The Forsaken Hero

”She’s safe and sound with the elves in Brackencliff. It might be the safest she’s been since the Circle took her from Heartland.” Korra said.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Ever since arriving, I’d been sneaking peeks around the camp and pavilion, looking for glossy brown hair or a tuft of ruddy fox fur. After so many joyful reunions, I felt a pang of longing at being denied this one, and yet...

”I’m glad she’s safe,” I said. Then, turning to Bethiv, said, ”And what of the soldiers?”

The commander sighed, running a hand through his hair. ”I won’t sugarcoat things. They’re tired, Xiviyah, deeply so. We’ve marched halfway across the world, fighting wars for people we’ve never met. For people who refused to stand for us when the gods enslaved our kingdom.”

”If I may, My Lady,” Joel asked, bowing slightly

I frowned at him, tail twitching.

”Xiviyah,” he corrected smoothly. When I nodded, he continued, ”Many of our soldiers joined this force to fight against the circle. To be frank, that goal was accomplished, and they see no need to defend the pointy ears. Perhaps, were they grateful, or offered a semblance of assistance, we might be inclined, but as it stands...”

”Pointy ears?” R’lissea muttered, self-consciously touching her ear.

I held my tongue, wanting to censure the captain, but it would be vain. Considering his roots in Brithlite, the most human-centric nation on the northern continent, ’pointy ears’ was rather tame as far as derogatory slurs went. I was more surprised that he and the rest of the army fought for the elves at all.

”I’d just let them all burn, personally,” Gayron said, earning a glare from everyone in the tent.

”Gayron!” Korra said, butting him with her shoulder. ”If they wanted your input, they would have asked.”

”What of the rest of the kingdom?” R’lissea asked in a small voice. ”Even...even with so many lost on the border, there were so few powerful Risen in the horde, which means many elvish warriors are still alive. They might not have a ninth-level being, but they have lots of seventh and eighth. I trained with them before...before everything happened.”

”Where are they, then? Why aren’t they helping you defend their own people?” I asked, searching the faces of the soldiers. None of them met my gaze, except for Bethiv, who just sighed.

”We don’t know. The Archmage has requested aid several times, but her messengers have always been put aside. What little might the outer cities have left has been put to use securing and protecting refugees. For as big as the Risen horde was, it was only a small part of the population of the territory we’ve lost to the Black Mist.”

”The estimates report close to a hundred thousand refugees,” Joel added.

”That many?” R’lissea asked, clasping her hands to her chest. ”Then...almost everyone’s alive. Thank the gods.”

”Well, we’re certainly not thanking the Council,” Jackal muttered.

”Even so, as it stands, there’s little more we can do here,” Bethiv said, quieting his captains with a sharp look. ”Our own supplies are running low, as is morale and fighting spirit. Of course, it’ll surge that you’ve come back to us, but the lads and lasses want to be back with their families, helping them rebuild in the ashes of Brithlite’s fall.”

”I see. Thank you for everything you’ve done. It’s so much more than I ever could have hoped,” I said.

”Your grace is more than we deserve.”

We spoke a little longer, delving deeper into the state and provisions of the company. But, at some point, they took notice of my glazed eyes and absently twitching tail, and had mercy on me.

”Why don’t we finish this discussion later. We’ve only just reunited, and yet here we are talking your ear off,” Bethiv said, standing. ”I assume it’s your plan to strike out for Brackencliff with us? I’m not sure about your demons, but the archmage will want to thank you herself.”

”Me? But what did I do?” I asked.

”Hmm?” He seemed genuinely surprised. ”What didn’t you do? Your demons culled nearly half of the Risen forces in the area, not to mention you drove the hero off, himself. It’ll be weeks, if not months, before they’re ready to stage another full-scale invasion.”

”By that time, we’ll have the demons to worry about,” Korra said, rubbing her chin. ”We had two weeks, right?”

Bethiv glanced at us, pursing his lips. ”Two weeks?”

”Well, um, the truth is, we’re actually here to call for the elves’ surrender,” I admitted in a small voice.

It was so quiet I could hear the distant screeches and roars of my demons. My tail started to twitch, swishing anxiously across the packed dirt ground.

