Nidian slowly opened his eyes as the sunlight breaking through the warped wooden roof of his home struck his face. A blurred image slowly coming to focus as he squinted harshly from the blinding light. He let out a short groan as he rotated to his right. The young boy had just awoken to another bright autumn day, the small cabin he resided in rather humid. The last rainfall had moistened the ashen wood in which his home was constructed from. The petrichor of the fresh valley rains still stuck within the vapors seeping from the planks. He took a deep breath and stared blankly over at his wicker dresser with a rough beige burlap cloth placed atop it. Two freshly melted candles still giving off a thin stream of smoke.

  Nidian took a sharp inhale and pulled himself up with his aching back muscles, aiding his sore lower with his two thin arms. Within a few painful moments he was sitting upright, his legs swung over the side of his bed, a large bale of hay with a soft pelt across the top. Leaving one hand at his side touching the bed's surface, he used his other to brush through his mangy jet black hair, dust fell free from the large locks as he carelessly spiked it up by running his hands through it. He stopped near the top and scratched a moment before yawning. He straightened his back and stretched both arms to the side as firmly as he could, getting a satisfying burn throughout his arms and spine. He lethargically stood from his bed and walked to the dresser. He pulled a rough pair of leather trousers and a burlap tunic. He grunted in irritation as he fought to pull the rough clothing onto his body. As he wrapped up the ties he splashed some water on his face from a small clay basin.

  After finishing with the horrendous task of leaving bed he walked along the squeaky upper floor of his house over to a window by the far side of his bed. He looked through it to gaze outside at the stables next to the house and a distant windmill, he briefly looked at his own reflection and gazed into his own bright verdant eyes, soft honey colored skin glistening in the stream of light, long locks of rather untamed hair roaming about atop his head with the exception of two neat braids hanging in front of his long pointed ears. Nidian after getting lost in thought once again as he casually did, began making his way down a set of log stairs mounted into the wall. As he set foot on the cold cobbled stone floor he looked up at his bed one last time, debating if he would fall to temptation and continue sleeping. The open concept of the home did not help thanks to the almost constant clear view of the bedroom. However today called for punctuality as he had an important meeting. His friend Neiraan had wrote to him recently, vaguely detailing a discovery. Nidian lead a quiet and well behaved life, working the stables and maintaining the home his parents had left him with, but behind closed doors he thoroughly enjoyed studying and exploring the mystic history their land had. Magical wonders left behind by the ancient civilization know as the Moreii. They had technologies that allowed them to touch the stars. A concept nigh unfathomable to him. Despite the purity of his curiosity the practice of any form of study of magic or ancient relics was outlawed.

  Making his way towards the door he slipped into his leather boots and quickly pulled the straps and laces firmly together and tied a couple knots to secure them to his feet. He slowly placed his hands on the oval shaped wood knob on the large carved door to the outside, as he rotated it the lock clicked out of place, as he began to pull he got a chill down his spine, an odd feeling filled his chest. He swallowed firmly and took a deep breath, both anxious and confused by the odd sensation. He quickly overcame it and pulled the door open as the bright and perfect world flooded his field of view. The sunny day quickly hugged his body in a warm embrace as a calmed smile grew on his face. Without any further hesitation he stepped out the door and into the grassy field outside his small shack.

  Just down the road past the windmill was the main road out of town, Neiraan typically hid inside the mill the day after his letter had arrived. He was a strange man, discreet and ambiguous. It had taken Nidian a year to crack open his shell. The two made a perfect team in the end. Nidian being a citizen of the sacred Kordan city of Hoharo who had access to vast collections of knowledge to translate and study their findings. And Neiraan, a maverick with the freedom to seek out the various artifacts. An arrangement that would have been much harder in any other city. Hoharo was the only one that still openly welcomed the Mavericks. The poor folk banished from the Kordan empire's safe walls for crimes and disagreements with their beliefs. Some say they are simply wild spirited, others say dangerously selfish. While their kind did breed bandits and all manner of ruffians, some turned out okay like his friend.

  Just as expected the man was leaning against the wall inside, his dusty silver hair swept to one side, creeping over one of his hazel eyes. Tall, lanky, but possessing a certain confidence Nidian himself lacked, and hence looked up to. Although this particular time the air was tense, the unease squeezed his sides, driving his shoulders up.

  "Hey I got your letter, something really important you said?" Nidian cautiously initiated their conversation, the stern stare from Neiraan choking out his sentence. It made him swallow the rest of his words and wait anxiously for a response.

  "Nidian I know we've been friends for a few years now, but what I'm about to say is crazy but I need you to hear me out ok?"

  This was already becoming significantly more uncomfortable, what had him so shook he needed to ensure Nidian could trust him? "Of course. What's going on?"

  Neiraan stood straight, taking a deep breath, "You know that one record we unearthed near the Crown Spires?" He asked shortly.

  "The one in Mudariik? About the ancient beasts that destroyed Mudarein?" Nidian folded his arms to shield himself from the chills he was getting.

  "Right, the same vaguely described beasts mentioned in some of the oldest texts left by the Moreii."

  "What are you getting at?" Nidian pressed.

  There's a threatening pattern Nidian. I found this journal okay? And we aren't the only ones who are after this stuff." He took a shaky breath and took a step toward Nidian, his walls crumbling as the emotional mess behind them began to show.

  "I saw these...masked men execute someone over a manuscript from it. They shouted something about the return of the God's from the fiery skies. Some great herald coming soon. I think they were looking for this..." Neiraan outstretched a shaking hand holding a blood stained journal, messy torn pages, singed edges. Nidian bent away from it, giving it a glance before looking at his friend with rejection. "What the hell did you get involved in Nii...you can't have that here. We're just learning about history! Not winding up in some Maverick cult affairs!"

  "Nidian listen to me, this isn't the time to put blame on my people, you're the last person I expect that from. The man had intentions to deliver this to Arch-seer Maronath himself. I can't get close to the citadel without getting arrested or worse. You need to get this to him." Neiraan stressed, pushing the book in Nidian's face who weaved around it and stepped backwards.

  "Please Nidian, I have a bad feeling about this. If the Kordhan doesn't know about this they need to. They have the power to intervene! You know how much I hate the Kordhan, I wouldn't say that if I didn't think it was the only option."

  "I can't man, this is nuts. I'm already treading thin ice actively studying outlawed magic and history, so bringing a piece of it to the authorities? You must be out of your mind. Destroy it if you feel its so dangerous, but don't rope me into more than I bargained for. I figured after as much as we've unearthed together you and I had an understanding on boundaries."

  "Come on Nidian this isn't something we can ignore, that man they killed was a Kordhan courier! You really want to risk not bringing this to their attention?"

  Nidian had to stop at the mention of a courier. "T-that doesn't add up, couriers wouldn't be snooping around Moreiik ruins. And if they were they'd have guard with them. Look Nii, I wish I could help but I can't..." He exhaled and dropped his shoulders in defeat. He watched the light and fear alike fade from his friend's eyes. It really had him that concerned.

  "Maybe...just..I don't know, bring it by this evening, I'll try and translate it and see what this is about. But I'm sure its just some marauders thinking they have some sort of power they can get from old crypts. The Kordhan would know if there was some cult stirring trouble that was of any major threat. I'm sorry to hear someone died, always a tragedy when a life is lost. I hope Navi guides them to peace."

  Without another word Nidian walked down the road toward town to continue with his day, his friend calling for him from behind.

  "Nidian! This can't wait, this needs to be brought to attention!... Nidian! Nidian!?"