Chapter 48 - A Moment's Rest

Raeyn left the smoldering tunnels and headed up to the surface. The grim harvest had moved into another stage of a disgusting display of packing up the spoils in bags and hoisting them on poles pitched into the ground. Doing her best to avoid lingering in the midst of the massacre, she found the others had left. Asking where they had gone was a simple matter, and the familiar cave entrance was where they would set up camp and wait for her. Traveling at night was not a problem for her, and it likely was not for the Kithe. She only needed to follow the path to the river and head down it. Retracing the steps Leaf and she had first taken upon leaving the warren.

Exhaustion had hit her again and she was not built for such hectic activity, but still she persisted and at dawn’s first light she reached the entrance of the cave. As she passed by a familiar tree she noticed a large mound of dirt topped with a few large stones. Stirge’s grave. Violetta did not even wait until morning. It must have bothered her more than she had thought. A Mahn caring about a Dark Elf, particularly a slave, was a strange thought to her. Still, she remembered how Violetta insisted on coming back with a Keeper to perform the burial. She had missed it, but then again, she had participated in a similar ritual herself.

To the east of the cavern entrance was a small tent and a large boulder. Cookie had no doubt made the shell for protection throughout the night, leaving the other tent open and exposed in comparison. As she headed to the tent, she had to unfurl and untie the treated cloth to gain access. Did they really believe that such flimsy material would protect them? As she entered, she noticed Sig and Locke were sleeping on opposite sides of the tent, wrapped in their blankets. To the right was their pack, and hers, in a nice row. Seeing that they had placed their clothes beside their own packs, Raeyn followed and unfurled her sleeping blanket and laid it out before stripping down and seeking the comfort of a good rest. She had barely slipped in the folds of the blanket before sleep took her.

Waking after midday to the smell of stew, she quickly donned her small clothes and rushed out to find the rest of them sitting around the campfire. Violetta was opposite her, with the two Kithe and the two soldiers sitting on the flanks. The mood was sour, but Violetta looked at her with a forced smile.

“How did you sleep?” Violetta’s voice was softer than normal.

“I do not remember anything, but I feel better. I have yet to fulfill my trial, but I am no longer a priestess. I feel as if I am a new woman.” She smiled back.

Violetta’s eyes widened for a moment and she knew enough to put aside the thoughts that ran through her head, “Did she pass peacefully?”

“I killed her.” She admitted, “Now, I am the new High Priestess.”

Violetta let out a heavy sigh, “You are just terrible at expressing yourself. Come have breakfast and let’s get it off your chest.”

Over the course of the meal, she found herself explaining what had happened and most of the history that she had learned. It was uncomfortable to go through the details, but relieving at the same time. The Kithe nodded from time to time, but Sig and Locke were stoic. Violetta was the only one who seemed particularly engaged and became a bit emotional at having heard of the last years. Mudohoon’s betrayal and actions made sense to them, but not to her. Mudohoon had acted in a way that was so strange, so unique, that she wondered if he was really more like a Mahn than a Gobbo now.

“Sixteen years. A long time to wait for a second chance.” Sig said as she concluded, “The first expedition was a failure, but they had enough of a success to warrant another. Mudohoon certainly is following the normal play from Menna’s warrens. Assassination and rising up in the shadows, waiting for the opportunity to strike. He plays his hand well, but what is he up to?”

“Simple. The original mission was about finding and capturing Raeyn. It most likely failed due to her father and mother, but the casualties on both sides were high. The two tribes were merged as one and Mudohoon was either an agent or turned from within. Raeyn was spared and kept close for the return. It may have taken sixteen years, but Mudohoon skipped out the first chance he got.” Cake concluded.

“Then, why bring two thousand people in twelve ships and set up a settlement if it was all for Raeyn?” Locke asked.

“That is how it started, but I believe we will find more answers in the caverns. Dwarves were always good at making strong fortifications, but the promise of Magnesia is worth sending such a force. This is more than just about establishing a new settlement on the continent, it is about retrieving and harvesting some of the most precious reagents in alchemy. The Artes it could power would rival the divines themselves if only they had a completed stone.”

“You mean?!” Violetta looked at Cake with skepticism.

“The Red Stone. The catalyst of dreams.” Cake nodded, “Magnesia is but one of the four legendary components. When refined it becomes an ultimate medicine and an ultimate weapon. It is said that immortality or even godhood is possible through the stone. Do you really expect anyone to let that go? If we fail, others will come. It is the same as any other invasion. Keep pushing until you establish a foothold and then seize the whole of the land piece by piece.”

“Do you really think it is here?” Sig asked, “This close to the shore?”

“I am sure of it. The caverns stretch on for so long and the entrance was completely sealed up, but if it would be anywhere at all, it would be there. If not, then their underground cities would be the ideal place to hide it.” Violetta looked to Raeyn for support.

She had never heard of dwarves and she didn't even know what a Dwellin looked like until last night, but she already knew that Violetta intended to bring them back through the caverns and all the way to that room. Knowing what they would find there was hardly any comfort, but she would not back down so easily.

“You want to go back in there and push through into the main area, but it is as good an idea as any.” She agreed, “After our meal, let us head in.”

Violetta gave a little smirk and nodded, “Well said.”