Chapter 1: the New Macaean Colony

Coast of the New World

July, 1612

Quintus would have tripped over the boy’s body if he wasn’t careful; he was too
busy admiring the scenery to pay much attention to what was in front of him. He had
arrived from the north less than two hours ago, where the light blizzard had all but
obscured his view of the scenery around him. Now the crisp autumn air lent a sharp
sting to the wind that blew his hair around his face. He brushed it aside and bent down,
examining the body. A bloody bump was on the boy’s forehead, and a particularly deep
gash ran from his eye to his cheek, blood still oozing out of it. More gashes and bruises
covered his arms, and his hand sported nasty yellow and black bruises up down the
palm, and it looked quite swollen. Quintus guessed it was broken. Feeling the boy’s
wrist, Quintus found a faint pulse, and breathed a sigh of relief. The boy was alive, but
just barely, and if Quintus tended to him properly, he might last through the night. Lifting
him gently in his arms, Quintus carried him towards the stream he had passed earlier,
and set him down on the grass. Wetting his handkerchief in the stream, Quintus did his
best to mop up the boy’s face, being careful to not aggravate the deep cut on his face.
The blood ran into the stream when he dipped the linen in a second time, and by the
time Quintus had finished mopping the boy’s face and arms, the linen was stained pink.
***
Uther slowly came to, blinking to dispel the sudden wave of nausea as his head
began to pound, and the pain in his broken hand radiated up his arm. But the nausea
didn’t go away, and he leaned over the precipe to empty his stomach. Uther closed his
eyes, wishing for the echoes of the woman’s screams to go away. But they didn’t, and
his head was still pounding as he replayed the scene over and over in his head. The
men grabbing her, pushing her to the ground. Uther remembered picking up a rock and
throwing it at them, but he hadn’t stop to see if it had hit them. Instead, he ran to help
her, trying his best to grab her and pull her away from them before realizing that was
useless. One man had grabbed him, but Uther had bit down on his wrist hard enough
that the man had let go, swearing loudly before aiming a punch at him. Uther had
ducked that one, but the man’s companion had landed a well aimed punch to his ribs,

-1-
and Uther remembered the searing pain when two of his ribs had broken. Uther
stomped down on the man’s foot hard, and he had hoped it would buy the woman time
to flee. But she hadn’t and tried her best to help him, surrendering her own safety in an
effort to save her son. But then everything went horribly wrong, as soon as Uther had
punched one of the men in the gut. The second man grabbed his hand, twisting it so
violently that he had heard a snap, followed by searing pain up his arm. Uther had
shouted in pain and kicked out, his foot connecting with the man’s knee. The man’s
companion had drawn a knife, cutting Uther’s face and drawing blood, the pain from his
broken hand and the deep cut on his face rendering it difficult to stay conscious. The
two men must have sensed it, and one brought his arm back, punching him in the head
and knocking him out, and leaving him sprawled in the dirt path, bloody and
unconscious, the two men had quickly overpowered the women. Uther shuddered at the
thought.
“I see you are awake.” A deep voice said behind him,and he sat up at once,
clenching his bloody hand in to a fist.
“Settle down boy. I have no qualms with you, therefore, there is no reason to hurt
me.”
The man held a bundle of herbs in one hand, and he tossed them on the ground
as he came closer.
Uther glanced up at the tall bearded man approaching him, dressed oddly, with a
green cloak and gold fastenings, and long brown hair that reached past his shoulders.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Quintus.” He said. “I found you unconscious over there, and I
brought you here. You’re pretty beat up by the looks of it. Do you live around here? Can
I fetch your parents for you? Do they know where you are?”
“No they don’t. It would be useless for you to get them anyways. My father’s a
minister, and it's the middle of services right now, and my mother’s dead. She was
picking flowers when they came up behind her, and I didn’t have time to warn her. I tried
to save her, but I didn’t have any weapon on me, only my fists. They had knives. They
knocked me out before I could do much. I failed her.” he said miserably.

