Much to Taer’inar’s dismay, the group had to stop shortly after their battle against the terror of Paswall Cave to rest and recover. Fenvyre was completely exhausted from her transformation, and although Dhurik would never admit it, even he was in rough shape from the flames that had come from the creature as he cut into it.

  The terrain here was rocky, and slightly hazardous, but at least they had sunlight to help them navigate through it. They found a place where the ground was solid and slightly hidden away—in case any other monsters roamed the mountains here—and Taer’inar and Irse prepared their usual protective spells. Bimpnottin prepared a campfire while Fenvyre and Dhurik rested.

  “It is no wonder the gnolls would not go near the cave,” Irse said. “That creature truly was terrifying.”

  “It’s so quiet here,” Fenvyre said. “I hope it stays that way.”

  “The storm has only ever expanded southward,” Irse said. “I cannot help but wonder how quickly the witch will learn of our actions and send the gnolls after us.”

  “We’ll have made it to Meriterre long before then,” Taer’inar said. “It’s only about another day’s travel from here.”

  “I let my guard down,” Ithan said as Taer’inar sat down next to him at the small campfire Fenvyre made.

  “You’re safe,” Taer’inar said. “That’s all that matters.”

  Ithan clenched his fists as he glared down at them.

  “Why do you do that?” he muttered.

  “Do what?”

  “You keep saying things like that,” Ithan said. “That all that matters is that I’m safe. That’s not the only thing that matters. What about you? What about our friends? What am I to you that you would value my life over theirs, or even your own?”

  “That’s not…”

  “My young pupil, we all agreed to this,” Bimpnottin said. “All of this would be for naught should something terrible befall you. Not that anything would, as long as I am around!”

  “We all wish for you to be safe,” Irse added. “And if reaching Meriterre is what is necessary to achieve that, then so be it.”

  “I should have stayed in Myth Veri’Shantar, then,” Ithan said. “Or Greenreach. They were both safer than this.”

  “That may not be the case for much longer,” Taer’inar said. “Even if Rham keeps his promise and doesn’t attack Greenreach, the gnolls might expand into that region themselves. And you’ve seen how close they already are to Myth Veri’Shantar. Besides, you still want to recover your memories, don’t you?”

  “I… guess so.”

  “Yes, yes!” Bimpnottin said. “And you might discover how better to use your magic!”

  “Right…”

  Taer’inar rested a hand on Ithan’s shoulder.

  “The worst is over, Ithan. We’re nearly there, and then you won’t need to worry anymore.”

  Somehow Ithan doubted that. He still had plenty to worry about between the gnoll invasion and the impending war between the terrans and the dragonkin; neither would be resolved simply by reaching Meriterre. But after pondering for a few more moments, he realized that if he were indeed to recover his memories, and become able to call on his magic more naturally, then he could better aid in those affairs. He could take care of himself, and Taer’inar would no longer need to protect him. He would never have to fear the loss of his friend over his own foolishness again.

  “You’re right,” he said. “We’re almost there.”

  The group did not linger for too long, as Taer’inar wanted to at least make it to the base of Meriterre before nightfall. However, as Taer’inar crested a hill ahead of them, he stopped and stared at something beyond it.

  “What’s wrong?” Ithan asked. He walked up the hill to join Taer’inar, and he very quickly found what had stopped Taer’inar in his tracks. The mountainous path ahead of them led down into a valley, and within that valley lay hundreds of buildings and other structures. One larger structure—one with walls and towers all connected to a tall building—rested at the base of another mountain.

  “Eleana said nothing of a city,” Taer’inar said. “And that castle lies right at the base of Meriterre.”

  “Let’s hope they’re friendly,” Fenvyre said.

  They continued cautiously down the mountain until they at last reached the base. Many large rocks surrounded the path at the mountain’s base, and amid them just ahead on the path was a large stone gate. Elvenoid figures stood atop the gate, all wearing leather armor and helms. They took notice of the group, and a flurry of arrows launched from the wall toward them.

  “Wah!” Bimpnottin shouted as an arrow whizzed past his ear. Taer’inar drew his sword and Irse raised her staff.

  “Hold your fire!” someone shouted. They strode forward, and after a moment the other figure ran up to join them.

  Two figures exited from a smaller door next to the gate. The taller figure, donned in full plate armor, held a tower shield in one hand and a longsword in the other. The figure in leather armor held only a longsword. When they reached the group, they removed their helms to reveal their faces. They were elves—at least, that was what Ithan thought until he saw their ears. They were small and round, unlike his own and Taer’inar’s pointed ears.

