Chapter 306: The Littlest Empress and Her Second Little Side Mission

Hekate and Doephluev have switched out again while Larven takes a break in the bus, where he can take his armor off and lay in the bed behind the curtain. Doephluev has been hiding there as well, remaining available in case she’s needed for anything.

The archoneldwyn probably can’t emulate anyone as effectively as she can for Hekate, because Hekate has actively cooperated with her to establish believable ‘characters’ when they’re disguised as each other. But, since few outsiders know the Fievegal’s major players at all, she can do a passable job of being whoever might be needed as a backup.

As for Hekate, she’s watching with Daniel and Sundenelle, who are discussing with one of the senior miners to estimate how far they’ll have to go. Zuzia, or ‘Centuria’, is about halfway to the estimated distance, but a question Hekate has is; how do they know?

The feldrok teen lived in the dragon’s keep known by the name Shiaulvolgarro’s Hoard for most of her life. She doesn’t know if it’s representative of what mines look like otherwise, but she knows there were tunnels that spidered all over the place that could be easy to get lost down, ignoring the main tunnels actually used by the dragons. And, because they wind around, Hekate wonders if they should be worried about missing the tunnel itself.

“{Hekate, this is Senn. Apologies for bothering you suddenly, but there’s a minor issue that Father and I have been unable to rectify.}”

“{What is it?}” asks Hekate through the telepathic connection. She’s a little worried, but Senn doesn’t sound panicked, and if she’s reaching out to Hekate, specifically, it’s probably the least problematic kind of ‘issue’ that could happen right now.

“{We’ve been trying, since the devices are rune-stamped to allow recall to a caster that can mimic the same rune pattern, but the lava spear isn’t responding to our spells. Both Father and I wrote down the runes independently, and Xyreko has tried from the Citadel as well.}”

“{Zuzia said the spear disappeared just before that King was able to take possession of it.}”

“{The shaft sections responded. Father and Yaulwembor have already collected all of the shafts, including the unused ones. But, the spear head didn’t return. We think it must have come detached, but we’re avoiding disturbing Zuzia right now.}”

Hekate notices Daniel looking at her. He doesn’t say or ask anything, but he can apparently tell that she’s responding to someone via telepathy. She blushes a little and touches her ears, which causes the human to smile and nod slightly.

“{I don’t think I can teleport inside. A-At least… I’ve never tried to do that kind of teleport to a place I can’t see, or that isn’t wide open at least.}”

“{I know. Were it so simple, I would have done so myself. You are rather talented, though, so I was thinking you might be able to transport yourself if you can see the end of the lifeline, at least.}”

“{There’s no way they would ignore me, and if they know I can teleport, they’ll know I was the one in the mansion, like that maid said.}”

There’s a pause, and Hekate frowns worriedly. The lava spear is just as crucial to hide for now to keep up the illusion. Hekate could try to bumrush into the tunnel as soon as they break through, but she’s still worried about whether or not they’ll find the tunnel itself so easily.

Wait… What if we could do two things at once!?

Hekate looks at where the lifeline hole is. From where they are to be downhill, she can’t actually see the bore itself, but it was easily as big as her head. That’s why Senn is hoping Hekate would be able to see to the other end, but it’s probably too dark, especially now that night is approaching.

“Daniel! I have an idea!” blurts out Hekate. She dashes off, hearing Daniel call out, “Wait!”, but she doesn’t have time to lose, and she doesn’t want to alert the Ahmpur nobles of what she’s actually doing.

The feldrok Empress runs to the lead bus, knocking loudly and scrambling inside. She ‘whispers’ loudly and urgently, “Muindis!? Muindis, are you in here!?”

“Here, your Greatness,” replies the Dragonslayer as he eats his lunch. He’s technically assigned to night watch, so he probably just woke up from a nap. But, he seems alert and willing.

“If you still need sleep, it’s okay, but I really, really need your help!”

