Chapter 27: Chapter 27: In The Wake of Heroism

A beast of ferns and grass rode into Mirror town while the sun was high overhead. Astride its back sat that half-elf, Melea, looking around as it slowly trotted through. Many of the townspeople stood outside, engaged in conversations with faces they had likely never seen before. Harragar filled the town as far as Melea could see, and she wondered how many humans made the familiar mistake of calling them Goblins. Well, she supposed mistake wasn’t quite the right word. They stood mostly a head shorter than the humans they engaged, some with pale green skin and others with pale purple. Their long-pointed ears stuck at an angle downward, lending themselves to the old myth where humans got the name. The Harragar did not embody their Fae creation in ways humans were familiar with, and while many of the townspeople remained neutral, she could see the slight unease born of horrific tales. That slight unease existed within her for reasons most humans wouldn’t understand. She wished she didn’t have to stop in Mirror Town, and as a pair of Harragar approached, she hoped they wouldn’t give her reasons to grant it.

“Look, Shro, an Ufanyn girl. Something strange happened in this town and one just happened to appear!” A green one said to the purple one at his side. She looked Melea over, and then at the trio sitting in her cart.

“A half-Ufanyn.” Shro replied. “And look, she’s not alone. I guess she found some friends on her little journey.”

Melea suppressed a sigh. The two of them looked like they were around her age, but also bore glyph marked bandages around their arm. As if there was any reason to doubt it in the first place, their group was with Xerva, and that meant they were all allies in a roundabout way. She just had to respond like one, and not like an Ufanyn being harassed in the foulest way.

“My name is Melea. I’m a member of Thomas Wilder’s squad and I’m actually here looking for someone.”

“Whoa, whoa!” Shro’s partner held up his hand. “You can slow down there. We have some questions for your little group, so you answer us and we can see about confirming what you just said.”

This time she did sigh. “Go on.”

“Are you aware of what happened in this town?”

“Other than a strange light filling the sky a few nights ago, no.”

“And it just so happens that someone you know is here?”

“No, it doesn’t actually. He came here ahead of me to investigate the light.”

“What exactly does Wilder have you doing in the Calm Lands?”

“We are currently pursuing a manakin threat. My ally is likely here to see if it’s connected.”

The two nodded at each other.

“Sounds like it could be the truth, Zoz.”

“Yeah, but I feel like we should withhold her for a bit. Just to be extra safe.”

The two snickered, and Melea could not beat the urge to turn this into a fight. The conflict between the Ufanyn and the Harragar only ended fourteen years ago, but they would have all been too young to carry any resentment. And yet, these two clearly took pleasure in it. She wanted to go about this most politely, but she would happily show them how difficult restraining her would be. The Pumpkin boy rose from his seat as he sense the change in her emotion, and she almost had him spring when a bark cut across the road.

“Shro! Zoz!” The booming voice made the two straighten up.

Melea followed it to find a sight she didn’t expect. A man with gray skin and a square jaw came over, moving his broad body with a silent threat. The two turned to salute him and he sneered down, bearing the tusk made for tearing the tough game of the Orc Mountains. A heavy slab of stone sat like a sword at his hip, making his dark uniform something that reflected both his heritage and his station. This was another race humans had the tendency to misname, but Melea couldn’t quite remember what to call him herself. What was the name of the people who filled the canyons and ravines of Orc…She thought it might be Shaadnar.

“Why are you two harassing this woman?” The Shaadnar man hissed.

“She was suspicious, sir! We just wanted to be thorough!” Zoz replied.

“Suspicious? Did you decide that because an Ufanyn was in front of you? Because I just see a woman passing through town!”

“I informed them that I work with Thomas Wilder too, but they brushed me off.” She added, and his eyes narrowed.

“So you were harassing an ally then?”

“Sorry, sir!” The two yelped.

“Sorry won’t cut it! You two are now in charge of caravan repairs until the day is through!” They shrunk and he growled. “Get to it now!” As they rushed off, he turned to her. “I’m sorry about that. Harrabaren Xerva has been trying to teach the bad blood out of the younger Harragar, but I suppose it’ll take more of an effort.”

Melea shook her head. “We’re all young and stupid sometimes, right? Besides, it was a hard time for both of our people. I didn’t lose anyone, but I know plenty of Ufanyn who did.”

He sighed. “Unfortunately, many of the Harragar serving the Harrabaren are also children of loss. She regrets the role she played in all those deaths, though many aren’t keen on blaming her.”

Melea was, but she decided she’d keep that to herself. “I’m Melea by the way. As I said, I’m a member of Thomas Wilder’s Task Force and I’m actually here looking for someone.”

“I’m Ureg. Maybe I can help you.”

Melea’s eyes widened. She recognized that name. Ureg wasn’t just some random Shaadnar serving the Harragar High Priestess, he was the random half-Shaadnar. His story was right out of a tragic romance—the son of a noblewoman and Shaadnar nomad who was orphaned when his father was killed and his mother ran away. He was the type of person you expected in the company of the Harrabaren, and also one an Ufanyn took note of the meeting. Silently, she was embarrassed that her mind went there, but she supposed she couldn’t deny that Ufanyn urge.

