. If there are any survivors but me, I don't know any."
"That would explain why even the very little source of information we had suddenly vanished seven years ago." Said Kinfol. "However, we didn't come here to ask for The Spear's aid. Your majesty, please, you have the parchment." She added at the queen's address.
"Right." Lin replied. "Talj, please take a look at this."
She handed him a rolled tissue. Puzzled, Talj crossed the distance between them and took it to read it. Once back on his place, he slowly opened it. Xara leaned in to see its content too. Upon seeing the first words, Talj almost gulped. He tried his best to keep his composure, but he knew his face dismissed all trace of colors, betraying his unease. He understood now, he understood everything. The reason he had such an unexpected party in his home (Or at least his fiancé's hope.).
"Read it, please" Demanded Lin.
Taking a deep breath, and hoping his breathing won't betray him. He read aloud:
"When The Spear will be reduced to desert's grains of sand. When all hope of salvation will seem out of hand. When The Darkness will rise on every land. Then shall The Light burn in chaos none can mend. Then that's where the Spear's last children will rise again. And will follow their path... The War Of The End." These last words left a bitter taste in his mouth which he swallowed before saying to the queen. "So, what now?"
"You know these verses."
"Judging by your tone this wasn't a question. Yes I do. These words are the reasons why The Spear had to fake its destruction 400 years ago. People heard of this prophecy and believed that if The Spear stayed in activity then The War of The End would happen. But you'll see that I emphasized on the word prophecy here. No magic nor any power can read the future. People panicked, and since there are many who aren't mages on Ylbunish, a lot of people spread havoc and chaos in fear we would cause the world's destruction. We had to calm down the situation, so our ancestors didn't have much of a better choice. Fake our extinction. But my point still stands. Oracles or scrying artefacts seller in the street are just cheap scammer. No power can see the future. So there's no reason for you to believe this, right?"
Seeing that he was answered with nervous gazes, he pressed on.
"None of you believe this poem to be telling the truth, right!?"
"Talj, my friend. From all our conversations and time together, I could feel you were escaping something. Whether it was your past, or something else, that much wasn't clear. But now, with these words in mind, I have to ask: Do you not believe them yourself?"
'You read right through me, didn't you, Kin.'
Talj didn't believe it in the slightest. But what people didn't know is that those lines were only the last of a very long poem. And at full length, that poem announced a long series of events that would lead to The War of The End. And until now all of them happened... Except one. Talj couldn't simply dismiss it as mere coincidences. But since The Spear had gotten defeated, since that dreadful night, he had isolated himself as far as he could. On the archipelagos of Enyo. Where he built a new life, a new future.
Despite not forgetting the past in the slightest.
"Say, what gave me away?" Talj asked. "You said The Dali had tabs on us for half a century or so, but no one came knocking at my door until now. Why?"
At his surprise the nervous gazes only intensified at his question. Kinfol even started to tap her finger on her knee, a gesture Talj recognized. She only did it when she was very bothered or anxious about a sitation.
'It seems I've touched a sensitive nerve. Alright, let's use that in our advantage.'
"No, wait. Don't answer. I'll take a wild guest: Snakes, as Kin mentioned earlier, exposed me?"
Talj savored the desired effect of his words. Queen Lin lowered her head with an ashamed expression, Salzeka looked immensely annoyed and Kinfol clenched both her fists.
'So The Dali got infiltrated. Presumably by The Darkness.'
"I take back what I had said Kinfol. The boy's smart." Salzeka said after a moment of silence, a hint of impress in his voice.
"It's better to discuss these things in a more suitable place." Said Lin. "Somewhere where the walls don't have ears. There are so many things you don't know about this."
"Is this your way of camouflaging the fact that you're trying to take me somewhere where I can be subdued and controlled so I don't cause the end of the world?" Asked Talj.
"I suppose there's no point in trying to hide that." Replied the queen in a defeated sigh.
"Wait, what do you mean?" Panic dominated over Xara's voice. She shot up from her seat, dismay written all over her face. "Are you taking him to jail!? Is he gonna be in trouble!? You can't!'
"Miss Higgar, please-"
"You can't take him away! Do you know how much good he'd done to the people of this city! How many children he'd saved! How many monsters he killed! You... You..."
Tears began to wet her cheeks as she stuttered over her words.
"Please... You can't... I'm sure Talj won't do anything that will endanger anyone... He... He..."
Seeing her trembling with such a sorrowful expression, Talj's heart sank. But the situation required not for everyone to despair.
"Your majesty, may I have some time alone with her before our departure?"
Lin simply nodded sorrily as she and the two generals departed from the room. Talj could hear Salzeka's words in the corridor.
