22. Planning the journey to Tiwaz

Jamtara, Kingdom of Divinium, Eastern region of Rohana Federation, 2051 S.C. 155th day

Heron arrived at the guild with a few minutes to spare before noon. After getting directions from the receptionist, he climbed the stairs to the first floor, where the rest of the party had already gathered. Some doors bore the insignias of local adventuring companies; others were just plain wood, unmarked and unassuming.

He’d been told to look for the second one of the plain ones.

He knocked. A muffled “Enter!” answered from within.

When he stepped inside, the party was only settling down. May leaned back in her chair, spinning a quill between her fingers. Lucia sat upside-down in hers, legs thrown over the backrest. Icarus was stirring sugar into a cup of tea. Richard, Almir, and Irene stood by a broad table with an unmarked map spread across it.

Richard acknowledged him with a short nod. “Good. You’re here.”

He gestured for Almir and Irene to sit. May and Lucia immediately abandoned their tomfoolery and straightened up.

Heron took the only available seat, next to May.

“Thank you for last night,” she whispered.

Richard straightened, and the air shifted into something more focused.

“All right. Now that everyone is here, let’s go over the plans for Tiwaz.”

Richard tapped the edge of the map, drawing everyone’s attention. “First, Divinium,” he began. “We’ll cover most of the distance to Tuska on foot. Trails between the cities are safe enough, and we are traveling as a group, so I expect no challenges, either from wildlife or monsters.”

“We’ll use local transport when it makes sense,” Richard continued. “Short rail lines, caravans, buses, whatever gets us between the cities efficiently. Each stop will be at a guild branch.” He glanced at Heron. “That benefits you as well. We’ll pick up quests along the way, and you’ll get to participate. You’ll gain experience, and hopefully you’ll earn the approval you need to become a full member.”

Heron felt a small surge of determination. “Understood.”

“Good.” Richard shifted his attention to the upper side of the map and traced a finger past the Divinium–Tuska border. “Once Heron becomes a full member, we can cross into Tuska and adjust our strategy. That kingdom is irritatingly wide, and the terrain slows ground travel, so we will avoid most of it.”

Almir nodded. “That means we will be using air travel?”

“Yes,” Richard confirmed. “The fastest way across Tuska is by zeppelin. We will disembark near the Scallian border. From there, we return to foot travel and whatever transport we can secure. Fortunately, Tiwaz is not far once we cross into Scallia.”

Richard folded his arms. “Most of the time spent on this trip will be inside Divinium. The rest should go quickly, as long as nothing unexpected happens.”

Lucia snorted. “Something always happens.”

Even she sobered when Richard fixed her with a stare.

He looked back at the group. “I have already inquired about the fastest routes. Considering the winter seasons, which will affect our movement, we should reach Tiwaz within three star cycles. I will now answer any questions regarding the Divinium route.”

May leaned forward a little. “So, what is our first stop after we leave Jamtara?”

“Tejen,” Richard replied. He tapped the map just east of their current location. “It is the closest city on our path and has a guild branch. We will check for some light quests there and see what fits our time frame.”

Lucia pointed at the map farther along the route. “And after Tejen, we go straight to Deoria, right?”

“Correct,” Richard answered. “Deoria is where we will spend the winter season. It is the capital, its guild hall is well-equipped, and we have strong connections there, especially for transportation. We can take on longer-term work while we wait out the weather.”

Richard marked the map with a snowy symbol.

“How long are we expected to stay there?” Heron asked.

“About a hundred twenty days,” Richard said. “Ninety are guaranteed, and there is no reason to test Vihor’s temperament.”

Almir nodded. “We will use that time wisely. Training, quests, preparations. Once the season ends, we continue south.”

Irene traced the line with her finger. “From Deoria to Nawada, then Gaya?”

“Yes,” Richard said. “Nawada has fewer quests, so we will not stay long. Gaya is our last major stop before the border crossing. Once we finish there, we head to the Divinium–Tuska gate.”

Lucia raised her hand like a student. “Should we be concerned about the conflicts near Nawada?”

“Hopefully, by the time we reach the region, the situation will be resolved,” Richard replied. “The military is already on it. If we are smart, we can avoid the trouble spots with a detour around the valley.”

Heron frowned. “What conflicts is Lucia talking about?”

“Before we came to Jamtara, there was a report of a large group of men in black attacking trade routes and villages in Koderma Valley. It has disrupted cross-kingdom trade. The best legion has been deployed, so it should be dealt with by the time we arrive,” Richard said.

Heron felt a chill. “When you say men in black, do you mean the faceless men?”

Richard knew exactly why he asked. “Yes. Some of them may have been the ones behind Haugstad. If your mother is there, she will be rescued, or the military will gather information on where to find her.”

He paused for a moment. “Speaking of which… will the plans change if we find your mother alive in Gaya?”

Heron froze. The possibility hung heavily in the air. If his mother truly survived… what would be the point of going after Haran?

“If my mother is saved and waiting in Gaya by the time we arrive, then there is no need for us to go to Tiwaz. Unless you still want to. And you can keep all the money from the crystal. Our deal will be considered honored.”

“Very well,” Richard said. “I will send an inquiry to see whether any of the rescued survivors from Koderma Valley include people from Haugstad.”

