Chapter 80 - Ceremony of the Dead

The villagers held the ceremony in the morning. It was unlike anything that Hump had seen, but beautiful in its own way. They laid the bodies out on a single, long raft that they’d constructed overnight and early in the morning. The bodies were covered in flowers and surrounded by food items and trinkets to take with them on their journey. Isaia had also carved formations into the wood, each of them embedded with heartstones. They were nothing valuable, being no bigger than a fingernail, but to the people of Lakewood they were worth more than gold or silver. They would guide their dead on their journey to Hestia, where they would find their eternal rest.

The raft was towed out into the lake by one of the larger ships, and a procession of boats followed in their stead. Isaia led the ceremony, blessing the bodies with grain and water, and chanting a deep, throaty hymn that Hump felt reverberate deeply in his chest.

The ceremony ended when Isaia activated his formations. It was a simple, sympathetic binding that relied on the heartstones as fuel to set alight the key supports of the raft. In seconds, the raft fell apart, and the bodies fell into the water, where, weighed down by stones in their wrappings, they sank.

Hump still felt Isaia’s chant in his chest as they paddled back to Fishers Lake Town later that morning. He couldn’t help but dwell on the bones of all those that had died and been laid to rest in the very waters he now floated on. Now, yesterday’s victims would join them and rest forever. It was an eerie thought.

None of them felt much like talking on the way back to town. Kastin had stayed with Lakewood to be with his people, so one of the fishermen from Stremway had volunteered to take them back to town. He was an older fellow, and after a few questions about ‘demons’ and the tale of their battle, he fell quiet.

Hump made use of the journey with an egg bonding session. As much as he’d been craving to try again, Celaine told him to wait until he’d had a chance to rest. The last thing he wanted was to let any lingering fear and horror rub off on his unhatched dragon. While it wouldn’t necessarily be concerned with gore, it would sense the darkness in Hump’s mind. Something he’d prefer to keep to himself.

So he began by calming his own mind. It was a fairly simple matter for him to abandon his emotions using River and Waves, but that wasn’t his intention. He let his mind wander in the tranquil quiet, the cool mist, the dim morning light. He listened to the distant splash of fish, and the bird songs that reached him from the bank. When he felt like he had gained a proper sense of the lake, he let his essence flow toward the egg. And from it, he felt an overwhelming joy and curiosity.

Hump grinned like a child.

***

Hump heard the town before he saw it. He didn’t know what he’d been expecting on his return, but it was far from this. Guards were gathered at the dock, Mayor Arnold atop a plateau and overseeing the loading of supplies onto a small trading barge. There were more guards than before, or perhaps militia was a better term. Half a hundred men and women, largely unarmoured and equipped with basic spears. The townsfolk watched on with folded arms and worried faces.

Many of those faces turned on Hump and the others as they disembarked.

“Looks like news of the attack already reached them,” Hump said.

“What on earth are they planning with all these supplies?” Dylan said.

“They could be for Lakewood, though you wouldn’t need this much for just ten people. Looks to me like they’re planning an expedition.”

“Gods, we’ve only been gone for one night,” Dylan said. “What could have happened?”

Hump picked out a path toward Arnold. “Best we find out.”

When the mayor spotted him, the large man’s eyes widened behind his glasses. At his side, Captain Winfrey’s reaction was a little stronger.

The man hurried over to them, a wide smile on his face. “By the gods, it’s good to see you all back safely. We feared the worst when news of more killings reached us. They said you went after the demons that did this.”

“You made the right decision coming back so soon,” Arnold said. “Best to be safe. You’re too important for us to lose, and any information you can provide would be of great help.”

“Help for what?” Dylan wasked. “Arnold, what on earth is going on?”

The two men glanced at each other with confused frowns, then turned back to them. “We’ve prepared an expedition to reinforce the settlements closest to Lakewood and begin a search. We can’t leave demons roaming our…”

He trailed off as Hump opened his pouch and took out four heartstones and held them out on display. “We took care of it.”

