Chapter III: The Reunion

It did not take long for the party to reunite. Hiroko… Banger… Tik… Aeroth… Jewelynna holding the swaddled babe… and now Wyveryn. There were a lot of cocked eyebrows and who are you’s to the dark half-elf. Yet Tik seemed to have formed a
strange connection with him, and without going into detail, seemed to imply that the ranger could be trusted for now. There were stories to be told. There were
questions on the tip of everyone’s lips. But a storm would soon be upon them, as the sky clouded over in an ominous pall of grey. The rains were coming... the chill hibernus rains of late Heptagony. A decision was upon them. Where to go?

Aeroth was ready to attack anyone who defied him. His sharp tongue stung each of them in turn, though Banger was not inclined to accept his attacks.



“Why should I trust you?” He shot at her.

“Because the General did.”

“How do I know that?”

“How do you know anything, Aeroth? You trust your gut. You listen to reason. You stop wielding your ears like a weapon and start listening with them.”

“You kept many secrets from me, Banger. Secrets that could have helped me save him.”

“If anyone could have saved him, it would not have been you. It would have been me. And in the end, even I could not.”

Aeroth crossed his arms, and let out a hrumph. Nothing seemed to please him. No one’s words seemed to be the right ones. And besides that, none of them know how completely uncomfortable he was in his surroundings. The feel of the forest floor beneath his boots was soft… unstable. The smell of the air… the openness of the sky. It all felt much too open for a half-elf who’d spent his lifetime in a city of caves.

“Excuse me, but what’s the plan?”

“Who are you?” Aeroth asked, glaring at Wyveryn.

“I’ve been getting that a lot lately.”

“Who is this?” The question was directed at Tik.

“I found him in the caravan when we were picked up by the slave traders. For the Wizard’s Game. He helped me escape.”

“Escape from what?”

“Bâhlmüt.”

“Bâhlmüt!” Exclaimed Jewelynna. “You were attacked by those creatures that pull their entire prey into the soil and devour them below the surface?”

“That would be them. Looks like someone’s been reading her lore.” Tik gave the healer a considering look, as if he recognized someone who was more than they seemed to be. Being somewhat of an understated man himself, he thought to himself that this woman might be useful—if for no other reason than she knew how to tend to the babe.

“Hrumph.” Said Aeroth

“But who is she, Aeroth?” Tik threw right back at him, for he would not be disregarded. “We have not been introduced.”



“Oh? She?” Distracted, Aeroth glanced at Jewelynna. She cradled the baby tightly to her breast, as if fearful it might fall from her arms. “This is a Healer of Avandra, who aided us after the fall of Cöthrom. Her name is Jewelynna, and she says little. But she is good to the baby, and she will make a good wife.”

Several jaws dropped.

Aeroth waved off their questions like flies. “I will explain later. But you, Hiroko. You have some of your own explaining to do.” He pulled the parchment from his belt. “This was a letter written to me by the magician—where is he, anyway?”

“Just beyond the trees.” Said Tik. “You’ll not find him unless he wants you to.”

“Hrumph.” Said Aeroth. “I’ll find him when I choose to. I was not there, at my father’s death. I did not see who killed him. But the magician confesses all in this letter.

“But what does it say?” Asked Tik, who then found it placed in his hand.

“Sir Aeroth,

I have been made a pawn. My intelligence blinded me from the wisdom of the truth. I offer you my sincerest apologies on your loss. Although I was but the blade and not the arm that swung the death stroke, I confess to you alone that it was my foolish tip that pierced the great Lux’s life. Had I been made aware of the man he truly was, I would have offered him counsel, not death. I easily could have fled to the Causists, but I have already caused much sorrow, and I will not be responsible for the death of another innocent. I also have quickly lost faith in a cause I once held true. Rage should never rule. I fear all of our futures to be the nightmare of the false fairy tales. I hope one day you can see past your rage and know that I have and do long for a balanced future. Neither side is right. The wronged must now form a pure future, purified of hate and fear.
Free Hiroko. He is innocent.