“You recognize me.” He smirked.

She sighed. “Don’t make a big deal about it, I’ll be embarrassed of the rest of the week.”

He laughed. “No worries. How about I help you find that person instead, anything that can help?”

“He’s hard to miss. He has dark-brown skin and twin twist hair. You might notice he’s not fully elven blood, and he kinda walks around like he belongs where ever he’s going.”

“Oh.” Ureg said flatly. Melea sighed.

“You’ve ran into him?”

“The Harrabaren has…he’s currently apprehended in the manor up there.” He pointed and Melea sighed again. “He’s a bit young though, maybe sixteen?”

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“Fifteen, and yeah. He was journeying with me when we met Wilder. Wilder recruited me and he kinda tagged along. He’s mostly on his own journey.”

“You two are related, aren’t you?”

Melea crossed her arms. Behind her, the Pumpkin boy’s head bobbed in a silent laugh. “He’s my cousin.” She said.

“Would it be rude to ask your heritage?”

“I’m Two part elf and one part human. My mother is one part Solmyada and one part human. My father is full Ufanyn. In my cousin’s case, he’s two part human and one part elf. His mother is mine’s younger sister.”

“Ah that explains it then!” He smiled and looked past her. The Pumpkin boy met his stare, but his eyes drifted to her company. “They are?”

“People I saved from a manikin. Their names are Otis and Vanessa. They’re tagging along until they feel good enough to travel by themselves.”

They nodded silently and Ureg waved her forward.

“Well, let’s go save your Kwanu. He was not forthcoming about his connection to Thomas Wilder, and I don’t think that has changed in the past hour.”

Melea imagined her cousin rebelliously withholding information. It made her realize she couldn’t imagine him any other way. She supposed that meant she owed Xerva some degree of thanks. Someone else might have killed him, but it seemed Xerva matched the rumors. An old harragar woman who picks her moves carefully and always regrets the blood she spills. She too was a noteworthy encounter, but the last big move she made still soured her image in the woman’s mind.

It didn’t take very long to make it up the hill and through the abandoned manor. The place was clearly the site of a battle, and blood still marked the floors, surrounded by Harragar circles of meditation. They investigated things in ways their magic allowed, and it was strange to her that there were still things to find. Harragars were users of soul magic after all, and communing with the dead came easily to their curates. The fact they still convened meant the mystery was still unsolved, and Melea could only think of one person who could immediately get answers. Although…looking at the two retrievers respond to the carnage, she suspected there might be people here who could give some. She pushed that thought to the back of her mind as they entered the observatory though, taking in the melted glass ceiling and the charred wall. Sitting in the center she saw Kwanu, bond at his hands with bandage-like wrappings glowing with magic marks. Standing beside him was the small old woman. She had a hood cast down, letting long dark hair fall free. Her pale green face turned toward them as Ureg drew closer and he nodded to her as she checked his eyes.

“You have found someone to claim this boy.” It was an assessment not a question; Ureg had already given the answer.

“Yes, Harrabaren. As matters have it she just rolled into town.” He gestured at Melea.

“I’m with Thomas Wilder’s Task Force.”

“Ah. So then this boy is as well?”

“For the most part, yes.”

“Why didn’t you say that, young man?”

“Because I don’t answer to you. Maybe you should have just let me done what I came here for. Every delay I’m responsible for in my duties is all your fault!”

The Harrabaren gave him a small smile as the wrappings freed his hand. “I will send an apology to Wilder immediately.”

Kwanu raised an eyebrow at her but said nothing back. Instead, he headed over, giving Ureg a long glare and the Pumpkin boy a longer one. The two locked eyes for a moment before Melea waved her hand, making him snap back to her as if he forgot she was there.

“Did Wilder send you to collect me?”

“I think the word you’re looking for is reconnect. We do have a job to do, after all.”

“You’re right. I just had to investigate what I saw, you know? It was basically calling to me. I think this might be…!” Excitement suddenly swelled out of him, but he capped it as Ureg listened. Melea knew what that meant, and knew not to question it.

“You probably could have told the Harrabaren. All things considered, I think she would have appreciated it.”

“Yeah, she would have, but that doesn’t mean I was going to do it.”

Melea sighed. Petulance wasn’t Kwanu’s usual state, but it wasn’t going to change while he stood in this room. He might not have Ufanyn blood, but the human blood they shared had bigger reasons for resentment. He stood at a head with her, but she still placed an arm on his shoulder.

“Well the sooner we do this, the sooner we can move on.”

“And may I ask what he’ll be doing?” Xerva approached. Kwanu frowned at Melea but turned to the woman still.

“Your curates aren’t going to find anything because all the souls in this place have been claimed. The dead immediately moved on, basically.”

