Chapter Ten: Just a Moment of Rest
At the Sanctuary Gabriel turned to look at the exhausted heroes, "Garth is still repairing the Cullis Gate so I would suggest you three return to Brightwall Tavern and rest for the night."
"We can't stop now, there are still people who need us," Logan spoke seeing the man shake his head.
"You won't be able to help anyone if you pass out from exhaustion! Look what happened in Knothole when you and Tali used a combination spell, you need to rest, I promise one night won't hurt," Gabriel reassured the group.
"The blind geezer right Logan, we're running on fumes, besides, one of us really stinks and needs a bath," Saker spoke sniffing his shirt, "oh bloody hell it's me."
"As much as I want to go out there and get the job done Gabriel is right, we need to rest we are no good to anyone if the next agent kills us," Tali spoke looking at the map table.
"Then it's settled," Gabriel spoke handing Logan a coin purse, "that should be enough for two rooms for the night, some food, and perhaps a change of armor."
"Fine," Logan spoke using the map table to travel to Brightwall.
At the Tavern, after paying for their rooms Logan and Saker sat in two separate tubs in the men's baths, while Saker's legs stuck out of his he made do and washed up while making conversation.
"So, what exactly is the plan to stop the Empress in Samarkand? She has an army of Corrupted minions and monsters not to mention all of the citizens have been transformed as well," Saker spoke grabbing a bar of soap to wash off blood from his chest.
"The gems, the heroes of the past said it could turn the tides of wars in our favor, I imagine we would get the same reaction as we did with the Creeper in that ice arena, but the light that the gems would amplify maybe ten times as strong, the question is where to use them at, I would have to see a map of Samarkand to get a better sense of where would be the best vantage point," Logan spoke relaxing into the hot water looking up at the roof.
"Your father gathered some of these gems, eh? Bet they're worth quite a fortune," Saker grinned, "but I guess that will have to wait till we kick the Empres's arse."
Stepping out of the bath Logan grabbed a towel to dry off before getting dressed into some new gear and making his way to the room, tossing his equipment next to his bed Logan opened the doors to the balcony and stepped out to look out to the people down before who were closing up their shops.
Looking over he noticed Tali on her balcony but her gaze was on the stars above, having had her bath and change of attire, Logan stared, the woman was very beautiful. Feeling eyes on her Tali glanced over and noticed Logan who quickly averted his eyes to the sky.
"How come you never replied to the letters I wrote?" Tali asked her gaze focused on the sky.
"Letters?" Logan spoke in confusion turning to look at her, "I never received any letters back."
"Back? You never sent me any letters," Tali spoke now also confused.
"Yes, after I left Samarkand I wrote a few letters to you, mostly ramblings asking how you were, and silly questions teen boys ask," Logan spoke slightly embarrassed.
"I never received any letters, I sent you letters also checking in on you when I heard about what happened to your parents, I was concerned for your wellbeing back then," Tali spoke then it clicked for her and she growled with anger, "Zarak! He must have intercepted the letters!"
"Why would your brother do that?" Logan asked leaning on the railing.
"Before he became Emperor he was so overprotective, he worried if we liked each other the union of our two kingdoms could ruin his rise to the throne when the time came," Tali explained watching a shooting star fly across the sky.
Watching Tali for a moment Logan spoke, "Dear Princess Tali of Samarkand," he spoke getting the princess's attention, "How are you? I hope you are in good health, I had a wonderful time visiting your kingdom, even though it was so dull listening to Father deal with the common people and their petty issues in regard to petty squabbles and marital issues."
Trying not to laugh at the last part Tali listened closely watching Logan smile, "I do wish we had gotten to spend more time in each other's company, there are so many questions I never got to ask, like what is your favorite color? Do you like dancing? What is your least favorite vegetable? Sorry if this letter is annoying, I do really hope we could be good friends, hope to hear from you soon, yours truly Prince Logan of Albion."
"Dear Prince Logan of Albion," Tali began looking to the sky, "I am sorry I am sending this letter during an awful time in your life, I also know how it feels to lose a mother, I heard many stories about how beloved the late queen was, you must miss her terribly, if you ever need someone to talk to or in this case write I am just a million miles away. You know that last part would be interesting lyrics for a song I'll have to write that down!"
Chuckling Logan leaned closer to listen to Tali's letter to him, "I do hope we can meet again, I have so many questions to ask about you and your country, I heard Albion throws magnificent balls, they sound very lovely, I do hope maybe we shall get to dance together, perhaps you can show me your palace and the snow, hope to hear from you soon my prince, yours sincerely Princess Tali of Samarkand."
Smiling Logan's gaze locked with Tali who smiled back, in that moment Logan saw just how beautiful the Princess was when she smiled, "You have a nice smile."
Turning away her gaze returned to the sky, "I didn't have a reason to smile for such a long time, thank you for your letter, Prince Logan," Tali spoke.
Nodding Logan looked to the sky as well, "thank you for writing to me Princess Tali," Logan spoke looking back over to see Tali gone and the doors to her balcony close.
Going inside Logan lay in one of the beds closing his eyes to get much-needed sleep, it had been so long since he slept well, perhaps with the recent event he will be able to have one peaceful night's sleep.
At the palace Anna made her way to the royal bed chambers touching Adam's side of the bed with a sad sigh seeing Xander hop onto the foot of their bed she pet the dog's head with a smile.
Looking up she saw an owl land outside the window that clicked on the glass, approaching the window she opened it watching the owl hop onto the frame before speaking, "Sorry for the late visit your Highness."
"It's ok Percy, how's the new forms working for you?" Anna asked watching Percy fly in and turn into a small cat hopping on the bed.
"Thanks to Logan it's much easier for me to be able to protect you, my Queen," Percy spoke kneading the bed and laying right next to Xander who growled, "Fine much easier for 'US' to protect you, happy?!"