Humbly,
Marcus Magentum


“There were other parties involved.” Said Aeroth, as Tik lowered the paper thoughtfully. “The lock on the door didn’t just disappear. The whole thing was planned. Don’t you see? And while I wasn’t there, I vowed to get to the bottom of it. And that’s where you come in, Banger. There’s a lot of holes to my story, and you’ve been keeping secrets.”

“We’ve all been keeping secrets, Aeroth.” She quickly retorted. “And I am more than happy to tell you what I know. Like the secret, for example, that I worked for your father.”

“Okra worked for my father, as well.”

“Not in the way I did. I was his girl prodigy just as you were his son. There is much more to the story, but we can talk as we walk. There is a storm coming, and I do not wish to be caught in this glade when it does, nor do I wish to be standing amongst the trees with nightfall around the corner and Bâhlmüt about.”

“Agreed.”

Banger produced a map from her bag, hastily sketched, but clearly depicting the Kaembran Empire. The question of where to go now was on all their minds. Many factors were considered. The fact that Hiroko’s death was desired by the Liberists, and the Causists sought to make him a pawn of the monarchy. Okra’s rise sure meant ill for Aeroth should he be recognized along the way. There was an increased risk of discovery the further north they traveled, and not far to the south, along the river, was the road to Tyr’s Temple. Many thought it might provide protection. But even more appealing to Aeroth was the fact that the temple was along the way to Tradesdale, where a man could find the goods he needed. Weapons, armor, a new identity… it was all coming to him.

“I will cut my hair,” He told them, completely unaware of the fact that he’d interrupted someone who’d been speaking. All eyes flew to the soldier as he spoke, carefully considering his words. “I will cut my hair. And I will take a wife.” Jewelynna said nothing, but a few of them glanced her way. “I’ll be a husband and a father. No longer a soldier. I will become another man. Take a new name. And I can do this by living my life as the other half of my birthright.”

And with a sweep of his long hair, he revealed for the first time a set of slightly pointed ears.

Hiroko almost laughed. “So… Lux’s right hand man was a half breed the entire time? There’s some kind of irony in that.”

“And it will be useful to me, in my quest for vengeance.” Aeroth explained. “Okra knows me as a human soldier. I will become a half-elf commoner. But first, may I suggest a faster way to the temple than by foot.”

“Aye. A boat would do.” Said Banger.

“You two.” He said, pointing to Wyveryn and Tik. “You seem to be good at slinking around and getting out of messes. You worked together to escape the Bâhlmüt. I want you to go into Blythe and find the nearest fishing docks. Then get us a boat and bring it back to the river side. There we will wait for you.”

“Just get a boat and bring it back? Just like that?” Scoffed Wyveryn.

“Just like that.”

“Why me? Why us?”

“Because Hiroko is still weakened from his capture, Banger is too well known by her red hair, Jewelynna is caring for the baby, and I have a magician to find. I need a pair who can work together, slink about, and go unnoticed. I need a pair of troubled twins.”

“Troubled twins.” Tik muttered.

Wyveryn again tried to protest, but Aeroth silenced him.

“I gave an order, soldier. You want to prove yourself to us? Well, now’s your chance.”

___________________________________________________

“How exactly do you plan on getting us a boat? You got any money? Because I’m pretty sure they took all of mine in the caravan.”

Tik rolled his eyes. The two young men, the half-elf and the human, walked through the forest, along the outskirts of Blythe. And all the dark-haired elf had done since their departure was complain, complain, complain. The sky had opened up and the rains had begun. Tik was cold, hungry, irritable, and still had no idea how they were to obtain a boat. Wyveryn’s incessant wining only reminded him that there was no plan.

“And what do you see in those people, anyway? I mean, why do you follow them? It’s not like they’re any good to you. We withstood a pack of Bâhlmüt all by ourselves, without their help! I just don’t see any reason why you choose to travel with them.”

Tik gritted his teeth. “I like Aeroth. He is a good man. A bit rough around the edges. And Hiroko is a good drinking partner. Only man I’ve met who can drink me under the table.”

“But to travel with a baby? A child in swaddling clothes? What do we do when it cries? What do we do when it’s hungry? How do we hide ourselves when the wail of a babe can give away our location? The child is a hindrance, and you—ow!!”

The half-elf smacked the back of his neck as if he’d been stung by a bee. He muttered a few elvish curses under his breath. Tik gave him a sideways look, but did not slow his stride.

