The Last of the Guardians: Insurrection

by J Silverado

  The group cut the armor, leaving only the swords and capes. – I feel naked – Rion complains, looking at his war ax leaning against the stone, upside down, along with the other weapons. – Do not talk so you do not want to imagine this vision of hell – Codaino speaks laughing. – I have no guilt if God was so generous with me and you somewhat economical, Codaino - the forward answers.

  The group laughs and the weather gets a little less tense. – Come on, guys, get ready. Cod, you can do the spell – Galaniel speaks with the mentale, waving to the group meet. When everyone is together, Codaino uses his magic: – Wei Ston Ful kar. Lim Wed lhur Man – and as said the words they are repeated, the air becomes thick, then the processing starts. First, hair, thereafter, skin color, when the features begin to change, a searing pain takes account of the group, which seeks to resist as it can. The spell seeks to alter the aspects that draw attention in each: Rion, height; Pelokir, the aquiline nose; Codaino; the pale skin and light eyes; Hrothgar, his square jaw and Galaniel, his broad shoulders.

  When the pain stopped and the group is renewed, all are different, almost unrecognizable. – The spell lasts four hours, then seek not take long – Codaino warns. – Meneol will be within the Citadel, Gala. Best he left to a next time - Rion advises. – I do not know if there will be a next, my friend. The plan is drawn up, let's implementation it – Galaniel commands. For not draw attention, the group splits. Rion and Hrothgar will toward the south gate, Pelokir and Codaino the north and the east Galaniel. Relfer sits on the eve of stone and with annoying features, removes a piece of wild boar meat, which was still on fire now almost erased.

  – Will they recognize me? – Hrothgar questions to Rion. – If I do not recognize you, what do you think? – the forward answers, hitting the back of the companion. – It was necessary to do this work, Hrot. You got a lot of time working with caravans, thus is more used to choose the horses. – It is true. Just looking at those bulging eyes, I know they will take some work or not. The best kind of this animal is of medium height, neither too thin nor too fat, except the ones that will carry heavy load, these need to be robust. – Hrothgar continued to Rion detailing his knowledge of horses along the way.

  Pelokir and Codaino had arrived near the north gate. – It is now, let's see if this works even its spell, or only serves to kill the pain – Pelokir teases. – You look like you’re afraid, Pelokir, what happened? – Codaino responds to the provocation. – I'm not scared I just think they'll recognize us. – But they do not recognize, they spend the gate and Codaino nods to the guards as it passes. – Let's take care of the provisions, where we go first? – The mentale questions to the bionte. – First to the pharmacy, we may buy ingredients for potions and spells, then we go to the bodega, the bazaar and finally to the distillery. – I can not wait to get to the lattest, this heat is killing – Codaino concludes, seeking to walk in the shade.

  Galaniel walks toward the east gate thinking about how he shall do when entering the city. – It is very risky to enter the Citadel, but I can not let that get away unhappy after what he did. Best remove the hood that they do not suspicious. I think it's been half an hour since the spell, it gives me a little over three hours to leave. – Still lost in thought, he reaches the gate. – Well, it is now – and he enters. Seeing the sentry, he nods his head, it is matched by the sentry. The guardian enters the main avenue of Kolpor, the fastest way to get to the Citadel. – So far, all right – he speaks for himself, trying to hurry, but without attracting attention.

  Rion and Hrothgar pass through the south gate smoothly and go toward the animal market, which is just after the furriers street side of the Well of Moon, place where the poor come to fetch water to power their homes.

  The smell of manure is mixed with of the blood and hay, the market is an unpleasant place, where people look soon resolve their business and leave. – This smell is unmistakable – Hrothgar complains. – I'll never get used to it - Rion responds. – There, that stable is what usually has the best animals and the price is not the worst – the mentale points. – Greetings! – Have we met? – the merchant says asking.

