Elemental Ascension, page 16
Well, this is awkward.
“Actually, I was going to insist you get Reverie and Kite on board with this ludicrous plan first. Then, and only then, will I give you both my blessing.”
Before Deerbolt could react, Ash announced, “Agreed,” and shook his hand.
The giant First Mate stormed off to find the unsuspecting couple and put these options to them. When he was out of earshot, Ash bit his lip and grinned.
Deerbolt slapped his shoulder. “Shh, Scoundrel, or I'll have you thrown overboard.”
He winked. “You would miss me too much.”
Reverie was more for following Ash and Deerbolt than they thought she'd be; Reverie felt safe and comfortable in their company, and they'd grown to be loyal friends of hers. After everything they'd been through so far—Lehana Hazel and Aldwin's attack at Blackheart Dock, the Order's pursuit of them in the Tradeway Approach, the First Watchtower's tidal wave and, finally, how they'd burned the Northern Trading Post to the ground for no other reason than to rattle Ash's nerves and send him a message. All these things only happened to them because she and Kite were in Ash's presence, but when she thought about leaving him now, guilt and sorrow set in.
Through his own pain and suffering, Ash promised to get her and Kite to the Dragonborn Guardsmen to fight to return the sight Echelon stole from him; it was a completely selfless act, and one that, eventually, Reverie thought would kill Ash. Each day and the more he developed his Tetrad powers, the less his body willed itself forward. With his mental and Alchemical development, his physique and energy withered. She'd accidentally stumbled in on him at the First Watchtower changing his sodden shirt following the tsunami, and witnessed the bruising across his torso and shoulders. It didn't seem to take much to harm him, but he never complained.
Helping him to survive the curse and rid the Land of the Order was the least she could do, and when she explained her feelings to Kite, he was hesitant but understood her logic. They owed Ash for getting them this far. When their boots touched the Isle of Dragonborn's southern sandy beach, their minds were made up.
“Are we agreed?”
Kite nodded. “Aye.”
“I did not wish to extinguish the flame. But, a chance at rebirthing Dragons to the Land would both save our friend's life and rid us of that awful cult's influence,” Reverie said. “It would mean offering our child to the Dragonborn Guardsmen. If the egg responds, our baby would be taken away.”
Kite assured her, “We could stay here until the birth, and live alongside them here on the island.”
“Eventually, we would miss Broad Wells.”
Kite shrugged. “There is nothing to prevent us from visiting. Without taxes on the roads and the fear of slavery or violence, travelling without a guide like Ash will be easier when the Order no longer govern.”
Reverie bit her nails. “Our only other choice would be to extinguish the flame without risking the baby.”
“That's treason!” Kite gasped. “No, it's what the Order want—we cannot aid their vision to be the last remaining with Alchemy.”
“They wouldn't be,” Reverie explained. “Ash and I discussed it; they believe by extinguishing the flame it would kill the egg, and thus all Alchemy but theirs would cease to exist. No flame, no magic. No Dragon egg, no future of magic. In its entirety. And a Land without Alchemy? Elementals grow crops and control windmills, but they can also cause horrible natural disasters and storms. Astrals used to redirect their energy for good; they healed, motivated and strengthened us. Now, they interfere with the natural order of life and death. And men like you, Kite, could predict wars and illnesses, helping the people to prepare.”
“It may not always be a good thing to know what heartache is to befall those you love, if you are unable to prevent it.” Kite took her hand in his and kissed it gently. “So, whatever you decide, my love, I am with you.”
Reverie collared Sarronious as he hauled his pack down the wooden ramp. The Cerulean Grace was docked and anchored in place, and Captain Deerbolt was insistent she would not be sailed again unless it was toward a future free from Astrals of the Order and their authoritarianism.
“Sarronious, we have decided to help Ash by offering our unborn child to the egg.”
“Then I'm with you,” Sarronious replied.
“Thank you.”
“And if the egg does not respond?”
Reverie frowned; she hadn't considered the egg wouldn't accept their offering of an innocent soul as its vessel. They assumed their act of kindness would be enough.
“I don't think I can commit treason,” Kite told her.
