Chapter 8

  A new dawn

  Dawn rose on the kingdom of Norruval giving warmth to the near frozen city. Snow filled the walls burying the city leaving only the second floor & roofs visible. In the castle, a king & queen stood aware of the deadly blizzard from the night before, the two peered out over the balcony where they could see the massive city before them. Each ring like a ripple in a pond & the castle is the pebble where all the walls connect. The colossal black mountain stood tall behind the city looming over as a silent guardian.

  Both shared a nod & together they began to head to the tallest tower, the two hand in hand taking their time in blissful silence, the sun had just touched the tip of the mountain. The top room of the keep was an open area lined with constellations, paintings & tapestries. They continued to doors leading to a balcony, the cold winds blew into the room although the floor of the balcony didn’t have a single drop of snow, to the center of the floor stood a large key hole.

  Strapped to her side not taken up by her beloved husband's hand, she drew her sword with her free hand, letting go & taking a step to the side the king watched his Queen wield her mighty blade.

  It was enchanted lined with silver & gold inlay forged in a dwarven style, sturdy & functional, thrusting the blade into the keyhole the keep came alive, turning the key made an echo that could be heard through the kingdom. A loud mechanical

  “Clunk”,

  Black obsidian motes that spread throughout the city began to heat up & glow forming a massive magic circle. Melting the ice & snow off streets & buildings the melt flowed, filling the wells & streams with fresh clean melted & most importantly purified water. In moments the city was a steamy opaque fog layer over the city.

  With her job complete she withdrew the sword back sheathing it to her side. Turning to her King she smiled seeing his face

  “Shall we go back inside dear” said king Burian “bur-ri-an”

  “Indeed I am feeling peckish & want my coffee” Queen Irina “ir-li-na” moaned, she wrapped her arm around her beloved.

  Queen Irina was a half giant standing just over seven feet tall, with a commanding build & presence with all the grace of a queen, dressed in fine clothes fit for a royal & for the weather she was draped in a cloaked of black fur, she was a woman bearing the signs of past sophisticated trials & tribulations, battle scars scoured her bare grey skin resembling Kintsugi which she wore proudly

  From the beginning the kingdom was in her blood right however to obtain it, she had to go through much hardship & bloodshed of her own & others, believed to never being able to bear a child forged her desire to raise & protect the city as if it was her own flesh & blood.

  King Burian was of the northern Orc’s, broad shoulders & powerful legs forged with blood of mixed descent; he was a monster. Tusks, well tamed & tended to the king by earned title, stood proud of his wife & his city.

  With mixed blood he was able to fight for more than just the Orcs but for all he saw as kin, keeping his pedigree secret he showed his worth to his queen now wife Irina on the battlefield. Stories tell of the people he had saved & foes he had destroyed, his ferocity was legendary & was believed to be able to call upon the havens for storms & lightning.

  The two returned to their other activities leaving the city to its own devices.

  Crows of a chicken-drake outside Oskar’s window aggressively rising everyone awake, Oskar shot up in a fright breathing heavily & pointing his wand to the open room.

  “Come at me you goblin fucker I’ll smack ya!” Oskar yelled, wheezing the last part. panicking everyone.

  Remidemus took a step out of the pointed direction shaking his head “Wizards really do like their sleep… you okay?” Remidemus asked bewildered.

  Oskar scanned at his surroundings then paused, putting his wand down & clearing his throat he sat quietly more than a little embarrassed falling back into his bed.

  “What was that all about, bad dream?” Zenthia asked, her tone was flat showing more curiosity than concern.

  She was lacing up her second boot preparing for the day ahead.

  Sitting up Oskar stretched & got up “A bit of a mental recapture of yesterday dear, no need to worry, & yes we Wizards do like our sleep” Oskar said still in his sleepy stupor

  Getting out & remaking his bed then putting on a pair of slippers, Oskar went to wash up, his eyes widened & unblinking catching up to his addled mind & realising what he had just said.

  Z raised one eyebrow looking to see the wizard disappear into the washroom then back to Remi.

  Both couldn’t hold back smiling & letting out a chuckle

  “How are you feeling dear?’ Remidemus asked in mock formality, copying Oskars occasional proper speech.

  shaking her head she took out her gear from the chest, all of it was cleaned. Courtesy of the chest's enchantments

  “Yeah, I'm good, but let's cut the dear thing before it catches on shall we” Z said in mock afront

  Remidemus nodded & began to stretch out into a standing pose, one leg back fully extended, one in front bent forward & arms up as if he were holding a sword above his head.

  “Z we’re gonna check out & see if this is a guild right?” Remi asked jovially, “What do you have in mind if it is?”

  Pulling herself out of her thoughts she genuinely took a moment to answer. “Well I’m unsure of where to go from here. I still need to find Olo & I'm not going to find him here. On top of that I feel like we’re all on a similar path”

  Remidemus nodded sagely “We did invoke Borok”

  ‘Was that anyway? Borok I mean’ Zenthia asked

  Remidemus was surprised “Seriously, aren’t you from here” he asked,

  “I grew up here, but that doesn’t mean I know everything about this place, laws, regulations & stuff like that, yes, but traditions, I wasn’t exactly traditionally raised. I’m not sure if you noticed but have you seen any other Dark elves?”

  Remidemus felt a moment of kinship, nodding his head he explained “It’s like a declaration, kind of like-” Before he could continue, walking out the door Oskar walked out of the washroom refreshed

  “What’s going on?” Oskar asked

  ‘I’m explaining Borok”

  The wizard wearing his pointed hat just about ready to go, he nodded to continue,

  Remidemus obliged “where was I, oh right. A call to fate to bear witness”

  “So why is it a toast?” she asked

  “It’s what people around here would say before a journey, whether by hell or fortune fate watches as witness”

  “I see, so we are now in theory being watched by fate by invoking Borok, a bit bold isn't it?”

  “It’s not always declared but doing so turns heads for those who know, it’s also seen as a call of conviction” Remidemus stretched his body checking the fit of the armour, “Are we ready?” the paladin asked.

  Oskar barely had his coat on before Remidemus slapped him on the back to follow. Like how a sibling would be trying to race each other to the breakfast table,

  “Eye let’s be off” The wizard approved

  “As ready as I'll ever be” The ranger acknowledged, following behind.

