Chapter 389: Looking to Question the Source

Professor Jules stepped back, giving Carey space. “What do you mean, Carey?”

The young woman wiped her tears. “I mean…Uldar left for his divine realm cycles ago. He left the holy Heroes—” She looked at Cedric and Hart. “To defeat the Ravener while he watched over Thameland from his throne. But what if we went to his divine realm? What if we met Uldar and asked him what this all means?”

Alex froze, shocked at both the simplicity of the idea, and Carey’s single mindedness.

“Holy shit,” he murmured, looking at Theresa. “Can we do that?”

The huntress startled. “Why’re you asking me?”

She turned to Cedric. “Can we do that?”

The Chosen startled. “Why’re ya’ askin’ me? I don’t know nothin’ about this!” He turned to Professor Jules. “You teach in Smart Wizard Land. Can we do that?”

“Why’re you asking me—Oh, nevermind. Well, the answer’s complex. While it’s true that some priests have gone to meet their gods in their divine realms—as have some wizards—whether or not it works, depends on the deity,” Professor Jules said. “For some, a simple Plane Shift spell or equivalent miracle puts you in a deity’s divine realm—or at least at its front gate—as long as you’re a worshipper. Some ancient wizards used to visit their deities’ divine gardens to collect rare alchemical ingredients. Some still do. But…for other deities…”

She tilted her hand back and forth. “Some ask for massive rituals and sacrifices. Others give the petitioner trials before they allow them to magic themselves into their realm. And others just…close themselves off. So the question is, has anyone from Thameland ever done that before? Gone to see Uldar?”

“No.” Alex shook his head. “At least not that I’m aware of. If there was a history of priests visiting and talking to Uldar, then it’s been hidden. We’re taught that Uldar went to his divine realm, stayed there, and has been quietly watching Thameland ever since.”

“To ‘get out of our way’, one of the priests in Wrexiff used to say.” Carey crossed her arms. She looked at the two Heroes. “Er, Cedric…Hart…did the priests ever teach you a way to get to Uldar’s divine realm?”

“No,” the Chosen said. “‘Fraid not. Just gave us the same song they give everyone else: ‘we’ll all meet Uldar when see the afterworld, if we’re good enough’.”

“Is that it, then?” Hart asked. “Plan’s dead?”

“Well, maybe not,” Carey said. “I’m wondering if maybe there’s an answer in the Cave of the Traveller.”

Alex and Theresa flinched, but everyone was so focused on Carey, they showed no sign they’d noticed.

“The Traveller?” Alex asked carefully. “Why her? What do you think she’s got to do with this?”

“Well, she had a secret citadel underground,” Carey said, drying her face with a handkerchief. All signs of tears were nearly gone. “And it was full of portals. Legends abound—as you know since you’re also from Alric—of people wandering into the cave and appearing in all sorts of places. But there’s stable portals all through the secret area down there. And she was a Saint…what if she was trying to find a way into Uldar’s realm?”

The possibility struck Alex like a bolt from the blue.

‘Could that be it?’ he thought. ‘Was she working on some…strange power that would let her travel across planes and into Uldar’s realm? Is that it? …maybe…but then why did she have goddess statues in her temple, they definitely weren’t in Uldar’s image? There’s more there, but—’

“You could be right, Carey,” Alex said, looking at Cedric. “Have they explored the entire cave?”

“I dunno, t’be honest,” the Chosen said. “Last time we was there was ta’ help people with the portals so they could leave Thameland. It wasn’t mapped out back then—”

“—but it’s been a year, things change,” Hart jumped in, scratching his stubble in thought. “You know, it might not be a bad idea to go back there and check it out.”

“Go back where?” a new voice joined the conversation.

Everyone faced Ffion’s cottage door as Drestra and Baelin stepped into the cold, closing the door behind them.

“—real food! Tell them, I’ll spit the next spoon of bone broth they bring here in—” Ffion’s voice called out before Drestra shut the door purposefully.

