Chapter 8: Introductions and Re-introductions
Galvin rested in his favorite armchair, and his shattered forearm remained wrapped. The house was quite lonely since Azaila and Razen had left. Iritha had been unable to ease Galvin's rage, who was now restless. He had waited for the return of his two younger kids, but they hadn't come back yet. It was then that he had heard an entity knocking on his front door. A freezing draft came in from beneath the door, and the dark hallway suddenly had glints of light breaking through under the bottom of the entrance. The sounds were rough and loud, whoever or whatever it was clearly had a good deal of strength backing them.
"Who's there? Answer yourself," Galvin stated, unable to get up from his chair easily without help.
"I am an Adalon, a golem of the Elemental Lords, and my name is Kydoz," the entity answered and continued, "I have come here to beg the help of the Veldrin family in dealing with an old problem that one of your ancestors had handled initially."
"Iritha, we have a guest, could you please let them in?" Galvin stated, and Iritha immediately rushed to open the door. Once she had, she gasped at who the visitor was. The Adalon pushed her aside with his blunt arm and entered the house with his arms extended outwards as if to feel about for objects. His brilliant, crystalline body had been just short of blinding.
"Well, this is the home of the descendants of Kyrei Veldrin? Disappointing," Kydoz's words were rough but robotic in its flow. "I digress...are you Galvin Veldrin?" The Adalon queried, "I ask because I need the assistance of a Veldrin to stop Myodei and his fiendish companions, for they have returned to Lore."
"Kyrei's work has went to waste? This is an outrage! Who was the perpetrator of this atrocity!? Who would have the audacity to mock my ancestor!?" Galvin barked.
"That would be Iskrema, an insubordinate elemental like Myodei and his party, but I am not here to exact vengeance on Iskrema," Kydoz responded, "No, I am here to see Myodei chained once more, for I cannot allow him to achieve his goals, oh, how diabolical they must be. It is my duty, even if the Elemental Lords themselves do not believe him to be dangerous...how foolish."
"Unfortunately for you, you are rather late on asking for my help, Adalon," Galvin replied, "For if you were unable to notice, I am not in the condition for adventure anymore. My arm's shattered and equally so is my lust for adventure. Perhaps you'll find better luck with Zaz', but you'll never get Razen or Azaila on your side."
"Ah, you are Galvin then," Kydoz stated and sighed, "Where will I find your offspring? If you can't help me, then one of them shall."
Galvin obliged him, "Zazaith's in the Sandsea, while Razen and Azaila have run off with that accursed Theemis, Zayn, and that rambunctious Dwarf, Medlag. At least Zazaith is trying to be honorable about this with trying to obtain a position as a court mage."
Kydoz was displeased with Galvin's answer, "Where did Razen and Azaila go?"
"To some Dwarven city, I think that its name was Gorraran," Galvin answered without being certain.
"Good day then, Galvin," Kydoz said and turned around. He still had his arms outward to avoid going through one of Galvin's walls, despite being made of seemingly fragile crystals.
"Wait, Kydoz, are you blind?" Galvin asked.
"Yes, now good day," The Adalon rushed through, forgetting that he needed to feel around to find the door. Iritha had shut the door behind him and locked it. She had a fearful expression on her face, and she looked towards Galvin.
"Who was that, Galvin!? Why are you letting these rude strangers into our home?" Iritha asked Galvin with a flustered tone. Afterward she muttered bitterly, "I'll never understand him."
Galvin was displeased, but he answered regardless, "Some golem named Kydoz and don't think that I know anything about him more than that."
The figure, adorned in light gray, turned towards us, and he still grasped the head of a Maar, wings of a Harpy, and a Vizalain seed. Under his hood, one could only imagine that he had turquoise gemstones for eyes to match his icy body. His facial expression was difficult to see, for his hood hid some of his crystalline face. His upper jaw's bottom corners ended with two pairs of fangs. The larger set being further outward and the smaller duo went directly down. He seemed surprised to see our party, and I could only imagine that he was related to Zolkt. This left me to wonder why they would want such bizarre trinkets. His cold glare seemed focus on Zayn, and the being queried, "Zayn, what are you doing with these...people? I do not recognize most of them, although you and Medlag are known to me. Who are the others then?"
Zayn answered, "They're Veldrins, and the elf is a Galiv. Zolkt should have mentioned at least one of them to you."
