Ch. 7
A Darkness Within
It was a day and a half travel overland from Kamadan to Beknur Harbor. With the Istani naval authority continuing to ban nautical activity due to the corsair threat, sailing was not an option. Rakiv, Kydar and the Zaishen Acolyte had been forced to make the journey on foot, crossing the Plains of Jarin and stopping for the night in Champion's Dawn. Rakiv had forced them to resume their trek at first light, dragging a groggy elementalist along as Acolyte Basilisk followed. They took the path south through the Dohjok cliffs, and as the bridge gate to the Harbor came in sight it occurred to Rakiv that their newest companion had not spoken a single word the entire trip. In attempt to break the awkward silence that had descended upon them, the ranger finally addressed her.
"So…" she began, "You're Zaishen… we supposed to just call you Acolyte Basilisk all the time?" she chuckled.
"You may call me Anorah," the dervish responded quietly.
"Anorah? Anorah Basilisk huh?" Rakiv commented, "Pretty cool… how d'ya come by a name like that?"
"How did you come by a name like Maelstrom?" Kydar commented.
"It's easier to pronounce than Raelesin," she smirked at him.
Kydar shrugged and the Zaishen gave no response to Rakiv's question. Silence fell over the group again as they made their way into Beknur Harbor. The town was a small one, at the far southern edge of the main isle of Istan. Indeed it was little more than a fishing village, inhabited by sailors and farmers. Passage through the town was uneventful and the trio soon found themselves exiting the southern gate into the Issnur Isles.
At first glance the Issnur Isles appeared to be poorly named. This was due to the fact that it appeared to be a single landmass riddled with ponds and streams. However, the large hills of brown dirt were the work of tides, storms and time that had washed in silt from the bay near Dohjok. The isles had since become connected by a series of landbridges, across many of which the farmers had built bridges themselves, to better farm the fertile soil.
"It used to look like the Mehtani Keys actually," Kydar finished, "But that was a long time ago."
Anorah turned her head ever so slightly, curiously peering at the elementalist from beneath her hood. Rakiv chuckled and shook her head as she strode past the pair.
"We'd best stick to the coast, avoid the Skale and any corsair's that might be around here," Rakiv suggested, "Puuba said we'd find Jerek at the far end of the Isles. A solitary homestead stilted on a sandbar."
"Alright," Kydar nodded, "Let's see if we can find this guy."
With their sights set and their course plotted the party set out from the fishing harbor into the Issnur isles. The trio marched steadily along, avoiding the inland irrigation canals that appeared to be infested with skale. It soon became apparent that the local flora and fauna had become hostile as well, and a small band of enraged insects only added to their woes. Nonetheless the party pressed on through these minor obstacles, usually leaving torn and burning carcasses in their wake. The Zaishen woman appeared eager to reach their destination, and strode several paces ahead of the other two. As Rakiv and Kydar strolled behind the ranger took the opportunity to resume conversation.
"So I'm curious Kydar," Rakiv questioned, "What keeps you in Istan? I thought your business would be finished once Fahranur was over with."
"These are exciting times," Kydar shrugged in explanation, "I've been here a little over a week and already I've unlocked mysteries that have confounded scholars for decades. Mostly due to luck of course, I'm not that great of an archeologist," he laughed.
"I dunno," she chuckled, "It seems to me that you're a regular tomb raider."
"I believe the preferred term is 'excavator'," he quipped with a smile.
"Right, and I'm a specialist in 'long range problem solving'," she laughed.
"See? Now you're getting it," he returned with a chuckle of his own.
"But why all this?" she asked, "You've practically been conscripted into the Sunspears. Isn't that a little much to record a few historical events?"
"I suppose there is an ulterior motive or two…" he nodded, and then brightened, "But there's also the chance to record what could very well be the greatest event in Elona. I mean… this is Nightfall we're talking about! And I'll go down forever as the famous scribe who got the whole story of the heroes who stopped the end of the world. I mean… who wouldn't stick around for this?"
"Mmm, good point I suppose," she nodded.
"What's the matter Rakiv?" he chuckled, "Trying to read me?"
"Maybe just a little," she responded with a smirk.
"We are here…" Anorah spoke up.
The pair stopped behind the dervish and looked up. A large hill rose up out of the sandy waters, forming a bar of high ground upon which sparse shrubbery grew. A stilted house stood at the edge of the bar, a ladder going down to a small wooden dock that floated on the surface of one of Issnur's many inland ponds.
"Well," Rakiv said, "We'd best go say hello."
The ranger strode forwards, her crocodile following with her. The quiver of the drapes within the house's windows did not escape her notice, and the woman raised a hand as she called out a greeting.
"Helloo!" she shouted, "I'm Rakiv, I was sent by…"
The ranger paused, as the all too familiar prickle of magic crept over her. This was different than most magic she had experienced, less of a prickle and more of a tingle that made the hairs on her neck stand up. Butter croaked a warning and the archeress back flipped as a charged bolt of white energy struck at her. The woman's reaction had been swift, but not quite fast enough. The ranger landed on her feet and grit her teeth against the electrical charge that ran through her body. Well, that wasn't very nice.
The door to the house burst open as a middle aged man stepped out, leveling a crackling metal staff at them. He squinted down the length of the pole, his sights set on the ranger as he snarled angrily.
"Get your ass off my property!" he snapped.
"You… rrgh, must be Jerek," she grumbled as the charge finally left her body.
"N' what if I am?" he growled.
"Kormir sent us to find you," Kydar called, "We have a message."
"N' you can take it back with ya!" the man shouted, "And you tell her she can stuff her message up her…"
"Look," Rakiv interrupted, "I realize you're an angry old man, and being belligerent is basically all you have left in life. It makes sense really. I shoot arrows, he throws fire," she paused to jerk a thumb back towards Kydar, who waved with a smile, "And you keep balls that land in your pond. I get it. But I did not track all the way out to this backwater for this crap."
Kydar blinked, noticing Anorah tightening her grip on her scythe and the soft murmurs of a prayer leaving her lips. Sensing a fight coming on, the scribe unsnapped his thigh holster, laying a hand on his wand's hilt and preparing to draw.
"So get your ass down here!" she demanded.
"Come 'n get it ginger!" he snapped, rapidly sliding his hand up and down the pole once to increase its static charge
This time the ranger's movement was immediate, leaping to the left as a ball of sparking lightning fired at her from the mage's staff. Kydar prepared a spell but the Zaishen moved in faster. Anorah dashed beneath the house as Jerek arced a bolt of lightning at her, a blow that struck the Zaishen squarely. The dervish hardly appeared to notice, jerking somewhat from the charge, but her dash never missing a step. She skid beneath the house and swung her scythe. The blade slashed twice, leaving twin moon shaped silver arcs in their wake. With a flash the arcs flew forward, cutting directly through the two stilts that held the pond-facing side of the house off the ground. The Zaishen dervish immediately darted away, pausing a few feet from the structure and planting one end of her scythe on the ground, her other hand drawing two fingers before her face as she uttered another small prayer.
