Chapter 215: Village of the Accursed

No one got rest that night. Ann slept maybe a couple of hours, but was woken up several times by Kat’s incessant worrying. She’d only gotten her girlfriend to sleep by abusing Stoke the Flames to make her more tired. How quickly she hit the pillow after that only told Ann how exhausted she really was.

Kat still wasn’t getting great sleep. Every morning, Ann would wake up to her already staring at the dark peak of the tent. Her eyes looked far off, stuck in a memory she’d rather forget. It had become a ritual to snuggle up in the morning. Let their warmth chase away the ghosts of trauma.

Still, it was with bleary eyes that the party exited their tents to see Alruna sitting quietly next to her hammer. The woman was humming to herself. A soft and gentle tune scraped across a rusty violin. Something about her body never let her voice come out smooth, Ann guessed. It wasn’t bad, just strange. She was also working on something in her hands, but with her back turned, Ann couldn’t get a look.

Silent paws carried Ann close enough to see. Deft hands worked a collection of herbs laid out across the taut dress between Alruna’s knees. She ground one into powder on her palm, then added it to a flask containing other powders. Once done, she pulled out another vial and poured that over the mix. Liquid sloshed quietly as she shook the mixture. Ann could only guess it was done when Alruna lifted the bottle to the waking sun and nodded to herself.

“A healing potion,” Alruna explained, not turning at all. “Rougher than what I could do with proper materials, but I make do.”

“How’d you?” Ann asked.

“Know you were there? I have my tricks. You get good at looking over your shoulder when everyone thinks you’re a monster.” Alruna packed away her equipment, carefully storing any leftover herbs, and rose to face them. “Are you all prepared?”

“We barely woke up,” Rosalyn yawned. “Can we, I dunno, get some breakfast in us? Tummy’s grumbling.”

“It is a couple hours’ walk, still. Very well,” Alruna nodded. She turned her veiled face to scan the area. “Few trees in this area. I will see what I can do for kindling.” With that, she turned and ran toward the nearest treeline.

“I did not expect someone to know alchemy out here,” Bren mused, watching Alruna’s billowing robes race into the distance. “Least of all someone that strong.”

“Judging book by cover,” Lucia elbowed him. “Bad.”

Bren looked at her in such a knowing way that it raised Ann’s hackles. That wasn’t just a friendly look.

“Did something happen between you two?” she asked, giving them both the stink eye.

“What do you mean?” Bren asked with perfect innocence.

“I dunno. Something’s different, and I can’t one hundred percent put my finger on it. You two are chummier than a couple days ago.”

“No,” Lucia grunted. The infuriatingly terse woman wouldn’t give Ann shit all for clues, so she’d have to poke at Bren.

“Yeah, no, that look just now was way too knowing. You’ve both been sitting closer together. Something’s up.”

“We are simply friends growing closer. Sure, we may have kissed, but we are still establishing our relationship. I believe you are seeing what you want to, Annita,” Bren chuckled.

“Kat, back me up here!”

“Nae, can’t see much o’ it. Bren’s like this when he’s gettin’ started in a relationship. Don’t think anythin’s happened,” Kat said, digging out a spot for a fire.

“Rosalyn?”

“I mean, they’re cute, but I don’t think they’re going at it yet. You think we would have heard it by now. Don’t have any of those noise bugs we do.”

“Especially wit’ how good our hearin’ is,” Kat pointed out unhelpfully. “Nae. Nothin’ happened yet.”

Ann grumbled to herself as she gave up. For now, at least. She saw that tiny smirk Bren gave her.

Alruna came back with enough sticks for a quick fire to find them all sipping coffee from steaming mugs. “Ah, was this not needed?”

“No, please. Fire is wonderful along with a hot drink,” Bren said.

Ann got up and helped the Warped woman arrange the firewood and get a small, but crackling blaze going.

“Want a cup?” she offered, holding out her bottomless coffee mug.

“What is it?”

“Coffee. Good stuff, too. It’ll wake you up like nothing else.”

