Tales of Eleutheros

Robert sat in the dining hall of the keep, silent, but looking intently at his hands. His vision blurred as tears welled in his eyes. Again, he cursed himself for his weakness and looked around to see if any Dae were watching him. The words shared with Katrina were more than a bit hurtful; the two had been inseparable for years. Things had changed, though; in that respect, she was absolutely correct. His resolve hardened at that moment. He knew he had to find a way back home, find a way to return his life to normalcy. It was then that the door opened, and two Dae warriors entered. Behind them was a young Dae woman with large and cumbersome robes.

“Hello,” the Dae woman said, and looked at a small paper she was holding. “Robert, is it?” Her smile widened as he nodded. “My name is Amynta, I was told to meet you here by lady Illya. She said that you are in search of knowledge.”

Robert looked at the girl; she was strangely rigid and looked like someone uncomfortable around people. “I am.” He stood to greet her. “I want to try and understand what happened to us; anything would be helpful. Is it possible to go back to that forest? Maybe there is some clue that we missed.”

“Well,” she said politely. “I am not sure Hego Agron would agree to an expedition like that.”

Robert just blinked at her. He wasn’t disappointed as much as he was frustrated. It seemed like every step he tried to take toward finding some answers brought some inconvenient obstacle to block him.

“First,” Amynta continued, “the spirits there are not friendly. They tend to attack Dae that venture into their territory. Second, there are Rexunii raiding parties all near our southern border. And believe me, you do not want to run into them.”

Robert sat down again, closing his eyes in deep contemplation. There has to be some way.

“Perhaps if we appeal to Hego Agron,” she said, “he might provide us with a detachment of warriors for protection. After all, this might be a good opportunity to gain some knowledge about what you are and what your coming here might mean.”

Daniel opened his hands and clenched them, still trembling from his experience in the shrine.

“Remarkable,” Oros said, looking him over. “There is a clear difference in your energy, my friends.”

Boros stood proudly before his brother, smiling broadly. “It was the same spirit from the plains that we encountered. It manifested itself in the earth shrine and helped Katrina find her Dunamis.”

Oros nodded. “Was there a similar manifestation in yours?” he asked Daniel.

“No,” he said. “I… followed the call… and found myself in the fire shrine, but I managed to get it on my own.”

Daniel, Katrina, and Boros had returned hastily to bring their discovery of their new power to Oros and their father Agron, who sat silently observing the conversation.

The large doors of the throne room opened, and the grey-skinned Avria entered, flanked by Eslan and Vikko on either side. She walked before Hego Agron, pointedly ignoring Oros and Boros, and bowed deeply.

“You summoned me, my Lord?” she said, and stood upright.

“Yes,” the Hego said, finally breaking his silence. “It would appear that the humans have found the Dunamis.”

Avria’s eyes widened slightly, and she looked at Boros, who stood still smirking. “I… are you sure?” she asked.

Agron continued. “It would seem that a spirit manifested itself in the earth shrine as well. The Espi-Dae there has confirmed this, as well as many Dae who were present. The humans have voiced a desire to learn from us in the ways of our abilities, to better understand our world.”

“But my Hego Agron,” Avria protested, “we know next to nothing about them or their true intentions. It would seem a great misjudgment to further their knowledge in our ways, before being absolutely sure of what it is we are actually dealing with.”

Several moments passed as Agron shook his head slightly. “No, Avria, not only are we going to show them our abilities, but we are going to teach them how to use them.” He leaned forward in his throne toward her. “There have been two manifestations of spirits in Vul De Rah in as many weeks. Something that has never happened here before. We all witnessed Gro’ak appear, and now a plains spirit? Who, I might add, took it upon itself to help her find the Dunamis, and provide her with its name. When have you ever heard of that outside of a children’s story?” The Hego leaned back into his throne and let out a long sigh. “No, Avria, we will do what we can to help them. I trust the words and actions of the spirits we worship over the misguided thoughts of a Dae we all know to be corrupt.”

Avria bit her tongue but bowed regardless of her objections. “How should we proceed then, my Lord?”

“Katrina wishes to train under the tutelage of our steadfast and skilled ward,” Oros said, looking at her with a smug smile.

Avria stiffly turned to him, not attempting to hide her irritation. “What do you mean?”

“She says she would like to become your squire. Learn the ways of the Dunamis, and the secrets of the great spirits,” Oros said, causing Boros to chuckle.

The Dae ward scoffed and brought her hand to her forehead. Rubbing her brow, she shrugged her shoulders and looked to the Hego. “Is this your command, my Lord?”

“This is not because she has asked for it, but because I would trust few beyond my children for such a task. Your power and judgment are what I am relying on, dear Avria, to watch over them and ensure that they are not harmed.” Agron looked at her softly, as a father would his daughter.

“They?” she asked, looking at Daniel. “Forgive me my Lord, but I do not think that—”

“Don’t worry,” Oros said, cutting her off. “We have already discussed it, Daniel will train under me.” He turned to look at him. Daniel nodded. During their short time here, Oros had proven himself to be, at least to Daniel, very honorable, and at least worthy of his trust. He couldn’t think of anyone better to teach him.

Agron raised his eyebrows at the words. “You are sure of this? You would accept him as your squire?”

“Of course, father,” Oros said, striding over to Daniel and placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “I could think of no one more worth my efforts. This will give us an opportunity to learn from them as well.”

