Chapter 41 – Bareon, The City of Roses (3)

The training grounds were situated behind the manor, on the hill overlooking the overgrown forest below, stretching all the way to the distant mountains. While the ground was covered in straw and hay, Midhir noticed a stone circle surrounding it.

“Augmented?” He asked absentmindedly as he knelt by the edge of the circle, touching one of the fist-sized gemstones embedded into the stone. “To prevent any damage to the surroundings?”

“And to one another,” Captain Rianne stated curtly. “Lord Orlein is of the belief that holding back during a duel will only harm a person’s skills and confidence.”

He stood back up, lifting his gaze to meet Captain Rianne’s. “Our instructor told us more or less the same thing,” he said with a wry smile.

“Then she is a good instructor to have.”

Midhir nodded, stepping into the circle. Hay grass and straw covering the training grounds broke under his boots as he walked to the other edge and looked down towards the overgrowth.

While it seemed beautiful at first, that quickly turned into an uncanny feeling as he noticed the thick roots protruding from the ground like the appendages of a kraken, reaching for its prey. They were growing towards the city, albeit with visible damage to them all over.

“Has the forest not been pushed back recently?” He asked with a scowl. If it had been, it was still too close to Bareon. The roots were at the edge of the simple wall surrounding the city, and in some places, he even spotted them trying to climb the wall.

“Just last week.”

Her words startled him. “Last week?!” He exclaimed wide eyed. “How fast is it growing back?”

Captain Rianne walked past him, to the edge of the training grounds. “Too fast,” she turned around to face him. “Lord Aulorn and the Crown Princess’ visit was for this purpose exactly, yet they were quickly recalled elsewhere.”

Olisar, Midhir thought to himself. Of course it was Olisar, since Principal Aoidh was headed there, and even Instructor Soraya had been called ‘somewhere’ as well.

“In any case,” she breathed in, “the training grounds are yours to use as you wish. I will leave you to it.” She bowed her head slightly and turned to leave.

“You are a descendant of Knight Lianne, aren’t you?” Midhir asked before she had a chance to walk away.

Captain Rianne froze mid step. She turned around to face him, chin raised, and eyes narrowed. “Yes,” she curtly replied. “And you are an Induen.” Her voice was cold. “Heir to-“

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“I didn’t mean that as a slight,” Midhir cut her off, raising his hands with a wry smile. “Though I’m not sure why you would take it as one, she was a hero of her time, and her mastery of the blade was second to none.” Despite his words, his mood has soured – blood carried power, and the Rianne house was formidable. She shouldn’t stoop low to insult his lineage, it was unbecoming of someone of her status. “I will not be using the training grounds today,” he continued with a sharper tone. “You need not accompany me, I remember the way to my chambers.”

With a brisk pace, he walked away.

Dawn arrived with the sound of shouting, panicked footsteps and a crowd of guards rushing through the streets of Bareon. Woken up by Aoden the butler, the group was quick to get dressed and prepared for the day.

“Another attack,” Captain Rianne filled them in as she led them through the streets of Bareon. “They attacked a guarded carriage shortly before it reached the city gates.”

Midhir felt his chest tighten. “What happened to the passengers?” he asked, drawing a glare from the woman.

“They killed the guards – all of them. The passenger was a man, and he was dragged north, into the overgrowth.” She clenched her fists as they arrived at the gate. “Another traveller witnessed it, and called for our men, but by the time our forces arrived, it was already too late.”

Two dozen horses had been prepared right outside the gates, waiting for them along with some of the city guard. “Do all of you know how to ride?” Alistair asked, his gaze snapping to Arwen.

Arwen nodded, hurrying towards a white mare. As soon as all four of them were mounted, Captain Rianne shouted, “Move out!”

There was no time to waste by talking or planning beyond doing what they were told. Whoever it was these people dragged to the woods was going to face a terrible end if they didn’t catch up to them and stop them.

“Despicable,” Alistair hissed as they rode. His voice was barely audible over the gallop of the horses. “I fear this was the expert father mentioned. We must find them.”

Midhir nodded, though they all knew hope was slim. They would need to enter the overgrown forest.

“I would ask you to stay back,” Alistair shot him a glance, “but I doubt we can afford such luxury.”

Midhir’s jaw tightened. “No, we can’t,” he curtly replied. “And there is no sign of damage to the Veil.” Even if there was, he wouldn’t stand back and watch while everyone else fought to save a life.

“But if a tear does form-“

“We will fight and retreat together.” He shot the young Orlein a sharp glance. Alistair’s eyes widened for a split second before he nodded reluctantly.

The road to An’Larion snaked through the woods, though nearly half of the stone tiled road was taken over by a thick layer of roots. Soon the broken and abandoned carriage entered their field of view, along with a handful of soldiers carefully lining the bodies for collection.

“Captain!” One of the soldiers saluted, then bowed as soon as he noticed Alistair. “Young Lord! We believe they went through there,” he pointed towards a gap in the border of the forest. “We found some blood, and footsteps beyond the roots.”

“You went no further.” Captain Rianne’s words weren’t a question, but a statement she expected affirmation on.

“No, ma’am.” The soldier shook his head. “We’re not equipped to deal with the overgrowth.”

“Right,” Captain Rianne dismounted, and so did everyone else. “We’ll follow any leads we can – try to be quiet, and don’t take unnecessary risks.”

Weapons in hand, they moved into the overgrown forest.