Laraganus's Isolation (Laraganus's Story)

After days of flying on Hex-Dris, Laraganus found a nice piece of marshy swampland. It had a small river flowing, with plenty of nuts, berries, and fish to eat. The trees offered good coverage and shade from both trackers and the sun. Once Laraganus landed, she immediately went to work: making a stone axe, cutting down trees, stripping off bark, and making a pile of leaves and branches for Hex-Dris. Hex-Dris breathed fire on the leaf pile and flattened it with his legs and body. After a quick berry-picking session, Laraganus went back to work. The freedom was intoxicating. The wind billowing was refreshing, the sun's warmth was cozy, the berries were savory, and the water was cooling. But more importantly, no more fighting, no more arguing, no more dealing with petty feuds, and no more time spent listening to her sister's insanity. Laragnaus was now able to be her own person. Inact her own will, but shouldn't such peace be shared? Why should she be the one who gets to enjoy the freedom the lands offer? Why should she enjoy the berries, the nuts, the water, and the meat all by herself? Why should she work so hard to live in peace if no one will know about it? No, that would only bring the very problems she was trying to run away from. Unless it was very gradual, even then, all it takes is a couple of generations, and one hut becomes a village, a few more after that, and it becomes a city.

These questions and more pestered her as she kept working, kept cutting, kept building, yet she couldn't find a definitive answer. However, within that time, her tiny hut was completed. Days went by, hunting, forging, exploring, gardening, washing, among other activities. However, something still felt missing. She had Hex-Dris to keep her company, but he couldn't talk, just gesturing through eye and head movements. Over time, though, as she began to explore deeper into the woods, she found ruins of a long-lost elf city, the remains of an orc village, the bones of people, dragons, and other animals. Underneath the vines, trees, and ferns lie thousands of years of history. History, Laraganus thought, she knew and others she knew nothing about. It was through these places that she would go back and forth, taking what little she could carry. With each expedition, answers were found, and more questions were asked. Then one day, as she was walking through the ruins, she heard whispers. She tried to trace the voices and found below her: a half-orc, a dwarf, and a mermaid. Their gear was generic traveling gear, nothing that said bounty hunters or hired adventurers. The half-orc, however, was armed with a simple longsword. They were talking and laughing. Something she hadn't experienced in what felt like centuries. It reminded her of when she was sitting in front of a fire with her fellow soldiers before a battle, or celebrating with them after another duel was won.

She then shrugged off the memories and continued to watch the trio, trying to see if they were just passing by, lost, or studying the ruins. Then the mermaid looked up in the direction of Laraganus, but before the mermaid could see Laraganus, Laraganus ducked behind the root-covered ruins, and before the mermaid could cast a detection spell, she was running back to her cottage home. When she got back, Hex-Dris was sleeping and woke up only when Laraganus slumped onto his nose and began rubbing it.

"I found people. Hex-Dris. Their laughter made me realise how alone I am. So what do you say to having another friend?" she asked as she stared into Hex-Dris's bright orange eyes. Hex-Dris nodded, nearly lifting Laraganus off the ground while doing so. "Whoa, buddy. Alright, I'll find us a friend," she said, giggling.

The next day, Laraganus packed food and other supplies and began to head back to the half-orc tribes. She first went to the House of Spears, where she was stared at like a stranger while others stared at her like a criminal. She went straight to where the head of the house was. Who happened to be the descendant of one of her friends. "Excuse me, but who do you think you are to walk in here like you're some queen?" he asked his spear in hand, and sat on a wooden throne with the worst posture Laraganus had ever seen. He very much looked like he was no older than 16 years old.

"I am Laraganus Spears. The self-exiled warrior, and I am looking for someone," she said as she bowed.

"You? You're Laraganus Spears? The legendary spear warrior who won more duels against human generals and champions than anyone else in our history?" he asked, doubting and mocking her.

"You do not believe me? Then, how about we do a bit of trivia, or a demonstration of our spear skills?" asked Laraganus, trying to counter the kid's rudeness with her calm charm and disarming voice.

"I see, well then, if you really are who you say you are, why did you leave your country to die rather than stand and fight?" asked the kid as if his one question was enough to stump the great Laraganus.

"I left because Zephren was planning to lead our country into an unwinnable war, and I did not want to be a victim of it, nor did I want to see my friends die in vain. She is still the queen, correct?" asked Laraganus.

The kid snickered, then busted out laughing. "Sorry, but Zephren isn't queen anymore; she was overthrown and replaced by the now King Ship. You would know that had you not been living in the middle of the swamp for 50 years," said the kid.

"It's been 50 years?" she asked herself as she felt like she had begun aging dramatically, and time had slipped away.

"Yes, 50. Now, why have you come here?" asked the kid as if he was getting annoyed by Laraganus's presence.

"Um, yes. The Longswords. Last I heard, Shelo and Kamos were still in Kamo. In fact, one of the diplomats between the Green Swamps and Kamo is Shelo's son. So if you're looking for someone who would know. I'd start there," said the kid, getting bored with this interaction.

"Why must I go to Kamo City? Why can't I ask the Head of the House of Swords?" asked Laraganus.