“I am already well awake, but would appreciate the warmth,” Alruna smiled. She rummaged in her robes for a moment and produced a battered metal mug.

Ann carefully poured piping hot Canadian coffee, then sat back with Kat and Rosalyn.

Alruna brought her mug to her nose, inhaling deeply. “A rich aroma. I have not had coffee in a very long time. Is this what most have in the cities?”

“Nah. Got gifted that for clea-uh, oh, right, don’t have to hide that anymore. I’m able to do this weird thing with a Seed’s core that siphons off a bit of whatever’s messing them up, and the Gods give us gifts every time we do. This was one of them,” Ann held up the red mug proudly. Honestly, out of all the gifts she’d been given, this was her most treasured. Tym had really outdone himself.

Alruna took a careful sip, her lips barely meeting the hot brown liquid. She gasped, bringing a hand to her lips.

“Oh, sorry, it is hot,” Ann cringed.

“No, it’s delicious!” Alruna took the cup in both hands and drank the entire thing in a series of quick gulps.

“Whoa. I think you found someone who likes this stuff as much as you do, Ann!” Rosalyn giggled. “Wasn’t that hot, Alruna? I mean, I have to wait like a few minutes before I can drink mine, and even then, it’s pretty darn warm. That’d burn my tongue!”

“I have a higher resistance to heat than most,” Alruna said calmly. She fussed with her robes, straightening them out from the disturbance the sudden chugging had made, then checked to be sure her veil was still in place.

“Not good here,” Lucia chuckled. “Not warm.”

“Yes, well, it was a level where the other option was equally unimportant. I can manage a flame for my draughts more easily, so it has been more helpful than I expected.”

“I didn’t think you’d be an alchemist with how you swing that big ol’ hammer around. How’d that happen? Was that part of your warping that you got so strong, or are you a fighter first, then an alchemist by knowledge? Oooh, or maybe a mixed Path that lets you do both?”

Kat tugged on one of Rosalyn’s horns. “That’s personal, little lamb. Let ‘er tell us when she’s ready.”

“If you are judged worthy by the Eldest of All,” Alruna said.

“Speaking of, what are they like? What should we expect?”

“They are hard to describe.” Alruna paused, crossing her arms with one hand on her chin as she thought. “Ancient, of course. Older than any Alfhindur I am aware of, and a few of the older Grrn. Mind your manners when speaking to them, and show due reverence. Some of our number will not tolerate slights or perceived disrespect. Be it their choice or a fit of rage, you will face formidable foes should you make them.”

“Including yourself?” Bren asked, his unspoken meaning hanging heavily in the air.

“I am one of the most level of our kind. You need not fear me. I do not wish for the Chosen of a Goddess to come to harm. It would only bring more misfortune to us maligned creatures.”

“Cool, cause I don’t want people to get hurt here, either,” Ann laughed, trying to ease some of the tensions. “Especially not cute ones like you and Eyes.”

Kat choked on her coffee, spraying it all over the fire. “Ann!”

“What? I’m trying to be friendly here!”

“By flirting?”

“How the hell else have I made friends?”

“Ye didn’t flirt with Illana!”

“No, because she seemed like she was into you!”

“Feck, ye’re right, this is how ye make friends,” Kat groaned.

“I mean, I only didn’t make a pass at Arthur’s cousin because she was being a massive creep, and I’m almost certain Krisnaal’s got the hots for Junia even if the other doesn’t see it.”

“Ann!” Kat griped again.

Alruna let out a raspy laugh. She covered her mouth as she did, her shoulders shaking with mirth. Ann thought she spied a black colouring to the woman’s cheeks as well.

“Your group is quite entertaining. I hope to get to know you all better should the verdict be in your favour. Now, you must bow to The Eldest of All. Rise when they say you may, and speak when spoken to. Avoid profanity of any kind when in their presence, and answer them honestly. Lies will be known, and trust will be lost should you not heed these words.

“Um, do we have to talk all formal?” Rosalyn asked. “I can kinda do it, but I’m still pretty bad.”

