INFERNUS ARC

Amrin was dropped off at the gate by the Academy carriage. As he exited the carriage he made it a point to not make eye contact with any of the guards on duty and instead make his way back towards Barin’s tavern. He was glad that his sense of direction and memory were good otherwise he would no doubt have gotten completely lost.

The sun was beginning to set and the various shops and homes were starting to put out lanterns. The closer he got to where he believed the tavern was located he began to hear a familiar sound. The clamoring and shouting of a throng of people. He couldn’t help but chuckle and assume Kessler was at it again with the street fighting and betting.

As he turned the corner he was greeted to the confirmation of his hunch. Although this time the crowd looked a little larger than the one he saw earlier.

“Hey there. Mind if I get by?” Amrin asked as he tapped on the shoulder of the closest person.

“Eh? Get lost pretty boy!” the rude man said and immediately went back to shouting and ignored him.

He didn’t quite know how to take being called a pretty boy, but he shrugged and admitted it was better than anything else he could have been called. Before Amrin could attempt to convince anyone else to move out of the way he heard a loud boisterous voice ring out through the crowd.

“That’s enough you idiots! Get outa here! It’s almost dinner rush, and I’ll not be having you morons drive away my customers!”

The voice was Barin’s. Amrin couldn’t help but smirk at his concern over whether he would be losing customers and not whether the Knight guard would attempt to arrest people or shut him down for something.

Barin was quite convincing, whether it was because there was an unspoken agreement with the group, Kessler and Barin, or if he was just that intimidating. The group began to disperse, some heading into the tavern for a meal or drink, while others took to their own path and headed off home. It happened quite quickly for such a large group that moments earlier looked like it was about to start a riot.

It wasn’t long before Amrin could finally see the entrance to the tavern, as well as a few familiar faces sitting on a bench in front. Walking towards the entrance, he took second to bow his head at the gentleman sitting between the two scantily clad women.

“Evening, Kessler. I hope your stomach is doing ok?” he said teasingly, a grin plainly on his face.

The three figures on the bench quickly looked at him with confusion and annoyance. Kessler immediately noticed his eyes and his jaw dropped. The two women quickly lost their annoyed expression and replaced it with one of awe. Amrin noticed this and quickly winked at the two and headed into the tavern while grinning.

“Ah! My boy! I thought I wouldn’t see you again!” Barin quickly yelled out after noticing who had just entered his establishment.

“Well, for a little while today I was thinking the same thing. Thought I’d stop by one more time and give my thanks.” He looked around the main room and saw that it was packed with customers.

For having such a violent and uncommon scene out front, the customers varied wildly from the typical dirty and unkempt peasants to better dressed and clean worker. He thought he saw some higher class or possibly nobility in a small cleaner section of the main room as well.

Amrin also quickly realized that there wasn’t really any room for him to sit at the bar, and all the tables had groups of people conversing and spread out.

“Of course! Of course! Hey, you two, go sit with Tom over there!” he barked at two random people sitting at the bar.

“Eh? C’mon Barin…you know Tom’s a pain in the ass…” one of them said depressed.

“Shut it! He’s an important guest o’mine, now git!”

The two men grumbled, but began to gather their plates and mugs of alcohol and depressingly headed over to the table.

“You didn’t have to do that.” Amrin said feeling guilty.

“Nah! Don’t worry about it. Now, what’ll ya have? Oh, but first.” He paused his own question and walked closer to the stairs. “Adalyn! Get yer ass down here!”

Amrin chuckled and shook his head. It was the same as before.

“Ugh! Dad, what do you...” Adalyn popped her head down from the bannister and immediately saw Amrin. “Amrin!” the smile on her face went ear to ear and she immediately jumped over the bannister and ran towards him.

Without thinking about it she jumped and wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed. It took him by surprise but he knew he wouldn’t be seeing her again for a long time, or possibly ever if he was able to get any information about the others. Thinking this, he returned the hug and squeezed.

“Whoo! You two want some alone time!?” a shout rang through the large room. Accompanied with whistles and whooping sounds.

