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  "We need the king's help," says another, one of the militiaman adjacent to Kant. "King Aethelgar needs to be notified at once so that he can send troops to aid us!"

  The general tone of the meeting begins to escalate as more people start voicing their opinions. Nightingales balk at the suggestion that the king should be involved, while others denounce the rebels as traitors to the crown. One of women in attendance even begins to weep, declaring that if the demons return to Forest Hill we are all doomed.

  I watch as Evoker Roth stands up, his dour expression darkening as the arguments get even louder.

  "Silence!" He shouts, and I can tell from the shiver that goes down my spine that he is pulling in source energy. His whole frame seems to shimmer with power.

  The tent immediately goes deathly quiet. All eyes are on the mage.

  "We must cease this useless bickering at once," Roth states, his voice firm and resolute. "We are all on the same side here, whether we like it or not." He fixes Barus with a meaningful expression before continuing.

  "Now that the immediate threat has been dealt with, we have but one logical course of action," he says, remaining standing. "We must carry word of this to Tarsys, and inform the Conclave of what we are up against. We have already sent several messengers to the city, but have not heard back from them in some time. Someone, or something, must have intercepted them. We must return there ourselves and speak with the Circle in person – they are the only ones with the power to repair the Arc if it is damaged."

  I look over to see Elias nodding his head in approval. It is strange to see him so obviously in agreement with a mage.

  "That's all well and good," Barus speaks up, stroking his great black beard with a gloved hand, "but what about us? The Nightingales are not exactly on the friendliest of terms with the Conclave."

  "Indeed," Roth replies solemnly. "Which is why you and your men must go to Dunmar City and inform your rebel king about the demons."

  I watch out of the corner of my eye as Owyn perks up at Roth's words. Mention of the secret Nightingale city seems to spark an interest with the ranger's apprentice.

  Barus frowns darkly at the standing mage. "Dunmar City is no concern of yours, mage. And neither are the affairs of our Protector, Xander Thel. The Nightingales have no king."

  Roth seems completely unfazed by the Nightingale's tone. "I meant no offense by my words, general, but I assure you that this is the only way. Your people will need to know just how great the threat is so that they can prepare themselves. Only then, when we stand together, can we hope to defend ourselves against the might of the R'Laar."

  Now everyone around the table seems to be considering his words, several nodding in agreement.

  "And what of the people of Forest Hill?" Asks the same old woman as before. "With the mages and the Nightingales gone, how will we be able to defend ourselves?"

  "We will request that the crown send some knights to garrison in the Emberwood," responds Roth. "But in the meantime, you should focus on rebuilding. Expand your militia as much as you can and build up the town's defenses. That should be sufficient until help is able to arrive."

  "Who will be returning to the city?" I ask, drawing all in the eyes in the room to me.

  "The rest of the mages, including yourself, will need to return and report," he says flatly. "I would also request that the rangers come as well. Your intimate knowledge of the area could provide some valuable insight in the decisions that will have to be made."

  Elias and Owyn look at each other briefly before the elder ranger turns and nods his acquiescence. "That would probably be for the best."

  Governor Prior speaks up as Evoker Roth sits back down. "It is settled then," he declares, wiping his upper lip with his handkerchief. "Tomorrow, the mages and the rangers will return to Tarsys and the Nightingales will depart as well. We will continue to rebuild Forest Hill while we wait for reinforcements to arrive."

  Those in attendance begin to get up and leave the tent, putting their heads together in hushed conversation. I am barely able to make out the next words the governor says, as he mutters them under his breath.

  "Light, help us all."

  Chapter Three

  Owyn

  A whirlwind of emotions stirs within me as the meetings ends.

  Tarsys? I think as I push myself out of my seat. They want me to travel to the capital city and work with the mages of the Conclave? I can’t tell if the thought fills me with excitement or dread. Probably a little bit of both, I conclude, rushing over to speak with Zara as she exits the tent.

