Chapter 3

  Half a day's journey. That is what he had said. Perhaps less if she hurried. It was the closest treasure hold to the Capital. Plenty of time. Half a day there, half a day back, and a whole day to collect the artifact. A relatively mundane piece, according to Timor, and not particularly well guarded. It would be a simple task, easily accomplished by any worthy partner.

  Timor had not given much information on what exactly was guarding the dungeon. In fact, he had not provided her with much at all. On his departure, he had left her with a small map of the area surrounding the dungeon, a charm he described as being sort of like a compass, and finally, a locket, which he told her to open when she had returned with her prize. Then, he had vanished without so much as a farewell.

  Fia had the map and compass with her, but the locket she left at home. If the loop reset while she was away, anything with her would be lost, and she would have no way to contact Timor.

  She did not know what to make of Timor’s tale. Of course, Sophie had taught her of the many worlds hurtling through space millions and millions of miles from here, but to think that they were all under the rule of one empire. And that none of them knew it? It all seemed a little far-fetched. Timor claimed that all these worlds were lost, and yet he seemed to know so much about them. There was something from his recounting. In the end, she decided none of it mattered if he could indeed release her from the loop, and so she had agreed to his trial.

  It was just after mid-morning. A few more hours and she would be close. Fortunately, the western farmlands were far from Malachai’s advancing forces. The rebels came down from the north to sack the Capital. There was no fighting here, though; all the crops had been stripped to feed the King’s army.

  As she walked, Fia tried to take mental notes of the paths followed. If she took too long or, worse, died, she would need to remember how to make it back to the treasure hold. Could it be as simple as Timor claimed? She had not died in so long and was not keen to experience it again. She had some rather grotesque memories from her early days in the loop.

  But, besides these morbid thoughts, she felt a rush of excitement. Sophie had often taken her to search dungeons for rare magical items. It was one of her favorite pastimes. Nothing gave Sophie more joy than facing down a dozen goblins, basilisks, or any other horrifying beast blocking her path. Fia would cower in a corner and watch as Sophie trapped them in floating bubbles or bewitched them with the spell of irresistible dance. She never hurt them if she could help it, and the spells always wore off eventually. There was enough killing in the world, and Sophie had felt no need to add to its tally.

  Fia did not have her sister’s talent; she could not afford to play with any adversaries. Unfortunately, she could not blast them into nothingness either. She remembered a few spells, but most were for cleaning dishes or stocking shelves. Nothing that might prove useful on her quest. In her bag lay a few basic grimoires; hopefully, if she needed something, it could be found in their pages.

  The charm was growing warm in her pocket. This, she realized, was what Timor had meant when he said it functioned as a compass. It would grow warmer and warmer as she drew closer. Up ahead of her, at the crossroads, she spotted a cart. The compass could only get her close, and she did not want to waste any time wandering without purpose. Perhaps a local might have some useful information to guide her. The cart grew closer.

  “Hey! You in the cart!”

  The cart began to slow, and the wheels creaked as it came to a stop. Out from the shadow of its covering appeared a young man.

  “Hello there!”

  “You from around these parts?”

  “No?” He was shorter than Fia but well-built. On his back, sheathed, was a heavy great sword. An unusual weapon. Laughably large. It seemed far too unwieldy for practical use.

  “Where are you headed?”

  “There’s a town about an hour that way.” He pointed further west. Then, rather bluntly blurted out, “Are you a sorceress?”

  “Yes.”

  The man beamed, “I thought so! You have the look.”

  “And what exactly is the look?”

  “You know…” He shifted uncomfortably, staring down at his feet. “Big staff…magical looking cloak… Look, I think there has been a misunderstanding. I didn’t mean to offend you; in fact, I was hoping you could help me. I don’t have much coin, but there would be enough treasure for the both of us.”

  “Treasure?”

  “I made a go of it on my own but ran into some trouble, so I thought I would head back to town for reinforcements. Luckily, I met you! A sorceress must be worth at least a dozen men.”

  “Who says I’ll help?”

  “But you will, won’t you?”

  Fia sighed. “It just so happens I am in search of a nearby treasure hold—”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “Surely it must be the same one I speak of!”

  “It does seem likely,” she conceded. “Show me to this dungeon. If it is the one I am looking for, then perhaps we can help each other.”

  “Excellent—”

  “—But, if it is not, then I will have to leave you. I am on a very important journey, and I have very little time.”

  His face fell, but only for a moment. Then his eyes brightened, and his face contorted into a big toothy grin. “Can’t hurt to try, can it? Hop in my cart; the hold is just back up the road by the Whispering Woods.”

  He reached out his hand, and she took it as he lifted her up to sit beside him. “My name is Eike; I am glad to join your party.”

  “Fia,” she replied, “and let's call this a trial run.”

  They journeyed down the road in silence for a time. It was a beautiful day, as always. There was not a cloud in the sky, and warm spring winds blew lazily from the east. It would have been perfect. This part of the land had always been so green. But now, it was all brown, spoiled, and rotting. The farmers had given up; anything they grew only served to feed more suffering.

  “What is with that giant sword?”

  Eike’s chest swelled as he puffed up in pride, “Only a true Hero can wield a blade as heavy as this! It has been in my family for generations, and each one of its owners has left his mark. Winter’s Bane, they call it, for my great-great-grandfather who slew the King of the Frost Giants with it!”

