Chapter Two: "Scions of a Dying Age"
Day Nine- Thainesport
I barely have time to open my eyes when a roar from the inner courtyard has me jumping to my feet. I lean over the small bed and look through the narrow slit to see brushed red haired hands covering a gapping mouth. Arfin’s call for breakfast issues forth again ringing through the stone walls. Quickly sweeping up the sword, bow, quiver and pack I race for the doorway hoping to get out of the echoing halls before he yells once more.
Barely keeping my feet under me as I wrap the scabbard to my hip, I hear Justice shout for him to be quite and that we are on the way if he gives us a chance. Racing toward her voice, I round a corner and crash headlong into Kareth’s chest. As if the splitting headache still ringing through my ears wasn’t enough. I place a hand over my nose as Kareth points down the hallway seeming undisturbed by the echoing commotion. I can only roll my eyes heavenward wishing my ears for the first time were not so sensitive and follow the chiseled green body in front of me.
We enter the library to find Justice, Farathier, Arfin, and Xath all ready discussing ways to free the Lady Jaine and the old cleric Preston. a message is brought from the door guards. Only moments into our debate of trying to figure out how to free the Lady Jaine and the old cleric Preston, a nock pound my still sensitive head. Arfin goes to answer it, and returns bearing a formal scroll closed with the King’s seal. He scans it a few times, till finally Justice urges him to read it aloud. It states that by order of the King the traitors Jaine Rhynn and Joshua Preston will be hanged in public at sundown.
This gives us even less time then we had thought. Still working through this information a series of announcements arrive. Individually Arfin, Justice, Kareth and I have all received invitations to the Kings box to watch the ‘entertainment at sundown’ as the card read. After reading his, Arfin reaches into a pouch at his waist pulling out another card out and tossing it to Xath. He declares gruffly that it will allow Xath to enter as the representative of Clan Thunderheart. Farathier alone has no way to get in and us wondering at the open welcome we have received. With only a few hours to go we continue our search for a better sooner way to reach the two prisoners. As a last option we will go to the ceremony and try to stop it there, but after Arfin convinces Xath to join our cause she has some ideas of how to get the information.
Farathier and Arfin go to look over the site of the hanging, and perhaps find a way to entrench him there. Arfin reports back at midday that he is at a loss for how to get them safely in and out of the square. They did however manage to get Farathier hidden though with Arfin’s roaming eyes tonight we will see just how well. They agreed that he would watch and wait, apparently Farathier knew that this would become our only course of action.
Arfin thinks to enlist the aid of his new clan, with Xath’s encouragement, though she even now seems less convinced or impassioned as we are. After a disheartening and unconvincing plea to Gawyn Thunderheart, Arfin instead turns to Xath as a messenger to find John Rhynn the known voice of rebellion in the city.
Morning fades to Midday and we receive a strange message from the rooftop guards, it is written in Arhconus’s hand but tells us not to do anything- to simply wait, act normal and meet after the execution at the rusty tavern by the water front. It seems things have come full circle, for that was the tavern we all had entered when the pirates struck. Archonus seems to have a plan, and so far that is more then we have. Xath returns not having found out much from the Rhynns. We agree to follow Arhconus’s instructions, but we try to hide weapons as well…. Just in case. As we split up for the two hours we have Justice grabs my arm and looking pityingly at my clothes pulls me along behind her. I finally manage to get her to halt and ask what she is about. It seems no one would dare meet the king without a suitable gown. Sadly my one thought as we walked to a near by shop was gown? Why not simply a dress? The next hour was my first crash course in the layers and intricacies of court attire.
An hour before sundown, a court crier runs through the streets reminding everyone of the big event. It seems the King wishes to have the entire city there. We leave our weapons and armor in a closed off room, hoping for it to stay safe and hoping we are correct in following Arhconus’ plan.
The main portal door has been left open in everyone haste to get a good seat, and following the trickling throng of late goers, we slowly approach the King’s box. Justice leads daintily holding the edge of her dress out of the mud and dirt. I tried unsuccessfully to mimic her ease of swishing the skirt around people. A guard gruffly steps forward a pike horizontally blocking our forward motion. He asks what we want. I step forward and in uncommon forcefulness tell him, “We were summoned by the king to be at his side” pushing the scroll with my invitation at his puffed out chest. The guard quickly scans the document, then peering around asks the others for theirs. After going over each one diligently he yells to someone called simply, “Fellowes,” to take us up to the box personally. He moves the pike upward far above his head then crisply gives a short bow.
