11th Day of Fireseek, 565 CY
The Brass Dragon Inn, Furyondy
The sun was just beginning to touch the horizon in front of them as the inn came into view. Cygnus, currently astride White Lightning, glanced over at Caroline and smiled.
"We made good time. I'll be glad to sleep in my own bed tonight."
Caroline returned the smile, if only half-heartedly. Not having to carry any plate mail-clad warriors or heavy dragon hides, the horses had been able to make good time getting home, and she was glad for that. Her own bed however, did not seem nearly so inviting to her. Not without Argo. She looked back behind her to see how the two new arrivals were faring.
Jinella was looking all around, even at the empty plains, with a look of intense curiosity. Caroline wondered how much the young priestess got out beyond Willip. Not very often, from the looks of it. She would sometimes just stare up at the sky for minutes at a time. It had been sunny and clear these past few days, but now clouds were again moving in from the south and west. Caroline wondered if Jinella was just admiring their crimson beauty in the sunset, or if she was seeing, or trying to see, something else there; an augury in the sky.
Both Cygnus and Caroline had been impressed, if not enthused, by Jinella's determination to find out everything possible about all of them. An able horsewoman, she would write in a book she held while questioning all of them, even the horses, for long periods of time. Little information had been denied her, only matters concerning Nodyath, Talat and counterparts in general. Elrohir had long made it a standing point that casual travel between the three worlds was to be discouraged, on the off chance that it might someday be possible.
Caroline couldn't help but grin as she looked over at Zantac. The Willip wizard was grimacing as he bent low over Perlial's neck, holding onto the diamond collar fiercely. It had quickly become apparent that Zantac had precious little experience with horses. It had thus been decided that he would ride Perlial, who in addition to being intelligent, was less likely than White Lightning to pull a practical joke at an inopportune time. Nevertheless, the mage looked extremely uncomfortable, and he had spared no one his complaints about it. Cygnus hadn't minded, though. It had cut down on the time Zantac had available to expound of the wondrous advantages to being a member of the Wizard's Guild. Although Cygnus had not changed his mind, he had been impressed at how Zantac had lived in the city for three years before joining the Guild, as he put it, "kicking and screaming." Cygnus had told Zantac that, although he still did not intend to join up at this time, he would continue to leave the matter open for now, at which point Zantac had smiled and dropped his sales pitch.
Cygnus eyed the corpse of Bellicose, laying about sixty yards off the road, to the left as they approached. Or rather, he eyed the mass of seagulls, turkey vultures and other birds who had covered what was left of the dragon's body and were slowly devouring the inside, the hide being too tough for them to tear off. A large raven took off from the body and flew directly over the quartet, eyeing Cygnus before continuing its eastwards flight. The magic-user shuddered, although he was not sure if it was from the cold or from nerves. He turned back to Jinella and Zantac with a grim expression.
"Hope you two know what you're getting yourselves into," he announced.
They both put on brave expressions he was sure neither of them really felt. Particularly Zantac.
"There's Talass," said Caroline. "I don't see any of the others."
Cygnus looked, frowning. Talass was standing by the road, about thirty yards from the inn. She was wearing her chainmail armor and had her arms crossed across her chest. Cygnus knew enough about the cleric to be able to tell that this was not a good sign.
He sighed inwardly as he saw the stable boy come out to meet them as they pulled up. Home, sweet home, he thought. Let the revelry begin.
By unspoken agreement, Cygnus and Caroline approached Talass first while the others were dismounting a little further back. "Hello, Talass," said Cygnus. After a short pause, he added, "We're back," which immediately made him feel like an idiot. She can see that, you moron. "Have Elrohir and the others returned yet?"
"No," replied Talass in a cold voice.
Cygnus could see the concern on Talass' face, but she was trying to bury it so deep underneath a hard facade that he knew it wasn't going to be worth the trouble to dig for it.
"I was going to ask you if you'd heard news of them, but I see now that would be a waste of time," the cleric said. Cygnus could see her squint behind them. "Who are those two?"
"The woman is Jinella, priestess of Heironeous," Cygnus replied. "You remember- she was at Elrohir and Aslan's trial. She said that she knew they were inno-"
"What's she doing here?" interrupted Talass.
Not getting a proper welcome, Cygnus wanted to say, but Caroline spoke up at that point.
"Talass, Mendoleer was murdered in his cell and Talat has disappeared completely. Divinations can gain no information, but it seems like there's at least a real possibility that Nodyath may still be alive. Jinella is here to help us investigate."
That at least got a response. Talass' light blue eyes darted everywhere then sank down to the dirt below. After a few seconds, she looked up again, her stony expression struggling to reassert itself.
"Thank you for letting me know, Caroline," she stated with a curt nod.
Caroline returned her acknowledgement with a short nod of her own, all the while thinking, I don't believe it. She almost sounds disappointed that her sister hasn't been killed. What is going on with her? She sure didn't sound too happy at that prospect back at my cabin before we left! She indicated behind her with another nod. "The man is Zantac, a wizard from Willip. He's trying to get Cygnus to join their Guild, but in the meantime he's pledged himself to help us anyway he can."
