“Gunmar watched as Aurelia cast a solemn glance at the blighted lands around her. The joy, life, and very essence of the world itself had been twisted beyond understanding. He could see the pained expression in her eyes, thinking of how much blood had been shed to free the frontier from tyranny. All for it to fall to ruin. Where once, the tribes had found freedom, towns began forming to trade with Aurelia’s people. Only their corpses and burnt out husks remained.”

- The Adventures of Gunmar and Aurelia: Song of the Forsaken - Chapter 3: A Princess’s Doubts

The following afternoon saw another day of hard riding as they ended up near the Arterian border outpost manned by some weary Arterian rangers. Though they decried the mercenaries at first, after their commander had a chat with Sir Taurox and one of the legionnaire’s, the group was allowed to hunker down as they planned their search for the elusive kolonia.

Of that, they had a relative idea of where it might be, the rangers volunteering the information of nearby towns closer to the northern forests of Arteria having reported disappearances. They also made mention of the old smuggler’s route that Ary and Sophie had once taken to enter Arteria. Of potential holdouts in a few valleys beyond or perhaps the meeting point of the Ascaran marshlands bleeding into the western edges of Arteria.

Few patrolled those desolate places and fewer still had ever ventured out on a limb to try and locate some stray colony. Though the rangers did report increasing foot traffic in the northern reaches over the past few years. Something corroborated by the legionary representative.

So it was that the strike force split into three. Sophie and Taurox would wait at a place near the border affectionately named ‘Hector’s Rock’. It was, as its namesake implied, a really large rock to commemorate someone called Hector from ages long past. The rest of the legionaries would split into two scouting parties to locate and tighten the proverbial noose around the neck of the company.

Across the border, a solitary grey and blue flag stood raised high above the watchtower of a border post. The Ascaran authorities, it seemed, had responded to Taurox’s call to aid. The noose was set, and they were now ready to strike.

The plan itself had little beyond simply locating the exact location of the kolonia. They would have little time to prepare and even less to execute it without dragging the entire region into an unscrupulous affair. There would be no second chances and they would essentially be ruining any chances of an official investigation should they fail or succeed. Victory in this instance, was simply dealing a blow to the Braveskull company.

“I hope you understand what you’re signing up for. This will be your last chance to back out.” Taurox grunted as he circled around Sophie, the minotaur giving her last minute tips in fighting.

“I am.” Sophie declared and lunged, the minotaur effortlessly parrying her and pushing her back.

“There will be little recourse for you here to seek relief. No justification that would free your hands from the blood of innocents.” The minotaur launched his own attack.

“What do you-umpf!” Sophie crumpled from the blow, her parry simply being outmatched by the sheer force of Taurox’s blow.

“Up!" He barked, "What I mean is, all the foes you’ve faced before had left little leeway for you to react. It was do or die.” He pulled her up, “But now, we march against a trading house. Whoever violated your sister and those involved are, without a doubt, guilty. But those who might work under contract or have been press-ganged into service lie in murkier moral waters. Are they all guilty? Simply by association?”

Sophie gingerly grunted, dusting herself off and readjusting her attire. She looked away, trying to distract herself with readying herself for another bout.

“Maybe, or maybe not.” She growled.

“I merely inform you because this is the path you tread upon. The Goddess forgives much, but these sins are grave even if the cause might be good. To put down the ring leaders, I’m sure no one what object. But what of the lawyers, contractors, civilains who might be there? What would you do if they took up arms against you?” Taurox stated emotionless, the minotaur signaling that he was ready to continue.

“I’d fight.” She whispered and charged.

“Then- hmpf, good attempt.” Taurox blocked her strike, Sophie continuing to push, “Make sure to ask yourself this,” He pivoted and drew her into a trap, “Is it worth it?” He slapped her with the flat side of his battleaxe, the impact knocking Sophie back.

It was a deftly display of the blademaster’s skill. He had hit her with enough force to wind her, but just light enough to do no lasting damage beyond a potential bruise or two.

“For I am driven by the desire to do justice, to bring those who have sinned, however I can, to the light. Regardless of the cost to my own soul under sacred Astralis's gaze. That much you already know. But you,” He stared how down, his gaze far from friendly, “You are here for vengeance. Think on that, if you will.” He huffed.

Sophie looked away, unwilling to give voice to her own doubts. To her, their sins had already outweighed whatever forgiveness she could’ve given. Even still, she didn’t like how the minotaur’s words touched something uncomfortably ambiguous about the whole situation. What am I really here for?

Desperate, she leapt into one last attack only to find herself immediately caught off guard. She barely had time to widen her eyes in surprise before the minotaur dodged her blow with almost superhuman speed and grabbed her arm, throwing her to the ground. She groaned, dissatisfied with herself and in her loss.

“Most of all, no matter how much I distract you, do not let your emotions influence your fights. Emotions are a crutch, the last dying gasp on an animal with nothing else to give, little elf. No, you are to be a warrior, a fighter, for good or ill. In that, you must learn to embrace your skills, the techniques, and control yourself.” He reached out a meaty hand.

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Dejected and a little reluctant, Sophie tiredly sighed before grabbing onto it, allowing the blademaster to haul her back up. Defeated like a gnat, barely a nuisance, how humiliating.

“I teach you this because I see the potential in you, and that you also know to be true. For patterns and predictable mean your inevitable loss. In comfort, you find yourself arrogant, and easy to outsmart. Emotions are much the same, easily guided and provoked, just as easy to exploit. So, focus, little elf.” Taurox snorted, “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes, Sir Taurox.” Sophie let out a frustrated mumble.

“Hah! Such attitude, if you were a young templar I’d have you sent to latrine duty.” He chuckled.

Sophie arched an eyebrow at him.