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 “Your mother? My condolences, Uther.” Quintus said quietly. He crouched down
next to Uther and began mashing up the herbs with his fist.
“What are you doing?”
I’m making a paste for your hand. It should help with the swelling and pain.”
Uther thanked him, but didn’t have much to say other than that, only wiping his
nose with his sleeve and sniffling loudly.
Quintus finished mashing up the plants and taking Uther’s hand in his, gently
smeared the paste on his hand, and Uther winced as the paste stung.
“Where is she? I’d like to see her, if you would allow it.” Quintus said.
“I don’t know where she is.” Uther said. “I am guessing they left her where they
killed her, to distance themselves from the scene. Men like that don’t stay to dispose of
the body properly.” Quintus nodded, his face dark. He stood to gently help Uther to his
feet.
As Uther suspected, they found his mother’s body not far from the dirt path,
where Quintus had found him. Like Uther, she had suffered a blow to the head, and
bruises were all over her body.
He knelt down to brush her hair away from her face, revealing a stab wound at
her neck. Even in death she was beautiful, her shapely face disfigured by blood and
gashes, her blue eyes staring unseeing at the cloudy sky above. Quintus reached up
and closed her eyes, hearing another loud sniffle from Uther.
“Get your hands off of my wife.” strong hands grabbed Quintus by the shoulders,
and Quintus froze. Uther gasped.
He stood, turning around to face the five men behind him and Uther.
“Greetings sir.” Quintus began. “I am terribly sorry for your loss-”
“Get out of my way.” the man said hoarsely, shoving Quintus to the side as he
stood by his wife’s body. He looked at her for a moment, as if trying to wake up out of
this nightmare. But everything stayed the same, and he collapsed next to his wife’s
body in grief. The other men who had come with him glanced around at each other,
unsure what to do. One of the men glanced at Quintus, who shrugged at him. Another
man approached the grieving man, and placed his hand on his shoulder. “Minister…”

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 “Leave me.” The Minister snarled, shoving his hand away. “Take these two men
in for questioning.” He gestured blindly to Quintus and Uther.
The men glanced at Quintus. One of them looked him up and down, blatantly
confused by his odd attire.
“What is your name?” One of the men asked.
“Quintus. Quintus Therik.”
“What an odd name.” he remarked. “You look to be a foreigner. May I ask where
you hail from?” A red-haired man spoke, and Quintus glanced at him.
“Leave me now or i will throw you from the cliffs!” the minister threatened,
obviously not in the mood for introductions.

The men moved away from the grieving minister, and spoke to Quintus in quieter
voices.
“I am from a town in the North.”
“Pray tell us where that is. Perhaps we may have heard of it. We are always
looking to establish diplomacy with other relations.” the first man spoke up again.
“Alas I fear you will not have heard of such a place. I have walked hundreds of
miles with my companions to reach a civilization of the likeness to yours. We are very
far from any settlements, where I come from.”
“But what is the name?” a second man asked.
“I hail from a small village with the name of Nyz-Oran. We hunt and fish seal and
other snow-dwelling creatures. As I said, it is very far north.”
“But what brings you here?” the first man asked.
“Business with our trading industry.” Quintus said.
“Mr…”
“Therik.” Quintus supplied.
The man nodded before continuing. “Mr. Therik, you do understand that this
means we will have to take you in for questioning, due to the fact that the unfortunate
circumstances that have befallen our village have coincided with your arrival.”
Quintus nodded. “I understand that, even though I can assure you, as can Uther,
that I have taken no part in your wife’s death.” He said, addressing the minister.

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 The minister nodded, his expression grim. “I understand Mr. Therik, but that
changes nothing. We must treat you and Uther the same as we treat all suspected
criminals.”
Uther gasped. Up to this point he had been sitting near his mother’s body,
stroking her hand. Now he jumped up, a look of indignation on his face. “But Father! I
had nothing to do with Mama’s death and you know that! I even told you what
happened!”
“You told Quintus what happened.” His father said, glaring at him, obviously
unused to his son’s outbursts. “You never said anything about it to me.”
The men behind him muttered amongst them, and one of them even nodded.
“That’s because you cut me off before I could-”
“SILENCE!” his father thundered. “How dare you stand here and cross me while
you’re mother’s blood is still fresh. Over her dead body! I am ashamed of you. Begone
from my presence.” the minister turned to the men that had come with him.
“Narsia and Kitakka, take Uther back to the village. I am certain his companion
will have more sense than him, and will come willingly.” He glanced expectantly at
Quintus.
Quintus nodded and let one of the men bind his hands.
***
The walk to the village was short, but the scenery had lost its beauty, and it now
looked bleak and foreboding. The men took Quintus and Uther to a small wooden hut
towards the back of the village, and leaving them there, closed and barred the door
behind them.
Not much was said between Uther and Quintus as they tried to work out what
had just happened. The sunlight that shone through the sole window slowly moved
across the floor as the sun rose higher in the sky. Then it was dusk, the small patch of
the sky they could see turning a brilliant pink as the sun sunk below the hills. They
looked up when the door opened, but it was simply someone dropping off food for them.
At closer look, they had been given stew and two pieces of bread. Both ate hungrily,
and it was only when they had finished did Quintus speak up.
“What will they do with us?” Quintus asked.

