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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 1808342" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>So Shall Ye Reap - Part 4: Smoke and Mirrors</strong></p><p></p><p>"Near as I can tell," said Vlad in the home of their new host, "the century was escorting the boy and his teacher back to Coryan when a wizard struck."</p><p></p><p>Kham was still shivering as he sipped from a mug full of mead. "Struck? Define 'struck.'"</p><p></p><p>"He let loose a gout of flames from his mouth, as the cantons tell it," explained Vlad. "That took out most of the legionnaires. Then he read a scroll and the howler showed up. You know the rest."</p><p></p><p>"A powerful wizard indeed," said Aurelius.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, he had help," said Vlad. "Masked men attacked the century as well."</p><p></p><p>"Aye, 'twas a near thing," interjected Aldous, their host. He was an older man dressed in long brown robes. Aldous was their designated contact in Luchek and keeper of the town library. "'Tis a good thing 'is teacher kept 'is wits about 'im, 'cause the whole damn place went to 'ell when the masked folks showed up."</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė cupped a mug of hot mead in her hands. "Where is the boy now?"</p><p></p><p>"Oh, he's inna private room. E's with 'is teacher, Theron. 'Tis a good thing too, 'cause the Harvester was 'ell bent on takin' 'im."</p><p></p><p>"Harvester?" said Vlad.</p><p></p><p>Kham's faced turned ashen. "Agents from the Isle of Ymandragore. The Sorcerer-King conducts raids on those who have the Gift for sorcery and wizardry. The children are adopted into Ymandragorian society." His shiver was not entirely due to his damp clothes.</p><p></p><p>"But the Harvester got away," said Aurelius. </p><p></p><p>"Aye," said Aldous. "An the town is lucky fer it. We'd 'ave twice as many cantons down if he stuck around."</p><p></p><p>"I did not count a centurion's corpse amongst the bodies," said Aurelius. "Perhaps he was not with the rest of the legionnaires."</p><p></p><p>Kham shook his head. "What, he took the long way around? Looks like the legionnaires didn't have any more luck than the cantons."</p><p></p><p>"May we see the boy?" Vlad asked quickly, before the two began arguing again.</p><p></p><p>"O' course, o' course. Follow me." </p><p></p><p>The old man struggled to his feet and led them down to the lowest level of the library. Stone walls echoed with their footsteps, the sole noise in the cold tunnel. Aldous finally stopped before a wooden door and knocked. After a few moments, the door opened to reveal a powerfully built man in a long white toga and cloak. </p><p></p><p>"Hello Aldous." Theron's aquiline features hardened as he peered past Aldous. "Who are these people and why have you brought them here?"</p><p></p><p>"We are on a mission to retrieve the boy," said Aurelius, stepping forward. "I am Aurelius Ignatius, signifer of the Legion of the Reluctant Warrior. We have traveled far to escort Cassicus safely back to Coryan."</p><p></p><p>Theron opened the door a little more. "Cassicus has been understandably shaken from the experience. I've been teaching him a meditation to calm him down. He's meditating right now, actually."</p><p></p><p>"Excellent. May we see him?"</p><p></p><p>Theron opened the door enough so that they could all peer into the room. Beyond was another open door to a smaller room. Cassicus was sitting in meditation at the center.</p><p></p><p>"The boy should rest first. This room has no other forms of entry, so we should be safe, especially if you stand guard." Theron chuckled. "You all look like you could use some rest yourselves."</p><p></p><p>Aurelius kept his eyes on the boy. "I would like to speak with him."</p><p></p><p>Theron stood in front of Aurelius, blocking his view. " I would rather you leave him be, for the moment."</p><p></p><p>Aurelius stepped into the room to get a better view of the child. "I must insist that I can confirm the child's health and state of mind."</p><p></p><p>Theron turned to face Aurelius, his shoulder to the entryway. "This is a senator's son. I am his guardian and I will have final say in what happens to the boy."</p><p></p><p>Kham slipped past Theron, unnoticed.</p><p></p><p>"I can appreciate that," said Aurelius. "However, it is possible the child is harmed in a way you cannot detect. These are Harvesters after all, they're capable of anything."</p><p></p><p>Kham made his way silently over to the open doorway where Cassicus sat in meditation.</p><p></p><p>"And I repeat, I don't care who you are or where you came from, I am eminently qualified to determine Cassicus' health and state of mind! He is FINE."</p><p></p><p>Kham whispered to the boy. "Psst! Hey, kid. You okay?" </p><p></p><p>The boy showed no signs of even noticing his presence.</p><p></p><p>"I am sure he is fine," said Aurelius, "but many men have died to guarantee the child's safety and I find it odd you are not willing to let us even speak to the boy."</p><p></p><p>Kham blinked. "Uh, guys?"</p><p></p><p>"I don't think you understand just how traumatized the boy was by the experience," countered Theron. "He watched that monster bite a man in half!"</p><p></p><p>"Guys? There's something seriously wrong with the kid."</p><p></p><p>Theron whirled. "There is nothing wrong with him. Please step away from the door."</p><p></p><p>"Now there's no reason to insult the child-" said Aurelius.</p><p></p><p>"No, no. What I mean is…he's not breathing."</p><p></p><p>"What?"</p><p></p><p>Kham jabbed a thumb in Cassicus' direction. "The kid. He's not breathing. His chest isn't moving. That's either one deep meditation or-"</p><p></p><p>"An illusion," said Ilmarė, placing one hand on the hilt of her sword. "We've been tricked."</p><p></p><p>Aurelius whirled to interrogate Theron, but only a gust of air filled the place where he had once been.</p><p></p><p>"The dirty bastards!" said Aldous as he stepped into the room. "The Harvester must 'ave him!"