Once Forgotten 1.99

Calrin was a huge metropolis. It was the center of trade within the Six Nations. Traders from around the Realm gathered here to exchange goods, sell unique and rare items, and to gather news from the rest of the Realm. Scientists and scholars flocked to go to the Great University of Nilar.

Rya gazed about with fascination as Brint leaned on the fountain they were standing by. "It's so much bigger than I thought it was!"

Brint shrugged. "That's because the last time you were here, you were rushed off to the palace before you could tour the city, which is what Kadrin told us to do. Where do you want to go first? I mean, as you said, this place is huge. We could go to the University, the Royal Library (they have collections of writings from all over the Realm, many of which cannot be found anywhere else). Then there's the Palace, where your Master has gone, the Smithy (which is like the city, massive. About a hundred smiths work there), Market Square, the Theatre, the Residential District, and the Guilds. Believe me, in this city, it's impossible to ever be bored. Oh, and there's the Senate. The Senate here holds no real power over the kingdom, as it is solely a monarchy, but it is where the people from each of the six nations may come to present their cases, pleas, requests, and other such trivial things that the Queen would normally be bogged down with."

Rya nodded. "Is that all?"

Brint chuckled. "Of course not. There is also the Laboratories, where much of the technologies are developed, and many other places. I'm just listing off all our options."

Rya nodded again and smiled at him, leaning casually on her closed scythe. "Well, where would you like to go first?"

Brint frowned in thought. "I say we go see the University, then explore Market Square for lunch, then go to the Library this afternoon. Sound good?"

"It sounds more than good!" Rya smiled and lightly twirled her weapon. She looked back at him over her shoulder. "Shall we?"

Brint chuckled and began walking beside her. She let him lead, as he had been here several times and knew the way. They walked slowly, Brint allowing her to take in the sight of the city. She constantly pointed out things, some of which Brint hadn't noticed before. As they approached their destination, Rya fell silent in awe of the buildings before them.

A massive stone building towered above the city around it, it's old structure glistening like a well polished gem. Brint explained that within, there were several courtyards, classrooms, and dormitories within. Students were everywhere, many on their way to their classes, many more lounging in the courtyards talking amongst themselves or with professors. As they walked about, Brint would explain the history behind everything. They entered the main courtyard. A girl looked from her friends and gasped. She ran up to Rya and squealed. Rya yelped in surprise and threw her arms about the girl.

"Careen! What are you doing here?!" Rya exclaimed.

"I attend here." Careen shrugged. She spied Brint. "And who might this be?"

Rya rolled her eyes. "Oh surely you remember Brint?"

Careen's eyes widened. "Brint! Oh it's so good to see you!" She stepped back so she could see them both. "So what are you doing here? Have you come to visit?"

Rya nodded. "Something like that. I am actually here with my master."

Her friend squealed again. "So you are in training. Oh, Sari, that's outstanding! I almost envy you, traveling with a master mage. So who is it? Who is your master? Is it Kadic? I always thought he would be good for you."

Rya grew serious. "To answer questions like that, we should go somewhere with less ears." Brint nodded.

Careen nodded, growing serious as well. "Come with me then." She led them into the building, through several hallways and into another courtyard. She turned to them. "We will be left alone here. This courtyard is strictly for private meetings. Now, what is it?"

Rya took a breath. "Careen, Kadic isn't my master. He couldn't train me what it is that I need to learn. Eleven Above! I don't even know what it is!" She took a deep breath. "Careen, I am studying under Kadrin."

Careen's jaw dropped. "Kadrin? As in the Kadrin?! Oh, Sari, what have you gotten yourself into?!"

Rya rolled her eyes. "He isn't nearly as bad as he is portrayed as. Careen, there is a reason that he does what he does. It is his place, his role in things, to make the necessary choices that no one else dares to make. He has taught me things, showed me things. Things that shouldn't be secret but are!" She broke off.

