Chapter 23: Brentwood Bound

Morning broke, and the Mermaid Inn was still a considerable mess after last night's celebration. A few patrons still littered the floor, including Denrick himself. He had clearly imbibed too much, and was lying on a bench snoring loudly. His tankard hung from his hand, steadily dripping ale onto the floor. The barkeep had taken one look at the mess, sighed and decided against opening that morning. He was currently sitting behind the bar and drinking a hot cup of tea.

From the stairway, Alistair and Indira trudged down. Alistair was yawning and rubbing his temple in aggravation. Indira was walking beside him, far too cheerful for his liking this early in the morning. "I told you, you shouldn't have stayed up drinking last night, Alistair" she said in a sing-song voice. Alistair simply huffed, approaching their usual table. "Well, what can I say, we were invited. That Denrick chap is a bit of a laugh...though why we had to get up so early is beyond me…"

Indira sat down next to him, giving Alistair an exasperated look. "You heard Garrick, we are to leave for Brentwood. Can't keep the Duke waiting, after all." Alistair nodded, before looking around the tavern, "Then where is he? He'd better not be late."

"I'm more concerned about where Rogon is…" came a quiet voice from behind them, making the pair jump. Turning, they saw Na'ish walking quietly around the table. "How the hell do you walk so quietly in full plate armour?" Alistair asked, to which Na'ish simply shrugged. "Rogon?" Indira enquired as Na'ish took his place at the table.

"Yes. He did not return last night." he said matter of factly. Indira looked concerned, while Alistair sighed again. "Not that surprising. He and Garrick had a proper falling out, didn't they. Doubt he will want to come with us anymore…" He was interrupted by the door banging open, and Rogon marching in. He looked a little scruffy, but otherwise unhurt. He stomped over to their table and sat heavily next to Na'ish, placing his large satchel onto the table. The others simply looked at him in intrigue, a look he noticed after a moment of fiddling with his bag. "...Wha'? I got something on my face?"

Alistair chuckled, and shook his head. "Nah, big guy. Just weren't sure if you were still going to join us, after last night and all." Rogon scoffed, and returned to the clasps on his bag. "Course I'm coming. Can't very well find me father if I stay here" he said, "Nor can I get answers from Garrick…" he thought to himself. Alistair just nodded in acceptance, though Na'ish continued to stare at Rogon in silence.

As they waited, they were soon joined by Mel, wrapped up in her cloak once more, and Varus, who silently sat at a nearby table rather than join the group. They did not have to wait long before Garrick entered the tavern, a large roll of parchment clasped in one hand. Karasumaru flew from his shoulder in order to alight onto the table. "Top of the morning all" he said, bowing slightly towards Indira. He got a few polite replies in return, though many were still getting used to the talking Corvid. Varus simply ignored the bird completely, turning his attention back to Garrick.

"What time do you call this? Needed to get some extra shut eye old man?" Varus taunted with a straight face. Garrick merely approached their table, placing the parchment in his hand upon the table and unfurling it. "Once again, you show your complete lack of forethought, Varus. I came from the town, after all. Not the stairs."

Before Varus could retort, the parchment upon the table was fully flattened out. "Thankfully, I went out early this morning to ensure we were prepared…" On the table in front of them was a map depicting most of the kingdom of Lumeria. While not hugely detailed, it did show all the major towns and villages, as well as major roads, rivers and landmarks. Garrick leaned over and pointed to the noticeably largest settlement upon the map. "We are here, at Astor, obviously. We need to get to…" His hand moved up north along the map, pointing to another sizable settlement situated across the largest river of the kingdom. "Here. Brentwood. It's a few days' travel from here."

Alistair cocked his head slightly to the side as he looked at the map. "So, what? We take the main path back towards Grayben's then turn off to the right?" Garrick looked pensive at that, but before he could answer, Varus scoffed from across him. "And let the whole of Lumeria know where we're going?" Alistair sighed, and sat back, throwing his hands up in agreement. Indira smiled at him, before turning to the map.

"What would you suggest?" Garrick pointed towards the river beside Astor. "Varus is...correct. If we take the roads, we may open ourselves up to ambush. We already know that it's not just Shadows we need to watch for now." Varus appeared visibly shocked that Garrick had agreed with him, though thankfully did not comment.

