Chapter 7

  Gilded youths

  Much like the people of Norruval the winter doesn’t stop fighting until his very last breath, blistering winds howling a gale could knock you down covering you in a blanket of snow, in the city.

  A realm of ice & snow only broken up by the relentless burning braziers. with Remidemus forging a path through the growing blockade of snow, his powerful legs ploughing through.

  Zenthia’s eyes guarded by her hood guiding the way through the dark & near impossible visibility of the blizzard,

  Gripping onto her cloak Oskar's wand in hand over her shoulder the wizard flung lures of illumination becoming brighter the further it got before fading, with combined effort the three pushed back the torrent of wind making it through to the third ring where the now closed shops & street entertainers turned in for the night turning the vibrant roads cold & desolate.

  Icy winds turned their voices horse with Remidemus nearly collapsing only to have Zenthia & Oskar catch him bringing him back to his feet. The cold was painful. Leaving open streets the three turned to alleyways trusting Zenthia’s memory & Knowledge of the city to guide them. Stopping by a Brazier. They rested for a moment but didn't stop moving.

  Oskar struggled to breath as he felt the saliva in his throat nearly freeze, all he wanted to do was to get closer to the fire however he could already tell he was burning flesh just being as close as he was, he was feeling sleepy.

  Both Zenthia & Remidemus knew taverns, inns & brothels nearby; however, one look at their new companion, the two came to the conclusion that he wasn’t going to make it.

  Quickly Remidemus made a decision, handing over his flask of the Dragon breath bourbon to Oskar gesturing to drink slowly, the open sores in his throat ragged as the hot alcohol reignited him, Remidemus wrapped his cloak over him Zenthia doing the same.

  The combined warmth of the alcohol & the three cloaks wrapped around him.

  Remidemus’ sweat began freezing over him as he roared against the wind “Let’s move!”

  Like soldiers at attention the two returned to their formation, getting as far as they could from the fourth ring through the third, with every step Oskar was getting even more tired & delirious.

  Zenthia despite being well inclined to these streets & the cold, the blizzard was making the roads hard to determine. Even she was having difficulties fully knowing where they were now. Desperately looking for any kind of landmark through the snow.

  She shouted towards their leading companion “Where are we going!?”

  “Just a little further I see a light up ahead!” cried back Remidemus ice now growing on his face, his eyes bloodshot. Pooling his last remaining strength, like a moose ploughing through the snow he charged to the light. Wind blew a gale through his hair freezing covering his eyes blinding him. In a thicket of snow he pressed on, now entrusting all directions from Zenthia.

  She guides him with hand & voice towards the light.

  With one last ditch effort Oskar's throat began to illuminate, the light flowing to his wand, a purple marble launched to the door creating a rapturous knock.

  “Crash!’

  A tall figure opened & stood at the door, grabbing the rope on the bell outside, it rang & called out.

  Movement exploded from inside people grabbed blankets, food & drink

  “Come take shelter!” the Tall woman cried out to the icy abyss.

  Tonight, was like most other nights for Viramak, she clocked in for her shift put on her uniform & went to work, serving patrons, clearing tables in the tavern side of the guild & watching the sun fall, later in the day signifying the winter finally coming to an end soon.

  Adventurers old & new walking in for food, lodging, a good time, locals she recognized looking for a rowdier crowd to spend the evening, she watched the weather taking a turn, knowing what to do she rung the bell inside alerting the patrons of the impending storm, many either hunkered down or left before the worst of it arrived, for her, that was going to be her night, tend to, clean & serve whoever was left in the tavern, to her surprise there was still more than half left, some had means of transport through the storm, spells, potions, mounts, hells some others could teleport if you had the coin or the means to.

  Viramak the barmaid was content at this moment, the storm was in full swing & she was ready to settle into her rhythm of reading & snacking in between the orders. Until that was, she nearly choked on her snacks behind the bar,

  ‘Crash!’