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 “I have no idea.” Uther said. “I’ve only been here for a few months, and we
haven’t had any criminals yet.”
“Until now.” Quintus said.
“Yes, but what I do know is that the Elders will hold a vote at some point to
determine whether or not we are guilty. It has to be consensus by the whole village.
Everyone has a say, so it depends on what everyone thinks.”
Quintus frowned. “So even if your father and the Elders thinks one way, and the
villagers think another, they could easily overrule him?”
“Well yes, but that normally doesn’t happen. That’s why we have the Elders, to
determine a majority vote, and whether or not it is reasonable. The Elders have the
ultimate say.”
“Where I come from, we have the same kind of thing. We have a Council, which
is kind of like your Elders’, that make the ultimate decision. Each territory has a
councilmember, and at different times during the seasons, the Council convenes in a
tower, to discuss important matters and make decisions.”
Uther looked intrigued. “That’s very interesting.” He said. “But that means you
were lying earlier, when you said you were from Nyz-Oram.”
“Not quite.” Quintus said, holding a hand up. “The village I was born in is called
Nyz-Oram, but it is of a different world. It is nowhere near here.”
Uther looked flabbergasted. “What you mean to say, is that you are not even of
this world? But how is that possible?”
“In the future, it may become clear to you, but for now, let me explain this to you.
A long time ago, there was a very horrible disagreement between the Councilmen of
Macaea. There were people deemed to be of lesser race; elves, dwarves, elementalists,
and wizards, who were being persecuted as they were different from other Macaean
Humans. Two or three council members wanted to kill all non-humans in Macaea, to
have a sense of consistency and order in the world. Sadly, the King at the time,
Suulemyr, agreed with them, but was met with resistance from the rest of the council,
who disagreed. Now of course, common sense would tell you that this is a horrible and
atrocious want. But the Councilmen of Macaea didn’t think sensibly then. They were
corrupt, power hungry, and selfish. The uprising was violent and bloody, and many

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people were killed. The Wizards created a portal, and were able to locate another world
that we lesser-humans could flee to. So we left Macaea and settled in Nyeden, where
we are living to this day. I am from Nyeden, as are my people and my family. The
Nyedeni are a very proud people, and honor to one’s family and country is the most
important thing in our lives.”
“But what reason do you have for returning to the old world?”
“That is a wonderful question, Uther. The council has become dangerous, and
the unthinkable has happened. A council member has been murdered by an Alpha, and
he has taken over the Ignisian Council Seat. His claim is illegitimate, as one might think,
but We are in danger, as the Prophecy of Carrun stated that the day the Council was
divided by blood was the day the world would end in fire and ice. The only thing that can
save us is an Otherworldly child, one who is fleeing danger and persecution in his own
homeworld, and is in need of our protection. We are indebted to you, Uther Utvaard,
and we are in dire need of your help. You are the only thing that can save us, and we
are doomed to certain destruction without us.” Quintus paused and glanced at Uther, his
gaze grim and serious. “What do you say?”

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Chapter 2:
Gamleeden Homeworld
Uther’s settlement; New Macaea

Uther’s head was spinning, and he had to take few moments to process
everything Quintus had just told him. He glanced at Quintus’ anxious face.
“I’m sorry Uther, I understand this is a lot to take in. Now if you want-”
“I haven’t said anything, yes or no. Give me a moment Quintus.” Uther said, the
friendliness gone. This was quite a serious thing, but he now understood why Quintus
had left his own homeworld in the first place. Uther knew he was needed desperately in
Quintus’ own homeworld, and he understood that neither of them stood much of a
fighting chance in Uther’s home.

“Now listen, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeves that might help you get out of
here. But you can’t say a word about this to anyone. Do you promise me? This is a level
of magic I am not the least bit qualified to know about or perform. But you must trust me
when I say I know what I am doing.”
Uther nodded. “I trust you.”
Quintus reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial of some orange
coloured liquid. He uncorked it and handed it to Uther. “Drink some of it; only a little, we
won’t want to ingest too much of it.” Uther nodded and swallowing a few drops of it,
handed it back to the man, who stowed it away before closing his eyes, concentrating. A
few seconds passed, and Uther thought he saw a shift of movement near the corner of
the room.
“Look over there now.” Quintus encouraged him. Uther did. Two figures were
lying a few yards away, one on the floor and the second slumped against the wall. One
was wearing a familiar blue tunic, grey pants, and black boots, while the second was
dressed in the same Nyedeni garb as Quintus. A red line cut across both their throats,
and Uther realized they were dead.
“Is that us?”

