A Knight's Lilies

“As far as we know, Sinorcha crystals are likely some form of magical catalyst considering their locations in Myndiri ruins generally being at a strategic point in or above the structure. But, despite studying the two recovered late last year and the year before, we were unable to determine a clear purpose due to the lack of reactions to all magical stimuli. However I theorised that perhaps it requires it to be in its original vessel to be activated. After all, most of the wards located in Myndiri ruins are as ancient as the structures themselves, perfectly crafted and magically complex. Fortunately, I have managed to convince Direktor Wallen to approve an expedition to the recently discovered Selu’ Vorsia ruins. I'm certain with our combined resources we can decode the true nature of these artifacts. And it’ll be a nice field exercise for the students. “

- Notes from Selu’Vorsia - Signed Professor. Karl Faustein, Exploration Guild Pathfinder, Adjunct at Arterian Academy of History, Department of Myndiri Studies.

Up and over! Sophie grunted as her muscles quaked from exertion, pushing past another set of stairs. Annalise gave out a tired groan in response and the two kept going upwards. The dampness coated the stone walls around them as the pitter patter of rain grew increasingly stronger the closer they got. Slashes of thunder illuminated the entrance ahead of them as the faint breeze from above danced around their forms as it traveled below

“Oof.”

“Guh…careful.” Annalise said as Sophie’s foot slipped and the pair almost tumbled down.

“Ye-yeah…just a little more.” Sophie huffed in response.

Running on little more than autopilot, her brain had made an error in judgment and distracted her from the task at hand. With one last effort she focused back on getting out, just a little bit further!

As the pair trudged upwards, the water began flowing past them, slick trails of moisture that could send them tumbling if they weren't careful. The sound of the rain was now absolute and echoed loudly in the confined stairway. The ever familiar heavy oppressive dampness of the Mistveil gradually filtered down into the ruin and for once Sophie sighed, relieved at being back in the fog.

“Almost there Anna, hang on.” Sophie said, their first words since leaving their friends behind.

Annalise only laughed in response and Sophie turned to give her a weird look. With a sniffle and a huff a sad little grin settled on the ranger’s face.

“Why are you so calm heh…hah…we’re both tired and the one who gets her heart torn out is the one reassuring me. What a sorry state of things eh?” Annalise said in between her tired gasps for air.

“I didn’t get my heart torn out! At least I’m pretty sure. I mean it's probably wrecked enough that I would be dead if the entity didn’t help me but still.” She shuddered at the thought, the nightmare creature becoming a little too real lately, just avoid thinking too hard about it idiot. “And I still have both my legs in spite of my injury.”

“Tch,” Annalise scoffed, “That was unfair, a low blow.” But Sophie could feel the slight slump in her shoulder, the tension and sorrow from before dissipating, even if only by a little brought a smile to her face. “And what’s with your stupid smile? Enjoy gawking at a cripple?” The ranger complained with feigned annoyance, giving Sophie a jab to the rib.

Sophie jokingly yelped and readied her own retort when the sound of steel froze the pair in their tracks. The metallic clanking of plate armour echoed from just past the entryway and as they stared up, the sound only got closer and closer, the rain tapping a soft rhythm on the metal. Meeting Annalise’s gaze, Sophie quickly stepped in front of her friend, her saber in one hand and holding onto Annalise with the other.

The two stalked up the stairs and only came to another stop just behind the arch of the ruined entrance. A soft orange glow shone brightly from the left as scattered streaks of moonlight pierced through the dark storm clouds. The soil seemed like an unrecognisable mush as the water droplets now pelted the pair as they exposed themselves to the elements. A small tired groan escaped from the left and the pair quickly traded glances.

Who is it?

Reinforcements?

I didn’t get to tell anyone!

Then who would it be?

I don’t know!

Then what do we do?

Just walk up and hope they are friendly?

Just walk up?

Yeah…?

Just walk up?! Are you serious?

What else could I do then? Just stay behind me and I’ll talk. Sophie finished with a gesture that only earned Annalise's frown.