I breathe a sigh of relief that we were not searched, knowing even with a slight tap all the daggers Justice hid under her skirts would be felt. As I top the stairs I am jolted to a halt. I see a familiar figure standing back towards us, but there is no way I would mistake that back… that fine dark hair. He wears a rich black velvet doublet with slight hints of gold and silver running easily through it. It almost calls my eyes to follow the lines down the newly polished leather boots with gold buckles. As my eyes slowly make their way back up it doesn’t register that he has turned. He holds a glittering gold blade in his lean hands, while giving us his easy smirk. As Kareth bumps into me, I take a step forward keeping my eyes on Edriss. My mind still stuck on what? Why? How?… I can only remember how he left us at the monastery, how he was just gone… And to think I was actually worried what had become of him!
I turn to see King Tain approach us. I follow Justice’s lead and try to mimic as best I am able to her fluid curtsey. The king takes Justice’s hand slowly pulling her upright. A pace behind her Arfin, Kareth and I all rise up. He gently kisses her hand a secret smile etching his face, “Mistress Fairweather.” He turns to me and taking my hand repeats the motion. Looking at the others he bows stiffly. With no other small talk, he very gravely tells of his need for our allegiance to go north and get a special weapon for him. If we dot his for him it would mean the end to the worries of the Bluestar. For if this blade is destroyed so is the soul of the Northern King. He flows easily from the statements to the question, “Will you give it?” Justice still by his arm works to conceal the venom in her voice and eyes as she tells the king that she has other, higher allegiances. The king merely smiles broader and so tells her that many in his service have allegiances to multiple people and deities. Knowing we would surely loose and have no hope of saving Jaine and Pretson should we fight she concedes and finally gives her pledge to the king. The king switches his stare to Arfin standing next to Justice’s side. He looks at the king for a long while then finally, “I will follow the paladin.” The smile looses some of it’s honesty, but remains in place as he turns to look at Kareth and then to me. Kareth mearly nods his agreement at first, but the king easily says even short words would be sufficient, and so an “I also” is issued forth. Looking around as if surprised by the late hour raises his arms to quiet the crowd. He tells them of our heroism and that since we helped bring in Jane, we are pardoned of all past crimes. Lies within lies yet all holding some truth.
Then the drums start, a death march, and the traitor Jane Rhynn and her accomplice, Joshua Preston are walked out. The nooses hang limply in front of them. As the black hooded executioner loops the rope around Pretson’s neck first, I look at Justice and the others. As the rope goes round Jaines neck I lean forward trying to glimpse Xath in the nobles box. I loud boom echoes through the silent yard. The executioner stands hands round Jaines neck motionless. Her head slowly turns as she and Preston suddenly wink out of existence and the guard falls heavily to the ground. Finally a shout goes up, for guards to protect the king. A darkly hooded figure jumps on to the rickety scaffolding, pushing back his hood as the guards rush at him. It is a familiar face, a welcoming face- Archonus Arrendor. Talk about going into sacrifice yourself! The guards attack Archonus, worrying about the intruder and not the missing prisoners.
The blonde head and silver helmet of Farathier appears on the hill top astride his light gray horse. From his position just off to the right he carefully and slowly raises his crossbow and fires. The little man standing next to the king flies back with the impact of the bolt. At the shout to protect the king, the crowd goes wild, racing to every entrance, clashing rich and poor alike, shoving grime on rags and riches. The man next to me yells at the guards near the hill to attack Farathier. Luckily the first shot fired misses Farathier, who wheels his horse down the opposite side of the hill. At least I know one of us made it out safely.
A blob of song with surprising ease leaps from the noble’s box, and races toward where Farathier was last seen. While Archonus is on the podium fighting the guards, he also cuts the rope holding Jaine’s neck and the one holding her hands. Pushing the small dagger into her hands. The guards take no notice of Jane moving about and just concentrate on Archonus, what is wrong with them?
I see the guard in front of me taking aim at Archonus, so I step forward and scream in his ear, “We are all going to die!” This startles him more then I hoped for and he swivels partially around and fires his gun over his companions head. His companion unfortunately with more battle experience swivels with his sword drawn and stabs the guard in two quick motions. Removing the blades he turns to glare at me. I smile weakly, but know the ploy will not hold and having just watch with what ease he dealt with the guard I know I am no match for him. With all my companions now gone from around me I jump to the nobles platform and hoping to get some clear space to run through I yell at them “Run for your lives.” This gets them moving to hopefully throw the guards off more. As I run through the throng of nobles, I hear a thump behind me a swivel hands ready to attack, but smile when I see on the Rhynn family with his foot out and a guard face down on the platform. I nod my thanks at the Rynn family member but know to give no more though or glance that way. I quickly scan the scene before me.
