-1Author's Note: Okay, so here we go. This is going to be broken into a bajillion pieces because I write in so much detail everything turns into a short story. I apologize to some of you that want me to write longer chapters but as a majority people keep telling me they are too long. So I will try not to exceed more than twenty pages at a time, more preferably around 15 or 16. At any rate, just sit back, relax and enjoy the show P And I'm very honored that BranMuffinPower decided to do some fanart for my piece, she's an awesome artist, everyone should drop by her deviantart page at . Thanks everybody for reading and reviewing!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Diablo universe, Blizzard Entertainment does. I just own my character names.
The Plight of Deckard Cain
Chyemme
I awoke the next morning to the sound of a rooster's crowing. As I wiped the dust from my groggy eyes, I allowed dawn's new light to wash across my face from the crack in the doorway of our tent. Once my eyes were fully open, I surveyed the room. The young Laurella, on the bed beside me was huddled in her covers and only succeeded to become more entangled in them as she subconsciously shifted around. I was encouraged however, that she appeared to look at least somewhat better, there weren't any tear stains on her face or pillow. I had the utmost faith that Scorpious had helped her find some peace with what happened, or it might have been Ryelass as well, or combination of the two. I didn't know. Vendra, whom lie on the cot to Laurella's right was still snoring. Maria, as I expected had already dressed, armored up, and left her empty bed neatly made. I could tell, as I strapped my own armor on that it had to be early still. Leaving my weapons in the tent, I emerged outside. Dew flecked my knee-high red leather boots as I softly treaded on the green morning grass, making my way to Akara's hut. I was going to request the training she had promised for cleansing the Den of Evil.
Upon my arrival, Akara surfaced from her tent with a worried look on her face. She managed a brief smile as she took notice of me.
"Hello my dear. What can I do for you?"
I returned the smile. "Well, I've considered to myself about what sort of training that I wanted you to give me, if you're up to the task, my lady," I said with a courteous and respectful bow.
Akara nodded. "What ever you ask I will do my best to teach you. What skill is it that you wish to learn?"
"Since you are an expert archer, I would request that you teach me how to enhance my arrows with ice," I said honestly.
"Ah, your request is a simple one. It should be easy enough for you to learn, seeing as you already know how to enhance you arrows with fire. Cold is no different. You simply concentrate on the air around you, and with some of your own spirit energy freeze it. You do this by pulling heat out of the air around the arrow. Observe," the old woman said to me and withdrew a bow from were it sat at the edge of one of her walls. The old rogue carefully lifted the bow to her eyes and with expert speed, precision, and surprisingly, strength, she loosed an arrow that soared through the air and began to swirl with white mist. It hit the spot on the fence she had been aiming for with no trouble at all, which suddenly froze, with ice rippling out from the point of impact.
I was impressed that a woman her age could still manage to lift a bow, much less that she had been able to fire one. But then again, this was the High Priestess of the Sightless Eye we were talking about. She was far from some defenseless old woman. " I see," I said bluntly, absorbing what I had just witnessed into memory.
"You try," she said to me, and handed me the weapon and an arrow.
I did as she had done, aiming even for the same spot. I felt for the air around my arrow, and willed it become cold. I fired, and as Akara's had, my arrow burst into ice and smashed directly in the center of the one Akara had fired before me. "That wasn't bad at all," I said with a smile.
"Did you imagine it would be? Your mother spoke to me of your ability to learn quickly. That is why you make such an excellent warrior. You are able to observe and then put it into practice, an admirable skill indeed," the rogue leader said to me with pride.
I blushed a little. That was a high compliment coming from one as respected as her. She smiled some, but then she gave a little sigh.
"You seem distressed, Lady Akara. Kaysha told us last night that something was troubling you." I said recalling yesterday night.
"In my old age, it appears that my feelings are not so easily hidden anymore. I feel a great remorse to be such a burden on you all, but I have another, dire task for your group."
I could tell from the look on her face that whatever she was going to ask was no small request. "My Lady, we have already given you our word that we will help you in whatever way we can, no matter what you ask. What is it that you wish?" I asked.
Akara looked remorseful. "It is my wish that you all be together when I ask of you my request. It will pain some more than others," she said ambiguously. I had no idea what she could be referring to, "and it will pain my heart to say it more than once."
I nodded. "Very well. Is there anything that I can personally see to that will aid you in some way?"
Akara thought to herself, then nodded. "Good Chyemme, would you fetch for me the paladin Scorpious? I believe he is by the riverside bridge, praying."
I nodded once again, and as I turned to leave she stopped me. "Wait, there is another thing which you can do for me, once you have sent Lord Scorpious my way. Would you please find Laurella and give this to her for me?" She asked, laying a small platinum ring with a smoky brown quartz in the middle of my palm. I recognized it as the one Akara had put back into her pouch when she had given all of our party gemstone rings for cleansing the Den of Evil.
"Akara, did you know Laurella was going to be found?" I asked as I looked up, only to find that the old woman was no longer there. Strange . . .if Akara had known that Laurella was going to be found, what else did she know? Inner Sight was a strange thing sometimes, this I knew from personal experience. I could see things in the present, and sometimes in the past, but I could never see the future. Neither could anyone I knew save our Queen. That skill was reserved for the truly powerful. I decided not to dwell on the matter for it would only cause me unrest. I pocketed the ring and began walking to the entrance of the camp. The two rogues on guard duty merely nodded to me as I walked past and the one to the right inclined her head towards the stone bridge ahead.
