Sergeant Darwen stared at the desolate mountains that surrounded her fortress.
The grey haired elf was aware that a sizable force of bandits were in the area, but knew that they would fail miserably if they assaulted Fortress Grom. Even with the recent troop reductions ordered by the Capital, the light garrison was more than a match for any rabble.
Despite her confidence she felt a desolate chill. She noted it wasn't cold, and even if it was she was a descendant of the exiled Ice Elves, a displaced people that were driven from their homes by the infamous Sir Hildraxel centuries ago.
She wondered if she was regretting her decision to stay with the army. There was talk about her scattered people being lead back north by a holy woman of some sorts, and an invitation to anyone with Ice elf blood to join them. Even elves who had mixed with the southern wood elves, or the portly half elves were invited into their crusade. A part of Darwen wanted to come, but she considered the dangers of such a journey. Dangerous shark people which prowled the seas, the powerful Orders of knights that currently occupy their homeland, and even rumors of bands of giants sweeping in from the north.
The Sergeant knew she was quite skilled at both sword and sorcery but doubted her ability to face such threats. Only a hero of some sort could battle those type of odds.
"Ma'am ...the night relief hasn't arrive yet.", commented a soldier breaking Darwen's train of thought.
"Do you think they overslept? ", another asked suppressing a yawn.
Darwen frowned. Ever since the northern trade routes closed down the strategic importance of this fortress had lessened. Discipline and order were still maintained but the grey haired elf sensed that not all those in her command took their job seriously. This latest incident just proved her suspicions.
A loud clamor suddenly erupted from within the keep. It sounded like a battle to the elf.
" You two follow me. ", commanded the elf as she marched to investigate. It was most likely a drunken brawl and she dreaded the task to break up her bored frustrated troops. She sighed and resigned herself to accept her mundane duty. She was just a soldier, not some brave hero in a fanciful tale after all.
"Help ! Help !", blubbered captain Fetch, as he stumbled his way out of the sewer.
The hero Zax had just finish ferrying a group of important noble women to a safe location in the city. The demon animals and the Xill army were amassing outside the walls, but the courageous carriage driver thought it more prudent to rescue civilians first. He was heading back to the White Shield district in town to see if anyone else needed to be transported when he spied the filthy guard captain.
"Shouldn't you be at the gates? ", the handsome tiefling asked the gangly man. "I would be there myself, but there are still the daughter's of nobility to rescue.
Captain Fetch held up his hand and tried to catch his breath. Zax had previous dealings with the young man and knew whatever he was up to he was way over his head. Zax remembered Fetch had stumbled on the black carriage murderer a few months before, and only the tieflings intervention saved him. He also recalled the captain's wife and robot butler being abducted by vampires, and Zax had to save them as well. Fetch was in over his head again Zax thought. The captain was a good natured boy but he was a magnet for trouble.
"Demons, sewer, hag, manor, daughter..", huffed Fetch. It was just babble to Zax but he quickly discerned the meaning.
"Hop on!", ordered the tiefling. Although Zax was a lieutenant in the army, his powerful presence overwhelmed the captain. The human obediently hopped into the carriage and the two raced towards Fetch's manor.
Zax's carriage was well known to be the fastest in the city, if not all of Grom. At that time , the animals in the area were vicious and unruly, but somehow Zax kept his mounts under control. It was rumored they were a cross breed of nightmare or the tiefling used some infernal magic to keep them under control. Whatever it was, they sped through the city.
As the carriage rumbled its way to their destination, Zax saw the bodies of slain civilians and guardsmen.
"An evil hag did this!", cried the survivors,"Look its Zax! Go get her!"
Zax gave a Kerr wave to his supportive admirers as he urged his steeds to go faster. Poor Fetch was not use to such a bumpy ride, his noble upbringing and his bought commission had prepared him poorly for the rough and tumble life . The poor captain almost lost his lunch in the carriage. Lucky for him, he didn't. That would have made Zax very mad.
Fetch's manor was up ahead. The tieflings keen eyes could see a monstrous hag threatening Fetch's daughter, through the window. The remains of a guard patrol were scattered in front of the manor. No doubt, they were futile in stopping the creature.
Zax took the reigns by his teeth then, drew his Grom club from under the seat with his right hand , and readied his dragon golem with the left.
"Hold on tight!", he said with clenched teeth as he urged his mounts faster.
"AAAAHHHHHHH! NOOOOO! My windows!", shrieked the captain as the horses leaped into the air and smashed through the panes of glass infront of the house.
The hag stopped threatening the girl, and turned to face her new attackers. It was too late though, as the horses trampled her into the ground. Zax knew that the creature would only be stunned by such an attack. He jumped down and expertly swatted the hag with his club, then shot her with his dragon golem , tearing off an arm.
"NOOOOO! ", cried the hag as she staggered from the lethal attack, "It was foretold only the greatest of all heroes, can slay me! How can this be!"
Zax swung his club again and it cracked the hag's leg. The dieing creature fell on her knees in pain. Zax aimed his dragon golem again and shot the hideous creature through the heart. The hag fell to the ground, and collapsed into a pile of dust.