"Oh, yes, Zolkt did mention a Veldrin some time back. His name was Razen, wasn't it?" The figure responded, and his memory seemed to recall the event well enough. Perhaps he was the leader that Zolkt spoke of? It was difficult to think extensively. I felt oddly at peace in this entity's presence, but I had not noticed it until now, likely due to the attempt of deep contemplation. It seemed as though feelings akin to anger or rage were subdued by simply being near him. I could not imagine trying to attack him, even if he had taken everything from me. It was overbearing; I doubted that any emotion could overwhelm than this feeling of serenity. I suspected that this wasn't restricted to me; there must have been some manner of calming aura around him.
I spoke with a calm tone, "I am indeed Razen. The others with me, aside from the ones that you know, are my sister, Azaila, and Miar Galiv. If I may ask, who are you?"
"If you were true to your word with Zolkt, I suppose that there isn't much harm in informing you that I am Myodei," The figure replied.
Miar blurted in, "You are the monster that would help someone that you know is a murderer? I'd love to show you what for, but I can't seem to manage it. What manner of hex is this have you placed upon us!?" Miar held a grimace on his face; he was as disgusted as one could be with Myodei's presence.
"Hex? Are you referring to my aura of serenity? Such a thing is innately unique to me, but perhaps this is beyond your usual understanding. This aura was from the grace of the Lords; it was bestowed onto me when they had appreciated my service. As for the murderer that you are speaking of, he had done so in the defense of his own self-being. Belrik and the Galiv there, I can't remember his first name now, had attempted to bind Zynaer to their will, only for their benefit. They wished to abuse his abilities as a stronger Elemental, yet you cling to them as though they were saints!"
Miar unpleasantly asserted, "Myodei, I know that you are not to be trusted. Kyrei had told me everything when I consulted with him."
"You hold the same heart as your ancestor, Galiv," Myodei seemed to have ignored Miar's statement altogether.
"Whatever do you mean by that, demon?" Miar declared.
Myodei mocked Miar, "Demon? You are only helping me solidify my theory. You bound them to your will, didn't you, Kyrei, Belrik, and your own ancestors?"
Garnevin spoke up this time, "Alright, alright, that's enough. I'm closing up the shop, so you'll all need to leave. Don't cause too much commotion; else I will call the guards to send ya bastards to the dungeons posthaste. They don't care what kind of magic tomfoolery ya got; they'll still send yer behind into the damp cells."
"That'd be an unwise move for all of us, including the Dwarves," Myodei noted, taking his leave from Garnevin's Kooky Trinkets. He returned to the city, and he could see the immense spectacles made of obsidian. The smiths' workday was over, and they were getting about to wherever they were planning to spend their evening. Most of them were going to the Opera Hall, but there were still plenty of them going into taverns.
"Myodei, we are still supposed to meet the others, should we leave for them immediately?" Bazrir asked.
Myodei answered, "I believe that they can wait, so we can entertain the Galiv and Veldrins a little longer."
"Entertain us? Do you take us for a nuisance that you can simply ignore if you so desire?" Azaila queried the elemental.
"A nuisance? No, I think that your ancestors were horrid people, but I will attempt my best to avoid similar behavior from you. Miar seems hopeless though; he is out for himself and no one else. He is also prone to lying, as I know that he has already done so to you. I know not how many times, however."
I was the one to speak now, "Miar, why would you lie to us? What is it that you lied to us about?"
Miar appeared to be furious, and I could guess that if it wasn't for the extraordinary serenity that forced itself over us that he would be trying to tear Myodei into little shards of ice. Some of the Dwarves had actually remained around us, as they had taken notice of Miar's fury as well as I had. They knew that he was going to burst soon, and they wanted to see the fight. They had kept their distance enough as to not feel Myodei's unearthly peaceful presence. Medlag had slipped out into this crowd whenever we weren't paying attention.
"Are you going to pop? It's a shame that you can't even try to fight me, at least that'd stop you from harming those around you in the future," Myodei boasted. He was certainly proving successful in taunting Miar, who was stuck in a forced sense of tranquility. It must have truly been torturous to not even be capable of anger towards anything, even while someone is blatantly working to anger you.
Miar barked in response, "You know nothing of me, demon! You try my patience; this in itself is foolish beyond belief. I have had enough of this!" Miar stormed off away from Myodei; he knocked a Dwarf out cold when he was out of Myodei's aura of serenity. He was definitely not pleased.