I followed with my eyes and found Scorpious in his full armor, kneeling by the river's edge. As I approached him I could hear him speaking some strange, but yet oddly beautiful language. All the words seemed to fit perfectly together, not one out of sync. As Scorpious' voice intensified, I noticed his sword take on a subtle, multicolored glow. As he continued to chant and his voice reached a climax, Scorpious plunged his glowing sword into the water up to the hilt. With a final cry he released the energy bound to his sword. Almost in the blink of an eye the rainbow glow had mixed with the entire river up to the horizon, giving it an unparalleled brilliance momentarily. The glow left as soon as it had come, revealing the water to be crystal clear and smoothly flowing as opposed to the murky and stagnant nature it had held before. I held my breath. That was absolutely amazing, he had just worked nothing less than a miracle right in front of my eyes!
Scorpious rose to his feet slowly, and then he noticed me staring at him. "Good morning Chyemme. What can I do for you?"
"Scorpious, that was incredible!" I squeaked in childish excitement. "You just purified the whole river in seconds!"
He chuckled. "There is no work too great for God's hands. Besides, this was more of a creek than a river anyway. Lady Akara informed me that demons had been contaminating the rogues' water supply. I was only to happy to help."
"Are all paladins as modest as you?" I laughed back. He had done an amazing thing and quite a service to the rogues. And still he was not prideful in the slightest, choosing instead to understate his accomplishment.
"To be prideful in oneself is pointless, especially since it is God that lends me my power. Such acts are not a strength I innately have on my own. God deems me worthy to receive such gifts and he could take them away at any time. Without God I am nothing more than a sword-slinger. Though powers are not, I'm still just a man, and not worthy of exaltation in any way, shape, or form." he said with a strong tone of righteousness. I'm sure even the deaf could hear his passion about the God of Zakarum when he spoke it . . . "Now, what is that brought you my way this fine morning?" he asked lightheartedly.
"Lady Akara wishes an audience with you. She seems very distraught to me. I'm guessing she needs to speak with you about something grave," I answered.
He nodded. "Very well then, I will go seek her out immediately," he assured as we walked back toward the encampment gates. The two rogues guards lowered their arrow points to the ground and parted as we passed. "I'm afraid this is where I must leave you," he said politely and took his leave, although not without a smile. That was something that struck me about Scorpious. He smiled a lot and his smile had a way of making things better all around for everyone, save Pircus, no matter the situation.
Left to myself, I left in search of Laurella. I decided to skirt the edge of the fire area as I went my own way back to the tent. Oddly enough, I must have mistaken one tent for another, because soon I ended up in a part of the encampment I had never seen before. I saw a large half-shack much like Charsi's, however this one was lined with all sorts of odd knickknacks. A shout, short man with a coat made of deerskin was hunched over a knapsack stuffed full of items in the corner. I recognized him from last night as the merchant Gheed, whom Warriv had been chasing. I wondered if Warriv had ever caught him?
I saw Gheed remove several quivers that were unmistakably arrows, several pairs of boots, a suit of chain-mail and a bandanna. I looked an awful lot like the one Kaysha had been wearing the day I met her. Gheed in his caution seemed to feel my eyes upon him, and he turned around sharply. His fat face's expression turned into a smile.
"Hello there my dear! What can I do for you?" he said in a voice I could tell with no difficulty was fake. I had absolutely no idea what to say to him, I was almost completely sure the bandanna he had was Kaysha's. Kaysha . . . .oddly enough, my Inner Sight told me that she was near. I heard her voice from behind me.
"GHEED! THE QUESTION WILL BE WHAT AKARA'S HEALING POWERS CAN OR CANNOT DO FOR YOU ONCE I GET THROUGH WITH YOU!" she thundered, upon seeing her bandanna out on the table.
She stormed in front of me toward Gheed with powerful, panther-like strides. Gheed gave a small yelp in terror, dropped the bandanna on the ground and took off running. Kaysha didn't chase him like I expected, but instead she walked over and picked up her belonging off the ground. Then she proceeded to throw all the gear he had been loading onto the table back into the bag. Still mumbling to herself angrily, she turned to me.
"I had nothing to do with that," I said truthfully.
"I didn't say you did, outlander. No one who fought against Blood Raven would do something so cowardly. I know that you're innocent, though I must advice you to stay away from him. People might find you suspicious. It's a good thing for him that Akara's got such a kind heart. I wouldn't have let him stay here to begin with, much less tolerate this recent string of blatant theft. I think she should toss his ass out into the wilderness and let his dishonest ways get him out of trouble from there," she growled.
"What are you going to do about him, then?" I asked.
Kaysha half-laughed at the thought. "Well I was thinking of tying him to a post and letting our rookie archers practice on him with training arrows. I swear to you amazon, that once's he's been hit in certain places so many times, he'll beg us to throw him out of here!"
I pictured Gheed being pelted with soft arrows by little girls and a slight smile caught on my lips. Kaysha resumed her usually strict demeanor.
"Now then amazon, do me a favor. The rogue in your tent, Laurella, send her to me would you? I can sense that you are headed that way anyhow. No need to waste time and effort in sending another scout when someone else is already on an errand there."
I sighed. After defeating Blood Raven I would have thought Kaysha would loosen up a little around us. Perhaps she still felt like we were encroaching upon her position, but that fear would have no basis. Kaysha had to know that our presence here was temporary by now.
"Fine. How do I . . ." I began.
