Arcanum: of Anna and Elsa obscura
Chapter 2
AN: I'm going to rewrite the end of chapter one eventually. Not happy with it. I rushed. Plus a bit of retcon to throw in, nothing major. Mostly cause I'm still working on story. Keep an eye on it if you don't get a notice.
Still writing, sorry about the wait but I've been noodle-ing this quite a bit. Trying for certain things in my writing. And a bit of perfection. And I'm still working on my other big project.
As always reviews are welcome!
Ace W
Crash site of the I.S.S. Zephyr, Unified Kingdom, unidentified cave.
Morning brought with it sunshine and smoke. Anna sat up sharply, not remembering were she was for a moment, but her movement had awoken the Mage. Miss Aren grumbled for a second then sat bolt upright as Anna had. Both women looked at each other with a confused look, then reality caught up with them.
Miss Aren had both gloved hands up to her mouth, while Anna looked wide eyes around them. Across the fire pit, the druid was being nuzzled by his reindeer. A grumble came as the man sat up in the early morning dawn, "Enough Sven, I'm awake."
The three observed their camp in the morning light, a steel grey of dawn heralding morning heat. Anna brushed her hair down as best she could, Elsa didn't look any better, with red-rimmed eyes. The camp was packed into Master Bjorgman's wagon, a peculiar contraption which could be converted into a sled for snowy winter months. Anna noted several improvement's she could make, but let them sit in the back of her mind, her den father had a saying that she stuck with, "If'n it aint broke? Do'na fix it, Lassie."
She wished she had followed his advice more often. But for someone like her, that was impossible.
Miss Aren asked them both if they could help her look through the wreck one more time. And both Anna and Master Bjorgman had agreed. It took a few minutes to get back to the still smoldering wreck, but in the early morning light and lack of adrenaline, Anna began to notice things.
It wasn't until she found a sheet of light steel with a series of holes stitched down it that she had her answer.
OOOOO
Elsa came over at the technologists call. Moving quickly through the wreck she found the young woman staring intently at something. She let an unspoken question form on her face as the young woman looked up at her approach.
"The Zephyr was shot down." the technologist gestured at the line of holes running down the plate of metal. "Those are markings left by incendiary rounds." she indicated what looked to be burn markings in the metal.
Elsa felt her face go slack. She wondered if Anna's face, that cold, imperious, look she wore right now, was just like hers. Both looked at the sheet of holed metal. "We need proof we can carry, Miss Dell." "Way ahead of you, Miss Aren." the technologist held up a square brass plaque bearing the ships name, it had a pair of those strange holes drilled through it. It was perhaps an arms length in height and width. Elsa allowed a tight smile to cross her face. "Good. We will need to present that to the proper authorities."
OOOOO
Kristoph kept the two women in sight at all times. His heart ached for this tragedy. The loss of innocent life always hurt. He should know better then anyone about that.
He spotted something on the outskirts of the debris field. It looked vaguely different from the rest of the destroyed airship. He called out to the two women, and after giving his permission to the ginger technologist to store the brass plaque in his wagon, they investigated.
"It looks like some sort of flyer. Self powered and armed." the young ginger gave him and Elsa a strong look. Kristoph noticed the way the mage stiffened at this as the technologist poked about the half burnt wreckage. Shortly Anna called for his help. "Lift this would you?" and with a grunt he heaved off the piece, showing… "Ouch, do half-ogres normally look like that?" he asked.
"No." Replied Miss Aren to his question, "Flash-burns, similar to Flare… my guess is he ran into flames from the wreck." Miss Dell agreed, nodding, "Most likely before he crashed as well. Looks like it got his lungs. Not enough to really set his flyer on fire though." Kristoph put in his two coppers, "How'd he end up here? He could have crashed on the side of the mountain just as easily." "Most likely he was making a firing pass along the same path as the Zephyr." answered the technologist as she poked into the wreck, "after that…" Miss Dell broke off as she tugged loose something, "I was right, incendiaries." she held up a large bullet for them, frowning, "hollow point filled with phosphorus I think, sweet gods that's nasty." she handed Kristoph the round before going back into the wreckage. "After that he probably glided for a short time before crashing right next to where the Zephyr would."
Kristoph looked closely at the bullet noting its simplicity. He marveled at it for a second before he realized that it was a cousin of what had taken down the dirigible.
At that point the thanked the good gods of life for turning him on this path of peace. Then he tossed the round.
The loud bang was followed by lots of cursing from the technologist as she banged her head on something.
OOOOO
Anna glared at the man as she rubbed her head. He actually had the presence of mind to look sheepish. "The next time I hand you something, hold on to it. It might make a bigger Bang." the flat tone she used hopefully didn't alienate him. But he apologized, so he had that going for him. She turned back to the wreck.