This surprises the human, who just risked his own neck to help Hekate on one clandestine mission. But, it’s not hesitation or fear, just simple surprise.

“It may be risky to do something else right now, your Greatness…”

“No! Nothing like that. We need to go inside the tunnel!”

The Stalvaltan Guardsman cocks his head, genuinely not understanding. “Yes… Unless the cutter stopped working…”

“Nooooo!” whines Hekate urgently as she tugs her own ears downwards in slight frustration as she bounces impatiently. She ‘whispers’ loudly, since she does know that she has to be cautious about her plan, but she’s too anxious to completely control her tone. “A thing that we have to retrieve is still in there, and no one can get in there until the hole is dug, so we need to go in and get it out first!”

Muindis isn’t trying to be rude, but he genuinely doesn’t know what to say, so he simply blinks, silent as a statue, while he tries to run through possibilities.

Hekate groans a little dramatically, and she leans closer to him to whisper directly into his ear. “I need your help because you’re the only one who can get small enough to fit.”

“‘Fit’… your Greatness?” murmurs Muindis.

She nods vigorously, flopping her big ears back and forth when she does. “Yes! The lifeline hole is too small for me, but I think you can fit! And, if you carry a void bag, you can take me inside, and I’ll make it vanish.”

This finally makes it all click, and Muindis’ face goes slightly pale. He realizes what Hekate is asking for, and why it has to be him once more. He blurts out, “Oh…”

“Yeah! So, if you can get me inside, I can teleport us. Oh! But, can you use stealth magic in your…” Hekate glances around suspiciously, murmuring even more quietly, “Your ‘little form’?”

Muindis sighs as he puts a hand over his face. He replies quietly, “Yes… As long as I have mana…”

“Great! So, will you help me?” Hekate gives him a pleading face, and Muindis chuckles as he keeps his face covered by his hand.

He grumbles slightly, though he did accept becoming one of the Fievegal’s trusted soldiers, hoping to undertake even more important missions that will support the Stalvaltan family as well. He replies quietly with a defeated smirk, “Your Greatness, your word is law. If this is what you want, then you only need to command, not request.”

Hekate smiles and shakes her head. She finally takes on her more mature tone of self-assessment. “This mission will be dangerous, and you’re right. I almost screwed up too badly last time, and I had to be rescued myself. But, I don’t know of anyone else that can go in there, and… I’m the best at teleporting.” She smiles a little happily, since Senn, a legendary ancient elven sorceress, basically said as much. She adds sincerely, “If you refuse, I’ll understand. And, because it’s so risky, I want you to have the right to refuse in this case.”

Muindis is quiet for a moment. He takes a deep breath and exhales. “I’ll do it, your Greatness. So, what’s the plan?”

“Really!? Thank you, Muindis! I won’t forget this, ever!” Hekate brightens like clouds clearing away from the sun, and she adds, “We’ll move to the Royal bus, then, since we’ll need ‘my’ help.” She winks and grabs Muindis by the wrist, pulling him eagerly towards the exit.

“Wait! Your Grace!”

But, she doesn’t listen, dragging him to the main bus, where Senn and Doephluev are talking quietly, and Neith is still resting.

“Hekate?” asks Senn.

“Please relax! Neith, you especially. Doephluev, we’ll be needing you once more.”

The archoneldwyn sighs as the other two chuckle, since Hekate is fully in charge at the moment. “I might as well just stay ‘you’ the entire time.”

“Shut up! Now, help me. Muindis is going to use his secret technique and sneak into the lifeline hole, and he’s going to take a void bag with me inside so I can teleport the lava spear head out. And, you’ll have to carry Muindis to the hole with a good lie so no one suspects me or him.”

The elder three glance at each other silently, and the Stalvaltan Captain chuckles. “That was my response as well, your Graces, my Lord.” Hekate scowls at the human with betrayal on her face, but he adds quickly, “But, it’ll make more sense as you hear the whole plan.”

Muindis explains more calmly, while Hekate agreeably nods and adds to it as needed.