"Walk along the fence to the right until you reach Charsi's forge. You should be able to find your way from there," kasha answered before I could finish my question. Kaysha smirked. "Yes, I knew you were lost. For a practitioner of Inner Sight your thoughts are quite unguarded," she announced before she turned and walked away.
I grimaced. She was right. I'd been so caught up in recent happenings that I had dropped my mind's guard. I would be remedying that little problem from now on. I followed Kaysha's directions and soon came to Charsi's hut. After waving in greeting to the blacksmith, I continued to the tent Maria, Vendra, Laurella, and I were sharing.
I parted the tent flap. Just as I expected, neither Vendra nor Laurella had stirred in the time I was gone. I decided to wake Vendra first, so that she wouldn't be left in the tent by herself unaware of what was going on once Laurella and I left. I cleared my throat and called her name.
"Vendra." She didn't budge. I tried again, louder this time. "Vendra!" She answered me with a snore from underneath her pillow. I was getting ready to shout when I heard the tent flap part again and Sovellis stuck his head in the doorway.
"Is Vendra wake yet?" he asked. I stepped aside so he could see her.
Sovellis chuckled. "You not wake her?" he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
I sighed. "Is there some secret to waking her that I don't know?"
"Not so much secret, as to say method. You have to know her. Hit where it hurt," he giggled and walked over to her bedside. "Observe," he said with a mischievous twinkle in his dark eyes. In one swift movement, he snatched the top of Vendra's woolen blanket and gave a firm tug. He pulled the entirety of her covers off to expose her tan nightgown and bare, tan flesh. Within the very second, Vendra's entire body gave a fierce shudder and she snapped her eyes wide open.
'What in hell?" she growled like an angry tiger. She shivered again, but the next thing she knew, Sovellis had grabbed her by the ankles and was pulling her off her bed. The grouchy sorceress ungracefully found her feet, wobbling to and fro. She snapped at Sovellis. "You moron, can you not see that I was sleeping!? Damn it Sovellis, GET OUT I'M NOT EVEN DRESSED YET!!" she shrieked in horror, suddenly realizing that she was still in her underclothes. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to cover up.
Sovellis on the other hand, just stood there rooted to the spot laughing. "Well that just teach you to not sleep so much. Chyemme been trying to wake you for quite some time.
Vendra was a little less than amused. "DID YOU NOT HEAR ME? I SAID OUT!" She roared. I felt the room become warm and I saw Vendra's eye flash a shade of pure white. Twin bolts of lightening sprang from them and impacted the ground at Sovellis' feet. The large, black mage jumped back in surprise and looked up at her. Vendra's eyes were still glowing, her pupils had been enveloped in the gleam.
"Vendra . . ."
"OUT!" her eyes crackled with lightening in warning.
Sovellis raised his hands up in surrender and began backing away slowly.
"MOVE FASTER!" she shrieked and another pair of lightening bolts absorbed into the ground at the mage's feet. Vendra was not pleased when he continued to stare at her and before I knew what was happening she had begun to chase Sovellis out of the tent, zapping lightening at his heels. She didn't stop, even when I yelled out after her,
"Vendra! Wait! Your robes!" All I could hear of the pair before they vanished from earshot was Sovellis shouting,
"I know you not morning person!" This was followed by a buzzing sound and a loud "OUCH!"
I shook my head and laughed.
"They remind me so much of brother and sister," came a small, western voice.
I glanced over to find Laurella sitting up on her cot. I chuckled again.
"Me too. A young brother and sister. I'll bet she'll only stop chasing him when she realizes that she's still half naked."
Laurella's lips reflected glimpses of a smile, but like before they could not yet form the whole gesture.
"Did they wake you?" I asked.
She nodded. "Well, more specifically Lady Vendra's shouting, but all the same," she sighed. "Is Lady Vendra always like that to everyone?" she asked suddenly.
"Well," I began, "she can be a little cold at first, but when you've known her for a while, you learn to see past her rough edges. As for zapping people, I've only seen her reserve that punishment for Sovellis in general and Piricus out of irritation."
"Piricus? He's the white-headed necromancer, right?" she asked uncertainly and I nodded. "He seems to be the coldest one of all," she said quietly.
"It's true that he doesn't trust anybody and that he's quite bitter. It's best to take him in small doses," I said truthfully.
"He sends shivers down my spine. I can feel his death energies . . . ." she said with a shake.
"He's not evil, if that's what you're driving at. Just dark. There is a difference," I said in his defense before I even realized what I was doing. Laurella must have caught on.
"Do you care about him?" she asked bluntly.
I closed my eyes. "I just don't want people to misunderstand him. I know what it's like to be misunderstood," I answered at last.
"Fair enough," she replied.
"By the way, Kaysha wants to see you soon and Akara told me to give you this," I added as I reached into one of my belt pouches and removed the ring.
With an odd expression, Laurella carefully picked up and examined the jewelry.
"Is something wrong?" I asked her, perplexed. I couldn't imagine Akara giving anyone something dangerous, especially a sister of her own order.
Laurella gazed up at me through wide, silver eyes. "Lady Akara bid you give this to me?" she asked in what I thought was affection for the old woman.
I nodded, "Yes, it was one of ten she had in a small pouch. Every member of our part that helped to cleanse the Den of Evil received one." I flexed my right index finger so that my sapphire ring sparkled.
Laurella actually smiled, e true thing this time, brief though it was. Placing the ring on her finger she blushed slightly. "What an honor! This must mean . . .I must thank Lady Akara!" She was instantly on her feet. "Thank you Chyemme!" she called from the doorway as she jogged gracefully from view still wearing the same armor I had seen on her yesterday. I would have thought giving her better equipment would be Lady Akara's first priority. And it seemed to me that everyone around here knew things I didn't.