Talass eyed the two new arrivals for a few moments, then sighed through her nose, her lips a tight line. She turned her attention back to Cygnus. "Can you take care of that dragon with your spells, Cygnus? The damn smell is driving off customers."
She brushed past him and Caroline, heading towards Jinella and Zantac, who had now dismounted and were tentatively approaching. Cygnus slowly headed back towards Bellicose's corpse, while Caroline followed Talass. Bigfellow was surprised to see the priestess of Forseti put on her welcoming smile and greet the newcomers warmly.
"Jinella and Zantac! Welcome to the Brass Dragon Inn! I am Talass, Elrohir's wife. I'm sure Cygnus and Caroline have already told you all about me. All good, I hope," she added with a laugh as he held her hand out. Jinella shook it first, with a wide smile now on her face, as well.
"Some," the cleric of Heironeous replied. "But they did leave out one amazing fact."
"What's that?" asked Talass curiously.
Jinella's smile suddenly took on a hard edge. "The fact that aside from your hair color, you look almost exactly like Talat."
The smile drained away from Talass' face like water from a sieve.
Caroline and Zantac froze. Wow, thought Caroline. Who'd have thought that Jinella would draw first blood? I suppose one of us should have thought of that. She looked longingly at Cygnus' retreating back. A quick dip into the decaying guts of a dead dragon sounds pretty good right about now.
Slowly, Talass withdrew her hand from Jinella's. Now her face gained a hard edge as well.
"You've met both of us already, Lady of Valor. Are you telling me that you just realized that now?"
Despite herself, Caroline couldn't keep a slight grin off her face. Counterstrike!
Jinella chewed her lip for a moment, clearly taken aback. She quickly recovered though, with another smile and a shrug. "My High Priest says I'm a slow learner. My apologies." She threw in a slight bow, not taking her eyes off Talass for a moment. "Can you explain this coincidence?"
"I could," Talass stated. "But I'll need a better reason than your simple curiosity."
Caroline could see that both women were now clutching their respective holy symbols. The very real possibility of combat breaking out was now beginning to occur to her. Why are we always our own worst enemies? She thought.
She coughed loudly, and in an exaggerated fashion.
Both women looked at her.
I'm glad I didn't draw my sword. I don't think that would have worked nearly as well this time, Caroline thought ruefully. "Excuse me. Talass, Jinella is here to help as an agent of justice in this kingdom. I think we owe her all due respect for that" That should hit Talass where it hurts. "And Jinella, Talass has very good reasons for being cautious with you. We've had experience with outsiders jumping to the wrong conclusions about us, even after our valor and chivalry have been acknowledged by no less than Baron Chartrain himself." Who's more or less your superior right now, I believe.
Both priestesses eyed her for a moment, then returned their gazes to each other.
Jinella spoke first. "Can we talk somewhere in private, Talass?"
Talass seemed to be seriously considering the possibility of an ambush when Caroline said "Talass," and tossed her the key to her cabin. She caught it, startled, looked at Caroline, and then gave a barely visible nod.
"This way," she gestured to Jinella, leading the way to the Bigfellow cabin. Jinella gave Caroline a quick glance, and then slowly followed Talass off.
Caroline gave a deep sigh, then nearly jumped at a tap on her shoulder.
Zantac was standing behind her, in a slight crouch. "A thousand pardons, Lady Bigfellow. Could you tell me where I might..."
Caroline stared blankly at him for a moment, then almost burst into guffaws, causing Zantac's face to redden still further. She pointed towards the door of the inn. "Inside. The bartender will show you where the privy is." Zantac nodded acknowledgement, then half-ran, half-hobbled inside, Caroline waited until the wizard had gone behind, then finally let out the nervous laughter that had been building up.
Cygnus turned around, frowning. It looked for all the world like Caroline was laughing back there, although he had no idea why this would be so. Talass and Jinella were entering the Bigfellow cabin and Zantac was nowhere to be seen. He shrugged and turned his attention back to the matter at hand.
Some cantrips had removed the smell, but he knew they wouldn't last long. He thought of some spells that would be a great help here, but he didn't have them memorized yet. He began to walk back to the inn. Tomorrow he would be able to-
No, Cygnus. There will be no tomorrow for you.
Cygnus went colder than he had ever gone in his life. Except for that one time, six days ago. Aslan's voice in his head that he knew was not Aslan.
You remember me, Cygnus? How touching. I'm sure you were thinking of me when you put that trap on the scroll.
Cygnus tried to speak and was able to manage a small croak. "Nodyath, listen-"
Listen to what, Cygnus? About how honorable you were? About how that mockery of a paladin and all these holy women are so much more morally superior to me? I was straightforward with you Cygnus, and you betrayed me. You never would have seen me again had you done what I asked you to do. Now, you and everyone that you love will be very, very sorry that this dragon did not kill you. Had I known it would have failed, I would have stuck around.
