Jamtara, Kingdom of Divinium, Eastern region of Rohana Federation, 2051 S.C. 144th day
The cobblestones felt unsteady beneath Heron's feet as they emerged from the alley. Or it was just the ale. Three mugs? Four? He'd lost count.
"Careful," Emilia said, catching his elbow as he stumbled. Her own steps weren't exactly steady either. "I won't forgive myself if you hit your face on the cobblestones."
"I'm not falling," Heron protested, though he had to grab the wall for balance. "It's the ground that is moving."
"Right. The ground." She laughed, bright and unguarded in a way he hadn't heard before. "Let's try to keep moving. Hopefully, the fresh air will help us come back to our senses a bit."
They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the night air cool against Heron's rosy-cheeked face. Above them, the barrier of crosses cast its dim glow over the sleeping city. Fewer people were on the streets now, just the occasional guard patrol and other citizens heading home, probably from their own night out.
"Tonight was good," Emilia said quietly. "I mean, really good. When was the last time you had fun like that?"
Heron had to think. "Honestly, I can't remember. It must have been before Haugstad burned down."
"Well, we should do it again. Before the selection." She glanced at him, her voice deliberately casual. "Actually, after the selection too."
"Sure, though if I get to join an international party, I can't promise I'll be able to."
"Well then, why not join a local one instead? It is a good salary, Jamtara is a fine city to live in once you get to know it."
"I really can't. I mentioned that I must go to Tiwaz." Heron said solemnly.
"I know you said you're going to Tiwaz." Her voice was measured now. "But that doesn't mean you have to join some border-crossing party right away. You could work locally first. Gain experience. Then transfer to a different party in a few cycles."
"A few cycles?" Heron stopped walking and leaned against a wall. "Emilia, I can't wait that long."
"Why not?" She turned to face him, the crystal lamp casting shadows across her features. "What's so urgent about Tiwaz?"
The ale was making it hard to think clearly, making him more honest than he should be. "It's my father. Haran. That's who I'm looking for. And the clues to his whereabouts are there. He told me before we departed to go there."
"But why Tiwaz?" Emilia hurried to keep pace. "Why so far? If he wanted to see you, why not somewhere closer? Why not here in Jamtara?"
"I don't know, but he wouldn't have left me with the pendant if the answers aren't there." Heron's hands clenched. He hesitated, then the ale pushed him forward. "Also, he probably knows where to find my mother."
Emilia caught his arm, making him stop. "Your mother? Didn't you say you were the sole survivor of your family?"
"I thought so too." The words came out hollow. "For four cycles, I thought she was dead. And then two cycles ago, a woman came to Draksvik. She'd been captured in one of the raids. Held prisoner. But she said she was with my mother."
"What?" Emilia's voice was barely a whisper.
"The military rescued her. They managed to track some of the assailants." Heron closed his eyes, remembering. "She said Martina was there too. That they'd been separated, but she'd seen her alive."
"Creators." Emilia's hand was still on his arm. "Heron, that's great news. If the military has found survivors, it's just a matter of time before they find her, too."
"I know." Heron opened his eyes. "That's what everyone says. Let the military handle it. Wait for them to find her. But what if they don't? What if she's in some place they can't reach? Or by the time they do, it is too late."
"But you're just one person," Emilia said gently. "What can you do that trained soldiers can't?"
"Find my father." The words came out harder than he intended. "Because he knows something."
"What do you mean?"
Heron took a breath. This was the part he hadn't told anyone.
"During her captivity, the woman overheard things. Their captors talked when they thought the captives were asleep. They said there was no need for further raids, as they had located their target. Said they'd captured their target in the forest of the last raid. He was taken by them back to the temple."
"And you think they spoke of your father?"
"They must have been. I've asked Philip to bring me church media newsletters. There was no word of any attacks. They announced destroying assailants, but it was clearly a lie. It was a puff piece to keep citizens from asking questions. The attacks after Haugstad simply stopped."
"I see." Emilia quietly said.
They just stood there in the silence of a dimmed alley.
"Heron," Emilia finally spoke. She tried to keep her tone flat, but it sounded like she was holding back. "If what you are saying is true, then your father must have been involved in my village burning down, too."
As she said those words, she wasn't looking Heron in the eyes. Her blonde hair covered her face, and she was looking at the cobblestones beneath her feet.
"Your village?"
"Yes, I mentioned that my family and I were lucky to be delivering merchandise. But what I didn't mention is that according to the investigation, assailants who attacked Heiwett were the same ones who attacked Haugstad. They left their horned god's insignia at its gates, too."
"I'm sorry, I didn't even think to connect it when you told me."
"It wouldn't have mattered if you did." She started to sob. "I thought it was the will of Creators that I found a cool guy, who shared a similar trauma. Didn't think his father may have been the cause of it, though."
"Emilia, I…" Heron tried to comfort her.
"I'm sorry, the tavern is not far. I… I need to go." Emilia turned around, wiping her tears, trying to walk away as fast as possible without tumbling over. Heron tried to go after her, but nausea was growing strong.
And so he walked back to the tavern. There was no one around, just dimmed lights and empty tables. He held onto the wooden handrail as he climbed to his room.
When he entered, he didn't go to the bathroom to freshen up; he just threw himself onto the bed.
Cursed be the Creators. What have I done to deserve this? It was the only thought he remembered before blacking out.