A younger woman stood in the doorway, staring out and trying to hold back tears. She offered Elec her thanks, obviously overhearing the conversation.
“Dryden, you and I will gather Geth and bring him back to the caravan,” the older man instructed as Elec continued to treat the wound of the forest elf, wrapping a clean piece of linen around his arm.
“We will help you,” Saeunn said as she looked at Rose, jamming an elbow into her side, as if to urge her into action. She frowned and then nodded and they all gingerly but firmly lifted and carried the man back to the caravan, laying him gently on a cot at the rear of the wagon.
“Let us return to speak with the Inquisitor. These people shall break bread with us and will remain under our protection until further notice,” Saeunn declared. “There may be more of these highwaymen lying in wait,”” she added, speaking directly to the older gentleman, whom she assumed was the patriarch of this group. “I am Saeunn of the Chansuk barbarian tribe.”
“I am Pendus,” said the man, extending his hand in greeting. “That is my son, Dryden and daughter, Jasmine.” Saeunn stared hard into his eyes and merely nodded, then turned away.
“She’s a bit of a cold fish,” Rose said, stealing a glance at the barbarian, who stared back at her. He nodded and turned to his son to instruct him to go back east.
Dryden climbed back into the seat, directed the horses, and the caravan pulled away from the scene of the carnage, back up the hill slowly to the cavern where Garius waited.
“I can’t thank you enough for saving my family,” Pendus said again to the group.
Saeunn sat staring out at the area surrounding the road and wondered if they would be able to provide them safe passage. Heartwood Valley, among many other known roads, was one often plagued by bandits, cutthroats, and worse. She looked at the humbled and emotionally distraught man and sighed. Then her thoughts turned to the potential loss that this family might have endured if they had not happened upon them when they did.
“We are not out of danger yet,” she added firmly. “And you’d be a fool to believe that these roads do not hold more dangers upon them.”
Pendus drew a deep breath, turned to face Elec and Rose, and gestured his thanks to them.
“I warned you, didn’t I?” Rose quipped to Pendus, drawing a half-smile from him. Saeunn ignored the remark again but listened in to the conversation.
“I appreciate what you have done for my daughter and her husband,” Pendus continued. “He is the wounded man—my son-in-law—Geth.”
“I am glad that we could help,” Elec said with a smile as he continued to move between both Geth and the elf. Saeunn noted that Elec avoided Rose’s gaze, which seemed to linger on the elf. This continued for the entire trip back until their caravan, and Orngoth, came into sight at the crest of the hill.
Sounds of something approaching in the distance drew Garius from his recent findings. He exited the cave mouth and glanced back at the still unconscious form of Thaurion, who was resting comfortably.
A modest-looking wagon slowly entered into view, emerging from the dense fog that had rolled in while he was performing the ritual. At its head was a young man who propelled it up the hill and into their camp, where it slowed significantly.
Garius immediately withdrew The Repentant from his back and held it out before him. He began to prepare a spell asking The Watcher for a thunderous bolt of lightning. As the clouds began to comply with his will, he saw Rose emerge from the decelerating wagon, nimbly walking and jumping off the runner. He shook his head, realizing that she certainly danced to the beat of her own drum.
When the wagon finally came to a halt, the solid form of Saeunn emerged and smoothly leaped to the ground, not breaking her stride. Garius noted that as the huge barbarian exited the caravan, there was a noticeable spring in the wagon as it was relieved of her weight.
Garius paused to consider the survivor of Chansuk. She was an atypical and remarkable woman, full of muscle and wide of jaw. Yet, what was truly impressive was that she was not only a vicious and deadly warrior, but also an extremely striking woman.
His thoughts quickly gave way to the present, however, as a young woman and an elderly gentleman appeared from behind his companions.
“What happened?”
“They were being accosted by a gang of highwaymen along the road in the valley below,” Rose offered.
“How fortuitous that you happened along then,” Garius answered.
“It happened to coincide with the fog rolling in from the north.”
