Tales of Eleutheros

“Thank God.” Daniel said, looking at a village below. After another two days of travel through the sparse forests, he had made his way to a small village that was nestled in a small valley. The danger of revealing himself to the Dae, while in Lokkadonia, still loomed, but the prospect of a village, with a real meal and bed to sleep in caused him to push any worry to the back of his mind. With determination, he strode down toward the village. It was very small. Home to probably less than a hundred Dae. As he walked closer, he could see people, going about their daily tasks, and children playing around what he assumed was a well.

As he entered the village the Dae residents started to notice him and quickly ran to enter their homes. Crap, he thought, before the area was empty. Walking directly to the well, he leaned in, pulling a small bucket up from within using a rope tied to a wood beam. After several gulps of the cool water, he let out a sound of satisfaction.

“Hello stranger.” He heard from behind him.

Daniel turned to see a Dae man, wearing a robe, most likely the village leader, or elder. As he made eye-contact with him, he saw the Dae’s surprise.

“You!” He stuttered, “You’re a Spirit-sent!”

Daniel nodded and went in for another gulp of water.

“I’m just passing through.” He said, his voice calm and collected. “I could use some food, and directions if you would be so kind.”

Daniel noticed the people of the village begin to start leaving their homes, and approached slowly, he figured after hearing the Elder’s outburst.

“O… of course!” He said, falling to his knees. “We will do all we can for the Spirit-Sent. Anything you require of us, we will provide!”

~

Daniel found himself in the largest dwelling of the village. In their feasting hall. The Elder had insisted he come there to eat and rest. Several Dae women scurried about, bringing meat and other assortments of food to his table. Daniel’s mouth watered as the smell of it entered his nostrils.

“Eat!” The Elder said, striding into the hall from the entrance. “Do not waste any time, Spirit-Sent. We know you must be hungry.”

Daniel didn’t need any more convincing, he dug in and sunk his teeth into the nearest slab of meat.

“Please, Spirit-Sent, tell us how you came to be here. After the fall of Vul De Rah, we all feared the worst.” The Elder said, pulling up a seat across from him. “We only heard that the Rexunii have invaded our land, killed our Hego, and are now attempting to subjugate any resisting villages.

Daniel nodded and swallowed his mouthful of food. “First, thank you for the hospitality. Second, I’m unfamiliar with the land here still, so I’m not sure where here is.”

“Ah!” The Elder chuckled, “of course. I am Elder Rolo, and this humble village is Vul Espe. Also known to some here as the Village of the spirits.” He pointed to his left. “Over that hill is the border of the Spirit Forest.” He pointed to his right. “And several leagues that way is the border of Baa’Yega. We are very secluded here, and get very few visitors, save the occasional pilgrim, coming to pray near the forest.”

“I see.” Daniel said. “Have any warriors come through here yet?”

“There were warriors of Sabree, who came through here maybe ten days ago.” The Elder said, his expression getting more serious. “They were pleasant enough. We fed them and gave them shelter. They told us we were now part of Rexunii territory and went on their way.”

“Good.” Daniel took another bite of his food and washed it down with water. “Other villages weren’t so lucky.”

“Well…” Rolo said, before turning to the entrance of the Hall. “Not all of them left.”

Several moments later, the doors slid open, and two warriors entered, wearing brown cloaks, with bone plate underneath.

Daniel shot up from his seat, spitting any food in his mouth out and drew his blade.

Both warriors held their hands up defensively. “Hold!” A female voice cried out.

Daniel met eyes with the source. The warrior to the left. A Dae woman. “Please, Spirit-Sent, we mean you no harm!” She said, slowly grasping the blade at her side, removing it, still within the scabbard, and placing it on the floor. “We only want to speak to you. Please, there is no need for violence.”

Daniel narrowed his eyes, and looked at Rolo. “Well played, asshole.” He said to him. “I don’t think there’s much to discuss with you. The last warriors I met from your little coalition, were trying to kill me. So, forgive me if I have trust issues.”

The woman looked at her male companion, then back to Daniel. “I’m sorry… I don’t know anything about that. There are only the two of us here. Left to watch over this village, in case of brigands or…” She nodded toward him. “One of the Spirit-Sent arrived. We heard you were turned away at the border of Baa’Yega. So, our captain placed small groups of warriors in all the southern villages.”