Garrick traced his finger along the river. "We will need to cross this at some point. We could do so here at Astor, get a boat or something. Then, we could get to Brentwood using the cover of the dense forest…" Varus interrupted with a firm "No." The group paused, looking at Varus. "No?" Garrick asked.

"No. If you were to enter those woods, you would die. You would find no suitable cover there." Garrick and Varus stared at each other in challenge for a while, before Garrick returned his attention to the map. "Fine. Not the forest. In that case, I suggest we walk along the river on this side, until we can find a suitable crossover point. Is that agreeable?"

Varus did not voice any complaints, and with none of the others having any better suggestions, the map was rolled up once more and the group set off out of the tavern for the last time. The group walked through the town at a leisurely pace, heading towards the docks that would allow them to reach the river.

As they walked, Indira looked around the bustling streets in interest. "I'm going to miss this place. It's so different from home, you know?" she said, pausing to look at a group of merchants attempting to drum up custom outside their stalls. Alistair shrugged, but Rogon chuckled from beside her. "I'm sure yeh will get the chance to come back at some point. We will need to see the Duke again, won' we?" Indira nodded in agreement before jogging to catch up with the rest of the group.

It did not take long before they were exiting Astor's enormous outer wall, through the gatehouse that connected the sprawling docks that sat along the river. The area was even busier than the dock at Grayben's Bay had been, with numerous ships docked and either being loaded or unloaded, the dock workers running to and fro from various large warehouses.

As they reached the edge of the large wooden decking that made up the majority of the quay, the group paused a moment to look out across the large expanse of water. "That...is a big river." Alistair stated, earning a silent nod from Indira. Due to the river's estuary not being much further downstream, the river was almost at its widest point. The far bank could only just be seen, a splodge of dark green on the horizon showing the large forest that lay beyond.

"Hence why I suggested a boat. As it is, we will need to cross when the width becomes more...manageable. I am sure there will be a bridge at some point" Garrick stated. Alistair chuckled, before nudging Garrick gently. "Hey, we could always swim? Would only take, what? An entire day?!" Garrick looked down at the rippling water, gently splashing against the quayside.

"...Pass" he said, before turning and continuing to walk along the edge of the water. Alistair shrugged, before turning to follow the rest of the group. Soon, they approached the end of the boardwalk, where wooden planks gave way to undeveloped banksides.

Hopping down, it was clear that the route was going to be anything but easy. Mud, rocks and roots made traversal all the harder. This didn't appear to bother Garrick or Rogon, though Mel gained a slightly disgruntled look. "I do hope this is worth it…" she thought to herself, before following in Rogons footsteps.

Varus, the last of the group to leave the boardwalk, paused. He turned to look across the water one final time, glaring briefly at the forest on the far side, before also hopping down into the mud.


It was approaching midday, and the group had paused in order to rest and eat some basic rations. They had made good progress, with the terrain changing slightly from muddy plains to rockier outcroppings. No easier to traverse, but at least their footing was more sure. They had also yet to meet any fellow travellers, a benefit of going off the beaten track. At least in Varus' mind.

The group was scattered around, with some sitting upon rocks and others down by the waters edge. Garrick and Rogon were noticeably sitting to opposite ends of their makeshift camp, with Garrick upon a higher rock looking out along the bank from where they had come.

Mel was sitting on the bankside, her boots removed and her legs dangling over the edge, allowing her feet to soak in the water below. She gave a slight sigh of satisfaction as she did so. "I don't get how you guys are still fine. My feet are killing me!" Alistair, sitting nearby, shrugged. "You get used to it." Mel simply shook her head, as if she wasn't sure she believed that statement.

"Sure. I think we should have spent the money the Duke gave us on something to help, instead of fancy gear. Like some horses or something." At the comment, Alistair completely paused, his hand half raised with a ration bar about to be eaten. After a moment, he shocked the group by suddenly shouting out.

"Ah, shit!"


Back at the Mermaid Inn, the stablehand walked in and approached the tavern's owner, who was overseeing the tidy up after the lunchtime rush. "'Ere, Krin. Has that strange mismatched group already left?" the stablehand asked. The owner looked up from the glasses she was cleaning, before adopting a thoughtful expression. "I believe so, Finn. They certainly haven't paid for another night yet. Why?"