  The taller non-elf—standing about half a head over Taer’inar—had eyes that matched the sky in color. His skin was a warm tan, and his hair was tied up in a topknot. A dense layer of stubble lined his square jaw.

  The other looked to be closer to Ithan’s age, and they were even close to the same height. He had lighter skin than the other, but their matching eye and hair color made it obvious they were brothers. His hair was slicked back, but it was too short to pull into a knot. He had a piercing at the top of his right ear.

  “I am Cormac Sunstriker,” the taller one said. “Knight-Captain of the vanguard of Kolden. This is my brother, Finnian.”

  “Ah, a fellow captain!” Bimpnottin shouted. “The name is Captain Bimpnottin Bafflestone, and these are my loyal underlings!”

  The group took turns introducing themselves to the brothers after Bimpnottin.

  “My apologies for the aggression,” Cormac continued. “Usually it’s dire wolves and griffons that come down from the mountains, not people.”

  “What are you guys, anyway?” Finnian asked.

  “Finnian,” Cormac muttered.

  “Well come on, those two are obviously animus, and that one’s a gnome, and she’s an auran,” Finnian said as he observed each of Ithan’s friends before turning to him and Taer’inar. “But these two could pass for humans if it weren’t for the ears.”

  Ithan tilted his head. Perhaps “human” was what they called themselves, but to Ithan they seemed to just be tall halflings.

  “Humans…” Taer’inar repeated. “You’re humans?”

  “Uh… yeah?” Finnian said. “And what’re you?”

  “We are elves,” Taer’inar said slowly as his head rolled to match Ithan’s. He knew what that look meant—these “humans” intrigued Taer’inar. The way he said the word made Ithan believe it was not the first time he had come across it.

  “Elves!” Finnian laughed. “Like in the stories?”

  “Finnian,” Cormac said again before turning back to Taer’inar. “As I was saying, we didn’t know that there were people living up in the mountains.”

  “Oh no, we don’t live there,” Taer’inar said. “We just came through the Paswall Cave.”

  Cormac blinked.

  “Cave? Do you mean Rimefang’s nest?”

  “Is that what that thing was called?” Dhurik muttered. “Rimefang armor… yeah, I like that.”

  The two humans stood in silence for a few moments. Cormac’s eyes drifted from Taer’inar to the rest of the group, but Finnian’s remained fixed on the elf.

  “Did you kill it?” Finnian asked, his voice now shaky and quiet.

  “Indeed!” Bimpnottin shouted. “I made short work of that beast!”

  Fenvyre crossed her arms and kicked the gnome’s leg.

  “Ah, with the help of my minions, of course,” he added.

  “Rimefang has devoured many citizens of Kolden over the years,” Cormac said. “Our father was among the last to attempt to slay it before it became forbidden to venture into the mountains. That was nine years ago.”

  “I am so sorry for your loss,” Taer’inar said. “May he be at peace now that the monster is dead.”

  Finnian closed his eyes and rested his right hand over his chest.

  “May the Singer guide him to his eternal rest.”

  “If what you say is true, then you are true heroes of Kolden,” Cormac said. “Allow me to escort you to the castle, and I will get you an audience with the king.”

  “Actually, we need to go to the mountain just past your castle,” Taer’inar said.

  “Meriterre?” Cormac said. “No one may ascend the sacred mountain without the king’s approval. Of course, that shouldn’t be a problem for you once you tell him how you triumphed over Rimefang.”

  Taer’inar sighed.

  “Fine. We would be honored to meet your king.”

  “Excellent,” Cormac said. He raised his hand up to signal to the others still atop the wall, and the gate swung open. Cormac led the group through the gate, stopping only briefly to address one of his fellow knights. “Can you handle things here?”

  “Yes sir,” the knight said, to which Cormac nodded and resumed his new duty of guiding the group to the castle, with Finnian joining them at the rear.

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  The buildings in the city resembled those in Greenreach, though many were made of some kind of white bricks as opposed to Greenreach’s cobblestone houses. The streets were bustling with humans, most of which stopped to stare at the group as they passed through. They were all accompanied by some kind of animal, and Ithan noticed that each animal seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. He tried not to stare too much as he observed them.

  “So many!” Fenvyre squealed softly. Ithan could not help but laugh.

  “Have you never seen an aegis before?” Finnian said.

  “What’s that?” Fenvyre said.

  “The Singer blessed us humans long ago with the gift of aegides,” Cormac said. “They are protectors born of magic, for we humans have none.”

  “No magic?” Bimpnottin said. “That’s nonsense! All the realm’s creatures have magic.”