  The sound was like thunder & splitting wood & she dreaded looking at the front door hoping it wasn’t damaged, lucky for whoever was out there it was just the bark with no bite, the door was large & an impressive piece of work, a gift to the previous guild master. Then it clicked. Someone was out there.

  Her slow pace turned into a sprint when she saw one of the patrons by the window, she recalled his name was Bill a well-dressed Tailor, now a scruffy half tucked looking man peered out the window beside him, his drunken eyes widened & sobered,

  Bill called out “Hey there's people out there!”

  mMusic stopped abruptly as many jumped into action racing to the door, grabbing assorted items, she swung the hefty door open & gazed out to see, then a faint light in the blizzard, they were still far from the door. Snow was almost waist high, for most people.

  Viramak was a half-giant & acted like it, forgoing anything that would slow her down she charged.

  With a new flame of courage, Remidemus trudged along & took each other’s hands, the freezing tired man wind blasting, their faces to a point before freezing hands now stiff gripping tightly. Suddenly the wind & snow stopped however they three were barely able to hear one another even though being so close.

  They gripped each other’s hands & with a nod Remidemus produced a primal feat of strength, gripping onto Zenthia’s forearm to a point her bones in her hand crack.

  Zenthia doing the same to Oskar his hands were unable to move but his eyes said otherwise. Remidemus took a deep breath, the icy cold freezing his lungs digging his heels into the snow. The man among beasts surged ferociously through the snow blind, he tasted blood in his mouth & before he sensed the gripping fog of sleep take hold of him.

  An explosion of movement could be felt beneath them, snow blew in every which way as casters from inside formed a path of wind for the mighty barmaid. two others in robes charged along side her making it to the fifteen-foot tall doors.

  The half-giant of a woman somewhere around seven feet in height, broad shoulders in a barmaid's uniform carried the half frozen three inside,

  “Step aside” a robed man commanded as his staff began to clink & glow offering a painless warmth to the three,

  “This one's not getting her colour back” said another assisting the healer,

  “She's a dark elf that is her natural colour” chittered someone from the growing crowd,

  Viramak gingerly placed Remidemus on a table, her eyes were honey yellow, skin a pale grey & raven black hair in three braids that weaved together.

  Remidemus regained his vision slowly forming blood soaked tears. Feeling himself being put down, it was warm, everything was, everything burned, his sight caught Viramak leaning over him.

  She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, sudden heat hitting his bodies hurt, the warm blood expanding the almost frozen flesh,

  ”This is bad but they will survive” said the clergy tending to Zenthia & Oskar, he was unwrapped & shown to the hearth, he was the least damaged.

  Another barmaid fetched hot food mulled cider instructed by Viramak & left the Remidemus & Zenthia to be tended to. Oskar managed to get to a calm enough state to speak & took stock, stuffed in his bag he held the powder popper, he felt a tap on his shoulder & just about fell out of his chair. Taking an intake breath that sounded almost like a squeak.

  Seeing Silvia the barmaid that served him, he relaxed, her smile was disarming, she was dwarven decent with coal black freckles

  “I cannot afford this” remarked Oskar disheartened

  “It’s okay I can take care of it” Zenthia’s voice came from behind, giving a soft near frostbitten smile, she slumped into the velvet chair “I hope they can clean this afterwards, my backs definitely bleeding”

  Silvia disappeared, returning with the same meal as Oskar

  “How is Remi?” The wizard asked

  “He’ll live” Zenthia answered

  Oskar nodded pleased, then Zenthia pulled a devilish smile only making it more terrifying with the bleeding frostbite lips

  “Besides I don't think the storms gonna be the thing killing him tonight” nodding her head gesturing Oskar to look towards Remidemus on the table.

