Chapter 2
The Journey Back
Just before our departure from the wemix village, we are halted by Alruaa. She holds a sealed document in her hands.
"Neely!" she calls my name. "Wait, I would like to ask you if you could take this document to the mayor of Cimbar. I hope I can entrust you with it that the seal does not get broken."
"You can count on it." I bow my head slightly in understanding.
"May I ask what the document is about?" Pippa asks the Priestess.
"I don't think it's much of your concern, little one!" she stares at Pippa.
"Pardon my curiosity, m'lady." Pippa—embarrassed—withdraws herself to the back of the group.
"But I'll leave you not unanswered." She continues, "the document is in the matter of these recent incidents and must get to the mayor."
"We'll see to it to get it done." I say again, and I make a gesture to leave.
Once we reach the surface, with the old monastery ruins, we find out that the horses are stolen and the carriage is rend to splinters.
"This is just impossible," I sigh. "It's a two and a half day walk without the horses."
"Arr, and not to mention all the sand in your boots when crossing the dessert plain," Alonso mutters.
"We got plenty of rations from the wemix. That should not be any trouble."
"I guess there is no other way." Pippa drops a sad face thinking about her poor feet.
"Hey don't worry! We'll make it."
"I'm not concerned about us, I'm concerned about me boots!" Alonso says, "I paid a fair bit for them, would be a shame to see them go to waste!"
"Well, we better get moving then, if we want to get to Cimbar." I tell, and we all put on a pace. Liflaf taking the lead, followed by Alonso, Pippa and Yaeri, and myself at the rear—carrying the little Onyx.
The first hour is easy, walking on a hardened road underneath the shadow of trees. But shortly after we cross the river bridge we find ourselves facing the endless dryness of the desert plain. Vegetation grows thinner and smaller with every step we take towards the desert and shadow lessens while the intense rays of the sun heats our path.
We keep following the road that eventually would lead to Cimbar. All of us try to find a way to ease the mind and distract it from the burden of the trek across ochre sands.
"Neely?" Pippa asks, "What are you singing?"
I force a grin on my face and pad the little Onyx on her back.
"It's an old song my people used to sing."
"Lets hear it!"
I put on a thin voice at first, not all that audible, I start to sing it. Pippa smiles and looks at me with full interest.
"Who are the white men?" She asks.
"I think she means me kind, the human." Alonso joins us.
"Ow!" She nods, "but… why was it an unfair fight?"
I pause and try to answer her question on how the wild elves were driven back in dark woods by the growing human population and their towering stone cities.
"Sing it again!" Pippa shouts enthusiastically!
Behind us the sun is starting to set, casting long shadows.
"Hurayah! Hurayah!" Pippa takes lead in the chorus. I sing more loudly now with Onyx wiggling in delight. Alonso throws an empty bottle of rum far into the sand and sings along with a deep voice and surprisingly strong.
Stride for stride, singing loudly, we march the desert path.
It is just before darkness when we spot a concentration of trees in the distance.
"Hey!" Pippa yells. "Do you see that too? That looks like an oasis, we could rest there!"
"If it's not an illusion." Alonso warns Pippa, "Travellers be often cruelly tempted with the desires of their mind."
But the closer we get, the less it looks like an illusion. Soon we are at the cover of trees and fresh water springing from the ground.
"My feet!" Pippa shouts and pulls off her boots.
Alonso crashes in the sand and spreads arms and legs. Liflaf drops his backpack and stretches his back. I look for Yaeri, having noticed s'he hadn't said much during our trip. I find hir some distance away from the group.
"Hey you…" I greet hir, "…how's it going?"
"Okay, just very tired."
"We all are" I smile, "why don't you join the rest of us?"
"I don't know, I mean, you know me… I don't like the grouping stuff and such."
"If you should change your mind…well…" I stop and decide to give my friend a goodnight hug.
Nights are short here in the desert, only covering six hours of a day. With the rising of the sun we continue our march towards Cimbar.
"Neely?" Pippa asks again—in her Pippa way—"Where's Titus?"
"I don't know, I looked for him. But I couldn't find him."
"You think we'll find him?"
"Why?" I laugh. "You miss him?"
"No… but—"
"I got a strong feeling it isn't the last time we've seen him. Sooner or later he'll show up."
"How about Wägtell and the odd human?"
"And Heidegger?"
"Yeah. What about them?"
"They were staying one day longer, both insisted on finding out where Titus vanished to."
Pippa nods understanding and picks up her thoughts again and puts her feet into autopilot.
We walk the entire day, through a landscape with nothing more then sand and rocks. Liflaf never makes a moment to speak with the rest, I would be surprised if he has said two words to Yaeri. Not that Yaeri is such a talker either, s'he has been keeping hir distance from the group again for all day.
"Tell me, Pippa…" it's my turn to ask the blondish gnome a question, "…how did you get in that wemix dungeon?"
"Now that's a long story," she answers, "but to make it short it was something like this."
Then Pippa begins to tell her tale—which afterwards wasn't so short as she made it sound at first—about how she met Alonso and Liflaf while she was with her head in a badger hole—or so I understood, Pippa seem to have the habit to speak faster then her tongue can manage, so most of the time I got trouble getting the point to which she's heading. Anyway, the three of them got into some trouble with half-orcs and were chased into what looked to them as a narrow cave, which later revealed to them as being a backdoor entrance to the dungeon I was exploring at that same time.
"Well, that's how you got stuck with us," Pippa sighs and laughs.
"I sure am, Pippa." I laugh.
Night falls, but this time we didn't find a suitable place to rest. We're discussing whether to keep going or halt here and sleep in the open. Three against two vote for sleeping now, so sleep it is.
Liflaf decides to keep guard the first three hours, Pippa insists on doing the other three.
"Hey! I see lights!" Pippa wakes us all, "there are over twenty lights moving at the horizon."
"Make that thirty!" Liflaf corrects Pippa.
"They seem to be moving towards Cimbar." Alonso joins the speculations.
"What do you think they are?" Pippa asks Liflaf. "Lets check it out."
But Yaeri seems to be ahead on Liflaf, s'he is already sneaking towards the moving lights on silent halfling toes.
Later on both come to report that the lights are a group of—by the sight of banners—soldiers travelling in caravan.
"Do you think they will attack the city?" Pippa asks.
"Not a chance." Liflaf explains, "You don't attack a city with only a hundred men. Most likely they are soldiers coming back from war."
According to Pippa—so she told me the evening at the wemix—Liflaf once was a soldier and in service of a northern half-orc tribe. However he never gave any details on how and where and who. So she speaks.
"Sunrise will be here in a couple of hours." I tell them, "We should get some more sleep. It's still about a half a day march to Cimbar." We went to sleep.
We take the East Gate into Cimbar, closest to the city hall and the inn "The Prancing Okapi". A familiar inn to Yaeri. Our first destination, the city hall.
Things are still the same as we left them some days ago. The only difference is the grim mood hanging in the streets again. Much like it was the day I came here for the first time, somewhat about a week ago.
"I shall take this document to the mayor." I speak to the rest of the group. "If you like you can explore some of the city. Do the things you must, find shops and such."
"Yay! Shopping Spree!" Pippa jumps up. "Let me find a magic-shop!"
"There is one across this square, over there," I point to a humble building. "Let us all meet here again in… lets say one hour."
"Great!" Alonso says and goes his own way. Same for Pippa and Liflaf and Yaeri.
