1 Chapter 1 - Lost in the Wilds

"Get her out of here!" – A familiar Male voice echoed.

(No, I wish to stay!) – A girls voice, panicked.

"Protect her with your life!"

(No, you need protecting!)

"Get her to her Uncle!"

(I want to stay with you…)

"As you command… My lord."

(…Please!)

"I will hold them back… now go!"

(…Father!)

************

From the deep darkness of unconscious that echoes the last words she heard from in recent history, light springs into view as closed eyes snap open.

Her chest rises and falls rapidly a few times before the young woman moves into a seated position, her long pale blue hair cascading over her shoulders and down her back, the only thing keeping most of it together being the golden clasp embedded with a blue jewel; a deeper hue than her hair.

The loose hair over her shoulders hung free, and contrasts the darker hues of the brown cloak she wears to cover up the much finer made dress worn beneath revealing her status in society as being one of wealth.

Calming her breath from the rude awakening she looks around.

(Right. I am in the forest…)

Casia had never once spent a night outside always accustomed to the finery of her home, or the high status locations she had travelled to before; so waking up in not only an unfamiliar location, but also outside served only to remind her of the situation she was now in.

"Elain?"

She quickly looks around wondering where her guardian is.

It takes only a moment to locate the tall red haired woman she knows well, and finds her sat nearby on a log.

She wears a dark red coat with a high collar, trimmed at the edges with a silver lining, falling in length to her knees, and split at the sides to allow her legs better movement.

Around her waist is a black leather belt that holds a small pouch on her right side, and on the left her sword, the sheath the same color as her coat.

As a warrior she wears her silver bracers adorned with intricate décor and arcane symbols, a single emerald teardrop shaped crystal fixed into the centre of each, and brown leather gloves affixed for comfort.

Her chest plate armour is clearly custom fitted for her; it looks thin, and clearly follows the curvature of her ribs and breasts for comfort, and is also silver but with a golden leaf motif around the edges and on to her shoulders, and in the middle above her heart is another emerald jewel. This same motif is repeated on her knee high armoured leather boots.

Casia felt relieved to see the familiar knight.

In her hand are a few berries which she is picking at, and next to her a bundle of leave being used as a placemat for several more.

"I am here Milady."

After hearing her, the girl lets out a breath of further relief, but only for a moment before she has to ask her most immediate question.

"W-where are we?"

"I am not sure. We certainly didn't end up where we were meant to."

"I remember… falling…"

"Yeah… we came out a little high."

Saying this, Casia noticed how Elain shifts her body, it is slight but obvious that she is sore and stiff.

"Are you okay?"

Casia stands up and finally notices the bed of leaves that she had been laying on. (Elain must have made it for me.)

Casia can't remember much after entering the portal that was meant to connect to her Uncle Medrin's home. She thought it would be her Uncle she would next see, the childhood estate of her mother, but instead they had ended up in unfamiliar woodlands.

"I am fine."

"Elain…"

"Please, Milady… I am fine."

Despite her insistence, and smile Elain was far from fine; not only had she fallen from a great height, she had made sure to cushion Casia's impact too, and the armour she wore though small and light was harder than the ground.

Even after a nights rest her bones ache and her muscles feel bruised all over, especially across her entire back.

It didn't help that she had not slept at all. It was late when they had escaped the events that forced them to evacuate, but Casia had been rendered unconscious from the impact with Elain taking the main brunt of it; and more importantly this was the wilds.

The wilds are dangerous, depending where in the wilds you were the threat levels varied, but the creatures that venture through them are not usually friendly.

Casia grips the brown cloak she wears and the dress underneath at knee level crumpling in her fingers as she tightens them in to fists, her face filled with concern.

"…Father…"

Elains face tenses for a moment as if pain struck her, taking a few moments to search her feelings for something familiar.

"He… is still alive…"

"Is… Is he?"

"As your fathers Champion… I am certain."

Casia breathed yet another sigh of relief, her fist releasing the fabric crunched in them, though her feelings were not wholly gone, being alive did not mean she was safe.

But Elain is her father's champion. Her connection to had formed a magical bond to always know her masters location and well-being; it was a life line for Casia, to know her father was alive gave her comfort and hope, and she had no cause to doubt the sincerity of Elain when it came to important issues such as this.