  Viramak leaning over him administering a health potion,

  “Oh...ohhh” Oskar cast a knowing look Zenthia’s way & nodded approvingly quickly regretted feeling stinging cracking cold burnt skin, “That reminds me” Withdrawing from his bag a small bottle handing it over to Zenthia, “Small sips at first Z”

  Removing the stopper & raising their bottles to toast

  “to new companions” Oskar raised his mug

  She took a moment & then smiled “BOROK”

  Oskar approved “BOROK”

  The two toast Zenthia poured some of the potion into Oskars mug

  “You need some too all great & powerful wizard, nice job with the knocking”

  Taking a drink & almost instantly feeling the affect like every cell was electrified

  “Huh, heh-” Zenthia bolted upright feeling like she could shit gold ‘metaphorically’ There was still half the bottle left

  “What's wrong Z?” Oskar asked

  her beating heart felt as if it was going to beat out of her chest.

  Forming a calm voice that even surprised her she asked “Os, I promise I won’t be mad, just tell me where you got these potions?”

  nervous, Oskar responded “We acquired them from Gloria glorious emporium” he took a swig from his mug & felt it, the hot cider mixed with the potion set him standing like a rocket drawing his hand to his chest over the small fortune rampaging his system.

  With a knowing look the two shared a horrified look with shuddering breaths

  Oskar uttered “That was a high grade healing potion”

  Zenthia nodded & both had the same idea.

  Remidemus was recovering on the table with a pillow placed under his head, parts of his skin was frozen solid & other parted frost bitten, his hands still held in a grip, parts of his knuckles were cracked so deep you could see the Cartlidge

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  “How are you feeling?” a soft voice asked from beside him.

  His lungs were dry & his voice was like that of nails to a dry chalkboard

  “We did it & got some coins while we were at it” said Remidemus joyfully maintaining a positive manner.

  Viramak kept close, providing body to body warmth, defrosted blood dripped onto the table as a mage gingerly brought the separated flesh together,

  “What were you three doing out there?” asked the mage,

  “We, were returning from a mission” Remidemus choked out,

  “We can ask more questions when he's not bleeding on my tables,” Viramak said.

  A moment went by, noticing Oskar & Zenthia were more cognitive,

  Silvia returned to the table. “How are you two doing?”

  “We’re better, far from better, I'll be back” with long strides Zenthia appeared next to the mage, Viramak & Remidemus at the table.

  All three looked to the beautifully tall woman eclipsing them, “Is he in any condition to drink a healing potion?” Zenthia asked with more concern in her tone than even she expected.

  She saw Remidemus earlier but now his body was defrosting, cracks began bleeding until he was coated in his own blood, the chandelier above the four gave a horrific sight, however despite all this, Remidemus still smiled & gave a disarming look of calm.

  “He can drink yes; I am holding him together for now” the mage said

  Viramak was leaning over, her apron soaking up the blood & unmoving from her post, Zenthia lifted Remidemus head up to avoid choking then whispered in his ear so only him & Vriamak & herself could hear

  “This might sting big guy”

  Popping the stopper she poured the potion down his throat. Remidemus was only partly conscious for the last few minutes. Vision returning was not helping, his thoughts slowing down, the pain was agonising with what he could feel. His skin like stone & crushing his flesh, Viramaks warmth was a blessing & a curse, it kept him awake however that only made the pain more present.

  All that became a fleeting memory when he heard Zenthia’s voice , All eyes watching over Remidemus bulged as they witnessed mussels, sinew & flesh grow back in seconds. Coughing up a ball of blood Remidemus sat upright.

  Viramak was unsteady almost falling off the table to give him space, Remidemus’ reflexes shot out to catch her in a lightning fast embrace she instinctually held him tight after a moment, her face was like fire & got off him

  “I’m so sorry sir. How are you feeling”

  Seeing all his blood on her, he grimaced, now it was his turn to feen embarrassed, unsure what to say he just gave a thumbs up, a quick slap to the head received from Zenthia woke him

  “Really she saved you & all you can do is a thumbs up?” shaking her head she returned to the fireplace leaving the rest.

  The slap brought him back to the present as he smiled & nodded glad to be alive.

  “My name is Viramak, will you be needing a room?” The barmaid Asked, smiling hopeful, glad they were alive.