“Then, it seems that your attackers were either lucky or—”
“Clever,” Rose interrupted, “done on purpose, of course.”
“And if it weren’t for the aid of your friends here, we would have been robbed and possibly killed…or worse,” mentioned the young female that stood next to the elderly gentleman. Based on the strong family resemblance of the two of them, Garius figured that the man could only be her father.
“Aye, there are fates worse than death, Jasmine,” agreed the older man cryptically. “I am Pendus,” he said as he bowed low in front of the Inquisitor. “My family and I were traveling from Dhegg to Oakhaven in a somewhat futile attempt at observing the Days of Holy Enlightenment Festival, but we were delayed by inclement weather.”
Garius nodded and moved close to the group as the driver stepped down from his post and joined them. He too had a strong family resemblance to both the father and the daughter.
“You most certainly have missed the Days of Holy Enlightenment by now as Winters Fade is upon us,” Garius mentioned. He noted a wounded elven figure come into view, emerging from the caravan and favoring his right arm that rested in a sling. The elf joined the group and stood silently as Elec, Rose and now Orngoth, gathered behind them. Saeunn strode up to Garius and leaned in close.
“Perhaps they can return Thaurion and the others to Oakhaven. It would give them strength in numbers at the very least,” Saeunn suggested. Garius nodded and turned to speak to Pendus.
“Perchance you good folk can do us a favor in return,” Garius began. “Since it is the confines of Oakhaven that you seek, I would ask that you add four more to your wagon. You see, we were to return there as well and were to escort an injured acolyte and his fellow priests to the temple of The Shimmering One within Oakhaven’s great walls. And since you are heading there anyway, perhaps you wouldn’t mind allowing those priests to accompany you? In light of certain…evidence…we will need to remain here for as long as needed.”
This drew a curious glance from Rose.
“Of course we will,” answered Pendus. “We owe you at least that for saving my family, my son-in-law and this fearless elf,” Pendus continued as he gestured toward the forest elf. “I am Elidyr, my lord,” the elf offered with a bow.
“No need for those titles here. I am sure that Elidyr here is eager to return to his people as well. I shall see you gone from here as soon as possible, then.” Elidyr nodded in agreement.
“I would also ask that you seek out one Huuna of Chansuk and tell her that her daughter yet lives and that she needn’t worry,” Saeunn said as she maintained a stoic and emotionless gaze. Garius watched her face intently, picking up the slightest hint that perhaps she missed her mother.
Pendus nodded an affirmation to the barbarian woman as the young priest Alana poked her auburn head out of the caravan and beckoned for Orngoth to come to her. The half-ogre nodded and proceeded toward the caravan while Garius spoke with Pendus, handing him a map of the surrounding area.
Moments later, the half-ogre emerged with the injured Rolf in his arms, placing him gently onto the floor within Pendus’s wagon. It was a bit small in the space but would certainly incorporate them all.
Alana followed them out and turned a pair of concerned eyes toward the Inquisitor. Garius caught the pleading concern in blue orbs, understanding that her worry was for Thaurion.
“He is well…resting in the cave mouth there. He should be waking
soon.”
“I am indeed fine,” confirmed the voice of Thaurion from behind him just then, as he emerged from the shadows of the cave entrance. The young priest ran a hand through his short blonde locks and shook his head as if clearing it of confusion. Alana ran to him and threw her arms around him and affectionately kissed him on the cheek, and then made off again. Garius approached him and steadied the young priest with a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“You have been through a great deal, young man. Do not worry though. You truly are a kindhearted individual, just as Tiyarnon has boasted. Great things await you in the future,” said Garius, as he held the young priest now at arm’s length. “I will personally counsel with Tiyarnon and suggest that your status and rank be escalated in the hierarchy of the temple and in the eyes of The Shimmering One.”
Thaurion smiled half-heartedly and shrugged. “What happened to us?”
“I am not ready to indulge you that information just yet as I do not understand it all myself,” Garius informed. “Suffice it to say that we have much to do here in order to recover the amulet that remains absent. And now we have a general idea of where to begin looking for it—thanks to you.”
