“You got all that Tecovis?”

“Sure do. Just take care of my squad for me, I only have the one.”

Zeb grinned at him. “Don't worry, they'll all make it back in one piece.

“They'd better. Riff is angry enough normally, I can't afford to tick him off when he's tired like he has been. And Slide, keep your mouth shut. I can tolerate your antics but Zeb'll rip you to shreds if you try anything on him.”

“Speaking from experience, I take it?”

“I did live with him for the last 8 summers, so what do you think?”

“Alright, I'll be good.”

Pan scoffed, “That'll be the day.”

Slide feigned offense, placing his hand over his chest with an exaggerated gasp, “Whatever is that supposed to mean?”

“Take a guess cottenbrain!”

“Alright!” Zeb interjected, “enough of that. We have work to do. Come on, let's get these poachers put away for good.”

Tecovis looked over to the man called Djurle. Sitting on a dappled gray horse, he was wearing an open leather vest, and some bog-standard riding pants. Under the vest was bare chest, or what would be bare chest if it weren't covered in what appeared to be gravel that shifted with his subtle movements. The gravel also extended to his shoulders, up his neck at the sides to his jawline, and all the way down his arms. There were patches of bare skin on the underside of his arms that nearly matched his own skintone, and based on where it stopped on the back of his whiteknuckled hands, he suspected his palms were bare of stone too. He had salt and pepper gray hair, and hazel, almost green, eyes which burned holes into Tecovis.

Tecovis rode over to him and offered his hand to the stone-skinned man, happy to finally meet someone who might be able to answer questions he'd had since his home had been destroyed. 

“Hi, I'm recruit Tecovis Shavar.”

“Hhhii.”

Djurle slowly reached up and took it. His handshake was strong and firm, but shaky, and he could tell by the calluses that this Djurle was a hard laborer.

“You alright? You look like you've seen a ghost.”

The man didn't respond. Something was off about him. The way he stared Tecovis down creeped him out and the other recruits could all see his discomfort, even Dense made a face.

Zeb called out “don't fall behind, we've got places to be.”

“We're coming, Lieutenant!”

“Yeah…”

This is the Spirit of the Elements that Zeb worked with? He didn't mention how weird he acted. But if he's a good tracker, I'll take what I can get.

He and the strange man followed at the back of the pack. Tecovis would occasionally look over his shoulder to the man behind him, only to be met with an increasingly discomforting gaze.

“So... Djurle. Where are you from?”

“Uh... Sorry, I didn't... catch that, what did you say?”

“I asked where you were from.”

“Oh, uh, I'm from Talvash.”

“Talvash? Wow, Long way from home.”

“A little bit.”

That's close to Erith as the crow flies… I wonder if he knows what happened to it…

“What do you do for a living?”

He didn't respond. 

“Djurle?”

“Huh? Oh sorry, I… I was a mining Foreman.”

“Really? What did you mine?”

Djurle was silent again.

Tecovis's lips twisted with frustration.

Maker, what is this guy's deal? He's done nothing but stare at me since we met. I need to figure out what's got him like this, there's no way Zeb wouldn't have said something about his behavior. 

“Lieutenant Zebulon says you helped him at the riverbank north of here. Thanks for that, he had a bucket full of compliments when it came to your skills.”

“Well, I'm… glad I could assist.”

Tecovis continued to ride and ponder Djurle's behavior. Then a sense of dread overshadowed Tecovis's mind, for a terrible possibility occurred to him. A mixture of fear and hate bubbled from within along side this thought, causing his hands to shake, though he pressed his hands against Sandalwood's saddle to hide it.

Focus. Maintain casual conversation, can't get him to talk if he doesn't trust me.

Tecovis cleared his throat to help him focus. “What exactly can you do? I mean, Zeb told me you're a Spirit of the Elements, and I heard that you can turn a rock to sand. But you can only get so much second-hand.”

“Uhh…”

His voice trailed off. 

