Rederick and Albaras came to their first destination: a circular building, like an arena standing in the emptiness of the earth For the last ten kilometers, there had been absolutely nothing. Only unkept grass, with the occasional tree and a few bushes scattered between them. It looked like desolation, without losing the color of the earth. Maybe Grhan had taken over. Or at least, if you believed in it. As they closed in on the black-stone arena, they noticed two men standing at its entrance. They guarded the building in blackened armor. Halberds in hand, red capes draped behind them. As they got closer, they noticed one had part of his blackened armor scratched off near his leg, while the other was untouched. They had both already recognized the purple garb. The stories we have heard of you.’ The one with the scratched leg said. The other stood a bit nervous. It was rare to see a Totenj?ger look like that. Albaras dismounted right in front of him. ’New here, Kiddo?’
The unscarred Totenj?ger gulped and took one step back. Not a step of retreat, but one taken to brace for an attack or launch one if needed. He held his halberd at an angle, ready to react to whatever Albaras might try, standing face to face with him. ‘Good thinking, Kiddo.’ Albaras stepped back slightly. We need to meet with the Grandmeister.’
The one with the scratched leg struck the other with his halberd. ’Go get them. I’ll keep these two company.’
The unscarred Totenj?ger nodded. He moved into the building, disappearing from their sight. ‘Now, while we wait, I have a few questions.’ The Totenj?ger said. Albaras laughed in response. ’There is not much I can help with.’ Rederick said. ’But I can try my best.’
The Totenj?ger needed to hear nothing more. ’Why do you need to talk to one of them?’
Albaras took the lead. ’It’s because of monsters ruining the county. If we don’t take them out in their lair, there’s a chance they’ll spread into other counties.’
’How have we not heard of these monsters yet? Why are the lands still quiet?’ Before he could finish his sentence, Albaras interrupted him. ’The lands are heading toward war again. You haven’t heard of them yet because they live in the dukedom.’
The Totenj?ger thought. ‘That means we need to travel through other counties.’
‘Yes, while we may be bringing you illegally, with sufficient reason and with the war, it will be easy enough to explain.’
The Totenj?ger laughed a little. ‘Wish that I could walk with you. That would be nice, seeing another county, fighting in it. That would change things up.’ Before any of the others could say anything, the unscratched Totenj?ger came out again, accompanied by the man who was likely the Grandmeister. He was a man whose armor was more scratched than blackened, and while he did not carry a halberd like the others, he bore two double-bladed axes at his sides. He stood one head higher than Albaras, with the feathers on his helm making him look even bigger. He was also the only one with gold-trimmed edges on his armor and a red garb bearing their emblem draped over it. ‘What is it?’ Short, but enough to convey what he meant. ’We have come to ask permission to bring a Totenj?ger with us to hunt a band of monsters,’ Albaras said innocently.
The Grandmeister looked down at Albaras. Then he looked at the Totenj?ger with the scratched leg and gave a nod The Grandmeister then said. ‘You can choose who you bring with you.’ The Grandmeister turned around like a living statue and gestured for them to follow him. Rederick and Albaras followed him. Through the first hallway, where openings along the sides housed blacksmiths. Some of them were used to forge new armor and weapons for newly recruited troops. The building inside was mostly made from black and white granite. This gave some areas a darker appearance while others looked brighter. Beyond the hall was a circular room with windows that looked out onto the courtyard inside the round building. The circle itself held nothing special, only additional hallways leading to other rooms. In the courtyard, however, stood trees, training dummies and targets.
Everywhere you looked, there were multiple Totenj?gers walking about. The Grandmeister pointed toward the courtyard. ’Try looking there first. If you need me, I will be there.’ He then pointed to a room near the entrance. He then walked away toward the room. Rederick looked at him. As he turned to follow Albaras, he noticed that Albaras was already heading toward the courtyard. ’Where can we find Morsan in this place?’ Albaras completely ignored Rederick’s question and kept walking forward. Outside, a multitude of Totenj?gers were training. Or at least it looked like that. One of them used no technique on the dummy, only raw strength. Albaras walked towards him. Greetings, Morsan. How is this fine day treating you?’
The Totenj?ger with the scratched helmet turned toward him. ’My blood brother died. How do you think I’m doing?’ Morsan replied. Albaras still stepped closer. ’You know, we thought the plague killed Methussun, but did you know someone planted it there? Someone whose location we have.’
Morsan took one final hit on the dummy and let his halberd rest inside it. ’How did you come to that conclusion?’
’There were other monsters in the forest with us. They ambushed us and ran away to safety. We tracked those things down to their location.’
