The Shores of Duty

[Ignis Glaciesque]

As she climbed up to the deck, Hanuh flung her dark blue cloak around her frame. Everything was packed, her staff was in her other hand. She struggled with the clasp of her cloak as her surroundings made themselves known to her. She had grown up in an isolated tower between the mmountain borders of Raiaera and Alerar, thus was never properly in this land. Still, she was unsurprised by the dim, clouded sky. Unlike in the apocalyptic landscape of Scara Brae, the clouds were formed not from volcanic ash but from smokestacks of polluted smoke. Further more, light still shone through the thin clouds. Anyone could tell it was daytime here. As she stood at the edge of the boat, looking into the town, she heard the footsteps of traders passing by.

"Man! I never thought the time would come when Etheria looked nicer than Radasanth!" One shouted to a co-worker as he lugged several crates.

Ah, yes, Etheria. The port town where people from Corone made trade with Alerar. Of course, Corone was in a state of disrepair due to the erutpon of a mega volcano in those parts. Corone emptied itself of anything of value they had to gain supplies for survival from the superpower that was Alerar, the economic king of the world. Hanuh reached back and grasped her hood. Looking out, she saw the mostly dark elf populace all helping the people of Corone unpack their supplies and load new goods. Food, fresh water, medical supplies… Nothing too technologically advanced, with how proud these people were, but the rare sympathy of Alerar could still be felt in this scene. Yet, one problem remained.

Hanuh pulled her hood up, covering her ears. She had a small amount of elvish blood within her, Raiaeran high elf blood. She knew that it could spell trouble with the rivalries between the two nations. Thus, she hid her ears. All her other features were purely human. Now, she simply looked like any normal human being. Yet, she knew she was far from it. With the blood of two great magical families running in her veins, Hanuh was positive she had to keep her powers hidden. Alerar loathed magic, despised it. Hanuh never overly relied on her powers, but now she needed to stop using them completely. Hanuh laughed at the irony of how little it would affect her anyways. She was considerably weakened from what she once was. Her frame was frail, years of physical training wasted. And yes, her powers had faded too. She could barely freeze water and control flames; and she was no longer immune to the elemental touch. She sighed, tugging at her cloak with one hand as she grasped her staff with the other. She made way towards the wooden beam off the ship. After buying some supplies, she would be on the road again. She knew he was somewhere in Alerar. Where? She needed to find him, confront him, and…

… kill him.