A Way In

The sun was setting when they arrived at the vantage point. From there, they can see what was left of the city. Beside it flowed river that glowed red in the setting sun. It almost looked like a river of lava. And in the horizon, a sleeping volcano stood quietly like powerful god watching. It was both beautiful and haunting.

“There it is,” Ren gasped as they gazed upon the white walls of Caeldig. At least what was left in its glory.

Perhaps there was a time when it stood in magnificence. The great white walls surrounding the city was a sentiment of the strength and skills of the proud blacksmiths. Caeldig now lies in ruins. Its walls slowly crumbling, fading away along with its glory. The city reeks of death, pain and suffering.

“I bought my first sword from the masters in that city,” Ulric said, his grey eyes somberly looking over the city. “They say that the steels mined from the earth of Caeldig is blessed by the Warrior God himself and the fire is from the breathing dragon that lives under the volcano.”

“Kings and lords themselves travel across Eardyn, risking their lives just to get their hands on swords and armors from masters of the city and now look at this,” he shook his head. “They put swords in soldier’s hands and couldn’t use it themselves.”

“Do you really think that those people who live by steel, fire, and hammer did not fight?” There was a glint of anger in Ylva’s green eyes. “Look at those scorch marks. They were overpowered.”

A long silence loomed over them.

“There’s a dragon under that volcano?” Cannagan asked.

Elswyth smiled. It's nice to know that the child in him is not yet gone. Ren used to ask the most peculiar questions, but it's often rooted from great curiosity.

“It’s a myth,” Roukan answered. “And there are no more dragons left.”

“There used to be hundreds of them,” Rahil said. All eyes shifted to him as he spoke. “There used to be dragon nests in this land. But the blacksmiths used their hides for armors. Harvested fire stone from their stomachs for their flames.”

“And then there were dragon hunters,” he said in a low voice. “Men who sought knighthood by slaying the beast. The last dragon was killed a decades ago.”

“That’s awful,” Lupe whispered.

“No matter,” Roukan cut in. “Even if there are dragons, we cannot ask them to help destroy the shadows.”

He took out his binoculars and started scanning the city. “There,” Roukan pointed at the white tower with black smoke coming out of its top. “That’s where they’re hiding him.”

“Infiltrating the city will not be easy with just five men,” Elswyth whispered. She counted ten watch towers, three on north and south gates, two on east and west walls. Each tower has two guards. Most likely, the city will be crawling with more.

“Not if we can avoid the fight.”

They’ve set up a camp where they stood. For two days, they scouted the city, checking the activities of the guards and their movements until they came up with a plan.

“Every day, few carts leave the city at dawn and returns at twilight,” Roukan explained. “Fenris followed one of the carts and reported that they are townsfolks, hunting and gathering what’s left from the forest.”

Even they were struggling to find anything to eat or drink from the forest. The river was dead—the life source was meager. They had to survive on dried meat, wine preserved fruits and rainwater.

“We’ll split into three groups. Rahil, Elswyth, and Ylva will make for the Tree. Ulric, Fenris, and I will get the blacksmith.”

“And what about us?” Cannagan asked.

Lupe looked at him as if he said something outrageous. “We stay of course,” she answered for everyone. “We’ll just get in the way.”

“Friedolf will stay too,” Roukan looked at Ren. “Just in case.”

Ren looked as if he was about to protest but thought better of it.

“Ylva will lead you through the tunnels,” Roukan explained. “We will hijack one of the carts to get into the city.”

“Won’t work,” the stranger’s voice made all of them jumped to their feet, weapons drawn.

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A small old man with gray hair and kind brown eyes smiled at them. “I do apologize for eavesdropping, but you don’t need to arm yourselves,” he chuckled, both hands raised in the air, palms out. “This old man I don’t stand a chance.”

Wispy white hair covered his head. He wore a gentle smile on his face, his skin wrinkled in age and freckled in sun. His voice was stern and deep. Each word spoken with care. He wore tattered trousers, patched together with different color of square sewn cloths and a mud-stained white shirt.

“Those tunnels have been shut with metal bars,” he said to Roukan, his dirty face in a frown. “The shadow caught people sneaking in and out of the city through it.”

Roukan stared down at his map as if he was ready to throw it into the fire.

“The four gates are heavily guarded,” he continued. “Only the Shadows are allowed to use those and that,” he said pointing at the opened gate “is your only way in and out.”

“See those guards by the gate?” he added. “They write down the names of everyone that passes through. Any extra bodies will not enter the city alive.”

“You know the city?” asked Rahil.

“My name is Anwar. I’ve lived in this city my whole life,” he said with a sad smile. “I know this city more than the Shadows that run it. And I know that your only way in is if I smuggle you in my cart,” he said tapping his old worn-out cart.