”Not defend them?” Bethiv asked slowly.

I shook my head. ”There’s much I have to tell you, and so little time. But know that the gods and demons...their war is so much bigger than this world. Luke, the Apostle of the Descent and leader of the Infernal Horde, has given me a chance to save the elves and their shards, but I have to convince them first. And I need a shard.”

”There’s one at Brackencliff,” Korra said.

”Yes, but I don’t think the elves will be so generous as to let you mess with it. Amongst all their lands, they have only three shards. One in Brackencliff, one in their Duskwood, their capital, and the last in a fortress overlooking their only real harbor. Even registered adventurers have to gain a permit to visit them,” Bethiv said.

”They’ll let me. They have to,” I said.

He snorted. ”Well, I suppose if you show up with forty thousand demons, they won’t have much of a choice. But are you certain it will be safe to bring your horde onto Syvalrus land?”

”I trust them.”

He studied my face before nodding. ”Then so shall I.”

Bethiv stood, looking around at the gathered officers and soldiers. Clearing his throat, he folded his hands neatly behind his back.

”As of this moment, I renew our Company’s oath to Lady Xiviyah, the Oracle of Eternity. Our debt to her is immeasurable, and our desire to serve unmatched. Are there any who stand opposed?”

I swallowed hard, clutching Bprealis close as all eyes turned to me again. The formality of Bethiv’s tone was a little unsettling. Earnest, yet intimidating. Silence met his inquiry.

”Then, my lady, please accept our oath of allegiance again. Our swords, spears, and spells are yours to command.”

”I-I do,” I said timidly.

He gave me an encouraging smile. ”Excellent. Then on your word, let us depart to Brackencliff.”

I brushed the Primordial mark, sharing the plan with Fyren, Incinderus, and Zephyriss. They responded instantly, filling the bond with affirmation.

”Will you be traveling with us, once more?” Bethiv asked.

”Um, I...I wouldn’t be a bother, would I?” I asked shyly.

”You’re presence is never a burden. Now, strike camp,” he said, calling to his officers. ”Dusk isn’t far off, and I’d like to be well away from here by then.”

As the order went down, the Last Light Company sprang into action. I gathered with Korra, R’lissea, and Elise by Fable’s side, discussing our plans.

”So, we’ll finally get to sleep among people again?” Elise asked, eyes hopeful.

”At last,” R’lissea sighed, rubbing her head. ”I can’t say I’ll miss the constant growls and groans. I may have gotten used to them, but there’s nothing endearing about sleeping amongst demons.”

”It wasn’t so bad,” I said, laughing.

Elise shivered. ”Maybe for you, but I don’t have a special mark reassuring me of anything. Every time I left the tent, it felt like one of them was eyeing me for dinner.”

”Honestly, sounds kind of exciting,” Korra said, eyeing Borealis, for some reason. ”I bet you got a lot of chances to spar.”

Gayron snorted. ”Few demons can keep up with us, though I suppose Xiviyah’s are a bit different. Perhaps we could convince that fire demon lord to show us a thing or two. They’re ancient existences, and likely know magic and techniques long forgotten to any living world.”

”Really? Alright, first thing tomorrow--” she began.

”Korra!” I cried, clutching at her sleeve. ”Please! Let’s just get to Brackencliff before you start anything.”

She broke into a laugh and took my arm, helping me onto Fable’s back. Elise jumped up after me, arms laced loosely around my waist, but R’lissea remained on the ground.

”Not riding?” I asked.

She shrugged. ”It was lonely before, but I don’t mind stretching my legs with Korra. That battle wasn’t nearly long enough to count as exercise.”

”Agreed,” Korra said.

I shook my head, snuggling a little deeper into Fable’s fur. Why anyone would choose to walk anywhere was beyond me. Or perhaps that perspective had just been ingrained in me from the endless days Soltair dragged me around the Radian mountains. Just thinking of hiking anywhere made my feet hurt.

In only a few minutes, the Last Light Company and Devoted were prepared to move. Casting one last look at the crater that once held the proud city of Echo Hearth, I turned and patted Fable’s shoulder. There was death behind us, but a chance for life ahead. Everything would change once we reached Brackencliff City.