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Chapter VI
Chapter VII Sudden revelations, arrival at Bryn Shander
Back in the tower Madison and Eramil are having a heated augment regarding her new powers, shes concerned that what she summoned was pure evil. That thing i pulled out of that human is evil, why didn't you tell me i could do something like that. Eramil calmly responds back trying to reassure Madison. That "Thing" was a specter not inherently evil, and besides you said you wanted the power to better protect your friends this is just one of the added benefits to that goal. The specter just hovers there next to Madison looking back and forth as they both argue; Madison starts to calm down but still doesn't feel right about it, But pulling someones spirit out of someones body just doesn't feel right. Is this specter forever by my side? Eramil responds back Oh no it's only temporary he'll head to the afterlife and next nightfall.
While Madison and Eramil are arguing Argon is salvaging some of the leather armor that the humans were wearing, most of it are in pretty good shape and with with Zephyros's workshop in the second level, repairing he should be able to create two sets of studded leather armor for Madison and Sakura, Sigmul and Sakura are resting in the aerie patching up their wounds that they sustained and Sigmul continually teaching Sakura magic; with each passing day Sakura becomes more adept to the rules and law of the arcane jotting down everything in her spell-book Rolan and Li are outside sparring practicing their swordplay and footwork. On the fifth day Madison sees Argon working on a pair of studded leather armor, curious she asks him why he's reworking some old armor. Um Argon why are you working on some old leather? To which Argon replies back, It's for you and Sakura, if your gonna be here with us might as well equipped you with some armor, lucky for you i know how to craft and rework leather and Zephyros was kind enough to let me use his workbench. Madison's eyes light up and thanks him for his concern she knew that she would need to learn how to move and fight inside armor but was sure that Argon would help her out.
The next day arrives and Argon brings the two pieces of leather armor reinforced with rivets for added protection, he brings them both to Sakura and Madison. Here you go two sets of studded leather armor, I scavenged them and reworked them from the humans that attacked us, here try them on. Madison was the first to put on the armor, it only took a minuet to put on the chest piece, the two pauldrons and bracers. It was a little snug on the ribs but otherwise it fit her perfectly. Thank you Argon, this will help greatly. Sakura on the other hand politely declined. Thanks, but Sigmul has taught me a few spells to help protect me. Sakura takes her hand and places it on her chest as a silver dim light envelops her then disappears. This spell creates a magical barrier to protect me, and lasts a pretty long time as well. Argon scratches his head not really understanding what she did but shrugs anyways. I'm not really sure what you just did there but if it'll help you then go for it.
On the tenth day Argon and Li are sparring outside when he spots in the corner of his eye an large winged beast flying fast towards them. A huge silver dragon glides though the clouds, approaching quickly. As it flies closer, Argon sees a number of armored Dwarves clutched in it's talons. Fearful Argon runs inside with Li behind him to tell everyone else expect for Sigmul and Sakura who are in the aerie studying their spell-books. Guys we have a problem, a silver dragon is flying here carrying several Dwarves. On the aerie Sakura is the one to notice the silver dragon fast approaching the tower and warns Sigmul, Sakura casts mage armor and Sigmul casts something to in vigor himself as well as his divine shield. On ground level Argon, Rolan and Li grab their weapons, Madison and Eramil both summon their weapons from their patrons. Just as everyone prepares for the "Dwarven Strike Team" three of them crash through the aerie confronting Sigmul and Sakura, and three of them barge through the main door where everyone else is at and ready.
Knowing that the Dwarves are coming Eramil and Madison both shoot a beam of dark energies that cascade into two beams, unfortunately the dwarves block both Eramil's shots with their shields and Madison's nick on in the shoulder pushing him back ten feet, Rolan moves in to block the doorway holding his shield out being the wall in which the dwarfs need to get past. Li moves in to attack a dwarf and missing and over reaching as well as blocking Argon's way into the Frey. The three dwarfs at the entrance all attack Rolan who holds his shield high and blocks each strike they throw at him holding firm. On the aerie Sakura speaks to the Dwarves with great confusion in her voice Why are you attacking us what have we done. One dwarf a female replies back in a commanding tone I Daina Ungart leader of the Lord's Alliance of Mithral Hall Command you to stand down, the Cloud Giant Zephyros must die. Sigmul replies back in an equal commanding tone Well I Sigmul O'Connell of the Order of the Gauntlet command you to stand down, this Cloud Giant has done nothing wrong. Daina shakes her head and refuses to listen. If you would not stand down then we shall strike you down, come on men show them what Mithral Hall's best can do. The three Dwarves march forward to attack them, Daina attacks Sigmul with her battle ax, coming close but Sigmul repels her with his shield spell.
