Well here it is . . . and hopefully a predecessor of more to come. =) Yes
this is slow again, but hey, it's hard coming up with reasons to make her
do these quests in the first place. ;) And what do you know; this is the
shortest chapter I ever wrote for this (I think). And tell me if I made a
mistake … I wrote this while my eyes were hurting so I didn't really
proofread it. =/
Disclaimer: Diablo 2 and Lord of Destruction are the property of Blizzard. Please don't sue since I am not making any money from this, and I am a poor poor university student ^_^;;
----------------------------------------
For Money or Honor
Chapter Seven: Champion for Hire
I was dead. I had to be dead; that stone carving I stepped on had to be one of the Fallen's traps. Cursing myself for a fool, I wondered which part of Hell I would spend eternity in.
"Hey, you going or not?"
Cracking open my eyes, I peered around the place. Hell looked a lot like the Rogue Camp …
"Move it!" the same voice snapped and pushed past me. I watched in shock as one of the caravan men walked by and entered a dirty tent allotted for the latrines.
"I'm not dead?" I asked aloud.
"No, but if you keep this up, you will be," Kashya responded behind me. "Will you stop appearing in the camp without warning?" Once more a few Rogues and her had their weapons trained at me.
"Err, I'll keep that in mind," I used a finger to point her javelin away from my heart. "How did I get here in the first place?"
"It looks like you've activated a waypoint," she pointed to the ground. I looked down and saw that on either side of the waypoint, blue mystical flames burned. "Akara would be interested in this discovery."
"Right," I nodded as the Rogues moved off to other business. "Umm, about Blood Raven …" Wordlessly I took out the bow the former Rogue captain had used on me. Handing it to Kashya, I carefully watched her face for a reaction.
The leader's features were set in stone. They showed no change as she took the weapon from me, but I did notice her complexion become slightly paler and sweat forming on her brow. But as soon as she touched it, I could see in her green eyes that she was feeling a rush of emotions. Aiming my gaze downwards, I waited for her to compose herself.
"Thank you for freeing Blood Raven," Kashya said, her voice slightly shaky. "Although she was my closest friend, I would not wish to see her in this world, especially in the corrupted form given to her by Andariel!"
"Right, no problem," I was only half listening to her. "Well, I guess after I get this stuff identified and sold, I'll be on my way to the next town."
Kashya gave me an incredulous look.
"Hey lady, I did my part, paid the Sisters back for all your help. There is absolutely no reason I need to stay here anymore."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. Go see Akara," was all she said before she stalked away to her private tent with Blood Raven's bow.
"Go see Akara," I mimicked her, but did as I was told. I needed more Scrolls of Identify anyway.
The elderly woman was outside her tent, carefully stirring something inside a small cauldron. She hummed quietly to herself, but turned around as soon as I was within a few feet.
"Ah, I See that you have defeated Blood Raven. I'm sure it was not an easy battle."
"No kidding," I held up my dulled katar. Demon skin was so hard on weapons. "So, can I buy more scrolls?"
"Of course," she said, walking to her tent. "Which do you need?"
"Just Identify ones," I said casually. "I won't need Town Portal scrolls anymore."
"Waypoints are handy, but they don't exist that frequently in Sanctuary. It may be a long distance before you find another waypoint."
"I'm not counting on using waypoints," I shook my head. "I'm just not coming back to the Rogue Camp anymore. My debt to you is done; I'm free."
"Free?" she cocked her head at me. "Is that what you call our current state of affairs? I'd like to see how free we all would be when the Three invade our world."
"Three?" I blinked. "You mean the Three Prime Evils? Ha! Akara, don't tell me you believe in that tripe!"
"Who do you think is responsible for all this?" the High Priestess asked. "What else could summon all these infernal creatures and wreak havoc with the natural order of things? I have Seen it; his evil is like a great storm in the horizon. I am afraid that if that storm bursts, then all of Sanctuary will be drowned in fire."
"Well, it could just be a big demon or something, not a Prime Evil … what about this Andariel thing Kashya spoke about?"
"Andariel is one of the Lesser Evils, the Lady of Anguish if I remember correctly. Her presence here worries me. I do not fully comprehend all that the demons do, but I do know of one man who would be of great help to us: Deckard Cain, the last of the Horadrim."
"Last of the Horadrim? Wow, I never expected anyone of that Order to even be alive today," I mused. "Well I don't know where this Deckard guy is, but you better find him fast then."