“Did you feel that?”

“No.”

“I could have sworn—”

“Swear nothing. We’re here.”



Wyveryn’s whining had made their ten minute trip feel like a lifetime. But they’d reached the docks, and hung back in the protection of the woods. The rain was pouring down now, and the fishermen tied their boats tightly so as to keep them from blowing away. It would be a long, dark storm. No doubt some damage would be inevitable.

Tik considered their options as they crouched. And he could only come up with one solution.

“You distract them while I steal one of their boats.”

“You’re going to steal one of their boats?”

“Did you think we have the gold to buy one?”

Wyveryn frowned. “But why do I have to be the distraction?”

“Because, soldier, it’s just as Sir Aeroth says. We work best together. And you talk much more than I do. Just don’t make a mess of things, or you really will earn us the title “The Troubled Twins”. And I don’t know about you, but I could spend my life without one more nickname.”

“Not fair, Tik.”

“Oh fine. Paper, rock, scissors. Loser causes the distraction. One… two…”

___________________________________________________


Wyveryn prepared to make himself a decent enough distraction. It had to be good enough so that they did not notice Tik stealing off one of their boats. But he honestly had no idea what to say.



He’d spent the majority of his life as a hermit. He’d clung to the forests, he’d avoided large cities. He was aware he was not exactly socially adept. And having spent most of his life hiding, it was an odd sensation to now step out into the open, in front of a dock of old fisherman, and attempt to make a clown out of himself.

Why bother? Why risk his life for a group of strangers he’d never known? If he knew what was best for him, he’d simply turn on his heel and slip back into the protection of the forest. Yet, something compelled him to stand there stupidly before the men of Blythe and try to form words on his lips. Something pricked at him almost like a small mosquito bite at the back of his neck….

“Hello there.”

Perhaps it was the rainfall. Perhaps it was the wind. But none of the fishermen looked up from their work.

“Ahoy?”

A few stopped what they were doing and glanced at him. One with a long white beard looked up and spoke to him.

“What’s your business, boy? There’s a storm coming. Better to get inside. It’s only going to get worse out here.”

”I came to see what you’re doing. I’m interested in your work.”

At that, all of the fisherman stopped what they were doing and gave him a peculiar look.

“This is hardly the time or the place to be talking about the trade. You’re up to no good boy. Best turn around and leave now, or we’ll have to call Jigger.”

Jigger?

Wyvern’s palms were beginning to sweat, despite the cold. Oh, why had he decided to subject himself to such humiliation? He was perfectly at ease with trees and wolves, but men? Now men were a different matter.

“But I’m… so interested in your work. Have you caught any fish today?”

The fisherman, like a small army, began to form a wall against him. Their arms were crossed along their chests, and they scowled at him as if he were a coyote come to steal their livestock.

“I find it very hard to believe that you are interested in talking trade in the middle of the worst storm we’ve seen in years. You’re nothing but a trouble-maker, and not welcome in this town. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Jigger!”

It was then that the young half-elf felt the warm breath on his back. When he turned, he expected to face a man. Instead, he faced a pair of forearms and a massive chest. When he looked up higher, he saw a neck that looked more like the trunk of a redwood tree. And even higher still was a jaw and face cast in a grave displeasure.



“You must be… Jigger.”

The first punch came at him so quickly he barely had time to dodge it. But on the second and third, he was not so lucky. He felt the blood flowing to his face and out of the corner of his eye barely caught sight of Tik stealing one of the fisherman’s boats. Without another moment’s thought, he spun on his heel and ran as far away from the fisherman army, Jigger, and the town of Blythe as he could.

___________________________________________________


Marco threw a rock at Aeroth, and hit him on the head. The soldier exclaimed at the sudden impact and looked about him to see where it had come from.



The task had been completed. The fishing boat was docked at the riverside. They were preparing their gear as the sun went down. No sign of Wyveryn yet but according to Tik, chances were he might be “tied up” a bit. When they pressed him about it, Tik just shrugged and offered no more.

The storm had worsened. Thick pools of rain pattered against their faces, and the wind was picked up. It was the worst storm many of them had seen in some time. But once again, Aeroth was struck by his handicap of never having lived in the outside world before. He’d never felt rain, and the only wind he’d known had been the kind that funneled through the tunnels.

