The main street of Galleraze was surprisingly wide, so much so that two carriages could pass each other with room to spare. At the sides of the road, merchant stalls and large buildings stood tall and many people walked about on their daily routines. Every hundred metres or so stood an island in the middle of the road in the form of a raised garden bed, but unlike the plants at the Mayor’s estate these were poorly looked after and completely ignored by the bees.

Lieut followed the road, his gaze determinedly fixed on the distance. The buildings soon fell away and only the planks remained as the road curved out towards the edge of the waterfall before continuing along the cliff face. Thanks to rune magicks, the planks of the road needed no supports as they floated thousands of feet above the valley floor and wound along the side of the sheer cliff face.

Just as abruptly as the buildings of Galleraze fell away, the floating highway ended as it connected to the land where the Gullesian Highroad started its trek through the Gaia Mountain Pass. By the time Lieut moved from the floating planks and into the region known as the Hills of Inüer, it was dark and the twin moons once again drifted in the blackness of the endless sky.

Lieut did not stop for the night, instead pushing onwards, determined to reach The Port before his brother did.

The trek through the night was easy enough, the moons shone brightly and the crickets chirped. Occasionally he heard the distant howl of a wolf or the hoot of an owl overhead, but ultimately the night was uneventful, and Lieut was pleased with that.

The day came slowly, and soon Inüer blazed in the sky, making the hills in the distance appear yellow. The unusual colour of the grass was due to an oil which made it appear yellow from a distance, but when up close the grass was as green as always.

On either side of the road stood wooden fences that closed off areas in the wide valley for grazing farm animals to wander. Small tracks branched off from the main dirt road between the paddocks and off into the trees to houses or more grazing areas.

The Hills of Inüer was farming country, where the air was crisp and the folk pleasant. Every passing traveller or farmer tipped their hat or nodded in regard as they passed by Lieut with an occasional remark on the pleasantness of the day.

“Fine morning,” yet another farmer said to Lieut as they passed by each other.

Like every time before, Lieut ignored the remark, but this time it was because something else had caught his attention. Down the road a ways, a pair of travellers stood in the middle of a crossroad talking as they looked up at an old signpost. Immediately Lieut recognised the red hair of the elf and the richly designed vest of the man, but he smirked a little despite his misgivings.

As Lieut neared them they both turned to regard him, most likely thinking he was just another farmer to nod their head at and make a pleasant remark. Their expressions turned to surprise when they realised it was Lieut walking up to them.

Vythe laughed slightly in bemusement at seeing him. “What a strange coincidence that we would meet you here.”

“Annoying coincidence,” Lieut replied.

“I was sure you would be at The Port by now,” Fairris remarked with a smile.

“The Magi would not teleport me,” he replied, his attention lingering on Fairris as he sensed something different about her.

“I find that hard to believe,” replied Vythe curiously. “The Magi Grund I know of would do nearly anything to further her research on the assimilation of races.”

“Exactly,” Lieut stated.

Vythe’s features brightened in realisation. “I see. You refused to answer her questions.”

“I could find no horse either,” Lieut said absently as he looked around.

“That would be near on impossible in Galleraze,” Vythe agreed. “Especially considering that the town makes its money in fishing.”

Lieut shrugged. “I have resolved myself to walking for the time being, unless your connection to the Fog has returned.”

“It has not, yet,” Vythe replied with a sense of optimism. “But I am confident it will in time.”

Lieut absently looked up at the signpost where four names had been carved into the wood. Ahead was the ‘Gaia Mountain Pass’, to the right it read ‘Illna’, back the way he had come was ‘Galleraze’ and to the left the sign said ‘The Gul Ravine’. Oddly ‘Ravine’ had been scratched at and just below it was carved ‘Abyss’.

The story of the Gul Ravine being completely destroyed flashed through Lieut’s mind, but the details were limited.

“Farewell to you both.” Lieut nodded curtly and moved past Vythe and Fairris heading for the Gaia Mountain Pass.

“Why not travel with us?” Fairris called out, causing Lieut to stop and consider her.