Baelin snorted in amusement. “So, what is this about going back somewhere?”

They filled Baelin and Drestra in with details of what they’d been discussing.

“Huh…” the Sage raised an eyebrow. “The magics in the cave were unique…you might be onto something.”

“It is indeed possible,” Baelin said. “Possible.”

“Yes, it’s important not to accept an idea as fact before proper investigation is done,” Professor Jules said. “But, it’s definitely a very good place to start.”

“Mm, we could go back there an’ have a proper look around,” the Chosen said. “Maybe make some quick excuse to the priests about wantin’ to check some o’ the portals or somethin’. I dunno, the church lets us go where we want as long as we’re smashin dungeons.”

“Ah, you know what?” Hart snapped his fingers. “We could say that there was an invasion by a big, nasty demon leading its big, nasty army. So, we’re just looking at the portals to make sure they can’t be used by other big, nasty demons. …there’s something we need to talk about, though. We have confirmation now, right? So, what do we do about Merzhin? Do we tell him?”

“No,” Drestra cried. “He’s…zealous beyond anyone I’ve ever met. He’d head straight for the nearest priest, and if they’ve been hiding things, he’ll tip our hand. But, even if he doesn’t run to the priests, what if he has a melt down?”

“…Aye, until we know more then, it stays between us,” Cedric looked at Carey. “Your idea’s a good one there Carey, headin’ ta’ the Cave o’ the Traveller ta’ start lookin’ fer leads is probably the best place ta’ start.”

“And I’ll see if there’s anything else I can think of,” She said. “The idea’s a long shot and it might not work.”

“Well.” Hart shrugged. “We could always go knock on the cathedral door back in the capital like I said. That should get us some quick answers.”

“Well, we’ll cross that bridge if’n it comes to it,” Cedric said. “But I hope not. In the end, our duty’s still fightin’ Ravener-spawn, not people.”

“Could be that duty’s false,” the Champion suggested.

“Aye, but we know fer a fact that the Ravener’s tryin’ t’kill our people. Its spawn hunt them like they’re huntin’ quail an’ that don’t sit well wit’ me. We gots t’atleast stop that from happenin’.”

“Still, I hope we find something in that cave,” Drestra said. “This is going to keep me up at night.”

“Well, it's a lot. A lot,” Alex spoke up, his mind racing. What if the Heroes found something down there? Would that be such a bad thing? Why did he feel almost…possessive? Like he needed to be the one to find out more about the Traveller?

“Well, I wish you good hunting in that,” Baelin said. “We—on the other hand—I think we should explore exactly what mortals can do with a dungeon core, wouldn’t you agree, professor?”

“I do,” Jules said. “It might be dangerous, but it’s just as important to understand the parameters of connecting to a dungeon core, as it is to find the origin of this connection.”

“Yeah, I agree with that,” Alex said.

“Me too,” Carey said. “I…joined the expedition to find the truth about the Ravener and find ways to get rid of our enemy and also help out the best I can. I want to see this through to the end…whether that end is bitter or sweet.”

“Yeah,” Alex said. “Whether it’s bitter or sweet.”

A coldness crawled up his spine, leaving him with the feeling that they were in a frozen bottomless abyss, turned a corner and found something they were never meant to see.

It wasn't that long ago that only him, those closest to him, and Baelin knew there was a strange connection between mortals and dungeon cores. Back then, they’d thought all mortals had that connection.

Now, they knew better: that only those who worshipped the very god who opposed the Ravener, could control its minions. For a moment, he wondered if Uldar had left a secret gift for his followers behind: something they could use against the Ravener and purge it from the land once and for all.

‘But why would he keep it secret?’ Alex considered. ‘How many cycles…how much death could have been avoided if everyone knew. No, that doesn’t feel like a ‘benevolent plan’. It feels more like…like our own god has a dark plan hanging over us.’

He looked to the sky, watching the blue and white above.