"I know nothing of you? How cute, Miar," Myodei mocked Galiv, "I know that you are much like your ancestor. You are brutal like him, and you are most certainly a liar. I am guaranteed that you bound the ancestors' will to yours, much akin to how Varil Galiv and Belrik Veldrin had attempted to force this onto my companion, Zynaer."
"The bloody murderer that kills without remorse?" Miar taunted.
Myodei replied, "You truly didn't understand that situation then. I would suppose that Kyrei had lied to you? He would never accept that he wasn't born from a line of saints, yet he only maintained a good public image by slandering me and my party for no reason beyond revenge against Zynaer. We had suffered five centuries of imprisonment at the beckon of the Elemental Lords, all because Kyrei wanted revenge. Miar wants more, but I ask, what more can you desire? How can you demand more from justice whenever the initial punishment was unjust? Answer me that, Galiv."
"I need not answer one such as you; you are an accomplice in a murder," Miar held his guard, "I will not be coerced into believing your side when I am adamant in the innocence of my great grandfather, Varil."
Myodei countered, "I am adamant that you are lying out of your teeth, Galiv. I suspect that you forced Kyrei, Belrik, and Varil to your will. I imagine that despite knowing that they were in the wrong, that you will walk their path and defend them for your own self-gain. You are truly the monster here."
"You dare to ridicule me, demon? You are so foolish as to demean Miar Galiv?" Miar declared. It was clear that his haughty attitude had managed to return through some manner of misfortune. Miar was dominating the discussion with Myodei, neither Azaila or I could muster the audacity to force themselves into the conversation.
"I'm foolish enough to demean you? You're threatening someone that could destroy you, your companions, and all of the surrounding Dwarves with a snap of his fingers," Myodei responded, "Yet I am the foolish one? Do explain to me as to how, oh great and mighty one. I am so sorry that I have insulted your pride and offended your overly inflated ego." Myodei paused and began anew, "I have wasted enough time on you, Galiv. I must attend to other business that is not relevant to you or the Veldrins. I'd suggest that you do not involve yourself for your own well-being."
Myodei had said nothing else, and he didn't react to any of Miar's following insults, curses, or fits of rage. The figure in sand-colored robes, Bazrir, had walked beside the levitating elemental. I knew not where they were intending to go to in the city, but I gathered that it would be fatal to have Miar and Myodei's party to meet under terms that would allow for Miar to strike.
The dwarves that had wanted to see a fight were disappointed and left to see the end of the ongoing opera or get a few minutes in with their friends in a tavern. Medlag had disappeared in this time, now it was only me, the surprisingly quiet Azaila, the flustered Miar, and the aged Zayn. We were uncertain as to where we would go from here.
Veqwei sat upon the charred remnants of a burnt chair that was once among the furniture of the house. Ariyzi was adorned in light grey robes with dark cloud designs that ran across the fabric, and he waited next to Veqwei. Ariyzi's light, yellow eyes standing out from the rest of his gray form. If one had unable to get a closer examination to see the spiraling, constantly moving form that was his body, they would've imagined that he was a priest of the Wind Lord. Zolkt rested next to Vewqei and Dyjhal, Zolkt's large frame was forced to slouch. His rocky shoulders scratched against the ceiling, and a skull, mounted on the branches embedded in his collar bone, was bent downwards, giving Zolkt an awkward stance.
"Why must Bazrir, Szayan, and Myodei make us wait?" Vyrdae inquired from a dark corner, where nothing could be seen.
"Vyrdae, you do not know love, so while you may hear the reasons, you will not know them," Dyjhal answered as cryptically as ever.
"Bah, I need not know such foolish concepts as love," Vyrdae replied bashfully in his utter darkness.
In the distance, one could hear nearing footsteps, and the elementals could only presume that they belong to Bazrir, who was accompanied by Myodei. The slight noises slowly grew in strength as it drew closer to the party, then it was followed with the turning of the bronze knob of the ancient, decrepit house. The elegant robes that clothed the two were seen in good contrast to one another: Bazrir adorned in sandy gold, and Myodei in a dim gray with icy turquoise trims. They had their spoils from Garnevin's shop, the head of a Maar, the wing of a Harpy, and a Vizalain seed on their person, which added to their peculiarity even more so than Myodei's crystalline figure alongside his asymmetrical horns that erupted from his forehead beneath his hood.