“Me neither,” she said.
“I'll let Ash and the Captain know what you have decided, Reverie. For the record, I don't want to commit treason either, no matter the benefits.”
He dumped his pack, then set off back up the ramp. But he paused and checked over his shoulder one last time.
“Are you sure? A child is a precious thing; can you live without yours?”
Reverie lowered her gaze. “I would see to it we could remain here. Do you think—”
He interrupted, “There can be no going back.”
“We understand,” Kite answered, fingering the bow and arrows fixed to his back.
He'd have to use them today, and against men of the Dragonborn Guard. If they were not met with the warm welcome they hoped for, considering what they had to offer, Kite's responsibility lied with Reverie and the baby. He would die for them. Without hesitation. No questions asked.
Ash told him what the men of Dragonborn were taught and how. They were ruthless when necessary, and highly trained with weapons including the longsword, bows, crossbows, knives and even those deemed illegal on the mainland. Kite's aim was true even without his sight—if they granted his wish to see again and reversed Echelon's cruelty before turning against them for any reason, Kite would definitely have the edge. With a bow and arrows, Kite was deadly. Ash saw firs hand outside the Lawful Hand Tavern his capabilities. Stunned by his instincts, he'd been impressed. His Alchemy being passive (rather than active like Ash's Salamander incantations), could not be relied upon to save any lives. As a Hydromancer, Kite read tea leaves to predict the future with his Seeing Alchemy. He could predict disagreements, battles and even long-term wars, but for the here and now, it was of little consequence.
“It's the honourable thing to do, Sarronious,” he said.
“Honourable does not always differ from stupid.”
Kite grinned. “We understand that, too. We're ready.”
Sarronious thought for a moment and almost challenged Kite again, but continued on, leaving the couple to enjoy the beach before their party set off through the jungle to the Dragonborn Circle's ruins.
Ash was touched when he heard the news. With Deerbolt by his side, he didn't want to show the emotion their sacrifice welled within him. He was close to tears. Of course, he'd expected Reverie not to agree to treason and in the long run, removing any chance of the return of Dragons was a terrible idea. Ash, like any other honest Alchemist in the Land, longed to set eyes upon their incredible valour and beauty. Being an Elemental used to be thrilling, but as Ash aged, wielding a flamethrower vexed him—he'd lost his edge, anyway.
So locate the egg they would, and offer Reverie's unborn child to it they must. With his hands together, staring at the ship's mascot from the beach, Ash prayed the egg would respond and, in return for their generosity and spirit, restore Kite's vision. Without Alchemy across the Land and in the man who cursed him originally, Ash's troubles would be over automatically, and any chance of the God of Universal Energy gaining traction through another Oracle would be withdrawn, too.
Please let there be no guard on the wall of the ruins, he prayed. I do not need another Guardsman's blood on my hands.
Ash tucked the Tetrad book down the back of his pack, then hid the key beneath his shirt, and set off, leading his party of five across the beach and into the jungle. On their side, fighting thanklessly for the future of the Land, were two Humans, a Velocal, an incapacitated Hydromancer and Ash... a Tetrad.
Chapter Fifteen
Arise In Flames
Unfortunately, Ash's wish to avoid a confrontation on approach to the ruins was not granted. Manning the ancient wall was two visible Guardsmen, wearing full head-to-toe armour and carrying longswords. Ash didn't recognise either of them, and was absolutely stunned to see one of them wielding Gnome Elemental magic to rebuild sections of the fallen ruins. A deep scowl burrowed into his brow and remained there as Deerbolt crept up behind him and gasped at the sight.
“But, he's an Elemental?”
“Aye,” Ash grumbled, now more determined than ever to confront and challenge them.
“They're suddenly trusting Elementals in the Guard?”
“Rarely,” Ash whispered, careful to make a mental note of the incantations used by the Gnome for lifting and transporting heavy bricks, soil and plant-life. “What are they doing?”
