Post by Solana on Apr 11, 2024 7:25:11 GMT -5
Chapter Eight- Bound to Serve
Things have been more tense between Ronfar and I.
After the terrible fire, he has doubled down on his fear/retribution rhetoric. The villagers keep finding reasons to avoid him socially but very reluctantly attend his services. Thanks be to the Goddess, Josam made a good recovery and his new house is coming along well.
Ronfar does not welcome my opinion on his sermons yet insists on my presence when he gives them. I am beginning to feel like a fraud, standing there in a priestess robe and being unable to heal or even aid the heart of the one I love.
Since I am unable (and unwelcome) to be helping Ronfar, I have instead begun work on a healing herb garden and helping the villagers with the flocks and crops. I am also learning to spin wool and weave.
Though my herbal remedies are not as good as my recovery magic had been, the villagers have been coming to me instead of to Ronfar for healing. I understand now what Ronfar had said about his time in Zaback, how being a good orator was knowing how to listen first. I try to lift their spirits and their hurts as best as I can.
I wonder why my love forgot that lesson.
---
Leo visited today in the Dragonship Destiny with new orders for Ronfar. He is to report on his health in person in Pentagulia and give guest sermons in Nota, Meribia, and Azado.
Just Ronfar.
I tried to get Leo alone to talk about Ronfar's sermons and the fire at Josam's house, but he brushed me off. "Ronfar nearly died, Mauri. He is grateful to Althena for his life, as am I. As you should be." "Fires do happen in Raculi- that was just an unfortunate coincidence." "Perhaps it's as well that you'll be staying here to get some rest for a while."
I AM grateful to the Goddess for Ronfar's life, of course I am. I also feel blessed that she chose to come again during my lifetime.
But it almost feels like someone else was brought back from the brink.
I can't stand this. I need to talk to someone, and I believe I know just the person.
---
Leo and Ronfar took off this morning. After my morning prayers and helping to turn the flocks out to graze, I went to go visit Josam with a basket of food.
Josam knew that I was there for more than dropping off treats, and told me something very interesting...
"Mauri, how lovely to see you on this fine spring day," Josam said happily after answering the door. His nose twitched. "Is that oat bread?"
Mauri smiled and hugged him hello. "It is. With Ronfar away, I thought you would like some fresh bread. I have some berries for you, too."
"Such a thoughtful girl. Please, come in and I'll put on water to heat for tea," Josam gestured her in and went to go stoke the fire.
It hurt coming back to Ronfar's house after being kicked out, but Mauri tried not to dwell on it. Her healer's eye saw that Josam was moving well after his injuries were healed and showing no signs of pain.
"Yes, I'm doing just fine. You and Ronfar made me feel like a million silver," Josam answered her thoughts as he brought two mugs to the table. Mauri had brought her bread knife and some butter and began cutting into the fresh loaf.
"And they say I'm the one with strong sensitivity," Mauri joked.
Josam didn't laugh. "Yes, that's true. I suspect that you didn't come to see this old man to bring him some vittles, welcome though they are. You wanted to chat about my grandson with someone who knows him well and will listen to your concerns."
Mauri wondered why she even tried subterfuge at times. "Yes, Leo brushed them all off," she confessed, "And I had a feeling on the night of the fire that you had more to say than you were willing."
"Indeed," Josam agreed. He picked up a buttered piece of bread and bit into it, sighing a little in appreciation. After washing it down with tea, he leaned back a bit. "Leo has always had more of a black and white view of the world. Sometimes he sees what he wishes to see. A healer can't do that- you have to see the truth on whether a treatment is helping and what a patient's condition really is." He paused. "That's what your mother told me once, anyway."
"It's true. What did you not want to say in front of the others?" Mauri asked, folding her hands to steady her nerves.
"The fire was banked that night, but I wasn't in bed yet. I'd stayed up late carving some new sword hilts for the weapons shop. I was almost done when I heard some steps outside," Josam began.
"Did you see whom they belonged to?" Mauri asked tightly.
Josam shook his head. "No, they took off too fast. But right before the flames started, I felt a burst of magic."
"Magic?!" Mauri repeated. "Magic talents are rare here, and no one has fire magic! There are mostly earth and wind gifts among our neighbors."
"True, and it was my wind gift speaking to me. But someone may have had a fire crest or perhaps another item of magic that could create flames," Josam replied, then fixed Mauri with a stare.
"But who has...." Mauri felt sick as she thought of one. "Oh, Goddess be with us all."
Josam nodded grimly. "Yes, Ronfar's dice create magical flames, if I recall. Your pre-engagement present to him?"
"Yes," Mauri slumped in her chair and took a sip of tea to steady herself to confess. "When I went to get Ronfar to tend you, he told me that the Goddess works fast and that even accidents can serve her will." She raised her eyes to Josam's. "But this was no accident."
"No, I believe that we're in agreement on that. The question becomes- what can we do about it?" Josam asked glumly, reaching for his slice of bread again.
"With my priestess gifts gone, very little. Ronfar is also refusing to listen to me about his sermons." Mauri sighed and drummed her fingers on the table while thinking.
Maybe the question wasn't what she could do, but where did this begin?
Ah....
"Balse," Mauri said slowly, "He was Ronfar's and my mentor and was the one to receive the potion. Not only that, but he has always leaned to the compassionate side of the Goddess versus this new 'retribution' style of preaching."
So he wouldn't rat her out to the twits in charge, Josam thought, but knew how touchy Mauri and Ronfar could be about the highest members of the Chosen and kept that thought to himself.
Mauri was still thinking out loud. "I can't put this in a letter, not even with a pigeon. I'll go see him in person in Azado."
"Would there be any problems with the Chosen for such a trip?" Josam asked gently.
Mauri's smile was sad as she shook her head. "They're still trying to decide what to do about me. My last orders were to watch over Ronfar, but they sent him away without me. I'm as free as the wind for now."
"I'm afraid that I'd only slow you down, my girl, but I can at least send you off with some prayers for your success," Josam offered.
Mauri rose and kissed his cheek. "Thank you. I'll start making arrangements for Azado immediately."
Jamil's family had missed the plague, being on a two months fishing expedition near Caldor Isle. They returned last night to check in and were ready to start selling. To my delight, they agreed to bring me along to Dalton if I could cook them some of my best fish recipes. I had thought they might be sick of fish by now, but no. They were even interested in the fish ice cream that one of Wuta's neighbors is trying to create. I'll ask Wuta in my next letter how that's coming along.
Dalton used to be as small as Raculi, but is getting bigger with the large shrine that the Chosen have built and being an important port to Pentagulia. The shrine itself was buzzing with news of the return of the Goddess and Ronfar's miraculous recovery and sermons. This made it easy to find a ferry to Azado, for quite a few of my colleagues were eager to hear him in person.
I thought it wise to stay discreet and listen more than speak. Many of the higher ranked members of the Chosen were happy to have a new ear to talk to.
"Althena brought him back from the brink of death for a purpose!"
"Two gifts! Healing bodies and souls! What an example to us all!"
"It's time we took a stronger hand to the flock! We've been made a laughingstock!"
"I wonder if he's single?"
I just walked away from the last one.
When we arrived, it was with a mix of relief and trepidation that I saw the Destiny parked at Azado's largest dock. Ronfar would be speaking in person tonight, and likely in the same vein as in Raculi.
Perhaps that will make speaking with Balse easier if he could hear it himself.
