Direction
Song of the Seven Suns, Part 8
Summary: The ragtag group of friends leave Koretion behind, deciding to head southward into the region known by the Leinai as the Forest of Secrets, a dense rainforest separating Leinos and Azeria. It is a long journey through the wilds, and as the group travels onward, events begin to be set in motion beyond our heroes’ vision.
Taglist (just ask to be added/removed!): @hellishhin @talesfromaurea @thelaughingstag
content warnings: death mention, trauma mention
word count: ~4800
That night, when the streets were still again, Jetra gathered her companions to explain all that had happened, as well as her own story. She had dragged them all into this, it was only fair.
Shakari had come to her room the night before, intent on making sure she was okay, knowing that the events of the last few days had been emotional. She hadn’t given any straight answers that night, but she had appreciated the comfort, and she did want to tell them.
The others were curious too, she could tell. It wasn’t so much whether or not to tell them, so much as how to tell them that was proving to be her problem. It wasn’t one she usually had, considering words were her specialty, but she was pretty sure gathering her friends around a table and just dropping her life story wasn’t quite the way to do it.
When they had all made their way back to the tavern and gathered in her room, she realized there was really nothing to prepare for. She just had to tell them. She wasn’t even sure why she was so nervous. She supposed it was because she didn’t want them to judge her for it all, or even worse, decide she was too much trouble to travel with. She really liked all of them, and she didn't want to lose this. It had been too long since she’d adventured with friends, and she wasn’t keen on stopping now.
With a sigh she sat down on the floor in the middle of the room, her friends mirroring her.
“Right. So, explanation.”
Alejandro leaned forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to, you know. I think I speak for all of us when I say it was clear that what happened was deeply personal to you. We’d understand if you wish to keep it to yourself.”
She smiled back at him, caught slightly off guard by his sudden sincere concern. She’d noticed he seemed to do that often, and it was comforting, if still a little off-putting.
“Thanks, Al.” He raised an eyebrow at the nickname, but she continued. “I think I’d like to tell you all though. It’s... important.”
Shakari leaned back, regarding her intensely. “Then speak,” she said with a nod.
Jetra nodded back and took a deep breath.
“My father’s name was Marakos. He was an adventurer in his own right, and a good one too. A lot of people believed he was blessed by the gods, and they were somewhat right. He, uh, he always told me that his greatest blessing was me, though. He was just... like that. All the time. My dad was a really good man. He was always helping people.”
Jetra looked down at her hands, fidgeting with them as she talked. She faltered, looking up again at the others to see all of them listening intently. When she paused, Shakari gave another small nod of encouragement.
She continued, trying to block the river of visions coming back to her as she talked.
“It wasn’t until I was a lot older that I realized how he always knew where and when those people needed help. He was part of a group of... informants, other adventurers, people who wanted to help others. The Company of the Blue Moon, they called themselves. I followed in his footsteps,” she said, waving her hand and dispelling the illusion that hid the crescent tattoo on her collarbone.
Recognition settled onto Alejandro’s face, but the look there was warm, one of familiarity and respect. She let out a small sigh of relief knowing that he was a friend to the Company, being the only other person from Leinos in their group.
“But, the Crown has... different... opinions on the Company, as some of you know. Traitors and terrorists, they call us. My father was a hero, and the crown wanted him for their own purposes. He refused, but they kept coming. They honored him many times over, but he always declined. ‘I am the people’s hero, and that I will stay,’ he’d always tell them. There were times where the Crown’s interests and his aligned, but he wouldn’t work for them. I think they must have suspected our family’s involvement with the Company, because they never stopped trying to get past my dad’s defenses. They tried to involve themselves in every adventure he went on, up until the very last, looking for evidence of his treason. And that’s how Dymea found him,” she said, clenching her jaw as she recounted it all.
“He was meeting a group of brigands that had been raiding around the Heartlands, and she sabotaged the mission. When he showed up ready to negotiate, they were already preparing to kill him. He fought them, because he had to, and he managed to defeat them... and that’s when Dymea killed him. In the aftermath, when he was weakened and off-guard. I know because I asked one of the bandits who was there.” She sighed, closing her eyes briefly, as the memories and the emotions flooded back.
