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Post by Aguila Saber on Jul 12, 2008 16:23:52 GMT -5
Westhaven, Lencia
Aguila turns over their instruments in her hands and concludes that they are nothing special. They are well made but that’s all that can be said about them. The instruments are all plain and functional.
“I think the Wind Blowers were more likely to have expressed themselves with clothes than their music,” Aguila says. “These are rather flamboyant dresses, and the clothing here looks quite expensive.”
“If you want something to not attract attention, put it in the open,” Tinto says. “Perhaps that was their tactics?”
“Possibly. Let’s see what they have on them. They talked about a good evening,” Aguila says.
Tinto and Aguila go through the bodies one by one. They discover additional pouches filled with silver, gold and gems no doubt taken from unsuspecting victims. There are a couple of loose bracelets and two of them look quite valuable, half a dozen rings, four valuable looking brooches, and a silver necklace.
“They’ve been busy,” Tinto comments.
“Seems their attention has been on anything but the music,” Aguila responds. “Let’s put these valuables aside. The authorities should be able to find the proper owners to it. Do you feel something around the man with the goat-beard?”
Tinto looks over to where the man is lying. “You mean like magic?”
“I sense something but I’m not sure what.”
“I noticed something as well. I think it is his clothes. His gloves or his belt, or both,” Tinto says.
Aguila removes the man’s gloves and belt and places them on a table. “There’s something about them, I think. We can check them later. It’s time for them to take a hanging in the prisoner cells now, and it’s high time I give those already there another dose of my music.”
*_*_*
Having imprisoned the five surviving Wind Blowers, Aguila and Tinto confer again on their next actions.
“Perhaps, it is time we go to the city guard?”
“One of us will have to stay, or we risk setting them all free. I guess that someone would have to be me,” Aguila says.
Tinto sighs but he has no desire to stay behind himself, so he resigns himself to let Aguila stay.
“Very well. I guess we can’t risk that. So where do you suggest?”
“My suggestion would be one of the clippers in the harbour with marines on board,” Aguila proposes.
“Why?” Tinto says.
“The local authorities and militia would be much more likely to have members in the guild we have not caught yet, or people with interests in the guild, or simply afraid of them,” Aguila says. “A visiting ship would be much safer in this regard.”
“Perhaps, but they would be unlikely to help wouldn’t they?”
Aguila nods. “You would probably have to use your family name. Perhaps you can ask at the Inn about someone influential who has been here a long time and has fallen on hard times recently.”
“Why the hard times?”
“Well, the guild seems to have been doing very well,” Aguila says.
“Point taken. I’ll take your advice and ask at the inn, and I know who to ask as well,” Tinto says.
“Make sure you wear ear protection when you return. I will play most of the time,” Aguila says.
“Will do,” Tinto says and gives Aguila a good-bye hug, which Aguila returns.
“Take care now,” Aguila says. “I’ll not be able to protect you until you come back.”
“I’ll be fine,” Tinto says smiling.
“I guess it is not impossible that some more will be returning soon so be extra careful when you leave and arrive so you don’t scare them away.”
To be continued.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Jul 15, 2008 11:49:09 GMT -5
Westhaven, Lencia
Aguila opts to dampen the lighting putting the prisons in complete darkness. Her music can only do so much and the prisoners in the cells have started to complain of thirst and hunger, yet these are wishes that fall on deaf ears. Aguila lights a few candles in select places so she can see people who enter and approach her and then she seats herself on the floor and play the drum. She has donned a robe that covers her feminine body and her facial features making it unlikely that anyone will be sure that she does not belong here from a distance.
Her assumption that soon more would follow proves correct. Two more entrances are made; both arrive alone and both are put to sleep by her music before they realize its purpose. Aguila knocks them out and ties them up in the main room, placing them behind a large workbench.
Then another three persons arrive in a group and Aguila can see when they arrive that they could prove more troublesome. The first in the group strides inside quickly and she can sense a fierce resistance to her music in their minds.
“Who are you? What are you playing?”
“I’m the visitor you all expected today,” Aguila says while continuing to beat the drum.
“Bentha from Illion?” the man asks. His voice doesn’t sound right to Aguila, and she thinks the male she overpowered outside had started to say a name at one point, and it was not the one this rogue mentions. Aguila shakes her head in response.
“Orana of Feravan?” the man says sounding suspicious. This name does sound like the one the male started on. Aguila motions for the male to come closer with one of her hands, while continuing the bear with the other. The man approaches.
“I didn’t know you were a drummer,” the man says taking a few steps closer. Behind him Aguila can see the next person approach and this one is much more powerful. Aguila lashes out with her shiel-fa and entangles the nearest man’s leg and then she pulls the chord. The man crashes heavily to the floor, while Aguila discards her drum and quickly rises. From inside the cells someone complains.
Aguila can see that her unexpected pull has winded the man and that he for the moment poses a small threat compared to the approaching person; a dark haired man with a determined expression.
“You are not Orana,” the man states while looking around suspiciously. “You are an intruder.”
“And with whom does the uninvited guest speak?”
“I will be asking the questions.”
“I am sure you will try,” Aguila says approaching the man. He starts chanting something. Aguila is too far away to use her shiel-fa so instead she jumps to one of the sides removing some of the light in the room, and then the man lets loose a fiery burst before him.
Aguila sees it coming and reacts quickly increasing her speed even further and rolling away from the centre of the burst and thus avoids the magical fire. The same can’t be said about the rogue on the floor who is lying in the perimeter of the burst and whose clothes catch fire. He screams and lights up the room.
Wasting no further time Aguila closes in on the man and jumps at his waist. The man is hit and they both tumble to the floor. Aguila recovers first and searches for an opening for her shiel-fa but when finding none she decides to settle for a close combat with her handbolts and fists in an attempt to take the wind out of the man before her.
She finds that he has placed a magical shield in place to protect him, but she shatters it with a few precise blows and then with an elbow to his stomach she gains the upper hand when the mage doubles up in agony. It was in the dead of time as well, Aguila felt something building up around the mage but her blow prevented the mage from attacking her with it. She takes hold of one of his arms and takes a submission hold on him.
Sweat breaks out on the mage’s face as he shouts at her that it hurts and commands her to stop. Aguila looks around to see where she has his two companions. One of them is still in the corridor, on the floor. He looks to have been taken out by her music although she reckons that he might wake up soon. The other male is still fighting the flames while rolling around on the floor, screaming. Not very successfully. He seems to be losing the fight against the flames.
“Arggghhh Stop it! You’re breaking my arm,” the mage says.
“Why, what a superb idea. Let me have a go at it,” Aguila says.
“Hold it. There is no reason we can’t discuss this,” the mage tries.
“You have little to offer me,” Aguila responds and shifts her grip. She doesn’t break the mage’s arm but she does plant another elbow in his stomach and then she relives him of his pains with a blow to his head. “There you are. This discussion is at an end.”
Aguila looks up to hear the man shrouded in the flame screams and then go still. Aguila takes up a blanket and douses the flames. She notices that the man is still alive though unconscious so she tries to relieve his pain with her healing ability.
