Chapter 665: The Message

Chapter 665: The Message

The church messenger rode through the night surrounded by an honour guard of Thameish soldiers. There was a fog that eveningas thick as a witchs brewand a full moon that cast the entire countryside in an eerie light.

Her heart pounded in her chest as gnarled branches reached from the fog, seeming like Ravener-spawn claws grasping for her throat. All she wished for was to return home and find safety by the fire.

But the message in her satchel was too important.Diiscover new stories at novelhall.com

The Fool, apparently, had been found.

She knew no details, and even the fact that the Fool had been found had reached her ears through gossip in the lonely church.

A Thameish boy shed heard low voices whisper in the church halls. one that went to the city of wizards in the south.

Alexander Roth, apparently, was his name.

How did he pierce the barrier?

How did he escape?

He must be brought back.

It was unlike the churchs priests to gossip so readily, but she was glad for it; better that she know the importance of the secret message she carried. Now, she would not only guard it with her life, but with her very soul.

Or at least, that is what she would doif she could bloody well see.

We should slow down, one of the soldiers to her back hissed, his breath misting before him. The chill of autumn was coming, and had already gripped Thamelands nights. We dont want a horse throwing a shoeor worsebreaking a leg.

This message is holy. The messenger gripped her mounts reins. It must be delivered as quickly as we can manage.

But what if there are Ravener-spawn about? By riding so fast we could stumble into a pack before we the soldier started.

We have to ride like demons are behind us, the messenger insisted. Like the Ravener itself wants our heads. Uldar will guide us.

As they rode on, the mist seemed to get thicker and thicker until even she grew nervous.

Perhaps their pace was foolhardy?

And what was that tinkling noise off in the trees? Some sort of bell? Or something else?

The messengers nerves tightened andfor a momentshe considered calling for the group to slow their pace.

But suddenly, the wind picked up.

The fog around them began dispersing like salt in warm water. As one, the horses skidded to a halt, sending their riders lurching forward while gripping their reins tighter.

Mist bled away, unveiling a crossroads under the light of the full moon.

The roads in all directions were clearly visible, fog rolling through the woods, disappearing in the gloom.

Its the crossroads to Ussex! a soldier cried. The path is clear!

A miracle, another murmured.

Uldar blesses us this night, whispered a third.

Thank you my lord. The messenger cast her eyes to the heavens, then bowed her head in prayer and gratitude. I will ensure your message reaches the ones who need to hear it most. She turned to her escort. Lets ride!

Again, they started off, galloping through the moonlight, their pace even quicker than before. The road was clear of all mist, and the moon lit their way. Soon, thick forests faded to single trees and copses dotting wild fields, and then to farmland thick with wheat.

The messenger sat across from him at a low table, sipping hot wine that hed served her, while several of his closest advisorsall priests and monks of the highest wisdomsat around them.

An older priesta man by the name of Ralphonzespoke first. I do not know much of him, only that he is reportedly close with the Heroes, as was Carey London of Wrexiff, may Uldar hold her soul in rest.

There came an abrupt cracking sound, startling everyone.

A fireplace log had split.

And this young man. Tobias looked away from the fire. He casts spells. He is a wizard, is he not? If he is working with the Generasians

He is a student at the university, an old woman said. According to what we know.

At the university of wizards? Tobias asked, his brow creased.

Precisely.

The high priest looked sceptical. Then we have only a series of false accusations or mistakes. This would not be the first time we have received rumours that proved to hold no truth.

I believe this is a sign, Father Lee. He was by far the youngest of Tobias personal advisors, a man just past forty-five, yet his counsel brought some of the greatest wisdoms in all of Tobias private council.

The others looked at the younger man, some with fascination, some with envy.

Speak freely, Father Lee, Tobias encouraged him.

Thank you, Holy One, the younger priest lowered his head in deference. We are meant to serve Uldar, andin returnhe speaks to us through subtle signs and through the whispers of fate and the world. In recent times, we have faced great tribulation. The Saint disappeared. There is disharmony among the Heroes. The Ravener-spawn grow ever more ravenous. Yet, nowin these dark timeswe receive a ray of hope. Finally, the errant Fool has been found, and we learn this by way of trustworthy reports.

But what of his spells? Ralphonze asked. The Fool cannot cast spells; therefore he cannot be the Fool. In addition, how did he escape through the barrier?

Hmmm, hold now, I think I might be able to answer the latter with a theory, said Mother Charity, looking at an immense map of Thameland on Tobias wall. She uttered a quick prayer to Uldar and a point of light appeared on the map. Thank you for lighting the way, Holy Uldar. Look at the spot that Uldars divine miracle has illuminated. That is Alric, where this Alex Roth hails from. And that is also where we found the phenomenon in the Cave of Alrics saint, the Traveller. Could he not have escaped through there?

Silence followed, only broken by the crackle of fire.

You raise a fine point, Mother Charity, said Father Ralphonze. But the fact still remains that the Fool cannot perform spellcraft; we know this from Uldars teachings and our own historical records both.

All the more reason to investigate, Father Lee countered. This cycle has been rife with strange and destructive phenomena. Absolutely rife with it. Then there is the Cave of the Traveller; a sanctum of powerful magic hidden from all of our gazes. The Fool cannot cast spells, that is true, but this cycle has witnessed a host of unprecedented events. If this Fool has crafted some way to avoid Uldars holy plan, then we must set it right.

Hmmmm, Ralphonze said, his brow furrowed. That seems like a waste of resources. We are already stretched to our limit. Do we have time to chase phantoms?

The timing of this report is noteworthy, Mother Charity said. In our time of need, the final Hero has been located. If Uldars plan is being made a mockery of, perhaps setting it right is the task we must complete for the cycle to be set right and the Ravener to be defeated.

It is true, Father Lee said. We have had no fortune in finding the enemy, and the Heroes are in disharmony. The Fool has served as both a tracker and peacemaker in cycles past. Perhaps this is what Uldar wants.

Mightmight I have permission to speak, Holy ones?

All eyes turned to the messenger.

You may, Tobias said.

While I travelled with my escort, a fog cloaked the road, she said. But when we had our greatest need, the fog miraculously lifted! It must have been Uldars will speaking through the wind and night. Please, I think that this is all a sign of Uldars will. You must bring the Fool home!

With all eyes on the messenger, none noticed Mother Charity and Father Lee exchanging a glance.

They did not notice the subtle twitches in their hands and fingers.

Tiny gestures.

Tiny gestures that communicated great meaning.