The Endless Forest

Tal sat, sweating in his chair. Below him people danced without a care in the world. They indulged themselves in the music while he suffered silently from the balcony.

He was in the city of Ancor, the largest port in the Holy Triumphant. It was also the headquarters for its navy.

They don’t know–

Tal shook his head, he couldn’t waste his time worrying about others. He was desperately holding onto his thoughts…

His arrival played out like how Cassius said it would. The effects of the curse placed upon him had returned in force. He had managed to find his anchor, the one thing that kept him grounded.

Felix.

For a moment, a single instance, clarity returned to him. Then, it was gone. But it was enough.

He turned his head slightly to face the only other individual sitting with him up here, Fleet Admiral Antony. The man was dressed in all white, a requirement for all officers. And upon his chest were his decorations and medals, all polished and gleaming.

The Admiral was an older man, somewhere in his fifties, and had a lifetime of experience on the high seas. There was more to him, however. Antony was one of the few critics of the High Prophet.

Normally, someone like him would never make it to his position. But the High Admiral was part of the second largest faction within the country. That alone made him hard to touch, but that wasn’t all. His family had a lengthy and storied history within the navy.

Could he…be Cassius? It would make sense, given what Tal could recall about the man. But that also made it seem unlikely. Why conceal? There wasn’t a reason for him to do so.

“Are you sure you are feeling alright?” The Admiral asked, noticing that Tal was staring at him.

Centering himself, Tal responded. “Yes… Just not used to the climate.”

“Ah. Then perhaps we should make our way back inside? I wouldn’t want the Champion to have a heat stroke.”

Hiding a grimace, he waved the concern away. “If I…cannot handle this, then what good am I as the Champion?”

Antony studied him for several seconds before relaxing. “Very well, if you insist we shall stay for a while longer. However…” He pulled out a golden, round object from his pocket. With a click, it opened.

“…We have an hour to go before we must depart.” He was about to put the object away when he saw Tal giving a curious stare. “A pocket watch, quite a marvelous invention. It doesn’t require holy energy to operate.”

Holding out the watch, Tal leaned closer to get a better look. There was a faint Tick, tick, tick noise coming from it. Each time, the second hand moved.

“In…credible,” he muttered, trying to concentrate. He had seen clocks before, but nothing as small as this.

“Yes,” the admiral pulled it away and pocketed it, “It definitely is… Tell me though, Champion, is this really necessary?”

Tal was taken aback from the sudden question. “I’m…sorry?”

Antony stood and gestured to the people below. “This. Is it necessary? Look at them, how happy they are.” He turned around. “Must we waste their lives?”

“What are–” Tal focused on his anchor, giving him a few more moments to focus on the question. “I don’t know. But we have our orders.”

“That we do…” The Admiral took on a severe look. “Five thousand men, that’s what can be mustered for this operation, in the time allotted. Clearly, the High Prophet wishes to see me fail. Otherwise, I would have more time and more ships at the ready.”

Tal did his best to give the other man a sympathetic look. “I’m…sorry. This isn’t what I want either,” he struggled to get out in a steady voice.

“Oh, I am aware, Champion. I’ve looked into your past. It was your brother who should have been here, not you.”

“Please,” Tal said, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t bring up my brother.”

“I apologize, I meant no offense. But I know you had no ambition to become the Champion. That is, until you suddenly challenged your– him. I can only speculate, but I bet the High Prophet had something to do with that.”

Tal fell back into his chair, brooding. Between the curse and the topic of his ascension as the Champion, he was now in a terrible mood. And there was nothing he could do about either it seemed.

Antony waved his hand as if swiping the topic away and retook his own seat. “Anyway, I am not your enemy, Tal. I know more than most the challenges you face.”

Tal looked back to the admiral upon hearing his name and scoffed. “Sorry…but I don’t…believe you.”

“I don’t blame you, your path… Everyone will claim to be your friend, only to stab you in the back. I know from experience, but I hope to prove it.”

Feeling himself losing his thoughts, again Tal reached for his anchor. Felix… “And how do you hope to prove it?” He said, feeling the onset of a headache.

With a smile, the Admiral answered. “We have a mutual friend,” he leaned closer and whispered just loud enough for Tal to hear.

“Cassius.”

Eri listened, hiding a mischievous smile as Felix nervously explained how he had met Haldria.

Of course, she didn’t think he was lying as she too had some experience with her.