  Exiting their room looking from the landing down to the hustle & bustle of what was clearly a guild hall full of adventurers. People of big & small bearing similar badges signifying their affiliation, & rank in the guild.

  Around the corner on the main door was a reception desk where a young man of elven blood stood.

  “That looks like the person to talk to.” Remidemus said, beginning to descend the stairs.

  Zenthia playfully tried to trip her armoured friend while overtaking him & got to the reception desk first.

  The concierge's eyes widened seeing the three approaches, if not a little startled “Oh, good morning what can I do for you?” Said the young elven man. He had amber eyes & a built figure battling just under portley.

  “How do we become guild members?” Zenthia asked panting, catching her breath followed by Remidemus & Oskar behind.

  ‘Oh well this is sudden’ He thought “Absolutely, I have all the paperwork here”

  The three beamed

  “As it so happens with three of you here that fits the criteria of three adventurers minimum for their first mission” the concierge said, sorting some papers on his desk handing out forms “Fill out these papers & then come see me,” The young man said with a smile.

  “I’m Remi & this is Z, & Oskar”

  “Stig, welcome to the guild of Myriad Adventures” The youthful man said.

  The paperwork was simple: name, class of skill, next of kin, burial requirements, fee’s, references & benefits. The three read & filled out the paperwork however Oskar had an extra form. “Okay I will need some help with this one,” Oskar said, holding up the final form. It was the team form with only 9 words on it.

  Class of trade, Name of adventurers, Name of the team.

  Remidemus silver, Paladin.

  Oskar Lotusfall, Wizard.

  Zenthia Bonborrow, Ranger.

  “How about we give the honour to Stig” Zenthia said.

  All three looked at each other, gave nod & gave the forms to Stig,

  “Are you sure?” Stig asked & with assurance he smiled & accepted “Well I would be honoured”

  Stig took a moment handing over the form after writing in something, with the first letters of each class circled marked on the top of the page,

  Team PoWeR.

  “It’s perfect” Oskar Said

  “Now all that’s underway, now all you need to do is complete your first mission & as it so happened, I have got just the one this morning” Stig handed over a request paper.

  Request for transport,

  a wagon of stores for Pendal need to be safeguarded from Norruval to Pendal, the last few have been ambushed & taken by unknown assailants.

  Payment upon delivery ten gold pieces,

  Time for delivery: three days.

  “Sounds good to me” Remi Said

  “I like it” Z cooed noting the location

  “We got to start somewhere, let’s get supplies for ourselves first, then meet the wagon” Oskar said

  The two agreed & planned a time & place to depart,It was still early morning so they made haste.

  The same place Oskar had arrived was the pick up location.

  They set themselves three hours, taking the job the three set off in their own directions to prepare. Oskar gathered more supplies for his magic, & had an idea of where to go, some he was able to gather himself on the way there.

  Remidemus was aware of the possible dangers of night travel & thought to go to a blacksmith he knew well, Darix Leatherhorn was his name, to Describe him with less words he was loud, a burly dwarf famous for his double edged dual bevelled forging known as bloodstone style, making his blades lighter & good for blood extraction, his weapons are made for beast hunters. Certain blood can be harvested for elixirs, charms & specialty spells, a drop of someone’s blood can be helpful for a number of things.

  “Good morning Darix, I am here to purchase a sword!” Remidemus called out loudly.

  From the front desk seeing him pounding away to a stinging white blade, completing his circuit he quenched the blade his beard could not cover his ear-to-ear smile towards the young man. He always liked Remidemus, kind, committed & helpful.

  “AHH young master Remi! Ahem sorry I was a bit loud there, the banging like that makes the old ears ring like the dinner bell! A sword you say? I can find you one” said Darix still yelling,

  Remidemus poured a mug of water for Darix which he took. His beard was greased black with coiled back burned spots, where the grease was less thick.

  Opening an oak box big enough to fit a long sword, the dual bevel inlay flowed into the handle with channels leading to the pommel, there, it would fill a detachable hollow crystal pommel.

  Remidemus’ eyes were glued to it. “How much?” his eyes trained on the sword calculating its value.

  The dwarf looked up to him sagely, “What's the occasion, you still have that last sword, don’t you, Or, did you break it?”

  quickly lifting his hands in protest Remidemus backtracked “Your sword is still in one piece”

  He quickly unstrapped the long sword & unwrapped it the well-oiled pristine blade gleaming from the morning light through the window,

  Darix took a long look gliding his thumb along the edge “hmm, You’re sharpening the edge a bit off, you will sharpen it properly here before you leave”

  The great sword had a wide base tapering to a pointe tip, the guard was nothing special with a flat crossbar, a long fuller taking away much of the weight, a truly ordinary sword.

  Remi nodded relieved “I’ve made some new friends & we’ve become adventures this morning”

  Darix though not blood, his heart welled with pride “And I suppose you need a new sword for?” the blacksmith egged him on for more detail

  “it’s a transport missing toward Pendal, there's been two failed missions so far”

  Darix nodded his eyes closed making a decision picking up the sword out of the case “For you, that’ll be about seventy gold, usually, a piece like this would be at least a hundred. However! Words got to me that you’re the reason that gang had been taken care of” Darix whispered conspiratorially.

  Remi was astonished at the fact they got the credit & how quickly word was spread.

  “I was also looking for a silver sword, any chance you have one?” He asked.

  Darix took a long look at Remidemus, taking in the young man before him a deep breath filled his lungs, & nodded uncrossing his arms revealing his mechanical right hand adorned in runes constantly glowing, two large fingers & a thumb-like made a perfect grip, took the handle of his work & went to a tall kiln where silver had already been melting, Remidemus’ eyes widened & he took in a sharp breath.

  It was his old sword but seeing Darix plunging his old sword blade tip first seeing the rapidly cooling silver coat the blade strutting outside aggressively however, deliberate swinging & whipping the sword dripping the excess silver into the snow forming beads. The silver, hardening in the ice.

  Running back to the kiln & repeated the process two more times before returning to Remidemus.

  “Silver coated over steel will chip but won’t bend so easily, seventy-three gold over all” Darix said loudly smiling,

  Remidemus paused “What about the rest in the snow”

  The dwarf grunted “My apprentice will pick’em up, clever bastard made a shovel with a sieve for such a task”.

  Remidemus was extremely impressed the sword had no blemishes & the whole blade was now coated in silver, with that he now had two swords & with a few adjustments to his scabbard the two sat side by side.