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 Quintus nodded. “It is an image of course; they are not real people. But to your
father, and the rest of the villagers, they will look, feel, and weigh the same as a real
human.
“But what does that mean?”
“It means that to your father, and to everyone else in your world, they will now
find the both of us dead, killed by someone who wanted revenge for your mother’s
death. What it means for you is that you must never set foot in this world again. I cannot
reverse this spell. So your Shadow-figure is here to stay.”
Quintus could tell Uther was at a loss for words.
Uther asked, glanced again at his dead body slumped in the corner. “Now what?”
“Now we have to get you out of here before anyone sees our dead bodies in
here. Quintus glanced around the room, and paused to examine the barrels that were
shoved in a corner. “Why is there rope here? Someone could hang themselves before
their trial.”
“This place is normally used for storage. I’m the first prisoner they’ve had locked
up in here for five years. With that time span, plenty of things go unnoticed.”
“Is that why the door was also ajar when I came over?”
Uther nodded.
“I’ve got plan. Now you take this.” Quintus unfastened his cloak and gave it to
Uther, who took it hesitantly, glancing at Quintus.
“What am I to do with this?” Uther asked, unimpressed.
“This cloak belongs to my friend Leonidas. The wizard Angsar enchanted it so
that when the hood is worn, the wearer becomes invisible. Try it.” Uther looked doubtful
but he put it on.
“Perfect.” Quintus said, as Uther’s form disappeared before his eyes. “Now how
do we get out of here?” He asked, making his way to the door.
“The only entrance is the way you came in, through the south gate.” Uther’s voice
hovered around the room. “How are you getting yourself out of here unseen?”
“There really isn’t any way that I can, so let’s just hope not too many people are
out and about right now.” Quintus said.

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 Uther nodded. “There won’t be too many. The rain keeps people indoors, and it’s
nearing suppertime right now, so everyone is inside.”
Quintus nodded, and with Uther supposedly leading the way (he was still
invisible), they made it out of of the Macaean Colony without confrontation.
********
They had just made it to the top of the hill and out of sight of the Colony when
Uther’s form appeared in front of Quintus. He was breathing heavily.
“Have you been running?” Quintus asked, looking at him quizzically. Uther
nodded. “I think someone saw you.” He said, a frantic look on his face.
“Perfect. That way once someone finds your body, then they will, hopefully, put
two and two together and figure it was me who did it. By then, we’ll be gone, there will
be absolutely no way to find me. It will be an impossible goose chase.”
“Where are we going?” Uther asked.
“I’ll tell you that later.” Quintus said, thinking. “But for now-”
Suddenly, they heard voices, and Quintus reached over and jerked the hood up
over Uther’s ears, his form disappearing from view once again.
“Now you’re to follow me.” Quintus whispered. “If we get seperated, make your
way to the rocky outcropping you were nearby earlier. If you get caught I can’t help
you.”
“Got it.” Uther responded.
“You didn’t describe them to me did you?”
Uther’s silence filled Quintus with dread. He swore before taking yet another vial,
this one filled with blue liquid, and letting a few drops fall onto his tongue. He closed his
eyes and pictured the first person that he could think of; the blacksmith in his home
village. Suddenly, he felt a pressure on his skull, and that, followed by a shocked gasp
from Uther, told him the potion had worked.
Quintus opened his eyes and blinked rapidly to dispel the sudden nausea. The
trees were taller, and looking down, he was in different attire, his shoes were smaller,
and an unfamiliar black beard reached to his chest. The long brown hair he was used to
was gone, now shortened and barely passing his shoulders.