Anna made a mental note to herself to treat them as complete Newbs. A word she had come along during her childhood meaning complete beginner. Her den father had been fond of calling her that with a smile on his face, usually when she made a major mistake and it blackened her face in the explosion. Funny how now she could think on it with amusement, it hadn't been funny at the time. But Anna's reminiscing and work was interrupted by the mage's smooth voice.
"What are you looking for Miss Dell?"
Anna smiled tightly to herself as she worked her tools.
OOOOO
Elsa watched as the technologist backed out of the wreck. A cute smudge of grease on her cheek, triumphantly holding up something, "This!" it looked like a small brass plate.
Elsa cocked an eyebrow, encouraging the younger woman to continue.
"It's a nameplate. Some inventors put these on things they make. In this case," she read off of it "Maxim Machine Works. Caladon" the young tech's smile fell, "but I don't know if their responsible. This machine could have been stolen. I'm surprised a half-ogre could even use it." This triggered something in Elsa's memories. "One moment Miss Dell."
The mage moved over to the corpse, and lightly placed a gloved hand on its forehead. Just as the tech's words had implied. "It wouldn't have been, if not for the enchantment on it for intelligence." she followed the trail of magic and pulled of a strange amulet from it's neck. It was a medallion, gold inscribed with silver forming a stylized eye in a triangle, hung from a simple leather thong. "This is enchanted. For intelligence, and very specifically I might add." she held it up a in the air and scrutinized the amulet. Lightly touching its surface with her free hand. "Very strange… and very powerful. It's very specific to him. You don't do that unless you don't expect no one else to wear it."
Of course that only raised more questions. Which the druid brought up the most major.
"How in the great forests did he get off the ground then?! Anything that powerful should have interrupted the machines workings right Miss Dell?" he directed the question at Miss Dell, whose face was serious as she thought.
"Not necessarily." she looked thoughtful, "Miss Aren. You said that the enchantment was personal correct?" Elsa nodded, knowing were the younger woman was going with this, "Yes, very much so. That might explain it. The enchantment was directed inward… If it was general for everybody… he probably wouldn't have been able to get it moving." she spoke with a thoughtful expression. "even though it still probably interfered with the machine."
Miss Dell barked a grim laugh while rolling her eyes, "If it didn't blow up in his face!" she took a thoughtful expression, and somewhat refuted the mages statement, "It most likely did. Except the other way around. The engine running down the enchantment. Eventually rendering him unable to fly well."
The mage made a sound of agreement and nodded thoughtfully.
OOOOO
After a few more hours of looking. It was obvious that no one else had made it out alive.
Miss Aren had moved off to the side. But neither Miss Dell or Kristoph had been willing to interrupt her grief. Especially when she had begun an enchantment. Kristoph recognized it as a ward of protection to the spirit of a relative, to give them easy passage and protect them from harm. It was a minor spell, more often done by children for their own comfort then protection. But he could recognize the powerful personal workings in her display. And as the sun reached it's zenith, the web of light formed in the air in front of her, distinct bars of blue and purple floating in midair, that slowly collapsed into a two-dimensional drawing and settled into the ground. Only when she was finished did the mage return, and Kristoph performed his own gift of protection. Drawing in the ground with his staff, he placed a ward against beasts of carrion, asking them to leave this place alone. He made it broad and long lasting. Hopefully a proper rescue party and burial detail (he shuddered at the coldness of those words) could be arranged when they reached Shrouded Hills. Miss Dell simply laid a gift of wildflowers on a small stone nearby, several he recognized as having healing properties, a gift to the spirits departed.
Soon they were all ready to leave.
They resolved to get to the nearby town as quickly as possible. But first Kristoph knew he had to show them something. About a quarter mile down the trail, he stopped Sven in front of a small shrine. Both women looked at were he was looking.
"What's this, Master Bjorgman?" the words spoken by the young tech prompted him to explain, "This is the reason why I was so close, Miss Dell. I was on a pilgrimage up here. It's a place important to the Pannarii, a prophecy… sort of. The old runes are-"
The mage had been looking at them, and interrupted him to speak, "Elvish. 'And on wings of flame shall the spirit of Nasrudin be reborn above the Misty Hills'."
"Yep. Now.. I'm not going to even pretend I know everything. But what just happened…"
Both women looked to each other, before looking at the druid. Miss Dell spoke first, her voice slightly affronted and laughing at the same time, "You think we're, or rather one of us is the reborn spirit of some long dead guy?…" Miss Aren just lifted an eyebrow so high as if to ask if he lost his mind.