  After a few seconds, Hrothgar remembers that he is disguised and amendment - Of course, have you forgotten me, you rascal? Me, Rolger! Every year I come here to buy your animals. Last time it took me ten once – Oh yes! As I am stupid! Rolger master! How's the family? – the merchant interprets with no memory of the man in front, but an eye on profit that will, given the number that the man said he bought last time. – And this time, it will take twenty? Thirty? – Calm friend, I'm not as rich as you think and have also a couple who sold me last year. This time I want eight. They are six to transport and two to load, but see if you would sell me good thing, huh? – Do not worry, Rolger master. Here we only have high quality goods. – Hitting the hands, he employees appear bringing chairs and water for the two buyers. While drinking, other employees had already brought some animals and were standing in line, waiting for inspection. – Here, master, come check out these beautiful specimens. Bring your friend too. – You can go Rolger, stay here under the shade – Rion speaks smiling with Hrothgar, who replied with a wry smile. The mentale examines each animal, eyes, teeth, paws, tail. He verifies that has no maggots or cracked hull. Of the twelve animals in a row, Hrothgar chose eight, scoring with blue chalk each. – Great choices, Rolger master, I see that you know well choose horses. – They are part of the job, my dear. Now how much it will charge me for the animals? – Five silver coins for each of the six animal transport and six per each charge, for a total of forty two pieces of silver. – I offer thirty-eight – the mentale answers. – But what is it, young master, if I sell at this price, my Shalhicar let me not go or at home. Forty-one in currency, no less. – Thirty-nine!

  While the merchant cries his ills and says that this way will be poor, etc. Rion pulls the sleeve of Hrothgar shirt, whispering: – what the hell are you doing? We do not have time to haggle! – If I do not, the merchant will suspect. It is a custom in the area. Trust me – the mentale stops the lamentations of the merchant and proposes: – Forty, all sealed and closed the subject! - Immediately the merchant stops with his lamentations and smiling, spits in his hand and offers the buyer. Hrothgar spits in his right hand and, with it, tighten the seller, concluding the deal. – Now we find Cod and For to put the things on theanimals.

  After leaving the bodica and enter the bodega, Pelokir and Codaino present the list of groceries to the clerk. – Many items, right? Meat and salted fish, cheese, nuts, almonds, olives, eggs, pork fat, thrashed bread, flour ... – Yes, we will make a long journey – Pelokir asnswers – Yes, yes, and by chance where will you go? – Caring for our lives – Codaino responds sharply. The clerk gets the message and starts to arrange the items, silent. – No need to do so, Cod. He was just making conversation. – He was pulling information. It's good to stop being nosy – Pelokir smiles, shaking his head, saying: – This is the old war Codaino! A beast in person. – The low mentale head smiling.

  After separating all list items, the attendant, who had remained silent after Codaino’s response, added the values of the items and spoke to Pelokir: – the total value is of twenty-six pieces of silver and four of copper. – Pelokir opens his coin purse and paid the attendant, placing five copper coins on the counter. – These here are for the service – he winks at the boy, who grins. The warriors take the materials and go out of the establishment. Rion and Hrothgar are already waiting outside with the horses. – It's about time – Rion complains. – Patience is a virtue, Rion – Codaino refutes the fellow who just returns with a look tired. – Now, you go to the bazaar distillery and we have passed two hours and will not be good the spell ends us within Kolpor. – Everyone agrees, and again, the group separates, this time each team gets half the horses.

  In the bazaar, Pelokir choose blankets, ropes, pots, flints, leather canteens and other camping items. As this time, they themselves have chosen the items, the purchase was faster and, after accommodate the
new goods in the pack animal, they were towards the distillery. Rion and Hrothgar were sitting in two chairs around a small table outside the distillery, each with a generous mug of light beer. They seemed very cold, because the outside of the mug bone was expeled droplets. – So that's it! While we were working, you are here getting drunk? – Pelokir rages. – Calm, Pelokir. We already bought the drinks and carry the animal, we were just waiting for you, how bad can freshen up the sun? – Hrothgar contemporizes. – Evil is not sharing with us – Codaino complains. – But it is not so, barkeep, two more mugs of your best beer! – Rion yells to the owner of the distillery.