So when he’d been struck on the head, he was already in an irritable mood. No one about him appeared to show any sign of acknowledgment. Yet off in the distance, just near a group of trees, he caught sight of a small light flickering at him.

“Marco…” He grumbled, walking up the ravine.

As if on cue, the slender magician stepped out into view. It was the first time they’d stood face to face since the slaying of Lux at Cöthrom. Aeroth’s first instinct with to draw his ax and ram it into the Causist traitor’s chest. But another sense inside of him—a seed planted by Lux himself—made him want to listen. Before killing this man, there was a great desire to understand what had happened. There were too many questions in the air, and killing Marco now meant the answers went with him.

“What do you want?” Aeroth’s voice was like the growl of a tiger.

“You read my letter?”

“Aye. I did.”

“Hiroko is liberated then?” Said Marco. “The man stood against me to protect your father.”

“So you say. I have no reason to believe otherwise, though I have no reason to ever trust you again.”

They stared at each other, two men—one a muscled, seasoned soldier and one a slender, long-fingered magician. The rain beat down on them, and both of their mustaches sagged under the weight of the water.

“Why did you do it, Marco?”

And as if he’d been expecting that question, Marco sighed. “For that, Aeroth, I have no answer. None but the reasons that you read in the letter. I followed a cause blindly, and your father was the victim. It has changed me. As you know, I could have gone anywhere, but I came here. To you. I seek your forgiveness. I seek to right the grave wrong that was done to you.”

Aeroth raised his brow. “You are lucky, magician. For I have, at the moment, greater concerns than you. I seek this so called ‘Cardinal’, and shall have my vengeance against him. This man is responsible for everything that has happened, and you will share your insight with me so that I might fully understand what it is that I am facing. If you’ll help me in that, I may consider absolving you of your debt to me.”

“I vow to aid you in avenging yourself against Okra. And this, too, I swear. That I will never once again unknowingly take someone’s life.”

Whether or not it was the right thing to do, Aeroth felt suddenly very tired. He did not wish anymore killing, at least not right now. Perhaps later, when he’d rested, he might reconsider his judgment over this man.

“It is done, then.” He sighed. “You will join us on the boat. We travel south, to the Temple of Tyr.”

___________________________________________________

Wyveryn only returned to them just moments before their departure. They heard him waving and shouting as he came. And even in the fading light, they could see his lip was fat and there were dark bruises forming on his cheeks. Aeroth muttered a curse under his breath, then turned to look at Tik.

“He’s your responsibility.” Then to the half-elf: “Get on the boat.”

Wyveryn, tired and cold, pulled his cloak about him and stepped on board. When he asked anyone to heal him, he was met only with cold silence. Aeroth gave him a stern look and said something about building character.

They cast off as the sun disappeared over the sky. Six people, one baby… all exhausted from the last few weeks events, felt suddenly grateful to be sailing on a boat and off their feet. The wind was picking up even more as the eye of the storm drew nearer. The rain beat down on the trees, muffling their voices. And the river covered their tracks. Silently in the rain, they said south.

Banger offered first watch. It was she who took the wheel, while the rest of them found the most comfortable spot they could and went to sleep. It was only Jewelynna and Aeroth who noticed the welt on Marco’s cheek was identical to the one on the baby’s. A few weeks ago, they might have considered it a coincidence. But not anymore.

As sleep overtook the exhausted group, dreams began to dance in their heads. And then, as if the events of the last few weeks had not happened, Aeroth found himself back in the General’s quarters. The old man was hunched over his desk, back to him, as he always was. He did not look up from his parchments as he spoke:




Aeroth tried to reach Lux, but the closer he stepped to the old man, the further away he moved. The room shifted, and despair washed over the solider. He longed for a glimpse of his father’s face, but everything shivered around him and then with a sigh, he opened his eyes.

A dream. It was just a dream.

But they’d all had it. Each and every one of them. Jewelynna, Tik and the others stirred from their slumber. At the wheel, Banger looked as if she’d seen a ghost. And Aeroth knew in an instant the others now knew some of his secrets. He felt violated… confused… and at once on guard. The sense him to take control of the situation was overwhelming. So he stood from his spot on the deck and went to relieve Aurora of her duties.