Finn gestured to outside "'Cos they went and left their horses, if so." The owner shrugged, before returning to cleaning the glasses. "Give them a day to return for them. If they don't, well. The guards are always on the lookout for more work horses. We'll sell them on."


Na'ish, Indira and Karasumaru watched in fascination as Alistair stalked around the clearing, muttering about the horses they had left behind. Occasionally, he would kick a stray rock away from his path while using a variety of Elvish and Common swear words.

Karasumaru leaned down from his perch on a rock above Indira, using his wing in an attempt to whisper. "Is he always so...passionate, my lady?" he asked. Indira giggled slightly "Only when frustrated. It's quite entertaining, to be honest." Na'ish simply sighed and shook his head.

Garrick, still looking out of camp, also lamented the loss of the mounts they had acquired. "They would have been useful. So much happened in Astor, I can't believe we forgot them. Perhaps we could return to retrieve them…" While he was mulling this possibility over, some movement along the bank caught his eye. It was a fair distance away, and too far to make out exactly what it was. But it certainly didn't move like a humanoid. Some local wildlife, perhaps? It was most likely harmless then, but he hadn't got to his age by assuming anything.

"Karasumaru? Come here would you?" Garrick called. Karasumaru perked up from where he was still chuckling at Alistair, before flying over to his shoulder. "How may I help, Squire?" he asked, as the rest of the camp quietened down and listened with interest.

Garrick nodded over to where he had seen the movement down the bank, though now the creatures were obscured by rocks. "Could you go and scout out down the bank. I saw movement, and want to ensure it isn't dangerous." Karasumaru bobbed in agreement, "Consider it done!" he said before launching off and flying in the gestured direction.

The rest of the camp watched as Karasumaru flew a few loops around an area only a few hundred metres down from their location. Alistair, ceasing his swearing about the abandoned mounts, stepped up beside the rock that Garrick was sitting on. "What do you reckon? More Shadows?" he asked casually, though few would miss the undertone of concern in his voice. Nor the slight relief when Garrick shook his head.

"I do not believe so. They were of a different shape. Might simply be deer, but I wish to check." It was at this point that Karasuamru stopped his circling, swinging around to fly back towards them. Garrick stood and held up his arm to allow him to land. "Report." he said once he did so.

"Spiders, Squire. Bloody big ones, too! About three I'd say, though there could be more under the trees. They seem to be heading in this general direction, though they are moving rather erratically, what what." Karasumaru said, causing looks of disgust to appear on several of the group. None liked dealing with spiders, it would seem. Especially large ones. Only Varus remained apathetic to the situation, it would seem.

"Fine. Then that's our cue to leave" Garrick stated before hopping off the rock and gathering his satchel. Most of the others started to follow suit, Mel hastily replacing her boots upon her feet. Rogon, however, paused. "Ya know, this could be the perfect opportunity fer a bit o' pest control." he casually suggested, while flipping the chamber of the revolver he had been cleaning closed.

Garrick sighed in frustration. "In case you've forgotten, we're on a mission. The Duke has us sending a message to Brentwood, not exterminating random creatures in the middle of nowhere." Rogon scowled at Garrick, standing and holstering his revolver. "And as I said, he ain't MY Duke." Before Rogon and Garrick could have another argument, Varus of all people got between them.

"Enough. As much as I hate to say it, Garrick is right. Besides, it's my experience that spiders should be left alone whenever possible" he stated, before starting to move off along the river bank with the others. Rogon huffed and turned to follow, "Didn't take you as the sort to be scared o' spiders" he said, casting a wry look over Varus.

Varus simply side-eyed Rogon, before continuing to walk. "I assure you, I am not." replied Varus. "It is the consequences that may follow that concern me…" Varus thought to himself. Rogon simply shook his head, taking up the rear of the group, as far from Garrick as possible.


It was several hours later, when the sky had started to darken and the land was cast in orange hues, that the group started to slow their pace once more. The terrain had certainly slowed progress down, but they had succeeded in keeping a low profile by doing so. They had yet to meet another person during their whole journey, with only the local fauna as company.

