The Soul Keeper

A soft, green light shone from her eyes as she spun gracefully around herself. She extended her left hand as she spun, leaving a trail of light behind. Her motions quickly turned into a beautiful dance.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Laura said with a smile. I nodded; I couldn't take my eyes off her. She spun and spun and the plants all around us bloomed. As colourful flowers spouted from the ground all around us, I noticed that I had been holding my breath.

I couldn't help but feel somewhat guilty as I watched the cheerful druid dance. She gave life to the earth, while all I could do was reduce everything around me to ashes. I brought death while she gave life.

"Keeper." A soft, bewitching voice whispered into my right ear. "A word." I flinched. I knew that voice all too well – it was Matriarch Aelith's voice.

I coughed, then glanced down the small hill. "I should get some water." 

Laura nodded. "Sure," 

I rushed off towards the river. Once I arrived at the sandy shore, I knelt down and with a low voice, spoke. "I'm listening." This wasn't as convenient as telepathy, but it allowed me to keep my mind safe, so to speak.

"There is something we must discuss. Return to Baile Chailce immediately." Her cold voice made it very clear this was an order. One I shouldn't even think to disobey. While I wanted nothing less than telling her 'No', her threats were still fresh in my mind, as was her power.

"I will return as fast as I can." I replied, forcing myself to keep my voice calm. "But it will take a few days – I can't speed that up." I waited anxiously for her answer. Moments passed, then she finally replied. "Very well. Make sure you immediately seek me when you arrive."

"Of course." I said through my gritted teeth. I despised the very idea of meeting her, but for now, I couldn't afford to defy her. Not yet.

The tingle of magic I felt from the crescent moon shaped earring slowly faded. Only once it was completely gone did I breathe a sigh of relief. I quickly washed my face, then got up and returned to the others.

"Hey!" Mona shouted as soon as I entered their view. "You said you wanted to see the ritual, but then you up and left!" 

"Leave him be, Mona." Laura said, lightly tapping her shoulder. "He's clearly a bit sensitive to magic – he probably couldn't handle the ritual." She glanced at me as she spoke. "You did turn pale halfway through."

I nodded. "I felt a little dizzy, yeah." I glanced at Mona. "Sorry, Mona. I'll watch the whole thing next time."

Her frown left its place to a bright smile. "That's a promise!" 

"Kai," Lucius' voice sounded. "Mona, Laura. Come, time for breakfast."

I only then noticed how damn hungry I was. For these last couple of days – well, ever since we left Baile Chailce, really – we had eaten nothing but fruit, dried meat and a couple of sandwiches. I yearned for some nice, tasty food.

We sat around the spot where the campfire was, and Theresa served us food.

My eyes widened as I stared at the large plate she gave me. There were eggs, meat, fruit, even some warm tea to go with all this.

"This is amazing." I said, glancing at Theresa. "Thank you," 

"Seriously, are you absolutely sure you aren't a cook in the real world?" Asher asked as he took a bite out of his breakfast. "Because this is top quality breakfast."

"No, I'm a librarian." She smiled. "I just cook a lot for my nieces." 

"Oh, that's so sweet." Lucius said with a smile.

We conversed for a while before setting off. As we made our way back to the city, even Asher seemed to be enjoying the time spent with Mona's group. Despite my worries of Vixia finding out where we were, the journey passed nearly eventless. The few times we saw wild creatures, they chose to run away instead of attempting to attack us. 

The next day at dusk, the tall walls surrounding Baile Chailce entered our view. 

"We made it!" Mona said with a grin. "So, are you going to check up on your other friends?" I could see the curiosity in her eyes. 

"I have an errand to run, afterwards, yes." I glanced at Asher and Lucius – I had gotten the chance to tell them about Matriarch Aelith's order. They were just as anxious as me, if not more. "Thanks for everything you've done for us Mona, Laura, Theresa." I said, looking at each of them. "We're in your debt."