Deerbolt skulked back to Kite, Reverie and Sarronious to relay what they'd seen. With no one by his side to harm if the incantations went wrong, Ash mimicked the Guardsman's actions, which he noticed were mostly in the upper body, but with a firm stance. The man was using the wet dirt as cement, to rebuild the wall around the Dragon's Circle, creating a surrounding barrier to act like that at the First Watchtower. All it lacked was a deep moat and a huge Keep in the centre.
By mirroring the guard's incantations, Ash was able to shift some rocks and dirt by his feet, but didn't want to draw any attention. With his eyes still firmly fixed on the watchmen, Ash slipped back through the canopy of leaves.
“They are preparing for something,” he told Deerbolt.
He gave Kite's bow a tug to subtly inform him he ought to be ready to use it. Kite nodded but said nothing.
“Like what?” Reverie innocently asked. “Surely they are just preserving a piece of their history?”
Sarronious narrowed his eyes when he saw the concern in Ash's. No, this was something more. Re-building the existing ruins was a way to conserve the past, but adding additional structures that high and strong suggested they were preparing to be attacked. Or, they were trying to impress someone.
“Do they still use this area for anything, Ash?” he asked.
“They didn't when I served, but it was patrolled.”
“Any ideas what they might be up to?”
Ash had a few concerns. “Aye. Knowing what I know now.”
Sarronious and Deerbolt gestured he should share his theories, but Ash was hesitant. Starting a panic now, even if only within their party, wouldn't help their cause. And if word got out, widespread fear that the Dragonborn Guardsmen were not who they claimed to be anymore would be the end of the Land, with or without Alchemy.
“Please,” Reverie added in the quiet.
Ash inhaled deeply. His theories were exactly that... theories. There was no evidence to prove any of his suspicions held sustenance. Kite and Reverie needed to trust the Guardsmen if they were to convince the egg to hatch with their unborn baby's presence, and telling them Ash thought the Guard had other, sinister intentions would not help his cause.
“The Dragon Circle is supposedly where the flame was initially ignited, and where the past Dragons were born. They met here to discuss Alchemy and the Land's future, but when the Order started killing them off, it fell to ruin,” he explained. “If the Guardsmen are employing more Elementals—as you know that's unusual because there's a risk they might be concealing a Tetrad ability—their security is lacking and suggests their focus has shifted from protecting the flame to protecting... something else.”
Deerbolt felt for the knife she concealed in her right boot; fingering it comforted her.
“You said something and not someone,” Kite added.
“Aye,” Ash replied. “The return of...”
“The God of Universal Energy,” Deerbolt finished, remembering how Ash had come to be banished in the first place, and the Oracle's possession by the God of Universal Energy from the Lingerverse.
Together, they explained this to Kite, Reverie and Sarronious, and waited for their decision to bail and return to the mainland. Ash wouldn't have blamed them for choosing not to go up against one of the most powerful Gods the Land had ever seen, and one of the most influential and cruel. The God of Universal Energy was a warlord, encouraging greed and dishonesty, power over life and death, and a single, rich government. If Dragonborn had become corrupted, or infiltrated by Astrals of the Order, it would make sense to use Elementals to prepare the island for the return of the God they believed would allow them to keep their Alchemy if they served him well.
“Is that possible?” Reverie asked Ash. “Releasing a God from Akasha and reincarnating him somehow?”
Everyone ducked in unison as the Gnome Guard passed by; Ash could hear the crinkle and crunch of leaves and twigs beneath his boots as he stomped along the outer edge of the Dragon's Circle, kicking occasionally to look for pieces of the original monuments. When the Dragons reigned, forming the circle were six large pillars of stone, facing inward. Five of the pillars represented the original Dragon eggs, only one of which still remained under protective custody. Nobody really knew what the sixth stood for, except perhaps to represent Man, and the Land the Dragons safeguarded. There were also theories the six pillars had been erected for the six 'species': Elementals, Velocals, Seers, Humans, Astrals and Dragons. But, many disregarded the idea because Velocals were basically Humans.
Elementals thought they represented the senses their Alchemy covered: earth, air, fire, water, the spirit, and the Tetrad gift, however rare. Dragons were capable only of the spiritual sense, but this still equalled six pillars for six gifts. Astrals, including those of the Order, sometimes wondered if six represented the maximum number of spirits one could conjure from the Lingerverse. Many had tried to call upon multiple souls. Few succeeded.