  Leaving the gold in Darix’ hand Remidemus left the blacksmith with a near empty coin purse but now with a second sword & six replaceable crystal pommels he suddenly stopped when he heard over his shoulder

  “Where do you think you’re goin!? You still need to sharpen that edge”

  Remidemus pivoted & walked back in.

  In another part of the city, Zenthia had a similar idea however before that she reached into the silver fur satchel & pulled forth a bristly tuft of fur that quickly began to wriggle & grow into a full sized boar that was calm in her presence.

  He stood just over her waist height & was a greys & dark brown, a mohawk of bristle hair following along his back. He made a happy squeal & walked alongside her.

  Zenthia headed to the fourth ring. With the multiple smithies in the capital each one became distinct to their own special techniques & styles.

  The smithy Zenthia had in mind was like her, an oddity to the city & suddenly got nervous looking at her new boar companion & wondered how he was going to react. She wrapped on the door before entering, the shop was organised & set up by a master marketeer, light enchantments illuminated the building, a mix of small warehouse general shop owned by a Tuskan named Fulbran Alcleaf, the great boars of the Mino-race.

  “Fully! Where are you?” She yelled

  “Z, is that you?” yelled back Fulbran

  The workshop was clean & well-kept, three main tables designed for different kinds of work, leather, metalwork & small tinkering of sorts, the forge was kept by a small red fire drake with blue spots. His name was Boa, Z thought he was adorable. Giving him some scratches as she waited

  “Yeah, just by the front”

  Reeling around the corner, cleaning, rag in hand wiping some kind of oil,

  “AH Z how are you? What can I do for you?” His long snout drew in fresh air from leaving what seemed to be a chemical room.

  Fulbran at full height stretched to eight feet tall, an absolute unit & giant even for the general populous of quite literally half-giants, though a smith he was well dressed with a cotton shirt & tailored pants under a leather apron, face like a boar, tusks well-tended to & physically built for the trade of smithing he stood tall & proud.

  “I am doing well Fulbran, you look much the same” Zenthia said

  He grunted “yes I have been, business has been good”

  She reached into her bag “I have something for you to check out” Zenthia said, pulling out the small water skin of black powder & handing it to Fulbran.

  “What is this Z? Is it not your birthday soon?” Fulbran asked inquisitively.

  She paused, how does he know?

  “I got this the other night. I thought you would be able to find out” Zenthia said

  “I see.” Fulbran smelled the powder & took a step back.

  “This is potent, any thoughts of what it was presumed to be used for” She planned on not telling the major detail but trusted him

  “I picked it from some trouble makers planning to cause harm with it. It might be flammable”

  “Let’s burn some!” said Fulbran passionately excited,

  Zenthia's eyes widened in concern, smiled then nodded.

  Fulbran poured half a spoonful & paused, “Boatan” the tuskan called & whistled his drake away from the forge then tossed it to the flames.

  An explosive flare of fire made the room burst then quickly dissipate scaring Boa under the furthest table the boar stood guard defiantly protecting the little drake. A moment of silence broke by a cough from Fulbran

  “And who is this wee warrior” He asked looking at the boar,

  She was impressed, unlike the other three in the room including Boa the brave boar didn’t flinch at the flash, a glint of intelligence reflected in his eyes ready for a challenge.

  “He’s a spirit I think, apparently there's around nine in this bag.” She hesitated to ask. Fulbran was one of the few people she didn’t like upsetting. “This isn’t weird is it?”

  The Tuskan beast kin snorted, his face much like Bacons own “No why would it, we may have similar ancestors well maybe, regardless you have a brave companion”

  Getting on one knee & ruffling the boars mohawk then fixing it to look more appropriate, the boar squealed with delight.

  Fulbran stood up & sighed looking at his friend's disciple

  “Where did you find this Ranger Zenthia” His tone was dark & serious but not aggressive.

  She stood her ground, “You heard about that goblin gang from last night, yes?”

  He nodded

  “they acquired a device designed to use this powder with small metal rounded balls as projectiles”

  His eyes narrowed, ears twitching

  “There's more coming from someone so this fight isn’t over yet, we’re still investigating but at the moment I'm on another mission”

  Fulbran nodded putting a teapot over the forge, after a few seconds he poured fresh tea for both he took a sip of his tea then spoke “this powder is volatile so I will run some tests to see it’s possibilities, maybe something handheld or for you a trap”

  Zenthia knew Fullbran since she was Olo’s ward he was her friend one of few so when he & her locked eyes with that inner destructive devil both smiled & eyes widened, both had the same idea

  “Let’s make arrows go boom” both said together the ideas & possibilities but she paused. Worried about the consequences of Surrugal finding out.

  “Fulbran, any chance you could actually make me some arrows with this. Could” She paused. “Could you make more of the powder” Zenthia asked apprehensively

  “It would be an honour, Zenthia. If you can get me more, I can study it. However, be careful” Fulbran said.

  Who was he, her father? He wasn’t but he cared, many rangers, hunters & adventurers had stood where she did now, long before her, some he hadn't seen since then.

  Zenthia left ten gold pieces on the desk without telling Fulbran & left for him to work. The air was cold & dry but no fresh snow on the ground, a common practice after last night. She stopped at a few stores on the way towards her home.

  An odd mix of tower & warehouse stood in the second ring, it was where she trained, worked & got the odd job via messenger of carrier bird.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Olo & Zenthia were the only city rangers, at least that she's met, she knew why. Training, teaching the ways, & most importantly funding.

  One of these days she will find out why the city rangers were discontinued. & despite traditions. she lived there, why not? She thought. She checked the set glue on previously fletched arrows & made some more for later use.

  Gathering & restocking on already depleted supplies she left, locking the door behind & setting off.

  Returning to the guild, Remidemus noticed a strong scent coming from the room they stayed in & went to investigate. Opening the door, a light smoke cloud began to exit, he hesitated to enter.

  Oskar was in the room burning herbs & incense. The smoke formed a circle within the room, a pipe sat in Oskar’s mouth resting against his teeth.

  “Ah Remi right on time. Did you want to see how Wizards get their familiar?” Oskar said jovially & muffled.

