Year 3606, The Fifth Age, the forty-first day of Spring

Ah Pentra! Such a beautiful place, such a free place. So full of history sitting on the edge of the Gornl Sea with the ruins of the old Gornl capital within easy reach.

Why had I not come here earlier?

No matter, I have now and I am filled with giddy enthusiasm and excitement at what I am free to do now. No longer do I have to suffer the insults and laughter behind my back which I had done in Aierthian. Now I can focus freely and solely on my work, and perhaps even find some people who agree with my research.

But first things first. I must find the right place to set up my laboratory, where my subjects cannot run away, and where I can easily find more to subject to my experiments should the other ones die.

- My Blessed Life by Magi Siggr Stinfry

Year 3630, The Sixth Age, the first day of Winter

It was a wet Winter morning as Vhindr rode his horse up to the gates of Pentra. A mist from the Gornl Sea still lingered in the city, its white fingers clinging to the buildings as it slowly drifted into the pale morning sky.

“Stop and be known,” demanded a guard as Vhindr approached.

“The name is Vhindr Varrintine, traveling from Port Na’brath,” Vhindr replied as he pulled his mount to a halt before the gates.

“An’ what business do you have in Pentra, Mister Varrintine?” the guard asked.

“I am surprised,” Vhindr remarked, sitting straighter in his saddle, “Since when are goodly travelers required to state their intentions within your fair city when they arrive. Last time I came through here the guards were nothing but welcoming and polite.”

“Times have changed, traveler,” stated the second guard gruffly, “Many more people wanderin’ the wilds now that there ain’t no Fog magicks. Dwarves and Elves among the less than civil kind. Can’t be too careful now days. So what’s yer business here Mister Varrintine?”

Vhindr considered the pair of guards closely for a few seconds before he shrugged.

“I hear there is still Fog within the typical nightly mist that rolls in off the Gornl Sea,” Vhindr lied, “I am a Magi you see, and have come to see if I cannot re-establish my connection to the Fog through Exo-convulsion exercises.”

“Another one,” the first guard sighed, “It ain’t any use Mister, I’ll tell you that. Others have tried and failed.”

“Yeah, half of ‘em died,” nodded the second guard, “An’ the other half went crazy.”

“Well, I am better than all those fools,” Vhindr said arrogantly and puffed out his chest.

“Sure,” the gruff guard scoffed, “That’s what the others said.”

Both guards had a laugh at that and Vhindr narrowed his eyes at them.

“May I pass?” asked Vhindr irritably.

“Go ahead Mister, and best of luck to you,” the first guard snickered as he and his partner stepped aside. “But remember: no horses allowed in the streets. Leave yer mount in the stables just ahead.”

Giving the two men a curt nod Vhindr urged his horse into the large circular area beyond the first gate of the entrance. Here many of the guards were stationed and there was an extensive stable for travelers to leave their horses.

Leaving his horse at those stables, where construction was underway to extend them, Vhindr headed for the second and largest of the gates. One of the large doors stood closed as Vhindr made his way past and onto the main road of Pentra.

Immediately after the second gate the path split into two with one fork heading down into the deep ravine where the majority of the populace resided, ignoring that one he headed along the road which followed the clifftop of the gorge onto the massive bridge that crossed the canyon and where the rich lived. Along the Pentrin Arch and on the other side of the ravine was also the residence and Chambers of the High Commission.

But Vhindr was not looking to venture there. Rather his goal was the guard’s barracks which sat just at the entrance of the Arch.

As the last wisps of mist left the deep ravine and vanished into the blue sky Vhindr approached the large stone building and walled courtyard of the barracks. At the gate into the courtyard Vhindr saw two lazy guards leaning on their spears, their eyes heavy from being awake all night.

“A fine morning, gentlemen,” Vhindr greeted the guards cheerfully.

“Morning?” one guard mumbled as he and his partner realised they were being hailed.

“Indeed it is,” Vhindr chuckled, “And if either of you would be so kind as to point me in the direction of Captain Arell Starak, it would be much appreciated.”

Now awake and listening the two guards exchanged awkward glances.

“I’m sorry to say we can’t point you in the Captain’s direction,” stammered the first guard, “She is missing you see.”
 “What? When? For how long?” Vhindr was quick to ask with concern, “Did she return from Ulteross?”

“Indeed sir,” said the second guard, “She was back from Ulteross for some time, was doing a whole lot of investigating too for some time. Then not too long ago she simply vanished.”

Vhindr rubbed his forehead as he tried to comprehend what the guard was saying.