I take my steps to the large double door of the city halls.
I put my weight against the right massive wooden door, to push it open. The heavy door creaks and whines in a low rumbling voice as it swings open. The large hall must have amplified the sound by ten, making sure everyone is noticed by my entrance. The hall contains four heavy pillars supporting the sealing. Walls are decorated with banners of the city and a giant chandelier is hanging above the centre—making you wonder about the weight, if it would ever snap from it's hinges and drop on the head of an unfortunate person. I hope it wouldn't be me.
"Hi, er… I'm here to see the mayor." I speak, standing in front of the desk of an elder man.
"And for what matter might that be?"
"I carry a document for the mayor, to be personally delivered."
"I see…" the man sighs and looks from over his glasses to me. He bends down over a sheet of paper and quickly scribbles some on it and turns the sheet into my direction. He offers his scribing tool.
"Write your name here, please." He points to the spot beneath his scribbling. The old mans handwriting is hard to read, the best I can make of it is stating my presence and matter. I sign with my name at the pointed location.
"The door at your right is the one you need. Thank you." He speaks on a monotone way. I bow my head slightly but the old man didn't bother to look at me any further.
The guard standing next to that door requests me to leave any arms at the table next to him. I hand over my bow and two swords. He leads me in a room that's formally decorated yet house-like with a small table and a couch. There is a glass showcase which holds some artefacts I believe.
"Neely!" the joyful short man shouts from behind his desk.
"Now this is a surprise! How's that little halfling friend of yours? I hope the Wemix Priestess was willing to help you."
I'm showered with words.
"I'm doing great, as you can see." I answer the mayor, "I carry something for you from the Wemix Priestess."
He stares at the little Onyx sitting on my arm. His eyes betray his thoughts.
"She gave me a document…" I take the document from my bag "…on which she insisted I hand it over to you, personally."
"Ah, very well." He takes the sealed envelope from my hands, opens it, takes the sheet of paper from inside and inspects it closely. He reads it to himself, mute, moving his lips slightly.
"Hmm…" he puts the letter down on his desk and looks at me. "You know, things are starting to get clear to me."
I look puzzled at the mayor.
"Eh, don't break your head with my baffling." He shrugs to me, "I'll need to go talk to my superiors later today about all this. Things are getting way to serious if you ask me."
"Well, I'll leave you to your work then—"
"Hold on please. There is something I need to ask." The mayor goes on. "This morning a caravan with wounded soldiers arrived. The medical team has set up a field hospital at the main city gate. And I've heard they are looking for volunteers to help. Perhaps the healing hands of an elf might be welcome."
"I'll be more then gladly—"
That moment a knock comes from the door. At the signal of the mayor the guard opens it and at the doorway stands the old man from the desk with a strong man. A man in typical workers outfit. Leather gloves, reinforced boots and dust.
"Excuse me, Mayor, but this one says it's really urgent." the old man speaks to the mayor with his same monotone voice. The mayor bits the strong man to come in.
"Mayor!" the man begins. "The weapon deposit at docks has become infested with giant bug-like monsters just this afternoon. The two guards present have not been able to slay them and they are feeding them self on the city metal supplies!"
The mayor listens to the man carefully.
"If we don't act soon, there won't be anymore weapons left." the strong man continues.
"I'm not sure how fast I can summon more guards to the dock sides—"
"Pardon my interruption." I direct my self to the mayor first and then turn to the strong man, "I think I know some people who will want to help you out."
Healing Hands
As agreed, we all meet again in front of the magic shop. Pippa and Yaeri are already there, Alonso and Liflaf arrive a bit later.
"So what's new?" Pippa questions eagerly.
"The mayor wants to see you all." I grin, "especially you, Yaeri. He will be pleased to see you alive again."
Yaeri nods in understanding
"What does he want?" Liflaf asks.
"You'll have to go hear him out, he needs help with something. And I recommended you."
"Aye, then lets see what that Mayor wants us to do." Alonso says. "I do hope he realises that Alonso Ernesto Salvatore is not cheap to hire."
Pippa laughs with Alonso's comment but suddenly she realises something. "Us? What about you?"
"I'm not coming with you. My help is needed somewhere else."
Pippa looks at me questioning.
"They are looking for volunteers to help with first aid of the wounded soldiers who came in this morning."
"The caravan we saw?"
"Yes I suppose so. You'll be able to find me at the main city gate."
Pippa sighs and follows the other who are now walking towards the city hall.
My destination lies in the Caravan Court District at the main gate.
Caravan Court. It's the most southern district of the city and it holds the main gate to the city. The Court—so it is called in the common tongue—is a district of caravans and tents forming a labyrinth of dusty streets. Crowded by all kinds of adventurers, it's the place for entertainment. As a monument towers the great Stadium over the uncountable amount of little shops and stores.
The area within the South Gate is now filled with many ochre tents giving shade to row after row of injured men. The sand stone ground is covered with many sheets and seeded with all kinds of supplies and fabrics that could be used for support or, when needed, as bandage. Men and women dressed in white are running to and fro, giving service to the wounded wherever possible. The scene sends shivers up my spine. Men missing arms, legs, fingers, some more then others mutilated and carved, some petrified, scorched or entangled with roots, others already dead—poor souls who didn't make the trip back. I press Onyx closer to my chest hiding the horrors for her, she shouldn't have to watch it.
This reminds me to go look for a good home for her, I know I can't keep the little one.
Many eyes are upon me, by soldiers and healers. Seeing an elf is a rarity around these parts. Most of the population here are humans and half-orcs. If one should see an elf he or she would be most likely a rogue sailing the seas and doing paid-service on ships.
"Can I help you?" An elder voice addresses me and I turn my self to face the voice. A bald man stands before me, a tan face carrying mature age and wisdom, looking at me patiently with blue eyes shaded by large silver-white eyebrows.
"I've heard they were looking for volunteers to help with the caretaking of wounded men."
The elder man smiles,
"Any help is welcome, young elf."
I bow my head slightly and have to chuckle about the 'young elf' part. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm twice the age he is.
"Finding volunteers in these days has become a hard job. Not many are willing to lend aid for free."
I nod and he gestures me to follow him to the big tent not so far from where we're standing now. Like a well mannered man he shows me in, to follow my steps. A strong tall man turns towards us as we enter.
"Iason, the young elf is volunteering to help us…"
"Ah! Splendid!" The tall man shouts. "I hope you come with good intentions and not with malicious thoughts?"
Not knowing whether to feel offended or not I decide to leave it as a rhetorical question.
"I take you're the big chief around here?"
"Nah…" he laughs, "that's the old geezer next to you."
The old man leaves my side and walks over to the tall man.
"Son, never forget, experience and wisdom come with the title 'Old Geezer'." He smiles and pats Iason's shoulder.
"Iason is my son, as you might have expected," the old man says and all of sudden the resemblance comes clear. Same blue eyes with heavy eyebrows. "He is the main physician around here. And quite the joker."
"Ahum…" Iason clears his throat, "… lets get you familiar with the others. And what is your name?"
"Neely." I answer to his question.
"Very well—"
"Excuse me…" I interrupt, "… is it possible I could leave the little one here for today?"
"Well this ain't exactly the place for a toddler, it's not like we have a day-care centre."
"Don't you worry a bit about that, miss." The old man—Iason's father—approaches me with open hands. "I'd be more then happy to watch over the little rascal."