  “Well, it looks ridiculous. Are you sure you can even swing it?”

  His face turned bright red. “I’m sure to someone who solves all problems with a wave of their staff, it may seem an impossible task for a mere man, but I promise you I am as fit to wield this sword as any who bear the Aalder's name!”

  “All right, all right, I’m sorry. I was only asking.” He seemed overly concerned with her questioning. “There’s no need to be so touchy.”

  He glared at her in response, muttering, “We’ll leave the cart at the edge of the woods.”

  She looked up. On the horizon, she could make out a tree line. She reached into her pocket to feel for the charm. It burned hot.

  They tied the horse and cart to a tree on the forest's edge.

  “It’s not far now. There’s a bit of a hill just off the path near the center of the woods.” Eike beckoned for her to follow as he stepped off the road into the trees.

  He was right. They had only been walking for half an hour when the trees began to thin. Soon, they gave way entirely into a glade. Dripped in sunlight was a gently sloping mound. Dug into the hill was a staircase.

  “Well, here we are…”

  He glanced at her quizzically, and she nodded, the compass burning in her pocket. This was it.

  As they descended the stairs, the air grew cold and damp. As the light from the sun faded, Eike looked to her expectantly.

  “We could do with something to see with,” he finally offered.

  “Oh, right.” What was the spell again? She thought back. Sitting by the fire with Sophie. They had been there for hours, just the two of them, whispering in the night till the flames were naught but embers. Then the shadows grew close, and she was afraid. She had been so small, the dark a beast still unconquered. But Sophie had been there. Sophie had always protected her. And she saw it, leather-bound and stained, her first grimoire. She opened it, and the room filled with light. A golden bauble and her sister’s face, brilliant in its warm glow.

  “That’s better.”

  At the end of the staircase was a great door hewn into the rock. Two slabs of black granite barred their way.

  “I sort of got stuck here,” admitted Eike sheepishly. “There is a mechanism to unlock the door, one on each side.”

  Fia raised her staff, and the ball of light moved forward, illuminating the door. On the left side, jutting out of the smooth stone, was a jagged rock. Beneath it read:

  The strength of the mighty is measured not in force but in what they offer.

  “That one seemed pretty straightforward, but I figured I would rather keep all of my blood until I solved the second lock. Which, as you can see,” he gestured disparagingly at the lock, “I was unsuccessful with.”

  She turned her attention to the other slab. Carved into the rock was an orrery and below it a second inscription:

  The Sun stands still, yet the world turns. Align the heavens to reveal the path ahead.

  “Obviously, each section needs to line up in the proper order.”

  “For someone with all the answers, I’m surprised you failed so miserably…”

  “Well, I couldn’t get the sections to turn properly.” He turned away from her, kicking at the chamber wall.

  Fia stared up at the door, puzzling over it. One drains strength; the other drains…

  “Mana!”

  Eike jumped at her shout, twirling around.

  “It’s good we came together,” she smiled excitedly, “The doors are meant to weaken us, make the challenges deeper inside more difficult.”

  “I don’t see why you are so excited; this just makes it harder for us.”

  “If I had come alone, I would have been too weak! But I can give my mana, and you can give your—”

  “—Blood,” groaned Eike, “So glad I can be of use, even if it is just as sacrifice.”

  “Oh, hush, you’d be stuck here without me. Whereas I do only need your blood, and even then, I could use my own in a pinch. Now help me figure out the alignment!”

  They stared in silence.

  “Seems like an eclipse might be the answer.”

  “Yes, yes, but for which planet?”

  “Ours, I supposed.”

  “I’m sorry, what?”

  “Our— Never mind the blue one.”

  “Why blue?”

  “You ever see another blue planet?”

  “You ever see any other planet!?”

  “Just give it a go!”

  “Fine!” She slammed her fist into the door. Immediately, the orrery sprung to life, and the planets began to spin.

  “I need you to align them!” She could already feel the magic leaving her.

  Eike rushed forward, reaching out to grab the moon. As he touched it, the piece came to a halt.

  “One to go!” he shouted.

  “Just hurry!” The drain was accelerating! How much mana could she afford to lose?

  “Don’t rush me! I don’t want to miss it!” His eyes chased the little blue ball as it swung round and round, never quite falling into place.

  Black spots blanketed her vision. She couldn’t hold on much longer. Was she about to wake up back home—

  “Got it!” Eike’s hand darted out and grasped the ball just as it swung behind the moon, and the orrery whirled to a stop.

  Behind the door, a wheel began to turn, and the creaking of unseen gears echoed through the chamber.

  Fia collapsed, panting.

  “Are you alright?”

  ‘You got it just in time. I don’t think I could have lasted much longer.”

  “I supposed I better go then.”

  “Don’t delay, we don’t want the mechanism to reset.”

  “Right.”

  He turned to the left side and, without hesitation, placed his hand around the jagged stone and squeezed. Eike gasped as rivers of blood streamed down his palm, dripping onto the door.

  “How much blood do you think it takes?” he asked, his voice trembling faintly.

  “Better keep it there until the gears start to turn again.”

  “What if I bleed out? I’m starting to feel a little faint.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that now...”

  “Why!? Why would you—”

  —Creaaaaaak—

  The wheels began to turn, and slowly, the great stone doors inched open as Eike tumbled to the floor.

  They had done it. Gained entry to a treasure hold of the God King.

  Cycle: Timor 1-2