Finally, Seers held their own beliefs. Could it be there were six Seeing gifts if you counted Shamans as the final ability? Of fortune telling: Cartomancy, Hydromancy and Chiromancy. Of an Oracle's remit: Sciomancy and Psychometry. Soothsayers, those without physical sight but all of the other gifts. Shamans were medicine men working only with herbal remedies, but they were often categorised as Seers.
Humans and Velocals without an Alchemical stake in the pillars thought the most logical explanation was one pillar for each God: the God of Magic and his five children: the Land, the People, Universal Energy, Emotion and the Senses. Without a Dragon to ask, nobody would ever have a direct answer.
The sixth pillar remained a mystery.
After many years without Dragons, the circle was abandoned and crumbled to the ruins they were all familiar with.
When the guard was out of earshot and they were less at risk of being discovered, Deerbolt continued.
“They would need a vessel to do it. Right, Ash?”
“Aye. Forget innocence sparking a Dragon's curiosity,” he told them. “If they've discovered a way to force that egg to hatch, the God of Universal Energy could return to the Land by possessing the beast and tarnishing its soul. Then, it could wield the Dragon's Alchemy for its own benefit.”
“Isn't the God of Universal Energy a he, not an it?”
“Kite,” Ash said, sighing, “any creature willing to do that much harm to so many people deserves only to be an 'it' in my opinion.” He paused and wrung his gloved hands together. “Makes me feel less guilty about killing it.”
“Do forgive me if I falter,” Kite grunted.
“Is that what we should do?” Sarronious asked. “Find the egg and destroy it before the God of Universal Energy can be reborn?”
Ash shrugged. “Honestly, Sarronious, I can't say for sure what is going on over there, but it can't be good. The God of Magic initially sent the Dragons to rule the Land in place of the Gods—they were blessed with a piece of the Gods' Alchemy to weaken and imprison them in Akasha, but also to help the Land govern itself.”
Ash lowered his voice; the guards were branching out and widening their patrol route. Soon, they'd be forced to move.
“The question is, would the God of Universal Energy be strong enough to survive without the entirety of his Alchemy?”
Deerbolt said, “If reunited with a Dragon egg, I believe so. It is a terrifying thought. But the bigger dilemma is how did he escape from Akasha in the first place, and why isn't his father interfering?”
They retreated deeper into the canopy to avoid detection.
“We can't stay here much longer,” Kite told Reverie.
Sarronious agreed. “It's not safe for her. They could attack and strike Reverie before seeing she is carrying a child.”
“Motherhood won't stop them, not if they deem her a threat,” Ash told him, ashamed he once followed that same ruling.
The Elemental guard Ash had been studying came to a halt, paying close attention to where Ash's party were crouched. With a delicate lifting motion, the Gnome's incantations raised the plants and trees ahead of them from the roots, revealing everything behind and beneath. Dirt rained down as Ash tried to get everyone to move. A clear path was being forged to their hideout.
Reverie's size and shape, plus Kite's blindness, hindered any chance of a quick getaway, and the Gnome called out before he sprinted directly at them.
“Intruders!”
Ash drew his longsword and darted in his path, clashing metal on metal to protect his friends from the swish of the sharp, unforgiving Dragonborn blade. He forced the Guardsman backwards and off balance, then charged at him.
Deerbolt gave Kite a shove in the opposite direction and told them to run; Reverie overtook him and led Kite through the trees, heading the way they came.
“I can help,” Kite protested. “Turn back.”
“No! I'm not going to lose you,” Reverie said.
Sarronious was already head-to-head with the other Guardsman, who didn't seem to possess any Alchemical gifts. He was quick with his sword, though, but not quick enough. Sarronious dodged a clumsy strike and tripped the guard. He hit his head on a flat stone slab and was instantly rendered unconscious. Sarronious checked him for a pulse, then once satisfied he hadn't accidentally killed the man, bound his hands quickly with rope and ran to assist Ash. Deerbolt had beaten him to the fight, so he went back to lift the man into a sitting position and tie him to a tree trunk instead.