  But it feels like the dread is winning.

  “It seems that we will be traveling to Tarsys together,” I say as we step out into the morning light.

  “It looks that way,” she replies with a smile, her teeth a radiant pearly white.

  For a moment I am taken slightly aback by that smile, the sun illuminating her and allowing me to see her clearly for the first time today. Light! I think to myself, trying unsuccessfully to wipe the stupid look from my face. She looks absolutely beautiful. Has she always looked that way?

  She raises an eyebrow at me, no doubt wondering why I am staring at her. I avert my eyes, cheeks growing hot as I silently berate myself. Idiot. “I mean... it’s going to be a big change from living in the Emberwood. I’ve never been to a big city before.”

  Nice save.

  Zara lets out a laugh and I give her a self-deprecating smile.

  “I think you are going to be in for quite the surprise, bumpkin,” she says wryly. “There is nothing quite like Tarsys in the entire kingdom. I’ll have to show you around when we arrive.”

  "I'd like that," I reply, falling into an easy rhythm walking beside her.

  An amiable silence settles between us, yet there is no awkwardness. We make our way down the hill, glancing at the townsfolk as they go about their daily chores of tending the animals, sawing timber, carrying water, and rebuilding their lives.

  She and I have come a long way since we last met all those weeks ago. I'll admit that when I first met Zara I didn't much care for her. She was snooty and somewhat condescending, but worst of all she was a mage. I had always been taught that mages were tricksters and manipulators, scheming in their towers and trying to conceive of ways to oppress the little people. But all the prejudices about mages

  melted away as our friendship grew, turning us into an unlikely companionship in the middle of a terrible mess.

  Truth be told, I've grown rather fond of her over the past several weeks.

  "I meant to ask you," she says after a while, breaking our silence. "How did your hunt go?"

  "It went well enough," I respond, trying to feign nonchalance. "Nothing too exciting."

  "From what Elias said in the meeting, you managed to track down some demons." She glances over at me with a small smile. "I'd say that was exciting."

  I shrug my shoulders, trying to play it off like it is no big deal. "It was just one demon. A gorgon. We were able to bring him down before he could seriously hurt anyone so... not too exciting."

  She stares at me for a moment before rolling her eyes, but she gives me a good-natured grin as well. "Oh, Owyn," she says breathlessly.

  "What?" I ask defensively.

  She shakes her head and laughs, a musical sound that brings a smile to my lips despite my best efforts to emulate Elias. "Two weeks ago, few people in Tarsynium even believed that demons existed. Nobody had seen one in over a thousand years. Now, you act like fighting one in the forest is something inconsequential."

  I give her a quizzical look, clearly not understanding.

  "I don't know," she continues, shaking her head again. "I guess that I'm just surprised. It seems like we shouldn't be used to the presence of demons inside the kingdom. It has only been a few weeks since the attack, and yet now the sight of a gorgon in the Emberwood doesn't cause any panic." She pauses for a moment, then adds, "It's sad, really."

  "Yeah," I agree, though in truth I have no idea wh
at she is talking about. Why does any of this surprise her? After having seen what we've seen, nothing should surprise us. We fought a bloody army of those things!

  She sighs, and together we walk past a pair of youths corralling some sheep into a pen. "I'll admit, I'm excited to be going back to Tarsys. It's been my home for the last five years. Though, at the same time, I am sorry to be leaving the Emberwood. There is something... special about this place."

  "The people here are good, honest folk," I agree, watching as some children play with a furry black dog. "And the lines between nature and civilization are blurred at best. It's the perfect place to be a ranger." For some reason that last bit sounded a little mournful, though I didn't mean for it to be. I open my mouth to say something more, though the words escape me.

  Zara stops walking and regards me for a moment, her big, brown eyes boring deep into my soul. "I'm glad that you are coming with me, Owyn," she says softly, and for a second I find myself glancing down at her lips.

  Light – focus, Owyn!

