by Tiger Hebert
“Come say goodbye to her,” said Vacinne with a nod.
Renlar stepped closer and ran the back of his fingers over the pearly scales of Ausaliia’s cheek. She turned toward him and snorted. Then she burrowed her face into his chest too.
“I think she likes you,” said Vacinne.
“I wouldn’t want to be this close to her if she didn’t,” remarked Renlar.
Then almost as if on cue, Ausaliia pulled her head back and lifted her eyes skyward as she released a roar. It sounded like a tornado had just touched down. They could feel the vibration of the terrible and awesome sound. Then Ausaliia stood on all fours before beating her wings. The sheer force of the wind gusts threatened to push them away. Then with a leap, the mighty white dragon was airborne, where she just hovered with beating wings for a dozen heart beats.
Vacinne shouted, “Go be with your baby, he needs you!”
With that, Ausaliia roared once more, then with the beating of her massive wings, she rose up and away. In seconds, that beautiful white dragon that had saved their lives, and they hers, disappeared into the dark night sky.
Renlar turned to Vacinne. She met his eyes with a smile and eyes full of excitement and wonder.
“We’ve had quite a day today,” he said while running his fingers through his long brown hair.
The sheer excitement and wonder nearly stole her breath away. “We sure did Renny. Where to now?”
“Well, this old road will take us straight into Drenamere, but I don’t think it would be wise to try to travel all those miles tonight. There are some small villages along the way. One was an outpost that turned into a small town, the other was an old mining camp. I think we should stop at the first one and see if we can find a hot meal and a warm bed for the evening.”
Vacinne arched an eyebrow. “A warm bed? Is that all you men think of?”
Renlar groaned, “You are impossible. That’s not what I was refer—”
“I know,” said Vacinne with a mischievous grin. “I just wanted to mess with you. It’s fun.”
Renlar just shook his head, as he walked past her. “Braegen’s Hold shouldn’t be more than a few leagues away.”
Vacinne adjusted the pack on her back, and she hurried to catch up to her rift hunter.
The torch lights and lanterns of Braegen’s Hold didn’t impress Vacinne, but she could at least see the small town coming into view, and more importantly—it told her that it wasn’t abandoned. The town didn’t seem like anything to write home about. It was fifteen or so old wooden buildings all huddled around either side of the cobblestone road they traveled. She guessed they’d be there in just a couple minutes.
The street’s well-worn cobbles made for easy travel. Renlar and Vacinne made their way into the little village. She expected they’d begin to hear loud talking of drunken patrons at the local pub drowning out some otherwise awful music playing in said pub. But that’s not at all what they heard. Shouts and the sound of things breaking filled the night air of the shanty town.
Vacinne looked at Renlar.
Renlar nodded. “Let’s go check it out.”
She’d had enough excitement for one day, but to never grow weary in well-doing was something her father had always taught her. So, Vacinne nodded. They made their way for the rowdy establishment. The weathered sign that hung outside the tavern read The Tickled Pig.
Then the shouting inside the tavern quickly turned to screams.
Renlar and Vacinne sprinted toward the entrance with their weapons drawn. They crashed through the tavern’s front door to find a horrific scene unfolding in front of their very eyes. Two jecaril demons feasted on the flesh of a savagely murdered person at the back of the room, nearest the kitchen, while terrified humans scattered.
The demons’ long, lean bodies were black and looked slicker than oil. Foul claws on their forelimbs and their hind claws all found flesh as their ugly faces devoured their prey. At Vacinne and Renlar’s arrival, the demons looked up. Black, pupilless eyes stared back from their long arrowhead shaped skulls. The demons rasped and clicked as their forked tongues raked over rows of jagged, blood covered fangs.
The quiet thrum of power added to the atmosphere as magic infused Vacinne’s sword and shield, encasing them in their signature golden glow. Renlar’s black daggers rose into view as his hands flitted about. They were exhausted and both of their spirit was running on empty, but they couldn’t just let the demons murder people. They had to be stopped.