“Thank you,” Heron bowed.

Richard nodded in acceptance.

Richard cleared his throat. “Good. Then we are finished for today.” He gathered the maps into a neat stack. “We depart in two days. Use the time to stack up on supplies and take a little bit of a breather, too.”

Chairs shifted as the party began to move. Lucia practically bounced toward the door, May flicked her quill back into a pocket, and Almir gave Heron a reassuring pat before leaving. One by one, the rest stepped out into the hall.

Richard raised a hand before Heron could follow. “Irene, Heron. Stay a moment.”

The door clicked shut as the last of the others left. Richard reached into his coat and placed a small pouch on the table. It looked similar to a pouch Heron gave him before. He loosened it and tilted it forward. A single crystal rolled onto the table. It was pure white.

Irene blinked, confusion settling on her features. “What is that for?”

Heron felt a cold, expectant weight in his stomach.

“Sit,” Richard said. “Both of you. I will explain.”

Irene kept looking at the crystal on the table. “I’m frightened even looking at it. What is the meaning of this, Richard?”

“Remember when I told you that Heron requires some additional training?”

“Yess…”

“Well, working the crystals is what I had in mind,” Richard said calmly.

“What?” Irene jumped out of her chair and yelled. It was the first time Heron heard her yell, considering that so far she had always been calm and collected. “I thought that you meant some healing training and crystal tools, not this.”

“Irene, please calm down. I know what I’m doing,” Richard gestured for her to return to her seat.

“Heron is more sensitive to the crystals, even to the tainted ones,” Richard continued. “This makes him a unique candidate to handle more powerful ones, as he may be able to sync with the crystal as the elite guard does. Think of the magic power we’d had at our disposal.”

With the last said part, Richard’s eyes were almost glowing. “It is an opportunity we shouldn’t squander. And that is where you come in. I need someone reliable to keep things from going out of hand.”

“I won’t do it,” Irene responded adamantly. “I did not agree to this.”

“And I’m not forcing you. First and foremost, the choice lies with Heron,” Richard said, shifting his focus. “So, Heron, what do you think of the idea?”

“I don’t want to do it,” Heron said firmly. “I heard enough stories to know what happens when you work with those types of crystals. I made my piece that I need to interact with crystal-powered tools, but to use crystals directly, that is a line I won’t cross.”

“Very well, I respect your decision.” Richard returned the crystal to the pouch.

“Just like that?” Irene asked.

“Just like that,” Richard said calmly. “What did you think would happen?”

“I mean, you are far more persuasive, so I am confused. And what is with all the theatrics? You could have just asked.”

“Well, I didn’t want to have more ears on this than there needed to be, and I planned for this scenario, too. I still need your help, Irene. He needs to get accustomed to crystal-powered tools without zoning out.”

“I will help with that,” Irene said coldly. “You should have just said so from the start, and then just later ask if we wanted to progress things further. This wasn’t the way to go about it.”

“You are right,” Richard said. “I apologize to both of you. Now, Heron, as we discussed, you will train with Irene to help you avoid zoning out when using crystal-powered tools. Understood?”

“Yes,” Heron nodded. “But I also agree with Irene, you should have just asked. I felt uncomfortable there, thinking that using pure crystal was mandatory.”

“No, I just thought to inform you I had the possession of one. And also to point out that you have the ability to make use of it. It is a rare gift, you know.”

“Still, even if I were to agree to use it, it wouldn’t be in this kind of situation.”

“Of course. I’ll ask you to reconsider once you start getting accustomed to using tainted crystals without side effects.”

“I will consider it,” Heron said.

“Very well. Heron, you may now leave. I still have some things to discuss with Irene, but let us talk again tomorrow.”

And so after saying their goodbyes, Heron departed, leaving Irene and Richard alone.

“I must admit I’m disappointed in your decision,” Richard said. “Or at least I didn’t expect you to refuse straight away. Were you not interested in seeing what the boy is capable of?”

“Richard, I understand your desire to learn more about the crystals, but this isn’t the way to go about it. And what do you mean by getting himself acclimated? I never heard anyone with this condition getting immune to side effects?” Irene argued.

“I mean, how many people do you know with said condition? I may know a way to get him to acclimate, but it requires using a pure crystal.”

“Well, why didn’t you tell him that?”

“It is something he needs to come to terms with on his own first. But the first step is to place the seed. I may have gone about it the wrong way. Despite everything, I am not the best at social etiquette.”

“Yeah, you can be too dense.”

“So, will you help me when the time comes?”

“I will consider it, but only if Heron agrees beforehand.”

“Why of course. But I need a pure crystal user to teach another. I’m not on your level after all.”

“I mean, it is a challenge to get used to shadow plain. But you know it can drive him mad if we fail.”

“I am well aware, but he can’t be in this situation. One touch to crystal power, and he transfers to the shadow plain. We need to avoid that at all costs,” Richard concluded.

“So do you want to go to lunch. They say there's a new place with amazing pork barbecue. My treat.” Richard smiled.

“Sure,” Irene sighed. “You owe Heron a treat too after today.”

Richard laughed. “I know. Let’s pack the maps and head out then.”