Andra exited out the back of the Barking Troll, heading for the stables to gather their meager belongings and sell the wagon and animals. Andra thought it best that they not leave town with the same wagon they arrived in so they might throw the trail.
The price was not fair since the stable man could tell that something was amiss, but the deal was done in short order. Andra then headed for the far Eastern area of town placing the Shielding Gem upon Shuran so that he may power the cloaking spell within.
It is this spell-imbued gemstone that Andra created to allow Moona to spirit Shuran away undetected after his birth. The plan was to all meet there where they would make for someplace on the coast. Old Codger said he had a boat anchored a few turns ride out of town.
The Inquisitor was heading for the back of the Barking Troll common room when a commotion within burst through the skins.
“OUI! You come back here you sassy little troll of a wench! I’ll be havin’ that kiss you promised!” Codger yowled; chasing the now painted up and costumed Moona out of the back room.
“Oh you rapscallions old fart!” Moona bellowed, playing along. They made game of chasing around the common room and past the guards out the front doors of the inn.
“I’ve seen everything now,” said one guard to the other. “I hope I’m that frisky when I’m all shriveled like a sun dried briar fruit.”
The other guard just laughed.
The Inquisitor returned from checking the back room. “Nothing, we need to move on. There are more of these hovels to check before day’s end,” he snarled as they made their own exit.
“Our things will be waiting for us down by my wagon when we get there,” Codger said as he and Moona made haste to their destination.
“How can you be sure?” Moona asked doubtfully.
“Cus I trust the boy I sent on ahead afore we left, and I trust his want for the silver I promised when we get there,” he replied between labored breaths. “You still got it Moony I have to hand it to you.”
“I’ll be thankin’ you to keep your hands to yourself and shut it until we get where we need to be. Then I’ll be havin’ words with you.” She promised glaring daggers.
Old Codger started to say something and thought better of it. Quietly and as quickly as both their stumpy old legs could waddle them along, they made their way to the far end of town.
Moona and Codger arrived at his wagon on the far edge of town behind a smithy. Moona had to admit that this was as good a location to meet as the prying eyes of travelers and guards were far enough to the North near the main roadway.
Their little escapade had taken them across the East bridge to the few out buildings and shops that did business outside the main market. It was obvious by the fact that the wagon prepared and the horses were already hitched that Codgers young friend had already had it to the wagons.
“Hey-ho Old Codger, I see you and the Misses made it ok,” stated the young boy with a grin that somehow seemed wider than his face.
“We made it just fine young man and I am not his ‘MISSES’!” Moona corrected.
“Well, now Moony dear that ain’ all true,” Codger retorted.
“Never mind that, where are my clothes lad?”
“The name is Mallik, but friends call me Mally. Your things are already in the wagon Ma’am,” Mallick replied.
“Well, my thanks Mally for your help and here is that silver I promised along with a little extra. Now you should get back to town afore you’re missed,” Codger said handing a small pouch of coin over to Mallick.
“Keep your coin Codge I be comin’ with ya,” Mallick said before dropping his jaw in shock as Andra appeared out of thin air.
“I would say that there is no time to waste. You must all leave at once,” Andra said handing Shuran over to Codger.
“What do mean? Ain’ you comin’ with us ‘GUARDIAN’?” Moona asked.
Andra took hold of Moona’s hand and slowly turned it over, placing the shielding gem in her palm. “The best way I can guard for now is through misguidance.” Andra quickly shimmered out of the form of Sulura to that of Moona.
“And I thought one o’ you was dreadfully difficult to manage.” Codger croaked while taking his seat on the wagon.
“Shut it!” Both Moonas said in unison. With a brief smile Moona nodded to Andra and climbed upon the wagon next to Mallick holding Shuran.
“Come see us when you can. You know where to find us,” Moona called as the wagon pulled away and into the forested area to the East.
