Chapter 14 - The Streets of Oakheart

  Once outside the small crater that used to be the tower’s entrance, Ohen led the group through the main streets of the city. To take precaution, Taenith had used another of Tex’s remaining invisibility orbs. Now, instead of being chased by crazed magic slinging guards, they could actually enjoy a standard pace. This also allowed Taenith to fully realize the magnitude of the city’s gilded interior. When they first entered, he hadn’t the time to fully grasp its status, mostly because his vision was coated in fire and blood. But now, looking more closely, he could fully appreciate Oakheart’s beauty. The roads were composed of shaven and glimmering metallic stone, and the homes and businesses lining the streets were constructed from stained oak, and decorated with fine marble trim. The style - rather nouveau and ironically elvish - was in stark contrast to Woodhurst's more rustic, patchwork designs. Even more, besides many buildings were gardens filled to the brim with lillies, smaller violet trees and bright blue flowers that seemed to glow. Even the citizens were a sight to behold. Adults and children, all human, were decorated in fine silks and ornate jewelry that dangled from their ears and necks. Looking over the citizens through his cloaked gaze, however, made him feel a dual sensation of envy and disgust. And somehow, probably by his draconian grumbling, Tex took notice of his discontent.

  “Something the matter?” she asked.

  Taenith looked down to Tex. It was all he could do to not step on someone else’s heels. He’d hate to fall on her or some poor passerby simply because he didn't know where his feet were landing.

  “It’s nothing,” Taenith said, slight irritation in his tone as they made their way down an alleyway - to the less desirable parts of the city, where fewer guards lingered.

  “What? Still upset about the punch?”

  Taenith huffed.

  “You deserved it.” Tex said. “Don’t lie, and I won’t punch you.”

  “I didn’t lie.”

  “Not telling the whole truth? That’s a lie.”

  Taenith bit his tongue to think for a moment. He knew deep down that what he did was somewhat distasteful, but he couldn’t help but feel this attitude towards him was unjustified.

  “You say that as if either of you have been completely honest with us,” he said. Sham and the others were just out of earshot as he spoke. He didn’t want to anger the wizard with what he was about to say.

  “An old man with the power of a god at his fingertips, and a woman who travels to hell with him for fun. Yes. Tell me again you don’t carry secrets,” he said, nearly baring his teeth. “I stand by what I did. And I won’t be made to regret it.”

  Tex was silent for a moment. He had a point. They hadn’t been exactly honest with them about who they were. “I guess you have a point,” she smirked. “How about this?”

  Taenith raised a brow.

  “From here on, no more secrets. Does that sound fair?”

  Taenith paused briefly in his steps. He hadn’t prepared for that kind of reply. At most he expected a punch in the gut.

  “Yes,” he said, glancing down to her waist. He had seen Sham gesture to the strange object placed at her hip earlier, but he dared not ask what it was then.

  “Let’s start with that,” he pointed to the item, forgetting he was invisible.

  Tex blinked for a moment before she realized what he was probably alluding to. It had been tied to her for so long, she sometimes forgot it was actually there.

  “This?” she said, grabbing the hilt of the wrapped weapon.

  “Yes.”

  “It’s the hand of a dead Elder God wrapped around the heart of Icarus. It kills mostly anything by physical contact. It’s how we’re going to end Jakob once and for all.”

  Taenith’s stomach sank. He wasn’t actually expecting her to tell him anything. “Wait...isn’t Icarus alive? How-?” his words failed him as he tried to wrap his head around the concept.

  “Gods are immortal, so hearts are sort of… irrelevant. Anyways, long story short; Icarus was rivals with another god, who he eventually killed. At some point he combined his own heart with the flesh of his brother to create an artifact that had the power of two Elder Deities.”

  “And you, a mortal, received this… how?”

  “During one of our trips to the Rift, we encountered Icarus. He tried to keep us from leaving, so we fought back. Unfortunately for him, our friend Michael managed to slice off the arm he was holding the mace with,” Tex said. “So we took it and ran. And he’s been after it ever since. That’s why I keep it concealed in this magical cloth. If it ever became revealed, we would never see the end of demons fighting us for it.”

  “Isn’t it a bit risky to use against Jakob then?”

  Tex shrugged. “It’ll be a pain in the ass for a while. But this is one of few weapons in existence that can trap souls. So it's worth the risk if it means keeping him from resurrecting again.”

  “I suppose that makes sense,” Taenith said, exhaling. A few days ago he had never even heard of magic. Now they were talking about dead gods and enchanted heart maces. If anything, it made his own hatred of Lunas feel small. “You fight gods for fun. And here I am…” his words trailed off. “I guess that’s the difference between us,” he frowned.