Mauri was just another priestess in the crowd of the Chosen that left the ferry to excitedly swarm the city's shrine. While they went to see about getting good seats early for Ronfar's sermon, she peeled away to go find Balse.
Balse's office door was open. As usual, his desk was heaped with open books and stacks of paperwork. The only clutter-free area in there was a small shrine of the Goddess Althena with a tiny candle and a freshly-cut pink rose in a glass vase.
The man himself was seated behind his desk, busily signing documents. Mauri knocked politely. "Balse?"
Balse looked up and beamed to see Mauri. "Beloved daughter! Please, please come in. I've been wanting to see you and Ronfar and see how things have been since the plague."
Mauri came in and knelt for his blessing. He touched the top of her head reverently. "May the love and kindness of our Goddess Althena flow to you, through you, and from you. Rise, my dear."
Mauri rose and smiled at the wording of Balse's blessing. Certainly it felt more familiar and real to her than High Priestess Leyla's. "Balse, I need to speak to you about a... sensitive matter. Could we have some privacy?"
Balse frowned but nodded. He put up the sign requesting discretion for holy business and closed the door. He then cleared a stack of books off of the visitor's chair and offered her a glass of herbal water from the carafe on his desk.
"I'm sorry that I don't have more in the way of hospitality, but I hope this will refresh you a bit after a long trip," Balse said apologetically.
Mauri sipped gratefully. Faint hints of rose, basil, and strawberry greeted her tongue in a gentle dance. "No, this is wonderful. Thank you."
Balse politely poured himself a glass, giving Mauri time to gather her thoughts. Remembering how Josam had clearly seen her worry, she decided to be direct. "Balse, ever since Ronfar was cured from the plague, he's been different."
Balse met her eyes squarely. "Different? How so?"
Mauri explained about that first terrible sermon, being kicked out of his house, and the fire at Josam's house. Balse's face grew more and more grave at her words, but mercifully he kept any questions to himself and let her speak uninterrupted.
"I can't stop remembering that things changed after his cure," Mauri confessed. "But it was a gift directly from Althena herself, was it not? How can I be a priestess and question it?"
Balse didn't answer right away. Instead, he went to his small shrine and carefully lit the candle illuminating the image of their Goddess, and then a stick of rose incense. Mauri instinctively bowed her head in respect to the small icon. "Mauri, I fear I have made a grave error for you and Ronfar and your colleagues, and for that I beg your forgiveness."
"An error?" Mauri repeated in confusion.
Balse sighed and turned to face her. She suddenly noticed that the first wrinkles appearing in his face appeared deeper than they had on her ordination day. His shoulders were slightly bowed as if carrying a huge burden. Despite having become a father just a few years ago, her mentor suddenly looked... old. "Yes. You see, the way I taught you all was the reverence for the old ways. The way I was taught myself was to show Althena's love as example. To heal the world's hurts in her name, whether through recovery magic, words, or in Ronfar's example as a listening ear. To give in love unconditionally without expecting anything back."
"As she does for us," Mauri agreed.
Balse smiled. "Yes. However, there is this new movement focusing on retribution, obedience, and donations." His smile fell. "This new movement has the Goddess' agreement."
Mauri sucked in a breath. No, this can't be.
"You and Ronfar especially have taken this message to heart, between your service to this world and your love for each other. But those days are passing, my dear, if not completely gone." Balse sat down hard in his chair, his face devastated as he glanced at Althena's gentle smile. "I have tried to protect you all from this new movement, but I didn't prepare you for it. It was selfish to cling to my own ideals instead of those to whom I and all the Chosen owe obedience."
"But... but we owe obedience to the Goddess first and foremost!" Mauri argued. "Her teachings clearly hold precedence over simple statements from our brothers and sisters, do they not?" She took a deep breath. "How is burning a grandfather's house for disagreeing with you in public within those teachings?!"
"Because Althena herself stands with them," Balse answered. "The words given to us directly by our Goddess are to overshadow everything else, even our own family ties. That is what it means to be of the Chosen now."
Mauri got to her feet and rested her hands on the desk. "That is not the Goddess to whom I gave my vows," she hissed.
"Nor mine, but that is what we have," Balse replied sorrowfully. He looked down at his desk. "I am sorry, Mauri. We have heard of Ronfar's sermons in Raculi and he is being held up as an example. Whatever has changed his heart, he is being lauded for it. You will find no answers or assistance from the Chosen."
Mauri felt her heart crumple. Again. The group that she had given her heart and soul and service to was abandoning her again.
Balse came up to her and gave her a fatherly hug. "I will investigate what I can, but my hands are tied. I, too, am under suspicion for my views and actions."
Mauri hugged him back. "Then I ask one favor. Please, come see one of his sermons for yourself."
Balse nodded. "I shall. I owe you, Ronfar, and even Sir Leo no less."
The Great Hall of the Shrine was swarming with robe-clad priests and priestesses. Excited murmurings and speculations could be heard from even the entrance.
There were a few raised seats in the back for the High Priests and Priestesses. Balse gestured for Mauri to follow him and take the seat next to his. They got a few looks, but no one dared say a word to the High Priest in his own Shrine. A few smiled at Mauri, no doubt thinking that she was there as his sweetheart to encourage him.
I wish that were true...
Some apprentice priests and priestesses came out to light the candles and incense sticks in the Shrine, and a hush came over the crowd. Others were carrying fresh lilies and other blooms, laying them at the feet of the giant statue of the Goddess.
As in Raculi, there was no singing as the procession came through the aisle. Mauri craned her head to look, then nearly gasped as she spotted Ronfar in the middle.
He was wearing a black silk robe embroidered with the four dragons. Ronfar HATED silk robes, always saying that they were just asking to get lit on fire by the candles and the money should go to the needy. Same for the metallic gold thread outlining the scales of the dragons. He did as much as he could in simple cotton clothes and sandals, and a cotton robe if he HAD to.
Ronfar's eyes were locked on the statue ahead, and he seemed to not notice the audience of Chosen. He didn't see her, and Mauri's hands clasped tightly.
Ronfar went up to the small podium, placed 'The Book of the Goddess' on the top, then smiled at the crowd.
The smile didn't make it to his eyes.
"Good evening, my brethren. Truly are we blessed in this lifetime, that the Goddess has seen fit to come back to us. We are given a golden opportunity to give everything we have to her service and the people," Ronfar began.
The crowd cheered.
"But I also tell you that we do not deserve it. The next time that you take a voyage to Pentagulia, you remember that Althena herself resides there. You think of every law of hers you broke, every instance of bad behavior that you overlooked in someone else, and you CRAWL!" Ronfar shouted. More cheers as he came from behind the podium to look over the audience. "You crawl in there, and you beg for her forgiveness for every time you ignored her laws and her commands!" He hushed a moment, then looked up at the statue and almost whispered, "Because that is the only way to escape her retribution."
The crowd roared. Mauri looked up at Balse, who had pressed his lips together tightly as if to prevent himself from speaking.
"If you repent, if you give up everything and anything that prevents you from following her ways, she will reward you beyond your wildest dreams! You will be safe from her anger, her fire, the retribution that rightfully comes to those who defy our Goddess and defy her Chosen!" Ronfar yelled, then turned to the crowd. "Who are we?"
"We are Althena's Chosen!" the crowd called back.
