“Christol! Wake up! We’re almost there!” Flim’s voice brought Christol out from his deep slumber, and without opening his eyes, grumbled in response.

It had been a long trip from Halden, but alas, the deed was done there. Malrik had told them that he was the lone survivor of the Black Army soldiers, and Haldore had changed his posting. After Malrik had let them go, he had vanished without a trace, without a noise, leaving nothing but a slow falling leaf in his place.

Artuck had suggested moving onwards, as their journey was far from over. After having witnessed the deaths of so many men, Christol just wanted to lie down and cry. However, there was more work to be done, so his mental breakdown would have to wait. The group thought moving forwards was a good idea, but Mitrax said that they'd need supplies to get to the next town, so the group bought more supplies than they’d ever use.

A wagon, pulled by two horses, a ton of extra clothes, more food than a whole army would ever be able to eat, tents, sleeping pads, with blankets, and legitimate weapons for Flim and Christol. Flim had bought a rapier, saying that stabbing an enemy was the quickest way to end them. Christol had gone for a shortsword that doubled as a cane. He thought the cane would not only be practical, but would make him devoid of suspicion. 

After getting everything together, Flim and Christol said goodbye to the only town they’d lived in their whole life, and they piled on the wagon, with Artuck driving it, Mitrax keeping him company.

The first day was uneventful. Christol, Flim, and Cruu played cards for most of it, taking breaks here and there to share stories from their childhood, and Cruu’s fights. Flim had to teach Cruu the gambler’s game, though they didn’t use money. Christol mentioned that the gold each person holds on to is technically part of the group’s total funds, and the other two agreed. When it came time to rest, Artuck kept watch as everyone else slept.

The second day saw some travelers, just heading to Halden to visit family or merchants trying to make a buck. Christol went and sat with Artuck on the second day. Artuck shared stories of Haldore’s War those two hundred some years ago. Artuck told Christol a little bit more about Himrol.

“Himrol is one of the strongest sorcerers in the land, second only to Haldore. At least, in my opinion. I watched Himrol destroy entire battalions of soldiers all on his own, in a fury that makes even Haldore’s anger seem mild. I hope we can enlist his help. A powerful one such as him would be very useful! Teach you and me some magic, show us how it’s done, you know.” Artuck sounded very excited as he talked about Himrol. Artuck was smiling one of those genuine smiles, one of pure happiness and innocence, though Christol knew this man had been through far worse than most of those who lived in Alteran. And he had been one of the lucky ones to survive.

“You know, Christol, Himrol and I were very good friends back then. When he learned of Haldore’s ambitions, Himrol took us in and taught us everything. I learned magics, and strategy, whereas Percel was taught how to deliver true attacks, as well as willpower. Totto learned what a good defense looks like, and Marll was shown how to blend in with his surroundings. Krim learned how to become a master of stealth, though clearly it wasn’t enough…” Artuck’s voice trailed off as he finished his sentence, and Christol could sense the pain in Artuck’s voice as he spoke. Christol gently rested a hand on Artuck’s shoulder.

“At least you are here, with us, Artuck. You are the living embodiment of  everything you and your brothers stood up for. A beacon of hope for the people. And you have friends now to help you with this purpose. After all, we all have our reasons to take down Haldore. For you, it’s just… extremely personal. And we’ll help you all the way, even in death.” Christol smiled kindly at Artuck.

I hope you know that, Artuck. There’s a reason why you’re still here. With the power Haldore wields, and with the information we learned from Malrik, Haldore could’ve killed you at any point. But he didn’t. So use that opportunity to prove him wrong. To show him that letting you live was his greatest mistake! And when we meet Himrol, hopefully we’ll have more allies to help us on our journey.

“Thanks, Christol. I… I think I needed that. I will not allow Haldore to wipe the memory of my brothers from this world. Their heroism deserves to be remembered.” Artuck gave a knowing nod to Christol, who was smiling, and Christol took back his hand.

That night, Christol volunteered to keep watch while the group slept. As everyone was sleeping, Christol could hear a voice in the gentle wind.

“Christollllll,” the wind whispered, the sound enveloping him as he began to frantically look about.

“Who’s there?” Christol asked, scared, pulling his shortsword out of the cane’s sheath, and holding it in both of his hands in front of him.

“No need to fear, Christolllll. Your fate was sealed the moment you joined Artuck.” The raspy voice in the wind sounded clearer as Christol looked up to the sky.

“You and your brother both. You two shall die a horrible death. But not tonight. But perhaps… With a little magic, and a lot of luck, maybe you can turn back time and change your fate, Christol. You have been warned. Just know that time stands still for no one, man or god.” Christol stood there as the wind finished whispering to him.