“If the spear can’t be retrieved, though, what makes you think you’ll be able to teleport it out?” asks Neith quietly. “If something is blocking the magic, such as the deep rock or anti-magic materials, you’ll just be trapped inside. Assuming Sir Muindis can extract you.”

“It’s strange though,” replies Senn. “Father and Yaulwembor had no trouble with the shaft.”

Everyone ponders this for a moment, but none more so than Doephluev. She perks up, saying softly, “No, it makes sense.”

“Does it?” asks Hekate, knowing that her plan does fall apart if she or Muindis effectively end up trapped inside.

“It does. The rune magic was added after assembly, and although I tucked it into the shaft portion of the spear…” She smiles a little bitterly, having not thought about it sooner. “The spear was meant to rapidly melt through rock with raw heat. It seems the rune paint burned off or was damaged by the lava flowing over it.”

Everyone is quiet, but it makes sense. The shaft should have reached in just as far, so if there was a sphere of influence of anti-magic, the shaft should have been caught in it as well.

But, if the teleportation spell itself meant to retrieve the item remotely was burned away…

“Are you sure about this, Hekate?” asks Senn. “Daniel may have unwittingly proved that people can survive void bags intact, but if anything goes wrong… It’s impossible to know what happens to your soul. If our current… fears are that the Fellmother is indeed a feldrok beyond that very threshold…”

“I’m sure,” replies Hekate. “I trust you guys. E-Especially Neith. Because Daniel will kill everyone if I go missing.”

The grey dragon scoffs, having sat himself up to participate in the conversation. “I can only protect you so long as the bag itself remains intact.”

“It’ll be fine,” replies Hekate. “Just be quick about it, alright?” She looks at Muindis, and he nods.

“I swear on my life, your Greatness, as one of your honorable Dragonslayers, I shall see your mission to conclusion and minimize the time you are trapped within a void bag.”

“A bit blunt to call yourself a Dragonslayer in front of a dragon, isn’t it?” teases Doephluev.

Neith scoffs, as Muindis bows his head respectfully. “We dragons approved of the name, because it is a reminder that, even if we were the most powerful, there is always a danger, and Daniel can grant that power to anyone.”

“Anyways, are we ready? Muindis, go ahead and change. I’ll get in the smallest void bag we have.” Hekate takes a small pouch off of her own equipment belt just above her tail. It’s the smallest size of void bag possible, and hers has all kinds of snacks, a few of Daniel’s bombs, elemental blasters, and some pretty rocks she found during her travels. They aren’t special rocks, but had nice patterns and colors that she liked.

“I know it’s really hard to do it to yourself, so… Doephluev. Hold this for me and transfer me in.”

Doephluev sighs, sliding to the edge of the bed so she can help. “If Daniel finds out about this, he’s probably not going to be happy…”

“Yes, I agree,” adds Senn softly. “This isn’t what I meant when I asked you to help.”

“But, you were right. I am the best suited for it, and I’m ready for this.” Hekate smiles, and she takes a breath to steady herself. “Just… don’t waste too much time, please. I don’t want to come out a hundred years from now when Daniel is already old.”

Doephluev and the others chuckle uneasily, since it’s not the most comfortable plan. But, Hekate is ready, and it will work as long as nothing goes wrong.

And, as long as it’ll work in the first place…

Hekate places her hands into the glowing light of the void bag to transfer herself inside. She accidentally did so once while she was operating one, and it thankfully rejected her, so she didn’t have to panic and try to rip her hands back out. She also knows from others that this is normal, though it’s also easy enough to pull oneself back out if they do start to transfer in, as long as they don’t get beyond their ability to resist the magic tug.

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But, Hekate didn’t feel a magic tug.

And, just like when she did it to herself, her hands pass into the light, but reach the bottom of the bag.

“Wh-... What’s happening?” asks Hekate. Her ears twitch, and she looks around. She tries again, but her hands ignore the glow that she has used dozens of times for equipment and snacks. Everyone else seems to be surprised as well, and Neith asks, “Is your bag full?”