Both Eramil and Madison combine their blasts, both hit the same dwarf square in the chest; Madison's knocking back ten more feet and Eramil doing some serious damage as Rolan moves forward after him, allowing Argon to come in behind him and attack the dwarf that is now behind him. Unfortunate both Li and Argon cannot get past the dwarfs shield. Sakura transforms her staff into a sword with the sword card and attacks one dwarf, maneuvering the sword past the dwarfs shield and cutting into him. Getting really sick and tired that Madison is pushing their comrade out the door the three dwarfs on the first floor drop their swords and shields and pulls out their crossbows and shoot Madison dropping her to the ground and bleeding out. Just before she falls unconscious she manages to say a few words first. The armor it does nothing. Eramil looks over to Madison as she lays on the ground unconscious with three bolts in her chest and says That's unlucky. Diana and her two dwarfs on the aerie attack Sigmul and Sakura, two dwarfs cut through Sakura's magic barrier but only inflicting minor damage, as for the other dwarf the magic barrier repels the hit. Sigmul laughs at Daina and strikes at her with his sword, Daina winces at the pain and orders the other two to focus on Sigmul. Attack the male he's the serious threat.
Eramil shoots more dark energy at the same dwarf as Rolan does what he does best and stands his ground tanking everything coming at him, Argon slashes a dwarf twice with he blade as Li runs over to Madison trying to stabilize the bleeding, Rolan yells at Li angerly DON'T BREAK FORMATION KID. Li takes out some bandages and and gently pulls out the three crossbow bolts from her chest, the applying the bandages stopping the bleeding as well stopping the risk of her dying. The three dwarfs on the first floor shuffle around dropping their crossbows and picking up their battle axes two handing them and attacking Rolan and Argon carving wound in Argon's left arm but missing Rolan. On the aerie Daina and her three comrades all gang up on Sigmul, who only smiles at the challenge, but Sigmul repels every hit that comes at him and laughing as Sakura smiles in amusement. In a flood of anger and frustration Daina orders her comrades to attack Sakura. "Arrg dammit attack the girl she's easier to hit." As Daina says that her smile very quickly turns to a frown.
"You can handle them right Sigmul." Sakura says very worried, Sigmul only nods with a big smile on his face. With that Sakura safely moves to the window jumps out and casts a spell to slow her fall so she can land on the cloud gently.
Rolan incoming Eramil flicks his wrist as a sudden loud ringing noise, painfully intense erupts from the doorway. Three dwarfs cover their ears as the start to bleed from the noise, if it were not for Rolan's quick reaction his would be too. Rolan continues to stop the dwarfs entering the tower by acting as a wall of sheer metal as Argon slashes away at them, as the retaliate back with their battle axes. Back on the aerie Daina and her dwarfs turn their attention back to Sigmul who's just smiling away. They all attack and Sigmul just casually deflects the attacks away nonchalantly which infuriates them even further. Sigmul counter attacks Diana slashing her ribs, the blade sinks deeply.
In unison Eramil and Argon shout out incoming, Eramil performing the same spell and Argon breathing fire, as Rolan mutters under his breath, I hate you both. With combine power from Eramil and Argon they kill one dwarf and injuring the rest and Rolan who only grumbles in anger at his friends. Sakura manages to safely making it to the cloud and runs up to the door only to be stopped by two more dwarfs and her friends on the other side. In her head she's saying why, on the outside shes acting brave and valorous. She charges in attacking a dwarf with her sword two handing it with her eyes closed bring the sword down on his dead killing him. His friend looks at her and yells swinging his ax at her with such force it cuts deeply into her abdomen forcing her to drop her sword reverting back into the clow card as she holds her abdomen . Once again Diana and her squad attack Sigmul, unfortunately Sigmul's resivour of shields have run out and two gets by his shield, which drops his barrier but not his unnatural vigor. Ah how cute you managed to drop my barrier. Sigmul says mocking them with a big smile on his face, as he flicks his sword as a sudden loud ringing noise, painfully intense erupts from behind them killing Daina and injuring one more.
Seeing that there's only one dwarf left Eramil walks over to the magical elevator and rides it up to Sigmul casually, as Rolan heals the damage done by the dwarf closing the wound leaving behind only a scar. In great anger Sakura conjures five magical darts and fires them at the dwarf that pretty much cut her open, each dart knocks him around, and on the fifth kills him. On the aerie the two remaining dwarfs yell out in panic in dwarvish and bolt it to the closest window as the silver dragon appears and flies them way.
Eramil arrives to the aerie seconds after the dwarves leave only viewing the tail end of the dragon and the corpse of Daina with Sigmul standing over her unharmed.
"Dame Sigmul, you handles yourself quite nicely, facing three well armed dwarves and a silver dragon."
Sigmul sheaths wipes the blood off his sword and sheaths it replying back to Eramil. "Nah it was just the dwarves, but they were here one behalf of the Lord's Alliance, unfortunately two of them got away."
Sigmul walks next to Eramil and heads down to the first floor wit h Eramil. "Well that's gonna be a problem if they got away they could identify us."
Sigmul responds jokingly wearing his usual big smile. "Ah whats the worst that could happen ?"
Back down on the first floor Rolan walks up to Madison and lays his hand on her performing a very minor healing power to bring her back to conscious state. Madison gasps as she awakens seeing Rolan hovering over her, then looks over to Argon and says.
"I think I need stronger armor." Madison walks over to her bedroll and begins to rest off her injuries, Argon briefly says wit ha smile "I'll see what I can do."