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 A group of men came into view, and second gasp from Uther helped Quintus
place where he had heard their voices earlier. They were the same men who had
captured Uther.
“I’ll be damned if the boy was making this whole thing up.” the first man said. He
turned to his companions, who looked equally disgruntled. They stopped when they
came across Quintus.
“Good evening sire. How might you be this fine evening?”
“That’s not him.” A second man in the back of the group piped up, and Quintus
did his best to look confused.
“Greetings.” Quintus said. “Might you be looking for someone?”
“Yes, indeed we are.” the first man confirmed. Quintus recognized his voice and
realized he was Uther’s father. “He goes by the unusual name of Quintus, and he is
taller than you are. He’s got brown hair like yours, but as the prisoner described him, his
face was bare, not bearded like yours. Alas, we have gone full-circle with no luck.
Perhaps you have come across him?”
“Now that I think of it, I might have come across one of his likeness.”
“You look to be a foreigner. May I ask where you hail from?” A blonde man
spoke, and Quintus glanced at him. He recognized the man and he froze momentarily,
cursing silently to the Gods for placing a man such as he in his presence. The man had
wronged him once, and he hoped never to cross paths with him again. Quintus felt his
blood run cold, and he racked his mind for something to say.
“What’s the matter?” The man asked, noting his sudden silence. “Cat got your
tongue?” Quintus recognized the barely disguised smugness in his voice. He wanted to
smack him.
“No, not at all.” Quintus cleared his throat. “My name is Astar, I come from a town
in the North.”
“Pray tell us where that is. Perhaps we may have heard of it. We are always
looking to establish diplomacy with other relations.” the first man spoke up again.
“Alas I fear you will not have heard of such a place. I have walked hundreds of
miles with my companions to reach a civilization of the likeness to yours. We are very
far from any settlements, where I come from.”

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 “But what is the name?” a second man asked.
“I hail from a small village with the name of Nyz-Oran. We hunt and fish seal and
other snow-dwelling creatures. As I said, it is very far north.”
“You said you had come across a man of such likeness we are looking for?” the
blonde man spoke for a third time.
“Indeed I have.” Quintus pointed in the opposite direction. “I passed him briefly
down near the river towards another settlement that appears to be nestled in the
treeline. Have you considered commercial relations with them?”
The first man nodded. “That is the Colony of Kareg, belonging to a Sister Nation
that we are well established with. We have set up a rich trade with them. Now if you will
excuse us, we must be looking for this man before he gets too far. I thank you for your
help, kind sir. Blessings upon you and your village.”
“Thank you sir. Blessings on your village as well.”
The men hurriedly bowed their heads and nodded in Quintus’ direction before
they passed him and made their way down the hill to where Quintus had directed them.
Quintus waited until they were out of sight before hurrying towards the direction
of the forest.
“I’m right behind you.” Uther said, and Quintus whipped around. Uther lowered
his hood, and his form appeared once again. Quintus breathed a sigh of relief. “You
startled me, boy. I’m glad to see you are safe.”
“I am relieved to see the same for you. How are you to turn back to your normal
self?” Uther asked, gesturing to Quintus’ disguise.
“It will wear off soon I hope.” Quintus said. “Angsar didn't exactly tell me how to
undo it.”
Quintus grabbed Uther’s hand and together they began to run towards the forest.
“What’s happening Quintus?”
“Tell me right now, did you see a red haired man anywhere around here?”
“Why yes, I passed one earlier, he seemed to be dressed in the same fashion as
you-”

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 “-well there aren’t many redheads in this area are there?” Quintus didn’t bother
looking for an answer. “Yes Uther, he came with me, we travelled here together. We
separated to look for you. Now where was this?” he asked Uther.
“Ummm, that way, towards the West.” Uther pointed.
“How long ago was that?”
“I dunno, about five minutes ago perhaps?”
“Perfect. Lead me to him.”
******
It didn’t take Quintus very long to spot Barraz; his red hair shone like a beacon in
the prairie grass, and he was the only person in that area for miles around.
“Barraz!”
The man turned, smiling as he saw Quintus. “I was beginning to wonder where
you were. It’s almost nightfall-”
Quintus interrupted him hastily. “-Listen Barraz, we’ve no time to talk. I’ve just
had a run-in with someone, someone not good, and I’m certain he knew it was me.”
“Were you using another one of Angsar’s shape-shifting brews?”
“Of course, or else they would have known I’d escaped. I gave him the cloak-”
Quintus nudged a thumb in Uther’s direction, “-sent him on his way, and then I changed
to Astar. Brennus had to have realized it was me, there would have been no other
reason for him to ask me so many bloody questions.”
Barraz swore under his breath.
“Who’s Brennus?” Uther piped up.
Quintus glanced at him. “He’s a male Ignisian- an elementalist. He’s also an
alpha, which makes him even stronger-”
“-He’s a very powerful man-”
“-But as he’s not in Nyeden, he’s got no powers here-”
“-is he after us?” Barraz asked, even though he already suspected the answer.
“Most likely.” Quintus said. “He’s smart, he’d have figured me out a long time
ago. He’s already tricked Angsar, and he’s the most powerful wizard we’ve had in
ages.”