C'mon, work with me here, WORK WITH ME! Give me SOMETHING! Maybe I go direct? No, not with civilians nearby. If I'm right, things might get messy.

Djurle looked down to the back of his horse's mane and shook his head as his eyes glazed over with seeming confusion. 

Crap, I lost him. 

Tecovis looked forward to the rest of the group as he began to think through conversation strategies. 

They were coming up to where he had taken statements the previous day, and he noticed many familiar faces.

“Brave leader, get up here.”

“On the way!” 

I need to be sure.

Tecovis nudged Sandalwood into a trot to catch up to Zeb.

“Teco, can-”

“On it.”

A plan began to formulate on how to deal with Djurle as he thought about how to distribute everyone. He started with the most promising cases. Charm and Dauntless squad were both split in two, one group from each squad was assigned to a river case, and the other two pairs were assigned to cases within the camp itself. Before he sent them off however, he made sure that they stayed nearby. He saved the Brave squad for last because he needed them for the plan he was building to work. 

“Brave squad, form up. You too Zeb.”

Zeb's eyebrow raised and he nudged his horse over. Djurle sat a bit away. He was occupied with his thoughts so he wasn't paying attention.

“Something is off about your friend Zeb. He's been eyeballing me since we met, and I can't hold a conversation with him.”

With sarcastic flair, Slide replied “Maybe you're just boring him.”

“Hey, be serious. We don't have time to waste on empty words. To put it bluntly, I don't trust him, and I can't work with someone I can't trust.”

Rox, Slide, and Pan all looked at eachother while Zeb said, "Teco, this is a serious change of demeanor from yesterday."

“You're right Zeb, it is, and I need you all to listen. I have a sneaking suspicion about him that I need to confirm. Slide, Pan, you two go find a place we can question him outside the camp. Rox, Zeb, you two stay with me in case he gets violent.”

“Hold on, violent? Teco, are you sure you're talking about Djurle? Based on what YOU told us, he's been nothing but helpful to us since he got here.”

“And why do you think that is, Rox?”

Rox turned away to ponder, Zeb too began to stroke his beard as he thought about it for a bit. Slide and Pan both looked at eachother, their brows furrowed.

“He says he's operating on his own authority. Nobody does what he's doing without loyalty to someone or some cause, not like this. We don't know where his loyalties lay.”

“And consider that diplomat from Stogh who was talking with the Buruzagi. He said he knew him before, it's possible he knows him a little more than he let on.”

Pan’s face turned grim. “You're saying he could be a spy.”

"No. Not a spy."

Rox gave a quizzical look, “Then what exactly are you doing all this for?”

“I think he's one of the bandits that destroyed Erith.”

Zeb's brow furrowed, “Your hometown? Do you recognize him?”

“No, but he clearly recognized me.”

They were silent for a moment as Tecovis's accusation sank in. In the silence, Tecovis's hand went to his side, the scar unreachable through his armor. 

Rox patted Tecovis's shoulder. “Don't worry, we'll cover you no matter what happens.”

“Agreed.”

Slide asked, “What's keeping us from questioning him here?”

Rox answered, “Too many people. If he gets violent like Teco suspects, innocent lives could get caught in the middle.”

“Can't have that. Alright, let's go, Pan.”

“I made sure the others stayed nearby out of sight. Find them, and have them set a perimeter around wherever you end up. Clear the area of any refugees you can if they happen to be around, while Rox, Zeb, and I keep him occupied.”

“You got it bossman.”

“Come back and tell me when you have a place. I'll be watching for you. And thank you. All of you."

“Let's save the sentiment for after the situation at hand.”

“Yes Lieutenant.”

Pan and Slide rode off. The three remaining guardsmen looked over to Djurle. He was still distracted, but his face had gone from confusion to determination. Zeb and Rox went first, riding between Djurle And Tecovis. 

Djurle nodded to himself, sat up straight in his saddle, and looked to Zebulon. 

“Is everyone assigned to their cases yet?”

