Beyond?

“The wanderer walks where he pleases and once he finds evil, he'll slay it without fail.”

-Northern Barbarian.

***Eastern Plains, Nonai-Steppe***

***Traveller***

So this is the place where my son found his end. Somehow it fits for him to die on this barren land with no worth. He took after his mother and stayed connected to this land despite my teachings. I never managed to make him interested in what lies beyond this green ocean of grass.

His mother and I met each other during one of my many travels. It was on a green plain very much like this one... if it isn't the same.

We developed feelings for each other and before I knew it I had learned the nomads' ways. Those were happy years until she lost her fight against time. I wonder why I always fall for the short lived ones. Love is a cruel game.

The scene in front of me returns me to reality. I watch the destruction and open my senses to the world in order to find out what happened here. Every spell causes a lingering after-effect on the world. Once you are experienced enough, you can read what happened long after the spell was performed.

It's like an energetic fingerprint. Once you reach a certain stage you can even identify the person who is responsible for the spell. Of course only if no magical circuit was used.

The burned area in front of me feels strange. I expected that this was done by an exceptionally strong Anja, but there are almost no disturbances. The spell used was incredibly effective. Either they ignited the air somehow, or they used the sun. I thought that Nict had lost that knowledge.

This scene tells me otherwise. It seems like Nict developed faster than I expected. That's very troublesome. Maybe I have to throw them back again. I already did that twice to hinder the resurface of the technology which caused so much harm. Maybe I was too lax in the recent three hundred years. Someone has to make sacrifices to live the dream of freedom. The fragile balance of the world has to be kept.

I took it upon myself to be the one who guards this balance and it is a cruel, hard role I play.

Upon further inspection I find out that the huge destruction isn't the only strange thing. Here on the site of my son's death I can feel an entirely different magic being used. Someone influenced the world in a way which requires a certain amount of knowledge.

Normal mages achieve the wished effect by brutally bending reality itself to their desires, but not so this one. Here was someone at work who knew what he was doing.

“Your son died here. He decided to fight a magical duel against the one who challenged him and the offender accepted.” The man at my side whispers. He was present when my son died, so the elder chose him to lead me to this place.

“And he accepted?” I frown and concentrate on the still lingering curse in the ashes of my son. Something tore through his entire being and didn't even leave bones behind. My son's followers retrieved his remains after the battle. So I have at least something to say goodbye to.

The man answers promptly. “He did and fought honourably. Your son was losing when he violated the rules and used the shadow dagger.”

My son lost even though he used the dagger, it was my fault to give him the artefact. He was never good at using the artefact and the weapon made him overconfident. I inhale as I recognize the imprint of residual magic. “The opponent was a Zait?”

The man nods. “He called himself Azir Zait.”

“Maybe I should pay a visit to Nict. It has been a long time since I was there.”

***Free City States of Nict, Capital***

***Azir***

“Stand straighter, try to smile and get that tired expression off your face.” Stella pulls at my formal black and white robe. She isn't satisfied with my appearance.

I yawn. “Sorry, Stella. It feels like I didn't sleep for two entire nights.”

Stella huffs and pulls me in front of the curtain. A few moments ago Sola and Xander stepped out into the ballroom of the palace and the gathered guests welcomed the union with loud cheers.

There aren't any big marriage ceremonies in Nict. I guess that's a direct result of the lack of religion.  Though it's customary to announce the bond between two people by throwing a big party. The same applies for a child's introduction to society.

Stella presses her lips into two thin lines. “It isn't any different for me. When we finally decided to sleep you moved the entire time and didn't let go of me.”

“But how can I let my love sleep alone when she is that desperate for attention.” I lift her up in a princess carry.

She squeals and whispers. “What are you doing? My robe is getting out of order!”

“I thought I would carry you outside to show everyone that I am fully involved in this?” I ask her inquiringly.

The sides of Stella's mouth curl upwards. “That might be a good idea.”

The announcer calls for us and declares the union of Azir Zait and Stella Gejene, so I step outside in front of the crowd to bath in cheers. After a few moments the congratulations turn quieter and I set Stella down to lead her to the dance floor where Sola and Xander are waiting. It's a tradition that the couple opens the ball with a dance.

After we start dancing the others join in and finally the feeling of being the centre of attention fades away. I start grinning and Stella whispers into my ear. “What's so funny?”

“Ah, nothing. I just imagined you taking part in this event while being pregnant. We would cast gravitation magic on you and then you could simply fl...mmm?” Float around on a leash while I am holding you?

Stella wrapped her tail around my mouth and is now smiling menacingly. “If you say another word tonight I'll throw you out of the house and we are done with each other. I may even sell you to Sola. There have been cases of women taking two men if one of them couldn't produce acceptable heirs.”

I nod. I don't want to have my eyes gouged out.

.