  Remidemus was helped off the table looking from Viramak & his two companions by the fire looking at him, “I‘ll need to talk to the rest of my team” He said

  Viramak nodded & followed him to a seat by the two near the fire.

  Looking to Remidemus falling into the chair exhaling heavily they all relaxed,

  “well, that escalated quickly” Oskar chuckled,

  “I Take you’re feeling better” Viramak stood by Remidemus side

  Oskar nodded shakly

  “How are you all feeling, would you all like some more food & a place to stay?”

  With a quick glance between the three they all nodded

  “We will yes please” said Zenthia

  “I will see what I can do for food & get you some rooms’ Viramak said

  The tall beautiful women jovially pivoting on one foot & heading towards the concierge. Some time had passed & after some more than verbal rousing over Remidemus’ unintentional wooing the team finally got a moment to take stock as they were shown to their room.

  One gold paid for the room & though expensive the quality on top of security paid for the safety, with keys in hand Viramak left them to it while food & drink was ordered & paid for, it worked out to be a great deal.

  The room had three beds & a set of chests to hold all the items sat at the ends. Oskar sat on one of the beds & pulled out his candle.

  “Should we light these babies up & call it a job well done?” Oskar said, holding up his index finger with a small light flame burning at the end

  Zenthias' eyebrow raised in question “Okay. Why did you not do that when we were freezing out there?” She asked

  Oskar made the slightest flick & the flame went out, “Its an incredibly fickle spell”

  Zenthia shrugged “Fair enough”

  “Did you not want to study this?’ asked Remidemus pulling out his green candle.

  Oskar grimaced “I did, however, the more it’s within my grasp, the more I would want to use it or even worse make one myself” His eyes did not betray his stoic tone.

  “Sounds good to me” Zenthia said throwing up & catching her candle, “Let’s get this & be done”

  Oskar nodded & brought his re-lit finger to Zenthia’s candle, following to Remidemus, then to his own. It all happened so fast, darkness erupted, consuming the room as each one was sucked into a smoky void still holding the candles as if they never left.

  All three could see one another facing each other

  “Guys!?” Zenthia called out in a panic.

  Oskars eyes glowed gold scanning the room “We're in a pocket dimension, a space between space” Oskar took a deep breath & calmed his nerves before continuing “We’re going to be okay”

  Oskar reached into his bag & passed the powder popper to Zenthia. A moment passed before the sound of wet footsteps as if walking in a shallow puddle could be heard beyond the void.

  Walking towards the three of them was Lord Surrugal vahnderhart he smiled at them

  “That was rather quick, well done. What have you got?” The lord asked, genuinely surprised & even thankful.

  Zenthia cleared her throat “We found out a gang has been making a name for themselves, we tracked them down to a pub called the dungeons den. After that Oskar here put them to sleep in the middle of us drinking, they called it a powder popper”

  Zenthia Pulled out the powder popper & held it out for Surrugal to take it which he did, astonished that they got one so quickly Surrugal took a deep breath & took it from his investigator gingerly. Taking a step back from the group.

  The three felt their stomach drop, the three felt like rats in a cage facing a predator in the dark. With a single squeeze that made it look like the device of wood & metal in his hand appear soft. The powder popper was crushed into bent metal & splintered timber falling to the ground disappearing into the liquid void.

  Shaking his hands free of debris the lord's demeanour returned.

  Their unblinking eyes watching Surrugals hands dip into his coat with three pouches of gold between each finger, the weight alone would have been insane, yet he held them as if the weight & value meant nothing.

  Noticing their expressions Surrugal sighed, realising he should have probably had done than in private

  “Here is the rest of your payment, the more of these & information you bring to me, the more you will be paid” The lord said.

  Zenthia shuddered as he approached & he smirked “I’m not going to hurt you, Any of you. The path I see you three are on, I can say with confidence you’ll come across creatures & individuals far more dangerous’ Surrugal said, handing out what had been promised, giving each person a gentle handshake & smile.

