The Dreaming Land

Chapter 2: Home Sweet Home

The girl had led Orius back to the pier, where they'd first encountered each other. The battle they'd fought with the guards had already been cleared, and there was hardly a trace left of it. No one would even know four men died there the night before just by looking. A fog had rolled in off the sea, shrouding the pier in a misty veil. Orius could see an odd looking ship from Lanitia, the land across the sea, tied to a dock. It must have been the ship that brought her here to Gigas City. Somehow he hadn't noticed it the night before.

Lanterns were alight on the ship's deck, but no one seemed to be around. Silently the girl lead him aboard, and into the captain's quarters. The interior was decorated with ornate golden filigree all up and down the walls. Incense burned, making the room smell smokey, but sweet. Everything glittered and shone with a vibrance that only the truly wealthy could achieve. Behind a desk adorned with figurines and statuettes sat a hooded man, writing on a piece of parchment.

'I've returned, my lord." She said, bowing.

"Ah, Imara. Welcome." He said without looking up, "Have you brought what I seek?"

"In a way, my lord." She stepped aside, letting Orius enter the room.

"Who is this?" He asked, putting his quill down.

"I am Orius, Thief-King of Gigas City," Orius smirked, "and I have won the moon shard in... fair competition."

"Thief-King?" The man scoffed. "Very well... You are in possession of what I seek? Does Imara not carry enough wealth to satisfy you?"

"She's got enough money, yes..."

"Then what is it you desire in trade?" He asked.

"I want to know why you want it." Orius explained, "If you're not after it for the wealth, are you a mage?"

"Yes. I am a mage." He said.

"I see..." Orius nodded, "Should I be worried about a rivalry?"

"A rivalry? Ha!" The man laughed, "Dear boy, look around you. What would I gain by coming to this town just to thieve?"

"This shard." Orius said flatly.

"... Ah, well." He nodded, "You have a point. But no, you needn't worry."

"Then why do you want it?" Orius asked.

"You're a curious one..."

"This shard isn't like the others mages use, I can tell that much." Orius pondered, "What moon god does this shard belong to?"

"Do you really want to know? Will that satisfy you enough that you would relinquish the shard to me?" The mage asked.

"That and the money Imara offered, yes..." Orius nodded.

"Very well," The mage rose from his chair, "the shard belongs to the moon that banished Belial to the edges of the universe; Tephim. It is the only known shard of his, and it was brought here to be studied by the best mages in Gigas City. I, however, have theories of my own that don't account for the shard being locked up in the deep-vault here. I spent fifteen years waiting for the shard to be moved from Hasham City to here, just so I could get..."

Suddenly the ship rocked violently, as an explosion sounded from outside the cabin. The windows shattered and flames burst through the openings, engulfing the front end of the room. The three of them were thrown to the floor, but quickly regained their composure. The ship was being attacked, they'd been followed. Orius should have known that this would happen, but there was no helping it now. They needed to escape.