"Onyx is her name." I hand her over in the warm brace of the man. Onyx wiggles and tries to grab the mans short silver ring beard. She giggles.
"Just like thirty one years ago." The old man chuckles and releases a nostalgic sigh.
One knows what war brings when the casualties are counted, and the news brought by a messenger late this day is most grieving and tragic.
"There has been an assault on the city hall. Mayor Philo is found dead!" so does it sounds from the mouth of the runner. He also speaks of a murder at the magic shop.
Iason and his father hurry with supplies to the city hall to lend aid. I feel a stir in the stomach and could only stare in front of me.
"The Mayor? Dead?" I think, "To think of the fact I spoke with him only six hours ago."
"Neely?" one of the women healers grabs me at my arm snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Can you please help me a hand with this one?" she turns her eyes towards a young man who is still dressed in his armour.
"We need to move this one to the terminal ones." She says softly to me. I'm shocked.
"His ribs pierced his lungs, the moment we remove his plate his lungs will fill up with blood."
I urge to speak but no words come out.
"There is little we can do for him. Lets hope he has a family who can afford a resurrection ritual."
My face must become as pale as the one of the young man, though I had not to share the same fate as him.
The sun is setting now, casting long shadows over the city. I decide to check on Onyx and found her on the lap of a strong woman, she must be around her late fifty's—human years. The woman smiles at me when I enter the big tent.
"She's sleeping. Though she hasn't eaten yet." She tells me in a soft tone. I turn towards the bowl with water and clean my hands. I dry them to some cloth lying next to it.
"Here, you take her a while. I'm going to check on the patients." She gets up from one of the bedrolls.
"Okay… thank you for watching over her."
"No problem kiddo."
She hands over Onyx and walks to the exit.
"I'm Neely." I tell her.
"I know," she turns and smiles, "I'm Leora, Iason's mother."
Leora leaves the tent. With the little one on my arm I walk over to one of those bedrolls. First grabbing my bag and then I decide to sit down on the bedroll the strong woman was sitting on. I'm sure she wouldn't mind… or at least I hope. I open my bag and look for something to eat. Some biscuit, some conserved fruit and a hand full of dates. With some baby gibberish, little Onyx points to the biscuit as I pull it from my bag.
"Here you go…" I give her the whole biscuit and she wraps her little hands with tiny fingers around it. Holding it tight as she brings the biscuit to her mouth.
I take some dates and conserved fruit for myself. Hell, why not all? I won't need them, now that we're in the city again.
"Perhaps we should go see our friends." I tell little Onyx—who's feasting on the biscuit—but knowing she won't say anything back, but merely give a glimpse of interest over her more serious concern; devouring the cookie.
I'm being pulled from my sleep. I must have dozed off I conclude. Disorientated I try to get a grip on my surroundings and clear my head. Night's shade has covered the city and some obscure figures are standing in front of me.
"Neely?"
I know that voice. It is Pippa. She's followed by Yaeri.
"Hello, Pippa." I answer her hail.
"We've come to check on you." Yaeri speaks.
"Well here I am… and in god-knows what hour of the night."
Luckily they can't see me rolling my eyes, or so I hope. I take a moment to see if all of this had waken Onyx, but she's still deep asleep. Yaeri steps from behind Pippa.
"Neely, we got to tell you something." Yaeri sounds like s'he is about to make a confession. But instead, they—on their turn—bring me the news of the Mayor's death. On how the city hall was attacked by a black robed man with a bald head. And more, how they found the mayors body all wrapped in spiders web tissue. The story gets even more interesting when they bring up the fact the spider-summoner mentioned something about his master. That together with their findings at the weapon deposit at the docks. An infestation of rust monsters—eating all metal objects. Some half-orc mage was behind it and, coincidence or not, also referring to his master.
"That's about it so far." Yaeri ends hir tale. A silence follows. Silent, like you could almost hear one think.
"This really gives you something to ponder about." I say.
I can see Pippa nod her head in the very dim light coming from outside the tent.
"We should get some sleep now." She tells Yaeri. "Goodnight, Neely."
"Thanks for sharing this with me."
"No problem! Euhm, when will you be done here?"
"I don't know, most of the first aid has been done. My guess is it's now up to the more experienced healers."
Pippa gives me a hug.
"Bye for now." Yaeri says and decides to hug me too.
"Come on shorty!" Pippa—who stands only one inch taller—pokes Yaeri to follow. Both leave the tent and disappear back into the city shadows from which they came.
The Betrayal Of Orriseid
Two days have passed and we are summoned before Queen Melisanda of Arrabar herself. Reason unknown.
I've left Onyx with Leona and Owen—Iason's father, the old man. I'm sure she's in good hands.
I meet the rest in front of the palace. I notice the absence of Liflaf. Apparently Liflaf had lost his interest in the group and went his own way—boxing for money at the stadium, according to Alonso.
Even more surprising is the presence of Wägtell. As we walk through the palace yard toward the queens throne room, Wägtell tells me about his search for Titus:
"The day after you left, me and Heidegger had set out to follow Titus' trail. The wemix gave us two horses, on which we rode to Cimbar. By nightfall we reached the south gate, and spoke with the guards if any of them had seen Titus. One of them had seen a man—matching the description we made—exit the city only one hour ago. With haste we set out heading south—the way Titus' trail led. We travelled two days. A nomadic merchant—near the city Soorenar—told us that he had seen the man we described. However Titus—according to the man—had passed the merchant one day ago. He clearly moved at a much greater speed than we did. Heidegger pressed on pursuit while I decided to return and find you."
"Do you have any motive for his haste?" I ask Wägtell.
"Not a clue. Whatever it is, it's making him move with dire speed."
At the entrance to the throne room we're halted by four guards. They ask for our business and command to lay down arms. The four lead us in. They close the huge reinforced doors as soon as we are inside. The throne room is breath taking large. The colossal ceiling is supported by countless pillars decorated with banners. The side walls hold large windows emitting a spectacle of light. A guard gestures us forward and we walk to the centre of the hall. Our steps resonate in all dimensions making me uncomfortable.
There is another group of people standing not so far from where we're standing now. Five there are. A human wearing a full plate armour. More muscle then brain. You can almost say stupidity is written on his grinning face. Second is a drow. It's unusual to see a dark-skinned elf in these parts. Her white hair hides most of her facial features from me. Third, a female bow-woman clothed in a white dress, she looks strange beyond imagination. Her dry and crackled skin is something I have never seen before. I wonder what specie she is. I will assign the fourth number to the black hooded gnome. A thief, most likely. With his dark cloths he doesn't look like the type I would trust easily. As last, number five, is a half-orc mage. Despite his orcish features he looks the smartest member of the group.
Queen Melisanda is announced by a herald as she enters her throne room from a door at the back. Escorted by two men she makes her way to her throne at which four people—counsellors no doubt—stood. One of the two men now appears to be a short haired woman dressed up in a fancy plate mail with a mace at her belt. There is little interest to be found in her cold eyes. The other man is a wizard, wearing a long robe and holding richly decorated staff in his right hand. Queen Melisanda gestures us to come closer.
"Do you know why I have summoned you?" Melisanda addresses our group. We all shake our head.
"Very well." She says and gives a glimpse at the wizard standing at her right side.
"Let the one calling him self Yaeri step forward." The wizards says, throwing his gaze at our halfling friend. I look puzzled at Yaeri and see Pippa—who stands at hir side—starting to become all nervous almost sweating it out. Yaeri steps forward as commanded.
