The Journey to the Stones
Chapter 5
The four of us stepped back through the portal, four Rogues following. They began administering the last rites to Blood Raven, and the rest of us headed out of the graveyard. I led the way, with Ravina right behind. Kiara and Paige took up positions to our left and right, slightly to the rear. As we crossed the Cold Plains, we could feel many eyes watching us. Ravina was the first to see the torches ahead.
"Look!" she cried.
I glanced ahead. There were several skeletons near the flames. Between the torches, a slab of marble was resting on the ground. The skeletons spotted us. Two went down in a hail of arrows, two more under fire bolts. One was left for me. It had a slight red tinge to it, and looked more powerful as well. I cut it down quickly. The marble slab was a waypoint. I turned toward my companions.
"Should we go back to town tonight, or wait here till morning?"
Ravina spoke first. "Let's go back to town. I don't like not being able to see what's approaching."
Paige nodded her assent. I looked at Kiara. She looked back at me, then at the others. "I think we should go back also. We need the rest, and it is too dark to hit anything."
"Very well," I said. I stepped onto the waypoint, and we reappeared in the encampment. I led the way to the fire, the others following. Tossing my equipment down, I straightened out my bedroll and promptly dropped on to it. The others moved their equipment closer to mine, and soon all of us were asleep.
The next morning I felt a warmth along my entire body. Opening my eyes, I saw that it was Kiara. And my arm was wrapped around her. Pulling away quickly, I sat up. She turned her head and smiled at me.
"I got cold, Xavier," she said. Then seeing the look on my face, she quickly added, "Don't worry, we didn't do anything."
"Kiara, look, I have a vow that I can't break. I can't be with anyone until my work is complete."
"Well, I guess that's better than never," she answered, then looked up at me with her large, gray, wet eyes. "When will your work be complete?"
"I… I'm… I'm not sure…" I answer, unsure as to the right answer. "I guess I will know when… and you will find out soon after, I promise. I am attracted to you, and I think everyone here can see that."
She smiles. Her perfect, beautiful smile. "Hope so, Paladin. Otherwise, you might start feeling an itch you can't scratch."
Dragging my eyes off of her lips was not easy, in fact it was more like ripping them out through my nose. I looked over at Ravina, and realized Paige had felt the same way. I turned back to Kiara, an arching eyebrow showing my question.
She whispered, "Paige has always felt more comfortable around other women. She had a bad experience a few years ago with a passing wanderer."
Knowing the Rogues, and how they deal so efficiently with demons and the like, I asked her what happened to the man.
"Before or after we let him leave the camp?" she asked. "He was missing both ears, his manhood, three toes, six fingers, and his clothes. As we watched him run, Paige fired an arrow at him. The rest of us thought it was a valid point. He fell with seventy-three arrows in his back. There were only three of us here at the time. We take care of our own. But don't worry, Xavier, you and Ravina are part of our family, now. By Kashya's word."
Not knowing whether that was a good thing, I just nodded. Seventy- three arrows. Ouch. "When should we wake them?" I pointed at the two younger women.
"Another hour or so," Kiara replied. "While we're waiting, we should decide how to get to the Tree."
"As Akara said, it's in the Dark Wood. We have to go through the Stony Field, and through the cave complex, to get there. Let's focus on the field first. What are some of the dangers we'll have to face?"
Most of what is in there you've seen already, skeletons, zombies, corrupted Rogues, Fallen… There are also raptors, goat men, and carvers," she answered. "The raptors live in diseased trees, which act as large breeding grounds. The entrance to the cave is somewhere in the middle. There is also a waypoint there. The Stones are near the entrance."
"Goat men… what are they?" I ask.
"Half-man, half-goat, furry legs with hooves, usually carry pole arms. Not too tough, but difficult in groups. Carvers are just blue Fallen."
"You have everything you need for this next soirée? I've got to get a few scrolls and potions from Akara. Ravina may need some too," I add.
I leave Kiara to wake the two sleeping beauties and walk over to Akara's tent.
"We'll be leaving in a while. I plan on getting Cain before dark. I need some health potions and a few identify scrolls."