“The worst part is, I had to figure out how my own father died entirely by myself. The crown hid everything from me and my mom. Even my dad’s friends, like the captain of the guard here, Horakes. He often has access to sensitive information, but even he didn't know what had happened. I don’t even know if the body they burned was actually my dad’s. They’ve kept up the lie that he died valiantly obliterating a fictional bandit king for 9 damned years, and they’ve been very clear what they think of me and the Company, what with trying to either enlist me or arrest me at every turn. They don’t like me following in the footsteps of my father while they use his death like a sick propaganda puppet. The only shred of who he really was that’s left... it lies in me and the Company. 3 years ago, I finally figured out the truth, and I've been hunting his killer since.”
A long silence permeated the air as the others absorbed what she’d said.
“I... I know what it’s like to lose people close to you. I’m glad you have avenged him, at least in part,” Alejandro said softly.
She wiped away the tears that had begun to gently trace down her cheeks, and found Alejandro’s face full of sympathy.
“Thank you. I, uh... I’m not done yet. A lot of things have gotta change before I can say he’s been truly honored.”
Fuego had a frown on his face, his brows furrowed. “Well, I for one support you. We’ve all got our purposes in life, you know? You say yours is helping people, making the world a better place, honoring your dad and creating change for the better? I’ll get behind that any day.”
The others nodded in agreement, and Faulkron clapped a hand on her shoulder, violet eyes bright and fiery, with a determined look on his face. He didn’t say anything, but she understood.
She smiled at them all. “I appreciate that, more than you know. For now though, let’s just rest. We’ve earned it. Not only that, we gotta decide where we’re headed next come tomorrow.”
With quick agreements and a chorus of soft goodnights, they all left her room for their own, and she was left in silence.
In that moment of stillness, she stared out the window at the night sky, lost in thought for a long time. Eventually, more out of habit than anything else, she reached for her medallion around her neck.
It wasn’t there.
A brief moment of panic later, she remembered she’d taken it off and hidden it beneath the bed. With a sigh of relief, she walked over and reached under the bed.
However, again, she found nothing. She furrowed her brow in frustration.
I could’ve sworn I left it here, did I forget it somewhere? She groaned internally. Asking around for it is a surefire way to get arrested, though...
Her train of thoughts stopped in its tracks, as she spotted something on the ground by the bed. A bit of cloth, the same color as the guards’ uniforms.
Fuck.
•••
Shakari was in the desert again. They sprinted as fast as their exhausted body could carry them, running for a seemingly endless time towards the hazy image of an oasis. They were breathing heavy and panicky, throat dry and scales too warm for even their liking. In a familiar pattern of desperation, they ran towards the water, drinking sloppily from the pool there, their thirst practically unbearable as the water splashed across their scales, seeming to evaporate almost the instant it left the pool.
As she drank, a familiarly strange voice boomed out over the sands, soft and melodic yet commanding and powerful.
“Herald.”
At the sound of the spirit’s voice, Shakari looked up. The familiar visage of the angel floating above the oasis pool was vaguely humanoid in shape, but shimmering like sunlight on the sea, without any definite form. The spirit’s many wings spread across the whole oasis, and their robes billowed all around them.
Shakari bowed her head. “Spirit.”
“My warning still stands. Dark days grow closer,” the spirit said, gesturing into the pool.
As Shakari looked into the crystalline water, it rippled and changed. In the water, images flashed. The savannas burning. Marching of armies. The darkening of the sun, and hundreds of thousands of souls marching across the stars and on to the afterlife.
Shakari pulled away from the visions, only to find themself in a shadowy jungle. The tangled branches and innumerable vines were utterly still. Nothing moved, no birds called out, nothing. The voice of the spirit faded to nearly a whisper.
“Go south to the Unandi, my herald. Bring the others. Danger surrounds, and dark tides are rising. This is how you change the future.”
Shakari snapped her eyes open, shooting upright in the bed of her room at the tavern.
It had been a long time since her last vision from the spirit, and the fact that one should come now, as they were planning the direction of their next journey, could not be a coincidence.