Adalyn quickly released Amrin.

“Shut up! You old fools are just jealous!” she chided jokingly.

He couldn’t help but feel that Barin had something truly special here. There was all manner of customers ranging from the poor to the rich and they all interacted without any care for that. Adalyn was part of this atmosphere, and Amrin was positive that she was mostly responsible for it.

She quickly took the open seat next to him and ordered food as if she were a customer.

“I’ll have two Barin house specials and two mugs’o’ale please barkeep!” she shouted.

“Right away!” Barin shouted back. A few minutes later he produced two plates piled high with sausages rolls, vegetables fried in butter and salt and a thick piece of heavy bread to soak up the juices. Amrin was given a large mug with ale and Adalyn was given a small cup with something else.

“Excuse me, barkeep! This isn’t the ale I asked for!”

“Ya damn right it’s not ale! I won’t be having my daughter drinking that at her age! Ya get to test out that crazy drink concoction you told me about earlier!”

“Drink concoction?” Armin asked.

“Oh, right, at the Guild we were given this amazing sweet fruit drink. It had sugared water and slices of fruit! It was amazing.” She looked into the cup before drinking it and frowned. “Dad…there’s no fruit in here.”

“Of course not. Fruit’s not cheap ya know. I left it in the pitcher! It’s the flavor you’re looking for anyway. Don’t be a baby and drink it!”

She was reluctant, but took a quick gulp of the liquid. Her eyes were clenched shut tightly prepared for the worst when she suddenly opened them up with a surprise.

“Dad! This is amazing!”

“Ha! I knew those snobs at the Guild didn’t know what they were doing!” he declared and started to laugh.

“What did you do?”

“Ah, that’s a secret little one. Also I plan on making a desert with the fruit that’s soaking in the water over night. I think it’ll turn out good as well.” Despite his appearance, he was apparently quite capable in the kitchen.

“I’m impressed, dad. I’ll have to raise my opinion of you now.” Barin began to nod his head in agreement.

“Wait…what do ya mean!? You had a low opinion of yer old man?!”

The room began to laugh at his surprise, along with Adalyn. Amrin couldn’t remember the last time he was in such a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. He missed it. He just continued to watch as the father daughter pair continued their banter over the food and drink. He turned to admire the joviality the tavern had and grinned in amazement.

“Amrin!” she yelled.

“Huh? What?” he shook himself out of his daze and looked at Adalyn.

“You ok? You haven’t touched your food.”

“Oh, yeah I was just…admiring the atmosphere is all.” He smiled and then took a bite of the sausage. “This is good. Thank you.”

“So…you’re heading out tomorrow aren’t you?” she said, sadness clear in her voice.

“How did you know?” he turned to look at her.

“A hunch I guess? Plus you’re acting a bit distant all of a sudden. Even though I’ve only known you for a few days, you tend to wear your emotions on your sleeve. So it’s not hard to notice when something is up.”

“Ah…that obvious huh?” he grinned.

“Just a bit.” She held up her index finger and thumb close together. “So who’s going to be going with you?”

“Her name is Kaia. She seems quite capable, given her race and all that is.”

“Oh? Is she a High Elf or something?” she asked nonchalantly.

“Oh, no she’s actually a Demi-human. Feline.” He smiled.

Adalyn’s face went blank after hearing this. She put her fork down and looked at him with concern.

“One of them, huh?” Amrin’s face changed to concern and confusion at how she said it.

“Why do you say it like that?” he asked, his eyes narrowed slightly in concern.

“Well everyone knows they’re lesser beings. Can’t be trusted.”

He was annoyed. He had no idea where she got that mindset nor did he care.

“And what makes them so much lesser than you or I?” his voice had a hint of frustration. His narrowed eyes were now ones of frustration and his brow was furrowed because of it.

“Well, they share blood with animals…they just….are.” She didn’t sound convinced herself, but continued regardless.

“Adalyn.” He pushed his dishes away from him slightly. “I have no idea where you got such a ridiculous notion, but there is absolutely nothing lesser about them.” He said sternly and swallowed his annoyance.

