Chapter 55: Shadows over Daggr Port
Part VI
With her quill dabbed with ink and her notebook prepared. Hastur turned her attention to Gerrard "Okay. Lets start from the beginning."
Gerrard let out a deep breath. He looked around the room at the adventurers who sat and stood idly by. Waiting to hear the tale of his curse
"It all started with the chapel. Father urged me to help fund the rebuilding of the chapel. He said that if we win the support of these stupid northmen, no offense, then we will gain more supporters. It was there that I met her. Sophia."
"Sophia Auclair?" Hastur said taking a second to dip her quill in ink. Her pen flew across the parchment of her journal as fast as she could keep up with Gerrards tale.
"Si. She was the priestess. She said she was as you are. A cleric. As a boy we were taught magic doesn't exist. Butat the chapel, I saw her do amazing things. She held her hand over a broken window and the glass grew. It became whole once again. Amazing!"
"Mending. A handy cantrip to have at ones disposal. Especially when others are rather clumsy."
"She was unlike most girls I knew from Sol Lancia. She was amazing. Smart. Talented, and…graceful. The second I arrived, I picked up a hammer and started work. Imagine that, a noble with a set of carpenters tools. We made good progress. I am not so skilled with a hammer you see, and on many occasions she used her magic to heal my many accidents and that's when we *ahem* became close."
Hastur put her quill down and pinched the bridge of her nose "Why are all you men so fucking stupid? Stop thinking with your dick and maybe you wont get curses placed on you or catch some disease."
Thaelin wanted to make a remark, but found it better not to put his experience onto this matter "But?"
"But my heart belonged to another. The day before our troubles began, I spoke to my beloved. And I asked her to marry me. Her blonde hair shined as bright as gold when I asked her. It was the happiest ever seen her. After that while Sophia and I worked, I asked Sophia if she would do the honor to oversee the ceremony. And Sophia became angry. I tried to explain. I really did. But she struck me. I yelled at her and then she told me…she…she said…" Gerrard was on the verge of tears the words found themselves impossible to speak
Comfort came in the shape of a firm metal clad hand resting peacefully on his back. And from this. He mustered to say it before the dam broke and tears poured out like a river.
"She was with child." Between pouts of tears, Gerrard tried to go on. "I denied it. I accused her of sleeping with some other man. It couldn't have been my child. She was pretty. A girl like her would have suitors lined up from here to Sol Lancia. You believe me, right? I didn't know what to do. We argued some more. She struck me again and then... I snapped. I grabbed a board and I struck her.
The room fell silent. Save for Gerrard sobbing and everyone wishing they had a response. Something to make the tension better. Anything. But nothing.
"Gods me merciful, she had the foresight to block the board. She raised her arm and shielded herself from the strike. But the damage was done. I backed away from her. Blood was coming down her wrist. I offered her a purse of gold and asked her to leave. I couldn't jeopardize my family or my love with my beloved Erika."
"Wait…." Hastur franticly tore through her notes and found the name. Erika. Erika McClain. The blonde-haired sister of the opposing trade master in the port city.
"I feel like I've heard this story before." Thaelin said slipping his flask out of his pocket "A true comedy of errors. Two noble households romance binds the souls of lovers. Make a decent play wouldn't it?"he handed the flask off to Gerrard. A little drink could calm his nerves
"And what happened next?" pressed Hastur.
"I dropped the pouch and left. I prayed that she would take the coins and leave as well. But she didn't. the next day she was found hanging by her neck from the rafters of the chapel. Since then my sister died, then my beloved. And now others too. This is all my fault. Madame elf, please help me! Can you lift the curse?"
"Its hard to say. Did she cast any magic when you two argued? Was there an incantation?"
"I can't recall."
Hastur closed her book. And rubbed her eyes. "Gerrard. Its not my place to cast judgement. Only you can decide if your actions were true or not. But drinking yourself to the grave in guilt is not the answer. I will do what I can, but promise me you will stop drinking."
"Si. I swear it to you, Lady Elf. Liquor shall never again touch my lips from this day to my last." The young man corked the flask and tossed it back to the ranger.
The afternoon was spent by Hastur skimming through the Mother Superior's tome trying to find some piece of information about lifting a curse.
"A curse forged in the purest of emotion is the strongest force of magic. Only the caster or magic of equal strength can break or activate the magical ties. A simple curse can come in the appearance of bad luck or total physical transformation of the afflicted. Methods to shatter the bonds of magic would include the afflicted making amends to the caster, the afflicted removing the curse themselves, or for the curse to be dissipate often after a few centuries of time."
Hastur swore under her breath and closed the grimoire. The cleric wanted at least some good news, but she was at a loss.
The drums of war echoed through the port. A company of twenty sell swords marched through to the Sapphire Sea Trading Company's warehouse. Their employer gave the mercenaries a devil's grin.
Johannes plucked a cloth pouch from the edge of his desk. "Ah, Mr. Blackburn. Its good to see you. If it were another day more and I would have to draft up a new contract for you and your men
A grizzled veteran sell sword stepped into the young McClain's office. The old salt rested a hand on his sword that had a stout round disc guard that protruded from the center of the crossguard.