Pulling upwards, Sophie was just about to cross the threshold when a small tug held her back, and she turned to find Annalise looking at her defiantly.

I’m coming with you

But..

No buts

Trying to avoid making any noise she gave the ranger an exasperated nod and together, they left the underground ruin. Ready to face Mistveil once more.

The two sighed deeply as they watched the stew bubble, the small canvas barely keeping them dry amidst the downpour. They had scavenged two chairs from the nearby expeditionary camp and now lazed around languidly. Sir Albrecht Baylein scratched at his scraggly brown beard as he ran another hand over his short cropped hair in frustration. What was supposed to be a simple search and recovery turned out to be the beginning of some wacky religious conspiracy, if Viktor was to be believed. Unsurprisingly the bastard didn’t even deny that they knew about ‘The elf” and almost drew him into a fight before shit got royally fucked.

Strange magics and undead had begun assailing the town of Eichafen and just before he was about to fight the Inquisitors, they had proposed a deal. Considering that they were to evacuate the city, the cowards, they were willing to spare some support to help look for “The elf”, brushing off any concerns that he might’ve had at their motivation for such a heroic act of uncalled for altruism. While he was certain they were monitoring him and had something else in store for Sophie, he had agreed to their terms. Having an almost six and a half foot tall minotaur with him was somewhat of a consolation prize compared to exploring the wilderness alone.

The giant horned beast kin had surprisingly dark brown fur, darker than even his own beard, though to be fair he had never really worked with minotaurs before. Still, he had proven a reliable ally so far and more than adept with both battle axe and broadsword. Ironically, despite being such a menace, he was not a templar and thus wore the standard Inquisitorial black leather coats and jerkin instead of full plate armour befitting his stature; thankfully, someone had the foresight to give the monster armoured padding to wear over his oversized torso just in case.

As for himself, he had arrived as shit hit the fan. The storms around the city seemed to prepare for war, undead roaming the countryside in hordes and the forests being far more hostile than usual. But fortune favoured the bold as it turned out rumours of some elf causing trouble traveled quickly around town, a gruff voiced bastard and his two scruffy compatriots glady recounted their encounter with the hostile elf and he eventually followed her trail from the tavern to the guildmaster. The Inquisition accosted him before he left and well, I guess we’re stuck here now.

Offering a small prayer for the townsfolk he turned to face the blademaster and the two shared a silent look, reflecting on their luck. They had only arrived at the ruins earlier today after a non stop riding, and upon stumbling upon a weakened but stray pack horse, had found a plethora of rations and supplies, but most importantly a half torn up book. Taurox looked at him funny when he grinned like an idiot, but when he explained how the book belonged to House Rosengart, the minotaur seemed to understand and reveled in their good fortune by sharing high quality Inquisitorial rations with him. They were another step closer to their goal.

As if the Goddess of gamblers and wanderers had not blessed them enough, when they entered the ruins there were already trails leading out and to the north towards the Highwall mountains. Though the carnage around the camp was a sight to behold, the two were just thankful the survivors managed to flee from whatever was unleashed from below and left such an easy route for them to follow. Perhaps the only misfortune so far was the rapidly approaching night and when combined with the pouring rain, the two had decided to wait out the storm.

“So?” Taurox asked, his low but husky voice snapping Baylein back from his thoughts.

“Sorry what?”

“You gonna eat or just stare at the pot?” The minotaur rolled his eyes as he waved a small bowl around.

“My mistake. I was just running through everything to make sure we didn’t miss anything.” He replied apologetically

“Tch,” Taurox scoffed, “Nothing much we can do even if we did.”

“True, the storm certainly brings its own share of troubles. But do you think…”

“Not worth worrying now. Eichafen will live or die by its own will.” The minotaur shut down the line of thought curtly, But before Baylein could get another word in, he watched as Taurox’s bulging muscles tensed, the minotaur rising slightly from his seat.

Baylein set down his bowl and slowly drew his own short sword and looked to his ally for confirmation. Hands cupping the ear, fist, walking motion, guess he heard we’ve got some company for dinner. They shifted carefully away from the campfire and into the pouring rain, their weapons at the ready.

