The next two days of Riku’s solo investigation into the woods yielded little more than mounting frustration and a growing collection of crimson-stained animal corpses. He pushed deeper than before, using his heightened senses and tracking skills, but the source of the "Apparent Curse" remained elusive.
There were no cursed artifacts, no unusually tainted water sources he could find, no specific area where the affliction seemed more concentrated. It was as though nothing felt off on the surface, yet there was a deadly crimson signature manifestation on the wildlife.
The forest itself felt subtly wrong, unnaturally quiet in patches, the usual chorus of insects and birds muted.
He returned to Elowen late on the second evening, weary and disheartened. Though he had tried every way possible, he was unable to find anything that could explain the source of this strange affliction.
The system, now fully back online after its upgrade, offered no further clues beyond the initial quest prompt, its analysis tools seemingly unable to pinpoint the blight’s origin from afar. Though it had unlocked new functions, Riku had no interest in exploring at this point.
But this time, as he neared the village, his senses picked up something new – the distinct sound of horses, the creak of wagon wheels, and the murmur of unfamiliar voices carried on the evening breeze.
Rennan? No, I hear multiple horses. Is he coming back with investors?
This procession was larger, more organized, and carried an air of officialdom.
Riku immediately veered off the main path, melting into the deepening shadows of the trees that lined the road leading to Elowen. He moved in silence, his greyish robes blending seamlessly with the twilight. From a vantage point atop a small, wooded knoll overlooking the road, he observed the procession.
City folks - maybe from Luxia. Riku muttered
A column of at least a dozen mounted guards in polished, unfamiliar livery escorted two covered wagons.
At the head of the procession rode a figure Riku recognized with a surge of annoyance: Thalen Durei. The easily distinguishable tax collector sat straighter in his saddle this time, a smug, vindicated expression on his face.
Beside him rode a stern-faced woman in the elaborate robes of a High Archon of the Church of Light, her features sharp and unyielding. And just behind them, in a slightly more ornate horse, rode a man Riku didn’t recognize – older, with a severe countenance, dressed in the dark, rich fabrics that spoke of high office and quiet authority.
Riku was surprised. The crest on his chest was that of the house of the Champerlain. However, Riku did not recognize this man. Was he a new chamberlain or someone from his family?
Riku focused, silently releasing a stealth spell that rendered him completely undetectable, as he came near the trio to eavesdrop on them.
"...and as I reported, Lord Chamberlain, Lord Archon," Thalen’s voice was unctuous, "this village, Elowen, appeared almost overnight from a barren patch. Unnatural prosperity, suspicious ’miracles’ like those in Vintross... it fits the Western Spark Prophecy, does it not? The one that speaks of a small village in the west becoming a catalyst for world-altering change?"
The Chamberlain, a man with eyes that seemed to miss nothing, spoke, his voice a low rumble. "The prophecy is vague, Thalen. ’A spark from the west shall ignite the pyre of the old world, birthing the new.’ It doesn’t specify whether this change is for good or ill."
"Indeed," the High Archon interjected, her voice crisp. "However, Chamberlain, we in Luxia have also seen the first signs of this... ’Crimson Creep,’ as the common folk are calling it. Sporadic, yes, but resistant to our most potent healing arts. It baffles our finest healers. If this Elowen is indeed the ’spark,’ and this blight is spreading from such a place of unnatural growth..."
"Then it is our duty to investigate thoroughly," the Chamberlain finished. "To ascertain if this Elowen is a blessing to be nurtured, or a festering wound to be cauterized before it infects the kingdom further. Your reports on their... unusual water source and rapid agricultural success are noted, Thalen. We are here to see for ourselves."
Thalen almost preened. "You will find my reports accurate, Chamberlain. This place reeks of uncontrolled, perhaps even dark, influence."
Riku’s jaw tightened.
A prophecy? I never heard of anything in the game. Are things changing? And what is this Crimson Creep that the Archon mentioned? Is that what they are calling this seeming curse that has affected many animals?
Well, this warrants a deeper investigation. But for now, I cannot let them reach the village.
As the procession moved further down the road, still a fair distance from Elowen’s actual location, Riku acted.
He focused his mana, drawing on his knowledge of illusion and misdirection spells – far more sophisticated than simple camouflage. He wove a complex matrix of light and shadow, of altered perceptions and subtle mental suggestions, blanketing the section of the road ahead and the area where Elowen lay hidden.
To the approaching party, the landscape would subtly shift. The path to Elowen would seem to lead into an unremarkable, dying stretch of forest. Any attempt to find the village would lead them in circles, the terrain appearing subtly different each time, discouraging further exploration. It was a powerful, wide-area illusion, designed to gently but firmly turn them away.
With the illusion in place, Riku slipped back towards Elowen, his mind racing. This bought them time, but not a solution.
He found Lila near the well, helping some of the children draw water for the evening. Barou and Sherry were nearby, discussing the progress on the construction of the two churches going on.
"Lila, Chief Barou, Sherry," Riku said quietly, his tone urgent. "You all might want to ."
He quickly recounted what he had seen and heard – Thalen’s return, the high-ranking officials, the prophecy, their suspicion that Elowen was the source of the Crimson Creep, and their intent to investigate.
Barou’s face grew grim.
"So, they think we are the curse?"