The Hero’s Right Hand

“Who would purchase an egg?” Sariel watched the chest inside the carriage. “Is this some form of long cooking?”

“I think it’s an incubator,” I replied from the driver’s seat. “Though I’m not sure why someone would travel with it.”

Aisha didn’t look up from studying the map and nonchalantly said, “Bandits attack towns. It’s likely stolen goods. They probably thought there was treasure inside.”

“Warm treasure?” Sariel snorted. “They really were fools.”

“And yet somehow they captured us,” I sighed. “Thank you for putting a ward on the carriage, Sariel.”

“Consider the scroll recompense for allowing me to join you.”

“Don’t mention it,” Aisha said. “Now, can we please focus on finding Wolden? It should be nearby unless I’m misreading the map.”

“Allow me,” Sariel said and held out her hand. Upon receiving the map she noted, “Another two hours traveling east will get us to farmland. On the opposite side will be Wolden.”

As predicted, nearly two hours later we arrived. A large barn with a stable stood next to a fenced off area. On the opposite side of the road was a house.  Livestock grazed and glazed lazily as we cautiously approached the front door. I led, Aisha followed closely and Sariel watched our backs.

A middle-aged human woman answered the door. “Oh, dear. I believe the festival is already over by now. You’re too late.”

“Festival?” I asked.

“In Neves. You are traveling there, aren’t you?” the woman asked.

“Margaret, their carriage is facing our town. Must’ve just arrived,” a gruff voice said from inside. “Invite them in.”

We entered to see an orc squeezed into a chair reading the local newspaper. He looked  over and smiled.

“Of course the Hero’s party already has a new member,” he said.

Aisha blinked. “News travels quickly.”

“Quite right. Not to mention, images of you have traveled around the world over the last fifteen years,” the orc said. He stood up and shook Aisha’s hand. “My name is Pavrin, Wolden’s welcoming committee. You’ve already met my wife, Margaret.”
Aisha introduced us and asked to stow our carriage. The horses were stabled and we brought our rucksacks inside. I hid the chest inside my bag. According to Pavrin, Wolden was so small that no one used vehicles inside the village. 

He treated us to a warm meal before we continued on our journey. It had only been a few days but the comfort of a home felt alien. Pavrin and Margaret were gracious hosts and offered to have someone help us about the village. As if on queue, their daughter burst out of her room and introduced herself as Melinda.

When she saw who her guests were, Melinda rushed to sit next to Aisha, her eyes sparkling with delight.

“Is it true you were only twenty when you drew Valefor?” Melinda asked. 

“Yes. Though not purpose... The papers were exaggerated,” Aisha answered.

“Sure but you couldn’t have fought them without practice! That’s all you!”

Aisha smirked. “I’ve heard that before.”

Before Melina tittered off a list of questions, Aisha interjected, “Tell me, is there anywhere we can conduct research in Wolden?”

“The library,” Melinda replied. “I can introduce you to Father Vofric. He’s the guy to go to for any info.”

“It is rare for a priest to be forthcoming with outsiders,” Sariel said.

“He’s no ordinary priest! Trust me. He’s helped me deal with… some stuff that happened a while ago so I spent a lot of time with him.”

It was no exaggeration that the village of Wolden was small. From the center square, the village went for about a mile in every direction. A small library sat north of the square. Despite its size, Aisha was sure to find new information that would help us reach Balur.

Villagers approached us outside, excited to hear the Hero was visiting. They avoided Aisha and instead directed their conversations at Sariel and me. The elf was cold and dismissed the rabble around her. I was bombarded by a party’s worth of questions. The villagers were too shy and timid to talk to the legend. As I entertained their curiosity, Aisha and Sariel entered the library to continue our search.

Aisha quickly gathered her reading material and sat down at a table. Sariel sauntered between the shelves with little interest in actual research. I joined shortly with Melinda. She feigned interest for ten minutes before letting out a heavy sigh.

I tapped her shoulder and asked, "Where is Father Vofric?"

She excitedly took me up the street to a large house. Upon entering, I was surprised to see only rows of benches and a single chair in front of them. No idols or podium were to be found.

“Melinda, what brings you here?” a gruff voice asked. A dwarf crawled out from behind a bench, spinning a small hammer in his worn hand.

Melinda smiled. “Father Vofric, good afternoon. This is Kargon, he’s a companion of the chosen one!”

I stepped forward. “Pleasure to meet you, Father. Melinda spoke very highly of you.”

“Just Vofric is fine,” he said and shook my hand. He brushed some splinters out of his beard and sighed. “I had heard the Hero’s party was in town but was not expecting to meet any of you. What brings you here?”

“We are searching for a means to reach Balur,” I replied.

Vofric nodded. “The first Hero’s home. A good place to start.” He frowned. “Unfortunately, our village isn’t in a position to help you. Better you head to Sespik further east. They’ve got a dock and all.”

Something about how Vofric ignored my question bothered me.

“Wolden may be far from Balur but there is the library where the Hero is sure she’s found something of note. And you seem well informed,” I pushed.

Vofric shook his head. “You misunderstand, Kargon. We’re unable to help due to current events.”

I raised an eyebrow. He sighed and looked at Melinda who was staring quietly at the ground.

“Villagers have been going missing for months now. Melinda’s friend Erlav being one of them,” Vofric said. “The village watch and I are preoccupied with the search for our people.”

“Why haven’t you contacted adventurers for help?” I asked.

“We have. None have returned. I’m not sure if they failed or fled but I find myself hoping for the latter.”

“Do you have any clues?”

Vofric took a breath and turned to Melinda. “It’s getting dark, dear. Be safe on your way home.”

“I still need to show them to the inn,” Melinda argued.