  Remidemus followed into the room he did not interject. “Is it part of the process? Smoking a pipe?” he asked

  “I suppose it can be however on this occasion no, I bought this pipe today & this kingdom has got some very fine herbs”

  Oskar stood wrapping one arm over Remidemus shoulder, Oskar wasn‘t short but he still needed to lift his heels a bit for the gesture

  The wizard handed over the pipe, freeing his hands.

  “Now this is how I get my familiar back,” Oskar declared.

  Pulling his arm away & taking a sturdy stance, clasping his hands together as if in prayer clenching them tight. His clothes began to bellow the air in the room grew heavy, a pressure condensed the clouds of smoke forming a current towards the wizard. The smoke in the room followed his movements & began to compact into a ball, turning mat orange.

  Pulling his hands away from themselves the air between became iridescent as the ball of smoke turned into an egg.

  Remidemus didn’t take his eye off the spell, watching the egg begin tearing open. The smoke cleared & the air returned to normal. The egg began dissipating, & what came crawling out was. A crab? A crab. One not much bigger than a mud crab & looked speckled white.

  Remidemus’ head cocked sideways in confusion “A crab seriously?”

  Oskar smiled proudly “This is Eugene. He has been with me for a long time, but I haven summoned him in a while.’ Oskar walked over & picked him up, “How are ya big guy?”

  The crab, Eugine clicked his claws & foamed making chittering noises with his maxillipeds.

  Now holding the crab, Remidemus had to admit he was kinda cute.

  The room fell silent for a moment Zenthia walked with the boar she had called Bacon. Taking in the scene of Oskar puffing his pipe & Remidemus. Confused & intrigued at the albino crab that captured the ranger's attention.

  “Um what’s with the crab” Zenthia asked

  “Why this is Eugene, my familiar” Oskar said, holding up the crab in both hands.

  Eugene raised one claw up waving hello before scuttling along Oskar’s arm finding a perch in the pulled back hood of Oskar’s robes, looking behind in a sentry position.

  Zenthia was not sure how helpful a crab would be, however she could tell that all three were ready.

  “Should we head off?” Zenthia .

  Both Remidemus & Oskar were indeed ready, grabbing their equipment & with the sun just touching the centre of the city.

  They set off wagon & ox in tow leaving the Nurruval towards the south east towards Pendal, a trip all day & night can get there in two days.

  The wagon was large; it had an oil canvas tarp covering the cargo & the drivers, the supplies were of food, letters & medical equipment.

  Bacon was set up as an auxiliary with the oxen.

  Remidemus took the first watch of the night with Oskar keeping watchout on the back. Zenthia resting for her shift in a few hours the ride was in silence mostly avoiding any & all distractions.

  The route was an often used road & was well known, keeping his eyes out Remidemus saw little part from the first signs of spring appearing. Birds & small rodents perching on trees catching the sun rays. Sun falling from the sky as stars bring light. From afar the moon, a thin crescent smile loomed over passing by,

  Remidemus sat & kept on the reins & his eyes widened. Bacon began to illuminate & dissipate into specs of golden lights fading into the bag.

  “Remember me bacon remember me” Remidemus cried, as if he was saying goodbye to a friend for the last time.

  Zenthia arose to take over for Remidemus, Oskar was sitting on the back edge of the wagon keeping his eyes trained on any movement. occasionally tossing small beads of light a couple dozen feet behind them. The group took a break on the side of the road for the Ox to rest.

  “So what’s with the crab? You said it’s your familiar. What exactly does a familiar do?” Zenthia asked. who had been puzzled on the subject while she rested.

  Oskar jumped, being so used to the quiet part from the sound of the wagon itself & the occasional grunts from Bacon & the Ox, he looked up meeting her eyes, they were like a night predators, wide & all encompassing.

  He coughed “Well miss Z I suppose it is something like someone in your profession having a companion. For some practitioners of the arts, it is for company, the lonely parts on the road of life. For others a reminder of a goal, for you see familiars can be a reflection of the casters personality, desires, & fears, They can imprint strong emotions of whatever the person's goals are. In a way, a familiar is a wizard's soul for we call to the very essence of magic for our companions. Finally there are the practical sides,” Oskar said, taking on that studious tone once more.

  Finding a piece of dried meat & bringing it towards the back of his neck where Eugine stayed seated, now chewing on the dried meat. To Zenthia, one of the few people she could compare Oskar to was Olo, the way he spoke reminded her of the companions Olo himself had with him, & the trust he had for them made her wonder if she was going to find something she could trust like that.

  “The practical side, how?” the ranger persisted

  “Well I become visually disconnected from my body & I can send Eugine off to scout ahead, or in spaces we cannot fit, there I can share his vision & see what he can. Even now he’s my eyes for the back of my head” Oskar gestured to the snuggled up crab looking like a mound of snow in his hood.

  Now that was useful. Zenthia started calibrating plans of attack & subterfuge with powers like that, she sighed, she was getting ahead of herself.

  Getting back on the road, the night was the complete opposite to the previous. Not a single gust of wind, only a sound when birds were landing or when snow got too heavy for branches, the still cold left a night of sleeping difficult however not impossible for Remidemus while the other two kept watch only stopping for the Ox to rest drink & eat, they only stopped for an hour out it gave the three on watch a breath.

  “This master of yours, Olo. Do you have any clues as to why he left?” Oskar asked, breaking the silence

  “He would usually leave one or two of his companions with me but this time Olo took all three of them & no note or sign of anywhere he went” Zenthia said

  “Any defining features we could keep an eye out for?” Oskar pondered

  “Well he’s a Terrapicta. Old, Looks maybe late sixties. There’s an axe head lodged in his shell, he’s got a dolphin tattoo on his arm & had the mark of the rangers around his neck” Zenthia ran through the relevant details

  “Most of the Terapica’s I have met were all sailors. Interesting, & noted we will find him” Oskar said,

  He suddenly took Zenthia by surprise, “we” she made a mental note “Oh, were you sailing or just passing a port town?” Zenthia asked giving the ox light pets & placing the added blanked over the beast

  “A little ways south where I grew up, it’s been so long I've forgotten the name” Oskar said.

  In a way he was being honest, Oskar had travelled for a number of years in a daze, not always knowing where he was going, but knowing what he was looking for.

