Lore of Eternal Shadow: The Fugitive King

Chapter Thirty-Three

Zicone, Runa, Tiberan, and the Vampirex climbed deep into the Arca Mountains. They were bright with permanent snow. Runa fashioned a fireball that would roll forth ahead of them, blazing a clear trail up the pass. "At least my fire magic's good for something," she lamented.

"What are you talking about?" asked Tiberan, "You've been amazing!"

"My techniques don't work very well against Zey^Rey," Runa answered, "I've had to invent so much I should put it all in a spell book... but still I haven't had much success."

Zicone hopped across the stream the newly melted snow had made up the pass, "If you like, you can train with Tiberan and me. If you need a Zey^Rey to try a new spell on, that is."

"Thanks," smiled Runa, "I'm just glad we were able to appease the Sussurri without much trouble. I would hate to have to fight that many Zey^Rey..."

"Don't think they're so easily subdued," the Vampirex noted.

Zicone looked back at the ancient Zey^Rey, "What do you mean?"

"Your Sussurri are being pragmatic. You were a threat, a show of force, to them, nothing more," the Vampirex said, "right now it's more advantageous to throw their lot in with you. Tomorrow, it may be different."

"I haven't really stopped the bad elements of the Sussurri?" Zicone pondered.

"It's an alliance of convenience," the Vampirex stated, "You proved Caligo wanted nothing but their destruction. Following you will help them remove that threat. After Caligo is defeated, the situation will change. I would never turn my back on them, were I you."

Zicone nodded, "Agreed."

Around teatime, they descended into a vast alpine valley. The entrance to the Blazing Sea was at the other side. Groves of aspens exploded in yellows, oranges, and reds in the autumn chill. There was no sign of any settlement. It was strange because aside from the remoteness, the place was more than lush and large enough to sustain a kingdom. Evening came and they neared the far end of the valley. Zicone noted the day had really taxed Runa. She was paler than usual and her face looked more worn that it ought to have looked. Zicone was reminded of his brother and the illusionary spell he had kept himself handsome with. He wondered...

Runa went for firewood before Zicone could ask her anything. She was dazzled by the white-trunked trees as their leaves saturated color. She bent down and picked up some seasoned wood. She noticed a regularly cut red stone next to the wood. Her gaze followed a trail of stones which ended in the broken ruins of a once-extravagant hall. Immediately, Runa went up to the ruin and started studying it. She was reminded of Narbon but instead of white, the buildings were red. Runa looked through the holes in the wall and saw other remnant buildings. The blazing aspen leaves had camouflaged an entire town of ruins. Even overgrown and broken, Runa could feel a strong affinity to fire as she walked the hall. The building had been for worship... of fire. Runa wasn't sure why she thought this; it was a strong feeling.

"Ah, you've discovered the ruins," Zicone smiled from the entrance with an armful of wood, "this is actually just a part of a large city. A big chunk of the Fire Tribe of the Zey^Rey used to live here."

"That would explain why this whole valley is loaded with fire energy," Runa mused.

"We're right above the Blazing Sea," called the Vampirex. He entered the ruin and looked around, "It's funny. I had fought side-by-side with Argon to conquer these people. It took us sixty years. They became our staunchest allies... It looks now like we went to a lot of trouble for nothing."

"What happened to them?" Runa asked.

"That's something I've got to tell everybody," Zicone replied, "Are we good on firewood?"