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 “Enough said, let’s go. We need to get to the forest, and summon Charrok, and
he’ll open the portal for us and take us back-” Barraz stopped talking as Quintus began
running back the direction they had come, towards the forest and towards Charrok.
******
Quintus, Uther, and Barraz were running towards the forest when they heard a
whistling above them. Suddenly an arrow lodged itself into the ground before them, and
they stopped. Quintus and Barraz drew their swords and the three of them turned,
coming face to face with the same blond man Quintus had seen earlier.
“Brennus.” Barraz said cautiously.
“Greetings brother.” Brennus addressed Barraz. “Where might you lads be
running off to? I’d no idea you were running around Gamleeden with your little friends.”
A large smirk was on his face, and his right was marred by a patchwork of scars.
He was dressed in similar garb to Quintus and Barraz, sporting a blue and white tunic,
brown waist belt, and a dark red traveling cloak. His brown boots were covered in mud.
“Lower your weapons. I’ve not come here to fight.”
Uther could tell neither Barraz or Quintus believed him. They didn’t move.
Quintus tightened his grip on his blade.
“I’m on assignment.” Barraz said shortly.
“Under who? Angsar?”Brennus gave a sharp laugh. “Well good luck with that. He
barely lasted a week under me until he cracked.”
“Only because you’re a psychotic nutter who double crossed and manipulated
the greatest wizard who’s ever lived.” Barraz said cooly.
“You little...” Brennus snarled at Barraz.
“Brennus. What is your business here?” Quintus interrupted him. Brennus smiled
coldly and looked over at him.
“Finding you of course. I feel we have some... unfinished business that ah, needs
attending to. I’ve been tasked by the boy’s elders. I need the boy returned to me. His
father sent me looking for him. You both need to answer for your crimes.”
“You can’t have him Brennus. Either way, I wouldn’t give him to you.”
“And why would that be?”

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 “He’s under Angsar’s protection. You can’t touch him. He’s been prophesied, and
we’re taking him back to Nyeden.”
“I’m part of a prophecy?”
“Hush Uther.” Quintus said quickly.
Brennus let out a short laugh. “Let the lad speak Quintus. After all, he has every
right to understand what he’s getting himself into.” He turned to Uther. “Uther... that is
your name right?”
Uther nodded slowly.
“Uther, my dear boy, you’re part of a prophecy that says that an otherworldly
hero is going to go save Nyeden. Obviously, Quintus and Barraz are under the
impression that that hero is you. Feeling special yet?” His sarcasm was palpable. “Don't
worry too much about it, you probably won’t even last a week there. Most don’t. None of
the others did.”
“Others?” Uther echoed.
“He must be Confirmed in Ildsted by Pyrras before anything happens. So we
don’t know for sure.” Quintus said, glancing at Uther.
“Do you hear that Uther? They don’t even know if you are the chosen one. I’ll
wager you neither Quintus or Barraz told you that before they decided whisked you
away to some foreign land.”
Uther glanced up at Quintus before turning to look at Brennus. “They didn’t tell
me that, no, but I trust them not to lead me astray.”
Brennus snorted. “That’s adorable.”
Uther bristled at the man’s tone.
“He’s trying to stir you up Uther.” Barraz said quietly.
“Oh brother, do be quiet.” Brennus snapped. “It was enough listening to your
racket at home.”
Barraz turned on him. “How long were you in hiding Brennus? After you killed our
father? How long were you running from the Rangers before they found you cowering in
the forest next to a stream, begging for your life to be spared, like a prisoner before
execution?”

-15-
 “You’ve spun your story the wrong way ‘round. I gave up quite the fight before I
was captured you know. Several of the tyro rangers lay dead at my feet. They took my
freedom. I took their lives.”
“I spent months searching for you, convinced that the same men who had killed
father had kidnapped you as well. I felt personally responsible for father’s death and
your abduction. At least I thought it was abduction, until...” Barraz trailed off, looking at
his brother with disguit.
“You still begged on your knees in front of the council.”
“I may be cowardly, but I’m not stupid Quintus. I was expecting execution; no
man wants to lose his head.” Brennus said, his anger heightning. “I’m growing tired of
this talk. Just because I’ve been exiled doesn’t mean I didn’t come prepared.” Brennus
opened his fist, and a jet of blue light flew at Quintus. Electricity arced through his body,
and Quintus was thrown backwards. His sword flew from his hand, and when he hit to
the ground, he was still shaking uncontrollably, effectively paralyzed. Brennus smirked
as he glanced at Quintus.
“I though you said he didn’t have any power!” Uther said, glancing at Barraz.
“I know! That is what I said.” Barraz said.
“You’re all more foolish than I thought. Angsar said he was missing one of his
vials. That’s because I took it. Before I was exiled-”
“You damn bastard.” Uther snarled, and picking up the sword Quintus had
dropped, lunged at Brennus.

