Whims of Kiraan

Ithan spent most of the next week in the kitchen, cooking for the dragonkin who frequented the tavern. Fenvyre usually served the food, but occasionally he would do it himself to take a quick break from the heat of the kitchen. On one occasion, he stepped out to serve his companions, but his resentment forced him to retreat without so much as saying hello to them. They were going to slaughter a tribe of creatures with no clear ill will against anyone.

On the night before the party planned to return to the mountains to meet Balkam, Ithan once again slunk into the kitchen. He was surprised to see Taer’inar standing there, his arms folded across his chest as he leaned against one of the countertops. There was an aura about him that made Ithan want to flee the tavern. This presence… it was reminiscent of his father’s.

“What do you want?” Ithan growled.

“I want you to dine with us, Mor’lavan,” Taer’inar replied.

“Is that a request or a demand?” Ithan scoffed.

“I won’t force you,” Taer’inar said as he stood up. His voice belied the atmosphere around him. “But it would really mean a lot to us if you did.” He stepped toward Ithan and placed a hand on his shoulder. There was a sadness in his eyes that matched his somber tone.

“I’m not really in the mood to dine with a pack of bloodthirsty murderers,” Ithan snarled, brushing Taer’inar’s hand aside.

“We’re not ‘bloodthirsty,’” Taer’inar argued. “We’re just doing what needs to be done. Do you think I like killing people?”

“Don’t give me that crap,” Ithan retorted. “You’re a swordsman. You’re prepared to kill at a moment’s notice.”

“Yes, I am. It doesn’t mean I want to do it. But I’m looking out for what’s best for the guild.” Taer’inar peered past Ithan into the tavern. “Cooperating with the dwarves is our best option right now. We’ll have access to their tunnels for easier travel, and they might have more information about what’s beyond the mountains.” He stepped past Ithan and into the doorway leading into the tavern proper. “We all have to make sacrifices for the benefit of the guild. That’s what we all signed up for. If you weren’t prepared for that, then I don’t think we can make this work.” A strange pain crept into Ithan’s chest as the elf disappeared from view. It was much different from what Kiraan had inflicted upon him, but he remembered the feeling from another time. It felt as though his heart was being ripped from his body.

As the night went on, Ithan tried to distract himself by cooking and cleaning; he even went so far as to start cleaning the kitchen itself, which he normally left for the mornings when there were less guests. By the time most of the dragonkin had gone home for the evening, Ithan had made the kitchen nearly spotless, save for the few mugs and dishes left to clean.

“Hey, kid,” Briryn said as he poked his head into the doorway, “go spend time with your friends.”

“They’re not my friends,” Ithan muttered. The pain in his chest worsened, like his heart was being crushed.

“Who’re you trying to fool?” He stomped over to the freezer to pull out some of the leftover meats and cheeses from earlier in the day. He arranged them on a platter as he talked. “Now I know you don’t like what they’re doing, but if they mean anything to you‍—and I know they do‍—you’ll forgive them. What’ll you do if they don’t come back?” A lump began to form in Ithan’s throat as Briryn put two loaves of bread in the middle of the platter and handed it to him. “Don’t let them leave here thinking you hate them because of what they’re doing. It’ll weigh more heavily on them than you think, and then it’ll be that much harder for them to succeed.” He wiped the tears that were beginning to flow down Ithan’s face, then put a hand on his head and ruffled his hair. “Let them know you’ll still be here when the fighting’s done.” Ithan nodded, and Briryn grinned. He stood aside so that Ithan could pass through. As Ithan entered the doorway, he turned back to the dragonkin.

“Thanks, Briryn,” he said, returning Briryn’s smile.

“You’re a good kid, Mor’lavan,” Briryn replied. “Keep at it.”

Ithan walked the food over to the table where his friends sat. Despite their differences, Briryn had convinced him that they were indeed people that he cared about. They were the first group of people to fully accept him since forming his pact, unlike so many others who had shunned or attacked him merely because of his strange appearance. Regardless of their convictions, they were his precious friends. He placed the platter on the table and seated himself between Ian and Bimpnottin.

