The Hero’s Right Hand

“Kargon? Kargon!” Aisha wept over her friend’s body. There were more open wounds than undamaged parts. Blood pooled under him from open wounds. Avant approached slowly and pressed his body against the Hero’s side for comfort. His weight couldn’t stop her shaking. She hovered her trembling hands over the limp body. Sariel stood behind Aisha and shut her eyes tightly. All her skills were made for combat and yet she was powerless against the dragon and Veil. There was nothing she could do for Kargon except take note of his diminishing breath.

“He has little time. Vofric, can you do something?” Sariel asked.

“I have little mana left…” Vofric’s gaze met Aisha’s tearful eyes. “It is enough to close his wounds.”

He knelt next to Kargon and clasped his hands together to pray. Golden light glowed dimly around him. Though it didn’t brighten, it remained steady. Vofric paid it no mind. Nothing could break his focus on Kargon. A single mistake would hasten the half-elf’s journey off the mortal plane. Slowly, the paladin separated his hands and hovered them over the monk’s wounds. Bones reshaped and fused with their shattered remnants. Deep cuts closed layer by layer as if being sewn shut. The light around Vofric faltered but he pushed himself to complete the spell. Ribbons of loose skin stretched and reconnected but left small openings. Scars and bruises remained prominent all over Kargon's body but he looked far better than before.

Civilians slowly exited their hiding places and approached the party. Murmurs passed through the crowd as villagers from around the spires made their way south. The sands had gone still and all threats were eliminated. Hope rose in Spirefell as adventurers had broken the Khergrin curse. The sun felt brighter than usual and warmed the citizens. They surrounded the Hero’s party as their comrade was being healed. Some prayed while others watched calmly.

Vofric panted as he stopped the spell. Exhaustion from depleting his mana set in but he was satisfied with how much the prayer worked. Aisha thanked him and placed her hand softly on Kargon’s cheek.

“Come on. Wake up,” she pleaded. “Why isn’t he waking up?”

The dwarf shook his head. “He has many wounds. Some beyond the physical.”

“Are we expected to wait in the street?” Sariel asked.

“I’m not leaving him in the middle of the street!” Aisha argued.

A villager approached cautiously. Hesitantly she said, “He may rest in one of our cots.” Noticing Aisha’s wary glare, she continued. “My name is Cora. I work at the local infirmary. We can bandage the remaining wounds and let him rest.”

Aisha and Sariel shared a knowing look and lifted Kargon by his shoulders. They moved slowly but couldn’t avoid blood flowing from his wounds. A pained groan would be welcome just to ease the party’s nerves. Unfortunately, no sound came from the unconscious half-elf. Stepping into the infirmary was promising as the stone walls caused the temperature to cool.

The women carefully placed Kargon on the cot. His usually wild hair laid messily on his sweat-drenched forehead. Aisha brushed it out of his eyes while Sariel, Vofric, and Avant found places to sit nearby. Cora bandaged any visible wound carefully. Aisha’s sharp eyes sent a chill down the nurse’s spine but she did well to stay calm. It took longer than expected to seal all of Kargon’s wounds. The sheet beneath him was blood soaked. Thankfully, a quick spell cleaned it instantly. The intense focus on their fallen comrade caused the party not to notice the young halfling approaching. 

“My name is Orin. I am the chief of Spirefell. Thank you for protecting us.” he frowned at the sight of the solemn heroes. “I cannot convey my sorrow of your comrade’s fate.”

“Be careful with your words. He has not passed,” Sariel said with venom in her voice.

Orin held up his hands fearfully. “I misspoke. I regret the pain he is in.” He turned to Vofric and said, “You are different from previous Starcaller disciples we have encountered.”

The dwarf shook his head. “I am the very same one who failed you in the past.”

“I see. I commend the change in your actions.”

Vofric grunted absentmindedly. He cared little for the success of protecting the northern village. There were greater concerns at present. Sariel sat quietly and rested a hand on Avant as he cooed softly. Aisha watched over Kargon, though her blank stare did little to help. Sariel stared out the window while contemplating their next steps.

The village paid little mind to the group and focused on the dragon’s corpse. Repeated strikes with simple tools broke scales. Tough meat was lopped off in massive pieces which could last the village for months. Parts of the wings were removed to be repurposed. A mixture of emotions weighed on Sariel as she watched her brethren be butchered. Disappointment at the dragon for its violence and humanoids for readily tearing it apart. Understanding that they needed to defend themselves from a monster who attacked without warning.

“How long will it take?” Aisha asked suddenly. Nothing had changed about Kargon’s situation. No amount of training could prepare someone to watch over a dying comrade. While the others were saddened they knew what they felt was nothing compared to the Hero.

“I do not know,” Vofric said.

“Guess.”

“I cannot.”

