#garenhoff

Since Adriwyn began looking into Master Thindrid’s old research, we’ve often seen another name in those journals, Yokk. For years Yokk and my mentor worked together, and based on what I’ve read they became good friends. Then about twenty years ago, Yokk vanished after being summoned by the Arcane Council, and until today, his fate remained a mystery. Using every resource at his disposal, Andrew learned that he vanished from his Rata Sum cell, leaving behind only a large series of symbols scratched upon the floor of his cell. Combined with his research notes, it’s possible that he travelled to Garenhoff from there, to the site of his last invention buried deep in the earth. With that knowledge, Andrew will be sending a team to dig in the area, and discover the truth.

I almost want them to find nothing in Garenhoff. If there are no bones of a long missing Asura beneath the tree where his last invention was hidden, then maybe he’s still alive somewhere else. But in my gut I know the chances of his bones being found there are very high after the information Andrew gave us. If they are there, I pray to the Six that nineteen years ago when he committed that last act of bravery to keep Andrew safe from the Arcane Council that Yokk didn’t suffer long.

Even though they were Risen, I can still remember how terrible that feeling was when I had to use my earth magic to swallow them up in Orr. Unlike any other element, when trying to open the earth you have to attune to it, feel those stone pull apart from one another. It’s the same when you close up a fissure you open, you can feel the life being crushed from anyone trapped inside, feel the vibrations of their screams through that magical connection. I have not once used my earth magic like that since Orr.

I can’t help but wonder if he put that plate under the ground knowing that he might have to sacrifice himself to keep his research and Master Thindrid safe. Or, did he only do it to save his research? The fact he worked so closely with my old mentor makes me think that he perhaps considered him a friend worth dying for. It also makes me wonder: Would I have the courage to do that to save someone I love? I don’t fear death, but the idea of a slow painful death is still scary.

As the noon bells rang out across the city of Divinity’s Reach, an elderly couple made their way slowly through the winding streets of the Salma District. Both husband and wife were wrinkled and tanned, pushing close to their eighth decade each. Covered in vibrantly colored, hooded robes, the pair each placed their weight on sturdy staves that clicked each time they struck the cobbled stones leading up to the LaCoria Manor. Stepping forward, the man knocked on the door and waited patiently.

It was a short wait before the door was opened by the salt and peppered hair Steward of the manor. Sharp brown eyes studied the pair before him, quickly recognizing the couple who he had not seen in nearly fifteen years. “Master Thindrid!”

“Andrew, my old friend,” grinning, Albert stepped forward and embraced the stunned soldier. Even in their advancing years, both men still stood straight, though Albert’s groomed beard was much longer and completely silver now. “I understand that Alexandria was injured quite some time ago. Silly child is always getting injured, but Melinda and I thought we would come pay her a visit this time.”

“Melinda?” Andrew looked around; his eyes narrowing as he barely caught the barest hint of light being distorted at the base of the three steps leading to the door. A woman’s raspy laugh could be heard as the distortion shimmered and dissolved, revealing a thin elderly woman with long silver hair in a very bright green and orange robe. “You’re losing your touch my lady.”

“I’m seventy-eight years old child,” wheezing as she mounted the stairs, she gave the Steward a hug as well. “When you get to my age, even you won’t be able to slip about as you once did. Could we bother you for some tea while we visit Alexandria?”

“Of course, honored guest are afforded every courtesy,” offering his arm to Melinda, he guided the couple to the main room. A wide, rare smile was on his face as he saw the couple seated before heading up the stairs to the door of Alexandria’s room. In his usual fashion, he knocked sharply and loudly three times before calling out. “Alexandria, you have guests waiting downstairs for you.”

As usual, there was a pause followed by the drop of feet onto the wooden floors. Listening, he could hear shuffling inside, the steps growing louder until Alexandria appeared at the door with a smile. Fully aware of her habits in her room, he was a little surprised to find her fully dressed already. “I wasn’t expecting anyone today, who is it?”

“Master and Lady Thindrid,” hiding his grin, he bowed his head.

“Master Albert is here!?” Reaching inside, she grabbed her walking stick and hurried towards the stairs. Moving as quickly as she dared, it was still a slow process to negotiate each step while taking care not to push her legs too hard, too fast. She could hear Andrew following behind, ready to catch her if needed until she reached the bottom, scurrying to the main room where her old master and his wife sat. “Master Thindrid!”

With a hearty chuckle, the old man rose, embracing the tiny woman who hurried to him for a hug. Their embrace lasted until he began to cough from the crushing embrace he was receiving. “Hello there my pupil, have you been keeping up with your studies? Has the Priory been treating you well?”

“Of course,” she said proudly, stepping back and leaning over to give Melinda a hug as well. “You always told me, never let a day go by without learning at least one new thing. And the Priory has been very good to me, they’re pretty understanding about my injuries, though this one was outside of work and outside their skills. But I had a good group of friends that took really good care of me.”

“Excellent,” catching his breath, he took his seat next to his wife as Alexandria took the once across from them, “absolutely wonderful. I happened upon the reports of your injuries while we were in the Grove. I’m sorry to hear about your loss.”

“Thank you,” smoothing out her skirts, there was a bright smile on her face as she took in the faces of the man who had taught her all the basics of magic, and the woman who had cooked her meals for three years. “So you two came all the way out here, just to check up on me?”

“We were worried about you Alexandria,” Melinda chimed in, “you’ve always been injury prone and we wanted to make sure you were recovering.”

“I also wanted to speak with you about your most recent report. That’s quite the interesting theory you have my pupil.” Sitting up more straightly, Albert’s blue eyes focused on Alexandria.

“In my defense, I had quite the teacher. If it wasn’t for you, I’d never look past the basics of magic or find correlations between varying magic.” Laughing, Alexandria smiled as Andrew brought in tea for the couple. “How many teachers teach their students that magic isn’t just magic? Teach them about the different forms of magical energy; chaos, dragon, light, dark, so on?”

What mystery!