If the spirit willed them south, then south they would go. Shakari had had enough of running from the visions. They wouldn’t turn away now.
•••
The next morning, the group stood together on a rocky outcropping above Koretion, overlooking the hilly expanse beyond the town, wind ruffling their clothing as the sun crawled up the western skyline.
Alejandro smiled, eyes distant and thrill clear on his face. “So, where to next, my friends?”
“The wind... it seems to beckon southward,” Shakari said, raising one hand to test the direction of the breeze.
“That it does,” Jetra grinned. “We should follow it.”
Alejandro raised an eyebrow at Jetra. “The great rainforest is to the south. Azerian territory. Do you not want to stay here, continue your work?”
Jetra lost her grin and sighed. “Actually, I think I’m gonna need to lay low for a while. After all, it wasn't insignificant what happened here, and the Company was involved. What better place to hide than a place the King could never conquer? And hey, I can touch up on my Azerian.”
Alejandro nodded. “Fair enough.” He turned back towards the sunrise. “You know, I’ve never been south very far. I hear it’s stunning there.”
Shakari smiled. “It is. I should know.”
Fuego reached up to clap Jetra and Alejandro on the back of their arms, smiling as he stuck his head between them. “I have no idea what you guys are talking about, but I’ll never say no to the rainforest. That’s my favorite place to be. South feels right to me!”
They all looked to Faulkron as he thought over their options. There was no reason not to, and he had no business going anywhere else. Besides, he wasn’t very keen on heading further into Leinos. If Jetra’s tale and what had happened here were anything to go on, it wasn’t shaping up to be the calm and peaceful kingdom he’d heard about from the sailors. If anything, it seemed the place was rife with conflict and people vying for control. Not really somewhere he wanted to be, unless he was getting paid.
“I’ve got no problems with it. Where exactly are we going, though?”
“The Forest of Secrets. If we’re lucky, we might discover some,” Jetra replied with a chuckle.
“Uh, why is it called that?” Faulkron asked, unsure he wanted to go somewhere named so ominously.
“I second that question, actually,” Fuego spoke up, looking both intrigued and slightly alarmed.
“It’s called the Forest of Secrets because during the war with Azeria about 100 years ago, they never figured out how to get through it. It’s been the border ever since. King Akeron’s armies won nothing and found nothing in the forests,” Jetra explained.
“Ah. And you’re hoping they won’t find you,” Faulkron replied, the pieces clicking into place.
“Exactly.”
He paused again for a moment.
“Well, what’s in it for us? Won’t we get lost? Why go there?”
Shakari regarded him with intent. “For one thing, I am Azerian. I know how to navigate the forest, and I’ve done it before. When you know where you are going it is much easier to find things like those secrets you speak of. For another, Leinos is not the only place in need of heroes.”
On the word ‘heroes’, she gave Faulkron a pointed look.
Faulkron stared back at them, jaw set as he finally made up his mind. “I came to see the world, so I’m gonna see it. And if you all want to go, so will I.”
With a decision made, and their path set before them, they made their final preparations. Then they set out through the hills.
•••
The sky was clear as they marched ahead, and the wind blew strong across the landscape. Deep in Shakari’s bones, something fell into place, and there was a sort of thrill that hummed through her at the notion of finally going home.
As they led the way through the hills, they could feel the ever-present breeze, whispers of the previous night’s visions dancing on the air and leading them onward.
There was no road to follow once they were far enough from Koretion, besides the natural paths of the valleys and the worn roads of the animals. They went further into the wild every step they took, and it might’ve been scary if not for the encouragement of every part of Shakari to go forward.
There was a strange peace to be found in not knowing where you were going, it seemed, as Shakari looked around at her companions. The further they got from Koretion, they all seemed to breathe easier.
The sun rose and fell across the sky, swirls of color following it like great streamers, and in time night embraced the earth again.
The next day, Shakari rose with the sun, tail swishing through the grass with anticipation as they stood atop the hill they’d rested beneath. As they looked out across the shimmering landscape of the early morning, there was a break in the clouds, and the sun laid down across the hills and valleys, illuminating the vast wilderness ahead. As Shakari took in a deep breath, they could almost see a path, laid out ahead of them in golden light. She smiled, and she knew where to go.