Chapter 2: the Portal

Macaean Colony
Coast of the New World

Uther was never taught how to properly wield a sword, so it was no surprise that
Brennus tossed him aside like a rag doll.
“Pitiful.” Brennus commented, looking at Uther where he sat in the grass. He
glanced at Barraz, who was still standing, sword in hand. “What are you going to do
brother? Attack me too?”

-16-
 And Barraz did just that, his powerful strike easily deflected by Brennus, who
grunted with the effort.
“Not bad brother, not bad.” Brennus commented as he and Barraz fought for
dominance. He ducked a slash to the head, and Barraz’s sword cut through empty air.

-17-
 Chapter 2:
Fields of Deuteronomy
Territory of Ildsted, Nyeden
724th Year of Metes

Uther was falling, and there was no way to stop it, nothing to grab onto, and no
way to know when he would land. He was blinded by the white light before him,
surrounding him, and the only thing he could hear was Quintus’ voice to his right.
“We’re almost there Uther.” Quintus shouted to be heard above the wind in their
ears. “The Wizards will do their best to lessen the impact of landing, so that no bones
will be broken, but I can’t promise anything.”
“Okay.” Uther shouted. Suddenly a blue light appeared in the distance in front of
him, and as the crack grew wider, Uther watched a grassy field and a blue sky appear in
front of him. The scenery came rushing towards him, and he and Quintus were
suddenly out of the portal. Quintus landed steadily on his feet, while Uther came to a
tumbling halt onto the grass. Uther blinked a few times to stop the world spinning
around him, and he shakily got to his feet. Quintus and Barraz were standing in front of
him. The two men glanced at him.
“Everything good?” Quintus asked. “Nothing broken?”
Uther nodded, glancing around him. A treeline broke the horizon line to the left,
and several buildings were visible in the distance.
Barraz pointed to a tall building with a spire in the distance. “That’s the Owlery;
the most important building in Nyeden. It’s where the Masters hold Council, and where
the messenger owls are kept. They belong to the Council and can be sent anywhere.”
“There’s one now.” Quintus said, pointing skyward.
Uther looked up. An owl swooped overhead, flying towards the mountains in the
distance.
“That message could be going to either the Ursi Tribe in the North or the
Nomadic Ignisian Tribe in the Uruuk Mountains.” Barraz said.
“Are all Elemental Tribes nomadic?” Uther asked.

-18-
 Barraz shook his head. “The Aquarians are in the South, under the Rule of
Master Nereus Fasaar. The Ignisians were, until last Spring, under the Rule of Hurik
Goram in the East, until an Ignisian by the name of Cinaed Phyrecias grew discontented
by Master Goram’s policies and took the Council Seat by force. He had quite the
backing for it, and he is now ruling Sulebrandr under his leadership with those bastards
that swore allegiance to him.”
“Did he kill Master Goram?”
Quintus nodded. “One of the worst atrocities in two hundred and fifty years.”
“Killing a Master is punishable by death, as you would obviously expect.” Barraz
said. “But with Cinaed in the Council Seat now, it has created quite a cycle of
problems.”
“According to the Ancient Nyedeni Laws, the consequence of killing a Master is
death no matter the reason or motive. So even though Cinaed is guilty of murdering the
previous Master, he cannot be tried and executed because he is the claimed master of
the Ignisians. Even though the Council refuses to recognize him, he has laid claim to
the Council Seat and has a rather large backing behind him. He rules Sulebrandr with
the subjects loyal to him; the others have fled to the North.”
“Are those the Nomadic Ignisians you were mentioning?” Uther asked.
Quintus nodded.

-19-
 -FIN-

***************************
Uther’s outburst took the council by surprise. Master Talako reprimanded him.
“You are seventeen, not quite a man. You must know your place when speaking of such
things.”
Master Rhydean glanced around at them before speaking. “I understand you are
still struggling with your mother’s death, as well as adjusting to your new world.” He said
gently “But you must control yourself.”
***************************
“Keep it.” Leonidas said, handing the cloak to Uther. Uther frowned, not sure if he
could accept Leonidas’ offer.
“Seeing as so many people are now looking to spill your blood on Nyedeni soil, I
believe you will find more use of this cloak than I do.” Leonidas explained. Uther
reached out and took the cloak, putting it on. He bowed to Leonidas, humbled by his
gift.
“Your gift is very much appreciated Leonidas. I will use it gladly.”
Leonidas quickly stood him up, looking embarrassed. “There’s no need to bow to
me, boy. That is only done in the presence of the Masters and the Archeon. But I accept
your thanks all the same.”

