The Mark of Aether

The Silverstorms Mountains~Part I

We galloped in the dark night, transcending place and time. The horses scampered, wind harshly swirling around us. We were racing time, moving through magical portals that were crafted underneath the steeds' hooves. The scenery around us was a complete blur of landscapes for a couple of seconds, and it was when the horses stopped that everything returned to normal.

I felt lightheaded due to our ride, the feeling very similar to each time I passed through a magical portal. It was the same dizziness and weird feeling bubbling in my stomach.

I looked around me, my eyes taking in the details of the sleeping port where everything started one and a half month ago. We were standing on a farther altiplano, overlooking the sleeping brine. My winter clothes had disappeared, leaving me in the outfit I originally wore when I left the palace.

The second key was finally in my possession, and it was now time to seek the slumbering aquatic ring.

 I could see clouded mountains lying before us from where we were standing . We all stood there for a second, silence making us dumb.

My vision feasted on the far extending ocean. Cloaked in the starlight's brume, the place did indeed look like a long-lost Brigadoon. Unfortunately, it wasn't. All that life was far from being so, yet we still interlaced our fingers firmly in the delicate threads of hope. Maybe it was the only thing that prevented our souls from dying, from losing fate.

Luthian's horse turned suddenly, making him stand in front of us. He had a look on his face that I couldn't discern. He pointed one finger, making us drag our gazes towards the mountains that stood proudly ahead of us.

"These are the Silverstorms Mountains, the legal limits between Rimelia and Arelesia. It is where you will start from.''

For a moment, his words made me lapse.

"Wait, are you not coming?''

"I fear not, my journey ends here.'' I stared at him, a million questions popping up in my head. I knew his peregrination with us would be temporary, but had it to be such a short one?

"Why so?''

"I am banned from setting foot outside my native lands. Cantelot is the heart of all Ardoria, unity of the five continents. Rimelia is the head, the land of wisdom and sagacity. My kind is known for being astute with a sharp knowledge, and it is the main reason why we were cursed.

"We are prisoners inside those two continents since longer than one's mind can recall. Banning us was one of the first things the demons did once they started to rule. If I ever dare to place one foot outside my limits, the malediction will kill me alive,'' he explained.

My mind didn't care about all the details; it just knew that he wasn't coming with us anymore.

"I have duties as a First Lieutenant of the White Troopers that I cannot keep on hold. I will take my leave now, Your Excellency,'' he said as he turned, slowly trotting towards the coast. He was about to reach midway when he stopped and turned to face me.

''My offer remains available, do not waste it on nothing worth it, Majesty.'' And, with that, he charged towards the enormous sea, his horse galloping freely on the rippling surface.

His black, billowing cloak was the last thing I saw before he disappeared behind the horizon, the whicker of his horse drowned by the sound of the wobbling waves.

And, ever so simply, he left.

''Let's go, time is ticking fast.'' Carter's voice snapped me back immediately, breaking my trail of thoughts.

I clutched my mare's mane tightly as it started trotting. I could feel magic leisurely engulfing us and, slowly, the paths started forming under. It was a matter of seconds before we drifted in space, bewitchery thrusting us towards the chain of mountains.