The Moona impostor made her way back through town making stops at various shops, inns, and taverns, making certain she was seen by purposely drawing attention. She found her efforts were finally paying off as several guards had come out of the places she had been and were closing in on her general vicinity.
When enough guards had begun pursuit and finally the Inquisitor drew near enough, she came stumbling out of her hiding spot in a nearby alley to allow her being seen. She then darted down the alley with the guards in pursuit. The guards rounded a corner to find the woman had escaped and left a young boy knocked over near a doorway.
The young man, looking much like Mallick rubbed his bumps and bruises while pointing further down another alley. Once the guards left to trail their quarry. The young man stood as if unhurt and walked away in the opposite direction.
Andra kept this charade up for a few days before the Inquisitor grew suspicious enough to call off the search. It was then that Telalsu arrived at the city. Now Andra understood more of what was at stake when he recognized the one who had started this chase back in the Stone Forest.
A Telal, Demon warrior, this does not bode well Andra thought. But who is your master that called you from the depths.
***
Moona, Shuran, Codger, and now Mallick, where headed toward the eastern coast by way of roads long forgotten and known by very few. According to Codger, these old causeways were once highly travelled routes for trade within the old kingdom before the first time Chaos was let loose upon the lands.
The Ancient Telukukal or First People, as they are commonly referred, once ruled these lands in peace and prosperity for thousands of years. They hand magnificent control over all the seven powers of Essence and created the most spectacular structures using ore, stone, minerals, glass, and wood.
There is little known proof they even existed Codger told Mallick as they travelled along. The only remaining history is in ancient tomes, spell books, and journals; most of which have been destroyed by the followers of the dark, or hidden away. Codger explained how he has seen some of these books.
They travelled a good distance out of town on the old roads and far north past the Essence Academy that sits on an island in the middle of a large lake. The sun was beginning to set ahead of them so it was less than likely anyone would spot them from behind at any distance.
It was well past the setting of the Sun, Utu, when the group finally entered into the forested land between Academy Lake and the East Coast. They stopped for the night in a small clearing off the old trail and made camp.
Shuran was fast asleep in the wagon after taking a skin of goat’s milk that Cogder had though to instruct Mallick to supply. As Mallick set about gathering kindling and branches for a fire, Moona sat on a large rock and pulled out her pipe.
“Time to spill Codge, what were you even doing in Two Bridges and away from my cabin?” Moona demanded.
“A summons for sanctioning by the blasted Council brought me to New Draven,” he responded flatly. “Seems that since all of Aurderia has gone wibbly, they been calling in all the spellers, asipus and the like for re-registered and some been gettin’ revoked or taken away someplace. Tis a fine mess the land is in Moony.”
Moona just continued to stoke her pipe taking in what Codger was telling her.
Finally Old Codger turned to her and asked, “What is this all about Moony? You turn up out o’ the blue, carrying a sprat and bein’ chased; by Land’s Guard and Inquisitor
s no less?”
“It’s the prophecy Codge, or part of one, Shuran is involved and the Lalli Mah was broken,” Moona began to sob.
Codge knew Moony’s moods and this was not like her. He just sat and listened while she told her story and spat out her troubles.
“What is the Lalli Mah?” Mallick asked. While they were talking, neither Moona nor Codge noticed Mallick had returned and setup a fire ring of stones, set the wood and brought out things to make supper.
“Oh fiddle!” Moona started and composed herself. “It is or was rather, the great balance of Essence. A magical weaving of powers was done millennia ago to put the powers of dark and light in balance.” “Don’ they teach you sprat nothin’ anymore?” She continued.
“Not if it’s ‘bout magics. The snoots at the Academy don’ even allow folks to apply that ain’ got family with sanction,” Mallick said. “My folks both died a few years ago of I don’ know what, and I ain’ got any other family I know of. So I couldn’ go to that school. I been too busy lookin’ after myself to bother with mundane teachin’,” Mallick finished.