“Actually, I was going to insist you get Reverie and Kite on board with this ludicrous plan first. Then, and only then, will I give you both my blessing.”
Before Deerbolt could react, Ash announced, “Agreed,” and shook his hand.
The giant First Mate stormed off to find the unsuspecting couple and put these options to them. When he was out of earshot, Ash bit his lip and grinned.
Deerbolt slapped his shoulder. “Shh, Scoundrel, or I'll have you thrown overboard.”
He winked. “You would miss me too much.”
Reverie was more for following Ash and Deerbolt than they thought she'd be; Reverie felt safe and comfortable in their company, and they'd grown to be loyal friends of hers. After everything they'd been through so far—Lehana Hazel and Aldwin's attack at Blackheart Dock, the Order's pursuit of them in the Tradeway Approach, the First Watchtower's tidal wave and, finally, how they'd burned the Northern Trading Post to the ground for no other reason than to rattle Ash's nerves and send him a message. All these things only happened to them because she and Kite were in Ash's presence, but when she thought about leaving him now, guilt and sorrow set in.
Through his own pain and suffering, Ash promised to get her and Kite to the Dragonborn Guardsmen to fight to return the sight Echelon stole from him; it was a completely selfless act, and one that, eventually, Reverie thought would kill Ash. Each day and the more he developed his Tetrad powers, the less his body willed itself forward. With his mental and Alchemical development, his physique and energy withered. She'd accidentally stumbled in on him at the First Watchtower changing his sodden shirt following the tsunami, and witnessed the bruising across his torso and shoulders. It didn't seem to take much to harm him, but he never complained.
Helping him to survive the curse and rid the Land of the Order was the least she could do, and when she explained her feelings to Kite, he was hesitant but understood her logic. They owed Ash for getting them this far. When their boots touched the Isle of Dragonborn's southern sandy beach, their minds were made up.
“Are we agreed?”
Kite nodded. “Aye.”
“I did not wish to extinguish the flame. But, a chance at rebirthing Dragons to the Land would both save our friend's life and rid us of that awful cult's influence,” Reverie said. “It would mean offering our child to the Dragonborn Guardsmen. If the egg responds, our baby would be taken away.”
Kite assured her, “We could stay here until the birth, and live alongside them here on the island.”
“Eventually, we would miss Broad Wells.”
Kite shrugged. “There is nothing to prevent us from visiting. Without taxes on the roads and the fear of slavery or violence, travelling without a guide like Ash will be easier when the Order no longer govern.”
Reverie bit her nails. “Our only other choice would be to extinguish the flame without risking the baby.”
“That's treason!” Kite gasped. “No, it's what the Order want—we cannot aid their vision to be the last remaining with Alchemy.”
“They wouldn't be,” Reverie explained. “Ash and I discussed it; they believe by extinguishing the flame it would kill the egg, and thus all Alchemy but theirs would cease to exist. No flame, no magic. No Dragon egg, no future of magic. In its entirety. And a Land without Alchemy? Elementals grow crops and control windmills, but they can also cause horrible natural disasters and storms. Astrals used to redirect their energy for good; they healed, motivated and strengthened us. Now, they interfere with the natural order of life and death. And men like you, Kite, could predict wars and illnesses, helping the people to prepare.”
“It may not always be a good thing to know what heartache is to befall those you love, if you are unable to prevent it.” Kite took her hand in his and kissed it gently. “So, whatever you decide, my love, I am with you.”
Reverie collared Sarronious as he hauled his pack down the wooden ramp. The Cerulean Grace was docked and anchored in place, and Captain Deerbolt was insistent she would not be sailed again unless it was toward a future free from Astrals of the Order and their authoritarianism.
“Sarronious, we have decided to help Ash by offering our unborn child to the egg.”
“Then I'm with you,” Sarronious replied.
“Thank you.”
“And if the egg does not respond?”
Reverie frowned; she hadn't considered the egg wouldn't accept their offering of an innocent soul as its vessel. They assumed their act of kindness would be enough.
“I don't think I can commit treason,” Kite told her.
“Me neither,” she said.
