A/N: The world of Exile (Avernum) remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. Following my fun here, I promise to return unharmed to the game the following persons: Mahdavi, Lynn, Angarahad, and Ruth; and places: Tower of Magi, Mertis, and Silvar.
"Sounds like a command performance, then," said Jenneke. "Know where those quarters are, Feodoric?"
"Yes, I do," replied Feodoric, who had just finished studies in the Tower of Magi before joining up with the army.
"Then, why don't you lead the way," said Jenneke.
"Yes, sir," said Feodoric. "This way."
Feodoric led the others through the garden and down a hall, and then to the door with the nameplate "Mahdavi."
He knocked on the door.
"It's open," replied the voice inside.
"Ma'am?" said Feodoric, looking in.
The woman within was a short woman with dark skin and a radiant smile, raven black hair disappearing into the rich, purple velvet robe of the highest ranking mages of Avernum.
She stood to greet the group, and said, "I am Mahdavi of the Triad. It's good to have adventurers here."
"What is it you do here in the Tower?" said Jenneke.
"My Triad responsibilities in part. I am a member of the Triad," she replied. "Solberg, X, and I are the three wizards in charge of the Tower of Magi. Currently, I am pondering a great threat to Avernum."
"Where are the other Triad members?" asked Jenneke.
"Solberg is long absent. Since I am sure that you are utterly loyal to Avernum, I feel safe telling you that he lives in a tower in northeast Avernum," replied Mahdavi. "As for X, well, he is a strange fellow. He is hiding out in one of the libraries in the tower. He tends to avoid students."
"Why is Solberg so far away?" said Feodoric, whose studies had taken place during the troubles during Linda's time on the Triad.
"Some years ago, a demon took up residence here. Brave adventurers helped us dispatch it. Solberg hid from it in his tower, southwest of Formello. Once the demon was gone, he tried to return, but Empire assassins have trapped him there," replied Mahdavi. "I wish he were here. We could all use his wisdom."
"I remember that," said Feodoric, shuddering at the memories, even though he knew that one more student would not have registered with anyone significant to rise to the Triad. "What threat to Avernum is it that you've been pondering?"
"The Empire has not destroyed us for one reason: it takes great energy to teleport people down here. But we know now that they are building a mass teleporter, to flood us with troops. If it is completed, we are all doomed, every one of us," said Mahdavi. "We need a group of adventurers who can find out where this portal is, and how to destroy it. If you are willing, I can help."
"Well, we're to look for the Crystal Souls," said Jenneke, "but my understanding of our new orders is that we can undertake the mission of destroying the Empire teleporter, too. The tasks may overlap."
Mahdavi looked hopeful, and replied, "If you are truly serious about destroying this dangerous teleporter, I will help you as best I can. Return occasionally to ask me for help, and I will tell you what I have learned, and what I think you can and should do."
She paced and turned back to them, and said, "First, we need to know how to destroy it safely. Portals are unstable and powerful things. Alas, Pyrn was our expert on such things, and he is away and hidden. However, I can help you find him. When you find him, you can ask him about the portal."
"Any idea where we should look first?" said Jenneke.
"He left the Tower some years ago, but his bedroom is right next door," she said, pointing to the east. "He told me that he left directions to find him in his dresser. Or on his dresser. Anyway, he said to see the directions, you needed to do this." She made a quick series of hand motions. "Using them, you should get the information you'll need to find him."
"What should we do next to destroy the portal?" asked Jenneke.
"Until you've spoken to Pyrn," said Mahdavi, "you need not worry about that."
"Thank you," said Jenneke. "We'll see what we can do."
They left her chambers, and moved to the chamber with Pyrn's nameplate. Inside, they went to the dresser and used the motions Mahdavi had taught them. After a few moments, glowing letters appeared on the top of the dresser and faded again.
"Ell Pit Esk?" said Jenneke. "Fuck, we were right there."
"I don't understand," said Feodoric.
"Let's go see what Mahdavi says," said Michael.
Returning to Mahdavi's chambers, Jenneke said, "Ma'am, could I ask you another question, please?"
"Of course," replied Mahdavi.
"We found some words ... well, they don't make sense," said Jenneke. "But three sets of three letters, Ell Pit Esk?"
"That would be for the portal," said Mahdavi. "We have one ourselves now."
"Can we use it?" said Jenneke.