"That's right! The burden that we have happily, gratefully taken on is not a light one, my friends." Ronfar shook his head sorrowfully. "No, it most definitely is not. Even I had someone trying to hold me back. My own beloved, if you can believe that!" The crowd hissed in disapproval. "She tried to pull me back from being the priest I should have been, the one that I'm becoming now thanks only to Althena's grace."
What?!
"I've been blessed, my brethren. I was at the very edge of death from plague. I couldn't heal it. My beloved couldn't heal it. And do you know why?" Ronfar asked. Heads were shaking fiercely. "Because I wasn't yet worthy. I was not keeping the spirit of our teachings! My beloved had fallen even farther. After defying her High Priestess, she lost Althena's blessing and the power to heal!"
Gasps rang out from the crowd. Mauri's cheeks were flaming from humiliation. Balse laid a fatherly hand on her shoulder.
"That's right! Even a sworn priestess isn't safe! None of us are safe, unless we come to Althena. If we come and we follow every law, if we pledge ourselves to her in every single area of our lives, and if we cut away anything that separates us from her love and holiness!" Ronfar finished.
The crowd went crazy. "Everything we have is for the Goddess!" "You did the right thing!" "That hussy!" "I'll give it up!"
"Give it all up to Althena, and she will reward you. She will protect you! None of her enemies will be able to stand against you!" Ronfar shouted. "Don't be fooled- we have enemies in this very world! I tell you now, that includes anyone trying to keep us from becoming what Althena demands of us. They may hide under the Chosen's protection, but they cannot hide from the Goddess! And they will have what is coming to them!"
"Althena! Althena! Protect us, save us!" the crowd chanted.
"There are more enemies of Althena in this very town!" Ronfar continued. "Families who refuse to donate for the good of Althena's cause, the armor and weapons shops that are trying to prevent a beautiful shrine worthy of the Goddess to arise-"
Mauri had heard enough. She didn't care if she was sitting next to the High Priest, she didn't care if she embarrassed Ronfar or threw her own reputation even deeper into the mud than it already was.
She was done.
"Excuse me, Balse. I need some air," she whispered.
"Do you need some company, Mauri?" Balse asked quietly.
Mauri shook her head. Balse rose to let her out, then stared at her in sorrow for the heartbreak in her eyes. "I am so sorry."
Mauri swallowed the lump in her throat but couldn't answer. She slipped out of the row of seats and left the Shrine, hearing the crowd's roar of approval and Ronfar's words echoing in her head mercilessly.
Mauri stood on the edge of the Shrine's dock, her tears joining the sea under her. She wasn't sure if her heartbreak or her anger was stronger.
Her fingers reached up to the locket that hung against her heart. She felt like a decade had passed since her ordination day, when she and Ronfar had had such dreams of serving and sharing the love of the Goddess with their people and each other.
How had it led to this?!
She had no idea how long she had been there when the crowd began leaving the Shrine. "Oh, can you believe how much passion he speaks with?!" one priest asked another in awe.
"Dragged from death by Althena herself, how romantic!" a priestess cooed.
"My parents never agreed with me joining the Chosen, and I've been wondering if I should cut them off. I think I will," another priestess said strongly. Others were patting her shoulder proudly, telling her she was doing the right thing.
Mauri was disgusted. Her colleagues had eaten it all up, all of that nonsense and overblown zeal. Her cheeks were still burning in embarrassment, she decided to ask Ronfar himself what he had meant by that farce of a sermon.
She stomped back into the Shrine, glaring at the guards at the door who seemed hesitant to let her back in. Wisely, they kept their mouths shut and opened the door.
There! Ronfar was just exiting the staircase that led up to the second floor of the Shrine. But he looked... different. His eyes looked haunted and he was nearly running. "Ronfar, just what the hell was that sermon about?!" Mauri screamed in fury.
Ronfar met her gaze in shock. "Mauri?! No, you have to get the hell out of here! Run, leave Azado and don't stop until you get to the Water Shrine. I gotta find Leo and warn him-"
"Warn him about what? What's wrong?" Mauri demanded. Her heart ached at the pain and guilt on his face, and she found her own anger draining away. He looked like himself again, like the man who had pledged his love to her.
"Something big is coming... something bad. It's too late to stop it and I don't have much time. I won't ask you to forgive me, sugarplum, but- ngh!" Ronfar yelled in pain, clenching his head.
"Love, hold on. I'll go get Balse-" Mauri began, starting to panic. If only she had her healing magic!
Ronfar shook his head, his head bowed down from the pain. "Won't help... whatever happens next... I love you... always... AUGH!"
Mauri threw her arms around Ronfar and held him tightly. This was the Ronfar she loved and she refused to let him go!
So close to Ronfar, she felt something shift inside him. The arms that had embraced her in love and protection now gripped her possessively. He raised his head and displayed that cruel smile he had worn during the sermons. "Planning to stay and see the show, Mauri? That's a good idea. You'll have a front row seat to what happens to those who betray Althena's teachings like you have."
Mauri fought her way free. "Ronfar, what's happened to you?! You were just acting normal for the first time since you were cured, but now..."
Ronfar smirked. "I am as you have made me, sweet. But listen-"
The sound of screaming could be heard further in the city. Mauri froze with indecision.
"There's the orchestra for the show just starting up," Ronfar purred with relish.
Mauri hesitated only a second more before turning away and running towards the people in danger. As much as Ronfar had her worried, people's lives were on the line. Her bow and her herbs were needed there now.
It wasn't long before she ran into Leo and the rest of the Corps. He was in the center of the action, swiftly handing out orders to his men.
"Smythe, go scout out the situation and report back to me at the north wall! Archer, you're to head to the Shrine with squad 1 and aid in the bringing in and defense of the wounded and the priests. Chandler, go to the mayor's office and collaborate on the city's defenses. You have squad 2 as backup if they need more men. Cooper, take squad 3 to the east wall, Fletcher, squad 4 to the west. Squad 5 with me to the north!" Leo met his lieutenants' eyes. "Does anyone have questions?"
A chorus of, "No, sir!"s rang out.
"May the strength of Althena be in your swords and shields. Go!" Leo ordered sharply. His men nodded and split up, running off to carry out their assignments.
"Leo, where do you want me?" Mauri asked, running up to him.
Leo blanched. "Mauri, why are you...?" He shook his head. "I'm not even going to ask. Are you in fighting condition?"
"Yes, I have a full quiver and a bag of herbs," Mauri replied.
Leo smiled in relief. "Excellent. You're with me- you're a better shot than any of my men. We've had reports of monster attacks, but Smythe will get me the precise details. Stay close, but be ready to pick off any monsters that could cause a problem. Leave the nearer ones to our swords."
"Understood," Mauri said and joined the squad in following her brother towards Azado's gate. To her relief, she only received grateful smiles of welcome from the men- Leo had bragged of her archery skills, it seemed.
The rumors of monsters in the city quickly proved true. A pack of dieclops was trying to make its way up the main street towards the Shrine. A family of five was trying to make a run for it, but the little girl tripped and fell on the street. Her screams prompted the dad to turn around and run to scoop her up as one of the monsters lunged.
"Barak veabad!" Leo shouted as he activated his earth magic, crafting a large stone wall that rose up between the monsters and the family. Mauri already had an arrow on the string and loosed it, hitting the front dieclops in its single eye. It screamed and tried to grip the arrow to pull out but fell over and vanished instead.
Before the rest of the pack could figure out an escape route between Leo's stone wall and the sword-wielding squad behind them, the men took the monsters down. The father holding his little girl was crying and thanking them, but Leo told them to get inside their home or the Shrine immediately.
