For Thuldir and Shewa, it wasn’t the end of the journey. Thuldir swore to carry the prophecy personally to the First Forge. Shewa went with him because of her worry about his curse. It was contained but not cleansed. She begs him to stay in the Old City and try in one of the temples to remove it, but he refuses.

  “Everything is good. I will do that in the First Forge.” So, she follows him.

  The First Forge was in the oldest dwarven city, under the tallest mountain of the mountain range dividing the continent in half. The journey took them one month. News and rumors about the sea battle spread through the continent, and whenever they entered any town, guards saluted them after seeing their titles, Defender of prophecy.

  “I salute your bravery and unyielding spirit.” Said the dwarven guard when they finally arrived.

  “We do what is needed.” Both said the customary answer.

  “Your course looks nasty. You should do something with it.” The guard said to the Thuldir.

  “We are going to the First Forge to fulfill my oath. After that, I will ask them to look at it. And my friend, priestess Sheva, keep an eye on me. Besides, it’s sealed.” He shrugs.

  “Sealed, not healed. How many more guards need to tell you to do something with it?” Sheva answered.

  “This one should be the last. Tomorrow, first thing in the morning, I’m going to the First Forge to deal with everything.”

  “Sir. Can you arrest him and help me drag this fool to the nearest temple?” Sheva asked guardsmen.

  “Ha, ha, ha. Unfortunately, no priestess. Both of you can enter.”

  The city was a marvel of architecture. Through the centuries, countless craftsmen carved stone in an intricate and sometimes almost impossible way. Despite this being a dwarven city, and a dwarven building style dominating, other styles were also easily seen. Also, the name First Forge was misleading. It was true that, according to the legends, this was the place where The Smith works to create his wonders. But in the center of the city were two equally important temples. One was dedicated to The Smith. Next to it was a temple of the Goddess Iliana, his wife.

  Because of the late hour, Sheva and Thuldir had trouble finding a tavern with a free room to stay a night. Sheva, as a priestess, could ask for a place to stay in the temple of The Lady, but she wants to keep an eye on Thuldir.

  Finally, they found a tavern with a free room.

  “I still have a one-room free. It should be big enough for both of you.”

  “But we…”

  “We will take it.” Sheva interrupted him.

  “That will be five coppers for the night. Water for the bath costs a copper per bucket. And food, that depends, what you want.”

  “I will pay for the room.” Sheva doesn’t allow Thuldir to say anything.

  “For the Goddess help.” She whispered to the tavern owner, nodding toward the shelf behind him. There stood a figurine of a white fox with one eye open as if it were pretending to sleep.

  “Have a good stay.” He smiled widely.

  Later, after dinner and cleaning herself, Sheva went to their room.

  “Priestess. I have some doubts about all of this.” Thldir said. “Not that I will do something improper to you, but we should have separate rooms, or at least beds.”

  “And I don’t. I love you, and I need to know your answer.” Sheva said, fearing what comes next.

  “Oh. I didn’t expect that.” Thuldir said.

  “Of course you don’t, you blind fool.” Sheva threw her hand in the air in resignation. “No matter. I want to spend this night with you. Regardless of whether our path from now on becomes one or we go our separate ways tomorrow.”

  “I think it could be a bad idea, Priestess.”

  “It’s definitely a bad idea. Or you just think I’m not good enough for you.” Priestess drops her robe on the floor.

  “I…” He hesitated. “I always think that you are a fair lady.” He gave up.

  “Fair lady?”

  “Regardless of being a fearsome warrior.” He added immediately.

  “That's better. And now your turn.”

  “Good morning,” Sheva smiled at Thuldir, lying next to her, when he opened his eyes in the morning.

  “Morning.” He said, yawning.

  “What is your answer?”

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  “Ah. Yes. You are the best tavern wench I've ever met.” He answered, grinning.

  “Tavern wench!” She jumped out of bed. “Listen carefully. You are a lucky one, you have to carry the prophecy. But after that and healing your course, I will strangle you.” Sheva hastily dressed up and took her travel bag. While exiting, she turned her head. Thuldir was still lying on the bed with a smug grin.

  “Humpf.” Sheva angrily exited the room. But that was just an act. She was happy. He doesn’t say no, and even tries to tell her compliments. He does his best to satisfy her, and they fall asleep in the middle of the night.

  When the doors closed, Thuldir sat on the bed. His grin turns into a grim expression.

  “Fuck.” He says simply.

  An hour later, they stopped in front of the mine gates to the First Forge. Both were pretending that nothing had happened last night.

  “My name is Thuldir.” He stepped forward and introduced himself to the elven priest at the entrance. “I’m here to fulfil my oath, given to the Dungeon Mistress of On Taram Oasis Dungeon, to carry her prophecy to the First Forge.” He said and gave a leather tube.

  Priest opened it and read, then he nodded. It was indeed the same prophecy delivered a few days before.

  “I, master priest of the First Forge, declare that you fulfilled your oath.” He said aloud.

  Thuldir collapsed on the floor.

  “No!” Sheva screamed and jumped to heal him. “Please help me. This fool didn't listen to me, and his curse breaks the seal.” She pleaded.