"I'm afraid not yet," said Mahdavi. "You only have soldier clearance, and magi clearance is required to enter the portal chamber. Even as a member of the Triad, I can't change that particular requirement."
"I guess we'll have to go," said Jenneke, "and see what we have to do to make Magi clearance."
"Good luck to you," replied Mahdavi.
Jenneke rubbed his chin, looking at the rest of the platoon, and he said, "Well, I've never had orders this broad before, almost don't know where to start. Suggestions?"
"We could go to the Castle," said Feodoric. "Since we need the Magi clearance, and clearances come from there ..."
"That makes sense. Any other ideas?" said Jenneke.
Thissa said, "We could go back to Formello, and sssell the goodsss we acquired. Much iron."
"Money never hurt," said Nigel. "Why don't we do that?"
"I suppose so," said Jenneke. "So many possibilities. Brother Michael, you keeping track?"
"Yes," replied Michael. "I would recommend the Castle. The most solid lead on how to proceed is touching on the portal, and the matter of clearance is our first hurdle ... or second, and we've already passed the first."
"All right," said Jenneke, "Castle first, and keep your eyes peeled for any clues about these Crystal Souls we're looking for."
With a sigh, Jenneke led the group out of the Tower of Magi and into the familiar air of Avernum. This land was their prison, and a terrible place to live in many ways, and yet strangely, it was a relief to return to it. Now, at last on familiar ground, the enormity of the tasks facing their patrol threatened to overwhelm them. From a small group posted to a piddling remote task, they had now been thrust center-stage, with the fate of all Avernum in their hands.
At the base of the hill leading to the tower, there were many guards standing watch over the road. As Jenneke led the platoon down the way, the guards moved to block the road.
"Halt! The city of Cotra has been destroyed. There are new security measures in effect," said one guard. "We don't recognize you. What is your business in this area? Tell us or be prepared to fight."
"Well, we've been busy bringing down the barriers and fighting to save Avernum," said Jenneke.
The guards moved away quickly, forming a huddle, talking excitedly amongst themselves, as Jenneke thought again that this sort of thing was familiar.
The captain returned, and said, "We've been hearing rumors about you. We hear a lot about what you've been doing. As we said, the city of Cotra has been destroyed."
"How?" said Jenneke, sounding agonized, for Cotra had been his home in Avernum before the war.
"It was a surprise Empire raid," said the captain, "backed up with heavy magic. Be careful. Keep up the good work! You may pass."
With that, the guards moved aside, giving respectful nods to the platoon as they passed.
"I have to see," said Jenneke. "Cotra destroyed? I can't imagine ..."
"OK, sarge," said Nigel.
As they turned onto the northern road which would lead to Mertis and Silvar, from whence they could turn to Cotra, a band of armed humans, about eight strong, were clearly seeking the platoon out unerringly. They moved straight toward the platoon, maintaining a constant course.
"I think they've been tracking us," said Feodoric. "Such things are possible."
"But why?" said Jenneke.
"Only one way to find out," said Thissa. "But issss likely not friendssss."
Moving toward this group seemed to settle the matter, they drew weapons, and a ferocious fight was on. Battered, the victorious platoon searched the bodies, trying to get some idea of who these assassins were.
"Oh gods," said Jenneke, as he found a scroll on the mage leading the group. "These guys had pretty good descriptions of us. They were on orders to get us."
"Aw, don't you feel special?" said Nigel. "Empire especially wants to kill little ole us."
"Just hope they don't all have this kind of detail about who we are and all that shit," said Jenneke, "gods, I never thought Empire would've paid me more mind than any of the other people they dumped down here."
Still unnerved by having drawn this sort of attention, Jenneke led the others up to Mertis. Mertis seemed to have managed to evade the worst of the struggles with Empire, and so the area remained relatively peaceful, the guards looking as though they wanted someone to try something so they could ease their tedium by beating someone up.
"Prisoner storage?" said Nigel. "This wasn't here when I was last."
"It's war," said Jenneke, stepping inside the building.
A huge warrior with a greatsword on her back sat behind an amusingly small desk. "I'm Commander Lynn," she said. "I'm in charge of the guards in Mertis."
"Yes, ma'am," replied Jenneke. "Sergeant Jenneke here. Are you busy?"
"No, I look after the prisoners mainly, and do paperwork," she said, looking at her desk with distaste.
"What sort of prisoners do you have?" said Jenneke.