What the hell was that? I’m genuinely scared though. Was that a riddle? A puzzle of some kind? With a little magic… Apparently I can use magic. Maybe I just need to learn more, and I’ll know the answer to that part. Turn back time and change your fate? Maybe that refers to a life or death situation. One in which I die. Oh gods, I don’t wanna die. Eh, whatever, I’m gonna write this down to figure it out later. Christol took a parchment and an ink pen out of his knapsack and wrote down what the voice said, to the best of his memory. After that, Christol stood there the rest of the night, sword in hand, ready to strike anything that moved so as much moved.

In the morning, Christol was very tired. Mitrax was the first to wake up, and the first to say something. He had no sooner left his tent before his eyes widened upon seeing Christol.

“Geez, Christol. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. And you’ve got quite the bags under your eyes. You wanna rest today?” Christol smiled weakly at the dragon before nodding slightly.

“Alright, I’ll inform Artuck. From what he told me, this should be the last day on our trek to Scolt.”

Scolt. I’ve only ever heard of that place. Tiny town, it is. Nothing but farmers, and a couple businesses, like an Inn for weary travelers such as ourselves. Also I’ve heard their leadership is corrupt, and has allowed the Black Army to move in there.

Artuck was the next to emerge, fully dressed and pulled together and eating something. When he saw Christol, he put up a finger as if to say ‘One moment’ before retreating to his tent and emerging a moment later with a vial of something blue-ish in color and shining in the rising sunlight..

“Here, Christol. Drink this. I know what you experienced. Happened to me last night too. Clearly though, it affected you quite a bit.” Christol took the vial and downed it without a second thought of what might happen. A moment later, Christol felt lighter and happier.

“Those pesky bags are gone,” Mitrax said, unable to contain his excitement. He was clearly impressed by Artuck’s abilities. Artuck simply smirked and gave Mitrax a humorous wink before fetching his supplies.

After everyone woke up, and they gathered their supplies, they all climbed onto the wagon, and not even ten minutes after they had left, Christol had fallen asleep.

___

“Christol! Wake up! We’re almost there!” Flim shook Christol gently as he spoke, but it was Flim’s voice that had pulled him out of his deep slumber. Christol sat up and rubbed his eyes, and as he opened them, Flim pointed in the direction of the town.

“That way.” Christol turned and saw the small town. Cruu had taken the front seat with Artuck today, and just beyond them was Scolt. A truly small town, Christol could count the buildings there. There were seven in total, one of them clearly larger than the others. Farms surrounded the town, as far as the eye could see, with a tree line way far away, sitting just at the horizon. The simple dirt road they were on went straight through the town and kept going. The hills and light forestry were nothing compared to what lay at the other side of Scolt. Those are some massive trees! Is that Pointe’s Forest? Christol and the group waited excitedly as they approached the new town.

As they approached the buildings, Christol began to make out eight people standing on the dirt road, clad in that black armor.

“Halt!” One of them shouted. Artuck groaned as he brought the cart to a stop in front of them.

“Your purpose, please.” The soldier said, flatly.

“Cruu would like to just pass through this town.” Artuck nodded in agreement. The soldier chuckled at the goblin.

“Ha. It must’ve felt really good to kill, huh? Well, Haldore has issued a bounty for you all. And Malrik has asked us to capture you bunch. So I will ask that you come quickly and quietly. Or this will end very messy.” As the guard stopped talking, he folded his arms and smirked, and suddenly, as Christol looked around, he realized they were surrounded by more soldiers than they could deal with.

Artuck groaned as he hopped off the wagon, and Cruu followed. Mitrax lumbered his way off the wagon, with Flim and Christol just behind him.

The soldiers quickly bound each of them, and put a muzzle on Mitrax’s snout.

“Well, here’s a lovely family reunion. And so soon, too!” Malrik appeared from behind one of the soldiers and began to study the group.

“Well, as you know, Haldore has released his ‘no kill’ policy for you guys, but he does want you alive. And I just so happen to have the means, and the people to do so. So now, you all will get to spend the night with me while we wait for Haldore! Won’t that be fun? Won’t it be exciting? Well, chop chop! Guards, take these guys and bind them inside of the building.” 

The soldiers stepped forwards and grabbed them and began to lead them to one of the smaller buildings. Looked to be no more than a single room large from the outside, and sure enough, the moment they stepped inside, it was just the one room. The soldiers bound them to the pillars in the room, and put Artuck inside a metal cage in one corner of the room.

As they finished binding the group, the guards exited the building, and Malrik entered it, dusting himself off.

“Ahh, what a lovely day to catch some rebels. Surely Haldore will reward me something great from all of this, too.” Malrik walked to the opposite side of the room and sat down behind a desk, the metal cage next to it.

“Surely you must’ve seen this one coming, Artuck, my friend.” Artuck simply growled at Malrik.

“Ah, oh well. I guess that leaves one thing left.” Malrik took out a parchment and ink pen and began to write a letter. As he finished, Malrik took the letter and tossed it in the air, and it immediately disappeared.

“Now, my friends, we wait.”