  Zenthia gathered the look on his face & knew he was hiding something but left it though she was still curious of Oskar, however kept further questions to herself for now & the night slowly became day bringing dawn. Zenthia yawned & reached into her bag sifting through the patches of fur. “Aren’t you tired? You’ve been awake the whole day & night" Zenthia asked

  “I have been taking light naps while Eugene kept watch.” Oskar said

  “Who’s been watching the crab!’ Remidemus shot up from his sleep.

  The morning took over & the winds returned a light breeze from the north. No traffic of any kind seen on this trail route did leave a mild level of suspicion to all on the wagon. Until the body of a horse spotted by Zenthia brought everyone to attention.

  “Shake a leg people” She called

  The wagon stopped a way before approaching the corpse, Remidemus took charge to investigate.

  Zenthia crouched, arrow half drawn back keeping eyes trained on anything that moves.

  Oskar stood up & took the position out from the wagon on the back, eyes peeled for an ambush.

  Remidemus searched the body for signs of what had killed it. It was a hunter's horse, “hunter missing, horse killed by a spear with a jaw bone tip, arrows & small maps” all found in the saddlebags.

  Falling from the tree right beside Remidemus was a small creature of red scales shrieked a war cry ‘NNNYYYYAAAHHHH!’ The small red scaly creature knife in hand.

  Remi stepped back in quick bursts. The attacker was followed by two more of the small red bipedal reptiles, “chipeeky!” ‘Chi-Pee-Key’

  A sub-race of dragon folk. These ones were dressed in ramshackle makeshift armour carrying slings & daggers, though in their hands they were the equivalent of a broadsword.

  Zenthia let loose her arrow hitting true on the first one going through & through, pinning the chipeeky to the tree from which he had fallen from. The other two were hot on Remidemus’ heels,

  The Paladin nearly fell, catching himself on his back foot drawing the dual bevel longsword. With a swift motion bringing the massive sword down onto one of the chipeeky it was a quick execution. Deep magenta blood followed from the edge of the blade landing on the fresh white snow.

  Fear forcing the last one to run off. Shrieking its last breath to bring forth others.

  “One, two, three” Remidemus heaved & threw his sword towards the retreating chipeeky it barely spun.

  It landed true, making it drop & slide an additional five feet into the snow.

  Oskar saw one in the trees behind the cart. A projectile stone came & cracked him on the head, before Oskar had the chance to say anything he was knocked unconscious.

  Eugene caught his fall & could see Zenthia on the opposite side of the wagon. With a blink of an eye, Eugene was on Zenthia’s shoulder pinching her left ear guiding her to turn around.

  She shrieked violently eyes wide “Hey, hey ow ow ow stop that you crazy crab. What is it?” Zenthia cried in an irritant tone, holding back from throwing the crab. Turning to see Oskar on the ground, his head bleeding, Eugene pointing his claw towards the assailant, Zenitha now seeing the movement in the tree Eugine let go. The ranger pulled her arrow back, waiting for her moment, the stalemate went on for ten heartbeats & two breaths.

  The chipeeky fell to the ground landing on the last branch hanging from a strap on his scrappy armour. “Nice shot Z! Is everyone alright? Oh shit Os!” Remidemus Cried, collecting the items on the dead horse’s saddle & racing back to the wagon.

  “Oskar, hey Oskar wake up!" cried Zenthia, shaking the limp unconscious body of the wizard.

  She had pulled Oskar onto the back of the wagon off the cold ground, grabbing handfuls of snow & putting it on Oskar’s head wound. Zenthia filled Remidemus in on what happened. Remidemus shot up onto the cart & went to his pack, popping the cork of the healing potion from glorias, pouring the crimson elixir down Oskar’s throat.

  A moment of silence passed before the groans of a waking Oskar arose. The bleeding had stopped & swelling had gone down though the wound had not fully healed.

  “What happened, is everyone okay?” Oskar asked, still in a daze,

  “Are you alright?” Zenthia Asked distressed

  “He’ll be okay, I’ve had my fair few close ones & those potions do wonders give him a moment & that wound should be gone” Remidemus said reassuring Zenthia.

  He was right. After a few minutes Oskar was on his feet, the injuries gone part from the fresh scar on his hairline.

  Remidemus grinned “How about it Ossi? Feeling vengeful? A group like that would need a hideout”

  Oskar nodded with conviction “They had the advantage, the only ones as far as we know that know we are here was them, if we find where their hideout, assuming these are the same bandits, they may also have more stores for us to transport” Oskar said

  “What did you find on the horse Remi” Zenthia asked

  “Oh right yes here” Remidemus showed the equipment.

  The maps showed the mountain range & its many tunnels remnants of old trade routes that are no longer usable due to cave-ins & other things that had declared the tunnels their home. Remidemus had handed the arrows over to Zenthia, the arrow tips were coated with a mild poison, there were seven of them.

  Oskar began to meditate taking deep breaths, it was hard to see at first however as he exhaled his breath was hitting something resembling a breastplate. Another inhale & the air glittered, breathing out the crystalised air around him forming an icy hardened body of armour. The two took stock. Zenthia scouted out ahead, not too far but far enough to notice tracks that were traps & tracks that lead to the caves. When she arrived back, Oskar joined them.

  “I am sorry for keeping you, I’m ready” Oskar said, standing lightly & Eugene back in Oskar’s folded back hood.

  Remi switched to the silver-coated blade, fearing what could be inside.

  Zenthia added the poison-tipped arrows to her quiver, adding the barn owl fletched & compared to her regular raven fletched arrows. She moved her quiver from her back to her hip noting the changing height to the cave.

  Oskar managed to surpass the remaining cold & withdrew his wand.

  “I’ll take lead” Zenthia declared with Remidemus & Oskar following suit with not argument. Crunching snow followed each step of Remidemus, his metal-based amour clinking & clanking made Zenthia take longer strides giving herself more distance between both Oskar & Remidemus.

  The forest of pine & willows grew more dense as they followed the chipeeky tracks heading towards the sawtooth range, a set of mountains to the east with five peaks sharply jagged towards the top giving its name.

  With every step as cautious as the last Zenthia began climbing the trees getting off the loud snow covered ground, hopping from tree branch to tree branch like an owlet before learning to fly she stopped once she could see two chipeeky standing outside a cave one large enough to fit a whole wagon through.

  Zenthia returned to the others with her findings. “We have two outside clearly on lookout they don’t look too tough”

  “One cry from one of those two & they will alert the whole cavern” Oskar said

  “A distraction is needed but what’ Remidemus stated

  “I can send Eugene in to stir trouble give their toes a nip or two” Oskar suggested

  “Remi, you should hold back so we have the element of surprise, Oskar & I should be able to handle these two,” Zenthia said.

