The Realmsic Conquest: The Hero of Legend

A week had passed since the brothers completed their mission. Heegan and Hom had journeyed stealthily from Centre Pointe, through the Centre Forest and South Woods, to the very edge of the Hellish South Plains. The brothers passed the time in a stone cottage that had been erected well in advance of their arrival. While secluded from the bedlam of the kingdom, they were eager for the arrival of someone who had followed their trail of symbols.

  Despite the cottage’s weather-worn exterior, Heegan could tell that much thought went into its design. Four solid slabs of stone had been magically fused into a single-level structure. Each slab was at least several inches thick, making it both impenetrable and fire resistant. Its roof was made of millions of tiny melded pebbles that were covered with leaves as camouflage. A chimney stuck from the center of the roof. Although too narrow to climb down, it was wide enough to provide natural ventilation. A single window was cut into the stone and covered with glass. Behind it draped a curtain of leaves.

  Two solid steel doors were fused into the stone cottage. One served as a general entrance. The other was located in the back as an emergency exit. Heegan and Hom found the cottage’s interior surprisingly comfortable. It contained all of the modern conveniences they were accustomed to: tables, chairs, beds, pots, pans and candles. The details were undoubtedly conceived from the meticulous minds of King Maebus and Grand Wizard Kelm.

  Although it was unclear to Heegan who would be following the hidden symbols, he hoped the person would come with answers. As Hom found their new surroundings wondrous, Heegan constantly fought back his own growing concerns. How long would they have to stay out here? Who was coming? And what else would be asked of them upon their arrival?

  So many questions… What if nobody ever came? When would the war be over? When would they get to see their parents again?

  Despite their troubles, the cottage seemed calm and timeless to them, with the days languidly passing the same as the others. Nighttime, which only preceded another day of uncertainty, brought little solace to Heegan. He’d quickly gotten into the habit of lying awake, feeling interred in the darkness. Now, on the sixth night of their stay, he found himself once again staring at the ceiling from his bed of straw. Hom, as usual, easily fell asleep and was now snoring. It amazed Heegan how one so young could generate a sound so loud. Meanwhile, despite his own shifting, tossing, and turning, he couldn’t find a comfortable position on the straw. He tried directing his attention to the sound of the rain rustling the leaves of the nearby trees.

  Wait a sec ... Heegan suddenly thought. It’s not raining outside.

  Kneeling on the bed, he carefully peeled back the leaf curtains and peeked through the window to see several figures approaching the cottage. In the light of the torch they carried, their faces looked dirty and dangerous.

  “Hom, get up!” he whispered sharply to his brother. Lifting his head, still groggy and half conscious, Hom went back to sleep.

  “Hom, I said get up! Somebody’s coming!”

  He snapped to attention. “Finally?” Hom eagerly replied. Joining his brother on the straw bed, he stared through the window. “Who are they?”

  “I don’t know. They’re too far away for me to tell.”

  “Let’s go greet them,” Hom said, bouncing off the bed.

  “No!” Heegan yelled, snatching his brother back by the collar.

  “Why? Isn’t this what we’ve been waiting for?”

  “Absolutely not! We have no idea who these people are. We can’t just expose ourselves.”

  Hom chuckled. “Expose ourselves,” he repeated, waggling his eyebrows.

  Heegan rolled his eyes. Taking advantage of the distraction, Hom pulled away and once again bounded off the bed, sprinting through the door of the cottage.

  “Get back here!” Heegan shouted, in quick pursuit. Hom ran innocently toward the figures, waving his hands.

  The group of travelers stopped dead in their tracks. Heegan finally caught up with Hom and grabbed him by the collar yet again. Together, in the stillness of the night, both parties stood only a few yards apart, each studying the other.

  Heegan’s pounding heart suddenly slowed as he recognized one of the female members of the group. Pushing his brother behind him, he stepped forward cautiously.

  “C-C-Councilwoman, Elva?” he queried.

  The woman seemed stunned to hear her own name. “Young man, are you the messenger?”

  “The messenger?” Heegan was confused.

  “Yes, did you leave something in the woods for us to read?” Elva probed.

  Heegan nodded. “Oh! I think so. My brother and I, we created the symbols. Is that what you mean?”

  Hom stepped forward, removing the reflector from his pocket and presented it to Elva and the others. She took it and showed the device to Councilman Wyndam. He examined it.