“They are. We have three groups at the river looking for more signs of the poachers, and two more in the camp.”

“Good. I'm eager to get back to work on the Karliah case.”

“Actually, we could use your help on another one. Your powers over the earth and deductive reasoning may prove useful for gathering evidence for a more troublesome scene.”

“Alright then, where are we headed?

“Before we go, I'm a bit famished. Would you care for some jerky, or some nuts?”

“I'd love some nuts, I've had way too much jerky the past three months.”

Zeb reached into his bag for his rations as Rox chuckled. “There's no such thing as too much jerky.”

“Trust me, you start to crave other things on the road when you only have one thing to eat.”

“What stopped you from hunting or gathering while traveling?”

“I have enough trouble without some uppity know-it-all city dweller accusing me of poaching, all it takes is one little thing to get someone like me kicked out of a city. So, I have to eat was what I can buy, and there's not many who sell to my kind anymore.”

Zeb offered a small pouch of pre-cracked pecans over to Djurle, who grabbed it and munched happily as Zeb pulled out some other provisions to snack on. Rox Would do the same from his bag.

Tecovis's nerves were too on edge for him to eat anything so he refrained from grabbing his own, prefering to watch for any of the guardsmen coming back.

After a few minutes of snacking, Djurle asked the group, “How long have you all been guards?”

Zeb answered first. “I've been doing this for 28 years. My family owns a large farm in the area, and the period of time I enlisted was rather tumultuous. I wanted to learn how to fight so I could protect my home.”

“I'm not familiar with local history, what do you mean by ‘Tumultuous’?”

“We refer to it as ‘The Stricken Raids’.”

“The Strick-? Oh… Well that explains a few things about your Jaunari's policy.”

“It was a long time ago. The ones responsible are dead, only the memories remain.”

“I'm sorry that happened.”

“You have no reason to apologize for the actions of others, your actions are all that you should concern yourself with. They made their choice. I choose to be better.”

“Very noble. What about you?”

Rox quickly swallowed the bit of jerky He was gnawing on before speaking.

“Me? I've only just finished training, same as Brave leader.”

Tecovis, not wanting to be talked about, couldn't help but glare at Rox. After a short second they made eye contact and Rox's face went red as he realized his error.

Zeb cleared his throat to get Djurle's attention off of the other two. “Recruits they may be, but you can rest assured that they possess more than enough endurance to handle whatever is thrown their way.”

A glimmer caught Tecovis's eye. He looked towards it to see Pan signaling directions to him from among the tents.

North out of camp, east at rock two, under a distant Tree. Perimeter secure. Charm and Dauntless stationed at nearby hill

Once he was sure he understood, he signaled back with a nod disguised as a full stretch. Rox caught Tecovis's response and cleared his throat to get Zeb's attention. Djurle seemed none the wiser. Tecovis put his helmet back on and took a nervous breath.

Zeb said, “That should hold me over for now. Are you three ready?”

All three uttered their confirmation.

“Good, let's be off then. Brave leader, if you would.”

Tecovis's grip tightened on his reins and he feigned a smile.

“With pleasure Lieutenant.”

All four of the men then wheeled their horses around as Tecovis led them out of the camp. Keeping his pace at a slow trot hoping to give Pan and the guards time to settle in hiding, he followed the directions he'd been given to the letter heading north out of the camp until they passed the second of the large boulders that littered this section of the plains. He then turned east away from the river. He could see the tree that Pan had signaled for.

“Up there at the tree, that's the scene.”

From behind him Zeb's voice called out, “Understood. Let's leave our horses here so they can graze without disturbing our search.”

And keep Djurle from fleeing quickly.

“Good call.” Tecovis got Down from his horse

Djurle spoke up, “Wait, can't we go closer? I'm Sure the crime scene isn't that big.”

Rox replied to him, “What's the matter, can't walk for five minutes?”

Rox and Zeb also dismounted from their horses.

“No, just… why walk when you can ride?”

“I'll carry you if your feet get sore. C'mon, let's go.”