“But…” she began to protest.

“But, nothing.” The tone of his voice made it obvious to her that she shouldn’t continue. “In fact, if you think about it for even a second. How is it that a race that is faster, stronger, more agile, capable of seeing in the dark as well as natural born hunters less than a human, which is capable of none of that?” He looked directly at her with unwavering eyes.

Adalyn swallowed hard. The eyes that were looking at her were ones that could see through her if they wanted. She didn’t know how to respond. She knew she said something she shouldn’t have and upset him. Her lips began to quiver and her face felt hot from frustration and embarrassment. She stood from the stool and ran upstairs without saying a word or making eye contact with anyone.

Amrin could do nothing but scratch the back of his head and sigh out loud. Frustrated with himself he rested both arms on the counter in front of him and shook his head dejectedly.

“You’ll have to forgive her.” Barin spoke up. “She’s not used to things outside of this cities walls, or whatever drivel they teach in the academy. Or at least what the other students decide to rumor monger in there.”

Amrin looked up and saw Barin frowning while cleaning a glass with a towel. His grizzled look seemed sad and slightly embarrassed by his daughter’s views and skewed opinion on things.

“So you don’t share in her…view of them?” he asked.

“No. I fought ‘longside a few of these lesser beings in the war. Any one of ‘em I would gladly call brother and lay down my life for. For they laid theirs down for me.” Barin said with a tone full of guilt and sadness. “I tried tellin her that they aren’t any different than us. We eat, sleep, live, laugh, love and die…nothin different at all.” He shrugged his massive shoulders.

“You don’t mind that they look different?”

“You kiddin? I’m harrier than some a’them!” he laughed as he said it.

“You are a…truly a special human, Barin.” Amrin said absentmindedly with a thin smile on his lips.

“Human? Lad…how much ale have ya had anyway? You’re no different than me!” he declared.

Amrin looked up after realizing what he said and chuckled.

“Well…not nearly as hairy.” Amrin replied sarcastically.

The two of them began to laugh out loud.

*****

The following morning started out like any other for Amrin. Although after having a few too many drinks while chatting with Barin saw to him passing out instead of meditating like he usually did. He was grateful that he didn’t have a hangover for the first day of his journey to a fiery hell. He sat up in the bed, in the same room as usual and blinked a few times to try and get rid of the grogginess he felt.

Throwing his legs over the side of the bed he pushed himself out and began to stretch as he usually does. Arms out to the side, standing on the balls of his feet and arching backwards. Only this time he yawned the entire time as well. The other mornings he was awoken or greeted by a spirited blond haired face popping into the door way. But there was nothing like that this morning.

He couldn’t help but feel that he may have come on a bit strong with Adalyn last night. Deciding he couldn’t do anything about it now, he left the room and headed downstairs. Like the other mornings, it was pretty empty except for a few of the patrons that slept there the night before. Amrin looked around the front counter to see if Barin was available to thank him once more, but was disappointed when he saw no one.

Retracing his way down the same path he traveled the night before he arrived at the carriage depot for the Academy. Again, making sure not to make eye contact he showed the seal that Elynara gave him the night before, indicating he was a member of the academy. The guard acknowledged the seal and ushered him forward and into the carriage. Breathing a sigh of relief Amrin sat inside and waited for the trek to the academy where he and Kaia would set out to Infernus Pass.

He wasn’t sure if it was because he felt a little on edge due to leaving without apologizing to Adalyn, but the time it took to get to the Academy was much faster than he remembered from the night before. The carriage pulled around to the entrance as usual and he jumped out to be greeted with a few more faces than he was expecting.

“Good morning Mas…” Elynara cleared her throat. “Amrin. I trust you had a pleasant night’s sleep?”

“Oh, uh, yeah. Actually I drank too much and passed out.” He said reluctantly, to which Elynara could only shake her head and sigh. “Um, and these gentleman are?”

“Ah, yes. Well I’m sure you know Captain Lestith already.” She gestured to him and he bowed in return. “This is Lieutenant Grandall.”