I left the tent once more, this time taking my weaponry with me and placing each weapon in the appropriate holster or sling. I strapped my javelins to my back in a bundle and carried my short spear. I decided, for lack of better things to do, to try and find Maria. Perhaps she, with her assassin skills, would be able to tell me more about what was disturbing Lady Akara and what Laurella had been so happy about just now. I figured I'd start back at the campfire. On my way, I saw Cloudyous squatting down as he started untying a leather strap from a large chest at the base of a pole. I thought to greet him, but I saw that he was busy rummaging through his trunk, intently seeking something.
I hesitated however, as I heard whine from directly behind me. I turned to see Cloudyous' wolf, Belthem sitting there wagging his thick, grey-white tail. Belthem proceeded to walk up to me and licked the knuckles exposed around my grip on my short spear. I relinquished my middle and pointer fingers from their hold on my weapon and used them instead to scratch him behind the ears. By this time, Cloudyous looked up.
"Oh, hello, Chyemme. I didn't see you, otherwise I would have stopped Belthem from bothering you. I say, he must really, really like you. I've never seen him take someone this quickly before. That right there says a lot of good things about you. Wolves can sense a person's character, feelings, motives and so much more. And Belthem is special in and of himself. He's quite intelligent, even for a wolf, and trust me, as a druid I've seen my fair share of them," he said with a grin.
I smiled. "don't worry about Belthem, he doesn't bother me at all. Actually, I like seeing him. He reminds me of the jungle dogs of my homeland. My mother used to keep a couple to act as temple guards. I used to play with them all the time when I was little," I reminisced to Cloudyous while I continued to scratch Belthem's ears. "Sorry to bore you with my reverie," I remarked apologetically.
"Oh, no. Actually that's quite interesting. Temple guards you say? That would take a lot of discipline," he remarked.
"Yes, however they were nowhere near as wild as Belthem, and yet, not so tame either. I'm sorry, that didn't make any sense did it?" I laughed.
Cloudyous smiled back at me. "Actually it did. You're right you know. Belthem isn't domesticated, yet he is calm. It's a druid's relationship with nature that allows us to be so close to animals, such as me to Belthem. Most people misunderstand that Belthem is my friend, and not my pet. He came with me here of his own free will. That's why he's so calm. He wants to be here, and because he is my friend and not a pet, he is free to leave anytime he likes. This maintains respect between us, and that is key. We respect each other, and that's why we're able to understand each other, no matter what the differences between our species may be," he explained.
"How is it that you can speak to trees and animals? Is it a gift that you have to born with?" I asked in fascination, vaguely recalling something he had told us about it right before we cleansed the Den of Evil.
Cloudyous rubbed his orange and white goatee as he answered, "All life finds roots in nature. Therefore as humans, all of us are born with the gift of primal speech. You only have to go back to your roots to unearth your gifts."
"So then, it's something learned?" I asked.
"Yes. When you spend time immersed in nature and truly understand that all things share a similar life force, then, since we have all come from the same origin, talking with plants, wind and animals becomes like second nature. I should point out that nature is like getting to know a person. Every single living species is like an individual person. I can't talk to everything, only the founder of our order could, and he is long since gone. You can say that I am only fluent in a few types of languages. It just takes a while and a fierce study to learn even one, truth be told.
I was distracted by the ruffling of feathers and the beating of wings. When I glanced over, Cloudyous' raven had landed gracefully on his shoulder after dropping something flat and lustrous into his hand. Cloudyous let out a sigh and shook his head in amazement. He reached over his left shoulder and used two of his forefingers to stroke the glossy, ebony chest feathers of his companion.
"Ah. Thank you Bibo. I have been searching for this. I was deathly afraid that I had misplaced it."
The raven gave a contented chirp as if it understood then began picking at Cloudyous' fiercely orange hair affectionately. Cloudyous held the object up into the sunlight to get a better look at it, as if checking it for something. It was semi-metallic, had a pearly texture, and was completely flat. The whole thing was attached to a black sinew cord.
"You were looking for that? What does it do? It looks like a charm to me."
"Close. It's a rune. It really doesn't do much. I just wear it for luck. I know, luck is for fools," he said quickly and rather embarrassedly.
I shook my head. "No it's not. We can always use any luck that comes our way. What makes the rune lucky, if you don't mind me asking?"
"It was a graduation gift from Tur Dulra, my druid college and it's one of a kind. The great mother oak, Glor-An-Fhaidha, whose wisdom had guided countless generations of druids, asked the elders that this necklace should be made especially for me, with its base to be made from wood out of her highest branch. She said that in carrying a part of her with me, I carried her favor and protection wherever I went. Now you can see why I was panicking just now when I thought I had lost it. That was until I remembered I had given it to Bibo before the battle with Blood Raven to guard it," he replied.
"The rune is made of wood? That's not a natural color for a tree," I pointed out. "And you named your raven Bibo. Is that after the amazon goddess Athulua's owl familiar?"
Cloudyous nodded. "I needed to give her a name, one that I can speak more easily. She was honored when I gave her that one. It has the legacy of wisdom and strength. And as for Glor-An-Fhaidha, she is the oldest tree in the Sanctuary. She was born before the first man ever walked the earth. It should come as no surprise that she is unlike any tree we have on this plane of existence now. She is entirely silvery like the piece of her bark you see here. I guess when you think about it, it's not that different from an elderly human whose grey hair is ripe with age."