As they continued to the north wall with the city gate, flocks of Flight Knights could be seen coasting on the air currents overhead. Any that tried to dive within her range, Mauri shot at. Even her rare misses were enough to keep them flying out of Azado's air space, along with the fireballs thrown by one of the guards.
Smythe was waiting by the front gates for them all, his face grim. "Smythe, report," Leo ordered.
"There's been a flood of monsters, sir, and there's reports of a big one coming. The big one seems to be controlling them all and is wrapped in some kinda vines," Smythe explained.
"Vines..." Leo repeated thoughtfully. "Have there been any reports of more or less effective tactics?"
Smythe shook his head. "No one's gotten close enough, sir. We'll be fighting blind."
"Not for the first time," Leo reminded him. "Do we have more details about the smaller monsters? We've run into a few already."
"The locals are saying that the populations shouldn't be this high and there are some species we shouldn't be seeing here," Smythe answered.
Leo's face darkened. Mauri knew that there highly skilled priests or magicians capable of teleportation, even with groups. This wasn't random.
"Something big is coming... something bad. It's too late to stop it and I don't have much time. I won't ask you to forgive me, sugarplum..."
What did you do, my love?
Or what were you MADE to do?!
"We shall investigate more properly when we have time. Smythe, Mauri, with me. Mages and archers, take the wall. Melee fighters, cluster by the gate. Move!" Leo ordered sharply.
"Might this old man be of any use to you, Sir Leo?" asked a familiar voice.
Leo and Mauri turned to see Balse running up to them. A Flight Knight decided to try its luck in a dive, but Balse swung his staff and knocked it out cold from the air before Mauri could even raise her bow.
"Your offer is generous, High Priest, but your place is in the Shrine," Leo pointed out respectfully.
Balse shook his head. "With all the visiting clergy, we have more than enough healers in place. As you can see, I swing a pretty effective staff in addition to my holy magic."
Leo hesitated only a second longer before nodding. "Then I accept your offer with thanks. But I request that you keep behind my melee fighters and focus your efforts on your magic as much as possible."
Balse gave him a rough salute. "Yes, sir. You are the commander here and I will obey."
Leo managed to hide a smile behind his hand. "Very good. Mauri, back up Balse with healing and shoot at will. Let's go!"
Right after Leo had finished, there was a huge roar outside the city gates. An enormous monster, humanoid in shape but wrapped in vines around its arms with more on its head and shoulders, was approaching. It had about eight purple legs resembling roots.
Leo's eyes widened. "A corpse crusher! But no one has seen one for twenty years!"
"We don't know how to beat them, either," Smythe added glumly.
"Then we shall find it. Follow me out and we'll take it down before it can destroy Azado. Mason, close the gate once we're all out!" Leo shouted up to the wall. The squad leader saluted in reply, then raised his crossbow to shoot at the monster.
Leo led the way, sword in hand. Smythe was just behind his right side, long sword in one hand and a shorter sword catcher in the other in lieu of a shield. Mauri and Balse kept the closed gate at their backs.
"Holy Mother, we fight so that your children can escape harm. Please keep us healthy and well to do just that!" Balse prayed. The light of the Divine Litany flashed over all four of them, with a bit of Althena's power ready to heal injuries.
Mauri was grateful for Balse's help but felt a flash of jealousy at the easy way he could still call on Althena's power. She stuffed that feeling down, concentrating on sticking multiple arrows in the ground so that she could grab them quickly at need. Her bag of healing herbs was securely fastened to her belt, with the top of the bag open and the most powerful herbs in the inner pocket within easy reach.
Leo and Smythe had taken up position and decided their first move. As one, Leo lunged forward to hit the creature with the multiple fast strikes of his Flash Blade technique while Smythe held up one sword and called a bolt of lightning to hit the corpse crusher.
The monster shook off the lightning well but screeched as Leo's sword strikes cut deeply. As Leo leaped back afterwards, the monster raised an arm and fired the vines off of it straight at the beastman.
Mauri loosed an arrow at it faster than Leo or Smythe could react, knocking the vine projectile off to the side. Balse ran up to smash it into mulch with his staff.
Leo and Smythe took the opportunity for another attack. Smythe hit the corpse crusher in the chest with his longer sword and the vines around its other arm with the sword catcher. Leo came from the back with another set of Flash Blade strikes, trying to distract it from Smythe's attack.
The crusher responded with sweeps of its root-like legs, knocking both Leo and Smythe down. Beads of magic ran over its chest, which suddenly released a burst of white-hot magical energy.
Mauri let out a yelp- the energy burned even hotter than fire magic and her arms were starting to blister. Leo had been out of the line of fire, but Smythe was knocked out. The crusher raised both arms to bring them down on the fallen guard.
"No!" Mauri screamed and fired three arrows in quick succession- one to each shoulder and one to its head. Leo took advantage of the distraction and got Smythe back to Balse to be tended. Balse chanted rapidly, calling up Althena's holy light to wake him up and heal his injuries.
Mauri pulled a precious dover nut out of her bag of herbs and ate it quickly. Leo had a fistful of herbs from his belt pouch and practically inhaled them. "How do you fare, sister?" Leo asked in concern.
"I'm okay. Balse is one of the best healers in the Chosen- Smythe will be fine," Mauri answered.
Leo nodded, his relief clearly showing in his eyes. "Then let's finish the job. Concentrate on the chest, and let me know if you see those orbs of magic. Cover Balse and Smythe."
Mauri nodded and pulled a few more arrows out of her quiver, then shot for the chest again. Leo began circling, waiting for a good opening to lunge in with another set of Flash Blade strikes.
Another arrow, another. Leo jumped in again but only had time for a single strike before the crusher swung at him. Mauri shot at its unprotected back and hit a sensitive spot between the vines.
It whipped around with a pissed off screech. Despite not having a face, Mauri swore that the monster was glaring at her. Orbs began showing on its chest.
"Leo, the orbs are back! I'm going to try to hit them!" Mauri shouted.
"Do it!" Leo called back.
With a quick prayer to Althena, Mauri grabbed two arrows and shot them in rapid succession. One missed, but the other hit one of the orbs of power and dissipated it. The energy that had been ready to leave its chest fizzled.
Leo had taken the opportunity to hit the corpse crusher with another set of Flash Blade strikes, then followed it up with the mystical Soul Blade that stole energy from the monster to give to him.
The corpse crusher let out one more screech before slowly toppling over and vanishing. The other monsters that had been swarming Azado vanished as well.
"Sir Leo! I was supposed to help you in this fight!" Smythe wailed. He still looked a bit shaken, but Balse had helped him back to his feet.
Leo came over and gripped his guard's forearm happily, then knelt to Balse. "You were right to join us. Thank you so much for your needed assistance, and for saving Smythe."
Balse smiled and touched Leo's head in blessing. "Thank you, my son, for coming to Azado's aid. Althena has blessed us with your presence."
Mauri frowned, remembering Ronfar's odd words again. Why would someone choose to summon monsters knowing that Leo and so much of the Corps were in town? What were they trying to do?
"I shall regroup with my men and get a full report of the evening. We will be happy to assist with cleanup until we receive new orders," Leo offered.
"Thank you. Mauri, would you be willing to help us with your healing herbs for those who were injured?" Balse asked gently.
Mauri bowed her head in acquiescence and went to follow the High Priest back to the Shrine. She would have to wait to think things over later, once people were safe.