“You will only slow me down,” Lieut decided and moved to go again.

“Even if we know of a shortcut through the mountains?” said Fairris, again making him stop.

“What shortcut?” Lieut asked curiously.

“Through the Gul Ravine,” replied Fairris. “There is a tunnel that ends near to the Anduěr Monastery in the Gaia Mountains.”

“The Monastery marks the halfway point through The Gaia Pass,” Vythe explained. “It should take a day off your trip.”

“Why do you want my company?” Lieut asked, narrowing his eyes.

Vythe and Fairris shrugged and looked at each other.

“Why not?” Vythe asked back. “Better to have three in the party than two, especially if we come across trouble.”

Lieut paused as confusion and suspicion seeped into his thoughts.

“The town of Gul is destroyed, correct?” Lieut asked hesitantly after a few moments

“Indeed,” Vythe said with a nod. “Which hopefully means no one will hinder our passage.”

Lieut paused again for a few seconds as he thought it over.

“Alright,” Lieut finally decided.

Vythe smiled. “Then let us be off, my friend.”

“I am not your friend,” Lieut was quick to say. “And you are not mine. Neither are you my comrade nor my companion. You were a means to an end, but no longer. And now we are simply travelling in the same direction.”

“That suits me fine.” Vythe smiled back, though his eyes were cold.

Lieut nodded and took up the lead towards the Gul Ravine.

He set a strong pace along the dusty road, but neither Vythe nor Fairris complained, and in fact they spoke cheerfully to one another. This made it quite obvious to Lieut that Fairris was indeed different, she seemed happier, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She was also wearing some new clothes.

In place of the dirty and ripped guard’s uniform she had worn, was now a tight beige leather corset with shoulder straps, made from belts of leather over the top of soft white linen. She also now wore a dark red skirt with a chainmail underlay that was cut high on both sides, showing off her long legs. A few thin belts rested on her hips to carry pouches full of necessary travelling items.

Although most of her outfit was new, she still wore the shoulder epaulette on her left shoulder that displayed her military rank, and she still wore her knee-high black leather boots and black gauntlets.

Several thick straps of leather lined with lace wound around one of her thighs and her upper right arm, most likely for aesthetic purposes than for anything functional. Although, Lieut could see how a dagger could comfortably fit under the leather strap on her leg.

To complete Fairris’s outfit she wore a small silver earring in each ear and around her neck hung a thin silver chain, which ended with a small pendent just above her cleavage.

Lieut found himself struggling to keep his mind on the road ahead and once again he was filled with confusion.

“Lieut?” Vythe called, grabbing his attention.

“A small question,” Vythe continued. “Was it you that killed the grinlocks along the river to Galleraze?”

“Yes,” Lieut replied, not bothering to turn to regard Vythe.

Fairris let out a triumphant laugh. “We agreed on five gold, correct?”

“Here, take your filthy coin,” Vythe replied bitterly.

Lieut heard the clink of coins exchanging hands.

“I must say though, it was nicely done, Lieut,” remarked Vythe. “Three Grinlocks by yourself is no small feat.”

Lieut shrugged, not bothering to slow down. He could have easily killed ten Grinlocks by himself.

“How did you become such a good fighter, Lieut?” asked Fairris, her tone pleasant.

Lieut glanced briefly over his shoulder, but did not reply.

“You like your secrets don’t you?” Vythe said dryly. “Have it your way then, we will try to not engage you in conversation any further, and we will consider you a mute bodyguard who is leading us safely through the mountains.”

“Well, that would be something you are familiar with Vythe,” Fairris remarked playfully.

“More than you know in fact,” replied Vythe with a laugh. “When I was young I used to have a servant that followed me around everywhere I went. My father’s idea of course, and I would not now be surprised to learn he was also a bodyguard.

“He was remarkably like Lieut as well,” Vythe continued, slightly louder so Lieut could hear more clearly. “A surly fellow, never said much, but he was very useful. But also unnecessary, for by the time I was eight I was already as powerful as many of the Magi teaching at the Guild, so I could protect myself very efficiently.

