A PEACEFUL INTERLUDE
Walking through the city gates of Cauldron, Caine stopped for a moment, allowing the cool wind to blow across his face. Although the last few tendays had been quite a chore, the monsoon season in this region he guessed, the air had now cooled significantly allowing him at least a brief period of respite from the incessant downpour.
Caine pulled back the hood of his homespun robes and looked at the bustling streets. Though he had heard of the Bright Axes, indeed that was the very reason he had traveled here, he had lately heard that the city had been overwhelmed by local hoods as well as the sizable Thieves Guild.
His speculation aroused the attention of his unseen companion. In response Caine simply patted the folds of his robe, “Worry not, my friend. The Temple of Tyr is not far and I’m sure we will be fine with all the city watch around.
Unknown to Caine, he was being watched by predatory eyes as he moved quickly through the dark alleys of Cauldron. His simple demeanor, poor garb and, most importantly, the bulging parcel he carried under his arm, made him a prime target.
Tian addressed his companions briefly, “You three go behind the target and take him down quickly, silently. I’ll block the other end of the alley if the fool tries to flee.”
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A few minutes later, Caine found himself moving through an alleyway when he heard the scrape of stone behind him. Undoubtedly, brigands trying to relieve him of his parcel he supposed. Ignoring them, he continued to stride forward.
The three thugs, wearing masks painted half black and half white, approached their victim longswords drawn. As they drew closer, their hearts began to beat faster and their pulse quickened as they moved in for the kill.
When they approached within striking distance, they found that they could not raise their arms against this man. Indeed, their heart beats had slowed as their fury was quickly dissipated. The rogues paused and looked at each other in confusion. Mere seconds ago they would have gladly gutted this fool for his wealth but now held their hand.
They looked down the alleyway with equanimity, wondering absently if Tian would complete the job that they could not.
The leader of this group of Last Laugh thieves burst from the shadows, cutting off Caine’s access to the exit.
“Halt traveler! You are new in Cauldron and, perhaps, are not aware of our customs. It is mandatory to pay a toll to the Last Laugh ‘ere you enter our fair city. Now hand over that parcel.”
Caine smiled, not out of cynicism or spite, but out of genuine warmth, “I give you my apologies then, my friend, for this package is not for you.”
“Then you die! Everyone, finish him!”
Tian stared dumbfounded at his cohorts who simply loitered at the other end of the alleyway, “Fools! What are you doing!? Do you need a written invitation? Gut him!!”
The remorseful expressions on the faces of his associates enraged him even more then the traveler’s response, “They have, at least temporarily, renounced their unlawful activities. Violence is never the answer, my friend.”
This was too much! Tian would not be lectured or insulted in front of his minions! Howling with fury, he pulled back his longsword in a wide arc and sent the razor-sharp edge sailing into Caine’s temple.
The force of the blow was so great that Tian turned completely around with the momentum he had generated and nearly lost his balance. The first thing he noticed was that he only held the hilt of his sword, the blade lay in pieces on the ground.
The sword had shattered!
“I hope you’ll excuse me for my rudeness, friend. But I have pressing business.”
An unharmed Caine moved silently past the awestruck rogue as he arrived within visual range of the Temple of the Just God.
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Pez and the Bright Axes had only been gone for one day, but Jenya already felt uneasy. Of late, she had trouble sleeping due to an increasing frequency of nightmares. She could not rightly call them omens for they were too unconnected and random to be called coherent.
She dreamed of fiends, devils and demons, and the lower planes they inhabited. Bathed in fire and darkness they tortured souls, both righteous and corrupt, in an orgy of bloodshed.
Her weary eyes looked up from her desk as an acolyte approached, “Justice Jenya, a visitor is here to see you. He claims that he intends to make a large donation to the Church.”
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Clad in full-plate armor, befitting her station, Jenya approached the new arrival. He did not amount to much, she thought, with only simple robes and a well-used quarterstaff.
“Greeting, traveler, I was told that you wished to help fill our coffers. Of course, any donation would be greatly appreciated . . .”