Djurle sighed. “Alright, fine.” He dismounted his dappled gray horse and followed after the three guardsmen.

Zebulon said to Djurle, "Do be careful, snakes have been known to hide in the grasses"

Djurle nodded.

Along the walk, Tecovis and Rox both trailed a bit behind Djurle as Zeb took the lead. 

Tecovis could feel sweat dampening His palms, he looked over to Rox to see his jaw had set with grim determination. Training was one thing, but this was real and they both knew it. They did what they could to keep their breathing measured. Tecovis swallowed nervously.

I don't understand how Zeb's able to stay so calm in this situation. We could die today. I could die. I could kill again.

His hands clenched tight enough to make the his leather gloves squeak.

I need to relax. I knew I'd be in situations like this when I signed up. Just keep breathing. Keep it steady. In through the nose, out through the mouth, just like you were taught. Don't lose your nerve.

His jaw clenched tighter than his fist, he felt as if he might crack his molars from the force.

Steady.

They continued closer to the tree. Djurle put his hands in his vest pockets.

Steady…

Rox cracked his neck.

Don't lose your nerve. Don't lose your nerve.

Zeb kept his pace even and measured.

Keep it together…

Rox and Tecovis fell into lock step. The united pace brought strange comfort to Tecovis.

Almost there…

The shade from the tree blocked the sunlight from blinding Tecovis. Zeb stopped.

“That's far enough.”

The combined ring of two swords being drawn from their sheaths sounded as both Rox and Tecovis aimed their blades at Djurle.

Djurle spun around to face the guardsmen as he realized what was happening.

“We need to have a little chat, ‘Spirit of the Earth’.”

Zeb drew His own sword as he turned to face Djurle. 

Djurle looked at Tecovis with bewilderment, followed by Rox, and finally Zeb. 

The sound of ten galloping horses came from over a hill as Slide, Pan, and the other two squads rode over, swords in hand. They made a ring around the three guardsmen and the Spirit of the Earth.

“It's best that you don't try anything. We have you surrounded, you're outnumbered and outmatched.”

“I'm not so sure about that last part…”

His hands closed into fists as he continued to look at the new arrivals. 

“... I surrender.”

He opened his hands and raised them for all to see.

Zeb grinned.

“Good. I'm going to ask you some questions. Consider your words very carefully. If you try to run, we will kill you. If you try to fight, we will kill you. If I find your answers unsatisfactory, I will run you through myself. Have I made myself clear?”

Djurle frowned and his brow furrowed. 

“Yes.”

“That's the spirit. First question. What is Your name?”

“Djurle Iranu.”

“Where are you from?”

“I was born in Talvash, but I moved to Erith at age 20 for work.”

What? I should recognize him if he lived in Erith. He has to be lying.

“What did you do for work?”

“I worked in a copper mine as both a forman and planner. My Maker given abilities helped me move dirt and rock easily, so it seemed like a logical line of work.

Tecovis couldn't help himself. “Who owned the copper mine?

Djurle turned to face him. From over his shoulder, Zeb looked at Tecovis with a strange combination of annoyance and understanding. 

“Your Father and Mother, Yorlan and Lynetta Shavar.”

He knows their names!? He knows me!? How!?

"Why don't I recognize you then, if you worked for them!?"

"I spent most of my time at the bottom of the mines, and I never went to your family home under any circumstances the few times I did come out."

Blast it all, maybe he's not lying.

Zeb asked the next question.

“Nine winters ago the village of Erith was destroyed.”

“I'm aware.”

“DON'T interrupt me.”

Djurle closed his lips and glared at Zeb.

“As I was saying. Nine winters ago Erith was destroyed. Someone of your supposed skill should have been able to prevent, or mitigate it. Why didn't you?”

“I wasn't there when the bandits raided it.”

“Where were you at that time?”