"Look… I don't know okay? I'm new to this. I'm only an acolyte." the big man shook his head in exasperation, "All I know is what happened here may have fulfilled one of the biggest tenets of my faith. And there are many others who would fall down and declare you Nasrudin Reborn. And those people… They wouldn't take No for an answer."
Miss Aren looked a little mollified, "Oh. Well…thank you for the warning Master Kristoph." Miss Dell nodded agreement shortly afterwards. Kristoph nodded back, his face a bit on the grim side, "Your welcome."
OOOOO
Shrouded Hills, Outer territory of the Unified Kingdom.
It was late in the night, the sun having gone down a couple of hours before, when Master Bjorgman's wagon rolled into the outskirts of shrouded hills, Sven pulling gamely in the traces. The big man had explained to Anna and Miss Aren that shrouded hills was a mining town, built around the 'Bessie Toone' a silver and iron mine. Though now it was mostly iron. Apparently the town had started out wealthy, but had fallen on hard times after the silver ran out. Now that iron was in such high demand though, things were picking back up.
Their first stop was the inn were elder Joachim was staying. Kristoph had been insistent upon it "No sense in waking the town up right now. Plus, the half ogre. Someone deliberately did the Zephyr in. Elder Joachim should have a good idea of how to go on. And whether or not it's a good idea to alert the authorities here."
Both women had agreed. The shooting down of the Zephyr had been deliberate. But just how far did that go? They didn't have enough information. And hopefully this elder Joachim would have some for them.
Walking through a side door to the Mistwater inn, the three easily found the elders room. Master Bjorgman knocked, and called through the door, "Elder Joachim?" after a few moments without a response he tried again. After a third time Miss Aren placed a hand upon the door with a whispered incantation. And then her eyes opened, "No life inside.."
Master Bjorgman looked to Miss Aren, "Can you open the lock quietly?" the young mage shook her head, "Too conspicuous, lots of light and sound. Everybody would be aware." Anna grinned and broke out her little toolkit as she knelt in front of the door. Two seconds later, and much to the surprise of the others the lock clicked quietly. Anna then asked a very pertinent question, "Would your magic detect a construct Miss Aren?" she left unsaid that if there was sufficient tech beyond the door she wouldn't detect anything anyways. Hell, her own presence probably interfered.
The mage shook her head, and her gloved hands came up to the ready. Wisps of magic twisting about her fingers. Master Bjorgman gripped his staff with white knuckles.
Standing she drew from one of her concealed pockets a slightly different gun. A well made six-shot revolver, then she screwed a large canister to the end. "Good forests… that's a Hushed Revolver isn't it?" Anna shot the Druid a slight grin as she prepped to open the door, then paused. Taking three quick breaths she shoved open the door and all three piled into the room.
There were four bodies. All in various states of unkempt rest.
Rushing forward the druid checked each one, "Elder Joachim isn't here… I hope he's all right…"
Anna proceeded to check one side of the room while Miss Aren checked the other. But apparently something had been left out in the open. The mage had spotted it, even without magic…
OOOOO
The note had been scribbled in haste, and addressed to the druid. Elsa called for his attention and handed off the note. He scanned through the note quickly while her and the tech looked around some more, before Master Bjorgman called for their attention. Those teal eyes met her's briefly before the man summarized the note.
"Elder Joachim was attacked…" he looked embarrassed as he pointed out the obvious, "He says he managed to fend them off, but more were coming and he had to lead them off. He must have been in a hurry, his pen was rough. The note says he would contact me in Tarrant. Our original destination for now. Apparently something about these men… he doesn't understand…" the blond man read on for a second, then his eyes widened, "Right. He says he fears to put anything down on paper. And says, 'if anyone is with you from the shrine for any reason, keep them hidden and safe.' oh.. Lady of the Forest…"
The two women looked in each others eyes, and as her ice blue met the teal of the tech, both understood that someone was responsible for the attack. Then something occurred, something she had been dreading for some time. Her vision flickered.
Thoughts rang through her head, 'No nonono! Not now! Not Now! Conceal! Don't feel!' Her fear grew in leaps and bounds as she rushed out of the room. Screaming the mantra in her mind.
OOOOO
Kristoph shared a bewildered look with the tech, before looking at the door the mage had retreated through. She spoke tiredly, "Go talk to her, the stress of everyting'… I'll check for anyting' else and lock the door. Probably a good idea we aren't seen here tonight." He noted the strange accent she kept hidden under the surface, and the widening of her eyes as she realized, but he didn't comment on it, instead he noted her unsteady appearance and general tired look. But that accent was maddeningly elusive to his memories.