“Do you know what she was investigating?” asked Vhindr seriously.

“It was that woman we found on the beach that time,” said the first guardsman “The reason you and the Captain went to Ulteross, mister Varrintine.”

Vhindr looked at the guard curiously.

“You don’t remember me do you?” the guard said with a smile, “But I was there when you were inspecting the woman’s corpse on the beach.”

“I remember you now,” Vhindr nodded, “Tell me, when and where was the last time Arell was seen?”

“Well now, let me think,” the second guard mumbled, “I know, would have been the seventy-third day of Autumn. She was headin’ up to her room in the barracks. Never saw her again after that.”

“Did you investigate?” Vhindr asked harshly.

“’Course we did,” the first guard snapped back, “The Captain might have been the granddaughter of Chairman Starak, but she was one of us. We investigated alright, as best we could, but we had no leads to go on so it all dried up. A new Captain was appointed and we all went back to normal duties.”

Vhindr clenched his jaw and sighed irritably as he pondered what was to be done.

“Take me to her room at the barracks,” Vhindr decided and motioned for the guards to lead the way. The two men did not move and they exchanged nervous looks.

“Well, it’s the new Captain’s room now,” said the second guard hesitantly.

“It is a crime scene,” Vhindr said angrily and sighed again, “What did you do with her possessions?”

“We took all her things and everything she was working on to her house across the Arch,” replied the first guard and pointed towards the rich houses that were glowing brightly in the morning light.

“I trust her abode has not received new occupants as well?” Vhindr asked as he looked in the direction.

“No sir,” the first guard shook his head, “Her family has kept it the way it was, despite many offers to buy.”

“I guess that is something,” Vhindr mumbled and turned back to the first guard, “What was your name guardsman?”

“Tolfren, m’Lord,” the man was quick to reply as he stood up straight and rolled his shoulders back. “Been a guardsman for ten years, if you need anything look for me.”

Vhindr nodded, “I shall. Good day men.”

With that Vhindr left quickly and headed for the marble streets of the Pentrin Arch and the lavish apartments on the other side in the exclusive estates. The guards at the entrance of the Arch gave him no trouble as Vhindr produced a special decree from Chairmen Starak of the High Commission, and he was soon moving swiftly passed the white washed buildings.

Dozens of leafy trees shaded Vhindr’s walk and many raised garden beds lined the road through the houses. Over one hundred meters wide the Pentrin Arch accommodated dozens of fancy buildings, some residential and others for commercial purposes.

Apart from holding so many building above the void of the ravine the Arch was also remarkable for its design and decor. Many sitting areas were riddled throughout the buildings and terraces and balconies, and even at the side of the road. The Pentrin Arch was a place of luxury, peace, fine food and drink, and of course magnificent views. Besides the amazing views towards the Gornl Sea there were also many fine golden framed paintings mounted securely on the side of the buildings and dozens of magnificent statues and carvings around the place. Not to mention the beautiful and exotic plants and trees which lined the paths and grew from the houses.

Vhindr though, was not interested in the scenery, and despite having seen everything Pentra had to offer, he had more pressing issues to focus on.

“I should never have left her,” Vhindr grumbled to himself, “I should have asked her to join me in Port Na’brath when the message from my father came. Damn it Arell, what have you gotten yourself into?”

It was a grave situation indeed and Vhindr prayed desperately to whatever Gods there might be that Arell would not end up like Fay, washed up dead on a beach.

Many more people were walking the roads now as Vhindr left the Arch and headed into the streets of the exclusive estates and apartments. Even here the place was grand in every sense. More plants were around the place, along with more sitting areas and more paintings on the side of the buildings.

After asking a few questions of the stationed guards Vhindr found the plain looking building where Arell’s apartment was situated on the top floor. A few pretty trees framed the door and short stairs of the building. Vhindr gave a passing look at the portrait of a sad woman which sat to the side of the entrance before he pushed through the door and into the lobby. He was greeted by hardwood floors and rich rugs, a reception desk sat along the wall opposite a flight of stairs and magickal lift where a young female Halfling sat.

“Greetings m’lord,” the halfling with curly brown hair welcomed him, “Welcome to the Halfing’s Luxury Apartment. My name is Clarinet, how can I help you?”

“Good morning,” Vhindr replied courteously as he moved over to the desk, “I need to see Captain Arell’s room.”

“I told you lot before, it’s not for sale or rent,” the halfling was quick to say angrily.

“I have not come to try and buy it,” Vhindr replied just as quickly and irritably, “My name is Vhindr Varrintine, I am investigating her disappearance.”