Laughing lightly Anna closed the window locking it and sat on the bed facing the two animals, "speaking of Logan, how is he doing?"
"Well, my Queen he did really well defeating three of the Agents so far, even more, impressive he was able to find the Chamber of Memories, I am sure you heard of his new title like the rest of Albion," Percy explained.
"Word travels fast in Albion," Anna nodded petting Percy's head, "what do you make of him? Is he worthy of the title?"
"Well, his conviction and desire to save his brother is very strong, and his determination to be a hero is also strong but that isn't what convinced me, he's formed a sort of link to his brother, it's like he's unlocking hidden Will potential in King Adam," Percy spoke purring into the pet.
"Well, they are brothers, and if this can protect Adam till we can come to his aid then I will put my faith in Logan," Anna spoke hearing thunder clash outside followed by rain hitting the window.
"There is a storm coming, I sense something wicked coming to Albion, let's hope we are ready when it comes," Percy spoke looking to the window.
"We must have faith Percy and believe," Anna smiled looking to the window.
The following morning with rain coming down Logan, Tali, and Saker arrived at Garth's Tower where he was crouched next to Cullis Gate making a few last-minute adjustments.
"Is this going to take much longer? I am getting soaked out here!" Saker growled seeing Garth roll his eyes.
"Heathen," Garth muttered using a screwdriver to finish repairing the gate, "done, now then after I give it a charge it will take you to Wraithmarsh so you can search for the next Agent."
"Do you think the Corruption infected the Banshees there?" Saker asked Logan.
"It's a strong possibility, Father told stories of how difficult it is to kill a Banshee but a White Banshee would be a real difficult enemy to encounter," Logan spoke watching Garth step back and then hit the gate with bolts of Shock to charge it up.
"These Banshees sound very frighting, I've read tales of these creatures, it's amazing people in Albion have survived this long with monsters hiding all around you," Tali spoke watching the Cullis Gate activate.
"It's done! Ok you three get a move on, we must not waste time with conversation, I'll remain here, if the Corruption comes for Brightwall I'll keep it at bay till you can arrive," Garth spoke.
"Thank you, Garth, and be careful, the agents are looking for you too," Tali spoke approaching the gate.
"Do not worry for me your Highness, you focus on keeping yourself alive, Samarkand will need you to rule when we push back the darkness," Garth spoke watching the three enter the gate before vanishing.
It was at that moment Garth noticed the gate malfunction and the light turn from blue to red exploding a bit, "what?!"
Running over Garth could see Corruption oozing out burning away in the light, "damn! Gabriel something happened to the gate! Did the three get to Wraithmarsh?"
At the sanctuary Gabriel watched the three cards of Saker, Tali, and Logan vanish ending up on islands that lay between Albion and Aurora, "what the? They're ok Garth they ended up in the South Islands? Why would they end up there for?"
In an explosion of red light Logan, Tali, and Saker were thrown out of the sky and into a jungle with yells and grunts the heroes hit several branches before hitting the ground hard.
"Ughhhhh what the bloody hell was that?" Saker groaned rubbing his head and looking around in confusion at the new surroundings.
"Ow ow ow! Was that supposed to happen?" Tali asked sitting up and looking up at the red clouds in the sky and the red mist that covered the jungles they landed in, "is this Wraithmarsh?"
Pushing himself to stand Logan looked around in confusion, "No, this isn't Wraithmarsh at all, Gabriel where are we?"
"Lo...gan...not...in…marsh...inter..." Gabriel spoke from the guild seal, communication being interfered with by something very powerful.
"That can't be good," Saker spoke looking around the group walking through the woods avoiding the Corruption that had taken over the jungle, reaching a hill the three looked past the jungle to see a large city of stone buildings with palm trees in many directions and a port town.
Looking further they could see islands across the sea close to the island they stood on, it was then that the island looked familiar to Logan, having been here in the past when he wore the crown, "wait I know this place."
"Where are we, Logan?" Tali asked the three ducking down when they heard screeches seeing a Harbinger fly overhead and circle the city with other Harbingers that circled the city below them.
"This is the capital city Mirana of the South Islands," Logan spoke.
"South Islands? How in the bloody hell did we end up here?" Saker asked but his question didn't get an answer when they heard a twig snap behind them and turned to face a young woman with her face hidden by a hood.
"Who are you?!" Logan demanded pointing a pistol and watching the woman hold up her hands.
"Don't shoot, I am not the enemy," the woman spoke with a foreign accent.
"Who are you?" Tali asked watching the woman remove her hood revealing a beautiful woman with a dark chocolate complexion, her black hair tied in box braids that made a braid that hung behind her.
"My name is Echo, I am a descendant of the Great Hero Whisper and we need help, she is after the heroes and will stop at nothing till every last one of us are dead," Echo explained approaching the hill.
"She? Who is she?" Saker asked watching Echo point in the distance to the large building in the center of the city.
"She is there, her winged beasts have patrolled the city in search of the ones unaffected by this strange dark magic that spreading across the land," Echo explained.
"The Corruption, I didn't even know it had arrived here, how many years have your people suffered?" Logan asked crossing his arms.
"Years? This happened yesterday, none of us had a chance to defend ourselves," Echo explained.
"Yesterday?" Tali spoke recalling the two masks that they saw on the map table in the Sanctuary, "The Dejestress, it must be her!"
"Didn't the seer tell us to specifically avoid her because none of us are ready to fight her?" Saker replied.
"The gate, this was her doing! She brought us here, it was a trap!" Logan growled clenching his fist and watching a dark vortex spin and link to the large building in the center of the city.
A.N. I always wished in the Fable games we were given the chance to see Whisper and Thunder home so, hopefully this can fill the void.