Still, she saw an opportunity to tease him.

“Am I not enough for you?! You go off to Bernel to gallivant around with another woman, all the while leaving me here!” Eri said dramatically, doing her best to sell her outrage.

“What– No! I mean… Yes–” Felix tried desperately to answer her, but only ended up digging himself deeper into trouble.

Eri just couldn’t resist, especially now that she could relax. She threw her head into her hands and pretended to cry, much to Felix’s alarm.

“Eri, please! You got to believe… Me…” He trailed off as her fake tears turned into laughter.

She nearly collapsed to the ground but managed to catch herself. “S-sorry!” she said, now wiping away real tears. “I couldn’t help myself!”

Taking a moment to calm down, she straightened herself and took a deep breath. A new smile formed as Felix gave her a frustrated look.

“Relax, Felix, I believe you. I happen to know a bit about Haldria and how she acts towards those she likes.”

“You…do?” He asked, his expression softening.

Eri peeked over his shoulder to the woman in question. Haldria had moved and was now trying to hide behind a tree.

“I do,” she said before calling out. “It’s okay Haldria! You can come out!”

The other woman poked her head out from behind the tree. “I-I’m sorry, Eri! I-I didn’t know you two were actually– I mean, I wasn’t expecting anyone but Felix!”

That got Eri to raise an eyebrow, but she let it slide for now. “It’s fine, just come on out!”

Slowly, cautiously, Haldria stepped out from the tree and approached. She came to a stop a few feet away, not wanting to get any closer.

“So tell me, Haldria, were you actually planning on swimming?” Eri asked, noting that the woman was in her work clothes.

“No…” She replied, casting her eyes downwards. “It was a joke, I uh… I really came here to tell Felix and Zira the good news.”

“Oh? What’s that?” Felix asked, and even Zira perked up at the mention of her name.

“The saddle, I will be starting on it soon.”

“Wait, really?! That’s great news–” Felix caught himself, “But, shouldn’t you be concerned with more important work right now? I’m sure plenty of the workers will need to have their clothes, wrappings, and…whatever else they may have, repaired.”

“Felix is right, but what is this talk about a saddle?” Eri asked, it was the first time she had heard of this.

“Huh? Oh! I made a promise with Zira that I would get one made.” He added, rubbing the back of his neck.

Oh! Oh! Oh! Can we get one for me?! Kyrith added, nearly shouting in her head.

Patience! But…maybe? A saddle would be nice, she added thoughtfully. However, she let the conversation play out for the moment.

The tanner and leather worker shrank back a little but responded to the two of them. “You aren’t wrong, but none of that requires a lot of attention. I can, um, do most repair work quickly. Besides, I’m still waiting for a few things to be constructed before I can start anything.”

Eri became more serious, sensing that this was something that she could help with. “What do you need to get started?”

“Nothing– I mean, Gil has already started prioritizing where resources should go. The wood workers are already making me a few barrels and a tanning rack…” The woman trailed off for a moment as her eyes drifted over to where Noria was.

“I don’t really need it, but…” She added, but quickly caught herself.

“What is it? What do you need?” Eri pressed.

Noria, who had been partially watching, decided to come over. “You need something enchanted, I take it?”

“Yes…” She answered with a nod. “But, I can ask someone else! There are a few people who know some enchanting, I’m sure I can get one of them–”

“I’ll do it,” Noria said, cutting off Haldria. “I’ll do it, because you were always kind to me back in the village. You never hounded me to get something enchanted.”

Haldria looked up with surprise. “Well, I always thought you were so busy. I never felt the need to bother you unless absolutely necessary.”

“And I appreciate that.” Noria gave the woman a smile. “Besides, if I heard correctly, you are making Felix and Zira a saddle?”

Haldria nodded.

“Then, as payment, I will have you make me one as well– Of course, once Azelea is big enough. And, I suspect I won’t be the only one to request such a thing…” Noria gave Eri a knowing glance.

“Absolutely! It'd be an honor to have saddles made for you all! I Always wondered about the old tales,” the tanner muttered.

Felix shrugged. “Well, ask away. I’ll do my best to answer so long as it’s nothing too personal.”

“Really?!” Haldria suddenly shouted, her face lighting up.

“Really,” he responded.

She moved closer to them before she asked.

“What’s it like?”

Felix finally lowered himself down into the pond. Haldria had questions, a lot of questions. It was honestly a little overwhelming but he was happy to answer them. And, overall, he was glad to see her become more and more comfortable.