“What of you?” Vythe asked. “Any man-servants for the lady Fairris?”

“Hardly,” scoffed Fairris. “Besides, my parents were never wealthy, and anyway, they died when I was five.”

She went quiet for a few moments.

“But when I joined the Guard in the Zirarien city of Elestarl, I trained some recruits,” Fairris spoke up again. “Who were practically like servants.”

Both Vythe and Fairris laughed at that, but Lieut did not share their mirth.

By mid-afternoon the road had narrowed and the grass had grown back from lack of use, the fences on the sides of the road were rotting and falling down from the absence of maintenance. The trees grew more wild and crowded over the track, as if wanting to have a look at the travellers that wandered foolishly towards the Abyss of the Gul Ravine.

The darkening mood of the land had little effect on Lieut, but Vythe and Fairris had become quieter and sensed the malice in the air as they picked up their pace to move closer to Lieut.

Inüer dipped towards to the western horizon and the shadows lengthened, playing tricks on their eyes. Vythe and Fairris’s discomfort became more obvious and Lieut could definitely feel a quiet threat around him.

“We should rest for the night,” Vythe remarked as the light grew dim, and Fairris readily agreed with him.

Lieut was annoyed at having to stop, but he did so anyway. The darkness did not bother him, but he did need both Vythe and Fairris to show him the way once he reached Gul. Reluctantly Lieut joined them beside the road where Fairris was preparing a fire.

The blood elf rubbed her palms together above a pile of dry logs and as she did the Fog flicked about her hands. Lieut felt the hunger his sword had for the Fog, but he mentally suppressed its desire to absorb the conjuration. Slowly Fairris moved her hands apart and the Fog pooled together to create a ball of fire. As her hands moved further apart the ball grew in size until Lieut could feel the heat on his face. Fairris then pushed the ball of flame towards the pile of logs where the dry wood quickly caught alight, and in no time the fire was flickering happily.

“Would you like a bite to eat, Lieut?” Vythe asked him, offering a cut of salted beef.

“No.”

“Surely you must be hungry,” Fairris looked at him in surprise.

“It is no trouble Lieut,” Vythe said sincerely. “We stocked up adequately at Galleraze.”

“No,” Lieut said firmly. “I am fine.”

“A swig of red wine perhaps?” Vythe persisted, offering him his flask.

“I only drink water.”

“You are missing out.” Vythe laughed and took a swallow of the wine. “This is quite a nice drop as well. Of course not as good as the wines my family produce out of Elmnest, but it is decent.”

Lieut looked at the man in confusion. “I thought you were going to refrain from trying to engage me in conversation?”

Vythe laughed again. “It was a jest, Lieut. I find it to be a good idea to get to know those who I am travelling with. Would you not agree, Fairris?”

“On the road is the best time to get to know another, I find.” The elf readily agreed.

“And the two of you have got to know each other?” Lieut asked dryly.

They looked at each other and shrugged. “Well enough,” said Vythe and Fairris nodded.

“And you know me well enough,” replied Lieut.

“Not really,” said Fairris.

“I would hardly say I knew you well enough,” Vythe added.

“You know that I was in the prison and you know that I am on my way to Port Na’brath,” Lieut said simply. “What else is there to know?”

“Who you are?” Fairris was quick to reply, “Where you’re from? How you became such a good warrior? How your sword was able to break the walls of the Gaia Prison?”

“How you ended up in the prison might be a start,” Vythe added with a curious glint in his eyes.

“What did you do that landed you in a prison for political refugees and people who crossed the wrong nobleman, Vythe?” Lieut was quick to ask in response, “And what of you Fairris, what happened in Elestarl that brought you thousands of miles to the Gaia Mountains?”

They both looked away not wanting to answer him.

“We all have secrets,” Lieut finished and looked back to the fire. “Some more than others.”

No one spoke after that, and they each stared into the flames as the fire danced along the wood, hypnotising the travellers and drying their eyes out.

“Be a good bodyguard and take the first watch, Lieut,” Vythe said, as he was already drifting off to sleep.

Lieut looked angrily at Vythe for being ordered about, but he suppressed his ire.