Morsan leaned on the halberd. ’Did you get permission from the grandmeister?’ Albaras gave a nod. ‘Then what are we waiting for? There are monsters that need to be slain.’ He grabbed his halberd and, with one pull, ripped it out of the dummy. Morsan followed Albaras as they made their way to the smiths. Rederick walked next to Albaras. ’Why did you lie about both things?’ He whispered. Albaras just shrugged it off. They began repairing their armor. Rederick took his armor off with the help of the Totenj?gers. Albaras removed what remained of his purple garb and put his arm into the fire. While Rederick used an anvil to hammer his armor, Albaras left his in the fire as he began to work it. After a while they were done; Morsan had grown more impatient waiting for them and left soon after they began. They watched as Albaras endured the heat and melted the rust straight off his armor like some kind of black magic, bending the metal together until it became a single piece. Albaras made no sound in the entire process. While Rederick needed to take several breaks and receive help from the Totenj?ger smiths. Morsan waited for them outside, preparing his provisions and materials for the journey ahead while they repaired their armor.
The Totenj?ger with the scratched leg approached Morsan. ’Are you sure you want to follow the purple man? I know the stories and the lies we made to cover for him.’
Morsan was still preparing his horse, tidying the last few things. ’I know them just as well. And we also know that he has seen everything, so even if they lied about their purpose, it wouldn’t change his decision. If he needs a Totenj?ger, then he needs one.’
The scratched toten jager walked away. Albaras and Rederick walked out. They passed each other. Morsan made his way toward them with the horses. ’I have prepared for the journey.’
Albaras signaled for them to mount up and move out. ′ Before going after the monsters, we still need to go to Dunten. They will find this news quite interesting, if we fail.’ Albaras told them. ’Failing? That is something impossible for the Totenj?gers.’ Morsan said.
It is better to take some caution. ‘We met them twice, and twice they almost killed us,’ Rederick said. ′Then you’re lucky to still be alive.’ Did Morsan try to make a joke? Rederick moved a bit to the side. He looked over at Morsan, who was riding last. ‘We have been. Others not as much.’ Morsan remained silent. Rederick’s words sounded like those of someone who hadn’t seen enough to understand the pain behind such a joke. How else can someone cope with horror, accepting it, denying it, refusing it? All of it was temporary. The honorable thing to do is to remember, and through remembrance find a way to cope with it. To laugh at it as a joke is sometimes the only way to face monsters. To see rain while others still bask in the sun. To cry unheard. Every Totenj?ger knows this. Every elite veteran knows this.
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They walked out of Dunten into Cortius. ‘For now, the land of the Griffon,’ Morsan said under his breath, looking around constantly. Taking in everything that differed from the Land of Iron. Even along a path of hate, there was still beauty to be found to keep you from being consumed by it. Morsan’s heart found rest in this. ‘This alone makes the trip worthwhile.’
Rederick smiled at him. ’Good to know you enjoy it.’ Morsan laughed softly to himself. The fury of sorrow was quelled, if only for a moment. The journey through Cortius went smoothly; there were almost no guards watching the roads. ‘It’s already beginning, isn’t it?’ Rederick said to Albaras. ’Yes, the tragedy of this age is coming. Hopefully it will be over soon,’ Albaras said in a way that seemed unlike him. There was compassion in him for the stirring war. He had never shown it when he stood in the middle of it himself. Would a man care more for an outside perspective than his own? Rederick felt how Albaras had changed over time. Would Morsan notice the change as well? From the stories he had heard and the time they had worked together. They reached the border of the Dukedom. Normally, guards of the von Houzen estate would welcome them, sharing a meal with Gregory. Now there were none, only village militias. Common peasants, drafted to provide some form of protection, bandits would have a field day, monsters a feast. Yet nothing could be done; better to lose a village than let the enemy take the land. That is what the nobility says as they take able-bodied men to war. Without thinking about what will happen within. They crossed the border, seeing the cross and knowing the monsters lay at its center. First, they needed to go to Dunten, either to give warning and secretly hope for reinforcements. Inside the Dukedom it was like Cortius: empty, save for peasants and common militia on patrol. But the farther north they traveled, the more activity stirred to life. From scouting horses hunting beastkin raiders to supply carts guarded by knights under bannermen. Until full armies marched. Shortly after came the mountains of Dunten. The Peak loomed in the background. It looked like the main staging ground for the armies. The place where messages arrived and departed.
’It still looks as amazing as it did the first time. What do you think, Morsan?’
Morsan looked at the mountain, and as they got closer, it slowly turned into a fortress. ’I can see why it is the third-biggest castle in the Empire. It is magnificent.’ As they neared the fortress, a small detachment approached them. They carried a flag bearing a golden lightning bolt on a blue/whitebackground, making it look like there is thunder coming off the bolt. More of these symbols are spread amongs the men shields and One of the men in that detachment came forward. A man with golden feathers atop his helmet and green shoulder pads painted with a golden pine. Wearing them, he said, ‘Rederick? What brings you back here?’ Rederick rode past Albaras. For the first time, they knew him by name instead of calling Albaras. It gave a strange feeling. Rederick wanted to laugh but held it in. Do not annoy Albaras now. ‘We need to speak with either Bernhard or Peter. There is a threat coming from within this county, and we are here to stop it.’