  “Perhaps humans possess magic where you came from,” Cormac said. “But we do not.”

  “Actually,” Taer’inar said, “there are no humans where we came from. Most don’t even know they exist.”

  Cormac stopped and turned around, his brow furrowed.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, there was a cataclysm that befell Averion many millenia ago. It was what began the War of the Gods. It was said that the cataclysm annihilated the humans of Averion.”

  “Our teachings say the Singer’s power shielded the humans from that disaster,” Finnian said.

  “Perhaps it was a misunderstanding,” Taer’inar said. “Perhaps whoever wrote your teachings meant your Singer shielded Kolden, not all humans?”

  Cormac looked down at Taer’inar, then turned back toward the castle and began walking again.

  “Perhaps.”

  “Who is this Singer, anyway?” Dhurik asked.

  “A god of some kind, clearly,” Irse said. “I wonder how she is related to the others.”

  “So where are your aegides, then?” Ithan asked.

  I’m right here, a voice spoke in his mind. Then, a burst of flames caused Ithan cry out and fall backward to the ground. A medium-sized cat emerged from the flames and sat in front of Ithan. Its fur was reddish brown, and it had tufts of black fur sticking out of the top of its ears.

  “Pyrrha!” Finnian said. “Don’t scare people like that!”

  I couldn’t help it, the voice laughed. Sorry.

  “It can talk?” Ithan said.

  “Of course,” Finnian said as he helped Ithan up from the ground. “How else would we be able to communicate?”

  “I suppose that makes sense,” Ithan said.

  “Fascinating,” Taer’inar said. “They are like familiars, but you do not summon them? They come and go of their own accord?”

  I never leave Finnian’s side, Pyrrha said. We aegides simply do not see the need to take on a corporeal form at all times.

  “Fascinating,” Taer’inar repeated.

  Eventually the group reached the castle gates, guarded by many knights. Cormac spoke briefly with one of them, and they signaled to open the gates to allow the group entry. They passed through the inner courtyard beyond the gates and entered the castle. The interior was decorated with luxurious red carpets with golden trim, candles held by beautifully crafted chandeliers, and plenty of potted plants. At the far end of this grand hall was a throne made of crystal, and seated there was a dark-skinned man wearing a magnificent crown. To his right was a young woman who looked much like him—his daughter, perhaps. In front of them was an animus that seemed to resemble a cat of some kind—brown spotted fur, rounded ears atop his head, and a tail flicking back and forth behind him as he spoke to the man on the throne.

  “Thank you for this audience, Your Majesty,” the creature said.

  “Of course, Novak,” the man seated on the throne said. “What Milia has told me of your tribe’s struggles concerns me deeply. Seven of your kin have vanished?”

  “Indeed,” Novak said, “I do not wish to blindly accuse anyone, but humans have recently been sighted near the Cradle.”

  “You think that I sent my people to abduct yours?” the king said.

  “I would never dare accuse you of such wicked deeds, Your Majesty,” Novak said. “I am merely suggesting the possibility of humans being involved in this. That is why I have come to you.”

  “If I may, Your Majesty,” Cormac interrupted as he strode out toward Novak. The woman smiled silently as she gazed past Cormac at the group. Finnian raised his hand up to face level and waved.

  “Ah, Knight-Captain,” the king said. “Excellent timing, as always. Please, go ahead.”

  “What our guest speaks of is consistent with the disappearances my unit has been investigating,” Cormac said.

  Novak turned around toward Cormac, allowing Ithan to see his silver eyes.

  “Humans have vanished, as well?” Novak said.

  “Eight in the last two weeks,” Cormac said. “There have been rumors swirling that the felidar are responsible.”

  “That’s absurd!” Novak said. “We would never—”

  “Of course not,” Cormac continued. “I know that, and I am sure His Majesty knows that. However, whoever started those rumors wants us to believe otherwise.”

  “So these events are connected,” the king muttered. “Knight-Captain, I want you to expand your investigation to include these missing felidar. Find the culprits and bring our citizens and the felidar home.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Cormac said.

  “I thank you for your aid, Your Majesty,” Novak said with a bow. “Now, I must return to my family. I have already been away for too long.”

  “You need your rest,” Cormac said. “The Cradle is a two days’ journey by foot. Gaia can make it in half a day.”

  “I can’t ask that of you,” Novak said. “What about your brother?”

  “I can take care of myself,” Finnian called. Cormac glanced at his brother, and Finnian shrank back behind Ithan.

  “He can indeed take care of himself,” Cormac said. “Please, you must be exhausted.”

