The walk back to the camp had been a long, quiet one.

As she was resting, Kihra thought back on the events that brought her here. She still couldn’t believe everything that had happened. All she’d wanted when she’d set out after her master this morning was to prove to him she was capable of journeying alongside him, to experience just a small taste of the adventures she’d read so much about her whole life. Instead, she’d put herself in mortal danger, and even managed to drag Mar and Meenka into harm’s way with her.

Mar. Of all the things that had happened today, his disappearance pained her the most. Even as he was being dragged through that portal to who-knows-where, he’d only cared about her safety. He’d been right there in front of her, and she could do nothing to save him-

The sound of Meenka approaching drew her back to the present, “Here,” she said, offering her a loaf of bread she’d no doubt scrounged up from one of the abandoned supply packs, “should get your strength back up.” Despite her attempt at reassuring her, Kihra could tell she was just as shaken by what had happened. She accepted the loaf with a small, grateful smile, though she didn’t have much of an appetite.

Taking a bite, she turned her attention to the new arrivals sharing the camp with them. Just across from them was an elf wearing finely made travel clothes, her long, dark hair and pale skin standing out against the light from pale blue light of the surrounding fungi and crystals. She and Mar seemed to know each other, though he’d never spoken a word of her in the time Kihra had known him. 

It was her companion, however, that Kihra was most interested in. Standing across from the elf was a drakai like Talsath, though she wore a simple shirt and trousers compared to the more ornate clothing he or her companion wore, her black scales almost blending into the dim light of the cave, save for a patch of yellow under her jaw and along her front. She was still wearing her armour (a simple breastplate and some protection on her right arm), and her spear rested close at hand, as if she expected another threat to appear at any moment.

The two of them appeared to be deep in conversation from what Kihra could tell, though she couldn’t make out what they were saying. She didn’t know what could have brought them out here, but as she continued to observe them, she didn’t feel any of the worry or uneasiness she’d felt with Talsath. And even without that, them saving her and Meenka back at the vault had done plenty to earn her trust.

Eventually, the two of them turned to briefly glance at Kihra and Meenka for the first time since they’d arrived at the campsite. The elf said something quick to her companion before approaching them, kneeling down to address Kihra, concern evident in her silver eyes.

“Are you alright?” she asked, her tone gentle.

Kihra nodded, “Yeah,” she replied in a small voice, “I’m fine.”

“I am glad to hear that,” the elf replied with a reassuring smile, “I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced, I am Nyriia, and this is my travel companion, Sorinn,” she continued, gesturing towards the drakai behind her, who simply nodded in greeting.

“I’m Kihra,” Kihra greeted back, her tone a bit brighter, “That’s Meenka.” As she introduced her, she couldn’t help but notice how much more guarded Meenka looked in the company of their visitors. Turning back to Nyriia, she gave her an appreciative smile, “Thank you for helping us back there,” she said.

The drakai, Sorinn, gave a small shrug, “Not the type to turn my back on someone in need,” she stated plainly, “And besides, I should be thanking you for your help back there. That was quite the display.”

“Well said,” Nyriia replied, glancing back to her companion, “I must say, it was most fortunate we arrived when we had. This could have ended far worse otherwise.”

“Yeah, real convenient,” Meenka spoke up, eyeing the two intently, “And what brings you two all the way down here anyway, hm? I don’t remember anyone else being in on this job.”

“What are you getting at?” Sorinn questioned, an edge of suspicion in her tone.

“I dunno,” Meenka shot back, “You tell me.”

“Meenka, it’s okay,” Kihra interjected, stepping between Meenka and the others, “We don’t have to worry about them, we can trust them.”

“Oh yeah, and how are you so sure about that?” Meenka questioned, her tone sceptical.

Kihra paused in thought for a moment. “I…I just know,” she finally replied.

She couldn’t quite explain this feeling, or where it came from, but she could feel that Nyriia and Sorinn were being completely sincere. This was more than just the gut feeling she had about Talsath. Somehow, on an almost instinctual level, she knew neither of them posed any threat to them, nor had their earlier rescue been a part of some ploy; They can be trusted, without question.

Meenka looked at her for a long moment, before eventually giving a resigned sigh, “Alright,” she said, “I’ll trust you on this, just mind yourself, alright?” With that, she stepped back and took her seat on a nearby boulder, a trace of suspicion still in her gaze as she continued to observe Nyriia and Sorinn.

While Kihra was happy to have avoided a potential confrontation, something in Meenka’s words had stuck in her mind. “Why are you here?” she asked Nyriia, turning back to face her, “And how do you and master know each other?”