  “Step aside.” The elf ordered her while kneeling next to the lying dwarf. He pushes some mana to see what is happening. “Fuck.” He swore and grabbed his pendant with the symbol of The First Forge, a hammer above the anvil. “Start healing his body.” He ordered Sheva while he opened the pendant. Inside was a small shard of fire mana stone. However, it wasn’t filled with ordinary fire mana, but fire mana from the First Forge. The Elven priest pushed it to burn the curse. But it was too late, the curse was too strong, it didn’t budge. Their attempts only resulted in Thuldir regaining consciousness.

  “Priestess…sorry…I lie to you.” He whispered through clenched teeth from the pain.

  “No, No! Don’t give up!” She cried.

  “I don’t…too late…asked.”

  “No!”

  “I heard… on the ship… I too… I hoped… I want you…”

  “I want you too,” Sheva said, but there wasn't a reply. “Thuldir?” He wasn’t breathing. “No! Nooo!” Rage star filling Sheva. She needs to do something. She needs to find those responsible for Thuldir's death. Some are on the bottom of the ocean, but in the far north, there are many more to kill. Then she felt a strong hand grab her shoulder. She tried to move but wasn’t able to. She looked at the person who was holding her. It was a muscular dwarf in plain blacksmith clothes and a leather apron.

  “Priestess. You will come with me. We will use your raging fire to forge a weapon against the wicked.” He simply stated. “Take care of the body of the fallen warrior. The funeral will be afternoon.” He said to the gathered guards.

  “Yes, Forge Archmaster.” Answered the elven priest.

  Sheva poured water from the bucket on her head. The last few hours were a blur. She was constantly fighting without a break. Without healing magic, her body will be covered with nasty bruises, scars, and maybe she will have one or two broken bones.

  “Can you think straight?” Asked her Forg Archmaster.

  “Somehow.”

  “The funeral is ready. But before we go, you should wear it.” He gave her a bronze ornamented bracelet with silver accents. It was a wedding bracelet.

  “I am not married,” Sheva answered.

  “Your oath may not be proper, but I consider it valid. Now wear it.” He ordered, and Sheva put it on her right wrist.

  The dwarven Archpriest took her to one of the chambers where some priests were waiting for them. Sheva approaches the body of Thuldir. He wears armor and has a shield on his chest, which he holds in his left hand. His right hand rested on the sword, placed on the right side. Also, Sheva saw the same as her wedding bracelet. She dropped to her knees and started crying. Two priestesses approached her to give her comfort, while another priest opened the furnace where the body would be burned. In the past, most people were buried after death. Under castles and old noble mansions, you can still find catacombs. After the rise of Archlich, all people started burning dead. Only dwarfs always preferred cremating bodies. They believe their bodies were crafted in The Smith forge, and through fire after their death, their bodies will be remade anew. In the Thuldir case, there was also concern about the curse. It was a nasty curse, and there was a high risk that it could rise as a powerful undead.

  At the same time, people of the main continent live unaware of things that happened near the coast of the Auos continent. It will take half a year for news about the sea battle to reach them. For now, they just have the winter season, and for many places, that means rain or snow, depending on how far south or north you live.

  It was the second day of rainy weather over Frayharf. On the highest floor of the tower, in the temple of the Sun, were places where carrier pigeons were nestled. Youngest priests usually take care of birds and messages. Today duty falls on Selam. In the past, she was an orphan human girl. However, her strong belief in justice and law, as well as her standing up to defend weaker kids, was recognized by the priests. She got an offer to become a priestess, and she agreed. On her sixteenth birthday, her hard work rewarded her with a path as a priestess. Then she joined the temple of the Sun. She loves taking care of birds, so fo her duty in the pigeon tower was almost a leisure time. She still needs to do many things, like changing and cleaning the coops.

  Because of the bad weather, no one waited for any messages. It could have happened, but pigeons, like anyone, don’t like flying in bad weather. However, one just landed.

  “Poor birdy.” Selam, grab a clean rag to warm up the pigeon.

  “I hope he didn’t fly through that storm two hours ago.” Said Liko, who also had a duty today.

  “True.” She answered. “Better now?” Selam smiled at the bird, which gurgled at her in dove-like tones. “Good. Now let's see what you bring us.” She carefully unties the small leather bag. Her friend takes the bird to the free coop. Selam then opened the bag and froze. Inside was a small sealed with wax leather tube. That was normal protection against the weather. Seal, however, was not. Despite its dimension similar to the nail of her thumb, she saw the tree, anvil, and tower. The first two belong to the gods. The third one was unknown to her.

  “I need to deliver this message at once.” She said.

  “Sure thing.”

  “Wait. From where does this bird return?”

  “Let me see. Oh my. It says On Taram.” He answered after checking the register.

  “I better run.”

  “Agree.”

  She almost barged into the head librarian's office.

  “Young priestess, may I know why you are in such a hurry?” He smiled at her.

  “I’m sorry for my intrusion, sir. I just received a message from On Taram. And it has a strange seal on it.” Selam explained and handed over the tube.

  “Oh my. It looks like something happens once again in the dungeon.” The priest librarian said, and his face turned serious. “Thank you, priestess. You can return to your duties. I will deliver this message to the Grand Priestess.”

  “Understood.” She answered and left the office.