The man’s expression changed from welcoming to one of worry. ‘That means two fights. Follow me.’ He led the group and his detachment into Dunten, toward the Peak. Soldiers hurried about, knights formed columns, and rode in different directions. For a kilometer outside the fortress, the land was completely empty. The detachment led them through a path. They could guess why they were taking such a winding path toward the castle. Inside, they saw knights, men-at-arms, and militia all standing ready for a siege. Every tower that could hold a catapult or ballista had one—or was in the process of being built. While stones, bolts, and arrows were being brought up to the walls. They had even created extra space on the walls for fires, where pots stood boiling. They dug in deeply, as if preparing to face the legends of old. To face the sky-titans. A last hold. They were escorted into the gardens of the Peak. Their guide ordered his detachment to wait and then led them into the tower. After that, they followed him into the war room, where rebuilt tables were covered with old and new maps. There were people moving all kinds of pieces on the map. At the center above stood a man watching below, issuing commands to those beside him, who relayed them to people downstairs as messengers ran past the group toward the outside. The man giving orders leaned against his cane, gave a deep sigh, and then looked toward those who had just entered.
He signaled them to come to him. They were led to the stairs and went up. Above, the man was seated, still leaning on his cane. ′ Welcome, old hunters, and if I can believe the stories, a Totenj?ger.’He looked at the three. ’You would not bring one if it’s important. What is it? I don’t want to rush you, but I am busy scheduling war progress.’ Albaras stepped forward to speak. ‘Not you, let Rederick speak. At least he kept his word.’ Albaras stepped back again, holding the grip of his sword as if leaning on it.
Rederick didn’t know what to say. The truth is better but then Morsan would know it too. Would he even care for it. ’There is a group of psychopath’s in the heart of the cross. They have wiped out at least one village for Albaras and I witnessed it. Their leader wants to bring the gods to earth. They would high likely want to destroy the Emperium for all we have seen their members do. They need to be stopped before it will be too late.’
Peter stroked his beard with his free hand. Then he stood up. ’That is indeed good to know, even though we have almost no troops to spare to go with you.’ Peter sighed, looking over the balcony below at how the people were working. In the meantime, he saw one of his captains, their guide. ’Take the detachment that has brought you here. Take the detachment that brought you here. Then there’s Kruger, whom we captured. After his capture, he was fairly sane, at least compared to how he was initially. He kept talking about being sent free to go after a cult. It could be the ones you’re after. Take him as well; the captain knows where he is. Peter gave Rederick a golden pine. ’Give him this as proof. Albaras took the lead towards the captain. ’You’re with us.’ He spoke.
Rederick gave him the golden pennant. ’Can you also bring us to Kruger?’ Rederick added.
’Of course. I will take him there; no time to lose.’ They nodded to confirm the captain’s suspicion. ‘Follow me.’ the captain said, raising his hand to signal them as he led them outside the Peak toward a house. The captain knocked a few times on the door. It took a moment to open, but when it did. A reincarnation of the Kruger stood in front of them. Completely different from how he was before. Not behaving like a crazy animal. He wore normal clothes with metal sewn into them. As if he could not be taken by surprise by weapons. At his side hung two axes. They were different; these were more wood-cutting axes, not made for battle like the other two. The animal carcasses that he wore were removed as well. Only some pelts remained. Kruger looked at the group. Surprisingly relaxed. ’What can I do for you, gentlemen?’
The captain took no small talk. ’We think we’ve found the cult you’re looking for. Do you want to come with us to take them down?’
As if a switch had been flipped, Kruger changed back to his old self, then to the new version they had just seen. ’Kill!’ They all need to die.’ He bent over, scratching his own face and taking strips of skin off. He took a deep breath. ’Of course, I would like to come with you on this hunt.’ He said as he moved back into position.
The captain stepped a bit aside. ‘Sometimes he does that.’ He whispered to the group. Kruger reacted to his words. ’I can still sometimes hear the voices in my head. It’s a nightmare to keep them out, but at least I have some control over it.’
Rederick shifted slightly. ’Does that mean we need to keep an eye on you?’
’No, maybe my personality will change, but it will not keep me from changing my thoughts. Not anymore.’
’Good to know, good that you’ve changed for the better.’ Rederick said kindly. Kruger scoffed it off. ’I will tell you more when we’re on our way. There’s a lot you need to be informed of’ Kruger said. The captain took them outside, walking past his detachment and signaling to move the horses out. ’Be ready for travel, lads!’ He called out to them. They moved out. The captain followed the group, trusting his detachment to follow orders while he himself did not want to lose any context of what was happening or of the challenges and sanity of his companions.
They gathered outside, the captain ahead of his host, facing the three men. They all looked at each other and went on their way.