Justice and Arfin are nowhere to be seen, while Kareth and Archonus battle on and around the stage. Beyond them I see two figures with almost a visible force surrounding them. Both tall warriors stand near to each other letting waves of arrows fall on the guards around the scaffolding. There is a loud ‘bang’ from the king’s stage and I seeing Kareth and Archonus remain unaffected, look to the archers. The one with the unknown bow goes down, he must be on our side somehow to risk the dangers of shoot at the king and his men. Seeing a small group of guards heading towards him, I jump quickly down and race all out toward the fallen figure. I push past the nobles still fleeing from the box, and so mixed with them I pass the guards. I reach the figure and quickly fall to my knees. Seeing the black studded leather chest plate and a small hint of a sword hilt I know, I reach out timidly hoping to find a stranger’s face beneath the hood, but the light has other plans it seems for instead I look upon the face of Link Woodshadow. His good eyes shut closed, while his red eye seems to be a dull and lifeless. Letting my ears search for guards and trouble I let my hands and eyes go to work. I quickly take out my healer’s kit and try to stop the worse of the bleeding. I pull a healing drought out as well and try to give him strength internally. Once I have him as healed as I can with such short time. I know I can not leave him, for surely he would die otherwise, so I pick him up pray that I will not kill him with these movements. After I have him on shoulders, I see the glint of his two sword handles lying on the ground. I remember the monastery, so I grab the swords cutting one hand as I clutch both blades. I have no way to call to the female on the hill without distracting her aim, but I send a prayer her way and run as hard as I can from the guards just now reaching the bloody circle.
As I round the hill I almost crash into Arconus running back into the square. Wordlessly he reaches out and without question I place the still unmoving elf into his stronger arms. With both hands now free I synch Link’s belt and blades to my waist. At a much greater speed now we re-enter the streets of the city, and following Archonus we reach the docks. I take point and run ahead of Archonus here to avoid any guards that may be out. The fine dress Justice picked out for me stands out starkly in the harsh torch light. Fleetingly I wonder what lecture from Justice I will get for letting the grime of the alley’s and the dirt from the trash littering the ground touch such a fine piece of clothing.
I race slightly ahead of Archonus pushing open the door to the tavern as we reach it. Going to the first table in the corner I sweep my arm across it displacing what foul containers cluttered it’s surface. I can’t help the worry that floods my face as I turn back to Archonus, helping him gently set the frail looking elf down. I grab a candle near by and with quivering hand push the hood back again, almost hoping I saw some strange figment before.
The candle’s light dully reflects in the still dead stone placed were an eye should be. Yes, it is Link. I look back toward Archonus not trying to hide the sadness and confusion from my face. I barely take note of the others who have slowly made their way to the tavern as well. Speaking to him quietly, "Though I have questioned in my heart, I cannot deny now that this man is who I hoped he was...” Looking now at the others, “He is Link Woodshadow."
From the corner of my eye I see the fat groping bartender coming closer. I swiftly turn my body shadowing the face of the elf, and not even thinking of the swords widen slightly bend my knees into a crouch- ready to stop any threat he posses. Archonus moves forward holding out a hand to the bartender stopping his progress, "Is everything prepared?"
The bartender moving his thoughtful gaze from me, looks at Archonus’ masked face sounding bored replies, "Aye, there be passage for you. But 'tisn't I who made the deal, so it's not I who'll tell you the details. Cawys is yer contact, and so yer needing to talk to him, not I. But be warned, lad-you have passage for six, and I count a shade more than six in yer party."
Hearing a soft movement from Link I turn carefully keeping my body between him and the tavern. I trust Archonus to handle and do what needs to be done, whatever deal he made he will tell us. He has kept nothing from us before. As I work to patch what little I can of the wounds, I see the gem in his eye wink with life occasionally. Holding hope that it is a good sign. Not knowing what else to do I speak to him, perhaps give him some comfort, "Uuma dela, Vara tel' Seldarine"(Do not worry, I shall protect you).
A moist cough from the elf, followed by fluttering eyelashes-one over a flashing red gem, and the other over an eye gone white from age. "I do not...need...protection...yet" he whispered between coughing fits. "Where is my daughter...and who are the spectators?" he wearily grunted, nodding toward the rest of the gathered heroes. "I know Josh and Jaine, but the rest are...new to my eye..." He responds in the ancient elvish so I continue thinking for safety, caution or comfort he wants it.
"Lle hen Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva" (your daughter was alive when last I saw her), I whisper, hoping that we are the only elves in the crowd slowly trickling in to the tavern. I can not tell him of Jaine and Preston for not even I know that.
The warrior’s body still fit is wracked by another coughing fit. As it does, I feels tears gathering in my eyes, but quickly shake off the apparent show of weakness. Michael had never tolerated crying- a poor substitute for action he had often said. Despite this, tears continued to well up. I have only met him once before I shouldn’t feel this attachment, and although he claims to be family, I have seen so many lies worked over the last month. I would not show this weakness.