“Took care of—” The mayor stammered. “But I—” He stared down at the heartstones, still piecing together what Hump had just said. “I was told there were demons, boy! Demons! Every effort has been made to put together a force that can track them down and ensure they are slain before more damage can be reaped. What are you saying?”

“They weren’t demons,” Hump said patiently. “At least, I don’t think they were. We tracked down and killed four monsters, and I suspect they may be connected to the recent spirit attacks. It’s vital we speak to Wizard Vivienne as soon as possible.”

“I don’t understand,” Winfrey said. “We were told all of Lakewood were found dead. How do you know these monsters were behind it?”

The four of them gave a quick debrief to the two men, explaining their initial findings at the town and how they’d followed the monsters back to their den and killed them. Hump briefed over the spirits and formation, leaving out most of the key details but making it clear that the connection was strong. By the time they were down, a crowd had gathered around them, listening quietly.

Bud removed the adventurer medallions from his pocket. “We also found these in the lair. We think they belonged to the missing adventurers, but if you could have someone take this to Sheercliff City to be properly identified, it would be very helpful.”

“Most importantly, we need to know if there were any wizards or sorcerers amongst them,” Hump said.

“Of course,” Arnold said, taken aback. “I’ll see to it. What in the name of the gods were they doing there though?”

“There’s every possibility they were doing what they could to help Fishers Lake. Whatever it was, we think they’re dead now.”

“Gods.” Arnold took the medallions. “And we suspected them of running. I’ll ensure their names are cleared of any wrongdoing and have a plaque raised in their name.”

Bud nodded gratefully. “Thank you.”

Hump cringed inwardly but said nothing. Bud hadn’t come around to the idea that the missing adventurers were just as likely the ones behind this as anything else. At the same time, he wasn’t about to tarnish the names of the dead without proof. Dead is dead. It no longer mattered either way.

“Might I make a suggestion, Arnold,” Dylan said.

“Of course my boy. Of course. Anything I can do to help.”

“There are nine survivors of Lakewood. I’m sure any supplies you have to spare will go a long way in helping them through this trying time.”

Arnold nodded solemnly. “I should have really thought of that myself. This is all rather a shock. I’ll arrange to have food and clothing sent right away. Captain, could you also arrange for a squad to make the trip. I’d like to have the area searched to be sure nothing slipped beneath notice. We’ve suffered more than enough loss already.”

“Of course, sir. I’ll have Sergeant Fredricks lead the expedition.”

“Good man.” Arnold turned back to the rest of them. “Let me keep you no longer. Speak to Wizard Vivienne, and then if you don’t mind, send me a note with an appropriate meeting time. I’d like to fully understand the situation once the details are understood.”

“I’ll come personally,” Dylan said.

The mayor hesitated a moment, mulling something over, then leant in closely. “I was told not to speak of this, but I think you should know. It seems Lord Randall and his party found something the other day, guided by a vision of Albry’s. They were able to locate something on the Isle of Yore.”

“Do you know what they found?” Hump asked.

Arnold shook his head quickly. “No. That’s all I know of it.” He frowned, and Hump realised he had more to say.

Hump took a step closer. “Please, Mayor Arnold, if there’s anything that might help us, tell us. It could be vital.”

“I really shouldn’t say this.” He sighed. “Albry has taken back leadership of the Hestia’s Temple. Priestess Elowen has been confined to her chambers on suspicion of heresy.”

“Heresy?” Hump snapped. “What kind of heresy? And why didn’t you stop it?”

“He’s a Chosen of Hestia my boy!” Arnold insisted. “I’ve said more than I should have already, but you’ve done more for Fishers Lake than anyone. My gut tells me this is the right thing to do.”

Hump frowned. What did Albry find out on that lake?

“Thank you, Arnold,” Dylan said. “This was more useful than you know.”

They said their goodbyes, then left the two men to deal with the crowd and finish arranging supplies.

“Useful how?” Hump asked Dylan as they left the range of curious ears. “Do you know something about the Isle of Yore?”