He considered to himself for a moment. "Would you like to see it? If Belthem trusts you so, I think it would be fine," he asked, extending the rune out to me.
I felt honored that Cloudyous would trust me enough to even let me touch something that precious. I almost didn't take it, but I knew to refuse would be of great offense to him. I hesitantly stretched out my hand and gently removed the rune from his palm. Almost instantaneously I felt my whole body become alive with vibrations of pure, wild energy.
Suddenly, the sight of Cloudyous' face gave way to a view of the largest tree I had ever laid eyes upon. It was so tall, that I could not spy the top. Its branches were so long that you could stretch over ten large buildings across them from end to end. They were so thick in my opinion they could hold over fifty men of Alminus' weight and stature without folding under the weight. And even its lowest branch fountained with fresh, vibrant green canopy. As a ray of sunlight pierced through the rest of the dense forest that surrounded me, it caught on the trunk of the enormous tree. A blinding, silvery gleam illuminated the area. It was if the tree could have been made entirely out of the precious metal.
Then I felt it . . . .a feeling of warmth, wisdom, and timeless age. I felt suspended in time, like not even one moment was passing. Even if one had, it would have been pathetically insignificant, like unto the blinking of an eye. If I could guess what this feeling was, I would have to answer something a lot like eternity. With age comes wisdom and experience, it is said, and I felt an overwhelming sense of both. It was if I could reach out into a vast trove of knowledge. Anything from the ages that I desired to know, I could discover the information from a firsthand source. My teacher had the experience and was offering the lessons to me. All I had to give was patience. She wanted me to understand, and when I did, she wanted me to share that understanding with others. With understanding comes respect, she was saying, not unlike what Scorpious and I had spoken of not that long ago. Respect prevented violence from misunderstandings, jealousy, and judgment. She wanted to protect me . . . .protect me from all those things, she was like unto my mother. She knew what sorrow, pain, and torment those things brought. She understood me. She loved me like a sibling, like a child . . . .she didn't want me to suffer, she wanted me to stay with her. Stay with her here on Sanctuary. She would even fight for my life to protect me from evil. She would break her serene title. She would defend those fighting for her cause. . .
Just as quickly as my third sight had taken over, it relinquished its hold on me. What felt like forever had only been mere moments in actuality. Cloudyous' face loomed slowly back into view. Shaking my vision off I handed the carved piece of wood back to him with a question, and a remark.
"I'd say that rune does a little more than act as a good luck charm. She definitely watches over you, Cloudyous. I saw her. And I felt her soul . . .I've never been exposed to anything like her before. She defends you as nature's champion. What does that rune carved into the wood mean?"
"Ah. The rune is called Guarna. It is the symbol of druidism and Caoi Dulra, the name druids give to perfect harmony with nature. In Scosglen, the symbol has become our crest, our banner. It is the personification of everything we believe in. It's like the cross Scorpious bears on his armor. So, your Inner Sight allowed you to see Glor-An-Fhaidha? That's impressive. She normally shields herself from prying psychic eyes, not to say that you were venturing somewhere uninvited. She chooses who she lets see her in that manner, though few are honored with that privilege."
"Really? I didn't just see her. I felt her. Cloudyous, I felt the heart of a tree . . . .Your mentors were right. In carrying this small piece of her, you are connected to the real thing no matter how physically far away you are. Though, I'm sure I'm not the only non-druid to ever see her. She wants everyone to understand, not just druids," I admitted.
Cloudyous crossed his arms over his chest and smiled broadly. "To not only see, but to feel as well? You're too modest Chyemme. What you've just done is no small task. Even some druids never fully comprehend what she says. For you to have heard her as clearly as I did, says a lot about you. Clearly, she thinks you will accomplish great things. Though, you are correct. You are not the only one outside the druid class to have seen the mother tree. But, the number is few. I can probably could count them with only my fingers," he admitted.
"You're kidding right? There's no way that I am that powerful," I said defensively. I wasn't sure I believed what he was telling me.
"Maybe you are, but you just don't know it yet. Remember, even Fiacla-Gear, the founder of the druidic way, was a barbarian of Arreat in the beginning. There are several people that have seen the tree that you might know of. The lord of necromancers, Lord Rathma once saw her and so did the great mage, Tal Rasha. Someone else saw her too that you know personally," Cloudyous said with a grin.
"Who?" I asked curiously.
"Lady Akara. Why do you think I hold her in such high regards, other than the fact she is my elder and my hostess?"
"I had no idea. This has been a day of strange happenings already and it's barely the seventh hour," I said in shock.
"I wouldn't worry about it, I won't hold you up to Lord Rathma's or Tal Rasha's standards," he teased lightheartedly. "--Oh, thank you Bibo-- and good morning Maria," Cloudyous announced as he spotted Maria advancing toward us and his raven tucked a stray lock of his hair behind his ear with her beak.
"Good morning Cloudyous, Chyemme," she answered with a nod to each of us. "Akara and Scorpious request our presence," she said simply.
Cloudyous nodded in acknowledgement. "Aye. It could be me, but she seemed greatly stressed over something."
"I agree, I was on my way to find you, Maria, when I ran into Cloudyous. I figured you seem to be pretty well in the loop of things, maybe you could tell us what's going on?" I said, putting my question on her ears. "I know assassins have their own mind powers," I added. "And besides that," I continued, "You hold close council with Scorpious, whom Akara has taken into her confidence."