  “They intend to go after Gloria’s glorious emporium as well, due to her refusing to pay for their protection” said Oskar holding the handshake with piercing golden eyes empowered by his magic,

  Surrugal held his gaze with a knowing look ‘clever’ he thought & nodded, “I will make some arrangements to be sure this gang is subdued & taken care of thank you, celebrate survival & get some rest, I will be taking my leave now ” Taking a slight bow before walking into the inky abyss eventually vanishing. “Blow out the candles to leave” he called from the depths.

  Candles were blown out & they were back in the room they were just in before lighting them.

  “Well I don’t know about you two, but I am going to go get something to drink, & I will be back” Oskar said. Closing the door & heading down the stairs, leaving Remidemus & Zenthia in the room alone.

  Remidemus began to take off his plate armour & put it into the chest, the under-padding made of multiple patches of wool & leather stitched together tightly making a thick pea coat, moulded to his body shape to a degree, almost like a second layer of armour.

  Zenthia hung up her cloak, it glistened with the melting snow, the unstrung longbow both it & the arrows near the chest by her bed.

  The two were alone, between the light grunts from both of them removing armour & gear, the two said little. Though healed exponentially faster due to the powerful healing potion, the scars & marks of rapid healing marked them. Zenthia broke the silence.

  “Are, are you sure you’re okay Remi?” Zenthia hesitated

  Unbuckling his last piece of armour, a leg piece, & placing it into the chest he rolled his shoulders.

  “No new aches, cracks, my hands hurt though, that potion was amazing, but the pain tends to remain as a phantom if itself” Remidemus’ optimistic tone dulled a moment.

  “How many more of those do we have?”

  “Two, but I'm not sure how strong the others are. How are you Z-?” Remidemus held his breath.

  Letting her hair out & now wearing a loose fitting shirt courtesy of the inn, she was in full display. Evidence of fights hard won marred her.

  “Skin feels a bit tight but I have so much energy.”

  That said energy was directed at the Kicking of the door aggressively, Oskar barrelling in with two short casks of ale over his shoulders nearly dropping them. Three tankards strapped like a bandoleer, eyes widened & smiles grew.

  The music below got even louder, growing a feel of glee as all three drank their fill upstairs. some more than others & the final discussion of the night came from Remidemus

  “So, how did a panther come out of the bag & where do you think it went?”

  The two bleary eyed & drunk looked to one another conspiratorially

  “Truth be told, I’ll be feeling pretty bad if it got someone or if it died in the cold” Remidemus said.

  Miraculously Oskar took the bag & studiously inspected the satchel his eyes changing shape “My guess is the bag itself is enchanted by what the bag itself is made of.The panther was clearly upset that we pulled it out, however, did not see us as a threat or her target. Where it went I would say it went for shelter. Whether it got someone, I couldn’t tell you” Oskar said sagely. The drunk Wizard closed his eyes rubbing his chin “If you would like to know exactly what it is. I can ask something”

  “Well of course! You’re a man of the mystic arts” Remidemus said, his face red as rose.

  Even In Oskar’s tipsy state, he was still able to keep near full composure for just this moment. Hammering to the floor a small nail tied with a piece of golden threaded string attached to a piece of white chalk, casting three circles each getting smaller fitting in the previous circle. Placing an owl skull on top of the bag now sitting in the middle of the rings.Five runes each drawn quick & aggressive, striking to form each one violently as if attacking the floor, forming old runes of the ancient realms of draconic magic.

  Remidemus sitting on his bed & watching as this took place, eyes glued to the process.

  Zenthia had heard from Olo of the practices of the arcane, & how different cultures of magic exist & learned their own way of using it. Most of all how dangerous it can be.

  She stood behind her bed, eyes peeled.

  Oskar completed the array forming a scope, with the owl skull as the crosshairs. Pulling the nail & string out of the floor, cross legged, eyes turning a pearl white Oskar began chanting a mantra from a language unfamiliar to Zenthia nor Remidemus.