•••
The day was peaceful, a welcome change after the events in Koretion. Faulkron found himself walking alongside Alejandro in an easy cadence, not always quiet but not always talking either. It was simple, and the day was hot but bearable. To Faulkron, the hills weren’t all that different from where he’d been raised, and he fell into the familiar rhythm he’d developed as he’d wandered away from home.
As the sun dipped past the helmets of the hills again, the group settled down in a copse of trees, and Faulkron let the rhythm fall away. Jetra played a song, Fuego told a story of some teenage shenanigan, and they all ate the deer Faulkron and Shakari had hunted down that evening.
It was nice, and Faulkron finally slowed down to appreciate it.
In time, the others had gone to bed, and only Faulkron and Alejandro remained awake, eyes cast up into the branches as they watched the critters of the night run their courses beneath the stars.
Before he could really think about what he was doing, lost in the beauty of the night, Faulkron slipped his hand into Alejandro’s. There was a moment of hesitation and surprise, but before long his hand squeezed back, and they rested together, each comforted by the presence of the other.
In time, after their watch ended, sleep overtook them as well. Hand in hand, they fell into peaceful dreams.
•••
The next morning, the group set out again, with eyes trained on the ever-shifting horizon. As they traveled on, the wind picked up again, swirling around them all as if beckoning them forward.
The hills were getting steeper and steeper as they traveled, their crests reaching further and further into the sky with each mile they walked. Fuego had never imagined he’d travel a world so impossibly large as this, and he welcomed the beauty of it all.
He was taking it all in with a grin from the top of another tall hill, wind ruffling the long blades of grass as well as his own robes. An old and weathered tree stood behind him, its gnarled roots expanding all across the crown of the hill.
His friends passed the hill below, and he waved giddily at them from atop his perch.
They all waved back with varying levels of enthusiasm at his early morning antics. Fuego smiled in return, beginning to run back down the hill towards his companions.
And honestly, the root was hidden. There were long shadows, and rocks, and tall grass. They should’ve been proud he only tripped halfway down the hill.
He tumbled end over end through the grass as his foot was swiped from beneath him by a large but easily missed tree root.
Eventually he rolled to a stop in front of his friends, spitting grass out of his mouth.
Shakari only sighed, and Faulkron shook his head.
Jetra just chuckled, “You’re damn lucky not to have brain damage right now.”
“Well, that’s not entirely guaranteed yet. Come on,” Alejandro said, offering a hand to help Fuego up.
Fuego accepted it eagerly, popping up and brushing his robes off.
“Yeah, yeah, I know. That was pretty fun though,” he said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Before any of the others could stop him, he took off toward the next tall hill, laughing all the way.
By the time dusk came around, Fuego had gathered a significant number of (easily avoidable) bruises and scrapes from chaotic trips down the hillsides. Likely only through his halfling luck alone did he narrowly miss all the dung piles he rolled past. Regardless, it had at least been entertaining, and the southern horizon was that much closer.
Shakari huffed lightly with amusement as they all made camp. “I guess the wild beasts aren’t interested in eating fools.”
“Aha! See? Just protecting the group,” he said with an exaggerated wink.
They all shared a laugh at that, then finally settled down to rest for the night.
•••
The next morning, the five companions awoke to the oncoming of great clouds. The sun was mostly obscured that day, with only the occasional golden columns shining through the breaks in the clouded sky.
As they traveled onward, Jetra was the quietest she’d ever been.
She was leaving home to hide in a time when her people needed her, and that weighed on her like a hundred anchors. Still, she knew she had to keep going forward. She’d be no good to the Company, or to her people, if she was captured.
It had only gotten worse in recent years. She’d heard whispering among the Company that near the capitol they’d taken to just executing the prisoners, rather than interrogating them. Some said King Akeron III was looking more and more like his grandfather every day. The king kept talking of glorious future, and power to the people, but Jetra hadn’t seen anything of the sort. She was terrified to find out who he was really talking about when he said “people”.