"Empire soliders. This is where prisoners are brought for questioning. The yard to the north is for grunts," replied Lynn. "The cells to the east are for detainees with special information."
"Any chance we could see the special detainees?" said Jenneke.
"Sorry. There's a VIP—a Very Important Prisoner in there, and nobody gets in to see her without orders, no matter what clearance they are," replied Lynn, shaking her head. "I don't make the rules. I just kill those who try to break them."
"So, what kind of forms you have to fill out?" said Jenneke.
"Every kind. Forms this, forms that. Three forms for each new soldier. Five for each dead one," replied Lynn. "I'd rather be going out on missions. Instead, I assign them!"
"Any missions for us, ma'am?" said Jenneke.
"I'm glad you asked," said Lynn with a smile. "There's a bunch of bandits hiding in a fort somewhere in the Honeycomb. They have some sort of mage in there helping them. We can find their lair, but we can't get in. Get in there and wipe them out, and you will be rewarded."
"Why do we have so much bureaucracy in Avernum?" said Nigel, looking with amazement at the pile of parchments.
"Simple. Our government is run by bureaucrats banished from the surface," said Lynn. "They get banished for being at the wrong end of some petty little political struggle or another. Just like me. Loser gets framed and banished."
"Thank you for your time, ma'am," said Jenneke. "We'll see what we can do in the Honeycomb."
They continued on to Cronan's Inn, resting for the night before continuing their journey north. On the journey north, they met a merchant caravan of six wagons, each pulled by two large lizards, with a very large complement of guards.
After exchanging greetings, one of the merchants explained that there had been a lot of undead wandering around in this area. As they didn't have anything that appealed to the members of Jenneke's patrol, they thanked the merchant for the warning, and both groups parted ways.
No more had they parted ways, but a slow-moving band of undead came out to patrol the road from the side passage. The shambling group of hideous gray creatures were led by a small man with pale skin, and they seemed to be attempting to avoid the patrol. However, being slow moving, Jenneke ordered his platoon to attempt to intercept the undead.
Once the undead were dispatched, they continued north, finding an unusually large picket of Avernum soldiers watching the bridge before Silvar.
The captain seemed to recognize them, and said, "Greetings, friends. I am, sadly, the bearer of bad news. Do you wish to hear of recent tidings in this area?"
"More than Cotra's getting destroyed?" said Jenneke, with a tense look.
"Yes, sir. As you've heard, Cotra, jeweled port of northern Avernum is no more. An Empire raid burnt the city out, and the refugees have spilled all over this area. Cotra's not occupied by Empire forces, but we believe that some raiders still occupy the ruins. Take great care if you wish to travel there," said the soldier. "That is all I know. Until later." With that, he stood aside.
"Thank you," said Jenneke, as he absorbed the news.
They continued into the city of Silvar, and a small, thin girl was playing by herself, but she stopped to curtsy to the group of adventurers.
"I'm Angarahad," she said.
"Hi there," said Jenneke. "We're with the Avernum Army. What are you doing out here alone?"
"Lookin' for friends," replied Angarahad.
"There are no younglingsss your age?" said Thissa.
"All my friends were in Cotra, but we hadda run away," said Angarahad, "and I can't find 'em now. Will you play with me?"
"We can do it for a little while," said Jenneke.
The platoon played for a short time, bewildered by the rules she had invented with rocks and pebbles, and she did not seem particularly saddened when the group said that they had to leave.
"You know her family?" said Feodoric.
"I don't remember her," said Jenneke, "but it's possible. Not like Cotra was that big a city, compared to places up there." He walked into the busy shipyard.
Forms for building long, flat-bottomed boats were evident, though the boats spent no time between completion and being put into service. A sweaty woman, dressed in a leather jerkin and tool belt rushed by, long red hair, and a round face with harried expression.
"Hello, I'm Ruth," she said. "Are you interested in boats?"
"Yeah," said Jenneke, "we could use a boat."
"You're in luck. You're Avernum soldiers. If you weren't, I couldn't sell to you," said Ruth. "We're busy making war boats. Obviously, you can't get any of those. However, we do have a few small fishing boats. Only four hundred gold."
"Ow," said Jenneke. "That's steep, but we'll take one."
"Boats are out at the docks," she said, taking the coins and handing over a deed. "One of them is yours. Not flashy, but good and stable. Good luck."
"Thank you," said Jenneke.