The mage atop the building blinked at the woman, wondering exactly what she had accomplished. He turned, pointing his rod at her and preparing to blast her when a sudden creak shuddered through the house. He paused and then his eyes widened as the cut beams slid and the house began to tilt.
"You scythe wielding, prayer spewing biii…" the old man swore, before the noise of groaning wood drowned him out.
The house tilted, its other two legs snapping as it fell, struck the sandy slope and tumbled down into the water. With a great splash and an explosion of wood planks the house hit surface, striking the bottom of the shallow pond and collapsing into the water. Rakiv and Kydar both winced as they watched the destruction of the man's home.
"I… think we wanted him alive," Kydar commented to Anorah.
The dervish said nothing, simply striding back to the group as they watched the water. A moment later the old man surfaced, spluttering and spitting water as he sloshed up onto the shore. He sat on his hands and knees, coughing for a moment before rising and glaring daggers at the trio.
"You've destroyed my house!!" he exclaimed.
Kydar and Rakiv quickly pointed at Anorah, who merely fixed the man with an impassive gaze.
"You destroyed my house!!!" he repeated at the top of his lungs.
"Your property appeared to be your attachment to this place, and thus was an obstacle to our objective," the dervish replied without even the smallest hint of emotion in her voice, "Naturally, I removed this obstacle, leaving you no choice but to comply with our request and come with us."
The ranger and elementalist stared at the woman, surprised to hear the longest reply she'd made in two days. Jerek's expression only darkened further.
"Go with you!?" he cried, "Why the hell would I go with you!?"
"Because you're the new Spearmarshal!" Rakiv shouted in exasperation.
At that Jerek paused, slowly wiping an arm across his mouth as he stared at her in disbelief.
"I'm what now?" he asked.
"The new acting Spearmarshal to be precise," Kydar supported, "It's a long story, but Kormir's off the island and she said you were the only person who could lead the Sunspears while she's away."
"Oh.." the man blinked, pausing in consideration before his brow furrowed again, "Well why the hell didn't you say so in the first place!?"
Rakiv's hand flew to her quiver, grasping an arrow as she lunged. Kydar only just managed to catch her wrist and pull her back before she attacked the former Sunspear.
"Easy there Red," Jerek snorted, "Violence don't solve everything you know."
"I'mma kill him," Rakiv snarled, and glared at Kydar, "Let me kill him!"
"Nooo, we need him," the scribe sighed.
"Butter sic 'im!" she snapped.
The crocodile waddled up to the man, looked up at him, and then back to his mistress, giving her the most questioning look his snout could muster.
"No Butter don't sic him," Kydar countered, "Look Jerek, will you just come with us? The island's in pretty bad shape and there's no one to give orders right now."
"Hmm," Jerek murmured and then nodded, "Well I suppose it's about damn time. The position shoulda been mine in the first place. And now that Kormir's let everything go to pots, I'll fix it up and they'll name me Spearmarshal… permanently."
This thought appeared to bring some joy to the man, as he smiled in a rather unsettling fashion. Kydar and Rakiv traded a worried glance but said nothing on the subject. Kydar cleared his throat to obtain Jerek's attention once more.
"So… you'll come with us?" he asked.
"Course I will," he said, "Not like I've got anywhere else to go, thanks to Ms. Home Wrecker here."
"Basilisk," Anorah corrected quietly.
"Well let's get goin'," Jerek nodded, ignoring the dervish, "And I want a full report along the way."
"Then he's your man," Rakiv said, pointing to the scribe as she turned to walk away, "Explain away Kydar."
"Well, I'm sure you've heard that Kormir wanted to excavate the first city right?" Kydar asked.
"Yeah, I heard somethin' like that," Jerek nodded.
"Well… that's about where things started going wrong…" the scribe nodded.
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After three days in Kamadan, things appeared to have settled into their new rhythm. Jerek had taken command of the Sunspear forces, and begun organizing them around the island. Jokanur was to remain a Sunspear outpost, a garrison should anything else crawl out of the ruins of Fahranur. Koss and Dunkoro reported in a day later, having ousted the corsairs from the northern Reach. The remaining significant corsair presence was now limited to Blacktide Den and the Mehtani Keys. Alendra and Anicara returned with Nerashi and Lonai reporting the successful eradication of the undead soldiers from the island.
They brought with them a re-enlisted Sunspear elementalist, Rojis, who had proved instrumental in removing the undead from the Issnur Isles. During this time, Jerek had taken great pleasure in assigning Rakiv, Kydar and Anorah numerous menial tasks. From protecting a shipment of dye to delivering a sword to Castellan Puuba in the Great Hall. Many of the missions were simply requests made by the towns people that Jerek chose not to deal with. After a week of Kormir's absence things had generally fallen to a lull, and the crew found themselves without assignment, Jerek grudgingly granting them leave time.
The group relaxed in Rakiv's quarters, formerly Kormir's quarters which the Spearmarshal had bequeathed to her friend to prevent Jerek from defacing the chambers. This too had been a point of contention with the new acting Spearmarshal, and Rakiv had found great joy in rubbing the belligerent man's nose in it. Alendra lounged on large couch, eyes closed as she relaxed and hummed softly to herself. Kydar and Anicara sat at the round stone table in the center of Kormir's sitting room, the younger elementalist rather fascinated by some of the texts Kydar had laid out before him.
"And this is an attunement spell?" the girl asked the male.
"Indeed it is," Kydar nodded, turning the page, "This is one I'd recommend you practice, it'll help you mitigate the drain your spells have on you."
"I will," she nodded, reading carefully the instructions printed in the book.
"Lets see…" the scribe muttered, perusing the numerous books he had brought with him, "I'd also suggest having a look through this one. It might have a spell or two you can pick up. And you should read… chapter sixteen in this one," he said, flipping through a large text book, "It has a few more tips on energy management."
"Thank you," she smiled, and colored slightly, "I never had any real 'formal' training, just always had the knack and sort of picked up things when I could."
"Well then you must be a real natural," Kydar chuckled, "You cast well."
"Thanks," she chuckled, "Any other tips you got?"
"Mmm, wish I had something here on Necromancy… but that was never one of my fields of study," he frowned at his books, "But I know somebody who might, I'll mention something about it in my next letter."
"Thank you," she smiled, turning her attention back to the book.
"So… anyone know what happened to Anorah?" Rakiv asked around a mouthful of apple as she exited Kormir's personal larder.
"She's been requesting missions from Jerek," Alendra spoke up, not opening her eyes, "Like the other acolytes have. They're real nuts about getting after those corsairs. I think the acting Spearmarshal has them stationed out in Dohjok."
"Doing what?" Rakiv asked, biting into her apple as she hoped down onto a couch.