"Tel'Mithrim, adel"(I have already lost too much, respected elder), My mind racing with the consequences of our earlier actions. He can’t stay in the city now, not any of us can. The Kings most trusted advisors did not stop them, but surely they suspected something. And Jaine.... if Jaine is truly supposed to be in power she must be kept safe. However, there remained the possibility that Jaine was no more than an innocent. She could be the rightful heir, but with no desire to play the role of queen: yet another pawn in the grand game that so many nobles seemed to thrive upon.
Feeling him shift again beneath my hand, I concentrate on him, "Mankoi naa lle sinome?" (Why are you here? You said you would be in shadow).
"I was...persuaded...by a...friend..." he gasped, breathing becoming ever more difficult, now. "Tain is...dangerous...he places the kingdom in gravest of danger...the Covenant"
"Mankoi sii?" (Why now?)
"Jaine had to...survive. She is the last true heir...Oberon's last daughter...Tain and one...other...have the Blood..."
My mind again flashes through the possibilities. What was Link talking about? Could he tell me more? My mind flashes with the possibilities, some dark, some real, some my heart quenches at even the barest hint…. the Bluestar is moving, Archonus's mysterious actions over the last few days...how he came back into the square to aid in their escape, how he has saved each of them several times. My thoughts drift to the sword that Tain had so recently charged them with capturing, and to the scene around that strange disappearing moment. Thinking a little too hard, she utters aloud in common "the sword must be found but where, and how?"
"The sword is...Tain's key to fulfilling...his promise...but not the only key... Fear his determination... and... fear his ambition... for ambition has led him to choose...dangerous...allies... scions of the past..." Link coughs, trying desperately to get out every word before losing consciousness again. He speaks once more, though much is un fathomable. "...the dragon rises....conquers...*cough cough* east..." the last is barely a whisper as his body relaxes. Not in death luckily, but deep slumber.
“We have to keep moving. We need to get out of these clothes, and we need to find a way out of here,” Justice’s calm voice rings around me. No first I must take care of Link, first and only, and I won’t leave him to fate. Even if he wasn’t family, he came help us and got hurt in the process. I wrap his cloak about him, tying the makeshift bandages as best I can.
Xath appears at my side tucking the Woodshadows cloak tightly about him as I hold him in my arms. Speaking to the group, “I have gotten us a room, so we may discuss things.” At the last word she looks pointedly at Archonus, but ushers us past the bar into a back room. The walls seem solid and with no windows we feel more secure then anywhere else we were going to find on such short notice.
After only moments, Farathier stands up declaring that with our options we need to see if the tavern keeper can help us. He opens the thick oak door looking for the inn keeper. He partially closes the door thinking he will be back soon enough. Shouts are heard outside the door, shouts of soldiers, shouts for them forcibly asking to search the place. Our room of safety is now a trap. At the sound of fighting Arhconus draws his swords and takes a set toward the door as it swings wide and three guards enter. Arhconus fiercely attacks them knowing we are mostly defenseless. Kareth not needing more then his powerful hands, goes to help him. Xath looks frantically at the wall behind her, mutter that it should be an ally behind it. As she slams her body against the wall I see Arfin charge into the fighting. I stand moving in front of Link’s defenseless form. One of the fighters breaks free and charges toward me, somehow at that moment I feel the weight of Link’s swords at my waist. Knowing I would be worthless with the long sword, I draw the short sword hoping I fare better with it.
I lift the sword and meet his first thrust gasping at the pain that shoots through my hand. I see in his face though it hurt him more. Knowing I am all that stands between him and Link I continue to fight. Mostly just trying to keep him from hitting me. I hear Arfin’s voice in the hallway along with Justice’s, and feel my arm getting weak. Xath still pounds the wall behind the wood starting the creak and bend. The man in front of me suddenly grows two metal points from his chest- no they are only the end of Arhconus’ blades. I nod weakly as he races towards the others. I resheath the blade and picking up Link go into the hallway. Unsure which way to turn I look straight into the tap room watching as flames are licking the ale and cleaning the surfaces. I hear muffled noises to my right, and hope it is my friends run that way. I get to the bottom of a set of stairs only to have the monk and Justice run past me again. Xath starts to yell from the back room that she has gotten through and is taking them out. I can only assume them would be Jaine and Preston who we left standing in there. I see Arfin running past me next and hear his shout for me to hurry, the fire is spreading and the guards are moving in. I get to the doorway when a dark woman appears before me. Her thin lips part in a menacing grin as she lifts her hands and starts to wave them, I grab the short sword again trying to hit her hands. The pain and Link prove to be too much and the blade flies from my grasp at the same instant the long sword flies at her as well. She reaches out and as her bony fingers touch the metal they and she disappear leaving no trace they were ever there. I grasp at the air, finally yelling my frustration and anger. Then coughing at the encroaching smoke make for the doorway.
I automatically step over the downed guards the others dealt with, and finally stop when a large hand holds my shoulders from moving forward. I lost them… “I lost them.” But the others are luckily worried about more important things- the future and how to get us out alive.
