Joryn - 9

## Escaping Asher's Island

We've finally escaped Asher's Island! In an unexpected unfolding of events, Lagreth, Vera, Yavin, Darius, and I found ourselves passing through the gate together and were even accompanied by Kaelib. Those remaining on the island, both Keepers and the People of the Ash alike, were presumably able to later take the gate to the Rivillian Republic. The six of us used it to enter the Academy City-State; the same destination we believe Leopold to have reached.

Lagreth, Vera, Yavin, eight warriors from the People of the Ash, and I had used the tunnels to attack the temple and miraculously take the entire pyramid from the Keepers. Although we had taken it quickly and easily enough with minimal injuries, maintaining it was another story. Sergeant Kaelib managed to rally dozens of Keepers and advanced up the stairs toward the entrance of the pyramid. We did our best to hold them back from our advantageous position, but their shields, formations, and disciplined coordination earned them the battle.

Only moments before the Keepers might have overwhelmed our position, the seemingly eternal feud was brought to an immediate end. A mage spontaneously appeared between both forces and called an end to the conflict. At first, I thought it might have been Asher, who had somehow detected Leopold's departure and chose to return after a feigned death. Instead, the man introduced himself as Ammoron and claimed Asher to have been one of his agents. He had come to investigate how a Lyth had been permitted to use the gates to leave the island.

## Asher's Riddle

Ammoron seemed to care little about the war between the Keepers and the People of the Ash. He was initially only concerned with what we were able to tell him about Leopold, confidently questioning us as if his presence were insurance against any further conflict; no one challenged him. Upon learning about the situation, however, he became interested in Lagreth and our efforts to leave the island.

Likely at the command of the new neutral party, the mayor of the Keepers soon read a public proclamation stating that the war between the two factions was over. We, those among the People of the Ash, were permitted to study the temple and discover the means to open the gate.

Ammoron already knew how to open the gate, but he left it to us to figure out what he referred to as one of Asher's many riddles. He gave us no hints beyond that and said that he'd return once we solved it. He justified it as a sort of exercise to help Lagreth in his training to become a Great One.

The temple and the obelisks each had a distinct message written in "runes" and a diagram that we eventually learned had corresponding meaning. The village obelisk had a map of the ocean currents and stated "To know the purity of your nature;" the south-east obelisk had a map of the stars and stated "To cleanse your soul;" the island obelisk had a map of the world and stated "A witness of your home;" the north-west obelisk had a map of the gates and stated "The truth of words;" and finally the temple had a map of the mind and stated "What makes us men."

Kaelib, who was now helping us, provided some extra information about the riddle that he had obtained from Asher's journal. The temple and obelisks were also each associated with an element: air, earth, fire, water, and will. This turned out to be the key. The messages and diagrams were just hints to help us to discover the elements. The elements could then each be magically invoked to activate the corresponding obelisk or temple.

I made copies of each of the diagrams. Perhaps someday I'll find a use for them.

## Assisting Ammoron

Ammoron returned prior to us activating the gate. Although we had solved the riddle, Lagreth didn't possess the power to invoke the temple or two of the obelisks. And so, Ammoron made up the difference and even explained the diagrams that we hadn't recognized or understood; those of the gates and mind.

Shortly after his first appearance to the island, Ammoron had met with the six of us who would go to the Academy City-State, validated much of what Sarai had told me, and provided some additional information.

He spoke of the origin and unified agenda of the Lyth, their ability to take other forms, their inability to use magic, and the danger of allowing one to use the gates. He seemed particularly concerned about the possibility of Leopold stealing the "gift" from Cromm.

He spoke of the island as a nexus in time and referred to strange dreams as a way of being marked by the universe; the reason why he had singled us out. He even spoke of Asher and how he had created the island for magical experimentation and observation of the universe's mark. It was at about that time that he produced and gave Asher's journal to Kaelib.

Due to our "mark," we were invited to help Ammoron in preventing the Lyth from enslaving mankind. Everyone except Kaelib accepted this invitation. Kaelib had helped Leopold to escape the island and was understandably concerned with where his allegiances should lie. He wanted to study Asher's journal and learn more about the conflict before making a final decision.