He stood at attention and bringing his right arm up to his chest hit his fist to it.

“They will also be accompanying you on this mission.” She finished.

Kaia was standing just behind Elynara, fully armored with her helmet on already. She didn’t seem to be agitated by the extra and unexpected members of the journey, but then again, he didn’t quite know her well enough to know if she was agitated or not.

“I see. Umm…why? No offense.” He raised one hand towards them.

“There was a little bird that told us of your mission and requested official aid from the Capital Knights.” Lestith replied.

“A little bird huh?” Amrin raised an eyebrow. “This little bird couldn’t possibly have requested this in a manner that made it obvious that it was not a request but more an order beyond her standing?”

Lestith and Grandall just looked at each other, cleared their throats and pursed their lips. It was all the confirmation he needed. He had no idea how she did it, but Adalyn has apparently convinced the Capital Knights to accompany Amrin and Kaia on this mission.

“Well, regardless, there are four horses ready for the journey north. I trust I need not mention the importance of safety once you reach Infernus Pass?” Elynara asked rhetorically. “Very well. I shall see you all within two weeks’ time.”

Lestith and Grandall bowed and walked to their horses, making sure the saddle and their gear were secure before mounting. Amrin walked closer to Elynara to ask something.

“Are you sure it’s ok for them to come with us? I feel bad enough Kaia has to come as well, but now these two?” he frowned slightly at the prospect of inconveniencing people unnecessarily.

“You do not need to worry about my safety Amrin. I am quite capable of taking care of myself.” Kaia declared as she walked towards her horse.

“What? Oh, no that’s not what I meant.” She had walked off before he could explain further. “Great…this just got even more awkward.” He said as he raised his eyebrows and shook his head in regret.

“Don’t worry Master. She is a very capable fighter and chanter.” Elynara said, the tone in her voice and smile on her face showing the pride she had in Kaia.

“That’s…” he sighed. “That’s not what I mean. It’s just not necessary to have all of these people come with me when I can get there, get the Adamantine and be back with no trouble. I don’t like inconveniencing people or dragging them along on something that can be completed with little fuss.”

“Master. If that is the case, then think of it as a great inconvenience to me that you do not have escorts for an area that is quite dangerous….” She replied. Lowering her eyes and fidgeting with a fan she held in her hand.

“There’s something you’re not telling me, isn’t there?”

“First, take this please.” She took his hand and wrapped his fingers around a large smooth red gem. “This is a communication crystal. It’s much larger than the one Kaia has, so it should work at least until the village before Infernus Pass.”

“Ely, what aren’t you telling me?” he asked again, eyes narrowed and voice filled with concern.

Elynara closed her eyes briefly and breathed deeply. Upon opening them she looked Amrin square in the eyes, a look he has not seen her make before. Full of confidence, but also of worry.

“There’s….something sleeping at Infernus Pass. We have no idea where it came from or what it is. But it is incredibly dangerous.” She finally answered, her eyes not leaving his.

“You don’t know what it is but know it’s dangerous?” he tilted his head and squinted slightly in confusion.

“Well, we know what it is, but…not what kind of beast or monster. It’s something no one has ever seen before.”

“And you were going to let these three follow me there?” he said slightly annoyed as he waved his hand in the direction of the other three who were now behind him readying their horses for the journey.

“They are aware of the risks. It is the only reason they are going with you. They know not what you’re capable of, but they believe if you went alone it would be suicide.”

“Why didn’t you mention any of this last night?”

“Because the last time anyone has heard anything about it was during the Scourge Wars. I didn’t feel it necessary at the time, but Kaia believed it would be beneficial to at least be apprised of the potentiality.” Elynara was speaking in a tone that Amrin couldn’t help but feel proud of. Before she was always so timid and reserved. It seems that her time as Headmistress and the independence she gained while he was imprisoned has done her good.

“The…Scourge War? Someone mentioned a war last night. What was it about?”