“There he is!” Dhurik shouted, holding his half-empty mug in the air. “Told you he’d come around!”

“I’m glad you changed your mind,” Taer’inar added, smiling softly. The aura that he had exuded earlier in the evening was gone now, or at least hidden by the more cheerful atmosphere of the group. “It wouldn’t have felt right celebrating without you.” He pulled a scroll from his robe and tossed it to Ithan. Confused, Ithan opened the scroll‍—it was a letter from the Seal.

In an effort to establish improved relations with The Kingdom Below, the City of Greenreach under the Seal of the Burning Scale Dynasty has agreed to reopen the Rockfall Mine by the end of the year.

The City of Greenreach wishes to contract The Averion Company to pacify the mine. The guild will receive five hundred gold pieces as payment if the mine is completely pacified before the summer solstice. The guild is free to remove anything that is not important to continued mine operation as part of the pacification process.

The Seal of the Burning Scale Dynasty approves of this request and expects a full report from The Averion Company at the conclusion of the contract.

“What’s ‘The Kingdom Below?’” Ithan asked.

“It’s the dwarves’‍—” Bimpnottin blurted before Storm covered shoved a wedge of cheese into his mouth.

“Oh,” Ithan muttered, reading through the letter again with this new knowledge. He looked up at Taer’inar, and he could tell that the elf was a nervous wreck beneath his smile. After a moment of gazing into those pleading eyes, he took a deep breath and forced a grin. “Well, I guess this is cause for celebration, isn’t it? We have our first real mission as a guild!” Taer’inar’s face lit up at Ithan’s words, and his joy from seeing Taer’inar’s widening smile lessened the pains he still felt in his chest.

“And that’s not all!” Taer’inar continued excitedly as Ithan passed the scroll back to him. “Briryn’s agreed to sell us the inn!”

“Wait, why is he selling the inn?” Ithan asked.

“He didn’t tell you?” Taer’inar replied, his head tilting slightly. “He’s going traveling.” Ithan scrunched his face slightly. “Don’t worry, it won’t be until the end of the summer.”

“I just wish he would have told me,” Ithan scowled.

“He didn’t want to bother you,” Storm said. “You’ve been kind of moody lately‍—ow!” Bimpnottin jabbed his elbow into the auran’s side.

“I’m sure he was getting around to it,” Taer’inar continued, ignoring the auran and gnome as they tussled next to Ithan. “Don’t hold it against him.”

“I know, I know…” Ithan grabbed a piece of cheese and tossed it into his mouth. He would need to ask Shalin where he had gotten this variety; it would go wonderfully with a glass of Aeviri.

As the night went on, Ithan’s discomfort slowly faded, giving way to a more cheerful atmosphere. He talked and laughed with his companions, and even found himself enjoying Ian’s company. Yet, toward the end of the evening, when Briryn closed up the bar and the group began saying their goodnights, a bothersome thought began to press against Ithan’s mind.

“What’ll you do if they don’t come back?” Briryn’s voice echoed. His chest started to ache again. He had forgotten what it felt like to have friends, and now that he had them, it seemed like the gods conspired to tear them away. He did not want this to end. He did not want to be alone again.

You are not alone, Kiraan prodded. You have your dear master.

How comforting, Ithan replied without thinking. What would I do without you, milord?

You should watch your tone. Have you forgotten your place so quickly?

Sorry. Force of habit. Please forgive me.

Never mind. You should not get too attached to these creatures, you know.

I can’t help it. I’m only a lesser creature, after all.

Instead of seeking companionship, you should be focusing on the Crypt of Kings.

I’m working on it. Please, just… give me a little more time. I promise to obtain the artifact before the equinox.

…I will allow it. Play your little game for now. Just remember, the pain that you have suffered is nothing compared to what it could be. Ithan shuddered as Kiraan’s presence faded. Kiraan’s mood was near fluid in nature, and Ithan tried his best to gauge it whenever his master intruded upon his mind. It was difficult since Kiraan’s monstrous voice made him sound like he was always angry, but this time there was an undertone of… tedium? As if his master had grown bored of him. Ithan hoped so; perhaps he would be bothered less if Kiraan had less interest in him.