The young halfling’s features went white in horror.

“My humblest apologies, m’lord Varrintine,” Clarinet stammered, “Please forgive my rudeness. I feel an absolute fool. It’s just that we have had so many lords and ladies trying to buy Lady Arell’s room. I just assumed-”

“It is quite alright,” Vhindr interrupted, “I take no offense. But I would still wish to see her room.”

Clarinet looked hesitant, “Do you have a warrant m’lord?”

“No.”

“Well, you see m’lord,” the halfling began awkwardly, “We hold our tenants privacy with the strictest of confidence. So, unless you have a warrant or equivalent document, I cannot show you her room.”

“Is that right?” Vhindr sighed with annoyance.

“Clarinet? What is going on here?” asked another halfling with brown curly hair as she came from a back room.

“I have it under control, Flute,” Clarinet replied, “Lord Vhindr Varrintine was wanting to inspect lady Arell’s room, on account of him investigating her disappearance and all.”

“The famous investigator Vhindr Varrintine?” Flute exclaimed and Clarinet nodded.

“Yes, and I told him, with respect, that he needed a warrant,” explained Clarinet, “See big sister, I said I have it under control.”

Flute turned a regretful eye towards Vhindr.

“I am sorry m’lord,” said Flute sincerely, “We want Lady Arell’s disappearance to be resolved as much as the next person. But our resident’s privacy comes first and we can make no exceptions.”

“I understand,” Vhindr replied stiffly, “I have no warrant, but perhaps this will do?”

Vhindr produced a rolled parchment from his pouch and handed it to the Halfling sisters.

“It is a decree issued personally to me from Chairman Starak,” Vhindr explained simply, “It grants me the authority to make all investigations within the city. Will that suffice?”

Clarinet looked in amazement at the decree and back to Vhindr. The young halfling seemed to about to say something but her older sister cut her off.

“Lyre,” Flute called out and another female halfling with brown curly hair came from the back room. “No doubt you heard everything. So what do you make of this big sister?”

The eldest of the three sisters looked at the document and then to Vhindr before she gave a nod to Flute and returned to the back room.

“Thank you for your patience m’lord,” Flute said as she handed the decree back to Vhindr, “You are welcome to inspect Lady Arell’s room. Clarinet here will show you the way.”

Vhindr gave a nod to Flute as he returned the decree to his pouch at his hip.

“This way m’lord,” Clarinet said with a smile as she moved from behind the desk, “We have to take the stairs I am sorry to say. The lift broke the moment that wave of Fog raced across the land.”

Vhindr did not mind and he followed quietly behind the halfling as she led the way up the stairs.

“It’s a real pain though,” Clarinet continued, “But I suppose it keeps me fit. Although we did get a Ruiniologist in to look at fixing it with runes. Funny how runes are still working. Anyway the dwarf, because all Ruiniologists are Dwarves these days, said it would be a tough and expensive job. Me and my sisters do alright here at the Halfling’s Luxury Apartments, but I don’t think we have the coin to fix it just yet. Maybe in a month or two. But for now everyone has to cope with using the stairs.”

Vhindr did not reply as the halfling continued to ramble on and they moved up to the top floor.

“Here we are m’lord,” Clarinet declared as they reached the forth floor, “Top floor, Lady Arell’s room. Best one we got, but I suppose she can afford it considering who her family is.”

The halfling opened the door and Vhindr moved into the apartment without a word.

A simple vestibule greeted him and provided a place to put ones shoes and coat before it opened into a large sitting room and fireplace opposite the entrance.

“To the right it goes into another lounge room and to a balcony,” Clarinet explained, “To the left are the private quarters. What are you looking for m’lord, if I may ask?”

“Evidence as to her disappearance,” Vhindr replied simply as he headed for the private quarters, “And her notes from her investigations which the guardsmen brought over.”

“All the files they brought over I had placed on Lady Arell’s desk,” Clarinet said as Vhindr walked through the doorway and into the bedroom.

Directly across from the doorway sat Arell’s mahogany work desk. To the left and on the far wall was a large four post bed with a walk in wardrobe beside it on one side and a large bathroom on the other side. Along the wall to the right, just before the desk, was a large glass double-door which opened onto a small balcony and let in the light from Inuer.

Immediately Vhindr moved to the desk and gave little regard to anything else in the room.

“Where are the files?” Vhidnr asked as he reached the dark wood desk.

“Right there on the top,” Clarinet replied absently as she looked at something else.

“There is nothing here,” Vhindr said irritably, drawing the halfling’s attention to the bare desk top.