As we leave the burning tavern and the hide in alleyways as guards rush past it is agreed that the Dwarven Stronghold should be our next stop. Somehow it is agreed that Archonus and Xath will go in and retrieve our stuff. The rest of us will look for passage on another ship, maybe even get passage for everyone on one ship. We manage to secure Link to my side making him appear as a drunk I am helping home. Kareth waits outside in a alley as Justice and Arfin enters each tavern asking for captains and passage. Finally she returns with good news, they have booked passage on a ship for 11 passengers. The captain was stern that it leaves at dawn and will wait for no one. Jaine and Preston continue to whisper a few feet away finally Jaine turns to us a plea in her eyes as she states that she will not leave Thainsport without Mr. Filmore. Knowing we don’t have much time, and that he is mot likely captured we think of where he may have been captured… Joshua thinks the city guard is the best place to start looking for him.
The guard house is a completely solid brick three story building in front and on the sides. Justice ushers us toward the back searching for a way in. Behind the building we find a possible way in. A wooden fence only 8 feet high barring our way into the a large stable yard. There must be a door to the inside from here, and so Justice seeing Joshua as the only one able orders him inside to look around.
Kareth’s large hands engulfed Preston’s booted foot as he was lifted over the fence. Preston wisely stuck close to the edges of the court yard constantly shifting his gaze all around him. We edge over the fence watching from between the staked poles. With a loud clanking Preston’s boot makes contact with a full metal water bucket. As the other guards turn to the noise and draws swords, Justice rashly throws herself over the fence after Joshua. I see two horses coming toward us up the alleyway, and using the old trick get them to buck their riders. Kareth makes an easy dispatch of them while I jump on the fence trying to help Justice and Pretson back over to our side. Jaine struggles to get the sewer cover off, and Kareth goes and with a single finger lifts it from the ground. Handing it to her she blushes but then tell him to just hold it. As the others climb down I hit the hinds of the horses, hoping the guards will give chance that way. It takes me precious moments to get Link handed down first and then to quickly climb down my self. All the while feeling Kareth just seconds behind me. He manages to quietly re-place the cover over our position as feet storm by.
The stench is horrible, but we have to keep going. Justice shouts that she will take lead, lighting one of her small daggers. Kareth smiles at Jaine and Preston motioning them forward. Jaine luckily still has the small dagger Archonus gave her, and Preston picked up a sword just moments ago. We follow the river in what I know to be the direction of the port. Suddenly we all stop as we sense something ahead. I fall back trying to keep Link above the foul water. Kareth moves forward in front of Jaine and I fists at the ready.
In the light blue tint Justice’s sword provides, we see an evil unnatural creature with tentacles in front of us. Before we can make any other move it has its tentacles wrapped around Joshua and Kareth. Justice closes in sloshing through the muck to stay clear of the swinging tentacles. I switch Link to my back shielding him with my body. Jaine reaches to where Preston stands touching the squishy tentacle and trying to break him free. Finally it slumps and it’s tentacles release Joshua and Kareth. Jaine helps Joshua as I help Kareth both still looking wobbly after the encounter. Luckily Kareth as always easily shakes off the effects and goes a step beyond Justice squinting into the darkness. As he utters “Something there.” Into the stillness I hear a slight shift of metal on rock. “There’s someone there,” I tell the others. We slowly advance cautiously sticking to the walls and dousing Justice’s light.
We then see dwarves from the hall and… Filmore. Jaine swims past us clutching at Filmore when she reaches him. They seem to just be waiting, and as Preston, Justice and I approach slower we hear the muffled snickering of our companions Arhconus and Xath. Justice glares at them as I smile knowing it had to Xath’s idea.
Jaine shifting in Filmore’s embrace turns to face everyone, “We must get out of the city, but we can not escape notice as we are.” Justice asks Filmore were the nearest Amastatian temple may be. One of the dwarves pipes in, “It be down a few more blocks and then we should be nearn’ it.”
Link’s steady snoring changes into a muffled ‘huh.’ I roll his weight off my back supporting him front of me, still unsure how he is doing. He moves his head, but sees to not be ‘looking’ at anything in particular. I ask him how he is doing, and with his normal tartness replies, “I am injured and in a foul sewer how do you think I am doing?” I feel his legs steady under him, and my grip turns more into that of a friend. He looks at me and says more morosely, “I can not leave my daughter, and she is not here, so I must go and find her.”