“Rest well,” Briryn said to the group as they passed by the bar. Ithan stopped and walked over to the dragonkin. “What’s up?”

“You’re leaving,” Ithan muttered as he sat at the bar. Briryn put a hand on top of his head and scratched.

“Ah, I wanted to tell you after you’d gotten out of your rut,” he said. “It won’t be ‘til the solstice, but my job’s just about done.”

“What do you mean?” Ithan asked, tilting his head.

“Well, you’re gonna think this is crazy,” Briryn replied, leaning in toward Ithan, “but Elyan paid me to stick around for another fifteen years.” When Ithan scrunched his face in disbelief, Briryn laughed. “I couldn’t believe it myself. You know how much gold that is? Guy came from some serious money.”

“I’m sure.” Ithan had become mildly intrigued by this Elyan. He had never heard of him growing up, and he seemed so unlike Varian. Yet they were certainly family; a distant relative, maybe, one that was beneath Varian’s notice? That would explain the differences in their behaviors. But that still left the question of what Elyan was doing in Averion.

“But anyway, this year’ll be fifteen. There were some rough times, but in the end I’m glad I stuck around.” He grinned. “Something interesting’s gonna happen soon. I can feel it.”

“So, after the solstice you’re leaving, just like that?”

“Just like that. I’ve enjoyed my time here, but I want to get out and see more of the world.” Briryn picked up a mug and poured himself some beer. “Greenreach is a speck of dust compared to the rest of the world. It’d be a shame if that’s all I ever knew.” Ithan understood Briryn’s musings; he was fascinated with the idea of exploring the world when he was younger. He often heard travelers’ tales as they passed through Sol’vara.

“I hope you find what you’re looking for, then,” Ithan said. “And until then, I’ll be happy to keep working for you.”

“I’d like that,” Briryn replied. “Now go get some sleep. I’ll need you bright and early tomorrow.” Ithan nodded and left Briryn to his drink.

🙡◊🙣

Ithan stands among his friends at the peak of a mountain. The trek was difficult, but at long last they have reached the summit. Ithan smiles as he looks up at the evening sky. He has come a long way with his friends, and he is glad they have stayed by his side.

Then, the stars begin to vanish, and the moon turns a blood red. One by one, Ithan’s friends begin to collapse as a ritual circle forms on the ground around them. In a panic, Ithan tries to help his friends, but he is trapped at the center of the circle. Taer’inar is the last to fall, and as he looks to Ithan, his eyes go wide with horror before the light leaves them. Ithan drops to his knees, filled with anguish at the loss of his friends. As the ritual ends, he stares up at the blood-filled sky and screams in agony as the essences of his friends fade away.

🙠◊🙢

Ithan woke that morning with tears in his eyes and a horrible pain in his chest. He pulled himself out of bed and headed down to meet Briryn, who was talking to Alicrath and Yariel.

“Thank you so much again for helping us out,” Yariel said to Briryn. “Are you sure you don’t want anything for your trouble?”

“Please, I wasn’t gonna let you guys be stuck in the cold,” Briryn replied. “You were no trouble at all. In fact, it’s been great having the kids around.” He frowned at Ithan when he noticed him descending the stairs. “You’re late! Get your butt in gear or you’re gonna miss ‘em!”

“Who?” Ithan asked as he rubbed his eye.

“Your friends, idiot!” Ithan’s heart skipped a beat. He scrambled out of the tavern toward the western gate. He paid no mind to Apostalite when they waved at him, nor to the dragonkin he passed along the way. He had to catch his friends before they got too far out. He wanted to make sure they knew he was rooting for them, even if he did not agree with what they were doing. As he approached the gate, he saw his friends passing through it, and shouted out to get their attention. They stopped and waited for Ithan to join them and catch his breath.

“Are you here to say goodbye?” Taer’inar asked.

