Converging Destinies: Part 1

Chapter 15

       The group climbed back up the ladder and trudged back to Cresselbrooke. Cedric and Ella carried the body of the man as proof that they had stopped the attacks. The guards said the group would have to stay in Cresselbrooke for another week before they could get their payment. Until then, the guards would continue to pay for accommodations. Ara' Sei then told the guards where the hut was.

       After the group went back, ate, and slept, they felt that same strange feeling. They felt stronger, more ready for anything else they would have to face. Cedric had taken a few of the books written in unknown language off of the shelves. After spending some time in meditation in the morning, he scanned the books. The writing was filled with jagged, scribbled symbols. They had structure, but it was difficult to see. Cedric knew he would have to get them translated by someone who knew more. He first opted to ask Eris.

       "Eris? Do you know what language this is?" Cedric asked. Eris walked to Cedric's side of the room and looked at the text.

       "I have no idea, these were from the man's hut correct?" Eris asked. Cedric nodded.

       "Well, come to think of it, I should probably be calling it a wizard's hut. He obviously needed to have enough arcane power to cast that spell on you all." Eris explained. Cedric nodded.

       "I can't believe that was all it took to make me useless." Cedric complained.

       "I mean, I don't think so. You did take out two of the shadows that were there." Eris pointed out.

       "I suppose you're right." Cedric said. Eris twirled a dagger in their finger.

       "Well, Eris, are you going to travel with us now?" Cedric asked.

       "Yeah, I have my reasons. Which I'd be more willing to tell you if you told me your own reasons." Eris said.

       "Okay, so, a secret exchange?" Cedric asked. Eris merely nodded in reply.

       "Alright... well uh. I guess I'm going first." Cedric said before taking a moment to ponder.

       "Well, I knew people who had similar magical capabilities as me. But, they're disappearing without a trace, so I ran south." Cedric explained.

       "South? Where you from?" Eris asked.

       "Uh, Erathir. But, I ran south from the Northern woods along the coast down to Fort Ao and then eventually found my way here." Cedric explained.

       "Erathir?! You're a long way from home." Eris pointed out.

       "Yeah, I know. Where are you from?" Cedric asked.

       "I'm from Oarshear. It got boring real fast. Came west." Eris answered tersely.

       "That's not quite what you said last time." Cedric pointed out.

       "I made those mistakes in Oarshear." Eris added.

       "Do you think you'll try to fix those mistakes?" Cedric asked.

         "I don't think I can. Just as you can't know why your friends are disappearing and how you can't help running away." They responded.

       "I suppose you're right Eris." Cedric said.

       "Well, we both did the right thing and stayed away from those things. For now let's get some rest, but we do have to be careful." Eris said. Cedric nodded in reply.

       "Yeah."