“Ah… let me try that…” Hekate operates the bag while Doephluev continues to hold it, pulling out her pile of elemental blasters, which are easily heavier than she is in total. She then tries to transfer herself in again.

And still, Hekate can reach right through the magic glow and touch the insides of the void bag, which should be effectively impossible while it’s active.

“What are you doing?” asks Hekate accusatorally at Doephluev.

“I’m not doing anything abnormal!” retorts Doephluev. “And, the capacity should have plenty of room…”

“You must be doing something. Is this because you’re trying to trick me!?”

“I swear I’m not, Hekate.” Doephluev hands it to Neith, saying, “You try.”

“Uh, right…” The dragon activates the intake function and holds the bag for Hekate.

Once more, her hands pass right through, allowing her to touch the insides of the bag, ignoring the magic.

Neith is as confused as anyone else present, and Doephluev reaches over. Her own hand starts to disappear as soon as it reaches the light, and she slowly withdraws it. This occurred, even while Hekate’s hands were still inside the bag. She looks at everyone in horror, since her plan relies on this part.

Muindis suggests, “I can simply take the bag in and move the spear into the bag, if that’s alright…”

“Looks like we’ll have to,” replies Senn thoughtfully, but she and Hekate both tremble suddenly, turning around.

Floating in the air just behind Hekate’s head while ‘sitting’ in the air with her legs crossed is a small humanoid woman with ‘wings’ that could pass as gossamer robes lazily drifting behind her like she’s floating in the sea. She has a small paper bucket filled with roasted seeds that she’s snacking on, but she intentionally released magic to draw attention to herself.

“K-Kaeralegier?” asks Hekate quietly. “Aren’t you supposed to be resting?”

“I am,” replies the former World Managing goddess. She’s essentially retired now, having been freed from the sword, and she’s now mortal, living as Daniel’s friend, rather than an exiled goddess. “But, I thought this was interesting.”

“Do you know something?” asks Hekate urgently.

Kaeralegier nods, casually moving her hand outwards with her seed bucket, which floats just in front of her as weightlessly as the rest of her. “I noticed it when I was cutting your hair. Or, rather, when Daniel used me for that purpose. I don’t yet know its source, though I would guess it comes from your parents.”

Hekate’s face goes pale as she hears those words. She knows, functionally, that she had a mother and father in order to come into this world. But, because she never knew them at all, she tries not to think about them. Ryuogriar fills the closest role Hekate has ever had to a mother, though she’s also a romantic rival in Hekate’s eyes, while she doesn’t really have any father figure, and she refuses to allow Daniel to fall into that role.

Hekate squeaks, “My… parents?”

The retired goddess in pixie form nods. “That’s my best guess, since it seems to be some kind of protection, though I wasn’t able to glean the full scope. I only know that it resisted when I, or rather, when Daniel was cutting your hair and fur with Nemaisol. It seems to also be protecting you from one of the main tools of treachery used to nearly-exterminate the feldroks.” The goddess rubs her chin with her left hand as she studies Hekate carefully, but she does wave her right casually, causing some of the roasted seeds to float out of her snack bucket so that she can catch them and eat them like she’s a movie-goer eating popcorn.

“But… the spear…” murmurs Hekate.

Everyone else is quiet as they seem to be thinking as well, connecting dots that Hekate doesn’t really notice.

Doephluev asks, “If Hekate is being protected, does that mean her parents are still alive?”

“Not necessarily,” replies the tiny woman. “It is powerful magic on Hekate, but if anything, it’s being sustained by her own life. It could be why she’s so small in her true form. Not that she’s the appropriate size for a human her age either…”

“Wh-What if it’s a curse like what was on Daniel!?” asks Hekate urgently.

