The three of them made their way through the brush. The late afternoon sun tried to pierce through the murky veil of clouds that covered the sky, but could only provide a weak light as they marched. As the day wore on, Roderick gave a low whistle, stood upright, and motioned for him to move up. Elec turned back to Seraphine and echoed the signals before walking towards him. The brush cleared out to reveal an ancient paved road. Weeds grew up between the cobblestones, but now that all three stood upon it, they could see its route stretching in both directions. Roderick checked his compass, but the road seemed to veer away from their bearing.
“Now look up that way,” Roderick said.
While the brush thickened ahead of them, they could see the sharp angles of a building or structure between the trees in the distance. One or two more structures lay a little way away to the left, the dense forest screening them from view. Elec’s brow raised at the sight of them, and he sighed.
“The ruins,” Seraphine said. “Some of the older townspeople had told stories of an ancient fortress or something or other out this way…”
“It looks like you’re getting your wish,” Roderick said. “Let’s continue on. The Goblins may have been here recently, judging from their direction and rate of travel.”
*
Seraphine watched as Roderick continued, making a straight line through the forest. Elec was about to start after him, but Seraphine stopped him, putting a hand on his arm. She allowed the warrior to get a little bit of distance from both of them before she spoke.
“Hey,” She whispered, the Mirithar’s eyes meeting hers. “I’m sorry for going all silent on you last night. I know you wanted to talk more, and it wasn’t fair to you.”
“Are you alright?” Elec asked. “Things did get a little depressing.”
“I am, and we’ll talk about it later,” Seraphine replied. “Maybe when we get back to town. I’ll try to keep the conversation going tonight, though. I promise.”
Seraphine offered a smile, but tried to hide her concern. Elec placed a hand over hers, his thumb rubbing the back of her hand. She didn’t know if he was reading her thoughts now, but hoped he understood. She remembered that he rarely used his abilities with friends and hoped he counted her as one, a friend who would stay together when all this was done. Looking over his shoulder, she pointed with her nose towards the warrior marching away from them, cutting a trail through the tall grass and weeds.
*
Elec turned and regained his spacing with Roderick. While he was not unaccustomed to how fickle women can be, it felt different. If he had to guess, she was worried about what came after this journey ended. He had mentioned returning home, and after that, she stopped talking. She also mentioned that Roderick rarely rested more than a day before charging off after the next battle in the distance. Elec turned this over in his head. They were not lovers, but she loved him in a strong, familial way. Like she was protecting him as much as he was protecting her. He could feel he was on the verge, but was still missing something crucial. It must be that she doesn’t want me to leave their group, he thought, though there is something else there too.
Elec felt a large bug crawl on his upper thigh, and he swatted at it. The bug had moved and was making its way to his hip. Looking down, he attempted to determine what it was, but it was not visible. He felt around his thigh and hip until his hand rested on the leather pouch on his belt. He withdrew the compass, which was now humming, and the pendant responded in kind. Opening the ornate lid, the needle pointed roughly in the same direction Roderick was marching.
Elec opened his mouth to holler towards Roderick, but caught himself mid-breath. He gave a low, trilling whistle, and when the gray-bearded face regarded him with a little bit of annoyance, he held his hand up to tell him to wait. He whistled back to Seraphine and motioned for her to come up.
“There’s something here,” Elec said, showing the compass to Roderick.
He examined the needle as it fixed quivering in the direction of the ruins.
“Like when you sailed close to the wreckage,” Seraphine said. “But what does it mean? Is it that the signet ring is here?”
“Or is it tracking something related to the seal itself? Maybe an entity like the Silent Ones?” Roderick said, looking to the sky. “We stay close from here on out.”
They positioned themselves a spitting distance apart and advanced on his bearing. The overcast sky did not help Elec gauge how much daylight they had left. They traveled much faster and much further than the previous day, but he spent most of the time preoccupied. Elec reckoned they would need to find a suitable spot to camp in the ruins.
The ruins. Elec was getting more and more excited about the prospect of this discovery the closer they got. He looked at his companions. Both Seraphine and Roderick seemed unimpressed with the development. They must’ve seen things like this before, he thought.
*
Roderick moved forward through the tall grass. The armored plates of his boots made it difficult to maintain their quiet approach. He didn’t bother to check Seraphine, as he could hear her footsteps even at this close range. Elec moved with silent grace, though the ridiculous grin had returned. He can get excited all he likes, he thought, as long as he does nothing stupid.
The trees and foliage closed in around them as they drew closer. He was about to draw his sword to hack when he broke through, almost falling on the grassy ground of the clearing. Regaining his composure, he took in the sight.
