Chapter 19: Crescent Lake
They returned to Melmond easily enough. All the skeletons, wraiths, and other undead seemed intent on avoiding them. That, and apparently a rumor about the mage who could level armies with fire now being able to command the earth to swallow enemies and a white mage who's Dia could shatter a necromatic animation. Not like they complained. The trip back to Melmond was the nicest hike they'd had in a long time.
Though they entered Melmond quietly enough, people soon were swarming them. A couple of guys were hitting on Lily, who was trying to dodge them. Likewise, a gaggle of giggling girls were googling at Tom, who was looking nervous. Nate was being harassed by several teenagers who wanted to know every detail, and Nate was mostly just stuttering about the wrath of the earth and shades. Sami was the only one who had any luck: she was talking to a little girl.
"Did you really destroy the lich?" the girl asked, eyes shining.
"Yes, the lich is gone and the earth will begin to heal." Sami said.
"I bet you weren't scared when you fought the lich though." the girl said.
Sami smiled sadly. "Actually, I was terrified."
The girl looked confused. "You were? Then how did you defeat him?"
Sami glanced at the other Light Warriors. "I had good friends." Then, looking back at the girl, said, "Sometimes you have to put your fear aside and fight. Because if you don't, many more people would die. Sometimes you have to do something even though you're scared. That's why we do what we do."
The little girl smiled broadly. "When I grow up, I want to be just like you."
Sami smiled. "I'm glad you do."
"Alright, coming through, make way! Come on, give these guys a break! They've been through a lot!" Maron was pushing her way through the crowd. She caught up with the Light Warriors and practically dragged them to the inn, though it wasn't like the Light Warriors weren't more than happy to go with her.
They paid for their room and quickly locked the door.
"Whew." Lily said, "Thinks for that, Maron. Any more pick-up lines and I think I might've slapped one of them."
"I don't know about slapping," Tom said, "but a mad dash wasn't far from my thoughts."
"I think I'll dye myself gray." Nate said, "Maybe nobody will recognize me." He shrugged. "But I guess it could be worse. At least nobody screamed."
"Oh, come on." Sami said, "It wasn't all bad."
As if in response a woman's voice came through the (shuttered) window. "Will you marry me?" For the first time ever Nate saw a hint of annoyance in Tom's eyes.
"You don't have guys proposing to you." Lily said, saying what Tom wouldn't.
Sami shrugged. "You've got a point."
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm tired." Tom said with a yawn, "I'm looking forward to a night without watches."
"I don't know." Lily said, "With so many people out there, maybe there should be someone on watch."
"I'll take first watch." I'm a night owl anyway." Nate said.
It may have been late afternoon, but after the hike they'd just finished everyone but Nate was out in moments.
Morning came and, like always, Tom rose with the sun. Nate hadn't woken anyone to take watch, and was in fact still awake.
"Good morning." he said as Tom stretched and got out of bed. "Sleep well?"
"Yeah." Tom said, pulling on his armor, "You ever drift off?"
"Nope." Nate replied, "Didn't really have a chance. Plenty of people tried to sneak in last night." He chuckled, then continued. "All of them were after you or Lily. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were under a spell."
"Yeah, fame's spell." Tom said, "I wish I know how these rumors are getting out."
"What rumors?" Nate quizzically asked.
"Let's see." Tom said, "A fighter powerful enough to scare away dark elves, two sailors who can steer a ship through any storm, a white mage that can resurrect people, and a black mage that can level armies, destroy armadas, and cause the earth to swallow enemies."
Nate groaned. "Oh. Those rumors."
Soon the others woke and Nate, as the people seemed to give him a wide berth, retrieved breakfast. They were just digging into their rolls when a knock sounded from their door. Nate answered.
"Can I help you?" he asked politely.
"My name is Dr. Unne. I don't believe half of the stories about you and want to get the facts straight." the eccentric man at the door said.
"So you're not here to hit on someone?" Nate asked.
"Heavens no, I just wish to find out what really happened. I'm a scholar, it's what I do."
Nate turned to his companions. "It's a Dr. Unne. He says he wants to get the real story."
Tom nodded. "Let him in."
"Thank you." Dr. Unne said, "As I told your friend, I do not believe half the stories I hear about you and I'm skeptical about the rest."
"Good, because most of those didn't happen." Lily said through a bite of roll.
"I understand that. I just wished to know what really happened. First, the sailors who've braved any storm?"
"Not us." Maron said, "The sea's been quiet lately, except for the currents."
"I see. And you're the pirate girl there people rescued."