To be continued.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Jul 19, 2008 15:41:30 GMT -5
Westhaven, Lencia
Presently, Tinto arrived with a haughty armoured man and four of his men. All five wore the same regimental colours. Tinto introduced him as Captain Perno. The Captain ignored Aguila and demanded to see the proof. Aguila in turn chose to ignore the captain and studied the reactions of the men.
Tinto showed the Captain the stolen items from the temple above, ledgers and books, the loot the thieves has amassed, but the Captain seems less than impressed.
“You’d better show him the trap-door,” Aguila says.
Tinto nods, and leads the Captain to the trap-door and opens it. The Captain looks down, then he harkles his throat.
“I’ve seen enough,” the Captain says with unsteady voice. “I will take care of this den of murderers. I presume you will want to retire for the night?”
Tinto nods.
“Very well, you are free to go. We will call on you later,” Captain Perno says.
“You have more men than this?” Aguila says. “Still some of them on the loose.”
“I have enough men,” the Captain replies. “We can handle this fine. Go back to your inn.”
Aguila was inclined to disbelieve the Captain. The men he had brought looked rather inexperienced to her. She doubted they would survive in a one-on-one fight with one of the thieves. Still, for the moment the guild members were neutralized so she decided to not argue the case and instead find her way back to the inn.
She notices that Tinto looks relieved when she moves towards the exit.
“Tired?” Aguila asks.
“Very,” Tinto agrees. “It’s past sunset already.”
“Let’s return to the inn then,” Aguila says looking over her shoulder where she sees the captain taking a closer look at the ledgers.
It was a chilly night, but Aguila didn’t mind. The desert can be chilly at night time as well, and the fresh air was a welcome relief from the air in the lair, which had felt stale to her.
On the way back Tinto told her what had happened while he had looked for someone suitable to take of the guild. It had proven harder than anticipated since his first two choices had proved to be out of town on a visit to the capital. The Captain is the commander of a small fort too the south of town, and was per chance staying in the hotel, while most of his men were billeted in cheaper accommodations nearby. Chance had it that they were doing their bi-weekly tour to Westhaven to replenish their supplies.
“The men looked like new recruits to me,” Aguila mentions.
“Oh? Well, I guess they were mostly here to drive wagons and carry provisions,” Tinto says and shrugs.
Upon reaching the inn they go directly to their room and turn in for the night. Each of them thinking about the events during the day and what tomorrow has in store for them.
To be continued.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Jul 21, 2008 16:49:43 GMT -5
Westhaven, Lencia
The night passes without further incidents. Aguila and Tinto eat a hearty breakfast in the inn and then leave for the market to make purchases for their journey to Vadera.
They visit the stables and come upon a small wagon complete with a yoke for a pair of horses, it is a simple wagon and the price is not too high only 200 Lune. The stable master gives them a proof of purchase and tells them that if they turn in the wagon in the stables in Vadera they will receive a refund of 150 Lune for the Wagon. Aguila is no expert in wagons so she lets Tinto inspect the wagon and make sure it is serviceable.
When the issue comes to inspecting the horses they need to draw the wagon, the roles are reverse. Aguila performs the inspection and the haggling of the price, until they settle for a price of 500 Lune for two good looking mounts. The stable master issues a proof of ownership for the horses and informs them that to sell the horses they need to retain this proof since no honest dealer will accept to buy horses without one. Tinto pays the stable master and accepts the documents the stable master issues, and it is agreed that they can leave the horses and the wagon in the stables for a few days until they decide to leave. “The stabling fee for the mounts is a mere 5 Lune per day,” the stable master informs them.
After having taken care of the transport, they go out in the market to purchase provisions. Mainly food but also gear for making the journey more comfortable. Having lived in the Telchos deserts for so long Aguila knows exactly what to look for, and makes sure that they have the needed equipment to make the journey more enjoyable.
During the day they return twice to the Inn and drop things off in their room in the inn.
In the evening they go to the Royal Heritage Garden and enjoy a tour there and rounds off the evening with a meal on a terrace with a good view of the gardens. The service, food and wine are all excellent.
“Whew!” Tinto says. “I’m glad I kept some of the gold the guild had. There is no way we could have afforded all this otherwise.”
“How much did you keep?” Aguila says frowning.
“Not much really. A few potions and a few semi-precious stones,” Tinto says. “None of it identifiable as belonging to someone. Did you keep anything?”
“I took a few things from the woman outside, as for down in the lair – nothing,” Aguila says. “I wonder how the captain is faring.”
“He should be fine,” Tinto says.
“I’m not so sure,” Aguila replies. “He didn’t make a competent impression on me.”
“We should hear from them soon,” Tinto says.
“Oh, why do you think so?”
“They probably want to ask us questions, or perhaps even give us a small reward,” Tinto suggests.
“I think we will hear of the authorities, but I’m a bit more dismal in what they may want,” Aguila says.
“You think something’s wrong?”
Aguila nods. “Yes, something’s not as it should.”
After the meal the two retire to the inn and retires for the evening. In the middle of the night, there is the sound of armed boots below. Aguila wakes up and listens to the foot-steps as they ascend the stairs to their level and then briskly walks along the corridor towards their room.
Aguila has a bad feeling about this.
To be continued.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Jul 26, 2008 13:36:04 GMT -5
Westhaven, Lencia
Ten seconds later a key is inserted in the lock to their room, there is a click and the door flings open revealing fully armoured soldiers who clamp into their room.
Aguila and a confused looking Tinto observe them from their beds. A gruff looking sergeant appears in the doorway.
“You two!” he bellows. “You are under arrest!”
“That’s preposterous,” Aguila says. “Who issued this order?”
“I did,” the sergeant says.
“And who are you?”
“I am Bentho Saltura, sergeant in the Lencian army,” the sergeant says.
“And what’s the charge?”
“Thefts and robberies,” Bentho replies.
“And what proof do you have of this?” Aguila asks.
“You’ve been making a lot of purchases in town through ill-gotten money.”
“I’m from a renowned family,” Tinto says. “Purchasing things is …”
“Enough talk. Get dressed. You can explain to the judge,” the sergeant says.
“The judge?” Tinto says surprised.
“He will hear your case, now get up!”
Reluctantly, Aguila and Tinto rose and dressed under the watchful eyes of the guardsmen. But they didn’t seem to be too watchful as none of them voiced any complaints when she put on her shiel-fa. They either didn’t recognize what it was, or they were staring themselves blind on the visible skin of her body, or possibly a combination thereof.
Aguila watched the guards under silence, saying very little and seizing them up carefully. Tinto continued to complain about this outrage but his complaints fell on death ears. Presently, they were ready to leave the room. Aguila asked about their equipment and was informed by the sergeant that the door would be locked again and a guard placed outside.
Tinto left the room first followed by two guards followed closely by Aguila. When Aguila passes the door she decides it is time for her to move. The guards still seem clueless as to what her shiel-fa is so she has been allowed to prepare the chords for a quick strike, and she decides to strike when she passes the door. She lashes out at the legs of the two guards before her and pulls the chords. Two seconds later the two guards fall to the floor voicing curses. They hit the floor awkwardly and with a dull metallic clang.