"I'll take care of the room Miss Dell. Plus." he produced a room key from the nightstand. "I can get the door. She probably needs…ah, more Ladylike touch? I'm not all that good with comforting people." the tired tech nodded once. "Right." and walked out after the mage.
He shook his head as he got back to searching the room for anything they could use. No good with comforting people. Now that was an understatement.
OOOOO
Godsdamnit.
Fucking godsdamnit you fucking newb.
Anna trudged along, her hair bunched and dirty. Her dress torn slightly in places. Heck she could feel the grease on her from poking about the wrecks. It didn't contribute well to her mood. Her den father would be treading carefully around her. Her den mother the same. Gods rest them well.
She had nearly spoken in her natural accent. The one thing that could trace her Very Easily. If it wasn't for her tiredness she would have caught herself. Now here she was chasing the fucking mage in the fucking dark. Godsdamnit. It was pretty clear which way the mage had gone, small scorch marks where her hands had touched places, frost sprinklings on the ground. And electrical webbing when she had touched a metal latch.
It took a good few seconds for the implications to catch up to her.
Item one: Mage under escort to Tarrant. Why need an escort? Why go to Tarrant? The largest industrial city in the known world? Why leave Calladon? Why in secrecy?
Answer: That was a stop in her journey… no one else but her family could know.
Item two: Very capable at such a young age. Human at that. But seemingly able to go onto a tech marvel like a dirigible without complication. They would check her at the entrance. Why not use magic to go someplace?
Answer: She had no control…and would override anyone else's… but the dirigible would suppress her…
Item three: Random discharges of magical energy when stressed.
Answer: Again no control…
Item four: Identifying magic in an item by touch.
Answer: Inborn talent…
Holy Bloody Godsdamnit to Hell. Teal eyes connected the dots. And widened. She didn't set one more foot forward as the fog of fatigue was swept away by a wave of adrenalin.
No, she Ran.
Tearing into the forest she followed the marks of frost on the ground. Pulling out an Electric hand lamp, and swiftly loading a charge when the branches blocked the moonlight. Dim yellow light shined upon the path in front of her.
She slowed her mad rush when she came into a clearing. And it wasn't a natural one either. She looked in awe at the violence unleashed upon the area as she walked forward and her lamp flickered wildly. Trees uprooted and torn apart like twigs. Ground ripped up. And everything was well frosted.
It was truly a testament to the power of the young mage. A confirmation of what Anna suspected…
But why was she afraid? She was a mage right? Don't they want this sort of power?
Those were questions that Anna couldn't truly answer. They went against everything she had ever learned or been taught about those of the Art.
A sobbing noise drew her around a tree. And curled up in a tight ball, pressed into a space between the roots, shaking and trembling, was the Mage. She was mumbling but the young tech couldn't understand a word she said, though she seemed to be reapeating herself. Slowly Anna reached out, her hand hesitant, unsure. She decided against startling Elsa. Could lose a limb…
OOOOO
Conceal… don't Feel.
She heard her name called. And again. Soft. Sweet. A lilting accent. A gentle touch upon her back. She curls tighter. Holding her hands close to her chest. Conceal. Don't feel…
She cries as she remembers. Other incidents, other voices. All have gone away. Because of her…
Conceal. Don't feel.
Her name again. Light. Sweet. The voice is familiar. A flash of beautiful teal eyes comes to the fore. Pain washes through her and sweeps away the image.
Conceal.
Don't feel.
OOOOO
It took Anna a good hour to calm Elsa down enough to get her to respond to her. Slowly the older woman uncurled, and when she finally saw who was with her. The mage recoiled.
Anna chalked it off to the fact that she was a tech.
"What are you doing here?!"
Maybe not.
"Findin' and helping' you. But 'pparently I'm'a not welcome." the young tech stood up and brushed off her dress. Before addressing the mage coldly once again. "We're stayin' in the loft as planned."
OOOOO
Ice blue eyes watch as the tech walks away, picking her way through the brush in the early morning light. Elsa is exhausted. But she picks herself up, and follows in the techs wake. She pauses as she passes the ruins of the clearing she has made.
It was getting stronger.
She had insulted the young woman. The young woman who came after her. The person who had saved her in the dirigible after banging her head. The very same person who did nothing but help… even when she had nothing to gain.
She hurries to catch up with the young tech. her bun now a complete mess. Along with everything else. She most desperately wanted a bath. But first…
"Miss Dell, could you wait a moment please?"
OOOOO
Anna stopped. But it took all her willpower not to turn and slap the mage. Her hands clenched. And she told herself again and again to behave.