Casia trembles a little and pulls the cloak closed around her more tightly to hide from the breeze that suddenly came through the trees, and as if only now realising she looks at the cloak.

"Did you…"

"You seemed to need it more than I did."

Elain smiled as Casia looked to her concerned.

"I've been colder, trust me." Elain smirks a little.

"…"

Casia goes to argue that Elain shouldn't have had to, but decides not to. Elain only thought of her, and her mother had always told her to respect the kindness of others, even if it was not needed; and since she had not been in a state to refuse the offer at the time it was too late now to complain about it.

"Thank you."

Elain smiles, and then gestures to have Casia sit next to her, the other side of the gathered berries. Casia looked at them as she awkwardly begins to sit.

The log is far lower than a chair, and her cheeks blush as she feels rather embarrassed at trying to both sit with her usual formal manner, but in a more informal position.

She had had wild berries before when her mother had taken her out walking through the woods near their home and found some.

Not that she doesn't like being outside in the woods, she had enjoyed those times with her mother, but the comfort of home was just how she preferred things.

It made Casia feel that her mother had been disappointed in her considering the type of person she had been.

But that isn't something she wants to think about. Her mother is gone, and there is little she could do to change that viewpoint now, so why think about it? What did need to be thought on was what needs to happen next…

************

There was little choice in the end but to keep moving.

Staying in one place is an obvious folly as no one would be coming for them, and those that likely would, are more likely to be linked to the ones that had forced them to escape in the first place.

Not knowing where they exactly are, and no idea which way would be the correct way to go it is Elain's more worldly experience Casia relied on.

Trusting her judgment and instincts both had chosen to follow the sun in its direction, starting with it behind them and journeying to where it would eventually set in front of them.

Breaks are often as Casia has never walked for prolonged periods before, especially in shoes not meant for heavy trudging, and wishes to herself that she had grabbed her walking boots, even if they didn't have the time.

There was much she wished for as the two silently hike through the woodlands.

(I wish father was here-)

(I wish I was at home-)

(I wish I had a horse-)

(I wish I had spent more time practicing the magical arts-)

(I wish I could… could have helped father.)

Tears well in her eyes as she thinks these thoughts over and over, her father alone, and the events of the previous night-

************

"Study is important Casia."

Her father spent every evening meal saying the same thing, and always begins with a "how was your day?" and she would always reply about the tedium of her lessons.

He is a tall and broad man, clean shaven with short dirty blonde hair, a strong chin, and kind green eyes.

He wears his usual deep blue tunic that has a silken quality to the fabric though was much thicker, and the lined with black.

He wears only one piece of jewellery, a thick golden chain of links and plates all to hold a single Ruby set in to a diamond shaped frame.

Casia has always admired it, but feels it would likely weigh her down immensely, not only due to its physical weight, but as a symbol of the right to rule this kingdom.

"I know it is, but do I have to learn it all now? I have plenty of time to learn the Magical arts, a whole life, plus becoming a master like you isn't necessary when we have court magicians."

She sounds exhausted as she states her opinion.

"Oh? You think that others will do everything for you then?"

It is just a tease, her father knows quite well that she didn't mean it like that, but he still had to say it with that grin on his face.

"I just mean it is not something I have to rush, is it?"

"You're not a child anymore Casia, you should apply yourself to something, find a purpose to focus on. If not magic then what is it you would prefer to place your effort in?"

"Hmm… Effort, huh?"

She had to think about that, Casia had never felt like she had a purpose other than being her parent's daughter and attending court. Her hobbies and interests had never taken any priority in her life. Though her mother had tried to guide her to focus on something.

It has not even been a year since the news came to her that her mother, her champion, and her small entourage of warriors had all been slain.

In that time she had lost a lot of what drove her personally, she had never had a specific focus to begin with, but afterwards it simply became even less important.

The weeks that followed the news, and the funeral service, had been difficult.

There had been no body to bury, to grieve over, to see and accept the words told to them.

Her brother Simren, the heir to the kingdom had been the one to deliver the news to the family, his own group having been the ones sent to discover their fate after not returning, and speaks little even now of what had transpired, only that her body had been irretrievable.

