Wings of Forgotten Warriors: Titans of War

Chapter III

The three sat in silence. It had been a few minutes since they had made their way back to the Rusty Tankard. They had settled things with the dwarven woman, and Lyle was 10 gold pieces richer. Lyndall had made more tea, and to their surprise, Aegis seemed to prefer the tea over ale. He noticed that there was a small scar next to her right eye. Another, seemingly much larger and slightly fresher, traced the back of her left hand. He caught a glimpse of a fading burn on the side of her neck before Aegis caught him staring at her. He quickly cleared his throat and averted his gaze.

"What do you want?" She finally spoke up. The silence resumed for a few minutes.

"I don't bite," She said, "most of the time." Lyle saw a strange kindness an humor behind her rough features.

"We are looking for this." Lyndall pulled a folded piece of parchment from his pocket. It held the drawing of a coin-like object. Words were carved around the circular object, but in a language neither of them could read. The center held the seal of olympus. A single pillar atop a towering mountain.

"We're not quite sure what it is really called, though a reference of ours refers to it as the Salus. Supposedly, it was made by the Olympians during the second Titanomachy." Lyndall explained. Aegis was very familiar with what he spoke of. She herself had witnessed part of the second Titanomachy. The rise of the titans, breaking free from the chains the Olympian gods had placed on them to keep from ravaging the world.

"What makes this Salus so special? Why are you after it?" Aegis questioned.

"We've learned that it has the power to break curses and heal wounds. Imagine the good that could come from this!" He exclaimed, though keeping his voice low.

"Imagine what would happen if it fell into the wrong hands." Aegis replied.

"Don't you think the benefits outweigh the risks? Imagine how many people this could help. Especially in the coming winters. There's not much we alone can do about starvation, but what about diseases? Illnesses that come with the cold? How many good soldiers have been lost to wars and conflicts that make no sense?" He placed one hand atop the paper, as if to emphasize its importance. Aegis' gaze shifted from Lyndall to Lyle, as if trying to spot the similarities between the two.

"Fine. I have nothing else to do with my time, and I'm getting tired of this place." She agreed. The brothers both smiled.

"However," she leaned closer, her expression suddenly growing dark and grim, "if I am tricked, played, or stabbed in the back for any reason caused by your hands, you will no longer have hands to hold any daggers of betrayal ever again."

"We wouldn't. What makes you think so?" Lyndall asked, as slight uneasiness in his voice.

"I'd like to think you wouldn't. But I've had my fair share of enemies once thought of as friends. I don't intend to have any more." She explained. Lyle and Lyndall both nodded. They moved to get up, but Aegis gestured for them to stay.

"Hold on. I can tell you want this Salus for more reasons than just to help the people. What's your motivation?" Her eyes seemed to pry into them like a shovel making its way deeper into the dirt.

"A curse was placed upon," Lyndall hesitated for a moment, "a friend." He finished. Aegis knew he was keeping something from her, but she didn't pry. She of all people understood the value and sensitivity of a secret.

"So where would we find this exactly?" Aegis asked.

"We don't know. But we know someone who does. We're going to see them tomorrow." Lyndall explained. Aegis nodded, asking one final question before leaving her seat.

"Does he speak for you?" She asked Lyle, gesturing to Lyndall.

I speak for myself. But he can speak out loud. A luxury I do not have. Lyle signed. Aegis nodded. He was a bit surprised she understood, requiring no translation. Sensing his confusion, she elaborated.

"I had a friend with a similar situation." She clarified.

"So, can we meet here tomorrow morning?" Lyndall asked. Aegis nodded before departing. For someone so tall and burly, her footsteps seemed light as a feather and silent as a mouse.

Later that evening, Aegis lay wide awake. When she had agreed to work with those two, she had told them she had nothing better to do. She told no lie, though she didn't entirely tell the truth either. Her thoughts drifted back in time, picturing the image of a woman in a dark red mantel. Her short black hair seemed to float as she held her hands in front of her, a strange light forming in her palms. With a sudden fury, she clapped her hands together, sending the ball of light speeding forward. As it met its target, a sudden burst of flame shot forth as an explosion erupted from the impact. The figure's face was blurred, but she could recall the flames as clear as day.

Instinctively, her hand brushed against the burn across her neck. She had removed her armor and weapons, but kept the swordbreaker within arms length beneath the pillow. Hidden beneath her brown tunic, the burn snaked from her neck to her bicep, and part way across her clavicle. She rolled onto her side, trying to shove the memory out of her mind. She knew she would never forget it. She didn't want to forget it, but she also knew the feeling of being consumed by obsession and revenge, and would much rather die than willingly traverse that path again. Taking a slow deep breath, Aegis willed herself to rest. She allowed sleep to come to her. She closed her eyes, but kept her ears wide open.

The only source of light beneath the darkened sky was the bright moon glistening above. Lyndall was still sitting up in bed. Two small orbs of light drifted before him as he held a book in his lap. He kept the light dimmed, not wanting to disturb Lyle. When he listened closely, he could hear his soft gentle breathing. Ever since Lyndall had discovered the Salus, he began studying magic and the arcane much more. He learned more spells that he hoped would help and protect them along the way. He was determined to free Lyle of his curse. The curse placed upon his brother because of his own foolish actions. Lyle often reminded him that it wasn't his fault, but Lyndall never let go of any of his guilt. He shook himself out of his daze and buried himself back into his book.

He was unaware that Lyle was still awake beside him. Lyle wanted nothing more than his little brother's safety. Not only had he promised their mother, but he had promised himself as well. It knew it wasn't Lyndall's fault for the curse that weighed on his shoulders, but he also knew that Lyndall would never stop until he was free of it. He would give anything to free him. That scared him the most.