“No,” Ithan replied, still bent over and struggling to breathe. “I came… to tell you…” He took a deep breath and stood up straight to face his friends. “Don’t die.” Dhurik let out a hearty laugh before he beat his fist against his chest.

“We’re gonna be fine!” the minotaur announced.

“If things get tough, we’ll make a break for it,” Storm said.

“Agreed,” Ian and Bimpnottin added.

“We’ll be back,” Taer’inar said, resting a hand on Ithan’s shoulder. “You have my word.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Ithan replied. The aura around the elf was similar to last night, but somehow Ithan did not fear it like before. Perhaps it was because he no longer saw Taer’inar as a threat like he did when the group first agreed to help the dwarves. “Laht favor you,” he muttered with a sly smile. Taer’inar rolled his eyes before walking away with the group. Ithan waited for them to disappear from view before beginning to head back to the tavern. When he returned to the square, Apostalite waved at him again. He waved back as he approached.

“And how are you today, my lovely Mor’lavan?” Apostalite asked. Hisashi and Nazita sat on either side of them on the fountain; they had been listening to another of their tales of Laht.

“Lava!” Hisashi shouted. “Did you hear? Mom and Dad got a new house!” He kicked his legs back and forth as he spoke. “It’s twice as big as our old one!”

“That’s awesome!” Ithan replied, smiling as he leaned down to Hisashi’s eye level. “Is that what they’re talking about inside?”

“Yeah,” Hisashi said. “Dad’s asking if Uncle Briryn’ll help move stuff from our old house.”

“Ew, it’s probably all covered in webs,” Nazita added.

“They’re gonna clean it first, dummy,” Hisashi said. He turned back to Ithan. “Oh, and me and Nazita get our own rooms now!”

“Aren’t you going to miss sharing a room with your sister?” Ithan laughed.

“No!” Hisashi crossed his arms over his chest. “She sleeptalks!”

“Do not!” Nazita cried. “You’re hearing things!”

“Not anymore,” Hisashi said. He leaned over Apostalite and pinched Nazita’s arm.

“Now, now, you should be kinder to your sister,” Apostalite scolded. “What would you do if she disappeared without you?” Ithan looked up at the ignan, his mouth agape. Hisashi frowned, stood up, and walked over to Nazita.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered as he wrapped his arms around his sister. “Don’t go away.” Ithan stood up and stepped back from the group, holding a hand to his head.

“Is something the matter, Mor’lavan?” Apostalite asked.

“I’m fine,” Ithan mumbled before walking away toward the tavern. Alicrath and Briryn were still talking when he stepped inside.

“Didya catch ‘em?” Briryn asked when he spotted Ithan.

“Y-yeah,” Ithan stuttered, trying his best to hide his anxiety over the memories that the twins had stirred up.

“Glad to hear it,” Briryn continued. “Listen, we’re gonna be closed today. We’re helping Ali out with salvaging what we can from his old place.”

“‘We?’” Ithan asked.

“Well, I just assumed…” Briryn trailed off as he scratched the back of his head. Ithan shook his head quickly.

“No, no, it’s fine,” Ithan said. “I’d be happy to help. Sorry, I’m still waking up.”

“Wonderful!” Alicrath shouted. “Shall we start, then?” He turned to Briryn, as if awaiting approval.

“Sounds good to me,” Briryn replied. “Kid, there’s a cart out back we can use for the heavier stuff. Grab it.” Ithan saluted Briryn and ran into the kitchen and through the back door. The cart was buried under a heap of discarded boxes and other trash, so he had to dig through the pile to clear a path for it. He imagined Storm or Taer’inar joking about his situation if they had been here to see it. He pulled the cart around to the front of the tavern and waited for Briryn and Alicrath to appear.

“Are you helping too?” Nazita called from the fountain.

“Of course, he is,” Hisashi said. “He wouldn’t let Dad and Uncle Briryn do it by themselves.”