Maria sighed, seemingly burying some emotion. "You know as well as I do Chyemme that Scorpious always keeps his honored word. He has sworn to silence about whatever Akara confides to him. As for my assassin vision, I am the same as you. I can't see into Akara's mind either. Akara is the High Priestess of the Sightless Eye, if she couldn't defend her mind impenetrably I'd question the strength of this sisterhood. Remember also that psychic senses develop with age. You and I are still young. It should come as no surprise that she might be able to see far into the future. A priestess that is a seer is a very powerful combination indeed," she said to me.
I nodded and blushed some. I couldn't believe I'd even asked such a stupid question, especially when the answer was as plain as day.
"Why? Is something about Akara troubling you other than he recent disposition?" she asked back.
"No, no. I know she is a good soul," I said looking directly at Cloudyous whom nodded, "But if she can tell what's going to happen what exactly does she know? What else is there that's she's keeping from us?"
"I see how that could be unnerving, but remember everything happens for a reason," Cloudyous began, "If Akara were to tell us something that would happen, the course of fate might change. For better or for worse. No one would know."
I locked eyes with Maria briefly, which gave me no clue as to what she was feeling. She, like Akara, had a way of locking her mind down. "Still, it is a high danger when one possess such power," Maria said quietly. This time, her tone gave her away. I could tell by her tone that she too was disturbed by Akara's secrets about the future. But it was only in her tone. Maria would never admit that something frightened or unnerved her. If she did, she might as well kill herself in her eyes. Fear made them weak. In mine, it would make her more human than the cold, calculated killer Vendra obviously saw in her. I had to admit, I hadn't quite shaken that conversation yet, even though I was not personally involved. As of this moment, I wasn't sure what to think about her.
The three of us walked through the camp and made our way to Akara's tent with a little casual conversation between me and Cloudyous. Maria apparently had retreated to her thoughts, though she did give an occasional gesture that she was listening in. Cloudyous talked about what type of wood the enclosing fence was made of and I talked about the trees on my home isle, and then we began discussing wooden weapons.
As we arrived, everyone but Vendra was already present.
"Ah, having a slumber party while the rest of us are wasting our good time waiting for you amazon?" Piricus said grouchily from where he leaned against the encampment fence in his quilted armor.
"Not even the seventh hour and already insults are flying. It's going to be another long day," I sighed. Piricus, for love of Zerae was never a morning person.
"At least you have your wits about you Piricus. We wouldn't want anything to strike while you're not awake," Ryelass muttered in contempt.
Piricus cocked one white eyebrow. "What was that warrior? I'm sure you weren't mocking me, especially when I possess the capability to bring down a large army on your abnormally inflated head in an instant," Piricus taunted in a falsely sweet tone.
Ryelass openly scowled, but was restrained from further conflict by a pat on the shoulder and a "let it go" glance from his friend Alminus. I heard a deep groan. I turned to see Sovellis trying to pat down his unruly afro of hair. I stifled my laughter at the sight by quickly turning away and covering my mouth.
Cloudyous, whom had also noticed Sovellis, was smirking hardily. Quite suddenly, Scorpious materialized from around the corner, with Akara not far behind him. The expressions they wore were identical. Both displayed feelings of dread. Scorpious straitened himself, then looked directly at us, as he supported Akara on his arm. Both of them reached us not soon after, Akara's weary eyes locked on each pair of ours, respectively in turn. I vaguely wondered where Kaysha had gone, it was normally her that was supported Akara the way Scorpious was doing now. With a nod from the noble holy knight, she addressed us with a voice full of concern and hesitation.
"I want to make perfectly clear," she began, "That I hate more than anything to put people into harm's way. Especially when those people have already done more than their fair share to help us. Even though I have known all of you for only a short period of time, already you are as dear to my heart as one of my sisters would be. That is why it is with great remorse that I ask of you to undertake an immensely dangerous, but equally important quest. It is clear that we are facing an evil difficult to comprehend, let alone combat. There is--"
"What did I miss?" Vendra asked loudly as she jogged into view in her purple robes. She was met by steely stares from most of us.
Akara sighed. "Vendra, my dear, come and have a seat. I should have checked to ensure that you were all here before I began. I'm afraid that in my state of mind, I simply have overlooked some small things."
Vendra blushed in embarrassment. "Forgive me, Lady Akara. I didn't mean to intterupt you. I apologize for being late."
"Quite alright my dear. I was just explaining about a mission I have need of you to undertake, should you choose to accept."
Vendra nodded and was seated. Akara cleared her throat. "Some of you may chose not to go on such a journey," she said clearly looking at Ryelass, "And I will understand. It is just my request and would only serve to bring wisdom, as well as help out an old friend in great need. There is but one Horadrim Sage, his name is Deckard Cain. Perhaps if you rescue him, he would be able to further advise you. You must venture into Tristram and find him. I pray that he still lives . . ."
"Deckard Cain!? I know him! Why would you pray that he still lives!? Has something happened in Tristram? I was on my journey there before the demons of Andariel barred the trails!" Ryelass burst out suddenly.
I cringed, with an outburst like that, he obviously was completely unaware of what had recently transpired there. I wasn't the only one with an uncomfortable look on my face. Vendra and Sovellis looked concerned. Cloudyous and Maria looked at him with pity, and Scorpious looked on him with sorrow. Piricus just looked on in apathy and Alminus had a confused, blank look upon his face. Akara fell deathly silent, and for moments no one spoke at all.