Akara answers, "Very well, Paladin. Good luck, and bring the mage back unharmed, if possible."
I flash her a huge smile. "I'll do my best."
I return to the fire, where Ravina and Paige are starting to rise. Ravina raises her eyes wide at Paige, who returns the look with a smile. Ravina shakes her head and smiles back.
"Get some breakfast. We're leaving in a few minutes," I tell them. "Ravina, check your supplies. Make sure you have enough potions and scrolls. If you need any, let us know. I want to make this a quick assault. Only stop to pick up needed items – potions, scrolls, any magic equipment. Paige, Kiara – make sure you have enough arrows. We'll only fight what gets in our way. If we get attacked by archers, do what you can to slow them down. If you fall behind, shout or raise a portal. Let's rescue Cain."
We head to the waypoint and flash to the Cold Plains. Dashing across the field, we only encounter a few Fallen and some skeletons. The Fallen scatter, but the skeletons stand their ground. Both fall under my sword. Upon entering the Stony Field, we slow, not knowing the area. I see the Stones up ahead.
"Let's clear the area around the stones first, before we need to rush through them."
Some carvers are around them. A darker blue carver is in the midst of the group.
"Ladies, target the lighter-colored ones, and watch your backs. I'll get the other one." I rush into the center after the first volley of arrows and fire bolts. My target, the dark blue one, is running around screaming "Rakanishu! Rakanishu!" I swat a few of the carvers away, as more arrows rain in. Glancing back, I see Ravina watching the rear as the rogues cover my attack. Rakanishu turns, seeing me for the first time. He raises his sword and swings at my stomach (which is about eye level). I step back and lower my shield. The sword bounces off harmlessly. Raising my arm, I bring my blade down upon his head. It splits like a watermelon.
I turn to accompany my teammates, and the remaining carvers start shrieking as lightning jumps from one to the other, a never-ending blast. I look at Ravina, and she just shrugs. A carver, it's body badly burned, swings out and catches my unprotected knee, nearly severing the leg. As I fall, I see three arrows blossom in it's chest. My eyes close on a vision of chestnut-colored hair and oiled leather.
Chapter 5
The four of us stepped back through the portal, four Rogues following. They began administering the last rites to Blood Raven, and the rest of us headed out of the graveyard. I led the way, with Ravina right behind. Kiara and Paige took up positions to our left and right, slightly to the rear. As we crossed the Cold Plains, we could feel many eyes watching us. Ravina was the first to see the torches ahead.
"Look!" she cried.
I glanced ahead. There were several skeletons near the flames. Between the torches, a slab of marble was resting on the ground. The skeletons spotted us. Two went down in a hail of arrows, two more under fire bolts. One was left for me. It had a slight red tinge to it, and looked more powerful as well. I cut it down quickly. The marble slab was a waypoint. I turned toward my companions.
"Should we go back to town tonight, or wait here till morning?"
Ravina spoke first. "Let's go back to town. I don't like not being able to see what's approaching."
Paige nodded her assent. I looked at Kiara. She looked back at me, then at the others. "I think we should go back also. We need the rest, and it is too dark to hit anything."
"Very well," I said. I stepped onto the waypoint, and we reappeared in the encampment. I led the way to the fire, the others following. Tossing my equipment down, I straightened out my bedroll and promptly dropped on to it. The others moved their equipment closer to mine, and soon all of us were asleep.
The next morning I felt a warmth along my entire body. Opening my eyes, I saw that it was Kiara. And my arm was wrapped around her. Pulling away quickly, I sat up. She turned her head and smiled at me.
"I got cold, Xavier," she said. Then seeing the look on my face, she quickly added, "Don't worry, we didn't do anything."
"Kiara, look, I have a vow that I can't break. I can't be with anyone until my work is complete."
"Well, I guess that's better than never," she answered, then looked up at me with her large, gray, wet eyes. "When will your work be complete?"
"I… I'm… I'm not sure…" I answer, unsure as to the right answer. "I guess I will know when… and you will find out soon after, I promise. I am attracted to you, and I think everyone here can see that."
She smiles. Her perfect, beautiful smile. "Hope so, Paladin. Otherwise, you might start feeling an itch you can't scratch."