“Shall we?” Alicrath said from behind Ithan. Ithan nodded, turning to him and his brother. Briryn grabbed the cart and began pushing it through the square. Ithan waved at the twins, who were aggressively flailing their arms at Alicrath. Alicrath stuck his tongue out at them. “Sonys is in charge while I’m gone,” he said as they passed the fountain. Both twins groaned behind Ithan as he followed the dragonkin.

“So, what’s Yariel up to today?” Briryn asked as the three walked through the town.

“Oh, you know her,” Alicrath replied. “She’s making sure everything’s perfect at the new place. She’ll probably tell us exactly where everything should go when we get there.”

“Sounds like Ren,” Ithan mumbled, not paying much attention to what he was saying. He looked up to see the two dragonkin giving him a strange look. “What?”

“Who’s Ren?” Briryn asked. He began to grin as Ithan’s eyes widened. “Your girlfriend?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Ithan shouted. “I’m still waking up. Probably just nonsense.”

“The boy protests too much,” Alicrath laughed as he nudged Briryn. Ithan narrowed his eyes at the dragonkin. “Oh, come on, tell us!” Ithan let out a sigh and looked at the ground as they continued to walk.

“Renwyn Eruthil,” Ithan muttered, his face already burning at the mention of her full name. “I met her a few years ago. She took me in when no one else would.” He frowned as the memories continued to surface. “She… left me.”

“Why’s that?” Briryn asked.

“I did something terrible,” Ithan replied, “and she had to leave because of it.”

“Then what’re you doing out here?” Alicrath questioned. “Why not chase after her? You love her, don’t you?” Ren’s golden hair and crystalline eyes used to consume Ithan’s thoughts when he stayed with her. He had pushed those thoughts aside after she left; he knew he would never see her again. Yet now that he was thinking about her again, a feeling of euphoria washed over him, and the memories of her blossomed like the first flowers after a long winter. And then, there was the feeling of emptiness when he remembered the day she left.

“I wanted to,” Ithan replied. “I wanted to follow her so badly. But I was too weak to go where she was headed.” He shuddered at the thought of returning to Sol’vara back then.

“Is that why you came out here?” Briryn asked. “To get stronger?”

“Yes,” Ithan replied. It was not technically a lie, though his reason for traveling to Averion did not involve Ren. He might have been able to return to her after accomplishing his goals, though, were his soul not forfeit.

“Well, you’re plenty strong already,” Briryn continued as the three approached Alicrath’s farm. “Wherever this place is must be absurdly dangerous.” You have no idea.

The day went by rather quickly for Ithan. He worked hard recovering furniture and items of sentimental value and bringing them to Alicrath’s new home near the center of town. Since no one else volunteered to assist and the guards did not wish to leave the safety of Greenreach, the three of them had to make sure that none of them were isolated in case of a spider attack. They made slow progress; by the time the group had made three trips it was already approaching noon. The three rested for a bit to enjoy a meal from Yariel before setting back out again to finish their work.

As night began to fall, and the last of the recovered items were loaded onto the cart, Ithan looked to the west for his companions. He had hoped that by now the group would have finished their mission and were nearly back. He was disappointed when he saw no sign of them on the horizon.

“They’re gonna be fine,” Briryn assured from behind, putting a hand between Ithan’s antlers. “They’re plenty strong, too.”

“I know,” Ithan muttered. He watched for a moment more as the sun sank below the trees in the distance, then helped the dragonkin push the cart back into town. They brought the cart to the new home and began unloading items into the house. Yariel directed them to simply put them in the corner of the main room.

“Thank you so much again, Briryn,” she said as she placed bowls of stew around the dining room table. “And you too, Mor’lavan. Could I ask one more favor?”

“Of course,” Ithan said.

“Could you fetch the children? Dinner’s ready.” Ithan nodded, walked out the door, and headed back to the tavern. Apostalite had already gone by the time he approached the fountain, which meant that Hisashi and Nazita were already back inside. He stepped inside and was pleased to find Fenvyre and Sonys playing chase with the twins.

“Hi Lava!” they all shouted at once.

“Is this how we’re greeting our guests now?” Ithan laughed. Before anyone could answer, he motioned toward the door. “Are you guys ready to see your new house?”