</p><p></p><p>Vlad nodded. "He's probably headed for the closest port city, Yarrvek. It's two hours ride from here."</p><p></p><p>"You've got me horses," Aldous said, ushering them all out of the room. "I'll send word ahead to try to stop the bastard before 'e sets sail, but ya better leave now."</p><p></p><p>Thunder echoed above them on cue.</p><p></p><p>"Great," said Kham. "More rain."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 1808342, member: 3285"] [b]So Shall Ye Reap - Part 4: Smoke and Mirrors[/b] "Near as I can tell," said Vlad in the home of their new host, "the century was escorting the boy and his teacher back to Coryan when a wizard struck." Kham was still shivering as he sipped from a mug full of mead. "Struck? Define 'struck.'" "He let loose a gout of flames from his mouth, as the cantons tell it," explained Vlad. "That took out most of the legionnaires. Then he read a scroll and the howler showed up. You know the rest." "A powerful wizard indeed," said Aurelius. "Oh, he had help," said Vlad. "Masked men attacked the century as well." "Aye, 'twas a near thing," interjected Aldous, their host. He was an older man dressed in long brown robes. Aldous was their designated contact in Luchek and keeper of the town library. "'Tis a good thing 'is teacher kept 'is wits about 'im, 'cause the whole damn place went to 'ell when the masked folks showed up." Ilmarė cupped a mug of hot mead in her hands. "Where is the boy now?" "Oh, he's inna private room. E's with 'is teacher, Theron. 'Tis a good thing too, 'cause the Harvester was 'ell bent on takin' 'im." "Harvester?" said Vlad. Kham's faced turned ashen. "Agents from the Isle of Ymandragore. The Sorcerer-King conducts raids on those who have the Gift for sorcery and wizardry. The children are adopted into Ymandragorian society." His shiver was not entirely due to his damp clothes. "But the Harvester got away," said Aurelius. "Aye," said Aldous. "An the town is lucky fer it. We'd 'ave twice as many cantons down if he stuck around." "I did not count a centurion's corpse amongst the bodies," said Aurelius. "Perhaps he was not with the rest of the legionnaires." Kham shook his head. "What, he took the long way around? Looks like the legionnaires didn't have any more luck than the cantons." "May we see the boy?" Vlad asked quickly, before the two began arguing again. "O' course, o' course. Follow me." The old man struggled to his feet and led them down to the lowest level of the library. Stone walls echoed with their footsteps, the sole noise in the cold tunnel. Aldous finally stopped before a wooden door and knocked. After a few moments, the door opened to reveal a powerfully built man in a long white toga and cloak. "Hello Aldous." Theron's aquiline features hardened as he peered past Aldous. "Who are these people and why have you brought them here?" "We are on a mission to retrieve the boy," said Aurelius, stepping forward. "I am Aurelius Ignatius, signifer of the Legion of the Reluctant Warrior. We have traveled far to escort Cassicus safely back to Coryan." Theron opened the door a little more. "Cassicus has been understandably shaken from the experience. I've been teaching him a meditation to calm him down. He's meditating right now, actually." "Excellent. May we see him?" Theron opened the door enough so that they could all peer into the room. Beyond was another open door to a smaller room. Cassicus was sitting in meditation at the center. "The boy should rest first. This room has no other forms of entry, so we should be safe, especially if you stand guard." Theron chuckled. "You all look like you could use some rest yourselves." Aurelius kept his eyes on the boy. "I would like to speak with him." Theron stood in front of Aurelius, blocking his view. " I would rather you leave him be, for the moment." Aurelius stepped into the room to get a better view of the child. "I must insist that I can confirm the child's health and state of mind." Theron turned to face Aurelius, his shoulder to the entryway. "This is a senator's son. I am his guardian and I will have final say in what happens to the boy." Kham slipped past Theron, unnoticed. "I can appreciate that," said Aurelius. "However, it is possible the child is harmed in a way you cannot detect. These are Harvesters after all, they're capable of anything." Kham made his way silently over to the open doorway where Cassicus sat in meditation. "And I repeat, I don't care who you are or where you came from, I am eminently qualified to determine Cassicus' health and state of mind! He is FINE." Kham whispered to the boy. "Psst! Hey, kid. You okay?" The boy showed no signs of even noticing his presence. "I am sure he is fine," said Aurelius, "but many men have died to guarantee the child's safety and I find it odd you are not willing to let us even speak to the boy." Kham blinked. "Uh, guys?" "I don't think you understand just how traumatized the boy was by the experience," countered Theron. "He watched that monster bite a man in half!" "Guys? There's something seriously wrong with the kid." Theron whirled. "There is nothing wrong with him. Please step away from the door." "Now there's no reason to insult the child-" said Aurelius. "No, no. What I mean is…he's not breathing." "What?" Kham jabbed a thumb in Cassicus' direction. "The kid. He's not breathing. His chest isn't moving. That's either one deep meditation or-" "An illusion," said Ilmarė, placing one hand on the hilt of her sword. "We've been tricked." Aurelius whirled to interrogate Theron, but only a gust of air filled the place where he had once been. "The dirty bastards!" said Aldous as he stepped into the room. "The Harvester must 'ave him!" Vlad nodded. "He's probably headed for the closest port city, Yarrvek. It's two hours ride from here." "You've got me horses," Aldous said, ushering them all out of the room. "I'll send word ahead to try to stop the bastard before 'e sets sail, but ya better leave now." Thunder echoed above them on cue. "Great," said Kham. "More rain." [/QUOTE]
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