“There was a drought going on in the areas of Casperdain, Zindro, and the lands in between. It was causing a famine. I left Erith during the planting season to help farmers in the affected area irrigate their crops, and later harvest them. Like I said, I can move dirt easily. Irrigation paths aren't much effort.”

“Why are you on this side of The Plains of Greater Higlain?”

Djurle looked over to Tecovis. Tecovis shifted in place and made sure his sword was ready to strike.

“Two reasons. The one you're familiar with, hunting poachers, and the other is the reason I discovered them.”

“Which is?”

Djurle turned back to look at Zeb.

“Three days after his wife was murdered and Erith was destroyed, I was tasked by Yorlan Shavar to find his son by any means necessary.”

AFTER!? MY DAD'S SURVIVED!? Nononononononononoitcan’tbetrue! It can't be true, I thought I…

Tecovis fought back tears as memories swept over him. His voice cracking, he shouted. “That's impossible! Everyone died that day! I was the only survivor!”

Djurle looked at Tecovis with sorrow.

“You're wrong. Only the bandits were killed. Everyone else who was alive when y-”

Djurle's words seemed to get caught in his throat. He swallowed them before he looked around to the other guardsmen, surveying them for a moment, and refocusing on Tecovis. 

“... Everyone who was alive when the Spirit of Fire showed up survived. Everyone. At least, according to Yorlan.”

Zeb’s eyes widened. Rox looked over to Tecovis, a hint of concern flashed across his face.

I need to be sure. I need to know. Ineedtoknow!

“IS HE ALIVE!?”

Djurle's Face softened. “Your father was in perfect health when I left Zindro three months ago.”

Coco, give this to your mother…

Papa…!

Doubt still tickled at Tecovis's mind.

Smoke…

Tecovis uttered an animalistic growl.

I need proof…

With bitter, guttural undertones he practically spat the words.

“Prove it. Prove he sent you.”

Djurle's chin raised to match his hands.

“May I pull something from my pocket Lieutenant Zebulon?”

“I'll do it. You stay put.”

“Alright. Left Side, inside my vest. It's the only thing in there. I won't budge.”

“Recruit Rox.”

Djurle's eyes went wide as Rox's sword tip came straight to his gullet, he otherwise stayed Perfectly still.

Zebulon slowly crept up to Djurle. Once he was sure that Djurle would keep his word, he cautiously reached his hand into the aforementioned pocket. When it pulled away, a golden necklace with a bright, well chiseled garnet pendant came with it.

That's… That's Momma's favorite necklace… Papa wouldn't let that go…

Before Tecovis could speak again, Djurle said “Your father gave it to me to show you, just in case. He said you're stubborn like Lynetta was. I can safely say I believe him now.”

Pain…

Coco, run!

Tecovis's sword clattered to the ground.

Burning…

He took two steps back. Waves of suppressed memories flooded back from his long destroyed home, both pleasant and…

Momma…!?

He fell to his knees, no longer able to stand.

MOMMA…!

He clutched his chest and began to breathe heavily as he struggled to hold back his grief.

Fury…

“Teco!” Zeb rushed to Tecovis's side. Djurle also motioned towards him, but Rox stopped him in his tracks.

“Not so fast!”

Djurle backed off a few paces. Dense and Slide both dismounted from their horses and surrounded him in place of Zeb and Tecovis.

In between his heaving breaths, Tecovis just managed to say, “Zeb… Zeb get me… out of this…” Tecovis struggled to reach the straps on his lamellar curiass. Zeb quickly unbuckled them, and as soon as he felt it loosen, Tecovis grabbed and threw it away from him into the grass.

After It was off, he could no longer hold back the tears and broke down into loud sobbing. His sadness could be heard across the plains. Bawling, sorrowfully wailing, uncontrollably lamenting. He grabbed the necklace out of Zeb's hand and pressed it to his heart.

Zeb pulled him into his arms to comfort him like he did many times over the early years of knowing him. He hadn't felt this grief in a long time. 