Daniel looked between the two. Just my luck, he thought, didn’t even get a chance to finish my meal. “How many of you are there in this village?” He asked.

She pointed between herself and the other warrior. “Only the two of us, I swear it. Please, we mean you no harm. We would only like to talk. You can finish your meal.”

Daniel looked down at his unfinished food, and then back up to the warriors. “Alright, fine.” He sheathed his bone blade, and sat back down. “You have until I finish this, then I’m leaving.”

Only the Dae woman approached, leaving her weapon on the floor behind her. Rolo stood from his seat and offered it to her, then slunk away, seemingly ashamed of himself.

“I am corporal Matea, of house Grotish, by the way.” She said, sitting and extending her hand across the table.

Daniel hesitated a moment, looked at her, then grasped it, giving her a firm shake. “I’m—”

“Daniel!” She said, a bit of excitement escaping her. “We’ve been briefed on all the known Spirit-Sent in the area. And you were the only one not accounted for.”

Daniel met her eyes, his expression turning dangerous. “What do you mean by that? Where are the others?”

“I…” She paused for a moment, then gulped. “Both King Reku, and Spirit-Sent Katrina are accounted for, and safely in Vul De Rah.

“Shit.” He said, shaking his head in disappointment “So she didn’t get out.”

“Katrina is treated quite well!” she said quickly. “We were also told that you were turned back at the border of Baa’Yega territory. As you may or may not know, High King Phobos has declared that all Spirit-Sent are again enemies of Eleutheros.”

“Yeah, I know. I wonder why.” He said sarcastically. “Because that piece of shit Robert helped Rexun take Vul De Rah. Now they think we’re all the same.”

“I…” She hesitated for a moment, then gave him a determined look. “We did what had to be done. The Lokkadonians sent warriors into Rexun, what were we supposed to do? Let them kill everyone?”

Daniel held her gaze for several moments. The reality of war was always the same. Horrors on both sides, causes, death. He knew Oros went down there to eliminate the Rexunii King, Alektor. The only outcome was death and destruction. He went down there and lost the fight. Then they retaliated. He remembered the streets of Vul De Rah in tatters, bodies and blood streaming in every direction.

“Were you there?” He asked her calmly.

“Was I, where?”

“Vul De Rah, were you in the battle?”

“I…” She hesitated for a moment, “No… I wasn’t there. I came up afterwards with the reinforcements. I’ve only been here several weeks.”

“If you were me, and you saw what you bastards did to the people I grew to care about.” Daniel leaned in closer to her. “You’d feel the same way I do right now. So, if you think that I am somehow going to follow you back to Vul De Rah willingly, you can fuck right off.”

Matea stared at him, seemingly at a loss for words. “I… we were given orders to give you the offer. Nothing more. You’re far too powerful to force, so… we… I mean, I was told to.” Sweat was dripping down her face, as she struggled to find the words. “I’m sorry for your loss.” She hung her head, “We only go where our King commands. I didn’t mean to bring you any discomfort. I’ve heard a great deal of your kind, and… Please forgive me, Spirit-Sent.”

Daniel sighed, somewhat guilty of his angry outburst. She was just following orders. They all were, to some degree. “Are you a noble?” he asked, his expression softening.

“Me?” She asked, surprisedly. “No! By the spirits, I am just a commoner of Sabree. From Se Dume, a small village just to the North of Londur, our capitol city. I’m nobody.”

“Well,” Daniel said, “Matea, if what you’re saying is true. You are just going to let me leave here. And go on my way, right?”

She swallowed hard, and nodded to him. “There isn’t much I could do anyway. After what we’ve heard you are capable of. All we can do is make the offer. The rest is up to you. High King Alektor has said that all Spirit-Sent are welcome in our territories, so… if you are being pursued by the Torre’ or any clans who ally with them. You may find refuge here.”

Daniel looked down at his plate of food. Having been emptied several minutes ago. “Well, your time is up.” He turned to the Elder who was several feet away. “Rolo, I need supplies and a nice warm sleeping kit. What can you do?”

~

Daniel hefted a full pack of gear and supplies on his back. Nodding in thanks to Rolo and the now assembled villagers. “Thank you, for everything. I’ll be on my way now.”