"Well!?" Ryelass demanded fiercely.
The person that spoke first was far from the best. He was, in my opinion, the worst one to hear it from.
"Oh, you mean you don't know, warrior? I would suspect that one would know all about that even if they weren't from there," he said coldly, but with utter seriousness in his tone.
Cloudyous cut him off quickly. "Piricus, do not, as I perceive you are about to, mock and taint the memory of those that have lived and died there!"
Piricus glared at him icily. "And did Trag Oul disintegrate and leave the world to you? I have a right to say what I damn well please, druid. But, I am please to inform you that you are indeed incorrect, smartass. I'm sure not all of Tristram's residents were as unbelievably thick as the warrior. I'm sure some of them realized they could not fight with the powers of death and the demonic and decided to relocate themselves somewhere far safer. And yes, druid, I actually do hold respect for some people. Mostly those with the intelligence to know when they are outmatched," he said without emotion.
Ryelass looked livid. "Memory? Of who? Those that died fighting Diablo? What are you people talking about!? What has happened to my home!? You!" he rounded on Piricus, "start talking or I'll kill you!" he shouted, and ran over to Piricus, grabbed him by the shoulders and started shaking him violently.
Piricus grabbed Ryelass by the collar of his undershirt and pulled him dangerously close to his face. "Warrior!" he hissed, "I swear by Trag Oul that if you ever dare touch me again I will send you to join your neighbors! I don't by what luck you have lived this long, but if all your townsfolk were as senseless as you, it's not a wonder that they all died!" He spat and shoved Ryelass so roughly away from him that the warrior lost his balance fell onto the ground. Piricus snarled, "In fact--"
Maria stepped in front of Ryelass quickly, and pulled him to his feet. She turned around to face Piricus, and raised a katar level with his eyes. "Don't!" she growled dangerously.
"Or you'll do what exactly? Kill me? Good luck with that, bitch," he said with a sadistic smile.
Maria's look was absolutely sour. "One day, I actually might. Ryelass," she said lowering her katar and turning back to look at him, though she did keep one eye on Piricus, "I request a word with you in private. Obviously, Piricus is not the best person to tell you this," she said matter-of-factly. "Alminus, are you coming as well?" She asked quietly.
The large warrior nodded wordlessly. Alminus rose soundlessly with a solemn expression and joined Maria and Ryelass as they walked around the corner and out of earshot.
The rest of us waited for them to return. No one dared to speak, but we all exchanged glances with one another. I looked to Scorpious, whose deep brown eyes told me as plainly as if he had actually spoken, that he knew what kind of pain Ryelass was about to be in. I didn't even have to guess what Piricus was looking at, I knew he was staring at me plain as day. His deep green eyes made me shiver, and without realizing it, I locked my gaze on him. He raised one eyebrow slightly, with the faintest traces of a cruel smile playing at his lips. He knew that his words had cut Ryelass as deeply as if he had actually stabbed him with his dagger, and he was pleased. I guess he saw what he had just done as vengeance. I saw it as incredibly sadistic. I know it reflected in my gaze, because he gave me a "that's what he gets for messing with me" glare.
I sharply looked away. God forbid I have saved a demon. There were times I believed that Piricus couldn't possibly be all human. Why on Sanctuary would he choose to avenge his honor on Ryelass that way? I tried to put the sickening feeling aside. I was instantly granted my reprieve. Maria remerged from behind the corner looking quite grim. She was followed closely by an equally serious Alminus and a very somber looking Ryelass. He looked to me like he had been struck by lightening. The shock was apparent all over his face.
Ryelass kept shaking his head before he stopped walking and closed his eyes, obviously trying to regain himself. He clenched his left fist into a ball and it began to shake at his side. Alminus placed a hand gingerly on his shoulder and tapped him softly. Ryelass opened his eyes to look at him with an expression I couldn't read. Alminus quickly ushered him to the nearest log, where they both took a seat. Ryelass looked down, staring intently at the ground.
Akara looked on to him in sympathy. "Do you wish me to continue, Lord Ryelass?"
He didn't speak a word or look up, but he waved her one with one hand. Akara nodded silently.
"Tristram is too far to journey by foot. Cain would likely be dead by the time you arrived. However, I know of a magic portal that could take you there in an instant. To open it, one must stand within the circle of Cairn Stones and touch them in a certain order. The proper order can be found in the runes written upon the bark of the Tree of Inifuss. You must find the sacred tree and bring me back its bark. I will translate the runes to unlock the stones' mystic patterns. You can find the Cairn Stones in the Stony Field, but beware our corrupted sisters that will undoubtedly endeavor to bar you way. The Tree of Inifuss is in a place called the Dark Wood. You can reach the Dark Wood thorough an underground passage, and since you are strangers to our lands, and in the interest of saving time, I would like to send one of our own rogues to guide you. Kaysha has placed several of our best warriors at your disposal, but I have sole jurisdiction over which would be best suited for your task. I ask that you please take Sister Laurella with you in your travels. She alone knows the lands best as they have changed. Due to her capture, she has seen many of the deepest parts of the area that we haven't. Most of our sisters have only become familiar with the insides of these walls as of late. Laurella was lead by demons through the land as they have changed them."
"Do you think it wise to send her out again so soon after such a traumatic event?" Cloudyous asked in concern.
Akara nodded. "I do not doubt her strength, Lord Cloudyous. I have spoken with her, felt her mind, and we can trust her to hold. She, herself, asked me for permission to accompany you. She greatly desires the chance to help you, for the debt of rescuing her."