  Reluctantly however, understanding Remidemus agreed, finding himself a tree & took a knee by its roots.

  Oskar hand in his components sack grabbing a pouch of ash pouring a small mound in the palm of his hand closing his eyes & taking a deep breath.

  Zenthia pulling one of her poison arrows out having it at the ready, Zenthia guided Oskar from the trees as he stayed low on the ground, heading towards the chipeeky on look out. Behind the largest tree with the thickest trunk Oskar hid behind, closed his eye & guided Eugene towards the unaware chipeeky his snow white shell made him unnoticeable.

  A snip of a claw piercing the scales of the chipeeky toe evoked painful, “yyyaao”

  Eugine vanished as Zenthia pulling her bowstring back poison tip arrow in place made its mark on the other Chipeeky pinning its left shoulder,

  “damn it”

  Though not dead the creature was paralysed fast, but breathing.

  Oskar saw his opportunity clenching the ash into a tightly squished ball hurling it towards the crab pinched chipeeky igniting it as it left his fingertips, the blazing bolt of flame setting the creature ablaze leaving, the foot Eugene was gripped onto untouched he was invisible.

  Zenthia came down from the tree. “Well done Mr Wizard though not a lot to salvage off your one”

  “You’ve got quite the eye yourself but a waste of paralysis arrow I would say” Oskar chuckled

  “I suppose we both went a little overboard & unsubtle yourself more than me” Zenthia joked.

  The chipeeky were picked up & buried in snow by the trees left for nature to dispose of at its pleasure, the paralysed one disposed of.

  Oskar sent Eugene off to fetch Remidemus, he patiently waited under a tree & Eugene appeared on Remidemus’ knee, pointing with his claw towards the direction he came from guiding Remidemus to the cave entrance where Zenthia & Oskar had been waiting.

  The cave was warm & dry, the perfect place for a hideout or to store traded goods, chipped down stalactites carpeted the cavern floor & ground to small rocks & dust showing foot traffic.

  “I think staying dark is the key here, any light will draw attention” whispered Remidemus quietly. “Won't you have trouble seeing in the dark being human?” Oskar asked in a low voice.

  “I know it is strange however I’ve never had a problem seeing in the dark unlike other humans. I've always assumed it was due to an old bloodline I never knew about” Remidemus shrugged dismissively.

  Zenthia had her doubts, however, trusted Remidemus & agreed with his logic. The three took light steps inwards towards the cave.

  Oskar kept to the centre of the three of them while Remidemus took the lead. Zenthia noticed a corridor leading further into the side of the mountain. The smell of rotting flesh caught her first then the sound of light breathing further encouraged her to move.

  “There’s something in here let’s check & see, it could be captives” Zenthia hushed,

  Remidemus nodded gesturing with his hand to Zenthia, would you like to go first. Zenthia shook her head & gestured Remidemus to go ahead.

  Each step Remidemus took the smell got stronger & the breathing became louder the passage got wider turning into a cave pocket, in the centre was a large metal stake connected to a broken chain, the shuffling of a ball of fur caught Remidemus’ eye before taking a stance of presence.

  Loud snorting & snarls were of a hungry beast, it began to rise to stand taller than Remidemus, it began to crawl up the cave wall. Eight furry legs sprouted from the ball of fur.

  Remidemus had seen these creatures before, it was a web-howler an arcane mutation of wolf & arachnid. Taking a deep breath channelling the primal training of his clan brought forth his inner beast. The air of Remidemus changed completely, no longer was the kind person Oskar & Zenthia grew to knowand they felt it, taking an instinctual step back. There was only the presence of a challenged beast, dropping to the ground making a heavy thump, the web-howler legs fully extended, its palps raised poised to strike.

  Remidemus stood tenacious & stoic every muscle in his body was calm, the snarled barking was all the web-howler could do for Remidemus’ eyes were trained on nothing else, it was a standoff between two beasts. Remidemus took a step, the web-howler kept still, not breaking eye contact Remidemus retched into a large pouch pulling out a red scaly leg of a chipeeky, taking another step towards the web-howler, the growling turned guttural as saliva began to fountain out of its maw of fangs.

  As fast as Remidemus tossed the carcass towards it, the wed-howler caught it with its palps, opened its toothy maw tarring the meat apart, Remidemus walked closer & closer until he could touch the tortured beast, grabbing the iron neck shackle that was far too tight, blistering & choking the web-howler. Drawing his sword Remidemus struck the lock peeling off the skin tight metal band dropping it to the web-howlers feet. Silence fell the room the web-howler ate the corpse to the bone looked to Remidemus & began to approach.

  Remidemus gave the freed creature a heavy pat & the web-howler left the cave at a terrifying speed.

  “Remi, what was that you just did?” Zenthia was in awe noting the change in his eyes

  “You spoke to it didn’t you?” Oskar astonished proclaimed.

  Exhaling a steamy breath Remidemus explained that it was something taught to him by Tolorvic. “Pain & fear can make a beast out of everyone” Remidemus stated,

  Oskar had a moment of deja vu.

  no longer in his primal trance as they left the room to inspect the rest of the cavern for this was only a small pocket compared to what’s to come. Zenthia took the lead going further, spotting more chipeeky ahead, these ones carrying small spears made from broken larger ones & rusted daggers chipped & well worn. Spotting one poorly hiding behind a boulder & one on a bridge,

  Zenthia decided to play a game with them, grabbing a small rock she hurled it at the boulder making an echo loud enough for Remidemus & Oskar to hear, the one hiding poorly ran over to the other on the ramshackle bridge, with a swift movement Zenthia drew back her shoulders back pulling her maple short bow drawing back the owl feather arrow, taking aim releasing it when she could see the two in line, flying true the two were bound by a singular arrow & fell from the bridge landing in the small river flowing down towards Zenthia into a passage in the wall.

  The chipeeky had little on them, apart from a small money pouch that Zenthia took & shabby armour made of bits of broken legitimate armour & strips of barely tanned leather.

  Oskar & Remidemus witnessed the whole thing. The wizard looked to the left, then the right, noticing it was a fork splitting three ways, to Oskar’s right he could see a glimpse of light coming from the passage the stream was flowing through to his left, a wooden door.