Aguila swiftly bends forwards and picks up one of the swords, while a foot to the stomach puts the second soldier out of action. She then turns to face the soldiers behind her, giving voice to a Battlecry.
The soldiers seem unsure and are reluctant to move forward and the sergeant is pale faced.
“Please put down that sword, miss” the sergeant stutters.
Aguila seems a bit taken by their reaction. “Perhaps you’d care to explain a few things then?”
The sergeant gulps and nods.
“Why do your soldiers shuffle uncomfortably in their armour as if it is the first time they wear armour?”
“Because it is the first time they wear them. They are usually workers.”
“But their armour seem to be the wrong sizes, and they are improperly dressed,” Aguila says.
“We were in a hurry,” the sergeant looks down. “We have simply been asked to take you to the judge for your own safety.”
“I take it you are not a sergeant either?” Aguila asks.
“That is correct. I’m one of the cooks in the garrison,” Bentho says.
“Why does the judge want to see us at this hour?”
“It is about the guild. Please, come with us?”
“What do you say Tinto? Are they from the guild or raw recruits?” Aguila asks looking them over suspiciously.
“Probably the guard. I think they would have fought or fled if they were from the guild,” Tinto says after a while.
“I take it something went wrong at the guild. How wrong?”
“We had taken most of them to the prison, but when we came back for one of the last batches we found the captain dead,” Bentho says.
Aguila eyes Bentho. “Very well. I will take your word for it. However, we will bring our personal items with us. I do not want to leave them here.”
Bentho nods and Aguila walks into the rooms and retrieves her bag and the bag Tinto usually has with him.
“You can carry them. It will make it less suspicious. Just remember that I want whoever carries my things in front of me in clear view.”
The two soldiers on the floor have recovered and are standing again.
Bentho addresses them. “You two, you stand guard here. Let no one enter” He points at two other guards. “You two carry the bags, and the rest of us make up a rear guard.”
To be continued.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Aug 1, 2008 15:57:53 GMT -5
Westhaven, Lencia
The group walked through the streets of Lencia in silence. The streets were mostly empty but several houses were lit or became lit as the soldiers marched past them. She and Tinto were silent; the soldiers made as much sound as a herd of rampaging camels.
“So much for discreetness,” Aguila thought to herself. Still there was little to be done about it now. Tomorrow there would be a lot of talk about this in town. Luckily, she and Tinto had planned to leave soon. Their preparations were complete or as complete as they would become, and it was time to leave. Aguila wondered why the judge had called on them in the dead of the night. Taking a statement from them? Giving them a reward? Warning them? Overall Aguila was still weary and thought that this could be an underhanded way for the guild to make a trap for them.
Presently, they arrived at a small villa in the northern section of Westhaven. Sergeant Bentho asked his men to stay at the gate while he went forward to knock on the door. It would seem that the residents in the house awaited someone, since it took less than a minute for the door to swing open. Aguila could see an animated discussion, and shortly the servant who opened the door bids them all forward.
Aguila and Tinto found themselves inside the house. They had both been silent during the walk through the town; the soldiers had not spoken either.
“Your Lordship awaits you in the study,” the servant says and points impatiently at a door which lies at the end of a narrow dark corridor.
Aguila motioned for the man who had carried her things to hand them over. Tinto was happy to let the soldier continue to carry his things. Aguila, Tinto and Bentho then approach the door, with Bentho reaching it first. He knocks on it.
“Enter!” comes the answer inside.
Aguila does not know what to make of the house. It is fairly small. The furniture inside looks sturdy and functional to her. They are certainly not cheap but probably not too expensive either. The study is overall tidy except for the desk where a small gaunt man is sitting on a chair, eying a parchment in the dim candle-light. His thin hand puts the parchment aside. The man looks expectantly at Bentho.
“Aguila Saber and Tinto Escalon, as you requested your honour,” Bentho says and makes a slight now. The man looks up and studies them.
“Good evening, miss Saber and mister Escalon. I’m the honourable judge Rono Fairlight. No doubt you wonder why I’ve requested your attendance here?”
“We do have a general idea,” Tinto says. “But please enlighten us.”
Aguila watches as Rono drops his wig and exposes a bald gaunt head. Aguila can’t see a single hair on his face. His eyes are alert and observant, Aguila tries to assess how old he is but finds the task difficult. He has passes his youth, but how far he has advanced in age is difficult to say. For the moment, Aguila decides it is best that she lets Tinto do the talk.
To be continued.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Aug 2, 2008 16:04:18 GMT -5
Westhaven, Lencia
Aguila is somewhat relieved when the scrutinizing eyes of the judge fall onto Tinto and he decides to address him.
“My reasons are two-fold. First of all I need to take your statements. Alas, Captain Perno who led the operation did not get the chance to see it end. I understand that it was the Captain who was informed by you earlier. It has proven difficult to put everything together so therefore I will need to take your statements on what happened in the lair.”
“And the second reason?” Tinto asked.
“Some of the villains escaped. In fact, it was these villains who killed the Captain when he tried to stop them,” the Judge continued. “So therefore, I thought it prudent to warn you of their escape.”
“Do you know who they were?”
“I do not have their names, but I was told by the soldiers they were the ones who had been lying in the room when the operation started. One was a mage, another was badly burnt, and then there is a third person missing as well. I was told that the Captain did not consider them a threat. They had been tied up, but they escaped their bonds and made their way out.”
“I see,” Tinto replied. “Did any more of them escape?”
“Not according to the report I received. The two others had some trouble getting the burnt man outside, so they did not help the few that remained.”
“Perhaps, there is a better way to find out how many escaped. How many were brought into custody?” Tinto asked.
“Thirty-four,” the judge answered.
Tinto looked back at Aguila.
“Forty,” Aguila says.
There is silence for a while, and then judge Rono speaks again. “So noted. Looks like we have some more investigations to do, although it will be hard to track down the remaining six. However, I would like to hear your story now.”
“I don’t know,” Tinto says seemingly unsure. “With so many of the members getting away there is much risk for us. Even more risk if we inform you of this.”
“There is a risk I may have to let more of them go. Some of them were members of a bard troupe called the Wind Blowers, who claim they had been invited down to the lair to play.”
“They had stolen quite a lot of items during their show in the Park earlier in the evening,” Tinto suggested. “Find the owners and you have witnesses speaking against them being there by accident.”
“What type of items?” the judge asked.
“Gems, rings, bracelets, brooches and a silver necklace. We put those things aside, so if you kept the things together you should have little trouble finding their owners,” Tinto suggested.
The judge did not look too impressed.
“Besides, some of the stolen items were engraved with names,” Tinto says.
“I discern a certain reluctance in telling me the full story. You do realize that without a full statement I cannot authorize a reward for all your work?” Rono says. “What I have is more than thirty people who were brought here after being looked up in cells, denying any and every crime.”
