Chapter 195: Detour (1/2)

“Perfect. This is the missing piece.” Edwin said as he read through the letter again. “I owe you my life and now you’re even giving me this piece of the hunt.” The man added, looking at Ilea.

“Stop flattering me. You’ll be able to repay me one day or the other. I’m sure you won’t sit idle after your father has been taken care of.” Ilea said, sitting casually in her chair.

“Oh I won’t and I’ll be there when you call on me, no matter who or what the target is. That is my word.” Edwin said and Ilea just snorted which made Maria laugh in turn.

“Why exactly is she helping them? I though he abused her?” Elise asked Kyrian, the two of them sitting next to each other while Aliana sat next to Kyrian, closer than he seemed to like.

“Abused her? As far as I heard he just took advantage of her to clear out some dungeon at some point. Ilea was a lot weaker a couple years ago, or so I’ve heard.” The man answered. “Arthur Redleaf is part of the Golden Lily.” He added.

“Ah, now that makes sense. The man is very influential though, I doubt the group of you together will be able to take down the Redleafs, no offense.” Elise said.

“I appreciate your concern librarian. It is not my family that I want to take down, it is merely my father. And that I feel quite capable of doing. At least together with Maria and some other help if they’re willing.” Edwin said, looking at all three of them in turn.

“We’re gone as soon as it smells too dangerous, you know that.” Ilea said. “I won’t risk my life for you, not again.”

“You’ll be happy to face a dangerous opponent.” Maria commented, drinking a cup of tea.

“I am, yes. Still I’d rather face something less intelligent than a human. Easier to predict and flee from.” Ilea said.

“She’s not wrong. Although the opportunity of facing my father makes my blood boil.” Edwin said with a rare smile on his face.

Hey I can actually do that now. Ilea thought, looking at her arm. She had changed into more comfortable leather armor after they had returned, throwing away the ripped shirt she had used to train.

“So you have the location?” Kyrian asked. “I’ll join as well but my own life and Ilea’s have a higher priority than the mission.”

“That is understood. And I appreciate the manpower, I promise to pay you according to a Shadow’s worth. Additional to any favors you’ll need in the future.” Edwin said.

“Should you survive.” Maria commented again.

“Should we survive. Yes. You should be on my side you know?” He added but she just smirked and shrugged. “And yes, I have the location. At least I think I do. An island off the coast near the Naraza mountain chain. The letter mentions the Isle of Garath. The locals might know where exactly that is.”

“We’re going to escort Elise to Ravenhall first.” Ilea said. “Should we join you here again or in a town near the isle?”

“Here, I’m sure the whole city will know why you’re there after ten minutes. No offense.” Maria said.

“I can help sooth the pain of your lost child if you want, no reason to be such a bitch.” Ilea answered with a smile.

“Ah, don’t worry. They destroyed that part when I was a kid. Not good to have distractions as a future assassin.” Maria said completely seriously.

Ilea didn’t retort but nodded to the woman.

“Thought so.” Maria said and finished her cup of whatever brew she was drinking.

“I can find my own way to Ravenhall.” Elise said but Ilea shook her head.

“I’m sure you could but I know people that can get you set up and hidden away.” Ilea said. “Plus I want to see it when you finally meet him.” She added with a smile. Maria snorted and left the table.

“I agree, as much as you’ve helped you’re not the most discreet of people.” Edwin said. “We’ll wait here. How long do you need to Ravenhall and back?”

“A week, maybe longer.” Ilea answered.

“I don’t think I can fly that fast. The skill is barely at level four.” Elise joked.

“I’ll carry you, don’t worry. Wanna join too Kyrian?” Ilea asked and he shrugged.

“Why not, I’d like to see how Ravenhall is doing. Perhaps the imperial influence has lessened now that war broke out.” He said.