Casia's determination grew slowly being pushed in to study again, but her heart just wasn't in the effort, she did what was asked of her, but her heart just isn't in it.

So when asked what it was she wanted to focus on… she has no answer, nor was she inclined to really consider it.

"My lord, Lord Castus is here to speak with you."

A girl in a short cut maid's uniform spoke, her voice light and courteous.

"My brother…?! Send him in."

Her father replies with apprehension and confusion, her uncle Castus has an estate not far from the city, but rarely ventures out this late unless it was serious.

Casia would watch as her father stood up from the table ready to greet his brother, Elain moving from the corner of the room where she had been stood as a sentinel and walks closer to Her master; her brown cloak billows behind her from the sudden and rapid movement, her duty as his champion to guard her master.

The doors opens and her uncle strides in, large with a square gnarled face; telling of his many scrapes with beasts and blades, his head clean of hair except for the long thin beard that dangles from his chin, braided and tied at the end.

His body was covered in bright steel plate armour adorned with crimson lines like veins, and the same emerald gems that Elains smaller armour adorned.

He looked much scarier in his armour, and always makes Casia feel nervous; it was a shift from when he wore only his finest clothes and a far more jovial attitude, much more like her father in his humour, but his serious demeanour makes her feel cold, and tonight is no different…

No it is different…

(I don't like this) was all she can think as the pit of her stomach tightens.

Casia glances to Elain as the brothers greet each other with a false sense of casual greeting, with Elains eyes telling the girl to remain where she is.

Something was definitely off…

Everything after that moved like a blur for Casia, sounds from further down the hallway and out of sight had grown louder.

Her father shouting…

Her uncle pulling his sword…

Elain drawing hers…

A clash of metal…

By the time her sense had caught up with herself she found herself being pulled through the hallways of her home by Elain, her father close behind using his magic against the warriors who tried to follow… and against her uncle.

(What's going on?)

(Why are we fighting?)

(Why are we running?)

Her heart pounded heavily in her chest as she tries to make sense of what had suddenly begun to happen around her, why her father and Uncle had begun to fight, and the pain in her wrist as Elain gripped it firmly, dragging her towards the mana chamber; the nexus point of mana for the castle and the kingdom.

As soon as Elain burst through the door with her she finally releases Casia's, though the momentum causes her to pass the Champion and step futher in to the centre of the white crystal filled chamber.

Casia turns on the spot trembling her hair whipping around as she yells out, her voice filled with panic and confusion.

"Elain, wh-what is going on?!"

"Your uncle is a traitor!"

She spat the word 'traitor', her tone is harsh and filled with venom, her hatred for Castus's betrayal and obvious coup against her master filling her with rage.

She remains at the door, sword at the ready to strike down any one who dared to enter the chamber but watchful for the arrival of the one she serves.

"Master… come on…"

Her muttering is barely audible as she bites her lip firmly between her teeth, her grip tightening on her weapon, the long pale blue blade at ready, her posture perfect, guarded and ready.

Steps echo in from the hallway, followed by the visage of Casia's father, his tunic torn slightly from near misses.

"We must evacuate to Dreyas, Medrin will protect Casia until I sort this mess out."

"I will cover the door my lord while you open the portal."

He nods and Elain firmly takes a stance to guard the entrance, just as three soldiers run in after their target, only to immediately run in to his Champion, her sword swings with such speed and grace the hue of the sword not only left a trail but it take another few step for her targets to even realise that their heads were no longer attached.

A spray of blood erupts for a moment as a fountain of crimson follows their bodies to the floor.

Casia had never seen death like this and her eyes widen in shock and disbelief, she knows of war and had seen a variety of injuries after being healed, but for three men to cease living in such a manner shocks her and she can hear her own heart pounding as her breathing becomes laboured, the world dulls, her stomach churns with the dinner that she had eaten before it was cut short, and just as the feeling of being sick can reach out, she feels two hands on her arms, firm but familiar and then her vision was filled by that of her father's face.

"Casia listen to me…"

His voice is muffled, like having cotton in her ears-

"You're going to be okay."

Growing clearer as he speaks to her, as he holds her-

"I'm sending you to your uncle and he will protect you."

"Y-you're coming too… right?"

The look on his face answers that before he could and a tears swell in her eyes.