Tinto looks back at Aguila. The judge notices and looks up at her as well.
“Perhaps I’m talking to the wrong person.” he asks. “What role do you have in this, miss Saber?”
Aguila looks thoughtfully before her.
To be continued.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Aug 3, 2008 15:50:32 GMT -5
Westhaven, Lencia.
“I’m merely a visitor to this city,” Aguila responds.
“Most visitors do not enter thief lairs, miss Saber. Why did you not call the authorities?”
“We had learnt in town that they had been established here for some time, and that extortion and bribery was involved. This also implies that they may have connections with the authorities.”
“How did that come about?”
“We came across on of their men leaving a shop where they had just put some pressure on the shop-keeper.”
“And then you decided to take out their lair?”
“No, of course not,” Aguila looks appalled and sighs. “We did not know where their lair was. We discovered that by chance when we visited the temple of Ishir.”
“How?”
“Well, it was that clear that something was woefully wrong with the temple. A lot of things were missing, and it had fallen on hard times. We talked to the priest and combining the knowledge we had from the shop keeper we deduced that the lair was close to the temple.”
“Why did you visit the temple?”
“We have reason to believe we may have need for the blessing of Ishir on our travels. More specifically, protection from spirits and the undead. So we enquired about those.”
“Is the priest part of this guild?”
“It’s difficult to say. The priest did know of the guild, but if the cooperation was voluntary or forced we do not know.”
“How about the wind blowers?”
“They arrived later. We thought it prudent to bide our time and take out the thieves as they came.”
“And the wind blowers arrived late?”
Aguila nods.
“What do you say about them denying their crimes?”
“Show them the death hole. Do they deny that as well?”
“The .. death .. hole?”
“A pit in the lair where the guild disposed of people. Some of the corpses in it was not old.”
“Bentho, do we have reports of this?”
“I .. I .. I heard talk of it. Is it not in … in the reports?” Bentho stammers.
The judge shakes his head.
“Perhaps, this report is not ready… it was a horrible place…”
“So you’ve seen it?”
Bentho nods and looks sheepish.
“Well, explain it to me then. Go on,” the judge demands.
“As the lady said. There is a concealed trapdoor in the lair, and if you open the door there is a horrible stench.”
“How many corpses?”
“Many… More than two hand full.”
The judge looks thoughtful and turns his attention back to Aguila. The sergeant takes a long deep breathe and wipes his brow.
“May I ask your plans?”
“We are on our way to Vadera,” Aguila says. “We have had had enough of sea travel for a while so we are making the trip over land.”
“And your business in Vadera?”
“I’ll visit the court in Vadera,” Aguila says, “and that’s about as much as I’m willing to say about it.”
“Very well. I assume you plan to leave soon?”
“The sooner the better. This city holds little security for us now. Several of the guild are still at large.”
The judge looks pensive, and slowly nods to himself.
“Sounds like a wise action. I will send someone to the stables tomorrow with your reward.”
“The stables? You knew we were leaving?” Aguila asks.
“Yes, it was suspicious. I guess now it is best for you to leave. But first one more question?”
“Yes?”
“How did you take the lair? Magic?”
“I persuaded them that they were tired and needed to sleep,” Aguila says. “Isn’t that what their statement says? They fell asleep and found themselves in the cells?”
“Yes, but…”
“That’s what happened. They fell asleep in the lair and we moved them to the cells so they wouldn’t cause us trouble.”
The judge sighs. “Very well. Be at the stables at noon. You are free to leave.” The judge turns around his chair and looks again at a paper.
Aguila and Tinto did not need to be told twice to leave.
To be continued
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Post by Aguila Saber on Aug 4, 2008 16:51:27 GMT -5
Westhaven, Lencia
Aguila and Tinto return to the inn for some rest for the part of the night that yet remained. The next morning Aguila woke up alone in the room. Briefly, she wonders where Tinto has gone but decides not to worry and that he is somewhere in the inn.
She dresses and goes downstairs to enjoy a large breakfast. She asks in the reception about Tinto. She learns that he has already left the inn and paid for the room. The receptionist proceeds by handing over a note that he has left behind for her.
“Will meet you outside town. Take the east gate and I’ll meet you at the Mill.”
Aguila whistles to herself musing over why Tinto left early. Perhaps he doesn’t want to meet the judge or the authorities again, whatever his reasons Aguila now has the rest of the morning for herself in town.
Aguila decides to go to the market by the stables and spends a few hours shopping before, visiting the stables and making sure everything is as it should with the wagon and horses. The stable master informs her that Master Escalon cases has already been stowed and been safely secured on the wagon. Aguila checks up on the wagon and horses and then moves them outside.
Presently, Bentho shows up with two soldiers. Aguila recognizes them from the previous night.
“Miss Saber, I’ve been asked to present you with this,” Bentho says handing over a brooch with a ribbon. Aguila looks at it more closely and sees that the brooch depicts an anchor around which a blue dragon is entwined. The ribbon is striped in shades of blue.
“It is the ‘Band of Westhaven’, it implies that you are now an honorary citizen of Westhaven. I have one for your comrade as well.” Bentho looks around.
“He left early asking me to take care of things here,” Aguila says. “I can deliver it to him.”
Bentho nods, and hands over a second brooch looking like the first.
“I was also asked to give you this. It’s a writ of safe passage. Show it to any loyal Lencian troops and you will be allowed to continue on your way.”
Aguila accepts the writ with a nod.
“I wish you Godspeed on your journey, miss Saber,” Bentho says saluting and retreats.
“Thank you, Bentho,” Aguila replies and then bids Bentho and his men farewell.
Aguila climbs the wagon and takes her place on the driver’s seat, and steers the horses towards the east gate. The guards at the gate wants to look more closely at her wagon, but when Aguila shows them her writ and the brooch they have a change of heart and allow her to pass immediately.
“How far is it to the mill,” Aguila asks.
“About 3 miles. It’s along the road. You can’t miss it.”
“Thank you,” Aguila says contemplating what Tinto would be doing at the mill.
One of the guards opens the gates while the other gives her a salute. “Have a safe passage miss Saber,” he says.
Aguila offers the two guards a smile and then urges the horses and the wagon out of Westhaven.
To be continued.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Aug 5, 2008 9:00:46 GMT -5
Lencia, countryside
Aguila had left the city walls behind and half about half-way towards the mill when she noticed that there was a closed gate on the road. It appeared that the road went through the yard of a farmhouse. Briefly Aguila wondered if gates were usually closed like this one was in all of Lencia.
Then she noticed a man dressed in a blue robe in the yard. As Aguila drew closer she thought that he looked familiar to her. She had seen him before somewhere, but where?
“Greetings, miss Saber. I’ve been waiting for you,” the man called out as she stopped by the gate.
“Greetings, you know my name?” Aguila responds while trying to recall where she met this man before.
“I made some enquiries after our meeting, miss,” the man answers. He’s dark-haired and has a determined look on his face. Suddenly Aguila recalled where she met him, and she becomes concerned. She is in a vulnerable position sitting on the wagon.