"If you would follow me." The wizard speaks his second command. And Yaeri does as s'he is told, following the wizard to the room from which the Queen and two escorts came earlier.
"As for you," Melisanda turns herself back to us, "I've got something else for you."
Pippa's face turns pale at those words.
"I have an assignment for you. One that requires the more casual civilian instead of military units. You have proven yourself valiant two days ago and I feel I can entrust you with this mission."
Pippa gives a sigh of relief.
"Chessenta has been suffering from raids and skirmishes for some months now. Groups and individuals have tried to assault diverse locations of our old empire. From plundering farms and villages to raising our very own dead and sending them to weaken our forts. Cimbar is slowly beginning to become a main target.
"Orriseid Varetheus, Cimbar's finest captain, has recently been dispatched to the Adderswamp—which lays south of Cimbar—to investigate the latest problem. Bandits—we think—have been murdering out and destroying our iron supply caravans. We had hoped Orriseid would solve all this but we hadn't received any news from him for over a week. Until yesterday."
Melisanda pauses for a moment.
"Word has reached us that Orriseid has occupied the city Airspur. Without my orders he has deployed a fifth of Cimbar's army within the walls of Airspur."
The door at the back opens again and the wizard walks out. He comes to stand at the Queens right side again. Melisanda looks at the other party a moment and back to us.
"Both of you have a different mission. You…" Melisanda now directs herself to the other party, "… will have to travel to the Adderswamp and investigate what made Orriseid go rogue."
"Meanwhile…" Melisanda directs her gaze back toward our party," … you will have to travel to Airspur and seek Orriseid. I want you to bring him before me, alive. Second, I want you to order the army back to the city. You will be accompanied by Asfer, who will be carrying the official orders and she will ensure that all his belongs will get here in the hope we could learn more about his strange behaviour."
Asfer—the woman at Melisanda's left side—descends from the slightly higher floor piece on which the throne is placed.
"If you would follow Asfer, she will lead you to the stables." Melisanda gestures us out. As we turn and walk behind Asfer the Queen gives a more detailed explanation to the other party. Only to be vaguely heard over the sound of our footsteps, especially Asfer's greaves.
Asfer leads us to the horse stables, where we are to choose a horse for our journey to Airspur. She clearly has her own horse as she walks—without throwing the slightest glimpse at the other horses—towards a black stalwart animal showing great strength. My eye catches quite a different one. Great agility emits from it's slender but strong body. Long white manes hang from his neck and a few strands hang before his pride and noble eyes.
"You have a good eye for fine animals." A young man says after he came standing next to me.
"Shall I saddle him up for you?" he asks.
"Nah, I'm fine. I don't require any help. But thanks anyway." I reply to his offer. "Perhaps you could help the blond gnome. She looks like she could use some help."
"Ah, very well." He says and sets a pace toward Pippa.
As soon as I have my horse saddled up I walk him out of the stables. I hold next to Asfer and jump in the saddle. I do a second check on the reins and secure the girth a little tighter.
Wägtell is the second to come out of the stables. He's mounted on a dark horse that is somewhat small for Wägtell's size. It takes a while before Pippa and Alonso come out, but eventually they do. On donkeys! Understandable for a gnome, but seeing Alonso on a donkey gives an uncontrollable urge to giggle. His feet are so close to the ground, that if the donkey gets tired, he could take over at any moment.
"What?" Alonso says raising his hands questioning.
"People, from this point we'll journey west to Airspur. It will be a three day trip on these mounts, nothing tells us it will go smooth but lets hope it does. Once we arrive at Airspur our primary objective is locating Captain Orriseid and capture him. Second objective will be ordering Cimbar's forces back. Now lets go." Asfer commands and spurs her horse forward.
I let Wägtell pass me by and then Alonso so I can join Pippa at rear. Despite a good choice of horse, Wägtell doesn't seem to know how to handle it well. His horse often takes a walk with him instead of him walking the horse. Perhaps I should have taught them some basics before we departed.
"So tell me…" I address Pippa, "…what was up with you at the throne room, earlier?
"What do you mean?" She looks away.
"I mean, you were starting to get really nervous and sweaty."
"Was I? Well I can't remember. Probably nothing." She gives an awkward smile and tries spurring her donkey to walk a bit faster. We pass under the arc of the West Gate.
"Try spurring with your heels a bit behind the girth. Not onto it." I correct her. Pippa sighs.
"I've never done this before. Riding an animal."
"It's a bit weird at first but you'll get the hang of it."
Asfer puts her horse in gallop and urges us all to put up the pace. Quickly, Wägtell's horse imitates Asfer's horse and takes up her pace. Alonso has a bit more trouble getting his donkey in gallop.
"Remember, spur him behind the girth and don't hold on so tight on those reins. He should be able to stretch his neck without the bit tearing his mouth."
Pippa's donkey jumps in gallop making Pippa bounce up and down.
"Stay in the saddle, don't fall of now. You're doing great." I put up a slow gallop to match the strides of Pippa's donkey.
"I – do – on't – fe – el – grea – eat!" she squeaks while bouncing on her donkey.
"You should press your knees inwards so you clasp your legs around his side. Then try to move your hips on the rhythm of his steps."
Pippa looks confused and scared.
"Look at me. You see how I move my hips? It's hard to explain but…" I point to some important spots Pippa should keep focussed on, "…when he stretches his neck you should bring your hips forward. When he brings his neck back up—which will also lower his bottom—then you should move your hips back."
With trial and error she tries to get the hang of it.
"Once you got it it's a piece of cake, and you won't have to think about it. It takes a little practice."
She nods.
"Well, I'm going to check on the front."
I join Asfer, who's currently taking lead.
"Perhaps you should take the rear, to make sure no one falls behind. I'd like to scout ahead."
With a shrug she lowers her pace, falls back, and joins again behind Pippa. On a higher pace I leave the group behind.
The Road To Airspur
The tree line of the forest which holds the old monastery and the Wemix settlement slowly emerges from behind the horizon after a steady pace of two hours riding. I put my horse in a slow step, give him free reins and a breather until the others have caught up with me. The sun is doing her best once again, even though it's slowly becoming late afternoon.
It's about an hour later and together we reach the borders of the forest. Grass and bushes start to cover the ground again and the shade of the trees will be more then welcome. The sound of the river makes our mounts eager for fresh and cool water. The river still runs the same way it ran some days ago. Though unlike the river, the bridge crossing it is not the same anymore. Now it's nothing more then some splintered wood, smashed and torn apart.
"What do we do now?" Pippa asks.
"I guess we'll just have to follow the river and hope to find another bridge." I reply to her.
Asfer immediately orders her horse forward.
"Can't we have some rest first?" Pippa asks Asfer who now halts and stares down at Pippa.
"No. We should be past these wood before nightfall. With this… detour we won't have any spare time left."
Pippa releases a long sigh and climbs back on her donkey. She commands him forward with her feet and knees, but to no avail.
"Go Marcel, go! You heard the lady. No delay." She frowns at her donkey—whom she named Marcel.
In a single file we follow the river on it's right riverbank. The river cuts it's self deeper into the soil the further we go. To the point the river surface is about four feet below the terrain we're walking on. Everybody is silent as if in deep thought or listening to the calming sound of the rippling water on a steady beat of horseshoes. The next wooden bridge is slowly coming in visual range. Much stronger and broader then the other one, supported on four pillars standing with their feet in the river.