"I fear we cause her great loss, my lady," Sovellis said remorsefully.
"She might could have saved her sister if she had been given more time," Vendra said with guilt.
"Blood Raven was beyond all hope. I have accepted that fact. Her soul was too far gone in the shadows. She ceased to be Celeste, and only a shell animated by a monster remained. The only way to save her was to kill her. It set her spirit free from the accursed flesh that bound her to darkness," came the quiet voice from behind us. We turned to see Laurella, clad in brand-new rogue armor. However instead of being quilted, her armor was made of red leather, like mine. She had been fully equipped for travel, including new, wholesome boots, shoulder armor, and a strange cherry wood crossbow. I immediate recognized it in alarm. It was the one Blood Raven had wielded against us.
Maria too, flinched upon the sight of the object. "Laurella, that crossbow may yet hold some corruptive energies. You'd best not use it," she remarked in earnest.
Laurella nodded in acknowledgement. "Lady Akara has purified the weapon. That is why it is no longer black," she explained. "It is safe, Maria, but feel free to double-check it if you feel so inclined," the young rogue replied as she offered up her crossbow. Maria eyed in suspiciously. She didn't touch it, but rather ran her hands over top of the surface.
"Forgive me, Lady Akara, I do not mean to second-guess you, however it is best that something potentially dangerous is looked over time and time again by more than one person. Just to be cautious. I'd feel responsible and utterly deplorable if something happened to Laurella that I could have prevented," she explained while she assertively checked the weapon. I could feel strange energies from her. It must have been the assassin equivalent of Inner Sight.
"It is perfectly alright Maria, your concern is well justified. And you idea is a good one," she replied.
Maria concentrated on the weapon intently, before she actually picked it up and held it up to the morning sun. She nodded at me.
"Chyemme, I think you should check it too. I couldn't find anything, but a third opinion on this matter would be welcome," she requested and offered the crossbow to me.
"I'd trust her judgment over yours any day, assassin. She is slightly more competent, but not by much," Piricus said, managing to turn what I thought was a compliment into an insult as well. "The rogue should be old enough to understand the risk she is taking by clinging emotionally to a demon's weaponry," Piricus said pointedly.
"Leave them alone, jackass. Don't speak out about something you have no knowledge about. It makes you look like more of an idiot than you already are," Vendra snapped.
I expected Piricus to retaliate, but he just laughed. "Oh, but I do understand," he replied darkly. "I alone see things the way they really are. I don't sugarcoat things for people, I tell it like it is. I know the forces that it takes to turn someone to the shadows of death. I've used them before."
Laurella looked to him with a subliminal expression of horror and fear. That was a mistake. Piricus seemed to have a primal instinct in the fact that he could pick up even the slightest traces of fear.
"Scared, rogue?" he asked maliciously.
She stood her ground. "Do you actually torment people that way? There is no such power that God should enable a man to possess," she stated boldly.
Piricus walked over to her and she quickly averted her eyes. His gaze was like being smacked with hard steel, and I knew that from experience. With one pale finger that he placed under her chin, to force her to look at him, he leaned down and whispered in her ear,
"I'll tell you like I tell everyone else. God does not exist. There is only death beyond life. And I have power over both. I have the powers that you've only dreamed about in your worst nightmares."
Laurella stepped back quickly and pushed his hand away. Piricus smirked. He absolutely thrived on people's fear of him. I was about to tell him to stop, but apparently the thought was already on Alminus' mind.
"For God's sake, Piricus leaver ur alone. Haven't ya done enough damage already?" he growled in anger.
Piricus yawned and casually glanced to Alminus. "Watch it, barbarian oaf," he drawled dangerously, "I'm not above using those powers on people that piss me off. And you never know when you might catch me on an off day. Trag Oul only knows what could happen then." Piricus suddenly turned around at the waist and made a horrid face at Laurella, whom had been gazing at him in horror. Her flame-colored hair tied up in a ponytail fluttered in the air as the startled rogue feel backwards onto the ground. Piricus burst out openly laughing.
"Oh girl, if that's all it takes to scare you, then you will completely petrified by the end of that day! Our guide here as at best, a child. We are being lead by a frightened little girl!"
Ryelass snapped his head and his gaze up and glared at Piricus most icily. The fire in his eyes only served to magnify the potency with which he delivered his message.
"Leave her alone, snake! She may be young, but heaven knows she's brave enough to match any one here and then some! Could you destroy your own family to save the lives of people you didn't know? Oh wait, I forget you don't have a family. Or maybe it is that you do, but I'll bet they probably hate you just as much as the rest of us do. Hold your tongue, or I'll cut it out. I'm the one that's likely to fly off the handle today, and heaven knows nobody here would stop me," he said forcibly.
Again, I expected Piricus to say something snide, but instead he rolled his eyes. " Oh, have a little fight in you, do we? Have it your way, warrior. But when the child becomes scared witless and we are running around in circles in a demonic land with merry a clue as to where we're going, I will kill you before I hear you complain," he said in amusement and turned and walked away.
"Where are you going?" Vendra called after him reprehensibly.
"Sorceress, what I do is none of your business. Frankly, I'm on my way to the waypoint, I've lingered here long enough," he said snidely.
Vendra scowled as he rounded the bend. Scorpious also frowned.
"He's right. We have all stayed here too long. We'd better leave soon, or it will be noon before we even set forth on our journey. Thank you, Lady Akara, for your wisdom," he said with a courteous bow. "We will return shortly, with Deckard Cain."