"Are we sure about this? How do we know he won't just escape?"
"Because he knows it's not in anyone's interest." Kinfol's answer echoed back.
"Heck do you even mean by that, I'm sure that if he..."
The rest of the conversation got muffled. Talj stood up and took Xara in his arms. Burying her head in his chess, she asked weakly.
"You're not going to go right? You're going to hide or something, right?"
"Xara, I'm going to need you to listen carefully, okay?"
"No... No! Please, Talj! You can't-"
"Listen please, we don't have much time. If The Darkness know about me, and already had infiltrated The Dali, then there's a high chance they know about you too."
"What are we gonna do?"
"I have a suspicion on what is their plan but for now I have to follow Kin and Salzeka as they're the only reliable source of info I have. After that, I'll see what to do. But what matters to me right now is you."
"Me..? Worry about yourself will you!"
"Xara they will come for you, they will try to reach me through you. And when I'm out there, I can't be here to protect you."
"I can manage myself just fine, how about you-"
"Xara please!"
She rose her head slowly at him. Talj couldn't make out her expression, all his mind could think of of how lucky he was to have met a strong and beautiful woman like her and got to share a part of his life with her. Running his hand through her blond hair, he went on.
"I'm gonna need you to pretend you hate me, that I kept so much from you."
"What?"
"If The Darkness of even The Dali believe there's no bond between us, then only will you be safe."
"Talj, I could never hate you."
"I'm asking you to give an image. Please?"
After staring at him for a long time she said timidly.
"To think it's the week of our wedding... Do you promise you'll come back?"
Talj took a moment before answering. He didn't like making promises, because he could never know if he'll have the strength to keep them. But when he opened his mouth, he was taken aback by his own words.
"I promise."
Xara gave him a smile, wiped her tears and took a step back before shouting without warning.
"THEN GO! GO YOU AND YOUR STUPID LIES! TO THINK I LET MYSELF BELIEVE I MEANT ANYTHING TO YOU! GO AND NEVER COMEBACK!"
She's said that without failing her smile. Taking a step forward she whispered a brief "I love you." before pushing him weakly.
"I SAID GET LOST YOU SCUM! GET THE HECK OUT OF THIS HOUSE!"
Talj smiled before turning around to leave.
"Sir Naydas. Take care of each other." He said to the man that he found in the hallway.
"Good luck young one... Thank you for all you've done to this family."
Talj nodded, all words unable to leave his throat.
Once he left the house, he was surprised to see all Dali guards were dismissed. Lin wore a regretful face. She walked to the white haired boy and said.
"Talj, there is much you know that you haven't told us. But there is also much that you don't know. Go, and I wish you and all of Ylbunish the best."
'It sounds like she knows I'm not going to follow orders like a dog.'
"Oh and, one last thing. Until this is over, and as long as I'm queen of Enyo, you have my word that nothing will happen to the Higgars. I will personally see to it."
"I... Thank you greatly your majesty." He lowered his head in respect, then turned towards the generals.
"Alright... Let's go."
The Higgars' home was located on the southern outskirts of Folden, so the houses and shops here were rare. They could depart while making sure they were unnoticed.
As soon as they started to walk, Salzeka let out a loud sigh.
"Phew, finally. Couldn't keep it up much longer. How do y'all manage this diplomatic crap, I felt like my tongue was gonna leave me."
"I'm actually surprised you lasted this long." Replied Kinfol before turning to Talj. "Salzeka's speech is not very respectful, if that's the word, so he doesn't handle official meetings except with his colleagues."
"Hey! I'll let you know I'm as respectful as the day I was born."
"So you were born insulting the midwife?"
"Oh screw you and your fancy tongue."
The exchange made Talj let out a small giggle.
"You know, I don't speak fancy all that often neither. If you want I can give you advice on how to handle these things." He said.
"Oh please, what's the wisdom of a kid gonna help in anyway."
"Are you sure?"
Salzeka looked at him for a second before saying.
"Aight, what do you got?"
"Just think how humiliating would it be that the strong and brave Salzeka got arrested because he couldn't speak normally in a meeting, and your fear will do the magic."
This time, it was Kinfol who let out on of her rare chuckles.
Salzeka, grunted, a crossed frown on his face, before giving in also joining in the laughter
"Never in my life did a prisoner make fun of me during an arrest, except for a child... Hahaha! I like ya kiddo."
"Why, thank you General."
"Are you going to let him call you a kid?" Asked Kinfol.
"Shhhh, don't ruin it. I feel like being praised by the uncle I've never had."
"What? Isn't he like... Fifteen?"
"I'm nineteen." Talj replied nonchalently.
"Huh!?"
And they all walked down the road together laughing like old friends.