"I apologize… for… my words and actions. Anna"
The woman actually sounded contrite. Anna allowed herself to turn. Slowly. She faced the mage. She was standing her head bowed and her ice blue eyes open yet unfocused. Hands held together in front of the slim woman's frame. Her hair was a mess, yet still she radiated beauty.
"I.. am sorry.. for my reaction." the mage wrung her gloved hands as Anna's jaw flexed. The older woman took a deep breath, and then gently let it out.
"What do you know about Focus's ?" Anna decided on the truth, but in her fatigue… "Ye be mages of extraordinary power. Capabl' o' feats no'ther mage would dare attemp'."
It took half a second for her to realize that she had spoken naturally. And just so it happened, the gods and goddesses of Arcanum apparently weren't done with playing her. The damn mage knew what it meant. Anna could tell from the widening of Elsa's eyes and the raising of one eyebrow.
Sonuvabitch.
"Well, now ye know my secret. An' I know yours." the young woman's anger drained away. She shook her head, and spoke tiredly "Strange world we be both runnin' from."
"Why are you running? Shouldn't your clan be protecting you?" the curious look in Elsa's eyes was honest at least. Anna shook her head, "I was only raised by them, never adopted. But it wouldn' make-a difference anyway. What only matter is I had to go." the young tech looked off towards the brightening horizon.
OOOOO
Elsa knew the closeness of the people she was raised by, a final clue to her behavior now in place. She was lucky the tech had exposed this much. She now knew it was an offer of friendship, had been since their first meeting. She just didn't know what to offer in return. Then it dawned, literally, since the sun struck her at that moment. Elsa reached into her tight fitting neckline and withdrew her pendant. A single crystal snowflake. The only reminder she had… and the most personal thing she could do as a Focus.
"My focus is Elemental, with an affinity for ice, water, and air."
She watched as the techs eyes finally looked back to her, the cute smudge of grease fainter but still there. The younger woman looked at the simple pendant, and for the first time since their botched first meeting, smiled shyly. "ye…ye didn't have to tell." "You helped me out of the Zephyr. Helped me search for someone who insulted you. Have comforted me when most of my own family would run in fear. The least I can do, is give you my friendship Anna Dell. With all that it implies for one such as yourself."
"I guess I been pushin' it me-self." the young tech shook her head, with a shrug of her shoulders, "though my den-father call me a newb for doing so with a mage. To be Friends with you, Miss Elsa Aren." The teal eyes sparkled though as she said the words, a small smile curving her lips, and Elsa lightly smiled back while speaking, "oh, he's right of course. About mages.." she said as she started slowly walking back to the town.
The tech lifted an eyebrow as she fell in beside her, "Oh real' a?"
"Yes. Most mages are stuffy, overweight, old men with performance issues."
The tech couldn't keep it in and bust out giggling, "Performance issue's?!"
"uhm-hmm. Performance. Issues."
The tech couldn't resist the joke, and descended into stuttering giggles.
OOOOO
So. The mage knew where she was from generally, and how she was raised. The dwarf raised tech shook her head. Both at the absurdity of the situation and the mental fatigue they both shared. Both women stumbled more than once on the way back to the town and inn. But both supported the other in those moments.
Anna had the feeling that their friendship would be just like that walk. But Master Bjorgman was waiting for them. He was pacing, and he had news. Mostly bad.
"Master Joachim didn't leave much. He cleaned out everything he needed." the young man shook his head, his broad shoulders slumped, "The town sheriff knows about the bodies now. I had to get him before the innkeeper did, and show him the letter. He agrees with the story of self defense. And took care of the bodies. Supposedly I'm free to go." the druid took a breath and let it out slowly, "For a minute there I thought it was off to jail."
"But here's the kicker. If anything our journey has gotten harder. The bridge over the Mistwater is blockaded by bandits. Judging by the actions of the sheriff, he's not in any hurry to remove them. And I don't have the money to stay here long, unless you ladies can help out."
"One last thing. I managed to nick this off one of the bodies." He held out a small amulet to the mage.
OOOOO
Elsa took the brass amulet her gloved hands, and tensely at the hidden undercurrent to the large mans words. Looking in the early morning light, she turned it over from the smooth back.
Gold inscribed with silver forming a stylized eye in a triangle.
Anna looked over at Elsa's stilled hands, and then went off in angry grumbles under her breath. Once she had seen what the wide eyed mage was holding. But Elsa was still close enough to hear her and generally understand the woman. She seemed to be searching her extensive vocabulary of swears for the proper words. Elsa could very well understand, and was impressed, as the young tech never repeated herself.
