Chapter 54 – Looming Danger (1)

As golden light concentrated around his hand, Midhir winced with pain. His other hand gripped the armrest of the chair he was sitting on tightly as waves of pain jolted throughout his body.

The butler Aodan was pale as he maintained the healing resonance slowly repairing the damage to his hand. “My apologies,” he repeated again, his voice filled with regret and worry. “I can’t prevent the pain.”

Midhir closed his eyes. Healing resonances weren’t some magical, all-fixing cure to everything. They almost always sped up the healing process, condensing months’ worth of healing into mere minutes – all the pain and uncomfortable sensations included in that natural healing process were also condensed, resulting in the immense pain he was feeling right now.

“There are many of them,” Alistair’s words reached his ears. He focused on the young noble’s voice in an attempt to keep his mind off of the waves of pain. “I’m not sure what happened to the dozen or so people chasing us, but I’m certain that this isn’t as small of an organization as we first thought. We must take action, Father. Send word to the capital, ask for the Emperor’s aid – anything but sitting idly by as they try and awaken the Old Gods themselves!”

Captain Rianne had gone to check up on the wounded whom she sent back to Bareon earlier. While Midhir wanted to go check up on Arwen as well, Aodan had already informed him that the young woman’s wound had healed near perfectly, and she was already on the path to a full recovery. Being here in Lord Orlein’s study, listening to the Lord of Bareon and Alistair discuss what to do was more important.

“It’s done,” Aodan spoke in a low voice as to not disturb the Orleins.

Midhir opened his eyes. The wound was gone, healed almost fully. While there was some discolouration on the back of his hand where the wound was, his palm showed no signs of having been pierced at all. “Thank you,” he closed his fist, then stretched his fingers. There was no pain, but his hand did feel somewhat numb.

“I healed it to the best of my abilities,” Aodan explained. “The muscles, tendons and bones are healed, but it will probably take a few days before you regain your full strength.” He glanced at Lord Orlein and Alistair before lowering his voice further. “Though I fear we won’t have several days of calm,” he added quietly.

Midhir couldn’t help but agree.

Lord Orlein and Alistair’s discussion soon came to a conclusion. “Aodan will aid you,” Lord Orlein told as he turned his gaze to the stack of papers on his desk. “We’ll meet again in the morning.”

Alistair nodded. “Of course, father,” he said with a subtle bow.

Aodan also bowed before quickly turning to Midhir. “Allow me to help you-“

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“Let the man rest a while,” Lord Orlein cut him off. “You just finished healing him, don’t make him walk. He can leave when he feels well enough.”

Aodan flinched. “Of course, my Lord.” He bowed again before rushing outside, after Alistair.

The door closed behind Alistair and Aodan, and not a moment later, Lord Orlein’s sigil ring let out a faint, grey shine.

“It’s been a while,” The Lord stood up from behind his desk, and stood in front of him. “Your-“

“Don’t, please,” Midhir let out a sigh. He had little strength left, and dealing with noble etiquette wasn’t something he could stomach right now. “I’d rather have you use my name.”

Lord Orlein’s lips curled up with a genuine smile. “Have it your way,” he said with a chuckle. A moment later, his shoulders dropped, and he leaned against his desk with a thoughtful expression. “My apologies for what you went through – it was never my intention to put any of you in such danger… especially you.”

Midhir shook his head. “We did what had to be done, Lord Orlein. I must apologise for not being able to stop them from… whatever it was they tried.”

“Awakening the Old Gods…” Lord Orlein let out a sigh. “It was your blood that was spilt. I fear the damage has been done already – if not to our world, then to you.”

Midhir clenched, then relaxed his newly healed hand. “They called my blood Unworthy,” he brushed his hair back with his other hand. “Perhaps the Old God didn’t awaken fully. Perhaps it had no effect whatsoever. Perhaps it’s awake and watching.” He pressed his palm against his left eye. “I know you sent Alistair and Aodan away to ask for something. What is it, Lord Orlein?” His gaze met the Lord’s.

Lord Orlein hesitated for a split second before he inhaled a deep breath. “Bareon is choking,” he stated a moment later with a grim voice. “The Old Growth is slowly spreading, and the New Growth has already claimed all of our farmland. Now it’s trying to scale our walls and enter the city itself.”

“Alistair and Captain Rianne told me as much.” What was he getting at?

“Because they’re well aware that we lack the power to hold it back for much longer,” Lord Orlein made a vague gesture towards the window. It was dark outside, impossible to see further than just a few steps. “I have two questions for you. Please answer them truthfully.”

Midhir scowled. “Ask.”

“Is An’Larion also faced with this kind of danger?”

He couldn’t help but feel somewhat amused. “Yes,” he replied, hiding his amusement. “The Old Growth around An’Larion is spreading at an alarming rate as well, or at least it was at the time of my leaving. The enforcers are making sure it doesn’t near the city too much.”

The Empress and her enforcers were the vigilant defenders against the otherworldly threats An’Larion seemed to face every couple of decades. They were a lot more well trained and had better tools than whatever defence Bareon could put up against the Old Growth.

“I see,” Lord Orlein pursed his lips as he pondered a moment. “Would she aid us?”

Midhir narrowed his eyes. “I don’t see why she wouldn’t,” he chose his words carefully as he probed his memories. “Have you not asked for aid yet?”

Lord Orlein looked away. “With the events at Olisar, I didn’t dare to. I believed the academy’s help would be enough.”

“Olisar?” Midhir asked with a scowl. Principal Aoidh and several other high ranking, powerful people were sent there recently, at the same time as their field exercises started. “Inform me, what happened there?”

Lord Orlein couldn’t hide his momentary surprise. “You aren’t aware? An old burial ground was found at the southern edge of the province. The Veil was torn in several places, all near these burial grounds. Disaster looms over Orlein – it’s more than likely that what happened here centuries ago will happen there.”