Kaeralegier smiles softly, “It could be, though I don’t think that was the intent.” She adds cryptically as she swirls her finger in idle, side by side loops. “There are only two that I know of who can truly endure forever.” She trails off for a moment before stretching with a big yawn. She is still wearing one of Daniel’s handkerchiefs as a sort of simple toga, the laugur emblem of the Lawson family crest visible at her thighs. “But, I’ll help with your little mission.”

Kaeralegier snaps her fingers, and another handkerchief appears, drifting down into Hekate’s hands. It, too, has the Lawson family crest, but it has a more metallic look to it.

And, as it moves through the air, an iridescent, color-shifting phenomenon dances across its surface.

As soon as the handkerchief lands in Hekate’s hands, the glow intensifies around her hands and fingers, specifically, surprising everyone in the bus.

Hekate asks softly, “Is this… sharmelkolle?”

“Yup. It probably won’t stop bullets, since it’s so thin, but I got the idea from ol’ Yaulwembor’s scales. Hidden under the emblem is the same transfer spell you tried to use on Włócznia Peruna. Oh, right, that’s Zuzia’s name for it. That lava spear thing. Also, it has a tracking spell, so we’ll be able to see when he reaches the end of the tunnel based on when he drops several feet to the tunnel floor.” She points at Muindis with a finger gun, winking at him. He’s already in his benki alternate form, which got overshadowed by Hekate’s failure to store herself and then the revelation Kaeralegier made.

“Just tie that sucker onto the Captain like a cute little ascot, and then when he reaches Włócznia Peruna, he can tie it on, and we’ll whoosh it right out of there.”

“The spell will only affect the handkerchief, won’t it?” asks Neith, who is probably the next-least informed on the rune magic after Hekate and Muindis, but knows enough to ask.

Kaeralegier clicks her teeth with a slightly arrogant grin as she points at him next. “You’d think so, right? Except, why did one spell work on all of the shafts in the bore hole, but had to be used on them separately for the stack of shafts?”

Hekate looks at Senn, who is deep in thought about this question.

“The shafts in the lifeline hole were attached to each other,” murmurs Doephluev. “But, that shouldn’t have mattered…”

“Sharmelkolle?” asks Hekate, blurting out an answer.

The retired fairy goddess snaps her fingers with a huge grin as she points both hands as finger guns at Hekate. “The adorable genius takes the prize!” She turns serious, saying, “Sharmelkolle is highly effective at transmitting magic. If you made a sharmelkolle rope and wrapped it halfway around the world, you could cast the same spell almost instantly on the opposite side of the world as you cast on the end that is with you. If you know how, of course.” She crosses her arms as she casually stretches out her legs, showing her tiny thighs and feet. The fairy-like goddess wiggles her feet and toes, seeming to become momentarily distracted by the fact that she has toes again, even though it has been over a day since she was freed. “So, as long as Sir Benki ties the handkerchief to Włócznia Peruna, it’ll disappear just like the shafts.”

“Are you allowed to assist us this directly?” asks Neith.

“Sure! I’m mortal now, even if I’m probably as mortal as she is;” The floating woman gestures at Senn as she continues to snack on the seeds she brought. They’re some kind of seed from a fruit, which Daniel decided to try scraping clean of a ‘husk’ that protects the internal parts, and then roast them while he was with Hekate in the Citadel. He said something about seeds having a ‘waxy coating’ so that they can be eaten, carried by the thing that eats them, and then ‘left behind’ to grow wherever they fall. And, it turns out, just roasting the ‘husked’ seeds are actually pretty good.

Kaeralegier adds as she wipes her hands free of crumbs that no one else can see, “Besides, just that little thing cost me basically all of my mana for the day, so it’s not like I’m gonna be snapping my fingers left and right changing the world with every snap.” As she’s saying this, she snaps her fingers on each hand in alternation several times to illustrate this point. Nothing happens this time, but that isn’t to say she has actually depleted her mana, since she and her snack bucket are still floating weightlessly in the air.