The man approaches the gate and lets her into the yard.
“Truly? Should I feel flattered or threatened?” Aguila asks.
“Mostly flattered, miss Saber,” the man answers.
“Seems you have me at a disadvantage. What is your name?”
“Dario Coalwood, “ the answer comes.
Aguila nods. “So what can I do for you today Mr. Coalwood? Is it you or me who is going to ask the questions?”
“Mostly you, I think. I do have a request to make of you though, but do come in and join me inside?”
Aguila considered and looked around. She didn’t see anyone but that meant little. Trying to overpower the man felt risky. She had a hunch what he might ask of her, and she considered if that was something she was willing to do. In the end she opted to play along and followed the man inside the house.
To be continued.
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Post by Beowuuf on Aug 5, 2008 16:35:38 GMT -5
Moonrise, outside the Temple of Maaken
Gardax Holt wrung the handle of his weapon in unconscious fear. For as long as he could remember, Bos-Sal was always the one by Torfan's side. Bos-Sal had inspired fear when the company were lax, had been a ferocious conscience allowing no rest if the company were not at their peak. This company, above all others, had to representing their kind and their prince with perfection. However, Bos-Sal had also inspired fierce loyalty, for the dwarf had asked nothing he would not, infact did not, do himself. When one looked back at Bos-Sal's accomplishments, as all the company had done over the years, one realised he had always been rather lenient with his driving criticism compared to how he pushed himself.
Gardax had been a young soldier, and had not believed in his abilities. It had been fear of Bos-Sal's tongue lashing that had pushed the young dwarf to do the best he could. Gardax had still seen it as an understandable acceptance of his own failings by the company's second in command though that Bos-Sal had pushed Gardax into being in Prince Torfan's bodyguard. That Gardax was only good for dying for his prince, when the need arose, was role Gardax accepted.
Gardax had no real issue with it, for the prince was a strong, charismatic presence that inspired such devotion - had not the cast iron temperament of the dwarfs to the crown not demanded Gardax's unalloyed loyalty anyway. Indeed, Gardax had manage to skillfully protect the prince all these years, and had almost given up his life once in a situation similar to how Bos-Sal had died. Gardax, the present, had felt angry and frustrated and perhaps even slighted. Bos-Sal had even been the better bodyguard in the end. The company had lost Bos-Sal, irreplaceable. It should have been Gardax who had died.
It had never occurred to Gardax until now, as the combined dwarf and Lyrian companies awaited the signal of the elder Magi, that Bos-Sal had served another function, perhaps even his most important function, in the dwarf company. Bos-Sal had allowed the Prince to be the loved, charismatic leader. While the prince could come up with the tactics, could inspire the men under his command with fire in their hearts and pride, it was Bos-Sal who could then chide and berate, inspire by the less pleasant emotions of fear and shame.
Without Bos-Sal, Torfan had to be the one to use any means at his disposal to motivate his troops, to snap Gardax out of his despondency in this case. "Yeh cannae be allowed tae have the luxury of dyin' fer me anymore, now yer have to do the harder job of livin' fer me, lad." The dwarf prince had said in his lyrical brogue, but the tone and eye had been harsh, dismissive. With those words Torfan had placed Gardax in command of the dwarf company. Gardax had been so angry that his natural fear and doubt about of the situation had only returned once the moment was at hand to attack the temple. His anger had been so great he had stood up to Torfan and had berated his prince, brow beating him to return to the sidelines and not be such a fool as to stay at the front.
Gardax Holt wrung the handle of his weapon in unconscious fear. He remembered the look on Torfan's face, and with amazement remembered that at the time he had not cared what the prince might say in return, enjoying the chance to be as dismissive and hurtful as his once beloved prince had been. Now he realised why Torfan had pushed Gardax away, to force him into the leading position required. Now Gardax was terrified he may well have burned his relationship with his commander. Of course, that fear, more than anything, kept him at the head of the dwarf company. He could not afford to falter now, to give his prince a reason to doubt him and dismiss him professionally. Gardax stopped wringing the handle of his axe, and stood tall.
"Now!" came the powerful cry, and Gardax's internal thoughts, aswell as his fears, were dismissed. Instinct took over, the Elder Magi had given the signal, and there was no time for hesitation.
"Charge!" said Gardax, waving his axe one handed and drawing a small Bor Pistol with the other. He led his riflemen through the crumbling brickwork of the temple. He was aware of their human allies doing the same across the broken land, bows and swords raised in counterpoint.
The moonlight had been bright, and the sudden switch to the yellow of the torchlight in the temple was a distraction. Many of the riflemen fired on instinct, knowing the established firing arcs agreed with the Lyrians created a safe crossfire for the initial volley. Of course, it still risked hitting any friendly allies such as the wolf who might already be in the temple.
Gardax spotted some of the mysterious mages that had confronted Beowuuf and the free company many days ago, those three flying Zlanbeast over the Maakengorge. "Fire!" said Gardax, taking aim, though his words were unnecessary as his men had already spotted the danger closest and taken aim to fired, allowing him to keep his precious pistol shot.
A plain looking man, more mercenary than mage in appearance, was almost killed in the first fire, but one of his fellows rushed across. The Lyrians started pressing hard, and Gardax gestured for the riflemen on the right to aid their arrow firing fellows while those dwarfs nearest to Gardax wre pulled forward close to the agreed firing arc to press the two mages.
Gardax saw the mercenary mage flick a hand in his direction, and Gardax found himself shifting quickly away. He now had to live for his prince. Gardax ignored the horrible cracks from the dwarf behind, and instead fought his way along with a few fellows through the beginnings of a counter attack from the Giaks that had been hovering around.
Gardax had no chance to see how the dwarfs that fell behind were doing, let alone how the battle with the two mages was progressive. Gardax was driving himself forward with determination for he had spotted what he knew was an important figure. He finally levelled his pistol and shot it towards the visible back of the man known as Captain Kollosco.
The captain had apparently raised a personal shield previous, and also had cat-like reflexes. The second the shot had fired and exploded harmlessly, the mage span and muttered a vile curse that twisted the air where Gardax's hand had been. Gardax had shifted backwards, saved by agile reflexes, although is pistol was not so lucky.
"And another of my new little friends, I am very honoured by Beowuuf's surprise," said the man in gruff yet somehow light tones.
"I am Holt. Gardax Holt," said Gardax, perhaps feeling the sting of the man's words, the unspoken contempt in the flick of the eye that seemed to not be able to tell the difference between the many dwarf targets the man was dealing with.
"I shall endeavour to remember that name," said Kollosco, jumping backwards a step himself and touching the ground, with no heed of the arrow and rifle fire. Gardax realised that Kollosco had managed to keep his wits long enough to cast sufficiently powerful magics to protect himself - and now he could turn the tide, relieve the fellows hopefully pinned down and allow the three mages the opportunity to utterly destroy the free company.
Suddenly the floor cracked towards Gardax from Kollosco's hand, a small but deadly snake of nothing. Gardax's reflexes again saved him from the initial spike of it, as the crack whipped through where his foot would have been then snapped shut, but the crack opened its maw again wider and Gardax wobbled and fell forwards...
