Occasionally, the ground here would feel a bit unsteady as the flood waters shifted, but Raul was getting used to it. According to Diego Redwater, these regions would eventually return to their normal sea levels. In theory, anyway.
He and his brothers did not have to wait long before their kin began to take notice of them--of their frozen passengers, specifically. Raul wasn’t terribly concerned about the onlookers. He was glad Aru had decided to join the second group of reinforcements, alongside Lord Zeff and the others, because it meant that he could rely on the reaper to take care of the more difficult conversations for him.
Perhaps that wasn’t good, though. Perhaps he needed more practice with such things. His evening talks with Donald Elias--the covert agent of Atreya whom he’d personally rescued--had been putting new thoughts into his head about this kind of work.
About the kind of role he should be fulfilling for his brethren.
The Rainlords of Sair were not exactly known for their subterfuge. Not in the modern day, anyway. In ancient times, that was how his Arman ancestors were able to match the terrible might of the Lyzakki hordes.
Perhaps someone needed to revitalize that ancient spirit.
Even if it went against their more modern sensibilities?
Agh.
Young and inexperienced. Raul had to keep reminding himself. He shouldn’t get ideas above his station.
And yet, when he saw the Lord Elroy emerge from the small crowd of onlookers, Raul Blackburn couldn’t help but feel like he shouldn’t just sit back and let Arumoro handle everything again.
Lord Zeff certainly had a presence to him that made the others give way--even Raul’s own brothers, somewhat. Lakefire, even Raul himself, for that matter.
But the man had also been behaving a bit strangely, too. Enough to pique Raul’s curiosity, at least, which somehow rendered him less intimidating.
Just a little, anyway.
“What in the world?” said the Lord Elroy as he began walking alongside the Triplets. Axiolis was floating just behind him. “How did you boys find all this?”
To Raul’s silent chagrin, Aru still managed to respond before him. ‘Raul and I stumbled upon them. They were half-sunken.’
Lord Zeff’s steely gaze locked onto Raul. “You and Raul, eh?”
Raul might’ve felt unsettled if this hadn’t become a regular occurrence, as of late. “Yes, ensir,” he said. “Figured we should take them to the main building and let you elders decide what to do next.”
A dark serial novel. Set in a modern fantasy world called Eleg. Mature language. Updates every day at noon PST by ~400 words.
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Page 3883
As for the status of Field Marshal Graves, Raul had been intensely wanting to know what that man was up to, but information about him was preciously rare. He suspected that the elders knew much more than they were letting on--which was their prerogative, of course--but he could only guess at why that might be.
Perhaps they’d come to some kind of secret arrangement with him?
All in all, it was a strange state of affairs. Rumors were constantly spinning left and right. They were going to leave the country soon and return to Atreya. They were going to stay and keep helping with rescue operations. No, that was only temporary. No, Lord Darksteel wanted them to stay and recover the Sword of Unso like they’d originally intended.
That last one, Raul was reasonably sure was not true. From what he’d heard, Lord Goffe just wanted them all to return safely, treasure be damned. But a part of Raul was still sore about not having accomplished that particular goal.
Despite having discovered the Sword’s whereabouts--in the possession of one Thaddeus Croll--the Sword ended up becoming lost again after the battle at Logden Prison. Supposedly, Thaddeus had been involved in that fight and perhaps even slain, but the Triplets searched up and down the mountains around the prison, only to find no trace of the Sword.
He wondered if there might be some other way he could make up for that disappointment. Perhaps if he could find some other ancient artifact as a replacement, but this was hardly the time to be obsessing over such things. While civilian lives remained in danger, they took priority.
Thankfully, that danger seemed to be waning, finally. The Rainlord encampment was noticeably less busy than the last time he was here. Fewer rescuees were around, meaning they were now being taken to Ridgemark at a faster rate than they were arriving.
The encampment itself was an impressive structure, considering it had been made and maintained entirely by materializers. There were entire barracks and lookout towers, as well as a main building where the elders conducted their meetings. Even the architectural designs were quite elaborate, complemented further by the ornate furniture and decorations therein. In fact, if not for the metallic sheen on most things, Raul might have felt like he was back in Marshrock.
There was also a lining of ice around the edge of the encampment--put there by Lord Zeff--in order to both help the camp stay afloat and to prevent anyone from walking off into the water without realizing it.
Perhaps they’d come to some kind of secret arrangement with him?
All in all, it was a strange state of affairs. Rumors were constantly spinning left and right. They were going to leave the country soon and return to Atreya. They were going to stay and keep helping with rescue operations. No, that was only temporary. No, Lord Darksteel wanted them to stay and recover the Sword of Unso like they’d originally intended.
That last one, Raul was reasonably sure was not true. From what he’d heard, Lord Goffe just wanted them all to return safely, treasure be damned. But a part of Raul was still sore about not having accomplished that particular goal.
Despite having discovered the Sword’s whereabouts--in the possession of one Thaddeus Croll--the Sword ended up becoming lost again after the battle at Logden Prison. Supposedly, Thaddeus had been involved in that fight and perhaps even slain, but the Triplets searched up and down the mountains around the prison, only to find no trace of the Sword.
He wondered if there might be some other way he could make up for that disappointment. Perhaps if he could find some other ancient artifact as a replacement, but this was hardly the time to be obsessing over such things. While civilian lives remained in danger, they took priority.
Thankfully, that danger seemed to be waning, finally. The Rainlord encampment was noticeably less busy than the last time he was here. Fewer rescuees were around, meaning they were now being taken to Ridgemark at a faster rate than they were arriving.
The encampment itself was an impressive structure, considering it had been made and maintained entirely by materializers. There were entire barracks and lookout towers, as well as a main building where the elders conducted their meetings. Even the architectural designs were quite elaborate, complemented further by the ornate furniture and decorations therein. In fact, if not for the metallic sheen on most things, Raul might have felt like he was back in Marshrock.
There was also a lining of ice around the edge of the encampment--put there by Lord Zeff--in order to both help the camp stay afloat and to prevent anyone from walking off into the water without realizing it.
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