Interlude - Of Fire and Flowers
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From Tales of the Alliance the Diaries of Sasha...
A few days after arriving back in Ironmark I have been left with the feeling of exhausted and uneasiness. I knew that I did not have much time back home before we would be required to return to The Vale on another expedition, nor did Ser Kaylen want any of us going off on personal matters, but the need to travel and clear my head was more overwhelming than my ability to follow orders right now.
After some extensive research in the Academy library and some of my own personal books, I decided that I would try and seek out a rare flower that I have grown up knowing about but never seeing one in person. A fire Lilly.
The books states that these rare flowers thrive off heat, hence their location. I knew there was only one area that I would be likely to find one, if the research was indeed correct, The Mountains of Fire, south west of the kingdom and above the Orc Lands. I have never been that close to the Orc Lands on my own and part of me instantly wanted to give up and find another adventure to depart on…but the other part of me, burned with excitement. To think what could come from finding this plant! Extensive research could provide new ways to heal somebody, or perhaps extend their magical powers. With not a second more to lose, I quickly packed up a few basic supplies into my backpack, grabbed my wand, and sprinted out the Academy and towards the stables.
Very few people within the city actually own a horse. They tend to be creatures that only knights of the king own and whilst I am a part of The Lion Guard, the only person within the guard who owns the right to a steed was Kaylen. It’s actually because of Kaylen that I have a mare of my own, a gift that she bought me two years ago for my birthday. A beautiful white thoroughbred that I named Luna. Life without Luna wouldn’t be the same, she has been on many travels with me, kept me company and once saved me from a wolf. Such a brave and noble creature I have been gifted. Arriving at the stables, I quickly ask the stable boy to prepare Luna for the trip. Whilst he saddles her up, I feed her a few carrots and stroke her face. She whines lightly and tosses her head back before nuzzling my hand. It’s been quite a while since we’ve had an adventure, and I wonder if she is as excited as me for this trip.
I had decided that the best route for reaching The Mountains of Fire, would be to go via Dun Clynth and then to Kalash, where I would have to leave Luna in good care of somebody whilst I scale up the mountain. The route would be very unsafe for Luna to trek up. The Mountains of Fire weren’t always called that. Previously they were named The Mountains of Myst, but because of the cataclysm, some of the mountains exploded and now the night sky is illuminated by the earth fires that burn day and night. Such an area causes much stress and worry for many, humans and orcs alike. There have been few that have ventured there and returned alive. I don’t plan on being one of those many who never return. I have a job to do and I plan on seeing it through till the bitter end. Luna is set to go and as the stable boy helps me up onto her and into the saddle; he asks if I would like him to inform Ser Kaylen of my journey. I think for a moment, before shaking my head. Kaylen has more to worry about right now than me leaving my post. Grabbing the reigns, I gently tug them, encouraging Luna to break into a slow trot out of the stable. Once out and into the street, I kick her flank lightly, causing her to break into a full gallop down the road and towards the city gates. The trip from Ironmark to Dun Clynth should take me perhaps 7 days, only resting a few hours a night. Once I arrive at the town, I can stock up on resources again and head towards the stronghold of Kalash within another 7 days, providing I don’t run into trouble along the way that is.
Surprisingly, my journey to Dun Clynth was uneventful. Travelling through the day and staying awake through the night, thanks to some potions I had been taking to keep me awake. Luna learnt very early on in her life that sleeping slightly away from me under some foliage would keep us both safe. After all, if we were ever attacked, she would be able to run away…not that she’s ever done that yet, even when I’ve ordered her to. She’s a damn loyal horse. Dun Clynth is a very peaceful place, having never been attacked by Orc forces. Entering the town, I can already hear praise being given to the Designer, and I roll my eyes. I had forgotten that this place is home to the largest cult of Designer worshippers and my thoughts drift to the members of The Iron Bank who joined us on the expedition into the Vale. Of course, I still don’t believe in any of these so called gods. It doesn’t help that when I go near a temple, I feel a great amount of darkness trying to settle on me. It’s a feeling I’d rather not be having at all. Luckily there is a tavern in the town with a small stable adjoined to it. I ask for the young stable hand to take Luna from me and set her up for the night, paying him for his troubles. The tavern is rather quiet inside, but I guess that’s because it’s only noon. By the evening it should be much busier. Walking up to the bar, I ask the barman for food and lodging for the night. He mutters his price and I place the coins onto the top. He takes them and hands me a key with the number 3 engraved into the metal. I nod my thanks and head back out the door towards the town in order to gather more supplies for the rest of my journey.