"Hunting corsairs I think," Alendra shrugged, "Taking out the scouting parties to thin their numbers and cut off their information gathering."
"Hmm, not a bad plan I suppose," Rakiv nodded, biting into her apple again.
A rapid tapping came at the door, the knocker showing no sign of stopping or waiting for it to be answered.
"Mmmgh," Rakiv groaned lazily, "Butter, get the door."
The crocodile's hiss sounded from the balcony where he sunned himself, an obvious rejection of the command. The ranger sighed as she rose from the couch, tossing the core of her apple at him.
"Lazy reptile," she grumbled as she opened the door, "Oh, it's you."
"Hello Ranger Maelstrom," the messenger boy chirped happily, "I've got a new message!"
"Well let's hear it," Rakiv smiled.
"Right, ahem," the boy cleared his throat, raising the letter, " 'Get your ass down here. Now!'" the boy blinked in surprise and looked up at Rakiv, "It's signed 'Jerek'."
"Figures," Rakiv rolled her eyes, "I don't suppose he told you what he wanted."
"No ma'am" the boy responded, rolling up the letter, "Though he did say you would cover the delivery fee," he scratched the back of his head nervously.
"Of course he did," Rakiv rolled her eyes as she dug into her pouch and dropped several coins into the boy's hands, "There ya go."
"Thanks Miss Maelstrom!" he smiled broadly.
"Go on, get goin'," she smiled good naturedly.
"Yes ma'am!" the boy nodded eagerly as he turned and dashed off down the hall.
"C'mon guys," Rakiv sighed, retrieving her many belts and straps from the coat rack, "Best not be late for the new Spearmarshal."
"That guy is really starting to work my nerves," Anicara sighed, closing her book and binding it with her book strap.
"He does that to everyone," Alendra said, rolling off the couch and moving to retrieve her own weapons, "I heard that's why he was passed over for the job. The Council can't stand him."
"Gee, I wonder why," Rakiv muttered.
"Probably because he's so difficult and annoying," Kydar answered, oblivious to the ranger's sarcasm.
"Let's go," she sighed, shaking her head at the elementalist.
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"I'm telling you the truth!" an impassioned voice cried from the meeting hall, "I saw it with my own eyes! Heard it with my own ears!"
"What is it this time Jerek?" Rakiv interrupted, kicking the door open and striding in, "Are we babysitting someone's kid now?"
"That's Spearmarshal to you," Jerek responded venomously.
"Acting Spearmarshal, actually," Kydar corrected, "Which when you think about it, doesn't sound nearly as nice as Grand Spearmarshal."
Jerek glowered at the elementalist, but Kydar paid him no heed, turning to Rakiv as he continued his thought.
"In fact, it's almost like he's not really Spearmarshal at all," Kydar chuckled, "He's just filling the position for now because they couldn't come up with anyone better," he laughed.
"Enough!" Jerek slammed a fist into the table, and then pointed to the teenager across the table from him, "This youngster's been causin' trouble and panic all over the place. Spreading crazy rumors and what not. So she's your problem now. Keep an eye on her and shut 'er up!"
"Spearmarshal I'm telling you..!" the girl pleaded.
"And I'm telling you!" Jerek snapped, "You're makin' some serious accusations with no evidence whatsoever!"
"I have evidence!!" the girl protested with frustration, "But you won't listen!"
"Yeah? Well she will," he snarled, pointing at Rakiv, "Take care of this Maelstrom. I don't want to hear another damn thing about it!"
As he moved to storm out of the room Rakiv caught his arm by his bicep, preventing his exit.
"I want one of the Zaishen," she demanded.
"They're on another assignment," he replied, "And I need 'em where they are. If Kormir had trained any of these snot-nosed brats that call 'emselves 'Sunspears', I wouldn't need foreigners to defend this island!"
"I didn't ask where they were," Rakiv said, not looking at him as her grip tightened on his arm, "I said I want one of the Zaishen!"
"Soldier you're on thin ice! Now you either…" the man's tirade was cut off mid-sentence as Rakiv's grip clamped down even harder, causing enough pain to make him grunt and lean down in an attempt to escape her fist.
"I'm taking this off your hands," she said, "You give me something in return. So I say again," she growled, squeezing harder, "I want one of the Zaishen!"
The acting Spearmarshal grabbed her wrist, attempting to remove her hold. He was surprised to find her arm quite immovable, her fingers latched around his bicep and squeezing hard enough he began to fear the bone beneath would crack.
"Fine!" he shouted in surrender, "I'll give you the scythe-wielder! You can pick her up in Champions!"
"Thank you," Rakiv said, releasing the man's arm.
Jerek pulled away with a gasp, rubbing his arm and inspecting it to ensure she hadn't damaged him. A moment later he resumed his usual wrath and straightened himself, clearing his throat and attempting to glare intimidatingly at the ranger.
"As you were, acting Spearmarshal," Rakiv smiled sweetly.
Jerek sneered and swiftly turned away, storming out of the room swearing darkly. The ranger turned her attention to the girl at the table and pulled out a chair, plopping down and crossing her legs.
"So, who are you?" she asked.
"My name is Tahlkora," she said, "And I suspect the Warmarshal of treachery."
Rakiv arched an eyebrow. That was a big one. She had never been fully trusting of Varesh herself, but calling the Warmarshal of Kourna a traitor was a rather serious allegation. At this accusation the others quickly sat down, staring intently at the girl and waiting for her to continue.
"And you think this why?" Rakiv asked.
"I've… been spying on one of her generals," the girl admitted.
"Morgahn?" the ranger queried.
"Uh no, Kahyet," Tahlkora corrected, "Ever since they got here, Kahyet's been acting suspicious. She kept asking around about ancient sects, lost knowledge… and this thing called Nightfall."
"I heard about that," Kydar nodded, "She was asking the Astralarium scholars about it."
"Well, I managed to catch up with her and follow her here in the city, a little over a week ago," she continued, "I tailed her into the Consulate and had to sneak inside. She met with the Warmarshal and they were talking. I… couldn't quite hear everything. Kahyet mentioned that the Sunspears had destroyed Fahranur, but said that they got what they needed from something called 'Apocrypha'."
Glances were traded all across the table, though no one interrupted the girl's tale.
"And I heard the word Nightfall," she said, "But I heard a guard coming so I had to get out quick. About five days ago I picked up her trail again and followed her all the way out to the Mehtani Keys. And I saw her meeting with a corsair!"
"A pirate?" Rakiv asked, brow furrowing curiously.
"Yeah!" the teenager nodded, "I couldn't hear what they said, they were too far away. But Kahyet handed him something and then as he was leaving she shouted, 'The others have the rest!'"
"The rest of what?" Alendra questioned.
"This," Tahlkora said, spreading a scroll fragment on the table.
The group leaned in, peering at the scrap of parchment. It appeared to be part of a drawing of some sort, or perhaps a painting. Its work was elaborate, but without the rest of the scroll it was impossible to decipher what it was.