Fetch's young daughter, an adopted tiefling by the way, showered Zax with kisses.
Her useless fat bodyguard stumbled from the kitchen and wept in thanks to the tiefling. He failed in his duty, but luckily the handsome carriage driver saved his charge.
Fetch and his wife were so thankful for Zax's heroic deed that they promised him everything. Fame, fortune, even their daughter's hand in marriage, but the courageous carriage driver refused.
"All in a day's work!", he said with a cocky smirk.
"At least accept this sword!", said Fetch's wife. "It's magical, but neither one of us know how to use it correctly . Take this at least, to show and prove to everyone your heroism on this day."
Zax humbly accepted the gift. Even though he carries the sword to this day, he never draws it. A true hero doesn't need a reward for his deeds, he only carries it to warn evil doers to be wary of his might...
"Bull shit!", said Sir Ivan, " That's the stupidest made up story I've ever heard ! "
"Its all true though. ", the Zax said with a smile, "Ask everyone here . The surviving guards in the courtyard confirmed that story. They called me "Sir Zax the Hag Slayer" after that day."
The crowd gathered at the busy inn all nodded in agreement. Sir Ivan had heard enough of these stupid Zax stories ever since he came to the city a week ago. As a veteran of countless wars, and a seasoned adventurer these stories irritated him to no end. Normally he would just ignore this crazy boasting , but with a pitcher of ale and several bottles of wine in him, he figured he would do something about it.
"Anyone who believes that story is an idiot!", Sir Ivan said , while getting up from his chair. He was a massive knight almost six and a half feet tall, and made of solid muscle. He was an intimidating looking man with short grey hair , a long beard, and a scarred face. He towered over the small thin orange tiefling .
"A carriage jumping through a window? Absurd! Firing your dragon golem twice without reloading. Anyone who's ever used one, knows its almost impossible to load it with a foe in melee ! Calling the Warmaster a bumbling buffoon! Unforgivable!", declared Ivan getting redder and madder.
The inn grew quiet as their attention focused on Zax's reaction . Zax was well aware of their gazes, and wondered what to do. He enjoyed telling his tale, and even agitating the knight, but this was getting out of hand. The tiefling enjoyed the benefits his fraudulent reputation had given him in the last year. Free dinners and drinks, the attention of nobles and their daughters, a substantial boost to his carriage business , discounts at the local merchants ...all things that a hero of his reputation deserved. However, all good things must come to an end it seemed. The knight was drunk, but he was also a seasoned veteran and almost twice as big as the tiefling. Zax was a fair duelist with knives, and was skilled with a club, but he had doubts he could pose a challenge to the knight.
"I think, you've drank too much Sir! How about you just sit down before the guard arrest you for making a public disturbance.", said Zax calmly. Even though his demeanor was cool, the tiefling was terrified his bluff wouldn't work. Losing face was one thing, but getting pummeled by the giant knight was another. Zax had a very low tolerance to pain and suffering.
Even with his liquored dulled senses, Ivan could see through Zax's bluff. " They can arrest me all they want !", he roared so that the entire inn could hear him. "I see you have a blade, how about we have a duel, and you can show everyone how a great hero beats a belligerent drunk." To make his point, Ivan drew a large broad sword. It gleamed blue, and seemed to hum with a hidden power.
Zax gulped nervously. Getting pummeled was one thing, Zax had endured many beatings while he was young, dueling with a knight with a magic sword was a completely different matter." I would love to , but this is the blade Fetch's wife gave me. I said I would wear it heroically as a shining example to others, not to use it in petty duels." . The tiefling hoped to keep talking, maybe the guard would come and end this before it started. His statement was partially true though, the blade was given to him by Fetch's wife, but it was some sort of trick sword. It was glued into the scabbard or something, Zax couldn't even draw it if he tried.
Ivan roared in laughter,"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard ! ". He drew back and horked a big gob of spit onto the blade. " How's that for a shining example! Prepare for an old fashioned pommel beatin..."
Suddenly the sword at Zax's side appeared in his hand. The tiefling wasn't sure what happened next, but the blade sliced through Ivan's tabard,shattered his blade, cut his hand, and chopped his beard off. It left a blazing trail of flame as it flew through the air, burning and charring the air around him before settling back into the scabbard.
Ivan was stunned, he first grasped his wounded hand, as the hilt of his sundered blade fell to the ground. Then he realized not only his tabard was cut, but the mail underneath was sliced opened as well. A light bleeding wound was clearly visible on his chest under the destroyed armor and cloth.
The crowd cheered as Ivan and Zax looked at each other , both trying to appear more surprised then the other!
"3 Cheers for Zax!", the crowd shouted.
The bartender gave the tiefling and his friends another round of drinks. Any doubts of the truth of his stories vanished after Zax defeated the Knight. His friends celebrated the victory , while Zax attempted to play down the event. The tiefling's modesty seemed to convince the crowd even more that he was truly a humble hero. As the night grew late, Zax's friends left one by . They had work the next day and wished the tiefling a good night. The victorious tiefling would have left as well, but he was still to shock to leave.