“Spirit-Sent!” Matea said, walking up to him. “You said yourself, you aren’t familiar with this land. Let us accompany you, at least until you get to your next destination.”

“Not a chance.” He said, turning to look back where he came from. “I will take a map though, if you have one.”

Matea huffed. “You are just going to head back to the North? There are Vulsung and Visgo patrols all throughout that direction. It will most definitely lead to bloodshed.”

Daniel turned South, looking to head through the village. “And what’s down there?”

“Baa’Yega territory as well. Spirit-Sent, you have nowhere to go.”

Daniel turned to the East, toward the hills. “Rolo said the Spirit Forest is over there.”

“That’s… true, but” She took several steps toward him. “The Spirits, surely, they won’t allow you to enter. We stay far away from there.”

“That’s what I’m planning on.” Daniel said, possible scenarios playing in his head.

“So, you will hide there?” she asked, a bit more insistent. “Even if that were the case. You won’t be able to help your friends in Torre’. Who want to kill you, by the way.”

Daniel grit his teeth. This Dae was really starting to annoy him. Not just because she wouldn’t shut up, but because she was making sense. “It isn’t your problem.” He said.

“What do you want to do?” Matea asked. “I swear to you, we are only here to help you. Tell me what your plan is, and we can work together to solve it.”

“And if my plan is to sneak into Vul De Rah, rescue Katrina, and Kill Alektor?” Daniel turned to face her, looking into her eyes. “What then?”

She paused looking a bit surprised. “That would make no sense at all. High King Alektor is… he wouldn’t be easy to reach. You’d be facing certain death. Also, he is the only thing protecting your kind now.”

Daniel scoffed, “Sorry, I’m not buying that. Also, your mission is to protect this village, isn’t it? Why leave your post?”

“Protecting this village is only half of our mission.” She replied, pointing toward him. “You are the other half. Which is why we’re separating. Yogo will stay here to protect the village, while I go with you.” She pointed her other hand back toward her male companion.

“The answer is still, no.” Daniel said starting to walk toward the Northern tree line. Waving his hand over his head as a farewell, Daniel strode back to where he had come from. With supplies he would at least be better prepared for his survival in the wilderness. The fact of the matter was, he was still unsure of what his next move would be. He couldn’t stay in one spot for long, and any attempt to enter Baa’Yega or Torre’ territory would be impossible. Not while the High King and High Espi-Dae wanted his kind dead. Traveling to the North would bring him into contact with the Lokkadonian forces, which was also bad. Any attempt to approach the other side would be too horrible to imagine. Not after the events of the last few months. Not after Oros. Not after his time with Avria. You promised her revenge. He thought, but how is that going to be possible if they won’t even let you join their side. So, what am I supposed to do? There was the sound of crunching branches behind him, and Daniel whirled around to find Matea hurrying to follow him.

“I thought I told you to get lost!” Daniel fumed, stopping to face her fully.

“I can’t allow that.” She said, slightly out of breath.

She must have grabbed her gear and chased after him.

“Son of a bitch, you people are stubborn.” Daniel cursed, “Don’t make me, make you stay here. I will.”

“I’m sorry, Spirit-Sent. That would have to be your only option. I can’t in good conscience allow you to leave without doing my duty.” She strode up to him. “I am bound by honor to follow you, or bring you back with me to Vul De Rah. If for nothing else, then to rescue your companion.”

Her words halted Daniel’s thoughts. Maybe there was something to that. He looked at his hands. His abilities had changed drastically since his vision in the Dunem De Espea. He could now summon a metal blade at will, anywhere. And the flames that were once a violent crimson, now blazed a golden white. He hadn’t had a chance to truly test the full capabilities of this power, but he could feel the slight change within himself. The rage and hatred that fueled his Dunamis before had been replaced by a feeling of calm and serenity. Maybe that’s where I should be headed. If I can get into Vul De Rah, I can rescue Katrina. He thought.

He looked at her again. “You think I should go back?” He asked.

She hesitated, clearly not expecting him to change his mind so flippantly. “Yes.” She said, her resolve setting in. “I think you should. You would be safe there, and the proper care could be given to you.” She bowed her head. “I will show you the way.”

“Alright then.” He turned and pointed into the forest. “Lead the way.”