Once Forgotten 2.4

Rya sat in a windowsill, absorbed in the volumes she and Jerand had found. She was surprised by how much she had learned. She had even found a reference to what could have been Nadarin’s entry into the Realm. From what she could tell, around five thousand years ago, possibly longer, a star fell from the heavens. However, she already knew that Alphairra, where the Gods and Goddesses dwelt, her Realm, which she had just learned was truly named Thyinairinn, and the demon plane, Xophaltez were not necessarily in a stacked order, which was contrary to popular belief. If that were so, then why would Nadarin “fall” from the sky?

She shook her head. Such things were beyond her at the moment. She scratched her back. She closed the volume and went to the table nearest her, where her all of her research was organized. Jerard came walking up. “How does it go?”

Rya looked up briefly. “Not too bad. Surprisingly, I’ve found more than I thought I would.”

Jerard nodded. “Then I am sorry to interrupt, but there is a warrior in the main area asking for you. I believe his name is Brint.”

Rya smiled and looked up. She nodded and gathered together her papers, carefully putting them in her bag. She stacked the volumes together, grabbed her book and her scythe and followed Jerard out of the restricted section. Brint stood by the information desk, chatting with the young woman on duty. An emotion briefly ran through her mind, but it was gone before she could recognize it. All the same, she glared slightly at the young librarian, which vanished as Brint turned his gaze on her. A smile crossed his face, and he stood straight as she approached.

“What took you so long?” He smirked.

Rya sighed and stretched. “I was to my neck in books thank you, and might I add, I found much concerning my research.”

“Just what were you trying to find anyway?” Brint asked.

His friend shrugged. “Oh, just a few things of interest.” He nodded, understanding her meaning.

“Kadrin said he wanted to meet with us in an hour.” Brint said. “It sounded important.”

Rya frowned. “An hour? Did he say what it was about?”

Brint shook his head. “Of course not! Since when has he ever given a clear answer like that?”

The young librarian opened her mouth, but Jerard cut her off. “You two had better hurry. An hour will go by and you two will still be here discussing everything!” He chuckled.

Rya nodded, grabbed Brint’s arm and hurried out of the old structure. Brint took the lead as they entered the crowded main street. “Come on. He wanted to meet us at some tavern. Rather shady by the sound of it.”

Rya frowned. “What’s it called?”

Brint hesitated before answering. “The Sleazy Mermaid.”

“Why do I have the feeling that you know all about it?” Rya sighed.

“Everyone who’s anyone knows that the ‘Maid is the perfect place to go for information.” Brint answered, glancing back over his shoulder at her. He pulled her down a side alley. Her grip tightened on her scythe. “Just be on your guard.” She nodded and followed him silently.

The Sleazy Mermaid was in much better shape than Rya had thought it would be. It was obviously cleaned regularly, but the crowd inside and the few that stood around it gave proof that this tavern was the regular haunt of many. Rya drew her hood, something that she wasn’t the only one to have done. The majority of faces were all half hidden by hoods, something that struck her as odd. When she voiced this to Brint, he explained. “It’s an unspoken rule. Hoods are a requirement inside, save for when you are in one of the private rooms. What’s done in them depends on the client, but whatever happens inside the ‘Maid stays in the ’Maid. The Queen allows this place to exist so she can use it to keep a closer eye on whatever shady business goes on. If it gets serious enough, she takes action, but even the local crime syndicates keep a low profile. The last time there was anything major, it was quickly put down.”

Rya frowned. “But how does she do it? How can she keep tabs on everything and act so quickly? Regular guards couldn’t possibly do it.”

Brint chuckled. “Oh, she doesn’t use her regular guards. Look.” Her eyes followed where he pointed, and they widened at the sight of tails poking from beneath a group of cloaks. “The draigons have returned to their former position of politics. Ever since Dylan regained power, they have been by her side, thanks to Flamian. They accepted the role of peacekeepers as well as the main military force. General Darian may lead what can be considered the main army, but when draigons enter a battle? The enemy turns and flees. They are greatly feared throughout the Realm, able to change to whatever species or form of dragon at any time they wish. There are rumors that they even have a few true dragons amongst them.”

A draigon made eye contact with Rya. Her eyes widened with surprise, and she bowed her head. Rya returned the gesture, and the draigonesse returned to her companions, talking animatedly with them. Brint walked on without giving them notice. As they continued on, Rya couldn’t help but notice the different types of people. There were members of almost every race she knew, and many that she didn’t. The cat-like Katars, the dog-like Jilds, even a few wolves. Wolves (more accurately “werewolves”) were very common within the Six Nations, as the royal family and nobles were Ulfrics, the strongest of wolves. She failed to suppress a shudder as they passed a very shady group. They growled softly, barely containing snarls of disgust. She glared at them, causing a breeze to wash over them. They backed off, sensing her as someone strong. A hand reached out and grabbed her scythe. Quicker than lightning, the would be thief was flat on his back, pinned by the flat of the scythe’s blade. Eyes wide, he looked hopelessly into the eyes of his prey. Cold eyes looked down at him. “No one touches the scythe. Understand?” Her eyes glared at him, but her words spoke to the crowds.

