Chapter 3- Unexpected news (This story
DOES go somewhere)
Speed dragged the caravan's exhausted wheels down the rocky
road for almost eternity, and vibration shook the wooden transport violently.
Sleep came to some people, such as the BC. Others, like the amazon, often
stared at the wheels to make sure it wasn't going to pop off.
The caravan finally reached a full stop at the large Rogue
Encampment. The camp had developed into a large stronghold since the fall of
the Evil Andariel. The grand steel gates opened slowly to welcome the caravan.
"Welcome back Warriv, I trust that you have brought the
arrows from Fara like I requested?" greeted the serious Rogue leader with
a hint of excitement.
"Of course, I have also brought over some rare
merchandise that you might be interested in," he replied with a matching
serious tone. The passengers had stepped off the caravan one by one.
Many things have changed since their last visit- the
population has increased immensely, the cheap dirt road had been replaced with
neatly carved stones as a result, and the cloth tents had grown to sturdy
wooden cabins. The town center was no longer a mere fire pit, but a giant steel
statue of three rogues, posing heroically, while lively flames licked at their
boots.
The three companions rested on the heavy log by the statue.
Then, a nervous knight walked to join them.
"Why did you follow us, Skovos of the Zakuram?"
asked the tired but annoyed dark mage.
"He couldn't find his paladin companions back in Lut
Golein, and he was convinced that they headed here. So I told him to follow
us," explained the barbarian. "He will not give you any more trouble
now, once he re-units with his group."
"Okay, he's leaving us anyway," Phil said.
"Carrie, after we are done trading our goods, let's go slay the remaining
demons of this land."
"Sure, I haven't hunted in a long time!"
"I wouldn't do that if I were you!" warned an old
man nearby. "Since the great fall of Diablo, hell's minions have stirred
with terror. They have been sent to the mortal realm to eliminate all human
towns that were still intact, in search for the great hero. The remaining Great
Evil Belial, had decended into these lands already. If the Prophecy of Lies is
correct, Belial brings with him, the massive horned deaths that he used to
banish the three great evils from hell. All that we can do now is to pray for
the hero's return, for Belial will destroy everything in his path!"
"Now that sounds like one hell of a fight!" cried
Phil excitedly.
"I can hardly wait!" the amazon and the barbarian
cheered together, and the three had a hearty laugh.
"How can you be so calm, when the destruction of man is
near?" the wise old man questioned. Skovos the paladin listened with great
interest.
"How about we lure him here somehow, and fight him
sooner!" Phil suggested, ignoring the old man.
"That would be good, but how?"
"I already have an insane, yet great idea!" cried
Phil excitedly.
"As the last of the Horadrim, I will not allow you to
bring forth the deaths of these people around us!" the old mage yelled
bravely. Now almost everyone, including the famous Kashya and Akara, listened
with curiosity, and fear.
"Say no more, Cain. Help us prepare for our trip, and
wish us luck," the necro said calmly. He revealed his mysterious glowing
necklace. Attached to the delicate leather string was a single feather, that
didn't belong to no chicken either. It was transparent, and it emitted a faint
blue light that beat a pulse. "Have you forgotten your source of fame
already, old fart?"
The wise Deckard Cain had finally realised who he was really
talking to. The scent of this man displayed righteousness, as he remembered. It
also had that faint hint of pure hatred that only he could taste, and it seemed
to choke and clog his lungs.
Surprised but relieved, he nodded and quickly disappeared
into the tavern. Maybe there was hope after all.