"That was an impressive display , Sir Zax." , a man said while clearing his throat.
Zax appraised the man. He was a younger version of Ivan. He was even armed and armored in a similar fashion to Ivan , minus the scars, and with dark hair. Behind him , was a spikey hair dwarf and a thin man wearing a robe with arcane runes.
"Sir Halvor at your service.", said the large man with a polite tone.
Zax didn't have time for these 3, but he didn't want to be rude . The last thing he wanted was another duel with a drunken knight. "Zax, what can I do for you?"
Halvor seemed a bit nervous,"Forgive us for being so direct, but we are forming an expedition to travel through the Broken mountains. As you know , passage through the mountains have been non existent this last year, due to the increased activity from demons and goblins."
Zax nodded , attempting to appear to contemplate and understand the situation. He didn't really care much about the going ons outside of the city. He did recall that the trade caravans through the mountains had been suspended for about a year. Almost all of the trade to and from Grom City went through the harbor these days.
"We've traversed the pass a few times, and believe that the danger has mostly passed. We are forming a caravan through the mountains, and we...", said Halvor before he was stopped by Zax.
"You were wondering , if I would sign up for your expedition. You need someone with my reputation to calm the merchants . Sorry guys, not interested. I'm a hero, not a mercenary . Not to worry though, this is Lower Lueders. I'm sure you'll find an ...adventurer", Zax said with disdain, " to aid you on your venture."
Halvor sighed, and appeared disappointed , "Sorry to have wasted your time, good sir. Bartender, please get Sir Zax here another drink ."
The trio stalked off, while Zax smiled as he received his free drink. He could hear the dwarf grumbling something, about his magic sword.
Zax stared at the blade at his side. For the last year, he thought it was just glued into the scabbard. The scabbard looked impressive, but looked more expensive then magical. He heard tales of dancing blades, and wondered if this was one of them. If it was such an item, why wasn't he able to draw it till today. More importantly, why did Fetch's wife give it to him, if it was such a rare and magical item.
Zax cleared his throat, "Do you have a name?", he asked nervously.
"Nymkakku, of the Diamond Khanate. ", said a high feminine voice.
Zax blinked at the sword , but then saw a pretty woman wearing leathers and furs sit next to him. The tiefling took a deep breath, and chuckled at himself. For a second he thought the sword had answered him. Zax grinned and adopted a heroic roguish stance.
"Zax of Lower Lueders, hero, soldier, duelist, lover ...at your service.", he said with a short bow.
Nymkakku gave a girlish giggle at the attention, "That was amazing what you did earlier, I guess all those stories are true ! "
Zax shrugged, "Some aspects of them are true, some have been exaggerated with each telling by my admirers .", he said . Zax loved playing up the role of the humble reluctant hero. He didn't mention the fact that he did most of the exaggerating himself.
Nymkakku edged closer to the orange tiefling. She had short dirty blond hair, and blue almond eyes. With her petite frame, furs, and leathers, she appeared to be some sort of young barbarian princess. Not like the famous amazon Ulla, but more like a barbaric version of a noble courtesan. Which was fine with Zax, he didn't like his women with more muscles then him.
Zax loved this part of being a hero, before he was just an outcast tiefling. He didn't even have any cool features like the other tieflings, no cool horns, or scary tail , or deadly claws. He was just orange. He didn't even have any cool tiefling powers, like making the room go dark. The only power he had, was he could raise the temperature of his skin. Not hot enough to ignite things, which would have been really cool, but just hot enough to give a person a slight burn if they remained in contact for a while. The old Zax wouldn't have been given a second look by this exotic beauty.
"So, Nymkak...", began Zax.
"Nymk is fine.", purred the young woman, "I like dangerous men, and dangerous weapons...tell me about your sword."
Zax smiled, "You're not the first beautiful woman to inquire about my sword, but I don't think you're referring to the same one they were ."
Nymk drew closer and blew gently into his ear. " Are you certain?"
"Jackpot", thought Zax as he relaxed a bit. A quick tale, and he would have this girl on her back and in his carriage in no time. He loved being a hero!
"Its pretty much what I said, I received this blade as a gift from Captain Fetch's wife. To tell you the truth , that was the first time I drew it. I thought a quick display of my skill should have difused the situation. I didn't mean to strike his blade so hard though. Sometimes I don't know my old strength.", he boasted with suppressed confidence.
"The lady Tyris gave you that sword?" , asked Nymk ignoring the rest of Zax's statements.
Zax scratched his head, "I think that's her name. She doesn't talk much. I went hunting vampires with her once, she only said 3 things to me, her robot butler did all the talking."
"Vampires ... robot butler ?", Nymk said confused.
Before Zax could answer, a full squad of guards marched into the tavern. A dark robed man was leading them and he scanned the stunned patrons.
"Its ok, that's not the city guards, its just the tax collector. I've dealt with these scum before .", said Zax , hoping this wouldn't panic Nymk. To his surprise the woman had disappeared . The tiefling scanned for her, but was interrupted.
"Sir Zax? By the authority of the Chancellor , I am ordered to escort you to Tax Collector Collin. Where you will be hereby subjected to an audit!"