“Perhaps.” Ilea said and got up. “See you in a week then.” She said to Edwin who nodded. “Maybe go loot some better armor in Virilya.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” The man asked, looking down on himself but Ilea didn’t elaborate, leaving the hideout and breathing in some fresh air.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

Neither her Curse nor Health Drain resistances had increased but considering their already high level it was a given. She’d get them higher soon. Perhaps Trian was looking to stay occupied in Ravenhall. She thought about asking both him and Claire to help with Arthur but it didn’t feel right. Going alone seemed like the right thing to do but she wouldn’t stop Kyrian if he wanted to join. He wanted to find out more about Eve’s killers just as much as her. Neither would she stop any of the others if they wanted to join.

The impact that this mission would have on the lives of everybody who was involved would be quite extensive. At least if the powers that be found out who exactly they were. Ilea at least didn’t plan to visit any big human city anymore until she was ready to face the worst of them, except for maybe Ravenhall. The thought made her sigh and take a deep breath of air. Perhaps it was an excuse to get away? It’s good enough. She thought. To go explore again. Maybe with Kyrian as a teammate? Or another team? No, either alone or with Kyrian.

“Ready?” The man asked when he joined her outside, clad in his black armor.

Ilea nodded and looked to Elise. “Hop on.” She said and motioned towards her back.

“I’ll make sure that the next time we meet, this won’t be necessary.” Elise said as she held on to Ilea whose ashen wings spread in the dark forest.

“Do that, try to train somewhere without trees though.” Ilea said before they took off, quickly reaching their top speed on their way to the southern mountain chain housing Ravenhall and Morhill, most of the population in the area completely wiped out by the demon summoning. There were surely still straggler demons around, likely still decimating or completely destroying cities and villages around the empire and beyond.

Their path of travel didn’t bring them close to the fleeing citizens of Virilya but Ilea didn’t doubt they would meet the first ones in Ravenhall soon. Some might’ve fled even before the actual attacks had happened.

The night stretched over the plains of the empire, some clouds visible while the moon bathed their way in a pale light. They didn’t rest, nor did they slow down. Kyrian at some point used a curse on Ilea to keep himself going, reaching the end of his resources a little earlier than her. Metal manipulation was apparently more draining than an actual flying skill like Ilea had. Plus she didn’t need any mana to keep it going. Still, they paused a couple hours later to quickly recover through Meditation additional to some food and drink.

Another one and a half days of travel finally brought them into the southern mountain chain. Snow still clung to the higher parts of the rocky terrain, not ready to leave even with the spring suns shining down on them. Cold winds from the ocean would secure the white veil throughout the year. A cat and her growing kittens played near a snow covered house quite a while away from the city of Ravenhall, their first experiences in hunting small critters carefully observed by their mother.

Three individuals neared the walled mountain city of Ravenhall and slowed down, descending towards the peaks overlooking the city.

“They’ve certainly been busy.” Kyrian said, the noise coming from the city combined with the winds pushing on their small forms nearly drowned out his voice.

“The walls are higher.” Ilea said, noticing that there were more than one wall now. Like Virilya, Ravenhall was now sectioned into more than a single part. Three thick walls now towered over all but the most central area. Hundreds of people, carts, mercenaries and soldiers could be seen on the road leading to the city, craters and fires still visible in the massive field of battle that had decided the fate of the town. Possibly forgotten, a fortress of demons in the now cursed southern mountains of the human plains. Retaken and made into a fortress of human power. While part of the empire, a statement to the mercenaries of the Shadow’s Hand. Ilea couldn’t help but smile when she saw the black flags fluttering in the wind above the city gates.

Of course it was the Hand that brought ruin to not only Ravenhall in the first place. Or at least it was one of theirs who did it. The people coming to the city didn’t seem to care, Ilea and her companions joining the refugees, adventurers and merchants coming from all over and watching their relief of finishing a perilous and long journey.

They got some looks when they landed near the gate but considering Ravenhall was the home town of the Shadows, it was excitement and relief instead of apprehension and fear that they saw in the spectators’ eyes. The guards on the gate greeted them and waved them inside.