The response hit Aisha like a punch to the chest. A monstrous grip tightened around her heart at the implication. Kargon could wake up at any time or he could never wake up at all. The person with knowledge of battle couldn’t give an assessment. Aisha unconsciously placed a hand on the monk’s arm. Heat permeated from him like always. He had to be alive. Kargon was too resilient to fall now. There were more people to meet and deal with. Aisha couldn’t tolerate them without her idiot.

Not to mention their journey was far from complete. Aeraza needed to be stopped. His motives were yet unclear. Spirefell was a fallen village. There was no obvious reason for the demon king to attack.

“What was at the center of the spires?” Sariel said, staring at the obelisks through the window.”

Orin had remained nearby, assisting Cora with her needs. He said, “I cannot explain it here. You will need to join me at the observation hall.”

“We should not leave Kargon alone. Vofric, you and I shall go.”

Vofric didn’t need an explanation. Aisha was looking at whoever spoke but her attention never actually left Kargon. His arm was still in her grip. Avant rested near her legs with large tears in his eyes.

“Rest if you must, Aisha. We will return shortly,” Vofric said then turned to Cora. “Lead the way.”

Aisha barely acknowledged her friends leaving.

 

***

 

Hours passed before the others returned. The Hero hadn’t moved a muscle. Her eyes were fixed on Kargon. Lightning crept along her fingers as she lifted a hand over the man. She didn’t know what an electric shock to the chest would do. Hopefully it would defibrillate the incapacitated half-elf. But there was no way to be sure. Even with a lower charge it was possible to kill Kargon. However this wasn’t the time to hesitate. As the door to the infirmary opened, Aisha made her move. Sariel and Vofric weren’t quick enough to stop her. Avant had remained by the Hero’s side but didn’t realize what was happening until she leapt out of her seat. Electricity crackled around her palm as she slammed it against Kargon’s chest. His body jolted upwards then immolated.

Aisha gasped and staggered back while everyone else rushed to stop the flames. Bandages burned off but no blood dripped. Remaining wounds cauterized from the intense heat. Cora grabbed buckets of water while Vofric made a shield around the flames. Only the cot was set ablaze.

“How do we stop him?” Sariel yelled.

“Is there anyone in the village attuned to fire?” Vofric asked.

Cora replied while pouring water on Kargon. “No. The climate doesn’t agree with them.”

“Aisha? Aisha?!” Sariel screamed.

The commotion drew a crowd that drowned out any demand. Avant charged at the Hero and tackled her to the floor. The sudden impact shook her awareness and she finally looked away from Kargon. She assessed the situation and tried to remember if this had happened before. A vague memory from before his monastic training came to mind.

“We need his master. The monk in Mount Iana,” she said dumbfoundedly.

“That’s further south than Neves! We need a faster solution!” Vofric argued.

From within the crowd someone yelled, “I can get you there!” Taze pushed through the door of the infirmary. “If you can carry him, I can send you to Mount Iana. It’s the least I could do for you helping Spirefell.”

“I can carry him,” Sariel insisted. There were few natural means of construction. Instead she used her remaining mana to build a stretcher. Whenever the thick vines began to burn, her magic repaired them. Unfortunately that wouldn’t work forever.

Taze nodded and commanded Cora. “Get the mirror from your office. The big one next to the closet.”

“I will help!” Vofric said and ran out of the room. He and the nurse returned moments later with a mirror taller than Sariel that stood on simple wooden legs.

“Vofric, the broken coin.” Taze demanded with their hand out. Upon receiving it they muttered a spell causing the coin to glow an effervescent blue. Throwing it at the mirror morphed its surface similarly. “There’s limits to the spell. I can’t go if you all do.”

Aisha rose to her feet and grabbed one end of Kargon’s stretcher. “We’ll handle it.”

The party rushed through the mirror with their ignited friend. One step into the liquid metal instantly transported them in front of a lake atop a flattened portion of a mountain. Behind them stood the entrance to a seven story temple that curved around the massive platform to create a wall. Both ends met at a gate that led to stairs descending the mountain.

Frantically searching for someone to help, Aisha ran towards the temple. She was stopped by a winged creature bursting through the gate. It had the head of an owl with a feathered humanoid body. Two large wings blocked the door while it balanced on clawed talons.

“What are you doing?!” he squawked.

“Avant, your disciple is on fire!” Vofric yelled.

The bird-like humanoid took pause as did the young owlbear standing below the stretcher.

“Vofric?” Master Avant asked quizzically. He stared at the burning half-elf and rushed to his side. “Kargon! Throw him into the water!”

“It doesn’t help!” Aisha yelled. “He’s unconscious!”

The Aarakocra huffed, then lifted his left arm over Kargon. Rows of beaded bracelets rattled while rolling up to his bicep. Directly in front of the master appeared a silver shade of his visage. They both plunged their arms into the fire and slammed against the half-elf’s chest. The impact sent a surge through his body. Force akin to a gust of wind stopped the flames instantly. Without hesitation, Master Avant gripped his disciple’s bracelet and tore it off. The cracked chains rustled in his feathers. Slowly, he gazed at the individuals who appeared at his monastery.