Gardax was held in place as the Elder Magi Lord Gralmis strode forward, with a wave of one hand he pulled the dwarf backwards, with a wave of his other hand he gestured at Kollosco. Kollosco moved swiftly to the side, and looked both to himself, his surroundings, but mostly to the mage facing off against him to work out what had happened. However, it was only when a rifle shot nicked his shoulder that Kollosco realised the truth.
"Very clever," said Kollosco, his shock turning to humour as he gestured again to restore some temporary shielding. He moved swiftly, his years on a ship giving him nimble feet. The Elder Magi moved sluggishly, for it was still obvious that the recent toils, the mental exertion and his previous experiences had all drained his strength.
Gardax ran forward, to surprise the captain before his defenses were fully engaged. The man batted the dwarf away with a lesser left hand thought without ruining the dark shadows of magic that were building from a right hand summonation. Gardax remembered something the wolf Beowuuf had been trying to warn Gralmis of before they had come here. The mixed and shifting powers of the left and right hands, might well be too much to counter effectively with the elder arts.
"The Nadziran!" screamed Gardax from his prone position to the riflemen and bowmen close, "target all your fire on the Nadziran!"
Kollosco genuinely rocked back surprised as if he were the one shot, and then he had to dissipate his shadowy summonation to counter the powerful blast Gralmis summoned forth to take advantage of the lapse.
Kollosco glared daggers at Gardax, but had to move swiftly to the downed Nadziran's position. Kollosco had his hands full simply casting temporary protections and distractions for the black wizard. Lord Gralmis was following the man, and any powerful attacks launched against the free company were deflected by powerful shields of old kingdom magic.
Gardax got to his feet to see the state of play. Arbo was half senseless, and the other mage had his hands filled defending the two of them. Kollosco now had to become part of the stalemate not a solution too it, forced to keep up the gestures of protection and attack on the free companies unable to dare a magical gesture to remove the real stumbling block in Gralmis.
Gardax smiled grimly, but realised that this current stand off was not one that could be maintained nor broken by the free companies. The mages were pinned and the Giaks removed safely only though the free company's superiority in projectile weaponry, a superiority that would disappear with the last of the ammunition. Lord Gralmis was powerful, an Elder Magi of legend, but it was clear he was by no means at his full strength. He alone could not face three mages of unknown powers and turn the tide.
Gardax did not know what could be done, but he knew one thing - he would keep fighting, stay alive, for his prince. He retrieved his axe, and moved forward to attack a group of Giaks themselves moving towards Gralmis.
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Post by Beowuuf on Aug 5, 2008 16:42:27 GMT -5
Moonrise, Temple of Maaken
Namanas fell to the floor as Lord Gralmis dropped his shielding of the others' minds to fully take down the Nadziran. Taking advantage of the confusion Beowuuf gestured and blew a power word at Kollosco's head stunning the man. The more sensative mentalists of the evil group only had a few seconds to register the sounds and pressure of minds of the free company troops surrounding the temple before that troop came through the ruined walls and windows revealed to all inside.
Arbo moved forward, his rage building to a point but it was aimed at Beowuuf and so the emerging dwarfs almost blew Arbo away with rifle shot. Only the quick actions of Tamerus saved the mage, and as it was Arbo took a strong hit to his shoulder blade pushing him forward. Tamaerus had no chance to follow up with an attack of his own before he was forced to confer further shieding against arrow fire from the right, from the group of Lyrian humans coming in.
Arbo managed to erect a quick physical shield and loose a lesser right-handed magic to coil black tendrils around an unlucky dwarf gunner who became crushed. Beowuuf tried to fire a battle spell but Arbo had instinct enough to counter spell. It therefore left Arbo nothing to counter the full strength magic that Jorat fired at Arbo's back, Jorat using Beowuuf's sword held with a tremble in his arm.
Beowuuf could not see how the battle was going against the mages, nor if Arbo was dead or merely incapacitated temporarily. For Beowuuf realised he had to quickly take out the threat of Dark Walker. The man held the Urga-Kor-Naar still, and his temporary disruption of faith might well give way to his anger now Karlnos's attention was distracted.
"You saw it!" said Dark Walker to Beowuuf, shaking and holding the stone like a ward. Beowuuf saw the blood running from the knight's hand where the knight had been forced to crush the stone in his fist. "You saw my greatness, my destiny," said Dark Walker. Daqrk Walker then withdrew a blade and stood firm. "I will stand firm. This is a test and I will stand firm!" The fire started glowing in the gem, and the howls of the undead Giaks grew in pitch. Dark Walker drew himself tall. "I will give you the honour of death this time, wolf brother. You showed me and know of my true greatness!"
Beowuuf gestured dismissively and cast a powerful hold on Dark Walker. It looked as if Beowuuf were pulling himself to Dark Walker with the gesture. Beowuuf crushed Dark Walker's wrist with his free right hand until the stone dropped and the wolf plucked from the air. "My growth is your decay it seems," said Beowuuf smashing the stone into Dark Walker's face hard, breaking the man's nose again and sending the death knight senseless to the ground. "I will not kill you," said Beowuuf, "others in my group have higher debts that need settled. A prisoner's death for you."
Beowuuf span around to see the battle. Lord Gralmis strode tall, although the cost of maintaining the mental assault on Namanas and the magical shield over the group would take a high toll on the weakened mage later.
The undead Giaks were finally succumbing to death, and the living Giaks barely had a moment to realise their freedom to slaughter before they started falling to rifle and bow shot. The Giaks' nerve broke, especially as Jorat strode towards them and they ran through the gaps in the temple wall.
Beowuuf was already moving forwards to aid Jorat, for the confusion of shots and Giaks had abated and Karlnos and Crimson Blade were free from the chaos to move into the fight.
Karlnos moved forward first, and Jorat met him with Beowuuf's blade. Karlnos's arm shook as Jorat used his mental abilities gained under Gralmis. However, Karlnos's mind was strong. Beowuuf already screamed a challenge to Crimson Blade but it was too late. The second Death Knight was on Jorat before Jorat could push Karlnos away, the Vakeros unable to free Bowuuf's blade to concentrate a battle spell.
Crimson Blade might have been blind, but up close that no longer mattered. He twisted around Jorat's arm and laid Jorat low with a powerful and precise blow. Karlnos had already shook off the mental assault and turned to Beowuuf.
Beowuuf looked at his own hands and realised he had not picked up a weapon, and stopped short of engaging the death knight. Instead Beowuuf spread his limbs wide in order to take on the first attack of Karlnos and hopefully wrestle away the man's weapon.
Of course, Karlnos was not to be bated that way, perhaps because he held the weapon of Toraar. Karlnos waited for Crimson Blade to recover Beowuuf's own weapon and walk shoulder to shoulder with the commander. Karlnos nodded and smiled nastily, however it did not travel up to his eyes, which did not muster up any enthusiasm only smoldering anger. "You and your actions most of all took what was to be mine, what was mine." said Karlnos to Beowuuf. "You led me to nothing. I will see to it you have nothing, wolf." Karlnos spared a look across to Gralmis and down to Jorat. "Know I will slay and destroy what you hold dearest."