Asfer raises her hand as to command a halt and we all put our mounts in a gentle step. Slowly we take our steps towards the bridge where once again Asfer puts her hand in the air. We all halt and watch in anticipation to Asfer. Like a deer sniffing the air, she gazes around as if looking for something. I join her at the front.
"What is it?" I ask Asfer. She shakes her head.
"We should cross the bridge one by one." She says after a few seconds.
"Alright. I'll go first"
The hollow sound of hooves on the wooden bridge reverbs from underneath the bridge. As soon as I'm near the other side I can hear the next person threading the bridge's wooden surface. Unexpectedly, a deep grumbling voice comes from below the bridge.
I turn my horse around and see from the side of the bridge a large green creature climbing up. Alonso—who is second on the bridge—startles for a moment while his donkey, frightened, takes a few steps back.
"A forest troll!" I yell at the sight of this hideous giant and I draw both bow and arrow. The arrow hits the troll in the deltoid and he turns around. He grabs the arrow, sticking from his upper arm, and tears it out violently. With wide open mouth he roars fiercely at me and throws the broken arrow like a twig to the floor. Like snow smelting before the sun, his wound closes again leaving no trace of injury.
I recall these creatures to be famous for the their incredible regeneration, only to be beaten by fire or acid—which none of us caries at the moment. This could become dramatic.
Meanwhile Alonso has drawn his swords and takes his chances in a toe to toe dance with the troll. That same moment a bright light shines down from the sky as if a godly answer comes to the prayers of the faithful. Asfer lowers her morningstar which now shines with divine brilliance. Both Alonso's rapier and scimitar are glanced off by the thick hide of the troll. I draw my long sword from it's sheath and ride towards the troll to flank it. Asfer comes to stand next to Alonso, also taking a swing at the troll. All our attacks prove to do little damage to it.
"Meskar cha tesh demar!" Pippa yells all of a sudden as if commanding the creature. The troll looks up as if not knowing what's hitting him. Staggering he steps back, takes a small spin and falls flat on the bridge's surface.
"Is he dead?" Alonso stares at the troll.
"No." answers Pippa from the back. Alonso turns around and looks at the little gnome sorceress. "He's sleeping like a baby," she continues.
Alonso looks full of surprise, from Pippa to the troll and back.
"For how long?"
"I don't know. A few minutes? An hour? Days? It's not like these spells come with a manual."
"I think we should just kill it. Just to be sure." Alonso says, not all too comfortable with Pippa's answer.
I can see Pippa ponder the action, her pinkish eyes moving to the thinking corner of their sockets.
Asfer descents from her mount and smashes her morningstar on the skull of the sleeping troll.
"We should make a fire and burn the remains." Wägtell says—who now comes forth from the back.
"Or we could just dump it in the water." Alonso joins the discussion on how to eliminate the dead troll the best.
"Oh! I got it! We could chop it in half, burn one half, and dump the other half in the river." Pippa shouts.
Oh dear, I think and decide to go find something to eat in the forest whilst they debate furthermore. I'll be starved if I have to see the end to this.
Despite the detour, we reach the road leading out a few hours before sunset. Once out of the forest we stop and set up camp near the side of the road: A much welcomed rest. Wägtell and Pippa hit the sack as soon as they can. Asfer's doing some meditation and prayers. While Alonso is taking a sip of his wine filled glass.
"I don't feel so sleepy," Alonso starts to speak gently after all is quiet and stares into the campfire.
"We could talk a bit." I say while putting my leather armour off and lying it next to my bag.
"Ye know. I never sleep well on the mainland. I guess you could say I'm used to the gentle rocking of a ship."
"I would be sick all night, I don't have it for boats." I say with a sparkle of laughter in my voice. I try to comb nasty knits from my hair and notice how much sand is in it.
And I don't have it for sand either, I think to myself.
"Aye, but ye get used to it. Sailing under a veil of stars and a glimmering moon. Always having a perfect sunrise and sunset. I wouldn't want to trade it for anything else. Though this, irony teaches us, I'm a captain without a ship." Alonso sighs and stares into the vast emptiness of his glass. "Let me get another drink." He pops a bottle of wine out of backpack.
"You must have seen a lot of places," I say, seeing him in the dim light with the contrast of light and shadow accenting his strong features, making him mysterious and attractive.
"Ah, a fine year this bottle be—aye, lots of places—now where's that bloody opener—in fact, I've sailed all the seas of Faerûn." Alonso finds his opener and doesn't leave that bottle unopened for much longer. "From the seven corners of the Great Sea, the everlasting Trackless Sea, and the Shining Sea to the Sea of the Fallen Stars." He offers me a glass with some wine. I decide to give it a try.
"Then you must have been to the Sword Coast."
"Er, I … I think I be having nay." He scratches his head embarrassed.
"Oh! But it's such an amazing place. All those cultures come together. All kinds of different styles, all kinds of different people. It's so unlike here. You should see it."
"Aye, once I be having a ship I might." He empties his glass in one gulp .
We talk about the places we've been to, places we'd like to go to. Though he's not eager in sharing any information about where he's from, for instance, or any other information relating to his past or childhood, any attempt results into the changing of subject to sturdy sailing stories.
The early sunrays thaw the desert night's chill and one by one we wake from our much deserved rest. Today we will reach Airspur.
"Guys? I had a most disturbing dream last night!" Pippa draws our attention. We look at her in surprise, no one had yet entertained the others with their dreams.
"It gave me the creeps! We were back beneath the wemix village in the garrison of the half-orcs, and everything was lit in fire. Floor, wall, ceiling, the tapestries, everything caught into it. Then the door of the mad mage swung open and there he stood, not the mage but Titus! He was laughing madly while flames reached out for him until he fully got consumed by it."
"That's quite an imagination ye have, little lass." Alonso says to Pippa, not taking her all too serious."
"It was, it startled me out of my sleep. But I did not dare to wake anyone for it. I just tried to go to sleep again. This could be a sign!"
"Me dear, dreams have nay signs. That's why they are just dreams." He tries to talk that nonsense out of Pippa's head.
"But—" Pippa says but looks sad in my direction when Alonso gathers his stuff and walks to his donkey.
It's not much later after we set off again that my eyes spot a black silhouette in the far distance. It is four legged and it's walking on an idling pace. It halts at our road further away.
"I'm going to check it out" I tell the rest, "wait here a moment."
I gallop towards the silhouette and I soon learn that it's only a camel. I lessen my pace and decide to turn back.
What a joke, I think and laugh by myself. The camel has spotted me and all of a sudden it bursts into a charge. The charging beast soon seems a huge amount larger than a mere camel. Hastily I turn around and spur my horse to maximum speed, back to the others. In a raging madness the beast keeps on the pursuit. I flip myself on my horse, now facing the rear. I'll give him something to chew on!
My first arrow hits but doesn't seem to bother or stagger the maddened camel in the least. My second and third arrow do even worse, both bouncing off the beast's bony body plating. I flip back and ride behind the others who are waiting armed. Wägtell stands with sturdy planted feet, holding his hammer high at level with his shoulders, ready to take his swing. Alonso stands ready to cast both javelins at the charging camel as soon as he's within the right range.
The first javelin is cast but is also bounced off, as is the second. Wägtell yells as the camel is only a few steps away and swings with all his might at the beast, literally knocking the legs from underneath it. Tumbling and rolling, the raging camel is brought to a fall. Wägtell lifts his heavy hammer and lands it on the skull of the beast, which gives the typical known crushing-melon sound.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Alonso says with panting heart.
