WELCOME TO "AWAKEN"
Part 36 - Signs and Silence
Thanks for Reading!
previously in
Part 35 - Silhouettes and Saviours
...
Mayval cut Silgren off, “We have some time before they realize where we are.” She readied a fresh bandage and cut him off before he could speak again. “Kogg bought us some time back there. We all owe him a great deal.” A soft smile fell across her face. “We'll put the fire out soon, but in the meantime, you need to-” Her words fell short of his ears as he slumped over onto his back and lay silently, barely aware of what was happening.
Kogg stood atop Silgren's pack of scrolls and pecked at it while cawing softly for Mayval's attention. She looked over her shoulder at Kogg, then instructed Hartelos to open it up for him. After seeing what this large raven was capable of with his own eyes, Hartelos didn't spend a moment bothering to question the reason. Kogg hopped off the pack and waited anxiously. Hartelos crouched down and undid the leather strap, then sat the pack upright, fully open. Kogg walked over and looked inside, pecked some scrolls out of the way and pulled out one bound in yellow twine. Hartelos watched quietly with admiration and curiosity as Kogg removed another scroll, and another after that until he had two of each colour aside from those bound in blue twine.
“Kogg, what are you up to with those scrolls?” Hartelos queried.
Kogg picked up a scroll bound in yellow twine with his beak. A soft glow illuminated the scroll and then faded as the glow transferred to Kogg and encompassed his feathery body. A moment later, that glow faded too, with Kogg performing a short dance and ruffling all his feathers. Kogg carried the scroll over to where he'd decided the 'discard pile' ought to be and returned for another. Hartelos observed while Kogg drained the magic within the scrolls and absorbed it into himself to replenish what he'd expended throughout the recent battle. Kogg flung the last scroll aside and then flew up to perch on the back of a well-made wooden chair where he sat silently with his eyes closed. Hartelos brushed his wet hair back with his right hand, completely lost for words.
...
Part 36 - Signs and Silence
Orvus nearly tumbled out of the boat while it came to a stop on the northeastern beach of Algen. A loud crack sounded beneath the boat, signalling the destruction of the keel. Merobaku, exhausted from her efforts, fell to her knees, having just enough energy to support herself upright with her spear. The old man agilely slipped below the boom, grasping Merobaku's left hand to assist her in standing.
"Thank you," an expended Merobaku said, getting to her feet, with shortness of breath accompanied by a tired, half-smile on her face. "I've never had to use wind magics for a near half-day before."
Orvus joined them to assist. "Here, let me hold that for you so you can take my hand." The moment Orvus grasped the spear, he pulled back in pain. "Ah! Whoa, that's hot!"
The steam that followed the sizzle had the old man raise an eyebrow in surprise. "Doesn't that hurt?" he asked Merobaku, looking back and forth between her and Orvus' hand.
"No, I'm fine." Merobaku signalled them to stand back, then whisked Wasp Nettle away in the brightest flash of light yet.
The two old friends fell backwards onto the deck as she suddenly became engulfed in a cloud of steam. Every bead of sweat on her body vaporized during that moment, having the others nearly convinced she'd exploded. They clambered to their feet while Merobaku emerged from the fading cloud unscathed, completely dry in her now steam-cleaned and wrinkle-free dress.
"Let's deal with that burn," gestured Merobaku. "We don't know what we'll be dealing with in town."
Orvus stood silently, blinking, while Merobaku approached and took his offered hand. Soothing warmth formed in his hand, now clasped betwixt both hers. It was unclear as to whether the heat was from her hands, the healing, or both. When she finished, he rubbed the palm with his opposing thumb, and the skin of the would-be blister fell to the deck.
"Shall we?" Merobaku smiled at Orvus, who nodded back in response. "We should make it to Mayval's just before nightfall."
She hopped down from the boat onto the beach. Both Orvus and the old man picked up their travel packs and did the same. Although the rain had stopped, the sands of the beach were still wet. It was clear that the rains were heavy and prolonged. Numerous large puddles littered the path back into town from the docks, and vast portions of the tall grassy areas amidst the forest were flattened and flooded.
With Mayval's house now visible in the distance, something about the area didn't look quite right. Large branches scattered about the ground in a wide area. Another nearby tree had splintered midway, the top half laying on the ground, charred and still smouldering.
Merobaku rushed forward, every other step splashing up water from a muddy puddle. When she neared Mayval's house, she could tell that the roof had partially collapsed in on itself. A large, deep crater, half-filled with murky water where the front walkway and garden once were. Her heart sunk with worry.
"Mayval!" cried out Merobaku, listening intently for any response.
"Look out!" shouted Orvus.
Two small water-wisps emerged from behind the property, flickering madly. Merobaku hadn't any time to react to a small icy projectile already hurtling toward her. From behind, on her right-hand side, a fireball intercepted the incoming attack and onward, smashing into the attacking wisp. The explosion eliminated the first and ripped the elemental skin from the second, causing it to pour out what remained onto the soaked ground.
Having caught up with Merobaku, the trio readied for more threats. They checked their surroundings, but nothing more turned up. An unsettling silence reminded them of the destruction they'd witnessed. An intense battle took place here, and the first step to being of help was to check Mayval's for survivors and those in need of healing.
With the front door inaccessible due to the crater, the trio made its way around to the back of Mayval's home. Merobaku lifted the latch and pushed on the door, but it would not open. Orvus signalled to the old man to keep watch while he assisted with the door. Together they leaned into the door with everything they had, and the blockage, a large wooden wardrobe slid out of the way. With enough of an opening to slip inside, Merobaku entered, followed by Orvus and then the old man.
Inside, they noticed all the furniture, chairs, storage shelves, and large fabrics barricading the doors and obscuring the windows. The partially collapsed roof revealed the sky, a wet trail scent drafting in with the fresh air of dusk.
A noise beneath them stirred each out of their shock. Merobaku and Orvus looked at one another with hope.
"The cellar!" Both of them exclaimed in a hushed tone.
The old man followed their gaze to a door at the far wall, but before they could approach, a familiar voice called out.
"Who's there?" a female voice asked, with a quiver of worry.
"Mayval?!" exclaimed Merobaku, relieved. "It's us. Are you okay?"
"Oh, thank the Twelve!" shouted Mayval, followed by the sound of her hurrying up the stairs.
Merobaku made her way to the door. Before she could lift the latch, Mayval swung open the door, took one look at Merobaku and gave her a hugging fit for a bear.
"It's so good you're all here." Mayval wiped a single tear from her cheek. "Those things have been stalking us for the last while, and we're down to our last few spells."
"Is anyone hurt?" inquired Merobaku, holding firm to Mayval's shoulders.
Mayval wiped more tears from her face. "We lost a few people at the edge of town during the initial attacks. We saved many more after that, but Silgren-"
"Is he..." started Orvus, fearing the worst.
"No," Mayval assured. "But his wounds are severe. The others are tending to him in the cellar."
Orvus looked at Merobaku, who'd turned to meet his eyes.
"I'll do what I can for him, Orvus." Merobaku looked back to Mayval and nodded gently, then softly but firmly took her hand and lead the way downstairs.