“Release him!” Kadrin’s voice rang out.

Rya glared at him. “But he…”

“No buts. Let him up.” She did as she was told, but her scythe was held at the ready. Kadrin turned to the thief. “As for you, I would say you’ve learned something this day, haven’t you? Yes, I see it in your eyes. Watch out for that one.” He nodded at Rya. “She could have killed you just then. Lucky for you, she gives warnings. Unfortunately, that will be the only warning you will get. Next time, whatever happens, happens. Now, what say you?”

The thief trembled, fear the only thing keeping him upright. “I-I….I-I….I-I….” He fell back, out cold.

Kadrin turned to the small crowd. “As you were.” He spun on his heel, grabbed Rya by her shoulder, and entered the tavern, Brint following just behind him. They entered a good sized room. The occupants looked up as Kadrin pulled Rya in and shoved her into a chair. Kadrin quivered with controlled anger. “Just what in the name of Alphairria were you thinking?!” His voice hissed.

Rya stared straight ahead, her jaw clenched. “I was perfectly fine. He grabbed my scythe.”

“So you slam him to the ground and hold the blade to his throat?” Kadrin demanded. Rya said nothing. Kadrin gave a sigh. “I understand why. I would too if I had managed to retrieve an ancestral weapon only to have someone try to steal it. But you need to learn to control not just your power, but your emotions. Think, girl! You are an Overseer! Eleven Above! If you allow your emotions to run rampant like that, you could end up destroying the city! What do you think would happen if a cyclone tore through here?!”

“What happened?” Gartrand asked. Lirand stood by a bookshelf, Dylan sat by the fire, and Flamian stood by the window.

Flamian couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “It appears that our newest addition almost took the criminal population down by several. Some lowlife tried taking the scythe.” He chuckled again. “They’ll be avoiding her. Funny, she vaguely reminds me of someone…”

Dylan shot him a glare. “Hush you!” She knelt by Rya. “Don’t be afraid, Rya. Don’t fear your power. And Kadrin, yelling isn’t going to help. That will only boost her defiance.”

Kadrin turned away. “Defiance brings nothing but trouble.” He muttered. Something in his tone made Rya frown, but before she could speak, the door burst open.

“Sorry, I’m late.” Nadar gasped. “There’s a rather aggressive crowd out there. Whew…who pissed in their soup?”

Flamian laughed, while the others simply stared. Kadrin put his hand to his head, clearly frustrated. Dylan shot Flamian a glare, then turned to Nadar. “What are you doing here?”

Nadar shrugged. “Well, you guys were having a little get together. So I invited myself. Hope that’s alright.” With that said, he promptly went to the small table and began heaping food onto a plate. Fixing himself into a corner, he tucked into his meal with gusto, while returning everyone’s stares. “But seriously, what’s got all of them in such a tizzy? You haven’t tried to ban *naldris again have you? I mean, I did tell you that was a mistake to begin with.”

“I did not…!” The Queen clamped her mouth shut and took a deep breath. “I did no such thing! And you don’t have to rub that in…”

Nadar shrugged. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I mean, the only people to tell you not to do such a stupid thing was your entire counsil, me, Flamian, and the Senate.”

Flamian snapped his fingers. “And there was that old guy from the Library!”

“Ah, good ol’ Jerard. How is that old bugger doing anyway?” Nadar asked.

Rya smiled. “He’s doing very well. I was just with him earlier. He’s really been helping me with some information I was trying to find.”

Nadar took a gulp out of a tankard he conjured. “Oh? What have you been researching?”

Rya blushed slightly. “I wanted to see if there were any records of Kadrin and the Overseers in history, and I…I wanted to see if there was any evidence of Nadarin’s fall.”

Kadrin stiffened slightly. “That’s what you’ve been looking for?”

Rya nodded. “Yes, and what really surprised me is just how much evidence there was of Nadarin’s fall.” She pulled out a notepad she had with her and opened it to the beginning. Setting it on the table, the others gathered around, Kadrin relaxing as he joined them. “This is what I found. In the first volume I looked at, there is a record of an incident a few millennia ago. I thought it was rather significant, as it seemed almost cataclysmic in proportion. So, I checked the volumes of several different kingdoms from the period of time, and they all had that same incident. Here, this is a translated quote:

“In the year of Harvest and Hunting, four-thousand-nine-hundred & ninety Post Cataclysm, an incident occurred upon the eve of the new year. The sky tore open, the wind leveled thousands of trees, all manner of beasts and birds fled through the very center of our beloved city. People screamed, both young and old, of all ages. A great fire flew across the sky, and smashed into our beloved land ten leagues to the east of Twin River.