The nearest demon rose up partially on its hind quarters. Its head cocked to the side as it studied them appraisingly, as if it were negotiating its next move. The second jecaril demon conversely hunched low and growled, while the other hissed and clicked.
“Everyone,” said Renlar as he dropped his daggers into a flat, horizontal circle about waist high, “Get out!”
The people couldn’t get out, so they all crowded to the far end of the small room in the tavern. The crouched demon waited no more. It sprang forward off its powerful hind legs. Renlar punctuated his command with a forward thrust of both arms and a grunt. The ring of blades spun forward like a chakram. It sliced right through the demon’s chest, cutting the monster in two. Its two halves slid apart with a sickly sound before they slapped down to the floor in a mess of thick black demon ichor.
The attack didn’t touch the other demon. The one that had been sitting upright dropped to all fours and moved with incredible speed. Instead of attacking directly, it turned the other way, and ran sideways along the wall. Unlike anything she’d ever seen before, the demon raced around the walls in a counterclockwise manner. In the blink of an eye, the demon was leaping off the wall and lunging at her.
Vacinne made the mistake of going for the kill. She swung and missed. Her deadly blade sailed right past the jecaril. The black monster slammed right into her shoulder, knocking her to the tavern’s ale-soaked floor. Renlar lunged forward and kicked with all he had. His leather boot caught the jecaril right under the chin. Bones snapped and cracked upon impact and the demon yelped. Vacinne phased out from under the injured demon, appearing behind it.
The demon opened its damaged maw widely, forcing its shattered jaw far wider than should be naturally possible. The bones cracked as they popped back into place and reformed right before their eyes. In a matter of seconds, its mouth was just as deadly as before. Vacinne struck. Her blade hit the jecaril’s hardened hide just ahead of its right hind leg. It left a small gash. Black blood oozed from the wound, but an injury that small wouldn’t slow this beast down. Vacinne targeted the wound and hacked furiously.
The jecaril snapped wildly at her as Renlar did his magic. A storm of black daggers hit the twisting demon. The daggers, lost upon its black hide, burrowed somewhere in its flesh. The monster was undeterred. It ignored Renlar and attacked Vacinne with demonic ferocity. Its blood-soaked fangs snapped at her. Vacinne countered and surged forward with a powerful direct phasing strike that led with her emblazoned shield. Its solid surface smashed the black monstrosity in the face. The demon was stunned by the attack, giving them a few precious seconds.
Renlar shouted, “Drop your sword!”
Vacinne shouted, “Are you mad?” before smashing the demon in the face again.
Renlar said, “You’ve got to trust me, Vacinne.”
Her blade clattered as it fell to the dirty wooden floor. Renlar’s fingers flew in a new gesture. Inside the tavern, the wind blew. Vacinne’s sword lifted from the floor with grace. It swept out around her. She couldn’t watch its flight, though, as she warded off the jecaril’s next lunging attack. She blocked the demon’s deadly claws with her shield. The otherworldly claws tried to tear through the shield, but she held strong in her convictions and for the moment, the magical enchantment she’d spoken over her shield remained intact.
Renlar still stood at the demon’s right flank. Vacinne’s sword floated to his side. Renlar’s hands moved in a fluid motion toward the demon. Her sword leapt forward, like a quarrel shot fr
om a crossbow. The long sword impaled the demon, the force of the blow throwing it against the tavern wall. The sword dug deep into the wood. The jecaril hung, dying, as it remained pinned to the tavern wall. It howled as its fate came to a close. Black blood pooled upon the floor below as the demon died.
Sounds of relief and cheers of victory sounded in the Tickled Pig, but they were short lived. The demons were dead, but so was a human.
Vacinne turned to the survivors, who were huddled on the far end of the tavern. “I’m sorry we didn’t arrive sooner.”
Her words might not have said much, but the sorrow in her eyes told it all. There was compassion in them. Renlar saw it plain as day, and he had zero doubt the others did too. Even before her tears came.
Vacinne wiped away the tears. “What was his name?”
