Remedy by K J Simmill

Author:K J Simmill [Simmill, K J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: K.J. Simmill
Published: 2017-08-31T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Sacrifice

The Cartographer of Collateral had once had his services sought tirelessly. More often than not, before the first hint of morning appeared on the horizon, he was awoken by the low conversations of those gathered outside his home in search of direction.

He lived on the outskirts of the residential area, bordering the farmlands. The militia often patrolled, encouraging any loiterers before dawn to be on their way. But even despite this, the man knew little peace. He had dedicated his life, as had those preceding him in his family, to the exploration and recording of where each portal in Collateral could be located, and where they led. He was thought to be the only person to hold such wisdom.

There had been rumours that his family, for generations, had been born somehow connected to the city, that they knew when new portals arose and when those once working failed. His ancestral name had once been uttered alongside powerful mages, and it was often theorised that his lineage still possessed some innate abilities. He was a family man, and longed for those sheltered moments of peace where he would close his doors and relish in privacy, no matter how short lived. There were times he accepted only emergency requests, but adventurers had differing theories on what an emergency actually entailed.

Eventually, he had commissioned one of the boardwrights to fashion a case for the main, central crossroads. Inside he had secured a map detailing many of the portals and the coordinates of their exits. Of course, not all his secrets were written upon its surface, there were some too dangerous to reveal. Those seeking such a path were permitted to request an audience with him. He would sit in judgement of them, measuring their worthiness to access the lands concealed, and discern if the portals his family protected should be revealed. They could not be accessed without his presence. Few passed his scrutiny.

Additional maps had been sold to the taverns and were often found hanging behind the bar or mounted upon a table and shielded with glass. Thus this man, once plagued by request day and night for as long as his door was open, could dedicate his time to his wife as they entered their golden years.

Rob, familiar with this map, had found a portal which brought them close to their intended destination. They emerged upon the barren sands of a wasteland. This desert, however, had not been formed by the sun’s blistering rays, and no life thrived there. Tall orchards of petrified trees littered the surroundings. Their dark forms the only variation from the nearly white sands. Behind them, masking the horizon, a huge sandstorm raged ceaselessly. It was one of the world’s unexplained marvels, and those digging deep enough into the history of this land would discover a tale of magic and woe.

Taya rubbed her temples as a dull ache began. She was unfamiliar with these surroundings, yet something within seemed to call to her, welcoming her.

“Uncle, where are

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