“But how? Where will you look?” Link is ever mysterious, “We have ways.” I lightly squeeze his shoulder knowing he must go alone. I did what I could… I drop that and tell him of his swords. This news does not seem as tragic as I thought it would be. He is troubled, but more that the king has them and knows some special powers they hold then the actual loss of them. He asks where we are going, or someway to meet up. I tell him we are looking for more information on the sword and so we are going to the Citadel Refuge. He agrees they would have a good library to look in, and so we agree to meet there if all goes well in six weeks. He turns to Archonus and asks for his staff, chuckling at his image “to help a blink and crippled old man.” Archonus hands him the staff without a word. With Justice’s urging the group turns to leave being ushered further toward the docks, and I watch as Link turns away giving me one last message, “Remember to always wear your talisman young one.” I reach up and caress the pendant, whispering “I will.”
A few minutes later we all exit the sewers and head to the city monastery. A human answers the door knock, she looks us over smiling even though we are filthy and must be at odds with the norm. She merely opens the door a little wider and we get a full glimpse of her. The wispy cloth is almost translucent, a joke at actually covering anything from the eye. I can’t laugh though, this is their way. A way I have respected and at time longed for.
As she motions us inside she asks what we have need of, and in one quick move she slides in front of Arhconus as Justice rushes to tell her we simply need a quick bath, and other clothing. She lets us know that with a simple donation both can be arranged, and whatever else we may have need of. Xath goes to the pot and pulling gems and coin out makes our donation.
They lead us to a large white room, plants add touches of green and flowers add welcoming scents. The slight trickle of water can be heard as the soft torch light calmly reflects a rainbow against the marbled ceiling. Kareth with no hesitation drops his loin wrap on the floor and racing past us jumps belly first into the cool water. The priests smiles at me as I turn my back to the others hiding more then my look of shock at Kareth display. I try to close off my mind and think of other things as I hear the cloth and metal sounds echoing in the room, knowing each is getting undressed. I pull my ancestors cloak tight around me hiding what lay beneath. Keeping eyes averted I finally get into the cool water turning as soon as I am able. There is a variety oils and soaps the priestess gives us, along with very sharp blades. So with great ta-do the dwarves cut their beards. After cleaning the cloak as I am able, I take one of the blades and chop my hair to a very short length. As I exit the water I notice most all of the stench is gone. A priest enters the chambers with a pile of robes for us. I go over to one gently lifting it, the same sheer white fabric that the priestess greet us in and the robe the man in front of us wears are the same as those on the ground. Turning instead to our mostly clean clothes most choose to re-don those.
All except Archonus that is. He strides to the pile picking out on of the robes carefully wrapping it around himself. He crams his normal clothes into his pack and stand as if to leave. Carefully keeping my eyes on his face I walk up to him, feeling the heat in my cheeks. “You forgot to cover- you know.” He looks down confused, and I struggle to lift my eyes toward the ceiling utter to Oberon. I motion to a spot around my eye, “No this. I just thought- normally you are so careful-“ He shrugs midway through my sentence reaching down and cutting one of the robes into slips, then carefully wraps it round his head, as if blind. As his hand reaches out I move away as he grabs the nearest shoulder. Xath though looking annoyed just says, “Ye best use yer long legs and keep up.”
Since we need a room for the night, Xath leading Archonus goes into the nearest bar, while the rest of us stay out in the alleyway trying to think up strategy plan for the next step. All seems to be going fine until a harsh silence falls on the bar, Kareth merely says, “Archon” then charges into the building, while Justice goes to the door to see what is going on. She orders the rest of us to stay hidden in the alleyway. The door is banged open with two orcs holding Archonus tied hand and foot. Not taking kindly to being ordered around anymore and getting almost killed, I ask over Justice’s shoulder if they need any help. Xath runs over quickly passing a hand over his face says the mark is not real. They look confused as Justice yells that one Archonus Arrendor was just seen running down the street. They take off leaving Archonus on the ground, as I look down my hand reaches for my kukri, be his voice stops me as he tells me to just be ready. I step inside the door as Justice punches a large minator saying, “Do not touch my husband.” The minator slaps her face back, as one the Orcs along the wall tries to reach for me. Remembering Archonus words I roll to the side out of his reach, but giving Archonus room to leap up and kick the minator swiftly. As the body is thrown back it hits the next one charging towards me. Thrown off balance it is easy for me to hit him hard once in the face and he’s down. Looking around, I see Justice and Kareth managed to take care of the other two easily enough. Xath’s voice hits us dripping with sarcasm that she had gotten us a room for the night at a very good rate, but that now we would have to try elsewhere. I feel a smile tug my lips, somehow easy for her to do, only Michael and Selura… no there is still much to tell of that night the rest is past.
In a more southern part of the port city we find a room to rest and even manage to arrange for a wake-up call in the pre-dawn hours. Safely in our room though we still can not rest, though hearing the groans as some sit and others lay down I know everyone is tired and sore. Only Justice remains standing, continuing to give orders and ideas as thoughts and dreams start to drift. Everyone moves towards the table dragging chairs or boxes as close as they can.