It had once been a settlement, verging on becoming an actual town. Much like Pelavora, it did not have a surrounding defensive wall, just dense trees. An attack could come from all directions at once if there were more Goblins in the area. Or worse. Immediately in front of him, the ruins of a large, single-floor building lay collapsed. From his spot, he could see at least three other stone structures nearby. Each one was not much more than rubble. In between these were several remnants of small cottages and homes dotting the area like rotted teeth. Tall grasses and weeds reclaimed most of what could be seen. He checked the ground around him for any signs of disturbance. Although he appeared to discover potential tracks, they had faded. Maybe weeks old, but he was not an expert tracker. He looked to Seraphine and Elec. The Mirithar was looking about, canting his head from one side to the other and sniffing the air. Roderick turned a hand upward toward him. Elec pointed to his ear and then shrugged with his hands, turning upward: I heard something, but I don’t know. He looked back at his compass and pointed towards a larger structure ahead of them, about a couple of hundred feet away.
The building appeared to have once been two stories tall, a mix of stone and woodwork. Roderick motioned for them to follow, his crossbow at the low ready. The sky was darkening more now as they walked toward the larger building. As they drew closer, the second floor had completely collapsed into the first, making entry impossible without excavating each room.
“Hang on a moment,” Elec said, looking to the compass, the building, and back.
He began walking towards his left, sweeping with the instrument until he came to the corner of the building. He stepped a few more paces beyond the edge, looked up, and waved them over. The old sword and the bard walked to him as he was sidling away from the building with the compass in his outstretched arms. The compass, as he looked in its direction, seemed to focus on another, larger building.
This one was still standing due to the buttresses along its walls and the solid stone construction. The roof had caved in, but the rest of the structure seemed intact. Roderick scanned the surroundings. There were several more points of interest around them. To their left was an amphitheater. Behind the buttressed structure, there were a few more buildings, but to their right was something he did not expect to find amongst what was once a growing city. A circle of trees was located at the rough center of the settlement. When Elec saw what the old sword noticed, the tiger took several involuntary steps towards it.
“Is that a druid’s grove?” Roderick asked.
“Indeed, though I’ve never heard of them being a town’s center. Granted, I only know from the few mentions in my father’s library.” Elec said, “Maybe there is a druid here who might provide some information.”
“Or even the story behind this place and what had happened,” Seraphine added.
“It is getting darker. I’d rather not deal with any kind of Goblin or other creature and have to flee at night. Especially if it is indoors or underground.”
The three of them approached the grove, and Elec walked a little faster toward it. He watched the Mirithar take a deep breath, meaning to call out. Roderick was about to grab him, but he relented.
“Sorry, I was about to call out, but reached out with my mind.” Elec said, “There’s no one there.”
“That’s a relief. You may have half a foot of height on me, but I’d still box your ear if you make such a racket,” Roderick said. “Can we camp in there?”
Elec waved his hands a little and closed his eyes. When he opened them, they seemed a different color. He looked about the grove and the surrounding area.
“The gro-Woah!” Elec said, looking at the sword on Roderick’s waist.
“Yes, it is enchanted.” The old sword said. “I mentioned this before.”
“No, it’s not just enchanted. It is heavily infused with magic. Like your sword was forged directly from solidified lightning.”
Roderick rolled his finger laterally, indicating to move on to the more important matter.
“The grove is quiet. Dormant. We can sleep there, but if we build a fire, it needs to be outside of it.” Elec said. “Maybe there in front of the entryway.”
Roderick nodded and looked at the ruined houses nearby.
“I don’t want to announce our presence here. Too many avenues to observe, and a fire out in the open can be seen for miles, even through dense wood,” Roderick said. “We’ll sleep cool tonight. As long as the sky continues to hold back, we should be good.”
*
Elec was the first to enter the grove, a circular ring of alternating thirty-foot-high trees and twelve-foot-high rectangular stone columns. A layer of short grass lined the ground inside, a stark contrast to the tall overgrowth outside. The shadows were much deeper within the ring of stone and trees. He brimmed with excitement, as he had only read about druids and their orders. He set his pack down and produced his journal. Elec touched the trees and annotated pages as he walked in circles. A breeze blew through, stirring the branches overhead. The air inside smelled slightly of cinnamon, and the stone-and-wood wall seemed to mute all noises outside. While there may be Goblins in the area, the grove felt peaceful and almost secure.