The big blond druid spoke as he gave Sven a scratch under the chin. "Whoever that symbol represents. They did the Zephyr in. And I think they tried to kill elder Joachim."
Anna replied with her accent lightly tingeing her words, "Well, now we know, someone want'en the ship dead."
Elsa asked the obvious question, "But Who? And why the elder as well?"
Kristoph shook his head, "I don't have those answers Miss Aren. At least I was able to arrange with the useless fool of a sheriff for a search party, and… burial detail. For the Zephyr. The others will not have to wait long. At least. But I kept your two involvement out of the discussion. As far as he knows I picked you up as fellow pilgrims."
Elsa and Anna shared a look of agreement at this before Elsa spoke again. Though a pang of pain ran through her. "That is a very good idea. And alibi.. Thank you master Bjorgman..."
OOOOO
Anna woke after a much needed nap. The position of the sun telling she hadn't slept much. Maybe a couple of hours. As she looked about the loft room she was in, a small six by ten cubby for one person, containing only a bed and small table with lamp. The small opening in the outside wall serving as a window, had its shutters thrown open to let in some fresh air.
The young tech rubbed her face as she sat up, thinking how after making arrangements to stay in the loft all three had simply fallen into bed. A short grin flickered across her face as she decided to go get that bath she had promised herself. With nothing but her purse, and whatever she had been wearing at the time of the crash, her revolver, hand shotgun (some would call it a hand cannon), toolkit, hand-lamp with charges, pocket chronometer, a mechanized dagger, pocket looking glass and one other weapon, she needed to make a quick stop first with the innkeeper to barter some soap.
OOOOO
Elsa luxuriated in the tub. The feeling of warm water surrounding her a welcome relief from the dirt. Hanging from the rack nearby her dress glistened from its washing. Being the only thing beside her purse, pendant, a small enchanted Ever-Sharp dagger, and travel satchel (which only had her research book. A useful magical construct capable of reading her entire family library. Unfortunately it was only one way communication, and required the book be brought "up to date" by performing a ritual of renewal in the library itself, allowing any new books added to be read through the book. She hadn't had a chance yet to look for the strange amulets meaning or if it would lead her to the groups name. But it was on her to-do list…) to survive the crash.
Sighing contentedly, she relaxed…. For about two seconds before the lock clicked and the door opened.
Unable to see around the partition in the middle of the room, Elsa whipped up a quick phrase of power, and detected who was on the other side. The large blank filled with what she could only call static, save the sex of the intruder, told the young mage enough.
"Anna?"
Sure enough the red head replied, "oh.. Hello Elsa. I Didn't know ye were in here." the lock in the door clicked again as the young tech closed the door. Elsa decided to open a conversation with the tech, "I felt the need for a bath. Must have lost a couple of pounds of dirt by now."
A silver giggle echoed from the redhead before she responded, "aye, I beliv' I will possibly out-do ye in that." a symphony of sounds indicated the gingers disrobing. Judging from the assorted metal on metal sounds… Elsa couldn't resist the teasing question, "Just how many guns are you carrying?!" another silver laugh came across the partition, "Three, but one is in pieces for concealment. Plus a few other tings."
Elsa marveled at how the accent seemed to flow naturally and exoticly from the woman. But decided to change the subject, "So.. Now what do we do? Are you still interested in heading for Tarrant? I still need to get to the college of mages there. And with the road closed…"
A relaxed sigh gave away the ginger settling into the tub, but then she replied, "Aye to Tarrant, though me-thinks we should get some short-change first. And discover what we can about the situation at the bridge. Perhaps we can find a few local short-works to help round-out our purses?"
Elsa loved that accent.
"Well Anna, I think we have to. Our silver won't sustain us for long. And that bridge is the only way east without a very long walk according to Master Bjorgman. I really don't know what the sheriff is thinking, I don't like it." a ungentle sound came from the tech. "best we 'void that derpy newb sheriff then. Sounds like a fa'real winner dat one. Like to stuff my gun up 'is nose… and I never met 'im yet."
Splashes told of the techs cleaning, and Elsa giggled at the redheads comment as she got herself out of the tub to dry off. She felt calm, which was the usual order of things with her "outbursts", tense, outburst, then calm. Drying her hair she brushed it quickly but left it out of her braid to dry while she dressed. "I spoke with Master Bjorgman after I woke, he hadn't slept much himself. But he did overhear that the local doctor needed some help. Nothing much other then that."
"Sounds like a good place to start t'en."
Elsa pulled on her dress, and cinched the sides down. Damn… she was loosing weight again. Popping her dagger into its hiding spot she heard the tech rinse and splash out of the tub. Then assorted clinking as she readied her dress for washing.