Everyone stared at him in surprise. Roukan’s men exchanged looks, unsure of how to answer such a dangerous offer.

“What’s in it for you?” Ulric asked. “We have no gold to give, old man.”

The man placed his hand on his chest and pretended to have been struck by Ulric’s harsh words. “I have no need for gold,” he said chuckling at his own act. “Gold has the same value as coal here. No. Coal can provide heat. Gold is just a weak metal.”

“Then what do you want?” Roukan asked.

“Freedom,” he said plainly. “Be it by death or by sword, I want to see my home free from the grasp of darkness.”

Elswyth stepped forward. “Our chances are not that good,” she admitted. “It’s six against an entire army. If we get caught, you will die.” She was hoping it was enough for him to walk away but he did not move an inch. Instead, he smiled as if he was hearing good news.

“So be it,” he said waiving his hand. He gave a long deep sigh. “I’ve lived long enough. Perhaps too long. Unfortunately, the last twenty years has been dark and difficult. I’m a tired old man now— too weak to carry a sword. If smuggling warriors inside the city is the only way I can help to win this war, then I’d gladly embrace death.”

Everyone stayed still, not knowing what to say to the man who’s willing to sacrifice what little peace he had for their own. But they knew it was the only way in. How can they refuse such an offer?

“You have a brave heart, Anwar,” she said. “We’ll make sure to keep you safe.”

He merely smiled and nodded. She couldn’t tell if it was a smile of amusement or trust. She herself wasn’t sure if she is truly able to protect the man, or anyone at this point. But perhaps that’s what she needed, a bit of a push a little bit of self-inflicted pressure, and dumb bravery.

“Alright, so we have a way in,” Ylva said. “Now, what’s the plan to get the blacksmith out?”

“I can’t take all of you,” said the old man. “It can only hold two people.”

Ylva sighed. “So who gets to go?”

“Take your time,” Anwar sighed as he returned to his cart. “Just make sure you’re ready by twilight. The guards will not let us in once the sun has set.”

When Anwar was out of earshot, Elswyth spoke. “I’m going.”

She felt a strong squeeze on her arm. Rahil was standing close to her and leaned into her ear. “We can just take the blacksmith and the sword,” Rahil whispered to her. “We can leave the Tree for another day.”

She glared at him and jerked her arm out of his grasp.

“If they find the Blacksmith missing, these people are the ones who will suffer for what we did,” she answered back. “And we need the Tree to open the door to Faeldic.”

“Elswyth—”

“I’m taking Roukan with me.”

“Gladly,” Roukan’s lips curved into a grin as he blocked Elswyth from Rahil.

He shifted his glare to Roukan. Roukan’s smile seemed to agitate him even more. But before it could turn into a fight, she walked towards Anwar and introduced herself.

“We didn’t get a chance to introduce ourselves. My name is Elswyth. You can call me Ellie,” she said reaching out her hand.

“’I’m Anwar of Caeldig,” he reached out his hand and grabbed her forearm, index finger, pointing towards her.

One of these things that Rahil taught her first is how to greet someone outside Faeldic. You hold each other’s forearms, index finger pointed at the other person and the pulse at your wrists must be above one another. You must look at the person’s eyes while greeting each other. This does not only say that you recognize their name, but the life and soul of the person. A sign of respect for the blood and soul.

“It is my honor to serve the Guardian of Eardyn,” he said as he let go of her arm.

She felt her heart skip a beat at the sudden recognition. Anwar merely smiled at him and held her hand even tighter.

“I never thought I’d see the day I’ll look at your face again,” he said smiling. “You were as beautiful as I remember.”

“What do you—”

“When I was a boy, there were rumors that the Guardian roamed the forest of Dernvale. I searched the whole forest looking for you,” he said smiling. “I saw you for a brief moment and you smiled at me. No one at home believed me but—” his eyes sparkled with longing. “I am glad to see you again.”

It was the first time someone recognized her—truly recognized her. Her heart felt heavy as she looked at the kind and genuine smile of Anwar. She wasn’t just a story, not just a memory. Somehow it gave her hope.

They waited for dusk before the set out. Anwar told them that they should wait for midnight before they go to the blacksmith and told them about the routes of the guards.

As she was about to climb into the cart, Rahil walked with her. Before he could say anything, Elswyth spoke.

“I can do this,” he held his dark brown eyes. “We’ll free the blacksmith and then I’ll go for the Tree.”

Rahil’s lip tightened into a thin line. He held her gaze back, unwavering.

“If we lose you,” he whispered. “The world will fall into darkness.”

“I’m not asking, Rahil.”

“I know,” he nodded looking down on the ground. “Just be careful. And know when to walk away.”

He walked back to the group without looking back. Rahil never showed any form of affection for as long as she had known him. For a moment, Elswyth thought that he cared about her. But perhaps the softness in his eyes was not compassion but fear.