One of the older bystanders, a brown-haired man with a receding hairline and a big bushy mustache cautiously inched forward. His hands hung to his waist. White knuckles clutched to the hat he held with both hands. The poor chap was covered in sweat and his face was paler than the snow caps they’d seen earlier today.
The man said, “That there was Braegen.”
He was the man the village had been named after of course. He was the one who took the abandoned watch post and turned it into a town for the common folk. It was just a little village, but it was the only one of its kind. A human village on the outskirts of a Dwarven citadel. It was where the few humans that continued to mine the region actually lived. After the fall of Esboralis, they were a people with no home. Their city was gone, and they wouldn’t find a home in Drenamere. Braegen was not a wealthy man, but he was well known for what he’d created—a home for those who had none.
Demons rarely left the mortal world without leaving a cascading impact. Tonight was no different. In this house of laughter and strong drink, everyone was left quite sober. Braegen was gone.
14
South Road
After defeating the jecaril demons the night before, Renlar and Vacinne found themselves full of sorrow. The tavern was a bloody mess, literally. Human blood and demon blood were everywhere. Yet no stain as large as the one left by the loss of the heart and soul of the village. A proper funeral would take place in the coming days, but Renlar and Vacinne did their best to pay their respects to the tavern’s beloved patron and founder of this small town.
They’d only sought out a quiet place with hot food and a warm bed for the night. What they stumbled into was a blood bath. The hours of the night slipped by quickly in that tavern. Renlar worked tirelessly to help a couple other men clean up the mess that was left behind. Vacinne tried to comfort the survivors. There were not too many words that she could offer, but she could listen, and she could hold those that cried. So she did.
To Renlar, the hours flew by in a somber blink. As the time reached midnight and everything was put back in order, they were finally offered something to eat. It wasn’t much, but they graciously accepted the warmed beef stew without hesitation. It had been sitting on the hearth for hours, but they had no complaints. They were just happy to fill their bellies.
Dalen, the man with the bushy mustache, made sure to introduce them to his sister Mae’ella. She had been in the town since Braegen founded it. She was quite shaken by the ordeal, but she happily offered them a place to stay for the night. Mae’ella had a little shack in town. It wasn’t much, and she even said so herself, but it would put a roof over their heads. That would be good enough. That night they stayed in the guest room in her little cottage. The room wasn’t large, but it was dry and warm. Renlar barely had the room to roll out his bedroll, but he managed to squeeze it in next to the narrow bed Vacinne would sleep in.
He could tell Vacinne was thrilled too, especially compared to spending the night in the cave. She smiled and didn’t offer a single complaint about how small or hard the bed was. It was amazing how a little perspective could change one’s opinion on things in life. This was something that he knew all too well, and it seemed like she was quickly coming to realize it too.
“Renlar, you’ve been better than advertised. Should we survive this mission, I’m doubling your pay,” said Vacinne with a yawn as she laid down.
He looked up at her. Her eyes were already closed, and like that she drifted off into the nothingness of sweet sleep. Renlar placed his hands under his head and laid back on his bed roll. A smile crossed his face. He’d noticed it had been happening more frequently these last few days. He closed his eyes, and soon sleep took him as well.
Vacinne was slow to open her eyes as she lay in the bed. The warmth of sun caressed her cheek, and for a moment she forgot where she was. The travel, the demons, the giants, and the mission all seemed to pass away from thought as she enjoyed the gentle comfort of a cozy bed and Jhebal’s warming touch.
“Wake up, sleeping beauty,” said a familiar voice.
She scowled and pouted as she rolled from one side to the other. She pulled the covers up over her shoulder. But nothing could stand in the way of the aromatic power of some freshly cooked bacon.
“You know you’re hungry,” said the voice.
She groaned in protest, but the allure of the food was strong. She cracked one eye open just slightly, only letting the smallest amount of light in. There she saw a plate presented before her. Her eyes quickly found their way open. Upon that plate she saw several thick slices of perfectly cooked slab bacon—not too soft, but not too crispy. Next to it was a mixture of diced potatoes, scrambled eggs, cheese, and little bits of sliced ham. Her eyes fixated on the plate as it was waved before her in a teasing manner.
