The Forsaken Hero

I started to disagree with Elise, but after a second, I reluctantly shook my head. If Fyren actually went after the church, the casualties would probably reach tens of thousands. And that was if he refrained from using eighth-level attacks.

Elise nodded. ”Retaliation on their level might just wipe this city off the map. It’s too high a risk for him to take.”

”Oh.” I slumped in my chair, staring into the slowly spinning tea in my cup. Never mind the Devoted, once Luke arrived...I shuddered just thinking about what he might do. It would already be hard enough to convince him not to attack the inquisitors outright. How much more so if he knew they had actually attacked me first?

”You said the church was quiet?” I finally asked. ”Aren’t they worried you might convince the elves?”

”Apparently not. I would have much preferred it if they actively fought against us, because that means they believe there’s a chance we could do it. But as it is, it begs the question of why they’re still here. After all, once the elves refuse the demon’s terms, they’re going to be obliterated. Why risk staying in the country?”

I nodded. I tried to take a sip of tea, but my throat was too dry to swallow.

”They’re still hunting your divinity,” she continued. ”They must think they’ll have the best opportunity to do it here, in the city. And after hearing your account, they almost succeeded through the Dark Guild.”

”The Dark Guild won’t try again,” I said.

”You’re certain?”

I nodded. The one thing I’d been able to confirm through my visions was that Aerion had, in fact, bullied them into submission.

”What do you think the church might try next, then?” Elise asked. ”Have you seen anything?”

”No, but...they won’t have an opportunity for a while. Some weeks, maybe a month. But after that...? I can’t say.”

”What do you mean? As long as you’re in the city, they’ll be able to...you’re leaving, aren’t you? No, not just you,” she said, narrowing her eyes. ”Xiviyah, what’s going to happen?”

A loud, harsh bell sounded, reverberating through the courtyard. Even though I was expecting it, I still jumped, gripping my tail in my lap. Elise stared at me with wide eyes.

It came again, then a third time, before fading away. A solemn silence took its place, a hush over the entire city.

”What was that?” she asked in a whisper.

I stood, taking a deep breath. ”Jenna, please contact Korra, would you? You can find her soul in the southern training yard, sparring against Gayron. Tell them to meet us at the manor.” Turning to Elise, I gave her a small, tired smile. ”Connor’s making a move.”

Elise and the Star Guard stared at me. Jenna, though riddled with confusion, nodded. ”On it.”

Elise jumped to her feet, chasing after me as I made my way back to the manor.

”What do you mean, Connor’s making a move? Is he attacking the city? But he doesn’t even have a foothold in Sylvarus yet!”

”Not Duskwood, but another place he’s reaching for that foothold,” I explained. ”And Elise, please, don’t try and come. You’ll do more good here, continuing to work among the elves.”

”You’re sure?” When I nodded, she looked relieved. ”Thank the gods. Those Risen...” she shivered. ”I’ll be more than happy to stay behind. I may be sixth level, but I’m not much of a fighter.”

”You fight in a different way. Like me,” I said.

”I suppose that’s fair.” She forced a small smile. ”So does that mean you’re not going, either?”

”I have to. Or bad things will happen,” I admitted.

”What kind of...no, never mind. Just...be safe, alright? And don’t be gone too long. I might pretend, but you’re the one who actually speaks for the demons. I can’t do this without you.”

We arrived in the front courtyard just as the guards were admitting a courier through the front gate. It was a young elvish woman with short, cropped hair and a red ribbon tied around the short sword strapped to her waist. Her forehead was streaked with sweat, and her uniform was wrinkled and flecked with mud. She rushed by us without a glance, pushing through the doors of the manor before the guards could finish opening them.

Korra and Gayron ran up to us, panting heavily. They were covered in cuts and bruises, their clothing torn and unkempt. I eyed them as their wounds slowly knit together in real time. It was an art they learned from one of the remnants a week or so ago, granting them a weak regeneration ability. From how they described it, you didn’t even need to do anything consciously. As long as you had mana, it would slowly heal you.

”What?” Korra asked, giving me a teasing grin. ”Jealous?”

My face warmed. ”N-no...”