"Oh, you are very far behind, aren't you. Well, Shelo's son is a bit of a manwhore, so the House of Swords got tired of tracking down Shelo's grandkids and made it their problem. Several of them even got accepted by other houses during their weapon ritual, which has not been helpful in the slightest for anyone. Including us," said the kid as he pointed to a group of advisors. One of them looked very young.

"That one is claimed to be one of them. His mother was of this house and was chosen by the spear instead of the sword. So as I said, if you're looking for a traveling half-orc with a longsword, try Kamo City first, and please leave, but I kick you out," said the kid.

Laraganus bowed and left. It had been nearly a century since she had been in Kamo City. She never fought in the Three Deaths War on the front lines, so she never had to fight against Kamo. Though it probably was a horrific scene with lots of chaos and confusion when the Green Swamps decided to betray Kamo. Such a decision forced Laraganus into her self-exile. She thought that by running away, she would be free and not be used to harm such a strong ally. Now she would need to go to the very city she tried so hard to resist decades before the war, and not fight it during.

After more travel, she made it. The walls had noticeably different brick colors between the old and new. The parts of the city were in various stages of construction. Some were untouched, though their colors were fading, showing that they survived with scars, and some of the new buildings had a sense of warmth and youth. Several of the buildings were covered in scaffolding, and magicians were using various spells to hover as they were rebuilding. Laughter and smiles were on the faces of the young, while those with wrinkles had sorrow in their eyes. The war must have been more damaging than Laraganus thought as she rode into the city on Hex-Dris. The crowds were either in awe or cautious as Laraganus continued to make her way to Kamo Castle. The feeling of isolation also began to feel heavy; she felt like she stood out too much. Yet at no point has anyone stopped her, questioned her; they all seemed like they were trying to piece together their lives after the war ended. Once Laraganus made it to Kamo Castle, she was stopped by guards.

"Hault, who are you and who are you trying to talk to?" asked one of the guards.

"I am Laraganus Spears of the House of Spears. I wish to talk to the Longsword family, as I wish to talk to them about finding out about someone," she answered in the most polite and formal tone she could muster.

"Alright, I'll let you in, but you'll need to wait beside the gate while your dragon is taken to the stables," said the guard as he motioned for the gates to open.

"Thank you, fellow warrior," she said as she climbed off Hex-Dris and walked into the Kamo City Courtyard.

After waiting for a long time, a group of servants and guards escorted Laraganus into Kamo Castle and into a tiny room with a coach, chairs, and a table in the center, and behind that was a desk where an old, wrinkly half-orc was writing something. He wore a mix of chainmail and plate armour. He heard Laraganus walk in and looked up to see her, and smiled.

"Lady Laraganus. What brings you here? I thought you were still in your self-exile," said the old half-orc.

"I'm sorry, are you Shelo or Kamos?" asked Laraganus.

"Ha, ha. I'm Shelo. It's been decades since we last met, so I take no offense. Come in, sit. If you don't mind, some of the family may enter. I know Kamos would love to see you, and Lira too," said Shelo as he stood up and walked over, and sat on the couch, grunting as he did so.

"Your face has aged well, but not the rest of your body?" asked Laraganus jokingly as she sat down.

"Yes, well, unlike you, most normal people have normal lifespans," said Shelo as he poured a drink from the set on the table.

"Now, back to my previous question. Why are you here?" he asked, taking a sip.

"I've been alone for too long. I've abandoned the world, trying to cause less damage. I see now that was not the best decision, I've recently learned that, but I started all of this because I found a half-orc male in the woods with a mermaid and a dwarf. He was carrying a longsword," answered Laraganus.

Shelo's eyes softened, "That would be one of my grandsons. Shiv. If I had to guess. He's been trying to unite the Chrissten groups for a couple of years now. He's very influential. Very crafty," said Shelo.

"How do you know so much about him?" asked Laraganus.

"Because he's the one who has the blessing. He's part of the Noone's genealogy. You know, the one who will unite Kolora under one banner, and burn everything in his path? The promise that was given to me when Kamos's son died and led to the half-orcs betraying Kamo? All that is tied together. Shiv is the next one," said Shelo, a slight grin breaking as he continued to talk.

"Well, it would seem I can help with that," said Laraganus as she stood up.

"I'm sorry, what?" asked Shelo.

"Well, isn't it obvious? I'm going to marry him, then I'll protect the line as best I can, for according to the prophecy aren't I supposed to be the one who proclaims who the real Noone is before I die?" asked Laraganus.

"I don't quite remember that part of the text, but with you guarding the family line and continuing it with your own blood mixed in. No force outside of demons could ever stop the prophecy from coming true. Though I fear He might end up with that mermaid, she's quite a sight," said Shelo.

"Well, if he ends up marrying that fish, I'll marry their son," said Laraganus as she made her way to the door.

"Now hold on, are you sure he'll say yes. Shiv is quite the religious type," said Shelo.

"Even better. He knows my role, better I do, which means he'll have no choice but to say yes to me," said Laraganus as she opened it and walked through, but before closing, she turned back.

"I will be in the genealogy of Noone one way or another, for I have all the time in the world," she said as she closed the door. Now filled with purpose. Loneliness will die, isolation will die, and the world will be closer to meeting its savior.