The Realm of Austur Episode 2: New Consequences

"But... Did you mean it?" she asked even though Vincent was already far away in the kitchen and likely couldn't hear her.

"Yes I have everything. I checked many times yesterday, and several more times this morning while you were still asleep. I'm sure I have everything I need."

Maybe, just maybe... Maybe he's starting to open up. It seems to me that I wasn't the one who started this new era for Gorgath. It's him. He's changing for the better, and finding reasons to live. And he'll find reasons to bring life back to this city. And I will simply be able to lend a helping hand every now and then, and watch as he makes his a dream a reality... I couldn't be happier with any other job in this grand scheme.

"I don't mind it if you walk with me part of the way. It's become such a normal, everyday thing that it's very calming. So I'm not worried about you coming with me part of the way at all, quite the opposite really. Near Yggdrassil is just fine," Elia said as she picked up her bag and began to walk with Vincent.

"I will. And before you're even able realize how much time has passed, I'll have already safely returned. I won't be gone long," Elia said.

The cloud of shadows swirls and dissipates, revealing Vincent standing at the foot of Yggdrassil. He kneels down, places his hand against the smooth bark, and closes his eyes. He thinks a simple thought, and a ping races across the Net. Vincent then opens his eyes and steps back, waiting. A few minutes later, the temperature skyrockets, and a vortex of swirling ash and flame bursts forth from nothingness. It too quickly dissipates, revealing a very large man in a long crimson coat, with dark skin and a very large scar lining the entire left side of his face.

"I must admit, this is unexpected," the man says, surprised. "That you would contact me directly... Things must be dire indeed."

"Must things be dire for me to contact my own uncle?" Vincent asks, arching an eyebrow. "It's a pleasure to see you too, Raizel."

Raizel mirrors the action. "Are you saying you interrupted my work just to chat? Ha. You are no fool, boy. What do you need?"

"A favor," Vincent replies, his tone darkening. "I need you to look into something for me. What do you know of the Old Ones?"

It took just over two days for Elia to reach what remained of her village. She hadn't been in a hurry to reach it, or else it would have been a much shorter trip, but she was being cautious, and was using the time to help her clear her head. It had been years since she had been there last, and according to others nothing remained of it now but ash. It wasn't what she wanted to believe, but knowing that others really had nothing to gain from lying to her that they couldn't also obtain in much simpler ways, she had to accept that it likely was true.

She had kept in touch with Vincent during that time. Each evening she used the enchanted signet ring to speak to him, reassuring him that she was doing well, was in no danger, and sometimes also telling him about the things she saw along the way. But she had been in her village for two days at that point. After she had reached the meadow where it was, she had stopped checking in. That night she had slept near the edge of the forest, where she could easily retreat if she was found by anyone working on behalf of the Cleatian government, but where she could still see what was left of her former home. She spent many hours that evening and night in silent mediation, appearing as the very picture of solemnity. It was an important step for her, as she allowed herself to truly grieve and to absorb what she saw before her, and that was why she hadn't spoken to Vincent since arriving.

She woke up early the next morning, feeling ready to do something productive. She took the time to walk through what little remained, and noted that there were no remains to be seen in the rubble. Once the sun had risen higher and she could see more clearly, Elia saw that there was a graveyard near the area where a little valley began, which had never been there before. Suddenly she knew what most have happened. Upon the discovery of the destroyed village, type-7 mages from nesrby villages who had dealt closely with the residents of her village had come, and used their magick to identify the remains of those they had known, such as the local merchant and his family. Then the remains had been given proper burials, and as she learned when she examined the markers for each grave, the identity of each victim was engraved on the markers. Great care had been taken to group families, and in any case where the remains of certain family members hadn't been recovered, space was left where they should belong, in case the remains were ever discovered.

Moved to tears by the concern those people had shown for the dead, Elia had to sit down and silently thank those who had went out of their way to do the right thing. But all too soon that peace she had found was taken from her. As she looked out again at the graves, she saw a disturbing trend. The number of empty plots was too high. She quickly checked the area where her own family's remains were. She came from a family of five. There were three graves, and two empty spaces that had been marked. The graves were for her father, mother, and her brother. The empty spaces could only be meant for herself and her sister. She stood up and walked to the next area, where she found the area meant for another family she had known well. They were all accounted for, the father, mother, grandfather, and four sons who had lived in the house closest to her own. But the next area again had an empty plot. Of the three plots, one contained the remains of a young man who had married several months before she left. His wife at that time was not much younger than Elia herself was currently, and she had been pregnant. Beside the young man was the empty plot, and beside that a tiny grave, holding the remains of their child, who could have been no more than a few months old when the village was set ablaze. The young mother hadn't been found.

From family to family, Elia checked to see who was missing. There was clearly a pattern to who was missing. She could account for two of the empty graves; the two meant for herself and Jacob, who she knew were not in the village at the time of the fire. The others though, showed a disturbing picture. Elia knew they were dead, and knew that they couldn't have died there. But the worst part was that she knew they had suffered much more than they would have if they had just been left to die in the fire.

She walked back to where she had slept the night before, clutching her head and trying to figure out what she should do. She had no way to get justice for her family and village, but she knew who had caused it now. Tormented by her own powerlessness, she returned to meditating. The hurt never went away, but after some time she could no longer feel the pain it caused her. Eventually she stood up, and walked into what was left of the meadow where she began to gather flowers, ignoring everything else around her as if she was in a trance. Even when she heard a noise in the forest, she did not move from her task.

If someone is nearby, then they can find me if they wish. I will not run, but I will defend myself. It's probably only a hunter anyway. Maybe they won't come into the clearing. Or if they do, maybe they'll be peaceful, and at least I can share the story of what happened here, so maybe this tragedy won't be repeated again... Yes, that would be nice. The people of this village won't be forgotten with me if I can just pass on the story to someone else.

"It was a thriving village once, but... That was several years ago," Elia said, slowly turning to face the man while clutching the Evening Star in her left hand. "What is your name?"

"Rosetta," she said, using her younger sister's name just in case the man had ties to Cleatia, or told others about meeting her later.

"Why have you come here, Irving? Did you stumble upon this place by accident?"

"Actually... I might. But I need to make sure you're serious about doing the job right, because if it isn't, then there's no justice in that," Elia said as she watched to see how he would react.