The Forsaken Hero

It took nearly an hour for us to approach the waypoint, finally getting close enough to make out the individual features of the guards. Several times throughout, the guards caused another commotion. Once, they sent a small group back into the canyon, and another it turned violent. The mass of refugees, of which there must have been hundreds, grew extremely nervous at that. The air filled with restless energy, and scuffles broke out in the waiting line.

As we approached the front, Orion cocked his head, listening to something only his ears could hear. After a moment he nodded, and said, looking at us, ”The smuggler’s about ready to break away. What do you think?”

Korra frowned and folded her arms. ”Damn, that’s quick. I’d rather rake my chances with the guards, to be honest, but I’m not sure if they’ll let Xiviyah through. They’re being ridiculously thorough, and all they’d have to do is get a look under her hood.”

Orion nodded and opened his mouth to agree, when I interrupted. ”That’s...not good.”

They followed my pointing finger to examine the waypoint again. The low stone fort loomed over the road, armed with two magic ballistae and over twenty soldiers. They controlled all access to the cliffs and were actively searching every refugee before allowing them through.

”I don’t follow,” Korra said, squinting at the fort. ”What are we supposed to be looking at?”

”Oh, sorry,” I muttered, my tail flicking in embarrassment. Before they could question me more, I waved my hand and soulcast Link Ability, sharing the Oracle of Eternity with her. She fell silent, taking in the world through my eyes, then suddenly gasped.

”Is that...?”

I nodded. ”Yeah, they’re all cursed. It’s a crude version of the Heart Crest, and far from perfect, but every soldier I can see has it.”

”In that case, we’re definitely taking the smuggler’s route,” Orion said firmly. ”It doesn’t matter how dangerous it is, we’ll find no allies this way. I’m certain they’ll attack us the moment we’re discovered.”

Korra and Luxxa both nodded, and we moved to gather ourselves. But, before we could slip out of the train of refugees, one of the guards noticed us and shouted, ”You there, stop!”

I froze, recognizing the man’s stiff posture and rigid voice. ”Joel?”

Orion stiffened, his hand falling to his sword hilt hidden beneath his cloak. ”Damn it all. What the hell is he doing here?”

The refugees quickly figured out where the trouble was. They vanished like smoke, leaving a wide circle around our party. Orion and Luxxa moved in front, while Gith floated to the edge of the road, fingering his spatial ring. I hide behind Korra, clutching her arm nervously. I’d taken great care to keep myself covered with my cloak. How in the world had he recognized me?

The guards spread out around us with Joel taking the point. He glanced at the cloaked figures of my companions before scowling at me, dropping his hand to his sword. ”To think you would sink so low as to use these helpless refugees as shields. What did you promise them, salvation from your demon hordes?” He spat disdainfully. ”You three should get out of here. I’m only interested in that vile vermin you’re shielding.”

The three in question, Korra, Orion, and Luxxa, exchanged confused looks. ”Does he mean...us?” Korra muttered.

”M-maybe?” I gripped Korra’s arm tight enough that my knuckles whitened and began to hurt. Given her physique, I doubted she felt a thing, but she laid her hand over mine comfortingly.

It wasn’t comfort I sought, though, but support. Steadied by her presence, I began casting several third-circle spells at once, hiding and condensing them within my soul. Without using my staff, It was difficult Soulcasting so many at once, more so with Joel’s piercing glare stabbing daggers at me.

”I won’t ask again–” Joel began, when Orion stepped forward, flicking his hood off. The Lieutenant’s mouth dropped open as he recognized the gray-haired veteran.

”Is this what you’ve been reduced to? A mere guard dog?” Orion shook his head in disappointment. ”I thought you were better than this.”

”Orion?” he gasped, ”What the hell are you...? Wait, that means–”

I didn’t give him a chance to finish. ”Link Soul!”

I thrust my hand forward, and a series of magic circles curled around the soldiers, bathing them in golden light. They stiffened, mouths gaping open and closed like fish, as the light suffused their souls with Adaptive Resistance. The black tendrils of the curse broke away and dissolved, allowing me a sigh of relief. If my ability had failed, it would have meant the curse was over fifth level, a thought too terrifying to consider.

As the final fingers of the Heart Crest left them, they sagged. One of the soldiers dropped to one knee, clutching his hand to his chest. Joel recovered first and quickly regained his composure. He stared expressionlessly at me for a moment, then swallowed hard and set his jaw. Then his gaze flickered to Orion and gave the veteran an almost imperceptible nod.

Turning to the other soldiers, he said, ”It seems I was mistaken. There’s no demon spies here. Back to your posts.”

The other soldiers nodded quickly, giving sharp salutes and a hail of ”yes sirs!” Just like with the adventuring guild in Heartland City, there were no outward indications that the curse had been broken. Their hands trembled and their faces were pale, but their mannerisms, personalities, and even voices seemed the same. Truly, Heart Curses were terrifying. Without the Oracle of Eternity, it would have been impossible to determine they were even cursed.