"Former pirate, now member of the Maiden's Voyage's crew. And no, I wasn't a pirate by choice, I never plundered anything, and the closest thing I saw to treasure was a coin a pirate dropped on the deck."
"Interesting. And you," he said, looking at Lily, "must be the red mage who's sailed the world?"
"I've been all over the world, but I never left the ship I was on until I was rescued." Lily pointed to Maron. "Same case as her, abducted by pirates."
"I see. Now, how about the warrior with the reputation for slaying dark elves, would you care to correct that?"
"First, Astos attacked us. Second, Nate and Sami had him distracted and Lily was on the wrong side of the room. He was about to cast another Death spell, so I ran him through with my sword. That's how it happened."
"Fascinating. And you." He looked right at Nate, "You have a lot to explain. Let's start with the leveling armies."
"That was a mistake." Nate said, "I messed up a spell while we were surrounded by imps. The explosion scared them."
"Uh huh. And the armada of ships you sunk yourself?"
"Another mistake. The ship was an attacking pirate ship. I was swinging from a rope, knocking pirates off with fiery fists, and the rope broke. I hit the pirates' sail, and the rest is a fiery history."
"Okay, and the earth-swallowing thing?"
"Haven't a clue. I mean, I did use scourge to kill the lich, but nobody but us saw it."
"Strange. That rumor's been flying around for three weeks." Dr. Unne replied.
"Three weeks? I've only known Scourge for two, and none of my other spells are ground-based." Nate now looked worried.
"Probably some other black mage that looks like you." Tom said, "Rumors are easily corrupted."
"I just hope it's a story. I've got the feeling that black mages are considered a bad thing around here." Nate worried.
"Regardless, you should probably make for Crescent Lake." Dr. Unne said, "The fire crystal is probably in Mount Gurgu, which is accessible by river from Crescent Lake. Also, Lukhan himself is said to be there right now and going nowhere for quite a while. Considering you fulfill his prophecy, you might want to ask him about it."
"Thank you." Tom said, "We'll make that our next destination."
Dr. Unne stood. "Well, I must be going. There's a lead on the Luifeian language I need to investigate. Thank you for your time and good luck on your voyage. Farewell."
They set sail as soon as they had finished breakfast. The course Nate had plotted took advantage of both currents and wind, though they were going to have to stop at Elfheim for supplies. The Maiden's Voyage just wasn't large enough to carry a month's worth of food and water for five people.
The journey to Elfheim was a rough week and a half. A three-day storm hit and their little skiff was being tossed everywhere. If not for their lifelines none of them would have made it. As it was the storm had blown them far enough off course to add a week to the journey.
They only had a day's worth of water left when they pulled into a dock near Elfheim. They refilled their water supply and took a carriage to Elfheim for food. Almost as a second thought they visited the tailors for new clothing. With the exception of Nate's robes, which seemed to repair themselves, the trials of their quest were catching up. Rips and tears were appearing as fast as they could fix them, and the three days of being thrown around deck didn't help the situation.
Two days later they returned to their ship with new clothes (and spare sets) and with the food they would need for the rest of the trip.
The winds didn't cooperate this time, and if it hadn't been for a windless storm they might not have made it. They did, and they arrived at Crescent Lake in their dingy.
Crescent Lake was not a city, it was more of a town. As always, one of the first stops was the magic shop. Like the ones in Pravoka, these ones had temporarily merged while the white magic shop was being remodeled.
"Ah, new customers!" a white mage said as she hurried up. A black mage was not far behind. "What can we do for you?" Then she caught sight of Nate. "Oh." An icy tone entered her voice. "You shouldn't be here. Wasn't it enough to destroy my shop? What, have you come after me now?"
Nate looked almost comical in his confusion. "What are you talking about? This is the first time I've been here. I've been at sea for the better part of two months, not counting a two day stop at Elfheim."
"He's not the one, Maggie." the black mage said, "The one that burned down your shop was shorter and skinnier."
"I'm sorry." Maggie said, "Ever since a black mage burned my shop to the ground I haven't trusted any black mages except Homac, and only because he helped fight off the mage."
"I wonder if that's the mage whose rumors keep hitting me." Nate said.
"Probably." Homac said, "If so, a confrontation is closing in."
They hurried and bought the spells they could afford. Lily had obtained Haste, Sami a spell that could de-stone people, and Nate got Quake, an upgrade to Scourge. Lukhan had apparently left for a few days and would be back soon, so Maron stayed at Crescent Lake to keep him there until the Light Warriors returned.