However, after several long minutes she eventually had to leave and he promised to stop by later so that she could get Zira’s measurements. Of course, his partner was still growing but the tanner said she could make it adjustable…

Letting out a relaxing sigh, Felix turned his attention over to Eri. She was currently scrubbing down Kyrith, much to the ember-colored dragon’s delight.

Smiling at the amusing scene, Felix decided to call out. “So you knew Haldria?”

“Hmm? Yes, though not well. Most of my interactions with her were when we needed something made.”

“We? You mean you and Aluin?” He asked.

“Of course. Master Aluin might be a Sage, but Haldria is one of the best leather workers in the forest.”

“So Chief Yorlen wasn’t kidding about that…” He muttered, but Eri must have heard him.

“Chief Yorlen is in love with her, you know?”

“Wait?! Really?” That surprised him more than it should, and thinking back it actually explained a few things.

“You didn’t notice?” Zira asked a little cheekily. She was currently sitting in the deepest part of the pond, soaking.

“Does that surprise you, Zira?” Eri said. “We both know that men are clueless, especially a certain human.”

“Oh, haha. Very funny…” Felix said, rolling his eyes.

“I thought it was,” Zira quipped.

“Indeed, it’s funny because it’s true.” Eri added with a smile. “Anyway, Haldria has a crush on him as well.”

“Now, how do you know that?” Felix dared to ask.

She stopped scrubbing Kyrith for a moment and gave him a look. “See, Zira, this is what I’m talking about.”

“Oh, I know.”

“Okay, okay, fine! I’m clueless!” Felix slapped the water out of annoyance. “Care to explain?”

“Simple, she told me herself.”

Felix stared blankly at Eri.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“But, wait, didn’t you say you didn’t know her very well? Why would she tell you that?”

Eri gave him a quick shrug and went back to scrubbing. “Same reason she apparently has taken a liking to you. She decided to trust me.”

“And now you’ve gone and spilled her secret.” Felix accused.

“Pretty much everyone knows, but I suppose I can’t blame you for not realizing. I’m not the first she’s told, and I’ll be honest, I’m sympathetic. If I thought telling you was a bad idea, I wouldn’t have said anything.”

Felix went quiet while he thought about that, however another question came to him. “If they are both in love, why aren’t they courting at the very least?”

With a sigh, Eri brought her full attention to him. “Look, it isn’t that easy. Chief Yorlen is, well, the Chief. Haldria is a Tanner.”

“So? Wait, are you telling me that Chief Yorlen is like a noble and she isn’t? Is that why?” He sounded incredulous.

“In a sense, yes. It’s a little more complicated than that. But many would look down at their relationship.”

If that’s true, then… “What about us? Are people looking down at you because of me?” Felix felt a hint of anger boil up at the thought.

“The short answer is yes– However,” she quickly added as he opened his mouth, “You are a little special. First, the Dragon Queen brought you…here. Second, we have Aluin’s blessing. Very few would go against either one of those, let alone both.”

“So because Fea brought me back to life, I’m treated differently? And hold on a second… When did Aluin give us his blessing?”

It was Eri’s turn to give him a blank stare before quickly turning to Zira. “Again, this is what I meant.”

Zira let out a chuff. “Now you know what I have to deal with. I hope you are prepared, because I will be dumping him onto you more often now.”

“Thanks…” Eri drew out the word before catching Felix’s frown. She gave him a warmer smile. “It’s okay though, I knew you were clueless and still fell in love with you.”

“Well, thank the Gods for that I guess.” He muttered and sank deeper into the water, blowing out bubbles as he partially buried his face.

Still, hearing her say she loved him did make his heart skip a beat.

“Ah, Eri… Don’t forget about me!” Kyrith shook impatiently, clearly upset that the scrubbing had stopped. “And I should be getting all your love. I hatched for you, that means we were perfect for each other.”

That got a laugh from almost everyone, save for Felix.

Eri patted Kyrith’s side. “Almost perfect, but I love you too.”

He whimpered at that. “But I’m not clueless, so I’m better than Felix!”

More laughter followed, and now Felix had dunked his head completely underwater.

Great, just great…

Zira poked at his mind.

What?! Care to make fun of me more?

No, actually. He felt her forming a smile.

What then? Can’t you see I’m trying to drown?

That can wait, it’s time for my bath!