Chapter 5: Honied Oak

-11 MONTHS REMAIN-

The sun hung low, just above the horizon, casting a golden light upon the lands. Aurora's and Ulric's shadows stretched long across the old beaten path. Dust kicked up underneath their feet and swirled in the wind like the sands of time. They did not walk together. Ulric kept pace up front while Aurora lagged behind. She staggered, holding her head just as high as the sun, and wobbling with every cramp in her legs. 

"So where, exactly, are we heading?" Aurora asked, trying to hide the exhaustion in her heart. "You sort of just picked a path and started following it."

"We're going to Aetherwind." Ulric replied. "It's a small religious town within Solstya's territory. They should have a cleric there to cure you." 

"I told you; I'm fine drinking potions. It's not that big of a deal." Aurora tried to explain, her exhaustion becoming ever so slightly more apparent. 

"It is a big deal. It's not sustainable and you yourself said it wasn't healthy." 

"Do you even know if we're heading the right way? I haven't seen you look at a map in hours." Aurora paused. "Actually, come to think of it, I haven't seen you look at a map at all!" 

"Trust me, I know where we're going. I've been there, a few... times." His voice drifted off. His pace slowed, so much so that Aurora had to break as to not bump him. "You seem tense." Ulric started back up again, switching topics. "Are you feeling alright?" 

"I'm tense because we've been walking since morning." Aurora scowled. She looked up at Ulric and he down at her. Their eyes met and Aurora’s expression softened. “Sorry. The last several hours have been a lot, you know?” 

“I understand.” Ulric empathized with her. It wasn’t too terribly long ago he was in her same shoes. A life changing decision, one where people’s lives rested on his shoulders. A decision that thrusted Ulric into a position where he was relied upon. He was just glad Aurora could make that decision on her own, with little force of hand. He wanted to help her through this; he needed to help her through this. He needed to help everyone. Suddenly Ulric perked up. An idea came to him. “Hey, I know how to settle your nerves.”

“Unless you‘re offering twenty years of therapy, I’m not sure how settled you can make my nerves.” 

“Bear with me for about another hour or so!” The excitement in his voice grew. It was like he was a giddy kid, and Aurora found it strangely infectious. She cracked a smile.

“We’ve been walking for this long, sure. What’s another hour? If you really think it will help.” She chuckled. For the tiniest of moments, Aurora forgot her doubts. She fell for the spell of this anthropomorphic sweet roll. But still, despite his charms, Aurora couldn’t stand not knowing what he was hiding. She was sure there was something. The sugary glaze was attempting to mask a bottom too burnt to muster. Aurora followed Ulric with a newfound curiosity, until eventually Ulric’s plan was unveiled. A small tavern revealed itself as the sun set. A sign was illuminated by dancing lights; ‘Honied Oak’ it read. “You’re taking me to a tavern?” Aurora laughed. 

“We’ll have a fun night, help you unwind.” Ulric smiled. Aurora smiled back. Not a bad idea she thought. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a night off. As they approached the tavern it was like the whole atmosphere around them changed. The sweet smell of honey perfumed the air, along with a faint hint of booze. Light spilled from the windows and cut through the shadows. Music radiated from the walls and pierced through the quiet night. The darkness itself seemed to glow as fireflies danced around the tavern. The whole building felt alive. As the two of them entered the establishment, Aurora noticed a small sign outside the door. ‘End of the world sale’. The air inside was electric. Bards and drunk patrons alike sang their hearts out. Everyone danced with everyone. If you didn’t have a partner, you danced with your mug. Mead covered the floor as a thin, sticky, film. Aurora would’ve been disgusted if she wasn’t so enthralled. Ulric led themselves to a table, and just as they squatted over their seats, two overfilled tankards of mead and a bottle of red wine were quickly slid onto the table by a barmaid. Aurora took a sip of her drink, its strength making her shutter. 

“You gotta try this, it’s delicious!” She beamed. Ulric took a bigger sip with no reaction. 

“A little strong but still good!” He raised his tankard and looked at Aurora. She matched his gaze and raised her drink in kind. Together they clanked their tankards, sang cheers, and chugged the alcohol. Aurora tapped out before Ulric, leaving a portion still in the cup. Ulric sighed as he slammed the now empty tankard on the table. 

“So, what’s your personal goal?” He said reaching for the bottle of wine. 

“What do you mean?” Aurora asked, opening up something under the table.

“Going on an adventure, saving the world, they’re nice general quest, but too broad. What are you hoping to get out of this journey, you know?” 

“Oh! I guess I’ve never put too much thought into it before.” 

“Wanna kill a dragon? Find a magic item?” Ulric finally pulled off the cork. “It doesn’t have to be something so small and tangible. But what do you, Aurora, want from this adventure?” Aurora sat and thought about her answer for a moment. 

“I… want to learn more about the world. I’ve heard so many stories, and I’d like to apply and verify that knowledge.” 

“Spoken like a true academic.” Ulric filled his tankard back up with the wine. 

“I’ve talked with some other alchemists and apothecaries. There are rumors of potions that can do things that even spells can’t, I want to see if that’s true.” 

"Alright! Another side quest to add to the list!" He shouted. The alcohol on his breath was more apparent, now blending in with the rest of the drunken haze shared by the tavern patrons. 

"What about you?" Aurora probed. "Any personal quest for you?"

"Me? I just wanna help as many people as I can!" The glaze is trying to mask again. "Helping the whole world by keeping the sun is all I can ask for!" 

"Helping the whole world?" A voice joined in from the bar. Aurora and Ulric turned towards the source of the interruption. A pale man in dark robes sipped from a bottle, his back turned, and his sides flanked by passed out guests. He pulled down his hood as he turned to face the two of them, revealing long braided hair and a pair of undead eyes. "You must pretty drunk already if you believe that!"