After milling about the town market and picking up some more supplies like bread and cheese, I return to the tavern, which has become considerably more busy and loud. I duck into the adjoining stable to feed Luna a few carrots for her good behaviour. She whines and tosses her head in delight as I gently pat her flank. Upon entering the tavern, everybody inside seems to stop and stare at me. Very unnerving but I’ve been in worse situations before. I grab a seat in the far right corner near the open fire and the barman from before brings over my meal for the evening. A hearty plate of chicken, bread, cheese and fruit, along with a tankard of cider. I smile and say my thanks for the food and drink. After finishing my meal, I retire to my room for the night to read, after taking another potion to keep me awake. Until I can stop or control these nightmares, I can’t sleep in fear of setting everything a blaze. Dawn comes and I am once again out on the open road with Luna. We still have another week at least before we reach Kalash.
The journey to Kalash was more traitorous than the one to Dun Clynth. As I get closer to The Mountains of Fire, the sky darkened and the land more rocky and dangerous. If I wasn’t confident that Luna could handle the terrain, then I would have left her in Dun Clynth, but she’s a stubborn mare and probably would have tried to escape and follow me regardless. It takes me another week before my eyes land upon the stronghold of Kalash. Once a trading hub between Almitra and Old Qadaq, this hub now stands to guard The Theocracy boarder from the invading Khan forces.
I approach the gate to the stronghold and am asked what business I have in the once town. Again, I find myself explaining that I am of The Lion Guard and here on research. The gates open, granting me entry, and I’m greeted by a young woman, like myself, who introduces herself as Isabell, a future daughter of Kalash in training. I dismount from Luna to shake her hand, and ask if there is someplace for me to leave Luna for the night. She nods and leads me to a small unoccupied stable. She explains that it is too hot to keep horses here permently, but Luna should be fine for a few days whilst I search for the flower. Since there is no Inn in Kalash, Isabell kindly grants me lodgings in her home, giving me a place to rest for the night, even though I do not sleep at the moment.
Night falls and the heat lessens, but only slightly. The air is still very thick and humid. Isabell wishes me a goodnight as I do to her before she vanishes behind her chamber door. I make myself comfortable in a chair next to a candle, before taking my potion to keep myself awake. Tomorrow, I will begin my search for the Fire Lily. The only way to tell the time in Kalash is by the heat and judging by the stickiness in the air, I’m guessing it’s maybe about 8am. I just put down my book when Isabell appears from her chamber. She smiles, says good morning and grabs an apple off the table, before heading towards the front door, telling me to eat what I’d like in the house, and leaves. I too grab an apple and place another in my bag, along with a slice of bread wrapped in cloth.
Exiting the house, I quickly stop by the stable to feed Luna, only to find her munching on some oats happily. I stroke her nose and flank before heading towards the main gate. Once out of Kalash, I start to climb up the rocky mountainside. Everything is hot to the touch and the further I climb, the hotter it becomes. Even though I’m a creature of magic, the thick hot air starts to become too much and I decide to climb back down further, saddened that I may not find the plant. Suddenly, something catches my eye and I suck in a breath in anticipation. Could it be….it is! A Fire Lily.
One sole lily spouting up from a small patch of ashy soil. I run and stumble towards it before kneeling down to examine it. Such beauty and magic that I can see in the slightly shimmering leaves. Carefully, I start to dig at the soil around the plant, so that I can uproot it with the roots untouched. It doesn’t take me long and I lift the lily from the earth. I stare at it in awe and I know that deep down, this flower will be of great use to me and the kingdom…
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