  “We all start somewhere,” Tex said. Though she couldn’t physically see him, she knew what effect her stories had on the inexperienced. It could often be discouraging. After all, most people lived their whole lives not knowing anything outside of their own village, let alone their realm of existence. “But for someone who’s never encountered this life before yesterday, I’d say you’re catching on quickly. And you ask the right questions,” she added, patting the Icarus mace before retying it to her belt.

  “Thanks,” Taenith gave a weak smile.

  “Come on. We’re falling behind with all this talk,” she said.

  Taenith hadn’t even noticed, but the rest of the group was already more than a block ahead of them. Nodding, he followed her as they made their way into a muddy cobblestone street filled with broken down homes with shattered glass windows and burnt roofs. Yet, he didn’t feel the grime overcome him. Rather, as he followed Tex, he couldn't help but notice how the sun’s light that shined through the street bounced off her form. Beneath its rays, her steel armor electrified her beautiful red hair and short muscular frame. For some reason, a small weight wrapped itself around his heart and throat as he found himself staring. But when he realized this, he quickly whisked his attention to the denizens of the streets, who were much less desirable. There were several individuals dressed in rags kneeling on the ground with their hands held together and faced towards the sky. They were chanting words in a language he didn't know. Though, the all too familiar names of Lunas and the demigod Palem were mentioned frequently.

  "Pour souls," Taenith thought. He nearly spoke his mind to the misguided mortals but quickly realized the pointlessness of the endeavor. What human would listen to the thoughts of a young Draconian anyways? They’d just pass him off as a demon.

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  "Praise the gods!" An old woman missing several teeth spat towards Grizzel and the others as they struggled to pass an old stone church. Taenith tried to avoid contact with the encroaching masses, but their proximity made it nearly impossible. Luckily, most of them seemed focused on Sham and Grizzel, whose apostle armor, though torn and mangled, made him stand out above the rest. Various humans with dirty faces and ragged clothing practically pressed their forlorn bodies against them and the others with wooden bowls raised above their balding heads.

  "Offerings for the divine ones!" One of the humans shouted while shoving a bowl in front of Tex. Instead of raising a fist or her sword, as he or the others might have expected, she withdrew a leather bag and fished for several gold coins, which she dropped into the bowl. Wordlessly astonished, the man and those surrounding him bowed twice before hastily retreating, already planning how to spend their small bounty. Hugs and kisses were exchanged before they vanished into the old broken down church building. No longer was their melancholy haplessness a dampening shroud over the streets.

  After passing through the slum district, it only took another half hour to reach the gates. No longer were the streets cracked cobblestone and mud. They had been replaced by the same sleek and stainless stone that they saw earlier. And no longer were the people scabbed, balding or wrinkled. Rather, they were clean, glossy, and boasted heavy heads of flowing hair. Even the various shops, restaurants, and homes peppering this new district were pristine and spotless as opposed to burnt and decayed.

  “Alright. The exit we’re taking leads to farm fields and the woods. Tex, I would suggest going to the mountain outpost to see if there are any hippogriffs left. They should help you get to the castle faster. And once I teleport away from here and Jakob sees my magical trail, he should have no reason to believe you’re coming.”

  “I still don’t like the idea of splitting up. I feel like staying together would be easier,” Grizzel interjected.

  Sham turned to the apostle and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Trust me. This is for the best.”

  “He’s right. Let’s stick to the plan and get this over with,” Tex said.

  Grizzel bit his lip and sighed before nodding. Patting his shoulder, Sham turned to face the gate in the near distance. There were only a few apostles guarding it, probably since it was just an uncommon farming route. This was perfect for them.

  “For this next part, let me do the talking,” he said.

  The group approached the gate, and we stopped by yet another captain. This one, however, was far less decorated than the one Tex decapitated. And, he seemed far more bored. The other guards beside him were laying against the wall, their eyes practically shut asleep.

  “Stop,” the captain raised a hand towards them. His other was placed at the hilt of his sword.

  “We’re just passing through. Trying to get to our farm before nightfall,” Sham said.

  The apostle raised a brow as he looked over the three behind him. “I’ve never seen you before. What’s your name?”

  “Rubinas. Robert Rubinas,” he smiled and gestured to the others. “And these are my friends. They’re visiting me for a few weeks.”

  “Visitors, eh?” the captain exhaled. “We don’t get many visitors around these parts. Right?” He shot his squad a stern glare, but they continued their near slumber. One soldier even had a string of drool rolling down his chin. “Right?!” he slammed his foot into the ground, shaking them awake and causing the one soldier’s spittle to fall to the ground with a slushy splash.

  “Y-yes sir!” they said in unison, rubbing their red eyes.

  “I swear...” the captain cracked his jaw before facing Sham again. “Fine. Go on your way.” He whisked his hand at them and stepped aside for them to pass through. “Just be careful. We’ve had reports of a monster attacking farmers recently. Not that it should be a problem for your friends.”