“But I do mean what I said. Ask yourself if this is the path you will choose. Consider it well. For now, we’ll rest. No use exhausting you if the scouts come running back.” He half heartedly bowed as he gestured for her to break for the day.

Sophie simply stood where she was, watching the blademaster move back towards a nearby campfire. Not only had she been found wanting when it came to matching his combat prowess, he had found her morally deficient. Though Sophie tried to hide the tick of annoyance, she felt a pang of pain within. She had always dreamt of being a heroine, of being able to right wrongs the way Gunmar or Aurelia had in her stories. Yet, she couldn’t even do that. At least I’m Ary’s hero, she let out a sad smile. I couldn’t even protect Sophia, hells, I got her wrapped up into this. If I just let the Inquisitors know instead of calling to her that night. Hells be damned.

She gripped the hilt of her sword and adjusted her stance. Though she felt somewhat fatigued, she tried to remember the basics and practiced jumping into position. She practiced, dodging, lunging, slashing, and parrying, trying to mimic the way the minotaur had done but also keeping his old words in mind. I’m not as strong as he is and likely never will be. Not physically anyway.

Spurred on by a small spark of determination, she erased her thoughts and put herself into her practicing, only thinking of her moves and how her body is reacting. She tried to memorize her moves, to imprint them within her and then elaborate on them in a more rapid manner, to take advantage of her smaller frame to speed up certain movements. It also helped that it kept any unsavoury worries at bay while she practiced.

The legionaries returned with news of a clearing a few hours north that could suffice. It was tucked near the edge of the Highwall mountains and within the densely forested northern Ascar-Arterian region. A few of the scouts now had the place monitored, with a discreet rider waving their own banners to signal the Ascarans.

Taurox and a now distant Sophie joined up with the advanced group and headed deeper into the forests of Arteria. Unlike the Adonar or the Mistveil, the only true dangers here are the howler monkeys and the occasional goblin or bandit. At least, that was the case according to the Adventurers Guild. In Taurox’s warning however, he told Sophie in no uncertain terms that the woods are only getting more dangerous as Cyndralia gets drawn closer to the beginning of a new Dark Tide. Sophie had little inkling of what that might truly look like, but if it was anything similar to the visions in her nightmares, she could gladly do without ever truly finding out.

A part of Sophie dreaded what she would find. Though she thankfully hadn’t seen what Sophia had to go through, the pain she felt from the girl was more than enough. She also remembered the time she had gone into the goblin cave alongside Sir Taurox to save Aryana. She recalled the sounds, the tortured cries, and the pain echoing from deeper within. She shuddered at the thought.

“We’ve only scratched the edge of the kolonia. I’d say at least three hundred souls if not more. Mostly workers but a sizable half orc guard contingent and mercenaires.” Legion Sergeant Tano informed the duo, “I’ve got the squad spread out across the eastern and southeastern approaches. The rest will be up to you, templar.” Three hundred people? By the stars, how the hells are we supposed to handle that many people? Let alone the guards watching them.

“Understood, we’ll get it done.” Taurox answered, the minotaur acting more composed than Sophie ever could. Guess that’s the upside of having experience in these matters.

“And we’ll take care of the rest.” Tano confirmed.

Sophie felt sick. Her mind was embroiled in a hectic battle for her sanity as the debate of worry and morality waged on. Of avenging a wrong she had no right to interfere in without Sophia’s consent. And yet here I am. She winced, the idea of hurting her sister even more after everything proved to be beyond disgusting. But she knew it was too late to back down, and that there were others who might need saving. And so it begins.

The duo followed the sergeant until they arrived at a small gathering of two other legionnaires. The soldiers acknowledged their sergeant with hushed salutes. Sergeant Tano motioned for everyone to be quiet and made a series of hand gestures, the men responding in kind. They then started scratching something out of the dirt, drawing a crude map with the creative use of a few rocks and sticks.

Two patrols actively roamed the edges of the settlement. One more closer to the center of the kolonia. Lot’s of buildings but the scouts lack sightlines. At least a dozen checkpoints across the area. Mines further back beyond observable distance

The duo’s plan involved trying to locate whatever might’ve passed as a command center first, to acquire any important documents before everything goes to shit. Based on the scout’s crude art, none of the outlying buildings seemed nearly as important. It meant that they likely had to push even deeper into the kolonia without being spotted, or even more difficult, into the mines.

Taurox seemed to be deep in thought at this new information. Although the duo had discussed the possibility of needing to sneak their way through the entire settlement, the hope was that it wouldn’t come to that. After all, if the administrators here were made aware of intruders, there is the likelihood of any and all evidence being destroyed, including any victims. But having to penetrate deeper into the kolonia before acting meant an even more difficult operation than they had envisioned.

Sophie found the minotaur looking back at her. She shook her head, she wouldn’t back down now. Taurox looked almost disappointed but nodded in acceptance. Sophie felt somewhat relieved at his disapproval. It was a tiny, but poignant point of validation for her icky feelings about everything that might result from this. No, I had no right to take this from Sophia. But the people here need to be freed, that is without question.

The minotaur gestured to the legion scouts and they signed off something else, drawing a possible path into the kolonia from their observations. Studying the map some more, Taurox looked at her one final time. With a firm nod as her answer, whatever reservations were shelved and the minotaur gestured for her to follow along.

Sophie steeled herself, drawing forth her work habits, she wiped the last vestiges of emotion and doubt from within. Her hand now instinctively rested over her blade’s hilt, ready to draw it at a moments notice. A flash of her own disapproval crossed her face. She could feel it. A worrying desire for action, a tantalizing craving for battle. All she could do was close her eyes and take a deep breath, hoping the sensation would disapate. Stellesia bless my hand and Astralis grant me strength