She giggled and waved her hand, summoning a small water dragon that twirled around the two, sucking off the dirt and blood.

”Hey!” Gayron spluttered, blinking as the water rolled off him. ”A little warning next time!”

Korra rolled her eyes, reaching over and straightening up his collar. ”Stop whining. You were a mess.”

”And whose fault is that?”

”You guys...” I sighed, rubbing my horn. ”Can’t you take this seriously?”

”Take what seriously? You haven’t explained what’s going on,” Gayron said.

The doors flew open, and Selena strode out. She called to a guard, but then saw us, and stalked over. R’lissea followed behind her, a nervous look on her face. She ran over to us, standing close enough that our arms brushed.

”Good, you’re all present,” Selena stated. ”Let me get straight to the point. The Risen have begun an offensive push against Sangra, a city bordering the Ornth Kingdom. Their local defenses have fallen, and the city lord is requesting assistance. House Sunsinger’s Garrison has been ordered to mobilize and join the Whitemarsh Legion for immediate deployment.”

”Connor, huh? Been a while since we’ve had some real action, what with Xiv hogging the assassins and everything,” Korra said, giving me a grin.

I smiled faintly. ”You can have them next time.”

”Oh? And what about this time?”

My expression darkened. ”There’s going to be plenty enough for everyone. He’s got enough to take the city five times over.”

”You knew about this?” Selena asked. ”Why didn’t you say something?”

”The future isn’t written, and this battle is far from won. Even with my foresight, I have little confidence we’ll emerge unscathed. If I were to share things with you, you would undoubtedly share them with Lady Whitemarsh, and the elvish response would be different. Everything I’d seen would be obsolete.”

”But isn’t that what happened at Blacksand?” R’lissea asked.

”That was...if things had gone just a little differently...” I shrank back a step, shivering violently. ”Never again.”

”Now I’m curious,” Korra said, leaning forward. ”What exactly happened? You were pretty vague about that before.”

Selena broke in. ”More importantly, why say anything at all? You can’t expect me not to ask for more information as we plan our arrival.”

”I know, and I’ll share what I can. But I’m a lot more confident in the threats we specifically are going to be facing. It’s the clash between your army and the Risen hordes that I can’t predict.”

”I see, then in that case, I’ll proceed with my orders and formally request that you join our forces in defending the city. We don’t have the power to contest the Hero in addition to his forces, especially if he brought his undead dragon with him.”

”Who put you up to this?” Elise asked suddenly.

Selena smiled briefly. ”Lady Whitemarsh, actually. Given the circumstances, she gave me limited ability to bargain with you for your help. Assuming you asked.”

”At least she didn’t assume we’d save their sorry hides,” Korra muttered.

”You don’t mind if I ask for something, do you?” Elise asked, looking at me.

I shook my head.

”Then, in that case, this is a good chance to request a private audience with Lady Whitemarsh herself. But you guys have to win. It’s our chance to show her we’re here in good faith,” Elise said.

”I’m certain she’ll see it that way,” Selena said. ”Now, if you’re agreed...?”

We exchanged glances. Korra sighed, and Gayron shrugged.

”I’m willing,” R’lissea said. Her hands balled into fists. ”I’m not letting Connor hurt anyone else.”

”Then let us make haste. I’ve already sent out muster to the Skyport.”

”What?” I stopped in my tracks, tail going rigid.

”Didn’t see that coming?” Korra asked, nudging me playfully.

”We’ll never make it in time marching overland,” Selena said. ”We’ll be leading the advance force by skyship. It’s only a two-hour flight, so we’ll be there around noon.”

”Come on,” Korra said, taking me by the arm and pulling me toward a waiting carriage. ”Didn’t you enjoy flying here the first time? It’ll be fun!”

I cast a final, terrified look back at the manor gates before the door swung shut. Elise smiled reassuringly, flanked by a few servants who had yet to return.

”It’s not the flight there that scares me. Well, it does, but...there’s only one skydock in the city,” I mumbled.

”Only one?” Korra’s eyes lit up. ”Here that Gayron? We’re going to be the first people in Enusia to free dive off a skyship!”