“What? No, that’s impossible,” Clarinet exclaimed as she rushed over, “They were put right there, all three piles of them. I swear m’lord. They can’t have gone, only I clean this room. Please, you have to believe me.”

“Calm yourself,” Vhindr said commandingly to quieten the distressed Halfling. “It was not your fault. They were stolen in an attempt to hinder any search for Arell.”

“This is terrible,” groaned Clarinet, but Vhindr smiled. 

“Quite the contrary,” said Vhindr with a gleam in his eye, “This means that Arell was on to something in her investigations which forced someone to take action, to force them to make a mistake.”

“But without the files how can you know what she was investigating?” Clarinet asked in despair.

Vhindr’s smile widened, “To begin with, I was investigating the same thing as Arell; and secondly, and perhaps more importantly, I am Vhindr Varrintine.”

*    *    *    *

Legin gazed absently at the dark green water of lake Fayil as it tumbled over the edge of the high cliff on the eastern side of the Yineth Plateau. There were dozens of these thin waterfalls all along the cliff face that looked out over the northern reaches of the Crimson Wastelands.

Legin watched passively as a small leaf slowly moved into the current of the waterfall before it was quickly pulled over the edge to fall hundreds of feet straight down to become lost in the spray and heat haze of the Sand Sea.

He sighed heavily as he squatted at the precipice of the cliff. Ever since he had seen Faylorien in the magickal grotto he had felt depressed. After coming all this way with high hopes he still had no knowledge of who he was or where he was from.

“I wish I had your easy life,” Legin said softly to a red lizard with blue eyes as it crawled out from a crack to chase a bug.

The lizard did not even notice him and it continued to hungrily pursue the insect across the red rocks.

“You wish you were a lizard?” Pip asked with a laugh, “I think we have stayed with the Yineth too long, bro.”

“At least the lizard knows who he is,” Legin replied dully, “Knows where he is from and knows others like him.”

“So that is the real reason, isn’t it?” Pip stated and Legin looked to his friend, “You’re one of a kind, but you don’t want to be. I don’t understand that.”

Legin looked away, “Neither do I. It’s just, I feel this great longing inside me, but I don’t know how to satisfy it. I thought that finding who I am might, but I was wrong.” 

“I know who you are,” Pip declared with a smile, “You are Legin from Pentra, and my friend.”

Legin smiled slightly at that.

“Legin from Pentra,” he mused thoughtfully, “That’s what Faylorien said.”

“I remember, you told me,” nodded Pip, “Well, she was right.”

“You know something Pip,” Legin said and he turned to his friend, “Perhaps I have been looking so hard for some great mystery that I have missed the obvious.”

“What do you mean?” asked Pip curiously.

“I was dumped on the doorstep of the ‘Jaded Mermaid’ as an infant,” Legin replied as he stood up, “I can’t have just appeared there, someone must have put me there on the doorstep of the brothel.”

“I’m an orphan too, what’s your point?” Pip asked as he scratched his angular chin.

“We both left Pentra when we were young,” Legin continued, “I never once asked around to see if anyone might have known of my parents or who left me at the brothel. I never cared before, but I do now.”

“We are going back to Pentra, aren’t we?” Pip sighed as he stood up as well, “After we swore that we would never return to that place. Do you reckon the guards will remember us?”

Legin smirked, “I hope so, wouldn’t be any fun otherwise.”

Pip laughed and shook his head, “To Pentra then.”

Legin smiled wide and nodded before taking off at a run over the rocks and back to the Settlement of the Yineth where both Kōrrin and Aurora were.

Since he had come to this secret place of the Yineth, Legin had taken to running around lake Fayil every morning, and Pip had decided to join him. Running and doing exercises was a way for Legin to shake the stress from his mind and body which he had constantly been feeling of late. It always felt good to push himself to the point of exhaustion, when he could do nothing else but lie on the ground and catch his breath.

As such Legin was familiar with the route around the lake and across the waterfalls. Effortlessly he hopped across the red rocks and over the narrow water channels that burst off the cliff top. His feet always found solid platforms to make his next bound or lunge.

Many times on their run Legin was forced to stop and wait for Pip to catch up, but he did not mind and he was grateful that Pip had decided to accompany him. Although it was sometimes annoying to wait for his friend, Legin was happy for the companionship.

It not take them long to move from the cliff’s edge and back onto the stony shores of the lake as it moved back towards the west and southwest. As they ran along Legin passed by many other Yineth Settlements and he waved happily to the yineth as he passed them by. The yineth had all come to know Legin and his companions so they readily returned the wave as they lounged in the shade of the trees or bathed in the shallows of lake Fayil.