At one time, he had told his father that he wished to become a druid himself because of his animal-like nature. His father laughed, but he could tell that he was not fond of the idea. He had explained he too once tried to become a druid when he was the same age, but they did not get along well. The interior of the grove felt calm and peaceful. The trees showed no sign of illness, nor were their roots pulling up out of the ground. What astounded Elec was the fact that the standing stones were unbothered by the trees growing far too close to them. Elec knew the trees were the proper distance apart, having helped Mr. Palfiel with the planting of his orchard. The stones were between each one, taking up most of the space where the roots would normally rise and disrupt. And yet they were all perfectly level.
Seraphine entered just after, taking in the wonder herself. She touched one of the trees and then the stone.
“There was writing here.” She said, looking closer. “But it has been worn away.”
Another breeze moved through the formation like a sigh. Both Elec and Seraphine watched as branches above them swayed. A single leaf drifted down and brushed against the bard’s shoulder before continuing down to the floor. They stared at the single leaf for a silent moment. Seraphine looked about, finding no other had fallen. Elec stooped down, picked it up, and placed it between the pages of his journal. Roderick dropped his pack and unpacked his roll.
“Do you know anything about these ruins, Seraphine?”
Seraphine looked about before leaning against one of the wide stone pillars.
“Maybe not these ruins precisely, but I know a story that they remind me of. There was once a small community around seven hundred to eight hundred years ago. They tried to build a settlement that was in balance with nature and civilization.”
“What happened to the settlement in the story?”
“Well, they had the regular city council but also partnered with a druid council. While everyone lived in contentment, they had total peace and prosperity. But it is a rare thing for such a peace to last, and soon certain people wanted more wealth and command. Then, just as other governments grew, they desired more and more. Soon, the two councils became at odds with each other. Then they became enemies. The people picked sides, but never came to blows, from what I heard. In the end, the druids threatened the crops of those who refused to side with them or follow their guidance. Eventually, the city council and all those on its side left. The ones remaining with the druids soon left as well, as the conflict left many friends and families split. In the end, only the druids remained.”
“Where have these druids gone, then?” Elec asked, “This grove has been well maintained. They couldn’t have been gone for too long. Maybe a couple of years tops, judging from the lack of weeds in here and the low height of the grass as opposed to outside?”
“No telling,” She said with a shrug. “I’ve seen no signs of battle. Maybe they were called away to the bay? Something to do with the seal and the Silent Ones, maybe?”
Seraphine slid down to sit with her back against the stone. Elec took a spot at the same stone, not too far away.
“I didn’t get the chance to ask, but where are you two from?”
Seraphine stretched, remaining quiet for a moment before responding, her voice light but thoughtful. Elec could tell she had been dreading this topic and had rehearsed the story as she took a deep, nervous breath before starting.
“Well, we’re from a bit of everywhere, really,” she began, a smile tugging away from her tightened lips. “We’re not ones for settling down in one place for too long. It has been a few years since I left my farm. Roderick has been traveling much, much further and for much longer. My mother was from a noble Human family in the northern reaches of Valais, just beyond the tundra shelf. Somewhere near the cold forest. My father, well… he was an Elven bard and wanderer from the kingdom of Enethval until he met her. Together they raised a farm and a family. I spent much of my childhood tending home and crops, much like you. Helping with whatever was needed. Bardic training came much later, when I was old enough to understand that I could make my way through the world.”
She paused for a moment, looking down at her lute resting beside her. She tapped a light rhythm before continuing.
“The life of a bard is unique. You feel in tune with the world…even the universe, when you are performing. With wizards and sorcerers, you take command of the surrounding elements, but with us, we find a way to become one with reality. Harmonize and synchronize with it. Then we use our songs to shape reality slightly to help people.”
“According to my parents’ teaching, the world, the universe, and all life were created by a word from Ilen. A song specifically,” Elec said, Seraphine’s eyes widened at the mention. “It’s a wonder that temples and chapels don’t have dedicated bards to help in their worship and practices.”
“That may have been our original purpose. It’s strange, though. Nowadays, many people see bards as nothing more than troublesome entertainers, but we’re more than that. We’re observers, storytellers, and sometimes…messengers. I guess I always felt a pull to something greater than just being a farm-girl in a farm town. And here I am, traveling with a tiger-man with a pendant that hums and a mystery that might change the fate of an entire region.”
She chuckled, shaking her head. Her eyes flickered toward Elec, curiosity twinkling in them.
“What about you? I’ve heard bits of your story, but there’s more there, isn’t there? What’s it like growing up with one foot in two worlds?”
