We enter the Grand Tree, thankful that it's not ablaze. But something immediately stands out. It's empty. The survivors that we hoped to see were nowhere to be seen. "Empty, huh...? Just what the hell is going on here? Ulric said, irritated.
Valessa walks around in astonishment, " I can't believe what I'm seeing right now. Where are all the villagers...? There must be something here!"
Ulric stepped forward, his brows furrowed, "Something like what...?
"Ulric the Triumvirate are burning down Valinorth They seem to believe that we're caught up with the rebels. Thinking that there's no evidence? That's stupid."
She starts to pace around the Grand Tree mumbling. I can tell she's searching for something, but I just don't know what. I look at Ulric and he shrugs, just as uncertain as me. "Look, maybe Mylus left something behind for us, right? There's no survivors so we're back to evidence."
Ulric sighs and starts looking around as well. Whatever it is that Valessa wants us to find, hopefully, it's here. "None of this is helping, Valessa! It's a tree. Nothing more nothing less. Ulric shouted.
"No, there must be something here! Come on, Seeress, give us a hand!" Valessa shouted and waved me over. Great...now I have to help? I don't know why, but I have a strong feeling that I should've stayed in bed today.
Suddenly as we were looking, a gust of wind blew some leaves up onto the altar in the Grand Tree. I climb a staircase up to the altar and a little brown, leatherback book laid on the altar, its pages spread open. At first glance, it looks completely unimportant, but I flip through the pages and then I realize. There's a small piece of paper between a few pages. It was important enough to hide, so I quickly read the contents.
Mylus's Notes
Recently, The Rebel Alliance has reached out to me. At first, I pushed them away, thinking them little more than a rogue group of bandits. But they said they knew the truth about my father. How could they know?
In my situation, it was hard to resist temptation. I had to ask them exactly what they knew. The truth shocked me, and I yet to tell anybody except the Great god. I might take it to my grave.
It's not the truth I expected, but it did shake me to my core. My Father was in the middle of a very important task, As his Son, I felt that it was my duty to finish it.
I have no hatred for the Triumvirate, this is simply a matter of family ties. Were anybody else posed with such a situation, I doubt their actions would differ from mine.
It doesn't seem too difficult either. They've given me a blade and tasked me with protecting it. In the next little while, they will send an envoy to pick it up.
At this point, I am to send someone special with them. I must keep their name a secret so nobody finds out.
This envoy, however, will be coming any day. I can't wait to meet him. I've been told that he knew my Father, and he would have all manner of stories to tell.
End
...Hold on, wait a minute, The rebels contacted Mylus? I've got to tell Valessa and Ulric, "Hey guys! I think y'all might wanna come see this!"
They come over to see what I found and Ulric seems a little anxious. So Mylus was working with the Rebellion! Apparently, he was sheltering a blade...? Could that be why they attacked us?" Valessa questioned.
"Doing all of this for a blade? Let's be realistic, Valessa." Ulric shouted.
I look around, "Must've been very important. I don't see any blades lying around."
Valessa nodded in agreement "And what about this 'special person'? Ulric, why did you lie to us?"
It's true. Anybody would've figured it out by now. He seems to admit defeat and closes his eyes. Almost like he didn't want to see us as he spoke, "We didn't think you'd come if you knew. I tried to hide it, but I guess there's no point now. After seeing this attack– I need to request your help. This is the first village they'll raze. They're after something much bigger. That's why you wanted to come here, right?"
Valessa sighed, "Yeah, you're right. There's little time to argue, and nowhere else to go. It looks like you got what you needed, Ulric, Let's get back to Town Square. We'll exit the village through Main Street."
We nod and make our way out of the Grand Tree. I smile softly, as the knowledge would be invaluable. We had probable cause of the attack and knew Mylus's involvement. As soon as I wake up, I'd have everything I needed to help Valinorth.
YOU ARE READING
Winds of Change,
Fanfiction"Come on, pick up the pace! If we waste any more time here we won't it out alive!" "Our supposed protectors. I have no idea why they'd want to do this to us." "Does Valinorth have anything that The Triumvirate would want?" "The rebels are hiding so...
