Ravan crossed the border into the People’s Empire about seven weeks after completing his mission of revenge, and four weeks after the first snowfall of winter. He arrived in Perry about a week after that. Perry was the closest town to the Armagnac Mountain Range. After having journeyed for so long, Ravan decided to take a day of rest, especially considering he didn’t know which mountain he needed to find anyway. He put himself up in Nomad Inn, located on top of Nomad Tavern, and purchased for himself a relaxing stein of beer to go with his goat meat and potatoes. He listened in on the conversations being had among the patrons and it wasn’t long before he learned that war was brewing among the three empires which had formed the United Empires. With any luck, he could quit the continent and avoid the corresponding territories before war took place. Once Ravan had finished his meal, he wiped his mouth and addressed the barkeep. “I’ve been told I can find an elf somewhere arou
During Ravan’s most time-consuming trek to the Opaline Mountain Range, Quinn Forsythe was but weeks behind. The dedicated bounty hunter located Mount Perry in a fairly timely manner after telling the townsfolk that his primary targets were miracle workers. He spotted the path left behind by Ravan and Zair where there was significantly less snow. Then he located the miracle worker’s lair to find it evident that someone who had once lived inside had vacated rather quickly. A myriad of possible situations and scenarios ran through Quinn’s mind, but none of them clicked. Ravan’s motivation and end game were still frustratingly lost on him. When Quinn emerged from the cave, he took note of what was left of the path and figured this was what he wanted to follow. Since the travelers were most likely slowed by a wagon to carry the belongings of whoever lived in that cave, chances were that Quinn would catch up. A few days into his journey, Quinn began to wonder if his targets were
Ravan arrived at the southern-most part of Bonn a couple weeks into the new year: the year 400. A new century promising a fresh start and a bright future, which was exactly what Ravan hoped to accomplish after leaving the Maja Forest. Once he was only miles away from the forest, he found it completely surrounded by a thick, dark fog, which made it difficult to determine whatever obstacle may lay beyond. He led his nameless horse around the forest-line, proceeding farther south for several hours, waiting for the fog to lift and watching for a section of forest where the fog was thinner in the slightest. This never seemed to happen however, and Ravan even began to wonder if this fog had grown thicker. Of course, he probably could’ve guessed that even with a powerful spell cast on the forest, there would be other protective measures placed to fend against outsiders. Soon, Ravan approached a gently-wooded area called Valley Shire where glowing green crystals stretched out from
Ravan and Rein spent most of the following month in Ravan’s room at Shire Inn studying the language of the Noelle Continent with books, quills, ink, and spare parchment paper. As promised, Rein learned quickly and provided Ravan with a little more information about the Silver Cloak at every milestone. Meanwhile, Ravan went out in search of Quinn Forsythe between lessons, determined to retrieve his journal and finish off his nemesis once and for all. Though he couldn’t understand how, he knew for certain it was Quinn who stole his journal, and with each passing day Ravan’s certainty in this matter grew more firm. As the end of the month grew near, Ravan felt he needed to take a new approach to his search. At this point, Quinn had to be searching for him as well. If Ravan were searching for himself, where would he look? Taverns and pubs. He hadn’t seen Quinn at the tavern beneath Shire Inn, so Ravan searched the other taverns and pubs in town. There was a decent number of ta
Quinn and Ravan parted ways the following day, almost in exactly opposite directions. Ravan directed his nixy toward the coast while Quinn led his nixy more inland in the direction of Crystalpeak, Duraland’s capitol. He gazed up at the palace which stood regal atop a snowy hill with its dome ice roofs, tall platinum spires, and back-drop of blue-tinted glaciers. As he patiently rode his nixy along the frosty streets out of Flurris, his mind seemed to recall on its own the years he had spent as Emperor Aldrich Stallard’s right-hand man almost three decades prior. Quinn had been his personal advisor, his loyal problem-solver, and he had worked so hard for so long to earn such a prestigious position. With his father’s aid, Quinn had become a squire at the unusual age of six while most began training in the ways of a centurion knight at the age of eight. Many Durlanians were under the impression that Quinn’s father was strict and pushy, but the fact was that Quinn had to convi
The morning after their jotnar palace break-in, Lozano had been up early and he had awakened Quinn and Declan when he had returned to the room from breakfast. Slowly they both rose from bed. “How’s your injury, Montresor?” Quinn asked. Declan observed his bandaged ankle. “It could probably use a redressing before we head off.” “I’ll take care of that for you,” Lozano offered. “No, I’m perfectly capable Ackerman,” Declan said waving him off. “Very well,” Lozano replied. “Well, I’ve already had breakfast. I think I’ll head to the market and restock on supplies for the road. Do either of you need anything while I’m th
It was two evenings before Quinn visited Traitor’s Cemetery when Ravan finally arrived at Icebreach, the last town in Duraland before one crossed the border into Vordan. His journey had been uneventful as Quinn had promised, though despite Quinn’s vast knowledge of Duraland being mostly correct, Ravan had run into some evidence that it was three decades outdated. There were six towns along the coast rather than five now, and the towns Quinn had forewarned him about appeared to be much improved since he had left the country. It would seem that the additional port town likely increased trade in the country, thereby aiding the general economy. However, one other change that must have happened within the last thirty years was that Icebreach appeared to be a struggling town, likely due to it being located so close to jotnar country. Quinn had mentioned to Ravan that he and his men had often used Icebrea
While Ravan watched from the ice cave in Vordan, Quinn allowed himself to be escorted to the Crystalpeak Palace and continued his cooperation all the way to the frozen throne room where Emperor Aldrich sat on his crystal throne. Nothing had changed here in thirty years. Quinn immediately recognized the frosted cathedral ceilings and ice-kissed windows. Tapestries displaying the crest of Duraland, the crest of the Imperial Family, and those of many important families of nobility lined the frosted walls, and three gaudy crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling Once Quinn had approached the throne, he bowed his head, but he didn’t kneel as the centurions did. Emperor Aldrich showed no reaction. He stood up from his throne and descended the icy steps. “Follow me, Forsythe.”