Hands close, hands split, line to fire. Guess we’re doing an ambush. Baylein watched as the giant minotaur seemed to melt into the background, his form somehow blending into the darkness between tents. Baylein himself cursed his plate armour, the rain splattering the armour giving him away, and he could only hope the undead were more drawn to the fire than to him.

A conjoined figure stumbled into view, no two figures, one supporting the other and both Baylein and Taurox quickly realised these weren’t the dead. The dead have no friends. Switching to a more guarded approach, Baylein lowered his sword but kept it drawn and advanced slowly with Taurox as the two figures froze.

Suddenly, one pushed the other to the floor and lifted their sword, ready to charge when Taurox guffawed and laughed out loud.

“Your people never really see minotaurs that often eh?” He bellowed loudly, turning to Baylein but keeping an eye on the swordsmen.

“Sorry, what?” Baylein replied, not only did the figure get caught off guard by the minotaur’s comment, so did he.

Taurox snorted as the blade wobbled in the figure’s grasp. “Come into the light, you survivors of the expedition?”

“Are…are you…who…?”

“We’re…” The minotaur turned to him and he could only shrug, this was the big guy’s moment of glory, “Think of us like reinforcements, now are you gonna soak up the rain or are you going to drag your injured friend over?”

“Re-reinforcements? Really?! Anna! Help is here!” The figure squeaked, a girl’s voice.

Baylein sheathed his blade as he glanced over to the minotaur and they moved slowly towards the new arrivals, a relieved sigh shared between them.

“Please…you have to help her…I have to keep going.” A thin looking elf emerged from the shadows, the light finally tickling her face as she carried her now very muddy and wet friend on her shoulder. Looks like ranger gear and an elf…could they be? Baylein quickly locked eyes with Taurox and the blademaster directed his gaze to the northern pathway. Then who the hell made that?

“Easy, easy, place her by the fire first, you're both soaked to the bone.” Taurox quickly reassured his new arrivals as they traded nervous glances at each other. He quickly pulled the chairs close together and gestured for the hesitant guests to take a seat whilst trading another look with Baylein.

With a nod, Baylein strode towards the group from his position and a gasp welcomed him.

“Crimson…and green.” The elf whispered as she shivered, “Rosengart.”

Baylein and Taurox quickly masked their reactions but their eyes shared the same conclusion, we got her.

“Apprentice maid Sophie?” Baylein asked, trying his best to sound nonthreatening.

The girl wheeled around in shock before he saw her almost come to life with excitement.

“That’s-that’s me! Did Eva…” She seemed afraid to ask, as if terrified of the answer.

“Don’t worry madam, Lady Evaline did indeed send me to bring you back.” He responded with a courteous bow.

“Oh! I knew Eva wouldn’t…” She almost jumped for joy only to pause in the middle of her words, a dark look overtaking her face, “Sorry, I can’t go yet, the undead…”

“The undead?” Taurox queried and the girl silenced herself out of fear. Fucking Inquisitors, no tact.

“Don’t worry, he’s a…friend of sorts.” Baylein reassured her and the minotaur broke into a wry grin. Gently, he gestured for the maid to go on and she finally spoke again.

“We were in the ruins...fighting this giant charred undead...and then they, the undead, took someone and they left a while ago and…” She babbled.

“Sophie...slow down…start from the top and give me a moment to rest up yeah?” Her injured friend groaned from the side and Baylein finally spotted why he felt so confused when they arrived in a strange hobble, she’s missing a leg.

“Sorry, of course.” Sophie hung her head shamefully and a small gurgle escaped from her stomach that silenced the crowd.

Taurox looked over and Baylein could see the question in his eye, but shaking his head he wanted to know what agitated the girl so much and gestured for the minotaur to hold the thought. With a snort the minotaur acquiesced and they quickly dolled out little cups of stew to the two and settled in for the report, a sense of unease washing over the two warriors as their battle tested intuitions began tingling in anticipation.