Beowuuf looked from knight to knight. Beowuuf had known taking Karlnos unarmed would be a challenge. Crimson Blade alone, even without eyes, and if Beowuuf was armed would be have been a challenge. Beowuuf felt hopeless at the sight of the two together, Crimson Blade testing Beowuuf's own sword.
As if sensing the look, Crimson Blade stood forward, finding Karlnos's shoulder with his hand. Partially to hold back his leader, partially to get his bearings and move onwards, Crimson Blade walked forwards alone in challenge. "I...remember..." said Crimson Blade in crude Sommlending, echoing the words the knight had said when captured at the edge of the Darklands. Beowuuf adjusted his stance for all it was worth, senses strained to breaking.
Beowuuf therefore reacted quickly to pluck his weapon from the air as it was tossed to him, certainly mentally faring better than Karlnos who received an elbow to the face by Crimson Blade.
"You betray your people and your honour," said Crimson Blade to the surprised Karlnos staggering back. Crimson Blade took his own steps backwards. The knight-savage looked across at Beowuuf even though his eyes were hidden by a dirty cloth. "You do not, I remember. Even in the Darklands with your enemy."
Beowuuf did not have time to assimilate the turn of events nor thank any gods listening. He simply realised that just as before, the urgent need was to end the threat of Naar's zealot. Karlnos felt the shift too, realising Crimson Blade was no longer ally yet perhaps not an enemy.
Karlnos shook off the earlier blow and moved forward, low and quick. Beowuuf kept his weapon point low, standing high on his wolfish legs. Karlnos twisted his own sword to a high attack while moving to sweep Beowuuf's legs but Beowuuf batted the blade away and Beowuuf's wolfish muscles were able to flick his wolfish leg out of the way and stand on Karlnos's own leg.
However, Karlnos had another aim in mind, and smashed the pommel of his deflected weapon into Beowuuf's other hand, the one holding the Urga-Kor-Naar. The stone fell to the ground and Karlnos immediately seized upon it.
That Karlnos cared about something other than revenge should have been his salvation but ended up being his undoing. After all, power came with a cost. Beowuuf's wolfish instincts recovered quickly from the blow, and already his bluesteel sword descended with finality. "Get your own stone," said Bewouuf kicking Karlnos away. "Perhaps a new hand first."
Karlnos hugged his bloody left stump to his chest in shock, staggering backwards. "Reach for nothing and you will be left with nothing," said Beowuuf striding forward. Karlnos lifted himself up with anger and threw his sword with unnerving accuracy. Beowuuf twisted and batted the sword away, having to agree that perhaps the Vakeros had deserved that attack for trying to be trite.
Crimson Blade made no move to deal with Beowuuf nor Karlnos, nor run away. Karlnos on the other hand strode swiftly backwards as fast as dignity allowed, pushing a few barely standing undead Giaks in the way to stop any pursuit. Beowuuf recovered the Urga-Kor-Naar from the floor, discarding the gruesome accompaniment, and made to pursue. However a sudden memory flicked in his mind. Beowuuf looked backwards and saw that Dark Walker had recovered from his blow and was running away in a less dignified manner.
For a moment Beowuuf hesitated, unable to intellectually separate his weeks' long pursuit of Dark Walker from the real danger of Karlnos, then cursed as he realised both would be lost to the night within moments. Karlnos at least was providing a bloody trail to follow, but Beowuuf started to doubt that it would matter if the man had winged transport waiting.
"Stay there!" said Beowuuf to Crimson Blade, and cursed the missed opportunity. The wolf instead rushed over to Jorat picking the man up. Beowuuf looking across the way to see that under Gralmis's protection the humans and dwarfs were pinning down the mages but gaining no more puchase than the three mages were. Namanas was with the Brothers of the Descending Night now, pulled across by Tamerus who was attempting to tend the thing. Arbo had survived his previous blow by Jorat and was seeking to end free company troop lives, only help back by Gralmis and missile fire.
"We will meet again, Beowuuf," said Kollosco looking across at that moment while gesturing another shielding spell, again the balance between amusement and hate, "Life is too interesting following you for us not to cross your path again." The once Captain took out a pouch, and handed around blue gemstones. "Oh, Vakeros," said Kollosco to Jorat who half focused on the mage, "your traitor was the false Tamas. I needed to remember to tell you that! I hope the information was not too tardy to help you." Apparently having satisfied his code, there was a flash of power and the shielding around Kollosco crumbled as the sources of the shield disappeared - the three mages and Nadziran were gone.
It took Beowuuf a moment to survey the scene, and realised that they had succeeded. After the week and week of chase, his mission, one could argue, was complete and also the temple was clear of foes. That the only bodies were those of Giaks and a few unfortunate soldiers of the freelands company was less satisfying and pointed to how hollow this victory was.
"Victory?" asked Gardax Holt, coming forward with Prince Torfan. Beowuuf winced that the dwarf commander had somehow managed to persuade his troops to allow him to come.
"All are still at large," said Beowuuf bitterly.
"Karlnos is split from the mages," said Crimson Blade from across the room in Giak. "Whatever his place was in this, he needed their knowledge and aid to gain his power. And Dark Walker is stripped of power. They are split, the fragile chance at alliance crumbled."
Beowuuf conveyed what was said to the concerned group leaders. Torfan was more concerned about Crimson Blade.
"I seemed to recall leaving him at the free company headquarters lad," said Torfan, "I do not imagine all my boys will be standing when I get back if he is here."
"I raised no hand in my escape," said Crimson Blade, "but I will kill the first who touches me now."
"He says he did not kill anyone, and he is happy to be led back to the compound, though no manacles nor guards will be necessary." Beowuuf could not fathom Crimson Blade's purpose, but sensed the truth in the old knight's words.
"What makes him think that is an option?" asked Lythe Wite ensuring the dwarf prince was in health before addressing Beowuuf.
"The fact that in his prime he could have killed us all," said Beowuuf, thinking of the stories he had heard and the aura he had felt, "I would not wager those I hold dear in this room that his reputation is false nor that he is greatly reduced as a threat blinded". All looked at both the Drakkar and Beowuuf, but both had perhaps earned some trust this day.
"My name is Makal Nightblade," said Crimson Blade, apparently Crimson Blade no longer. "I follow no god, no man nor darklord's beck nor call nor another's fallible honour. Only my own honour do I heed now." The man withdrew his weapon and rested it on the ground, but did bow to Beowuuf.
Beowuuf returned the bow then realised it was, perhaps, a foolish gesture. Beowuuf settled on looking around the temple avoiding Torfan's amused and somehow speculative gaze to assess the situation. Something had been ended here, but the cost and risk had been high and larger questions had remained sadly unanswered. Had it been worth it? Beowuuf looked to the stone he had reclaimed and hoped so. Looked to the night visible in wall cracks as if he could see those who had escaped.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Aug 8, 2008 16:48:49 GMT -5
Lencia, countryside
“Ah, there you are. Sit down, miss Saber. Sit down.”