  In the centre passage the sound of water falling on stone further up around the bend.

  “Which way should we go” Oskar remarked

  “We should see where that light goes however that door in a cave seems like it could be their treasury” Zenthia Replied

  Remidemus drew the silver longsword uttered “I like the sound of that, let’s go see”

  Zenthia examined the door, it was an iron bolted with a latch, carefully lifting the latch & pushing in it was a thin corridor of about four feet wide & lead to a second door the passageway was set in a fashion that you would find in a secure cellar,

  Remidemus grew weary proceeding to the second door Zenthia placed her ear to it, hearing voices in a guttural language, each defined with slightly different pitches.

  “Oskar, you speak goblin, right? Can you see if you can translate? There’s at least four in there” Zenthia Whispered.

  Oskar squeezed past Remidemus & mimicking Zenthia, putting his ear to the wooden door.

  The language was not goblin rather a mix of backcountry & refined accents from the draconic language

  ‘Grunting’ “Where are those four? They should be back by now, I’m hungry” said one

  “That horse will make a nice stew the winter winds keeping it nice & fresh” one replied

  ‘Grunting’ “shut it, now I’ve got the grumblies” said the third

  The sound of a hollow bone hit the door driving Oskar & Zenthia to take a step back both looking at Remidemus

  “I think we’re going to go in swinging” Zenthia chidded

  Remidemus smirked

  “It is most likely dark in there I can give us a chance of surprise by blinding them with a bright ball of light” Oskar said with an ominous tone

  “I like it lets adjust our eyes a bit first” Remidemus said

  Oskar nodded, turning away from the door going into his pocket he withdrew a vial of fireflies, sprinkling three out he cupped them in his hands, with one quick squish red smoke he grumbled something similar to what the chipeeky said.

  streaming out then his hands began to glow a pure light opening his hand, came a hummingbird of pure starlight fluttering just above Oskar’s hand.

  Both Remidemus & Zenthia eyes widened at the display of simple yet elegant magic. A moment went by for their eyes to adjust before cupping the light back in his hands bringing the room back to pure darkness once more.

  “Are we ready?” Remidemus asked quietly.

  Both Oskar & Zenthia nodded & brought the preparations to a close, it was time for a fight. Oskar was in front, opening the door & throwing the light spell bigger & brighter than before. Remidemus burst in the room, sword in hand, spotting the first one not far from the door.

  The room was low yet wide, full of crates & five chipeeky dressed in various amours & garbs giving Remidemus little space.

  Just over a head above his own, Remidemus took a low stance gripping the handle with one hand close to the cross-guard one finger wrapping over it, the other hand gripping lower on the pommel, the blade was facing behind him the point resting on the ground, front leg extended his back ready to dash forward, Remidemus let out a thunderous roar

  “rgrahhh!”

  scraping the blade across the ground throwing rocks, dirt, & chipped silver shimmering against the light into the room, the long sharp blade made connection to the chipeeky in front. Ferociously the blade cut to the middle of the small body & lifted up to the ceiling, the small helmet the chipeeky was wearing fashioned from a metal bucket crumpled its head into the limestone ceiling making a bloody

  ‘Crunch’ Their arrival was now known.

  Oskar, his glowing hummingbird in the centre of the room, was blinding & unavoidable, the ball of light burning their eyes

  “AGGHHH!” cried the chipeeky.

  Zenthia drew her bow, taking a knee to match their height, owl feather arrow notched.

  The chipeeky In the room were now jumping for cover leaving only one in the clear carrying a shield made from a lid from a wine barrel.

  Zenthia released the arrow, its shaft pierced through the makeshift shield, the force knocking it back into the wooden crate behind.

  Remidemus was flanked by one firing a crossbow, the bolt cut past Remidemus’ cheek, light began to flicker & fade, then the room fell dark once more.

  Zenthia looked to Oskar with disappointment & a look saying ‘what happened to the light, is that all you can do?’

  Oskar’s eyes said it all ‘this was not supposed to happen;

  Darkness enveloped.

  The silence broke when Remidemus cried out from taking another bolt this time to the shoulder, a hue of purple began to emanate from a figure wrapped in a robe made from rugs, taller than the Chipeeky it still stood shorter than Remidemus, Oscar & or Zenthia.

  Two balls of raw purple unfocused energy shot towards Remidemus & a chipeeky hiding behind a crate waiting for his chance to strike, the shot that hit Remidemus was of a sensation the like of which he had never felt before. The moment it touched his skin the blood in his veins felt as if he had just skulled hot tar, dropping his sword.

  Zenthia notched an arrow & took a shot at the cloaked figure the hiding chipeeky jumped in & took the shot barely moving an inch, the chipeeky stood there for a moment when a cackle erupted from the cloaked magic-user.

  Oskar’s eye burned with hatred for he knew was kind of magic this was & for that reason alone, he needed to destroy it himself. Pointing his wand towards the warlock, Oskar’s hand went cold & a glimmer of red smoke burst into a focus of crystallised white & a flash of blistering colds cast upon the robed warlock,

  Flanked by another, the warlock dodged by jumping out of the way, parts of his robes & feet had instant frostbite. When the warlock’s ball hit the still standing chipeeky it began to grow swollen, his muscles pumped, wielding a broken blade of a broad sword making the comparison to Remidemus very clearly a worthy opponent.

  Zenthia leapt & rolled into the room grabbing the chipeeky corpse that had dropped from the ceiling pinning on one knee & raising it as a meat shield now taking aim at the chipeeky wielding the crossbow. Its eyes darted around the room taking a shot at Oskar,.

  A crooked smile broke across Zenthia’s face being hidden from her target she waited for the chipeeky to fire so that she had a perfect chance while reloading another bolt.

  The broken sword-wielding chipeeky took a swing at Remidemus his amour taking the brunt of the blow.

  He was on one knee already from the pain of the curse the warlock purged on him & was slowly becoming more tolerable, Remidemus used the force of the blow to grab his silver blade from the ground using the momentum he gathered spun around to take a swing at the warrior chipeeky his sword planted into the ground ready to take the force of the swing, it was now a show of strength. Both blades clashed & struck, flashes & sparks of the iron & steel & silver colliding into each other.

  This was the only thing giving the room light, flecks of silver spread the ground giving the room reflective glimmer with every spark.