Finishing up she heard the most unladylike swear come from the tech. It was obviously intended to be inaudible.
OOOOO
After hopping out and drying off, Anna had run into an issue with washing her dress. The heavy wool was holding onto its grease with a stubborn tenacity. "Godsdaminit."
"What was that?!" it took a split second for Anna to realize she had spoken out loud. "oh.. No'ting. No'ting to worry about. Just a stubborn spot o' grease." she cringed as the mage giggled softly from around the partition, and Anna could hear her moving around with various stages of her dress.
Damnitall, she was blushing bad. If the mage came around the corner and curtain to see her like this! Anna hastily pulled on her under things. There, at least she wouldn't see much. Dry clothes on wet skin was not the most comfortable feeling, but it would do.
"Do you need any help?"
Anna would later deny it, but she reached for her cut down shotgun. "Don'na do that to me!" she glared at the mage peeking around the corner of the partition and curtain.
Well attempted to glare.
Elsa's hair was down. She was freshly cleaned. She wore a small smile. Ice blue eyes twinkled at her. Her hair was down. Slim and proper. Her. Hair. Was. Down.
It framed her perfectly.
Anna realized she was staring after a few ticks before getting vigorously back to work on her dress, her cheeks heating so badly she might as well have lit coals under 'em.. "Jus' a small 'stain. No-ting to worry about!"
OOOOO
Elsa watched for a second before speaking, "Well I'll go find Master Bjorgman, and see if he's learned anything new."
She turned around and tried to get the vision of the blushing, red haired, scantily dressed, beauty out of her head.
OOOOO
"Here it is.." Miss Dell read the sign the three had walked up to. "Doctor Roberts, Medical surgeon. Hmm wonder what 'e needs help with?" "I don't know miss Dell." replied Kristoph, "Nobody would say what, mostly because nobody knew. I'm wondering if its on the up and up."
Miss Aren looked pointedly at the others, "Only one way to find out." she opened the door and walked in. Miss Dell shrugged to the Druid and followed the Mage in.
Kristoph sighed and pulled a hand down his face, "I've got a bad feeling about this. Sven? Keep an eye out buddy. Stay here." the reindeer plopped his but on the ground and sat watching the street. "Good boy."
OOOOO
(AN: Doc Roberts is played by Sam Elliot. I seriously cannot think of anyone else for the role. No actors were harmed in the making. Yada yada…)
A doorbell tinkled lightly as they entered the small building, and from the back of the room a rough deep male voice boomed out in a deep southern accent. "My office is closed to ya, cheapskates. You get shot again you bleed. I'm not doin' no more charity work." the tall, slim, but well built older man turned as he stood up from where he seemed to be sharpening his tools, continuing his speech, "You can go jump off into the ole Bessie-Toone for…." the words trailed off as he caught sight of the three standing awkwardly in the front of his shop. "Oh.. Sorry about that. I've been having some trouble with a couple of cheapskate fools. I'm Doc Roberts, at your service."
The trio shared a quick aside glance between each other, before Anna spoke up, "Good afternoon sir, we were wondering about any work you might have for us? We heard through the rumor mill about you looking for help."
Elsa was astounded now that she knew what to listen for. The young tech had completely turned off her accent. But her statement had elicited a response from the doctor. Turning her attention back to the older man. She saw he was a bit thoughtful if rather cold faced still.
He looked them all up and down, his demeanor still coldly cautious, his facial expression seeming to try and find what little talent they might actually have accidentally possessed.
"A Mage, A druid, and a Technologist…" ("Odd little.." The rest was unintelligible and under his breath) Doc Roberts looked over Anna "Three guns and a dagger, you're a bit over-prepared, for a normal traveler," the young redheads mouth fell open as his gaze switched to Elsa, "One dagger, and a cart-load of magical power if I'm correct." he specifically glanced at a desk chronometer nearby, ticking wildly and erratically, sometimes backwards, before finally turning to Kristoph, "and a druid of the Pannari. Unarmed save for your glorified walk'n stick." Kristoph looked offended, then quickly looked at his staff.
He looked them all square in the eyes, and seemed to make a decision, "Yeah.. I am looking for help, Miss?" "Anna Dell." she quickly introduced the others, "Miss Dell. I need some help cause I hear some friends of the sheriff are taking a whack at the bank in the next couple of days."
A few seconds passed, and Kristoph blurted out the obvious response, and the surprised trios general thinking. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Friends of the sheriff are going to rob the bank?! Did I hear you correctly?!"
