Taya wouldn’t allow herself to lash out at Peng despite the childish impulse to do so. Just because he was Nikan didn’t mean he was the one who set fire to her village and killed her mother.

There were soldiers who did it. An officer who ordered it. Higher ups who planned it. An emperor who desired an invasion. They were at fault. They would suffer her wrath.

“Is this all that’s left?” Taya asked, transitioning back to her native language.

Yaroslav nodded.

“And the clan?”

“The chieftain’s son still lives. We came here looking for some who ran during the raid. They’re still missing.” Yaroslav said, “I thought you had been sent away with Plague.”

“The Nikan did the same thing as they did here on that island.”

“And your companions?”

“Most of them were residents of the island as well. I made sure they didn’t have any symptoms, though.”

Yaroslav nodded, “I regret how lax we’ve been with Dawn Circle. I hadn’t known their druids were sending Shedim Masters away. But...you’re here now. You should come with us back to the High Citadel. The Highlands are the only truly safe places left in Sklava. These woods are no longer ours.”

The Druid turned around and started to lead the survivors back into the wood. Taya followed, her company in tow after retrieving her sword.

“What do you mean these woods are no longer ours?” Taya asked.

“We cannot claim that which we cannot protect,” Yaroslav said. “The Nikan control it now, using it to fuel their logging and build their war machines. No attempts the High Queen has made to reclaim that land have been successful.”

“High Queen?” Taya asked. “What of the King?”

“Died of sickness two months ago.”

“Well, we have to do something!” Taya exclaimed, “We’ve repelled Koini expansion for a thousand years! Surely, we can kick these eastlanders out!”

“Calm yourself, child.” Yaroslav sighed. “War is not so simple. And besides, the Koini were lax with us. They never decided to fully invest into an invasion. Just look at the destruction wrought by an empire who has.”

“What isn’t simple about it?” Taya asked. “We gather all those who wish to fight for their homeland and force the Nikan out. With my powers and the awakening of others, we can match them.”

“There are refugees, Taya.” Yaroslav said. “Us included. We can only live off the good graces of others. We cannot demand that they help us liberate our land.”

“Then we ask the refugees to fight!” 

“There are only refugees because all those among them who were willing to fight are dead. We can only retreat to the Highlands for now.”

Taya stopped in her tracks, “Where are these Nikan?”

The druid turned to face her, “What?”

“Where are they?”

“Don’t be foolish, Taya. Strong, though you be, you’ll only get yourself killed.”

Of course Yaroslav thought her foolish. They all thought her foolish. But what else was she to do? Let the Nikan get away with this?

Taya scoffed, “What do you care? Not like you were my greatest supporter.”

“It doesn’t matter what I think of you personally,” Yaroslav glowered. “I refuse to let yet another one of my people die.”

“Taya.” A rough, but gentle hand landed on her shoulder. She looked at Bjorn next to her. He didn’t understand her language, but she could tell from his eyes that he understood her emotion, “Whatever you’re thinking...it’s not worth it right now. You’ll get your chance against them.”

Taya sighed, glowering but taking heed of his words, “Fine.”

They hiked for nearly an hour, from the thick forest into the Sklaveni Highlands. The rock formations and mountains that populated the Highlands were much like a forest of stone in a way.

When they emerged from the mountainous, forested border of the plateau, the others of her company got their first look at the center of Sklaveni society.

The Highlands, while populated by many large rocks, was a relatively flat plain that overlooked the forest that surrounded it. The grass was an intense, verdant color that never appeared naturally anywhere else.

“By the gods…” Ruhak muttered.

“Welcome to the heart of Sklava, gentlemen and lady.” Taya sighed in Koini, “Good thing about being on a giant plateau is that no one can drive siege engines up here. So I’d say we’re pretty safe from the Nikan, if that’s what you’re looking for.”

Ordinarily, Taya was proud of her homeland’s natural beauty. But...needless to say why her enthusiasm was lacking.

While it would have been impossible to see in any terrain less open than this, Taya could make out the castle that marked Sklava’s central city of Varikolga, also known as the High Citadel. All the clan chieftains would meet there in times like these.

A ferry upstream on the river got them to the gates. The walls of Varikolga were made from a foundation of large boulders and rocks, then built upon with rough stone brick. The wet climate of the Highlands made walls like these prone to building up moss.

While the others marveled at the beauty of her homeland, Taya seethed.

The people she had strived to protect were all dead. She’d failed herself and her people.