“I’ll take the second watch,” Fairris said as she too began to fall asleep.

Vythe and Fairris made themselves comfortable and before long they had drifted off to sleep.

The darkness of the night slowly crept in around Lieut so tightly that if it were not for the fire he would have had trouble seeing his hand a few inches from his face. The trees seemed to have moved closer as the night drifted by, drawn in by the heat, their boughs blocking out the stars and moons, making him feel as if he was locked in a cave of twisted wood.

But Lieut was not bothered, he did not know the concept of fear, even when a wolf howled close by his muscles did not tense and his heart did not jump a beat. He was indifferent about such trouble, and it came from knowing that there was no adversary he could not defeat, no warrior or beast that could kill him. It had always been that way, only his two brothers had ever posed a decent challenge, but even they had never bested him.

Lieut let out a deep breath and stretched his legs, his back resting against a tree, his sword across his lap and his gaze staring wistfully into the slowly dying fire as he waited until dawn.

The fire was nothing but a cold pile of ash by the time the eastern sky grew light and Lieut rose to continue on the journey.

“Wake up,” Lieut said loudly. “It is time to move.”

Fairris woke with a start and looked about in surprise. “Dawn already. Lieut, you took the watch for the whole night?”

“I don’t sleep,” Lieut replied simply. “Let’s go.”

Fairris gave Lieut a strange look as she gathered her things, but she did not say anything. Vythe did not wake as quickly as Fairris so Lieut kicked his foot to bring Vythe from his dreams. Even with a kick Vythe was slow to move. He rubbed his eyes and stretched out the knots in his back, before yawning widely and looking irritably at Lieut.

“It is much too early,” Vythe complained between yawns.

“Then be left behind,” Lieut replied casually.

Vythe sluggishly gathered his things. “What of breakfast?”

“Eat while you walk,” Fairris suggested, causing Vythe to look at her darkly.

“Lieut is bad enough, Fairris,” Vythe said as he forced himself to his feet. “I do not need you agreeing with him.”

Fairris laughed cheerfully as she moved to catch up to Lieut who was already leaving them behind.

Lieut heard Vythe grumble under his breath as he stumbled to catch up to him and Fairris and he took an apple out of one of the pouches he had tied to his belt.

Lieut continued at the same pace as the previous day, briskly moving through the countryside that had changed from lovely pasture fields into a black and rocky land. Twisted trees grew up between the black stones and the only grass was sickly tufts of brown blades. All else was a black stone called ebonite, which had been mined in Gul before everyone disappeared.

By midday the narrow path had widened and led down into a deep ravine where no plants grew. Replacing the trees were large boulders that had fallen from the tall cliffs, the black stones littering the area turning the path into a natural maze. Their footsteps echoed off the walls and reverberated louder than normal in their ears.

Vythe and Fairris were on edge by the unnatural silence of the ravine, but Lieut was unperturbed. They emerged from the twisting path through the chasm and onto the main road through Gul. The once busy road was now nothing more than an alley that the wind could travel through.

The town of Gul had once been a place full of life and enjoyment, but now it was no more than a dead town, and in place of a street with bustling people, the road was filled with debris and floating wisps of Fog.

“The Fog is dense here,” Fairris remarked uncomfortably.

“But it is peaceful,” Vythe observed, “as if in mourning for the town.”

Lieut scoffed at the notion and walked off down the main street of the city, past the broken market stalls and shattered monuments. Along the walls of the ravine, holes could be seen cut into the stone for windows of houses. But along with the cleverly crafted windows and walkways there were also large cuts in the stone, as if a great sword had carved into the wall of the ravine.

Lieut paused at what seemed to be the centre of the town where remnants of a statue stood in front of him and three roads broke away down separate canyons. The Fog floated aimlessly through the air, reflecting back images of him in obscure ways. Sometimes reflecting his face like a mirror, other times showing him at an odd angle, and other times, out of the corner of his eye, he could see his own image moving even though he stood still. And every time a cloud of Fog drifted too close to him it was sucked into the gems on his sword.