"A dire camel, that would be my best guess." I reply.
"I've never heard of a dire camel." Pippa squeaks, still sitting on her donkey.
"Neither have I, that's why I'm guessing it, Pippa."
"Enough about dire camels, we should get a move on." Asfer says curt.
A four hour march brings us to a road block guarded by six guards—two swordsmen and four bowmen. Asfer descends from her horse and walks over to one of the soldiers. She shows them the orders from the queen to return back to Cimbar. All six comply to Asfer's command and gather their equipment. In forced march they walk the road we came from while Asfer mounts her horse and urges to resume our course toward Airspur.
We hit a second road block, this time they aren't soldiers—no uniform dress code, nor taking any disciplined formation.
"Mercenaries!" I tell all the others. "Wait here out of their range. I'll go check them out, see whether they're hostile or not."
They nod and hold their horses—and donkeys. I start my horse in gallop and approach the road block in a half arc. This way I can easily turn around in case they prove to be hostile. Two bowmen raise their bow and take aim, draw and fire. Quickly, I pull the left rein and spur my horse back to the others. One arrow flies by and hits the desert sand a few feet in front of me. Just an eye blink after the first one landed I feel the impact of the second arrow in the side of my armour. The warm running of blood and the coming of stinging pain makes me realise the arrow went through the leather and pierced my flesh.
I get back to the others and dismount fast, I loosen the side strap of my armour after I pull out the arrow. I scream and I would curse if I wasn't pressing my teeth together. Asfer hands me a potion which I drink at once. The wounds close again as if they were never there.
"For ought I care, we should walk around," Alonso says.
"I'm not letting that scum have it their way," Wägtell responds to Alonso's suggestion.
"Leaving the road wouldn't be so wise either," I tell them.
"Then what can we do?" says Pippa.
I ride in a gentle step towards the roadblock, planning on making a circle around it. While I'm the distraction, I also plan to take out the human mage that accompanies them. I look around, trying to guess how far the others would be by now. I see the mercenary bowmen watch me closely and ready to fire again, others are anxiously gazing to find the others, but in vain. As long as they stay on the road no footprints will give them away. Pippa's plan to make Wägtell, Alonso and Asfer invisible was brilliant.
I spur my horse in gallop, raise my bow, aim, and fire at the mage. A direct hit. The other two bowmen fire back, both missing. The mage tries to find cover behind the barricade and casts a spell. I fire again, but my arrow hits the wooden barricade with a dull sound. That moment, the sudden appearance of Wägtell and Alonso amongst them nails the mercenaries to the ground in surprise. A half plated half orc wearing a steel shield with a flail yells something orcish. A bright light flashes around him and all of his partners. The two bowmen—who appear to be two half-elves, one wearing a half plate, the other a studded leather—turn around, drop their bow and draw a scimitar. The mage comes from behind his cover and runs past some of his friends. I ride on and fire again at the running mage. Another hit, he staggers forward and grabs for his bag.
"Where the bloody hell is our cleric!" I can hear Alonso yell over the sound of weapon fighting. Wägtell takes some good swings at a sturdy human—dressed in a chain mail armour and wielding a long sword with a large wooden shield—who's trying to give cover to their fleeing mage together with another half orc—this one is using a large sword. The mage pants and quaffs a potion, when in a blink of an eye Asfer appears behind him and she lands her morningstar at the half-orc's head. Running in terror doesn't bring him far, for Pippa is awaiting him with three red shining magic missiles. The mage moans as he falls down, dead. I finish one of those half-elf bowmen with a well aimed shot.
That makes number two, I think. Alonso retreats from his position and calls for healing. The second half-elf bowmen takes the opportunity to grab for his bow, if he thinks he'll have a clean shot at my friend he'll have to think again. I move myself between him and our retreating pirate, I raise my sword and attempts to plant it in his shoulder, though he was agile enough to dodge the blow.
"Hold!" Asfer shouts, extending her hand in a stop-commanding gesture. The half-elf goes ridged, constricted by magical summoned chains. Meanwhile Wägtell bashes his hammer at the chest plate of the human fighter, knocking him out of his socks, leaving him to coughing blood. Right next to the human mage and the half-orc fighter. I turn myself to the flail wielding half-orc—cleric, my guess—standing on my other side, but he dropped his mace and surrendered himself.
Shortly after, interrogation learns us that the band of mercenaries are hired by Orriseid himself.
Their orders: to stop everyone.
"Why would Orriseid hire mercenaries if he has such an army at his disposal?" Pippa asks Asfer.
"A simple reason, young girl," she answers. "Mercenaries have no restrictions towards killing anyone, unlike a soldier. Someone clearly wants us not to reach Airspur."
And Asfer climbs back on her horse.
Airspur
We approach Airspur with it's large city gate and fortified walls. In front of the gate there is a pavilion encampment behind a spiked barricade arcing from the left wall to the right wall of the gate. A twenty some bowmen dressed in Cimbar's military code stand fixed and ready. One of the guards orders us to halt and state our business. Asfer steps forward.
"I've come with orders of the Queen and need to speak your captain." She shouts at the guard in a loud and strong voice.
The guard looks to his mate standing a few steps behind him, speaks some words to him—not understandable to us due to the distance.
"Hold your positions, I shall go speak with my superior and return to you with his words."
The one guard turns around, walks to where the tents are set and disappears out of sight somewhere between them.
"This is taking forever." Wägtell sighs, "what has it been? A half hour since he left?"
"I guess there is lots to discuss," I tell Wägtell, feeling the same way about this situation.
"And the sun is doing a terrible thing to my sk—ouch!" Pippa interrupts her sentence. "Hey! Who threw a pebble at me?"
We all gaze at each other, not knowing what she's talking about.
"Someone, or something, threw this little stone at me!" she stands up angry, showing a little rock being pressed between thumb and index finger.
"Pippa, all of us are totally clueless as to what you're talking about." I say to her.
"But—"
"Perhaps it's a sign it will be raining stones sometime soon." I laugh out loud.
"Fine! Don't believe me." Pippa sits down again and crosses her arms in anger.
"My guess is the sun did a terrible thing to her sanity too," Wägtell chuckles.
Asfer stands up and takes a few steps forward. The guard has returned.
"My superior wishes to speak to you," the guard shouts in a loud voice.
We are being lead in by the guard, first of all he shows us the horse stables—so we can leave our mounts—and then he escorts us to one of the pavilions and bids us to enter. The interior of the pavilion is decorated soberly and efficiently: maps of different regions of Chessenta, three braziers, each standing at a side of the tent, a weapon rack and armour stand, a luxury bedroll and foldable table—at the back of the tent—with some desk accessories. Near the table stands a man with a tanned skin—much like all the other soldiers I've seen so far—brown hair and dark eyes. He's wearing a leather shirt—the type you wear underneath your armour—and he has a sword hanging from his belt. The guard halts near the entrance and stands in salute.
"At ease, soldier." The man says and leaves the tent again. I then notice two more guards are standing at each side of the entrance.
"What is this order you spoke of?"
Asfer takes the parchment—on which Melisanda's orders are written—from her bag and holds it in front of to the man.
"By orders of the Queen, you and your forces must return to Cimbar at once," she says.
"Queen Melisanda?" he stutters, "I thought…I mean we were told by captain Orriseid that it were the orders of the Queen to take Airspur with force and destroy the weapon forges."