Again, a forced smile crossed Thaurion’s expression and he slowly walked toward the awaiting caravan where the others had already piled in. He stopped as he entered the threshold, turned and shouted back to Garius, “Good luck, Inquisitor.”
“You must remove yourselves from Heartwood Valley as fast as you can, for we do not know what other troubles lurk within its surrounding areas,” Garius said to Thaurion as moved to stand close to him again. “We will be keeping a close eye on you until you exit the valley and will once more be bringing swift aid should you be attacked. Once out of the valley, I have given Pendus a map of the area. Upon it are marked a few uncharted roads that may well keep you out of harm’s way, though they will slow your journey. Good luck to you.”
The young priest disappeared within the wagon and Dryden maneuvered the vehicle around and headed back down the hill and into Heartwood Valley. Garius hoped that the thinning mist might help them escape any prying eyes. Several moments of silence passed as the caravan moved westward toward Amrel and Oakhaven.
“So, what have you discovered,” Rose asked as they collectively watched the caravan disappear into the distance.
“I have to clean up after the ritual before I attempt to explain things and I am rather famished.”
“As am I,” Saeunn said. “I saw a gathering of ducks on the lake below. Perhaps we could bring back a few of them since Orngoth was unlucky in his earlier search.”
The group of companions followed after the barbarian as she sped off down the path toward the bank of the Lake of Souls.
Tiyarnon sat uncomfortably at the table, waiting for the others to arrive. He went over everything again in his mind, trying to place himself in her position, trying to understand why the Queen of Norgeld would be so foolish as to follow this path of illogical procedures.
Doesn’t she understand that she is putting her entire city at risk and that it wasn’t so long ago that Norgeld was rebuilt to its once and former glory? What is she thinking?! She knows that no matter the situation, she must always put the kingdom’s needs before her own, Tiyarnon thought as he fidgeted in his chair. Of course, he knew that human emotion would always play a part in the rulership of any kingdom or city, regardless of anything else.
It is what makes us human, he surmised, and it is that very quality that makes her a noble queen.
It was then that he was pulled from his considerations by the sound of footsteps echoing from the solid wooden surface of the conference room floor. He gazed to the window above that allowed the sunlight to bathe the room and silently asked for guidance from The Shimmering One.
“What’s yer concern?” called the gruff voice belonging to none other than Rolin Hardbeard. Tiyarnon spun to regard his friend and former traveling companion, gesturing for him and the lovely Nimaira, who followed quietly behind him, to sit at the table.
“We received word from Norgeld that Lynessa is to all but empty her kingdom of knights to search for her daughter,” said Nimaira as she could see that Tiyarnon was obviously emotionally strained.
“She be a durned fool!” Rolin spat from beneath his white beard, folding his arms over his chest. He slammed his fist down upon the table, furthering opening a crack along the grain of the surface with the force of the blow.
“Is she not fer waitin’ fer help from Oakhaven or any of her friends nearby? And didn’t we promise the survivors of Chansuk that we’d be takin’ that village back fer that matter?”
“Patience, friend,” Nimaira offered with a flash of a smile. It calmed the dwarf enough for their meeting to continue.
“We are concerned for not only the princess and her whereabouts, but also for the wellbeing and safety of Norgeld,” Tiyarnon admitted. “Chansuk has already been overrun and there’s nothing we can do to reverse that situation. We yet need to make good on that promise, too, I know. What shall we do?”
None of them offered a suggestion.
“The Days of Holy Enlightenment are over and we have no attractions until Nature’s Call this year. Perhaps we can lend her some aid. We can offer them some of our knights from the Oakhaven Watch?”
“Aye,” Rolin agreed, after a brief pause of silence. “I will personally see to it that Norgeld gets ‘er help…and maybe I can talk some sense into that stubborn queen, too!” Rolin stood from his seat and ran a hand through his white thinning hair. “And we be needin’ to do something about the stinkin’ orcs in Chansuk, too.”