“Yeah!” Hisashi yelled. He grabbed Nazita’s wrist and ran with her out the door. Sonys and Fenvyre followed behind, both smiling gingerly at Ithan. Ithan led the group back to the Velthins’ new home and brought them inside. Yariel grabbed the twins before they could begin exploring the house.

“You can run around all you want after dinner,” she said when Hisashi groaned. They all sat down around the table and began to eat while Alicrath told a story of how he and Briryn were once top fighters in the pit. They used to have team battles, until Alicrath and Briryn destroyed the competition for three years straight.

“The great thing with teams,” Alicrath said as he chewed a piece of meat, “is with the right team there’s nothing you can’t do. Me and Briryn were just too much for any other team to handle.”

“Why couldn’t they just ban you two from fighting together?” Ithan asked.

“That’s exactly what they did,” Briryn replied. “But then there were two teams that were unbeatable. Three draws later they stopped team battles altogether.” He grinned at Alicrath. “We’ve always been evenly matched, right down to the tooth.”

After dinner, Ithan helped Yariel clean the dishes while the twins explored and Alicrath and Briryn finished putting things in their places around the house. Sonys and Fenvyre headed back to the tavern to pick up Sonys’s things.

“Sonys has taken a liking to you, I see,” Yariel said. “I’m glad she’s starting to break out of her shell.”

“What do you mean?” Ithan asked.

“Oh, she was always the quiet type, never really had anyone she liked to talk to,” Yariel explained. “Most of the other girls her age are always watching the fights over in the arena, but Sonys isn’t interested in that. But then Fenvyre came along and started helping us around the farm, and Sonys finally had someone to talk to who didn’t talk about boys all the time.” She smiled. “Now she’s more comfortable with herself because of Fenvyre, and she’s made another friend.”

“I’m glad,” Ithan said, “though it’s probably just because I helped her before.”

“Maybe,” Yariel mumbled. “I hope that’s not all it is. I think she might just be trying to sort out her feelings. She has a bit of a crush on Fenvyre, you know.”

“Lava!” Nazita called suddenly from the main room. “Fen’s looking for you!”

“Go on, dear,” Yariel said to Ithan. “And thank you again.”

“Let me know if you need anything else,” Ithan replied before heading out of the kitchen into the main room. Fenvyre was standing in the doorway. “What’s up?”

“I didn’t think you’d still be over here,” Fenvyre said. “I thought you’d be back at the tavern by now.”

“I wanted to help Yariel clean,” Ithan said.

“Well, you’re done now, right?”

“Yeah, why‍—” Ithan was interrupted by Fenvyre grabbing his wrist and dragging him through the streets. She pulled him in the direction of the tavern. “Hang on! What’s the hurry?”

“You’ll see,” Fenvyre replied, picking up speed. Ithan hastened his own pace to keep up with the dragonkin. Ithan had not realized how much time had passed; by now the moon was shining high above the trees.

When Fenvyre pulled Ithan into the tavern, he was met with the scent and sight of blood all over the tavern floor. Pieces of bloodstained armor littered the floor and tables, and near the bar was an axe dripping with the red liquid. Ithan was horrified when he recognized the axe as Dhurik’s. His heart stopped for a moment before he heard a shout coming from the corner of the room.

“Hey, it’s Dogboy!” Dhurik shouted. Ithan looked over to see his friends, safe and sound‍—albeit scratched and bruised a bit‍—and enjoying themselves at their usual table. Ithan tilted his head toward the ceiling and let out a loud sigh.

“Don’t do that to me,” Ithan growled. His companions laughed.

“I told you we’d be back,” Taer’inar said, smiling wide at Ithan as he approached the table and sat down.

“You did,” Ithan recalled, “and here you all are.” He returned Taer’inar’s smile and joined the group in celebrating their safe return to Greenreach. All the tension he had felt throughout the day finally vanished as Ithan assured himself that he was not dreaming, that his friends had not died as he feared they would. He savored the happiness that he felt with them, and in that moment, he realized nothing could make him happier than being with his friends.