***************************
“Uther, Shut up!” Philius shouted, stomping his foot in frustration. Uther closed
his mouth and stared at him in surprise. “I swear to you Uther, we have to get out of
here! You’re in danger. I can’t let you stay here.”
“But what about you? I can’t leave you here Philius.”
“This is my home Uther. I am bound to stay here on my father’s decree. But you
must leave. Now.”
“Your father?” Uther echoed, confused. Philius nodded and lifting his sleeve,
revealed a small blue triangle with three diagonal slashes inked in red on his left
shoulder. Uther felt a jolt of surprise as he recognized the sign of the Cinaed the
Usurper, who had murdered the Rightful Master and placed himself in the seat of
power.
“That’s your father? The Elementalist who killed the Ignis Master and took the
Council Seat by force?”
“So you do know his sigil?” Philius confirmed wearily. “Yes, he is my father,
which I am not proud of at all. You’re studying up on your history, as I’ve noticed, and
that’s good. Or Quintus has just told you all this information. Either way I don’t care, so
long as you know it. He’s the Bastard, in case you were wondering, which puts him at

-20-
even a lower status than you, even though you come from Outside. Anyways, enough of
that Uther. Listen, my father’s army is heading out westwards towards the Owlery in
seven days time. You must prepare yourself. Quickly; there is no time to waste. Now get
out of here.”

*****************
“Balthazar, come here please.” Quintus said after all attempts at lighting the fire
had failed. Uther watched with interest as Balthazar picked his way over and squatted
next to the pile of rocks and sticks. He closed his eyes and his features calmed, holding
his left palm upturned before him.
“What is he doing?” Uther asked.
“Silence, human.” Thraiz sniffed and sent a glare his way before returning his
attention to Balthazar and the unlit fire.
Barely ten seconds had passed before a ball of warm light encompassed
Balthazar’s hand, and the man opened his eyes to gaze satisfactorily at the flames.
Uther jumped backwards in surprise.
“You’re an Elementalist!” Uther exclaimed, watching as Balthazar coaxed the
flames from his hand to the pile of sticks. The fire roared to life.
“I thought you guys told him already.” Balthazar said frowning.
Quintus shrugged. “Surprise.” He muttered as he met Uther’s glance
apologetically. “Sorry Uther; we meant to, but we have been rather hurried the last few
days.”
“The Human would not have understood it anyways.” Thraiz said gruffly, turning
his head to glance at Uther. “His head is too small, and what brain exists is filled with
stupid things.”
“Be quiet Thraiz.” Leonidas chided him. Thraiz looked away and pawed
nervously at the ground.
“So you work with Fire, are there any other Elementalists here?”
“I am an Ignis, which means that I can produce and manipulate Fire. There are
also Aquarians; people that can do the same with Water. The Gods saw that we, the
Ignisians had acquired this power of Fire, and they saw that we needed someone or
something to counterbalance this. So they created people who could do the same thing,
except with water.”

*****************

Quintus unrolled the scroll sent by the Owl, and scanned it quickly. His
expression grew grim. “Cinaed has been crowned as leader of the Isle of Agrippa.”
Quintus said, glancing at all of them.

-21-
 “That’s a problem.” Angsar said. “He’s getting more powerful. Soon he’ll be able
to advance on our land.”
“He already has.” Philius pointed out. “The western Isle of Agrippa is under our
control. That’s the part that Cinaed has taken. Not the East.”
Quintus stared at him for a moment before swearing loudly. Angsar covered his
ears. Thraiz looked over at Angsar and rolled his eyes.
Angsar turned towards Quintus.
“Cinaed has already gathered quite the following of Nyedeni earthlings. The
majority of dwarves, have been swayed, as well as the Seraphim, some of the humans,
the giants, and almost all of the Ejderi.”
“Who have we got?” Uther asked, as if they were talking about a lottery drawing.
Angsar frowned before ticking them off with his fingers. “Most of the Wizards;
Samson and the majority of his clan have turned to the Karazani- but we have my clan
and Fargast’s, as well as the other Ignisians, the Aquarians, both the Ursi and the
Andorrans, as well as the rest of the humans and the elves.”
“So we’ve outnumbered them?”
“I suppose we could put it that way, but i wouldn’t look at it like that if I were you.
He draws more to his side every day.”

-22-