“I demand an explanation.”

 

***

 

Air in the Sanctuary of Spiritual Combustion must have had magical properties. Passing through the monastery entrance provided a calming effect on the party. Students of many ages and races explored the halls. Mentors trained them in studies, meditation, and self-defense. Certain individuals were taught alone and with specific goals in mind. Older disciples remained calm at the adventurers meeting with the headmaster in the tea room. Younger ones were intrigued but knew not to interrupt.

Master Avant listened intently while sipping tea from a fine cup rested on his palm.

“For the demon king to not only show his face but let you live is astounding. Did you say his greatsword was black?” he asked.

Aisha answered. “Yes. But about Karg—”

“An onyx blade able to kill a dragon. The Great Sunderer; sealed for centuries and lost to time. Found by one who can utilize it to its fullest potential.”

“What is the Great Sunderer? The chief of Spirefell believed it was simply a powerful sword.” Sariel said.

“An Artifact of Arcana. You have encountered one in Dawncaster. The stave wielded by the Dicoris prince,” Master Avant explained. “I know not what the demon king seeks but his goal will be easily reached with that blade.”

Aisha hummed. “We can look into it while waiting for Kargon to recover.”

Master Avant grunted. “No. The boy must be trained once he awakens. Otherwise he will become a hindrance further along your journey. For him to be overconfident enough to engage a foe proves that his tendencies are manifesting again.”

“We can do our research while we wait!”

“Are you saying you will leave innocents to defend themselves while twiddling your thumbs in my halls?” Master Avant inquired.

“No! I mean, I also need to train and the facilities here—”

“Cannot handle your strength,” Master Avant interjected again. “Are you aware of what you need to do? During the battle you shared with me, not once did I hear about you using Valefor for its intended purpose.”

Years of ignoring the obvious hit Aisha like a brick. Wides eyes and a sharp gasp frightened the owlbear near her.

“It’s a conduit! I’d forgotten. I couldn’t do it before. Maybe—” she reached for the hilt of her blade but Vofric grabbed her wrist to stop her.

“Not here. The effect of your magic on such a powerful conduit is unknown,” he said. “It could be catastrophic until you master it.”

Sariel nodded. “Doing so during our travels is the best option.”

“You two sound surprisingly okay with leaving Kargon behind,” Aisha spat. “He’s my friend! And he’s not waking up and it’s my fault! We can’t just leave him here!”

Sariel cleared her throat and spoke as kindly as possible. “Kargon is our friend as well. He is resilient and will find his way back to us. No matter how far we may go.”

“The sanctuary must have means to contact us when Kargon is ready. Or they could contact Taze to bring him to us,” Vofric said. “Much like you trust Kargon, I trust Avant to take care of him.”

Avant, the owlbear, growled at his namesake. He needed proof that Kargon was in good hands. Aisha petted the beast and looked the master in his eyes.

“We could not be more different, little one,” Master Avant said while slowly resting a hand on the young beast’s head. “However I do care for Kargon. He will be under my direct care and tutelage. It will depend on him how quickly he can rejoin you.” He turned to Aisha. “Is that agreeable?”

Aisha looked at her companions awaiting a response. It was selfish to think only she cared for their unconscious comrade. The world would not stand still because he was hurt. Aeraza had made progress on his unknown goals meaning the world was in more danger than ever. The journey needed to continue and the party needed to get stronger. Waiting around was the worst possible choice.

The group traveled to the infirmary where other disciples watched over Kargon. Whatever Master Avant did gave the half-elf peace. He appeared calm in his unconscious state. 

“Can I have a moment alone?” Aisha asked.

“Of course,” Master Avant replied and waved his students out of the room. The rest of the party waited by the door.

Aisha sat on the edge of the bed and ran her fingers through Kargon’s hair. Magical heat no longer radiated from his body. All their life he’d been a light sleeper. Staring at him too intently would wake him up. Aisha could count on one hand the amount of times she’d seen his calm demeanor. Tears welled up again but she refused to cry. She leaned in close and kissed her best friend’s forehead.

“It’ll be weird not having you by my side,” she said as she rose to her feet.

The group joined Master Avant back at the lake in the courtyard. Few leads existed but information about the Artifacts of Arcana had to exist somewhere. Their best bet was Shusyoun, the city of scholars. The name sent a chill down Sariel’s spine but there was no avoiding it. The furthest Master Avant could send the party was the north exit at the bottom of Mount Iana. By chanting a spell over the lake, stones inside began to glow. The clear pool became bubbling silver tar.

“I will take care of Kargon,” the master said.

Vofric and Sariel thanked him. Avant nuzzled against the Aarakocra. Aisha simply nodded.

She stepped into the pool and commanded, “With me.”