“They will not think less of you for your manner of speech. Think of The One of Bark. They cannot speak very well, and they are fine. As I said, you should be fine if you remember proper respect.”

“Alright, then I’m done waitin’,” Kat groaned as she stood up. She walked over to Alruna’s hammer and tugged at it. It didn’t lift. Pulling harder, Kat was able to move it, but not easily. It looked heavy to begin with, but something else was making it far heavier than what Ann thought it should be. The entire head was black metal, in a block that rose to a central peak, marking the two mirrored halves. The haft was a long, beautifully polished piece of white wood wrapped in well-cared-for leather. It was very likely enchanted somehow.

“Shite, this thing’s heavy,” Kat grunted, pushing the haft over to Alruna.

The robed woman stood, took the hammer in both hands, and swung it up over her shoulder. Once there, she draped an arm around the handle, balancing it perfectly. “There is a trick to it, and my own personal stats help quite a bit.”

“Ye look like a twig. Kinda feckin’ impressive.”

“And you a mountain, but I believe your strength is not your forte with that display. We will discuss martial matters later. Pack up, we leave now.”

There wasn’t much to pack. They’d mostly just put up their tents for the night. In about ten minutes, they were following Alruna further north.

“Did Eyes not want to come with?” Ann asked as they walked.

“She did, but she was unneeded. I am sure you’ll get a warm welcome once we arrive. She was very energetic when telling the others about you and Rosalyn.”

“Aw, did I get left out?” Kat teased.

“No, she spoke about the entire party, but the two who are closest to our kind took the majority of the attention.”

“Eh, guess that’s fair. Some scales ain’t gonna show off too much.”

“True. A normal Vulhardrin is common in these lands.”

“Er, I’m not Vulhardrin. Alfhindur through an’ through,” Kat corrected.

Alruna’s veiled head leaned to one side, like she wasn’t sure she heard that right. “Truly? Then are you becoming Warped? How long since the changes began?”

“Oh, nae, I’m… well, I’m changin’, that’s fer sure. It’s Ann’s fault.” Kat laughed as Ann slugged her shoulder. “Think we all are. Bren an’ Lucia ‘aven’t started showin’ it yet. Gods are holdin’ a lot o’ it back.”

“Gods. Multiple Gods?”

“Aye. Ann’s Orenous, I’ve got Illdall, Rosalyn’s Eas, Bren Qu’Sella, and Lucia’s got Bryltia. Last two only figured that out a few days ago. I’ve been changin’ fer… shite, a couple months now? Scales seem tae be takin’ a bit tae grow in.”

“Months are far longer than most of us have. My changes lasted days before they halted. That’s pretty consistent for most of us, actually. I think the longest transformation we have took two weeks, and they’re one of our more dangerous kin. The mind is the last piece to break, and they were very close to that point.”

“What stopped it?” Rosalyn asked. “Like, I’ve done my digging in Warped, and from what I can tell, it’s irreversible and inevitable. How’d you all wind up sane, or, well, um, mostly sane? Sane enough not to kill us on purpose.”

“None of us know. We all remember the changes. Aggression, frustration, seeing or hearing things that weren’t there. We remember our bodies bending in painful and terrifying ways, becoming something else, but somewhere along that journey, it just stopped. None of us have any common factors explaining why.”

“That makes no sense. Maybe it’s a psychological thing, which I’d be way out of my depths on, but it might also be some physical attribute that stopped it all. I have so many questions I need to ask everyone. You too, Alruna. I… oh, sorry. Questions and stuff, I do this a lot. Sorry,” Rosalyn wilted.

Alruna gave her a smile. “It is nice to see someone interested in us instead of afraid. Do not worry yourself.”

The group lapsed into silence as the ruddy oranges of morning turned to bright blue. It was getting the tiniest bit warmer with the sun out, but the wind was a harsh master. Eas wasn’t taking it easy on any of them.

“We are here,” Alruna said, stopping in the middle of a hilly field.

“We are?” Ann shouted over the wind. “I don’t see anything!”