"yes'm, Boy you did." the older man scratched at his short grey moustache, "the Williams gang. The've been bribin' the sheriff to look the other way while they come in and hit the bank. This will be the fourth time in as many months and the last if I have anything to say bout' it." he scratched the back of his head as he adjusted his cowboy hat. "I and a number of others figured it out, but the sheriff, weasel faced rotten two-bit half and half, being the law round here makes people afraid. Always showin' late to the scene. Threatening people with jail. Letting any who pay 'im off go, and squeezin' those who don't." he looked out the window, then looked back, and spoke with a rough undercurrent of anger in his voice, "I want to stop them red handed, In the Bank. Bring them two weasel William brothers out to the town squar' and make them tell the truth. Tell how they bribed the sheriff. How they are part of his little scam. Ya see, the owner of the Bessie Toone? Sheriff has him in his pocket somehow. And the real estate all belongs to 'im. No ones going against the mine. And he who owns the mine… well. They pick the sheriff." all three stiffened before Anna spoke, "How? Doesn't the law say that the people get to vote for their sheriff?"
"Yes an' No Miss Dell. The law says, but if your job director tells you who to vote for and you don't? well.
I don't like it. Havent since I came here two years ago and watched them rig the election. But now.. I can make a change. I may not be able to convince people to stand behind me now. But after taken out the Williams and puttin' the Sheriff to shame. Well… it's a whole new day." a sly smile came up on the old mans face.
All three looked to each other, and Elsa spoke up, "I don't see why you need our help then Doctor. Why not ask for help around here?"
"A good question Miss Aren. Most around here are not the sort I would trust behind my back." he smiled lopsidedly, "Or with a spell or firearm just on general principle for that matter. But all you would need to do is keep the rest of the gang busy, or if you are capable, eliminate them. I'll deal with the rest." and with that the older man brushed back his hand to rest for a second on a fine revolver that had gone unnoticed by the group.
Anna brought up something important to them though, "How much would we get paid for this? I assume such a gang would have a reward on their heads?"
"You are very correct in that assumption." the old doctor confirmed with a nod, then he smiled with a bit of grim humor as he relaxed against the workbench, "Placed by the two bit sheriff 'imself. Pretty high one at that." all three looked to each other and smiled at that. "Plus I have a few odds and ends I'll give you in exchange. So, you willing to stand with me?"
Elsa frowned slightly, before speaking, "Everything you have said matches up with what we have heard good doctor. Though I ask if we can get some rest first."
The older man nodded, "The word I got was the theft was planned for later this week anyways, early in the morning." he looked thoughtful as he ran a hand through his grey hair, then his blue eyes twinkled, "Meet me at the bank early tomorrow morning, say six o' clock. We can look over the place an' figure a plan. Wouldn't do to have us not knowin' the score an shooting each other in the back. Plus I can talk quick with the manager, and let her know. She'll be ready then an can stall the Willaim's if needed."
Anna looked to the others, and with their short nods spoke to the old doctor, "Then We will be there."
OOOOO
Fire no longer burned around twisted metal. Ash and soot no longer chocked the air about the wreck of the ISS Zephyr. A lone figure dressed in a cloak of dark material walked in the grey light of the early morning dawns mist, searching amongst the ruined ship.
A thread of magic is felt. The figure moves around a large piece of metal, and kneels next to a fallen soul. A hand reaches out, rough and calloused, hovering over the body of an impaled gnome for but a moment. Feeling.
A whisper, quiet, deathlike in its chilling force.
"So that's how… Very brave… Very Foolish."
The object was gone. Well. It would have to be found then…
A new force however brings the figure to its feet, and it stalks away, following like a bloodhound upon the trail of the hunt. This new thread of magic actually reaching out and calling for its attention.
Through the woods, and up the valley away from the wreck, the figure moves tirelessly.
Time was short. Time was there. Time was not moving. Time was rushing ever faster.
The figure follows the trail till it spied what it was looking for. A crumpled form upon the ground. Dressed in white mages robes. Far away from the impact of the dirigible.
Standing over the body, the figure raised its arms, chanting in its cold chilling voice. From the body a twisted parody rose, silently screaming, twisting in torment, burning in agony.
"You failed."
"I did as I was tooooolld!…."
"You Failed! You were not there!"
"Noooo…."
"You had one easy task. One that would give you power. And You. Have. Failed."
The spirit twisted in agony, but did not refute the statement.
Even though its face was in shadow, a wicked grin could be felt coming from the cloaked one. Echoed in its voice…
"Its of no matter though. You will serve just fine as is…"
Slowly a new chant came, one which the spirit railed against. "Noo.. Noooo! Please! Release meeee! NoooooOOO!" the spirit screamed as the dark tendrils of magic enveloped it.
"No, Hans Southern. You.. are still… Bound."
