Chapter 4
Balingar knelt in the shadows of the rocky outcropping that he and his comrades were using to remain unseen from the three ships anchored in the natural harbor not a hundred yards from their position. "So we are clear on the plan?" Kieran asked as he looked up from the map he had drawn in the dirt. "Me, Daedra, and Balingar will go up to the ships disguised as Edward's men, we will give the men the drugged food and drink. After they fall asleep, Cullen and Seoni will approach and help us free the slaves and deal with whatever we find below decks. Then we move the men to the other boats and send them North to Broken Bay. The third boat we take back to the docks of Falcrest." Kieran said, his voice layered with confidence as he added. "And no one is the wiser."
Cullen nodded as he and Seoni stood. Balingar felt the magic was over him and soon three of Ingumunder's soldiers stood were they once did. The magic allowed the three of them to recognize each other even with the disguise. It was a little disconcerting when one of the big burly men opened his mouth and Daedra's voice spoke. "Thank the gods we don't smell like them" A small chuckle was shared among them as Seoni waved her hand and a small hand cart full of food appeared. Kieran pulled a vial from his belt. "Sleeping Potion, a gift from ole Squid-face." he smiled as he poured Mirrizzian's gift over the food. Balingar and Daedra each grabbed one of the poles at the front of the cart and, with a wave to the two mages before they disappeared into the shadows, Kieran led the group around the outcropping and toward the anchored boats.
The head bands allowed the group to maintain contact with each other silently as they moved toward the ships. As the group came into view of the ships, a group of sailors moved down the gangplank and toward them. "Where's the rest of ya?" the lead one asked. Kieran raised a hand and the cart came to a stop. "Edward sent us back with some food. Apparently that whelp of a king damn near wet himself when they showed up. They shouldn't be much longer before they drag the runaway back"
The sailor's chuckled and one called back to the ships. "Oi, get your arses down here. Edward sent back some decent grub finally." the sailor called. Almost instantly the sound of thudding feet echoed down the gangplanks of the ships as 60 sailors come running at the sound of grub. Soon all that is heard is the sounds of of munching as the men wolf down the food. Within a few minutes they start snoring as the potion takes effect. Kieran whistles as soon Cullen and Seoni appear out of the shadows. "Keep an eye on them." Kieran says to Cullen and Daedra. "Seoni and Balingar with me." The three move quickly and quietly up the gangplank and onto the ship proper.
The three of them carefully moved to the the door leading down into the hold of the massive slave ship, a slot in the door at eye level to allow for confirming who was there. Kieran motions for them to stop as he puts an ear to the door. I hear movement Kieran's voice cuts into their heads. He glanced over at Balingar Would you care to knock dear cousin. Balingar smiled as he stepped up to the door. He reached up and knocked on the heavy door. The guard on the other side walked over to the door yelling. "You bastards had better brought me some of that..." His statement was cut off as he opened the slot in the door. The last thing he saw was the massive boot of Balingar Westhill before it slammed into the door, sending it and him crashing back 10 feet and onto the floor.
The three heroes quickly entered the hold. The torches mounted in the walls cast shadows through the bars of the cells and onto the huddled figures inside them. Kieran reached down and pulled a ring of keys from the belt of the unconscious jailer. He tossed the keys to Balingar as he stood. "Here, you two free them. I'm gonna check the captain's cabin to see if there is anything useful." He smiled as he climbed out of the door, and turned back to them. "Stay out of trouble you too." He chuckled as he left the hold.
Seoni turned and looked at Balingar. "Let's get to work" she said as she took the keys from him and stepped toward the first cell. She spoke in a language Balingar was unfamiliar with. The group of huddled figures stepped close to the bars, and Balingar could see that they were all elves, but none of them had the same High Elf appearance as Seoni. She opened the cell and gave Balingar the keys, "Open the rest" she said as she continued to speak with the elven prisoners. He walked to the other two cells and opened the doors. The elves in the cells moved toward him cautiously unsure what he wanted. However when they saw Seoni helping to remove the shackles of the other cell inhabitants they moved closer and allowed him to remove their own shackles.
As Balingar knelt to remove the shackles from a young elven boy, he realized that he shared a familiarity with Layla. He smiled as he asked "Elren?" The young boy looked up and nodded slightly. "Seoni, I think I have found Layla's son." He called gently over his shoulder. Seoni soon stepped into the cell with Balingar. She knelt and smiled beside him. She spoke gently in elvish to the young boy. He looked between the two and nodded. He pointed to a metal door at the end of the hall and said "T'uatha" Seoni turned and looked at the door and Balingar stood and moved toward it. There was a square hole and 18 inches by 9 inches with bars in it cut into the door. When Balingar looked through it, the sight that met his eyes filled him with anger.
Laying against the back wall lay a dead elf, its arms still shackled to the wall. Balingar heard the soft steps of Seoni behind him. He turned quickly and placed himself in front of the window and blocked it from her. He shook his head, and the look on his face told her everything. She slowly slid to her knees as she lifted her hands to her face and softly sobbed. Balingar knelt beside her and places his gauntleted hand on her bare shoulder. He tried to think of something to say, but nothing came. It was the voice of Kieran in their head that broke the silence. We have company.
Seoni grabbed her staff which had fallen beside her and stood. There was a righteous anger in her eyes as she turned and began to move down the hall toward the door leading out. Balingar stood and removed his shield from his back and drew Angavir. Kieran, the T'uatha is dead. We are heading out, he projected into his cousin's mind. He quickly caught up Seoni and soon the two were standing on the staircase leading up to the deck. Kieran's voice announced in both of their heads Apparently there was a scouting party and they have returned. Mazzerran is hidden, but cannot cast without them seeing him. Seoni, disguise Balingar as one of the sailors. Balingar I need you to distract them so Cullen can cast his spell and put them to sleep. Balingar responded and turned to Seoni. The anger radiates from her. She looks as though she is about to rush out there and attack them all, when she closed her eyes and breathed deeply. When they opened she was her calm self once more.
Balingar leaned down and looked into her eyes. "I swear that justice will be done to those who masterminded this ploy, they will pay ten times over for the noble blood they spilled here." Seoni smiled slightly she leaned up and kissed Balingar's forehead. A glimmer before his eyes telling him the magic had worked. "Thank you" she whispered and stood aside to let him move up. Balingar nodded as he climbed up the stairs to the deck.