Search and Rescue

When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. Nathanos did not know why those words had suddenly surfaced in his mind. Hanging from a branch halfway down the cliff was not pleasant. He felt as though only his eyelids still had any strength; the aching pain from the rest of his body had nearly consumed his mind. He did not even know how long he had been unconscious. When he woke, it took him a long time to clear his head. Aside from the snow covering him, he was wounded all over. The trunk creaked now, ready to snap at any moment. He desperately shifted his body, a hoarse roar tearing from his throat, praying that nothing was broken. He forced himself onto the branch, then leaped onto a boulder not far below. Nathanos had no idea where he was, but it was better than staying on that trunk. As he exerted himself, the branch snapped and fell into the snow below.

The freezing air around him dulled his nerves somewhat. He knew he could not sleep, no matter how exhausted he was. He had thought someone would come rescue him, but from beginning to end, he had heard no calls. After resting for a while, Nathanos struggled to his feet and braced one hand against the icy rock wall. Then a tearing pain struck him, sweeping away all drowsiness. The sleeve of his clothing had been burned through, and his arm bore scorch marks. Nathanos remembered what Gray had done.

"Madman." He surveyed his surroundings. Moonlight filtered through the narrow gap in the gorge, and Nathanos saw that the ground lay hundreds of feet beneath him. He could jump down, but he needed to make sure there was nothing dangerous below. During his rest, Nathanos checked his injuries. The place on his arm that had been struck by magic had bled heavily, though the blood had already clotted. Aside from that, his right leg had been cut by a branch, leaving a bloody gash nearly a foot long. His face also stung in several places. Those were only external wounds. What tormented Nathanos most was the internal injury in his abdomen. He had hung from that branch for far too long. Judging by the moon's position, from the time he had arrived in Alterac until now, he had been unconscious for nearly half a day. If not for the hunger and cold, he might not have woken up yet.

Nature was cruel, and Nathanos was seeing it for himself now. When he reached the ground and stepped onto the freezing snow, the desolation around him made him feel as if he had entered another world. There were no lights, no sign of human life—only withered grass poking from the cracks between the rocks.

"Is there anything alive here?" Nathanos murmured to himself. Since coming into this world, he had known the warmth of being with his family. He had also had his mentors, who had helped him learn many things. But none of them had shown him the whole world. Nathanos now realized that this world was imperfect. Warmth could not be found everywhere. He picked up the branch that had just broken off, stripped away some of its twigs, and turned it into a spear. There were two paths ahead of him, and he headed toward the one with the clearer view.

"Have you found him?" Uther anxiously asked the soldiers who had returned. Their faces were hidden behind their helmets, their expressions unreadable, but one by one, the soldiers lowered their heads, silently telling Uther that they had failed their commander.

"Sir, we asked the local guides. The cliff is not very high. That child may still be alive, as long as we can find a path to the bottom."

"Deputy, you said it yourself—he's still a child!" Uther cursed. "I appreciate you giving me hope at a time like this, but I need that hope to become reality. Nathanos is my apprentice. I have only taught him for a month, and I have seen his talent, but I have not had the chance to turn that talent into real ability. Can you imagine how he is supposed to face this harsh environment? It is not only cold here. More importantly, anyone who knows Alterac should know that wolves roam here at night. We have not wasted a second, yet Nathanos could become food at any moment."

"I understand, Lord Uther. I will take more men and continue the search immediately."

The soldiers and the deputy left one after another. Uther remained alone in the tent, staring at the wind and snow outside, imagining Nathanos emerging from the twilight. But that was impossible. After thinking it over again and again, heavy-hearted and uneasy, he took out paper and pen from the pouch at his waist...

Two days later, the search party had found nothing. They brought back some news, but the final conclusion was that Nathanos had gone missing. No body had been found, nor was there any sign that he was still alive. Soldiers stood guard outside Kana's church at all times. As his mentor, she could not escape blame for such a mistake. The same went for Kaishius. Before Uther returned, everyone involved was to remain under watch.

"Larein, do you think Nathanos is still alive?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? Nathanos is obviously still alive." Larein's voice was loud enough for everyone to hear, making Gray shudder all over.

"Let me in!" A commotion came from outside. Gray heard a voice he knew all too well. It was his father, Garith, who seemed to be arguing with the soldiers outside.

"I'm taking my son home."

"Sorry, but Lord Uther has forbidden anyone inside from leaving until he finds that missing child."

"Nonsense." Garith looked the soldier straight in the eye, his gaze filled with contempt. "Why would Lord Uther care about a missing child?"

"That child is Lord Uther's apprentice! Your son happens to be a witness."

Garith's heart skipped a beat. His tone softened. "Then I will bring Gray to see Lord Uther once he returns. I need to take him home to see his mother."

"Let me repeat myself." The soldiers on both sides raised their swords across the way, blocking Garith. "No one may enter the chapel. Are you planning to defy Lord Uther's orders?"

"No, of course not." Garith left with a dark expression. Once the chapel fell silent, Gray sat down in disappointment. He hoped Nathanos was truly dead, so everything could be hidden. He did not dare meet anyone's eyes now. But Larein kept staring at him, muttering from time to time, "It must have been him."

Not long after Garith left, another visitor arrived outside the chapel.

"You cannot enter. These are Lord Uther's orders."

"Of course. I will not take anyone away from inside. I merely have something to say to the people in there. If you are worried, you can come with me. I would also like someone to witness this." The voice was deep, with a trace of anger. It was the voice of a dwarf.

The two soldiers exchanged glances and nodded.

"Please come with me."

Gudul did not follow behind them. He strode straight into the chapel, drawing everyone's attention.

"Who is Gray?" he demanded. The boy stared at the dwarf in shock. He did not know him, yet the dwarf knew his name.

"It's him." A soldier pointed to the boy Gudul was seeking. Gudul's eyes widened. He walked over and, before anyone could react, slapped Gray across the face with all his strength.

"I'm telling you, if anything happens to Nathanos, I'll make you pay!" the dwarf roared. Gray saw stars. Blood flowed from the corner of his mouth after that slap, and tears burst from his eyes.

The soldiers hurriedly stopped him, reaching out to hold Gudul back. "Please stop, sir. He is only a child!"

"But his heart is as vicious as that bastard father of his!"

"My father won't let you get away with this!" Gray roared.

"Do you dare say Nathanos's disappearance has nothing to do with you?" Larein pointed at Gray from behind and demanded.

"Enough!" a soldier shouted, calming the atmosphere somewhat. "Please tell me, what is your relationship with that missing child, dwarf sir?"

"I am his mentor. Uther is not Nathanos's only mentor."

"I can understand how you feel right now." The soldier spoke apologetically, glancing at Gray. "Lord Uther will certainly do everything in his power to bring that child back."