Vofric placed a hand on her arm. "I will take care of that. Please, go."

His stern, caring tone convinced the stubborn girl. Upon her departure, Vofric led me to the back of the church. Behind an open door, papers stacked high on a small table. He sifted through them and retrieved a raggedy sheet with markings scrawled all over.

“I found this recently and tried to decipher it. My magic cannot do so but I hoped I could through studies,” Vofric explained. “The cases of missing villagers have been happening nonstop. I went so far as to stop gatherings until this is resolved.”

“What about the village watch? Where are they?” I asked.

“They meet at the tavern under the inn once a week. Though I don’t believe you can enter without paying for a room.”

Taverns rarely existed in hidden areas. It was bad for business. Even if the inn was a popular establishment, it was unlikely that patrons cared for an underground bar. Especially one used for villager meetings. Something about using it for village watch meetings rubbed me the wrong way. As though the average villager wasn’t allowed to know what was going on.

“When is the next meeting?”

Vofric paused to think and replied, “A few days away.”

I examined the paper and it felt like the marks moved. I could read the symbols for a moment, but they seemed to change to a different language.

“Aisha can probably read this,” I said.

“It’s odd hearing someone say the Hero’s name with such familiarity,” Vofric said.

“To everyone else she is the Hero first. For me, she’s a friend,” I replied. “Can I take this to her?”

Vofric shook his head. “I’d like to keep it safe here. But bring her and I’ll happily let the Hero try her hand at deciphering it.”

I rushed back to the library. I was sure Aisha could decipher the paper. The problem was I needed to convince her to put our journey on hold. Not just to decipher the paper but to stay in town to learn more about the disappearances. Just a little more information and I’m sure our party could solve the case.

The crowd outside the library had gotten the courage to speak with the Hero. She was confidently replying to them and relegating to Sariel when the questions were overwhelming. I didn’t actually hear what was said but my allies clearly knew something was wrong when they saw the concern on my face. She quickly pulled Sariel away from the group and asked me what happened. I recollected what I’d learned from Vofric before asking her to follow me. She remained silent but nodded.

“Hold on,” Sariel demanded before we could move a step. “What does this have to do with reaching Balur?”

“It doesn’t, but Wolden needs help,” I replied.

“As does every town across the world. Will you stop to help each one?”

Aisha was saddened by the question. “Yes. When someone needs help, the Hero’s party helps. Even temporary members. If you don’t like it, you’re free to go on your way.”

“Though, trying to reach Balur alone may not be the best idea,” I added.

Sariel let out a deep sigh. “I wish someone like you was around in my youth.” She walked in the direction of the church. “Let’s hope this Vofric fellow has information about Balur.”

Night time made the church feel far less welcoming. Lit torches offered light along the walls, but it only made the shabby building feel like a crypt. Anxiety emanated from Vofric’svery being yet he still properly greeted the others.

“Pleasure, you can call me Aisha,” the Hero said.

“Am I correct in believing Kargon informed you of Wolden’s predicament?” Vofric asked.

Sariel grunted. “I’d call it more than a predicament.”

“He did,” Aisha replied. “Though I’d appreciate it if you could go over it again for me.”

Vofric sighed, the exhaustion from reliving the past weighing on his small form. He repeated the events of the past months then handed the coded paper to Aisha. Sharp eyes peered at it as though threatening it to reveal its secrets. When she began magically deciphering the sheet her fake eye’s iris glowed a brilliant purple. She muttered to herself in what sounded like nonsense.

“Are you sure it says ‘Caelum?’” Vofric asked suddenly.

“Yes,” Aisha responded. “For our lord, Caelum. We do what we must.”

Vofric’s hairs stood on end and he let out a growl. “They are trampling over Yuna’s name for a devil!” 

Aisha’s ears perked and she asked, “Yuna Starcaller? The first Hero’s ally?”

“Turned goddess, yes.”

Sariel looked around. “This church must worship her.”

Vofric shook his head. “We follow her teachings. She did not want to be worshiped but for others to learn from her.”

“Who is Caelum?” I asked.

“Yuna’s brother. A jealous man who could not bear to be ignored by the first Hero. He sided with the forces of evil and led an army in hell. He rose to godhood through unsavory means.”

“For a cult of Caelum to rise after Valefor was drawn is no coincidence.”

“Indeed,” Vofric agreed.

“He had cults during the first Hero’s time, correct?” Sariel asked. “How was he worshiped? What were the rituals? There may be a connection to the disappearances.”

Vofric’s shoulders sank. “I don’t know,” he replied. “I only truly understand Yuna’s teachings. All other gods I know by name.”

“Sacrifices,” Aisha said with a thousand yard stare. “I had to learn about them during my lessons.”

An eerie silence befell the room. The suggestion was obvious but no one dared utter it. 

“Why would they do this?” I asked.

“Does a good reason excuse the villagers being kidnapped?!” Vofric barked.

Sariel put her hand in front of Vofric and said, “No one is suggesting such a thing.”

“There’s no point trying to figure out devil worshipers,” Aisha said. “What matters is our next step.”

Vofric agreed. “We must tell the village watch. With their help, we can bring an end to this.”

Aisha had a look on her face only I recognized. Every word Vofric said drowned her mind in a sea of ideas. No amount of thinking could process every piece of information. Staring blankly into space could only do so much while we were missing crucial information.

“We haven’t rested since getting here,” I said. “The inn isn’t far from here.”

Sariel caught on quickly. She added. “There is little we can do late into the night.”

Vofric nodded slowly. “Of course, allow me to guide you.”

“No, we’ll be okay.” Aisha’s head lilted as she stepped away from the group. “Good night, Vofric.”

He tried to protest but we ignored him and shut the church doors behind us.