Careen looked at her friend with guarded eyes. "What kind of things? Sari, what are you talking about?"

"My name isn't Sari. Not anymore. I am Rya now." Rya said, raising her head.

Careen nodded. "Yes, I suppose you are. But tell me, Rya, are you even aware of the stories that are told about your…master? Do you even know of the crimes he is accused of? What all he has done?"

Rya frowned. "Are you even aware of all the stories that speak of the good he has done? The lives he has saved? The heroics he is known for? He is a lord of life and death. He maintains the balance. What more you expect from such a man?"

Careen turned away. "Are you even sure that he is a man? For all we know, he is a demon, come to bring about chaos."

"He's not a demon." Rya said softly. Careen turned back to her. "He is not a demon, Careen. He killed Maldis. Maldis, Careen!"

Brint coughed. "Well, he dispersed his spirit any way. You killed Maldis."

Careen's eyes widened. "What?! Y-You k-killed a demon lord?!"

Rya stood to her full height and flicked blade out on her scythe. "I suppose I did kill him. His physical body any way. This scythe was his, but he stole it from my family. It is the Windcleaver, one of the seven remaining ancient weapons, forged from metal that is not of our world." Careen nodded dumbly. Rya flicked the blade closed, hiding it again. "Careen, please, believe me. What Kadrin is doing will help our world."

Brint interrupted her. "Be careful. If she knows too much, it could hinder our efforts."

"So, they were right." Careen muttered. "There is a group here at the University that keep spouting what everyone thinks of as nonsense. 'The Seal must be broken!' 'We must fight against the Dark One!' Perhaps…perhaps there is more to what they're saying." She took a steadying breath. "I believe you. I don't really know why, but I believe you. But what is the Seal?"

Rya and Brint exchanged a look. Rya turned back to her. "There is a group? Can you tell us more about them?"

"They started several years ago from what I know. Several students, and even a couple of professors, started talking about a Seal or something like that. They keep saying that it must be broken or our world will die. Do you know what they mean?"

Rya nodded. "Yes, I know exactly what they are talking about." Her two friends waited for her to collect her thoughts. "Master Kadrin told me not too long ago a history of the Realm. He told me that long ago, there was a Golden Age where everyone was open to true magyck. The seven elements flowed freely and the lands prospered under them. However, that Age ended when warlords rose up in rebellion. They slaughtered the monarchies, trying to gain control over magyck. Seven Lord's of Magyck came and Sealed the elements away, locking away true magyck. Kadrin said that because the elements were locked away, the world is now diminishing. It's declining."

Careen nodded. "Yes, I suppose that makes sense. So this Seal locked away the elements?" Rya nodded. "If that is true, then…" She shook her head.

Brint nodded. "It is a lot to take in. I remember when he revealed all of that to me. That was five years ago, when I was fifteen."

Rya slapped her forehead. "Of course! You started that group, didn't you?"

Brint shrugged. "I may have been involved." He smirked.

Careen sighed. "How long will you be in Calrin? My classes start soon."

Rya shrugged. "I honestly don't know. A day or two? Kadrin is unpredictable in matters like this."

Careen nodded and hugged her friend. "Then I will say goodbye now just in case. Take care, Rya. I'm sure that you will succeed in whatever it is you're doing."

Rya nodded as they parted. Brint nodded in goodbye and they left. A boy entered from the opposite side and approached Careen. "Did they suspect you?"

Careen shook her head, a smirk on her face. "No, they did not. It is as we thought. Kadrin has told her much, but she still knows nothing of our Master. She is already a formidable enemy though. The rumors were correct; she has retrieved Windcleaver. She even killed Maldis, and Kadrin dispersed his spirit."

