Aftermath

Chapter 11: Can You Hide What You Don't Know?

Senn and Hubris speak to Master Aurelius in Nestoria in an attempt to discover the whereabouts of the Aggressium Prime Song, but it seems the old Master has a different story to tell and Senn isn't so sure that he wants to hear it; certainly not so soon...

Author's note: okay I flopped - there is no chapter art for this one because I drew a blank (pun not intended, I swear). I just couldn't think of anything XD

Zirian Nestoris belongs to one of my co-writers, Joe; and Aria Nestoris belongs to my other co-writer, Alli. turns out, "Aria Nestoris" is a common OC name XD

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Senn and Hubris arrived in Nestoria not too long after dawn had fully broken along the horizon and the Nestoris crowds were already beginning to go about their days. It had been a long time since Hubris had been in Nestoria and so seeing everything in motion was unusual to him. He had spent so much time in Ataraxia that he had forgotten what it was like to be back in the Ardoni territories, and a strange feeling overwhelmed him.

The two Ardoni dismounted their horses and left them at the stables just outside of the woodland area and began trudging along the shoreline, admiring all the fishers as they waited patiently for the waters to bring them good tides and good luck, while the families watched as their children ran rampant along the coast, occasionally splashing water at each other with their feet. Senn laughed at the children as they reminded him of himself and Ria when they were younger and would run around splashing each other in the ponds of their village in Sendaria. There wasn't much difference between the clans, after all.

He missed those days – when the world seemed so big, yet to be explored, not saved, and they had not a care.

Hubris could see Senn looking around in wonderment and he chuckled. A clanless Ardoni who had grown up in such a sheltered life but was lucky enough to have been in the presence of Thalleous Sendaris many times. How he wondered what more surprises Senn could offer.

They both passed by several huts of Nestoris elders looking on at life around them, but they were yet to find Master Aurelius – the only person close enough to Thalleous who may have a slight clue as to where the Aggressium Prime may have gone.

Master Aurelius was not like Master Aegus. Aegus Nestoris liked to live in the huts that lined the shore along with the rest of the Nestoris crowd. His was the last one before the border between Nestoria and Northwind, untouched for decades. Master Aurelius had learned from previous mistakes and knew not to take such risks living amongst the rest of the clan so openly. Instead, he lived in a small network of caves on the last cliff face before the icy waters of Northwind, aside from the rest of the residences. The Masters were advised to find safer living spaces after the Deathsinger attacked so that, if they were targeted again, they were hidden, and if they were found, they were away from the innocents of their clans.

Aurelius did not live alone. His daughter, Aria, and her partner, Zirian also lived in the cave with him. Aurelius was older than a lot of the Ardoni still around and so it was not uncommon for him to need some assistance in life and Aria was often around when he needed her.

On finding the entrance to Aurelius' cave, Senn and Hubris were immediately greeted by Aria as she halted them in their tracks by holding her hands out to push them back.

"Woah there," she said loudly. "Master Aurelius isn't seeing anyone today. Come back another time." Aria folded her arms and stood in the middle of the cave entrance so as not to let either of them pass through.

Senn and Hubris exchanged worried looks.

"Oh, uh, we really can't wait..." Senn stumbled, worried about what the delay could mean.