“There’s not much to know,” Dylan said. “It’s one of the larger islands in the lake, but it’s nothing but trees and grass. No, what matters is that Priestess Elowen might be our best bet in finding out where these summonings are coming from. Her priesthood studies were in cultist rituals and exorcism.”

“And Albry just happened to lock her up…” Celaine said.

Dylan nodded. “It certainly doesn’t look good.”

Hump groaned. “Now that Albry has Randall and his party as allies, he may actually be a threat.”

“I don’t understand,” Bud said. “If Priestess Elowen is an expert in cultist rituals, surely she’s the more likely suspect out of the two. What if Albry’s really having visions from Hestia?”

“Then she’s more involved than any god I know,” Hump said. “I’m betting on him just being insane.”

“If not her, then what?” Bud asked.

Hump held threw up his hands in frustration. “Gods know. All I know is we don’t have time to deal with this, or the damn duel.”

“You want to try and reason with them?” Dylan asked.

Celaine scoffed. “Lordlings like that can’t be reasoned with. The only thing they care about is power and respect.”

“He’s still a Chosen of Kelisia,” Bud said. “There must be some honour in him.”

“I’ve met more than enough Chosen to know that isn’t true,” Hump said. “The gods only seem to care when the pricks are obvious about it.”

“We should try,” Dylan said. “That knight…”

“Madeleine,” Bud said.

Dylan nodded. “Right, Madeleine, she seemed like she could be reasoned with. And the rogue didn’t seem to care for Randall in the slightest. If we can make the threat clear, they may come to our side whether Randall agrees or not.”

“I’m happy to try,” Hump said. “For now, I think speaking to Vivi and finding out exactly what we’re dealing with is most important. With any luck, she might recognise the runes of this formation.”

They were on the path leading to the lighthouse when Celaine spoke.

“Act normal. There’s a figure in one of the trees on the far side of the treeline. It looks like they’re staking out the lighthouse.”

“They’re what?” Dylan growled.

“I said to act normal,” Celaine snapped. “Don’t raise suspicion. I think we can get close enough to catch them. Hump, there’s a cluster of three large stones after the path ends. Do you see them?”

“I see them,” Hump said, then faked a laugh.

“There’s a patch of oak trees beyond it. I want you to hit them with the biggest blast you can when I say when.”

“Got it,” Hump said. “Fire or no fire.”

“No fire!” Dylan said. “Last thing we need is for you to start a forest fire or roast some poor farmboy that got curious.”

“Good point.”

“Dylan, I want you to use Aspect of the Ape and follow me,” Celaine said. “Between us, we should be able to catch them.”

As they drew closer, Hump began to summon his essence. At this range, he’d need a lot of it, and he’d need it fast if he wanted to avoid the person noticing. He kept it contained within his body for as long as he could, then all at once channelled it to his staff. It shone bright blue, and he took aim. “Blast!”

The air exploded before him, a wave of blue pressure spreading out to encompass his view. Behind it, Celaine and Dylan shot forward, each empowered by their blessings. The trees shook as Hump’s Blast tore into them, leaves and branches going everywhere. Hump thought he saw a figure moving, but it was too fast for him to tell for sure. In only seconds, Celaine and Dylan were gone, chasing through the trees.

Hump followed as best as he could, Bud leading the way through the trees. The forest floor was largely clear of undergrowth, this area of the woodlands well cultivated by the town, yet still they lost sight of their party members in only seconds.

Distantly, Hump heard a scream, and they took off in that direction. They found Celaine and Dylan standing over a young man in casual attire. He was on his back, one of Dylan’s vines coiled around him so that his arms and legs were bound. He had a familiar face, but Hump couldn’t place him.”

“You’re the rogue Randall’s party!” Bud exclaimed. “Skander, wasn’t it?”

He tried to fight his binding, but all he managed was a slight wriggle. After a few seconds he stopped and let out a sigh. “If I told you no, would you believe me?”