“It can be troubling at times. Even more confusing when I think too deeply about it. I’ve had a dear childhood friend who has grown up, married, grown older, and become widowed; all while I was no higher than my father’s knee. I am childhood friends with the children of some of my childhood friends, while my other childhood friends are still learning their letters and numbers. One thing it has taught me is that when it comes to opportunities, especially now that I am out in the world and away from my ranch, I let no more go by if I can avoid it.”
Seraphine listened intently, her expression softening as Elec shared more of his perspective. She shifted to face him, her gaze thoughtful.
“That sounds…like a burden and a gift all at once,” she said, her voice quiet but sincere. “To see time pass so differently, and yet, to still be standing here, seeking what you can only now begin to grasp. I imagine it’s a unique kind of loneliness, knowing the world keeps turning while you’re in a moment suspended in time.”
She paused for a moment, her fingers playing a beat on the edge of her lute.
“I think we’re more alike than you might realize. For much of my life, I’ve let circumstances dictate my path, rarely settling down. I’ll admit it has been a lonely sort of journey. Roderick is a good man, but day after day after day…it does wear me down. But I suppose, just like you, I’ve learned to seize what matters when I can, even if it’s just a moment of peace or a friendly conversation. But you’re right. Opportunities, whether it’s adventure, a new experience, or love, shouldn’t be left to slip by. Life’s short, and it seems like you’re finally in a place where you’re deciding what you want to make of it. The world’s too big, and we’re too small to let it pass us by.”
Seraphine’s eyes sparkled, and Elec gave her a wry smile as well.
“You know, my father had warned me of bards when they began mentioning the subject of love. Says it can be very dangerous for the very curious. Especially because they are an opportunistic sort.”
Seraphine raised an eyebrow at Elec, her lips now forming a playful smirk.
“Your father has wisdom then, I suppose,” She said, her voice dripping with teasing warmth.
She leaned closer, lowering her voice just enough to make the air between them feel heavier, yet charged. Something about her presence and the grove…
“But it sounds like he might also have some personal experience with the matter. Is that it? Cautionary tales from dear old Dad? I assure you, Elec, I’m just as dangerous as I need to be. But if you’re looking to avoid a tangled web, then I suppose I could offer some advice in return. There’s a fine line between opportunity and recklessness, and it’s one that bards are uniquely good at walking.”
Her fingers tapped her lute. Rhythmically beating a slight tune in the variance. Each loud ‘thump’ in her melody brought an uptick in his pulse.
“But I’d say a little risk isn’t always a bad thing, especially when it leads to stories worth telling.”
Elec locked his emerald green eyes on her bright green ones, marveling at the similarities.
“I am finding myself becoming more and more comfortable with the levels of risk I am encountering. Especially if the risk might have eyes the color of mine and hair that seems to glow with its own magical light.” Elec said, his voice drawing quiet.
Seraphine’s smile softened as she leaned closer to meet his gaze. Elec could feel the warmth of the moment settling between them. Her green eyes flickered with something deeper, an understanding, a recognition of the unspoken things swirling between the two of them. For a moment, the surrounding grove seemed quieter, as if it too was holding its breath. Seraphine’s gaze lingered, her fingers tapping their melody against her lute before she spoke, her voice low and almost intimate.
“Funny, I was just thinking how your eyes seem to hold a kind of fire. The way they reflect the world, as if there’s something inside them, pulling at the very essence of what makes a moment worth living.”
Her lips parted, her voice more playful now, but still carrying that warmth.
“I suppose you’ll find the world is full of risks and rewards, Elec. It’s all about deciding whether you’re ready for them… or if they’re ready for you.”
For a second, he had a moment of clarity. Is she really going all in, Elec thought. She’s even using her bardic charm to rile me up. Then, with equal clarity, he let it go and allowed himself to be swept into her charm, the air in his lungs fiery hot. The rhythm charged his senses.
Elec leaned in, his shoulder gently resting against hers, saying, “I should warn you, though. Historically, Mirithar can be risky to romantic sorts as well. But even the briefest of opportunities with one shouldn’t be missed…”
Seraphine’s breath caught at the subtle shift in Elec’s tone and the closeness between the two of them. Her eyes flickered with an unspoken challenge, a spark of curiosity mingling with something deeper, something more alive in the moment. She didn’t pull away, her body warm against his as she tilted her head, a slow, almost imperceptible smile playing across her lips. Her head tilted closer.
“Hmm…” she hummed, her voice hushed, but her words were still sharp. “I suppose brief opportunities are often the ones that leave the most lasting impressions, aren’t they?”