“I'll let Ash and the Captain know what you have decided, Reverie. For the record, I don't want to commit treason either, no matter the benefits.”
He dumped his pack, then set off back up the ramp. But he paused and checked over his shoulder one last time.
“Are you sure? A child is a precious thing; can you live without yours?”
Reverie lowered her gaze. “I would see to it we could remain here. Do you think—”
He interrupted, “There can be no going back.”
“We understand,” Kite answered, fingering the bow and arrows fixed to his back.
He'd have to use them today, and against men of the Dragonborn Guard. If they were not met with the warm welcome they hoped for, considering what they had to offer, Kite's responsibility lied with Reverie and the baby. He would die for them. Without hesitation. No questions asked.
Ash told him what the men of Dragonborn were taught and how. They were ruthless when necessary, and highly trained with weapons including the longsword, bows, crossbows, knives and even those deemed illegal on the mainland. Kite's aim was true even without his sight—if they granted his wish to see again and reversed Echelon's cruelty before turning against them for any reason, Kite would definitely have the edge. With a bow and arrows, Kite was deadly. Ash saw firs hand outside the Lawful Hand Tavern his capabilities. Stunned by his instincts, he'd been impressed. His Alchemy being passive (rather than active like Ash's Salamander incantations), could not be relied upon to save any lives. As a Hydromancer, Kite read tea leaves to predict the future with his Seeing Alchemy. He could predict disagreements, battles and even long-term wars, but for the here and now, it was of little consequence.
“It's the honourable thing to do, Sarronious,” he said.
“Honourable does not always differ from stupid.”
Kite grinned. “We understand that, too. We're ready.”
Sarronious thought for a moment and almost challenged Kite again, but continued on, leaving the couple to enjoy the beach before their party set off through the jungle to the Dragonborn Circle's ruins.
Ash was touched when he heard the news. With Deerbolt by his side, he didn't want to show the emotion their sacrifice welled within him. He was close to tears. Of course, he'd expected Reverie not to agree to treason and in the long run, removing any chance of the return of Dragons was a terrible idea. Ash, like any other honest Alchemist in the Land, longed to set eyes upon their incredible valour and beauty. Being an Elemental used to be thrilling, but as Ash aged, wielding a flamethrower vexed him—he'd lost his edge, anyway.
So locate the egg they would, and offer Reverie's unborn child to it they must. With his hands together, staring at the ship's mascot from the beach, Ash prayed the egg would respond and, in return for their generosity and spirit, restore Kite's vision. Without Alchemy across the Land and in the man who cursed him originally, Ash's troubles would be over automatically, and any chance of the God of Universal Energy gaining traction through another Oracle would be withdrawn, too.
Please let there be no guard on the wall of the ruins, he prayed. I do not need another Guardsman's blood on my hands.
Ash tucked the Tetrad book down the back of his pack, then hid the key beneath his shirt, and set off, leading his party of five across the beach and into the jungle. On their side, fighting thanklessly for the future of the Land, were two Humans, a Velocal, an incapacitated Hydromancer and Ash... a Tetrad.
Chapter Fifteen
Arise In Flames
Unfortunately, Ash's wish to avoid a confrontation on approach to the ruins was not granted. Manning the ancient wall was two visible Guardsmen, wearing full head-to-toe armour and carrying longswords. Ash didn't recognise either of them, and was absolutely stunned to see one of them wielding Gnome Elemental magic to rebuild sections of the fallen ruins. A deep scowl burrowed into his brow and remained there as Deerbolt crept up behind him and gasped at the sight.
“But, he's an Elemental?”
“Aye,” Ash grumbled, now more determined than ever to confront and challenge them.
“They're suddenly trusting Elementals in the Guard?”
“Rarely,” Ash whispered, careful to make a mental note of the incantations used by the Gnome for lifting and transporting heavy bricks, soil and plant-life. “What are they doing?”
Deerbolt skulked back to Kite, Reverie and Sarronious to relay what they'd seen. With no one by his side to harm if the incantations went wrong, Ash mimicked the Guardsman's actions, which he noticed were mostly in the upper body, but with a firm stance. The man was using the wet dirt as cement, to rebuild the wall around the Dragon's Circle, creating a surrounding barrier to act like that at the First Watchtower. All it lacked was a deep moat and a huge Keep in the centre.