"She certainly did not." She stares icily at the man and continues, "Captain Orriseid shall be taken into custody and be brought before the Queen. His betrayal is not taken lightly."
"Of course."
"I want you to order your men back immediately and bring us to captain Orriseid."
"I'm afraid I have no knowledge of the captains whereabouts."
Asfer sighs.
"Would you like me to escort you into the city?" the man offers us without hesitation.
"Sure." The rest of us says, even before Asfer could say anything.
The man nods and walks past us, orders the guards to accompany him and leaves his tent. Asfer tucks the parchment away and follows the man's steps.
The man holds near the horse stables, as does Asfer.
"You are free to take supplies from the military stock," he says, "that gives us less to carry back."
We all go our own way, checking out the supply tents, all but Asfer and the man.
After a ten some minutes I return to where Asfer and the man stand. I seem to be the first, none of the others have returned. I've helped myself to a magical med kit, two packs of arrows—one pack looks above average and the other pack gives an odd vibrating feeling—and a new studded leather—which I decide to go bind on my horse. There's no trace of the others yet.
Asfer pats her foot on the ground impatiently.
"What kind of egg-baked operation do they think we're running here?" She says irritated.
It takes the others another twenty minutes until they are back.
"By Torm, finally!" Asfer says, undeniably irritated.
The sound of a snapping dried twig comes from a few feet away.
"What was that?" Pippa jumps up, looking around anxiously. We all gaze around us holding our breath, the wind is blowing gently making a soft rustling sandy sound.
"Neely!" she stares at me with worried eyes. Though I can't give her any explanation for it, we all heard it without doubt. Pippa starts mumbling something to herself and closes her eyes. She extends her hands.
"There!" She points out to the officer's tent, "I felt him!"
Alonso and Wägtell immediately rush towards the tent. A moment later they both come back, shaking their head with raised shoulders and open hands.
"Thar was nay one in thar, lass." Alonso says laying his hand on Pippa's shoulder. She shakes her head.
"I felt him run away, then he was gone."
"Now that we're back together after this short interlude we can get back to what we are supposed to do." Asfer's annoyance has just reached it's climax.
The big gate—giving entrance to the city from the pavilion—stands wide open and has been barricaded with all kinds of debris from wooden barrels to reinforced charts, the welcoming plaza is reduced to a plain of rubble and smouldering fires. A trail of murder and destruction has havocked it's way up the broad causeway like a rampaging hurricane. Corpses—both human and half-orc—are rich fully sown, laying in their own blood which time has made black and murky. Huge smoke pillars rise from the far distance polluting the air with their foul smell of ash.
"Orriseid had ordered the destruction of the weapon forges which is where the smoke rises from." So speaks our escorting man.
"I suggest you hurry yourself to the forges and withdraw every last soldier. I want this city relieved of this siege by dusk!"
The man hustles to the forges as we near the end of the causeway.
Then two half-orcs carrying a wounded comrade come from around the corner—I don't recognise their uniforms as being the one of Cimbar, I take they must be from Airspur. Alarmed by our presence they lay him on the ground and both draw arms.
"Wägtell, I think you—as one of their kind—should go explain the situation," I suggest. "What do you think?"
"Okay, I'll give it a try." Wägtell hangs his hammer on his belt and shows his unarmed hands to the half-orcs.
"Hold, we're not here to fight for war. We've come to settle this and return Cimbar's forces."
The one half-orc speaks something in orcish to the other.
"What do they say?" I ask Wägtell. "Tell them I can help their wounded friend."
"We half-orcs do speak common, you can tell them yourself."
"Very well." I step forward. "I could help yo—"
"Kurrauz Zankurv!" one of the half-orcs yells at me pointing his long sword in my direction. In shock I step back.
"If you want to help get some potions for our friend. You find them in the building over there." The second half-orc speaks, pointing to a siege battered building.
"Here is a small one to stabilize him" I take a potion from my bag and offer it to the half-orc. Ungratefully he tugs the potion from my hands.
"Now get some big ones!" he grumbles.
We stand before the door of the building with the battered walls—not that it's the only building in bad condition but this one sure is the worse. Listening at the door teaches us that something is inside.
"Boars, and I would say about four of them." I conclude.
Wägtell kicks in the door and peers into solid darkness. One of the boars comes standing into the column of light being cast in from the doorway. Foaming of rage it tries to take a bite at Wägtell, but he jumps back in time. I had readied my bow and fire in the mouth of the feral looking beast. Alonso jabs his scimitar and rapier into the neck of the mad boar, finishing it off. The dire boar is followed by a second and a third of it's kind. The three boar corpses disappeared as soon as their dying breath came out.
"It's seems they were magically summoned," I say. Wägtell peers into the solid darkness of the room and then steps inside. From inside the room he shouts something about the place being a mess and not much left intact. Then he comes out with a bag holding six large potions, all of the healing type.
And one to settle the bill, I think while snatching one of the potions from the bag and placing it in mine.
We go back and hand over the bag with potions to the half-orcs.
"Tell us where we can find Orriseid." Wägtell holds grip of the bag until they answer the question. The half-orc tugs a bit at the bag but notices Wägtell holds the bag too firm to pull it free.
"He's at the barracks over there." The half-orc points to a building on the opposite side of the crossroad.
"Thank you." I speak for Wägtell while he releases the bag.
With cats grace I sneak up the stairs of the barracks in which Orriseid should be hiding. The building is broad but only one floor high. However that one floor is elevated from the ground by a man-size layer of concrete, so the only way in is taking the stairs leading up. I keep myself low from the windows and close to the walls until I come to a door. I listen to the door but hear nothing. I signal the others to come up quietly. Once they are up we set us up in two groups, each at a door hinge. Alonso and Pippa stand left, Wägtell and I stand on the right side. Asfer stands somewhat back keeping an eye on the rear. There is still that stalker lurking around, the thought of getting a well placed knife in your back is not exactly the thing I would catalogue as welcome.
Alonso places his hand on the doorhandle, turns it, and pushes the door slowly open.
In only a second of time crossbow bolts are humming past our ears and others made a dull impact sound on the wooden door. We press our selves back against the wall out of the line of fire.
"Bloody hell! They have one of those automatic launchers!" Alonso says.
I ready an arrow, pull it back and jump in front of the doorway. I release the string the moment I see guy operating the large swing at the large deployable crossbow—which is standing in the middle of the small room. In a straight path the arrow flies right through his throat. Gargling in his own blood he falls over the repetitive launcher. Alonso runs inside but is caught by surprise, a man behind the door waves a dagger at him. Alonso is now engaged in a deadly struggle while I see there is a second person near the repetitive launcher—who now grabs his personal crossbow. I don't give him that chance, he drops motionless with an arrow through his heart. Alonso stabs the dagger in the chest of his aggressor, who now—clenching to Alonso—slowly slides down on his back over the wall.
We hurry us inside, and find the room has two doors, one at the left, one at the right. Wägtell and Pippa will check out the left door, Alonso and I will check out the right. Alonso and I open our door first, we gaze inside and at the centre of the room we see a person standing motionless—wearing a green and yellow robe together with a most oddly designed helmet. Two metal shapes were on each side, much like horns but flat like blades, branching in two opposite directions: up and down. With care we move in and ready ourselves for any possible attack, yet that mysterious person keeps standing there, not even blinking as if he would be in a trance.