The air between them felt even heavier now, charged with an electric anticipation, a tension that might be difficult to untangle. The forest, the night, the clouds overhead all seemed to pause, waiting for the next step, the next word, the next movement in the shared space. With a glance, she met Elec’s gaze again, this time with more understanding and a hint of something vulnerable beneath the playful exterior.
“But, Elec,” She whispered, the tone shifting, “sometimes the risks are what make it worth it. Even if we only have one moment to claim… it can be all we need.”
Elec tilted her chin up with the edge of his hand and kissed her.
*
What the hell just happened, Roderick thought, nearly yelling the words aloud.
He watched the entire exchange with dismay. At first, he barely listened to their talk of farming and barding in general. Only when they had begun to whisper to each other, leaning ever closer, did he pay close attention. Seraphine’s eyes widened as Elec cradled her chin with the edge of his hand. Her lips parted in surprise. The Rava’kin leaned in, and when his lips met hers, she leaned into the kiss, her hand resting on his arm. There they stayed for some time until she gripped harder and pulled him closer to her, increasing their intensity. After a while, she pulled back slightly, her forehead resting against Elec’s for a moment, her breathing heavy.
He remained frozen in place, not knowing what to do. The tiger hadn’t hurt her. Hadn’t forced himself on her. She welcomed the kiss. Pulled him further into it. But in that moment, a spark had ignited a faint ember within him from eons ago.
It was over a year ago that he had accidentally walked in on her changing. At first, she pulled a blanket over herself to cover her nakedness. He remained transfixed, struck fast by her unassuming beauty. The last time he had seen a woman naked as such, he had been her age. Then, surprisingly, she lowered the blanket and allowed it to fall to the floor. She thought he was there for her. To finally take claim of her heart and body, as they had shared so much for so long. Instead, he gathered up the blanket and covered her with it, excusing himself for intruding. Ever since then, there had not been another such moment between them. Now this kid…this creature, had come forward and staked that claim. Done what he now saw what he should’ve done himself years ago. And now, for the first time in decades, he felt a pang of regret for the years spent in this mindless pursuit of justice and death.
“Well,” She murmured with a slight laugh. “If that’s the kind of risks a Mirithar has to offer, I might just be tempted to take a few more chances.”
The old sword regained his mental composure. She had taken lovers in the past. They were temporary affairs lasting a day or two. However, this felt different on a couple of levels. First, the utter strangeness of two vastly different races coupling. How could she develop such deep feelings…with that? And in such a short time? He remembered the stories he had heard about his kind, or the Rava’kin, rather, being charming, manipulative deceivers; seeing it happen in front of him was unfathomable. The second, why was this affecting him so much as well? He had never been upset by her escapades in the past. Her other suitors had been handsome, well-to-do townspeople looking for a short bit of romance with her before she moved on. Maybe that was it. She had finally found someone so unique, so charming, so relatable that she would settle down. And if I am not careful, she’ll go right along to that supposed farm with him, Roderick thought as he cleared his throat loudly, only without me.
“There’s a dark mystery to solve, you two,” he said, his voice sounding dry. “And Goblins afoot.”
The two of them stiffened at the cough, clearly having forgotten that the old sword was there. They even forgot where they were completely. Seraphine glanced briefly at him and back to Elec, a large, lopsided grin forming. Surprising Roderick yet again, they kissed once more for a long moment.
“Unfortunately, Roderick is correct,” Elec said with a sigh, withdrawing from her. “We’ve ruins to explore in the morning.”
As he rose, Seraphine gave his hand one last squeeze before he moved to the entrance of the grove. Roderick sat on the opposite side of the entryway, Elec opening his journal and writing in the fading dimness of the evening. Seraphine began unrolling her sleeping roll and settling in for the evening. Elec soon fell into his Elf-sleep, his movements becoming slower, though his attention did not.
“Do I need to sit up with you all night?” Roderick asked, his voice a little cooler. “Or can I trust you two to keep watch while I rest?”
“We will keep watch.”
Again, the Rava’kin’s smile faltered. He could tell Elec wanted to say more, but seemed to understand that fewer words, especially with him, were often best. In one instance, Roderick could not help but see the youthful veneer giving way to good caution and instruction. At the same time, he could not ignore the general stigma of deception of his kind. Was the creature reading his mind or truly respecting him as a person? If so, he seemed to get the point that the old sword didn’t want to say out loud. He needed Seraphine as much as she now seemed to want the tiger. A point that only now was he willing to fight for.
Chapter 24 – Fire Down Below