Only Archonus sits apart shadowed by the dying light, a box his chair and legs outstretched. Not having the energy to stand I look over from my position on the floor a scant few feet away, asking quietly, “What was the exact wording of the enchantment you put over Jaine and Joshua. Also, I hope I do not offend you in asking, but how did you get that... unusual... birthmark over your eye?"
He remains motionless his gaze still on the others but seem unseeing, finally he replies “I wished for Jain and Preston to be invisible to everyone's eye save mine and those I…" I what? I scream in my head. "…counted as allies, until dawn. As for my...'birthmark,” His steely gaze traps me as he me directly in the eyes “I was born a descendent of the Bluestar. His blood runs in my veins. This...'birthmark' is a constant reminder of the evil he has passed on through the bloodline of my family." I know he is not lying and now I also now know the burden he carries and hides. He looks away from me and the group, once more going into himself it seems and shutting us out. I move back to the group not knowing what else to do or say to him. The Bluestar is evil, and has enough deeds to fill all the paper of the land, but knowing how different I was from Michael I know blood will not determine everything… He has fought against the mark, and his fight against it has made him… him. Now I know why he hides it, and I wonder at my reaction to it why there was no fear, no reproach.
The others are engrossed as to what we should do, and I try to concentrate on what they are saying limiting my glances over to the my shadowed friend. Vaguely I hear Xath’s voice, “So we know the docks are guarded quite heavily and that guards are checking all ships before they leave port.
From my perspective, there are several things we need to do. Firstly, compile a list of all of our resources. This includes individual items, items that belong to the group, the spells we know, how many times per day we can cast them. We also shouldn't forget the resources we have around us right now in the inn.
Secondly, we need to determine all of the routes to the docks. Are the two ships docked next to each other or do we need to get both groups to separate piers? Thirdly, once we determine available routes to the docks, we need to determine how we get there undetected. Once we pull all of our resources, we can proceed with planning.”
Filmore moves around Jaine, “I know where the "Queen's Escape" is docked. and is located at the west end of the docks, near the… the Rusty Tabard- no, the Rusty Scabbard, that’s it. I have never heard of this "Sea Monkey" however.” Drawing himself up regally he looks down at us, “We have either 4 or 2 immediate tasks, depending on how you see the problem. I'll divide them four ways. One, to get ourselves to the wharf without being captured. Two, to get Jaine, Pretson, and I to the wharf without being captured, Three, to get yourselves out of the city without being captured and four, to get us out of the city without US being captured. In the long term, we need to think about how this will work to get Jaine and I to our goal and save this kingdom. Running has to be strategic. You could help us greatly, and if you help now we could truly start a widespread rebellion? But if so, how?
Also, we have other good allies here that we can not forget, Nurin Stoneservant, and ah-"Crunch" and "Bash" Leadbender. One more resource is the inn full of possible allies. We can try to contact John again,” Looking to Jaine, “he has spoken out before against the king.” Chuckling to himself, “Though usually his rallies scatter REALLY fast as soon as members of the watch, and then the Talon Blades show up. The thing to remember is that Allies exist, but most of them will run or turn us in before they risk their lives for what appears to be a hopeless cause. They might be hopping mad, but they don't want to die for nothing, either. They need an expectation that they can win before most will act publicly to aid us. We have been at this for years we know.”
Xath looks at the tables scarred surface and poses, “I was thinking along the lines of starting a riot. I have some tricks that can be fun and distracting. So, rough outline of an outline...we really need to know all our resources first. I can project my voice to sound like a mass of people shouting. If it works, it could cause mass confusion, panic, and hopefully a riot among the people. Add a fire or two and you have a citywide riot in a very short time.” Her gaze pondering as she continues, “This could work out very well or very badly. In the panic, the guards might barricade the exits of the city even more heavily to prevent any suspects from escaping, making it even more difficult for us to get through. Hopefully though, they would rush to the king to find out what happened, and give us a chance to leave. Or our boats may just say forget it and leave in order to avoid the panic, leaving us stranded once again.
But what we really need is to get a list of our resources. This is a desperation plan because of its unpredictability and the probability that innocents will be hurt and maybe killed. Lets come up with some real contingency....and....discuss.”
Justice nods through Xath’s ideas, finally declaring, “I really like the riot idea… confusion is good—and is our friend…”
Shooting a hard look at Archonus’s straight form, “We saw that in the mass conflict that happened at the “execution”…” Turning back to the table, “however, we also have to remember that the confusion isn’t enough. We need to have a disguise and plan to make ourselves into something we’re not… something that is not wanted by the guards.
I propose we do this by putting someone in a pine box and pretend we are sailing overseas to give one of our closest friends a proper funeral. This provides us two advantages: one, we can utilize the space and convience of having a cart… even if we don’t have one of those yet. Two, we can use this excuse to fill in holes in our story/make sure we don’t have to spend too much time talking… if at any point a guard asks a question we don’t know the answer to, we break down in tears... leaving the guard very uncomfortable and unsure of how to react. I would nominate myself as the talker in this situation… we have someone who is driving the cart (the dwarves?)… The story needs a little more work… but—I think it has promise.