___________________________________________________

“Maybe the word is… sleep.”

“Shutup, Wyveryn.”

They’d sailed deep into the heart of the night. The surrounding forest tangled around them, the river being the only path through the thick brush. And the rain itself had subsided little.

Tik had found comfort in the forest, prior to the fall of Cöthrom. But now, something had shifted. An unease filled his heart the longer they sailed south. Something wasn’t completely right. When he glanced out at the passing trees, he would see flickers of things. Shadows of movement. The forest was unusually quiet. And Tik thought he knew the woods better than anyone. It was obvious Wyveryn felt the same. By his unsettled talk, the half-elf was clearly trying to keep up conversation in order to ignore his growing feelings of dread.

Few of them could sleep after the dream. Banger allowed Aeroth to relieve her of her duties. Only Hiroko and Jewelynna remained on the deck, covered in their blankets. The child slept on, but Wyveryn’s eyes were red.

“Do you suppose it is awake?”

“Who?”

“The child. Do you suppose it is awake?”

Tik sighed. “She is a girl, Wyveryn, not an ‘it’.”

“What do you suppose the word is?”

“I don’t know, Wyveryn.”

“Am I the only one who recognizes that she’s only a baby?” Something clopped his ear. “Ow! Who’s doing that?”

But there was no one close enough, and Tik did not answer him. They stood in irritable silence when the pagoda roof of the Temple of Tyr came into full view. They steered the boat to port and docked it on the bank of the river.



“Doesn’t look like the rain is going to get any better.” Grumbled Aeroth. “Tik, Wyveryn, Hiroko, come with me to the temple. Marco, stay here with Jewelynna and guard that baby.”

Wyveryn pointed accusingly at his fellow troubled twin. “This time you’re the distraction.”

___________________________________________________


The darkness seemed never-ending. Two small stone towers hovered over them, connected by a modest courtyard. There was not a soul in sight, but the rain and wind pressed at them to get inside and dry off So when the four travelers reached the large front door of the temple, and Aeroth suggested reaching for the bell.

“But… don’t you think that’s a bad idea?” Asked Wyveryn. “After all.. there’s no lights on inside. There doesn’t appear to be anyone about.”

“You got a better idea?”

“No.”

They rang the front bell.

“Just as I thought. No one home.”

Aeroth grabbed Wyveryn’s collar and practically dragged him along to the second tower. But again, there was no answer, and each door was locked.

“I suppose we could go in a window.” Hiroko suggested, shaking his head.

Tik, who had been covering them from the trees, now appeared beside them as silent as a cat.

“So what’s the plan?” He asked.

In the discussing of what to do next, Wyveryn did not hear anything creeping up behind him. He did not notice the feelers exposing themselves, but the hairs on the back of his neck prickled into an upright position. What happened next was too fast for him to react. He was snatched by something and dragged into the darkness. He tried to yell, but something covered his mouth. It was all he could do to keep the panic from arising in him, but his heart still beat like thunder in his chest.

There came the sound of a door opening, and a door closing. Somehow, he knew he’d been taken inside the tower. But by what, or by whom… he had no idea. And before he could sort it out, he was knocked unconscious.

___________________________________________________


“Wyveryn’s gone! Something took him!” Cried Tik.

“What? What took him?!”

“I don’t know, but it dragged him back to the tower!”

They broke into a run. In the confusion of the darkness and the rain, several of them slipped in the mud. But when they reached the doors, they were indeed shut and locked. Together Aeroth & Tik slammed their bodies up against them, forcing them to almost give way. And Hiroko finished the job with one launch. The sound of wood splintering rang in their ears, and they were suddenly inside.

“Careful, now.” Said Aeroth, his sword drawn. But looking at the others, he realized they were just as alert. All weapons were unsheathed. And instinctively, the men moved with their backs to each other in a flank.

“Can you tell where he was taken?” The question was directed at Tik.

“Aye. Through the courtyard he was dragged.”

They stepped outside once more, eyeing every inch of the place. There were barrels, horse stables, stalls, tables… not a soul to be seen. Aeroth felt his heart pumping in his chest, a mixture of fear and the thrill of the hunt.