‘And if darkness is what he has in store for his followers…’ Alex thought. ‘Something hidden from them, how far would he go to keep his secret?’

The Fool swallowed. ‘If we do find his divine realm and can get answers to our questions, then we sure as all hells better have Baelin with us, cuz what does a mortal do if their own god tells you that ‘you know too much’?

The evening feast would be their last meal in Crymlyn Village, at least for now. And witches had clearly set out to give them a grand send-off.

Sturdy woven tables of magically animated woody vines called hadwovhas, were placed in rows in front of the Elder’s hall, well within sight of the standing stones in the centre of the village. Professor Jules had returned to the encampment—saying she would feel “like a sponge” attending a feast she did nothing to contribute to—and Carey was back at Generasi—not feeling great, which Alex could understand—everyone else had seats of honour at the largest table.

Unfortunately, the table had been positioned in such a way that it faced the symbol of Uldar emblazoned on the witches’ standing stones, a matter of pride for Elder Blodeuwedd. Her ancient eyes had crinkled with pleasure while she explained that they’d been placed in view of Undar’s symbol in consideration of the guests’ faith in the god. “Well, this is awkward,” Alex whispered to Theresa as the glyph—illuminated by bonfire light—sent an uneasiness seeping into everyone who’d visited Ffion’s cottage earlier.

Everyone, that is except Baelin and Hart. The pair were thoroughly and enthusiastically, enjoying themselves. They watched, loudly laughing and clapping at the witches' displays of light and sound using illusionary magic. Conjured pixies fluttered overhead, spreading glowing dust through the air.

Musicians played stringed crwths and pibgorn pipes, while dancers performed ancient steps offering praise to the spirits in the land. Alex’s mood was subdued. On another day, he would’ve been joining Hart and Baelin, enjoying every new sight, sound and magic the witches had to offer…but today was not that day, he wasn’t in the mood to celebrate. He simply tucked into his herbed fish, washing it down with a mug of elderflower and herbal brew set beside him.

The Heroes and Theresa did much the same while Brutus begged her and Alex for scraps.

Alex’s eyes drifted to Claygon standing nearby—silently watching—while the celebration continued.

The Thameish wizard’s eyes traced the damage on the golem’s body.

‘Cracks,’ he thought. ‘Just like the cracks in all of us now. Cracks in faith. Cracks in purpose.’

Looking around at the witches celebrating their lives and freedom, he wondered how they would react if they knew the truth. Would they think Uldar had given them a gift against their enemies? Would they think that he was in league with the Ravener? Would they think something else?

Such thoughts plagued Alex throughout the meal, and the more he wrestled with them, the more confused he became.

His eyes rested on Theresa’s face; she was likely having similar thoughts. Her eyes were downcast, her face was pale, and she paid little attention to anything around her.

One of her hands hung by her side.

Alex reached over and squeezed it. “It’ll be okay,” he whispered. “We’ll figure this out.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Theresa whispered, meeting his gaze. “What…what if all of this is for nothing? What if we could’ve been rid of this thing generations ago, but the priests…or someone, or something else…kept that knowledge from us? What in all hells do you even do with that kind of information?”

Alex shrugged. “I don’t know…honestly, I don’t know. What I do know is that things are probably going to get way more dangerous from here on out. People are going to have to know, eventually.”

“Yeah,” Theresa said. “And I don’t think a lot of them will take it as well as we did…and we didn’t take it very well. Jeez, and that’s without confirming what any of this means. How’s Thameland going to react, Alex? What if the priests are trying to hide this huge secret from everyone? The church educates almost everyone in Thameland, they do good things, what’s going to happen to any of us if they’re completely rotten to the core.”

“I—”

A sound of wood on metal drew everyone’s attention to Elder Blodeuwedd, who was tapping a large cauldron. A cauldron that was floating in mid-air.

“Tonight, the Witches of Crymlyn honour those who have helped rescue our people,” she floated over the cauldron. The liquid within it cast eerie light over her face. “And it is time to see them rewarded.”