"No… you're coming… you a-and Elain… we will see Uncle Medrin together…"

"I cannot leave this place to my brothers' machinations so easily, but neither can I worry about you."

"Then... then I can help… I'll u-use the magic I've been learning and-"

He smiles to his sweet daughter, despite her fear she is willing to face the enemy by his side, and perhaps if she had been more skilled, had more powerful he may have considered it, but not only did she lack in experience and the will to take a life, the only reason she had offered was because she is scared and did not wish to leave her parent.

Still facing the death of her mother and now being forced to leave her father to some unknown fate, it was only natural she didn't wish to face another loss.

"Perhaps… one day we will stand side by side as we battle… just as your mother and I once did, but today is not that day."

He strokes her cheek wiping the few falling tears of sadness and fear that fell across her face, before pressing his forehead gently against hers.

"Know that I love you, and hold it tightly in your heart."

Casia's tear continue to fall as her father stands straight once more, and with a an arm outstretched, he calls out "DREYAS UL ILLEDIA."

A red circle several feet in diameter bursts in to existence, a line of arcane symbols and letters rotate between the inner and outer lines that glow with pulsating power as the centre circle clouds and darkens like a storm.

"The portal has connected… ELAIN!"

Another soldier falls to her blade as she hears her summon, and quickly retreats inwards.

"Get her out of here!"

Elain is confused for a moment, while she understands the order itself it takes her a moment to comprehend what he was asking of her.

"My lord?! I… I should stay, I am your Champion, my duty lays…"

"Your duty lays in my orders, and I am telling you to get her out of here."

He places a hand on her shoulder.

"As my champion you are tasked with defending my life…"

He turns to Casia with the best smile he can manage at that moment sweeping across his face. He doesn't have to explain to Elain what he is asking of her because she knew.

She had been by his side for most of her own, but it still pains her to accept the order to part from him. She wishs to remain too, just like Casia, to protect her master, to defend the one she had devoted her life… and more to.

But he sees his life as more than his own it, was in Casia's survival.

"RO~NA~N!"

Elain's thoughts are interrupted by more men entering the chamber, and the booming voice of Castus calling out his brother as he enters with many more men behind him.

Ronan holds out his arm, palm facing forwards and shards of crystallised mana form, each one deathly sharp and the length of his arm to form spears of shimmering jewels before they shoot out to impale three men, as Castus simply knocks the one meant for him out of the air by a single wipe of the shield that now adorns his arm.

He grins at the poor attempt to take his life.

"Didn't you just tell me brother against brother was dishonourable? I'm sad you cannot practice what you preach."

The provocative taunt is practically ignored by Ronan as he summons more mana spears around him, and without looking over his shoulder to his daughter and Champion he sternly says "Protect her with your life! Get her to her Medrin and watch over her until I can summon you once again to my side."

"A-As you command… My lord."

"I will hold them back… now go!"

The spears pierce the air with great speed aiming true, only this time a moment before impact they shatter against an invisible wall that shimmers momentarily in to view with a green hue for just a moment, showing its existence before once more vanishing from his eyes..

"…ghk…"

From behind Castus a woman in a black hooded cloak appears, walking with what could be considered a seductive posture; her hood decorated in red patterns and covers her face, though her dark red and black hair cascades from underneath and across her ample chest.

A ruby crystal is lay across her heart firmly embedded in to her skin with veins pulsing out from it under her slightly red tinted skin.

Her purple lips part to reveal a pleased smile as her tongue licks across her upper lip slightly, her dress conforming to her figure with little shame and a belt around he her slender waist holds several pouches that Ronan figures would likely contain items of magical use to her.

"A… witch! Elain… GO!"

Ronan cries out the order, his demeanour tenser now with the arrival of this new enemy.

Elain has no choice and with speed lunges for Casia to pull her in to her arms and leaps for the portal.

"WHO SAID YOU COULD LEAVE!" the witch woman yells holding out her hand before a blast of dark Mana erupts from her fingers, like black lightning, towards the gate.

Ronan manages to instantly summon forth his own magical wall to shield them as they pass through, but it bounces of, hits the floor, travels to the wall, then to the ceiling and then down to the portal.