“Ah, of course,” Nyriia responded, taking a seat next to her, “Though I understand your friend’s concern, I can assure you I have only come here out of academic curiosity, nothing more. I am deeply fascinated with the history of Ithyria, you see, and I have been studying their ruins and relics here on the continent for some time now.”

“Oh, that’s interesting,” Kihra replied, her curiosity slightly piqued, “but that still doesn’t explain why it sounded like you and master already knew each other.”

“Or how you knew ’bout this place,” Meenka interjected, “I don’t know what the ruins you say you saw up top were like, but this place is pretty far out of the way. Hard to believe you just stumbled down here by accident.”

“Indeed it is,” Nyriia replied matter of factly, “though I shall get to that momentarily. As for Mar and I know each other, we have actually met before.”

“Wait, really?” Kihra responded, mildly shocked by her answer, “When, how?”

“It would have been around five years ago, when I first came to this land,” Nyriia replied, “I was staying in Lynvael at the time, and he happened to be passing through. We both shared a keen interest in Ithyrian history and archeology, and so we collaborated for a time. Though we inevitably had to part ways, we still found one another's company agreeable enough to continue corresponding with one another in the time since. Which brings me to how I came to know of this place,” she continued, pulling a letter from the pouch she wore at her side, before passing it over to Kihra, “A little over a week ago, Mar’s latest letter mentioned the Ithyrian ruins he’d been studying here, as well as the strides he’d made in his research. Naturally, I was rather intrigued by the news of an Ithyrian structure so far below ground, so I resolved to see it for myself, and, well, I suppose you know the rest.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right,” said Meenka, “I remember now, he’d sometimes hand me letters to drop off with the nearest courier I could find whenever I dropped off supplies for him. Never gave much thought who they were going out to, honestly.”

Kihra examined the letter in her hands intently as she processed these revelations. She recognised her master's handwriting, and just as Nyriia had said, most of its contents consisted of his observations of the vault entrance and speculation of what may lie beyond, his excited anticipation clear in his writing. She pondered for a moment why he hadn’t mentioned this sooner, though she supposed he may have hoped to introduce them at some point when they ventured up to the surface.

Her expression fell at the memory of that promise, and the realization that he can no longer keep it.

“He spoke of you quite often in his later letters, you know,” Nyriia added.

Kihra perked up slightly at her statement, “He did?” she asked, “What did he say?”

“He mentioned having taken on an apprentice who had proven herself to be a quick study, and with an eagerness to learn all that they could,” Nyriia replied, “I am pleased to finally make your acquaintance, though I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“Look, I’d hate to interrupt,” Meenka spoke up, nodding towards Sorinn, “but how do you fit into all of this?”

Sorinn gave a small shrug, “Nyriia pays me to watch her back,” she stated plainly, “And what about you, what’s your involvement in this?”

Meenka stared intently at Sorinn for several seconds, before letting out a sigh, “Look,” she finally said, “I was with the crew Mar hired to help study these old ruins, but I didn’t know it would end up like this! Whatever they were up to, I had nothing to do with it!”

“She’s right,” Kihra added, “She stood up for me back in the ruins, she tried to help me escape.”

Sorinn regarded them for a moment before responding, “Very well,” she said, “Though that does beg the question: What exactly happened in there? Whatever you might have found in there, those brigands seemed pretty riled up over it.”

Kihra glanced down nervously, suddenly very aware of the bracer on her arm.

“I…I don’t really know,” she answered quietly, “There wasn’t really anything in there except for this,” she pulled back her sleeve, revealing the bracer in full, “But Talsath seemed to think it was important, and when I couldn’t give it to him, that’s when…everything went wrong.”

“That other drakai we saw, the sorceror, that was him, wasn’t it?” Sorinn asked.

Kihra nodded in agreement.

“Yep,” Meenka added, “Near as I could tell, he was the one who put us on this job, though we never saw him personally. Didn’t even know what he looked like till this morning.”

“And this artifact,” Nyriia spoke up, pointing out Kihra’s bracer, “do you suppose this is what he was after?”

Meenka shrugged, “Dunno,” she replied, “Don’t think even he knew what we’d find in there, but whatever he’d been looking for, he sure seemed desperate for it.”

Nyriia gazed at the bracer for a moment, her expression one of fascination. “May I have a closer look?” She finally addressed Kihra.

Kihra looked down at her arm hesitantly, her claws idly tracing along the flowing patterns engraved along the length of the bracer.

“Is something the matter?” Nyriia asked.

“No,” Kihra answered, “It’s just…I can’t take this off,” she continued, earning a slightly puzzled look from Nyriia.