“How do you know that, exactly?”

“Because the World told me.”

Ureg and Xerva looked at each other, and then at Melea. She shook her head, refusing to elaborate, knowing it was only a matter of time.

“The World can show me what happened here too, but its a powerful spell and it’s not going to be great for you. Melea’s used to it because she’s been around me forever, but there’s no way to do this without you feeling it.”

“And that’s why you refused to explain your purpose here?”

“Take it or leave it, old lady. I didn’t want your lug here, or that other lug to come for me when you passed out. You’d probably start another war when they both ended up dead.”

Xerva gave a small smile again. “My apologies then, I’ll try to remain on my feet.”

Kwanu turned to Ureg and shrugged. “Well, lug, you heard her. If she passes out don’t turn this into a reason to attack me.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Ureg said flatly. Kwanu shrugged again, bringing his hands together.

“Roots run deep through dirt and time. Moments come and go on the passing breeze. Seasons form the chapters of life. In stone and sky, nothing is unseen.” He closed his eyes. “Eyes of the World Open!” He pulled his hands apart and held out a ball of distorted space. As it spun the room did too, winding sights, sounds, and feelings through them like echoes in their minds. Ureg dropped like a sack and Xerva held her head, biting back a scream as the ball spun on. Meanwhile, Kwanu’s eyes flicked beneath their lids, turning this into a moment of dreams until he closed his hand. The Harrabaren panted heavily as it stopped, and Ureg weakly pushed himself up. The two in the cart looked ill, but they too managed to pull themselves up from where they slumped. The Pumpkin boy nodded sagely, and Melea couldn’t help but laugh.

“What was that magic!” Xerva exclaimed.

“It’s an ancient one, so you probably wouldn’t know. Maybe some old Solmyada will tell you.” Kwanu opened his eyes. Xerva held her head again, and he watched quietly.

“Did I see what happened…? There was a battle here, and I recognized a few of those people. Diana the Bolt. Keigo the Many. Danson the Diamond and…”

“The Fire Girl…” Otis murmured. All eyes snapped to him. “She made it this far and won…” It was like he rose from a nightmare.

“It feels like she’s gotten worse,” Vanessa added, and Melea’s jaw dropped. It wasn’t that the two were silent, but this was the most their words spoke of their experiences.

“You know this Fire Girl?” Xerva asked.

“We had a run-in with her while doing a job,” Otis replied. Still cagey, but Xerva didn’t pry further. Instead, she drew close, moving across the room faster than Melea expected. She landed in the cart and touched the duo’s faces, staring deeply into their eyes.

“You two are bound to lost souls. They have not left you yet.” Hope-filled their eyes. “The rumors you might have heard were myths. I cannot bring the dead back to life, however, there is something I can do to make the four of you close again.”

“Whatever it is we’ll do it!” Otis exclaimed. Vanessa nodded eagerly beside him.

“Is that really it?” Kwanu looked at the woman.

“Yes.” She smiled. “You have fulfilled what you came here for and I have something for my report to the Council. I’m sorry to have delayed you, I’ll send the report to Wilder as well.”

Kwanu scrunched his face but was at a loss for words. Melea took that as a reason to speak for them, turning to Xerva to make sure bad blood didn’t boil over.

“I guess you’ll be taking these two off my hands then.”

“Yes, although I would like to send one of my curates with you. I think she’d better serve Wilder than she would serve in my retinue.”

Melea knew she couldn’t say no for the man. He was interested in building his task force and he’d rather meet the Harragar than hear Melea sent her away. She didn’t sigh, but the urge to do so sat heavy in her chest.

“Right.” She said instead, and Xerva gave her a small smile.

Otis and Vanessa were led out of the room on Xerva’s tail. Ureg nodded politely to them, as he left to locate the curate in question. The moment no one else was in the room, Kwanu smiled from ear to ear. He might have jumped for joy if it wouldn’t make him look childish, but Melea could still see that glee in his eyes. He turned to her, and she smiled too.

“I thought those memories were a little clipped. What did you hide from them?”

“The one they called the Fire Girl is the one I’ve been looking for!”

“Your girlfriend!” The Pumpkin boy pointed over her shoulder. Melea pushed him over.

“So you hid her eye color, huh?”

Kwanu nodded. “Maybe it’s not that big a deal, but who knows how that woman would have reacted after she felt my spell.”

“We can’t go look for her yet, you know?”

“Yeah. We can finish helping Wilder first, but this is still great! It’s been three months and I found her already.”

“Still, I can do this.” Seeds popped into her hand and she tossed them in the air. “Seed Sentinel.” She cast, turning them into birds of leaves and twigs. “Search for the girl in my memories.” She ordered, and they flew through the whole above. Kwanu watched them go with barely contained joy.

Melea’s smile widened. She didn’t know the significance of the girl, and Kwanu didn’t either, but if he hid her eyes she had a pretty good guess. His was sparkling after all, and excited Scarlet Eyes were always a sight to see…