Elain and Casia the momentary feeling of acceleration that had hit them when they entered the portal is suddenly gone. The clouded portal evaporates before them, only to be replaced by a dark sky filled with stars.

A moment of weightlessness hits them before gravity takes hold, and they realise what has happened, and then drop…

************

Casia continues to think on those events, playing them over and over asking questions to herself.

(Why did Uncle Castus fight Father? Who was that woman? Was there something more I could have done? I was no help… why couldn't I have done something? Why did father have to stay behind? Why-)

Her train of through is interrupted as she feels herself collide with the back of Elain who had stopped suddenly.

Wondering why, Casia takes a step back and then to her side and before she can ask she pauses noticing Elain sniffing the air which in turn prompts her to do the same.

"Smoke?"

"Smoke. Which means people, not enough for a settlement, but perhaps a wilder lodging?"

Wilders refer to those people crazy enough to live in the Wilds by themselves without the protection of a kingdom or a settlement, only re-joining civilisation to trade what they hunt, and tend to be rowdy and wild and certainly difficult to keep under control if they choose to be a nuisance.

"Will we be safe?"

"I'll protect you, so stay behind me."

Though she said that Elain could feel her body was not currently in its best condition, not just from the fall but her distance from Ronan has weakened the bond of Master and Champion and all the benefits that magical contract gives, she is certain she could at least fend off one wilder if she needed to but any more, she might find it difficult in her condition.

The sun is over head as the two cautiously head for the smokes origin.

With the wind constantly changing the direction it takes them both a little longer than they like but if danger was going to be lurking at their destination they are in no rush.

Casia grips on to Elains sleeve as they walk, nervous of what they will find. But it was not what they expected; before they reach the cabin a wide road appears before them cutting through the forest, looking up and down it stretches out beyond their vision disappearing amongst the thick trees, but not far from them is the source of the smoke.

In a man-made clearing just a little up the road is a two story wooden building, around it are what look like street lamps the top of which is a green gemstone the same in colours as the ones that adorns Elain's armour, but far larger.

As they walk between the posts both of them feel a small push back against them, but the resistance was no more forceful than a mildly strong breeze.

"This barrier must cover the whole area of the building to protect it from the creatures of the Wilds."

Elain note this as they continue on for the building and look up at the posts once again briefly.

As they cross the courtyard, two Adirus perk up from the stable at the side of the building raising their heads and watching as the two walk closer.

Casia has seen the large wolf creatures before, her own brother rides one he has named Phillipe, having raised it from a pup he has a friendly nature but she had always been warned that despite being trained all Dirus are fiercely protective and loyal. It makes them perfect for drawing wagons through the wilds.

Once they enter the Adirus return to their lazy posture as they await their owner. A third was also there but had not been bothered with the two newcomers.

The door opens up to a large room, the wooden building decorated with the trophies of beasts, and weapons long disused, just memories of earlier times. Tables, enough to host several dozen people, are strewn about, though only a few are occupied currently.

"So… it's an inn!"

Elain seemed to relax at this conclusion. She had not considered that a wilder would build such a sizeable home, but she could not have been certain until now.

"Welcome welcome."

A voice calls out from across the room; standing behind the bar on the far side of the room was a tall thin man, greying hair and dressed in finery that seemed out of place for someone who potentially lives out in the middle of the wilds, and not someone you expect to be the owner of the décor.

"Welcome to Midcross Inn, approach nearer so that we may converse without raised voices."

He sounded overly friendly and cheerful, like a performer on stage presenting the next act.

"Midcross Inn?"

Casia enquired as the two draw closer to him. She notices that not only is there barrels stacked behind him with taps ready to dispense refreshment but items also. Not just an Inn, but a store.

"I concede, not a particularly original title, but what lacks in originality, it makes up for in appropriateness. We are after all presently located in a centralised locale between Erideena and Mynai."

This surprises Elain, and Casia.

"Elain… how far away from Dreyas are we?"

"…ngk…"

"Hmmm… Dreyas? My-my, I must inform you that you are too far east for Dreyas. Should you not have gone west from Erideena… or did you come from Mynai? If I may so bold to query?"

Elain's fists ball up and tighten, her body trembling at the news.

"We're on the wrong side of the Gerry Mountain range!"

************