As a result, they had managed to make it approximately a quarter of the way to Brentwood, based on the map that Garrick had bought. As the group trudged along, it was on many of their minds to seek a suitable place to camp for the night. "Anywhere would do...I'm ready to drop. Even that rock is starting to look comfortable…" Alistair groaned, gesturing off to a large slab to the side. Indira simply nodded tiredly by his side. Garrick kicked at the shingle that made up the ground beside the river. "I for one, would prefer a softer floor. I'm getting too old for stones in the back…" Before Alistair could respond with a remark on Garricks age, they were interrupted by a call from Varus.

"How about here, then?" he gestured to an area behind the line of bushes that he had just walked around, before walking out of sight. Following him around, the group paused at the sight of a large, open grassy plain. It was slightly set back from the river bank itself, thus it did not have the shingle. There were bushes and trees on two sides, with an apparent dirt path adjacent to the final side.

"That's useful. Still, don't you think this is a bit open to camp in...there is little in the way of cover." Garrick asked. Varus just rolled his eyes and started making his way into the very middle of the field. "That just means we can see anything coming. Besides, I have a plan for the cover problem." Alistair and Garrick exchanged looks, before Alistair shrugged and moved to follow Na'ish, Mel and Indira, who had followed Varus, eager to get some rest. Garrick frowned, but soon followed.

The group soon reached the middle, and several gladly slumped to the soft grass in relief. Indira had taken a leaf out of Mel's book, and promptly removed her boots, rubbing her sore feet in a vain attempt to gain some relief. Nai'sh, though he hadn't complained on the journey, was quick to remove his heavier outer armour.

Varus, meanwhile, had stopped and taken out a book and was turning the pages in search of something. As he started to pace a circle around the group, still muttering in concentration, Garrick eyed the book suspiciously, "Varus, is that not the book you attempted to open earlier?" Varus paused in his pacing, though did not look up from his reading. "Might be."

Garrick's eye twitched slightly. "Do you not think it dangerous to have it open? The last time it nearly blasted you into a wall." Varus looked up and gestured with the book. "And yet, it is open, and with no ill effects. Once again, I have proved that I am superior. I will not be beaten by a simple magical item!" Garrick clearly did not agree, and grumbled under his breath, crossing his arms and giving Varus a wary look. Varus did not seem to care, turning his back on Garrick and raising an arm.

"Observe, I am about to give you your "cover" that you care so much about." Varus' raised arm then gave a slight glow, as well as the book he held. The ground shuddered slightly, not enough to cause people to lose footing but sufficient for several to look at Varus in concern. "Erm...you sure about this?" Alistair questioned.

Varus was sure, it seemed, as with a further gesture, the ground in front of him began to slowly rise into a large mound. The grass upon it remained, but the soil beneath had shifted. Slowly, Varus began to retrace the steps that he had taken around their camp. As he did so, he continued to cast his magic, slowly forming a circular bank.

The group watched with surprise as, over time, Varus succeeded in creating a fully enclosing circle, with a high enough wall to obscure themselves from sight and enough space to lay down and start a fire. When Varus finally stopped, the group looked at him in silence. "...Ok, I admit. That was pretty cool" Alistair commented, Indira nodding enthusiastically beside him. Garrick simply rolled his eyes and went to the other side of the circle, starting to use his Alfan's Tinderbox that he had purchased from Charlie to set up a campfire.

"Oh, I'm not done yet…" Varus remarked, before proceeding to set the book down onto the ground and flip it open once more. Here, like before, it rapidly deployed a small, one man tent into the space in the clearing. Varus stood to the side, gesturing to the tent with pride. The group simply looked at it in confusion. "Ok? Well, glad you sorted your own accommodation. The rest of us are going to just slum it outside?" Alistair asked, before looking up to the darkened sky. "At least it's nice out…"

Mel stood up from where she had been sitting, stretching slightly. "Nah, I'm sure that Varus is a gentleman, and will donate his tent to us ladies, right Indira?" Before Indira could reply, Varus simply stepped into the tent and disappeared. "...or not…" Mel continued, before frowning and stomping towards the tent herself. "Hey asshole! Learn some manners" she said, intending to "convince" him to let them use the tent instead.

However, as soon as she opened the flap and peered inside, she paused in shock. "Holy...guys, you gotta see this!" she yelled, before also stepping in. Alistair and Na'ish exchanged looks. "She can't seriously expect us all to go in there, right? Besides, I have no desire to see Varus in his nightwear" Alistair said, earning a slap on his arm from Indira. "Ouch. Just saying…" he groaned, rubbing the arm in jest.

