Blocked Paths

"Wait," called Mirka to the five heroes, "There's something I must give you." She came down the stairs with a bow, a staff, and a pair of swords in her hands.

"We've really got to head out. Every moment we waste is another moment closer to the revival of Ramion, Rugudorull, and Rahashina. We must hurry," Lyle stated.

Mirka replied, "I know. That's why I want you to take these weapons. For the sorceress, we have a Truth Rod. There's an Energy Cutlass for the big swordsman. The swordswoman gets a Power Rapier. And for the young half-squirrel, Artea is giving his own Bow. These weapons are more powerful versions of what you have now. I'm only sorry that I have nothing for you, descendant of Maxim. I remember your ancestor well, he saved my life when I was attacked by monsters once."

Everyone accepted the weapons. Fam was ecstatic. "This is so cool, I'm using the same bow that the legendary warrior Artea used against the Sinistraels. I bet I'll be twice as powerful now."

"Just hurry up Fang Girl," demanded Rasha, "We can't keep Lyle waiting forever."

"I'm hurrying Rasha. Why are you always so mean to me?" questioned Fam.

Ihrie told her friend, "She's just impatient. Try to calm down a little bit Fam. Let's just get going to the city of Odel. I hope we can find the way, I've never even heard of that city."

Mirka smiled. "Take a teleporter in the basement of this house. It'll take you to a shrine near the city of Ranques. From there, you go through a cave to the south, and head to the west. It isn't too much farther to the Kingdom of Odel. The lab is in the castle basement."

Lyle thanked her for her help. Then, the group headed to the basement, and took the teleporter to the shrine. After that, they traveled south to Ranques, in order to gain supplies for their trip.

In the city, they saw a strange site. All of the young men were gone, leaving only children and the elderly. The apprentice cleric at the local shrine told them that some kind of forcefield had appeared in the cave to Odel, and all of the men were trying to figure out what it was. But they could find no clues, so they were still there after all of those days of working. Luckily, they had enough supplies for several weeks of camping out, but it was getting lonely, especially for married couples or parents.

"I can help them out," bragged Rasha, "My name is Rasha, and I'm a traveling sorceress. I'll go over there and dispel the barrier for them. Then all of the men can come back home again."

"Thank you, kind miss. What could we pay you for your kindness?" she asked.

Rasha answered, "You could give us some free supplies for our travels. We're bound for Odel, but after that we don't know where we'll head. So we don't know exactly how long we'll be gone."

The woman handed her a bag of gold. "Take this money and buy whatever you need. I'll do anything to have my mentor back. Good luck on your travels miss."

"You're in good hands," Rasha said, "I can personally guarantee that it'll be a success."

* * *

"'Good hands', jeez Rasha. You brag way to much," complained Migel.

She quipped, "Look whose talking Mr. 'defeated 50 mounted riders while on foot'. You brag ten times as much as I do, and you have the nerve to accuse me of bragging too much. I only did it in order to get Lyle some much needed supplies, and in order to get us to Odel in order to meet the professor."

Migel was taken off. "That isn't bragging, it's true. And you've got it wrong. I defeated 75 men on horseback at one time. When did I say that it was only fifty?"

"While we faced Dark Ghost, " reminded Rasha, "And you said 25 when we fought the goblins." "Would you two just stop arguing? We don't need this right now," Lyle stated.

Rasha replied, "Anything you say Lyle darling. Whatever makes you happy my dear."

Ihrie sweatdropped. 'I think I'm going to be sick. Does she ever do anything else?"

Soon, they came to the cave. Inside was the cleric and all of the young men in town. They were trying to use explosives in order to break down the forcefield. But none of their attacks were effective.

"You idiots," Rasha yelled, "You can't break down a forcefield with materials such as these. These things are constructed by magic, so that's what is needed to break them."

"And where in the name of the gods would we be able to find magic? We're just a group of construction workers and shop owners, not a band of traveling wizards," one complained.

Rasha stated, "That's where I come in. My name is Rasha, a traveling sorceress. My friends and I were just passing through when we heard all about your plight. I can dispel this barrier for you."

The men all seemed indifferent. "Whatever lady. You can try, if you don't mind failing."

"Just watch," Rasha said, "My magic can't be beaten."

She began to concentrate, and focus all of her powers on the barrier. There was no spell for something like this, but rather a sorcerer or sorceress was required to use his or her own magical gifts in place of the chants. The forcefield began to glow, and it suddenly faded.

Rasha walked towards where the glow had been. The moments were tense as she looked like she would bash her toe on the wall. But when she arrived, she found it was all clear.

"I told you that it would work. Come on, let's get going to Odel," she called.

Lyle, Migel, Fam, and Ihrie ran up to Rasha. They then headed towards the inner sanctums of the cave. Soon, they were back out in the open fields, and the sun was shining down.

- - - -

We start our search for the professor next chapter. Lots of fun in that section, including broken bridges, locked doors, and mice.