Alruna pulled a glove off and lifted her fingers to her lips. A piercing whistle, unhindered by the wind, exploded from the woman. Ann’s ears folded back to protect her from the offending noise.

Ann and the rest of the group looked around. Nothing seemed to be happening. Wind and snow continued to pelt them in a blinding flurry.

A piece of a hill moved. Several feet wide and as long, the ground itself pushed out from the hillside and to the left and right of a gaping opening.

“They made it!” Eyes cried, rushing out toward them.

Ann had to fight a surge of terror as the massive, many-eyed deer-fish person ran full speed on all fours. Her clawed hands brought her up short, spraying them all with snow and dirt.

“The One with Eyes! You know better than to charge someone. Especially normal people!” Alruna scolded her.

The myriad of eyes on Eyes’ head dropped to the ground. “Yes, Alruna. Sorry.”

“Welcome to the Village of the Accursed, as we call it. Not the most cheerful name, but it fits. Now, let us descend,” Alruna invited them, taking the lead.

“No wonder no one has found any sign of this place,” Bren marvelled as they entered the hill. “If the Gods are warded by them being Warped, our chances of finding them under a hill are near nothing save a severe accident.”

“Or tracking,” Lucia added.

“We take our security very seriously,” Alruna explained as the hillside closed behind them.

Glowing light crystals illuminated a wide path forward and down. Dirt turned to rough-hewn stone as they descended. Further and further. The passage twisted in a massive spiral as they walked. Their footsteps echoed ominously along with the clicks of Ann and Eyes’ claws.

Finally coming to a large door, Alruna pushed the stone structure open with little effort.

“Always cool how strong she is,” Eyes sighed.

What opened before them was a cavern. A cavern filled with homes. Everything was a ramshackle mess, but it was definitely a structured town. From their vantage point at the raised entrance, Ann could see a town centre with a wide open space for people to gather, and roads and alleys radiating from it that cut around several homes. On their left, a gently splashing waterfall filled a small lake.

The homes were made of dishevelled wood and cloth. Roughly carved planks were the most common building material, while others used stones to support their walls. Since there was no fear of weather this far underground, all of the roofs were made of cloth. It was nothing fancy, usually burlap or canvas, but it definitely had a unique appearance.

To the side of the lake was another clearing with livestock. Herds of animals were placed in pens and milled about aimlessly in the underground farm. Ann had no clue how they kept the things fed, but Rosalyn was sure to tease the secret out of someone.

Looking up, Ann tried to figure out where the source of light blanketing the cavern came from. Korvas’ system was extravagant and could not be replicated without massive amounts of time, work, and resources. True enough, it wasn’t that complicated. The ceiling glittered with enchanted light crystals. Their illumination had an odd effect on everything, but especially the shadows. Since there were a ridiculous number of individual sources, there were as many shadows radiating from a person, building, or object. Ann looked down at her feet at the entrance and saw at least a dozen overlapping shadows behind her.

Several creatures were gathered around the lake, either drinking or gathering water; she couldn’t tell. Looking closer, there was movement throughout the town. Villagers moving about their day, doing whatever a collection of underground Warped did. The central plaza had a few people standing around in small groups, probably talking to each other.

Raised above the town to their right was the only building Ann could actually call a fully constructed house. It was closer to a mansion, with white wood boards and windows lining the first floor. A grand door with an awning supported by two large tree trunks made up the main entrance at the end of a twisting road. The second floor was completely devoid of windows, a strange decision from an architectural standpoint. Usually, you wanted light to enter all rooms and give occupants views of the outside so they didn’t go stir-crazy. It bothered Ann just looking at it. Maybe she could help out with that.

A crash and a distorted screech erupted from one of the buildings. Wooden planks flew everywhere as a cloth roof collapsed. Several figures were seen running toward the commotion.

Alruna just sighed, shaking her head.

“Is that why everything is constructed of easily assembled materials?” Bren asked.

“Yes. The others will handle whatever happened. Come. The Eldest of All awaits.”