Avria sighed, heavily, glancing to Katrina, then Daniel. “If this is your will, my Hego, I will of course abide.” She straightened. “Though, I will expect my training to be unimpeded, by anyone.” She turned to face Oros.

“As long as you do your best to keep her from harm,” Agron said. “You can train her at your discretion.”

Avria bowed her head. “Thank you, Hego Agron.”

There was a long pause as they all stood in the throne room. Seeing the opportunity to voice his main concern, Daniel cleared his throat and spoke.

“I have two friends that must have come here with me… to your world. I would like to go and find them if we can, or at least search for other humans that might have come here. I don’t want them being killed like…” He paused. “Like the other one.”

Oros looked at his father. Agron just nodded.

“Daniel, we will do what we can. I will have my warriors find any information on humans that have been sighted. I promise you that if any information is found, I will take you with me to personally investigate.

Daniel smiled at the Kryo. “Thank you, Oros. I really appreciate it.”

Then the doors once again slid open, and Amynta entered with Robert in tow. The robed scholar approached and bowed deeply to the Hego.

“My Hego Agron, thank you for accepting our audience. This human, Robert, has asked me to bring forth a proposition for you in regards to the mystery of their strange arrival.”

She turned to Robert, who swallowed hard and stepped in front of her.

“Hego Agron,” he said, “I have come to ask if you might allow an expedition of some kind to venture to the Spirit Forest and try to find anything that might give us some insight on how we got here.”

“Robert,” Katrina said, walking to him, her eyes filled with guilt from her earlier outburst. “We found that we do have their magic.” She gestured to Daniel.

Robert looked at her but said nothing, his eyes now cold and determined.

“Daniel and I are going to learn how to use it. We should wait a bit before we go on the expedition until we have a better understanding of it.”

“No, Kat,” he said, “I’m doing this now. Even if I have to leave by myself, I’m going back there and finding out how the hell we got here and how to get back.”

Robert looked again at Agron. “Please, my Lord, this will serve to help explain your defense of us to your king. I heard from Krya Illya that he’s not happy with how you are protecting us. There is a chance that you may also prove to him that we aren’t actually demons.”

Agron sighed and looked to Avria, who had her arms crossed over her chest. “I don’t see why we shouldn’t, My Hego; this may, in fact, prove to be more beneficial to us than we realize. The king is sure to retaliate in some way, as having uncooperating clans does not show for a strong leader.” Avria walked over to where Robert was standing. “If Hego Agron approves your little expedition, you will need some protection. The Southern border is not a safe or secure area at the moment.”

Amynta stepped forward, looking apprehensive before Avria.

“My Lord and lady, we would only need a small detachment of warriors. Not even the Rexunii are mad enough to venture near the Spirit Forest. The dark spirit they worship is frowned upon by all the spirits who make that forest their home.”

Avria turned to face the Hego. “My Hego Agron, my advice remains the same. I know some adequate warriors who are eager to prove their worth to you. Say the word, and I will have them organize it.”

Agron pondered heavily for a moment. “These are troubling times indeed, but we must do what we can to pursue the truth in all of this. I give your expedition my blessing. Avria, appoint a warrior you see fit to lead them.” The Hego took this final word and stood from his throne. “Now, I have some other pressing matters that I must attend to. Oros, see to our human guests.”

All in the throne room bowed as the Hego made his exit, his six crimson-clad bodyguards close behind.

Avria turned to Oros and Boros as the doors closed and gave her what looked like a death stare.

“This is all your fault, you fools. Your little games could bring down all that we have worked so hard to achieve. Peace with the Rexunii, an alliance with the Magune’ clan, our sovereign king, all dashed with the appearance of these creatures, and the—.”

“And the appearance of Gro’ak before your damned eyes,” Oros said, stepping toward her. “You can doubt all you want, you can complain and scheme to raise your station, but in the end, it is the spirits who guide my actions. You have been given a task by your Hego, to train and tend to this human to the best of your ability. Do so, or bring even more disgrace to the Regios family name.”

Oros’ last words seemed to light a fire in the Dae woman. Her eyes narrowed, clearly due to the inconspicuous jab at her younger brother’s failure. She took a few steps forward and bared her teeth.

“I have it in my mind to challenge you to a duel in the glade, Kryo. You tread on dangerous matters.” She stiffened her neck but let out a deep breath. “Either way, it is not our Hego Agron’s judgment that worries me. Only that of his two bumbling sons.” She looked at Katrina, who flinched at the sudden attention. “You will follow me from now on. You will live on my family estate, and you will obey my every command. As my squire, you will do as you are told, fight the way I teach you, and by the spirits, if you disappoint me, not even Gro’ak will be able to save you from my wrath.” Avria’s eyes then met with Daniel’s, but her heated momentum was diminished by them. She said nothing to him, just motioned to Eslan and Vikko to follow, and turned to leave the throne room. Before stepping through the large doors, she stopped and turned back to see Katrina still standing where she was.

“Well?” she yelled, spinning to walk out the door.

Katrina flinched, and darted after the Dae warrior.

“What a terrible fate,” Boros said, shaking his head while the doors slid closed.

“What the hell is she thinking?” Robert said. “You’re both crazy.” He turned to Daniel.

Daniel sighed and shook his head. So much for sticking together.