"Cryptic," Anicara commented.
"How'd you get that?" Rakiv asked.
"Well when Kahyet was gone, I followed the pirate," Tahlkora admitted, smiling sheepishly, "And when he stopped to ah… relieve himself, I hit him over the head."
"Sneaky," Kydar laughed.
"Well while he was out, I searched him and found this," she said, "I took his sword too, but it wasn't marked or anything, so if I brought that back it could have been anybody's sword, so I chucked it in the ocean. He came to pretty quickly though, and I was about to Smite him but he kicked me and ran away."
"You got lucky…" Anicara murmured.
"Yeah, I guess," she nodded, "But as he ran away he dropped this too."
She placed a small item on the table. The group again leaned in to examine the object she had brought forth. It was a Kournan silver coin, with the profile of the Warmarshal beaten into its surface.
"I mean," Tahlkora said, "What's a corsair doing with Kournan coins? The Warmarshal's kept them out of Kourna since she's held the position!"
"I did hear that a corsair fleet had made landfall on the Barbarous Shore," Alendra offered.
"But these Corsair's have been on Istan for the last month!" Tahlkora protested, "Someone had to give him these coins! And it wouldn't have been an Istani."
"True…" Rakiv said, "We trade with gold coins here… and a corsair would know that."
"See!? It is suspicious!" Tahlkora insisted, "Look, when she said the 'others', I think she was talking about the other pirate captains. I was looking at this and I think it's a piece of a map, but the other pieces were given to the other captains."
"Why?" Kydar asked, "Where would she send them?"
"I think…" Tahlkora paused, "I think the general has been paying the corsairs the whole time, to attack Istan. I think this map is supposed to tell the captains where to meet to receive further orders from the general."
Rakiv sat back in her chair. No wonder Jerek had tried to brush the girl off. This was a serious claim, that required serious proof. The ranger clicked her tongue. Varesh had always been ruthless when it came to what she wanted… but this was a little far even for her. People had died because of this… and the part of her that knew the old Varesh wondered if the Warmarshal had finally fallen so low.
"Well if it's pirate captains we're looking for…" Rakiv said slowly, "There's only three places they can be. If they were in Dohjok or the Reach, they're already dead. Dunkoro's been in charge of removing bodies, and he's enough of a detail freak that he'd have picked up on this if any of the captains had these pieces on them when they died."
"So then they must be either in Blacktide Den…" Kydar theorized, "Or the Mehtani Keys."
"I'm betting the Keys," Rakiv's eyes narrowed in thought, "The corsairs that were driven into the Bog were mostly deckhands and the like… from what I hear the captains stayed on their ships."
"Which would be the same ships that dropped anchor in the Keys," Alendra nodded.
"We'd better get going if we want to catch them," Kydar added, "Who knows when this meeting is."
"Agreed," Rakiv nodded, "Tahlkora, can you lead us to where you found that corsair captain?"
"Yes I can!" she nodded, gathering her materials and stuffing them in her bag.
"Then welcome to the group," the ranger smiled, "Quick introductions, that's Kydar, Alendra, Anicara and this is Butter."
The crocodile croaked in greeting and promptly turned away to waddle towards the doors.
"Very nice to meet you all," she smiled giving a small bow.
"Nice to meet you too," Alendra responded cheerfully.
"Move out team," Rakiv said, "If Tahlkora's right, I don't want these pirates getting away."
The party filed out of the room, Kydar pausing to pick up his book and then turning to look back at the table. Anicara sat completely still, having said almost nothing during the conversation. Now she stared into the wood grain of the table, apparently lost to her own thoughts.
"Anicara?" Kydar asked.
The girl jumped slightly, as though woken from a dream as she turned and looked up at him. Kydar arched an eyebrow, his mesmer senses detecting an odd swell of unhappy emotion in the girl. He immediately quelled the probing tendrils of psychic magic and motioned to her.
"You comin'?" he asked.
"Oh… yes," she nodded, rising from her chair, "I'm coming."
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The Xunlai guild proved to be helpful, teleporting the party to Champion's Dawn where Acolyte Basilisk reported for duty. Unfortunately due to a sudden increase in corsair activity, Xunlai agents had been pulled out of the southern towns for their own safety. With no other options for reaching their destination the party set out on foot, trekking to the Dohjok coast and on through the Issnur Isles. Night had begun to fall when they finally trudged out of the sandy lowlands and into the hamlet of Kodlonu.
As the southernmost town on the island, Kodlonu Hamlet was known for the fierce seasonal storms it weathered. Its people were largely fishermen and scavengers, cooperating with the nearby Kupungu Village in retrieving wreckage found in the surf, and 'liberating' goods from the corsair ships that often dropped anchor nearby. As such, their market was the best place on the island to find any of the rare goods that the Kamadan port authority had spurned.
"I hear their shrimp is pretty good too," Kydar added as an after-thought.
"Yeah well I doubt we'll be getting any," Rakiv said as they strode in through the gates.
It only took one glance to tell that something was very wrong in the village. The marketplace was all but abandoned, and townsfolk were rushing quickly through the hamlet carrying baskets and buckets of water. The party followed the commotion to the village's east gate, where a crowd of people gathered around some unseen spectacle. The Sunspears paused, watching for a moment before Rakiv spoke up.
"Better get their attention Alendra," she said to the paragon.
"Right," the other woman nodded as she stepped forward and cleared her throat, "Hello! I am First Officer Sunspear Castellan Alendra Soleer, what seems to be the problem here?"
"Sunspears?" came a voice as the crowd parted and all turned their attention to the party, "Oh thank Dwanya we're saved."
Rakiv muttered darkly under her breath, but stepped forward to speak aloud.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"You women get those men up," an elder ordered to the people, "See that they're well tended to."
The elder strode towards them, leaning slightly on the cane he carried as he gave a heavy sigh and gestured for them to follow him.
"It is good that you have come Sunspears," he said, "I am Elder Olunideh. Please, follow me."
The party followed the elder to a large shady circle, in which burned a great bonfire. As the evening dusk deepened, the fire threw its erratic light across the village, providing them with illumination by which to converse.
"We are a strong village," he said, "Corsairs have been a part of our lives since most of us were born. But ever since the invasion, things have gotten worse and worse."
"How do you mean?" Kydar asked.
"At first it was just raids," Olunideh said, "Small bands looking to steal our catches or sink our boats. Then they started taking people, some of our women were kidnapped when they went out to wash the tents. And then the attacks came, they set up camp right outside the village and would attack anyone who dared come near the gate."
The elder paused, taking a deep breath as he turned to stare into the fires.
"A few days ago, my son Rahlon and some of our strongest men went out to drive them off," the elder said, "They slew many of those vile miscreants and sent the rest packing. We'd hoped those pirates had learned a lesson about venturing too close to us."
"Knowing corsairs, they didn't," Alendra sighed.