Then there came a scream from the western tower.

“Wyveryn.” Said Tik. Being the fastest, he broke into a sprint and reached the tower door first. They exploded through the doorway into a thick of spiderwebs.

“Oh, this is not good.” Aeroth grumbled.
Another scream. It came from the top floor of the tower. And as Aeroth, using a magical light, illuminated the ceiling, three rather large spiders lowered themselves to the ground.

Tik moved in a whir of motion. Each man aided the other in the slaying of the beasts. But where there was one, there would be many other. So up and up the stairwell they went, up to a trapdoor. Without thinking, Tik slammed himself against it, only to be met with a poison dart in his shoulder.

“A booby-trapped door! That’s the oldest trick in the—”

“Attack!” Commanded Aeroth. And indeed, they were thrown into a spider’s den.

Aeroth’s light illuminated the room once again, only this time there were ten spiders and five black creatures that moved like men. It was as if their skin had been charred from their bodies, and they moved like animals.

Tik fought bravely, despite the poison working its way through his bloodstream. Each time Aeroth thought they’d overtake them, Hiroko was right there at his side. And it was clear that the Matsudiian had been trained well for group combat.

Then, there came a high-pitched sound—from nothing human. Almost like a bird. And the spiders and dark men scurried out the window. The journeymen blinked at each other in confusion, then pressed onward to the final level.

___________________________________________________


Wyveryn awoke in a nightmare. Only it was worse than the slaver caravan. This time he was covered in much, and around his whole body he was encased in a cocoon. A sickening feeling of panic engulfed him, for he was certain it was the moment of his death.

In the darkness, the she-spider—dryder by name—leaned over him and whispered into his ear. She hovered over him almost tenderly, like a mother to its child. She stroked his cheek with one of her black hairy legs.



The dryder was terrifying. Her abdomen was warm and firm from a recent meal… her spindly legs danced all around him. But from the waist up, she was an exquisitely beautiful woman with supple breasts and scarlet lips.

He was at the top of the tower, ensnared in an intricately woven web. Some sticky substance on each strand clung to his skin, his boots. And there were others like him, only they did not move. Far in the corner, he saw the skeleton of a man… probably a poor priest of Tyr who once preached here. And then, in another corner, was that a severed arm…?

“You will make a tasty meal for my children…” she whispered in his ear. “But perhaps I will have a bite first…”

She leaned over and he fought not to scream when he heard the trap door open below him.

“Wyveryn?”

“Here! Up here!” By the grace of Tyr, they had come for him. He almost wept with joy when the dryder left his side. He’d been so overcome with panic.. so unable to free himself, that he would have welcomed death rather than sit and wait for it.

There were shouts and sounds of battle. Then the she-spider screamed a horrible scream, and as her voice rang into the air, it was joined in chorus with a hundred other wails. Her children mourned her death. Wyveryn hoped she was dead, at least. It seemed to have happened too quickly.

And then—praise Tyr—they were upon him. He felt his body come to life again as they sliced the cocoon away from him. Once again, he felt the urge to weep, this time for relief. They came back for him. These people… these strangers that he had only known for a few days… they saved his life. And Wyveryn, being the nomad that he was, suddenly learned the benefit of traveling in a group.

He tried to thank them, but the words were not coming from his lips.

“Doesn’t look good.” Tik was saying. “He’s white as a ghost. Better get him back to the boat.”

The last thing Wyveryn remembered was being lifted up. But the rest of it… whether he was conscious or not... would forever remain a fog of a memory.

___________________________________________________


When he awoke again, he felt much better. The night, he could see, was almost over. Looking overhead, the canopy of trees sailed past him. Ah… this was good. They were back on the boat.

“Better not get up too soon.” It was Tik, standing vigil over him. “You were poisoned badly. I’ve managed to stabilize you, but we’ll need to find some herbs. Soon.”

Wyveryn gulped. “You don’t look so good yourself.”

Tik scowled. “I was struck by a dart. In a trap door. Turns out it was poisoned, too.”

“You were struck by a dart from a trap door.”

“Aye. That’s what I said, isn’t it?”