Indira rolled her eyes and also stepped forwards and into the tent, Na'ish shrugged and followed soon after. By now, there were four people inside a tent that looked like it could barely hold two. Yet there were no signs of discomfort from within. Curious, the last three followed suit.

Once inside, Alistair bumped into the back of Na'ish, stumbling slightly due to his larger mass. "Hey, what's the big...deal…" he started, before staring around in shock at the sight that greeted him.

The group had stepped into a fully furnished living room. The floor consisted of wood, with several large rugs scattered around. In the centre was a wood burning stove, expelling heat and keeping the area warm. Any smoke from the fire was being syphoned up the pipe to who knows where. Surrounding the stove were numerous cushions and soft seats, including a large sofa. Varus had already walked over to the sofa and laid down along its length, not bothering to remove his clothes.

Looking to the left, there was an alcove that held what appeared to be a further stove, with cupboards and a sink. There was also a table with several chairs surrounding it. From there, the canvas walls had several dividers within them, currently shut. "What? How in the world did you?" Alistair asked, struggling to get his head round what he was seeing.

Indira nudged him before going over to where Mel had already sunk into a large cushion. "Who cares? This is far better than sleeping outside!" she stated, dropping her satchel to the floor. Na'ish had walked over to the first of the many dividers, looking at it curiously. Varus looked over from where he was laying on the sofa. "Feel free to take that one, mine's already got my name on it" he said, before giving his hand a lazy wave.

On the front of the canvas flap, a stitched name plate appeared saying "Gold Guy". Na'ish tilted his head curiously, before pulling the flap back. He gave a hum of appreciation at the small room revealed beyond, containing a single bed, dresser and lamp. Simple, yet far more than most get when travelling the wilds.

Seeing this, Alistair was quick to claim a room for himself, swiftly followed by Rogon. Mel and Indira were content to stay seated by the fire, it seemed. Garrick also walked round to take a bay, but Varus stopped him before waving towards the door nearest the kitchen. "Yours is over there." he said. Garrick narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Varus, before approaching the relevant door. The front was labelled with "Old Man".

Looking in, Garrick huffed at the sight of a bed that resembled a standard military cot, far more basic than the others. There was also a wooden rocking chair and something that looked suspiciously like a chamber pot. Turning a withering glare at Varus' amused look, he simply sighed. "Very funny. Can I get a normal one now?" Varus smirked, before snapping his fingers, causing the bed to morph and the chair and pot to disappear and be replaced with the same dresser as the others.

Soon, everyone was settled in, with Garrick standing near the entrance and dusting his hands. "Right, well. This was, I hate to say it, an excellent boon provided by Varus. Still, we will need to set up a watch. We do not want to be surprised in the night. Who wants to take first watch?" he asked the room at last. Looking around, Varus had already fallen asleep on the sofa, with Mel not far behind in a pile of cushions. Na'ish was staring intently at the various utensils in the kitchen, as if unsure what to do with them.

"...I guess it will be me then. Very well" he said, sighing and picking up his gear before returning back out into the night. Alistair glanced around the tent, seeing Indira rub her eyes and go as if to follow. Alistair stopped her from standing, earning a confused look from her. "I'll go. You get some rest, perhaps you can take second watch?"

Indira nodded happily, before wandering off to her own bay. Alistair collected his things, before leaving the tent. "Time to get to know the resident veteran better, I suppose…"


Outside, it had been about an hour since the group had set up camp. The sky was now fully dark, though the clear sky was allowing plenty of light from the moons to fall upon the field. Alistair and Garrick had taken to sitting upon the large mound that Varus had created, offering them a clear view of the field around them.

Alistair sighed, before looking over to Garrick. Despite having been out here for a few hours now, Alistair had yet to manage to start a conversation with him. I mean, where should he start? It was now nearing time to swap watch shifts, he was running out of time.

The man had spent the first hour or so of watch tinkering with several metal items held within his smaller satchel at his side. Alistair was no expert, but it looked to be the makings of another bear trap that Garrick seemed to favour using. Once finished, however, he had crossed his legs before closing his eyes. He had then simply sat there without saying a word to him, seemingly content in the silence. "Is he even still awake?" Alistair mused.