"No, no they did not," the elder said, "And today they ambushed my son and his crew while they were busy fishing. They beat them… terribly, and I now pray to the gods for Rahlon's life… though now I wish that was the only trouble we faced."
"What else is there?" Rakiv asked.
"The corsair's sent a runner to deliver a message," Olunideh said, withdrawing a small scroll and handing it to the ranger, "They say that by this time tomorrow, our village shall be burned to the ground. They will slay our men and take our women and children as slaves. We are to be made example of, to show Istan what happens to those who defy the Fleet."
"It says they'll attack at first light," Rakiv read from the scroll and blinked, "Why would they give you a warning like this?"
"Because they know we cannot run," the elder replied sadly, "The Issnur Isles have become increasingly hostile, and our villagers could not make such a perilous journey. They want us to be afraid, to cower so that when they come… they may revel in our terror."
"Huh," Rakiv said, perusing the scroll once more before rolling it up, "Well that's unfortunate for them. They just told me when to strike and who to kill."
"What do you mean?" Kydar asked as the ranger rose to her feet.
"As soon as it's dark, we move out," she said, "Cut them off before they make their attack."
"Right but… who are we going to kill?" Kydar blinked.
"Well… everyone," she admitted, "But in particular, the fool that signed this note."
"Commander Werishakul?" Alendra asked, squinting at the scrawl.
"Yup," Rakiv said, "And I'm willing to bet the captains we're looking for are going to be among that lot."
"Two birds one stone," Kydar nodded, "This could work out well."
Nods were had all around. The plan seemed simple enough. Strike while the pirates were busy preparing, take out their leader, problem solved. Abruptly the blue eyed water mage stood up and turned away.
"Excuse me…" she muttered hurriedly before taking off into the gloom.
"It… seems Anicara has left the party," Rakiv commented with an arched a brow.
"What happened?" Alendra turned, looking around in confusion.
"She looked like she was shaking," Tahlkora said worriedly, "Is she alright?"
"I'll see if I can find her," Kydar grunted, getting to his feet, "You guys go over the plan and fill us in."
"Mmkay," Rakiv nodded.
The elementalist strode off into the village, illuminating his forehead jewel with a burst of flame as he searched for their missing party member. Rakiv turned her attention back to the elder and gave him a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry about a thing," Rakiv said.
"I won't," Elder Olunideh nodded, "Because my men and I are going with you."
"But… that's what we're here for," Rakiv balked, "So you don't have to…"
"Some of those men with Rahlon were fathers," Olunideh said, "And now their sons are baying for blood. We are a proud village, carving out our existence against evil men and fickle Nature. These corsairs have dishonored us, let us regain that honor."
"My team works best on its own," Rakiv sighed, "I can't promise you no one will die…"
"And we would not ask for such a vow," the elder nodded, "We ask only that if we must die, that it be vanquishing those who have raised their swords against us."
"Very well elder," Rakiv bowed slightly, "Tell your men to prepare themselves well. We move in an hour."
"Thank you Ranger Maelstrom," the elder said, before striding away.
On the far side of the village, the young elementalist sat behind a large rock, the boulder shielding her from the rest of the village. Small sobs wracked the girl's frame as she pounded a fist angrily into her bare thigh.
"Gods why!" she hissed lowly, "Why him!? Why did he have to be here…?"
Her hands moved to her head, eyes squeezed shut against the tears that spilled out as she shook her chocolate locks back and forth.
"You can do this… you can do this!" she snapped at herself, "You're stronger now… you're a Sunspear for Grenth's sake!"
For a moment the shaking stilled and her breathing slowed. A knot welled in her throat and the girl did her best to hold herself together, but was overwhelmed as another outburst poured forth.
"Oh gods… gods, gods no…" she whimpered, "I can't… it's him… I…"
"It's who?" a soft voice spoke from over the rock.
The girl jumped and whirled around, looking up to find nothing but open sky and tree branches swaying overhead. She leaned to her left, peering around the rock… to catch sight of the dark skinned elementalist sitting on the other side of her boulder. Immediately she snapped back to her side, eyes wide and cheeks coloring deeply with embarrassment. With a soft sniffle she wiped her face and managed to speak.
"H-how…" she shuddered, "How long… have you been sitting there?" she asked.
"Not long," he said, "I came looking for you, and I heard crying."
"Oh…" she sniffed, wiping at her eyes again, "Great. Just… great."
"You know… I've been thinking," Kydar said, "As a group, we work pretty well together. But I think the 'don't ask, don't tell' atmosphere is beginning to mess with our equilibrium."
Anicara was silent, sniffing a little as she folded her hands in her lap. The momentary distraction of the man's voice was welcomed, but the deep disturbance within her remained. A moment passed before the scribe continued.
"I hate corsairs," he said, "Really. I sometimes wonder if I even see them as people. Just mindless, ravenous dogs that need to be put down. When I fight… I fight to win. I always see two sides… me and the good guys, and the enemy. But… with corsairs it's different."
Anicara half turned her head, brow scrunching slightly in curiosity.
"When I was little, I grew up in Vabbi," he said, "My father was the son of a wealthy merchant, my mother a dancer in a gypsy caravan. My father ran away from his estate to marry my mother, and he joined her troupe, I think he said he was a clown, cause there wasn't anything else he could do," he chuckled.
Anicara smiled slightly, but said nothing as she waited for the other elementalist to continue.
"Well after they had me, dad said they knew I was 'special'," he said with a chuckle, "Apparently I had some skill as a psychic when I was really little, premonitions and all that. So when I was four, they gave me own little bit in the caravan's circus. Wrapped me up in a turban, gave me a little crystal ball and I would tell people's fortunes."
Anicara giggled slightly at the mental image of a small Kydar attempting to divine the future from an orb of glass.
"It was fun, and it was good. I was a happy little psychic," he chuckled, "But, as the case always seems to be, one day something went terribly wrong."
"… what happened?" Anicara asked tentatively.
"We were performing on the Marga Coast, down by the sea," he said, "And… we were attacked. No one knew why or where they came from… but suddenly there were corsairs… everywhere. They killed people, burned the tents… I don't remember much but, I do remember the screaming."
The water mage bit her lip, it seemed like a terrible fate for any child to suffer.
"I of course was scared to death and ran to find my mother," he said, "When I reached the ring, the corsairs had killed just about every one. But my mother was there and… they were all over her, grabbing and tearing at her clothes and…" he paused, closing his eyes, "One way or another, I guess she fought hard enough to be too much trouble… I dunno. All I remember of that was… the sound the sword made when he…"
Anicara crept from behind her rock, slipping to the other side. She'd been afraid that, like her, he'd begun to cry. But when she looked upon him his face was calm, to the point of being deadened, his hazel eyes staring off into the night as he tried to recount the distant memory.
"I don't know if it actually happened… or if it was some kind of magic mental link but…" he said, "I swear that before she died, she looked at me and said… 'Be strong'."