  “Yes, seems identical to the one I had.” He peered at the boys. “Well, looks like we’ve arrived.”

  “Arrived where?” asked Councilman Jawn. “These surroundings are as drab as I’d ever seen in the Realm—nothing but dirt, trees, and a stone cottage.

  “Um ... you should put out that torch,” Heegan admonished.

  Councilman Mert quickly doused the flame by pressing it into the mud by his feet.

  “Sorry. Our reflector was stolen. We created enchanted fire in order to see your symbols,” he explained as the smoke trailed from the extinguished flame.

  “We’ve been here about a week, and it’s been relatively safe. But, we should still get inside ... now.” Heegan said, looking around.

  Together, the Council members and the brothers headed into the cottage. Elva was the first to enter.

  “My, this place is ... interesting,” she said, taking in the surroundings.

  “It’s not like our castle’s in mint condition,” Councilman Sheld said, entering the interior.

  Hom laughed.

  “A solid stone structure! At least we’ll be safe here for the time being,” Ferst said, examining the walls.

  Heegan stood next to his brother as the Councilman stepped toward them and bent so that he could address them at eye level.

  “Thank you so much for guiding us here. Not many others so young—perhaps not even grownups, would’ve been brave enough to make this journey from Centre Pointe. You two are absolutely remarkable!”

  Heegan glanced at his brother. They both were beaming with pride. As skilled as they were mischievous, compliments didn’t come their way very often. “My name is Heegan.” He jerked a thumb toward his accomplice. “This is my younger brother, Hom.”

  “Nice to meet you both,” the Councilman said. “I am Ferst. Behind me is Elva, Wyndam, Mert, Sheld, Jawn, Landi, Tavon, and Greeve. We are members of the Realmsic Council.”

  “Nice to meet you all,” Hom said.

  Ferst rose to his feet and straightened.

  “So, what now?” asked Councilman Tavon.

  All attention in the room shifted toward the brothers.

  Heegan shook his head. “I actually don’t know,” he replied. “We were only told to plant the symbols. We didn’t even know who would be coming.”

  “Hey!” Hom shouted to the group. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. “I have a letter,” he said.

  Heegan immediately turned around. “You what?”

  Hom presented the folded letter containing the official Realmsic seal.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Heegan asked.

  “I was told to keep it a secret.”

  “Naturally,” Jawn exclaimed.

  Hom continued, “I’m sorry, brother. I was afraid to say anything, and it was supposed to be given only to whoever arrived.”

  “No, you did the right thing,” Heegan replied, ruffling his brother’s hair.

  “May I?” Elva asked, reaching out for the letter. Hom handed it to her. She opened the back by breaking a wax seal and unfolding the sheet of parchment. She turned the page from front to back, examining it as a
crease appeared across her forehead. “There’s nothing here,” she exclaimed.

  “Try using the reflector,” suggested Councilman Greeve. Wyndam handed her the device. She pointed it forward and beamed its light upon the page. Suddenly, words began to appear. The group huddled in its glow as she read the message aloud:

  Dear Council members,

  If you’re reading this letter, then you have successfully arrived at the cottage. This area, which resides at the edge of the Hellish South Plains, was scouted by our troops well in advance. You should be safe here for the foreseeable future.

  My sincerest apologies for the excessive level of secrecy during this difficult time. I’m certain that you’ve traveled with deep grievances and mistrust of my actions. Yet, you were able to cast aside that doubt, and have now been led to safety.

  By now, you’re aware that our kingdom has fallen, and I have disbanded our troops. But despite the current state of the Realm, I must implore you to continue supporting one another, and to continue persevering as a plan for victory continues to unfold. The container that, hopefully, you’ve carried from Centre Pointe will play a significant role. So please care for it. Kelm and I have headed to the Northern Lands, but will be with you soon. And together in one unified force, we’ll reclaim our kingdom and be rid of the Warlord Damian once and for all!

  Sincerely, King Maebus.

  Upon finishing, Elva held the letter closer to her face and scanned it silently.

  “So, that’s it? We just wait?” asked Councilman Jawn.

  “Sounds like it,” Landi replied.

  Elva folded the letter back up and placed it on a nearby table. “We better get comfortable,” she said, without turning to face the group. “We’re going to be here for a while.”

  Chapter Nineteen