Dragging my eyes off of her lips was not easy, in fact it was more like ripping them out through my nose. I looked over at Ravina, and realized Paige had felt the same way. I turned back to Kiara, an arching eyebrow showing my question.
She whispered, "Paige has always felt more comfortable around other women. She had a bad experience a few years ago with a passing wanderer."
Knowing the Rogues, and how they deal so efficiently with demons and the like, I asked her what happened to the man.
"Before or after we let him leave the camp?" she asked. "He was missing both ears, his manhood, three toes, six fingers, and his clothes. As we watched him run, Paige fired an arrow at him. The rest of us thought it was a valid point. He fell with seventy-three arrows in his back. There were only three of us here at the time. We take care of our own. But don't worry, Xavier, you and Ravina are part of our family, now. By Kashya's word."
Not knowing whether that was a good thing, I just nodded. Seventy- three arrows. Ouch. "When should we wake them?" I pointed at the two younger women.
"Another hour or so," Kiara replied. "While we're waiting, we should decide how to get to the Tree."
"As Akara said, it's in the Dark Wood. We have to go through the Stony Field, and through the cave complex, to get there. Let's focus on the field first. What are some of the dangers we'll have to face?"
Most of what is in there you've seen already, skeletons, zombies, corrupted Rogues, Fallen… There are also raptors, goat men, and carvers," she answered. "The raptors live in diseased trees, which act as large breeding grounds. The entrance to the cave is somewhere in the middle. There is also a waypoint there. The Stones are near the entrance."
"Goat men… what are they?" I ask.
"Half-man, half-goat, furry legs with hooves, usually carry pole arms. Not too tough, but difficult in groups. Carvers are just blue Fallen."
"You have everything you need for this next soirée? I've got to get a few scrolls and potions from Akara. Ravina may need some too," I add.
I leave Kiara to wake the two sleeping beauties and walk over to Akara's tent.
"We'll be leaving in a while. I plan on getting Cain before dark. I need some health potions and a few identify scrolls."
Akara answers, "Very well, Paladin. Good luck, and bring the mage back unharmed, if possible."
I flash her a huge smile. "I'll do my best."
I return to the fire, where Ravina and Paige are starting to rise. Ravina raises her eyes wide at Paige, who returns the look with a smile. Ravina shakes her head and smiles back.
"Get some breakfast. We're leaving in a few minutes," I tell them. "Ravina, check your supplies. Make sure you have enough potions and scrolls. If you need any, let us know. I want to make this a quick assault. Only stop to pick up needed items – potions, scrolls, any magic equipment. Paige, Kiara – make sure you have enough arrows. We'll only fight what gets in our way. If we get attacked by archers, do what you can to slow them down. If you fall behind, shout or raise a portal. Let's rescue Cain."
We head to the waypoint and flash to the Cold Plains. Dashing across the field, we only encounter a few Fallen and some skeletons. The Fallen scatter, but the skeletons stand their ground. Both fall under my sword. Upon entering the Stony Field, we slow, not knowing the area. I see the Stones up ahead.
"Let's clear the area around the stones first, before we need to rush through them."
Some carvers are around them. A darker blue carver is in the midst of the group.
"Ladies, target the lighter-colored ones, and watch your backs. I'll get the other one." I rush into the center after the first volley of arrows and fire bolts. My target, the dark blue one, is running around screaming "Rakanishu! Rakanishu!" I swat a few of the carvers away, as more arrows rain in. Glancing back, I see Ravina watching the rear as the rogues cover my attack. Rakanishu turns, seeing me for the first time. He raises his sword and swings at my stomach (which is about eye level). I step back and lower my shield. The sword bounces off harmlessly. Raising my arm, I bring my blade down upon his head. It splits like a watermelon.
I turn to accompany my teammates, and the remaining carvers start shrieking as lightning jumps from one to the other, a never-ending blast. I look at Ravina, and she just shrugs. A carver, it's body badly burned, swings out and catches my unprotected knee, nearly severing the leg. As I fall, I see three arrows blossom in it's chest. My eyes close on a vision of chestnut-colored hair and oiled leather.