“Of course,” Lieut heard Fairris gasp. “That is how Commander Razaless’s spells had no effect on you in the torture room. Anther crystals.”

Lieut turned to face Fairris and Vythe and he nodded briefly. “Four of them, two at the centre of the crosspiece, and another two for the eyes of the lion.”

“Remarkable,” Vythe exclaimed. “They have such an unusual colour to them, which explains why the prison authorities overlooked it. In truth your sword would likely be worth a fortune. But I thought you said you could not use magicks Lieut?”

“I cannot,” Lieut replied.

Vythe looked at him curiously for a second. “I see what you mean. You do not use magicks but you can unleash the raw power of the Fog through your sword. Quite a remarkable technique, if true.”

“My sword controls the Fog in the Anther crystals and I control my sword,” Lieut replied offhandedly.

“What? Like telepathy?” Vythe asked with a derisive tone in his voice.

Lieut nodded slightly and turned back to the three gorges leading away from him. “Which way is this shortcut?”

“Take the path to the right,” Fairris replied, sounding distracted.

Lieut continued on his way as the wind whistled through the canyon, whipping up dirt and old fabric, but the Fog continued to float by undeterred by the breeze. More carnage followed them through the ravine, and it seemed to gradually increase as they moved further along the road.

“What is the story of what happened here?” Lieut asked curiously, surprising himself as well as Vythe and Fairris.

“I am not surprised you do not know,” Vythe replied. “It was a little known town to begin with, but it did produce the greatest amount of ebonite ore to Issia in all of Gaianaus. No one can say for sure what happened here, some say marauders or fiends came through, others think it was a plague. But both are ridiculous, everyone overlooks the entirety of the destruction, most likely because they want to. They do not want to see the truth. They do not want to see that what happened here was so catastrophic and so complete that not a single soul crawled out of this place alive. But of course that would have been impossible, considering not one body was ever found.”

Lieut stopped walking as he came around a corner to look upon the entrance to the mines and both Vythe and Fairris stopped short as they too took in the sight.

Up several steps stood what used to be a large vestibule that led into the mine, but now the pillars were strewn about the landing and above the small entrance was a gaping black hole that appeared to have been ripped open by razor sharp blades. Peering closer to a broken pillar, Lieut noticed that it too had been cut by some kind of blade.

A smile formed on Lieut’s face as he continued to look upon the scene, for whatever had done such a thing was surely formidable, perhaps even strong enough to make a decent challenge for him.

“I think it is pretty clear what destroyed Gul,” Lieut remarked and he shot Vythe and Fairris a sly look.

“Please do not say dragon,” Vythe said with a sigh.

“Because they are supposedly extinct?” asked Lieut.

“They are a myth, Lieut, a child’s bed time story, nothing more,” Vythe replied seriously. “This is probably the work of a Magi from a rival mine in the mountains. Make it seem as if something catastrophic happened here so no one would ever come back and Gul is no longer the most profitable mine in Gaianaus.”

“I would have preferred a dragon,” Lieut replied disappointedly.

“We have to turn back,” Fairris gasped suddenly, and both Lieut and Vythe looked at her curiously.

“Do not tell me you think it was a dragon as well?” Vythe said with a disbelieving laugh.

“No Magi could have done this,” Fairris replied, taking a step backwards. “You know that as well as I, Vythe.”

“It was definitely not a dragon,” said Vythe, shaking his head.

“But it was definitely … something.” Fairris took another step back.

“Look Fairris,” Vythe said calmly as he moved towards her, “what happened here in Gul was nearly ten years ago. I am sure that whatever beast did this has moved on, and besides we have Lieut as our bodyguard, remember?”

Fairris shook her head and looked away. “I cannot, if anything happens to …” her voice trailed away and she looked at the ground. A few awkward seconds passed before Fairris took a deep breath and looked back up. “Let’s go,” she said with steely eyes.

Lieut regarded the elf curiously as she moved past him, before looking at Vythe who only shrugged and motioned for him to lead the way.

Lieut dismissed the oddity and took up the lead into the dark depths of the mines.