It was around mid-morning by the time he and Pip came to the right Settlement and they pulled up under the shade of a tree gasping for breath. Although Legin was considerably better off than his friend.

After they got their breath back Legin led the way between the trees and into the Settlement. Giving a polite good morning to the yineth he passed Legin spotted Kōrrin sitting under a tree. The dwarf sat with his back to the trunk and his legs outstretched holding a block of wood as he carved at it with his remaining hand.

“Still working on that,” Legin remarked as he sat down beside Kōrrin.

“Almost done, ya mean,” the black bearded dwarf snapped back.

Taking a closer look at the wood carving Legin could see that Kōrrin was right and the hunk of wood almost resembled something.

“Why an axe, Kōrrin?” Pip asked curiously.

“Yeah Kōrrin, why an axe?” Legin echoed his friend’s question.

“Of course an axe,” roared Kōrrin, “It’ll connect to this caliper and saddle I made for me stump of an arm. And with some leather bindings I’ll be fighting the way I’m meant to.”

“Won’t be very sharp,” Legin observed, “Not to mention it is made of wood and will break upon first use.”

“This ain’t just any wood boy, but Ironwood. Argarrā we dwarves call it,” Kōrrin explained, “Surprised I was to find it ‘round here to be sure, it usually only grows in the northern reaches of the Foglornt Forest, an' even then it’s rare. So I ain’t about to waste now am I?”

“Ironwood?” Legin scrunched up his face, “Never heard of it.”

“Well, that ain’t surprising,” Kōrrin quipped, “Its soft now, but once fired it’s as strong as any steel, is Ironwood. See the grey marbling throughout the wood? That’s how you know what you’re looking at.”

“Right,” Legin nodded slowly, “Well, in other news, I’m heading to Pentra. Want to come?”

Kōrrin looked at him curiously and shrugged.

“I think the best way to go would be straight through the Crimson Wastelands,” Legin continued, “And through the pass between the Iron and Amber Mountains. Then straight on to Pentra. What do you think Pip?”

“The Iron Mountains,” Kōrrin mumbled as a distant look came to his blue eyes.

“That’s what I said,” Legin nodded as he looked at his friend curiously, “Anyway, where is Aurora?”

Kōrrin shook the dreaminess from his eyes and shrugged.

“She went off with a few other yineth this morning,” Kōrrin said as he went back to his carving, “Said she would be back this evening.”

“It will be sad to say good bye to her,” Pip remarked with a  sigh.

“Indeed it will, Pip,” Legin nodded, “Come on, let’s find some food. I’m starving.”

Legin jumped to his feet and rubbed his stomach eagerly.

“Here now, get me some too,” Kōrrin exclaimed as Legin and Pip headed off.

For the remainder of the day Legin ate and slept in the shade beside Kōrrin as the dwarf continued to carve his arm attachment. Late that afternoon Aurora finally returned and joined them under the tree, a wide smile upon her face. Instantly Legin was hesitant to tell her of his plans, but when he finally conveyed his intentions to leave she did not seem surprised.

“I knew it would only be a matter of time, before you left, Legin,” Aurora remarked with a sad smile.

“Won’t you come with me?” Legin asked hopefully, but he already knew the answer.

Aurora shook her head, “No, my place is here now. But my thoughts and goodwill will be with you always.”

Legin smiled slightly, “Do you think I will find my answers in Pentra?”

“I cannot say,” shrugged Aurora, “But I sincerely hope you will.”

That evening all the Yineth sang songs long into the night, songs of well wishes for their departure and of grand beginnings of adventure and discovery. But when the morning came bright and early and all were ready to depart, Legin wished he was staying.

“I am going to miss you, Aurora,” Legin said sadly as he stood with the yineth to the side of the main gathering.

“As I shall miss you,” Aurora smiled back, “If you are ever this way again, be sure to stop by, my dear friend.”

“Are you kidding?” Legin exclaimed, “I will come back and tell you everything that happened as soon as I find out.”

Aurora laughed at that and they embraced each other with a warm and lingering hug.

“Farewell, Legin,” Aurora smiled wide as they stepped back from each other, “I wish you all the luck and goodwill in the world.”

“Good bye,” Legin smiled back and waved as he joined Pip and Kōrrin as they set out along the shore of the lake heading south. “Thank you for everything.”

Legin turned his gaze back to the south, a smile on his face and soon Aurora and the other Yineth disappeared into the trees.