First Deployment
Zander stood patiently on the platform, arms crossed contemplatively. He listened intently to their Guidance Angel’s explanation of Cambria’s history and current state. However, neither she nor the Archivists knew why Cambria’s relic showed signs of decay.As he listened, he formulated plans for as many contingencies as he could for when he arrived in Cambria. What if he was immediately held prisoner? What if he landed on a forsaken isle amidst cult-like fanatics? Surely, it wasn’t likely, but it was within the realm of possibility. Among all of the skills and lessons he was taught, one principle stood above the rest: Always be prepared.
After Triskit’s advice and instructions concluded, the magic circle beneath Zander and his fellow champions began to glow. And within the next moment, Zander found himself buffeted by strong winds and surrounded by a clear sky. His eyes began to work, scanning the landscape that was quickly changing beneath him.
Reconnaissance
Zander steered himself to a more remote part of an ash-fallen forest, clear enough to see and interesting enough to investigate. He quickly deployed a cloth from his satchel to slow his descent. Aiming for the tallest tree in view, he swung off of each branch, steadily slowing himself as he raced through the canopy’s cover. With an acrobatic dismount, he safely landed on the ground. The plumes he saw while in freefall were only a few hundred meters away, per his estimation. After a short walk, he arrived to see their cause.The ruins of a smoldering house lay bare. Remnants of cloth, pots, baskets, charred food, and all sorts of rubble lay strewn about. Even beneath Zander’s quiet walking, the burnt detritus crunched and cracked beneath his feet.
He took one more step and the crackling lowered in pitch. A hollow space lay beneath the burnt board. He calmly lowered himself and gently pried the board away with minimal effort. Whoever was here before had wrapped a journal with cloth, still somewhat damp to the touch. The journal itself was only a little wet; he could read its contents. It was just a mess of recipes, lullabies, and fairy tales. Seemingly of little value, it still puzzled Zander. There was nothing he could tell was previously a child’s toy or so much as a broken crib.
It did not matter. He could use this journal as his own to document his journey and important information. Behind the ruined house lay a well in acceptable condition compared to the house next to it. The bucket was nowhere to be found but the rope at least was still there. It appeared to be almost laid in a somewhat straight line leading into the forest. Coincidence or not, it was the only lead Zander had. Perhaps whoever lived here made their escape in that direction. It was only curious that there were no signs of footprints or any disturbed terrain.
Always Watching
As Zander traveled, he came across other houses and huts, small townships, and even farmland. All razed and ruined. Not a single person was left behind to interrogate — not alive, anyway. While he felt he was reassured that he was getting closer to more populous cities, he simultaneously felt more and more uneasy. After that first frayed rope, he found several more along the way in similar circumstances as the first. But he thought the fastest way to get answers would be to follow their direction, regardless of where it might have led him.A branch crack here, a rustle of leaves there. But too much silence followed. Even the stealthiest animals and beasts of the forest make more noise, or they at least leave behind a trace of their passing. Each time Zander investigated to calm his nerves, he found no such reassurance. He felt watched. A mild frown and gut discomfort accompanied Zander as waited and no strategy he could theorize could help abate them.
As uneasy as he was, sleep was still paramount. It had barely been a week since he began trekking. This was nothing compared to his training. He thought back to a month he was sent to fend for himself in a beast-filled forest when he was a few years younger. This particular night was well-lit with a full moon. It would be difficult for any intruder to ambush him in this light without his notice.
After he set a couple more traps and trip-wire in the vicinity, he ascended into his makeshift hammock to rest. The night smelled sweeter than usual…
Unexpected Interrogation
Zander awoke to find himself in darkness. A musky odor. His hands were restrained behind him by something cold. He could make out three - no - four people in this room.“Which faction do you belong to?” one of the shadowed figures inquired. It was a female's voice, one not much older than him.
“I’m not supporting any factions. Can you untie me so we can talk normally? I was sent to investigate this place.”