“Yeah, I’ve no idea either,” said Meenka, “Kihra put it on to free up her hands, and now neither of us can get it off her. Thinkin’ some sorta tricky magic might be behind it.”

“Oh,” Nyriia replied, mildly surprised, “I see,” her expression became thoughtful, as she seemed to consider their explanation. “Well, perhaps I may yet be able to help with that,” she finally responded, “I am rather well-versed on the subject of enchantment, you see, perhaps I could determine the nature of this particular enchantment.”

Kihra glanced down at the bracer on her arm. Given all that had just transpired because of this thing, she felt momentarily unsure of surrendering it to another. However, she still sensed no ill will from Nyriia, or her companion, Sorinn. And if she truly did know something about this artifact, it was a chance she’d have to take.

Her mind made up, Kihra presented her arm to Nyriia. Nyriia studied the bracer intently, tracing her fingers along the engraved patterns and gently turning it over from time to time as she did.

“Fascinating,” she half muttered after a time, “Pure Ithyrian silver, pristine condition,” she turned her attention back to Kihra with a smile, “It seems you have quite the rare find on your hands.”

Though she felt a brief surge of pride at Nyriia’s appraisal, Kihra still had many unanswered questions. “Thank you,” she replied, “but what is it, exactly?”

“I am not entirely sure,” Nyriia replied, “but from what I can gather, this may be some form of spellcasting focus,” she paused, pointing to the bracer, “Ithyrian silver, the cornerstone of many of Ithyria’s advancements. Besides its durability and light weight, it is an excellent conductor of aether, making it an ideal material for enchantment. And this,” she continued, pointing out the gem embedded in the center, “is a shard of aetherite, often used to draw in and focus aether from the surrounding environment,” she paused once more, brow furrowed slightly as though considering something, “Although the aether of this shard feels unfamiliar to me.”

“Spellcasting, huh?” Meenka interjected, “Kihra, you think this thing might have something to do with that barrier you summoned earlier?”

“Barrier?” Nyriia asked.

“Yeah, it was when we first found this thing,” Meenka replied, “Talsath would’ve fried us over it if it wasn’t for Kihra stepping in to shield us.”

“Honestly, I don’t really remember everything that happened back there,” said Kihra, “I just didn’t want to see anyone get hurt, and just acted on instinct, I guess. I didn’t even think it'd actually work.”

“Really?” Nyriia asked, “How so?”

“Well, Mar’s been teaching me to use magic for the last two years now, but I’m still pretty new to all of this,” Kihra admitted, “I never used magic outside of training until today.”

“And your spellcasting back in that fight,” Sorinn added, “I’m guessing it’s not usually that spectacular, right?”

Kihra shook her head, “No, normally I can only make a fireball the size of my fist,” she replied.

“Still a novice, and yet to display such potent spellcasting,” Nyriia mused to herself, before turning her attention back to Kihra, “Using magic at such potency beyond one’s current ability often carries risks to one’s health,” she explained, “Are you feeling unwell? Any dizziness, fatigue, nausea?”

Kihra paused in thought. She knew the dangers of over exerting oneself when spellcasting, but with all of the chaos that had unfolded around her at the time, she hadn’t realized just how much she’d been pushing herself. Yet in spite of that, while she was still a bit shaken up, she otherwise felt completely fine.

“No,” she finally answered, “I’m alright.”

“Curious…” Nyriia muttered to herself, mulling over her response.

“So, what does any of that mean?” Meenka asked, “You got any idea what this thing is, or what?”

Nyriia remained silent for some time, seemingly lost in thought. “Unfortunately, no,” she finally responded, “If anything, I am only left with more questions than answers. As far as I can tell, this artifact appears to possess an amplifying effect on any spells cast by its bearer, though I cannot determine if it is directly affecting your aether to do so, or if it is drawing aether from elsewhere. As for your inability to remove it, I believe that whatever magic may be tied to this artifact may have caused it to bond to you, although I do not know how, or if, this can be undone.”

Kihra silently regarded the bracer on her arm, trying to process everything she’d just heard. It was all so much to take in, she didn’t know what to make of all of this, or what it could mean for her.

“What happens now?” Kihra asked, her tone uncertain.

“Well, we should probably get away from here, for starters,” suggested Meenka, “I’d rather not be here when Talsath or any other cronies he might have come back for this thing,” her expression fell slightly as she seemed to consider something, “Although, given how long he’d been working with Mar, he’d probably know where to look for you down here too…”

Kihra’s heart fell at Meenka’s observation. It wasn’t enough she’s lost her mentor, now she’s lost the home she’s known for the last two years too. She dared not even consider trying to return to her home warren either, out of fear of drawing her fellow kobolds living there into danger with her. If she’d known how much her attempt at proving herself would cost her and those around her so much, she never would have gone through with it.