“Well, looks like you won’t need me right now,” replies Doephluev. “I was kind of hoping I could carry my own little Hekate around in my purse, though…”

“Heeeyyy…” growls Hekate in a long, warning tone. “One of these days, I’m going to learn or invent magic to turn people her size and stick them in jars.” She gestures at Kaeralegier, who grins.

“Yes, yes. You should hurry, though. Zuzia is making good progress. Though, she’s probably going to be switching with Magnir soon. But, if anything else goes wrong, you’ll want time to respond.”

“R-Right! Sir Muindis, do you mind if I put this on you?”

The Stalvaltan Dragonslayer in his benki form nods, and he rather skillfully hops up on one of the seats and then onto one of the armrests to be at a closer level to make it easier. Hekate carefully ties the handkerchief around Muindis’s neck, leaving the knot loose enough that he’ll be able to untie it himself.

“Alright. Then, we’ll tell them that you’re taking a note in for the people inside, so that they know we’re coming to help them. Quick! Neith, write a letter for me!”

The dragon chuckles and finds a notebook and pen to do just that.

Kaeralegier adds as she ‘lays’ forward with her belly down and her legs up, saying casually, “By the way, take care of that thing. I might be mortal now and ‘retired’, sort of, but that’s technically a divine artifact. People might worship it if they figure that out.” She grins playfully, and everyone shares an awkward glance, because she’s technically correct, though that would require anyone who isn’t already on relatively friendly terms with her to accept that she is –or was– an actual goddess, in a sense.

As for the current plan, it’s not exactly how Hekate envisioned it, but as long as it works, then at least the best outcome is taking place for everyone.

Well, except maybe King Harnavock, who was hoping to claim his very own ‘divine artifacts’ –not knowing their relatively mundane nature–, while Hekate’s friend can simply whip them up with a literal snap of her fingers.

***

Barraden sits on his knees as he and the other conscious survivors kneel before the new hole and the strange artifact that has brought them fresh air, hope, and faith. They are all praying silently, still trying to conserve their energy. But, many of them are thoroughly convinced that Herith is watching over them.

And, the artifact is resting on the floor. It’s no longer glowing or giving off as much heat as it was, but its Divine Mandate was completed, and now it’s just a silent treasure of optimism that has given the miners a second chance at life.

Someone sneezes, likely from a simple chill of the mine tunnels. But, it’s enough to prompt Barraden to open his left eye just to look.

He doesn’t remember there being a handkerchief on the holy lance, but he also doesn’t have much reason to question a divine artifact. And, when the ground beneath it glows with golden light, he and the others who notice the glow watch in astonishment as the divine spear vanishes in a flash of light.

The miners glance at each other, and they start to laugh warmly. Barraden says towards the sky that he cannot yet see, yet may still see again very soon, “Thank you, oh great Herith, for this modest blessing.”

“Thank you!”

“Thanks be to you, great Herith!”

The miners share in a warm moment of levity. Magic can explain a great many things in their world, but none are more powerful in ‘magic’ than the great god Herith himself.

One of the miners jokes quietly, “What do you think we should tell the others?”

“Who cares? I just want to see my wife again. If Herith acts in secret, let the foremen sort it out.”

“I want to see… Vallus’s sister again…” murmurs one of the miners, earning a few chuckles.

Vallus himself blurts out, “Me too…” His remark is spoken thoughtlessly, since it’s clear he just means that he wants to see his family again, like any man present.

But, the only things miners can be more ruthless against than the stone itself are their friends.

“Oooohhhh!” calls out one, while others add, “That explains a lot!” “Disgusting!” “Vallus! How could you!?”

“Wha- No! God no!” Vallus cries out as everyone starts to laugh and the teasing continues. “That’s not what I…! To hell with all of you!”

The laughter only grows, and Barraden himself can’t help but chuckle. It’s a truly relieving moment of levity. Vallus is a good man, and he is well-liked among the miners, and even he knows it as he shoves one of his seniors who is closest to him.