Another of the figures began to laugh. A gruff voice this time. Male, definitely middle-aged or thereabouts. “Do you take us for fools? Again, which faction sent you?”
The cold binding slowly tightened on Zander’s wrists. “Even if I told you, either you wouldn’t know or it doesn’t matter,” he answered sternly. “I’ve seen the strife that plagues this land, the war that stretches far, even from a bird’s eye view. Seeing as you are all secretive about this whole ordeal, I think we might be on the same side. If I weren’t a concern, I wouldn’t be a captive; if I were and was of no use to you, I might already be dead. So, there must be something you want from me, more than just knowing where I’m from.” Even in this situation, Zander’s heart was calm and his blood ran cold. Though his bindings were tight, no signs of pain or discomfort could be identified on his face.
“Hah! You’re either insane or arrogant.” A young boy’s voice spoke up and let out a light chuckle. “But… what you say isn’t entirely wrong. At least we’re getting somewhere now.” The gruff man approached slowly, his heavy footsteps making dull noises on what Zander thought was a stone floor. “You’re either perceptive or lucky to have followed our signs for this long. Clearly, it’s the former, but I don’t think you’ve given us enough credit as to how careful we are. You arrived on this continent along with five others, seemingly out of nowhere. Information travels fast, you see. The first two have been here for several years and we initially thought you might be their allies; it seems that’s not the case.” Zander could almost feel the man breathing down his neck.
It was Zander’s turn. “Could you tell me about the first two?” The female let out an audible tsk. “One of them is a highly capable mage that’s been stirring up trouble in courts and the other is a vile mercenary that’s been beating us at every turn. I should call her an assassin instead. Did you know? She killed my sister!” Her voice echoed in this small chamber.
The gruff man interjected. “Enough. You know better than that.” He cleared his throat and began again. “Trust, like all roads, starts and ends in two places. We have a duty as I’m sure you have yours. But, we cannot bring you into the fold unless we’re absolutely certain about your loyalties; with your abilities, you could be deceiving us even now.”
Zander found his foothold in this exchange. The woman was rather trusting, the child was impressionable, and the gruff man appeared to be their leader. Whichever group they were a part of had a history with the mage and the assassin — a very personal one. It was also likely they were tied to Archive’s objectives in sending him and his friends to this place. He would gain their trust and infiltrate them.
Unexpected Interrogation
“I have a proposition. You know my abilities by now; make use of them. I’ll be willing to be a mercenary and take whichever contracts you’d like. In return, teach me about this place and what has been happening since the mage and assassin came.” In this vulnerable dark, Zander made a gamble. While he was certain he could escape this room, he was not sure if he could escape what would be beyond it.For the last time, the man spoke. “Unfortunately, we’re not in the business of hiring mercenaries, no matter how talented they might be.” After this, the figures were silent and began shifting. A stone mechanism rumbled behind him and the three pairs of footsteps shuffled around before they were gone. Then the rumbling returned and he was alone again. Zander guessed they were going deliberate about his offer. Unfortunately, Zander had no time to waste.
He quickly slipped out of his binding and slowly moved along the wall where he thought he heard the first click of the stone door. After carefully guiding his fingers along the wall to find smooth grooves worn by use, he found the keystone. It clicked and rumbled again. However, this time, a door behind him swung open. A different door. Abundant light flooded in and blinded Zander. His hands rose up to shield his eyes from the brilliant emission.
A prideful and arrogant voice spoke up from behind him, different from any of the others that spoke until now. The fourth person that slipped from Zander’s mind.. “A little clichè, but it has been said that light shines brightest in the dark. If you make it out of this place, the Corhazi will welcome you with open arms. If not, well…”
Zander quickly turned and swiped at the voice out of instinct. It was the same feeling he had when sparring with his father. But they were already gone. Whoever it was, they were the real deal. Zander’s steady heart began beating more quickly and a surge of interest sparked in his eyes. He was used to trials. This would be fun.