“It happened not too long ago, actually, almost thirty years or more?” she paused, raising an eyebrow and looking into the air at nothing in particular. “If you ask Kaia, I’m sure she will be able to tell you more. There’s not much time for me to discuss it in detail. But again, the last we heard about this monster was over thirty years ago. That is why I said it was sleeping.”

“But you’re certain it’s still there?” Amrin narrowed his eyes as he asked Elynara the question.

“If it had moved or traveled elsewhere, I’m positive there would be no undue amount of panic across the kingdom. Thousands would have lost their lives.”

“That bad?” Elynara nodded slowly. “And if it just so happens to cross our path while we’re there?”

“Let us hope that you do not.” She said sincerely. “While I know you will make it out safe, I fear for the others.”

“Then why in the name of…!” he began to raise his voice in frustration, his face turning a hint of red, but immediately calmed down. “Then why in the name of all things pure and holy in this world are they coming with me?!” he said through gritted teeth, his fist clenched in front of his mouth to keep from yelling.

Elynara looked passed Amrin and spoke in a louder than normal voice.

“You three. Are you absolutely certain you wish to accompany Amrin on this journey?” she asked out of nowhere.

Amrin didn’t bother to turn, but instead smacked his forehead with his open right hand and clenched his eyes shut.

“Of course. It’s Infernus Pass! Why would I give up the chance to visit the site of the greatest and most epic of battles during the Scourge Wars?” Grandall said loudly, a giant grin on his face.

“Indeed. I hear there are still remnants of those beasts wandering into nearby villages, so on my honor as a Knight, it is my duty to dispatch any that I can.” Lestith replied boldly.

“It is at the request of my master. And a service to the one whom she serves. It is my honor and privilege to assist in this endeavor.” Kaia bowed slightly as she replied to the question.

Amrin had no idea what to say. His eyes were wide open and stood completely still in shock. He quickly turned and looked at all three of them.

“You know what’s up there, right?” They all nodded in acknowledgement. “You could get injured or die!” He furrowed his brow and declared with urgency heavy in his tone.

“And as a Knight that isn’t a possibility every day anyway?” Grandall narrowed his eyes and asked sarcastically, Lestith curled his mouth downward and nodded in agreement.

“Kaia?” Amrin looked at her next. His hands out to his side in exasperation.

“As I said before. I am quite capable of taking care of myself. But if I feel my life will be in danger I will not hesitate to flee.” She said succinctly.

“That’s cowardly!” Grandall shouted.

“My service is sworn to the Lady Headmistress. Make no mistake, I live to serve her, not you two or the Capital Knights.” Due to her having her helmet on it was not possible to see her facial expressions, but the tone of voice she used made it obvious she was completely serious. “And I’m quite confident that Lord Amrin is just as, if not more than, capable as I.” She turned to face Amrin.

Amrin turned back to Elynara with wide eyed and open mouthed. She couldn’t help but hold a victorious smile, her chin lifted slightly higher into the air.

“They’re crazy…You’re crazy…you’re all out of your damn minds.” He rubbed his face in frustration.

“They are confident. Master. There is a difference.” She said gently as she reached to lower his hands from his face. Her eyes were stern and yet gentle, he had no room to argue, nor did he want to.

He smiled and looked at her up and down. Taking her entire being in and closed his eyes gently and shook his head.

“When did you grow up so much?” he sighed in surrender. “I might have to stop thinking about you like the young little Ely I knew all those years ago.” He smiled.

She quickly blushed at this and couldn’t help but let her heart flutter at the prospect of Amrin seeing her as a woman instead of a child. She forced herself to stay composed though, if she were to burst from excitement or tear up over hearing this, it could ruin everything. But her body betrayed her, only slightly, as her cheeks turned a brilliant pink color as she looked longingly into the eyes she’s waited centuries to see again.

“Perhaps you should.” She managed to say with elegance fitting her position.

Amrin turned and headed towards the horse that was prepared for him and quickly lifted himself into the saddle. It had been a while since he had ridden a horse, but it was one of the things you never forget how to do. At least he hoped so.

“Well, I’ll see you in two weeks?” he said.

“I better.” Elynara nodded gently with a simple and caring smile.