It’s only as Barraden is shaking his head to regain his composure that he notices a small animal peeking out of the bore hole, its head cocked curiously. It glances around before hopping down and bouncing towards him, probably since he’s the first one to notice.

It’s easily recognizable as a benki, since they’re so common on the continent. Depending on the region, their coat of fur can vary wildly, and this one is definitely not from western Ahmpur. But, it also seems to be tame, since there’s no way, if the outside is being worked by men to restore the mine if not to save the miners, then a benki would never have tried to approach the mysterious hole on its own.

When it reaches Barraden, he notices that it has a letter fastened to its back by a rather high-end handkerchief that seems to produce a faint glow.

The gatonine looks at everyone else, who has stopped to look at the benki. Some are undoubtedly looking at it as food, since they haven’t eaten in days. But, Barraden carefully takes the letter from its back, which the creature allows.

He’s a simple miner, so of course he doesn’t have any means to check for curses, nor does he even realize that such a thing is done with almost every single delivered sheet for royals and lords. Instead, he unfurls it and scans it over. It’s written in Eastern Imperial Trade, the common language for half of the continent, since his eyesight is just good enough to see in the dim lantern light.

“What does it say?” asks someone nearby, trying to remind anyone with unsavory thoughts that the beast might just be a further extension of the Divine Will protecting them.

“It says… ‘the Five-gall… is die-g-... no, digging… and will rescue you… soon. Wha-... Whir… Write! Write ‘yes’ if there are… survivvers.’”

“Survivors?”

“Survivors! Yes, survivors.”

“What else!?” asks someone. “Does it mention the miracles!? Herith’s blessings!?”

Barraden shakes his head. “No. It just says… Uh… ‘Strike… a hammer on the floor… until rescue comes.’ Then…

‘Heek- Heeka-... Heekatee’? ‘Heekatee’ at the bottom. I guess the person who wrote this is someone named Heekatee.”

The miners nod, since Barraden probably has the best literacy among them. However, Barraden happens to notice the benki as its ears droop slightly. Its entire posture just looks like it was defeated by his words.

“That’s what it says, you little creature. Don’t forget that it’s only because you brought this that you are not filling our bellies.” The benki shrinks a little at these words, as if it can properly understand him, which is a little odd.

“Do you think it had something to do with the spear disappearing?” whispers someone nearby.

“No. If anything, the spear disappeared because someone not part of the blessing was approaching…”

For his part, the gatonine miner tries to find a pen, but the Benki only had the letter.

But, he notices his fingerprints on the paper where he touched it. His hands are still filthy because of the mine, and he smiles.

He doesn’t have the room to write a long message, and the one who sent the letter only wanted a ‘yes’ as an answer to confirm their survival.

Barraden writes ‘Yes’ on the letter, and he rolls it back up. He says to the benki, “Please convey to your master that I am sorry I had no pen to write with. But, we are grateful for the hope he has provided.”

The benki cocks its head once more, and the gatonine can only think, Maybe it doesn’t understand human speech. But, at least it seems somewhat intelligent.

Barraden puts the note back under the handkerchief, and something seems familiar about the piece of cloth. But, he pays it no mind. His is not the place to be questioning miracles.

The benki then makes a simple chittering noise of apparent affirmation, and it stands surprisingly far upright for its elongated body, giving what looks like a kind of salute; its right paw touches just above its right eye.

And, with that, it skitters off towards the hole it came in from. The surprisingly agile little creature manages to leap up to the newly-formed hole, and it disappears for the time being.

I wonder what this ‘Five-gall’ is, and if Heekatee can really help. Then again… It doesn’t change much if they can’t… So I’ll choose to hope for the best.

Barraden smiles and folds his hands together, giving silent thanks to Herith once more.

It may be for the best that he doesn’t know the answers to everything happening.

After all, he is just a miner trapped in the mine he has spent most of his life working in. All he wants is to see his family and home again.

Whoever makes that happen will be cherished by him for the rest of his life.

***