Most importantly, she would have to have a chat with her brother.
Things have been more tense between Ronfar and I.
After the terrible fire, he has doubled down on his fear/retribution rhetoric. The villagers keep finding reasons to avoid him socially but very reluctantly attend his services. Thanks be to the Goddess, Josam made a good recovery and his new house is coming along well.
Ronfar does not welcome my opinion on his sermons yet insists on my presence when he gives them. I am beginning to feel like a fraud, standing there in a priestess robe and being unable to heal or even aid the heart of the one I love.
Since I am unable (and unwelcome) to be helping Ronfar, I have instead begun work on a healing herb garden and helping the villagers with the flocks and crops. I am also learning to spin wool and weave.
Though my herbal remedies are not as good as my recovery magic had been, the villagers have been coming to me instead of to Ronfar for healing. I understand now what Ronfar had said about his time in Zaback, how being a good orator was knowing how to listen first. I try to lift their spirits and their hurts as best as I can.
I wonder why my love forgot that lesson.
---
Leo visited today in the Dragonship Destiny with new orders for Ronfar. He is to report on his health in person in Pentagulia and give guest sermons in Nota, Meribia, and Azado.
Just Ronfar.
I tried to get Leo alone to talk about Ronfar's sermons and the fire at Josam's house, but he brushed me off. "Ronfar nearly died, Mauri. He is grateful to Althena for his life, as am I. As you should be." "Fires do happen in Raculi- that was just an unfortunate coincidence." "Perhaps it's as well that you'll be staying here to get some rest for a while."
I AM grateful to the Goddess for Ronfar's life, of course I am. I also feel blessed that she chose to come again during my lifetime.
But it almost feels like someone else was brought back from the brink.
I can't stand this. I need to talk to someone, and I believe I know just the person.
---
Leo and Ronfar took off this morning. After my morning prayers and helping to turn the flocks out to graze, I went to go visit Josam with a basket of food.
Josam knew that I was there for more than dropping off treats, and told me something very interesting...
"Mauri, how lovely to see you on this fine spring day," Josam said happily after answering the door. His nose twitched. "Is that oat bread?"
Mauri smiled and hugged him hello. "It is. With Ronfar away, I thought you would like some fresh bread. I have some berries for you, too."
"Such a thoughtful girl. Please, come in and I'll put on water to heat for tea," Josam gestured her in and went to go stoke the fire.
It hurt coming back to Ronfar's house after being kicked out, but Mauri tried not to dwell on it. Her healer's eye saw that Josam was moving well after his injuries were healed and showing no signs of pain.
"Yes, I'm doing just fine. You and Ronfar made me feel like a million silver," Josam answered her thoughts as he brought two mugs to the table. Mauri had brought her bread knife and some butter and began cutting into the fresh loaf.
"And they say I'm the one with strong sensitivity," Mauri joked.
Josam didn't laugh. "Yes, that's true. I suspect that you didn't come to see this old man to bring him some vittles, welcome though they are. You wanted to chat about my grandson with someone who knows him well and will listen to your concerns."
Mauri wondered why she even tried subterfuge at times. "Yes, Leo brushed them all off," she confessed, "And I had a feeling on the night of the fire that you had more to say than you were willing."
"Indeed," Josam agreed. He picked up a buttered piece of bread and bit into it, sighing a little in appreciation. After washing it down with tea, he leaned back a bit. "Leo has always had more of a black and white view of the world. Sometimes he sees what he wishes to see. A healer can't do that- you have to see the truth on whether a treatment is helping and what a patient's condition really is." He paused. "That's what your mother told me once, anyway."
"It's true. What did you not want to say in front of the others?" Mauri asked, folding her hands to steady her nerves.
"The fire was banked that night, but I wasn't in bed yet. I'd stayed up late carving some new sword hilts for the weapons shop. I was almost done when I heard some steps outside," Josam began.
"Did you see whom they belonged to?" Mauri asked tightly.
Josam shook his head. "No, they took off too fast. But right before the flames started, I felt a burst of magic."
"Magic?!" Mauri repeated. "Magic talents are rare here, and no one has fire magic! There are mostly earth and wind gifts among our neighbors."
"True, and it was my wind gift speaking to me. But someone may have had a fire crest or perhaps another item of magic that could create flames," Josam replied, then fixed Mauri with a stare.
"But who has...." Mauri felt sick as she thought of one. "Oh, Goddess be with us all."
Josam nodded grimly. "Yes, Ronfar's dice create magical flames, if I recall. Your pre-engagement present to him?"
"Yes," Mauri slumped in her chair and took a sip of tea to steady herself to confess. "When I went to get Ronfar to tend you, he told me that the Goddess works fast and that even accidents can serve her will." She raised her eyes to Josam's. "But this was no accident."
"No, I believe that we're in agreement on that. The question becomes- what can we do about it?" Josam asked glumly, reaching for his slice of bread again.
"With my priestess gifts gone, very little. Ronfar is also refusing to listen to me about his sermons." Mauri sighed and drummed her fingers on the table while thinking.
Maybe the question wasn't what she could do, but where did this begin?
Ah....
"Balse," Mauri said slowly, "He was Ronfar's and my mentor and was the one to receive the potion. Not only that, but he has always leaned to the compassionate side of the Goddess versus this new 'retribution' style of preaching."
So he wouldn't rat her out to the twits in charge, Josam thought, but knew how touchy Mauri and Ronfar could be about the highest members of the Chosen and kept that thought to himself.
Mauri was still thinking out loud. "I can't put this in a letter, not even with a pigeon. I'll go see him in person in Azado."
"Would there be any problems with the Chosen for such a trip?" Josam asked gently.
Mauri's smile was sad as she shook her head. "They're still trying to decide what to do about me. My last orders were to watch over Ronfar, but they sent him away without me. I'm as free as the wind for now."
"I'm afraid that I'd only slow you down, my girl, but I can at least send you off with some prayers for your success," Josam offered.
Mauri rose and kissed his cheek. "Thank you. I'll start making arrangements for Azado immediately."
Jamil's family had missed the plague, being on a two months fishing expedition near Caldor Isle. They returned last night to check in and were ready to start selling. To my delight, they agreed to bring me along to Dalton if I could cook them some of my best fish recipes. I had thought they might be sick of fish by now, but no. They were even interested in the fish ice cream that one of Wuta's neighbors is trying to create. I'll ask Wuta in my next letter how that's coming along.
Dalton used to be as small as Raculi, but is getting bigger with the large shrine that the Chosen have built and being an important port to Pentagulia. The shrine itself was buzzing with news of the return of the Goddess and Ronfar's miraculous recovery and sermons. This made it easy to find a ferry to Azado, for quite a few of my colleagues were eager to hear him in person.
I thought it wise to stay discreet and listen more than speak. Many of the higher ranked members of the Chosen were happy to have a new ear to talk to.
"Althena brought him back from the brink of death for a purpose!"
"Two gifts! Healing bodies and souls! What an example to us all!"
"It's time we took a stronger hand to the flock! We've been made a laughingstock!"
"I wonder if he's single?"
I just walked away from the last one.
When we arrived, it was with a mix of relief and trepidation that I saw the Destiny parked at Azado's largest dock. Ronfar would be speaking in person tonight, and likely in the same vein as in Raculi.
Perhaps that will make speaking with Balse easier if he could hear it himself.