The boy frowned. "This could prove problematic. If she has the scythe…this doesn't bode well. But it is of little consequence. Our Master already has already set his plan into motion. Soon, the nations will tremble before us!" The boy gave a malicious laugh. "You had best get on to class. Your next assignment will be to infiltrate the Freedomist group here." Careen nodded and left. The boy gave another laugh, then turned and left the way he had come.
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Earlier that morning
Kadrin strode into the open gates of the Palace. The people froze at his appearance, parting to get out of his way. The guards stopped him before the gates of the main entrance. He nodded to them. "If you would be so kind as to alert her Highness to my presence I would greatly appreciate it. I have an appointment with her already made."

The guards nodded and one of them went inside. Ten minutes later, he returned and gestured Kadrin to enter. Kadrin turned to the guard. "I thank you, but I know my way."

"I'm afraid that I cannot allow you to go unescorted. It's the law." The guard said.

Kadrin towered over him. "And I am an exception to such things as the laws of kingdoms. I have seen the rise of kingdoms, the fall of empires. It was I that orchestrated the fall of the Necromancers! Now, back to your post! There are other forces not so benevolent as I!" The guard swiftly walked away, quivering. Kadrin sighed. Some guards just had no backbone. He continued on his way, taking several twists and turns. The servants dove into side rooms at his approach. Coming to a door, he knocked three times.

"Enter!" A feminine voice called. He did so and found Dylan sitting at her table, while Flamian leaned casually on a windowsill. He bowed in respect. Dylan nodded her head; Flamian returned the bow, wings spread in respect. Dylan wiped her mouth. "I was beginning to wonder when you would show up." She said.

Kadrin nodded. "You have questions for me?"

Flamian shook his head. "Not so much as information. Our…enemy is on the move." Flamian sighed. "You were right, as usual. The Dark One walks again, and he hasn't returned weak. If anything, he's stronger than you said he would be."

Kadrin nodded. "I was afraid of that. When he was exiled, he was already strong. It took all six of the remaining Overseers to even exile him."

Flamian frowned. "Was he an Overseer?"

Kadrin was silent for a long time. "He was once, long ago. But he turned his back on our ways. Betrayed us for his own greed. And for that, he was exiled. Without a replacement to take his place, the imbalance persists. Which makes my role even harder than it already is."

Dylan nodded. "So what is he now? Is he still a man?"

Kadrin shook his head. "He is but a shadow of his former self, despite his strength. He is a wound, spreading his disease in search for revenge. I know what it is he seeks. It is the same that I myself am seeking. But what he intends to do goes against everything that I stand for, and I stand for much. Because of his choice, I was forced to take on a whole new responsibility, one that I begrudgingly took on."

The two friends nodded. "So what do you want us to do?"

Again, Kadrin was silent. "You must begin to prepare your kingdom for war. Do it subtly to avoid any mass panic. If the people find out about what you are doing, tell them that the demons have returned. For that is exactly what is happening." He sighed. "After so many years, an end is finally in sight."

Flamian came and stood next to Dylan. "And what of me?"

Kadrin turned to him. "For now, you will spread word throughout the other nations. Gather the draigon clans. Alert you're sisters, Kaylandra and Amaryll. The fact that you belong to two nations will help you greatly in your efforts. A new storm is coming. One that came before an eon ago, and now it threatens to come again. We must be ready." Flamian nodded. "Good. I will be in this city for a while. I am not sure for how long exactly, but I do know that I will be a few days. I have some…business to attend to." With a sweep of his cloak, he left.

Dylan sighed. "Now, it's a war against demons. But what did he mean by 'an end in sight'?"

Flamian shrugged. "Who knows? But whatever it is, it's to help us all." Dylan nodded. "Well, I better get ready to head out. Apparently, I have to go spread the word that demons are about to destroy the Realm."

Dylan sighed and chuckled. "It's always something, isn't it? We defeat Calrius, and a few years later, an ancient evil rises up. What will it be when all of this is over?"

Flamian shrugged. "Hopefully, peace." Dylan nodded. He turned and left.

Kadrin left the Palace in high spirits. The way things were going, hope still shone brightly. Now all that was left were two things: Rya's training, and finding the last person he was searching to find.