"The rains had washed the roads, my lord. We would have gotten here earlier if we knew our benefactor was so generous." The man said in a sly tone "My men are ready to get to work
Johannes bounced the coin purse in his hand then proffered it to the mercenary captain. Like a hungry eagle, the purse was snatched away. Johannes then offered up a second smaller pouch. This one didn't have a metallic jingle like the last. This one had the clacking of small stones against each other
"These gems right here will go to the man who brings those Southerners to me. Alive if you must. I don't care if they are dead, do you understand? And I want them destroyed. The gutters will flow red with their blood. Their home shall be burned to cinders. And every memory of them will be wiped from this land. They caused this. I know they killed my sister. And when I carve the heart from those pigs, Erika will rest peacefully. Now, TO WAR!"
Hastur supported her head over the old book trying to find something she overlooked. Some passage on hexes, perhaps an incantation, or a potion to negate the curses effects, but not a single scrap of knowledge. From the window next to her, rain began to pelt the window in a soothing rhythm. It was enough to make her fall asleep if it weren't for this damn mystery
A much needed distraction came to the door. Judging by the heavy boots she guessed it was Varris coming again to check on her charge. Like she did every hour prior.
"Dinner will be ready soon. Shall I bring you a plate?"
"Sure…"
Hastur rubbed her eyes and grunted in frustration before the paladin walked off, she was beckoned back
"Varris. Listen. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I called you a brick wall earlier."
"Its fine."
"No its not. It was a terrible thing to say. And I apologize. I was angry. I was angry at Thaelin and I was angry for not knowing a stupid curse when it was right in front of me. Like you said, this stinks. Can you forgive me?"
The next thing totally took the cleric off guard. Varris knelt down to her. The paladin's blue eyes locked with the half elf's green eyes. "Its okay, Cadet. Not all adventure parties get along perfectly. But we learn."
Hastur lowered her hood and wiped away a forming tear. When she tried to go in for a hug, Varris' gaze was transfixed out the window. A trail of torch light snaked its way up the hill coming straight for their location.
"What is it?"
"Trouble. Get with the others. I'm going to investigate."
Varris' falchion sang as it was drawn from its scabbard. The iron clad woman fastened the straps to her armor. Judging by the torches. The enemy number was great. But they wouldn't be a match for her. Why would they be?
"And where do you think you are going?" The ranger asked. His bollock dagger in hand and being used to pick dirt out from under his fingernails.
There's trouble." Varris answered dryly
"Of course there is. There's always trouble whenever were around. I think that's what you always loved about me. That and my beard."
"Shut up. Either get out of my way. Or get in the fight."
"Don't have to tell me twice." Thaelin said flourishing his dagger around into a reverse grip.
The rain came down harder. Varris stood like a statue. Not minding tap of raindrops on her head. Her gambeson became drenched. But she didn't take mind of it. She just watched on as the army approached
"Halt. You have no business here. Leave!" the paladin called forth
"And you have no business wearing armor, little girl." Came a response from one of the intruders
"Better yet. Go put on a dress and return to your sewing circle." Said a second heckler. The mass of sell swords chuckled to themselves
Varris glared through the corner of her eye and snarled as her fellow guard too was laughing.
"What? It was funny. I would say you look cute in a dress, but you look just as adorable wearing 40 pounds of steel plate armor and chainmail, Myshka."
The paladin shook her head. "You won't have another chance. Leave now. Or you will be forced to."
"Mr. Fridulf. Mrs. Varris. This is quite the surprise. Wouldn't you say?" said a regal man's voice emerging from the mercenary ranks
"Ah shit." Thaelin said tugging at the collar of his leather cuirass.
"Yeah. Real shame. Listen. I know why you have beef with the Meriani's but this?" Thaelin said gesturing his hand towards the sell swords "An army is a little much wouldn't you say? So how about we just go grab a pint. Talk this over. And I wont kick the ass of anyone why insults my darling again, okay?"
The young heir drew his silver hilted sword. Its blade bayed for revenge.
The sounds of battle broke through the downpour of rain. The residents of the Mariani villa gathered in the dining hall. Vieri tried to comfort his older sisters. He tried to put on a brave face but after his brush with near death the other day he
"Its okay. Paola. The ranger and the armored woman will be victorious.
Hastur belted her rapier to her side. Her hand trembled when the lightning struck and the thunder shook the villa.
"Where is momma?" cried
"She was in her chamber. She complained this morning of feeling ill. Anneta go and see to her." Said Lord Mariani
The young girl did as she was requested. She took a candlestick in her hand and hastily rushed to check on the matriarch. The room lit up in a bright flash of blue light and then a deafening crack of thunder sent terror through everyone's hearts.
"Where is Freki?" "Hastur gasped realizing her puppy was nowhere to be seen
The young twin girl jumped out of her skin when the next rumble of thunder echoed through the sky. She clutched the candle stick tight
At her parent's chamber door, she saw the elf's puppy growling and scratching the base of the door.
"Little puppy. What are you doing?" she said cradling the hound in her arms.
Anneta, juggling the hound and candlestick in one arm reached for the doorknob. The second she cracked it open just a hair, Freki wriggled free from her hold and invaded the room barking and growling. The girl brought her light to the dark room and felt her soul leave her body.
There on her bed, Theodora lay still. Ser skin was pale. she didn't look harmed. No cuts, bruises, or the like, but something was amiss. Freki crouched down. Growling at something unseen. His tail stood on end. Ears perked forward. His sight stayed fixated on the bed.
Then, It moved.