Mona giggled. "Oh, it's nothing. But if you really want to repay us, we'll be staying at The Huntsman." 

"Please don't feel pressured," Laura said as she grabbed Mona's braid again. "And don't take her too seriously." She left, dragging Mona along with her. Theresa chuckled, bid us farewell and rushed after them.

I took a deep breath as I turned my gaze toward the massive palace. "I guess I should also go." 

"Kai, I can't teleport you again." Asher warned me. "I told you before, I need a certain number of materials to make that happen – I don't have any of them left." He hesitated. "So, try to not get yourself in too much trouble ok?"

I forced a laugh. "When did you see me get into trouble?" I waved at them before they could respond and left for the palace.

Since the in we were staying at was on my way, I decided to stop by. As I pushed the door and stepped inside, an unfamiliar sight greeted me. There were a few occupied tables inside, and one of them was our usual table – the one in the very back of the room. Yet, it was an old Ereth that sat there, alone. 

"You're back." I heard the bartender's voice. She was carrying an empty plate as she approached me. "Glad to see you're alive, Kai."

"Likewise," I said with a faint smile. "If you don't mind me asking, where are Erik and the others?" I was somewhat worried about them. They always drank at this time of the day.

She shrugged. "I don't have a clue." She tilted her head towards the door. "Some guy came with an offer. The paladin talked with the guy for a bit, then I guess accepted his offer. They checked out yesterday morning. Saying they'd 'go on an adventure' and all that." She sighed and shook her head. "I'm pretty sure the one guy who went solo wasn't happy about it."

I assumed she was talking about Vincent. "I see," I said, shaking my head. "Thanks for letting me know."

"Sure." She said, then rushed off to a customer calling her. I stood there a moment, then pushed my worries aside and left the inn. I couldn't keep Aelith waiting for long. Incurring her wrath was not a good idea. Not yet.

I rushed to the palace, ignoring the thoughts scratching the back of my mind. They demanded attention, but I refused. I needed my mind clear for this, besides, there was nothing I could do even if Erik and the others were in danger. I had no idea where they were or what they were doing.

The guards at the palace entrance let me in and soon, a clearly higher ranked Ereth came to lead me through the maze-like hallways. Soon, I was lit into the now empty throne room.

"Stand in the glyph." He said before shutting the massive doors behind me. I glanced at the glyph on the ground. It was identical to the one Matriarch Aelith had used to teleport me the last time I was here. 

I stepped inside the glyph and soon enough, a bright light engulfed me. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, I was in that library. The same place she had brought me before. 

She stood by the tall windows, watching the city stretching beneath her. "Welcome back, Kai Friseal."

I avoided looking at her as she turned to face me. I was well aware of her bewitching spells. I wasn't going to fall for them – and her. I waited, silently. 

"I see you've fought demons." She said, slowly approaching me. I nodded – there was no point in hiding that. "And killed some, perhaps?" 

"Two of them." I replied. I glanced at her, specifically avoiding looking at her eyes. "Did you want something from me?"

She chuckled. "You could say that. There is something I want you to check." She raised her hand as an illusionary map appeared. "An old castle, to be precise."

On the map, I could see Baile Chailce and to the north west of the city, the castle she was talking about. "It's been infested with demonic magic. I want you to cleanse it."

The castle wasn't as close to the city as I'd have liked, but there wasn't much to be done. I could probably get there in two days or so by flight. "How do cleanse it?" I asked.

She chuckled. "There is a core, somewhere in that castle. That is what's causing the spread. Just break it or remove it. I don't care what happens to the core."

I nodded. "I can do that."

She chuckled again. A moment passed in silence. Was she going to send me back or what? I glanced at her, intending to ask, but then I noticed her face. Was that an alarmed expression?

Before long, I discovered the source of her worries. A sigil appeared on the floor. Soon, another Ereth appeared. "Aelith!" She shouted. "A group is trapped on the Howling Hills! They're losing!" Her eyes widened as she noticed me. "It's his group!"