Interlude 3

The stone temple was carved into the mountain. Chiseled into the walls were carved swirling designs depicting flowers, mythical creatures, and dancing celestial beings. The halls inside were dark, illuminated only by the flickering flames of torches jutting from the limestone walls. Anyone who walked down the corridor could hear their footsteps echoing on and on.

In one of the dimly lit chambers, Astatine bent down in a half kneel. His long chestnut hair was tied in a high ponytail and the tips brushed the limestone floor. He wore black robes, silver vambraces, and soft leather boots. Tiny studs were embedded in his ear lobes and ear cuffs adorned his outer ear rims. A gray sash ran diagonally across his chest and back and wrapped around his waist. The sash was tied in a knot near his hip and the loose ends dangled over the floor. Tucked into the sash near the knot were two sheathed daggers.

“My lady, you asked to see me?” he said, eyes cast downward.

The lady in question stood in the shadows. She wore a loose black robe that covered her from head to toe and a plain white mask. If one stared through the eye openings, they would see no eyes at all. It was as if there was an empty space behind the mask instead of a face. She took a step toward him.

“I have some news that might be of interest to you,” she said with a muffled voice.

“What would that be, my lady?”

“King Xenon is dead.”

Astatine’s breath stopped and his head shot up. He stared at her with intense hazel eyes.

“How?” he asked.

“Our region’s armies invaded the Western Region and captured many of their cities, including the capital. I was able to see it through the ravens. We finally paid them back for what they did to us so many years ago.”

He trembled with emotion. “Then, it’s finally over?”

She shook her mask. “Not quite. King Xenon has died but his son escaped as the capital fell.”

Astatine raised an eyebrow. “His son?”

“Yes. His son Prince Thallios is the only child of the late Fire Priestess, and thus the current avatar of the Fire Goddess. Within him lies frightening power.”

He frowned. “What do we do then?”

She looked at him. “I am bound by the Covenant and cannot interfere. You, however, can come and go freely.”

He stared at her mask. “Are you asking me to go after the prince, my lady?”

She shifted her position and her robe swayed. “Yes, but bring him back alive and unharmed. I will deal with the Fire Goddess myself.” She turned to look at him. “This mission may be dangerous. Is this something you wish to do?”

He gritted his teeth. “I have lost so much because of King Xenon. Since I couldn’t take revenge on him myself, then this mission is the least I can do.”

“Good. I figured you would want to pursue this, given your past. Be careful though, and observe the prince carefully before making your first move. Since the Fire Goddess lies dormant within him, use the spells that I taught you to keep her from awakening.”

He bowed his head. “Yes, my lady. But how do I find the prince?”

She reached into her robes and took out a single black feather. “Do you remember what I taught you about ravensight?”

“Yes, my lady.”

She walked over to him and stretched out her arm. He held out his hand to receive the black feather.

Pinching the feather between his forefinger and thumb, he twirled it back and forth. “But even with this, how do I find the prince, my lady? I have no idea what he looks like.”

“If you enter the dreamscape, you should be able to detect the prince’s fire magic and head toward that direction.”

He furrowed his eyebrows. “How would I be able to detect that?”

She looked at him solemnly. “You should be able to recognize the energy signature based on your memories. It was the same fire magic that destroyed your home and stole your family so many years ago.”

He clenched his fists and bit his lip.

She took a step toward him. “I’m sorry. I know this is a difficult topic for you.”

He exhaled and bowed his head. “I will start looking for the prince right away, my lady.”

She nodded in acknowledgement and began to walk back into the shadows. “Remember to bring him back alive and unharmed.” Turning her head back toward him, she said, “Best of luck in your journey.”

Author's Note

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