By mirroring the guard's incantations, Ash was able to shift some rocks and dirt by his feet, but didn't want to draw any attention. With his eyes still firmly fixed on the watchmen, Ash slipped back through the canopy of leaves.
“They are preparing for something,” he told Deerbolt.
He gave Kite's bow a tug to subtly inform him he ought to be ready to use it. Kite nodded but said nothing.
“Like what?” Reverie innocently asked. “Surely they are just preserving a piece of their history?”
Sarronious narrowed his eyes when he saw the concern in Ash's. No, this was something more. Re-building the existing ruins was a way to conserve the past, but adding additional structures that high and strong suggested they were preparing to be attacked. Or, they were trying to impress someone.
“Do they still use this area for anything, Ash?” he asked.
“They didn't when I served, but it was patrolled.”
“Any ideas what they might be up to?”
Ash had a few concerns. “Aye. Knowing what I know now.”
Sarronious and Deerbolt gestured he should share his theories, but Ash was hesitant. Starting a panic now, even if only within their party, wouldn't help their cause. And if word got out, widespread fear that the Dragonborn Guardsmen were not who they claimed to be anymore would be the end of the Land, with or without Alchemy.
“Please,” Reverie added in the quiet.
Ash inhaled deeply. His theories were exactly that... theories. There was no evidence to prove any of his suspicions held sustenance. Kite and Reverie needed to trust the Guardsmen if they were to convince the egg to hatch with their unborn baby's presence, and telling them Ash thought the Guard had other, sinister intentions would not help his cause.
“The Dragon Circle is supposedly where the flame was initially ignited, and where the past Dragons were born. They met here to discuss Alchemy and the Land's future, but when the Order started killing them off, it fell to ruin,” he explained. “If the Guardsmen are employing more Elementals—as you know that's unusual because there's a risk they might be concealing a Tetrad ability—their security is lacking and suggests their focus has shifted from protecting the flame to protecting... something else.”
Deerbolt felt for the knife she concealed in her right boot; fingering it comforted her.
“You said something and not someone,” Kite added.
“Aye,” Ash replied. “The return of...”
“The God of Universal Energy,” Deerbolt finished, remembering how Ash had come to be banished in the first place, and the Oracle's possession by the God of Universal Energy from the Lingerverse.
Together, they explained this to Kite, Reverie and Sarronious, and waited for their decision to bail and return to the mainland. Ash wouldn't have blamed them for choosing not to go up against one of the most powerful Gods the Land had ever seen, and one of the most influential and cruel. The God of Universal Energy was a warlord, encouraging greed and dishonesty, power over life and death, and a single, rich government. If Dragonborn had become corrupted, or infiltrated by Astrals of the Order, it would make sense to use Elementals to prepare the island for the return of the God they believed would allow them to keep their Alchemy if they served him well.
“Is that possible?” Reverie asked Ash. “Releasing a God from Akasha and reincarnating him somehow?”
Everyone ducked in unison as the Gnome Guard passed by; Ash could hear the crinkle and crunch of leaves and twigs beneath his boots as he stomped along the outer edge of the Dragon's Circle, kicking occasionally to look for pieces of the original monuments. When the Dragons reigned, forming the circle were six large pillars of stone, facing inward. Five of the pillars represented the original Dragon eggs, only one of which still remained under protective custody. Nobody really knew what the sixth stood for, except perhaps to represent Man, and the Land the Dragons safeguarded. There were also theories the six pillars had been erected for the six 'species': Elementals, Velocals, Seers, Humans, Astrals and Dragons. But, many disregarded the idea because Velocals were basically Humans.
Elementals thought they represented the senses their Alchemy covered: earth, air, fire, water, the spirit, and the Tetrad gift, however rare. Dragons were capable only of the spiritual sense, but this still equalled six pillars for six gifts. Astrals, including those of the Order, sometimes wondered if six represented the maximum number of spirits one could conjure from the Lingerverse. Many had tried to call upon multiple souls. Few succeeded.
