Finnian could attest that there was more going on in a day than anyone was capable of perceiving. He saw it day in and day out with his parents, as their work made them aware of any changes, so there were always details to pass on and stories to tell. The information was as valuable as the knowledge he could find in a book. Luckily for them, Idelya’s caravan was more than willing to talk to the current Signers and their partners without expecting anything in return.

“It will be enough for me to hear a good story,” the elthean insisted again.

While she looked as human as they, he soon realised it wasn’t entirely true. A scarf half-covered her; her hair concealed cute copper-coloured cat ears to match her orange eyes. She also had a tail, or he could see as soon as they got close, but beyond that, she wore travelling clothes in shades of brown and green. The rest of the merchants were similar, not all so chatty, but more aware of what was around them.

“Some have weapons,” Aer pointed out.

“And others don’t need them,” Nero added.

Just as they did not continue on their way without being cautious, so did their new companions. Soon, Idelya explained that they were going from city to city to sell various goods, something that had been more complicated in recent times. They were not just sellers but teachers and warriors, protecting each other. It was a different lifestyle from what he had seen so far, but they were happy on the move and always had a place to return.

The younger elthean watched them from afar, as the rest of the adults did not want to be disturbed. However, it was enough for Aer and Leith to approach them for the laughter to begin while the rest talked of more serious matters.

“Any indication of Calamity or the Erosionator nearby?” Finnian said.

“We lost sight of them recently. They’re being a little elusive when it comes to moving,” Blanche explained.

For once, they both seemed to be on the same page. They did not want to repeat the same mistakes as with the pack, so they preferred to omit certain information that could blow up in their faces. Telling they had just fled from Ariel or had another mission rather than stopping him right away would not be accepted willingly by many. And while Finnian was not in favour of lying, he wasn’t about to explain himself to just anyone either.

“Calamity continues to advance on all fronts, although as far as we know, he is not getting the expected results. Especially since you arrive,” Idelya said.

Both in the south and north, Ariel’s forces were trying to conquer more strategic points. He had made progress, no one would doubt that, and many decided to join his cause for the mere fact of preserving their lives. However, others like Alasdair continued to defend themselves, resisting every attempt to attack them.

“But trading is becoming more and more complicated, and hunger is starting to make many take more... violent paths,” Idelya admitted.

Food was a problem, even if it was only the tip of the iceberg. Everyone was looking to fill their pockets with whatever they thought was of value, while others used whatever means they could to defend themselves.

“You guys are doing well, aren’t you?” Rune said.

“That’s the impression it gives if you keep travelling,” Nero said.

“Our caravan is warlike but peaceful. We understand the value of things and work to get where we are.”

They may not be the most famous merchants, but they were respected enough to be trusted. Trust was valuable, though a rare commodity in times of war. As far as Nero could detect, he agreed that they were fighters, although he did not know how they would manage to hide their true strength.

“Their clothes,” Ead said. “Look at them carefully. They are made with magic so that you can’t easily see how powerful they are.”

Each protected himself as best they could, a detail everyone had in common. Their narrative matched what they saw of Ariel in the short time they were together. He “solicited” their cooperation was another indication that his plans were not going as the Lord of Calamity had hoped. Resistance continued since their presence reaffirmed the faith the elthean had in the legend of the Signers. He did not know if the others would have suffered the same inconvenience, but the significant problem they all faced had a different name. Instead, silence flooded the caravan when the conversation turned to the Eroder. The adults tensed, the children stopped enjoying the game and the jokes, holding their breath.

“We haven’t found him, but we came close once,” Idelya said.

Her voice, though firm, carried a note of concern. As she told them, it was all part of their routine. They would go to towns or villages, sell and teach what they could, and then leave to continue their journey. On that occasion, however, they were a day’s journey away when they saw in the distance how the city itself was reduced to the ground.

“All those lives lost,” she said, closing her eyes as she shook her head.