The entering members of the party looked at the reason for why such an unfavorable location was selected for a meeting; he was a gnome who took the trade of a warrior and looked more akin to a short dwarf. The gnome wore scalemail with a desecrated helmet that likely once belonged to a Dwarven war hero, but it was now marred with rude comments, likely from disgruntled gnomes from Popsprocket. The gnome was dwarfed by his companion, a Lightning Giant, who had the bearings of a dynamancer(Energy wizard). "Oh, Myodei, what a joy it is to see you," the gnome warrior stated, miraculously above the voice of his much larger company.
"Yivtarn and Tethil, what in the Lords' names are you two doing here of all places?" Myodei queried.
Tethil, the Lightning Giant, softly answered, "The dwarves care not, and the humans that once inhabited here are all dead." Tethil gaze quickly shifted to his gnome companion, Yivtarn, and he whined, "Stop touching me!" Dyjhal rolled his eyes in response to Tethil's less than stable response, as there was no way that Yivtarn could reach Tethil with such short limbs.
Myodei had known of the mannerisms of Tethil and Yivtarn, so he had decided to play along with Tethil. "Yivtarn, take a step away from Tethil," he declared. Tethil stared at Myodei with wide eyes in response, surprised that anyone would believe him over what logic would dictate.
Tethil proceeded to compliment the Ice Elemental with a tone of deep praise, "Your voice is divine honey." His gaze shifted as if paranoia had overtaken Tethil, now his gaze beamed down upon Ariyzi.
The melodramatic wind elemental joked under the stress, "Well, with you as my companion, who needs enemies?"
The, at least, partially insane lightning giant laughed shortly, but it was cut short whenever he declared, "Then I ate his gallbladder with some Moglinberries and a Zard steak."
Yivtarn glared at the mad giant and stated, "Go suck yer blade."
Zynaer was getting frustrated with the constant banter, so he stomped onto the ground and shouted, "Perhaps you both should silence yourselves, before I do it for you. Do yourselves the favor, else your tongue be set alight." Tethil snarled, but Yivtarn refused to try Zynaer.
Myodei began as the two mercenaries fell silent, "Yes, well, Yiv, Tethil, you were both requested to perform a service for me, once more. You see, there are two families, which maintain grudges against me for attempting to redeem myself and my companions. One of them, the Veldrins, had stolen our rightful research material; they live in Deep Root in DoomWood. I want you to return our books to us, so that Dyjhal and I may go to Talados without any excess delays. We'll be going to Deren first, for we need to visit the Deren Library. I need someone to perform this task for me, and as I recall, you two owe me."
"I recall not of the sort, you conniving elemental!" Yivtarn blurted in response.
"You don't recall when you two were spelunking that mine? Oh, Kelnash Mine, I believe it was?" Myodei queried the gnome.
"Don't you dare bring up anything about those confounded, frenzied Archeonauts! They were seemingly spawning from the insides of the rock with not a care for their self-being, but I didn't want to save my companions either. Why? None were as self-righteous as them, blasted Stringers." Yivtarn angrily answered. Under his tongue, he seemed to be spouting expletives in repetition, but one could only hear unintelligible noises. His recollection of the event was definitely anything but favorable.
"I suppose that it is difficult to clean out a mine and purify its ore, especially when there is a mad orc controlling a horde of Archeonauts. They were insane, considering that they were willing to destroy themselves as long as it destroyed the enemy," Myodei replied.
"Doesn't make it any better since as soon as we downed the orc, we were met with only the melodramatic and doomed speeches of a Wood Elf not unlike your own companion, Ariyzi." Yiv answered bitterly, "He couldn't shut up about how 'We're all doomed!' and things of that nature. It took him forever until he escaped with us, but it mostly seemed to be the need for him to say, 'If you want.' He seemed to view everything with a great sense of dread."
"Vel's not important right now though, Yiv, instead I would return your focus to assisting me in reclaiming my party's lost resources," Myodei stated, "You know your target, and you know your obligations. Now go and perform them." Myodei's voice remained in its emotionless tone of coldness, yet it was not hostile or bitter.
Yivtarn had no other memories to bring up, so he answered with only, "I'll do yer toil."
Tethil had, amazingly, been quiet until Yivtarn had finished that sentence. The giant had then blurted out, "As much as I enjoy these moments of repose; get a move on it!"