  "It must be hard for you to leave Forest Hill. It has been your home. You've trained here, lived with the people." She takes a step forward and takes my hand. Her fingers are delicate, her skin softer than velvet. I can feel my heart beating faster. "I just want you to know that I am happy that I do not yet have to say goodbye to you."

  I clear my throat and nod, trying to think of what to say. I was lying to myself about things not being awkward between us, I think as I rack my brain for words – any words that I can offer in response. Eventually, it feels like an eternity later, I manage to get out the words, "Yeah, me too."

  Eloquent.

  Her smile falters as she realizes that she is still holding my hand. She lets go and takes a step back, her cheeks growing rosy. "Anyway," she says, looking away, "I should probably get going. I have a few things I have to take care of before we leave for Tarsys." She looks up at the governor's mansion, then back at me, the corner of her mouth turning up. "I'll see you around, Owyn."

  I return her smile with one of my own. "See you around, Zara."

  She hurriedly makes her way up the hill, and for a minute I watch her go. What happened there between us? Was there a connection between us, or was that just me? She did reach out and grab my hand after all.

  Shaking my head to clear it of thoughts of Zara, I turn and begin making my way to the town's inn, which has been my and Elias' home for the past several months leading up to the attack on Forest Hill. The thatch roofed, two-story building is built about halfway up the hill, and is one of the largest buildings in the town. Innkeeper Ellis and his wife have become like a second family to me, taking care of Elias and I as we reside with them.

  I approach the inn door at an easy gait, deep in thought about travelling to Tarsys and what it will be like working with the Conclave. I push open the door and step inside the warmly lit common room.

  The smell of freshly baked bread immediately fills my nostrils, the heat from the hearth enveloping me like a warm blanket. As I gaze around the wide room with its wooden tables and polished floor, I feel more at ease, momentarily forgetting about the troubles that have plagued me of late. It looks just as it always had, warm and inviting, bearing none of the scars from the fight that had nearly destroyed it weeks ago.

  Several of the hunters I had traveled with sit around one of the tables, drinking ale and talking about their recent exploits, but otherwise the common room is empty. They look up as I enter and raise their drinks to me, welcoming me to sit at their table.

  I politely decline, stating that I need some rest before heading up the stairs to my room. James Ellis stands behind the bar cleaning a glass, and he nods at me as I walk by, a look of respect in his eye.

  While it was the people of Forest Hill who fought to defend their homes, it was us and the mages who rallied them so that they were able to defeat the demon Moloch and his horde. To them we are heroes, warriors who helped save their town.

  Funny how that respect makes me feel like an imposter. I'm still the same person I was a month ago. I'm still just the ranger's apprentice.

  I climb the stairs, still deep in thought, and round the corner to my bedroom, but I am surprised to see that I have a visitor waiting for me inside.

  Elias Keen, my master, turns to look at me as I enter, his stern face as chiseled and stony as ever, grey eyes watching me like a wolf. He is still wearing his leathers and his mottled green ranger cloak, suggesting that he has not yet taken any time to rest himself, and his ever-present belt knife hangs from his belt, as well as longbow which is slung on his shoulder.

  "Master?" I ask, my voice full of surprise. "What are you doing here?"

  "I came to speak with you," he says gruffly, shifting his weight and putting a hand on the handle of his belt knife. "Do you have a minute to talk?"

  "Of course," I reply, stepping into the room and closing the door behind me. Out of habit I move to shrug out of my cloak, but I stop myself once I remember that I am in the presence of my master. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, I clear my throat. "What can I do for you?"

  Elias hesitates, as if searching for the right words to say, before answering. "It's about the meeting earlier," he replies, his cold, slate eyes looking away from me as he glances out the window. "About the mage's decision to go to Tarsys."

  "Yes," I say heavily, moving to go sit on my bed. "I've been thinking about that as well. It's going to be a big change, moving to the city. But if it is going to help in the fight against the demons, it will be worth it."