The traveler humbly bowed, “Justice Jenya, I have heard of the many good deeds sanctioned by this fine institution in the last few months. In particular, your sponsorship of the Bright Axes has been very fortuitous for this city, nay for the Vilhon Reach itself.”
Jenya kept herself from rolling her eyes, she could scarcely believe that an acolyte had disturbed her busy duties to merely accept a few copper or silver pieces from a beggar.
“My name is Caine, formerly of Cormyr, and I have traveled far to give you this,” opening his parcel, the traveler produced a ruby of breathtaking beauty and size. Jenya’s was no gem cutter, but her jaw dropped as she began to calculate the sheer value of the mammoth jewel.
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Seated in Jenya’s office, Caine further explained his donation, “You see, I have spent the last several months traveling down the Dragon Coast. I did some odd jobs along the way and was able to acquire a small fortune. Having no need for money myself, I sought to donate the wealth to an appropriate group. Once I entered the Vilhon Reach, my problem was solved when I heard of the Church of Tyr.”
“Of course, we thank you for this great gift Caine. The maimed god must have indeed blessed you to make it all the way here unharmed and with your gemstone still in your possession! But, if I may be forward, why did you leave Cormyr in the first place?”
Caine smiled warmly as he continued, “I was an aspiring War Wizard during what seems a lifetime ago. In fact, I had just been initiated among their elite ranks when the drow invaded Cormyr. Suffice to say, many of my treasured comrades fell defending Marsember, my home city.”
“The next several years of my life are . . . difficult for me to describe. I was held captive by the drow for what seemed like an eternity. The things I saw . . . well, surely you know the nature of dark elves and I have no desire to dwell on such topics. In any case, the forces of Alusair ultimately re-conquered the country and liberated me and many of my brethren.”
“It was then I realized the endless cycle of violence in this world. All gods, save perhaps Eldath, have us trapped in a circle of eternal warfare. The forces of good will eventually wane, become complacent and be displaced by evil. Then, evil will turn on itself and repeat the cycle. I wished to escape this misery so I took the vows of as ascetic and left my homeland.”
Jenya listened to the mage’s story with interest. Considering the many uncivilized and dangerous areas along the coast and Vilhon Reach, she somehow doubted Caine did not resort to violence on at least a few occasions – but she had not desire to antagonize her patron, “That is indeed an inspiring tale. Tell me, did you come here all by yourself? Sans companions?”
“Thankfully, no. During my travels I was blessed with numerous allies. In particular I was at home in many of the druidic enclaves in the Reach. In fact, I found myself particularly welcomed by fey in numerous forests. I truly enjoyed the simple love and unassuming affection exhibited by the dryads, nymphs, and pixies. However, my most valued companion was sent to me by the Lords of Good themselves. Jules, please show yourself!”
Immediately, the shadowy light illuminating Jenya’s chambers was thrown aside as a small globe of light appeared in the room. It spoke with a most harmonious voice, like that of wind chimes during a light breeze. “My greetings to you Justice Jenya. It pleases me greatly to enter this holy house of worship.”
“Jules is a Lantern Archon from the Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia. I consider myself blessed in the extreme with the benefit of his wise consul. But, I digress. I wonder if you could tell me where I could find the Bright Axes themselves. Such bastions of good are quite rare during these times.”
Jenya nodded at this, considering the inaction of many of the other religious institutions in Cauldron during the recent flood season, “Indeed. Unfortunately, they are off on another adventure. The six of them are traveling north of here to enter the Underdark. They hope to rescue the son of a dwarven king who is being held by evil aquatic creatures, the Kuo-Toa.”
“I see, perhaps I can help them in their endeavors. I would be honored to lend my services to their cause. Could you perhaps direct me to their location?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
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As Caine left the Church, Justice Jenya saw him out. “Once again, I thank you for your kind donation good sir. Are you sure I cannot supply you with a few potions?”
“Again, thank you but no. I have taken a vow of poverty and cannot accept such extravagant items.”
“Well then, I bid you farewell and good luck in your travels. I hope we will meet again.”
Waving her goodbye, Caine left the city as he once again strode fearlessly into the savage frontier