Vacinne tossed her covers aside. She was in her night clothes, her hair was a mess, and she couldn’t care less. It was time to eat!
“That a girl,” said the familiar voice with a laugh. “Let’s get some good food in you. Come on.”
As she came to the rest of her senses, her eyes met Renlar’s green eyes right as he turned away with the plate. She wasted no time in getting up and following him from the room and into the main room of the house. There she watched Renlar set the plate down at the small, hand carved wooden table. An empty seat waited for her.
He turned and smiled as he watched her sit down to a full breakfast spread. The aforementioned plate was still warm and offered more than she was likely to eat. At the center of the table sat a loaf of freshly baked bread and an assortment of spreads from fresh butter to honey and some type of fruit preserve. Next to that was a clear glass pitcher of apple juice.
To which their hostess boasted, “Squeezed just this mornin’!”
Mae’ella was a kindly middle-aged woman with pale skin like Vacinne but had dark wavy hair that twisted into curls in some spots. She wore clothes that were clearly well worn and oft-repaired. She was a gentle spirit. Though she might not have much to offer, she offered them her best.
Vacinne was famished. She gladly accepted the hospitality. The bed alone would have been worth a thousand thanks, but the breakfast was so much more than she could have hoped for or even properly expressed gratitude for.
“Mae’ella, you shouldn’t have!” exclaimed Vacinne. It was the only polite thing to do, while devouring the food.
“Dearie, you and your husband saved our hides last night. We don’t get heroes in these parts. Taking the two of you in is a downright privilege and honor for me,” replied the bashful woman.
Vacinne laughed and pointed between herself and Renlar. “Oh, we are not... oh, no. I’m paying him to help me in my mission, and quite generously too, I might add.”
“Very generously,” agreed Renlar with a very satisfied smile.
Mae’ella smiled and waved a dismissive hand before placing more food on the table, this time freshly sliced apples. “The way you two danced about in the tavern last night coulda fooled me.”
“Danced?” asked Vacinne with a genuinely puzzled look.
“Aye, the way the two of you worked those damned demons over on the dance floor last night,” she said wi
th a confident nod. “Looked like a dance to me, the way you flowed together, with not a word spoken between the two of you. The two of you never missed a beat. Each knowing what the other was doing, anticipating every move before it happened. It was damned near poetic, if you ask me!”
Vacinne sat back in her chair absolutely stunned and silent for more than a minute.
Huh, she thought, and Renlar made his way out of the room, presumably to pack their belongings.
Vacinne thought for a moment before she broke the silence. “You said without speaking, but we did speak. He even yelled for my sword at one point, surely you heard that if nothing else.”
Mae’ella gave her a doubtful look and shook her head. “Nope my dearie. We were all standing right there. Neither of you said a word till after those damned devil hounds were dead.”
Vacinne shook her head. “That’s impossible.”
Renlar stepped back into the room, now carrying both of their packs. They were closed up and ready to go.
“Renny, did you hear what she said?” asked Vacinne.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“She said she never heard us say a word last night during the whole time we fought off the jecaril. But if nothing else, I clearly remember you telling me to drop my sword,” said Vacinne.
Mae’ella politely butted in, saying, “No offense dearie, but I’d swear on my patron lady Sudana’s name, there were no words spoken between the two of you, at least not out loud. Not till after he nailed that last miserable bastard to the wall of the Tickled Pig. I swear it!”
Renlar turned to Mae’ella with warm smile. “You’re a follower of the patron of kindness and simplicity. It is easy to understand why you’ve gone to such great lengths to provide such fantastic accommodations for us Ms. Mae’ella. You’ve outdone yourself, and you’ve made Lady Sudana proud indeed!”
Mae’ella blushed at the compliment. All she could say was “Aw, it was nothing. You two deserved it after last night. Now let that be the last we hear of it!”