  The two warriors drag two more chairs and sit while the drink arrives. – A toast to our new venture, our enemies and our lack drink abound! – Rion toasting with an old adage spoken by warriors during the war and the group responds: – God forbid the opposite! – They beat the mugs in the other and all empty followed by belching sound and laughter.

  Galaniel arrives at the Citadel gate, passing by guards, and walks toward the barn. To avoid suspicion, he first go toward the tank and getting there, he tells the charge that need to take a platter with cheese and nuts to the temple. - Where is the request? - the charge questions. - Look not delivered me anything, but you can tell then to the leader of the High Council that he forgot to send the request...

  The charge looks momentarily to Galaniel and then gets up to prepare the dish. – See if the next time you take the radius of the request! - Okay, you can leave. – After disappear from view of the charge, the guardian takes the direction of the magazine, taking the opportunity to eat something on the way. – I should have spoken in a pitcher of beer too. How hot Devils – he thinks while eating a piece of cheese. – Arriving in front of the barn, Galaniel knocks on the door. – Food for Meneol captain, with the High Council greetings. – A few moments later, the door opens just a crack with the traitor looking suspicious. – Who are you? Who sent the food? – I'm only in charge to bring you the food. The Oltigar advisor, for his services in the recent invasion of the Citadel.

  Meneol looks Galaniel’s body from top to bottom, that the spell, it seems that of a thin man with few muscles. – Between – the traitor speaks, finally, opening the door for Galaniel – Fast! – The guardian enters the barn and waits for instructions on where to place the platter. – Here, here, come on I'm hungry. – Meneol takes the dish from Galaniel hand and puts it on the table near the fireplace, which heated a pot of coffee. – Finally, the board recognizes my value. For many years I am in this forgotten and smelly place. But ... Where is the drink? I have to eat it dry? That way I will choke! – While Meneol is concerned with the dish, complaining about everything, Galaniel takes to draw his sword, silently, and when the traitor complains again the drink and looks Galaniel, he places the blade in Meneol neck, which scares, and speaks: – this one is "our" recognition for having betrayed us, damn. – But ... Who are you? By defending those traitors? – The Guardian unleashes a slap in the face of Meneol turning himself and falls completely stunned. – It's me, your old longtime leader and friend, damn. That you betrayed by a handful of coins and an increase of patent. Me, Galaniel! – Meneol widens his eyes, trying to mumble something without success. – But... But... You do not look it... You... – So along he gathers momentum and draws his sword near the table where he was eating. – Masquerade Spell. You should have killed me when you had the chance, guardian. Now it will not be so easy. – I really should, Meneol, so that you no longer have a chance to betray anyone! – So, come! Let's see if you have a chance without your precious shell. – How would my coach, "The weapon of a guardian is his intelligence and his body. The shield just makes the job easier." – Galaniel prepares for the fight.

  Opponents are studied themselves, circling the small room where they are. Meneol pushes the table to the corner with his foot, trying to hit the shot that easily dodge.

  Meneol vertically strikes toward Galaniel who pleads with his sword, then punching the stomach Meneol with his left hand. The Avante loses his breath and almost let the sword fall. – This bureaucratic life is making you loose, Meneol – Shut up you, interbred of shit! Bad race! – Meneol rages. – You could not be more wrong, damn!

  The guardian attacks with his sword arch, from top to bottom, starting from the right. Meneol tries to defend and although can stop the blow, his sword falls. He bends down to pick up, but he is stopped by a kick Guardian, who makes fall writhing in pain and with three broken ribs. Galaniel takes advantage and put up Meneol, immobilizing him. – Do Not! Do not kill me! Please! I've saved your life! – Yes... Yes, but that was a long time and you almost killed us yesterday... I will not take your life, but you can not walk around with our brand! You lost the right! – Do Not! Leave me alone! I drop!