"Cain was a residence of Tristram, and it would take many days to arrive there. Also as you have seen, the roads are not exactly safe at the moment. No, you must get there by a different method."
"Me? Why me again!?!" I shouted. "I cleared that stupid Den for you, and I killed Blood Raven for good. Why would I be insane enough to risk my life again for some old man I don't even know?"
"It is your Destiny," Akara looked at me knowingly.
"That is the biggest load of garbage I have ever heard!" I snapped back. "Destiny? My destiny is to roam around in alleyways, stealing food and the occasional jewel. I don't think I was slotted by Fate to go gallivanting around, destroying any evil I encounter. If you haven't noticed, lady, I am not a saint!"
"No, you are not," she nodded. "But you don't have to be. The Great Eye has told me that you are an elemental component in defeating the great crisis the world is facing now."
"Well tell that big blob of puss and blood vessels to look again! There is no way I am going to Tristram," I folded my arms, "and that is final!"
"Very well," Akara sighed heavily. "If you do not want to go, there is no making you." She turned again to go into her tent.
I ran my fingers through my hair. I had expected her to put up more of a fight since I was 'chosen' to fight evil. But maybe she hadn't been sure it was me who was supposed to be Sanctuary's savior. Maybe there was another one meant to come here and champion the Light's cause because frankly, I wasn't going to do it. Well, not for free anyway.
"Of course," she said, emerging with some scrolls, "it is a pity. I have Seen Deckard Cain, and he is in great suffering. That comes as no surprise though since he is surrounded by demons, trapped in a cage, begging for someone to help him because he certainly tried to help others …"
"Oh no you don't!" I said warningly. "Nice try, but you can't make me go on some guilt trip! I'll have you know I have no conscience!"
"And what a shame it will be too when the devastation Tristram underwent happens to the rest of the world," she continued on as if I hadn't spoken. "Buildings shall burn, people enslaved, butchered, or sacrificed to those dark beings …"
My ability to see seemed to cave into itself as I suddenly lost all sight of the camp. Instead my mind's eye replayed the dream I had yesterday night, of the great stone city in the jungles. The baby had been so small in that man's hands, and its crying had been so heartbreaking. The child stood no chance at all when she had been thrown into that large bonfire. And instead of trying to save her, the crowd had cheered, had applauded the sacrifice of innocent life. They seemed to revel in her pain, and drew strength from her suffering. I hated them then, those spiteful and merciless people, and I still hated them now.
"… too bad no one will help," I suddenly heard Akara say. I forcibly snapped myself out of that memory; it made my stomach churn with revulsion. Looking up, I was eye to eye with her, and we stared at each other for a long time. She seemed to know what I Saw, and her features softened to one of sympathy. "No one will help, will they?"
It had been an open-ended question, but I knew it was directed at me.
"Maybe … maybe one person," I whispered softly, my voice gone hoarse from the vision. Clearing my throat uncomfortably, I gazed at the small fire under Akara's pot. It seemed different somehow, warm and inviting. It did not want to consume – it only wanted to bring comfort and light. "But … are you sure … I'm the one?"
"I am," she nodded. "Why has the waypoint activated after all these decades? How did you find the waypoint in the Cold Plains when it has been covered by dirt and grass for almost as long? Why did you find yourself here on that cold rainy night?"
"Chance," I shrugged.
"Destiny," she answered.
"Whatever," I shook my head. "Look, I'll save this Cain person, but that is my last good deed of my lifetime, all right?"
"As you say," she smiled triumphantly. "In order to get to Tristram, you must activate the Cairn Stones located in the Stony Fields. Look for the Tree of Inifuss in the Dark Woods. Bring me back some of its bark for the mystical runes it contains shall be the key in activating the Stones."
"That's sort of a roundabout way, isn't it?" I asked skeptically.
"That is the only way we can reach Tristram in time. There are no known waypoints located there, and it is too far to travel on foot or by beast. The Cairn Stones will take you were you need to go."
"Great," I rolled my eyes. "Maybe I can get you guys some firewood while I'm at it. Or how about a nice leg of venison? I'm sure I could go to Lut Gholein too and buy you some, ow!"
"My, my, aren't we childish," Kashya admonished me. Apparently she had been listening to our conversation, staying out of view until now.
"What do you want?" I rubbed my head where she had hit me.
"Since you killed Blood Raven, I can spare you a Rogue to help you on your travels. You will find she will be useful in your coming quest."
"Ooooh, ONE Rogue! I get ONE Rogue to help me fight against an ARMY of monsters! Oh, I am sooooo grateful! Maybe after all this, me and my ONE Rogue can go and conquer all of Westmarch, ow!"