Nyriia exchanged a brief glance with Sorinn, before she addressed Kihra again. “If I may,” she said, “there may be something we can do to help. I have an old colleague in Lynvael, he can shelter you there while we try to learn more about this relic,” she gently laid a hand on her shoulder, trying to reassure her, “I know this is all very sudden, and far from ideal, but I promise you will be in good hands.”

Kihra considered Nyriia’s words. She didn’t like the idea of having to hide in some unfamiliar, far off place she hadn’t even heard of until now for however long it took to separate this bracer from her. Unfortunately, as much as she may have wished otherwise, she had to accept that there was nothing else she could do. 

Was there?

Gazing down at her bracer once more, a thought occurred to her. True, she wouldn’t have been considered capable of handling something like this before today. But if what Nyriia had just said about this thing and its effects on her magic were true,  then maybe - just maybe - things might be different this time.

“I have to find him,” Kihra stated firmly, earning surprised looks from the others.

“Kihra?” Meenka asked.

Kihra turned her focus back to the group. “Maybe none of this would’ve happened if I’d just listened and stayed out of this,” she said, “Maybe all of this would’ve happened anyway whether I came here or not. All I know is that Mar was taken because of this thing, and whatever’s going on, I’m a part of it now too. So I can’t just run and hide, I have to do something.”

“Kihra, hang on a minute,” Meenka interjected, “I know you want to make this right, but maybe Nyriia’s right. Maybe just laying low’s the smart move here, I mean, we barely made it out back there, even with their help.”

“Your friend speaks true, I’m afraid,” said Nyriia, “We know nothing about Talsath, his aims, or what other associates he may have, and you are still inexperienced as a mage. You will only be putting yourself at greater risk doing this.”

“I know,” Kihra answered, her tone becoming more insistent, “but you said so yourself that this relic makes my magic stronger, and you can teach me how to better use it. I just know with your help, I-”

“No,” Sorinn interrupted, catching Kihra off guard with the sudden sternness in her voice. Meeting her gaze, Sorinn let out a sigh. “Look,” she continued, her tone softened slightly, “I know you just want to help, but you’re just not cut out for something like this. I’m sorry, but it’s better that you stay out of this.”

Kihra became crestfallen, her ears drooping and gaze turning downward. “It’s just…” she said, “If there’s even a chance I can do something, and I don’t even try, then..then I feel like it may as well have been my fault.”

Sorinn gazed to the side, appearing conflicted with her response. Meenka and Nyriia, for their part, watched the scene before them in silent uncertainty. For a while, an uncomfortable silence hung over the group.

“We should probably get moving,” Meenka finally spoke up, “I’d rather we hash this out some place safer than here.”

“Yeah,” Sorinn replied after a moment, turning towards the passage leading out of the cave, “The town we came from’s not too far, we should be able to make it daylight to spare.”

“Agreed,” replied Nyriia, rising from her seat to join her, before turning back to Kihra, “Take a moment to prepare yourself, it’s going to be a bit of a long walk from here,” she said, giving her a reassuring smile, “Don’t worry, I promise we will figure something out once we are there.”

With that, Nyriia turned and followed Sorinn towards the exit, leaving Kihra with her thoughts.

The sensation of a hand resting on her shoulder snapped Kihra back to the present. “Hey,” said Meenka, “It’s gonna be alright. I mean, if nothing else, you still got me, right?”

“You really want to come with me?” Kihra asked, “Even after everything that’s happened?”

“Yep,” Meenka replied with an affirmative nod, “I promised the old man I’d keep an eye on you, didn’t I? And besides, I figured you’d appreciate a familiar face wherever we might end up.”

Kihra brightened up a bit at Meenka’s response. Whatever happened next, it was comforting to know she at least won’t be facing it alone.

“Thank you,” she said, “I really appreciate that.”

“Aw, don’t mention it,” Meenka replied, grabbing a supply pack as she moved towards the exit, “C’mon, got a surface world to see.”

The surface. She could hardly believe she’d finally get to see it with her own eyes, even if it wasn’t under the best of circumstances. Her thoughts turned to the events that transpired today: The strange bracer on her arm, Talsath’s mysterious goals, Mar’s disappearance and possible whereabouts. Could the answers to these strange occurrences be waiting for her out there?

Giving Meenka an affirmative nod, she rose from her seat to follow her, a feeling of confidence slowly welling up inside her. For the first time since the incident, things were starting to look up again. 

Whatever waited for her out there, wherever this road would lead her, she knew she could face it.