  Galaniel safes Meneol by the neck with his right hand, supports his left knee on the wrist of the right hand of the forward and picks up a piece of wood on fire burning in the fireplace. Meneol howls when the guardian hillsides live coal in the brand of eight on his forearm. Tears of pain trickle through the eyes full of hate him. – You'll pay me, Galaniel! – Beware, Meneol, I can change your mind. I do not think you will like. – The forward is silent fearing for his life and turns to the throbbing arm. The keeper plays the wooden back of the fireplace, look one last time to the former friend and turns, walking toward the door.

  When Galaniel grip on the handle to open the door, Meneol rises, taking his mace on the table and attacks the guard in the back. The brush of mace on the table Galaniel alert just in time to deflect the force of the blow to the side of the sword, even slipping in his right temple, opening a small butcher. The club runs into the door, while the guardian strikes a blow to Meneol stomach with the hilt of his sword, causing him to fall again. – His cowardice knows no limits, is it not Meneol? I think you did not like to lose our brand, but do not be sad ... my "friend", I will give you a new one. – Do Not! - So everyone will know that you can not be trusted.

  Galaniel immobilizes the forward again, yet fallen, draws his dagger, he removes a small bottle from his belt and a water slide. Then he carves the letter "T" on the right side of Meneol's face, screaming hysterically. – Do not even try to take this traitor mark with the biota. Codaino made sure to prepare something special for you if you do not behave – he shows the vial to the forward. Where the liquid touched the skin black foam is made.

  Meneol only stops to scream when he collapses in pain. Galaniel opens the door carefully and looks at the courtyard, certain that the cries attracted the attention of the sentries. A group of warriors was checking the deposit, which was very close there. Within minutes the magazine would be searched and he was imprisoned and probably killed.

  - Where to put our leader? – Rion foreigns impatient. The group was already near the east gate, which had been arranged to go out of Kolpor. From there to the gate there were only five hundred meters and the gate was the least trimmed. Codaino, who had been looking Galaniel arrives saying: – something happened, because I saw patrol movement in the Citadel, they were looking for something. – And now what do we do? The spell of weather almost over, momentarily return to our ways and with them, the prison – Pelokir talks, looking around. – Now we'll do what we have always done, no one is left behind. Let toward the Citadel. – Rion takes over the group. Everyone agrees and they go to the place.

  Shortly after passing through the gates of the Citadel, the spell is over, revealing the group amid the pain inherent in disguise.

  Quickly they enter the barracks, trying to space out not to draw attention. – Keep your head down and avoid looking in the eyes of others – Rion whispers to his companions. – A cable, which was as inspector barracks approaches – Where from? – Er... Our fleet was divided, three were scanning help, we came to rest, we walked all day around the city, due to vandalism complaints. – I do not know you? – the inspector questions, looking to Rion. – I have the very common face and certainly do not forget the noble authority – the forward smile
s along to the inspector, trying to inspire empathy – Hmm... You are familiar to me... Soon now I remember...

  The group was tense with the situation, Hrothgar and Relfer already hold the handle of their swords surreptitiously, when suddenly a loud bang is heard, the temple bell starts ringing off the hook, accusing an attack. At that time, the barracks door opens and Galaniel appears, with blood on his right cheek. – Attention, men! The city is under attack! To your posts!

  The inspector immediately recognizes the keeper and thus the remainder of the group. – Now I remembered! You are those who were condemned to exile, you have no more patents. You will be arrested and executed! – And you will realize defend the Citadel, corporal? – Galaniel presses. The inspector is momentarily in no action and then answers: – fine, but then you will be arrested. – After? After we see – Rion responds preparing himself for the battle.