“Do ya even have the gift boy?” Moona asked.
Mallick just looked at her sideways and pushed his hand toward the wood setup for the fire. He whispered ‘BIL’ to himself and smoke and flame grew from the pile in the fire ring as the kindling caught.
“Guess that would be a yes,” Codger smiled.
The four travelers broke camp and set out the next morning before dawn. It would be two days through the forested hills in part because of the growth, but also that this long forgotten path is only known to few and is not traveled enough to keep it clear.
To those who know the way it is called the Smuggler’s Passage. The name comes from the fact that the way leads directly to a secret keep at a cove hidden from the sea by the Serpent’s Fangs, a vast outcropping of non-navigable rocks and spires thrust up from the sea floor.
The waters were not navigable, only to those who do not know the safe way through. Codger explained to Moona and Mally that there is an ancient fort on the shores of the cove where those who wish to keep their business private, may find safe harbor and passage; for a fee to the guild running Smuggler’s Keep.
Codger went on to explain how the guild allows travelers to dock and will hold their boat in keeping until such time as the owners return to retrieve it. Payment for secrecy depends on what one smuggles in or out of the cove. So long as an agreement is made then total secrecy is adhered to on punishment of death.
The trip to Smuggler’s Keep was uneventful. It was apparent that whatever Andra was up to, had been working to keep the Land’s Guard and Inquisitors off their trail. It also helped that the Inquisitors were likely still looking for an old woman alone. Moona was un-aware that they had been told of her being seen with a younger woman, sprat in arms.
During the trip Codger shared knowledge, spell words, with Mally helping him find out just what he could do. He became better at producing fire on command and making small objects move by focusing on them and where he wanted them to go, then whispering the spell word. By the time they reached Smuggler’s Keep Mally had already become quite good and proved a fast learner.
Mally also had taken to Shuran and vice versa. In just the few days Mally became like a big brother, or sheesh, to Shuran and took to making himself responsible for his care. Shuran had also taken to wanting Mally carrying and feeding him as well.
Shuran had grown even more in the few days since they left Two Bridges. His growth forced them to stop many times to hunt for game and wild vegetables to supplement the food they had since Shuran was now eating constantly and was the size of a two harvest old sprat. He was already walking and mimicking other’s words.
Smuggler’s Keep came into view late the third day of travel. Codger had to point it out to Moona and Mally as the keep is an ancient ruin situated among the cliffs that surround Smuggler’s Cove. People have never settled this area since long before the Lalli Mah.
It is believed this was once a settlement of the ancient First People, and superstition had kept most away. The fact that the cove is both protected and blocked by the insidious Serpent’s Fangs just adds to the stories about the place being cursed.
Codger and the others approached the keep and the Sun was setting over the Great Sea and the last rays of light pierced through the Fangs, casting eerie light and shadows upon the keep and surrounding cliffs. As they neared a stone structure that appeared to be a stables and carriage house, a small group of men came out of the shadows to greet them.
“Who approaches?” A raspy voice called from the group of men still standing in shadow.
“Old Codger. I’ve got a vessel here, and me and my folk intend to pack up and head out at Aknard’s leave,” Codger replied.
At the mention of Aknard’s name, the group separated to allow passage to the piers and causeway to the guild’s toll office.
“Old Codger!” Bellowed Aknard as he walked the causeway down to greet the newly arrived wagon.
“Aknard by friend. How goes business since last I left?” Codger inquired in an overly friendly tone.
“Been lot’s of folk arrivin’ lookin’ for passage. Seems times are gettin’ desperate in New Draven and the area, for folks to brave this cured place,” Aknard answered with question in both his tone and face.
Aknard is a dwarf, full blooded; once a prominent member of a leading clan in the Orenthal Mountains. The details of why he chose to leave the mountains and live among the humans he does not share.
“Turmoil has come upon Aurderia my friend. Has news of the breaking of Lalli Mah not reached you?” Codger asked.