Joel hesitated a moment longer than the others, pretending to stifle a yawn. ”Damn, the long shifts must be getting to me. I’ll have to find a good bed at the Empty Nest.”

Without sparing us another glance, he whirled on his heel and stalked back to his post at the fort. Once it was clear we were free, I sagged against Korra, letting the strain of Soulcasting six spells at once show.

”That was close,” I whispered, resting my head on her shoulder.

She looked down at me and smiled, giving me a quick hug. ”Yeah, but thanks to you, we didn’t have to fight our way out of there. From the look of things, we might even get to waltz in ourselves.”

I nodded and let out a long sigh, gathering my strength, before standing on my own again. Looking around, I stiffened as I found the circle of refugees staring at us. The weight of their gazes rested heavily on my shoulders, sending a nervous jitter through my tail. Even if Joel and the guards kept silent, would it really be so simple? If just one person decided to whisper about what they’d seen...well, I wasn’t sure exactly what things looked like to them, but it would certainly invite unwanted questions.

Help came from an unexpected place as Joel stood in front of the road and cleared his throat. ”I apologize for the rather abrupt surprise inspection, but only a demon would complain or even mention the inconvenience. If you wish to discuss this incident further, you will be detained for questioning.” He said, voice loud and commanding. Then, sweeping his eyes over the hundred or so refugees, announced, ”As a reward for your loyalty to Brithlite, I will allow this entire group to pass without further inspection. May you find lodging and supplies in this city to further your journey.”

An excited ripple of murmurs passed through the refugees as Joel motioned with his hand and the other guards stepped aside. The few that hadn’t been purged of the Heart Crest glanced at him in confusion, but the other’s obedience pressured them into following the order. No one spared our little group a second glance as the way opened up, allowing them to begin their ascent up the cliffs.

”What just happened?” Jenna’s voice slid into my ears, smooth and seductive. I glanced over my shoulder, startled to find her behind us.

”I think we’re good to go!” Korra replied cheerfully, grinning at her. ”Looks like we won’t be needing you’re smuggler friend after all.”

”Just as well. He took off the moment the guards took action. He did happen to mention what inn he’d be staying in, though, in case we ever wanted to exchange services.”

Luxxa rolled her eyes. ”Exchange? I wonder what kind of services he would request from you...”

The mage sniffed, but her eyes glimmered with amusement. ”Don’t worry, I won’t be sneaking off for a night of fun...not right now at least. I take my responsibilities very seriously, you know.”

”I don’t,” the female knight said, no hesitation in her voice.

”That’s enough,” Orion said with a tired sigh. ”Let’s just focus on getting into the city before your bickering brings the guards on us again.”

The two reluctantly fell silent, and it soon came to our turn to pass. The guards appeared to ignore us as they did the other refugees, but I found a few watching me from the corner of their eyes. They seemed confused, but also...grateful. The Lieutenant’s eyes flickered to Orion once more and they made eye contact for a split second before they broke off and we continued on our way.

Our climb to the city was long and laborious, a stiff two-mile hike up the side of the canyon. Before we even reached the first switch-back, beads of sweat formed on my brow, a thin sheen that threatened to drip into my eyes. My breath caught in my throat with each step, and a faint ache thrummed through my legs. It was all I could do to keep a steady pace alongside the others, my heart pounding a hard, steady rhythm in my chest.

I gratefully sank to my knees as Orion called for a rest. We’d barely reached the halfway point, stopping just before one of the forts, but I was completely exhausted. My companions weren’t even winded, watching me patiently as I caught my breath. Korra and Luxxa were some ways off, deep in conversation, while Gith remained vigilant, scanning the passing refugees for any signs of hostility.

It wasn’t fair at all, but I was too tired to feel envious of their strength. After the first switchback, I hadn’t even had enough strength to peer over the edge, much less worry about how high up we were. At the very least, I wasn’t alone. As we got moving again, I looked behind us and found many other refugees flagging behind, collapsing on the ground, or leaning against the wall to rest. They may not have been injured like I was, but they had traveled long and far over difficult terrain, their bodies likely no stronger than my own. Truly, this world was so...unfair.

Somehow, I made it to the top without resorting to letting one of my guards carry me. That would have been a little too humiliating, not to mention the position would let my tail hang low and risk exposing my identity. As we prepared to enter the city, I glanced behind at the endless vista of the canyon. I still felt some degree of wonder at the sheer scale and beauty of the blue ridges, chasms, and rivers, remembering fondly the peaceful days Korra, Fable, and I traveled within. It was the first time I’d experienced the joy of adventuring, and even if the end of our journey had been anything but carefree, I was grateful for the memories I’d gained.

With a deep breath, I turned from the scene and pushed onward, passing through the great gates of Bluegate Keep. One journey had ended, and it was time for another to begin.