Quest

‘Disappointed by your own weakness?’ Arla repeated, a smile playing at her mouth. ‘Getting stronger is a curious thing. Continuous training is a sure-fire way to reach the top eventually, but there are shortcuts that are unreliable and dangerous.’

Trys and Locke exchanged looks. ‘Unreliable shortcuts?’

‘True strength is borne through emotion and spirit. People like Me, Miles and Stag have put our life on the line time and time again, and we pushed through by the skin of our teeth. Every time, newfound, unexplainable strength coursed through our veins. This is called Passion, the human ability to develop in unexpected ways as a result of passion or determination.’

‘I don’t understand,’ Trys said.

‘What I’m trying to say is that you should fight for what you believe in and for the sake of the people that you care for. Time and time again, act for what your heart feels is just.’

Locke and Trys stared at her, not fully understanding what she had said, when she grabbed each of their heads and banged them together. ‘Stag!’ she called. ‘We’re leaving.’

‘Sure enough, but I want Locke back by tonight. I want to rinse him for everything he has. Trys, too. It’s been a while since I’ve smoked her.’ Stag gave them a half-hearted wave as he revealed his hand to Kets and Stocke. Kets' expression immediately darkened.

Trys’ eyes widened in fear. ‘Please don’t let us be back by then.’

Arla let out a laugh. ‘Go on, get ready. Tidy yourself up. We’ll tackle a quest.’

‘What’s a quest?’

‘Oh, silly Locke, do you really know nothing?’ Trys said, spooning the last of the rice into her mouth, then reached to finish off Locke’s bowl. ‘People will often list quests for people in the Royal Army to tackle. When they show up, it’s anyone’s for the taking. Some of them are pretty mundane stuff, but others are really interesting.’

‘Trys, you’ve never been to one before.’

‘Oh, right.’

‘But yes, she’s right. They list the request, we accept the request, fulfill it, and afterwards, we are treated to a reward. But the reward isn’t the point. I think it will be worthwhile for you to grow if you can get some real-world experience. Come with me.’

Arla led them outside the dining hall and to the centre of the base, where a large podium jutted out from the ground. A map of Arrondra stretched across the podium. Where Locke saw mountains, he realised that they jutted out from the map, and the tress of the forest had a bushy and fluffy texture to them.

His eyes wandered to Arindel and found that very little remained there. Smoke still rose in thick columns from the site. He also found that the Verdantia forest, to the north east of Justisar, had a large area of forest that was razed to the ground, and was now black with charred remains. Ethereal pins popped out from the map, stretching across the surface, but mostly focused around Justisar.

Arla tapped one of the pins, and a ghostly image of text popped up, which detailed the requirements for the quest and the expected reward.

‘Let me know if any catch your eye,’ Arla said.

Trys tapped at places on the map in the neighbouring forests. ‘There’s been some sheep going missing over here, but that sounds dull, and over here, they are requesting some medicinal aid.’

‘Hmm, that won’t help us. Besides, medicinal aid is not our forte, and is best left for the Pearl Party.’

Locke reached out and touched a pin that stood over a village just north of the Amber Hall. ‘This one talks of recent bandit robberies and attacks.’

Arla raised an eyebrow. ‘Let’s do that one.’

‘Bandits? Isn’t that a little bit dangerous for us? We’re just recruits after all,’ Trys said.

‘Don’t worry, you have me with you. I’ll make sure that no harm befalls you.’

They went to their rooms to prepare, and Locke, stopping for a moment by the training room, recalled Stag’s teachings of the sword, and decided that he would rather have one by his side than not. He attached the sheath to his belt, fixed up the uniform of the Royal Army and headed outside to meet up with Arla and Trys. Behind them were a trio of horse-like figures that he had never seen before, with great wings that stretched out from their body and reached far to the side. Their hair was as white as snow, and their eyes as bright as diamonds.

‘What are these?’ Locke took a careful step back, scared to approach any further.

‘It’s a Pegasus. Don’t be scared, Locke. Hold out your hand, just like that, now sloooowly approach. If it likes you, it will step forward and rest its head in your hand.’

‘And if it doesn’t?’

‘Run.’

The nearest Pegasus, slightly smaller than the rest and with bronze plating around its neck, stepped forward and pressed its head into Locke’s hand, then pushed it further up and into his armpit.

‘Wow, this one must love you already.’

The Pegasus with a silver bracing leaned into Trys, and she climbed up its body and clamped her legs tightly behind the wings. Arla took the one with the golden brace.

‘Are you all ready? Hold on tight.’ She bent down and whispered some words to the Pegasus. The Pegasus crouched down and pushed off the ground, its feathered wings flapping in the air to gain height. Trys and Locke’s followed, flying up as they turned to the north. ‘Let’s go. We’re heading to Helmlock.’

Locke had never felt such a rush of air in his life. As the Pegasus sped through the sky, Locke could hardly contain the excitement that bubbled inside of him. The air whipped at his face, flushing his face with vigour and glee. He looked to Trys, who was doing everything in her power to hold on, and felt proud that he had never felt a feeling more exciting and comfortable in his life before.