Mauri was just another priestess in the crowd of the Chosen that left the ferry to excitedly swarm the city's shrine. While they went to see about getting good seats early for Ronfar's sermon, she peeled away to go find Balse.
Balse's office door was open. As usual, his desk was heaped with open books and stacks of paperwork. The only clutter-free area in there was a small shrine of the Goddess Althena with a tiny candle and a freshly-cut pink rose in a glass vase.
The man himself was seated behind his desk, busily signing documents. Mauri knocked politely. "Balse?"
Balse looked up and beamed to see Mauri. "Beloved daughter! Please, please come in. I've been wanting to see you and Ronfar and see how things have been since the plague."
Mauri came in and knelt for his blessing. He touched the top of her head reverently. "May the love and kindness of our Goddess Althena flow to you, through you, and from you. Rise, my dear."
Mauri rose and smiled at the wording of Balse's blessing. Certainly it felt more familiar and real to her than High Priestess Leyla's. "Balse, I need to speak to you about a... sensitive matter. Could we have some privacy?"
Balse frowned but nodded. He put up the sign requesting discretion for holy business and closed the door. He then cleared a stack of books off of the visitor's chair and offered her a glass of herbal water from the carafe on his desk.
"I'm sorry that I don't have more in the way of hospitality, but I hope this will refresh you a bit after a long trip," Balse said apologetically.
Mauri sipped gratefully. Faint hints of rose, basil, and strawberry greeted her tongue in a gentle dance. "No, this is wonderful. Thank you."
Balse politely poured himself a glass, giving Mauri time to gather her thoughts. Remembering how Josam had clearly seen her worry, she decided to be direct. "Balse, ever since Ronfar was cured from the plague, he's been different."
Balse met her eyes squarely. "Different? How so?"
Mauri explained about that first terrible sermon, being kicked out of his house, and the fire at Josam's house. Balse's face grew more and more grave at her words, but mercifully he kept any questions to himself and let her speak uninterrupted.
"I can't stop remembering that things changed after his cure," Mauri confessed. "But it was a gift directly from Althena herself, was it not? How can I be a priestess and question it?"
Balse didn't answer right away. Instead, he went to his small shrine and carefully lit the candle illuminating the image of their Goddess, and then a stick of rose incense. Mauri instinctively bowed her head in respect to the small icon. "Mauri, I fear I have made a grave error for you and Ronfar and your colleagues, and for that I beg your forgiveness."
"An error?" Mauri repeated in confusion.
Balse sighed and turned to face her. She suddenly noticed that the first wrinkles appearing in his face appeared deeper than they had on her ordination day. His shoulders were slightly bowed as if carrying a huge burden. Despite having become a father just a few years ago, her mentor suddenly looked... old. "Yes. You see, the way I taught you all was the reverence for the old ways. The way I was taught myself was to show Althena's love as example. To heal the world's hurts in her name, whether through recovery magic, words, or in Ronfar's example as a listening ear. To give in love unconditionally without expecting anything back."
"As she does for us," Mauri agreed.
Balse smiled. "Yes. However, there is this new movement focusing on retribution, obedience, and donations." His smile fell. "This new movement has the Goddess' agreement."
Mauri sucked in a breath. No, this can't be.
"You and Ronfar especially have taken this message to heart, between your service to this world and your love for each other. But those days are passing, my dear, if not completely gone." Balse sat down hard in his chair, his face devastated as he glanced at Althena's gentle smile. "I have tried to protect you all from this new movement, but I didn't prepare you for it. It was selfish to cling to my own ideals instead of those to whom I and all the Chosen owe obedience."
"But... but we owe obedience to the Goddess first and foremost!" Mauri argued. "Her teachings clearly hold precedence over simple statements from our brothers and sisters, do they not?" She took a deep breath. "How is burning a grandfather's house for disagreeing with you in public within those teachings?!"
"Because Althena herself stands with them," Balse answered. "The words given to us directly by our Goddess are to overshadow everything else, even our own family ties. That is what it means to be of the Chosen now."
Mauri got to her feet and rested her hands on the desk. "That is not the Goddess to whom I gave my vows," she hissed.
"Nor mine, but that is what we have," Balse replied sorrowfully. He looked down at his desk. "I am sorry, Mauri. We have heard of Ronfar's sermons in Raculi and he is being held up as an example. Whatever has changed his heart, he is being lauded for it. You will find no answers or assistance from the Chosen."
Mauri felt her heart crumple. Again. The group that she had given her heart and soul and service to was abandoning her again.
Balse came up to her and gave her a fatherly hug. "I will investigate what I can, but my hands are tied. I, too, am under suspicion for my views and actions."
Mauri hugged him back. "Then I ask one favor. Please, come see one of his sermons for yourself."
Balse nodded. "I shall. I owe you, Ronfar, and even Sir Leo no less."
The Great Hall of the Shrine was swarming with robe-clad priests and priestesses. Excited murmurings and speculations could be heard from even the entrance.
There were a few raised seats in the back for the High Priests and Priestesses. Balse gestured for Mauri to follow him and take the seat next to his. They got a few looks, but no one dared say a word to the High Priest in his own Shrine. A few smiled at Mauri, no doubt thinking that she was there as his sweetheart to encourage him.
I wish that were true...
Some apprentice priests and priestesses came out to light the candles and incense sticks in the Shrine, and a hush came over the crowd. Others were carrying fresh lilies and other blooms, laying them at the feet of the giant statue of the Goddess.
As in Raculi, there was no singing as the procession came through the aisle. Mauri craned her head to look, then nearly gasped as she spotted Ronfar in the middle.
He was wearing a black silk robe embroidered with the four dragons. Ronfar HATED silk robes, always saying that they were just asking to get lit on fire by the candles and the money should go to the needy. Same for the metallic gold thread outlining the scales of the dragons. He did as much as he could in simple cotton clothes and sandals, and a cotton robe if he HAD to.
Ronfar's eyes were locked on the statue ahead, and he seemed to not notice the audience of Chosen. He didn't see her, and Mauri's hands clasped tightly.
Ronfar went up to the small podium, placed 'The Book of the Goddess' on the top, then smiled at the crowd.
The smile didn't make it to his eyes.
"Good evening, my brethren. Truly are we blessed in this lifetime, that the Goddess has seen fit to come back to us. We are given a golden opportunity to give everything we have to her service and the people," Ronfar began.
The crowd cheered.
"But I also tell you that we do not deserve it. The next time that you take a voyage to Pentagulia, you remember that Althena herself resides there. You think of every law of hers you broke, every instance of bad behavior that you overlooked in someone else, and you CRAWL!" Ronfar shouted. More cheers as he came from behind the podium to look over the audience. "You crawl in there, and you beg for her forgiveness for every time you ignored her laws and her commands!" He hushed a moment, then looked up at the statue and almost whispered, "Because that is the only way to escape her retribution."
The crowd roared. Mauri looked up at Balse, who had pressed his lips together tightly as if to prevent himself from speaking.
"If you repent, if you give up everything and anything that prevents you from following her ways, she will reward you beyond your wildest dreams! You will be safe from her anger, her fire, the retribution that rightfully comes to those who defy our Goddess and defy her Chosen!" Ronfar yelled, then turned to the crowd. "Who are we?"
"We are Althena's Chosen!" the crowd called back.
"That's right! The burden that we have happily, gratefully taken on is not a light one, my friends." Ronfar shook his head sorrowfully. "No, it most definitely is not. Even I had someone trying to hold me back. My own beloved, if you can believe that!" The crowd hissed in disapproval. "She tried to pull me back from being the priest I should have been, the one that I'm becoming now thanks only to Althena's grace."