The elementalist blinked rapidly, as though returning from a dream and gave a slow nod.
"After that, everything blanks," he said, "The next thing I remember is my father, picking me up and carrying me away. I looked back, over his shoulder. The corsairs were all dead… every last one of them. And oddly enough… they were burning."
Anicara tilted her head in curiosity, and then understood. Moments of excitement or terror were often when young elementalists first awakened to their control over the elements.
"Dad says that when he found me I was on my hands and knees, casting like there was no tomorrow and screaming gibberish," Kydar shrugged, "But all I remember were those last two words… Be strong."
Silence descended over the mages for a long time, broken only by the noise of crickets and the sounds of the village in the distance. After several minutes, Kydar turned and looked down at Anicara, who gave a small sigh.
"I come from a small village on the Barbarous Coast," she said slowly, "Not a great place to grow up, but… it was home. Things were never good there, but it got much worse when the corsairs took things over. I was only a very little girl at the time, but a couple captains came with their crews, and pretty much swallowed the local gangs alive."
She paused, glancing up at him. Eyes of piercing hazel stared back down at her, a gaze that was almost haunting in its intensity. She immediately looked away and continued.
"I… wasn't there but, I'm told that it was the corsairs who killed my father," she said with a small sigh, "But I was too young to even remember him. The pirates made our lives hard though… I hated them, always did. They took what they wanted, bullied us around, treated us like slaves…"
She stopped again, this time to take a deep breath and look off in the other direction, if only to avoid the stare of the Vabbian scribe.
"When my mother became ill, they wouldn't allow any healers into the village, told me that the herbs and medicines we had were good enough," she said, "They've done that to everyone… just let them die of these horrible diseases that could be cured if only they would allow a healer to come. I begged them, and they told me I'd have to pay… but we have no way of getting money. Kourna's not the best place to work and the only job I could get anyway would be…. indecent."
"So… you ran away to Istan?" he asked.
"The medicines they have will keep her alive," Anicara said, "But I haven't got much time. I just… have to get the money together and pay their price. I had hoped that becoming a Sunspear would make me strong enough to fight back… maybe drive them off. But… I'm still terrified of them… all of them."
There was silence between them for a long time until Kydar finally spoke.
"If you can't go, you can stay here," he said, "I'll talk to Rakiv if you want."
"No," she said firmly and quickly, "No… no I have to do this," she said more softly, "I'm a Sunspear now, and I've got a duty to do. Don't worry… I won't screw this up."
"Alright, if you say so," he nodded, "Better get ready though. Rakiv wanted to move out soon."
"Yeah," she nodded, standing up and wiping her face again, "Lemme just go grab my things."
The girl hurried away, the firelight flickering over her as she headed across the village. Kydar rose to his feet and dusted his hands, giving a small sigh and scratching his head.
"Was that story true?" came Rakiv's voice from where she leaned behind a tree.
"Yes," Kydar admitted, "But hers wasn't."
"What makes you say that?" the ranger asked, stepping from behind cover to stand next to him.
"Mesmer," he chuckled, tapping his temple, "But you can hear it in her voice, and she couldn't look at me while she was talking. Even she doesn't believe that story."
Rakiv nodded slowly and bit her lip thoughtfully.
"We should leave her here," the ranger said.
"Perhaps…" Kydar muttered, "But I think we should bring her. We can't afford to be a man down anyway."
"She's a liability like this," Rakiv responded.
"I'll keep an eye on her," he assured her, "But we need her casts out there, especially against the numbers we're facing."
"Fine…" Rakiv said, chewing her lip, "But she's your responsibility."
"As you wish," he nodded with a small bow.
"Get ready," she ordered, "We move in twenty."
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The waters of the Mehtani Keys were beautiful at night. During the day they sparkled like diamonds underneath the blazing sun that ruled the blue skies. But at night, the waters were like a calm sea of glass, reflecting the stars far above. The only other lights came from the large campfires that burned on the shores of the great dunes that rose out of the blue water. The corsairs were quite pleased with themselves. What had begun as a simple mission to beat the snot out of some upstart villagers, had ended in the procurement of an entire day's catch of fish. The pirate crews had set to the bounty with a will, and most now lay about, munching lazily on the fruits of their shipmates labors.
Around one of these fires sat the commander in charge of the small fleet that had put down in the Key. Werishakul studied his map fragment, stroking his beard thoughtfully as he examined it. The Kournan general had been none too specific, but their orders were to meet with Captain Mindhebeh, to whom she had given the final piece of the scroll. The other pieces had been spread out among Werishakul's own captains, whom he had scattered across the Key to prepare for the morning's invasion. To the north he had stationed Captain Blood Farid and Cursed Salihm to watch the aggravating Kupungu Village. To the western coves he had sent his apprentice, Kahli the Stitched and the mysterious pirate known only as The Dark Blade.
Only days ago the pirates had found the remains of a ship wreck, that contained truly staggering amounts of precious jadite, a entire fortune just sitting there on the beach. The ship had also contained an enchanted chest of some sort, that appeared to spout forth valuables once each day. Werishakul had kept this for himself, reasoning that there was no limit to what sort of goodies the chest could provide him with. All in all, the pirate commander was greatly enjoying himself. It had been well over a month since they first put down here, and their first few encounters with the Sunspears had been hard. But it seemed that the Order had realized they were no match for the cunning and brutality of real fighters. Now all that was left was to crush these foolish townsfolk under their heel. Oh yes, that would enjoy.
As he stared out into the dark placid waters, he was reminded that only minutes ago he had sent out a runner to tell Farid and Salihm to burn Kupungu to the ground. The flames of the village would be visible even from the other side of the Keys. It was a spectacle he intended to enjoy. He was greatly surprised therefore, to see no fires and yet witness the sprinting figure of his runner dashing back into camp.
"What's this then!?" he snapped, "Didja deliver my orders?"
"I… I ran out there sah," the runner wheezed and panted, "But there weren't no one ta give orders to!"
"Whaddya mean by tha'?" Werishakul growled angrily standing up, "Tell it straight now!"
"There weren't no one left boss!" the runner protested, "Everyone's dead! All of 'em! Cap'n Farid were shot through the 'eart 'e was!"
"Ratswabble!" the commander swore, "T'aint ne're been nobody as could outshoot Cap'n Farid!"
"I brought back the arrer sah!" the runner said, offering a crimson fletched shaft to the commander.
Werishakul studied the arrow for a moment, fingertips exploring the feathers. Something was wrong… something worse than his captains being killed by unknown assailants. The villagers couldn't have done this, and if the Sunspears had attacked his watchmen would have noticed it. Or would they?
"Ensign Bechet!" he shouted to the top of the dune, "Be ye keepin' a weather eye!?"
"Aye commander!" came the call from the look-out, who quickly scrambled to his feet in an attempt to appear alert.