## Contending with Leopold and the Lyth

I have no desire to fight Leopold or the Lyth. And yet, I've allowed myself to become entangled in this mess. Am I being manipulated by Sarai and Ammoron? Are they right about the universe or "mark?" Are they right about Leopold? Are the Lyth just a story used to control us?

The only thing that's certain is that there are players in this world with far more power than my own. Leopold is one of them. Ammoron appears to be another. I resent and respect them. They hold the power and I am just a pawn looking for my place.

Tracking the Lyth is a fool's errand but, then again, returning to my old lifestyle is no better. I don't know what else to do but move forward with what I have; swept up in the affairs of powerful men.

Those of us who accepted Ammoron's invitation were given tools said to help us to contend with the Lyth. Darius chose a ring that gave him the ability to send mental messages to others; Lagreth chose a ring that gave him the ability to identify any Lyth despite its current form; Yavin chose an incredibly fine sword; and I believe Vera picked the most amazing bow that I've ever held. All of these items are magical, of course, and the weapons are prepared specifically to harm the Lyth.

I strongly considered picking a bow. I've become much better with them since aligning myself with the People of the Ash, but the idea of carrying such a conspicuous item was discouraging to me. That and I just lost a bow only a week or so ago. I don't want to be dependent upon something so easily lost.

I want to be taught to use magic as Lagreth does. Or maybe as Yavin does. Something more innate like what I saw in Leopold. Something that's always with me so that I can't be caught without the ability to take action.

I chose a ring. Innate magic is a talent that is beyond me. But, with a plain and inconspicuous ring as I've requested, I now have the ability to imbue whatever I might have with magical energy sufficient to harm a Lyth. I only hope that I'm able to use it to subdue such creatures before they direct their wrath towards me.

## The Child that Tipped the Scale

Even though I might feel like I can be nothing more than a nuisance to the Lyth, Ammoron suggested that the role of us without the "gift" is still valuable in fighting them. He said that there have been many groups such as ours; one made up of a few with magical talent and several others to protect and compliment them.

That certainly was the case when we took the pyramid. Lagreth had magically transformed himself into air so that he could seep through the doors unnoticed. He was, instead, mistaken for a ghost and caused the sentries to panic, making them easily beaten once the rest of us moved in.

When we later encountered a formidable resistance that was prepared to meet us, Lagreth again gave us an edge by enveloping them with a magical cloud of choking gas that made it easy for us to break their line. He even destroyed several of their steel shields with large bursts of fire. He provided us with the opportunity to route them and we seized it.

## Parting with the People of the Ash

I find it peculiar that Ammoron would focus so distinctly on the "mark" and not enlist some of the People of the Ash to his cause. Most of them are far more suited for conflict than I am and, properly equipped, could be a much greater asset against the Lyth. They even have a personal vendetta against the story-book enemy, specifically Leopold, that could be fueled and leveraged. Why not them? Why me?

Thrusting the People of the Ash into the Rivillian Republic seems foolish. What are they going to do? Find a city and start a new life among its inhabitants? Not knowing how to distinguish a Lyth, they could easily become prey to one and even be used against Ammoron's cause. Why not instead reserve them for a time in which they can help with the conflict?

I suppose it's goodbye. Goodbye to the men that helped me to survive during my time on the island, taught me better techniques for firing my bow, fought alongside me, and helped me to escape this fate.

## Kaelib

At the same time I part ways with those who never proved themselves untrustworthy, I'm accompanied by a man that had been my enemy for almost our entire stay on the island. A man who, according to a dream, would be my friend and accomplice during dangerous affairs in the future.

I thought it strange that Kaelib would be sent with us despite him not committing to help. Perhaps Ammoron believes that he'll eventually join us. Or maybe our verbal commitment was just a formality and we all have yet to prove ourselves truly committed to his cause; Kaelib would be little different from the rest of us if that were the case.

Whatever the reasoning, I'm intrigued by the situation. I want to explore the implications of this dream. Might Kaelib ever become a trusted accomplice? Might I even call him a friend? Will we, indeed, find ourselves in a desert as we did in my dream? What dream did he have? For that matter, what dreams did the others have?

I made an offer to Kaelib; I would help him find his son if he allowed me access to the book. I, like him, have interest in learning more about this conflict.