The Blessed City

Lord Brae waited for the Huntsman to return from his final assessment of the port. Their search of the island had proven fruitless and no man claimed to have seen or heard anything but the whispers beyond the village. If the Huntsman had not suggested they also speak to the King's Men at the port, they may have never made a disturbing revelation. Replaying the conversation in his head, Lord Brae contemplated his next move.

One man reported being attacked on the deck just before the pirates and men departed. Recounting the details of his attack, he stumbled over this encounter with the prisoners. In his pursuit, the water webbed its way around his body until he felt he'd be drowned by it. Frightened, he released the boy and tangled with the water until the ship had far from sight. Having survived, he locked himself in his room and had not ventured out since.

Lord Brae thought his story absurd and presumptuous. According to Doc's records, neither of the prisoners possessed a naiads ability to control water. Nor were either of the escaped girls a boy. Though, the man swore - even under immense pressure - that it was a boy whom he had caught on the deck. He had no choice but to assume a third prisoner had escaped.

Then there was also the confirmation of the girl he had seen dangling from the side of the ship. Was it possible they had it wrong? That it wasn't two girls but one girl and a boy who had escaped.

No, he thought. Despite the fatalities, all but two had been accounted for in the borstal. And both were female.

So what does he make of the boy?

When he asked the Huntsman for his thoughts, the man had much to say. "I've heard rumors about a young man who defected. Some say he lives in the woods beyond the borstal, surviving off of the provisions the men leave in the village. Others swear that he travels between hobbles and cities."

"What do you make of them?"

The Huntsman had shrugged. "They are rumors."

Staring at the sea, Lord Brae fumed over the lack of clarity he had received. The last day had been obscenely difficult when it should have been plainly simple. He had a mission and he had failed on all levels. Hardly breaking the surface of the potential that died slowly in the borstal before discovering the boy who destroyed it all. And now he hunted for two girls who seemed to be two steps ahead of him and he couldn't figure out how.

At last, the Huntsman returned. Only, unexpectedly. Lifting his gaze to the sky, he found the source of the caw. The bird was very large and very orange. It glided onto the dock and ruffled its feathers as the Huntsman slid from its back.

Wide-eyed with fascination, Lord Brae stepped forwards. The bird crowed in defense. Instantly, Brae drew his hand back.

"She is rather protective when it comes to strangers." The Huntsman turned to the bird, petted her beak. "Be nice, Avox." When she blinked, she bowed her head.

Laying his hand cautiously on the bird's head, Brae looked to the Huntsman. "Is it what I think it is?"

"If that is a phoenix, then yes."

"But I thought fae birds were extinct."

"So had I. Until I met her."

"And she lets you ride her? Willingly?"

He nodded to the Lord. "I am her rider."

"Then the legends are true?"

He nodded again. "Shall we make for the mainland?"

"Of course." Climbing atop Avox, they settled with the rope fashioned around her saddle. "We should begin at Aaurn. We will be needing all the help we can receive."

On his whistle, Avox spread her wings until they spanned the length between both docks.

As they descended into Aaurn a few hours later, everyone flocked to their side. Awning the legendary bird as Lord Brae pushed past them all and strode into the village. He walked right by Fancy's Tavern, passed the statue of the king, and into the second largest building in the city.

At the door to Lord' Gaios' home, Lord Brae ordered all the men away and walked urgently through the home and up to the lord's quarters. He heard voices arguing as he approached the room.

"We do not know how it happened, my ord. All horses were accounted for when we left for the Storyteller's tale. But when we returned in the morning, they were gone."

Lord Brae felt Lord Gaios' anger rise significantly. "Impotent fools! Where have your searches led you?"

"Nowhere, my lord. They appear to have vanished altogether."

Clearing his throat, Lord Brae announced himself. Lord Gaios took his eyes from the boys briefly to lay haste on him. "To what do I owe your unsolicited visit to, Lord Brae?"

"If you wouldn't mind, this is a private matter."

"Fine. Leave us. But I am not finished with you!" he called after the stable boy. Moving aside, he watched the boy scurry from the room with idle satisfaction.

When they were alone, he explained his situation.

The lord chuckled. "It would appear that you have found yourself in quite the predicament, young lord. Why have you come to me?"

"I am in the need of men to aid my search. These Blessed are particularly gifted and I will need every hand available to contain them once captured. I will also be needing provisions and horses."

The amusement faded from Gaios' face. "As I'm sure you have heard, we are in short supplies around here."

"The king has demanded their swift return. Surely you can spare a few more in his name."

Scowling at him. "Three of my best horses are gone and you expect me to give you more because of your mishaps?"

"Because the king wants it."

Gaios turned to face the window. "Fine, but I will need something from you in return."

Shortly after they negotiated the details of their arrangement, Brae left his home. Outside, the Huntsman dodged several inquiring tongues.

Despite the admiration, the Huntsman appeared unphased. Though he was reticent to answer, the pestering prevailed. He could admire a man who knew when not to speak, Lord Brae thought.

It seemed that the Huntsman's reputation was more known than the new lord had given him praise for. It wasn't just hunting the man excelled at, it was discovering illustrious antiquities and unearthing legends that caught him fame.

Lord Brae was only familiar with some of the tales the men rambled about. Many he had heard in taverns when passing through cities. Before the man gained the attention of the King, he was isolated. Traveling alone and seeking myths across Dianmoore. Only after he rode the last dragon over the skies and to the gates of the King's castle had all rumor of his existence been put to rest. As the tale was told, the dragon had been tamed in the Caves of Duven deep inside the burrows of the Ether Mountains. Now the dragon sleeps by the King's side. Always.

The list of tales run long and true: tusks of boars, paws of bears, wings of fae creatures. Dust from dwarven mines, the heads of cunnings, hooves of centaurs, petrified brownies. These and many more treasures reside in the King's vault.

When he sighted him, the Huntsman nudged his way to his side.

"Gather all the men at the hall and send for ten horses and all the provisions we can carry. Make it swift. I want to leave as soon as matters are handled."

"Certainly. What did you discover, my lord?"

Stunned at the imposition, he stopped. He didn't want to share anything with the man but knew that if he wanted to fulfill the king's orders, he would have to.

"The Lord said three horses were taken in the night. Their trail ends at the tunnel according to the stable boy."

"There could be a number of reasons why three horses have gone missing."

"Yes, but if I am correct, our escapees made their way here and took what they can. Gather the horses, Huntsman." Turning on his heels, Lord Brae made for the gathering hall.

He would have to work fast. He would secure his men and capture the girls before long. Ony then would he reclaim his honor in the king's eyes.