"Lets take the advantage of first strike." Alonso speaks from between his teeth, while keeping one eye on our mysterious 'friend' with his odd taste for fashion.
"No, just wait." I order Alonso—although I don't like giving orders, this just felt too wrong, "check out the room if you can find something."
Alonso hesitates a moment but begins his investigation of the bookcase—the only noteworthy feature of the room, besides the window and another door.
"Nothing!" Alonso says, "and I still think we should kill him before he wakes from his trance."
"No! I have a bad feeling about it. We should not touch him. Lets wait for the others."
Impatiently Alonso walks to the door we came from, that moment Wägtell, Pippa and Asfer come walking in.
"What's that?" Pippa asks, pointing at the unanimated circus act.
"Stay here, and keep close watch on him. I'll go check out the other door."
The door is not locked, carefully I open it, ready to dodge whatever may come flying out. Nothing flies out. There is a man standing in the small room. Dressed in a full plate mail carrying a heavy hammer. He grins at me, obviously he had been expecting us.
"Orriseid!" I say, testing if this man would respond to the name, and I walk in. I notice there is the same cartoon coloured duplicate standing near the window of the guy in the other room. However this one's not unanimated as the other one. Instead, this one is not the duplicate, this one turns around to face me in silence.
"I would like to talk with you," I continue. The man—who's most likely Orriseid—stares at me with an even more evil grin than before, his eyes are saturated with blood.
"Would you care to—" I try to say when—before I realised—Orriseid strikes me with his hammer on my head. For a second I think I see the universe with entire solar systems and galaxies. Then nausea takes over and I stagger backwards, try to find a hold to keep my balance. I look at the figure with the odd helmet—or should I say: at one of them, because I see five. There are five of them now, this is too ridicule.
That must have been a serious blow to the head, I ponder—so far it doesn't hurt. I see the rest run into the room, I drag myself to the table standing at the opposite side of the room and decide to climb on it.
So much for my heroism, I think. My brain feels like pressurised jelly, ready to pop out through my ears. I probe the top of my head, just to check if I'm not suffering from a gaping wound.
In the meantime Alonso is playing the game called who-is-it with the five identical looking images. The game mechanics are simple: hack at an image and see if it disappears.
Wägtell takes his chances with Orriseid.
"It doesn't have to end like this, Orriseid!" I yell. He looks at me with that same wicked grin and lands his hammer on Wägtell.
Damn, I should do something about my diplomacy skill, I sigh.
Asfer steps in, her cape waving behind her making her look even more pompous than Orriseid in his tin can.
"Hold!" she shouts, extending her hand towards Orriseid. Magical chains appear around Orriseid and his body goes rigid.
Hoeray… Asfer saves the day, mentally I wave my flag of sarcasm. Meanwhile Alonso finished his game and discovered the one and only true freak. It did take him four tries. The mage—that's what I presume he is—steps back and bumps into the wall. I grab an arrow, place it on my bow and jump off the table next to Alonso.
"Meskar cha tesh demar!" the mage commands me, pointing with the palm of his hands. I remembered that command word from Pippa, I nod my head with a slight smile. He should've paid more attention in class, then he'd known that sleep spells don't work on elves. I raise my bow, but instead I got the mage's gauntlet in my face.
Again the head, I sigh and check my nose.
Alonso kills the mage and I turn around to see how the others are doing with Orriseid. Both Asfer and Wägtell are trying to get Orriseid out of consciousness. I remember the rope I'm carrying, if the spell would wear off before he's subdued he still would have a rope to break through. I take it from my bag and do my best to get it around Orriseid. I try to tie the knot and Orriseid's magical shackles fall off, he kicks at me and tries to break free.
"Wägtell, help me to tighten it, I can't hold him alone." I ask. Wägtell grabs the two ends of the rope and lashes them together without any problem. Orriseid falls to his knees unconscious as Asfer hits him hard another time. His pretty face isn't so pretty anymore.
"Back off!" Asfer commands us to take several steps back. I don't know what hit the hardest, Orriseid hammer or Asfer's words. I take my steps back, but Wägtell isn't so willingly, he's holding his feet down. I could swear I hear him growl for a moment.
"Yield!" Asfer shouts at Wägtell. All went quiet all of a sudden, Wägtell looks from underneath his heavy eyebrows and takes a few steps back. Asfer takes a knife from her belt and cuts my rope.
That's my rope! I feel an urge to shout it out but decide to keep my mouth shut. Asfer takes Orriseid's armour out and together with his hammer she puts it in a large bag. From her backpack she takes a pair of handcuffs and locks them around Orriseid's wrists.
"Eek!" Pippa releases a shriek.
"Hello, Pippa." Comes a familiar voice. I turn around and see Yaeri standing in the room.
"He just came visible before my eyes!" Pippa says astonished to which Yaeri had to smile. "How?"
"Here's the deal," Yaeri begins his tale. "Back in the palace, the wizard took me to his office and explained to me I had a special assignment. He would cast a permanent invisibility on me—which would hold as long as I take no action that would reveal myself of course—and I had to travel with you but with the concealment."
"So you were the one who threw the rock at me?"
"Yes" Yaeri chuckles.
"And the snapping branch?"
Yaeri nods. Pippa must not know whether to hug him or slap him.
"My instructions were simple," Yaeri continues. "I was the plan B. In case you screwed up I had to assassinate Orriseid with this dagger. The Queen knew if we failed to capture him, we also would not be able to kill him."
"Then why did we have to come along?" Pippa asks.
I had heard enough. I don't know if I should feel hurt, offended or glad perhaps? I run outside for fresh air, four blows to the head is too much to handle. I stop at the balustrade half way of the stairs, letting my elbows rest on it and I stare out into nothing.
What to think? – Where to begin I mean.
I mean I thought we were hired for our competence? – It seems I thought wrong. We were hired for the bunch of clowns we are.
Then, was Asfer the one with the real mission? – Yes it seems so, Asfer… and Yaeri.
Asfer could easily handle it by herself, but why send us along with her? – I have no clue how to answer that.
But I do know this: Asfer never believed in us either—not that I could blame her from time to time—I bet she considered us a pain in the ass. She didn't even trust us. I'm sure she wished she hadn't have to put up with us.
And clearly, they had more trust in a halfling thief than in any other of us.
I don't know what to think.
I don't know how to feel.
Angry? – Angry for Asfer's arrogance, how she treated us like scum a few moments ago.
Sad? – Perhaps a bit.
Humiliated, that's what I feel the most. Humiliated by all this. The truth about what we are. If only I could prove what I'm worth…
I feel…
I don't care. – Why should I care?
I don't care anymore. Let Asfer carry Orriseid back by herself.
I snap from my thoughts and noticed the others have come outside arguing about who's going to carry Orriseid. I won't have anything to do with it, I go down the stairs and walk to the horse stables. Yaeri follows me close.
I reach the horse stables and throw my stuff on my mount, strapping it on tight. I see Yaeri climbing on hir riding dog and set off to the extending desert plain. I sigh and give my horse some hay before we go, though I'm not planning on following Yaeri—or anybody else.
The sun is getting real low, throwing an orange-red hue over the world. In a hustle I hear the others near the stables.
"Neely?" Pippa calls my name. I glance back and see the little gnome approaching. I throw her a small forced smile while I climb on my horse. I hope she won't take me leaving personal.
I tag my horse with my heels and he jump-starts in gallop. Through the tent pavilion out in the desert plain I ride in the last warm rays of the setting sun.