  Grizzel smiled. “Thanks!”

  The captain rolled his eyes and watched Han follow the others out of the gateway. His cape trailed behind him, hiding the backs of his legs and brushing just so carefully off the surface of the dirt, almost like a tail.

  “Well that was easy,” Grizzel whispered as they finally escaped the inner walls.

  “Wait!” the captain shouted. The sound of metal screeching from a scabbard could be heard as the apostle stomped towards them with his two guards alongside him. Taenith barely stepped out of the way in time as the captain almost plowed through him.

  “Something the matter?” Sham asked. His gut sank in fear of the worst. He could practically feel Tex tightening her grip on the sword at her side.

  Without responding, the gruff captain grabbed a chunk of Han’s cape and thrust it upwards over his shoulder. A spark of gleeful purpose marinated the apostle’s gaze for the briefest of moments as he imagined the glory that would come to him for uncovering a traveling demihuman.

  The banquets. The housing. The gold...

  Han’s lungs practically froze as he stood. He was not about to get killed for “resisting.”

  When the captain saw nothing was there, a deep weight settled in his stomach. His dreams of praise from the Grand Paladin...from Deacon. They vanished from him. Gone from the tips of his fingers along with his pride. With a deep sigh, the guard waved Han off, his eyes trailing the dirt where his heart had plummeted.

  “Never mind. Carry on,” he mumbled before heading back to his post for another evening of eventless squalor in the least of the city’s sectors.

  Han took a deep breath and exhaled while Sham gave a friendly wave to the guards, who did not reciprocate the sentiment. After a short, nervous walk, the group was finally free from the clutches of the cultic city. Once more they found themselves on a path to the Black Forest. Lucky for Taenith too, because not even ten minutes after leaving the view of the guards, his invisibility faded. In their eagerness, they only ever came to a stop once they got to the very edge of the farmlands, where homes were few and far between. And, as it was later in the day, the farmers and their children had already hurried inside to eat their vegetable and meat heavy dinners by their charcoal glazed fireplaces. This allowed Taenith to more comfortably walk alongside his friends, as it was unlikely another apostle or deacon would be wandering the barrens of society.

  Once the group neared the forest line, Sham came to a brief stop.

  “This will be where we part ways,” Sham said as he turned to face the others. “Once you’re past this thicket you’ll just need to climb up the nearest mountain to get to the outpost. Tex knows the way.”

  “We won’t let you down,” Grizzel said with a half-grin. But Sham saw through the charade. He knew the exiled apostle was still upset at him for leaving so soon after they had talked.

  “Stay well, Valone. And don’t worry. We’ll see each other again,” Sham patted him on the shoulder and whispered into his ear. “Just remember our talk.” Ohen squeezed his shoulder and smiled before facing Taenith and Han. “Thank you all for helping us. I understand all this talk of magic and gods can be… overwhelming. But you seem to be catching on quickly,” he faced Han. “Handle Jakob like that deacon and you’ll be home before you know it.”

  Han scratched his head, “I don’t know. I think that was just luck,” he chuckled.

  “There’s no such thing as luck my friend,” Sham smiled before turning to Taenith.

  “I wish I had more to say to you, friend. But I’m afraid we haven’t really gotten to know each other very well. Maybe next time.”

  Taenith nodded.

  Then, finally, Ohen came to Tex. Judging by her folded arms, he knew there was something on her mind. So, once he said his goodbyes, he ushered her to join him away from the others.

  “Where will you go?” Tex asked. Her gaze was focused on the forest.

  “Well, if you hadn’t interrupted me, you would know,” he teased.

  Tex rolled her eyes.

  “North I think. If any of our allies survived, they probably gathered at Oltahj or Taalund.”

  Tex was silent for a moment. A cool gust of wind blew over the party. “...Are you sure about this? Going after Kingswatch? It’s a big play.”

  Sham chuckled, pursing his wrinkled eyes together with a smirk. “I’m a selfish old man, Miss Vanador. I’ve been gone for too long,” he glanced towards Taenith. “And I’m tired of watching.” He smiled, taking her hands in his own. “I’m sorry it took me so long to come around. After…” he stopped.

  Tex looked into Sham’s golden, tired eyes.

  “It’s not your fault…” her voice wavered. “Won’t they stop you?”

  “Maybe. They don’t seem to like when my hands get dirty,” he smiled. “But don’t worry. If Lunas is the cause of all of this as Taenith seems to believe, it won’t matter what she thinks anyways.”

  “Just… be careful,” she said.

  Ohen approached his friend with a hug. She tensed for the briefest of moments before wrapping her own arms around him. He knew her too well.

  “Goodbye, Miss Vanador,” he said. And as he took a few steps back, gathering a few hand waves from the others, he vanished in a wave of magic, leaving behind only dancing leaves and dust.