Half of the Kingdom(ft. commentary)

~Dec 29

They got their horses and set out. Roric knew where the stronghold was and would lead them. They planned on the way how it would go. No one seemed to notice Iphnis, until Miryanna asked what his role would be. The whole company was startled at his appearance, and Miryanna had to explain to Stalles who he was. He was wary of Iphnis, but didn't protest. Their completed plan was risky, but it was the only one they had. They would sneak in, find Wis ad Yanev, and sneak out. It was risky, very dangerous, and foolish, but they were going to go through with it.

It was after dark when they found the formidable fortress that served as the main base for the Vanags. They all felt an oppression as They neared it. Something evil was within those dark walls.

man wouldn't I LOVE to know what it is about the Sorceress that makes her evil and where the lines are drawn and what is morality. This, my friends, is where we get into the meat of the whole good vs evil thing that I'm really rethinking now, not the least of reasons due it being overdone.

"The sorceress is in there," Iphnis whispered to Miryanna.

"How can you tell?" Miryanna whispered back.

"Can't you feel the evil within?"

"Yes, and it reminds me of how I feel when Karayan is around sometimes,"

Iphnis nodded, "The evil you feel about Karayan is the Sorceress in him,"

Miryanna's brows furrowed, "How is that?"

"Karayan is controlled by the Sorceress to a certain degree. That's why he does all the evil things. It is not him, but the Sorceress controlling him," Iphnis explained.

And here we have another new development. Man, this day was over 4000 words of a wild ride. also how does he know that? I feel like with all the stuff Iphnis seems to know about Karayan they'd have some sort of connection but they are complete strangers to each other. save the library incident.

Miryanna was surprised that Iphnis was telling her this, and was surprised at the concept of Karayan not actually being the terrible monster she thought he was. She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind, bringing things that were most relevant to the forefront. Rescuing Yanev and Wis.

They tied their nervous horses and continued on walking, feeling just as jittery as their steeds. The dark building loomed up ahead. It was in the clearing in the midst of a dark forest, and was surrounded by swirling mists. They used the mists to their advantage, and were able to sneak up without being sighted, but the mists were also to their disadvantage, as they couldn't see clearly enough to determine whether there were guards stationed nearby. They couldn't imagine that there weren't but it was unnerving to not know where they were. They walked along the perimeter, looking for an entrance, and found a small door. It wasn't locked, so they got in. It was just a kitchen door, probably used for disposing of garbage. As soon as they were in, Andarin stopped them.

"Wait, wouldn't you expect all doors to lock or at least guarded?" He questioned.

Roric stroked his chin, "I guess so," he admitted.

"Then why is this neither locked or guarded? It seems like a trap to me," Andarin stated.

Roric hesitated, then sighed, "I we can't just walk away after we've come this far,"

Stalles nodded his head in agreement with Roric.

Andarin looked at Miryanna and Iphnis, "What do you two have to say?"

Miryanna bit her lip and looked at Iphnis.

"If we go forward, we risk being caught. If we go back, we riak your loved ones dying," was all Iphnis said.