  With Oskar focused on the warlock, the chipeeky took aim & fired, the bolt hit deep into Oskar’s ice armour, upper thigh the bolt tip still sinking through, the pain shocked him into submission, dropping the wizard to the ground with a howl of pain

  “AAHHHH!”,

  Zenthia’s moment had arrived. Before the marksman had a chance to drop to reload admiring his work, the arrow had met his face & the crossbow was dropped & the chipeeky never shot another bolt again.

  The warlock noticing that they were losing ground leapt out from her hiding place using the gnarled stick she was using as a sceptre now more of a walking cane stood up glaring at the dark elf archer with contempt, the warlock hand raised, & the same blast of purple chaotic energy shot forth towards Zenthia, seeing what had happened to Remidemus, she was determined to dodge the curse. In doing so she grabbed the chipeeky corpse she had used as a meat shield & hurled it at the purple projectile absorbing the curse rather than herself.

  The robed figure pulled back her hood. Her complexion was of an upper sub-species of chipeeky, her scales were more refined, the eyes of amber & gold. She looked over to Zenthia & she began to speak in the common tongue used in this side of the continent.

  “I really must say this has been fun, the last trick really impressed me, & as for your friend, I thought wizards were powerful.”

  The warrior chipeeky & Remidemus began to tire, each strike getting weaker, Remidemus took on the upper hand noticing that the curse was being battled back by something.

  The warlock seeing this her hand began to exude the purple hue once more her hand closed clenching tight. Remidemus could feel the excruciating pain again, the warrior chipeeky took that chance to strike, & the shock of the broken blade to his chest pushed all the air out of his lungs, nearly knocking Remidemus out.

  The warlock took a breath as if she were about to go on with another speech, or a crooked cackle, she was abruptly interrupted when a sudden bolt of solid red magic launched towards the warlock from the door.

  There was no time to react, the projectile crashed into their shoulder dislocating it. The warrior chipeeky saw this & turned towards his master Remidemus’ blade met the warriors back, blood flowed down the channels on the blade into the crystal pommel, Remidemus had used his other sword & won.

  Oskar rose to his feet gritting his teeth screaming through the pain, his eyes were shallow, he was not fully conscious, his wand dispelled a stream of red smoke as two of the five runes on it was flickering then went out, he had just used the second of five of this spell.

  Oskar rose his head & spoke with far more awareness, confidence & esoteric “You know almost all of you warlocks are the same, you think your more powerful because you can cast quicker & don’t need the years of study, that is true, however” Oskar stood up straighter walking towards the warlock his wand pointed & glowing brighter, burning charge after charge to make the next arcane projectile absolutely leithal. “I didn’t have to sell my soul or my child or my freedom for my magic, you kill, torture & sell yourself for a small amount of power.”

  Zenthia saw a chipeeky hiding in a crate waiting to ambush Oskar, she drew her bow & fired, another one down.

  The chipeeky stood still as Oskar approached the warlock, & her one working hand was pulling herself to the wall.

  Oskar’s eyes met hers; there was no longer any hatred, only pity.

  The warlock saw pity & was filled with hatred & rage. “I am a proud member of the draconic blood I am superior to all these soft skins” She cried, grabbing her gnarled sceptre & it exuded purple corrupt magic.

  Oskar already had his wand drawn, & spell prepared to cast, all he had to do was to tell the wand, that was it, she was dead. When he won the quick-draw. Oskar brought his lips to her ear as her consciousness began to fade, & in the language of her people, the language in which the sacred great dragons would speak to her & her kin he spoke. “May your soul be a happy & free, proud dragon.”

  Her eyes flooded with tears for that was a mantra from which she heard once before, it was from the sacred great dragon of the west as she left the borders of the draconic empire where she was from. With the last of her strength, the warlock understood, she was already dead long before they had met, she pointed to a door hidden behind some crates.

  Oskar fell back landing on the ground, the chipeeky took his chance to terminate his master’s killer & leapt at Oskar,

  Zenthia released her arrow, it missed striking the wall “Shit Oskar look out!”

  In a flash the Chipeeky wasIn mid-air, before the stalking web howler & was pulled into the door leading to the exit of the cave, like lightning the web wrapped chipeeky was brought to the web-howlers jaws & taken outside,

  Zenthias eyes widened “Shit, well that happened”

  She shut the door in case the web-howler wanted seconds & Remidemus stood up using the chipped silver blade as a walking stick before collapsing onto a crate. The curse was gone as fast as it came; however the damage remained.

  “How is everyone?” he called out

  “I’m fine” Zenthia said catching her breath

  “I have been better but will live” Oskar replied

  laying back attempting to pull out the bolt in his leg with Eugene’s help, it was In vain. Remidemus leaned over & looking to Eugene holding up two fingers

  “Ready on three, one, two-” before he got to three Remidemus pulled the bolt out with Eugene now hanging from it with his claws.

  Oskar whimpered quietly, the wound began to bleed heavily but just as quick, Remidemus instinctively put one hand on the wound & began to pray. In the dark lightless room the wound began to glow from under Remidemus’ hand, the pain slowly getting less & less until Oskar could not feel much more than the ache of scar tissue where the bolt once was.

  The group paused. Too much was going on, thats

  “Can we take a rest here?” Oskar asked slowly standing up to inspect the crates by the hidden door.

  Zenthia could see the contents of most of the crates taking three bottles of wine out of one box a sack of dried meats from another & a handful of apples from another, splitting the servings of each to Remidemus & Oskar.

  Chewing the tough dried meat & rinsing it down with wine Z watched Oskar move the crates one by one Remi removing the dented armour sliding his hands under his coat where he began to pray once more & the slight glow from his hand could be seen through his coat.

  “That’s a neat trick” Z commented sitting above Remi

  He chuckled, his breath was shallow & could be heard getting better slowly.

  “I have my limits, but I can heal some things” He made sure the last part was clear “Some things”

  Crashing boxes caught the two’s attention as Oskar lifted a crate he was not ready for, It fell from his hands to the ground sliding a metre from his feet & the door the crate was hiding was now clear. Oskar took a step back admiring his effort,

  Zenthia left Remidemus to put his armour back on giving Oskar his share of wine & meat, leaving the apple on the crate beside him. Zenthia pulled the large bolt lock door open,

  Oskar crushed more fireflies bringing light to the room.