"Stop that," Kashya frowned at me after knocking my head again with her knuckles. "Although I admit the quest will still be difficult, it is better than going alone."
"Tch, fine," I grimaced. "Where is she anyway?"
Kashya made a motion with her hand, and shortly after a young girl came over. Yes, it was a young GIRL, not even a WOMAN yet. She looked to be about two years younger than me, but better nourished and certainly rested. Her chestnut colored hair was tied in a low ponytail, and her brown eyes fairly sparkled with enthusiasm. The Sister was dressed in the usual leather armor the others were in, and in her hands she held a simple short bow.
"Greetings!" she said merrily. "My name is Debi."
I gave Kashya a scathing look. She had to give me a cheery one.
"I'm sure you two will get along together just fine," the leader smirked. "Good luck with your quest."
"Oh yeah, we'll have lots of fun," I muttered as I finally bought scrolls of both kinds from Akara. "I think she's already enjoying herself by just breathing."
The High Priestess gave me a look, and I sighed. "All right, I promise to be nice to her. But she better not insist on holding my hand while we walk!"
Grunting my own 'hello' to Debi, we both made a brief stop at Charsi before making our way to the waypoint.
"Hey wow! When Kashya told me it was working now, I didn't believe her! I mean, it's always just been there and …"
"Hey Debi, how long have you been in battle?" I cut her in. I had a feeling she would go into her whole life story if I didn't stop her.
"Oh, well I've been training as a Rogue since I was five. I'm sixteen now, going on seventeen this winter solstice-"
"And of those eleven years you have been fighting in wars for?" I asked impatiently.
"One."
"One?" I frowned. Well it was better than nothing.
"Well, actually it was more like two months as an assistant to my teacher. But she said I made the best arrows she's ever seen, and would do very well in any mission Kashya might give me –"
"By the gods," I rubbed my eyes as she droned on. "Kashya is going to pay for this!"
Resisting the urge to confront the Rogue Leader now, I grabbed (the still talking) Debi's hand and pulled her onto the waypoint.
"We actually get to use this? This is so exciting! All my friends will be so –"
I gritted my teeth as I concentrated on the Fallen camp I had seen in the Cold Plains. With a gentle swoosh the blue flames of the waypoint flared briefly. The sound of Debi's voice thankfully stopped as we were taken to our 'destiny'.
Disclaimer: Diablo 2 and Lord of Destruction are the property of Blizzard. Please don't sue since I am not making any money from this, and I am a poor poor university student ^_^;;
----------------------------------------
For Money or Honor
Chapter Seven: Champion for Hire
I was dead. I had to be dead; that stone carving I stepped on had to be one of the Fallen's traps. Cursing myself for a fool, I wondered which part of Hell I would spend eternity in.
"Hey, you going or not?"
Cracking open my eyes, I peered around the place. Hell looked a lot like the Rogue Camp …
"Move it!" the same voice snapped and pushed past me. I watched in shock as one of the caravan men walked by and entered a dirty tent allotted for the latrines.
"I'm not dead?" I asked aloud.
"No, but if you keep this up, you will be," Kashya responded behind me. "Will you stop appearing in the camp without warning?" Once more a few Rogues and her had their weapons trained at me.
"Err, I'll keep that in mind," I used a finger to point her javelin away from my heart. "How did I get here in the first place?"
"It looks like you've activated a waypoint," she pointed to the ground. I looked down and saw that on either side of the waypoint, blue mystical flames burned. "Akara would be interested in this discovery."
"Right," I nodded as the Rogues moved off to other business. "Umm, about Blood Raven …" Wordlessly I took out the bow the former Rogue captain had used on me. Handing it to Kashya, I carefully watched her face for a reaction.
The leader's features were set in stone. They showed no change as she took the weapon from me, but I did notice her complexion become slightly paler and sweat forming on her brow. But as soon as she touched it, I could see in her green eyes that she was feeling a rush of emotions. Aiming my gaze downwards, I waited for her to compose herself.
"Thank you for freeing Blood Raven," Kashya said, her voice slightly shaky. "Although she was my closest friend, I would not wish to see her in this world, especially in the corrupted form given to her by Andariel!"
"Right, no problem," I was only half listening to her. "Well, I guess after I get this stuff identified and sold, I'll be on my way to the next town."
Kashya gave me an incredulous look.