  Elias grimaces at my words, as if he is unsure about what to say next. I don’t think I have ever seen him like this before. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about, lad," he says, shifting again. "I think that it is the right move, taking this information to the mages. But I will not be able to go with you to Tarsys. You will have to go alone."

  My eyebrows shoot up and for a moment, I am completely stunned. Elias is not accompanying me to Tarsys? How can this be? When I finally find my voice, all I can get out is, "You're not coming with me?"

  Elias nods his head sadly, but his expression is resolute. "I'm afraid so. There are certain things that I must do, and time is of the essence." The way he says the word things sounds cryptic, but right now all I can think about is splitting paths with my teacher and friend.

  "Is... is this even allowed? I'm your apprentice!"

  "I understand that," Elias responds, his demeanor becoming unreadable and stoic once again. "But the invasion of these demons changes things. It is uncommon for a ranger to leave his apprentice, but it is not unheard of. In times of duress, a ranger can choose to leave his apprentice for a short time if he deems the apprentice capable enough to fend for himself."

  He crosses the room with his typical predatory grace and places a hand on my shoulder. "I do believe that you are capable, Owyn. I am proud of the ranger you have become."

  Once again, I am shocked by his words. Never before has he so overtly complimented me. I am equally surprised, and ashamed, of the sudden tears I feel welling up in my eyes. Don't cry, Owyn, I think to myself, blinking furiously. Be a man.

  "But, master – why?"

  Elias locks eyes with me and for a moment, I am held by his steely gaze. "There are some things that a man must do to ensure that he does his duty to the realm." His voice is as hard and sharp as a sword, but there is no malice in it. His tone is mentoring. "I cannot tell you all things now, but I am going to have to ask you to trust me. I will not be gone for long, and we will continue your training when I return."

  Swallowing the lump in my throat I nod, trying with much difficulty to appear strong.

  "Represent the rangers well at the Conclave," he says after a moment, removing his hand from my shoulder and taking a step back. "Tarsys is a place of politics and schemes. Remain vigilant so that you are not swept up in their foolish games. The demons are the true enemies here, not the mages, not the bureaucrats, and not even the Nightingales. Remember your duty, and a
bove all, remember the Oath."

  I nod my head again, and huskily reply, "Yes, master."

  Elias turns and makes his way to the door, but before he leaves he looks over his shoulder at me, the hard lines around his eyes softening somewhat. "Goodbye, Owyn. I shall come and find you soon."

  And with that he steps out into the hall, leaving me alone in my room with nothing but my turbulent emotions to keep me company.

  Chapter Four

  Zara

  “When we arrive at the Conclave, I will submit your name to the High Magus to have you raised.”

  I can feel my heart skip a beat at Evoker Roth’s words.

  “Thank you, Magus,” I reply, doing my best to show him deference. I bow my head and lower my eyes, but I have a difficult time keeping the pride from my voice.

  “None of that, Initiate,” Roth says with his usual haughty sternness. “We saw how you conducted yourself at the Battle of Forest Hill. We all heard the Arch-magister’s final wish. The time has come for you to be officially raised to full mage, and we will waste no time making sure that it is taken care of.”

  I lift my head and make eye contact with the elder mage. He is tall and bony; the blue mage robes he wears draping his body like a shroud covering a skeleton. Yet beneath his rigid exterior I can see him for who he truly is – a devoted servant of the Conclave who has grown to respect me, despite my young age.

  Nodding my head, I make sure to change the subject. “What preparations need to be made before we leave for Tarsys?”

  Roth pauses, considering. Both of us are standing in the empty study of the governor’s mansion. Although the door is open, none of the bustling servants bother us as we discuss our plans. After a moment, he responds. “There are far fewer mages with us now than when we arrived. Our excess provisions should be turned over to the people of Forest Hill. We should also consider bringing some sort of proof to the Conclave to support our claims of a demonic invasion. There will no doubt be those who doubt our story despite the number of witnesses.”