Momma… I miss you so much… I'm sorry I… I thought I grew up… I thought I was stronger than this…

Tecovis heard Zeb speak, the deep notes of his voice amplified in Tecovis's ears through Zeb's chest.

“Stow your swords, men! We're done.”

The sound of nearly a dozen swords sheathing filled the air, briefly masking the choking sobs from Tecovis.

“I've got you Teco. I've got you.”

It would be another few minutes before Tecovis could get himself under control. As he was calming down, he wished he'd had one of his handkerchief's on him. He looked around to regather his bearings, Djurle was leaning against the tree with his eyes averted to the ground. Charm and Dauntless squads had grouped up away from him, Brave squad however sat next to him.

He looked at Rox And said, sniffling, “Rox… can you… can you get our horses? I left my handkerchiefs in the saddlebags.”

“Sure thing bossman.” He stood up and looked over to the tree. “Djurle! We're getting our horses.”

Slide got up. “I can carry you back, save you a bit of walking.”

“Thanks.”

Zeb motioned To Pan, “You take Djurle since Slide has Rox.”

Pan said “Yes sir” through gritted teeth and he stood as well. The four men mounted up on Pan and Slide's horses before heading back in the direction of the river.

As the sound of trotting horses faded into the distance behind him, Tecovis continued to clutch the necklace in a death grip, parts of the golden chain hung loosely from his white knuckled fist.

Zeb let Tecovis go and maneuvered himself to be sitting in Tecovis's field of view. Tecovis rolled back off of his knees to sit in the grass.

“You never mentioned a Spirit of the Element's being involved.”

“A lot happened that day… I was only a kid.”

“Do you know what happened to him?”

“...he left when it was all over.”

Tecovis hoped that would be a satisfactory answer for Zeb. He wasn't sure he'd convinced him, but Zeb didn't press him any more on the subject.

Tecovis heard Dense and another member of Dauntless squad having a discussion. It was starting to get heated but Tecovis couldn't make out the words, and he watched as Dense pointed at him before getting in the face of the squadmate. He clearly was upset about something, he'd been on the receiving end of that treatment from him more than once during training. The Dauntless member backed off and Dense came down from his horse, who walked over to Tecovis with purpose and a somber look.

“Tecovis.” He said, slowly.

“Dionis.” Tecovis replied.

Dense offered Tecovis a fresh handkerchief. He then sighed.

“I'm sorry. I didn’t know.”

Tecovis took ahold of the handkerchief with his other hand

“I don't talk about it. How could you have known?”

Dense clenched his jaw and squeezed his eyes shut. After a moment's pause, he knelt down and locked eyes again with Tecovis.

“That doesn't excuse me. I should have been better.”

“Apologizing already makes you better. My mother told me a long time ago that a real apology is proof of empathy, and empathy is worth more than silver.”

“I'll keep that in mind.”

“It would also help you on the job if you didn't have to be prompted by circumstance to feel it”

Dionis grinned and stood up. “Alright, I get it, I can be an a%^. I'm not that stupid.”

Zeb interjected, “Watch your mouth Mench. We're better than that.”

“Sorry, sorry. Old habits.”

Tecovis chuckled a bit and then sighed heavily before wiping his face.

“Maker… I need a nap.”

Dionis raised an eyebrow. “It's not even the sixth hour and you're already tired?”

“Emotionally, yeah. But I can work.”

Zeb asked, “Are you sure? I'm not going to make you stay if you need to take the day.”

“I'll make it Zeb. I just need to clean up... Where's my curiass?”

“It's over there in the grass. Recruit?”

“I've got it Lieutenant.”

Dionis Walked off a bit south of the tree they were by and returned holding Tecovis's bronze chest piece. Tecovis put his mothers necklace around his head and stuffed the pendant under his gambeson.

Papa… if you're really alive… Then once I've helped the refugees reunite with their families, it's probably time we do some reuniting too.

He donned his armor, and began to think about what he was going to say to his father when or if he saw him next. As he adjusted the final strap however, the clear blue skies rattled with thunder.