"Hey lady, I did my part, paid the Sisters back for all your help. There is absolutely no reason I need to stay here anymore."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. Go see Akara," was all she said before she stalked away to her private tent with Blood Raven's bow.
"Go see Akara," I mimicked her, but did as I was told. I needed more Scrolls of Identify anyway.
The elderly woman was outside her tent, carefully stirring something inside a small cauldron. She hummed quietly to herself, but turned around as soon as I was within a few feet.
"Ah, I See that you have defeated Blood Raven. I'm sure it was not an easy battle."
"No kidding," I held up my dulled katar. Demon skin was so hard on weapons. "So, can I buy more scrolls?"
"Of course," she said, walking to her tent. "Which do you need?"
"Just Identify ones," I said casually. "I won't need Town Portal scrolls anymore."
"Waypoints are handy, but they don't exist that frequently in Sanctuary. It may be a long distance before you find another waypoint."
"I'm not counting on using waypoints," I shook my head. "I'm just not coming back to the Rogue Camp anymore. My debt to you is done; I'm free."
"Free?" she cocked her head at me. "Is that what you call our current state of affairs? I'd like to see how free we all would be when the Three invade our world."
"Three?" I blinked. "You mean the Three Prime Evils? Ha! Akara, don't tell me you believe in that tripe!"
"Who do you think is responsible for all this?" the High Priestess asked. "What else could summon all these infernal creatures and wreak havoc with the natural order of things? I have Seen it; his evil is like a great storm in the horizon. I am afraid that if that storm bursts, then all of Sanctuary will be drowned in fire."
"Well, it could just be a big demon or something, not a Prime Evil … what about this Andariel thing Kashya spoke about?"
"Andariel is one of the Lesser Evils, the Lady of Anguish if I remember correctly. Her presence here worries me. I do not fully comprehend all that the demons do, but I do know of one man who would be of great help to us: Deckard Cain, the last of the Horadrim."
"Last of the Horadrim? Wow, I never expected anyone of that Order to even be alive today," I mused. "Well I don't know where this Deckard guy is, but you better find him fast then."
"Cain was a residence of Tristram, and it would take many days to arrive there. Also as you have seen, the roads are not exactly safe at the moment. No, you must get there by a different method."
"Me? Why me again!?!" I shouted. "I cleared that stupid Den for you, and I killed Blood Raven for good. Why would I be insane enough to risk my life again for some old man I don't even know?"
"It is your Destiny," Akara looked at me knowingly.
"That is the biggest load of garbage I have ever heard!" I snapped back. "Destiny? My destiny is to roam around in alleyways, stealing food and the occasional jewel. I don't think I was slotted by Fate to go gallivanting around, destroying any evil I encounter. If you haven't noticed, lady, I am not a saint!"
"No, you are not," she nodded. "But you don't have to be. The Great Eye has told me that you are an elemental component in defeating the great crisis the world is facing now."
"Well tell that big blob of puss and blood vessels to look again! There is no way I am going to Tristram," I folded my arms, "and that is final!"
"Very well," Akara sighed heavily. "If you do not want to go, there is no making you." She turned again to go into her tent.
I ran my fingers through my hair. I had expected her to put up more of a fight since I was 'chosen' to fight evil. But maybe she hadn't been sure it was me who was supposed to be Sanctuary's savior. Maybe there was another one meant to come here and champion the Light's cause because frankly, I wasn't going to do it. Well, not for free anyway.
"Of course," she said, emerging with some scrolls, "it is a pity. I have Seen Deckard Cain, and he is in great suffering. That comes as no surprise though since he is surrounded by demons, trapped in a cage, begging for someone to help him because he certainly tried to help others …"
"Oh no you don't!" I said warningly. "Nice try, but you can't make me go on some guilt trip! I'll have you know I have no conscience!"
"And what a shame it will be too when the devastation Tristram underwent happens to the rest of the world," she continued on as if I hadn't spoken. "Buildings shall burn, people enslaved, butchered, or sacrificed to those dark beings …"
My ability to see seemed to cave into itself as I suddenly lost all sight of the camp. Instead my mind's eye replayed the dream I had yesterday night, of the great stone city in the jungles. The baby had been so small in that man's hands, and its crying had been so heartbreaking. The child stood no chance at all when she had been thrown into that large bonfire. And instead of trying to save her, the crowd had cheered, had applauded the sacrifice of innocent life. They seemed to revel in her pain, and drew strength from her suffering. I hated them then, those spiteful and merciless people, and I still hated them now.