  Novak sighed.

  “You are right,” he said. “Thank you.”

  “Finnian, could you escort our guest home?” Cormac asked.

  “I—uh, sure,” Finnian stuttered. Novak stepped past the group and exited the hall with Finnian.

  “I’d like to join them, if I may,” the woman said to the king.

  “Milia, I know how much you adore that boy,” the king said. “But now is not the time for you to be wandering the city.”

  “He is my knight,” Milia said. “What better place for me to be than at his side?”

  The king pressed a hand to his face and sighed.

  “Go on then, quickly.”

  “Thank you, Father,” Milia said. She leaned over to kiss the king on the cheek, and then rushed past Cormac and the others and out of the hall.

  “Now then,” the king said. “Who have you brought before me, Knight-Captain?”

  “Your Majesty, these people say that they have slain Rimefang,” Cormac said.

  The king’s mouth hung open, and he stood up slowly from his throne.

  “That’s not possible,” he said.

  “It’s true, Your Majesty,” Taer’inar said as he stepped forward and bowed slightly. “We have journeyed from the land south of the mountains. We slew Rimefang as we passed through its nest.”

  “You? I can hardly believe that a mere six of you could slay such a creature, even with magic.”

  “Honestly, neither can I,” Taer’inar said. “It was only by our Fenvyre’s brilliant transformation magic that we were able to contend with the monster. Oh, but how rude of me. We did not properly introduce ourselves to Your Majesty.”

  “Indeed,” the king muttered as he sank back into his chair.

  “I am Taer’inar Volarei. This dragonkin here is Fenvyre, who as I just said was instrumental to our defeat of Rimefang. The minotaur is Dhurik. The gnome is Bimpnottin Bafflestone. The auran is Irse Mivriv. And Ithan here and I are elves.”

  “Elves,” the king repeated as he gazed blankly at the group. “Of course it’s elves.”

  “Your Majesty?” Cormac said.

  “Impossible feats performed by impossible creatures,” the king said. “I suppose you want something equally impossible from me, then?”

  “Not at all, Your Highness,” Taer’inar replied. “We simply wish to ascend Meriterre.”

  The king’s eyes widened as he sat up again on his throne.

  “That’s all?” he said.

  “And a good armorer,” Dhurik added.

  “That is all, Your Majesty,” Taer’inar said.

  “Well, normally I don’t entertain such requests,” the king said. “The sacred mountain of Meriterre is, well… sacred, after all. But I’m sure people of your valor can overcome its trials.”

  “Trials?” Irse asked.

  “Yes, trials. Only the truly worthy may ascend Meriterre, after all. But first, let us celebrate the victory of our great heroes. Dine with me tonight, and you may tell me all about your journey and how you slew the terror of Kolden with every detail.”

  “I do apologize, Your Majesty,” Taer’inar said, “but we really must make haste.”

  “Come now, what’s the hurry? Meriterre will still be there tomorrow. Surely you all tire from your long journey and battle against our great foe.”

  Taer’inar glanced back at the group. Dhurik tilted his head back and rolled his eyes. Fenvyre shrugged and Bimpnottin stuck his thumbs up. Irse simply nodded.

  “What’s one more night?” Ithan said as Taer’inar’s eyes rested on him.

  “Splendid!” the king said. “Oh, and you’ll get to formally meet my daughter, of course. She was too much in a hurry earlier, as I’m sure you noticed. Knight-Captain?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Cormac said.

  “Please show our esteemed heroes to the guest quarters, and then take your leave. I expect you and your brother back tonight, of course. Oh, and please bring Novak, as well. He’s here until tomorrow anyway, he may as well try to enjoy himself.”

  Cormac placed his right hand over his chest and bowed to the king. After the group all bowed collectively to the king, Cormac ushered them to the right and into a side hall and up a staircase. There they entered another hall that reminded Ithan of Briryn’s tavern.

  “Make yourselves at home,” Cormac said. “The king will send for you when the celebration begins.”

  “Thank you,” Taer’inar said.

  With a nod, Cormac descended the staircase again and disappeared from sight. Dhurik opened one of the doors and Ithan peered inside. It was a bedroom, at least four times the size of the ones in Briryn’s tavern. Like most everything else in the castle, the bedroom was filled with extravagant decorations and plants. The bed itself looked as soft as a cloud.

  “Woah,” Dhurik said as he stepped inside and lay back on the bed. “Oh yeah, I could get used to this.”