There is another alternative that we can use… the riot is still good… but, we can go in small groups (of 2 or 3)… this will only work if we have meticulously worked out stories, though. Each of us will need to know: Who we are trying to be, Where we are going, and Why we are going.
And we need to know those things SO well that we essentially cannot screw up… the riot can be helpful in both of these situations… but, if we work hard enough, we may not even need the distraction of the riot—may not want to risk having the port closed down or the boats leaving without us”
Archonus from his darkened corner voices, “Riots are bad. If we merely need a distraction I can provide one.”
Not happy with that thought or plan, I jump in quickly, "Yes we do need a plan, though guts and lots of luck have let us survive till now. I am not sure how much more we can take of this,” tightening a rag around my left hand, the hand that carried Link’s swords. Trying to smile through the small pain, “and as each plan fails the more time is lost and they close more of the city off to us."
Looking towards Xath, "I am not really for the 'setting fire to the city' since it could seriously hurt innocents and could cause a big backfire. We do not have loyalty with the captain's of the ships we are going to sail with, and we have not even paid them in full. So they do not have much incentive to stay through guards searching every hold and a fire.
“As for trying to take a coffin out, this could work, but why would this odd group be doing it? We could use bar patrons as a processional, with a song sung by a dwarf for a dwarf. We do also have the Amastatian robes, this would only be maybe one person in them. This plan would basically end up turning all eyes to us, but also may make it more believable. Also, once we have dropped off the coffin, do we jump over board and swim to our boat? We can not use the same disguise going off the ship in case we run into the same guards who may notice a change in our group and that we went to a boat and oppps wrong one, so lets go try this one instead.” Pausing to take a deep breath, but rushing on, “We can use the name of the ship that royal group is going on, since that is where we are going and then we are telling the complete truth on that score. Also, by using the name of the ship if some guards follow us we are doing as we say and going there, no ore reason to be suspicious.”
“The crowd around us can provide cover for us dividing into their ranks.... We are all fairly tall,” looking apologetically at Xath and Arfin, “so we could stay within eye sight of each other easily. Since we have enough dwarves, and their stronghold was ransacked they could be with the coffin holding one of them. It would not be so strange for a dwarf to need to go home and be buried! Once at boat ramp only the dwarven party goes in.. Xath got the passage, so she can arrange the details -all of us can stay with the now disbanding procession. Xath can disguise or undisguised herself now, and tell us to 'in honor of the fallen dwarf lets all go to a bar (one close to our other ship)'... we just split off from the group before we get there...” Getting a little too caught up in my vision I push forward, “We then use the disguise, sneak approach to get to our boat! But as Justice has said we need to know who we are, where we are going, and where we have been just in case. Also understand that if we se a picture we last saw each other at the execution. In order to do this last part though we need to know where the other boat is, not just meet at the other boat...So, do we have time to have one person sneak to the docks and find the other boat? Also, make sure it is still hanging out and not barred since the captain did not sound to be totally within the law- this could also work to our advantage as he may have secret holds and such! The only other thing is -are all the alleyways about the same width? Maybe someone could jump from rooftop to rooftop, or just see who can see who on the rooftops first.”
Preston look ponderingly at us, “Bar patrons pretending to be mourners are a fantastic image...it could really help our story. However, can we trust them to carry it through, and carry it through in a believable manner? Also, remember that we have been asked to be awakened several hours before dawn, and there won't be a crowd around the docks. Our ships depart at dawn, which means we'll need to be on them before traffic gets heavy near the docks.”
"Better to rely only on ourselves, at this point. You may be the beginnings of a true army of the Phoenix, but right now it's just you..." says Jaine, clearly worried about the involvement of others. "Alric and I have pretended to be others for the past seven years, and Preston's history has as much rogue as it does priest. We can help, but we need to decide which vessel our funerary ruse will take us to."
"Aye," replies Preston. "The Apecto himself had a thief for a mother...we must not forget our ancestors past. Know the path of light, yes...but don't forget the uses of shadow." he grins, winking at Justice as Michael may have winked at me.
As we all find try to find a corner to curl up in, Jaine remains standing regally, "When we reach Sylvanus, we will start to gather supporters. There are some there who will help us. If you come looking and we are not in the city, ask for Darmac. He is a smith there... though not a strong supporter, we trust him. I want to wish you a safe journey now, and hope to see you all safely in Sylvanus before at the appointed hour." She sinks to the floor beside Preston giving Filmore a weary look.
My last thoughts are of Archonus’ words and the next step in life I take. Tomorrow at dawn we set sail for Atur across the ringed continent past the island of my childhood.