"… too bad no one will help," I suddenly heard Akara say. I forcibly snapped myself out of that memory; it made my stomach churn with revulsion. Looking up, I was eye to eye with her, and we stared at each other for a long time. She seemed to know what I Saw, and her features softened to one of sympathy. "No one will help, will they?"
It had been an open-ended question, but I knew it was directed at me.
"Maybe … maybe one person," I whispered softly, my voice gone hoarse from the vision. Clearing my throat uncomfortably, I gazed at the small fire under Akara's pot. It seemed different somehow, warm and inviting. It did not want to consume – it only wanted to bring comfort and light. "But … are you sure … I'm the one?"
"I am," she nodded. "Why has the waypoint activated after all these decades? How did you find the waypoint in the Cold Plains when it has been covered by dirt and grass for almost as long? Why did you find yourself here on that cold rainy night?"
"Chance," I shrugged.
"Destiny," she answered.
"Whatever," I shook my head. "Look, I'll save this Cain person, but that is my last good deed of my lifetime, all right?"
"As you say," she smiled triumphantly. "In order to get to Tristram, you must activate the Cairn Stones located in the Stony Fields. Look for the Tree of Inifuss in the Dark Woods. Bring me back some of its bark for the mystical runes it contains shall be the key in activating the Stones."
"That's sort of a roundabout way, isn't it?" I asked skeptically.
"That is the only way we can reach Tristram in time. There are no known waypoints located there, and it is too far to travel on foot or by beast. The Cairn Stones will take you were you need to go."
"Great," I rolled my eyes. "Maybe I can get you guys some firewood while I'm at it. Or how about a nice leg of venison? I'm sure I could go to Lut Gholein too and buy you some, ow!"
"My, my, aren't we childish," Kashya admonished me. Apparently she had been listening to our conversation, staying out of view until now.
"What do you want?" I rubbed my head where she had hit me.
"Since you killed Blood Raven, I can spare you a Rogue to help you on your travels. You will find she will be useful in your coming quest."
"Ooooh, ONE Rogue! I get ONE Rogue to help me fight against an ARMY of monsters! Oh, I am sooooo grateful! Maybe after all this, me and my ONE Rogue can go and conquer all of Westmarch, ow!"
"Stop that," Kashya frowned at me after knocking my head again with her knuckles. "Although I admit the quest will still be difficult, it is better than going alone."
"Tch, fine," I grimaced. "Where is she anyway?"
Kashya made a motion with her hand, and shortly after a young girl came over. Yes, it was a young GIRL, not even a WOMAN yet. She looked to be about two years younger than me, but better nourished and certainly rested. Her chestnut colored hair was tied in a low ponytail, and her brown eyes fairly sparkled with enthusiasm. The Sister was dressed in the usual leather armor the others were in, and in her hands she held a simple short bow.
"Greetings!" she said merrily. "My name is Debi."
I gave Kashya a scathing look. She had to give me a cheery one.
"I'm sure you two will get along together just fine," the leader smirked. "Good luck with your quest."
"Oh yeah, we'll have lots of fun," I muttered as I finally bought scrolls of both kinds from Akara. "I think she's already enjoying herself by just breathing."
The High Priestess gave me a look, and I sighed. "All right, I promise to be nice to her. But she better not insist on holding my hand while we walk!"
Grunting my own 'hello' to Debi, we both made a brief stop at Charsi before making our way to the waypoint.
"Hey wow! When Kashya told me it was working now, I didn't believe her! I mean, it's always just been there and …"
"Hey Debi, how long have you been in battle?" I cut her in. I had a feeling she would go into her whole life story if I didn't stop her.
"Oh, well I've been training as a Rogue since I was five. I'm sixteen now, going on seventeen this winter solstice-"
"And of those eleven years you have been fighting in wars for?" I asked impatiently.
"One."
"One?" I frowned. Well it was better than nothing.
"Well, actually it was more like two months as an assistant to my teacher. But she said I made the best arrows she's ever seen, and would do very well in any mission Kashya might give me –"
"By the gods," I rubbed my eyes as she droned on. "Kashya is going to pay for this!"
Resisting the urge to confront the Rogue Leader now, I grabbed (the still talking) Debi's hand and pulled her onto the waypoint.
"We actually get to use this? This is so exciting! All my friends will be so –"
I gritted my teeth as I concentrated on the Fallen camp I had seen in the Cold Plains. With a gentle swoosh the blue flames of the waypoint flared briefly. The sound of Debi's voice thankfully stopped as we were taken to our 'destiny'.