Zephyros comes down after everyone regroups on the first floor to personally thank them.
" I must say I own you a great deal of thanks, those dwarves no doubtfully been sent to destroy my navigation orb, that I use to pilot this tower." Zephyros holds out a bag with coinage as his way of saying thank you.
"Here take it, there's 350 gold pieces in here take them." Zephyros then heads back up second floor after muttering "damned dragons."
Rolan takes the giants pouch and puts it in his bag.
"Well think it's time we rest up, I know Madison could us some rest." Rolan says
With that everyone finds a spot to call home and sleeps. Over the course of the next 20 days everyone spends their time resting, practicing their swordsman ship, Argon takes the splint armor that the dwarves were wearing and begins reshaping it to fit Madison better, making it lighter so she can wear it. Sakura continues to study magic with Sigmul, they both growing with power. After the 20 days Argon was only able to make one set of study metal armor. Only enough to cover front and back of the body and leather cloth to cover the top part of her legs; the only thing that doesn't cover are her arms. Argon helps Madison to put on the armor, again a little snug but it fits her fine.
"There we go, not the prettiest set of armor but it should protect you much better, plus I see you've been practicing using that shield too."
Madison checks out the new set of armor, testing her movements by stretching and running in place.
"Yea this feels great, thanks again Argon. I just hope Sakura isn't still beating herself up about what happened to me."
As if on Que Sakura walks in the front door with holding her staff and her spell-book hanging from her waist.
"Wow Madison you're starting to look like a warrior, careful or Rolan will start to get jealous."
Rolan scoffs as he Sakura said that. Just before Madison could say anything Li and Zephyros come down,
"Well small ones were hear, I can only take you so far before the inhabitants of Bryn Shander notice. The city isn't too far away just a little hike should only take you 30 minutes, oh and be sure to dress warmly this time a year frostbite sets in rather quickly for you small folk."
The cold air hits the group are as they are unprepared for the harsh weather, after 30 minuets of the cold air and snow beating them in the face they finale reach Bryn Shander, the walled city of the north. A female dwaven guard wearing a chain shirt, shield, and a few overcoat with a golden lion's head pinned on her collar. She hails them in cheerful manner "Well meet travelers! Keep your fingers and extremities under wraps, lest Auril bite them off! Mind yer tempers, and you'll be most welcome here! Brought goods to sell? The market lies straight ahead. Craving a warm drink? May I recommend a drop of Firebeard's Firebrandy, sold only at Kelvins comfort, located on yer right as you enter the market square!" The guard opens the gate Argon thanks the woman as the rest proceed though."Thank you, a drink would most welcome" Sigmul face palms."Really Argon a tavern now." Argon replies back annoyed"One I haven't had a drink since Fallcrest, and two it's best if we get out of the frigid cold."
The group nods and moves though the gate; the city is bustling with people of all races the streets are pack full of merchants, making it actually feel warmer in the city, once in awhile a gust of wind reminds them its still frigid up in the north. Everyone eventually reach the Kelvin's comfort and as soon as the door opens they are greeted by the smell of fresh food and a roaring fire which Sakura, Madison and Li all immediately head to, Argon heads over to the barkeep with Sigmul and Eramil takes a seat a the nearest empty table. Rolan on the other hand heads to the closest market stall to purchase so rations, cold-weather clothing and some other things to help them survive.
One his way to the market stalls he spots an middle age woman wearing baggy clothing, and boots too big for her, he pays her no mind but she spots him and watches him closely. While at the stall Rolan purchase several things, mostly 120 days worth of rations, water-skins for Sakura, Li and Madison and a healers kit, specifically for Madison when she gets targeted. He also purchases two draft horses and a wagon for when they have to leave the city.
Argon signals the barkeep, a squat dwarf with a sour look on his face and ginger fluffy beard, "Aye, what do you want make it quick I''m busy"
Argon replies back annoyed at the dwarfs manners "That the way you treat all your customers dwarf." The dwarf scoffs and answer back "Aye, but only to people who loiter, now what it'll be."
Argon replies back "house special, please?"
"Aye they'll be the flamebeard best ale In the whole city, nay the whole of ten-town, named it after myself Ogden Flamebeard, it'll burn going down, coming up sometimes form both ends." Ogen says quite proud of his ale.
"Eh, just the regular stuff for me thanks."
Ogden scoffs and says "Hmm suit yourself, wimp" and brings out one ale for Argon.
Warming up by the fire Sakura, Li and Madison all reminisce about how it was much simpler to just capture the clow cards.
"Hey Sakura remember the good old times where all you had to do is seal the clow cards away, and I would video tape you and Li fighting over who gets to seal it." Madison laughs as Li scoffs a bit but still smiling
"Yea those were really simpler times, I barley knew what I was doing then let alone now. Now I have some evil master after me, and now a bunch of Giants to deal with." Sakura says sarcastically
"Well at least you have us to help you, plus Madison to take crossbow bolts for you." Li teases
"Least I'm useful." Madison teases back
"Yea what ever you say Boromir." All three just laugh at one another.