Cygnus' face creased up in puzzlement.
Yes Cygnus, I was there. But I'm not here to answer your questions. I'm here to deliver on my promises. Unlike you, I keep them.
Somehow, Cygnus' rage overcame his fear. "You kidnapped my son, you gutless coward! You deserve to rot in The Hells!" He whirled around, looking for the enemy he knew was too small to see.
A chuckle sounded in his mind. Such courage. A small reward for your bravery, Cygnus. You will be the first to die, and so never see the agony of those that you love. Including your son.
Suddenly, practicality overrode all of Cygnus' other considerations. He needed help. His gaze turned to the Brass Dragon, and he slowly began to start walking there.
The Rokugani of Rolex have a saying, Cygnus. "The price of dishonor is death."
Cygnus began to run.
Your debt has come due, Cygnus of Aarde.
The wizard opened his mouth to shout for help.
Time to pay.
A white-hot ice pick slammed into Cygnus' head from behind. He went down, rolling on the dead grass and dirt, a cry of pain stuck in his throat. Then it hit again, and again, a constant pounding surf of pain. Now sheer terror merged with the pain. He had to get away. Run as far away as he could. Run and never stop running. Cygnus caught a quick glimpse of a rippling across the ground. He knew he was under psionic attack. He also knew there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. The wizard's legs kept flailing along the ground, still trying to run. The world was starting to turn white, the pain and the fear submerging him now. He knew it would soon be over. Dimly, he thought, so this is what Aslan's enemies feel. I've really got to have a talk with our little paladin about that.
His thoughts faded away in the white-hot fear and an indistinct voice.
The voice grew louder. Cygnus managed to open one eye, and from his prostrate angle saw Talass standing nearby. She was holding her holy symbol of a bearded man out in front of her and speaking words Cygnus couldn't understand. A moment later, Jinella appeared beside Talass and did the same with her symbol of a lightning bolt. Cygnus caught a glimpse of Caroline running around behind him. He managed to turn his head and saw her begin jumping up and down on the ground and start slicing away at the dead grass with her sword. This struck him as unbelievably funny. If he hadn't been dying, he would have laughed.
Suddenly, the fear washed over him, and was gone. There was no more new pain, but the agony already present claimed his brain as its own. Cygnus curled up in a fetal position on the ground and clutched at his head, desperately wishing for either unconsciousness or death to release him. He was dimly aware of one of the women kneeling down by him and carefully placing his head in her lap.
It was Talass, Cygnus saw. Suddenly, he began sobbing. "I'm sorry, Talass! I'm so sorry..."
The wracking of his body overtook him, and he succumbed to it. He didn't even know what he was apologizing for.
But he knew that he meant it.
Talass stroked the mage's hair slowly, thinking Cygnus, you foolish, foolish man. What are we going to do with you? She glanced over at Jinella, who was also kneeling down now, looking at the wizard with the same concern in her eyes that Talass knew must be in hers. Caroline joined them. Nothing more was said.
Slowly, Cygnus regained some control over himself. Sniffling, he shakily raised his head enough to look straight into Talass' eyes. "Thank you," he managed to croak out. Talass smiled as Cygnus slowly moved himself into a sitting position.
"How- how did you drive him off? the mage asked in wonderment.
Talass shrugged, her smile now assuming a rare guilty air. "Actually Cygnus, I had nothing. I couldn't tell where the attack was coming from, so I just stuck out my holy symbol and starting speaking in Fruz. I was hoping he would mistake it for some spell. I guess he did."
Cygnus' eyes went wide. "You bluffed?" Talass, still looking uncharacteristically guilty, nodded. "What can I say, Cygnus? You know how manipulative we clerics are."
Cygnus gave Talass an I deserved that smile and then turned to Jinella.
"Please tell me you had something."
Jinella matched Talass' shrug and smile exactly. She jerked her thumb at the cleric of Forseti.
"Sorry, Cygnus. I didn't have a clue what was going on. I just followed her lead."
"At least the two of you didn't look like a madwoman, jumping around, yelling and stabbing the ground like it was your worst enemy" put in Caroline. "He probably thought we'd all gone completely insane, and it might be catching."
"You mean we haven't?" asked Cygnus quietly. He started to laugh again, real laughter this time, and soon the three women joined him.
"Well, glad to see things are obviously looking better now."
The quartet, now rising to their feet, turned to see Zantac standing nearby. The red-robed wizard wore a look of confusion. "I could use a laugh, believe me. What's the good news?"
More laughter greeted him as the four swept passed him, Cygnus putting an arm around Zantac's shoulder and pulling him along as they headed back towards the inn.
"The good news my friend, is that it's very likely we're all going to die a horrible death very soon," he told Zantac.
The Willip wizard stopped and eyed Cygnus with a shocked stare.
Cygnus shrugged. "I guess you had to be there."