Rumors among the Company’s scouts and spies said that the King was bolstering the cities along the borders, in an all-too familiar pattern. Rumors are rumors, of course, but the fear was real.
If this trend continued, things were only going to get worse in Leinos.
Jetra sighed, kicking a pebble and watching it tumble away. If she let herself fall into these thoughts, she’d be no help to anyone, so she did what she did best. She pulled out her lyre and began strumming a tune as they walked.
She let herself get lost in the music, as she so often did, until she wasn’t even thinking about what she was doing, just letting it all flow out.
In time, her reverie was interrupted by Shakari’s hand on her shoulder.
“Jetra.”
“Huh? What?”
Shakari smiled, eyes squinting with amusement. “Ah, I know that look. My father is a storyteller too. I’m sorry to interrupt, but there appears to be a village up ahead.”
“Oh, it’s fine. And a village, you say? Can you see anything else, or..?”
“Not much past the hills but a smoke trail from their hearth fires. I will say, it looks like it might rain soon, and it will be good to have another place to rest before the trials of the rainforest.”
Jetra nodded back at them. “Yeah, good idea.”
With that, the group made their way towards the smoke, clouds thickening overhead.
As they approached, they could see a small village nestled in the hills, small houses of dried mud and wood gathered around the banks of a stream.
Outside the houses, Leinai farmers and ranchers were finishing the day’s work, and the livestock were settling in for rain.
Faulkron nodded his head at the cows lying among the grass. “You were right, Shakari. Rain’s coming.”
Shakari hummed an agreement, but kept looking forward as they reached the village center.
Before long, an older villager rolled up to them in a wooden wheelchair.
“Strangers, welcome! We do not get many travelers this way these days. What brings you to our humble village?”
Jetra stepped forward. “We are travelers, looking to go further south. We seek only a bit of rest and good company.”
The villager patted her outstretched hand with a smile. “And you will find it here, friends. Come now, let’s get you settled in. I’m sure it has been quite the journey from your homes. You must tell us your stories!”
By sunset the rain had come. However, even as the sky rumbled and thundered overhead, the companions were safe and dry, gathered around a warm hearth with the villagers, sharing warm food and drink.
After they had eaten their fill, the old man spoke up again. “So now that you have been guests to us, we only ask you share your tales! What are your names? Where do you come from?”
Jetra began first. “I am Jetra, daughter of Marakos and Oedaia. I come from the capitol, though I no longer make my home there.”
The man smiled. “Welcome, Jetra.”
“I am Faulkron, son of Ardos. I come from across the Ikarron ocean and far to the west, in the Unterras plains,” Faulkron said, bowing his head slightly with respect.
The old man smiled. “You come from very far away. I do not know the land you speak of, friend, but you are welcome here nonetheless.”
“Thank you,” Faulkron said, looking back up. “Mine is... not a journey many have made.”
The old villager smiled and nodded to him, then turned to the others.
Fuego spoke up next. “I am Fuego, son of Ahar and Sora. I come from Zul’Zagan, an island to the west of here, in the Sea of Dragons.”
The gathered villagers went suddenly quiet, and confusion flashed across the old man’s face.
“I... In the Sea of Dragons?”
“Yeah.”
“It is a work of the gods that you are even alive at all.”
Fuego chuckled. “Maybe. But my people have learned to navigate the mists well.”
“It would seem so. You too are welcome here, son of the Hidden Sea,” the old man said.
Shakari nodded to the old man from across the hearth fire. “I am Shakari, child of Tusaara and Harutan. I come from the Suraan deserts, far south of here.”
“Ah! It has been a long time since we have had Azerian travelers here. We welcome you gladly, friend.”
Shakari smiled back at the elder, then looked to Alejandro.
“I am Alejandro, son of Sofia and Alvaro. I hail from Barreca, but I have not seen home since I was a small boy.”
“Then I wish you a swift return, if that is what you seek. In the meantime, you will be welcome here. All of you. Come, let us share the fire.”
Atolos, as they learned the old man’s name was, treated them well that night. Old customs of hospitality found the companions safe and warm that night, even as the storm continued outside. Many stories were passed over the fire by townsfolk and travelers alike that night, until they’d had their fill and headed to rest.