What?!
"I've been blessed, my brethren. I was at the very edge of death from plague. I couldn't heal it. My beloved couldn't heal it. And do you know why?" Ronfar asked. Heads were shaking fiercely. "Because I wasn't yet worthy. I was not keeping the spirit of our teachings! My beloved had fallen even farther. After defying her High Priestess, she lost Althena's blessing and the power to heal!"
Gasps rang out from the crowd. Mauri's cheeks were flaming from humiliation. Balse laid a fatherly hand on her shoulder.
"That's right! Even a sworn priestess isn't safe! None of us are safe, unless we come to Althena. If we come and we follow every law, if we pledge ourselves to her in every single area of our lives, and if we cut away anything that separates us from her love and holiness!" Ronfar finished.
The crowd went crazy. "Everything we have is for the Goddess!" "You did the right thing!" "That hussy!" "I'll give it up!"
"Give it all up to Althena, and she will reward you. She will protect you! None of her enemies will be able to stand against you!" Ronfar shouted. "Don't be fooled- we have enemies in this very world! I tell you now, that includes anyone trying to keep us from becoming what Althena demands of us. They may hide under the Chosen's protection, but they cannot hide from the Goddess! And they will have what is coming to them!"
"Althena! Althena! Protect us, save us!" the crowd chanted.
"There are more enemies of Althena in this very town!" Ronfar continued. "Families who refuse to donate for the good of Althena's cause, the armor and weapons shops that are trying to prevent a beautiful shrine worthy of the Goddess to arise-"
Mauri had heard enough. She didn't care if she was sitting next to the High Priest, she didn't care if she embarrassed Ronfar or threw her own reputation even deeper into the mud than it already was.
She was done.
"Excuse me, Balse. I need some air," she whispered.
"Do you need some company, Mauri?" Balse asked quietly.
Mauri shook her head. Balse rose to let her out, then stared at her in sorrow for the heartbreak in her eyes. "I am so sorry."
Mauri swallowed the lump in her throat but couldn't answer. She slipped out of the row of seats and left the Shrine, hearing the crowd's roar of approval and Ronfar's words echoing in her head mercilessly.
Mauri stood on the edge of the Shrine's dock, her tears joining the sea under her. She wasn't sure if her heartbreak or her anger was stronger.
Her fingers reached up to the locket that hung against her heart. She felt like a decade had passed since her ordination day, when she and Ronfar had had such dreams of serving and sharing the love of the Goddess with their people and each other.
How had it led to this?!
She had no idea how long she had been there when the crowd began leaving the Shrine. "Oh, can you believe how much passion he speaks with?!" one priest asked another in awe.
"Dragged from death by Althena herself, how romantic!" a priestess cooed.
"My parents never agreed with me joining the Chosen, and I've been wondering if I should cut them off. I think I will," another priestess said strongly. Others were patting her shoulder proudly, telling her she was doing the right thing.
Mauri was disgusted. Her colleagues had eaten it all up, all of that nonsense and overblown zeal. Her cheeks were still burning in embarrassment, she decided to ask Ronfar himself what he had meant by that farce of a sermon.
She stomped back into the Shrine, glaring at the guards at the door who seemed hesitant to let her back in. Wisely, they kept their mouths shut and opened the door.
There! Ronfar was just exiting the staircase that led up to the second floor of the Shrine. But he looked... different. His eyes looked haunted and he was nearly running. "Ronfar, just what the hell was that sermon about?!" Mauri screamed in fury.
Ronfar met her gaze in shock. "Mauri?! No, you have to get the hell out of here! Run, leave Azado and don't stop until you get to the Water Shrine. I gotta find Leo and warn him-"
"Warn him about what? What's wrong?" Mauri demanded. Her heart ached at the pain and guilt on his face, and she found her own anger draining away. He looked like himself again, like the man who had pledged his love to her.
"Something big is coming... something bad. It's too late to stop it and I don't have much time. I won't ask you to forgive me, sugarplum, but- ngh!" Ronfar yelled in pain, clenching his head.
"Love, hold on. I'll go get Balse-" Mauri began, starting to panic. If only she had her healing magic!
Ronfar shook his head, his head bowed down from the pain. "Won't help... whatever happens next... I love you... always... AUGH!"
Mauri threw her arms around Ronfar and held him tightly. This was the Ronfar she loved and she refused to let him go!
So close to Ronfar, she felt something shift inside him. The arms that had embraced her in love and protection now gripped her possessively. He raised his head and displayed that cruel smile he had worn during the sermons. "Planning to stay and see the show, Mauri? That's a good idea. You'll have a front row seat to what happens to those who betray Althena's teachings like you have."
Mauri fought her way free. "Ronfar, what's happened to you?! You were just acting normal for the first time since you were cured, but now..."
Ronfar smirked. "I am as you have made me, sweet. But listen-"
The sound of screaming could be heard further in the city. Mauri froze with indecision.
"There's the orchestra for the show just starting up," Ronfar purred with relish.
Mauri hesitated only a second more before turning away and running towards the people in danger. As much as Ronfar had her worried, people's lives were on the line. Her bow and her herbs were needed there now.
It wasn't long before she ran into Leo and the rest of the Corps. He was in the center of the action, swiftly handing out orders to his men.
"Smythe, go scout out the situation and report back to me at the north wall! Archer, you're to head to the Shrine with squad 1 and aid in the bringing in and defense of the wounded and the priests. Chandler, go to the mayor's office and collaborate on the city's defenses. You have squad 2 as backup if they need more men. Cooper, take squad 3 to the east wall, Fletcher, squad 4 to the west. Squad 5 with me to the north!" Leo met his lieutenants' eyes. "Does anyone have questions?"
A chorus of, "No, sir!"s rang out.
"May the strength of Althena be in your swords and shields. Go!" Leo ordered sharply. His men nodded and split up, running off to carry out their assignments.
"Leo, where do you want me?" Mauri asked, running up to him.
Leo blanched. "Mauri, why are you...?" He shook his head. "I'm not even going to ask. Are you in fighting condition?"
"Yes, I have a full quiver and a bag of herbs," Mauri replied.
Leo smiled in relief. "Excellent. You're with me- you're a better shot than any of my men. We've had reports of monster attacks, but Smythe will get me the precise details. Stay close, but be ready to pick off any monsters that could cause a problem. Leave the nearer ones to our swords."
"Understood," Mauri said and joined the squad in following her brother towards Azado's gate. To her relief, she only received grateful smiles of welcome from the men- Leo had bragged of her archery skills, it seemed.
The rumors of monsters in the city quickly proved true. A pack of dieclops was trying to make its way up the main street towards the Shrine. A family of five was trying to make a run for it, but the little girl tripped and fell on the street. Her screams prompted the dad to turn around and run to scoop her up as one of the monsters lunged.
"Barak veabad!" Leo shouted as he activated his earth magic, crafting a large stone wall that rose up between the monsters and the family. Mauri already had an arrow on the string and loosed it, hitting the front dieclops in its single eye. It screamed and tried to grip the arrow to pull out but fell over and vanished instead.
Before the rest of the pack could figure out an escape route between Leo's stone wall and the sword-wielding squad behind them, the men took the monsters down. The father holding his little girl was crying and thanking them, but Leo told them to get inside their home or the Shrine immediately.