"Aye," Werishakul snorted derisively, "Then tell me ensign, d'ye see the fires o' Dark Blade and Kahli's camp?"
"Oh yes sah I…" the lookout began as he turned around and stopped mid-sentence, "Why… no sah! They was there a minute ago I swear! D'ye think they doused their lights?"
A cold wind whistled over the dunes as Werishakul drew his wand from his coat. There was magic afoot. With a sudden hiss the bonfires around the camp went out and a rush of biting cold flew over them as the camp filled with a thick Steam. The commander ground his teeth as visibility was all but destroyed, the mist so thick he could scarcely see his hand in front of his face.
"To arms lads!" he shouted, "To aaaarms!"
There was a sing of steel as weapons were drawn, a song that was quickly followed by silence. An odd zipping noise came from above and the pirates looked up, able only to see lights through the mist, until a volley of flames rained down upon them. Shouts and screams went up as the pirates scurried clear of the area before a sudden war cry went up from behind them. The clash of steel, the wet choke of death and the pounding of oncoming footsteps reached the commander's ears. The distinct and terrible sing of a scythe blade whistled through the air, ending in a bloody squeal from the dervish's victim. He was blind, his crew was dropping like flies, and enemies had surrounded them. Werishakul was not enjoying himself.
With no other options, he turned to make his escape. Boats were waiting by the jetty to take the crew back to ship. If he could just get to open water he would be safe. He just had to get there! The man ran, as fast as his legs could carry him, the sounds of the slaughter behind him still ringing in his ears. And then something else pricked his hearing, a loud voice filled with rage and hatred.
"Werishakul!!" the cry came.
The shout was accompanied by a whistle, a noise that grew closer before sending horrible pain through the pirate's leg. The corsair cried out in agony as the ice spear hit its mark, puncturing clean through his calf. The man fell to the ground, rolling in the sand as he grit his teeth against the ice shard that had shattered his limb. Footsteps came pounding across the sand, and the pirate managed to roll to one knee, raising his graven icon and holding it forth as it glowed with malefic green light.
"Thy courage and thy life be overcome by Faintheartedness!" he shouted the curse.
The charging woman immediately gave a shriek of pain, clutching her chest as she stumbled to her knees in the sand. Werishakul grunted, pushing himself up and leaning heavily on his cane as he limped towards his target, holding his focus icon forward and ready to curse her again.
"So," he chuckled, "Them villagers called in Sunspears? Sneaky lot ye be. I 'magine mah cap'ns be lyin' in the surf by now."
The elementalist grit her teeth, grunting against the curse that drained her and looked up to give him a hate filled stare. The commander stopped, his icon lowering as his dark eyes widened with surprise and excitement.
"Well, well," he grinned, "Blow me down n' keelhaul me mother. If it ain't little Blue-Eyes."
The woman suddenly overcame her pain, a frost gathering to her fingertips and forming another spear of ice. The commander proved swifter, thrusting his icon and calling forth his magic again.
"Lock bones unto flesh by Rigor Mortis!" he snapped.
The girl gasped, her body freezing immediately. She grunted, visible effort showing on her face as she attempted to raise her spear to strike him. The commander laughed, the curse holding her fast as he brushed back her bangs with the end of his wand.
"It is you Blue!" he cackled, "Looks like Grenth ain't gotcha yet!"
"I'm… going… to kill you!" she snarled hatefully.
"Aww c'mon Blue," he chuckled, tipping her head up with the end of his wand, "How long's it been? Two years? Three? By the looks o' things, ye've been well."
The wand tip wandered down her neck, over her collar and down the line of her cleavage.
"Very well…" he grinned lecherously.
Anicara gave a wordless snarl, her body jerking as she attempted to lunge at him, though the curse still held her limbs locked. Werishakul smirked as he inspected her, his wand tapping her as his eyes roved over her body.
"Ne're thought I'd see them pretty eyes ag'in," he chuckled, "Fer such a gangly li'l thing, ye've shore grown. Looks like ye learned a new trick or two."
A blow from his wand scornfully smashed her spear, and another knocked her staff from her grip. The girl trembled, body locked as she kneeled helplessly in the sand, crystal eyes beginning to water as she glared daggers at him.
"But then, so 'ave I," he crooned, leaning closer, "Would ye like ta see a few?"
"Go to torment!" she snapped, managing to spit in his face.
The pirate grimaced and moved to wipe his beard, only to find the mucus ball had been imbued with just enough of her magic to make it crystallize. Angrily he broke the offending ice chunk and tossed it aside, raising his icon and making it glow once more.
"Be ye weakened by an Enfeebling Touch," he snarled, pressing the icon to her forehead.
A tremor shot through the girl's body, pain coursing through her stiffened limbs. Anicara's eyes closed as she grit her teeth against the torture, feeling her strength beginning to leave her.
"I'm goin' ta do now what I shoulda done long time ago," he murmured with malicious sweetness, "I'm goin' ta kill you Blue."
A gasp came from between her set teeth as he increased the force of the curse, redoubling the pain that shot through her body. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled, the Rigor Mortis wearing off but her body still weakened by his craven touch.
"But first, I wanna hear it one more time," Werishakul grinned wickedly, "Just one more time Blue. Scream for me."
Anicara clamped her lips shut, her form trembling weakly. It was happening again, all over again. Her years of work and training meant nothing if this was how it ended… at the hands of one who had caused her all this suffering before. But she would not scream, could not scream. Not now… not again.
The pirate curled the icon into his grip as he moved his hand lower, pressing two fingers to her chest and licking his lips evilly.
"Now cease thy beating, ye Poisoned Heart…" he incanted.
Just as the magic welled to his fingertips he felt his limbs begin to tingle. With a sudden rush his spell was stolen, ended before it could be cast. Violet crackled at the edge of his vision as a Power Spike surged through him. The commander stumbled backwards, gasping with pain as he raised his wand defensively, preparing another curse to fling at whomever this new assailant was. The words had yet to leave his lips when the spell died within him, and violet swarmed over his vision again. A funnel of violet leapt from his chest, carrying the remainder of his energy with it. Werishakul fell onto his injured leg, screaming with pain as he watched the purple funnel fly into the palm of a tall dark skinned elementalist.
Kydar clamped his fist shut, absorbing the energy of the Power Drain as he advanced on the wounded pirate officer. Werishakul tried to rise, and Kydar paused, thrusting forth his palm as a purple glyph inscribed itself on his hand.
"They knowledge thy skill, it quails and it dies,
As I sunder thy spells with a Wastrel's Demise!"
The corsair's sight was consumed by purple energy as the whispers of his curses' incantations rose in his ears. With terrible force each one was suddenly silenced as a scream of psychic energy tore through his mind, blasting him in rapid succession as the scribe's hex turned the commander's magic against him. Kydar strode past Anicara, his glyph covered palm brushing her shoulder as he went. Ethereal violet shards broke from around her body as the hexes upon her shattered and the elementalist girl was released.