Despite her best attempts, however, Jetra couldn’t bring herself to fall asleep.
She let out a long sigh, sitting up and running a hand through her hair, thoughts swirling in her head. She again tried to reach for her medallion, but was only met with another reminder.
“You know, you think much louder and you’ll wake up the others,” came a whisper from nearby.
She turned to see Alejandro staring at the ceiling.
“Can’t sleep either?” she whispered back.
“Not really. Same reason as you, I’m sure.”
“Thinking about home?”
“Yeah.”
Jetra sighed again. “It kinda sucks, huh?”
“Yeah... A lot is happening.”
“No kidding. You said you were from Barreca, huh?”
“Yeah, and you’re from Anikora.”
“And here we are, way out here, as far from there as possible,” Jetra chuckled.
Alejandro shrugged. “That’s the life of the wandering hero.”
Jetra looked down, rubbing her arm anxiously and feeling the braced there. There was a short pause.
“You think we’ll be heroes?”
Alejandro rolled over to look her in the eyes. “I do. We’re working towards something now, you know? Even if we have to lay low for a while.”
“I know, it’s just... things haven’t exactly gotten better recently, what with the King shaping up to be his grandfather’s successor.”
Alejandro drew in a sharp breath. “Yeah. That’s why my parents moved us to Theras when I was little, as far away from the capitol as they felt comfortable, hoping to avoid all of... that.”
Jetra nodded. “Well you know, it’s never too late to join the cause. I just hope we aren’t too late, you know?”
Alejandro sighed. “Me too.”
After a long pause, he spoke up again. “Anyways, the revolution won’t be forced live or die tonight. We should get some sleep.”
“Yeah.”
Alejandro smiled at her.
“Have hope for the future.”
Jetra chuckled, a hint of bitterness in her tone.
“That’s the idea.”
“Goodnight,” Alejandro said, rolling back over.
“‘Night.”
Eventually, shrouded slightly by the remnants of the night’s rain, dawn began to spread across the sky. Rain still drizzled down like glimmering tears in the new morning sun to greet the companions as they gathered themselves that morning.
After another hearty meal, Atolos and the other villagers saw the group off as they treaded onward into the hills. It wasn’t long after they left that the dirt path that served as a road in the small village was overtaken by the wilds once more.
When the drizzle had finished, they stopped to eat their midday meal, and Jetra took a quick leave from the rest of the group.
Beneath a few trees, she took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She summoned up her magic, recalling her conversation with Alejandro the night before, and imagined home. She exhaled, feeling comfort wash over her for the briefest of moments, before a wandering wind scattered it, and a weight settled onto her shoulder. When she opened her eyes, a small bird made of magical light hopped over to perch on her outstretched arm. She grinned when she saw her summoning had worked.
“Hey there, little one,” she said, petting its head gently. The bird ruffled its feathers happily.
She grabbed some dried meat from her pack, offering it to the spirit. “Do you think you could deliver a message for me?”
The bird chirped happily and gobbled up the jerky.
Jetra smiled. “Great. Listen carefully. I need you to find Edysias, and tell them I said this: ‘I’m heading southward. I’m safe for now, don’t come after me. I succeeded, but was compromised. I’ll be back. Our time is running short.’ Got it?”
The bird chirped again and nodded, then flapped off, streaking into the clouds in a burst of light and celestial feathers.
Jetra watched it go, whispered a small messenger’s blessing, then returned to the group.
•••
Hidden in a small grotto outside of the village, a young man in white robes huddled, speaking in hushed tones into the shadows.
“Tell the Prophet that the boy has come home. We must find the temple quickly, he is led by an Azerian, a Duulza warrior. They will know the way.”
Out of the shadow, a small creature stepped forward. It was a pale-furred monkey-like monster with ragged feathery wings, clawed hands, and a scorpion’s barb on its tail. At the end of the robed man’s request, it grinned a malicious smile.
“Right away.”
The beast disappeared in a cloud of smoke, leaving nothing behind but the faint smell of rot. The figure drew up his hood and started to trek into the hills after the travelers.
The time had come.
Part 7 | Part 9