“You mean to go to Norgeld yourself?” Nimaira asked skeptically as her sparkling blue eyes widened with interest.
“Aye,” Rolin answered. “Aeldur has a firm idea on how we been runnin’ the Watch here and I’m figurin’ maybe I can see fer meself what is makin’ her act like such a fool,” he finished as he walked from the table and rubbed his hands together. “I’ll be bringin’ a small garrison of at least fifty with me to help reinforce what guards she’s got left on her walls. Don’t ye worry none. I’ll be makin’ sure that Norgeld stays safe.” He spoke with a certain confidence that assured the other two of just that. “Or I’ll die tryin’.”
“But—” Tiyarnon began to offer a protest but was silenced by the hand of his friend.
“No buts. I’ll be doin’ this,” Rolin declared, silencing his friend with a wave of his hand. He disappeared around the corner and Nimaira and Tiyarnon exchanged looks of concern as the sound of Rolin’s footsteps echoed into nothingness.
“I guess we need to recruit added Watchmen to send south to Chansuk,” Tiyarnon suggested to the half-elven sorceress. “I just hope that they are not marching to their demise.”
“We don’t know the size of the goblinoid force in Chansuk, so they very well might be,” Nimaira responded with unease in her voice. “It’d be a foolish waste of troops.”
Tiyarnon walked to the door and found a wandering servant in the hall. “Gather the Council. We will need to speak on important matters,” Tiyarnon instructed him. The servant, a portly man with a long dark beard, nodded and made off with haste to do as he was bid.
“We will certainly need to gather many volunteers in order to complete these tasks and fulfill promises. Perhaps we can send a group of criminals from the prison to Chansuk instead of sending them to Archinon? Or we could round up some sellswords and attempt to make them into something more…honorable?”
“They would make poor knights,” Nimaira pointed out with a wry smile.
“Aye, they would. But I fear we may have little choice.”
The two of them sat in the empty hall for a long while in silence, their heads full of troubled thoughts.
CHAPTER 8
Zabalas Dimonia stood in silence as the heavy gate lifted on a winch behind him. He turned and stared in admiration at the bone-finished exterior that comprised the Bastion of Skulls and made his way into the
courtyard.
A look of disgust adorned his face as he recalled the news given him by Prishnack, who had found no signs of the Bonemasher orcs, or the missing artifact. Whoever stole the amulet and killed his orcs would pay dearly.
He looked back and forth, surveying the dilapidated grounds and vacated structures that were once referred to as Gallows Hill and that had once teemed with men and women less than a century ago. He also observed the plentiful undead creatures that wandered the ruins, lurking in the shadows, the shells of those very men and women.
Megnus Bloodstone, Phaera Sine, and the recently returned djinni Prishnack followed behind the daunting warlord as he strode down the trail to the outskirts of the ruined town.
One other accompanied them too—a hairless slagfell mage, adorned in motley robes. He followed behind the other three, observing the horrid creatures that shuffled, stumbled, or even crawled among the broken structures.
It all seemed surrealistic to him as he continued along, his staff gripped tightly in his stubby hands. Dainn could not help but present an uneasy expression upon his face. His kin, Megnus, was probably accustomed to seeing this sort of thing, but he was not. The taste of bile presented in his mouth and his heart pounded in response, witnessing these undead creatures wandering about freely. Though none of them approached or even acknowledged them at all.
Zabalas left the lich Sadreth behind while they attempted to uncover the reasons why Commander Grubb and his force had not successfully acquired the phylactery they so desperately sought. That was how Zabalas explained it to them, Dainn recalled.
The slagfell Wayfarer watched the look on his prince’s face as the scene unfolded. Megnus, too, was a little unnerved by the walking corpses and undead atrocities that wandered about, lurking in the shadows of the ruins, but he seemed to hide it better than Dainn. Besides, Dainn had seen Megnus cut down creatures more terrifying than the undead.
The Beginnings Omnibus: Beginnings 1, 2, 3 & Legend of Ashenclaw novella (Realm of Ashenclaw Beginnings Saga) Page 58
