The bridge was a bit more than traumatizing. Even after another hour of walking the much preferred dark and damp tunnels, surrounded by silence and the occasional drip of water, it was very much clear that everyone could only really think about those things that slaughtered that group of knights within mere moments. As easily as stepping on an ant, it was too quick. Lyse knew right then that a fight including them would no doubt be unwinnable. That was most likely the intention. They had to avoid confrontation, and Lyse wished that this lesson was taught in a much less distressing method. He doubts any of them will have a good sleep for a long time. A very long time.The silence among them was deafening and omnipresent. Lyse wanted anything, something to take their minds off of the previous trial, that bridge, and those invasive voices. So, almost an hour in, he turned to Elena."What is your sword, if I'm allowed to ask?" he tried to sound a little cheerful, but it was clear that it

Edlund felt as if every bone in his body was magically transformed into lead. Moving them was a pain, far greater than he usually gets from pulling wheat and straw all day. He hadn't realized exactly how sore he was after tussling with the man with glowing armor till he was sat on one of the physician's wooden tables that rose to his stomach. The soft wool cloth was a relief, but still, he moved like a wooden doll. Half of the large room was filled with these beds tucked as close to the walls as possible, and an opening running the length of the chamber. Near the entrance, the physician's tools hung and dangled from hooks and latest in bags, a sink permanently stained in blood, and several herbs, flowers, and roots he never saw before. The room wasn't really packed.Besides himself and Gray, about five others laid on spare tables with varying injuries. One was bandaged over his arm, kept strictly straight out with long carved sticks. Another had his left eye covered in white clothe, h

That day of celebration became a blur in Lyse's head, now that he looks back on it. Even though it was just the working, the entire city was alive as if it never really stopped. Celebrations were in order, and the parade of knights and sages, squires, and soldiers alike danced, hollered, and sung throughout the streets. The main road was a bustle of dancing and music, every instrument playing whatever tune to drawn out the nearest. Instruments that Lyse had never heard of, but were all pleasant in the ongoing chaos. Many bards and poets had come to Silondras, and now finding an opportunity to showcase their talents, even if it was free, they still got silver out of it. A few songs were common in Broken Arrow; Marry and the Red Rose, Night in the Garden, The Old Spring Love. They seemed to come in every direction and every volume. The sweet aromas of perfumes as women passed by, dancing with knights, and the assorted goods from vendors staying near the outskirts lifted Lyse's spirits a

Massua woke with a start, taking in a strangled breath as she immediately tried to stand up. This attempt was met with a wood slamming across the top of her head, and she stiffly sat back down in the position she had been stuck in for several weeks now. She does not know this. Not even a night has transpired for her, and she felt like she was missing something the moment her brain ached into function. She looked around to meet darkness. Nothing but confined night. All wooden and cramped. She tried to stretch her legs out and met another wall before her knees were even half bent. The room to either side was less than a hand. She traces a hand along the seems and immediately knew what she was inside of.A chest, she thought. Why am I in a chest?Along one of the longer sides of the chest was a small hole that allowed all the air she needed to flow inside. She managed to maneuver herself, tucking her legs under her just to catch a glimpse of what was outside. She could see more darkness,

Talin has been a feature of this land since its dawn. While they are neither regularly recognized nor publicly known, they have found themselves in the underbelly of society, whether the secret catacombs and temples long forgotten or tunnels and systems adapted to house the many forces and resources they had accumulated over time. They relied on secrecy and deception to handle their problems and ultimate goals. Crafting the best of soldiers, the best warriors, mages, thieves, and assassins here. The Catacombs of Orcus. A massive system of tunnels and rooms that snake along with the mountain range of which they are named after. Or perhaps the mountains were named after these catacombs. Years have dulled this knowledge, and even the most ancient sources fail to distinguish. Either way, this was where it was all birthed, either way. A man found within these catacombs the power that they had locked away and set out to collect more and more of. Collect people, objects, and trinkets. He was