“Oh it has, but is just now confirmed. How bad is it?” He asked Codger.
“It is just beginning, but let us talk more in privy while my friends here get settled on my vessel,” Codger said while tossing a bag of coin to a nearby shore-man and motioned for Moona and the others to head to the boat.
Moona gave a sizable portion of her coin to some of the shore-men to provision the ship with enough food for a full cycle of travel.
Aknard sat behind his desk and motioned for Old Codger to take the seat across from him. “Codge, you know I have no love for the Order but they pay well for information,” Aknard stated making his point clear. “Why just days ago a man, or something masquerading as one, come ‘round asking about an old woman traveling with a younger one carrying a new sprat,” Aknard implied his suspicions.
“That be my Moony with me and our young charges, both too old to be a new sprat!” Codger toned with mild irritation.
“Let’s not mince here Codge. We have been friends for a long time, but I got a business to run here.”
What do you want you pirate!” Codger demanded.
“I had me a look see at your fine vessel while you were gone,” Aknard smirked. “No I don’ be wantin’ your boat friend, just the plans and purpose of the odd gear works you have workin’ it.”
After what seemed like many minutes Codger cast his eyes down and replied. “Come aboard with me and you’ll have what you asked for,” Aknard smiled broadly.
Codger’s boat was a decent sized vessel. The outward appearance was that of any normal passenger and cargo ship. What was special about this ship was in how it operated.
Already onboard, Moona and Mally walked about the ship in curiosity wondering what they were looking at. They found themselves in the pilot deck staring at a vast array of levers, gears and wheels all made of a heavy but light metal alloy. They were still there when Codger arrived with Aknard following closely behind.
“Ah, good you are here. That keeps me from having to explain all this twice,” Codger stated.
“I see you been busy with your tinkerin’ while I been gone Codge,” Moona remarked.
“This,” Codger said gesturing to the pilot controls, “is a design based on ancient writings and diagrams I discovered some time ago. It is a working or gears and pulleys that power a paddle system.” Codger
went on to describe how all the workings fit together and both moved and steered the vessel at different speeds. The fuel source was a furnace that used heated water vapors to drive the entire system. As he described everything, Aknard and the others could not help but stare in astonishment at this marvel of creation.
“Where on Ersetu did you find the design for such a wonder?” Aknard asked knowingly. “Not even the most skilled of dwarves could have even dreamed of such a thing!”
“Where I found it is of no consequence,” Codger quickly answered. Codger reached below a panel of gears and from within a hidden chamber produced a rolled parchment. He handed the parchment to Aknard. “Here is all you need to reproduce what I have done here.” Reluctantly, Codger handed over his drawings over to Aknard who took them gladly and left the ship.
The Shore-men untied Codger’s ship the Melammu Nanna, and they pushed them off from the dock. Codger opened the vapor vents from the already burning furnace and set the paddles in motion. Slowly and carefully the Melammu Nanna made it’s way out of the cove and into the Fangs.
Navigating the fangs is a dangerous proposition at best. The jagged rocks and spires above the waves are bad enough. Below the waves there are just as many dangers from more rock that can tear a ship apart. Only one way through the fangs is safe for a vessel of any size greater than a rower or raft. Codger is one of the few outside the smuggler’s guild that knows the way through only due to his old friendship with Aknard.
The going was slow but steady. Moona was amazed by the ease with which the Old Codger navigated the vicious fangs edging closer to the mouth and safe waters. She was remembering one of the many reasons she married the man so many years ago.
Mally was mesmerized but the whizzing and whirring of the many gears. More than once Codger had to pull him clear before a burst of steam would blast from the pipes before he got burned.
Shuran was giggling and taking turns being passed between the three of them to find the best view of all that was going on.
After an hour of navigation, Codger finally eased the ship beyond the last spires and outcroppings.
Chronicles of Aurderia: The Balance Page 4