“Did you check?” Blanche said, to which Idelya nodded.

“That monster was gone. We could not leave without finding out if anyone would need our help.”

It was a different picture from what they experienced. There were hardly any buildings still standing, let alone anything valuable that could be used. Nor were there any survivors to narrate the incident in their own words, although if something like this managed to leave breaches in their hearts, whoever survived the Eroder would be scarred for life.

“We don’t know what someone like that has in their head,” Idelya said.

“We don’t either,” Finnian admitted, forcing a smile. “He moves around too much to have a pattern.”

“It just creates a bigger imbalance.”

Although the merchant saw it with different eyes, everything related to the cosmic balance was bizarre. However, common sense told him that any action that involved causing so much destruction could not bring any good.

“The kingdom of Aurean resisted his attack. We don’t know the details, but the Eroder tried to strike them and had to retreat,” Idelya said. “Some say it has weakened since you came here.”

“It’s a possibility. We’ve had several encounters, and it ended up fleeing as well,” Finnian said.

He possessed strength beyond what they saw as possible. He must have had limits to the facts he referred to, but that so few elthean managed to survive implied that he was assimilating them, killing them and taking their power. The purpose? It escaped their understanding beyond strengthening, though they would find out sooner or later for a straightforward reason. He would always seek him out, and it would not be long before they would see each other’s faces again, though the outcome would be different. However, someone like that would give them trouble for such cruelty, not to add that it would cost them to repair the damage he caused Elthea.

“We’ll stop him,” Finnian said.

“You have more help than we imagined,” Idelya said, then hesitated with her words and added. “The rumours are true, aren’t they? A Signer with more than one partner.”

“We have much war to give to those who are making you suffer,” Aer said, his smile widening.

“As long as you don’t bore them with your jokes, I think we’ll all be safe,” Nero replied.

A comment that made him indignant and snorted, causing the others to let out a laugh. They may not have been together long, but that didn’t stop them from treating each other as if they had been friends for a long time.

“We’re not alone, though. Blanche and her partner, Ark, are as strong as we are,” Finnian said, pointing a thumb at them.

“It’s no big deal,” she replied, though without hiding a smile.

“Calm will return. We’re working on it,” Leith said.

The look from Idelya and those closest to her unveiled the despair that must populate the elthean’s hearts. Hope may be fleeting, but they were there to remind her in any way they could.

“It is in times when we have only darkness that the light is seen most clearly,” Finnian said. “May the stars illuminate your future, one for which we will all fight.”

“Let us hope it comes as soon as possible,” Idelya said.

He was fighting for much, and though this was not his world, it was enough to sense his friend to know he was on the right path. They might be from different corners of Elthea, but that didn’t separate them or keep them from working together. It was their world, and they were working hard to ensure it didn’t end up shattered. It could be a highly complex task, too much for someone his age, but he would not be the one to turn away from a challenge.

“Now, let’s talk about something more entertaining,” Idelya said, biting her lip and raising her eyebrows as her ears twitched.

“Oh, yes, a story,” Finnian said, running a hand over his never. “Any ideas?”

“It’s not worth any embarrassing ones, is it?” Rune said, getting a quick slap from Aer.

“Of course not. Don’t you think they’d be more interested in more exciting ones?” Aer said.

“Hey, we have a few in our arsenal,” Leith said.

Perhaps not all of them could be shared, or not at that very moment. But Idelya’s company had been too pleasant to disappoint, so they decided to play it safe.

“Have you passed near Ellery Forest?” Finnian asked.

“Of course. Was it you who brought it back to normal?” Idelya said.

Although luck played a role in many aspects, they were told that someone dominated the forest, a witch with too bad a temper and a preference for dark places. Aer made use of his charm to enhance their battle in the cave, not to mention an exit so saturated that they would never forget it. And, from the way they had looked at them, they were sure none of those present would. They just hoped they weren’t the last they would hear of them.