It was due to circumstances you couldn’t control, Furious One. an Eldritch voice resonated in her head. The words of her Shedim. Do not lose your sense of purpose because Fate tried to dissuade you.

This is what Fate considers dissuasion? Taya replied. And my purpose died with them.

So what is it you are to do?

Grieve. Then find a new purpose, I guess.

No regrets. The Shedim said encouragingly.

No regrets.

The exchange made her feel marginally better. She wanted to dismiss the effort since she still felt entirely devastated. But what was anyone else to do?

They neared the city’s river entrance and the guards atop the gatehouse dropped the spiked chain that blocked off the waterway, letting them in after a quick exchange with Yaroslav.

They disembarked the ferry at a small marina and headed onto the dirt roads of the city. Though what was within was a very different picture from when she had last visited this place.

While already very wide in nature, the roads were impassable, filled to the brim with sickly, starving people. Mostly women and children.

“These are just the ones without plague.” Yaroslav muttered.

“And the ones with it?” Taya asked.

“Not allowed into the city once all the medical tents filled up. They’ve an encampment on the west side of the wall.”

Taya shook her head in dismay, “Gods and demons.”

“Highland cities have all taken in refugees of both Sklaveni and Ashen origin.” Yaroslav said.

Taya looked to Bjorn, who frowned. The word for the Ascommani in Sklaveni, which translated to ‘Ash men’ was very similar to their own word for themselves.

“Did he just say Ascomanni?” Bjorn asked in Koini.

“Some of the refugees are from Ascomarch.” Taya said.

“Don’t tell me the Nikan-”

“No.” Yaroslav said, joining their Koini conversation, “The Sarfans invaded Ascomarch some time ago.”

“But how? Only we can cross the White Sea.” Bjorn said.

“Well, now only you and the Sarfans can.” Yaroslav muttered, “I don’t know too much about it. Perhaps your kinsmen can tell you more. Finding lodgings here will be difficult, but I’m certain someone will be willing to house you for a fee. It was good to see you again, Taya.”

“I’m going to fight them, Yaroslav. If no one else is going to, I will.” Taya said, “I want to put a warband together. Did Braslav make it out alright?”

Yaroslav nodded, “He tends to what remains of our people in my stead.”

“You said he’s had visions, right? How much does he remember?”

Yaroslav sighed with exasperation, “You’ll have to figure that out yourself. The boy doesn’t like talking about them. Now, I have people to tend to. People who, as I have said, will not fight with you.”

With that, Yaroslav and the survivors of Taya’s village left her and her party to their own devices.

Taya scoffed, “Alright, well I’m going to see what the rules are on forming a warband before I get kicked out for something stupid. There’s got to be some people here willing to fight. Anyone wanna come with?”

“I need to...figure out what happened to my home,” Bjorn said solemnly.

“I’ll go with Bjorn,” Cecile said. “A lot of people here look like they need medical attention without the Plague.”

“They already have doctors for that,” Bjorn frowned.

Cecile sighed, “I myself have never heard of any intention to invade Ascomarch, so I want to figure out what exactly happened. Plus I think you could use the company.”

“Then I’ll go with you, Taya,” Ruhak said. “I believe you can officially sanction a warband with the Koini guild system. It’ll stop other groups not affiliated with the Nikan from seeing us as a threat. You’ll want me there.”

“Um...” Peng muttered, looking about his surroundings, “I’m getting a lot of looks right now. Could I go with you two-” Peng stopped himself, recalling the death glare that Taya had given him.

“I don’t blame you, Peng,” Taya said. “Sorry if I made you feel that way. You can come with us.”

“Thanks,” Peng muttered. “Also, am I still a prisoner? I’m not very wild about being a captive, but I also have nowhere to go.”

Taya looked at Bjorn, “You captured him. What do you say?”

The Ascommani shrugged, “He’s done nothing but help us so far. How about...a probation. You’re not a prisoner, but we’re still gonna keep an eye on you for the time being.”

“So we’re officially a group now?” Ruhak asked.

“Look, we can talk it over later and see what people want to do.” Bjorn said, “I need to investigate this whole thing with Sarfait.”

With her village gone, Taya was hoping they would join her. While she hotly desired revenge currently, no matter the reason was, she could lead a warband of Shedim Masters against the Nikan. Shedim Masters would start facing terrible atrocities like those that happened to her village if this continued. So long as she was alive, Taya refused to allow that to happen.

Yes. That sounded like a good purpose.

The aggression the Nikan were showing...well, Taya didn’t want to call it a sign, but it was too much of a coincidence.