Wounded and in terrible pain, Werishakul's vision slowly cleared as he felt a strong hand tear off his turban and grip him by the skull. He opened his eyes to an enraged pair of piercing hazel eyes, the irises of which were slowly turning purple as Kydar stared holes into him.
"Anicara?" he asked, "You okay?"
The water mage could only cough as she fell to her hands and knees, choking and retching slightly as she gasped. Feeling returned to her body the dull throbbing slowly receding until the pain within her faded away. A moment later she felt a feather light touch on her shoulder, blue light washing across her as Tahlkora knelt beside her.
"She'll be alright," Tahlkora reassured.
"Everybody here?" Rakiv called out as she bounded up to the group.
"One of the captains did not have a scroll piece in his possession," Anorah reported quietly.
"Does he have one?" Rakiv asked, nodding to the commander Kydar held captive.
The scribe dug into Werishakul's coat pockets, tossing various items out on the ground before finally retrieving the scrap of parchment. He extended his find to Rakiv, never taking his eyes from the commander.
"That makes… five," Rakiv said taking it, "Looks like we still need one more."
"I'll bet he knows," Alendra nodded, pointing her spear at the commander.
"Well?" Kydar snapped at the pirate.
"He-he-he…" Werishakul cackled, "Brave o' ye boy, sticking up fer the pretty girl like that. Make ye feel like a man do it?"
Kydar's response was to tighten his grip, sending a surge of violet psychic energy into the pirate's skull. Werishakul's eyes went wide as the explosion of energy behind his eyeballs wracked his mind.
"Probably about as much as torturing her made you feel like one," Kydar replied, "Where's the last piece of the scroll?"
"I… got nothin' ta say ta ye, boy," Werishakul spat.
"As you wish," Kydar responded, his grip tightening again as his hand glowed purple.
Werishakul stiffened and his breathing turned to labored choking as his eyes rolled backwards. The scribe tore through the pirate's mind, casting aside the memories and knowledge he did not need until he seized upon the scrap of information he sought.
"Blacktide," Kydar said, "Captain Mindhebeh, he's in Blacktide Den."
"Then he's our next target," Rakiv said, "Excellent work team."
"What do we do with him?" Alendra asked, looking at the pirate.
"We see what else he knows," Kydar said.
"Kydar… you hit him pretty hard earlier," Tahlkora spoke up meekly, "I'm no mesmer but… the mind can only take so much."
"Then he's no use to us anyway, is he?" the scribe replied coldly, giving the corsair a shake, "What else do you know!?" he demanded, delving deeper into the pirate's abused cranium.
"I… done mah duty…" Werishakul babbled, the blood vessels trembling in the whites of his eyes, "I done mah duty… I done mah…"
"Tell me!" the scribe snarled, "Or by Lyssa's mask I will show you torture! Tell me!!"
"Kydar!" Rakiv shouted.
The scribe whipped his gaze to her, and his eyes ceased to glow. He returned his glance to the pirate to find the man's eyes rolled back into his head and blood running from his nose.
"He's done. Kill him or leave him," Rakiv ordered as she turned away, "And let's move out."
The party turned to follow, Tahlkora helping Anicara to her feet and handing the other girl her staff. Anicara's fingers curled around the metal pole, trembling slightly though she gave a smile of thanks to the priestess. Kydar gave a snort of disgust and gave the corsair a shove, leaving him to crumple to the sand. The elementalist turned away, holstering his wand and striding after the others, grumbling slightly under his breath. Anicara was the last to leave, taking one parting look at the visage of the beaten man lying upon the sand. He seemed so much weaker now… and yet this was still the man who had once haunted her every waking moment. But he was defeated now, bleeding and broken. The girl forced herself to turn away, assuring herself that no longer would the memories of him stalk her in her sleep.
Werishakul's eyelids fluttered, his eyes rolling as his sight slowly returned. He had faced mesmers before, knew many in his wicked life and seen a number of methods. But that… that had been something different, pain and terror like he'd never known. It was almost as though the scribe had known exactly how to torment him most. The scribe had, however, made one mistake. Werishakul wasn't dead yet. The evil commander pushed himself up on one elbow, raising his icon to bestow the strongest curse he could muster.
"Beyond healing, and cleansing. Beyond all art, I bind thee with…"
The spell was never completed. A shriek pierced the night as Anicara wheeled, faster than any of the party could grab her. With a wild leap the girl flung herself at the pirate, frost spiraling to her hand and forming her frozen lance as she landed on top of the commander. Werishakul's final words were cut off as the spear of ice pierced his chest, the sharp tip tearing through his spinal cord and silencing him forever. The last thing his dead eyes saw was the cold blue terror, anguish and hatred in the eyes of the girl who had ended him.
Anicara drew back her spear and thrust again, satisfied to hear the pirate's scream reach her ears. Her arm drew the spear back once more and thrust it forward again, warmth splashing across her face and arms as the commander screamed his agony. Again, and again, and again she stabbed. The lance broke, shattering under the strain, and still she thrust the jagged crystals into his torso, drawing screams with every stab. Suddenly hands were on her, and she struggled against them as they dragged her away. Her legs kicked at the man, the monster, the tormentor and she threw her ice shard in a last act of hateful defiance.
"Anicara!" a voice broke through the red haze.
With a gasp the girl came to, blue eyes wide as the somehow distant memory of who and where she was came rushing back. A horrified silence settled over the beach and the water mage looked down at herself. She was covered in blood, from her chocolate bangs to the straps of her shoes. She raised her gaze, crystal blues settling upon the mangled corpse of the corsair pirate. The pirate lay cold and silent, ice flecked holes perforating his body from her stabs. The first thrust had killed him instantly. It had been she who was screaming.
"Whoa, whoa!" Kydar exclaimed as the girl went slack, eyes rolling into her head as she collapsed unconscious to the sand.
All were silent as they surveyed the scene, even Anorah seeming slightly perturbed. Alendra finally managed to swallow and find her voice, licking dry lips as she gave words to the unspoken question.
"What…" she hesitated, "What the hell was that?"
The question was met only with silence, no one able to answer. What had begun as a retrieval and crisis aversion mission had become something much more, something almost terrifying.
"Orders… ma'am?" Anorah finally spoke, turning to Rakiv.
"Gather what you can…" Rakiv responded after a moment, "And move out… we're done here."
Alendra unbuckled her shield, laying it on the sand as Kydar and Tahlkora gently lifted Anicara's limp form onto it. Taking either end, Alendra and Kydar carried the shield as a stretcher, as the party fell in to formation and began the long walk back to Kodlonu Hamlet. With the help of the village men and the elder, the group had retrieved their map pieces and ended the corsair threat in southern Istan once and for all. Yet it was a grim and silent processional that made its way back into the village, no one daring to speak of the strange and terrible things that had happened that night in the Keys.