“A few weeks later, we received word that a small band of travelers went to the sight of where the fire touched the land. A hole was found, as though Darlan himself had reached down and scooped out a handful of dirt. But what is stranger still…plants were found! Living plants were found growing, freshly sprouted. As the band watched on in astonishment, a whole forest grew before their eyes, the trees becoming far more massive than normal. Their canopy conjoined into a roof of leaves and branches, the sunlight barely getting through…”

Rya straightened as she finished, satisfied. “I believe that forest to be the Netherforest.”

Nadar nodded. “It would make sense.” He frowned. “However, Nadarin isn’t the God of Life. That would fall under Amari’s jurisdiction.”

Rya nodded again. “True, however, Kadrin said that there were seven places where the Seal of Magyck is weakest, right?” They all nodded. “So, what if, when Nadarin fell, his fall further weakened the place for life?”

Kadrin nodded. “It’s entirely possible. To be honest, I never really gave it much thought. However, I’ve explored every part of the Netherforest, and I have never found such a hole as described there.”

“There is another record later that says another group went in to find the same hole, but they never could. It is as if the forest filled it in. Or perhaps Darlan?” She was thoughtful for a moment, then she frowned. She turned to Nadar. “Just who are you anyway?”

Nadar let out a belch, which earned him a glare from Lirand. “Me? Name’s Nadar. At least, that’s what I was told it was. I don’t know. Some people found me wandering around and randomly called me that. So, I took it.”

Dylan thought for a moment. “You know, Nadar is derived from Nadarin.”

Nadar nodded. “Indeed it is, but I fail to see how that’s relevant to anything…oh heavens!” He exclaimed. “I’m not the Fallen God, am I? I always knew I was going to be hounded by everyone! Wait…I can’t be! I was born in the Realm…at least…I think I was.”

Kadrin sighed again. “Whether anyone here is Nadarin or not is not the issue for which we have gathered.”

Gartrand lifted his head. “Oh, we’re finally getting started?”

Kadrin purposefully ignored him. “I have heard some reports from travelers, and none of them sound good. I fear that another M’rachtkenta will soon be able to enter the Realm.”

Everyone began speaking at once, each making exclamations. “QUIET!!” Brint shouted above everyone else. The room fell silent, and Brint turned to Kadrin. “What kind of reports?”

“There are reports that there could be two.” He held up a hand to silence any questions. “There is a report to the far west, in the Kingdom of the Rising Sun, that an unknown plague has begun to run through several villages. So far, the death count is in the hundreds. To the south, across the Great Sea, a small island has experienced a famine for the past month. These signs are attributed to two of the M’rachtkenta. At this point, we cannot know for certain whether or not the M’rachtkenta are really the ones responsible or not, but we need to find out. Rya, Brint, I want you two to go to the Rising Sun. Be on the lookout for any demon activity. If there is, put a stop to it the best you can. Brint, I suggest you get a small accompaniment of your troops ready to go with you. Rya, you will be in charge. Ask Brint for help if you need it.

“Dylan, Flamian, you two stay here in this area. Don’t worry, Flame, there have been a few sightings to keep you busy. Good hunting, Hunter.

“Lirand, Gartrand, you are to go to the south. Find that island. As for myself, I am going to far north. I have been sensing something there that I need to see. Now, good luck to each of you.” Kadrin said. Everyone began to move out. Rya glanced over at Lirand and gasped.

“Master Kadic?! You’re…you’re an Overseer?!” She exclaimed.

The master wizard nodded. “Indeed I am. I was foolish to think that by sending you off I could remain in hiding. You were close, Rya, to discovering my identity. It’s in your nature to find information, to discover secrets. The wind hears everything, and in turn it speaks to you. Learn to listen to it.” He and Gartrand left, already discussing their plans.

Brint stretched. “I suppose it was time to see what my motley band was up to anyway. Would you like to come see our headquarter?” She nodded and together, they left.

Dylan and Flamian were already arguing over something, leaving Kadrin and Nadar free to talk. Nadar frowned. “Are you sure it’s wise to send him with her?”

“Do you think it was wise not to?” Kadrin responded.

Nadar nodded. “We think alike, Kadrin. Sometimes it really makes me wonder…”

“You it’s best not to deal in what ifs.” The masked man said.

“True, but then, you do all the time.” Nadar responded. “So, what’s my assignment?”

“To do whatever you feel like doing. You think that I have any control over you?” Kadrin answered.

Nadar shrugged. “You have about the same amount as I have over you.”

“None.” They both stated. With that, they walked in opposite directions.