Aguila took a seat and Dario did likewise on the other side of the table. Aguila looked before her. A cup with some fruit was placed on the table. On the stove, something was starting to cook. The man produced two mugs from a cupboard and poured warm dark brown chocolate into them. Then he placed one of the mugs before her.
“Fell free to take what you need. No doubt you wonder what I have to say which can be of interest to you?”
Aguila nods, taking a closer look at the fruit and then selecting a fresh orange which she begins to peal.
“Since our meeting, I’ve been busy cleaning up what you started?”
“So you weren’t part of the guild?”
“They needed mages and were not above using extortion to acquire the aid of some. So I guess it depends on your perspective. I collaborated to some extent, but the small group of mages to which I belong did not have the power to stand up to the guild.”
“Go on,” Aguila says.
“Your little tour into the guild changed that. Having witnessed myself how they had lost most of their members, I decided to strike at some of the more influential citizens who I knew was forming the leadership of the guild.”
Aguila looked up interested.
“I went home to my own quarters and equipped myself and then started looking for an opportunity to act to present itself. I did not have to wait long.”
“What did you do to escape notice?”
“Oh, I had one potion of invisibility. Dreadfully expensive, but it was well worth the cost. I needed something so I was sure to remain undetected. You see I went inside the mayor’s office.”
“So the Mayor was part of the guild as well?”
“He collaborated with them and in my opinion more freely than many of the others. Your attack on the lair had sent the guild into chaos and the Mayor got a visit from the guild leader, and they discussed the situation. Finally, they settled on a meeting to get the build back in business.”
Aguila took a sip from her chocolate mug. The chocolate was strong as had been hinted by its dark colour.
“I went there and with the aid of my fellow mages, we gave the guild one big nasty, and a might add deadly surprise.”
“So they are all dead,” Aguila asked.
“All who went to the meeting, aye. I have since alerted the authorities of what happened and presented evidence to the town magistrate that it was indeed a guild meeting.”
“And they seemed happy?”
“More than happy. They gave me a generous reward,” Dario answered. “They did seem a bit miffed at your sterling work before because they did not understand how it happened.”
“They said as much,” Aguila commented. “Who were in the guild leadership?”
“I think the leader was from the Stornlands. His name was Cyril Victor. If that was his actual name I do not know. Then the Mayor and some of his closest men, and a couple of the shop-keepers. There were a couple of officers of moderate ranks as well.”
Aguila nods.
To be continued.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Aug 10, 2008 11:18:19 GMT -5
Lencia, countryside
“And so what now?”
“I think you can guess what I want of you?”
Aguila nods. “It would look bad for you if it came out that you were the mage that escaped from my strike of the hideout.”
“Exactly. I would like your word that you will forget that I was ever there.”
“Are you sure no one else took a closer look at you in the guild?” Aguila asks.
“There was a few, but they died trying to prevent my escape. So only you left.”
“And your burned comrade?”
“He has been moved out of Westhaven. Officially to visit a relative, but in truth to recover.”
Aguila gave it some thought considering how much she believed of Dario’s story. He had sounded sincere enough. She finished her orange, considering while Dario sipped his chocolate. “Very well. If someone asks if I would be able to identify the mage that escaped I will simply say that I did not take a closer look in the poor lighting and so I would be unable to identify the person whoever he is.”
The man nods. “And our meeting here never happened.”
Aguila nods. “Which meeting?”
The man smiles. “Good. As a token of my good will I would like to present this to you. I took them from the dead hands of the mayor.”
Dario proffered her some items. An obsidian tablet, a few small vials with a moon and a belt. Aguila recognizes them from the Guild. The two first they had found in the lair, the belt had been worn by one of the Wind Blowers.
“The mayor had these?” Aguila says. “You’d think that they returned the religious items to the temple? And the belt to the owner’s descendants?”
“You would. Except that the priest and the descendants were both among the dead in my attack.”
“The priest was there?”
“I’m afraid so,” Dario says.
For a while Aguila wondered if he was simply saying this because he wanted her to accept the gifts, Aguila asked. “Do you know what the belt is for?”
“It was stolen from the temple at some point, along with the other items. It was called the Belt of Ishir, then. I think it is said to have some restorative powers, but the details I do not know.”
“So you think I’m a follower of Ishir?”
“Well, you did go to the Temple and did go talk to the Priest there. You have more faith in you than most people I know.”
Aguila wondered is she should accept this statement and the items when Dario scattered her thoughts.
“Finally, I would like to give you a massage before you leave?”
“Massage?” Aguila looked at the man in surprise. “You have done your homework haven’t you?”
“I assure you I’m well trained in the art. I was practising it before becoming a mage.”
“Very well, practise your skill on my thighs then,” Aguila says.
Thirty minutes later he was done and Aguila is feeling much better than when she had arrived here.
Dario proffered her the items.
Aguila hesitated.
“Try the belt. It is said to choose its wearers. If you are not it, then you will know it.”
“You sure?”
“So is the saying.”
Aguila took hold of the belt. “So what’s supposed to happen.”
“If it doesn’t like you. Pain. If it’s indifferent, then it will remain a plain black belt, and if it likes you… well, you can look yourself… It will meld with your own colours.”
Aguila looked. The belt had changed and now melded very nicely with her Telchos outfit, and her own chosen tribe colours. Aguila nodded, and Dario took it to signify that she had accepted her gifts.
“Tell me one thing though. Why did you want to present the items to me? There is something you have not yet told me?”
“I wanted you to have them, and it seemed fitting. Besides, I have gained a lot by the past events. I stand to gain a piece of land, a prominent title, and perhaps I may even become the next Mayor of Westhaven.”
He fell silent and Aguila nodded. A few minutes later she found herself on the wagon again.
She wondered what Tinto would say, then she remembered that this meeting had never happened.
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Post by Beowuuf on Aug 10, 2008 12:29:09 GMT -5
There is another.
Senses that for so long have recognised only a single marginal - though nevertheless powerful - prescence are surprised to encounter a second entity emanating potential outside the mundane. They probe further and feel the warm touch of the plains, an existience equal to what the possessor of the senses once had. This is unexpected and gives even such a disparate consciousness pause for consideration. A firm grasp on this link to some external source would make it simple to sever the connection, but this is not to be had, so indefinable is the connection and the power of the other. Whilst unknown, whilst extremely unlikely, it is notably not beyond possibility that this being might, therefore, defeat anything that Hazelae is capable of pitting against it.
The focus on the newly acknowledged power broadens, seeking a chink, however minute, in its indistinctly robust armour. It finds one, but this matters little to the mind of Eshnar as it decides - in its multifariously coordinated way - on a course of action.
The enemy of my enemy is its friend, comes some scrap of memory, a tatter of thought. The sensation of myriad malevolent smiles fills its countenancelessness and seeps out into the fabric of the living city.
Soon there will be no other. Soon there will not even be the one that it must call both mistress and mother.
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