  Moments passed they went drink for drink for quite a while telling one another of their pasts quietly.

  “So you're searching for your old master right? Terapicta I’ve met some, fought others, their shells are super strong, one nearly killed me, she was not happy with me napping on her” Remidemus laughed.

  Zenthia nearly spat her drink Remidemus smirked “But that was back when I was south. I did hear of a shell-bound in some ruins in the outer forrest” Remidemus said, his arms crossed seeing Oskar’s ears twitch every so often.

  “More or less though Olo’s more than a master to me before he left he was going to teach me how to find my first animal companion. He’d probably sit on you if you fell asleep on him” Zenthia’s head luled, the potions energy wearing off & the alcohol taking full effect.

  Laughing at the image picturing if such a thing were to happen, continuing on saying

  “When you say south, how far were you, Atherus?” Taking a chance.

  “I really want to go down there but not yet. No, I’m from the centre of Draven-far, that’s where I lived before this” said Remidemus nonchalantly.

  “The land of Mino-beasts!” Zenthia choked, “What made you live there? Is the whole place not filled with huge creatures, like eight feet tall at least, & aren’t most of them, savage”

  Zenthia started reevaluating the man In Front of her. A dark look fell on Remidemus. But just as quickly, it faded.

  Zenthia felt her neck hairs prickle.

  “Well for the most part no, we have had wars between each other, some travelling groups are unsavoury, & the whole savage thing does happen, it’s an illness, but very rarely that was mostly due to the war sum three hundred years ago, & for why I was there. I was raised there. In a clan of horn-bound in the central pains. The chief was a Minotaur named Tolorvic “Tol-Lore-Vic", He saw something of me & he took me in. He called me Moong Uneg, silver fox. & as I was leaving he gave me a human name” Remidemus was getting excited telling stories of the little known country he was raised.

  For Zenthia it started to all make sense with him now, his confidence, his strength no wonder people liked him, Zenthia thought.

  A flash of white light & words began to appear in front of Oskar on the floor & he began to read the glowing white inscription.

  “It is done, this bag, this satchel is unique, yes enchanted, the souls of eight beasts are bound to the bag, on sunset or sunrise they return into the bag. Who wants this?” Oskar asked with a smile, cleaning the magic circle & putting the skull back into the component sack only to see the skull absorbed into the satchel.”‘Better make that nine”

  Oskars eyes widened

  “Would you like it Remi” Zenthia asked

  ‘Are you kidding animals, love me, but should you not have it at least until you find your animal companion this way you can practise” Remidemus returned, the silver fur satchel now placed on Zenthia’s bed.

  Oskar filling his tankard & pounding back one, filling a second his face now glowing red & sipping on it, taking a seat egregiously on his bed nearly falling off only to sit back up almost instantly.

  The three sat in their beds looking at each other.

  “We make a good team” Remidemus said. “Should we” He paused

  “stick together” Oskar continued

  “Let’s say, I noticed a lot of adventurers down stairs. Could this be a guild?’ Zenthia conspired

  “If it is, I might join but let’s check tomorrow.” Remidemus said.

  The three made a final toast before heading to sleep, the music died down & the howling winds took hold of the kingdom's slumber.

  Far off in the fourth ring a Panther stalked her prey.

  A goblin that smelled of her murdered companion, pissing on a brazier it steamed off the hot metal, his friends, his ‘crew’ laughed from inside their hideout.

  “Those three are going to pay for this, the boss is going to kill me” Rahvix hissed,

  Turning around he saw a moving shadow prowl towards him. He never got the chance to do much more than squeak. The goblins' blood quickly soaked, then buried by the falling snow.

  Only to be found in the morning by Arthur & Surrugul along with the hideout.

  The inky black leopard had a name once, however she didn’t think she would ever be called it again. She wrapped herself around the still warm corpse of her companion's killer. With contempt going into that goodnight with the cold. Her fur began to glow & fade as her essence evaporated to the winds.