[2913] [17357] Help from an Unlikely Source [Search]

“I think we should ask the Haedians for aid.”

Theneras announced, looking up to Riala after she had sent off the missive to her father. He looked away with a little huff, recalling his own experiences with the clan. They seemed to be alright- barring that one maniac. Riala looked up from the scrolls she had gathered, trying to study more on the crystals around. Some of the Keepers who had tried to help had dropped them off as well.

“Which ones?”

While she and Ancalis hadn’t traversed through the clans like other Reoseans had, she knew at least which ones were out there.

“Well… There’s been a couple of clans that seem like they would help. Druids and Tranquil… maybe the Brutes..”

He listed them off as he thought, a paw at his chin.

“The Order are… I don’t want to go ask Shira, in any case.”

“Shira?"

“Their nutcase leader.“

Theneras shuddered as he recalled their battle, shaking his head as if he were trying to shake off a bad thought. Riala grimaced a little, then, too. That didn’t quite sound like something she wanted to tangle in with.

“And any of the other ones in there?”

“They all seemed kind of nuts, honestly. But…”

The Chaser turned his head to look towards the efforts. It felt like they were so close, but so so far.

“I don’t suppose you know any, Ancalis? You seem to know many odd ones all over the place.”

The Scaleborne turned to Ancalis with a snort. She’d known that he’d travelled far and wide before they even met, chasing stars and power. Who knows, maybe he had somehow made contact with the Haedians without even realising it, or maybe he hadn’t told her of it before. 

Ancalis half-listened as Theneras listed off the clans—Druids, Tranquil, Brutes—all fine options, but none really jumped out with a real helpful solution in hand. He looked up when the chaser mentioned Shira and frowned. The Order. Dangerous bunch, that lot.

The idea started nagging at him before he could shove it away. He’d heard rumors—whispers of some Haedian who’d turned on the Order and actually lived to talk about it. If the guy was still alive, he’d probably know a thing or two about the Order. Maybe even enough to help the Matriarch. He mulled it over, weighing the risks. If the guy was still breathing, he was either tough as hell or insane—maybe both. Either way, he’d have insight into the Order, something they could use, and the Order were all over shit about the Matriarch.

Ancalis eyed Riala and Theneras. 

“What about that rogue Haedian? I’ve heard talk; someone who broke from the Order and lived to tell about it. Could be useful, if he’s still alive. Crazy Matriarch band, and he jumps out? Might know something useful, or maybe he’s just crazy.”

Ancalis shrugged, playing it casual even though the idea gnawed at him. People defect when they know things they shouldn’t, after all.

“Long shot, sure, but might be worth a try. Better than asking Shira directly, anyway.”

Riala debated it for a moment, looking between the two. She wasn’t really keen on meeting this… Shira.

“Do you know where he is, though?”

Theneras asked, a bit hesitant but… what were the other choices?

The Scaleborne stood from amidst the scrolls, dusting off her clothes and swishing her tail as her magic sorted them all together neatly into piles, ready for the Keepers to take back.

“Yell loud enough and we’ll find him.”

She smiled, a teasing suggestion.

“If he’s defected, he should be with the Forgotten, I think? That clan is entirely made up of outcasts and defectors. And if he has left the Order, then it’s likely he’s not really safe anywhere else…”

Theneras speculated, standing up and getting ready, shaking his fur to lose any dust. The Forgotten made sense—if this rogue was laying low, that’s where he’d be. Problem was, the Forgotten were unpredictable at best. Still, better odds than trying to cosy up to Shira.

“Forgotten territory, then,”

Ancalis nodded along.

 “Not the friendliest bunch, but they’re low enough in th the food chain to not rat him out. If he’s there, we’ll find him.”

He looked to Riala and Theneras, apathy coating over his expression as it did most of the time. 

“And if he’s crazy, well… We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

“Sounds like a plan, then.”

Riala moved over to Ancalis, pulling his head down a little so she could mount up onto his back. If they were going all the way to the Forgotten territory for aid, she wasn’t going to walk it all herself. Theneras arched his brow a little.

“So you’re not afraid he’s just going to… go all feral on you guys? That’s what Shira did.”

“If he does, then my beastie can take him on.”

The Scaleborne smiled, patting Ancalis’ neck as she referred to him.