Dark Night Of Truth
Jaida swept another mug of cider and stared at one of the nearby paintings which depicted all levels of Yliakum. Rigwyn’s words still stung her heart as the gentle intoxication of the cider gently embraced her. She had been so foolish to think that she would ever see her brother. She couldn’t help to blame herself for what had happened, if she had not been so consumed with the new impressions of the city she might have found him before it was too late. She rose from her seat on unsteady legs as she fumbled for her last hexas to pay Allelia, before walking out into the empty street outside. She sighted deeply at the sight of the dull architecture that met her as she wandered down the path to the Plazaa. Wondering why the gods had played such a cruel trick on her. Not knowing what else to turn she sought herself to the iron temple, as she walked over the courtyard towards the temples gates a dark presence carried by the wind made itself know. She turned around to find the darkened path as empty as before, yet the uncomfortable feeling of someone following her remained.
Quickly she hurried inside the temple, greeted only by silence as she walked down the aisle. The desolated rows of benches had grown the feel smaller; the fact that she had outgrown the place where she had been educated brought a surreal feeling to her mind. She trailed off into a narrow corridor where a robust ladder could be found. She climbed it on unsteady legs and after a short walk she found herself standing before an orb of magic wonder, the fabled book of names floating within the illuminated azure surface.

She kneeled down clasping her hands together instinctively praying for guidance in her predicament. Rigwyn had spoke of Garosan as member of a band of thieves, tears began to roll down her cheeks as she recalled how he said that they had stabbed and beaten her brother to death. She clasped her hands even harder as she bowed her head, praying for clarity in what had to be done. Rigwyn’s words came to mind again upon which she closed her tear-filled eyes.
“Better to take a small action on your own than to spend the day in prayer. It makes no sense for me to say Laanx, come do my bidding”
Jaida shivered where she sat, crossing her arms to warm herself. That vicious snake Garosan had seemed so helpful, ensnaring her in a sense of security as they had met in the tavern. Rigwyn had made her see clear in her mind, the hours she had kneeled before the temple’s relics wasted. A sudden movement cut through the silence or the room, a dark presence seeming to absorb the air as it approached her. Thick dark smog filled her lungs as where she sat, unable to move she gasped for air as she fell onto her back. Her muscles constricted, causing her to shake frantically on the cold ground. As her eyes began to close a blurred figure approached, placing a sealed note in her twitching hands before disappearing.
She awoke with a gasp, her face pressed gently against the intricate floor. Her grip tightened around the note as she slowly got to her feet, a searing headache tormenting her as she sat down at the base of the magic orb. She struggled to make out the daft handwriting, finding that the letter was marked with her name. She looked around weary of the assailant, yet the room had returned to its previous silent ambience. She tore the letter open with her fingernails, struggling to make out the vague lettering. Her eyes widened as the sentences came together, an uncomfortable feeling of anger filling her heart.
"The one who caused you all this pain
Can be found in Hydlaa’s outskirts
Search for a shack carved in ancient wood
To the southwest of those banished."She swallowed hard as she read the letter over and over, her eyes widening as numerous theory’s came to mind, yet one in particular stood out from the others “Garosan.. You will pay for what you did to my brother” she whispered to herself. Rigwyn had warned her of the corrupt guards who operated in Hydlaa. Not wanting to get him into trouble she realized that she would have to go alone, his claims empowering her decision.
“The guards will never believe you. They have the guards fooled too. I suspect that his friends and him are part of some sort of organization. I don't know how many of them there are .. but I suspect its more than one or two. The last thing we need is for them to claim that you are mad or something. You have no proof to go against their word."
Haven taken his words to heart she knew what had to be done. Fueled by anger and the grave fate her brother had suffered she stood tall, beginning her journey to the outskirts. She hummed to herself, the wisdom that Rigwyn had spoke reminding itself as she made her way through the darkness of the night.
"When all seems dark and gloomy
When you feel like the gods have abandoned you
Like they left you in the dark all alone
When you feel no joy; when you see no light at the end of the tunnel
That is when you see the clearest.
At those times your mind if free of all illusions.
At those times you see things for what they really are”“Oh, dark night of truth” she exclaimed at the sight of the shack, her anger peaked at the sight of light through the small window.
To be continued...