“That’s the oldest trick in the—”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” The expression Tik gave him meant that the topic was closed. For good.

Wyveryn looked about him. Jewelynna was close by, comforting the child cradled in her arms. Banger was at the helm. Aeroth paced back and forth along the bow of the ship. He paced like a haunted man, and every now and then, he glanced behind him to where they came from.

Aeroth looked completely different. He’d shaved off his warrior’s tail. His mustache and beard were gone. His pointed half-elven ears shown clear as day. His clothing was the only thing that identified him as a solider, and Wyveryn guessed that would soon change as well.

“I need to get to Aeroth. I want to thank you. And him—”

“Better not. He’s not in good spirits. I’d steer clear if I were you.”

“Why?”

Tik sighed, running his fingers through his hair. The next words he said, he chose carefully. “We lost Hiroko.”

“You what?”

“We lost him. Hiroko. The dryder’s minions took him. In exchange for her death. We tried to go back, but..”

“But what?”

“There were wraiths waiting for us. A whole army of them. I don’t know, Wyveryn, but wraiths do not travel in armies. I mean, they certainly didn’t feel like wraiths, but they sure looked like them. And there were just too many. We had no choice but to fall back.”

Wyveryn felt as if he lost all his strength. Though he hadn’t known Hiroko long, the thought of any man meeting his death in that spider hole… it sent a shiver up his spine. He could not and would not ever think of that again. Wyveryn wanted to say he was sorry… he wanted to talk about what a terrible loss it must be… but when it came down to it… he was simply glad that it wasn’t him.

___________________________________________________

They sailed on into the early morning light, when the trees broke and revealed Legend’s Hollow. Relief washed over the party, for they knew this to be a safe haven. And sure enough, there were people moving about, gardeners in the garden, and a minstrel in a chair beside the front door, sleeping off his drinks.





Legend’s Hollow was a legendary place. It began as a modest tavern, but soon grew in popularity due to its prime location on the road to Tradesdale. The weather in this part of the Kaembran Empire was most ideal. The winters were less harsh, the summers were pleasant, and the beauty of the region was unmatched. There were bright blue lakes and rivers, lush gardens, rich dense forest, and plenty of open space.

Legend’s Hollow itself had grown into a resort of sorts. Around the tavern, the owners had constructed lake-view rooms, walking paths, as well as a large stone fountain at the entrance. Only the finest of minstrels came to perform at Legend’s Hollow. Only the greatest actors, the most exotic gypsies, and the most prominent political figures graced his halls. And though the party had wanted to keep a low profile, they suddenly found themselves longing for rest and a chance to converse with people.

They docked the boat and made their way inside the great hall to the tavern. Jewelynna and Banger excused themselves to their own room upstairs. The babe was tired, as were they. Wyveryn went with them, prepared to find his own quarters and perhaps a bath.

It was Aeroth, Marco and Tik who found themselves drawn to the main tavern. And it was Aeroth, Marco and Tik who noticed the old gypsy woman in the corner. She rocked back and forth back and forth, talking to no one but herself. And Aeroth recognized her instantly from his dream.

He strode up to her, at once ready to demand her name, but it was she who spoke first.

“Ah, what took her so long?”

He halted in his path, suddenly unsure. “I was… laid up.”

“Tsk Tsk. Vandra waits. Vandra always waits. And where is the baby?”

“She is safe.”

“It is a good thing. Shall I read your card?”

Aeroth, a man who had never given his faith to anyone but Tyr, allowed the strange old gypsy woman to tell his fortune. The card he picked was “vengeance”.

“Ah… vengeance.” She said. “Vengeance against another. Vengeance against you. When does it end and what becomes of it? Who’s to say? Who’s to say?”

It went on like that for the rest of the morning. They came to her, one by one, this odd woman called Vandra. And she read their cards.

For Marco… Death.

For Tik… Love.

For Jewelynna… Birth.

For Aurora… Purpose.

And for Wyveryn… the Queen of Despair.

What they did not know was that old gypsy Vandra pulled one more card. One card, for the one who’d gone missing. She mumbled to herself, watching the party raise a toast to Hiroko. But one more card must be pulled. Vandra knew. And when it was done, she flipped it over and read the word.

Sacrifice.