"You know, keeping watch usually works better with your eyes open…" Alistair said. Sarcasm was often a good way to break awkward situations, at least to his mind. Garrick remained silent for a moment, making Alistair think that he was being intentionally ignored. Before he could get truly upset however, Garrick shifted. Though he did not open his eyes just yet.

"Sometimes, your other senses can aid you far better than your sight. Especially at night. I do not share your exceptional eyesight, friend." Garrick responded. Alistair scratchesld his head with embarrassment. "That might explain why he kept quiet then…"

"So, what? You're using hearing then?" Alistair asked, both out of curiosity and because he was keen to keep the conversation going now that it had started. Garrick nodded, before opening his eyes once more to look at Alistair. "Among other things. Sometimes, simply pausing and waiting can allow you to…"feel" your surroundings, for lack of a better term."

Alistair raised a brow in his direction at this, "You can feel your surroundings?" Garrick shook his head, "Not nearly so accurate. I can, at best, feel nearby living presences. Everything gives off signs of life after all. Heat and sound, for instance. Though I can only do so accurately for beings that I am most familiar with."

Alistair nodded in thought. "Familiar? Such as?" Here, Garrick frowned slightly. "Orcs, mainly. Saved my life many times, I can tell you." Alistair looked back out to the fields. He already suspected that Garrick had served. His dislike of Rogon made far more sense.

"Useful. Still, I doubt that Orcs will attack us here…" Alistair stated, having seen a grand total of two in his time in Lumeria so far. Garrick chuckled lightly. "It also extends to creatures of similar build. Humans and Elves, for instance." Alistair nodded in understanding, and the two fell back into a more comfortable silence than before, Garrick returning to his restful position with his eyes closed.

After a short while, Alistair spoke up once more. "I never did thank you, you know." Garrick tilted his head to show he was listening. "For Indira, I mean. You really helped her out back in Astor." Garrick gave a smile, "Quite alright. We all need a hand now and then."

Alistair nodded. "Perhaps. Still, I had no idea how to….wait…" Alistair paused, before standing up slowly and looking out to the tree line at the edge of the field, "Something's coming." Garrick turned his focus towards the treeline, opening his eyes as he did. "A wild animal of some sort?" he questioned, trying to make out what Alistair was seeing.

"No, not an animal. A person…" Alistair stated. Garrick frowned, before also rising to his feet. "Impossible...I did not sense anyone approaching…" Despite this, the movement that Alistair had seen by the trees started to approach, separating from the shade and stepping out into the bright moonlight.

The figure was wearing a dark, heavy cloak with a hood obscuring their features. They were slowly walking towards their position. Garrick and Alistair exchanged a brief glance, before both drew their weapons. Garrick notched an arrow and trained it on the figure, while Alistair held his daggers at the ready. "Halt, announce yourself!" Garrick called out to the figure.

The individual stopped, raising their arms in the air in a non threatening manner to display that they were unarmed. "At ease, I mean you no harm. I swear." The figure spoke in a soft, feminine voice. "Identify yourself, why have you come here?" Garrick continued, though he relaxed his grip on his bow slightly.

"I am here to seek aid. I felt you were the only ones that might be able to help" the figure responded, remaining where she was. "And why, may I ask, do you believe we would be able to do so?" Garrick asked, eyes narrowing.

"...Because you have already done so once." The figure replied slowly. Garrick and Alistair exchanged a confused look, before focusing on the figure once more. "Who are you?" Alistair asked. The figure made a slow and steady move to raise their hands towards their hood, clearly intent on lowering it. Garrick tensed once more in case she decided to make any sudden moves.

As they lowered the hood, they revealed a woman with long, dark hair with aristocratic features. They had a pale complexion, almost sickly looking though it was hard to tell in the moonlight. As she did this, Alistair lowered his daggers to his side in shock, eyes wide. "No way…" he whispered.

The figure finished revealing themselves, turning a nervous smile in their direction. It was the feral creature that had bitten them. The one they had thought they had killed on route to Astor!

"Hello. My name is Anya."


Item Dossier:

Arcanum Vestoria

A book once owned by the legendary mage Balfrys, supposedly. Certainly it's ability to become a mobile base that fits the needs of it's owner suggests a great mind created it. IF you can get past it's probably deadly defences.

Somehow, this item fell into the possession of Archie Fender, who then sold it to Varus for a quick bit of Gold.