Son of Winter - To The Fortress

To The Fortress

The Masked One sighed as he finally reached the top of the hill. His legs were tired from the long journey on foot, but it was worth it; he was now rewarded with a view over a valley stricken with twisting rivers, hills and stone bridges, all intertwined and leading to their destination. In the distance, the mountains of the Upper Back of Iznugia rose before him, their tall peaks towering over the land below. Tucked between the mounts, the Izn’ck could see the Fortress of Okorein, its unique tower carved in the stone of the mountains. This ancient fortress was built many cycles ago, during the Bloody Scale Wars that ravaged this land. It was used to house and protect Dragons from the dreaded Scale Hunters of Sinta, and served as a base of operations for the Black Guardians. That time was long gone however, but the Fortress was still being used to this day; now, it served as a refuge for those whose homes have been lost to the Corruption. And they were growing in numbers every day… 

Mask looked down at his feet, watched where the Crimson Flowers finally stopped their ravaging course at the base of the bridges down the hill, and he looked into the distance, on another hill. There they were; the dreaded golden death. Those crystals were growing even here… Soon, the people taking refuge in the Fortress would have to leave as well. But… that wasn’t his problem. Not his problem at all.

The tall Ikrouk looked back behind him and saw his young protégé farther down, still trying to climb after him, and visibly exhausted. He called out to him:

“Artur, come up here now. We’re resting here, and then we’ll make our way to the Fortress.”

The young pale Izn’ck looked up at him, tired eyes retrieving a visible sparkle and his ears perking up, and with renewed energy, he climbed the rest of the hill, chirping his way through the fatigue. As Artur finally caught up to him and took in the amazing view on the mountain range in the distance, Mask put down his gear, searching through his satchels for what remained of their food supply. Hunt had been just terrible around these parts, as all the animals had fled the Crimson Flowers long ago, and now… all that remained in his satchels were a couple pieces of mujha jerky. They would need to restock once they reached the mountain fortress… He only hoped he had some satisfying things to trade for food. Maybe some of the crystal pebbles Artur had dug up in Lotlein would do the trick…

Mask turned to the young one, and saw Artur sitting down in the grass, ears low as he caught his breath still. Whistling to get his attention, the taller of the two threw one piece of jerky at him, which Artur caught easily as soon as he caught a whiff of the meat’s smell. He happily began to tear the meat apart, and Mask smirked under his helm as he observed his hungry young friend, sitting down with his own piece of jerky in hand. Calmly, Mask contemplated the Fortress in the distance for a moment… until he realized that Artur was staring right at him. Taking his mask off of his face, Mask nodded his head toward their destination.

“Only a little ways to go after this break,” he said. “Then, once we’re at the Fortress, we’ll be going our separate ways. You’re bound to find someone who knows you there, and if not, you can surely catch a ride to the capital. There are a lot of merchants going back and forth between Sinta and Okorein, someone will surely take you in…”

He trailed off as he turned his head back to Artur; the younger one was looking at him, with a gaze he could only recognize as… saddened. Mask sighed.

“I told you,” he said, “I am not stepping into the capital. I would be recognized by some undesirable ikres, and besides, I need to go back to the main continent eventually, so better sooner than later. You’ll be just fine without me, lad.”

Artur appeared thoroughly disappointed, and Mask quietly ate his piece of jerky while observing him. What did he think he would do, accompany him all over the place? He wasn’t his eggsitter, Artur could very well find his way home on his own. But his completely defeated face spoke a million other words… Ugh, what to do now. He sighed again.

“Listen,” he spoke, bringing Artur’s saddened eyes back to him. “...We’ll see once we’re there what we do. Alright? I…” Another sigh. “I said I would help you find your home or someone who knows you, and that’s what I’ll do, I suppose. Happy?”

Artur’s response was immediate; his ears perked up, his back straightened up, and his beak opened in a wide and happy smile. Mask looked away, back to the fortress in the distance while he ate, trying to ignore the happy looks the boy was sending him. He wouldn’t lie to himself.

He was getting attached to the boy.

At least… enough to keep him around.