As they continued to the north wall with the city gate, flocks of Flight Knights could be seen coasting on the air currents overhead. Any that tried to dive within her range, Mauri shot at. Even her rare misses were enough to keep them flying out of Azado's air space, along with the fireballs thrown by one of the guards.
Smythe was waiting by the front gates for them all, his face grim. "Smythe, report," Leo ordered.
"There's been a flood of monsters, sir, and there's reports of a big one coming. The big one seems to be controlling them all and is wrapped in some kinda vines," Smythe explained.
"Vines..." Leo repeated thoughtfully. "Have there been any reports of more or less effective tactics?"
Smythe shook his head. "No one's gotten close enough, sir. We'll be fighting blind."
"Not for the first time," Leo reminded him. "Do we have more details about the smaller monsters? We've run into a few already."
"The locals are saying that the populations shouldn't be this high and there are some species we shouldn't be seeing here," Smythe answered.
Leo's face darkened. Mauri knew that there highly skilled priests or magicians capable of teleportation, even with groups. This wasn't random.
"Something big is coming... something bad. It's too late to stop it and I don't have much time. I won't ask you to forgive me, sugarplum..."
What did you do, my love?
Or what were you MADE to do?!
"We shall investigate more properly when we have time. Smythe, Mauri, with me. Mages and archers, take the wall. Melee fighters, cluster by the gate. Move!" Leo ordered sharply.
"Might this old man be of any use to you, Sir Leo?" asked a familiar voice.
Leo and Mauri turned to see Balse running up to them. A Flight Knight decided to try its luck in a dive, but Balse swung his staff and knocked it out cold from the air before Mauri could even raise her bow.
"Your offer is generous, High Priest, but your place is in the Shrine," Leo pointed out respectfully.
Balse shook his head. "With all the visiting clergy, we have more than enough healers in place. As you can see, I swing a pretty effective staff in addition to my holy magic."
Leo hesitated only a second longer before nodding. "Then I accept your offer with thanks. But I request that you keep behind my melee fighters and focus your efforts on your magic as much as possible."
Balse gave him a rough salute. "Yes, sir. You are the commander here and I will obey."
Leo managed to hide a smile behind his hand. "Very good. Mauri, back up Balse with healing and shoot at will. Let's go!"
Right after Leo had finished, there was a huge roar outside the city gates. An enormous monster, humanoid in shape but wrapped in vines around its arms with more on its head and shoulders, was approaching. It had about eight purple legs resembling roots.
Leo's eyes widened. "A corpse crusher! But no one has seen one for twenty years!"
"We don't know how to beat them, either," Smythe added glumly.
"Then we shall find it. Follow me out and we'll take it down before it can destroy Azado. Mason, close the gate once we're all out!" Leo shouted up to the wall. The squad leader saluted in reply, then raised his crossbow to shoot at the monster.
Leo led the way, sword in hand. Smythe was just behind his right side, long sword in one hand and a shorter sword catcher in the other in lieu of a shield. Mauri and Balse kept the closed gate at their backs.
"Holy Mother, we fight so that your children can escape harm. Please keep us healthy and well to do just that!" Balse prayed. The light of the Divine Litany flashed over all four of them, with a bit of Althena's power ready to heal injuries.
Mauri was grateful for Balse's help but felt a flash of jealousy at the easy way he could still call on Althena's power. She stuffed that feeling down, concentrating on sticking multiple arrows in the ground so that she could grab them quickly at need. Her bag of healing herbs was securely fastened to her belt, with the top of the bag open and the most powerful herbs in the inner pocket within easy reach.
Leo and Smythe had taken up position and decided their first move. As one, Leo lunged forward to hit the creature with the multiple fast strikes of his Flash Blade technique while Smythe held up one sword and called a bolt of lightning to hit the corpse crusher.
The monster shook off the lightning well but screeched as Leo's sword strikes cut deeply. As Leo leaped back afterwards, the monster raised an arm and fired the vines off of it straight at the beastman.
Mauri loosed an arrow at it faster than Leo or Smythe could react, knocking the vine projectile off to the side. Balse ran up to smash it into mulch with his staff.
Leo and Smythe took the opportunity for another attack. Smythe hit the corpse crusher in the chest with his longer sword and the vines around its other arm with the sword catcher. Leo came from the back with another set of Flash Blade strikes, trying to distract it from Smythe's attack.
The crusher responded with sweeps of its root-like legs, knocking both Leo and Smythe down. Beads of magic ran over its chest, which suddenly released a burst of white-hot magical energy.
Mauri let out a yelp- the energy burned even hotter than fire magic and her arms were starting to blister. Leo had been out of the line of fire, but Smythe was knocked out. The crusher raised both arms to bring them down on the fallen guard.
"No!" Mauri screamed and fired three arrows in quick succession- one to each shoulder and one to its head. Leo took advantage of the distraction and got Smythe back to Balse to be tended. Balse chanted rapidly, calling up Althena's holy light to wake him up and heal his injuries.
Mauri pulled a precious dover nut out of her bag of herbs and ate it quickly. Leo had a fistful of herbs from his belt pouch and practically inhaled them. "How do you fare, sister?" Leo asked in concern.
"I'm okay. Balse is one of the best healers in the Chosen- Smythe will be fine," Mauri answered.
Leo nodded, his relief clearly showing in his eyes. "Then let's finish the job. Concentrate on the chest, and let me know if you see those orbs of magic. Cover Balse and Smythe."
Mauri nodded and pulled a few more arrows out of her quiver, then shot for the chest again. Leo began circling, waiting for a good opening to lunge in with another set of Flash Blade strikes.
Another arrow, another. Leo jumped in again but only had time for a single strike before the crusher swung at him. Mauri shot at its unprotected back and hit a sensitive spot between the vines.
It whipped around with a pissed off screech. Despite not having a face, Mauri swore that the monster was glaring at her. Orbs began showing on its chest.
"Leo, the orbs are back! I'm going to try to hit them!" Mauri shouted.
"Do it!" Leo called back.
With a quick prayer to Althena, Mauri grabbed two arrows and shot them in rapid succession. One missed, but the other hit one of the orbs of power and dissipated it. The energy that had been ready to leave its chest fizzled.
Leo had taken the opportunity to hit the corpse crusher with another set of Flash Blade strikes, then followed it up with the mystical Soul Blade that stole energy from the monster to give to him.
The corpse crusher let out one more screech before slowly toppling over and vanishing. The other monsters that had been swarming Azado vanished as well.
"Sir Leo! I was supposed to help you in this fight!" Smythe wailed. He still looked a bit shaken, but Balse had helped him back to his feet.
Leo came over and gripped his guard's forearm happily, then knelt to Balse. "You were right to join us. Thank you so much for your needed assistance, and for saving Smythe."
Balse smiled and touched Leo's head in blessing. "Thank you, my son, for coming to Azado's aid. Althena has blessed us with your presence."
Mauri frowned, remembering Ronfar's odd words again. Why would someone choose to summon monsters knowing that Leo and so much of the Corps were in town? What were they trying to do?
"I shall regroup with my men and get a full report of the evening. We will be happy to assist with cleanup until we receive new orders," Leo offered.
"Thank you. Mauri, would you be willing to help us with your healing herbs for those who were injured?" Balse asked gently.
Mauri bowed her head in acquiescence and went to follow the High Priest back to the Shrine. She would have to wait to think things over later, once people were safe.
Most importantly, she would have to have a chat with her brother.