  Each of the group entered separate rooms, and as Ithan began removing his armor, a haze swept over his mind. It was that same haze that was present in the Rockfall mine—at the time he thought, perhaps, he had been there before, but now he had the same feeling here, where he was certain he had never been before. After all, the elves only existed in stories as far as the humans had known before now. There had to be something else that his mind was trying to tell him. Had he been in a castle before, maybe?

  He decided not to worry much about it. They would be to Meriterre soon—he would have his answers then. With that in mind, the buzzing faded, and Ithan smiled at the quiet that followed. He could not remember the last time he found himself in complete silence—it was unsettling, but delightful at the same time. He lay there in that glorious silence for nearly an hour before someone knocked—gently, at least—on his door.

  “Your clothes are still full of blood stains,” Taer’inar said as he peeked his head in.

  “Hm? Oh, right,” Ithan said as he picked himself up off the bed.

  “Here, let me—”

  “I can do it. I just need some water.”

  “It’ll take too long. Here.”

  With a flick of Taer’inar’s wrist, the blood and dirt on Ithan’s clothes vanished. Ithan sighed. Though he was grateful for Taer’inar’s help, he could not help but be a bit jealous of his talents.

  Another knock, louder this time, came from Cormac.

  “The feast is about to begin,” he said.

  Taer’inar and Ithan—as well as their friends—joined Cormac as he led them into the dining hall, where already at least fifty people were seated. The tables were filled nearly to the brim with food, and the

  “My dear guests,” the king said, “it is my pleasure to introduce to you the valiant heroes who slew Rimefang, that cursed abomination that has ended the lives of so many of our brave knights—Taer’inar Volarei, Bimpnottin Bafflestone, Irse Mivriv, Dhurik, Fenvyre, and Ithan!”

  The hall erupted in applause and cheers as the group stood before the king. When it began to die down, they took their seats near the king and Milia—who finally introduced herself—and the feast began. Ithan partook in the feast in silence, enjoying the delicious food as he listened to his friends speak of their exploits to the king. Ithan noticed the king’s particular interest in the slaying of Rimefang, leaning forward as Taer’inar told the tale.

  Near the end of the feast, the king clapped his hands twice, and a group of musicians began to play festive melodies. Some guests clapped along to the music, and others began to dance. Finnian at some point approached and bowed before extending his hand out to Milia. She took it and together they joined the growing crowd of dancers. Ithan saw Cormac dancing with someone they had not met—a fair-skinned woman with auburn hair and brown eyes.

  Novak, meanwhile, simply watched quietly from the side of the hall. The king excused himself to go speak with him. They did not look like they were arguing, but Novak looked rather distressed. After a while the king patted Novak’s shoulder and walked away, and Novak noticed Ithan looking his way. His eyes were filled with fear and sadness.

  A sudden wave of disgust washed over Ithan—here these people were, dancing and celebrating, while their fellow citizens were being abducted. He jolted out of his chair and headed for his room.

  “What happened?” Taer’inar asked as he reached Ithan’s room behind him.

  “Why are we celebrating while people are going missing?” Ithan said. “There could be more being taken right now.”

  “That’s not our concern—”

  “It doesn’t seem to be theirs, either!”

  “Hey,” Taer’inar said as he held his hands up. “Cormac seems to be very capable. I am sure that he will do everything he can to help find these people.”

  “He should be doing it now, not wasting time dancing.”

  “How can they be expected to find anything in the dark?”

  “That… right.” Ithan sat down on the bed and held his head in his hands. “I’m sorry, I just… It all feels so wrong. Can’t we do anything to help?”

  Taer’inar sat down next to him, the two of them sharing the silence together for a few moments.

  “I don’t know what we could do,” Taer’inar said finally. “This is essentially a new world to us. We don’t know anything about this place or its people. We may just end up getting in the way.”

  Ithan pulled his knees to his chest.

  “Do you really want this over going to Meriterre?”

  “...No. No, we have to go. If I can use my magic, I can help. Otherwise I’ll just be in the way.”

  “That isn’t what I meant,” Taer’inar sighed. “But, it’s settled then? To Meriterre, and then come back to help if they need it?”

  “Yeah.”

  Taer’inar patted Ithan’s knee, then walked to the door.

  “Try to get some rest,” he said as he closed the door behind him. Ithan fell to one side and allowed his body to relax. He hummed quietly to himself that song that he still could not remember, and eventually he fell asleep.

  Ithan gazes up at the stars from the window in awe as they twinkle in the night sky. The moon is full and bright, lighting up the city below.

  A streak of light flashes across the sky. Ithan closes his eyes and thinks hard about his wish. After a moment, he realizes—

  Something is missing.