Finally, Seers held their own beliefs. Could it be there were six Seeing gifts if you counted Shamans as the final ability? Of fortune telling: Cartomancy, Hydromancy and Chiromancy. Of an Oracle's remit: Sciomancy and Psychometry. Soothsayers, those without physical sight but all of the other gifts. Shamans were medicine men working only with herbal remedies, but they were often categorised as Seers.
Humans and Velocals without an Alchemical stake in the pillars thought the most logical explanation was one pillar for each God: the God of Magic and his five children: the Land, the People, Universal Energy, Emotion and the Senses. Without a Dragon to ask, nobody would ever have a direct answer.
The sixth pillar remained a mystery.
After many years without Dragons, the circle was abandoned and crumbled to the ruins they were all familiar with.
When the guard was out of earshot and they were less at risk of being discovered, Deerbolt continued.
“They would need a vessel to do it. Right, Ash?”
“Aye. Forget innocence sparking a Dragon's curiosity,” he told them. “If they've discovered a way to force that egg to hatch, the God of Universal Energy could return to the Land by possessing the beast and tarnishing its soul. Then, it could wield the Dragon's Alchemy for its own benefit.”
“Isn't the God of Universal Energy a he, not an it?”
“Kite,” Ash said, sighing, “any creature willing to do that much harm to so many people deserves only to be an 'it' in my opinion.” He paused and wrung his gloved hands together. “Makes me feel less guilty about killing it.”
“Do forgive me if I falter,” Kite grunted.
“Is that what we should do?” Sarronious asked. “Find the egg and destroy it before the God of Universal Energy can be reborn?”
Ash shrugged. “Honestly, Sarronious, I can't say for sure what is going on over there, but it can't be good. The God of Magic initially sent the Dragons to rule the Land in place of the Gods—they were blessed with a piece of the Gods' Alchemy to weaken and imprison them in Akasha, but also to help the Land govern itself.”
Ash lowered his voice; the guards were branching out and widening their patrol route. Soon, they'd be forced to move.
“The question is, would the God of Universal Energy be strong enough to survive without the entirety of his Alchemy?”
Deerbolt said, “If reunited with a Dragon egg, I believe so. It is a terrifying thought. But the bigger dilemma is how did he escape from Akasha in the first place, and why isn't his father interfering?”
They retreated deeper into the canopy to avoid detection.
“We can't stay here much longer,” Kite told Reverie.
Sarronious agreed. “It's not safe for her. They could attack and strike Reverie before seeing she is carrying a child.”
“Motherhood won't stop them, not if they deem her a threat,” Ash told him, ashamed he once followed that same ruling.
The Elemental guard Ash had been studying came to a halt, paying close attention to where Ash's party were crouched. With a delicate lifting motion, the Gnome's incantations raised the plants and trees ahead of them from the roots, revealing everything behind and beneath. Dirt rained down as Ash tried to get everyone to move. A clear path was being forged to their hideout.
Reverie's size and shape, plus Kite's blindness, hindered any chance of a quick getaway, and the Gnome called out before he sprinted directly at them.
“Intruders!”
Ash drew his longsword and darted in his path, clashing metal on metal to protect his friends from the swish of the sharp, unforgiving Dragonborn blade. He forced the Guardsman backwards and off balance, then charged at him.
Deerbolt gave Kite a shove in the opposite direction and told them to run; Reverie overtook him and led Kite through the trees, heading the way they came.
“I can help,” Kite protested. “Turn back.”
“No! I'm not going to lose you,” Reverie said.
Sarronious was already head-to-head with the other Guardsman, who didn't seem to possess any Alchemical gifts. He was quick with his sword, though, but not quick enough. Sarronious dodged a clumsy strike and tripped the guard. He hit his head on a flat stone slab and was instantly rendered unconscious. Sarronious checked him for a pulse, then once satisfied he hadn't accidentally killed the man, bound his hands quickly with rope and ran to assist Ash. Deerbolt had beaten him to the fight, so he went back to lift the man into a sitting position and tie him to a tree trunk instead.
